Dark the future yawns before me,
Bitter griefs my bosom swell;
But a light is breaking o'er me,
And a voice--"All, all is well!"
Sad and lone has been my journey,
Sad and lone my way must be:--
Care and sorrow, pain and sickness,
Long have been allotted me.
Sunshine--that o'er youthful bosoms
Flings a bright and magic spell,
Seldom breaks upon my pathway,
Yet I know that all is well!
If the Hand that guides the planets
Feeds the ravens when they cry,
Can it be that I'm unnoticed
By a Father's loving eye?
He has thoughts of mercy toward me,
His designs I cannot tell;
'Tis enough for me to trust Him,
He knows best--and all is well!
Many doubts and many shadows
Oft have flitted through my mind,
And I've questioned, sadly questioned,
But no answer could I find.
Earth was silent to my pleading,
Nature taught me to rebel;
But when I recall the promise
"_I am with thee_"--all is well!
Many things I can't unravel;
Many winding mazes see;
But I'll go with faith unshaken,
For the Lord is leading me.
And when beams of endless glory
The mysterious clouds dispel,
Grateful shall I tell my story,
Grateful say that all was well!