He in the thickest darkness dwells,
Performs the work, the cause conceals;
And though His footsteps are unknown,
Judgment and truth support His throne.

In heaven and earth, in air and seas,
He executes his wise decrees ;
Know this alone and be at rest,-
That what He does is ever best.

Wait then, my soul, submissive wait;
With reverence bow before His feet;
Though paths of pain thou oft has trod,
Trust in a wise and gracious God.

34 FATHER TO THEE WE LOOK.

(Psalm xxx.)

Father, to Thee we look in all our sorrow,
Thou art the fountain whence our healing flows,
Dark though the night, joy cometh with the morrow;
Safely they rest who on Thy love repose.

When fond hopes fail and skies are dark before us, When the vain cares that vex our lives increase, Comes with its calm the thought that Thou art

o'er us,

And we grow quiet, folded in Thy peace.

Naught shall affright us, on Thy goodness leaning, Low in the heart faith singeth still her song ; Chastened by pains we learn life's deeper meaning, And in our weakness Thou dost make us strong.

Patient, O heart, though heavy be thy sorrows!
Be not cast down, disquieted in vain ;

Yet shalt thou praise Him when these darkened furrows,

Where now He plougheth, wave with golden grain.

35

PRAYER IN GRIEF.

To Thee, my God, whose presence fills
The earth, the seas, and skies,

To Thee, whose name, whose heart is love,
With all my powers I rise.

Troubles in long successions roll,
Wave rushes upon wave ;

Pity, O pity my distress!

Thy child, Thy suppliant, save!

To Thee, my God, alone I look,
On Thee alone confide;

Thou never hast deceived the soul

That on Thy grace relied.

Though oft Thy ways are wrapped in clouds,

Mysterious and unknown,

Truth, righteousness, and mercy stand

The pillars of Thy throne.

36

NONE IS LIKE GOD.

Who is like Thee, O Universal Lord!

Who dare Thy praise and glory share?

Who is in heaven, Most High, like Thee adored ? Who can on earth with Thee compare?

Thou art the One true God alone,

And firmly founded is Thy throne.

Thy tender love embraces all mankind,
As children all by Thee are blest;
Repentant sinners with Thee mercy find,
Thy hand upholdeth the opprest;
All worlds attest Thy power sublime,
Thy glory shines in every clime.

37 THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD.

66 Thus shalt thou love the Almighty Lord With all thy heart and soul and mind,"

So speaks to men that sacred word

For counsel and reproof designed.

"With all thy heart"; each idol thing,
To God must all the sway resign,
Nor o'er thy breast a shadow fling,

To darken that pure love of thine.

"With all thy mind"; each varied power,
Creative fancy, musings high,

And thoughts that glance behind, before,-
These must religion sanctify.

"With soul and strength"; thy days of ease,
While vigor nerves each youthful limb,
And hope and joy, and health and peace,-
All must be freely brought to Him.

O Power supreme, in whom we move!
Vouchsafe Thy servants, in their day,
The mind to adore, the heart to love,
And strength to serve Thee, while they may.

38

GOD'S OMNISCIENCE.

(Psalm cxxxix.)

Lord, Thou hast searched and seen me through; Thine eye commands, with piercing view,

My rising and my resting hours,

My heart, my flesh, with all their powers.

39

My thoughts, before they are my own,
Are to my God distinctly known,
He knows the words I mean to speak

Ere from my opening lips they break.

Within Thy circling power I stand;
On every side I find Thy hand;
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,

I am surrounded still with God.

Amazing knowledge, vast and great!
What large extent! what lofty height!
My soul, with all the powers I boast,
Is in the boundless prospect lost.

O may these thoughts possess my breast
Where'er I rove, where'er I rest,
Nor let my weaker passions dare
Consent to sin, for God is there!

OUR GUIDING STAR.

(Psalm xxxvii: 3.)

Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There is a star to guide the humble :

"Trust in God and do the right."