I Cannot Always Trace The Way.

In later years, when funeral music is desired, the employment of a male quartette has become a favorite custom. Of the selections sung in this manner few are more suitable or more generally welcomed than the tender and trustful hymn of Sir John Bowring, rendered sometimes in Dr. Dykes' "Almsgiving," but better in the less-known but more flexible tune composed by Howard M. Dow--

I cannot always trace the way Where Thou, Almighty One, dost move, But I can always, always say That God is love.

When fear her chilling mantle flings O'er earth, my soul to heaven above As to her native home upsprings, For God is love.

When mystery clouds my darkened path, I'll check my dread, my doubts reprove; In this my soul sweet comfort hath That God is love.

Yes, God is love. A thought like this Can every gloomy thought remove, And turn all tears, all woes to bliss For God is love.

The first line of the hymn was originally, "'Tis seldom I can trace the way."

Howard M. Dow has been many years a resident of Boston, and organist of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons at the Tremont St. (Masonic) Temple.