At evening as the twilight gathered in,
And stopped my needle going to and fro,
I lost myself, in thinking of my Lord:-
Oh! blessed losing, would it were always so.
And as I gazed by faith into His face
With confidence I sought not to explain,
The things of earth were for a time forgot,
With all their joys and sorrows, all their pain.

Earth's daylight is but evening at the best;
Faith pierces through the gloaming, to discern
The length and breadth, the height and depth of love,
Whose fullness with Himself alone I'll learn.
Oft times 'tis night, some times I say 'tis day,
But ere my little round of labor's done,
I cry, "alas! the day is all too short,"
While, with regret, I watch the sinking sun.

Thus, here, 'twill ever be, this changeful scene,
Of life's experience but the picture true.
The heart must know the pain, and bliss, of these-
Storm, sunshine, drought, and the refreshing dew,
While waiting for the harbinger of day,
For then I know my feet shall no more roam,
Where light and shadow, storm and calm succeed,
But rest with Him, who soon shall call me home.

How sweet to seek the shelter of His wing,
In secret hidden from the world's rude gaze;
My fortress strong, where I may e'er retreat,
My refuge in life's stormy, cloudy days.
If I had only come to Him before,
I had not missed such blessing all those years,
But, seeking rest in restless hearts like mine,
I lost the goal I sought, and gained but tears.

But when I think of all the pains He took
To lead me to this blessed resting place,
I'd turn me and retrace the dreary path,
For one look of His gentle, gracious face,
In which I read the depth of God's great love
To me, whose hunger He alone could know,
His love alone could meet, and satisfy,
And give the peace I craved, and heal my woe.
I had not known Him intimately long,
Yet did not fear that He would turn away,
And leave me desolate again, and lone.
I knew He would abide with me alway.
He'd watched me, all the weary winding way,
Until, despairing, to His feet I'd come,
With what I could not speak to other ears;
Ah! then, I felt my heart had found its home.

My Savior, not thyself alone Thou'st given,
But all things good; whilst in Thy loneliness,
Thou hadst not e'en a place to lay Thy head,
Yet, me, with untold mercies Thou dost bless,
Thy heart alone could be my resting place.
Earth's passing joys will soon give place to bliss;
Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath ever heard,
Nor even heart conceived, save only this,

That Thou hast told the secret of Thy heart,
To those who know Thy love. And though the night
Be dark, 'twill soon give place to endless day,
When thou shalt be the everlasting light.
No fitful twilight musings then, my soul,
But, at loves fountain-head, my heart shall slake
Its thirst, with everlasting love. And 'tween
His heart and mine, communion know no break.

H. McD.