'Tis this--that the hard breath of winter's chill blast Alone can this mantle of loveliness cast; And thus our sharp winds of trial may prove Angels to weave us bright garments of love. ANSWERED Ye realms of beauty from afar, What speak ye to the saddened soul? What is the message of each star As ever ceaselessly ye roll? Thus do ye answer: "We declare God's glory; and to you 'tis given To cast on him your every care, For he hath wound the clock of heaven." Ye hoary hills which have looked down On all the centuries of time, Have felt their touch without a frown, And with indifference sublime, What would ye speak, if understood, Of life with all its woes and ills? 'Tis this: to all they work for good Who love the maker of the hills. ALONE Genesis 28:10-22. The sun had set. He was alone; Mid twilight shadows he would rest. He laid his head upon a stone To woo sweet slumber for his guest. Perhaps within those midnight hours His rugged bed was cold and chill, But wrapped in Dreamland's mystic powers, He knew no danger, felt no ill. A vision in his dreams appeared! Angels were stepping to and fro Upon a ladder which, upreared, Aided their ministry below. And then God spake in words which said What future ages would unfold, The soil on which he made his bed Was his, by prophecy foretold. He further heard that holy voice Predict that through his tribe would be Blessings in which all should rejoice, Blessings which all the world should see. Through Jacob would the gift be given Of Jesus to this sinful earth; God signified within this vision Glad news of our Redeemer's birth; The star of Bethlehem would shine, That star of joy and peace and love, Our bleeding sacrifice divine To cleanse our hearts, our guilt remove. If faith and praise in us abound Toward Israel's God, angels are near; His word declares they camp around All those who look to him in fear. When Jacob woke, the ground he trod Seemed holy; and he named his stone "Bethel," which means "the house of God." With heaven so near, was he alone? NO OTHER _Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved._--Acts 4:12. Swiftly we float upon time's tide Adown the stream of years. Sometimes past hills of joy we glide, Sometimes through vales of tears. Age follows youth, which, ere we know, Has vanished like a dream, And takes its glamour from the glow Of mem'ry's silvery gleam. There is no halt; and more and more There seems an open sea Reaching us with its ceaseless roar-- It is eternity. There is one Pilot that we need, One who can safely steer, One who at heaven's court can plead, And all our journey cheer.