A Friend once turned to me and said, ''
"Why is the sun so dim to-day ? "
He held a glass of deepest red
Before its ray.

I answered not. He surely knows
Its glorious light is never dim;
When, to my wonder and amaze,
He asked again.

And then he strangely looked at me,
While, vivid, flashed across my mind
The meaning of the mystery,
So hard to find !

A fairer Sun, a brighter Light,
Had paled before my careless eyes,
And I had asked, "Why does the night
So dark arise ? "

O Saviour ! revelation bright
Of God's own glory and His grace,
Thou art not changed, but pleasure's blight
Has hid Thy face.

Remove the veil that dims my sight,
These earth-born wishes, floating round;
And let me learn, 'tis never night
Where Thou art found !

F. C. G.