All as God wills, who wisely heeds To give or to withhold; And knoweth more of all my needs Than all my prayers have told! Enough that blessings undeserved Have marked my erring track; That wheresoe'er my feet have swerved His chastening turned me back; That more and more a Providence Of love is understood, Making the springs of time and sense Sweet with eternal good; That death seems but a covered way Which opens into light, Wherein no blinded child can stray Beyond the Father's sight. --John Greenleaf Whittier. What most you wish and long for Might only bring you pain; You cannot see the future, God's purpose to explain. So trust, faint heart, thy Master! He doeth all things well, He loveth more than heart can guess, And more than tongue can tell. BETTER TRUST Better trust all and be deceived, And weep that trust and that deceiving, Than doubt one heart that, if believed, Had blest one's life with true believing. Oh, in this mocking world too fast The doubting fiend o'ertakes our youth; Better be cheated to the last Than lose the blessed hope of truth. --Frances Anne Kemble. Be patient; keep thy life-work Well in hand; Be trustful where thou canst not Understand; Thy lot, whate'er it be, is Wisely planned; Whate'er its mysteries, God holds the key; Thou well canst trust him, and bide patiently. There is never a day so dreary But God can make it bright; And unto the soul that trusts him He giveth songs in the night. There is never a path so hidden But God will show the way, If we seek the Spirit's guidance And patiently watch and pray. Build a little fence of trust Around to-day; Fill the space with loving deeds, And therein stay. Look not through the sheltering bars Upon to-morrow; God will help thee bear what comes Of joy or sorrow. --Mary Frances Butts. On God for all events depend; You cannot want when God's your friend. Weigh well your part and do your best; Leave to your Maker all the rest. --Cotton. OUR STRONG STAY Then, O my soul, be ne'er afraid; On him who thee and all things made With calm reliance rest; Whate'er may come, where'er we go, Our Father in the heavens must know In all things what is best. --Paul Fleming. If the wren can cling To a spray a-swing In the mad May wind, and sing and sing As if she'd burst for joy-- Why cannot I Contented lie In his quiet arms, beneath his sky, Unmoved by life's annoy. --Robert Haven Schauffler.