Bright Thoughts For A Dark Day

Will the shadows be lifted to-morrow?-- Will the sunshine come ever again?-- Will the clouds, that are weeping in sorrow, Their glorious beauty regain? Will the forest stand forth in its greenness?-- The meadows smile sweet as before?-- And the sky, in its placid sereneness, Bend lovingly o'er us once more?

Will the birds sing again as we heard them, Ere the tempest their gentle notes hushed?-- Will the breeze float again in its freedom, Where lately its melody gushed? Will the beautiful angel of sunset Drape the heavens in crimson and gold, As the day-king serenely retireth, 'Mid grandeur and glory untold?

Yea; the clouds will be lifted to-morrow, From valley, and hill-top, and plain; And sunshine, and gladness, and beauty Will visit the landscape again;-- The forest, the field, and the river Will bask in the joy-giving ray; And the angel of sunset, as ever, Will smile o'er the farewell of day.

For the longest day hastes to its ending,-- The darkest night speeds to the day;-- O'er thickest clouds, ever, the sunbeam Shines on with unfaltering ray;-- Though thou walk amid shadows, thy Father Makes His word and his promises thine; And, whatever the storms that may gather, At length thro' the gloom He will shine!