October 16: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. Isa. 54:7, 8

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken? Hear our first parents despairingly cry: Had not the tempter their constancy shaken, Would they have wandered in exile to die? Why, since life's stream was defiled at its fountain, Was it not dried, ere the flood ran so deep? Why, lest iniquity grow to a mountain, Should the first infant be cradled to weep?... My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken? Echoes from Calvary scatter my gloom; Veils have been rent, and death's prison-house shaken, Answer I find at the dismantled tomb. Know thou, O friend, saith the angel that lingers, Jesus hath risen a lost world to save; Holdeth the issues of life in his fingers, Beareth the keys of a powerless grave. God unto all men assurance has given, Sworn by himself all his creatures to bless; Soon will the bonds of corruption be riven, Soon comes his Kingdom of righteousness. After earth's night dawns a morning of gladness, Rainbows of glory shall cover our tears; Truth will deliver from error and madness, Blessings will crown earth's Millennial years. R2464