Order is Heaven's first law: and, this confest, Some are and must be greater than the rest, More rich, more wise; but who infers from hence That such are happier, shocks all common-sense. Heaven to mankind impartial we confess, If all are equal in their happiness: But mutual wants this happiness increase; All nature's difference keeps all nature's peace. Condition, circumstance, is not the thing: Bliss is the same in subject or in king, In who obtain defence or who defend, In him who is or him who finds a friend; Heaven breathes through every member of the whole One common blessing, as one common soul. ALEXANDER POPE. * * * * * LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful, fresh courage take! The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. But trust Him for His grace: Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste. But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain: God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. WILLIAM COWPER. * * * * * GOD. O thou eternal One! whose presence bright All space doth occupy, all motion guide. Unchanged through time's all-devastating flight! Thou only God--there is no God beside! Being above all beings! Mighty One, Whom none can comprehend and none explore! Who fill'st existence with Thyself alone-- Embracing all, supporting, ruling o'er, Being whom we call God, and know no more! In its sublime research, philosophy May measure out the ocean-deep--may count The sands or the sun's rays--but, God! for Thee There is no weight nor measure; none can mount Up to Thy mysteries; Reason's brightest spark, Though kindled by Thy light, in vain would try To trace Thy counsels, infinite and dark; And thought is lost ere thought can soar so high, Even like past moments in eternity. Thou from primeval nothingness didst call First chaos, then existence--Lord! in Thee Eternity had its foundation; all Sprung forth from Thee--of light, joy, harmony, Sole Origin--all life, all beauty Thine; Thy word created all, and doth create; Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine; Thou art, and wert, and shall be! Glorious! Great! Light-giving, life-sustaining potentate!