Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul. Various
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myself and all who love me? Nay!
A thousand times more good than I deserve
God gives me every day.
And in each one of these rebellious tears
Kept bravely back He makes a rainbow shine;
Gratefully I take His slightest gift, no fears
Nor any doubts are mine.
Dark skies must clear, and when the clouds are past
One golden day redeems a weary year;
Patient I listen, sure that sweet at last
Will sound his voice of cheer.
Then vex me not with chiding. Let me be.
I must be glad and grateful to the end.
I grudge you not your cold and darkness—me
The powers of light befriend.
—Celia Thaxter.
———
DO AND BE BLEST
Dare to think, though others frown;
Dare in words your thoughts express;
Dare to rise, though oft cast down;
Dare the wronged and scorned to bless.
Dare from custom to depart;
Dare the priceless pearl possess;
Dare to wear it next your heart;
Dare, when others curse, to bless.
Dare forsake what you deem wrong;
Dare to walk in wisdom's way,
Dare to give where gifts belong,
Dare God's precepts to obey.
Do what conscience says is right,
Do what reason says is best,
Do with all your mind and might;
Do your duty and be blest.
———
A PLACE WITH HIM
O tired worker, faltering on life's rugged way,
With faithful hands so full they may not rest,
Forget not that the weak of earth have one sure stay,
And humblest ones by God himself are blest,
Who work for Him!
Then courage take, faint heart! and though the path be long
God's simple rule thy steps will safely guide:—
"Love Him, thy neighbor as thyself, and do no wrong";
In calm content they all shall surely bide
Who walk with Him!
So banish every fear, each daily task take up,
God's grace thy failing strength shall build anew;
His mercy, in thy sorrows, stay the flowing cup:
And His great love keep for thy spirit true
A place with him!
—J. D. Seabury.
———
GOD A FORTRESS
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing:
Our Helper, he, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth is his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of darkness grim—
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers—
No thanks to them—abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
—Martin Luther, tr. by Frederick H. Hedge.
———
STRENGTH
Be strong to hope, O heart!
Though day is bright,
The stars can only shine
In the dark night.
Be strong, O heart of mine,
Look toward the light.
Be strong to bear, O heart!
Nothing is vain:
Strive not, for life is care,
And God sends pain.
Heaven is above, and there
Rest will remain.
Be strong to love, O heart!
Love knows not wrong;
Didst thou love creatures even,
Life were not long;
Didst thou love God in heaven
Thou wouldst be strong.
———
Why comes temptation but for man to meet
And master and make crouch beneath his foot,
And so be pedestaled in triumph? Pray,
"Lead us into no such temptation, Lord!"
Yea, but, O thou whose servants are the bold,
Lead such temptations by the head and hair,
Reluctant dragons, up to who dares fight,
That so he may do battle and have praise.
—Robert Browning.