GOD never would send you the darkness,
If He felt you could bear the light ;
But you would not cling to His guiding hand,
If the way were always bright ;
And you would not care to walk by faith,
Could you always walk by sight.

'Tis true He hath many an anguish,
For your sorrowful heart to bear,
And many a cruel thorn-crown,
For your poor, tired head to wear ;
He knows how few would reach heaven at all,
If pain did not guide them there.

So He sends you the blinding darkness,
And the furnace of seven-fold heat :
'Tis the only way, believe me,
To keep you close to His feet -
For 'tis always so easy to wander,
When our lives are glad and sweet.

Then nestle your hand in your Father's
And sing, if you can, as you go ;
Your song may cheer some one behind you,
Whose courage is sinking low ;
And, well, if your lips do quiver -
God will love you better so.