Our outward life requires them not,- To beautify the earth; To comfort man,-to whisper hope, For Who so careth for the flowers John Henry Newman. 1801-1890. THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD. Lead, Kindly Light! amid the encircling gloom, The night is dark, and I am far from home, Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou I loved to choose and see my path; but now I loved the garish day, and spite of fears, So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till And with the morn those angel faces smile karl Jobann Philipp Spitta. 1801-1859. O HAPPY HOUSE! O happy house! where Thou art loved the best, Where never comes such welcome, honored Guest, O happy house! where man and wife in heart, That neither life nor death can ever part 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 To Thee, their Friend, who from the heights of heaven Guards them with more than mother's care. O happy house! and happy servitude! Till common tasks seem great and holy, O happy house! where Thou art not forgot O happy house! where every wound is brought, 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,— 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, Oh, ne'er will I at life repine; Ricbard Chenevir Trencb. THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I say to thee, do thou repeat That he, and we, and all men move As broad as the blue sky above: That doubt and trouble, fear and pain, That weary deserts we may tread, Yet, if we will one Guide obey, And we, on divers shores now cast, And ere thou leave him, say thou this, Yet one word more: they only miss The winning of that final bliss |