I

I THOUGHT as I watched in the dawning dim

The hours of the coming day,

That each shadow form was surely robed

In the selfsame hue of gray;

And that sad was each half-averted face,

Unlit by a cheering ray.

But as one by one they drew near to me,

And I saw them true and clear,

I found that the hours were all messengers,

Sent forth by a Friend most dear,

To bring me whatever I needed most—

Of chastening or of cheer.

And though some of them, truly, were grave and sad,

And moved with reluctant feet,

There were others came gladly, with smiling eyes,

And footsteps by joy made fleet;

But whatever with gladness or sorrow fraught,

The message each bore was sweet.

For even the saddest, and weighted most

With trial and pain for me,

Yet breathed in my ear, ere it passed from sight,

"This cross I have brought to thee

Comes straight from the Friend Who, of all thy friends,

Doth love thee most tenderly;

"He would rather have sent thee a joyous hour,

And fraught with some happy thing,

But He saw that naught else could so meet thy need

As this strange, sad gift I bring;

And He loved thee too well to withhold the gift,

Though it causes thee suffering."

II

So, now, as I watch in the dawning dim

The hours of each coming day,

I remember that golden threads of love

Run all through their garments gray;

And I know that each face as it turns to me

Will be lit with a friendly ray.

And whether they most be sombre or glad,

No hour of all the band

But will bring me a greeting from Him I love,

And reach out a helping hand

To hasten my steps, as I traverse the road

That leads to the better land.

For the Lord of that land is the Friend I love,

And I know He keeps for me

A home of delight in His kingdom fair,

That I greatly long to see;

And the hours that shall speed me on my way

I must welcome gratefully.

III

And soon I shall trace through the dawning dim,

'Mid the hours of some coming day,

A figure unlike to its sister forms,

With garments more gold than gray;

And the face of that one, when it meets my gaze,

Will send forth a wondrous ray.

So I watch for that latest and brightest hour

Which my Lord will send to me;

I know that its voice will be low and sweet,

And this shall its message be:

"Come quickly, and enter thy Home of joy,

For the King is calling thee."

I shall go to Him soon! I have waited long

To behold His beauty rare;

But I surely shall see Him and hear His voice,

And a part in His glory share,

When I answer the summons, solemn yet glad,

Which the last sweet hour shall bear.