hat hidden world no eye can see,--
O, who shall pierce its mystery?

2 There may be hope as pure, as bright,
As ever sought eternity,--
There may be light,--clear, heavenly light,
Where all seems cold and dark to thee;
And when thy spirit mourns the dust,
There may be trust,--delightful trust.

3 Go, bend to God, and leave to Him
The mystery of thy brother's heart,
Nor vainly think his faith is dim,
Because in thine it hath no part;
He, too, is mortal,--and, like thee,
Would soar to immortality.

4 And if in duty's hallowed sphere,
Like Christ, he meekly, humbly bends,--
With hands unstained, and conscience clear,
With life's temptations still contends,--
O, leave him that unbroken rest,
The peace that shrines a virtuous breast!

5 But if his thoughts and hopes should err,
Still view him with a gentle eye,--
Remembering doubt, and change, and fear,
Are woven in man's destiny;
And when the clouds are passed away,
That truth shall dawn with brightening day.

284. C. M. Miss Fletcher.

Kindly Judgment.

1 Think gently of the erring one!
O, let us not forget,
However darkly stained by sin,
He is our brother yet!
Heir of the same inheritance,
Child of the self-same God,
He hath but stumbled in the path
We have in weakness trod.

2 Speak gently to the erring ones!
We yet may lead them back,
With holy words, and tones of love,
From misery's thorny track.
Forget not, brother, thou hast sinned,
And sinful yet may'st be;
Deal gently with the erring heart,
As God hath dealt with thee.

285. C. M. Anonymous.

Speak Gently.

1 Speak gently,--it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently,--let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

2 Speak gently to the young,--for they
Will have enough to bear;
Pass through this life as best they may,
'Tis full of anxious care.

3 Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the careworn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let them in peace depart.

4 Speak gently to the erring ones;
They must have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;