But mutual wants this happiness increase;
  All nature’s difference keeps all nature’s peace. 
  Condition, circumstance, is not the thing: 
  Bliss is the same in subject or in king,
  In who obtain defence or who defend,
  In him who is or him who finds a friend;
  Heaven breathes through every member of the whole
  One common blessing, as one common soul.

ALEXANDER POPE.

* * * * *

LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS.

  God moves in a mysterious way
    His wonders to perform;
  He plants His footsteps in the sea,
    And rides upon the storm.

  Deep in unfathomable mines
    Of never-failing skill,
  He treasures up His bright designs,
    And works His sovereign will.

  Ye fearful, fresh courage take! 
    The clouds ye so much dread
  Are big with mercy, and shall break
    In blessings on your head.

  Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. 
    But trust Him for His grace: 
  Behind a frowning providence
    He hides a smiling face.

  His purposes will ripen fast,
    Unfolding every hour;
  The bud may have a bitter taste. 
    But sweet will be the flower.

  Blind unbelief is sure to err,
    And scan His work in vain: 
  God is His own interpreter,
    And He will make it plain.

WILLIAM COWPER.

* * * * *

GOD.

  O thou eternal One! whose presence bright
    All space doth occupy, all motion guide. 
  Unchanged through time’s all-devastating flight! 
    Thou only God—­there is no God beside! 
  Being above all beings!  Mighty One,
    Whom none can comprehend and none explore! 
  Who fill’st existence with Thyself alone—­
    Embracing all, supporting, ruling o’er,
    Being whom we call God, and know no more!

  In its sublime research, philosophy
    May measure out the ocean-deep—­may count
  The sands or the sun’s rays—­but, God! for Thee
    There is no weight nor measure; none can mount
  Up to Thy mysteries; Reason’s brightest spark,
    Though kindled by Thy light, in vain would try
  To trace Thy counsels, infinite and dark;
    And thought is lost ere thought can soar so high,
    Even like past moments in eternity.

  Thou from primeval nothingness didst call
    First chaos, then existence—­Lord! in Thee
  Eternity had its foundation; all
    Sprung forth from Thee—­of light, joy, harmony,
  Sole Origin—­all life, all beauty Thine;
    Thy word created all, and doth create;
  Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine;
    Thou art, and wert, and shall be!  Glorious!  Great! 
    Light-giving, life-sustaining potentate!