Being in doubt, I say, "Lord, make it plain! Which is the true, safe way? Which would be vain? I am not wise to know, Nor sure of foot to go; My blind eyes cannot see What is so clear to thee. Lord, make it clear to me." THE SOURCE OF POWER There is an eye that never sleeps Beneath the wing of night; There is an ear that never shuts When sink the beams of light. There is an arm that never tires When human strength gives way; There is a love that never fails When earthly loves decay. That eye is fixed on seraph throngs; That arm upholds the sky; That ear is filled with angel songs, That love is throned on high. But there's a power which man can wield When mortal aid is vain, That eye, that arm, that love to reach, That listening ear to gain. That power is prayer, which soars on high, Through Jesus, to the throne, And moves the hand which moves the world, To bring salvation down. --James Cowden Wallace. DIFFERENT PRAYERS Three doors there are in the temple Where men go up to pray, And they that wait at the outer gate May enter by either way. There are some that pray by asking; They lie on the Master's breast, And, shunning the strife of the lower life, They utter their cry for rest. There are some that pray by seeking; They doubt where their reason fails; But their mind's despair is the ancient prayer To touch the print of the nails. There are some that pray by knocking; They put their strength to the wheel For they have not time for thoughts sublime; They can only act what they feel. Father, give each his answer, Each in his kindred way; Adapt thy light to his form of night And grant him his needed day. --William Watson. TRUE PRAYER I. It is not prayer, This clamor of our eager wants That fills the air With wearying, selfish plaints. It is not faith To boldly count all gifts as ours-- The pride that saith, "For me his wealth he ever showers." It is not praise To call to mind our happier lot, And boast bright days, God-favored, with all else forgot. II. It is true prayer To seek the giver more than gift God's life to share And love--for this our cry to lift. It is true faith To simply trust his loving will, Whiche'er he saith-- "Thy lot be glad" or "ill." It is true praise To bless alike the bright and dark; To sing, all days Alike, with nightingale and lark. --James W. White. THE POWER OF PRAYER