Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 83

So shalt thou find, in work and thought: The peace that sorrow cannot give; Though grief's worst pangs to thee be taught, By thee let others n.o.bler live.

Oh, wait not in the darksome forest, Where thou must needs be left alone, But e'en when memory is sorest, Seek out a path and journey on!

Thou wilt have angels near above By whom invisible aid is given; They journey still on tasks of love, And never rest except in heaven.

--John Sterling.

THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW

In the floods of tribulation, While the billows o'er me roll, Jesus whispers consolation And supports my fainting soul; Sweet affliction That brings Jesus to my soul.

Thus the lion yields me honey, From the eater food is given; Strengthened thus I still press forward, Singing on my way to heaven.

Sweet affliction, Helping speed me on to heaven.

So in darkest dispensations Doth my faithful Lord appear, With his richest consolations To reanimate and cheer; Sweet affliction, Thus to bring my Saviour near.

Floods of tribulation heighten, Billows still around me roar; Those who know not Christ they frighten; But my soul defies their power: Sweet affliction, Thus to bring my Saviour near.

In the sacred page recorded, Thus His word securely stands; "Fear not; I'm, in trouble, near thee, Naught shall pluck thee from my hands."

Sweet affliction, Every word my love demands.

All I meet, I find, a.s.sists me In my path to heavenly joy, Where, though trials now attend me, Trials never more annoy.

Sweet affliction, Every promise gives me joy.

Wearing there a weight of glory, Still the path I'll ne'er forget, But, exulting, cry it led me To my blessed Saviour's seat; Sweet affliction, Which hath brought me to his feet.

--Pearce.

Glory to G.o.d--to G.o.d! he saith, Knowledge by suffering entereth, And life is perfected by death.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

HIS WAYS

I asked for grace to lift me high, Above the world's depressing cares.

G.o.d sent me sorrows,--with a sigh I said, He has not heard my prayers.

I asked for light, that I might see My path along life's th.o.r.n.y road; But clouds and darkness shadowed me When I expected light from G.o.d.

I asked for peace, that I might rest To think my sacred duties o'er, When lo! such horrors filled my breast As I had never felt before.

And O, I cried, can this be prayer Whose plaints the steadfast mountains move?

Can this be heaven's prevailing care?

And, O my G.o.d, is this thy love?

But soon I found that sorrow, worn As duty's garment, strength supplies, And out of darkness meekly borne Unto the righteous light doth rise.

And soon I found that fears which stirred My startled soul G.o.d's will to do, On me more real peace conferred Than in life's calm I ever knew.

Then, Lord, in thy mysterious ways Lead my dependent spirit on, And whensoe'er it kneels and prays, Teach it to say, "Thy will be done!"

Let its one thought, one hope, one prayer, Thine image seek, thy glory see; Let every other wish and care Be left confidingly to thee.

--John Samuel Bewley Monsell.

COMPENSATION

Not in each sh.e.l.l the diver brings to air Is found the priceless pearl, but only where Mangled, and torn, and bruised well-nigh to death, The wounded oyster draws its laboring breath.

O tired and suffering soul! gauge here your gain; The pearl of patience is the fruit of pain.

--Caroline Atherton Mason.

THE DARK ANGEL

Count each affliction, whether light or grave, G.o.d's messenger sent down to thee. Do thou With courtesy receive him, rise and bow, And, ere his shadow pa.s.s thy threshold, crave Permission first his heavenly feet to lave, Then lay before him all thou hast. Allow No cloud of pa.s.sion to usurp thy brow Or mar thy hospitality; no wave Of mortal tumult to obliterate Thy soul's marmoreal calmness. Grief should be, Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate; Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free; Strong to consume small troubles, to commend Great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.

--Aubrey Thomas De Vere.

SONG--SERMON

Lord, what is man, That thou art mindful of him?

Though in creation's van, Lord, what is man?

He wills less than he can, Lets his ideal scoff him!

Lord, what is man, That thou art mindful of him?

--George Macdonald.

Lord, shall we grumble when thy flames do scourge us?

Our sins breathe fire; thy fire returns to purge us.

Lord, what an alchemist art thou, whose skill Trans.m.u.tes to perfect good from perfect ill!

--Francis Quarles.

The path of sorrow, and that path alone, Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown; No traveler e'er reached that blest abode Who found not thorns and briers in his road.

--William Cowper.

TAKE AWAY PAIN

The cry of man's anguish went up unto G.o.d: "Lord, take away pain-- The shadow that darkens the world thou hast made, The close-coiling chain That strangles the heart, the burden that weighs On the wings that would soar-- Lord, take away pain from the world thou hast made, That it love thee the more!"