They journey still on tasks of love,
And never rest except in heaven.

--John Sterling.

THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW

In the floods of tribulation,
While the billows o'er me roll,
Jesus whispers consolation
And supports my fainting soul;
Sweet affliction
That brings Jesus to my soul.

Thus the lion yields me honey,
From the eater food is given;
Strengthened thus I still press forward,
Singing on my way to heaven.
Sweet affliction,
Helping speed me on to heaven.

So in darkest dispensations
Doth my faithful Lord appear,
With his richest consolations
To reanimate and cheer;
Sweet affliction,
Thus to bring my Saviour near.

Floods of tribulation heighten,
Billows still around me roar;
Those who know not Christ they frighten;
But my soul defies their power:
Sweet affliction,
Thus to bring my Saviour near.

In the sacred page recorded,
Thus His word securely stands;
"Fear not; I'm, in trouble, near thee,
Naught shall pluck thee from my hands."
Sweet affliction,
Every word my love demands.

All I meet, I find, assists me
In my path to heavenly joy,
Where, though trials now attend me,
Trials never more annoy.
Sweet affliction,
Every promise gives me joy.

Wearing there a weight of glory,
Still the path I'll ne'er forget,
But, exulting, cry it led me
To my blessed Saviour's seat;
Sweet affliction,
Which hath brought me to his feet.

--Pearce.

Glory to God--to God! he saith,
Knowledge by suffering entereth,
And life is perfected by death.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

HIS WAYS

I asked for grace to lift me high,
Above the world's depressing cares.
God sent me sorrows,--with a sigh
I said, He has not heard my prayers.

I asked for light, that I might see
My path along life's thorny road;
But clouds and darkness shadowed me
When I expected light from God.

I asked for peace, that I might rest
To think my sacred duties o'er,
When lo! such horrors filled my breast
As I had never felt before.

And O, I cried, can this be prayer
Whose plaints the steadfast mountains move?
Can this be heaven's prevailing care?
And,