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Our outward life requires them not,-
Then wherefore had they birth ?—
To minister delight to man,

To beautify the earth;

To comfort man,-to whisper hope,
Whene'er his faith is dim,

For Who so careth for the flowers
Will care much more for him!

John Henry Newman.

1801-1890.

THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD.

Lead, Kindly Light! amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on ;

The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on;

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on :

I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on,

O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;

And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

karl Jobann Philipp Spitta.

1801-1859.

O HAPPY HOUSE!

O happy house! where Thou art loved the best,
Dear Friend and Saviour of our race,

Where never comes such welcome, honored Guest,
Where none can ever fill thy place;
Where every heart goes forth to meet Thee,
Where every ear attends Thy word,
Where every lip with blessing greets Thee,
Where all are waiting on their Lord.

O happy house! where man and wife in heart,
In faith and hope are one,

That neither life nor death can ever part
The holy union here begun ;

Where both are sharing one salvation,

And live before Thee, Lord, always,

In gladness or in tribulation,

In happy or in evil days.

O happy house! whose little ones are given
Early to Thee, in faith and prayer-

To Thee, their Friend, who from the heights of heaven

Guards them with more than mother's care.
O happy house! where little voices
Their glad hosannas love to raise,
And childhood's lisping tongue rejoices
To bring new songs of love and praise.

O happy house! and happy servitude!
Where all alike one Master own;
Where daily duty in Thy strength pursued,
Is never hard nor toilsome known;
Where each one serves Thee, meek and lowly,
Whatever Thine appointment be,

Till common tasks seem great and holy,
When they are done as unto Thee.

O happy house! where Thou art not forgot
Where joy is flowing full and free;

O happy house! where every wound is brought,
Physician, Comforter, to Thee.

Until at last, earth's day's work ended,

All meet Thee in that home above,

From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended,

Thy heaven of glory and of love!

Translated by Mrs. ERIC FINDLATER. (Slightly altered.)

Sarah Flower Adamıs.

1805-1848.

FATHER, THY WILL BE DONE.

He sendeth sun, He sendeth shower,—
Alike they 're needful for the flower;
And joys and tears alike are sent
To give the soul fit nourishment.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.

Can loving children e'er reprove

With murmurs whom they trust and love? Creator, I would ever be

A trusting, loving child to Thee;

As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.

Oh, ne'er will I at life repine;
Enough that Thou hast made it mine.
When falls the shadow cold of death,
I yet will sing with parting breath,
As comes to me or shade or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.

Ricbard Chenevir Trencb.
1807-1886.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

I say to thee, do thou repeat
To the first man thou mayest meet,
In lane, highway, or open street,--

That he, and we, and all men move
Under a canopy of Love,

As broad as the blue sky above:

That doubt and trouble, fear and pain,
And anguish, all are sorrows vain ;
That death itself shall not remain :

That weary deserts we may tread,
A dreary labyrinth may thread,
Through dark ways underground be led;

Yet, if we will one Guide obey,
The dreariest path, the darkest way,
Shall issue out in heavenly day.

And we, on divers shores now cast,
Shall meet, our perilous voyage past,
All in our Father's house at last.

And ere thou leave him, say thou this, Yet one word more: they only miss The winning of that final bliss

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