p. 1 | MY GUIDE by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1902

MY GUIDE.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

'Twas night; the gruesome shadows fell And shut from sight the glorious day, And rising tears I could not quell, Hid from my sight the beaten way.

Far o'er the mountains, grim and drear, I heard the voices of the night, And prowling monsters lurking near Filled my desponding soul with fright.

"Where is the way?" I loudly cried; When, up the mountain's dangerous side, I quickly turned my tear-dimmed eye, And saw a pathway steep and high.

Then at my side a Voice I heard; In tones of love it seemed to say: Fear not; this is thy pathway, child; Trust in my love; this is the way."

But brambles rose on either side, No bird songs warbled in my ear, And dangerous rocks and chasms wide Filled my distracted soul with fear.

"This cannot be my path," I cried. "This is thy path," the Voice replied.

"Is this my tender Shepherd, He Who grieves me thus?—It cannot be! For ah, His love is far too deep To lead me such a pathway steep. I know His voice,—it is not this,— Thou surely leadest me amiss. See; yonder lies a broader path,— No thorns are there for tired feet,— And multitudes that highway choose, Where flowers bloom with blossoms sweet."

"My child, this is the only way; I've passed the rugged path before; It leadeth straight to endless day, Where earth's perplexities are o'er, Dost thou not know my footprints, child?" He questioned in a voice so mild.

I looked; I could not say Him nay,— His bloody footprints marked the way. Enough! If I may place my feet In thy blest footprints, all is well; I'll count it but a joy most sweet, Nor fear the powers of earth or hell. Thou'lt shield me from these wild alarms, Safe in the covert of thine arms."