THE OLD DISPENSATION.

O THOU, who, high in heaven,

To man hast given

This clouded earthly life

All storm and strife,

Blasted with ice and fire,

Love and desire,

Filled with dead faith, and love

That change is master of —

O Thou, who mightest have given

To all Thy heaven,

But who, instead, didst give

This life we live —

Who feedest with blood and tears

The hungry years —

I make one prayer to Thee,

O Great God! grant it me.

Some day when summer shows

Her leaf, her rose,

God, let Thy sinner lie

Under Thy sky,

And feel Thy sun's large grace

Upon his face;

Then grant him this, that he

May not believe in Thee!