ENCOURAGEMENT.

To help our tired hope to toil,

Lo! have we not the council here

Of trees, that to all hope appear

As sermons of the soil?

To help our flagging faith to rise,

Lo! have we not the high advice

Of stars, that for all faith suffice

As gospels of the skies?

Sustain us, Lord! and help us climb,

With hope and faith made strong and great,

The rock-rough pathway of our fate,

The care-dark way of time!