December 21

I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

A LIVING, loving, lasting word, My listening ear believing heard, While bending down in prayer; Like a sweet breeze that none can stay, It passed my soul upon its way, And left a blessing there.

Then joyful thoughts that come and go, By paths the holy angels know, Encamped around my soul; As in a dream of blest repose, 'Mid withered reeds a river rose, And through the desert stole.

I lifted up my eyes to see— The wilderness was glad for me, Its thorns were bright with bloom; And onward travellers, still in sight, Marked out a path of shining light And shade unmixed with gloom.

Oh, sweet the strains of those before, The weary knees are weak no more, The faithful heart is strong. But sweeter, nearer, from above, That word of everlasting love, The promise and the song.

A. L. WARING

SURRENDER