was
sealed my destiny was sealed in it. It was one that hauled my
anchor of hope; yes, one to bring glad tidings of great joy
and crowning success, or the gloom of disastrous failure.
Thus, having my hope sealed, I wrote across it "In Haste!"

The night of its return was a dark, rainy one. As all sat
discussing different events that had transpired since the new
session had begun, suddenly a whistle was heard. How our
hearts throbbed with gladness as we exclaimed, "There, that's
the mail!" Dear reader, you cannot imagine how overjoyed I
was. I knew that bag contained a letter for me; so anxious
was I to receive it I did not trust anyone, but rushed to the
office, and ere long my name was called.

I opened it then and there, with an eager look for a green
piece of paper styled a "Money Order." I looked, but found it
not. All hope vanished; joy faded; and gloom hovered over
me--a feeling I never before had, nor since, and I hope never
again to have, electrified my body. It was then raining at
full headway: the lightnings flashed; the thunders pealed out
peal after peal, each succeeding one louder than the first.
By this time all had gone to bed but me. I thought thought
after thought, prayed prayer after prayer, sent up cry after
cry, shed tear after tear. I went to bed, but could not
sleep. I then thought of this subject: "O God, Wilt Thou Help
Me in School?" After writing it, my feelings were changed,
the gloom was dispelled, and 'Smiling Hope' returned with
joyous tidings of happiness and a blissful future.

O, God to Thee, who knowest all things,
To Thee each being his praises brings,
In heaven, or earth, or sea, or sky--
To-night to Thee I raise my cry.

To-night as Thou doth know the why,
The why I make each tearful sigh--
Hast Thou not crowned and blest my way?
Why'st Thou forsaken me to-day?

To-night while in my deepest grief,
I calmly wait Thy sweet relief;
Thou knowest I have done my best,
Oh, give my pondering soul some rest.

To-night, O God, grant all to know,
For man to reap he first must sow;
To know to have both bread and wine
He must reap all at harvest time.

To-night, O God, to Thee I plead,
Thou must protect me, guide and lead
Through this which is my darkest night
To a day when Thou shalt give me light.

To-night my soul does bleed with pain,
As murky clou