December 23

He who is near Me is near the fire.

MOVE through the flames with us, transcendent form,

As of the Son of God, in splendour move!

Divide the anguish, breast with us the storm,

Companion perfect grief with perfect love.

Shine through the burning, more refulgent thou

Than fire with will subdued and mastered pain;

Unharmed sustain us in the furnace now,

And unconsumed lead us forth again.

Word of the Highest! Mystic effluence

Of That which calms us most, which helps us best!

Compose our hearts, control our shattered sense,

And, in our tribulation, give us rest.

Nerve us to watch the night of weeping through,

Wisely to bear, and nobly still to do.

ELIZA-

BETH

RACHEL

CHAPMAN

SORROW