"THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW."
By Jessie Hocker
The sunset hour, its mellow radiance lies
Like benediction on yon purple hills.
The sweet, soft sounds of eventide arise
Like plaintive chords whose mystic sweetness thrills.
The wayside road lies 'twixt those towering walls,
And he who travels there must pass within
Their somber shade, which like a mantle falls
Across the way where sunlight once has been.
Does your path lie to-day within the thrall
The mount of shadows casts across the way?
Does your heart yearn to-day to rend the wall
That shuts without the sweet sunlight of day?
Know then this truth: the road is darkened there
That you may learn to lean upon His arm;
The smile of constant sun you could not bear;
'Twould bring upon your soul a lasting harm.
And wherefore doubt? Hath not the Father led
You safely through the labyrinth of years,
And o'er the path that is behind you spread
Transformed to gleaming rainbows all your tears?
O vale of shade, thy mission is twofold:
Showing the aid which in the light we scorn,
Showing the joy that time will ever hold
If faith within that darkened shade is born,
Showing how feeble was our petty claim
Of strength to walk alone when all was light,
Showing that we alone by Jesus' name
May brave the chilling terrors of earth's night.
So, when the shadows fall across your path,
Shrink not from entering their dark embrace,
Knowing that in this test the Father hath
Appointed it to fill a destined place.