THE HOMEWARD WAY

24

TILL, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,

When the bird waketh and the shadows flee, Fairer than morning, lovelier than the daylight, Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.

Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,

In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber,

Its closing eye looks up to Thee in prayer; Sweet the repose beneath Thy wings o'ershading, But sweeter still to wake and find Thee there. So shall it be at last, in that bright morning

When the soul waketh and life's shadows flee: Oh, in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning, Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee.

25

SAV

Harriet B. Stowe.

AVIOUR, again to Thy dear name we raise, With one accord, our parting hymn of praise;

We stand to bless Thee ere our worship cease, Then, lowly kneeling, wait Thy word of peace.

Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way; With Thee began, with Thee shall end the day: Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,

That in this house have called upon Thy name.

Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night,

Turn Thou for us its darkness into light;

From harm and danger keep Thy children free, For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,
Our balm in sorrow, and our stay in strife;
Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflicts

cease,

Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

J. Ellerton.

26

SA

AVIOUR, breathe an evening blessing,
Ere repose our spirits seal;

Sin and want we come confessing:
Thou canst save and Thou canst heal.

Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrows past us fly,
Angel-guards from Thee surround us;
We are safe, for Thou art nigh.

Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee:
Thou art He, who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be.

Should swift death this night o'ertake us,
And our couch become our tomb;

May the morn in heaven awake us,
Clad in light, and deathless bloom.

J. Edmeston.

27

GOD'S PRESENCE AND GUIDANCE

28

OD moves in a mysterious way

G 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 saints, 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.

W. Cowper.

Go in a Him there,

O not, my soul, in search of Him,

Or in the depths of shadow dim,
Or heights of upper air.

29

For not in far-off realms of space
The Spirit hath its throne;
In every heart it findeth place,
And waiteth to be known.

Thought answereth alone to thought,
And Soul with soul hath kin;
The outward God he findeth not
Who finds not God within.

And if the vision come to thee
Revealed by inward sign,
Earth will be full of Deity,
And with His glory shine.

Thou shalt not want for company,
Nor pitch thy tent alone;
Th' indwelling God will go with thee
And show thee of His own.

Oh gift of gifts, Oh grace of grace,
That God should condescend
To make thy heart His dwelling-place
And be thy daily Friend!

Then go not thou in search of Him
But to thyself repair;

Wait thou within the silence dim,
And thou shalt find Him there.

I

F. L. Hosmer.

LITTLE see, I little know,
Yet can I fear no ill:

He who hath guided me till now
Will be my leader still.

THE HEAVENLY LEADER

30

No burden yet was on me laid
Of trouble or of care,

But He my trembling step hath stayed,
And given me strength to bear.

I know not what beyond may lie,
But look, in humble faith,
Into a larger life to die

And find new birth in death.

Upon His providence I lean,
As lean in faith I must;
The lesson of my life hath been
A heart of grateful trust.

And so my onward way I fare
With happy heart and calm,
And mingle with my daily care
The music of my psalm.

NTO Thee, abiding ever,
Look I in

UNT

my need,

F. L. Hosmer.

Strength of every good endeavour,
Holy thought and deed.

Thou dost guide the stars of heaven,

Heal the broken heart,

Bring in turn the morn and even-
Love and Law Thou art.

Clouds and darkness are about Thee,
Just and sure Thy throne ;

Not a sparrow falls without Thee,
All to Thee is known.