Sometime by May Riley Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 10, 1912

Sometime

By May Riley Smith

SOMETIME, when all life's lessons we have learned, And sun and stars forever more have set, The things which our weak judgments here have spurned, The things o'er which we've grieved with lashes wet, Will flash before us; and as in earth's dark night The stars shine forth in deeper tints of blue, So we shall see how all God's plans were right, And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

And we shall see how when we frown and sigh, God's plans go on as best for you and me; And how sometimes he heeded not our cry Because his wisdom could the end foresee;

But e'en as prudent parents disallow Too much of sweet to craving babyhood, So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now Life's sweetest things, because it seemeth good.

And if sometimes commingled with life's wine, We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink, Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine Has mixed the potion for your lips to drink.

And if some friend we love is lying low, Where human kisses can not reach his face, O, do not blame the loving Father so, But bear your sorrow with obedient grace!

And shortly you shall know that lengthened breath Is not the sweetest gift God sends his friend, And that sometimes the sable pall of death Conceals the fairest boon his love can send.

If we could push ajar the gates of life, And stand within, and all God's work- ings see, We could, interpret all the doubt and strife, And for each mystery could find a key.

But not to-day. Then be content, sad heart! God's plans, like lilies, pure and white, unfold; We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart, Time will reveal the calyces of gold, And, if through patient toil we reach the land Where tired feet, with sandals loose, may rest, When we shall clearly know and under- stand, I think that we shall say, God knew the best.

—May Riley Smith.