rewell, then, sorrow, pain and strife!
Such high content is heaven begun.
The battle's fought, the victory won!

--Mary Ann W. Cook.

A BLESSED LESSON

Have I learned, in whatsoever
State to be content?
Have I learned this blessed lesson
By my Master sent--
And with joyous acquiescence
Do I greet His will
Even when my own is thwarted
And my hands lie still?

Surely it is best and sweetest
Thus to have Him choose,
Even though some work I've taken
By this choice I lose.
Folded hands need not be idle--
Fold them but in prayer;
Other souls may toil far better
For God's answer there.

They that "reap" receive their "wages,"
Those who "work" their "crown,"
Those who pray throughout the ages
Bring blest answers down;
In "whatever state" abiding
Till the Master call,
They at eventide will find Him
Glorified in all.

What though I can do so little
For my Lord and King,
At His feet I sit and listen,
At His feet I sing.
And, whatever my condition,
All in love is meant;
Sing, my soul, thy recognition,
Sing, and be content!

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Led by kindlier hand than ours,
We journey through this earthly scene,
And should not, in our weary hours,
Turn to regret what might have been.

And yet these hearts, when torn by pain,
Or wrung by disappointment keen,
Will seek relief from present cares
In thoughts of joys that might have been.

But let us still these wishes vain;
We know not that of which we dream.
Our lives might have been sadder yet
God only knows what might have been.

Forgive us, Lord, our little faith;
And help us all, from morn to e'en,
Still to believe that lot were best
Which is--not that which might have been.

And grant we may so pass the days
The cradle and the grave between,
That death's dark hour not darker be
For thoughts of what life might have been.

--George Z. Gray.

Hushing every muttered murmur,
Let your fortitude the firmer
Gird your soul with strength.
While, no treason near her lurking,
Patience in her perfect working,
Shall be Queen at length.

BE CONTENT

Be thou content; be still before
His face at whose right hand doth reign
Fullne