"It happened one day, about noon, I was
exceedingly
surprised with the print of a man's naked foot on the
shore, which was very plain to he seen on the sand."
Strong words are these—"O Lord! I seek
but Thee,
Not Thine! I ask not comfort, ask not rest;
Give what, and how, and when Thou wilt to me,
I bless Thee—take all back—and be Thou blest."
Sweet words are these—"O Lord! it is
Thy love,
And not Thy gifts I seek; yet am as one
That loveth so, I prize the least above
All other worth or sweetness under sun."
And all these words are underscored,
and here
And there a tear hath been, and left a stain,
The only record, haply, of a tear
Long wiped from eyes no more to weep again.
And as I gaze, a solemn joy comes o'er
me—
By these deep footprints I can surely guess
Some pilgrim, by the road that lies before me,
Hath cross'd, long time ago, the wilderness.
With feet oft bruised among its sharp
flints, duly
He turn'd aside to gather simples here,
And lay up simples for his faintness—truly
Now will I track his steps, and be of cheer.
And, wearied, by this wayside
fountain's brink
He sat to rest, and as it there befell,
The stone was roll'd away, he stoop'd to drink
The waters springing up from Life's clear well.
And oft upon his journey, faring sadly,
He communed with this Teacher from on high;
And, meeting words of promise, meekly, gladly,
Went on his way rejoicing—so will I.
D. G.
