But a bright hilltop, in the breezy air Full of the morning freshness, high and clear, Where I may climb and drink the pure new day And see where winds away The path that God would send me, shining fair. --Edward Rowland Sill. PRAYER When prayer delights thee least, then learn to say, Soul, now is greatest need that thou should'st pray: Crooked and warped I am, and I would fain Straighten myself by thy right line again. Oh, come, warm sun, and ripen my late fruits; Pierce, genial showers, down to my parched roots. My well is bitter, cast therein the tree, That sweet henceforth its brackish waves may be. Say, what is prayer, when it is prayer indeed? The mighty utterance of a mighty need. The man is praying who doth press with might Out of his darkness into God's own light. White heat the iron in the furnace won, Withdrawn from thence 'twas cold and hard anon. Flowers, from their stalk divided, presently Droop, fall, and wither in the gazer's eye. The greenest leaf, divided from its stem, To speedy withering doth itself condemn. The largest river, from its fountain-head Cut off, leaves soon a parched and dusty bed. All things that live from God their sustenance wait, And sun and moon are beggars at his gate. All skirts extended of thy mantle hold When angel hands from heaven are scattering gold. --Richard Chenevix Trench. MEANING OF PRAYER One thing, alone, dear Lord, I dread-- To have a secret spot That separates my soul from thee, And yet to know it not. Prayer was not meant for luxury, Or selfish pastime sweet; It is the prostrate creature's place At his Creator's feet. But if this waiting long hath come A present from on high, Teach me to find the hidden wealth That in its depths may lie. So in the darkness I can learn To tremble and adore; To sound my own vile nothingness, And thus to love thee more. --Frederick William Faber. TALKING WITH GOD To stretch my hand and touch Him Though he be far away; To raise my eyes and see him Through darkness as through day; To lift my voice and call him-- This is to pray! To feel a hand extended By One who standeth near; To view the love that shineth In eyes serene and clear; To know that he is calling-- This is to hear! --Samuel W. Duffield. MY PRAYER Being perplexed, I say, "Lord, make it right! Night is as day to thee, Darkness is light. I am afraid to touch Things that involve so much; My trembling hand may shake-- My skillful hand may break; Thine can make no mistake."