When she was 5 or 6, my eldest daughter Cecilia wrote a beautiful little line —

“The rase is long but thow must rase in love for God so high.”

My wife reminded me of this the other day, and I realized that it actually scans and would be the beautiful start to a hymn.

WINCHESTER OLD

The rase is long but thow must rase
in love for God so high:
The trials are harsh but thou must try
By them to win the prize.

Thy light is dim but thou must light
Thy way with holy faith,
Reach out thy hands to piercèd Hands,
And let Them guide thy way.

Thy heart may tremble, yet take heart,
and hope in God so high:
‘Tis God Who made thee, and ‘tis God
Who for thy glory died.

The way to Heaven is the Way
Who guides thee by His grace:
Thus all the Way to Heav’n is Heav’n,
Until we hold His Face.