MY PATHWAY by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 15, 1902

MY PATHWAY.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

THERE is a pathway all marked out for me Along the shores of life's tempestuous sea; And many burdens in that pathway lie That none on earth may bear as well as I. Thy loving hand, O Christ, hath poised and weighed, Thy gentle voice hath said, "Be not dismayed." Shall gloomy shades of dark Gethsemane Frighten my feet from following after Thee?

There is a cross that I alone must bear; But shall I sink in darkness and despair, Because, forsooth, the weary years have flown, And still my cross hath no whit lighter grown? So many years I've prayed the self-same prayer: "Father, remove the weary cross I bear;" And still the self-same answer comes to me, "Thy Father knoweth it is best for thee."

There is a work to do ere set of sun, That I must do, or leave the work undone,— Some tender offering that I must make, Some toilsome task perform for love's sweet sake, Some deed of grace, some kindly word of cheer, A warm handclasp, a sympathetic tear,— These may I give, tho poor in worldly store, These may I give in love, if nothing more.

O Father, grant the strength I ask of Thee, That I may do the work Thou gavest me; That I may say, as sinks life's westering sun: "See, Master, see, the task Thou gav'st is done;" And hear at last Thy gentle voice so mild: "Thy mansion is prepared; come home, My child." MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE. Battle Creek, Mich.