Since All the Downward Tracts of Time

Since all the down­ward tracts of time

God’s watch­ful eye sur­veys

O who so wise to choose our lot

Or to ap­point our ways?

Good when He gives

su­preme­ly good

Nor less when He de­nies;

E’en cross­es from His sov­er­eign hand

Are bless­ings in dis­guise.

Why should we doubt a Fa­ther’s love

So con­stant and so kind?

To His un­err­ing

gra­cious will

Be ev­ery wish re­signed.