UPWARD.
BY MARY HELEN BOODEY.
On the wings of my faith I aspite
God! to rise higher and higher,
And to quaff of the scinctillant springs
That flow all exhaustless from Thee,
Who art fountain, and haven, and sea,
And canst satisfy all who aspire.
I mount and I mount through the air,
Borne up by the breath of my prayer,
Through waves of the sunshine of love;
Thy presence, O God! is the light,
Thou givest my spirit its flight,
Thou rulest below and above.
I live in the glories of God,
I know that His merciful rod
Extends o'er a sorrowful world;
I see how His Providence glows
With sweet hues of azure and rose,
His banner, the heavens unfurled.
The universe sings to my soul,
And I join with my voice in the whole,
And God is the spirit of Law;
The Power of blessing and blight,
The Giver of morning and night,
Whose judgments are all without flaw.
Behold! I am given to see
That the darkness and sorrow that be,
Lie low and cling closely to earth;
But the light of God's glory descends,
And the might of His justice attends
The souls that are weeping in dearth.
A Hand that is brilliant with truth,
And gentle indeed in its ruth,
Shall point out the way and defend,
And the gloom of each fearful abyss,
The serpents that threaten and hiss,
Shall be conquered and slain to amend.
