[Written for the Sentinel.]

"Watch"

A serpent stole its sinuous way
Into the bed where sleeping lay,
By slumber bound, a drowsy wight,
From serpent's fang defenseless quite.
But nay, unfailing, sure defense
Is in divine omnipotence:
God's angels always are arrayed
To give His children instant aid.

The serpent's fang was seeking aim
Where speediest it might inflame
The sleeper's dull and dormant sense,
And venom fill its full pretense.
It poised an instant o'er his heart,
Ere yet it loosed its deadly dart,
When lo, a flash, and, ere it passed,
His hand had gripped the serpent fast.

The timely flash, brief but benign,
Revealed the serpent's fell design,
And roused the sleeping one to grasp
And crush all seeming from the asp.
Thus faith's clear eye, undimmed by doubt,
Sees angel legions camped about
God's every child, that naught of ill
May mock, gainsay, or thwart God's will.

'Tis God, and God alone, reveals
What sleep from sense somnolent seals.
'Tis God, and God alone, gives grace
The evil fearlessly to face.
He only can our help upraise,
To Him alone be grateful praise.
May we ne'er seek His praise to share:
Be this our wakeful, steadfast prayer.

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February 16, 1918
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