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THE FAITH THAT OVERCOMES

When peace, sweet peace, enfolded me,
When darkness turned to light,
When, by Faith’s miracle, I stood
All blameless in His sight,
What more, O soul of mine, couldst ask;
Is not the wonder done?
Lord, justifying Faith is much—
Grant Faith to overcome!

Then as I passed beyond “the door,”
And paused beside “the bread,”
And by the light of “candlestick”
My Father’s counsel read;
Then crossed in “wedding robe” and stood
Where Love’s pure incense burns,
Here still, my heart in need, cried out
For Faith that overcomes.

And when the brighter light did shine
And God’s “own servant” led
With kindly hand, and seated me
At “feast of fat things” spread,
What more, O heart insatiate?
Dost longing still return?
Yes; wisdom from on High is good,
But Faith must overcome.

And when the fiery darts fell thick
And trembling heart and hand
Could scarcely bind the sacrifice
With Love’s unyielding band;
While mental anguish scarce could bear
The fire that needs must burn,
With streaming eyes I plead for Faith,
For Faith to overcome.

And when in “pastures green,” I lay
Me down by “waters still,”
To read and pray and gather strength
For coming good or ill,
Yet still a note of warning rang—
The journey ne’er is done;
Improve the time, build up thy Faith,
The Faith to overcome.

Ah! ever thus it must be so;
The Bride’s Gethsemane;
The Bridegroom trod this way before;
Wouldst thou more favored be?
Nay, Father, nay! Thy will be done,
His course my feet would run;
But Father, dear, I pray Thee, hear;
Give faith to overcome.

So on I go, through weal and woe,
His faithful child to be,
To tell the Story, ever new,
To poor humanity.
With one hand wide I’ll scatter Truth
From morn till set of sun,
And keep the other lifted high
For Faith, to overcome.

And O, some day I’ll enter in,
His beauteous face I’ll see;
Somewhere within the Father’s House
He has a place for me.
And as I bow low at His feet
And hear His sweet “Well done!”
I’ll say, Dear Lord, for every step
Thou gav’st Faith to o’ercome.

MARY SANGSTON.

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— March 15, 1915 —