air?
The song of a sweet-voiced bird?
Nay--but the songs of many
Thrilled through with praise and prayer.
Of all those voices not any
Were sad of memory;
But a sea of sunlight flowed,
A golden harvest glowed,
And I said, Thou only art wise,
God of the earth and skies!
And I praise thee, again and again,
For the Sower whose name is Pain.

--Richard Watson Gilder.

Not disabled in the combat,
No, nor absent from your post;
You are doing gallant service
Where the Master needs you most.

It was noble to give battle
While the world stood cheering on;
It is nobler to lie patient,
Leaving half one's work undone.

And the King counts up his heroes
Where the desperate charge was led,
But he writes, "My Best Beloved,"
Over many a sick man's bed.

I DO NOT ASK, O LORD

I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be
A pleasant road;
I do not ask that thou wouldst take from me
Aught of its load.

I do not ask that flowers should always spring
Beneath my feet;
I know too well the poison and the sting
Of things too sweet.

For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead:
Lead me aright.
Though strength should falter and though heart should bleed,
Through peace to light.

I do not ask, O Lord, that thou shouldst shed
Full radiance here;
Give but a ray of peace, that I may tread
Without a fear.

I do not ask my cross to understand,
My way to see;
Better in darkness just to feel thy hand,
And follow Thee.

Joy is like restless day; but peace divine
Like quiet night.
Lead me, O Lord, till perfect day shall shine
Through peace to light.

--Adelaide Anne Procter.

ANGELS OF GRIEF

With silence only as their benediction
God's angels come,
Where, in the shadow of a great affliction,
The soul sits dumb.

Yet would we say, what every heart approveth,
Our Father's will,
Calling to him the dear ones whom he loveth,
Is mercy still.

Not upon us or ours the solemn angel
Hath evil wrought;
The funeral anthem is a glad evangel--
The good die not!

God calls our loved ones, but we lose not wholly
What h