" Lord, dost Thou call this our affliction light?
Is all this anguish little in Thy sight ?"
" Child, bring thy balance out; put in one scale
All thine afflictions ; give them in full tale :
All thy bereavements, grievances, and fears,
Then add the utmost limits of man's years.
Now put My cross into the other side,-
That which I suffered when I lived and died."

"I cannot, Lord, it is beyond my might;
And lo! my sorrows are gone out of sight."
"Then, try another way:-Put in the scale
The glory now unseen within the vail,
The glory given to thine own estate ;
Use the exceeding and eternal weight.
Which brings down the beam ?"
"Ah, Lord, Thy word is right!
Thus weighed, my sorrow doth indeed seem light."

God's plans like lilies pure and white unfold ;
We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart:
Time will reveal the calyxes of gold.
And if through patient toil we reach the land
Where tired feet with sandals loose may rest,
Where we shall clearly know and understand,
I think that we will say, " God knew best."