10. A DOUBTING HEART. HERE are the swallows fled? WH Frozen and dead, Perchance, upon some bleak and frozen shore. Far over purple seas, They wait in sunny ease The balmy southern breeze To bring them to their northern home once more. Why must the flowers die? Prisoned they lie In the cold tomb, heedless of tears or rain. They only sleep below The soft white ermine snow, While winter winds shall blow, To breathe and smile upon you soon again. The sun has hid his rays These many days: Will dreary hours never leave the earth? The stormy clouds on high Veil the same sunny sky That soon (for Spring is nigh) Shall wake the Summer into golden mirth. Fair hope is dead, and light Is quenched in night. What sound can break the silence of despair? O doubting heart! Thy sky is overcast ; Yet stars shall rise at last, Brighter for darkness past, And angels' silver voices stir the air. Adelaide A. Procter. I 11. THANKFULNESS. THANK thee, O my God! who made So full of splendor and of joy, Beauty and light; So many glorious things are here, I thank thee, too, that thou hast made So many gentle thoughts and deeds That, in the darkest spot on earth, I thank thee more that all our joy That shadows fall on brightest hours; So that earth's bliss may be our guide, For thou who knowest, Lord, how soon Hast given us joys tender and true, So that we see gleaming on high I thank thee, Lord, that thou hast kept We have enough, yet not too much I thank thee, Lord, that here our souls, Can never find, although they seek, A perfect rest; Nor ever shall, until they lean. On Jesus' breast. Adelaide A. Procter. ON 12. ONE BY ONE. NE by one the sands are flowing, One by one the moments fall: Some are coming, some are going; Do not strive to grasp them all. One by one thy duties wait thee; Learn thou first what these can teach. One by one, bright gifts from heaven, One by one thy griefs shall meet thee: Do not look at life's long sorrow; See how small each moment's pain: God will help thee for to-morrow; To each day begin again. Every hour that fleets so slowly If thou set each gem with care. |