I thank thee, God! for Weal and Woe

I thank Thee, God! for all I've knownOf kindly fortune, health, and joy;And quite as gratefully I ownThe bitter drops of life's alloy.

Oh! there was wisdom in the blowThat wrung the sad and scalding tear;That laid my dearest idol low,And left my bosom lone and drear.

I thank Thee, God! for all of smartThat thou hast sent; for not in vainHas been the heavy, aching heart,The sigh of grief, the throb of pain.

What if my cheek had ever keptIts healthful colour, glad and bright!—What if my eyes had never weptThroughout a long and sleepless night?

Then, then, perchance, my soul had notRemember'd there were paths less fair;And, selfish in my own blest lot,Ne'er strove to soothe another's care.

But when the weight of sorrow foundMy spirit prostrate and resign'd;The anguish of the bleeding woundTaught me to feel for all mankind.

Even as from the wounded treeThe goodly, precious balm will pour;So in the rived heart there'll beMercy that never flow'd before.

'Tis well to learn that sunny hoursMay quickly change to mournful shade;'Tis well to prize life's scatter'd flowers,Yet be prepared to see them fade.

I thank Thee, God! for weal and woe;And, whatsoe'er the trial be,Twill serve to wean me from below,And bring my spirit nigher Thee.