TO-DAY

Lydia Avery Coonley Ward

W

HY fear to-morrow, timid heart?
Why tread the future's way?
We only need to do our part
To-day, dear child, to-day.

The past is written! Close the book
On pages sad and gay;

Within the future do not look,

But live to-day-to-day.

'Tis this one hour that God has given;
His now we must obey;

And it will make our earth his heaven
To live to-day-to-day.

A Death Song

L

A DEATH SONG

Paul Lawrence Dunbar

AY me down beneaf de willers in de grass,
Whah de branch'll go a singin' as it pass.
An' w'en I'se a-layin' low,
I kin hyeah it as it go

Singin', "Sleep, my honey, tek yo' res' at las'.
Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool,
An' de watah stan's so quiet lak an' cool,
Whah de little birds in spring

Ust to come an' drink an' sing,

An' de chillen waded on dey way to school.

Let me settle w'en my shouldahs draps dey load
Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road;
Fu' I t'ink de las' long res'

Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes'

Ef I's layin' 'mong de t'ings I's allus knowed.

G

THE TWO ANGELS

John Greenleaf Whittier

OD called the nearest angels who dwell with

Him above:

The tenderest one was Pity, the dearest one was Love.

"Arise," He said, "my angels, a wail of woe and sin Steals through the gates of heaven, and saddens all within.

"My harps take up the mournful strain that from a lost world swells,

The smoke of torment clouds the light and blasts the asphodels.

"Fly downward to that under world, and on its souls of pain

Let Love drop smiles like sunshine, and Pity tears like rain!"

Two faces bowed before the Throne, veiled in their golden hair;

Four white wings lessened swiftly down the dark abyss of air.

The way was strange, the flight was long; at last the angels came

Where swung the lost and nether world, red-wrapped in rayless flame.

The Two Angels

There Pity, shuddering, wept; but Love, with faith too strong for fear,

Took heart from God's almightiness and smiled a smile of cheer.

And lo! that tear of Pity quenched the flame whereon it fell,

And with the sunshine of that smile, hope entered into hell!

Two unveiled faces full of joy looked upward to the Throne,

Four white wings folded at the feet of Him who sat thereon!

And deeper than the sound of seas, more soft than falling flake,

Amidst the hush of wing and song the Voice Eternal spake:

"Welcome, my angels! ye have brought a holier joy

to heaven;

Henceforth its sweetest song shall be the song of sin forgiven."

LIGHT SHINING OUT OF
DARKNESS

G

William Cowper

OD moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps on the sea,

And rides upon the storm!

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan His work in vain:
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.