FAITH
Lord, give me faith!—to live from day to day,
With tranquil heart to do my simple part,
And, with my hand in Thine, just go Thy way.
Lord, give me faith!—to trust, if not to know;
With quiet mind in all things Thee to find,
And, child-like, go where Thou wouldst have me go.
Lord, give me faith!—to leave it all to Thee,
The future is Thy gift, I would not lift
The vail Thy Love has hung 'twixt it and me.
"I WILL!"
Say once again Thy sweet "I will!"
In answer to my prayers.
"Lord, if Thou wilt!"—
—"I will!
Rise up above thy cares!"
A LITTLE TE DEUM OF THE COMMONPLACE
A FRAGMENT
With hearts responsive
And enfranchised eyes,
We thank Thee, Lord,—
For all things beautiful, and good, and true;
For things that seemed not good yet turned to good;
For all the sweet compulsions of Thy will
That chased, and tried, and wrought us to Thy shape;
For things unnumbered that we take of right,
And value first when first they are withheld;
For light and air; sweet sense of sound and smell;
For ears to hear the heavenly harmonies;
For eyes to see the unseen in the seen;
For vision of The Worker in the work;
For hearts to apprehend Thee everywhere;
We thank Thee, Lord!
For all the wonders of this wondrous world;—
The pure pearl splendours of the coming day,
The breaking east,—the rosy flush,—the Dawn,—
For that bright gem in morning's coronal,
That one lone star that gleams above the glow;
For that high glory of the impartial sun,—
The golden noonings big with promised life;
The matchless pageant of the evening skies.
The wide-flung gates,—the gleams of Paradise,—
Supremest visions of Thine artistry;
The sweet, soft gloaming, and the friendly stars;
The vesper stillness, and the creeping shades;
The moon's pale majesty; the pulsing dome,
Wherein we feel Thy great heart throbbing near;
For sweet laborious days and restful nights;
For work to do, and strength to do the work;
We thank Thee, Lord!