ether the way is strewn with broken ties,
Or friendships warm.

This much I know: Whate'er the pathway trod,
All else unknown,
I shall be guided safely on, for God
Will keep his own.

Clouds may obscure the sky, and drenching rain
Wear channels deep;
And haggard want, with all her bitter train,
Make angels weep.

And those I love the best, beneath the sod
May sleep alone;
But through it all I shall be led, for God
Will keep his own.

--Sarah Knowles Bolton.

CARE THOU FOR ME

Care Thou for me! Let me not care!
Too weak am I, dear Lord, to bear
The heavy burdens of the day;
And oft I walk with craven feet
Upon life's rough and toilsome way;
How sweet to feel, how passing sweet,
Thy watchful presence everywhere!
Care Thou for me! Let me not care!

Care Thou for me! Why should I care,
And looks of gloomy sadness wear,
And fret because I cannot see
(Thy wisdom doth ordain it so)
The path thou hast marked out for me?
My Father's plan is best, I know,
It will be light, sometime--somewhere--
Care thou for me! Why should I care?

Care Thou for me! Let me not care!
This, each new day, shall be my prayer;
Thou, who canst read my inmost heart,
Dost know I am exceeding frail;
Both just and merciful thou art,
Whose loving kindness ne'er shall fail;
My human nature thou wilt spare;
Care Thou for me! I will not care!

THE SPARROW

I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.

He gave me a coat of feathers;
It is very plain, I know,
With never a speck of crimson,
For it was not made for show,

But it keeps me warm in winter,
And it shields me from the rain;
Were it bordered with gold or purple
Perhaps it would make me vain.

I have no barn or storehouse,
I neither sow nor reap;
God gives me a sparrow's portion,
But never a seed to keep.

If my meal is sometimes scanty,
Close picking makes it sweet;
I have always enough to feed me,
And "life is more than meat."

I know there are many sparrows,
All over the world we are found;
But our heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.

Though small