Poems (Hoffman)/Within the Vale
WITHIN THE VEIL
O friends, now entered on a new existence
(Whose forms from sight have gone
That we shall know within that untrod distance
To which our steps press on).
(Whose forms from sight have gone
That we shall know within that untrod distance
To which our steps press on).
What waits us there? In all our imperfection
Can we step out upon that untried land?
Ye come not back, who wait the resurrection
To lead us by the hand.
Can we step out upon that untried land?
Ye come not back, who wait the resurrection
To lead us by the hand.
Ah! through the pitfalls of this world of dangers
A love has led that still hath power to guide,
We entered here as lost and helpless strangers,
God's endless future is not more untried.
A love has led that still hath power to guide,
We entered here as lost and helpless strangers,
God's endless future is not more untried.
Casting aside our earth-chained false ambition,
Taking with gladness all His love hath planned,
To follow where He leads, our highest mission
Through life, through death into the better land.
Taking with gladness all His love hath planned,
To follow where He leads, our highest mission
Through life, through death into the better land.