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::R3927 : page 25::

THE SHADOW OF GOD’S HAND

Bright and fair the sun was beaming
O’er my smooth and easy way,
And my soul moved lightly onward;
Fear and care were far away.
Hope was bright and winged my footsteps,
Eagerly I pressed along,
And the joy of heavenly favor
Filled my heart with praise and song.

I could see my Father’s wisdom,
Loving care and sheltering arm,
Leading me through pleasant places,
Guarding me from every harm.
I could feel love’s flame arising
High and higher in my breast,
And my lips o’erflowed with gladness,
All was joy and peace and rest.

When at once a voice within me
Seemed to thrill my very soul:
Could I stand if joy departed,
Sorrow flooding all my soul?
In an arid desert lonely,
Would my faith endure the test?
Would my spirit, still undaunted,
Praise him then as when at rest?

This one thing my soul pursueth,
To attain thy perfect love,
Love, unwavering and loyal,
Rising all things else above;
I would have the faith enduring,
Stronger when most sorely tried,
“Spare me not, but prove me, Father,”
Anxiously my spirit cried;

When across my clear horizon
Suddenly a cloud arose,
Spreading wide and lowering darkly,
Threatening my soul’s repose.
Stranger voices sounded near me,
Scarce a step was plain before,
But my Father’s arm sustained me,
What, then, could I ask for more?

And, while leaning hard upon him,
His sweet peace was given me,
By the Spirit’s gentle whisper,
“This is his great love for thee;
Well he knows thy deepest yearnings
To reflect his image bright—
All thy prayers come up before him,
And are precious in his sight.

“And this darkness come upon thee
Is the shadow of his hand,
Never raised except in blessing,
Though thou mayst not understand.”
Then my heart grew strong and trustful,
And with joy my soul was stirred;
“Teach me, Lord, to trust thee fully,”
This my prayer so soon was heard.

Fearless then, I started onward,
Compassed by the gloom of night,
For, by Father’s love surrounded,
Darkness is as safe as light!
Still I pray, “O, lead me, Father,
By thy goodness and thy might,
Till, beyond time’s misty shadows,
Dawns the pure, eternal light.”
—Bessie P. Lockerbie.

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— January 15, 1907 —