When the snows begin, and the blasts denote 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 change, shall become first a peace out of pain, - O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again, Not of adamant and gold Built he heaven stark and cold; Built of tears and sacred flames, Lost in God, in Godhead found. R. W. Emerson. Parting and Welcome. God giveth quietness at last! The common way once more is passed 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? O silent land, to which we move, Enough, if there alone be love! O pure soul! from that far-off shore J. G. Whittier. PART II. RESIGNATION-TRUST. Ministering Angels. Brother, the angels say, Peace to thy heart! Hope-lifted, doubt-depressed, Seeing in part; Tried, troubled, tempted, Sustained, as thou art. Brother, they softly say, Be our thoughts one; Bend thou with us and pray, "Thy will be done!" Our God is thy God; He willeth the best; Trust him as we trusted; Ye, too, they gently say, Shall angels be; Ye, too, O brothers, From earth shall be free: Yet in earth's loved ones Ye still shall have part, Thus when the spirit, tried, 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 That doors are opened, ways are made, By some great law, unseen and still, Blindfolded and alone I wait, "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 |