Classic Poem

Friends , how we all have hailed in grateful gladness
The golden glory of this autumn day!
Hope banished from our hearts the mists of sadness,
As sunshine rends the cloud-veils all away:
For He who hath the ample harvest given
Still rules with loving justice earth and heaven.

Shall we not trust Him, who, to every sower
That duly toileth, gives the garner filled?
Shall we not love him, though the silent mower
Sweeps his relentless scythe, and hearts are chilled?
Love Him and trust Him in the time of sadness,
Oh! just as truly as in hours of gladness!

Yes; for He gives the seed-time and the season
When hearts, rejoicing, gather ripened grain;
And only hearts rebellious with sin's treason
Can think of murmuring, when he asks again
For some sweet flower to deck the paths of glory,
For some strong voice to tell the saint's glad story.

So, whether bright or sombre be to-morrow,
We will be glad and grateful here to-day:
God cannot overwhelm a soul with sorrow,
That looks with childlike trust to him alway,
And only cares, in sowing or in reaping,
To please the Lord, who giveth smiles for weeping.

The day shall come, when, all our labors ended,
Each good seed sown, each path of duty trod,
Our faith at last into glad vision blended,
We shall keep harvest-time at home with God;
And every soul, through Christ, from sin made free,
Shall join the anthem of earth's jubilee.