QUESTIONS.
What can we do in temptation’s hour?
How shall we conquer its fiery power?
How can we master it—standing alone,
Just on the threshold of things unknown?
Strong is its power as Death and Hell,
Led by its lure, even angels fell!
Dazed by the glare of a rising light
How shall poor mortals see aright?
Tempted we were in the morning of life,
With earth’s simple joys that are ever rife,
To idly bask in the sun’s warm beam
And to care no jot for a holier dream.
Tempted again in the heyday sun,
To choose fair paths and in gardens run,
Claiming as ours, all joy—all love,
Flowerets of bliss from the Heavens above.
Temptings come now, in life’s later prime,
Deeper and stronger than in past time,
To feed with fuel the inward fire,
The passionate dream of the soul’s desire!
Two feet are creeping on paths unknown,
Weary and mournful, sad and lone;
Two eyes are looking and longing for light,
Two hands are locked in a desperate fight.
A heart is breaking with pain and grief,
A soul in strong agony cries for relief;
Echoes no kindred chord above?
Stretcheth no Hand in responsive love?
Is our Great God, but a God of stone?
Are we—His people—dazed and alone?
Is there no Ear that can hear us cry?
No Christ,—to succour us e’er we die?
L. F. Ff.