God’s Kingdom

—

God's Kingdom

RY GRACE ZENOR-ROBERTSON

The ways of God are strange beyond our understanding —the ways in which he sounds the natures of men and proves the sincerity of their faith in him.

Tis the sweet half gloom of the twilight — beyond lies the great, dark city, in the embrace of the darkling sea, where ships are forever steaming in, with their burdens, and with their burdens steaming out to sea again. I see the lights awaken in the busy streets I watch the last ;

of the sunbeams flicker over the white sails in the harbor, while I struggle to forget the message that has come to me. They tell me I shall miss one face from among the many welcoming faces that await me at home —that home so far away — so very far away tonight. cannot hear the church-bells ring, nor yet the songs I they sing at evening, nor see the kindly faces but they are there, ;

I know. When first the message came to me, I doubted friends, I doubted life itself, and for one awful moment, I doubted even God. The once loved mountains, fields and winding rivers, I had so longed to see, were dear to me no more. I watched the ocean, like a living thing, tossing always restlessly I heard ;

the booming of the sea on some far distant reef. I was alone —and what was life to one alone ? Yet only one was missing from that smiling circle. Father, mother all the — rest were there. I lived again the moments, now so seeming few, — when first I met her when in danger I had felt the clinging of a little hand. I saw the old church half ivy-covered, where often I had seen her loved figure, high up in the tiny gallery, and had loved to watch her slender fingers on the keys. I have fancied her an angel in her gown of white, when the sunshine fell across her sunny hair. I heard the old-time melodies, so soft, so low then the booming of the heavy sea rolled nearer, and the music ceased. I remembered the day they told me I should go to other lands, and she came to me — I feared she would not come and in— her eyes I — read a message, a half sadness, I fancied but in a moment happy laughter played upon her lips, as she caught up a little child and kissed him merrily to hide her tears.

— Why had the days never before seemed so lonely so endless

—

GOD'S KINGDOM 151

— why should I work for the saving of other men's souls, and have all end like this? Ever and again a single question thrust itself upon me, — was I seeking first, God's kingdom? And yet my heart was failing. Could it be I labored for reward? That which I cherished most was of the earth no more. Was it for this or for his kingdom? The sea was moaning far out on the harbor bar, and yet over all fell the calm, sweet peace of evening, while into my troubled heart stole the calm, sweet peace of prayer. — One night, one day, have passed into eternity one night of — sorrow, one day of prayer and now again the twilight finds me awakening to the remembrance, so sweetly sad, it seems an angel's message I have heard. Once more I see the snowy hills, the — rugged valleys, so far so very far away; the villages dotting — fertile plains, and all the dear familiar faces I see and love them

all tonight. In the little church where so often in His name we gathered, they sing His praises, though other hands touch the white keys, ever so softly, and I miss the music of her voice. 'Tis as it ever was — this great, beautiful world — hearts all light with happiness, and hearts that faint beneath their burdens and their many fears. I had been brave in danger, strong in faith, and now would I be brave no longer, work no more for — righteousness ? That were utter weakness that were utter folly. For what is this little day of earth compared with an eternity to days and days of perfect happiness that stretch far into distance all unexplored? And in those days we find our treasures fairer than before, and see our Father face to face. The struggle with self is over. Those things I cannot understand, I leave with God, and, trusting in his promises, I wait, seeking his kingdom first, and well I know that all other things shall be added unto me, and all my heart's desires be granted. PARKER, IDAHO

Autumn When the dawn in radiant garment "arts the curtains of the night, Tingeing hill and vale with rapture of her countenance so bright, My soul is filled with wonder of a glad expectancy: Shall the coming of the morning sometime bring mine own to me?

When the day hath all but vanished far to westward in her flight, When are blended gold and purple into witching of the night, Slowly on the waves of silence, from the unknown unto me Comes the message —"I am waiting, waiting, heart of mine, for thee. Then in sunlight or in starlight, when the waiting hours are done. T shall feel his love about me and our lives be merged in one; In life or death, it matters not when he shall come to me, For love but grows more perfect in God's great eternity. Ina