And if He walks with thee, He scatters not thy might; But, gathering all together, He doth shed. Over thy handiwork a radiant, joy-clear light, That so its weariness be banished: And for the work which by His help thou dost achieve, From His own Hand thy soul the guerdon shall receive. O blessed life, to have Him ever in our sight : To speak with Him at all times; and His Voice As, also, is the ease with which our work is done. "ALL WELL!" ("GETROST!") O How many an hour of gladness When the sun shone hotly o'er us— When our hearts were weak and low, How hath He revived our spirit,— Wiped the moisture from our brow! And, however long the warfare, Clad no more in pilgrim-garments Should not this make glad thy spirit, Make thy heart lie calm and still : Waiting only for His leading; Leaving all things to His will? All shall serve for thy well-being, E'en the bitterest and hardest Serves for blessing, not for loss: Thou art not the only pilgrim Who has learned to bless his cross. Pathless heights rise steep before thee On Faith's journey evermore; If thou canst not climb their summits, God Himself will bear thee o'er. Only, with eyes uplifted, Still in faith and hope endure: On thy homeward way press forward, Heart and longing true and pure. Fearlessly, and without trembling, Walk in the dark valley here: God's blue heaven is ever o'er thee, Free and open, calm and clear. FOR THE YOUNG. (FÜR DIE JUGEND.) THOU Father over all the children-hearts To Whom the children's song of thanks and praise O Father, let them evermore rejoice, As children, in Thy Love; Yet may their hearts with quick remorse be touched, When from Thy ways they rove! Thy Spirit's discipline, whilst life is fresh, Grant them to feel and know. The soul that early seeks Thy loving Grace Rests free from later woe. Waken their hearts from all delusive dreams Of long life yet to be: Many a blossom, ere it comes to fruit, Falls, withered, from the tree. |