National Republican., 1882-04-29
GOD KNowETA BEST.

"some tmo,whon all fe's lessons have been learned
And sun and stars furevermore have set,
The things which our weak judgment here had
spurued,
The things DER which we grieved with loshcs wet,
VIII Rash before us out OF le's dark night,
As stars shine most In deeper uuts Of blue,
And we shall sec how all Gods plans were right,
And how what seemed reproofw was love most true"
No Chrlstiike soul doubts this Is truth indeed
And yet with Goethe cries. Vet IN more Apiti"
For cen while hero aud Ignorant we need
To feel and see the sun dlspe the night
Our natures mHdly crave that warmth and light
They sadly long for something here below,
And while still knowing that Gods ways are right
Shrink nom the snddening echo Of Gods NOl
"And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,
Gods plans go on as best for you and me
How, when we called, 1le needed not our cry,
Because His wisdom 10 the end could see.
And, even ms prudent parents dsaluw
Too much OF sweet TO craving babyhood,
SO God perhaps Is keeping from us now
Liies sweetest things, because It seemeth good"
This, too, Is truth-yea, must be truth and yet
Our poor humanity e'er seeks TO know
And understand what known We de'er forget
The reason why God strikes the staggering blow.
And even here this knowledge comes to those
Who lean In faith upon Gods loving arm
And seek for sweet content and sure repose
From enrth's grim storms within Gods holy calm,
And II sometimes comninRcd with liro'swno
We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink
Be sure wiser Hand than yours mine
Pours out this portion for our lips TO driDk)
And II some friend we love Is lying low,
Where human eisses cannot reach his face,
oh, do not blame the loving Father So
But wear your sorrow with obcdent gracei"
1t may be true that God pours out the drnught,
But we ourselves are prone 20 nir the cup;
The bitterness our lips have often quafTed,
The sick ming wormwood that we sometimes sup,
Are often what ourselves have well prepared
By sin and constant wRywArdnoss from Him,
Who for His own has always gently cared.
And sees the good with vision never dim
Is not the sweetest gin God sends His friend
And that sometimes the sable pail OF death
Conceals the fnirest boon His love can send.
II we could push aIar the gates oflife,
And stapd within aud all Gods working see,
We could Interpret all this doubt and strife
And for each mystery could ind key?"
And yet Il is not sin to mourn for those
Whose going from us leaves the soul In gloom;
He whom we love-our Mnster-He well knows
How sadly He once wept beside tomb
Only when rebel we grleve the soul
OF Him who Is our constant Life and Light
Not rs we weep, when sounds the bell 8 sad toll
That tears our loved ones from senseand sight
But not to-day. Then be content, poor hearti
Gods plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold;
We must not tear the cose-shut leaves apart;
Time will reveal the samens of pure gold;
And If through patient toll we reach the land
Where tired feet with sandals loose may rest,
When we shall clearly know and understand,
think that we will say, God knew the bestl'"
No. not to-day. And If Gods plans unfold
Like lilies that rich JOY ana beauty bring,
A sweet surprise they've also brought of old,
Like the arbutus of the early spring.
And true 1t is that when these wearied feet,
Craving the soothing shade and grateful rest,
Once tread with iirmest step the golden street,
We shall see all and say, God did know besti"
r. Randall Hoes,