| ONE BY ONE |
One 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, Let thy whole strength go to each; Let no future dreams elate thee, Learn thou first what these can teach. One by one (bright gifts from heaven) Joys are sent thee here below; Take them readily when given,-- Ready, too, to let them go. One by one thy griefs shall meet thee, Do not fear an armed band; One will fade as others greet thee-- Shadows passing through the land. Do not look at life's long sorrow; See how small each moment's pain; God will help thee for to-morrow; So each day begin again. Every hour, that fleets so slowly, Has its task to do or bear; Luminous the crown and holy, When each gem is set with care. [{462}] Do not linger with regretting, Or for passing hours despond; Nor, the daily toil forgetting, Look too eagerly beyond. Hours are golden links, God's token, Reaching heaven; but one by one Take them, lest the chain be broken, Ere the pilgrimage be done. |
| --Adelaide Ann Procter. |
| TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW |
If Fortune, with a smiling face, Strew roses in our way, When shall we stoop to pick them up?-- To-day, my friend, to-day. But should she frown with face of care And talk of coming sorrow, When shall we grieve, if grieve we must?-- To-morrow, friend, to-morrow. If those who've wronged us own their faults And kindly pity pray, When shall we listen and forgive?-- To-day, my friend, to-day. But if stern Justice urge rebuke, And warmth from memory borrow, When shall we chide, if chide we dare?-- To-morrow, friend, to-morrow. For virtuous acts and harmless joys The minutes will not stay; We've always time to welcome them To-day, my friend, to-day. But care, resentment, angry words, And unavailing sorrow, Come far too soon, if they appear To-morrow, friend, to-morrow. |
| STILL WITH THEE |
Still, still with Thee, my God, I would desire to be, By day, by night, at home, abroad, I would be still with Thee. With Thee when dawn comes in, And calls me back to care, Each day returning to begin With Thee, my God, in prayer. With Thee amid the crowd That throngs the busy mart, To hear Thy voice, 'mid clamor loud, Speak softly to my heart. With Thee when day is done, And evening calms the mind; The setting, as the rising, sun With Thee my heart would find. With Thee when darkness brings The signal of repose, Calm in the shadow of Thy wings Mine eyelids I would close. With Thee, in Thee, by faith Abiding I would be; By day, by night, in life, in death, I would be still with Thee. |
| --James Drummond Burns. |
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
By William Holman Hunt (1827-1910)
The original of this famous picture is owned by Keble College, Oxford, and is hung in a small room adjoining the chapel.