Each Hope that stood with angel-finger spired All to that unbelieving heart had died, Grave seemed to shout to grave like deep to deep, "No Soul, no God!" this wail for evermore Wondering I gazed and mused and wept the while, "Would'st know," he said, "why Pain and Fear and Night With dark and desolate pinions o'er him sweep? Learn thou that Sin clouds heaven from human sight: He sowed as he doth reap! "Doubt is the eternal shade by Evil cast! 66 Thrones Appetite and Crime. Only the ear in chord with goodness grown, Hears the full tide of Truth's immortal hymn, The heart where living virtues bloom alone, God's angels enter in! "Write the great law in alphabet of flame, Sound it with prophecy and psalm abroad; Doubt's awful tempests veil the tents of shame : The pure alone see God! THOMAS L. HARRIS. THE DEAD. THE dead alone are great! While heavenly plants abide on earth, But when they die, a mourning shower Comes down and makes their memories flower With odors sweet though late. The dead alone are fair! While they are with us, strange lines play Before our eyes, and chase away God's light; but let them pale and die, The dead alone are dear! While they are here, long shadows fall The dead alone are blest! While they are here, clouds mar the day, HENRY ALFORD. PROMISED LIGHT. "AT evening time it shall be light." "At evening time it shall be light." "At evening time it shall be light." Then how canst thou e'er dare to fear, Although the tempest round thee roar, And thou mayst seem forsaken quite, Yet cheer, faint heart, 'twill soon be o'er : "At evening time it shall be light." The clouds that hide the sun all day, The grain that in a thousand grains revives Yet each new year renewing their green lives; But dies the insect when the summer dies; The grain hath perished, though the plant remain ; In death, at last, the oak of ages lies; Here Reason halts, nor further can attain, For Reason argues but from what she sees, But Faith the dark hiatus can supply – In higher worlds that higher laws obtain ; CHRISTIAN TRUST. GIVE to the winds thy fears; Hope and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head. Through waves, through clouds and storms, He gently clears thy way; He everywhere hath way, And all things serve His might; His every act pure blessing is, His paths, unsullied light. What shall His work withstand? When He His people's cause defends, |