May 8
Companions of the Way (Evening)I will hope continually, and yet praise Thee more and more.
I WAIT, in God's good time to see That as my mother dealt with me, So with His children dealeth He.
I bow myself beneath His hand: That pain itself was wisely planned I feel and partly understand.
The joy that comes in sorrow's guise, The sweet pains of self-sacrifice, I would not have them otherwise.
I suffer with no vain pretence Of triumph over flesh and sense, Yet trust the grievous providence,
How dark soe'er it seems, may tend, By ways I cannot comprehend, To some unguessed benignant end;
That every loss and lapse may gain The clear-aired heights by steps of pain, And never cross is borne in vain.
J. G. WHITTIER