And the sheltering walls, fresh beauty shewing,
Day by day be strengthening and growing :
Though full many a daily task be meted
Ere the perfect fabric is completed.
Work in faith, good neighbour beside neighbour.
Work, and trust heaven's smile upon your labor:
Ay, though we who in the sunshine stand here,
Joining voice to voice and hand to hand here.
Ere the moss has grown o'er wall and column
ShaU be sleeping in a silence solemn,
Or in clearer light and purer air
Busy about His business — other-wkere.
POEMS. 249

Ay, though m that mystery of mysteries
Lying underneath our sad life-histories,
Midst of labor, earnest, brave, and fervent,
The good Master may call many a servant,
IBudden rest may fall on wearied sinews,
Though the workers cease — the work continues.
God names differently what we judge failing.
In a glory-mist His purpose veiling,
One by one He moves us, hands anointed
By His hands, to do our task appointed.
But the dimness of our earthly prison
Hides the total splendor of the vision.
Grant us, Lord, behind that veil to feel Thee;
In our humble labors to reveal Thee ,
Doing what we can do — ^well believing
One, with Thee, are giving and receiving.
So, this haj^y sunshine the act gilding.
Lay the stone — and may heaven bless the building !



HEADINGS OF CHAPTERS.
(From "Christian's Mistake.")

When ye're my ain gudewife, lassie,

What'U ye bring to me?
A hantle o' siller, a stockin' o' gowd?-

* * I haena ae bawbee. "



250 POEMS.
