THE HOUR OF DARKNESS.

HOW long, O Lord, how long

Shall on my spirit rest

This weight of darkness and distress?

How long unto my burning lips be pressed
This overflowing cup of bitterness?

O God, my God! only Thine arm hath power
To bear me through the anguish of this hour.

How long, O Lord, how long!

Many to rest have gone ;

The lovely and beloved are with Thee

In peace and glory, while I faint alone Beneath this burden of mortality.

Yet not alone, - art Thou not near?

I bend,

Say to my heart's wild throbbings, Peace! be still!

Father, to Thee, to Thee I lift mine eyes!

Is not Thy smile to patient sufferance given,
Gilding earth's darkness with a gleam of heaven?

How long, O Lord, how long!

A soft still voice I hear,

Speaking to my worn spirit words of life, -
"O thou of little faith, how canst thou fear?
I, even I, am with thee through the strife.
Weeping and grief endure but for a night;
The morning breaketh in celestial light."

SARAH E. MILES.

BE

BENEATH THINE HAMMER.

ENEATH Thine hammer, Lord, I lie
With contrite anguish prone;

Oh, mould me till to self I die,

And live to Thee alone!

With frequent disappointments sore,

And many a bitter pain,
Thou laborest at my being's core

Till I be formed again.

Smite, Lord! Thine hammer's needful wound

My baffled hopes confess; Thine anvil is the sense profound

Of mine own nothingness.

Smite, till from all its idols free,

And filled with love divine,

My heart shall know no good but Thee,

And have no will but Thine.

FREDERIC H. HEDGE

MY GOD, REMEMBER ME!

H, from these visions dark and drear,

Kind Father, set me free!

I struggle yet with darkness here,-
My God, remember me!

Some cheering ray of hope impart,
Sweet influence from Thee;
And raise this feeble, drooping heart,-
My God, remember me!

For the inheritance in light,

On trembling wings I flee,

With sins and doubts and fears I fight, -
My God, remember me!

BARTRUM.

LAY my head upon Thy Infinite heart,
I hide beneath the shelter of Thy wing;

Pursued, and tempted, helpless, I must cling
To Thee, my Father: bid me not depart,

For sin and death pursue, and life is where Thou art!

ANONYMOUS.

UNDER A HEAVY PRIVATE CROSS OR

BEREAVEMENT.

FAITHFUL God! O pitying Heart,
Whose goodness hath no end;

I know this cross with all its smart
Thy hand alone doth send!
Yes, Lord, I know it is Thy love,
Not wrath or hatred bids me prove
The load 'neath which I bend.

Yet, Father, each fresh aching heart
Will question in its woe,

If Thou canst send such bitter smart,
And yet no anger know?

How long the hours beneath the cross!
How hard to learn that love and loss
From one sole Fountain flow!

But what I cannot, Thou true Good,
Oh, work Thyself in me;
Nor ever let my trials' flood
O'erwhelm my faith in Thee;
Keep me from every murmur, Lord,
And make me steadfast in Thy word,
My tower of refuge be!

If I am weak, Thy tender care
Help me to face each ill!

With ceaseless cries and tears and prayer
The long sad hours I'll fill;

The heart that yet can hope and trust,
And cry to Thee, though from the dust,
Is all unconquered still!

PAUL GERHARDT. 1606-1676. Tr. by CATHARINE WINKWORTH.

THE PENITENT.

MY God, my Father! hear,
And help me to believe;
Weak and weary I draw near,
Thy child, O God! receive.
I so oft have gone astray;
To the perfect Guide I flee;
Thou wilt turn me not away,
Thy love is pledged to me!
I no other claim can bring

But that I need Thine aid;
Simply to Thy love I cling,

On that my hope is stayed.
Thou canst save me, and Thou wilt;
From my bondage set me free,

Cleanse me from sin's power and guilt;

Thy strength is pledged to me!

HYMNS OF THE SPIRIT.