17 AUGUST 1872, Page 16

POETRY.

PRAYER.

PRAYING to Thee, our wills do not require

That Thou, the Lord who doest all things well; Guiding thy world by laws immutable, Shouldat, when some wishes of our hearts suspire Thee-ward in faith, grant unto the desire Of each man that which suits his own small need (Lest others' wishes fail if his succeed, Being contrary) ; but lower will to higher Can in proud meekness and strong helplessness Yield, and own Law as girdling Destiny : Thou, setting us within fixed bounds, didst give: Great passive strength to human littleness, Only we cry to Thee for sympathy,— If Thou wilt love us, we can bear and live. E. D. W-