I do not know thy final will, It is too good for me to know. Thou willest that I mercy show, That I take heed and do no ill, That I the needy warm and fill, Nor stones at any sinner throw; But I know not thy final will, It is too good for me to know. I know thy love unspeakable-- For love's sake able to send woe! To find thine own thou lost didst go, And wouldst for men thy blood yet spill! How should I know thy final will, Godwise too good for me to know! --George Macdonald. One prayer I have--all prayers in one-- When I am wholly thine: Thy will, my God, thy will be done, And let that will be mine; All-wise, almighty, and all-good, In thee I firmly trust, Thy ways, unknown or understood, Are merciful and just. Fear him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; Make you his service your delight, He'll make your wants his care. The best will is our Father's will, And we may rest there calm and still; O make it hour by hour thine own, And wish for naught but that alone Which pleases God. --Paul Gerhardt. It is Lucifer, The son of mystery; And since God suffers him to be He, too, is God's minister, And labors for some good By us not understood! --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Rabbi Jehosha had the skill To know that heaven is in God's will. --James Russell Lowell. GOD'S PRESENCE POSSESSION, SATISFACTION, REFLECTION THE SECRET OF HIS PRESENCE In the secret of his presence I am kept from strife of tongues; His pavilion is around me, And within are ceaseless songs! Stormy winds, his word fulfilling, Beat without, but cannot harm, For the Master's voice is stilling Storm and tempest to a calm. In the secret of his presence All the darkness disappears; For a sun that knows no setting, Throws a rainbow on my tears. So the day grows ever lighter, Broadening to the perfect noon; So the day grows ever brighter, Heaven is coming, near and soon. In the secret of his presence Never more can foes alarm; In the shadow of the Highest, I can meet them with a psalm; For the strong pavilion hides me, Turns their fiery darts aside, And I know, whate'er betides me, I shall live because he died! In the secret of his presence Is a sweet, unbroken rest; Pleasures, joys, in glorious fullness, Making earth like Eden blest; So my peace grows deep and deeper, Widening as it nears the sea, For my Saviour is my keeper, Keeping mine and keeping me! --Henry Burton. EYESERVICE Eyeservice let me give The while I live; In shadow or in light, By day or night, With all my heart and skill-- Eyeservice still!