Finis

Another little volume filled with varied verse and song,
Should wake another note of praise, unheard, but deep and strong ;
For He who knows my truest need, and leads me day by day,
Has given the music that hath been such solace on my way.

I look up to my Father, and know that I am heard,
And ask Him for the glowing thought, and for the fitting word :
I look up to my Father, for I cannot write alone,
'T is sweeter far to seek His strength than lean upon my own.

And so the closing verses of my new-filled book shall be
A note of praise, dear Father, sung only unto Thee, —
To Thee, who hast so helped me, to Thee who hast so blessed,
The only Friend who knows my heart, the nearest and the best.

I bless Thee, gracious Father, who hast moulded praise from pain,
And turned a wail of mourning to a trustful calm refrain,
To many a sorrow giving me an afterward of song,
And wafting it to other hearts in comfort true and strong.

I bless Thee, gracious Father, for Thy pleasant gift to me,
And earnestly I ask Thee that it may always be
In perfect consecration laid at Thy glorious feet,
Touched with Thine altar-fire, and made an offering pure and sweet.

Here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto
Thee.'