GOD draws a cloud over each gleaming morn: Would we ask why? It is because all noblest things are born Only upon some cross of pain or woe 10.4. Each soul redeemed from self and sin must know Its Calvary. Yet we must crave neither for joy nor grief, He only knows our sick soul's best relief, More than our feeble hearts can ever pine The Father, in his tenderness divine, He never sends a joy not meant in love, Our gratitude the sunlight falls to prove; In his hands we are safe. We falter on Through storm and mire : Above, beside, around us, there is One Will never tire. What though we fall, and bruised and wounded lie, Our lips in dust? God's arm shall lift us up to victory : In Him we trust. For neither life, nor death, nor things below, Nor things above, Shall ever sever us, that we should go From his great love. 75 Easter. Frances P. Cobbe. 8.4.4.6.8.6. YE happy bells of Easter Day! Ring, ring your joy Through earth and sky; Ye ring a glorious word; The notes that swell in gladness tell The rising of the Lord. Ye glory-bells of Easter Day! The hills that rise Against the skies Re-echo with the word The victor breath that conquers death The rising of the Lord. Ye passion-bells of Easter Day! The bitter cup He lifted up, Salvation to afford; Ye saintly bells, your passion tells The rising of the Lord. Ye victor bells of Easter Day! The thorny crown He layeth down; Ring, ring, with strong accord, The mighty strain of love and pain- 76 Easter. 8.8.8.4. PAST are the cross, the scourge, the thorn, Hallelujah! Gone are the gloomy clouds of night; And so, in sorrow dark and drear, Hallelujah! Though black the night, the morn is near ; Hallelujah! And when death's darkness dims our eyes, Hallelujah! Then let us raise the glorious strain, Love's triumph over sin and pain, Hallelujah! A. C. Jewitt. STANDING on the shore at morning, Saw the wreathing vapours mounting Standing on the hill at evening, Clouds stooped gently over me, Softly from the west ascending, And the rain fell silently. 8.7. 78 So I cried, my Spirit's incense So my life up-striving, soaring, And the bliss of hope awakens ; J. V. Blake. Easter. THERE is gladness in the air, And with verdure clad anew, With an endless beauty rife, 'Mid the world's discordant strife, 7.7.7.3. Each night's gloom the morn shall bring, And its heaviness shall fling Far away.' 79 80 Easter triumph, Easter joy, Hear again the welcome word, S. Childs-Clarke. THE buds are bursting on the trees, The birds are singing out their glees, For death is slain, and Christ is king; With voice and harp and Easter bell. Come let us all sweet blossoms bring And make our hearts an offering, No longer death and hopeless gloom For Christ has trodden through the tomb. Awake, etc. Mabel G. Osgood. 7.6. Easter. LET the merry church-bells ring; Frost and cold have fled from spring; |