THE PRAYER-ANSWERING GOD.
I dwell in a land where there's nothing my own,
Where the lightest event is beyond my control:
But to Him who is Ruler supreme and alone,
I humbly and gladly surrender the whole.
How pleasant 'mid changes and chances unthought,
On His wisdom and love to disburthen our care;
And to know, that the God who disposes our lot,
Is a God that will notice and answer our prayer. There are those whom I love, far away from me now,
And roaming through danger by shore and by sea,
And what were my feelings, my Father, if Thou
Wert not what Thou art, both to them and to me!
I cannot command the wild winds to be still;
I cannot compel the dark waves to forbear;
But One is above them who can and who will,
The God who still heareth and answereth prayer. "Ah me! I look round me, and what are the smiles
And the looks which give life all its zest and its soul,
Mortality disclaims them, and sternly reviles
Affection's vain struggle against her control.
I own it—I feel it—and humbly and awed,
I still dare to love them, all frail as they are,
For I know we are all in the hands of a God,
Who pities our weakness and answers our prayer. "Then here be my resting-place—here will I sit,
Secure 'mid the changes of time and event,
For fate has no power but what He may permit,
And the hand that must take is the same that hath lent,
On his wisdom and goodness I calmly rely,
What c'er he assigns He can aid me to bear;
He knows what is good for me better than I,
And I trust will still hear me and answer my prayer."