<h2><SPAN name="poem33"></SPAN>PRESUMPTION</h2>
<p class="poetry">Whenever I am prone to doubt or
wonder—<br/>
I check myself, and say, “That mighty One<br/>
Who made the solar system cannot blunder—<br/>
And for the best all things are being
done.”<br/>
Who set the stars on their eternal courses<br/>
Has fashioned this strange earth by some sure
plan.<br/>
Bow low, bow low to those majestic forces,<br/>
Nor dare to doubt their wisdom, puny man.</p>
<p class="poetry">You cannot put one little star in motion,<br/>
You cannot shape one single forest leaf,<br/>
Nor fling a mountain up, nor sink an ocean,<br/>
Presumptuous pigmy, large with unbelief.<br/>
ou cannot bring one dawn of regal splendour,<br/>
Nor bid the day to shadowy twilight fall,<br/>
Nor send the pale moon forth with radiance tender—<br/>
And dare you doubt the One who has done all?</p>
<p class="poetry">“So much is wrong, there is such
pain—such sinning.”<br/>
Yet look again—behold how much is right!<br/>
And He who formed the world from its beginning<br/>
Knows how to guide it upward to the light.<br/>
Your task, O man, is not to carp and cavil<br/>
At God’s achievements, but with purpose
strong<br/>
To cling to good, and turn away from evil.<br/>
That is the way to help the world along.</p>
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