Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 99

To each troubled soul that liveth, Peace at length.

Weakest lambs have largest share Of the tender Shepherd's care; Ask him not the "When," or "How"; Only bow.

--Charles Rudolf Hagenbach.

I WILL TRUST

I am glad to think I am not bound to make the world go right, But only to discover and to do With cheerful heart the work that G.o.d appoints.

I will trust in him That he can hold his own; and I will take His will, above the work he sendeth me, To be my chiefest good.

--Jean Ingelow.

I KNOW NOT IF THE DARK OR BRIGHT

I know not if the dark or bright Shall be my lot; If that wherein my hopes delight Be best or not.

It may be mine to drag for years Toil's heavy chain; Or day and night my meat be tears, On bed of pain.

Dear faces may surround my hearth With smiles and glee; Or I may dwell alone, and mirth Be strange to me.

My bark is wafted to the strand By breath divine; And on the helm there rests a hand Other than mine.

One who has known in storms to sail I have on board; Above the raging of the gale I hear my Lord.

He holds me when the billows smite; I shall not fall; If sharp, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light, He tempers all.

Safe to the land, safe to the land!

The end is this: And then with him go, hand in hand, Far into bliss.

--Dean Alford.

I CAN TRUST

I cannot see, with my small human sight, Why G.o.d should lead this way or that for me; I only know he saith, "Child, follow me."

But I can trust.

I know not why my path should be at times So straitly hedged, so strongly barred before; I only know G.o.d could keep wide the door; But I can trust.

I find no answer, often, when beset With questions fierce and subtle on my way, And often have but strength to faintly pray; But I can trust.

I often wonder, as with trembling hand I cast the seed along the furrowed ground, If ripened fruit will in my life be found; But I can trust.

I cannot know why suddenly the storm Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath; But this I know--G.o.d watches all my path, And I can trust.

I may not draw aside the mystic veil That hides the unknown future from my sight; Nor know if for me waits the dark or light; But I can trust.

I have no power to look across the tide, To see, while here, the land beyond the river; But this I know, I shall be G.o.d's forever; So I can trust.

The world is wide In time and tide, And G.o.d is guide; Then do not hurry.

That man is blest Who does his best And leaves the rest; Then do not worry.

--Charles F. Deems.

WISDOM OF DISCIPLINE

Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; His will is ever just; Howe'er he orders now my cause I will be still, and trust.

He is my G.o.d, Though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall, Wherefore to him I leave it all.

Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; He never will deceive; He leads me by the proper path, And so to him I cleave, And take, content, What he hath sent; His hand can turn my grief away, And patiently I wait his day.

Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; He taketh thought for me; The cup that my Physician gives No poisoned draught can be, But medicine due; For G.o.d is true; And on that changeless truth I build And all my heart with hope is filled.

Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; Though I the cup must drink That bitter seems to my faint heart, I will not fear nor shrink; Tears pa.s.s away With dawn of day; Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart, And pain and sorrow all depart.

Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; My Light, my Life, is he, Who cannot will me aught but good; I trust him utterly; For well I know, In joy or woe, We soon shall see, as sunlight clear, How faithful was our Guardian here.

Whate'er my G.o.d ordains is right; Here will I take my stand; Though sorrow, need, or death, make earth For me a desert land.

My Father's care Is round me there; He holds me that I shall not fall, And so to him I leave it all.

--S. Rodigast.

MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND

"My times are in thy hand"; My G.o.d, I wish them there; My life, my friends, my soul, I leave Entirely to thy care.

"My times are in thy hand,"

Whatever they may be; Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, As best may seem to thee.

"My times are in thy hand"; Why should I doubt or fear?

My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear.

"My times are in thy hand,"

Jesus, the crucified!

The hand my cruel sins had pierced Is now my guard and guide.

"My times are in thy hand"; I'll always trust in thee; And, after death, at thy right hand I shall forever be.

--William F. Lloyd.

ALL FOR THE BEST

Away, my needless fears, And doubts no longer mine; A ray of heavenly light appears, A messenger divine.