Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/18

 New perils past, new sins forgiven,
 * New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.

If on our daily course our mind
 * Be set to hallow all we find,

New treasures still, of countless price,
 * God will provide for sacrifice.

Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be,
 * As more of Heaven in each we see:

Some softening gleam of love and prayer
 * Shall dawn on every cross and care.

As for some dear familiar strain
 * Untired we ask, and ask again,

Ever, in its melodious store,
 * Finding a spell unheard before;

Such is the bliss of souls serene,
 * When they have sworn, and stedfast mean,

Counting the cost, in all t' espy
 * Their God, in all themselves deny.

Oh, could we learn that sacrifice,
 * What lights would all around us rise!

How would our hearts with wisdom talk
 * Along Life's dullest, dreariest walk!

We need not bid, for cloistered cell,
 * Our neighbour and our work farewell,

Nor strive to wind ourselves too high
 * For sinful man beneath the sky:

The trivial round, the common task,
 * Would furnish all we ought to ask;

Room to deny ourselves; a road
 * To bring us daily nearer God.

Seek we no more; content with these,
 * Let present Rapture, Comfort, Ease,

As Heaven shall bid them, come and go:-
 * The secret this of Rest below.

Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love
 * Fit us for perfect Rest above;

And help us, this and every day,
 * To live more nearly as we pray.