Away! my unbelieving fear! Fear shall in me no more have place; My Saviour doth not yet appear, He hides the brightness of his face, But shall I therefore let him go, And basely to the tempter yield? No, in the strength of Jesus, no; I never will give up my shield. Although the vine its fruit deny, Although the olive yield no oil, The withering fig-trees droop and die, The fields elude the tiller's toil. The empty stall no herd afford, And perish all the bleating race, Yet will I triumph in the Lord-- The God of my salvation praise. --Charles Wesley. 'Tis impious in a good man to be sad. --Edward Young. AS A BIRD IN MEADOWS FAIR As a bird in meadows fair Or in lovely forest sings, Till it fills the summer air And the green wood sweetly rings, So my heart to thee would raise, O my God, its song of praise That the gloom of night is o'er And I see the sun once more. If thou, Sun of love, arise, All my heart with joy is stirred, And to greet thee upward flies, Gladsome as yon tiny bird. Shine thou in me, clear and bright, Till I learn to praise thee right; Guide me in the narrow way, Let me ne'er in darkness stray. Bless to-day whate'er I do; Bless whate'er I have and love; From the paths of virtue true Let me never, never rove; By thy spirit strengthen me In the faith that leads to Thee, Then, an heir of life on high, Fearless I may live and die. "HE DOETH ALL THINGS WELL!" Pleased in the sunshine, pleased in the blast, Pleased when the heavens are all overcast, Pleased when I can or cannot see God's loving hand is dealing with me. Pleased, for Christ's promises never can fail; Pleased in the calm and also the gale; Knowing Omniscience at midnight can see, Since he was Pilot on dark Galilee. Pleased when in health or when I am ill, Pleased, since I know I'm in the Lord's will, Pleased with whatever my lot may be Knowing Omnipotence careth for me. Beneath the tiger's jaw I heard a victim cry, "Thanks, God, that, though in pain, yet not in guilt I die." --From the Persian. THE ROBIN'S SONG I'll sing you a lay ere I wing on my way, Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up! Whenever you're blue find something to do For somebody else who is sadder than you. Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up! He growled at morning, noon, and night, And trouble sought to borrow; Although to-day the sky were bright He knew 'twould storm to-morrow; A thought of joy he could not stand, And struggled to resist it; Though sunshine dappled all the land This sorry pessi_mist_ it. --Nixon Waterman.