O sweet young faces! turning eagerly
To gaze adown the path that you must tread,
And smiling as you count its pleasures o'er,
Green grass beneath and blue sky overhead;
Oh! shall we tell you that the way is long
And weary, and temptation sharp and strong?
O bright young eyes! that see the flowers alone,
Unwitting of the piercing thorns below;
That fearlessly flash back the sunshine's joy,
Nor dread the autumn cloud and winter snow;
Oh! shall we tell you that the falling tears
Will dim your brightness in the coming years?
O brave young hearts! that burn to meet the foe,
And rouse the echoes with your battle-cry,
Fain to be champions of the good and true,
And wave abroad the palms of victory;
Oh! must we warn you that defeat is near,
And bid your courage change to doubt and fear?
We dare not, and we would not. Blessed light
From heaven that shines upon your onward way!
No words of ours shall dim its radiance sweet,
You could not hear our warning voice today.
Each soul God sends to earth must pass through pain
And darkness, and so back to God again.
O darling children! Love may watch and pray,
It cannot save you from life's toils and care,
And hearts would sink but that we have a word
That bids us cast them all on One to bear.
We take our treasures to the strong, true Friend;
He knows the way, the dangers, and the end.