* * * * * Receive the word his works declare: “The peace of God is everywhere.” Too weak for praise, too faint for prayer, The benediction of the air Be thine whose lot it is to share Life’s ceaseless, slow-corroding care. Be still, and breathe the balm divine, Arcturus’ joy, Orion’s wine; So shalt thou know the blessed law Whence stars their strength and beauty draw, Inheriting their influence In quietness and confidence, And ever, cheerfully as they, Press onward in thy heavenward way. THE REWARD. From green to gold The year grows old, With beautiful increase; The seasons wane To ripened grain And Nature’s deepest peace. The same sure plan Is thine, O man! Alike for sod and soul, The law of love-- Enthroned above-- That guides thee to thy goal. _Have faith in God_;-- Who gives the clod Its meed of fruit or flower. Shall crown thy cares, Thy tears, thy prayers, With an immortal dower. STRUGGLE AND REST. My life was overcast with care, And doubt pursued me everywhere; Still farther into gloom unknown I wandered desolately lone, Till, in the depths of self-despair, The darkness deepened into prayer; And lo! when hope was almost gone, The midnight brightened into dawn. * * * * * Around my heart was drawn the coil Of cheerless, unrelenting toil; Nor any respite could I find, Nor any comfort for the mind, When His dear cross appeared to me, Whose service is true liberty;-- The thought of Jesus brought me rest, And meekness made my burden blest. COMPENSATION. Deep calleth unto deep;--the heart That dwelleth from the world apart Is sometimes doubly sad; But lo! the light that overflows! The desert blossoms like the rose,-- The wilderness is glad! The faith serene, the lofty cheer, The love triumphant over fear,-- A paradise below! Such is the treasure each may find, (The rapture of a quiet mind,) And such, in part, bestow. BETRAYED. Deceived, defloured, despoiled! O drooping lily, late with light aglow! Around thy root is coiled The hidden horror of a nameless woe. Deceived, defiled, despoiled! Is there no healing for a broken heart? O God! hadst thou but foiled The fatal spell of the betrayer’s art. Deceived, despised, despoiled! The blight has fallen on thy peerless bloom; To bless thy bridal eager ages toiled;-- A moment’s glamour leaves thee endless gloom. MIDNIGHT AND MORNING. Under her heart her sorrow, Under her heart her shame,-- And darker than death the morrow With the brand of the whole world’s blame. * * * * *