But should Thine and our enemy Begin to rage revengefully Against the good Thou'rt meaning, My comfort is, Thou canst avert His wrath, me ever screening. Draw near, and let it easy be, What seems impossible to me, A happy issue give it; What Thou Thyself didst undertake, Thy wisdom did conceive it. Though hard at first the work may be, And I may through the deepest sea Of bitter grief be passing, Oh! may I only driven be To sighs and pray'r unceasing. Whoever prays and trusteth Thee, With valiant heart shall victor be O'er all that frightens ever, In thousand pieces speedily Grief's heavy stone shall shiver. The way to good is almost wild, With thorns and hedges is it fill'd; Along this way who goeth He by the Spirit's grace at last What heav'nly joy is knoweth. I am Thy child, my Father Thou! Thou hast abundance to bestow, Nought can I find within me; Help, that I may maintain my ground, As victor home, Lord! bring me. Thine be the glory and the pow'r! Thy mighty works I'll more and more From heart with rapture swelling, Before Thy folk and all the world, All my life long be telling. TWOFOLD, FATHER! IS MY PRAYER.--PROV. XXX. 7-9. Twofold, Father! is my pray'r, Twofold the desire I there Lay before Thee, who dost give What's good for us to receive; Grant the pray'r that Thou dost know, Ere my soul to Thee must go From the body's bands below. Grant that far from me may be Lying and idolatry; Poverty immoderate Give me not, nor riches great; Too great wealth or poverty Is not good, for either may 'Neath the devil's pow'r us lay. Give to me, my Saviour! give Modest portion while I live; Evermore supply my need, Giving me my daily bread; Little, with contented mood, And a conscience pure and good, Is the best can be bestow'd. If my cup should overflow, Proud in spirit I might grow, Thee deny with scornful word, Asking who is God and Lord? For the heart with pride doth swell, Often knows not when 'tis well, How itself enough t' extol. Should I bare and naked be, Sunk in too deep poverty, Faithless, I might wickedly Steal my neighbour's property; Force might use and artifice, Follow lawless practices, Never ask what Christian is. God! my Treasure and my Light, Neither course for me were right, Either would dishonour Thee, Sink me into hell's dark sea; Therefore, give, Lord! graciously, What Thy heart designs for me, Moderate my portion be! SIRACH'S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY AND TEMPERATE LIFE.