When the snows begin, and the blasts denote
I am nearing the place,

The power of the night, the press of the storm,

The post of the foe;

Where he stands, the Arch Fear, in a visible form,
Yet the strong man must go :

For the journey is done, and the summit attained,
And the barriers fall,

Though a battle 's to fight ere the guerdon be gained,
The reward of it all.

For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave,
The black minute's at end,

And the element's rage, the fiend-voices that rave,
Shall dwindle, shall blend,

Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain,
Then a light, then thy breast,

O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again,
And with God be the rest!

Robert Browning.

From the "Threnody."

Wilt thou not ope thy heart to know

What rainbows teach, and sunsets show?

Verdict which accumulates

From lengthening scroll of human fates,

Voice of earth to earth returned,

Prayers of saints that inly burned,

Saying, What is excellent,

As God lives, is permanent;

Hearts are dust, hearts' loves remain;
Hearts' love will meet thee again.
Revere the Maker; fetch thine eye

Up to his style, and manners of the sky.

Not of adamant and gold
Built he heaven stark and cold;
No,

Built of tears and sacred flames,
And virtue reaching to its aims;
Built of furtherance and pursuing,
Not of spent deeds, but of doing.
Silent rushes the swift Lord
Through ruined systems still restored,
Broadsowing, bleak and void to bless,
Plants with worlds the wilderness;
Waters with tears of ancient sorrow
Apples of Eden ripe to-morrow.
House and tenant go to ground,

Lost in God, in Godhead found.

R. W. Emerson.

Parting and Welcome.

God giveth quietness at last!

The common way once more is passed
From pleading tears and lingerings fond,
To fuller life and love beyond.

Fold the wrapt soul in your embrace,
Dear ones familiar with the place!
While to the gentle greetings there

We answer here with murmured prayer.

What to shut eyes hath God revealed?

What hear the ears that death hath sealed?
What undreamed beauty, passing show,
Requites the loss of all we know?

O silent land, to which we move,

Enough, if there alone be love!
And mortal need can ne'er outgrow
What it is waiting to bestow !

O pure soul! from that far-off shore
Float some sweet song the waters o'er;
Our faith confirm, our fears dispel,
With the dear voice we loved so well!

J. G. Whittier.

Thus when the spirit, tried,
Tempted, and worn,
Finding no earthly aid,

Heavenward doth turn,

Come these sweet angel-tones,

Falling like balm,

And on the troubled heart

Steals a deep calm.

Hymns of the Spirit.

"Not as Will."

Blindfolded and alone I stand

With unknown thresholds on each hand;

The darkness deepens as I grope,

Afraid to fear, afraid to hope;

Yet this one thing I learn to know
Each day more surely as I go,

That doors are opened, ways are made,
Burdens are lifted, or are laid,

By some great law, unseen and still,
Unfathomed purpose to fulfil,
"Not as I will."

Blindfolded and alone I wait,

Loss seems too bitter, gain too late;
Too heavy burdens in the load,
And too few helpers on the road;
And joy is weak and grief is strong,
And years and days so long, so long:
Yet this one thing I learn to know
Each day more surely as I go,
That I am glad the good and ill
By changeless law is ordered still,
"Not as I will."

"Not as I will: " the sound grows sweet

Each time my lips the words repeat;

"Not as I will:" the darkness feels

More safe than light, when this thought steals