'Twas darkest night upon the lake;
   The stout hearts of the men did quake'
They saw a spirit-- so they said,
   Their hearts were filled with awesome dread;
When, lo, -- "'Tis I, be of good cheer,"--
   Composed their minds, dispelled their fear.

We, too, can dread some false alarm,
   Which loudly speaks of coming harm;
Our hearts cry with dark dismay
   At sudden changes in life's way,
Until, perchance, His voice we hear--
   "'Tis I! Fear Not! Be of good cheer!"

So oft He comes in strange disguise--
   It seemeth so to mortal eyes;
To finite wisdom, human sense,
   He, blessings. strangely doth dispense.
Thus dark enigmas-- black as night--
   Are changed when robed with Heaven's clear light.

      -  J. Dawson Smith