Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Lydia MariaChild

149 The World I Am Passing Through

FEW, in the days of early youth,

Trusted like me in love and truth.

I ’ve learned sad lessons from the years;

But slowly, and with many tears;

For God made me to kindly view

The world that I was passing through.

How little did I once believe

That friendly tones could e’er deceive!

That kindness, and forbearance long,

Might meet ingratitude and wrong!

I could not help but kindly view

The world that I was passing through.

And though I ’ve learned some souls are base,

I would not, therefore, hate the race;

I still would bless my fellow men,

And trust them, though deceived again.

God help me still to kindly view

The world that I am passing through!

Through weary conflicts I have passed,

And struggled into rest at last;

Such rest as when the rack has broke

A joint, or nerve, at every stroke.

The wish survives to kindly view

The world that I am passing through.

From all that fate has brought to me

I strive to learn humility,

And trust in Him who rules above,

Whose universal law is love.

Thus only can I kindly view

The world that I am passing through.

When I approach the setting sun,

And feel my journey nearly done,

May earth be veiled in genial light,

And her last smile to me seem bright!

Help me till then to kindly view

The world that I am passing through!

And all who tempt a trusting heart

From faith and hope to drift apart,—

May they themselves be spared the pain

Of losing power to trust again!

God help us all to kindly view

The world that we are passing through!