He Knows by Mrs. Mary Tyler Payn

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 16, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 32.

He Knows

By Mrs. Mary Tyler Payn

By Mrs. Mary Tyler Payn

Can no one tell why the stars were made And hidden in depths of deepest blue? Why the tiniest creatures that fill our earth Live but a moment—some die at their birth? No answer comes from you or me—God knows.

Can no one speak and tell us why The leaves turn brown and the pine-trees sigh? Why the flowers wither and fade away, To come again at some future day? We can not answer, we can not tell—God knows.

Why those we love the dearest of all, Must answer at last Death's solemn call To lay the garments of earth aside, With all of their vanity, pomp, and pride? We gaze on the tomb, we silent are—God knows.

Why the lightning's flash stirs the soul of man, And reminds him here of life's short span; And the echoing thunder as it dies away, Speaks to his soul of the judgment-day? No answer comes; we only hear, and tremble— for God seems near.

Why the great waves dash on ocean's shore, Then recede, have vanished, and are seen no more; But in leaving, scattered a few grains of sand, To speak of a wise and unseen hand? You can not answer, neither can I—God knows.

We must patient be, and trust, and wait Till the One who knows shall unbar the gate To that home of wisdom where our journey ends. Then we shall know, both you and I; For God will answer and tell us why.

Malden, Mass.