Thy various messengers employ; XXXII. It was no path of flowers, And shall we in dismay, Shrink from the narrow way, When clouds and darkness are around it spread? O Thou who art our life, Be with us through the strife! Was not thy head by earth's fierce tempests bowed? Raise thou our eyes above To see a Father's love Beam, like a bow of promise, through the cloud. And, O, if thoughts of gloom That light of love our guiding star shall be; The shadowy way to tread, Friend, Guardian, Saviour, which doth lead to thee. XXXIII. FATHER! in thy mysterious presence kneeling, Fain would our souls feel all thy kindling love, For we are weak, and need some deep revealing Of trust, and strength, and calmness from above. Lord! we have wandered forth through doubt and sorrow, And thou hast made each step an onward one; And we will ever trust each unknown morrow Thou wilt sustain us till its work is done. - In the heart's depths a peace serene and holy Abides; and when pain seems to have her will Or we despair, O may that peace rise slowly, Stronger than agony, and we be still. Now, Father, now, in thy dear presence kneel ing, Our spirits yearn to feel thy kindling love; Now make us strong, we need thy deep revealing Of trust, and strength, and calmness from above. XXXIV. THOU that art strong to comfort, look on me! Have gone, and left me in a rayless night. A bruised and broken reed sustain ! sustain ! To whom no soul hath ever fled in vain ; Father! whate'er I had, it all was thine; A God of mercy Thou hast ever been; O help me what I most loved to resign, And if I murmur, count it not for sin. My soul is strengthened now, and it shall bear XXXV. O, WHO, in such a world as this That hope the sovereign Lord has given, Who reigns above the skies ; Each care, each ill of mortal birth, Is sent in pitying love, To lift the lingering heart from earth, And speed its flight above. And every pang that wrings the breast, And every joy that dies, Tells us to seek a purer rest, And trust to holier ties. XXXVI. Is there a lone and dreary hour, Is there a time of fear or grief, Is there an hour of peace and joy, The noon-tide blaze, the midnight scene, |