Part 58

The Father hitherto, And his Eternal Son Work, work, and still have work to do With each successive sun.

O bow the heart in awe, And work as with the Lord, Who, with his everlasting law, Works on in sweet accord.

Work is the law of love Which rules the world below, Which rules the brighter world above, Through which, like God, we grow.

And this and every day The work of love is rest In which our sorrows steal away, Which cares may not infest.

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The Will of God.

With heart as strong as fate, Brave worker, girt and shod, Adore! and know that naught is great Except the will of God.

O sweet, sweet light of day, Through which such wonders run, Thou ownest, in thy glorious sway, Allegiance to the sun.

And thou, O human will, As wondrous as the light, Cans't thou thy little trust fulfill Save through Another's might?

With heart to conquer fate, Brave worker, girt and shod, Work on! and know that he is great Who does the will of God.

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"Laborare est Orare."

To labor is to pray, As some dear saint has said, And with this truth for many a day Have I been comforted.

The Lord has made me bold When I have labored most, And with his gifts so manifold, Has given the Holy Ghost

When I have idle been Until the sun went down, Mine eyes, so dim, have never seen His bright, prophetic crown.

O, praise the Lord for work Which maketh time so fleet, In which accusers never lurk, Whose end is very sweet.

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Birds of Grace.

O little birds of grace, To-day ye sweetly sing, Yea, make my heart your nesting-place, And all your gladness bring.

When ye are in my heart, How swiftly pass the days! The fears and doubts of life depart, And leave their room to praise.

My work I find as play, And all day long rejoice; But, if I linger on my way, I hear this warning voice:

With fervor work and pray, And let not coldness come, Or birds of grace will fly away To seek a warmer home.

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Duty.

O work that Duty shows Through her revealing light! It is in thee my bosom glows With infinite delight!

The shadows flee away Like mist before the sun; And thy achievement seems to say, The will of God is done!

Ah, what if Duty seem A mistress cold and stern! Can he who owns her rule supreme From her caresses turn?

O work that Duty shows In light so fair and clear, Whoever thy completion knows Is 'minded heaven is near!