During the Night

To Dwell in Safety

A Night Prayer

Now the Evening Lights

'Night is falling and day's allotted span draws to a close.  

The daylight that You created for Your pleasure has fully satisfied us;

and yet, of Your own free gift, 

now the evening lights do not fail us.'

St. Hippolytus

Painting: Johan Christian Claussen Dahl

In Soft Repose the Night

Maker of all things, God most High!

Great Ruler of the starry sky!

Who, robing day with beauteous light, 

has clothed in soft repose the night.

     St. Ambrose

Painting: Schikaneder Straoprazska zakouti, in US public domain

I Hear the Feet of God

'Deep in the dark, I hear the feet of God;
He walks the world, He puts His holy hand
on every sleeper...

Benedictions on each one -
then passes on, but ah!  whene'er He meets
a watcher waiting for Him, He is glad..

He rests His hand upon the watcher's brow
but more than that, He leaves His very Breath
upon the watcher's soul; and more than this:

He stays for holy hours where watchers pray;
and more than that, He oft times lifts the veils
that hide the visions of the worlds unseen.

The brightest sanctities of highest souls 
have blossomed into beauty in the dark.'  

(written by 'A Religious,' LISTENING TO THE INDWELLING PRESENCE, Pellegrini, Sydney, 1940,  p. 42)
 
Painting: Kruseman Maagden, Wise and Foolish Virgins 

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