THE HERALD
of Christ's Kingdom

October, 1918 Committee Bulletin
Table of Contents

THE COMMITTEE BULLETIN #3 - OCTOBER, 1918

ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST

THE PROVIDENCE CONVENTION POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER 8-10

ANOTHER CONVENTION-ST. LOUIS, MO., DECEMBER 6-8

OUR PASTOR

LETTER OF INTEREST TO THE CHURCH

THE RIGHT WAY

October, 1918 Committee Bulletin
THE COMMITTEE BULLETIN

No. 3 OCTOBER 1918

A Publication Devoted To The Interests Of The Believers In The Present Truth

ON ESSENTIALS, UNITY -- ON NONESSENTIALS, CHARITY

ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST

THE COMMITTEE BULLETIN

This Bulletin is published monthly by a Committee of seven brethren duly appointed by a representative body of the Lord's people assembled in General Convention at Asbury Park, July 26-­29, 1918. It is designed to serve merely as a simple means of communication for those who have indicated their, desire for a regular publication. Its object is to report matters of special interest relating to the general affairs of the Lord's people, such as Convention arrangements, business. meetings, notices. of meetings and Pilgrim appointments, etc. The Bulletin should be regarded as a temporary publication until it is arranged to issue a periodical in harmony with the wishes of the consecrated people of the Lord. All communications should be addressed to the Secretary, Brother I. F, Hoskins, 262 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 'Phone, Main 4875.

THE PROVIDENCE CONVENTION POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER 8-10

In harmony with the notice recently sent to the friends, we have been compelled to postpone the Convention that was set for Providence, R. I., October 18-20. As previously 'stated, the Health authorities in Rhode Island, as in several other States, found it necessary to make a ruling against all week-day meetings while the epidemic was in its worst stages. We are now advised that relief has come. and that the ban has been lifted. The new dates for the Convention now decided upon are November 8-10.

We would repeat that the Convention will be held at Andrews Assembly Rooms, 14 Green Street. Those desiring that accommodations in the way of rooms, etc., be engaged for them during the Convention will address dress their requests and communications. to. Brother.', H. H. .Eddy, 40 Bridgham Street, Providence, R. I., stating the number of persons in party, length of stay, etc. Price of lodging will be $1.00 and upwards; and meals additional will amount to approximately $2.00 per days

On arriving in Providence, it is suggested that the friends go direct to the Convention Hall, where they. will find someone prepared to give further information. This applies also to November 7, the day before the Convention, should you reach there on that date.

For the benefit of the friends of New York City and vicinity, we would advise that one of the boat lines would be less expensive than the railroad. .We, would recommend the Colonial Line, as considered to be very good, the price of which is about $3.60 one way, including stateroom, two persons in a room. In order to secure the stateroom at this price, it should be engaged three or four days in advance. The boat leaves Pier 39, New York City, at 5:30 every evening, reaching Providence the next morning at about 8 o'clock.

We have pleasure in assuring the friends that the outlook promises a most peaceful and harmonious season of fellowship on this occasion. We earnestly urge upon all whose circumstances will permit, to join the brethren in this . Convention, .and share with them the blessings of this Conference in holy things. Come one and all, desiring to receive a ,blessing and to impart one to others.

ANOTHER CONVENTION-ST. LOUIS, MO., DECEMBER 6-8

It seems to be the Lord's leading at this time that another General Convention should be held, in the middle West. We have received a cordial invitation from the friends at St. Louis, Mo., to arrange for a Convention in that city, early in December. Realizing that the' friends throughout the West are considerably, scattered and that very few could find it possible to attend any of the Eastern Conventions, the Committee warmly welcomes this request from St. Louis.

We cannot too highly commend the disposition and desire on the part of the friends to assemble together in fellowship and mutual encouragement, and "so much the more as we see` the day drawing on," As the Committee considers this an opportune time, and believes that St. Louis is an excellent location for a General Convention, the invitation from the friends there has been accepted, and we have fixed December 6-8 as the date for this Convention.

We trust that a good number of the dear friends westward may avail themselves of the privilege of this season of "fellowship, and receive thereby a great blessing. It is our expectation that several able, well known brethren will. be present to address the friends.

All sessions of the Convention will be held at Stumpf's Hall, Van Devanter and West Belle Sts. . We are advised that board and lodging can be had at a moderate price. Anyone wishing further information or desiring reservation should address Mrs. N. P. Negus, 4733 St. Louis Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.

Let us take the matter to the Lord in prayer, and, earnestly seeking His guidance, endeavor to have our hearts in that attitude that we may be the means of encouraging others as well as receiving a rich blessing ourselves.

OUR PASTOR

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them" - Revelation 14:13

"Through honor and dishonor, through evil report and Boob report; as deceivers, and yet true; Giving no offense in anything, that the Ministry be not blamed" - 2 Corinthians 6:8, 3

IN MEMORY OF OUR PASTOR

ANOTHER year .has rolled by- since our well beloved Brother and Pastor, Charles T. Russell, departed the scenes of' this earthly realm, having ended his toil and labor and finished his course in death. As we once more approach the anniversary of his decease, the sacred memory of his holy example and his life­work, and particularly of his closing days on earth, are as ever fresh and dear to our hearts. Surely this is an appropriate occasion for us to review some things pertaining to his life and memory.

When two years ago the news was flashed across the earth and the tidings reached us that our Brother had passed from our midst, so strange and.: unreal seemed the event that at first we were dazed, and, for a moment our hearts sank within us. For more than forty years our Pastor had -been- so- active and was so unceasingly attentive to the . Lord's work, an the care of all the Churches continued to rest upon him so exclusively, that many of the friends had come to feel that his earthly pilgrimage must continue on, and that his departure would perhaps. be among the, very last of the feet members. But alas, as it has so often proven, so again it came to pass, that man's thoughts and ways were different from God's and it is now clearly recognized that He had -other designs to be worked out than that of continuing. the earthly ministry of our Pastor.

Great indeed seemed the loss to the Lord's faithful people, when Brother Russell finished this course and was called Home; yet remembering that God is at .the helm, and that He doeth all things;. well, none of : the faithful could for an instant think that the death of our Brother would be allowed of God to result hi any real disaster or calamity to them as new creatures. True to His promise, there is indisputable 'evidence that our great Heavenly Shepherd has continued to shield and guide His loyal, faithful, humble children unto this present hour.

Standing now at the second anniversary of our Pastor's change, and reflecting again upon the life of this great man of God, it is with unspeakable gratitude and admiration that we love, and cherish his memory. Nor are these sentiments which burn in our hearts, in the slightest degree, those of blind reverence„ as of some human idol or fetish:. To the contrary, they are emotions and impulses that are the inevitable outworking of certain unchangeable laws, and have as their basis the most worthy and sublime of causes. Every person who truly has a knowledge of God and of His Son, our dear Redeemer, must have some keen appreciation of, and love for the great ideals, the principles of truth and righteousness for which they stand. Every faithful Bible student recognizes that the more he learns of the greatness and goodness of God, the more his soul is constrained to worship and adore His blessed majesty.

Those who, truly knew and loved Pastor Russell, saw in his person and life work so much that reflected the beauty and glory of the Divine character. Most logically therefore we admired and loved our Pastor because 'his life' and teachings" revealed the "fact' that he was a 'true and faithful expounder of godliness, and of the great fundamental principles of the Divine government -- justice, truth and righteousness. Indeed, we consider that we are honoring our Heavenly Father, when we honor the memory of our Pastor who was a faithful Servant of God.

Most prominent throughout his writings as well as in his example, the spirit of the Lord is observed in great effulgence, and most eloquently proclaims that our Pastor loved righteousness and hated iniquity that he was in full heart harmony with the Lord. And how' ardently he labored with others to help them see the vital importance of a life of holiness; in confirmation of which he frequently quoted the words of St. Paul: "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." He most earnestly taught that the daily conduct should be squared with the principles of truth, honesty, justice, righteousness, and love -- the sum of all graces; and reminded us in this connection of the words of the. Prophet, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord's, or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands arid a pure heart." It is remembered in this connection that the words of the Prophet as used in the Manna for January 15, and Brother Russell's comment, are exactly to the point: "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Micah 6:8.

Those who truly .appreciated Pastor Russell and who remain loyal to his memory, feel justified in taking the position that not ­since the days of our Lord and the Apostles has there one arisen whose faithful ministry has exercised such a revolutionary and sanctifying influence among God's, faithful people; so luminous have been both his oral; and printed statements on the Bible. Thus was made. most prominent his large possession of the spirit of wisdom and revelation, by which he was enabled to read from Genesis to Revelation the stately steppings of our God in the Divine Plan of the Ages. The Bible was the dearest of all books to Pastor Russell because he -found in it the very fountain of truth and grace-a most satisfactory revelation with regard to man's past, present and future. As he saw therein the glory of the Divine character, and the hope of deliverance for the, whole groaning creation, his heart was stirred to its depths and his tongue touched as it had been, with coals of fire from off the altar. Early in his career, having dedicated his earthly life and fortune to the service of God, he went forth to bear to all who had ears to hear, what he considered to be the kernel of the divine message, "Jesus and the Resurrection" -- the Redeemer and His Work -- the coming reign of righteousness under the whole heavens.

Possessing by birth a magnanimous heart, full of loving sympathy, it could be truly said of him, as of the Master, that as he beheld the multitude-the lowly, the sorrowful and the suffering of mankind, he was moved with compassion; he longed for the fulfillment of our, Lord's prayer that he so often. repeated.: . "Thy Kingdom .come, Thy will, be. done on earth, as in heaven." How well we remember that it was his chief delight to explain what that Kingdom would signify to all the living and the dead and how eloquently he pictured forth, in great contrast with the present dark time of the reign of sin and death, the blessings of joy and peace that shall abound among men when "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover. the sea." Thus the last sermon he wrote, but which he was not permitted to deliver, was along this line: "The morning cometh -- A night also." The thought that the second advent of Christ was at hand, and the fact that the dark night of sorrow and weeping, was about to give place to the morning time of light and joy for the whole groaning creation, gave great impetus to his enthusiasm and zeal to make known the glad tidings, and caused him to travel far and near, yea, around the earth to reach as many of the truth hungry as possible.

Nor did our Brother take to himself any credit or glory for the words of revelation that he so clearly presented. To the contrary he disowned that it was his message; he disclaimed any unusual ability or talents on his part that so many were blessed by the Truth which he gave out. In great humility he set forth that the Lord could just as well make use of any instrument as an index finger, as this was the due time for the Truth to be made manifest. In fact, he repeatedly stated that the message he was presenting was not a new message, but was the same old story of heavenly love taught by Jesus and the Apostles and Prophets; that oil account of the sowing of seeds of error and superstition by the great Adversary in the darker past, the precious Truths of the Bible had become greatly beclouded, and many of them lost sight of; and that now in the end of the Age, the due time had come for the uncovering of these Truths, for the consolation of the faithful, and that they might be .enabled to stand in this evil day.

That our Pastor was well aware that his loyalty to God and fidelity to the Truth, would bring certain sufferings and persecutions, there can be no doubt. But the question of what he was willing to endure for Christ's sake, had been settled early in his life when he made a full consecration to God of all of his powers, earthly opportunities, name, etc., and buried his own will in the will of God. It was as if God had forewarned him as he did. St. Paul, that having called him for a special mission. he would show him what great things lie must suffer for His sake; and in showing him his sufferings, he doubtless showed him also the significance of the invisible crown of glory, which would be his at the end of his earthly pilgrimage.'

For this reason our Pastor did not allow the forces of darkness to deter him in the prosecution of the work of the ministry. His example in this regard is well worthy of our emulation. He allowed no defamation of his reputation, no threats of the Adversary to beat down his Christian fortitude which was well supported by his great faith in God. His dauntless courage and confidence were fully expressed in his own words, familiar to all:

"My life is hid with Christ in God, and nothing can by any means stop my work until it shall have accomplished the Divine intention. Until then I am immortal as respects my life. When, from the Divine viewpoint, my work shall have been accomplished, the Adversary, no doubt, will have full power, not only against my reputation, but also against my life.

"When God's time shall come, I am ready to be offered. Only if, in God's providence, I should perish as an evil doer; let not my friends forget that so others have perished, martyrs to their convictions and their faithfulness to the Word of God. Of these was St. Paul, St. Stephen, John the Baptist and our Lord Himself."

In harmony with this expressed sentiment our Father spared him well and long to minister to the needs of the saints, and we are fully confident that his labors were not permitted to cease until his work on earth was done. Remaining to the very last, patient, steadfast and resigned, yea, through the greatest suffering without murmur or complaint, his example now stands out as a living revelation of the words, "faithful unto death."

Shall we not ask ourselves the question, what was it that won for our Pastor the Lord's final approval? And we find the answer, in his great loyalty to, and love for the Divine will, and his implicit obedience thereto. Was it not the fact that, yielding himself to a wise and loving Providence through evil and through good report the holy image of God was wrought out in his character, and he was made indeed a copy of God's dear Son.

Dearly beloved, we do not have Brother Russell's physical and personal presence with us today as of yore, for God has taken him. He does indeed rest from his labors and his works do follow him; this mortality having put on immortality. But while we are bereft of his bodily presence, he has left us the sacred and hallowed treasure of . his illustrious example, which speaks to us with an eloquence that is better than that of tongue or pen; and we do have, with us his words of wise counsel, of admonition and of teaching. Alas, that in so short a time there are those who seem to so easily forget the life-work of our Pastor and now practically repudiate that which they so recently held as sacred and dear. Thus with added force the Apostle's words come home to us, "we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Then let us forget not this noble example and the wise instructions that have been left us, and ever regard as hallowed, the memory of our faithful Pastor. So shall it be well with us, and we too shall shortly be borne across the mystical river, passing through the gates of glory, into the New Jerusalem-into immortality -- "changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,"

"Forever with the Lord!"
Amen, so let it be
Life from the dead is in that word,
'Tis immortality. 

With thee the promised throne
Then evermore to share,
We'll gladly make thy glory known,
Thy praises everywhere 

LETTER OF INTEREST TO THE CHURCH

TO the Pastoral Bible Institute Committee,

Dear Brethren-After a somewhat extended tour through the middle West and a portion of Canada, I take great pleasure in rendering a report as to existing- conditions among the Classes of Bible Students visited and of others which we heard from directly and otherwise.

The trials and difficulties resulting since the death of our dear Pastor, Charles T. Russell, have had a sobering effect upon all of tile friends. And not only so, but those with whom I was privileged to meet, have been mellowed and sweetened by the trying events. Not one, so far as I know, was embittered or soured by the spirit of opposition on the part of others, In place of cherishing unkind feelings and sentiments, there is a prevailing disposition to ignore the unhappy experiences of the past, to think charitably of all, and to regard .the mistakes which have been made as due to errors of judgment rather than to attribute them to any wrong condition of the heart. This noble attitude on the part of the friends to "let 'love cover a multitude of sins" is having its good effect;. as a number who formerly were arrayed against us, are now coming to see that they were too harsh in their judgment of the brethren, and seem once more to be actuated by the desire to fellowship with those who have stood loyal for what they know -to -be right and true. Many are .weary of the unprofitable controversies over the visionary interpretations of the symbolic portions of ,tile Lord's Word, .with which the Church has been regaled, and now are seeking for real spiritual refreshment as of yore. All are inclined to take a more hopeful view of matters and to look forward to the day when present misunderstandings shall have been removed and, once more united on the things worth while; the Church shall go forward to fulfill its mission this side of the "veil."

In not a single instance, that came under my own observation, were the divisions, occasioned by disagreements over the fundamentals of Our faith! This is a fact! All of the divisions were forced by the ones standing by tile present mismanaged Society, and were over the types and symbolisms of the Scriptures, upon which they themselves are not fully agreed. After these divisions of God's people had been effected, these same representatives went about and With beautiful inconsistency and child-like simplicity, quoted Romans 16:17, saying, "Mark them which cause divisions . . . and avoid them." And the zeal with which some have ostracized and scorned those who had a sufficient measure of the spirit of wisdom and of love, and of a sound mind to stand for the right and the truth, would have delighted the hearts of the Inquisitioners of old.

We are disposed to view with sorrow and pity, tile actions of these brethren in going about among the Lord's people and doing as they have done, knowing that they have yet to answer to the Lord for what they have accomplished, and even now some are experiencing regrets. It is no light thing to create confusion among the flock and to cause divisions. We sincerely trust and hope that what has been done in this direction, has been mainly through blindness and not through a willful disposition to rule or ruin.

The incomprehensible part of it all is, that brethren long under the instructions of the loving Christ, through the splendid ministrations of one of the noblest characters in all history, should be so ready to denounce as of the "Judas Class," the "Second Death Class," etc., their brethren in Christ; and for what? Why, not because of the denial of the foundation principles or doctrines of the Christian faith, but because o£ some peculiar interpretations of the symbolisms of the Bible!

A NOBLE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT

About the finest thing which it has ever been my privilege to witness,. is the )road and splendid spirit of Christian self-control, patience and love, exhibited by the friends towards those who evidence very little of the development o£ the fruits of the spirit. Again and again have these with smiling faces and in kind and loving tones greeted former associates, only to be met with cold stares and an utter disregard of the laws of common decency and courtesy. Our friends, we are pleased to say, are standing loyal and true to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, and giving close heed to the admonitions and instructions of our dearly beloved Pastor. There is no change in faith or practice among the Lord's true people, excepting that of manifesting a larger measure of the spirit of the Master. Whatever changes have taken place, are on the part of those who are not standing with us. They themselves must admit this.

PROMINENT BRETHREN AND NEW LIGHT

One of the truly astonishing things which was observed on this journey out over the country is the number of prominent and able brethren, representing loth sides of the main controversy which has afflicted the Church for the past two years, who have developed so-called "New Light." All of these new lines of thought are based on the types and symbols found in the Bible. Why these highly respected and honored brethren should devote their fine. talents and energies to .theorizing and speculating on that which, if the friends accepted their wild guesses, would generate endless confusion is, indeed, a 'mystery. The Christian's faith and practice are based upon the clear, plain doctrinal teaching of 'the inspired Word of God, and not upon something flimsy and uncertain. Why; therefore, devote consecrated time to specializing on matters that cannot he agreed to, and that positively could not be understood in detail until after their fulfillment, and which then will be clearly discerned? Have riot the experiences of the past two years thoroughly demonstrated to all thoughtful minds the unprofitableness of delving into the figurative statements of the Lord's Word and Striving to force "New Light" ?

Still there are others who think (they do not know) that they are specially endowed intellectually or spiritually to reveal the hidden things of Scripture to the Church. Poor deluded brethren, would that they might profit by the impressive lessons of the past forty years in particular, and, ceasing to speculate, devote what time and talents they possess, to feeding the flock of God with the abundance of spiritual food which the wise and faithful steward, under the Lord's direction, gave to be ministered to the sheep in these last times, We found a number of these forsaken members of the flock, grazing about on the miserable husks of speculative theories, with lean and hungry looks, longing for the rich spiritual feasts of days gone by!

"THE CHANNEL"

Another matter impressed upon my mind was tile frequency with which the term "The Channel" was heard. It seems to have become a sort of fetish among the members of a certain class of Bible Students, Their almost slavish adherence to what they thus designate "The Channel" (the Society), is, sublime in its guilelessness. No devotee of ecclesiasticism could ever be more solicitous in regard to the object of his credulity and affection, than do these devout contenders for "The Channel." Truly their devotion is touching I Some have remarked to me, "Yes, we know that certain of these brethren, representing the Society, have done wrong, but there is the Channel, and we must stick to the "Channel !" Good, honest souls! How we admire their spirit of loyalty, even though we are distressed by their obtuseness! We see the same things to admire in our Roman Catholic friends, and in the Mohammedans, the Buddhists, etc.

After all, what is the real "Channel"? It is our Savior, Himself. He is the main Channel of the Truth. And all of the Lord's people who have the spirit of the Truth and who bear the message of the "Glad Tidings" to others, these are ,various subsidiary channels. Some of these are special channels, wider and deeper than others, through whom the waters of Truth have circulated more voluminously. Of such were the Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. (Ephesians 4:11, 12.) Pastor Russell, doubtless, was one of these special channels of Truth, and not the Society which he organized and which was merely an instrumentality used by him tó facilitate the work of the ministry in which he was engaged. Who cannot see that if the Society were "the Channel," then indeed, the people of the Lord would be exposed to all kinds of delusions, for both truth and error could be made to flow through it-which in fact has been the case, as even the advocates of this channel theory will admit; for many statements and predictions which percolated through it are now repudiated by all.

ACTIVITY IN THE SERVICE OF THE TRUTH TO BE RESUMED

Another thing noted was the tendency among the friends recovering from the shocks and experiences of the past two years, to adjust themselves to new situations and to look about to see what could still be done in the way of service of the Truth. A number of suggestions were offered in the way of outlining future avenues of service. The hope was expressed that "volunteer" literature would again be issued. Others were of the opinion that the conditions in the world would cause the minds of the people to become more receptive to the message of the Truth than at any time in the past, and, therefore, we should expect a renewal of former activities. So the loyal, earnest people of God are now preparing to once more lift high the royal standard of the Truth. Some are now disposing of literature they have on hand. Others are arranging to engage in Pastoral work. A number have asked for tracts. Still others are asking for something to do, and all are beginning to get restless over the enforced idleness of the past. We met with able brethren willing and ready to do local Pilgrim service here and there as opportunity offers, and who have thus been serving.

We wish to say further that many of the clear friends have expressed confidence in the members of the present Committee. They have likewise indicated their appreciation of the long, hard struggle of the past two years, on the part of those who have been contending against a one-man control or a set of men, Executive Committee or General Committee, controlling the Church of God. It is realized more distinctly than ever that the Church should control its own affairs absolutely; and that an organization, or Committee, is merely the machinery to be used in regulating its own business and in conducting its affairs. It is recognized that any individual who becomes inoculated with the idea that he has superior abilities and endowments, and should therefore endeavor to control and direct the Church, dominating his associates and the Lord's people at large, that the sooner this individual is removed from all positions of authority and power, the better for himself and the general interests of the Church.

All are eagerly looking forward to the time when a standard medium of communication and spiritual enlightenment and encouragement in the form of a classified publication shall be issued. With but few exceptions, the friends are in favor of having some simple.. business organization formed to carry on the work efficiently, decently and in order. They point out that without some medium of communication and expression of thought, without some arrangement for the consideration of writings and teachings purporting to be "meat in due season," without some representative board to maintain and give expression to the general thought and purpose o f the Church, not any local Ecclesia, but the Ecclesia of Christ, there can be no unity or harmony among the "believers in the present Truth." Chaos and confusion are sure to result.

The friends insist that there is but tile one basis on which we can unite and go forward in the Lord's service; and that is to take up the work where it was laid down. by our great leader, and go on with it. As far as possible, re-organize the work and carry out his instructions ,as given in His Will, and directed in the Charter which he left for the guidance of the Church.

The friends are pleased to note the disposition manifested on the part of the members of the Committee, to be guided by the great motto adopted by "that wise and faithful servant" of God-"Let him that would be greatest among you be servant of all."

Thanking you, dear brethren, for the privilege of co-operating with you in the interests of the Truth, and desiring to express to all the loyal, faithful friends of the "Present Truth," those who "love righteousness and hate iniquity," my fervent Christian love, I am, Your brother and fellow-servant in Christ, H. C. R.

THE RIGHT WAY

Lord, is it still the right way, though I cannot see Thy face,.
Though I do not feel Thy presence and Thine all sustaining grace?
Can even this be leading through the bleak and sunless wild
To the City of Thy holy rest, the mansions undefiled?
Lord, is it still the right way? A while ago I passed
Where every step seemed thornier and harder than the last;
Where bitterest disappointment and inly aching sorrow
Carved day by day a weary cross, renewed with every morrow.
The heaviest end of that strange cross I knew was laid on Thee;
So I could still press on, secure of Thy deep sympathy.
Our upward path may well be steep, else how were patience tried?
I knew it was the right way, for it led n me to Thy side.
But now I wait alone amid dim shadows dank and chill;
All moves and changes round me, but I seem standing still;
Or every feeble footstep I urge towards the light
Seems but to lead me farther into the silent night.
I cannot hear Thy voice, Lord 1 Dost Thou still hear my cry?
I cling to Thine assurance that Thou art ever nigh;
I know that Thou art faithful; I trust, but cannot see
That it is still the right way by which Thou leadest me,
I think I could go forward with brave and joyful heart,
Though every step should pierce me with unknown fiery smart,
If only I might see Thee, if I might gaze above
On all the cloudless glory of the sunshine of Thy love.
Is it really leading onwards? When the shadows flee away,
Shall I find this path has brought me more near to perfect day?
Or am I left to wander thus that-I-may stretch my hand
To some still wearier traveler in this same' shadowland ?
Is this Thy chosen training for some future task unknown? known?
Is it that I may learn to rest upon Thy word alone ?
Whate'er it be, oh 1 leave me not, fulfill Thou every hour
The purpose of Thy goodness, and the work of faith with power.
I lay my prayer before Thee, and, trusting in Thy word,
Though all is silence in my heart, I know that Thou hast heard.
To that blest City lead me, Lord (still choosing ail my way ),
Where faith melts into vision as the starlight into day.

- FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

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