 | The girl's reading-book ; in prose and poetry |  |
187
BIRTH-DAY REQUESTS.
Oh Thou, whose tireless, ever-watchful care,
Presents another year and wakes the prayer,
Guide thou my steps,—direct my doubtful course,
Crush vain resolves, and error's dangerous force,
Impart the meek desire, the hope sublime,
And thoughts that soar above the scenes of time.
Presents another year and wakes the prayer,
Guide thou my steps,—direct my doubtful course,
Crush vain resolves, and error's dangerous force,
Impart the meek desire, the hope sublime,
And thoughts that soar above the scenes of time.
Grant thou, the zeal that seeks another's good,
And sets the seal to duty understood,
The humble mind, the sympathy sincere,
For joy, the smile—for misery, the tear,
Balm for the wounded—for the drooping, aid,
A tranquil trust, when ills of life invade,
The conscience clear that soothes to sweet repose
And the warm thrill that pure devotion knows.
And sets the seal to duty understood,
The humble mind, the sympathy sincere,
For joy, the smile—for misery, the tear,
Balm for the wounded—for the drooping, aid,
A tranquil trust, when ills of life invade,
The conscience clear that soothes to sweet repose
And the warm thrill that pure devotion knows.
Let ardent love to those who kindly strew
My path with flowers, be every morning new,
And lead me onward thro' each fair degree,
Of gratitude to them and trust in Thee.
My path with flowers, be every morning new,
And lead me onward thro' each fair degree,
Of gratitude to them and trust in Thee.
What shall I ask, or what refrain to say?
Where shall I point, or how conclude my lay?
So much my weakness needs—so oft thy voice,
Assures that weakness, and confirms my choice.
Where shall I point, or how conclude my lay?
So much my weakness needs—so oft thy voice,
Assures that weakness, and confirms my choice.
Oh, grant me active days of peace and truth,
Strength to my heart, and wisdom to my youth,
A sphere of usefulness—a soul to fill
That sphere with duty, and perform thy will.
Strength to my heart, and wisdom to my youth,
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That sphere with duty, and perform thy will.
But when, at last, the heavy shades shall fall
Of that dark night that comes but once to all,
Whether in youth, maturity, or age,
Let thy kind voice my rising pains assuage,
My hopes sustain, my gathering fears remove,
And fill my spirit with thy pardoning love.
Of that dark night that comes but once to all,
Whether in youth, maturity, or age,
Let thy kind voice my rising pains assuage,
My hopes sustain, my gathering fears remove,
And fill my spirit with thy pardoning love.
Then strong in faith, I'd dare the threatening tides
Which this dark world from that of bliss divides,
Raise the dim eye to drink the smile of heaven,
Nerve the faint heart that feels its sins forgiven,
Meet with calm brow the billows' deafening roar,
And land victorious on the eternal shore.
Which this dark world from that of bliss divides,
Raise the dim eye to drink the smile of heaven,
Nerve the faint heart that feels its sins forgiven,
Meet with calm brow the billows' deafening roar,
And land victorious on the eternal shore.
| The girl's reading-book ; in prose and poetry | |