p. 19 | THE BRIGHT SIDE by Rev. Paul Kent

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 2, 1872

THE BRIGHT SIDE.

By Rev. Paul Kent

I only count the hours that shine, For night is naught to me. Why should the heart seek wildly for The joys it cannot see? 'Tis vain to yearn for unknown bliss, And sigh the soul away, When God has placed us in a world That has both night and day.

I only count the hours that shine, The others, let them go; We should not mourn o'er fancied ills, We know they are not so. While darkness only follows light, We never should complain; The darkest hour precedes the morn— The day will come again.

I only count the hours that shine— Let sorrow's clouds depart; The memories of a happy past Shed sunlight o'er the heart; Then let the present, with its joy, Usurp the throne of care, And happiness, without alloy, Will come for all to share.

I only count the hours that shine; There's light as well as shade; I scorn philosophy, which says That “all that's bright must fade.” Enough to know that God has given A world where sunbeams glow, And soon the unknown joys of Heaven The earth-bound soul shall know.

I only count the hours that shine; The rest are naught to me. Why should the soul roam sadly on In paths it cannot see? And where's the wisdom to complain, Since sorrow dies away? For soon shall dawn the golden light Of an eternal day!

—Rev. Paul Kent.