best; then fling away terrors;
Meet all your fears and your foes in the van;
And in the midst of your dangers or errors,
Trust like a child, while you strive like a man.

All's for the best; unbiased, unbounded,
Providence reigns from the east to the west;
And, by both wisdom and mercy surrounded,
Hope, and be happy, that all's for the best.

--Martin Farquhar Tupper.

BLEST IS THE FAITH DIVINE AND STRONG

Blest is the faith divine and strong,
Of thanks and praise an endless fountain,
Whose life is one perpetual song
High up the Saviour's holy mountain.

Blest is the hope that holds to God,
In doubt and darkness still unshaken;
And sings along the heavenly road,
Sweetest when most it seems forsaken.

Blest is the love that cannot love
Aught that earth gives of best and brightest;
Whose raptures thrill, like saints above,
Most when its earthly gifts are lightest.

Blest is the time that in the eye
Of God its hopeful watch is keeping,
And grows into eternity
Like noiseless trees when men are sleeping.

--Frederick William Faber.

GOD'S VOICE

Around my path life's mysteries
Their deepening shadows throw;
And as I gaze and ponder,
They dark and darker grow;
Yet still amid the darkness
I feel the light is near,
And in the awful stillness
God's voice I seem to hear.

Thy voice I hear above me,
Which says, "Wait, trust, and pray,
The night will soon be over,
And light will come with day."
Amen! the light and darkness
Are both alike to thee;
Then to thy waiting servant
Alike they both shall be.

That great unending future,
I cannot pierce its shroud,
But nothing doubt nor tremble,
God's bow is on the cloud;
To him I yield my spirit,
On him I lay my load;
Fear ends with death; beyond it
I nothing see but God.

--Samuel Greg.

FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT

Prune thou thy words; the thoughts control
That o'er thee swell and throng;--
They will condense within thy soul,
And change to purpose strong.

But he who lets his feelings run
In soft luxurious flow
Shrinks when hard service must be done,
And faints at every woe.

Faith's meanest deed more favor bears,
Where hearts and wills are weighed,