Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. Faith: Hope: Love: Service“My times are in thy hand”
Christopher Newman Hall (1816–1902)M
I know not what a day
Or e’en an hour may bring to me,
But I am safe while trusting thee,
Though all things fade away.
All weakness, I
On him rely
Who fixed the earth and spread the starry sky.
Pale poverty or wealth,
Corroding care or calm repose,
Spring’s balmy breath or winter’s snows,
Sickness or buoyant health,—
Whate’er betide,
If God provide,
’T is for the best; I wish no lot beside.
Should friendship pure illume
And strew my path with fairest flowers,
Or should I spend life’s dreary hours
In solitude’s dark gloom,
Thou art a friend,
Till time shall end
Unchangeably the same; in thee all beauties blend.
Many or few, my days
I leave with thee,—this only pray,
That by thy grace, I, every day
Devoting to thy praise,
May ready be
To welcome thee
Whene’er thou com’st to set my spirit free.
Howe’er those times may end,
Sudden or slow my soul’s release,
Midst anguish, frenzy, or in peace,
I’m safe with Christ my friend.
If he is nigh,
Howe’er I die,
’T will be the dawn of heavenly ecstasy.
To thee I can intrust
My slumbering clay, till thy command
Bids all the dead before thee stand,
Awaking from the dust.
Beholding thee,
What bliss ’t will be
With all thy saints to spend eternity!
In heaven’s unclouded light!
From sorrow, sin, and frailty free,
Beholding and resembling thee,—
O too transporting sight!
Prospect too fair
For flesh to bear!
Haste! haste! my Lord, and soon transport me there!