Nor in the heat of pain and strife Think God has cast thee off unheard, And that the man whose prosperous life Thou enviest is of him preferred. Time passes, and much change doth bring And sets a bound to everything. All are alike before his face; 'Tis easy to our God most high To make the rich man poor and base, To give the poor man wealth and joy; True wonders still by him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught. Sing, pray, and swerve not from his ways, But do thine own part faithfully; Trust his rich promises of grace, So shall they be fulfilled in thee. God never yet forsook at need The soul that trusted him indeed. --George Neumarck. Bear up, bear on, the end shall tell The dear Lord ordereth all things well. --John Greenleaf Whittier. THE SECRET PLACE There is a safe and secret place, Beneath the wings divine, Reserved for all the heirs of grace: O be that refuge mine! The least and feeblest there may bide, Uninjured and unawed; While thousands fall on every side, He rests secure in God. He feeds in pastures large and fair Of love and trust divine; O child of God, O glory's heir, How rich a lot is thine! A hand almighty to defend, An ear for every call, An honored life, a peaceful end, And heaven to crown it all! --Henry F. Lyte. GOD KNOWS Our Father! through the coming year We know not what shall be; But we would leave without a fear Its ordering all to thee. It may be we shall toil in vain For what the world holds fair; And all the good we thought to gain Deceive, and prove but care. It may be it shall darkly blend Our love with anxious fears, And snatch away the valued friend, The tried of many years. It may be it shall bring us days And nights of lingering pain; And bid us take a farewell gaze Of these loved haunts of men. But calmly, Lord, on thee we rest; No fears our trust shall move; Thou knowest what for each is best, And thou art Perfect Love. --Eliza Cleghorn Gaskell. Forever in their Lord abiding Who can their gladness tell; Within his love forever hiding, They feel that all is well. NO FEAR I know no life divided, O Lord of life, from thee; In thee is life provided For all mankind and me: I know no death, O Jesus, Because I live in thee; Thy death it is which frees us From death eternally. I fear no tribulation, Since, whatsoe'er it be, It makes no separation Between my Lord and me. If thou, my God and Teacher, Vouchsafe to be my own, Though poor, I shall be richer Than monarch on his throne.