KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7002, 26 April 1884, Page 4 (Supplement)

KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD.

" Ho constrained His disciples to gat into the ship." —Mark Ti. 45; " Kept by the power of God."—l .Peter i. 5. Had It been bat a quiet sea. On which stars and moonbeams shone Over the waters of Galilee, ; The bark had sped swiftly on. Constrained by the Master to launch on the lato, Why satfered He tempests and clouds to break i Had it heen bat a quiet sea! Ah !so we Bhirer and fear; " But over the waters of Galilee Tno Lord had never drawn near. If waves that rippled and winds that sighed Had waited the boat to the other aide. He saw them from the hill, No darkness hides from Him, Toiling in rowing with steadfast will, • Tho' the hope, Indeed, was dim. O weary heart! 'tis a word for thee. Christ watcheth the toller on life's dark sea. A quiet resting hour As the old year, dies away, Fresh casting the soul upon Jesu's power At the dawn of the New Year's Day. And now He bids us go forth once more. Breasting the waves to the other shore. How shall we face tho way ? How shall we brave the blast? The hands that row are feebler to-day • Than they were lb, the journeys past. ' But He only asketb the best we can do, And our prayer pierceth tempeit and billows through. Let Hira not pass us by As we strive the shore to win; Let Him hear our cry as He draweth nigh, Unasked He eaUra not in. But His hand at -the helm; whatever betide, Ere we know, have we, won to other side. Kept by the power of God, Our sailing orders we read; Tho" an elleth the tempest, tho' rageth the flood. Our "watchword In every need. Our song of rejoicing, our glad shout of praise, ' When the voyage is past and the perilous days. ___ M. G.