Ye curious minds, who roam abroad, And trace creation's wonders o'er, Confess the footsteps of your God, And bow before Him, and adore. --_Steele._ Lord, how mysterious are Thy ways! How blind are we! how mean our praise! Thy steps, can mortal eyes explore? 'Tis ours to wonder and adore. Great God! I would not ask to see What in my coming life shall be; Enough for me if love divine, At length through every cloud shall shine. Are darkness and distress my share? Then let me trust Thy guardian care; If light and bliss attend my days Then let my future hours be praise. Yet this my soul desires to know, Be this my only wish below, That Christ be mine;--this great request Grant, bounteous God, and I am blest! --_Steele._ THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK. The Shadow of the Rock! Stay, Pilgrim, stay! Night treads upon the heels of day; There is no other resting-place this way. The Rock is near, The well is clear-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock. The Shadow of the Rock! The desert wide Lies round thee like a trackless tide, In waves of sand forlornly multiplied. The sun is gone, Thou art alone-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! All come alone; All, ever since the sun hath shone, Who traveled by this road have come alone. Be of good cheer-- A home is here-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock? The Shadow of the Rock! Night veils the land; How the palms whisper as they stand! How the well tinkles faintly through the sand! Cool water take Thy thirst to slake-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! Abide! Abide! This Rock moves ever at thy side, Pausing to welcome thee at eventide. Ages are laid Beneath its shade-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! Always at hand, Unseen it cools the noon-tide land, And quells the fire that flickers in the sand. It comes in sight Only at night-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! 'Mid skies storm-riven It gathers shadows out of heaven, And holds them o'er us all night cool and even. Through the charmed air Dew falls not there-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! To angels' eyes This Rock its shadow multiplies, And at this hour in countless places lies. One Rock, one shade, O'er thousands laid-- Rest in the Shadow of the Rock!