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Show A PRAYER. ! I O Father, Father! hear mv whisperV j plaint j And pica for strength that so I do nr-t j faint Beneath the strain and stress Thou sendest me to bear whilst here I j live; j O lighten not. the burthen! only give Thyself to me; and bless Me with a shoulder wider than mv I load, " j A patient courage longer than the road i Thou wantest me to go: ! Aiid whilst, with halting steps, I trudge along. Give me sometimes the lilt of coming song, When weary feet are slow! 0 Father. Father' if some mite of joy ; May come upon me here may it not cloy By little zest for Thee: But make it wreathe for me a sunny face, Whilst, bending down, I run my willing race Thou layest out for me! Enough it were for me, the winner's bays. Await the closing in of life's gray days. To crown my running then! 1 want no laughing glee to slack my speed. Or hold my hand away from pleading need Of lowly fellow men! O Father, Father! if the voice of Fame Shall reach my fellow's ears and call " my name r From honor's shining roll! Then fit my brow with meekness' modest mod-est crown. And s?nd me questing manhood further fur-ther down. With lowliness of soul! It were not meet that such as I should stand, And drink the plaudits of the shouting land. Whilst others welter there! O let Thou not! the welling overtones. Of man's acclaim, shut from mine ears the moans Of' fellows who despair! Baylus Cade in Biblical Recorder. |