Things that Fail, and Things that Abide.
By Mary M. Osgood
"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor. xiii, 13.—Macknight. EVERY earthly reed seems breaking—
Every earthly refuge failing—
I can find no place of resting,
Unless I could rest in God.
But the Lord seems to forget me
While these trials press upon me—
Tell, oh! tell what now can cheer me,
As I bear this heavy load? Stricken child hast thou forgotten,
What I give as a love token?
Said I not that I would chasten
And rebuke those whom I love?
Have I left thee, will I leave thee?
Never! unless thou first leave me—
No! though thy distrust has grieved me,
Thou my faithfulness shalt prove. For the humble and confiding,
There's a secret place of hiding—
And things even here abiding—
Sent to cheer on life's rough sea.
Come, thou tempest-tossed and driven,
Seek the peaceful sheltered haven—
Storms of earth have never riven
Love's firm rock, prepared for thee. 'Mid life's sand bars now thou'rt sailing,
Where the stoutest hearts are quailing,
At the signs of woe and wailing—
Signs by prophets long foresold.
Will your cable through the storm last?
Is your anchor sure and steadfast?
Have you it within the vail cast?
There, and only there 'twill hold. Faith and Hope and Love eternal,
Rock and Anchor are, and Cable;
But with these thou'lt not be able
To outride, if one prove weak.
Faith must hold when tried by fire—
Hope grow strong, as flames rise higher—
Know that while I sit as trier,
Thy best good alone I seek. If in me thy faith reposes,
While the flame its strength discloses,
Like the faith of Paul or Moses
It shall hold thy anchor fast.
Then by faith, with boldness enter
Through the vail. Let hope there center.
Venture on me, wholly venture,
I will keep till storms are past. MARY M. OSGOOD.
Rochester, N. Y.