One who has known in storms to sail I have on board; Above the raging of the gale I hear my Lord. He holds me when the billows smite; I shall not fall; If sharp, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light, He tempers all. Safe to the land, safe to the land! The end is this: And then with him go, hand in hand, Far into bliss. --Dean Alford. I CAN TRUST I cannot see, with my small human sight, Why God should lead this way or that for me; I only know he saith, "Child, follow me." But I can trust. I know not why my path should be at times So straitly hedged, so strongly barred before; I only know God could keep wide the door; But I can trust. I find no answer, often, when beset With questions fierce and subtle on my way, And often have but strength to faintly pray; But I can trust. I often wonder, as with trembling hand I cast the seed along the furrowed ground, If ripened fruit will in my life be found; But I can trust. I cannot know why suddenly the storm Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath; But this I know--God watches all my path, And I can trust. I may not draw aside the mystic veil That hides the unknown future from my sight; Nor know if for me waits the dark or light; But I can trust. I have no power to look across the tide, To see, while here, the land beyond the river; But this I know, I shall be God's forever; So I can trust. The world is wide In time and tide, And God is guide; Then do not hurry. That man is blest Who does his best And leaves the rest; Then do not worry. --Charles F. Deems. WISDOM OF DISCIPLINE Whate'er my God ordains is right; His will is ever just; Howe'er he orders now my cause I will be still, and trust. He is my God, Though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall, Wherefore to him I leave it all. Whate'er my God ordains is right; He never will deceive; He leads me by the proper path, And so to him I cleave, And take, content, What he hath sent; His hand can turn my grief away, And patiently I wait his day. Whate'er my God ordains is right; He taketh thought for me; The cup that my Physician gives No poisoned draught can be, But medicine due; For God is true; And on that changeless truth I build And all my heart with hope is filled. Whate'er my God ordains is right; Though I the cup must drink That bitter seems to my faint heart, I will not fear nor shrink; Tears pass away With dawn of day; Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart, And pain and sorrow all depart.