the deeper
experiences of life. Still they should know and love the poem and may be
led to a partial understanding of its beauty in sentiment by means of
interpretation carried not too far. By comment and reading somewhat in
the following manner may the most be accomplished:

1. The poet had reached mature years and had felt the oppressing
influence of questioning and doubt, but had reached a sublime faith in
the power and love of God. He still feels, however, the need of the
personal care and guidance of the Almighty, and asks that it may
continue through life. So we may imagine him in one of those thoughtful
moments which come to every one, musing thus: Darkness and night
surround me with their encircling gloom, and I feel that years must pass
before I reach my heavenly home, so--

Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on;

While he no longer doubts the care and protection of God, yet he feels
that his own strength is not sufficient; that he may err and stumble in
the path he has chosen. He does not ask that all should be clear, nor
that he should see the long course of his life, but is content to pray--

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

2. After this invocation and prayer, his thoughts turn back into the
past, and he remembers that in youth he had not this divine faith, nor
did he wish to place his reliance in God. He preferred to lay out his
own course and to plan his life far into the future, without the feeling
of dependence that now rules him. So he sings:

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path, but now
Lead thou me on;

He remembers that then he loved display and ostentation and was proud,
wilful and self-confident; nevertheless, there were times when for a
moment he feared, but in spite of that timidity, he went on in his
masterful way:

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will:

The thought of his self-complacency, his pride and arrogance brings out
the plea, the supplication, "remember not past years."

[Illustration: SIR FRANCIS BACON
JONATHAN SWIFT
CARDINAL NEWMAN
DANIEL DEFOE
CARDINAL WISEMAN
CERVANTES
FATHER RYAN]

3. He remembers that through all his rebellions he has bee