Volume 6 — Providence.

When I remember all my days, And note what blessings each displays, What words can speak my grateful praise? What varied beauty thrills my sight! What sounds my listening soul delight! What joys of touch and appetite! And, more than any joy of sense, The happiness serene, intense, That comes to me, I know not whence, Unless it be that He is near, And speaks some words I cannot hear, But which unto my soul are clear. For there are times—ah! who can tell The gladness inexpressible With which my soul doth overswell! Ev'n sorrows that once seemed to press My soul to brinks of wretchedness, I know were but his means to bless. Out of the deeps of pain and fear, He led me to a higher sphere, Where all his purpose is made clear. Had not such sorrow struck my ways, I had lived out my earthly days, Barren of either prayer or praise. Wherefore each day, when I recall The blessings which his hands let fall, For this I thank him most of all; And would not, if I could, forego The sorrow which he made me know, For unto it so much I owe. This happy life, this lovely earth, These joys which every day brings forth, Are now to me of tenfold worth. Such wondrous love all things disclose, Such joy through all my being glows, That in my soul a longing grows That I might see this One All-Good, And tell him all my gratitude, In words however weak and rude. But ah! I fear it cannot be That I this loving God can see, For he fills out infinity; And out of him there is no place Where I can stand to see his face: Enough, I lie in his embrace, And sometimes, albeit dimly, feel That he is near, and doth reveal Himself in joy unspeakable. I said, indeed, 'I shall not see Him face to face;' yet it may be That joy of joys awaiteth me. For when this grossness, that doth fence My being in the bonds of sense, Falls off when I am taken hence, New powers of which I do not know May be revealed in me, and show The One to whom myself I owe, And I may see him face to face. Lord, grant it of thy boundless grace, The crown of all my happiness!