I I 1,1. (QorncU Unioeraitg Slihrarg Stifutu, Nfin fork CHARLES WILLIAM WASON COLLECTION CHINA AND THE CHINESE THE GIFT OF CHARLES WILLrAM WASON CLASS OF 1876 1918 Cornell University Library PS 3S11.R83P6 Pilgrim songs :verses for Christians. 3 1924 023 421 161 Cornell University Library The original of tliis bool< is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023421161 PILGRIM SONGS r* PILGRIM SONGS VERSES FOR CHRISTIANS BY HENRY WESTON FROST 'Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord" MORGAN AND SCOTT Ltd. (Office of %\)t (Siifvisiian) 12, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS LONDON MCMXI DEDICATION IT was not given me to pluck those flowers, Which grow within the palace-garden fair, Blooming beside the winding, sunlit paths, And shedding fragrance on the balmy air ; These were reserved for better hands than mine. For men, who nobler serve their Lord, the King, That they may come in worthier way than I, In making Him their love's heart-offering. And yet the Master granted me to pluck Those wilder flowers, which, in the meadow wide — Outside the garden — grow in hidden parts. In verdant mead, or by the cool brook's side : These have I gathered for my Master-Lord, In willing toil, with earnest, tender hand, And these I bring to Him, wild as they are, and small, VI DEDICATION Mixed in with thorns, and tied with weedy strand ; For love's sweet gifts are not for e'er to be, Full valued by the sense of smell and sight. And He who reckons love the sweetest thing, Will in this gift of mine take some delight ; And so unworthy as my gift must be, Unworthy as I am to give at all, I place it in the hands of Him I serve. As supphant at His blessed feet I fall :— Then take, dear Master-Lord, this gift of mine. These common flowers from out Thy meadow fair ; I give them Thee with all my heart's best love, To mix their hue and scent with flowers more rare ! CONTENTS PAGE Adoration ..... 237 Afterward .... 175 Ambition ..... • 117 Aspiration .... 75 Battle, Song, A . . . . • 34 Bethlehem .... 68 Bird Songs ..... • 15 Bride and the Bridegroom, The . 26 Call of the East .... . 213 Calvary ..... 119 Child Prayers .... . 223 Children's Hymn 73 China's Dying Millions . • 41 Comforted .... 49 Communion Hymn .... • 199 Compensation .... 232 Confession, A . . . . • 255 Conflict and Victory 102 Day Dream, A . . . . • 133 Dedication .... V. Vlll CONTENTS PAGE Earth-bound . . ■ .164 Easter ....•• '^^ Enslaved . . . ■ • • '^9 Eternity ....•• 1°^ Evensong . . . • • .66 Faithful Shepherd, The . • ■ 21 Fame . . . . ■ ■ -19 For Me . . . . ■ -54 Friendship . . . • ■ -'31 God's Call .... .61 Golden Rod . . -179 Have We Forgot? . . . .161 Heart-break . . . . -196 Heart Wish, A . . . . 229 Heavenly Jerusalem, The . . .79 Highlands, The ..... 149 Humility ...... 247 In Memoriam . ... 97 Life from Death . . . .114 Light ...... 252 Longings . . . . . .25 Longings for Christ .... 36 Lord's Day, The . . . . .18 Lord Jesus, Come ! . . . .32 Lost and Found . . , . .92 Man's Life . . . . .112 Ministry of Suffering, The . . . 239 Mother's Meditation, A . . .241 CONTENTS IX PAGE Mother's Reverie, A . . . .23 My Choice ..... 17 My Coming Lord and King . . .38 My Creed ..... 171 My Lord and King . . . .58 My Pilot 85 Name, The . . . . . .194 NixjHT Song ..... 12 One Hundred and Twenty-first Psalm, The 225 Our Fatherland . . . . .210 Out of the Depths .... 43 Parallel, A ..... 246 Peace ...... 142 Pilgrimage . . . . . .145 Praise ...... 156 Prayer . . . . . .138 Prayer, A ..... 159 Question, A . . . . . .236 Quietness . . . . .176 Requiem . . . . . .140 Rest ...... 30 "Rest in Peace" . . . . .173 Restored ..... 109 Resurrection . . . . .258 Sanctuary . . , . . .205 Satisfied ...... 63 Shadows . . . . . .180 X CONTENTS PAGE Shepherd and His Lamb, The 124 Shepherd Song, A . 244 "Shut In» . . . . 51 Slumber Song ■ 153 Some Day ..... 83 Song, A . . . . . 201 Sovereignty .... 227 Spiritual Conflict . 129 Spring Song .... II Submission .... . 183 Surrender .... 56 Through Death to Life . . 187 To A Friend .... 20 To My Daughter, Elisabeth ■ 77 Transformed Clay, The 88 Traveller's Song . . 14 Twenty-third Psalm, The . 100 Vespers .... . 168 Virgin's Meditation, The 221 Waiting .... . 94 Wanderer's Song 230 Weariness .... 184 Weeping .... 13s What I Should Do . 233 Woodman's Song, The . 217 PILGRIM SONGS SPRING SONG "Al/ Tky works praise Thee." DREATHE, birds, thy sweetest songs, Take, fields, thy brightest sheen, Fair as the morn appears The coming of earth's Queen. Each weed and flower feels New thrills of her sweet grace. Hid springs and brooks reflect The beauty of her face ; And human hearts are filled With light of joy and love, From thee, O Queen below, To Thee, O King above 1 1881 NIGHT SONG " Thou makest darkness, and it is night." Y^ROM the glare of noontide Day now seeks its rest, Hiding sunset blushes On Night's loving breast ; And the stars in heaven, Opening wide their eyes, Watch in faithful guarding. Till the morning's rise. Sweet and deep contentment From the night wind flows ; Hearts forget their sorrows, Tired eyelids close. NIGHT SONG 13 Welcome, blessed nightfall ; May thy sweet release Bring to all the wearyi Thoughts of heav'n's peace ! 1881 TRAVELLER'S SONG " He giveth His beloved sleep." f~\ WANDERER, lost on the mountain bare, Wearily treading ways rough and steep, Borne on the breath of the midnight air, This voice shall enter thy soul's despair — God giveth His beloved sleep. O mariner, tossed on the raging sea, When hope lies drowned in the waters deep, And naught avails but the bended knee. The storm shall whisper these words to thee — God giveth His beloved sleep. 1882 14 BIRD SONGS " The time of the singing of birds is come" A T morn's first dawning-tide, I heard The birds breathe forth their waking song, And I for ever would prolong The praise which in my heart was stirred. Through all the sunny hours of day, Their voices praised for every good ; Oh that my heart, unfailing, could Accord as well its thankful lay ! The daylight passed ; eve's holy calm Fast deepened into darker night ; But, from the midst of fading light Uprose the birds' sweet even-psalm. 15 1 6 BIRD SONGS So would I ever, ever sing, As free, as full, as true a song ; Alike through trial, sorrow^, wrong, May praises from my heart upspring ! 1883 MY CHOICE " / have chosen the way of truth." T ET who will in lordly splendour, Ride through highways, fair and broad ; I would, humbler, choose the byway, And there serving, walk with God ! 1883 n THE LORD'S DAY "/« the Spirit on the Lord's day.'' OWEET day of Christ ; earth's perfect peace, Blest token of the yonder life ; From thy bright light, man's sinful strife Flees far, and bids earth's darkness cease. Calm of the soul, storm-tossed and driven. Through days of doubt and dark despair ; Sweet promise that the nearing There Will bring the calm of sins forgiven. Then peace, my soul ; thy turmoil still ; Put far away the troubled mind ; In this day's holy quiet, find The rest which heaven will fulfil ! 1882 FAME " The righteous shall be in everlasting rememirance." \\/'/H0 stoops to trace his name upon the sands May rise to see it vanish as he stands ; Who cuts his name upon the firmer clay May hope to see it last a single day ; Who carves his name upon the harder stone May find it there until new moss has grown ; Who leaves his name upon the heart of man — Give time of ending, whosoever can ! 1883 19 TO A FRIEND (with a copy of religious poems.) A S birds in summer teach their wee-fledged things, By many a flutter and oft sounded call, To mount the nest and dare a weakling's fall, That, after, they may soar on strengthened wings ; So may these thoughts of pure and guiding song, In earnest call to dare the right endeavour. Uplift thy soul into the great for ever Of highest purpose, made by action strong. 1883 THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERD " Our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep." 'X'HERE is a Shepherd standing Close by the open door, Because of whose abiding, The sheep shall fear no more ; Who, when the morning cometh, Calls to His own, by name, And leading, cheers the feeble. And stoops to bear the lame. Guiding to pleasant pastures, Where cooling waters flow, And leafy trees cast ever. Shade on the grass below ; 22 THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERD He watches, always closely, Lest one too far should stray, Or prowling beast should carry Even a lamb away. Then, when the night draws nearer Bringing the damp and cold, He leads His sheep a-weary. Back to the shelt'ring fold ; Where through the calm of starlight. Or through the tempest's roar. The faithful Shepherd, guarding, Stands by the open door. 1883 A MOTHER'S REVERIE " Can a woman forget her child V (to our firstborn child, ellinwood.) DREATHE, breathe, O blessed breeze. Bring the cold earth glad summer's heat and showers, Bring song of birds and hum of busy bees, Bring early blossoms and the fragrant flowers ; — Yet thou canst nothing bring so sweet and fair As my dear Baby's beauteous face and hair 1 Cease, cease, O cheerless cloud ; Hide 'neath the hills which guard the eastern view. Leaving no shred, torn from thy trailing shroud. To gloom the fair expanse of sunlit blue ; 24 A mother's reverie Yet not above is there such blue as lies In the sweet heaven of my Baby's eyes ! Shine, shine, O sparkling sea ; Flash the bright jewels on thy heaving breast ; Or, stilled to peace, all calm and silent be, A glowing pathway to the golden west ; — Yet fairer, sweeter, purer far, the while. Is the bright glory of my Baby's smile 1 Guard, guard, O gracious God ; Guard Thou my Babe, my precious Babe, and me ; Make strong his feet to walk paths yet untrod, Keep calm my heart, whate'er his lot may be ; So, if Thou ask of me Thy gift again, I'll yield my Babe, and yielding, not complain ! 1883 LONGINGS "Dearly beloved and longed for" (translation of Heine's poem, "the pine- tree.") A PINE-TREE stands forsaken, all alone, Upon yon far-off, tow'ring, vasty height, And murm'ring, chilled to heart by winter's blight. Trembles and trembles, by the rude winds blown ; Sweet dreams of love keep the cold tree from death, Dreams of a Palm-tree in the orient land — Ah, on a rocky cliff, in burning sand, The Palm-tree pants to feel the Pine-tree's breath ! 1884 25 THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDEGROOM "/ am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine." T AM the bride ; and the Bridegroom Is my own, my well-beloved One ; I slept ; but He found me, and kissed me, I awoke, Uke a flower in the sun ; Since then I have loved my Beloved ; He loved me before — for He chose ; And though like the black tents of Kedar, He called me His lily, His rose. But, alas ! I lost my Beloved ; He went where I did not dare go ; Yet I stood afar off, and I watched Him, I saw His side rent and blood flow; 2G THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDEGROOM 2/ Then I came, and I took Him and laid Him In a tomb, which I closed with a stone, And oh, the long anguish and weeping, As I stood there without, left alone ! At morn, while the sun was yet rising, Early, the first day of the week, I came to the tomb bearing spices. As sweet as the flower of His cheek ; And lo ! the stone was rolled backward ; I hastened, I looked — He was gone ! Within, where He lay, was an angel, In garments as bright as the dawn. I scarce can recall all that happened, I scarcely knew all in my pain ; But this I remember — I saw Him, I saw my Beloved again. 28 THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDEGROOM I clung to His feet and I worshipped, He spake as in days that were past, And oh, how my heart burned within me !- I thought I possessed Him at last ! I thought I had found Him for ever. To keep Him, to hold Him, my own ;- Ah me ! while sweetly communing. He blessed me, and left me alone ; Uprising, still blessing, yet rising, E'er higher and higher He went ; My soul longed to follow — I could not ; Like a bird in a cage, I was pent ! So now, I wait here in the darkness, While He dwells above in the light ; And yet, though not seeing, I love Him, And I seek to serve Him aright ; THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDEGROOM 29 For I live in the hope of His coming And to have His smile in that day ; Oh, gladly I'll meet Him and greet Him And be with my loved One for aye ! I am the Bride ; and the Bridegroom, Is my ovirn, all tender and true ; He knows what it is to stand waiting, At night, with His locks wet with dew ; He will keep His tryst with me, some day, He will call me, and make me His own ; — O hasten. Beloved, my Bridegroom, And take Thy lone Bride to Thy Home 1887 REST "/ will give you rest." — " Ye shall find rest." (the song of a converted mendicant monk.) A T rest in Jesus ! Weary feet Shall toil no more through mart and dusty street In works of penance, while in grave-clothes bound ; Thrusting unholy steps on holy ground ! At rest in Jesus ! Ah, my heart, How oft in works of merit thou didst start To find that self-done deeds in ashes fell Consumed within by some swift flame of hell ! REST 31 At rest in Jesus ! Nevermore To con the weary lesson o'er and o'er ; — The lesson learned ; behold, I find my rest, My head laid down upon my Saviour's breast ! At rest in Jesus I As I stand, His smile lets fall the light of glory-land ; Before — myself and sin ! O Christ, 'tis sweet To rest on Thee, and so find rest complete ! At rest in Jesus ! Now I go Through mart and dusty street, not fast, nor slow ; — I walk with Christ at rest ; in Him I've found The right to humbly serve on holy ground ! 1887 LORD JESUS, COME "Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." "^U^rEARY of earth, and longing to be free, " Upward I look, and wait, dear Lord, for Thee, Hark to my cry, and answer this my plea ; — E'en so, Lord Jesus, do Thou quickly cornel I do not doubt Thy love, Thy care Divine, Peace, joy, communion, all in Thee are mine, But here on earth, for sin I e'er repine ; — E'en so, Lord Jesus, do Thou quickly come ! LORD JESUS, COME 33 Strengthened by Thee, I press through every fray, Thou art my Shield and Refuge day by day, Yet long and rough and weary is the way ; — E'en so, Lord Jesus, do Thou quickly come ! Blest is the Spirit's tender comforting, Yea, by His power, to Thee my praise I sing. But oh, to see Thee, Thou who art my King ; — E'en so, Lord Jesus, do Thou quickly come ! Haste then, dear Lord ; I long and wait for Thee, Come for Thine own, that I Thy face may see. And at Thy side, may dwell eternally ; — E'en so, Lord Jesus, do Thou quickly come ! 1887 3 A BATTLE SONG " Our wrestling is , , against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" QOLDIERS of the Cross, arise ! See, the foe is in the skies, Powers of darkness, Satan led, 'Gainst the Cross, where Jesus bled ; Lamb of Calvary is He — He must have the victory ! Soldiers of the Cross, arise ! Lo, the host advancing flies, Gird yourselves with breast-plate, shield. Helmet, all ; prepare to wield Sword of Spirit — Word of God — For the path which Jesus trod ! A BATTLE SONG 35 Soldiers of the Cross, arise ! Jesus on our love relies, Ours to trust when dangers lower, His the strength and His the power. His to lead us and command, Ours to follow and to stand ! Soldiers of the Cross, arise ! Hark our mighty Captain cries : — " Forward, fear not, trust, be strong. Right will yet o'ercome the wrong ; This your watchword ever be — ' Conquering Lamb of Calvary ! ' " Soldiers of the Cross, arise ! Jesus lives, no longer dies. Once the Cross, but now the Throne, He will ne'er forsake His own, Ours to follow Him, till He Claims the blood-bought victory ! 1888 LONGINGS FOR CHRIST " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." TESUS, Saviour, I would be Ever holy, like to Thee ; Free from sin of every kind, In Thy purity confined. Jesus, Saviour, by Thy power, Cleanse and keep me, hour by hour ; This my longing, and my plea — Make me more and more like Thee ! Jesus, Saviour, by Thy grace, Show me thus Thy lovely face ; Naught between, the veil away. Let me gaze on Thee alway ! 36 LONGINGS FOR CHRIST 37 Jesus, Saviour, in Thy love, Bring me to Thyself above With Thee, like Thee, to abide, Face to face, and satisfied ! 1893 MY COMING LORD AND KING " The coming of the Lord draweth near." T HEAR the footsteps falling Of my approaching Lord, They echo all along the King's highway, He Cometh forth to meet me, According to His word, To lead me up the heights of endless day. Dost hear His stately stepping, As thus He moves along ? As Conqueror of all He draweth near ; The victory He has taken, He sings the triumph song, In anthem notes resounding loud and clear. 38 MY COMING LORD AND KING 39 Upon His raven tresses — Eternal is His strength — The flashing, royal diadem is worn, He Cometh to His kingdom As King of kings, at length, 'Tis meet that He should thus His brow adorn. He has the robes upon Him Which mark His kingly line. Of David's royal lineage He has come ; His banner floats above Him — The " Lion " is its sign — Ablaze with glory brighter than the sun. And oh, transcending all things — The beauty of His face ! 'Tis this which makes the angels fall and cry. For there the strength of Godhead And human form and grace In sweet, eternal union meet and Ue. 40 MY COMING LORD AND KING Ah, this is my Beloved, My glorious Lord and King, Whose footsteps echo down the King's high- way ; For Him, I listen, waiting, That He may come and bring My soul within the realms of perfect day. Then haste Thee, O Beloved, My coming Lord and King, Haste, haste and claim Thy glory and Thy power ! And while I'm waiting for Thee, Accept the praise I bring ; And keep me waiting, praising, hour by hour ! 1893 CHINA'S DYING MILLIONS " Having no hope, and without God!" (after attending a heathen funeral in china.) TTARK, there comes the sound of crying, Borne across the restless sea, China's countless millions, dying. Moan in hopeless agony ; Moan on moan, with none to pity — So they die, eternally ! Lo, the priests are chanting, chanting, Endless prayers in monotone. While, like demon-spirits, haunting, Hired mourners wail and moan ; Incense burns, while souls are dying — But these ne'er for sins atone ! 42 CHINA'S DYING MILLIONS See, the shrines are dimly lighted, Hear the mourners' measured tread, Past the chant for souls affrighted. Now the worship for the dead; — Vain is all that man can offer For the souls for which Christ bled ! So the countless millions, passing, Go beyond this earthly light ; So the countless millions, massing, Enter death's eternal night ; — So the days go by, and going. End our time of doing right ! Christ is coming ! Judgment awful Waits the souls which die in sin ; Christ is coming ! Judgment lawful Will with Church of Christ begin ; — Rouse, ye saints ! arise, deliver ; They will shine who souls shall win ! 1895 OUT OF THE DEPTHS " Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, Lord!" /~\UT of the depths, O Lord, ^"^^ I cry to Thee ; Oh, let me hear Thy word Restoring me ! Farther and farther still, My feet have strayed. Downward and downward, till, I'm sore afraid. The way has darker grown. And ills betide; I wander all alone. With none to guide. 44 OUT OF THE DEPTHS Darting through chilling air, The lightnings flash ; And, following fearful glare, Loud thunders crash. Beneath are chasms deep, And all about. Dread demons dart and leap, And laugh and shout. I try to pray — but fears Quench prayers in death ; My only prayers are tears And bated breath ; But, from my stricken heart, Goes up a cry To Thee, O Lord, who art Watching on high. OUT OF THE DEPTHS 45 Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to Thee ; Make speed to help afford, And succour me ; II. Out of the depths I cried To God on high ; He in His mercy wide, Brought mercy nigh ; For, from His throne above, In power and might. Fell the blest words of love : — " Let there be light ! " None heard save I alone. But on my soul, Quivered the mighty tone. Like anthem-roll ; 46 OUT OF THE DEPTHS And from the darkness broke, Before my sight — As the first morn awoke — The glory-light. Lifted from dread abyss By mighty Hand, I stood where sunbeams kiss The grass-clad land ; Where streams flow soft and still, And flowers bloom. The balmy air to fill With sweet perfume ; Where songs of birds are heard, In tuneful lays, And grateful hearts are stirred To fervent praise. OUT OF THE DEPTHS 47 Gone was my sorrow now, And all my fears ; Smoothed was the troubled brow, And dried my tears. Now, prayer was breathed once more, My sins confest, And could its love out-pour, In freedom blest. Ah, the communion deep ! And oh, the bliss ! No heart could ever keep A joy like this ! Praise upon praise I sang, In notes prolonged, 'Till list'ning echoes rang, With praises thronged. 48 OUT OF THE DEPTHS Forgiven and restored, 'Twas meet to bring, To Him whom I adored, My offering.— Out of the depths I cried To God on high ; He in His mercy wide. Brought mercy nigh. 189s COMFORTED "The God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all out tribulation,^' A S a fond mother, when the daylight fades, And evening deepens into shadowy night, Soothes her tired child, within the gath'ring shades. By lullaby, and her sweet presence bright ; So God our Father, in His wondrous grace, When shadowing sorrows cover all our sky, Draws near with tender word and shining face, And calms our fears, while in His arms we lie. 4 49 so COMFORTED Then, O my Father, I would ever choose Whatever grief or pain Thou sendest me ; Better o'erwhelming sorrows than to lose The joy of being comforted by Thee ! 189s "SHUT IN" "/, therefore, a prisoner in the Lord" AFTER A YEAR OF SICKNESS IN CHINA.) I. OHUT in; a prisoner; Within four walls confined ; Counting the weary hours Of days and nights combined. Shut in ; enclosed around ; Sick, helpless, and alone ; In pain and suffering, Each sigh almost a moan. 51 52 "SHUT IN" Shut in I in idleness ; No duties to fulfil ; Served, but not serving now ; My service to lie still. II. And is there naught beside ? Ah yes, thrice blessed word ; Shut into Jesus Christ, "A prisoner in the Lord." Shut into palace fair, With walls of radiant light. Where days all golden are, And there is never night. Shut in where music is, And there is deepest peace, Where love for e'er abounds, And joys for e'er increase. "SHUT IN" 53 Shut in where there's no fear, And naught of earth's alarms, Where there's unbroken rest. In everlasting arms. Shut in ? Yes, all shut in, Whatever ill betide ; Shut into Christ, my Lord, And oh, so satisfied! 189s FOR ME " Who gave Himself for me." /'^N Calvary's cross my Saviour died, With pierced hands, and feet, and side ; For me He was the crucified ; Even, for me! He lay within the fast-closed tomb. And entered Hades' prison gloom ; He bore for me this death and doom ; Even, for me ! He rose triumphant o'er the grave, And by His high ascension gave The proof for me that He would save ; Even, for me ! 54 FOR ME 55 Enthroned at His Father's side, A Priest for ever to abide, He prays for me, whate'er betide ; Even, for me! For me He gave the Spirit's dower. That I might have His mighty power, And live to serve Him every hour ; Even, for me! Soon He will come, and I shall be With Him for all eternity ; Yea, He will come for even me ; — Even, for me ! 189s SURRENDER "Not my •mill, but Thine be done." IT is Thy right to choose, my blessed Lord, All that I have is Thine, and Thine alone ; Whatever Thou wilt ask, at Thy dear word, That will I give, to be indeed Thine own. If Thou wilt take from out my weary life Something on which I lean for peace and rest, Accept it. Lord ; my heart shall know no strife — I leave with Thee to judge the right and best. 56 SURRENDER 57 Or, if Thou think my joys too much of earth, And Thou wouldst have them found more oft in heaven, Take from me. Lord, pleasures of lesser worth, And to my soul let hoHer joys be given. And if, perchance, some precious gift of Thine Needs to be lifted from my clinging love, Take even this, and fix this heart of mine For e'er and only on Thyself above! Ah, Lord, I trust Thee! Thou wilt never take Aught from my Ufe but what my life should give ; Choose what Thou wilt ; that choice I too will make And in my death to self learn how to live. 189s MY LORD AND KING " Lord of lords, and King of kings." JESUS, my Lord and King, To Thee my gift I bring, Worthy, Thou art ; Finding in Thee my rest, In Thee supremely blest, I give Thee what is best — My yielded heart ! Jesus, my Lord and King, Accept my offering, Thee I adore ; 58 MY LORD AND KING 59 No other lord shall be Lord of my life, but Thee ; — Thou shalt reign over me, For evermore ! Jesus, my Lord and King, To Thee alone I cling. For life and power ; Thy hand dost me uphold, Thine arms do me enfold, Thou dost give strength untold. For each glad hour ! Jesus, my Lord and King, To Thee my praise I sing, Only to Thee J Since Thou by love Divine, Hast woa this heart of mine, Its praises shall be Thine, Eternally ! 6o MY LORD AND KING Jesus, my Lord and King, When I shall upward wing My heav'nward way, Low at Thy feet I'll fall, Thee, King of kings to call, And crown Thee, Lord of all, Through endless day ! 189s GOD'S CALL " Who will go for us, and whom shall I send?" /~^ OD needeth thee ! Dost thou not see Millions of heathen bending low the knee Before dumb idols, without God or hope, And wilt thou let them thus in darkness grope ? God calls for thee ! Wilt thou refuse To follow Christ, whate'er thou mayest lose Of earthly gain ; dost thou not know That only loss is gain while here below? God yearns for thee ! Must Christ still stand, Calling and waiting, adding to command. Pleadings heartrending, would thy heavy ear But listen to the voice which calls so clear ? 62 god's call God waits for thee ! Wilt thou not go, To lift thy brothers, sisters, fallen low ? Christ spoke the word, and someone lifted thee ; — Shall not thy hand now set these captives free ? Oh, yield to God ! Arise and say, " Here, Lord, am I ; Thy call I will obey ! " Then God will call through thee, to nations wide. And Christ shall be in thee well satisfied ! 1896 SATISFIED " Satisfied with favour" QATISFIED and full of favour, By my King I stand, Having blessings without number, From His opened hand ; Oh, the greatness of His measure, Oh, the richness of my treasure, Oh, the fulness of my pleasure, As His gifts expand ! Satisfied and full of favour, By my Lord Divine, Safe I am, His banner o'er me, " Love," its fair design ; 63 64 SATISFIED Oh, the rest of His providing, Oh, the peace for e'er abiding. Oh, the love and sweet confiding 'Tween His heart and mine ! Satisfied and full of favour. By my Lord and King, I would give Him gifts of praises. Love's best offering ; Oh, the joy of Him adoring, Oh, the bliss of heart-outpouring. Oh, the soul's glad, free up-soaring. As His praise I sing ! Satisfied and full of favour ; In a little space, I shall stand still closer to Him, With Him, face to face ; SATISFIED 6S Oh, the sudden, homeward fleeting, Oh, the long-expected meeting. Oh, the rapture of the greeting, In that upper place ! 1896 5 S EVENSONG " And now the eventide was cotne." nPHE day with all its toil is ended, Fast fall the shades of stilly night, The calm of heaven with earth is blended And, e'en at eventide, 'tis light. The birds now cease their good-night singing. The sounds of earth fast die away, Soft vesper bells, their sweet notes ringing. Call sons of men to praise and pray. The cattle homeward go a-lowing. The bleating sheep turn toward the fold, Now grateful saints, their praise o'erflowing. Recount their mercies, new and old. 66 EVENSONG 67 The glitt'ring stars their watch are keeping, Like guardian angels hov'ring near, Sad sons of sorrow cease their weeping And burdened souls lose all their fear. Oh, day of gl&d and blessed ending ! Oh, even-time of restful calm ! May they sweet peace from heaven descending Awake each eve new prayer and psalm ; Till days are past and heaven's long even Falls soft and sweet upon the soul, When, in the calm of rest full-given, Men praise and praise, as ages roll ! igoi BETHLEHEM " And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of fuda, art not least among the princes of Juda : for out of thee shall come a Governor y (after a visit to BETHLEHEM, ONE BRIGHT DAY IN SPRING.) I. (~\ BETHLEHEM, sweet Bethlehem, To thee my song I sing. To thee I raise my humble lay, Thou city of the King. Above thy courts the angels sang Their brightest seraph-song. And, faintly echoing their refrain, I would their praise prolong. BETHLEHEM 69 11. I see thy wide and wooded fields, Thy rocky slopes and hills, Thy valleys deep, where waters flow. In sparkling, tuneful rills. Thy balmy air is rich with scent, Of olive and of vine, Thy trees hang low with ripened fruit. Thy vats o'erflow with wine. Thy shepherd boys, like David, lead Their flocks with winsome call, Across thine uplands bright, or through Deep vales where shadows fall. Thy dusky men and ruddy maids. Scattered across the plain — Where Ruth once followed Boaz's men — Harvest the golden grain. 70 BETHLEHEM Thy mothers hush their babes to rest, With hymns of David's Lord, They sing how in yon cave He came To heavenly love afford ; And all is fair, and all is joy About thy well-kept walls ; Yea, sorrows never touch thy gates Thy hearth-stones and thy halls ; Beyond is darksome Calvary And sad Gethsemane ; — But shadows flee, bright Bethlehem, When shadows come to thee ! III. Lo, as I gaze, a vision breaks ; Behold, I see the Child Lie once again in cave of stone, All pure and undefiled ; BETHLEHEM 71 The virgin-mother bends above, Watching the face Divine, From which, so fair and beautiful, Bright rays of glory shine ; While holy angels, gathered 'round, With reverent, rapturous gaze, Bend low the knee, all worshipful. And chant sweet hymns of praise ; And oh, what longings fill my soul. As I behold my Lord ! — I fall and worship at His feet, My every sin abhorred : And here I pray to be like Him, A holy infant-child. All meek and gentle, sweet and good, All pure and undefiled! 72 BETHLEHEM IV. The vision passes ; — not the Christ, Nor Bethlehem ever blest ; Ah, thee I love, thou city fair, In thee I've found my rest ; And so to thee, O Bethlehem, My song of love I sing ; All praise to thee, sweet Bethlehem, Thou city of my King ! 190 1 CHILDREN'S HYMN "In every thing give thanks." T PRAISE Thee, God of heaven and earth, For all things good. For life and health, for comforts, home, For daily food. For every blessing Thou dost give, Through Jesu's blood. I praise Thee for the earth so fair With fruits and flowers, For winter's cold and summer's heat, For snow and showers, For all that fills the blessed year With gladsome hours. 73 74 CHILDREN'S HYMN I praise Thee for the joys of life, And endless love, For parents, brothers, sisters, friends,i And all who prove That Thou art near to hearts on earth, Though far above. I praise Thee most for Jesus Christ, And His sweet, " Come ! " For all His watchful care o'er me, Lest I should roam, For what He has prepared for me — For heaven, my home. And so I ask Thee, O my God, That I may be. Like Thy fair earth and beauteous sky. All kept for Thee, And all like Jesus Christ, my Lord — Eternally ! 1902 ASPIRATION " Hope maketh not ashamed." T AIMED a prayer-shaft at the sky, I thought to fix it fast on high, I saw it downward fall, and lie All broken on the ground ; But I had looked on higher things. My soul had risen as on wings, And even yet my hope upsprings Towards heaven's eternal bound. Oft-times our actions fail to rise To wished-for place within the skies, And heart is grieved, with sad surprise, To see them fall to earth ; 75 76 ASPIRATION But aspiration ne'er is lost, Though oft with disappointment crost, For what is left, in spite of cost. Gives life a nobler worth. Then aim your actions far above The world's low levels, thus to prove That -He who lives beyond is Love And knows the soul's desires ; And oh, for e'er remember this. That, often as our marks we miss, God gives to him His highest bUss Who for high heaven aspires ! 1902 TO MY DAUGHTER ELISABETH {A secondary meaning of the name, Elisabeth, is, She worships the Lord God.) PLISABETH,— this'is thy blessed name; Not given to prophesy that common fame, Or wealth, or power should be thy earthly lot — For we would fain have these by thee forgot — But rather this, because its meaning told That thou should'st be, as women were of old, A "worshipper of God," through precious blood, By gracious choosing of thy Father-God. Most blessed name, speaking of saintly face, Of movements digniiied and full of grace, Of motives pure, of high and holy thought; Of kindly words, of acts as kindly wrought ; 77 78 TO MY DAUGHTER ELISABETH Name of true womanhood, whose adorning fair Is not of costly gems and plaited hair, But of the spirit, quiet, calm and meek, Constraining those who see to oft-times speak In fervent thankfulness and praise to God For all the joys thy heaven-born gifts afford. Name of our choice, therefore, and given with prayer, That thou shouldst be in truth, God's wor- shipper : — / And this foretelling, 'twas the Lord who saith, " Thy name, sweet child, shall be Elisabeth ! " 1902 THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM ^' Jerusalem — is the mother of us all." JERUSALEM, my heavenly home, How oft I long for thee, For thy bright realms where angels are And saints are ever free, Where every thought and word is love, Through all the gladsome days, And every heart is full of joy. And every tongue of praise. Jerusalem, my heavenly home, Oft-times I hear thy choir Sing clear and sweet their hymns of praise To soft-tuned Hute and lyre ; 79 8o THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM Their songs float downward through the air, Full toned like anthem-roll, Till their refrain, antiphonal, Re-echoes in my soul. Jerusalem, my heavenly home, To thee I lift mine eyes, To thy fair fields of living green. To thy blue, cloudless skies. To thy sweet flowers, which ever bloom Beside thy murm'ring streams, To thy cool shades, 'neath spreading trees, Where sleep the sun's soft beams. Jerusalem, my heavenly home, I see thee, city bright. Stand high on Zion's holy hill, Thy courts all filled with light, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM 8l I see thy gates of solid pearl, Thy streets of purest gold, And lo, thy many-jewelled walls, A radiant host enfold ! Jerusalem, my heavenly home, Thou holdest One for me, More dear, more fair, more beautiful, Than all else found in thee. The Lamb of Calvary's lowly Cross, Now King upon the Throne ; — He is my soul's Jerusalem, My heavenly, happy Home ! Jerusalem, my heavenly home, I fain would come to thee. My pilgrimage for ever past. My life for ever free ; 82 THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM Then haste glad day when I may pass Through gates thrown open wide, That in thy courts, Jerusalem, I may for e'er abide ! 1902 SOME DAY " In thai day.'' OOME day my lessons will have been all learned, And I shall close my book, the last leaf turned, Then I shall stand before the upper throne, And know for ever as I have been known ! Some day my last, glad song will have been sung And words will die away on falt'ring tongue, But through the ages I shall praise forth-tell. For I shall join the choir invisible! Some day my last night's prayer will have been said And I shall lie within my narrow bed, 83 84 SOME DAY But in the morn, I shall for e'er arise, My prayers all answered, in the mansioned skies ! Some day my pilgrim journey will be o'er And I shall reach that farther, brighter shore j My staff laid down, my burden put aside, I'll rest for evermore, all satisfied ! Some day my race will have been fully run And all my strivings be for ever done ; One last sharp passage through death's vale of tears, And I shall reach the joys of endless years ! Some day my hard-fought battle will be past And blessed peace will be my lot at last ; The battle won, the victor's crown I'll wear And in the victor's spoils, for ever share ! 1902 MY PILOT ^' He will guide us over death.''' Vy/HEN I put out to sea, Into eternity, My Pilot will be there ; His hand will hold the helm — Lest storms should overwhelm — Till I shall reach the realm Where lies my haven fair. Though darkness shroud the deep And billows toss and leap, I shall not be afraid ; 85 86 MY PILOT My Pilot knows the way Across the sea's highway, Through night, to that glad day Where light will never fade. And if, perchance, dread fear Shall draw a moment near. As storms around me roar, Above the night-wind's sigh, I'll hear my Pilot cry : " Fear not, for I am nigh," And I shall fear no more. The darkness overpast, I'll reach my port, at last, And rest in haven calm ; Brought safely, sweetly through, I'll thank my Pilot true. And oft my thanks renew. In praise and triumph-psalm. MY PILOT 87 And so I wait on shore, My gaze fixed on before, Across the dark'ning wave ; My Pilot of the sea Will one day call for me — Then I shall ready be. And trust His power to save ! 1902 THE TRANSFORMED CLAY " He shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use." (after seeing a potter at work in HEBRON, PALESTINE.) A POTTER sat at his wheel one day, In a cellar both dark and cold, Around in piles lay the plastic clay All damp, and covered with mould, In shapeless heaps it lay on the sand. Waiting the touch of the master's hand. THE TRANSFORMED CLAY 89 The potter's foot turned his wheel around Till faster and faster it flew, With a click and a creak, and a whirring sound, That filled all the cellar through ; Then the potter laid hold on a mass of clay, Where it lay in the darkness, dull and gray. The potter's sight was both clear and keen. And his touch was skilful and true, And the clay which lay in his hands be- tween. He fashioned, and fashioned anew. Till there on the wheel, before his eyes, A shapely vessel began to rise. At last the whirr of the wheel was still And the work of the potter was done, Then the vessel was placed on the outer sill. In the light of the summer sun ; go THE TRANSFORMED CLAY And there the dull clay of the cellar cold, Stood a beautiful vase, all bathed with gold. II. One day there was sound in the narrow street Of hoof and of chariot wheel, And the King drew near, the potters to greet, And to ask of his people's weal. For none, as he, was so kind and true, The length and breadth of the whole land through. The greetings over, the King passed by, Then he turned toward the palace hill ; — But he suddenly stayed, for his watchful eye Had seen the vase on the sill Where it stood in the sunlight, slender and fair, Exquisitely fashioned — a work most rare. THE TRANSFORMED CLAY 91 The King called the potter and asked his price ; He paid what was asked, and e'en more ; Then he hid his treasure of rich device In his boson, and thus he bore The vase to the palace — his coveted prize, The joy of his heart and delight of his eyes. And now if you seek for the cold, dull clay, You must pass the old cellar by And go up the hill, by the King's highway, 'Neath the light of the sunlit sky, Till you reach the palace, the King's fair home ; Yea, there you will find it — beside the Throne ! 1903 LOST AND FOUND " Whosoever shall lose his life shall find it." A SPRING, high up upon the mountain-side, Straight downward flowed, into the caverned earth, From thence in darkness, on and on to glide, To men, unseen, unknown — of nothing worth. But hidden there, 'twas fed by rains and snows, By mountain pool and flowing rivulet, Till in its cavern-depths its waters rose, Flood-like, 'gainst cavern-rocks to leap and fret ; LOST AND FOUND 93 So that at last, down at the mountain's base, It burst its barriers, coming into Hght, A torrent-stream, downward to rush and race Into the plain, in dashing, rapid flight ; Where broadening out, with grave and peace- ful flow, It moved majestic, toward the waiting sea. Through peopled lands, to everywhere bestow The blessings of a rich fertility. Thus 'tis with man, if once his life is hid — Small though it be — within the Life Benign ; Lost, yet not lost, 'tis found, at last, amid The lives which blessing need — a gift Divine. 1903 WAITING " Waiting for the consolation." T SEE the light Of the city bright And the walls which the saints enfold; I hear the song Of the countless throng Who walk on the streets of gold ; And I long to be By the crystal sea, In the life which will never grow old I hear the chime Of the bells of time, Which tell of the passing day. WAITING 95 And I think of the hour When, by angel power, My soul will be carried away To the upper home, No longer to roam, But in glory for ever to stay. I long to be Eternally free From the sin which holds me here ; To walk in white, With garments of light, In the love which casteth out fear, To see the face Of the God of grace And His rapturous welcome to hear. And so I wait Outside of the gate Of the city all pure and fair, 96 WAITING Till I shall rise To the mansioned skies To be for evermore where The Lamb is the light Of that city bright And of those who His glory will share. 1904 IN MEMORIAM (Ife) " a/Her he had served his own generation, by the will of God, fell on sleep." (AFTER BEING TOLD THAT A BELOVED FRIEND HAD THAT DAY " DIED.") A H, no, he is not dead, he only sleeps ; Christ said it long ago, that death is sleep To that poor woman, full of doubts and fears, Who mournful wept beside her brother's grave, Yea, He who spoike truth said, to that sad heart : " Thy brother, Lazarus, shall rise again ! " And we believe it, both for him and us. Dost call it death when, at the eventide, Some one lies down and folds his weary hands To rest all still throughout the shadowy night And then awakes to greet the radiant morn And go, in strength, into the brightening day ? 7 '' 98 IN MEMORIAM No, no ; that closing of the tired eyes, That folding on the breast of toil-stained hands That lying still in rest — all this is sleep. Ah, surely then, and surely far, far more, When some poor, weary, fainting, pilgrim-saint, Lies down in slumber's deep and blest repose, His life deep hid within the life of God ! If this were dreadful death, would there have been This calm, glad waiting for the darkening hour? And would there, even yet, lie lingeringly. Upon the upturned face, the peaceful smile? What if the eyes ope not to waiting gaze, Or breath no longer greets the list'ning ear ; It only means that sleep is very deep. Too deep for mortal eyes to see the Life That circles it around and holds it safe. Ah no, the light of life has not gone out, For God's good gift was that of endless life ; Christ promised it, and this too, we believe. IN MEMORIAM 99 We say it then, triumphant over death ; — " He is not dead ; he but takes rest in sleep ! " For this we surely know, he will awake And rise renewed, all strong and beautiful, To serve as ne'er before, in glorious day, Alive with God and Christ, for evermore ! Then sleep, beloved one, till morning light, Sleep deep, sleep sweet, thy weary labour past; Christ watches over thee, and He will keep That which thou gavest Him, all trustingly : And so we lay thy weary body down, On flower-decked bed of earth, till night is passed. In blessed, ardent hope that very soon The Day-spring from on high will visit us And thou, with us, shalt rise to greet the day And be with Christ, thy Life, to sleep no more! 1904 THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM 'X'HE Lord is my Shepherd, I never shall want, He makes me before Him to lie. In pastures all verdant, of rich, tender grass, My hunger to well satisfy. By waters of stillness, He leadeth me forth That I may find quiet and rest ; He restoreth my soul ; and He guideth my feet In paths that are righteous and blest. Yea, though I should walk through the valley of death, I'll fear neither darlmess, nor ill. For Thou art e'er with me. Thy rod and Thy staff Will guide me and comfort me still. THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM lOI Thou preparest a table, and spreadest it full For me, in the sight of my foes, Thou anointest my head with sweet-smelling oil, And my cup, being full, overflows. Surely goodness and mercy, attending my way, Will bless me, through life, o'er and o'er. And in the loved house of Jehovah, my King, I shall dwell, all secure, evermore ! igo6 CONFLICT AND VICTORY " wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! " I. 'VV'/'HAT now, my Soul, and hast thou sinned again, Thou deeply sinful, desperately wicked Soul ? Wilt thou of sinning never have an end ? Wilt never let thy Maker make thee whole ? Thou seemest bound by strong iniquity, When thou shouldst be, once and for ever, free. O Soul, wilt thou for ever follow on, Like hound upon the scent, hard after sin? Like a wild beast, art thou insatiate? Like a foul demon, hast thou Hell within? CONFLICT AND VICTORY IO3 Ah, once I thought that thou mightst changed be ; But thou dost sin, and sin continually ! And yet, oh sinful Soul, thou knowest well That I have struggled hard against thy reign, As often as I've sinned, I have resolved That thou shouldst never rule o'er me again ; Alas, deceitful Soul, I did not see That, spite of struggles, thou couldst master me 1 What can I do, my Soul ? Thou art myself ; I cannot 'scape thy presence, nor thy power ; Turn where I will, I feel thy close embrace ; Thou pressest hard upon me, hour by hour ; — 104 CONFLICT AND VICTORY Oh that a Master Man might rise in me Then I should be the man I long to be ! II. What now, my Soul ! what does this quiet mean, This deep, abiding peace I find within ? Surely, thou hast not changed, since flesh is flesh, And well I know that thou art full of sin ; And yet, a new, strange calm has come to me, A calm like that of high eternity ! O Soul, art thou again deceiving me ? Is this some subtle, more mysterious way Than thou hast erstwhile taken ? Shall I wake To find my footsteps, as of old, astray ? — It cannot be, for heaven has come to me. With all its peace, and power, and victory ! CONFLICT AND VICTORY lOS Temptations press me sore ; and yet I stand, Upheld, unmoved, abiding in my rest ; Like lifted rock, amidst the surging sea. Remaining firm, though often tempest prest ; — O God, this is not chance ; nor I — 'tis Thee ! Thou hast had mercy, and hast succoured me ! My prayer is answered, O my sinning Soul, For thou art conquered by a Conqueror ; Thy Master thou hast met, and He doth reign ; I am set free by a Deliverer ; — The Man, Christ Jesus, hath arisen in me, That I may be the man I long to be ! 1906 ETERNITY But the things which are not seen are eternal." T IFE is young, and hearts are beating, Feet delight to go a-greeting, Joys and pleasures ever meeting ; — But eternity ! Never sorrow, never crying, Never pause for even sighing, Who would ever think of dying ? — Yet eternity ! Days are bright and all-entrancing, Hearts are light and eyes are dancing ; — But grim Time is e'er advancing Toward eternity ! ETERNITY I07 'Midst the pleasure, conscience smarting, Fear within the heart up-starting, Time is short, and soon the parting, Then eternity ! Months to years are ever growing, Feet will soon be slower going, Reaping always follows sowing ; Thus eternity ! Life will pass, for time is fleeting, One day there must be the meeting ; What will be the yonder greeting In eternity ? Here the one chance for the moulding — Suddenly, dark Death beholding, Then, long ages, e'er unfolding. Through eternity ! I08 ETERNITY Sin is strong in its ensnaring, Thoughtlessness leads to despairing ;- O my Soul, be thou preparing For eternity ! 1906 RESTORED " He restoreth my soul." T FIND it sweet, once more to rest On Jesu's strong and loving breast And know my sins forgiven ; To be accepted by His grace, To be upheld by His embrace, To gaze upon His lovely face And thus reach home and heaven I wandered far, in days gone by. No light was in my darkened sky. Around was storm and cold ; 1 10 RESTORED And yet my heart for ever yearned For Him whose love I oft had spurned, Until, all weary, I returned, Like sheep to shelt'ring fold. One look into His tender eyes, All filled with love and glad surprise. And at His feet I fell ; O'ercome with sense of sin and shame, Half fearing rightful scorn and blame, I tried my penitence to frame — My sin and grief to tell. But not a word would He allow ;-;- He spake, and did His love avow. His love for even me ; Then, lifting me with outstretched hand, He made me by His side to stand ; — Who could such wondrous grace withstand, A grace so rich and free ? RESTORED 1 1 1 And so, in spite of doubts and fears, My penitence outpoured in tears, I sank into His arms ; While He close drew me to His side. That I might there for e'er abide, All safe, whatever might betide, And free from earth's alarms. And so, I calmly, sweetly rest On Jesu's strong and loving breast. To wander nevermore ; In Him I've found a perfect peace, A joy and love which e'er increase ; — O Jesu, may I never cease Thee only to adore ! 1907 MAN'S LIFE " What is ,, life? It ■ , appeareth for a little time, and vanisheth away!' T HE sun arises from its ocean bed All clothed with crimson light, a radiant morn, Flashing through air to earth its glory-red. It wakens men to greet the day, new- born ; — From off yon hearth, from newly kindled iire. The flames leap upward, and the sparks mount higher. man's life 113 The sun is west' ring, and is sinking low Behind the sea's horizon, far away, Now night has fallen, and the night-winds blow, Moaning the death-song of departed day ; — Upon the hearth grey ashes lie about ; The last spark's vanished, and the iire is out ! 1907 LIFE FROM DEATH " Though he were dead, yet shall he live." T STRAYED, all sad, into the wood one day — Midway between the winter and the spring — Around in scattered drifts the white snow lay, O'erhead the mournful crows were on the wing, All that I saw spoke of decay and death ; — Yet zephyrs stirred soft as a maiden's breath. 114 LIFE FROM DEATH II5 Beneath my feet the dead leaves, old and sere, Lay like a faded carpet, yellow-gray, The perished glory of another year, The sign that ruthless Death had passed that way ; Upon the leaves dead branches lay about ; — Yet pressing through them flowers were spring- ing out. The trees rose up above me, gaunt and bare. Uplifting limbs like naked arms to heaven. Mutely appealing to the sun and air That verdure-cov'ring might to them be given ;— And lo ! upon their branches could be seen, Just springing into life, buds red and green. Il6 LIFE FROM DEATH I sat me down upon a fallen tree, Made soft by moss, once green, now gray, To think of years, and life's mortality, How all things, great and small, must pass away : — When suddenly around me, greeting spring, The birds burst forth in loud, sweet carolling. And so I learned a lesson that bright day — Within the wild wood dead, yet touched by spring — That all things here below will pass away, Yet from sad death shall new, glad life up- spring ; And thus I've come to know, e'en though I die. That I shall Uve again in worlds on high. 1907 AMBITION "He made the stars also." '' I ""WAS once my longing, in the days gone by To be like brilliant sun in mid-day sky, And thus to stand before men's wond'ring sight, Oft seen and oft admired, myself the light. Anon, I learned that such was not for me, That I, unworthy, must more humble be ; — So then I longed to be like moon at night, Shining in splendour, though with borrowed light. 117 Il8 AMBITION Ah me ! at last, I found that I was not To hope for even this — but be forgot ; That I, unknown, must take my place afar From sun and moon and earth, like distant star. But here I've learned, within my lesser sphere, I'm like a star, indeed, to God most dear, For He who made the greater lights made me. That for His glory I may ever be. So now my longing is to shine just here Where God has fixed me, with my light most clear. That, though a star, I may be ever found In my own place, to light the dark around. 1907 CALVARY " The tlace which is called Calvary ; there they crucified Him." r^ARKNESS broods o'er all the earth, Lo, the Man of heavenly birth Dies amidst the jest and mirth, On sad Calvary. Sinless Son of God is He, Yet He suffers agony, Hanging on the cursed tree. There on Calvary. Lo, His head a crown adorns — 'Tis a cruel crown of thorns ; This the taunt of man who scorns. This, and Calvary ! 119 120 CALVARY See Him suff'ring there alone, Hear the bitter cry and moan, That for sin He may atone, On dark Calvary. Sinks the sun within the west, Sinks His head upon His breast. Dies the Man, by men unblest ; Cruel Calvary ! Oh, the darkness of the day, Oh, the bitter, bitter way. As grim Death makes Christ its prey ; Awful Calvary ! So they lay Him in the grave, Him, who gave His life to save. Him, who all His foes forgave, On sweet Calvary. CALVARY 121 There they lay Him, with my sin, There they seek to keep Him in, That He may no vict'ry win, Through blest Calvary. But in vain; no death can part Him and my adoring heart ; Saviour, King, O Christ, Thou art ! — Precious Calvary ! 1907 EASTER "He is not here, but is risen" (^\ SOUL of mine, awake, awake. Slumber no more, for Christ's dear sake, Behold, the glorious light doth break, Of a new Easter day ! Come forth ; — but not with fear and dread, The darkness of the night has fled, Seek not the Living, 'midst the dead. On this glad Easter day ! Bring not the spices, sweet and rare, Behold the grave — Christ is not there, He has arisen, fresh and fair, Like this bright Easter day ! EASTER 123 Nay, linger not beside the tomb ; Christ rose from out the morning's womb, To scatter Death's o'ershadowing gloom. Now shines the Easter day ! Yea, shine bright sun, blow balmy breeze. Spring flowers, and shrubs, and buds on trees. Sure token of Christ's power are these. On this, His Easter day ! Hark, 'tis the Christ who to thee cries, He calls thee to the radiant skies ; O heart of mine, arise, arise. To heaven's sweet Easter day ! Glad Easter day, so fair and bright. So full of glory and of might ; O Christ, Thou art its life and light; — Hail, blessed Easter day ! 1907 THE SHEPHERD AND HIS LAMB " If a man hath an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountain, and seeketh that which- has gone astray 7" (after seeing soord's picture, "the lost LAMB.") nPHE Shepherd went forth on the mountam ■^ cold, For a lamb had strayed frotn the sheltering fold, And He could not stay in the warmth and light When one of His sheep was out in the night. The frail, foolish thing had wandered away When the flock went forth at the break of day, 124 THE SHEPHERD AND HIS LAMB 125 As the Shepherd had led them with winsome call To the sunlit mead where the shadows fall. He had strayed away to the valley deep, Up over the hill, to the mountain steep. Then farther and higher, 'neath gleaming sun, Still wandering on, till the day was done ; Until at last, in the deepening shade, Tired out, and alone, and sorely afraid. He had sought the fold, and its cheering light — Only to enter the cold and the night. So there he now stood on the mountain high. Above, a faint gleam of light in the sky, While 'round was the mist of the night-wind's breath. And below — the cliif and threatening death. 126 THE SHEPHERD AND HIS LAMB So the Shepherd missed him, at set of sun, As He numbered His lambkins, one by one. For there they all lay, safe-shut in the fold — Except the one which was out in the cold. Ah, the Shepherd's heart was tender and true, And a missing lamb was a lamb too few, And what to Him was the night-wind's breath When one of His flock was in danger of death? So the lire was stirred, and the door made fast, And His storm-stained coat was over Him cast. And the Shepherd strong, with the tender heart, Out in the gloom of the night did start; Where He sought till He found the faint tracked trail, Where He followed on, through the winding vale, THE SHEPHERD AND HIS LAMB 127 Up over the hill, to the mountain steep, Tenderly calling the name of His sheep. And there, through the sound of the night- wind's sigh, He heard the faint bleat of His lambkin's cry. And there, on the edge of the cliff's high wall. He saw it sinking and ready to fall. Then the Shepherd sprang through the clinging thorn, His feet, and His hands, and His face were torn, But He reached His lamb, and He held him fast. And the poor, trembling thing was safe at last ! And thus he was borne in the Shepherd's arms All free from the peril and wild alarms. 128 THE SHEPHERD AND HIS LAMB Down from the mount, through the threatening night, To the shelt'ring fold and its warmth and light. But ah, when the flock was led forth next day — There was the foot-marked, tortuous way, And there, in its midst, like a crimson flood. Was the long, red line of the Shepherd's blood ! 1907 SPIRITUAL CONFLICT " The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." (after seeing Barnard's statue, "the two NATURES.") OWN, deeper down, thou sinful, sensual *-^ Self, Back to low earth from which thou wouldst arise, Thou robber-fiend, keep thine ill-gotten pelf Of my misdeeds, it is thy lawful prize; But henceforth know thou shalt not rule o'er me. For a sweet Voice calls me to victory. 9 "9 130 SPIRITUAL CONFLICT Up, higher up, thou better, nobler one, Rise up in strength, with face toward the skies. Faint not, nor fear, the conflict will be won, Behold, before thee is the victor's prize ; Thy God who calleth thee will strength maintain And turn all earthly loss to heavenly gain. 1907 FRIENDSHIP " There is a, Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." ' I ^O have a Friend who follows all my thought As it may vagrant roam from earth to heaven, Who there will hold it fast, until its leaven Be purged away, by purer word in-wrought ; To have Him understand when words have failed To make my better, nobler meaning plain ; Who, when I'm silent, will His words restrain And show by look that silence hath availed ; 132 FRIENDSHIP To know that He, if others adulate, Will dare to warn of pride's presumptuous sin, That He will speak of love, when others hate, That He, to His strong Self, my soul may win : Such friendship do I crave till life shall end ; And such I have — in Jesus Christ, my Friend ! 1907 A DAY DREAM " Godliness with contentment is great gain." A LITTLE village, 'neath the sheltering hills, Beside a harbour, where ships safely lie, Where humble toil man's humble need fulfils, Where life goes calmly on, as days go by ; Where hearts are never old. Where love is never cold. Where joys are simple, sweet, Where rest is deep, complete ; — There would I live and die. To be as one amongst such simple folk. Myself most blessed, and yet a blessing too, Bearing with young and old life's daily yoke. Having the daily, kindly task to do ; 134 A DAY DREAM Healing the wound that smarts, Soothing' sad, sorrowing hearts, Guiding in paths untrod. Leading tired souls to God ; — Thus would I live and die. A humble village, where, when work is done, One may, without regret, in quiet be, Watching, all peaceful, life's slow-setting sun Shed golden glory over land and sea ; Hearing the evening bell Its rhythmic story tell Of life beyond yon west, Of heavenly home and rest ; — There would I live and die. 1907 WEEPING " Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (to a friend in deep sorrow.) '^JI'E.'E.V, sorrowing one, for God would have thee weep, He did not make thee stone, but very man, Yea, He did form thy soul a fountain deep, Seek not to close it up, weep whilst thou can ; Yea, weep and weep, weep tears on tears until Thy weeping heart has ta'en its bitter fill. 135 136 WEEPING Ne'er think thy weeping sin, since Christ did weep, Who held His life in such long, strong restraint ; — Mark there, at Lazarus' tomb, how tears up- leap, Hear yonder Garden's bitter, bitter plaint ; Grieve not, then, if deep grief thine eyes bedim ; As Master, so disciple; — weep with Him. And yet this learn, weep not amidst the crowd ; Weeping is sacred ; shut thy closet door ; There, only there, put on thy mourner's shroud Where thou canst speak with Christ, and help implore ; Then, on the breast of Him who weeps with thee Pour out thy sorrow's bitterest agony. WEEPING 137 And grieve not Christ ; — weep not as without hope ; Despair is trustlessness, and, therefore, sin ; However deep thy darkness, never grope, Lift up thine head and see the Light within ; Weep on, beloved, weep till sorrow's end, But ne'er forget that Christ is thy good Friend. Weep, sorrowing one, but e'er remember this : Weeping shall not endure beyond the night ; There is in store for thee a rapturous bUss, God's joy will greet thee with the morning light; Ay, in that morn, no heart will moan or cry For God's own hand will wipe each weeping eye ! 1907 PRAYER " The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." 'T'O worship Him who is my Father-God, In the all-worthy name of Christ, the Son, Through the blest Spirit, ever Holy One, Bowing the knee, with heart all hushed and awed ; To come to Him, confessing all my sin, And seek forgiveness, through the precious blood, To ask that He, in love's o'erflowing flood. Will bless my needy life, without, within ; 138 PRAYER 1 39 To intercede for all my kinsmen, friends, For the elect who love our Saviour- Lord, For the great world, e'en to its farthest ends. That Christ may be by men obeyed, adored ; And then to praise, always and every- where ; — Be this my fervent and effectual prayer ! 1907 REQUIEM We groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption.' ' I ""HE days are hasting, hasting, They pass away. The years are wasting, wasting. They will not stay. My life is going, going, 'Twill soon be done. Like rivers, flowing, flowing, To oceans run. Life's sun is sinking, sinking, In dark'ning west, And I am shrinking, shrinking, From earth's cold breast. 140 REQUIEM 141 The end is nearing, nearing, It comes on wing, My heart is fearing, fearing, What death will bring. Soon I'll be dying, dying ; O God, be nigh. And hear my crying, crying, My last, faint' sigh ; And grant that, sleeping, sleeping, I'll wake again. With no more weeping, weeping, And no more pain ! 1907 PEACE " The God of peace"— " The peace of God." A FOREST dim and grand, with mile on mile Of tangled undergrowth and arching trees, Where sunlight rests upon the matted leaves But never reaches earth to flowers beguile ; There footstep never fell To break the silent spell, There always, all around Is stillness deep, profound ; — And there is peace. 142 PEACE 143 An ocean's wide expanse, with leagues un- told Of untracked waters, 'neath a tropic sun, Where every passing day, till day is done, The sea lies glittering bright, like burnished gold; There storm-winds never blow, There storm-waves never flow. There crystal waters lie Beneath a cloudless sky; — And there is peace. A lake half-hidden, near a mountain's crest, Surrounded by great trees with foliage bright, O'er which the wild-duck wings his circling flight. Near which the eagle builds his lofty nest ; 144 PEACE There, 'neath the sun's bright beam, Wavelets like jewels gleam ; There, lilies white and rare Perfume the still soft air ; — And there is peace. A heart all-sensitive, 'midst city din. Pressed hard upon by selfish, jostling crowds, Touched by dark lives which wickedness enshrouds. Forced always, everywhere, to look on sin ; Yet kept by God's great power, Rejoicing hour by hour. Uplifting prayer and psalm. Dwelling in heav'nly calm ; — Ah, there is peace ! 1907 PILGRIMAGE " The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart." (in imitation of old ENGLISH POETRY.) T WENT on pilgrimage one day To find my Lord, the King, For I had lost Him in the way Where worldlings laugh and sing. Alas ! I'd wandered with the throng Which make life holiday. And in my mirth had joined their song And sung their roundelay. But when my mirth was fully past And all my singing done — For careless laughter does not last And songs die with the sun — 10 '« 146 PILGRIMAGE I turned to find my Saviour, Lord, And walk with Him again ; — Ah me. He'd gone, whom I adored, I knew not where, nor when ! For I had grieved Him to the heart By all my thoughtless way, And He had turned, and gone apart, While I kept holiday. And so I went on pilgrimage To seek my Saviour, Lord, Naught else could lonely grief assuage, Naught else could peace afford. I sought Him in the palace proud, Within the hovel rude, I sought Him in the city's crowd, In desert solitude ; PILGRIMAGE 147 I sought Him in the mart and fair, In church and cloister dim, I sought Him, calling everywhere For Him, and only Him ; I sought, and found not, night and day, Till strength and hope were gone, Then, falling to the ground, I lay With hidden face thereon ; And there beneath the heavy stroke Of loneUness and fear, My heart with pain and sorrow broke. And fell the bitter tear :— When suddenly I heard a voice Like that I'd known erstwhile ; I turned and heard One say, " Rejoice ! " And saw a heavenly smile ; 148 PILGRIMAGE And lo, 'twas Christ, my Lord and King, Whom I had sought in vain ; — Ah, how my heart with joy did sing. While tears fell fast like rain ! For He had come on pilgrimage To find His erring child, My sorrow to for e'er assuage By His forgiveness mild. And so He found me in my woe ; — He did not seek in vain : — O Jesu, may / never go On pilgrimage again ! 1907 THE HIGHLANDS " Our citizenship is in heaven.'' (after reading BURNS'S " MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS.") /^H, my heart is in the Highlan's O' the far and fair countree Where the King is waitin', waitin' For His ain, and e'en for me ; There He reigns in a' His glory, I shall see Him ane sweet day, When He ca's me to the Highlan's Wi' Himself for aye to stay. Ah, my heart was in the Lowlan's In the aulden, aulden time, Midst the vapours and the shadows O' the lower, baser clime ; 149 ISO THE HIGHLANDS But the heav'nly Man He sought me An' He deed for me straightwa' ; Then He ga'ed back to the Highlan's An' He bore my heart awa'. Oh, I love the bonnie Highlan's, Wi' its pure an' caller air, Wi' its green fields an' its flowers An' its fragrance everywhere ; Ay, there's no place like the Highlan's For the soul frae sin set free, 'Tis a Ian' o' wondrous beauty, 'Tis the winsome Ian' to me. There's a palace in the Highlan's An' it glistens wi' the licht, For the sun is ever shinin' An' there's never, never nicht. THE HIGHLANDS IS I An' there's music in the palace Sweeter far than a' the soun' That e'er greets the list'nin' dwellers On the lower, Lowlan' groun'. An' enthroned within the palace Is the King sae pure and fair, Wi' His garments a' aglist'nin' An' wi' shinin', snawy hair, Wi' His face sae bricht, resplendent — 'Bune the brichtness o' His croun- That before Him a' the angels An' archangels fa' adoun. Oh, my heart is in the Highlan's, Sae then dinna bid me stay. For I canna but be hamesick For its gowden, blythesome day ; 1 52 THE HIGHLANDS Ay, I'm wearyin' for its beauty,- An' its licht that ne'er grows dim, For the Ane wha's a' its glory An' a lastin sicht o' Him ! 1907 SLUMBER SONG "Thy sleep shall be sweet." (on seeing our youngest child, FOLGER, ASLEEP.) QLEEP, sleep, my darling child, My own, my undefiled, Sleep on, sleep on ; Thine eyes must open soon Upon life's glaring noon, Sleep then until the day, Sleep on while yet you may, Sleep, sleep, my sweet, sleep on. Sleep, sleep, my precious one, Till hours of sleep are done, Sleep on, sleep on ; 153 154 SLUMBER SONG Thy feet have far to go Through paths of toil and woe, Thou needest strength on strength, Then sleep, my child, at length, Sleep, sleep, my sweet, sleep on. Sleep, sleep, my babe adored, May sleep sweet dreams afford. Sleep on, sleep on ; Dreams of a land afar Past shining moon and star. Visions all fair and bright, Outlasting darkest night, Sleep, sleep, my sweet, sleep on. Sleep, sleep, thou child of love, Thy God doth watch above. Sleep on, sleep on ; SLUMBER SONG 1 55 His eye will never sleep, He will for ever keep, Thou needest not to fear For thou art ever dear, Sleep, sleep, my sweet, sleep on. 1908 PRAISE " Giving thanks always." 'TNO you hear the angels singing Up on high ? Do you hear their voices ringing Through the sky ? Oh, the fulness of their song As their praises they prolong, Yea, the voices of that choir Never tire ! Do you hear the saints all praising 'Round the throne ? Do you hear them hymns upraising, One by one ? 156 PRAISE 157 Praising is their glad delight, So they rest not day nor night, Crying, " Holy ! " o'er and o'er, Evermore ! Do you hear the saints adoring Here below? Do you hear them praise outpouring 'Midst earth's woe ? Hark, they sing their sweet refrain. Through their joy and through their pain, Praising, ever, in their love, God above ! Oh, then, add your note, rejoicing. To the praise, Thanks to God for all things voicing. Through the days ; 158 PRAISE Till the earthly singing's done, Till the heav'nly is begun, Till the anthem, 'round Christ's feet, Swells complete ! 1908 A PRAYER " Give ear to my prayer, God'." ^~\ THOU who hearest prayer, Always and everywhere, Rememb'ring how men fare ; Who, though Thou art on high, Hearest Thy children cry, And drawest very nigh : Hear Thou my prayer, this day — Draw near me in life's way. Be Thou my strength and stay ; From blinding sin set free, May I Thy footsteps see, And ever follow Thee ; 159 l6o A PRAYER On through the length'ning years, On, spite of foes and fears, On through the vale of tears ; Till the last hour has come, Till sinks life's setting sun, Till the long journey's done ; So, may I end my days, Then, be with Thee always. Where prayer is turned to praise ; — Amen ! 1908 HAVE WE FORGOT "Now, therefore, why speak ye not a word of bringing the King back ? " (after attending a great missionary con- vention IN WHICH NO REFERENCE WAS MADE TO THE RETURN OF THE LORD.) ' I ■'HE King went forth a kingdom to obtain, With promise to His own to come again ; The long, long years have passed, the years of pain, And yet He cometh not ; — Have we forgot ? II I6l 1 62 HAVE WE FORGOT He bade us keep our hearts for ever pure, And following Him, to suffer and endure, That we to Him might weary men allure, And He might tarry not ; — Have we forgot ? He asked us for Himself to wait and long, To turn our faces from the worldly throng Upward to Him, to whom our lives belong ; And yet He hast'neth not ; — Have we forgot ? And thus the days go by ; we joy and sing, We take His gifts — yet little to Him bring, And speak no word of bringing back the King; And so He cometh not — We have forgot ! HAVE WE FORGOT I 63 O Christ our King, forgive us this our sin, And help us, henceforth, many lives to win, That we may haste to bring Thy kingdom in ; — And oh, forget us not Though we've forgot ! 1908 EARTH-BOUND " Oh, thai I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away, and be at rest ! " T CANNOT rise To wished-for place within the skies, But I am left to stand Upon this clod-heaped land, Pressed down with burd'ning discontent Because of earth's environment. Destined to die and sleep Beneath the sod, so deep That soon the earth will hold Myself turned into mould ; 164 EARTH-BOUND l6S Taken from dust I must Return, at last, to dust. The eagle cleaves the topmost sky, The gull spreads forth his wings on E'en tiny insects mount on strong, swift wings And look down, from their height, on earthly things, But I, a man, But can Walk heavy-footed on this lower earth, Longing and waiting for a higher birth. If I had wings, Like the sweet lark that sings. And, as it sings, soars out of sight, I should take flight And rise into the heavenly blue ; This I should do, l66 EARTH-BOUND For I for ever long To learn the heavenly song Which those can never know Who grovel here below ; But here on earth I walk To envy e'en some carrion hawk, A common thing, And yet on wing, With wings outspread Above my head ! Oh, to cast off this heavy weight Which keeps me in this lower state ; Oh, for strong power to rise and rise To longed-for place in upper skies ! Hark to the birds on high Which heav'nward fly ; Hark to the glad, pulsating song Which does for e'er to them belong ; But I can never with them sing EARTH-BOUND 167 Since I am not on wing, I can but moan and wait, Disconsolate : — And lo, the turtle-dove moans with me from his nest ; Had I but wings I too should fly away and be at rest ! igo8 VESPERS " The day goetk away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out," (after attending evening service in an english cathedral.) DEYOND the square of the old church tower, Where the bell is tolling the evening hour, The sun sinks low in its glory-red To a long night's rest in its ocean-bed ; The sunlight falls on the ancient fane, On arch and lintel and window-pane, On lofty roof and on high-peaked choir, On tower and turret and slender spire. Till the old stone church, with its ivy green, Seems to glow in a flame of celestial sheen. VESPERS 169 Through the' stained-glass windows the sunset bright Throws its measureless rays of radiant light, Touching with lustre carved saints' of old And winged angels with harps of gold, Making resplendent the chilly gloom Of darkened recess and shadowy tomb, And, flashing glory the nave across, Through the chancel's length to the brazen cross, It falls upon it, a crimson flood. Till the cross seems bathed in a tide of blood. The tones of the bell are now dying away. And, at last, they pass, as passes the day. When out from the church sounds the vesper- hymn, As the worshipping saints sing praise to Him 170 VESPERS Who is Lord of all — of the day and the night, And who watches His own from the heavenly height ; Then follow the words of the evening prayer, Which fall on the hearts of the worshippers there All peaceful and still, with the blessing of God, As the dew falls soft on the waiting sod, And to all the prayers both women and men, With heads bowed low, say a glad " Amen ! " Beyond the square of the old church tower, Where the bell is tolUng the curfew hour, The sun goes down in its glory-red. To its long night's rest in its ocean-bed. 1908 MY CREED " Lord, I believe, kelp Thou mine unbelief •" nPHAT God doth live, enthroned in heaven above, Existing in three persons, and yet One, The everlasting Father, Spirit, Son, Whom I may worship and for ever love ; That Jesus died for me on Calvary's tree. And then ascended to His Father's throne. Thenceforth to ever intercede for me Until He comes to gather home His own ; 171 172 MY CREED That God hath sent the Holy Spirit down, To keep, to guide, to sanctify, to bless, So I may wear, at last, a victor's crown And reign with Christ, who will my name confess ; This — 'spite of sin and doubt's o'ershadowing grief — This I believe ; Lord, help mine unbelief ! 1908 "REST IN PEACE" " Go thy way till the end be, for thou shall rest." 'HP WAS the midnight hour and the world was still, Except for the moan of the wind on the hill, And all was dark, save for rays of light Which fell from the glimmering stars of night. When suddenly rising through misty cloud — Like a beauteous maiden in trailing shroud — The moon burst forth, in radiant sheen, To cast bright glory upon the scene : The light bejewelled the vine-clad bowers And made resplendent the trees and the flowers, 173 174 "REST IN PEACE" And it threw long beams on the verdant sod Till they looked like a pathway up to God ; And there, disclosed by the rising moon, Was an old churchyard, with a sculptured tomb. With graves and headstones, in rows out- spread, The resting-place of the sainted dead ; And lo, in the midst was a high, stone cross. Which bore this legend its arms across, In letters which flamed in the light's increase ; " Who sleepeth in Jesus, resteth in peace." 1908 AFTERWARD "No chastening . . . seemetk joyous; nevertheless aftehaard it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness" OAIN, rain Beating against the pane ; How endlessly it pours, Out of doors, From the blackened sky ; — I wonder why ! Flowers, flowers Upspringing after showers. Blossoming fresh and fair. Everywhere ; — Ah, God has explained Why it rained ! 1908 "75 QUIETNESS " When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble V r^ASSING one day beside Niagara's stream, In the glad time of Nature's wakening, When winter yields to spring and spring doth bring Bright sunshine, fragrant flowers and singing birds, I paused beside the river where its flow Is most disturbed — the rapids in the gorge — And watched the waters as they passed me by. There I beheld, under the cloudless sky, In sight of flowers, in sound of warbling birds, The broad, deep river, rushing on and on, Tossed to and fro, revolving round and round, 176 QUIETNESS 177 With whirlpools, and with waves which dashed themselves Into white foam upon the blackened rocks, Till all the river seemed alive and mad, A very hell of waters, near and far, Abysmal depths of discord and of pain. And as I looked, I saw just opposite. Right in the waters' midst, upon the wave, A tiny block, resting all calm and still. Not moving down the stream, nor turning round, As still and calm as if on crystal sea. Astonished at the sight, I looked again. And then with fixed gaze, unwav'ringly, Till all my doubts had gone, for there the wood Remained quiescent as I saw it first. Then studying the strange sight I found its cause ; — The block was held just at the central point 12 178 QUIETNESS Of a great whirlpool's course, where, rushing round, The water met and formed a place of calm. As if there were no whirlpool, nor mad rush Of frenzied waters leaping to the sea. And there I learned that day a lesson new. Beneath bright heav'n, beside the troubled stream, How very calm one's daily life may be. In midst of all the torrent-rush of cares, The pressing, maddening tides of daily tasks. Which dash and whirl till sense is almost gone. If only one may learn the lesson blest. To hide within the world's great central Will — God's will for us, all perfect good and true ; For there, in spite of all, in midst of all. We shall find rest, abiding, deep, complete. And thus find quietness, for evermore ! 1908 GOLDEN ROD " He hath made everything beautiful in his time." /'~\NLY a weed, they say, and I suppose 'tis true, But oh, sweet golden rod, I would I were like you, Gladd'ning strained, weary eyes along the dusty ways, Standing so strong and fresh through long, hot summer days, And wearing for bright attire the sunlight's glorious hue; — Ah me, sweet golden rod, would God I were like you ! 1908 179 SHADOWS " Until . . . the shadows flee away." 'T'HE springtime sun burst forth to-day After the long, dull winter's cold, Upon the hardened ground it lay Like furnace-glowing, radiant gold, It warmed the earth where snow had lain, And, following after springtime rain, It wooed a new life from the old. The springtime buds sprang forth to-day On plants and vines and shrubs and trees, While the glad birds sang roundelay Amidst the droning of the bees; l8o SHADOWS l8l Flowers, 'neath the sunlight's golden dower, Burst forth within a single hour, To cast sweet fragrance on the breeze. All the great world is bright to-day, And every living thing is glad, For beauteous spring has come to stay That all the earth may be new-clad ; — Alas, alas, in spite of spring, I cannot joy, I cannot sing, Somehow my heart is dark and sad ! Oh, shame, thrice shame, upon this day When there is beauty everywhere. When all the world is blithe and gay. And sunlight flashes through the air, That shadows o'er my heart should lie — As clouds o'ershade a sunlit sky — Turning my joy to dark despair. 1 82 SHADOWS Rise, rise, bright Sun, rise high to-day — Thou brighter Sun than that I see. Chase all my darkness far away And let Thy radiance fall on me ; Then shall my heart be glad and sing. Then shall I joy with everything. And shadows will for ever flee ! 1908 SUBMISSION " Thy will be cloned (after seeing HOFMAN's picture, "CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE.") r'\ JESUS CHRIST, Thou suff'ring Man of prayer. Help me in prayer Thy sufferings to share. That, learning at Thy side, on bended knee. The deep, sweet lesson of Gethsemane, I may repeat with Thee — the vict'ry won — " Not my will, Father, but Thy will be done ! " 1908 183 WEARINESS " There the weary are at rest'' Y' ''EARS! And also fears ; The way is long, The battle's to the strong, And I am weak ; I dare not seek For many years ! Years ! Ay, also tears ; I have been glad. But far more often sad ; 184 WEARINESS l8S Now life's far past And what will last Are wearier years ! Years ! The way appears A way of gloom ; There seems no resting room In life below ; Hence, tears will flow For better years I Years ! Christ only cheers ; When I shall stand Safe home at His right hand, Then it will be That I shall see The joy of years ! 1 86 WEARINESS Years ! Life disappears I — Ay, let it go That I may sooner know The bliss of rest Among the blest Through heav'nly years! igo8 THROUGH DEATH TO LIFE " Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.' T O, a lily-blade is springing Through the soil of Galilee, Into beauteous life upspringing, Into joy and ecstasy ; — " Oh," it cries, " how glad the hour When my leaf will turn to flower." Lo, a lily-flower is standing In a glade of Galilee, With its petals wide expanding, Fair in whitest purity ; — " Oh," it cries, " to stand for e'er, Blooming thus, all bright and fair ! " 187 l88 THROUGH DKATH TO LIFE Lo, a lily-flower is dying In a Hand in Galilee, While a sweet-toned Voice is crying In divinest sympathy ; — "Solomon was ne'er arrayed Like this lily of the glade ! " So the lily died to living In the vale of Galilee, Yea, it died — its sweet life giving To the Man of charity ; Then the Man, upon that day, Smiled upon it where it lay ! Now the lily lies forsaken In the dust of Galilee, Never will its life awaken, It has died eternally ; — Yet this lily of the glade Lives as none God ever made ! 1908 ENSLAVED " A bond-slave of fesus Christ." T WENT into the fields one day In the sweet beauty of the spring, My heart was light and glad and gay And thus I fell to carolling. I sang of skies of radiant blue, Of fleecy clouds and balmy air, Of leaf and grass of softest hue. Of fragrant flowers divinely fair ; 189 190 ENSLAVED Of great-winged birds afloat on high, Of song-birds warbling in the trees, Of bright-hued insects darting by. Of the low drone of swarming bees ; And then I sang, as sang the birds Which soared within the heavenly blue, In loudest, most triumphant words The sweetest song my full heart knew, Of life's glad freedom, now and aye. Which stirred the heart to joy and sing, Which makes life one long holiday And sets the lips to carolUng. " Free, free," I sang, " for ever free, The slave of no one, God or man, Myself a king, at Uberty, My kingdom all mine eye doth scan ! " ENSLAVED 191 II. But suddenly my singing ceased, For there beside the verdant field, In midst of crowd — which e'er increased — A journeying Stranger was revealed. He walked along the dusty way With smiling face and gentle eye, He seemed to hear what each did say And seemed to catch the faintest sigh ; And, now and then. He paused to touch Some body racked with piercing pain. And often He would speak to such As seemed fast-bound by Satan's chain ; Then, as He passed, He looked on me — He spake no word. He made no sign — But smiled in tend'rest sympathy And fixed His yearning eyes on mine ; 192 ENSLAVED And somehow — how I do not know — I joined the throng in dusty way And followed Him, not fast nor slow, But e'er beside Him, day by day ; And somehow — ^how I cannot tell — The toilsome way seemed sweet to me, Sweeter by far than dale and dell And greenest fields could ever be ; And somehow, too, I found it peace To follow captive in His train ; Yea, 'twas a joy which did increase To live beneath His gentle reign ; And so, once more, my heart did sing — Ay, as it never sang before — And thus I fell to carolling Of Him whom now I did adore ; ENSLAVED I 93 And this is what my lips did sing E'en as I walked in crowded way : — " I am a slave of Christ my King, A captive-slave, for now and aye ; " For I have found eternal rest In trusting His eternal word. And I have found my life all blest In hailing Him as Saviour-Lord." So now I follow, on and on, Beside the Christ, in dusty way ; Green fields and liberty are gone — But life is one long holyday ! 1908 13 THE NAME " God also hath given Him a name which is above every name." T^HERE is a name, a wondrous name, Of infinite and endless fame, By God beloved, by saints revered. By angels and archangels feared. Ordained by God 'fore world began, Revealed by angels unto man, Proclaimed by men, believed, adored. By hearts in prayer and praise outpoured, The theme of prophet, priest and king. The word of which sweet psalmists sing, By pilgrims blessed, by suff' rers sung. The last word breathed byi martyr's tongue, 194 THE NAME 195 The name most precious and sublime, Supreme in space, supreme in time. Destined to live and conquer all Till all knees everywhere shall fall And tongues confess — what God proclaims— This name to be the Name of names, The name which in high heaven will be The One Name of eternity ; — Then, O my soul, its praise forthtell, Jesus — the name ineffable ! 1908 HEART-BREAK "/ adjure you — if ye find my beloved that ye tell him that I am sick from love" I HAVE lost my Love to-day, Lost Him in the crowded way, While I turned aside to see Life in its festivity ; — Oh, to look into His face And to find His pard'ning grace ! Ah, my heart, how fair this world When its beauties are unfurled. How they glitter, dazzle, blind, How they 'snare the heart and mind ! — Tell me, and oh, tell me true. Has my Love been seen by you ? ig6 HEART-BREAK 1 97 I did take my wanton way With the throngs all through the day, Seeking pleasures, sweet and rare, Joyful, without thought or care ; Now 'tis night ; — oh, can you tell Where my grieved Love doth dwell ? Days are long and full of Ught, Pleasures sweet and joyance bright But the night, how dark and drear And how full of dread and fear ! — Oh, that I could find my Love, Then I would no longer rove ! If you see my Love, do you Tell Him that my love is true That grief's tears my eyes bedim As I seek and call for Him ; — Will you, in sweet charity, Help to find my Love for me ? 198 HEART-BREAK Ah, I wander all alone — Would I could for sin atone, I would give my very heart, With my very life would part, If in giving, dying I Might but find my Love was nigh ! Hear me. Love — I cry, I moan, Thee I long for. Thee alone If Thou wilt return to me I will never part from Thee ; — Hear me all, below, above, Tell my Love, I die from love ! 1908 COMMUNION HYMN " This do in remembrance of Me." ^~\ MY soul, do thou keep silence, Here thou meetest with thy God, Come and feast, in sweet reliance. But with spirit bowed and awed ; Hush the voice and still the mind, Here thou wilt thy Saviour find. O my soul, do thou remember This is sacred, holy ground, Sign of when Christ's every member On the cruel cross was found, There He died in agony ; — Come, then, humbly, gratefully. 199 200 COMMUNION HYMN O my soul, be thou preparing, It is Christ who welcomes thee, Richest blessing with thee sharing, Foretaste of eternity ; He doth grant thee heavenly food, Giving thee His flesh and blood. O my soul, thy sins forsaking In remembrance of Christ's love, From this food new vigour taking, Set thy face toward things above ; Christ is here thy life to win. And to free thee from all sin. O my soul, feast on believing, Eat the bread and drink the wine. In these tokens Christ perceiving, Worship Him, and make Him thine ;- Then arise with grateful song Since thou dost to Christ belong ! 1908 A SONG ^^ Singing, and making melody in your heart, to the Lord.' OASSING through dusty way One glaring, heated day, With mind intent, On duty bent, Footsore and worn. With brow forlorn, There reached me from the hills, In tuneful, praiseful rills, A glad, sweet heart'ning song ; — To whom it did belong I could not tell, 202 A SONG But this I knew full well, It reached my heart And caused glad tears to start, And made me quite forget The ills and fret Which had put far away The joyance of the day ; And this I also knew That it proved true, That from that hour, There passed the power Of burd'ning heart-break, Till awake To the sweet beauties Of life's blest duties, I quite forgot the long-drawn way And all the heat of glaring day, And henceforth only sought That life might be full-fraught A SONG 203 With glad and praiseful love For men, and Christ above ; — And now I long To hear another song ; And, too, to sing and sing. Till burdened hearts upspring, That I may others make New courage take ; And whether they will know Who 'twas that blessed them so, I do not care If only there Be left in some sad heart a praiseful song, There echoing, o'er and o'er, a full life long, And that heart learn. In blessed turn. To sing, and yet again to sing. For sake of men, and Christ our King, 204 A SONG And thus to serve, Without reserve, In life's long, dusty ways. Till countless burdened hearts are turned to song and praise ! 1908 SANCTUARY " The Lord of hosts — He shall be a sanctuary. '' I. T TURNED aside from haunts of men To seek some lonely, wooded glen, Where 'midst sweet beauty I might lie And watch, by day, the sunlit sky, Or, keeping vigil in the night, Might gaze upon the wondrous sight Of heaven's expanse, anear yet far, Lit up by beauteous moon and star, While, fixing thought on God alone, I might, by thought, for sins atone, Till fully cleansed from all earth's stain I should be whole and pure again, 205 206 SANCTUARY And thus be meet, when I should die, To find swift entrance to the sky; I soon had left the haunts of men, I found the wooded, silent glen. But 'midst the beauty, sweet and rare, I fell into the Tempter's snare ; — Alas, sin dwelt within my breast, And so I failed to find my rest ! I took my way from shaded wood Until in wilderness I stood, Where, making home in rocky cave — By penance my lost soul to save — I sat me down within the heat. Where noontide rays did fiercest beat, And there remained till night was old And heat had given place to cold, And thus again, and yet again, SANCTUARY 207 Till 1 was worn and racked with pain ; I made the stony ground my bed, I lived on roots and mouldy bread, I said long prayers, and o'er and o'er, I wept till I could weep no more, I poured my moans forth like a flood, I scourged my flesh, I shed my blood ; But, 'spite of bitter sacrifice, I fell 'fore Satan's set device ; — Alas, sin ruled within my breast. And so I failed to find my rest ! III. I sought out monastery grand, On sacred mount, in Holy Land, To live amidst earth's saintliest men, Gathered from distant town and glen. Who, longing for the inner light. Sought in grave silence, day and night, 208 SANCTUARY The face of Christ to contemplate And on His death to meditate ; And there I dwelt within my cell, My prayers to chant, my beads to tell, And there — one silent, midnight hour. Seeking to foil the Tempter's power — I cut upon my breast, as sign, The Name ineffable. Divine, In hope of 'scaping hell's abyss And finding heaven's eternal bliss ; — But, spite of cell and prayers and Name, The Tempter tempted me the same, And, since sin reigned within my breast I failed to find my longed-for rest ! IV. I turned at last, old and undone^ With face set toward the setting sun. Backward to earliest town and home. SANCTUARY 209 Unable more, in quest, to roam, With longing in my heart to lie On boyhood cot, and there to die ; I passed through wilderness and glen, I reached the busy haunts of men, I found my boyhood cot, and there I knelt to breathe my last night's prayer ; And as I knelt — once more a child — I cried to Christ, the Undeiiled, For pardon for a life of sin. For purity, without, within ; — And there, the Christ, in love Divine, Took hold upon this life of mine, And there He made Himself to be A Sanctuary blest for me ; And lo. He drove sin from my breast ; — And so, at last, I found my rest ! 1908 14 OUR FATHERLAND " Thine eyes — shall behold the land that is very far ojff^." (suggested by ZINZENDORF'S hymn, "JESUS, STILL LEAD ON.") /^HRIST will lead us on Till our life is done; He from evil will defend us, In all trials will befriend us, Till our feet shall stand In our Fatherland. Christ will make our way Bright as noontide day ; He will ever walk beside us. OUR FATHERLAND 211 He will hold and He will guide us, Till we reach the strand Of our Fatherland. Christ will give us cheer E'en when foes are near ; With His strength He will surround us, Yea, when doubt doth most confound us He will point His hand To our Fatherland. Christ, in death's dark vale, Will for us prevail ; By His arm He will sustain us. In His peace He will maintain us, Till the scenes expand Of our Fatherland. Christ will bring us where We His joy shall share ; 212 OUR FATHERLAND There His power will e'er uphold us, There His love will e'er enfold us — When our feet shall stand In our Fatherland ! 1908 THE CALL OF THE EAST " There are — many voices in the world." 1~^0 you hear the East a-calling, Day by day? Do you hear its plaint a-falling, Far away ? Crying out, since sore distrest, Pleading, pleading to be blest, Needy East to tardy West ; — " Do not stay ! " See, the peach-trees high a-growing, Fresh and fair ; See, the cherry blossoms blowing Through the air ; 213 214 THE CALL OF THE EAST Lo, the spices breathe forth balm, Sweet the shade of fronded palm, In the bright, warm tropic calm, Over therCi Hark, the sound of merry laughter, Bright and clear, Happy tale, and then the after Happier cheer ; Boys and girls with sparkling eyes, Women showing glad surprise, Men more grave, since gravely wise, Far, as near. But beneath the beauteous brightness. Dark and death. And behind the heart's glad lightness. Bated breath ; — THE CALL OF THE EAST 215 Ah, they bow to gods of stone Which for sin can ne'er atone ; Hear you not the cry and moan, As God saith ? Yea, the East is calling, calling 'Cross the seas, For the shadows are a-falling As life flees ; Dark the day, in spite of light, Darker still the long-drawn night. Shadows sinful souls affright. Such as these. Coming, coming, I am coming, I'll not stay, Ev'ry fear, at last, o'ercoming, I'll away ; 2l6 THE CALL OF THE EAST Yea, the East sfiall meet the West, Hear, O East, thou shalt be blest, Jesus yet will give thee rest ; Blessed day ! 1908 THE WOODMAN'S SONG " The trees— which the Lord hath planted." T ET all who will walk the city street And gaze on the high house walls, Their only music — the beat of their feet And the sound of the huckster's calls ; — Give me the woods which the Lord has made, With its vines and its leaves of green And the birds a-caroUing in the shade And the glint of the sun's bright sheen. Do you want a cathedral with towers and spires ? Do you look for a cloister dim? Do you long for voices, and virgin choirs. And God — and a sight of Him ? 217 21 8 THE woodman's SONG Come out of the city which man has made And dwell in the wild-wood fair Beneath the trees of the glen and the glade — You will find what you seek for there. I grant that it's true that God does dwell With men in the stone-built town, And that He hears when the anthems swell In cathedrals of great renown — But I choose to worship in village church And then to walk in the glade Where you find God near, though you do not search. In the woods which His hands have made. Oh, the wave in the corn in the clearing 'round As it bends 'fore the summer breeze. Oh, the shadows cast on the grass-clad ground By the swaying limbs of the trees, THE WOODMAN'S SONG 219 Oh, the arching branches above your head And the long vines swinging by, Oh, the sunlit leaves, some green, some red. And the glimpse of the azure sky ! Oh, the soft, gray moss beneath your feet And the near-by ferns, bright green. Oh, the tunes of the song-birds, clear and sweet. And the squirrel's sharp chatter between, Oh, the soft, low voice of the babbling brook As it glides through the glade and the glen— Ah, here is God's church, and here is a book Which His hand has writ large for men ! Then make the city of stone your home If such be your mind and choice — But let me out in the wild-woods roam Where my worshipping heart may rejoice ; 220 THE woodman's SONG Yea, let me abide 'neath the arching trees With their heads held up to the sky ; And oh, — 'neath their fallen, covering leaves Do you lay me down when I die ! igoS THE VIRGIN'S MEDITATION " Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also." 'T'HE shadows fall on the silent earth As the sun sinks low in the west, And I hold my Babe of the heavenly birth, His head laid soft on my breast ; Sleep, sleep, my Child ; — aye, the shadows fall And lie on the earth like a heavy pall ! The dove is making his sad lament In the oak on the crest of the hill, And the olive-trees, by the night-winds bent, Sing a requiem, loud and shrill ; But sleep, my Child, sleep still and deep ; — It is not Thy time to lament and weep I 222 THE virgin's MEDITATION The wind blows cold from the great, wide sea, And the waves beat hard on the shore ; Ah, I saw the lightning flash o'er Thee, And hark, how the thunders roar ; Stir not, my Child, not yet is pain ; — But forgive if my teardrops fall like rain ! The night creeps on, the dark'ning night. And my heart is o'erwhelmed with fear ; Hush, hush, my Child, soon cometh light, And Thy Father is ever near; — And, God, my God^ grant me Thy power Till past is the pain of that awful hour ! 1908 CHILD PRAYERS " And the child — ministered unto the Lord" Morning. TPHOU, God, has kept me through the night And brought me to the morning light, Now keep and bless me through the day And lead me in the heavenly way, That all I do, while I shall wake, May be for Thee — for Jesus' sake : — Amen ! Evening. Dear Father, keep me through the night And guard me till the morning light, 223 224 CHILD PRAYERS While I shall sleep, do Thou be near, Protecting me from harm and fear, And may I in the morn awake To live for Thee — ^for Jesus' sake : — Amen ! 1908 THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY- FIRST PSALM OHALL I lift up my longing eyes Unto the hills around ? From whence shall come my needed help, Where shall my aid be found ? From God, the Lord, come help and aid, Who hath the earth and heavens made. He will not let thy foot be moved. For He that keepeth thee Will never slumber, yea, the Lord Will never weary be ; Lo, He that Israel's tribes doth keep Shall never slumber, never sleep. IS 226 HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST PSALM The Lord's thy keeper. Lo, He is Thy shade on thy right hand, Nor sun nor moon shall ever smite, For He will by thee stand ; He shall preserve thee, and control, Yea, He shall ever keep thy soul. The Lord, in all thy going out, In all thy coming in, Shall keep thee §afe from every harm, Preserving thee from sin ; Yea, day and night, till life is o'er. From henceforth, and for evermore! 1908 SOVEREIGNTY " He doeth whatsoever pUaseth Him!' A SHIP set forth o'er a tranquil sea With its sails full-spread on the bending mast, It sailed o'er the deep like a bird set free, And it reached its haven, all safe, at last ; Its voyage was ended in peace and calm, And the anchor was dropped with a praiseful psalm. A ship set forth o'er a storm-tossed tide, And soon the sails were all rent and torn ; One night the breakers were heard at the side And the rocks loomed out of the op'ning morn ; 228 SOVEREIGNTY There was sudden shock, there were cries of pain, And the great ship sank in the seething main. There was One who sat on His heav'nly throne, With His eyes firm-fixt on the sea and land, The winds were His servants and His alone, And the waters were held in His sovereign hand ; And He did what He pleased on the land and sea. And His name was — Infinite Mystery ! 1908 A HEART WISH " My heart's desire and prayer." ' I ""HAT I may know, yet more and more, The love of God, whom I adore, That I may be, increasingly, The man that He would have me be. That, loved and kept, I may find grace To serve before Him, face to face, And that, at last, my great reward May be the " WeU done I " of my Lord ; This is my wish — may all beside Be on yon cross, and crucified ! 1908 WANDERERS' SONG ' Who can have compassion — on them that are out of the way." TESUS, we are far astray From the strait and narrow way, Bring us back, we humbly pray ; Jesus, hear and save us ! Draw us with Thy cords of love, Fix our hearts on Thee above, That we may no longer rove ; Jesus, hear and bless us ! Save us from life's snare and sin, Make us Thine, without, within, Grant us strength the prize to win ; Jesus, hear and help us ! 330 WANDERERS' SONG 23 1 Keep us ever at Thy side, Held by Thee, whate'er betide, Loved and blessed, and satisfied ; Jesus, hear and keep us ! Take us, when we come to die, To Thyself, in heaven on high, There to dwell, e'er safe and nigh ; Jesus, hear and save us ! 1909 T' COMPENSATION " Nevertheless, afterward ! " ^HE year is slowly, sadly dying — Let it die ! Dead leaves on withered flowers are lying — Let them lie ! Were there no autumn, there would be no spring ; And hearts 'midst springtime joys would never sing ! My life is surely, sadly ending — Let it end ! Its way toward death is swiftly tending — Let it tend ! Should earth not cease, then heav'n would not begin And heaven's eternal joys I ne'er should win ! 1908 WHAT I SHOULD DO " And the disciples . . . went and told Jesus." TF Jesus, Man of heavenly birth, Were living here on lower earth, I know that I should go to Him At morning hour, or twilight dim, Or e'en at night — whene'er was need, My need to tell, my want to plead ; I should not grovel at His feet, I should not cry aloud, or weep, But, humbly looking on His face. All trustful of His love and grace, I'd tell him simply as a child — This Jesus with the face so mild — My every want, my every need, Believing He would give me heed ; 234 WHAT I SHOULD DO And I should ask Him to fulfil, As seemed best to His holy will, All I desired, and so much more As He might grant from love's great store ; Then, I should thank Him, as I stood, For what I knew He surely would Give to my life, or eke, withhold. As love its choices would unfold ; And then I should turn back to life Of work or play, of peace or strife, With heart so glad and satisfied That rest, whatever should betide, Would be my portion, night and day, As I went onward through life's way ; This I should do, I surely know, If Jesus only lived below ; But oh, my life is shadowed o'er, For He is not here as of yore ! WHAT I SHOULD DO 23S O faithless heart ! Hast never heard Of what is written in the Word, That Jesus now is just the same As when as Son of Man He came ? Dost thou not know that He is near, That He may be as real, as dear, As e'er He was in Galilee When children gathered 'round His knee And men spake to Him, face to face, Constrained by all His love and grace ? O longing heart, draw near, draw tiear. And let this Saviour give thee cheer. For He who lived upon the earth Is still the Man of heavenly birth. And there in heav'n He waits to be The same sweet Man of Charity ! [go8 A QUESTION "■Pray without ceasing," JUST a glance above And a half-breathed prayer, Yet a Father's love And a Father's care ; — Then why not pray by night and day And have that love and care alway? 1909 236 ADORATION " Great is our Lord, and of great power ; His understanding is infinite." (lord TENNYSON USED TO PRAY, IN THE GREAT CRISES OF HIS LIFE, " O THOU INFINITE ; AMEN ! ") /^ THOU Infinite; Amen !— God of all the sons of men, Ever highest, and yet low, Thou from whom compassions flow, Bearer of Thy people's sin. Seeking weary souls to win, Welcomer of all who seek, Strengthener of all the weak 238 ADORATION Comforter in sore distress, Ready needy lives to bless, Filling earth, as heav'n above, With infinitude of love,' Life of life and light of light, Full of wisdom and of might, Ruler o'er created things, Lord of lords and King of kings. Perfect in Thyself and ways. Worthy of eternal praise, Loved by the redeemed host. Father, Son and Holy Ghost, We Thy triune Name confess, Thee we supplicate and bless ; Worshipping, we say it then ; O Thou Infinite — Amen ! 1908 THE MINISTRY OF SUFFERING " These are they which came out of great tribulation.^' (to a friend in the ministry, on the anniversary of the death of his be- loved wife.) 'T^HERE are those suff'ring without tears, Whose faces wear the look that cheers, Whose voices hold in every tone The accent learned at heaven's throne. Whose hands and feet in ministry Show forth love's tend'rest sympathy, Who, without consciousness or guile, By thoughtful word and winsome smile, 239 240 THE MINISTRY OF SUFFERING Bring blessing to the sons of men And comfort saddest hearts — e'en when For them there is no light or love, Save as these fall from heaven above, And vfho their lonely way must tread, While eyes see visions of the dead And ears hear voices silent now, And who beneath God's stroke must bow Though hearts do break, and break again From overweight of hidden pain ; These are the saints who meekly go Beside the Christ who walks below, And these are they who, clothed in white, Will walk with Him in realms of light Through that long painless, wondrous day When God has wiped all tears away ! 1908 A MOTHER'S MEDITATION " Can a woman forget her . . . child? . . . yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.^' OWEET infant, slumber on my soft, warm breast, For thou art mine, Sleep sweet and long, and take thy needed rest. For I am thine ; — Oh, that I could as safely, closely lie Upon the breast of Him who lives on high ! I watch thee, darUng, with a tender love, For thou art dear, My head bends fondly o'er thee from above. For I am near ; — l6 ^41 242 A MOTHER'S MEDITATION Would I could know that thus my Saviour-Lord Bends over me in love, to love afford ! I sing thee songs, my precious, songs of joy, I thee adore, Of pleasures deep and sweet, without alloy. And evermore ; — Ah me, I wonder if the Christ doth sing O'er me in joy, in spite of wandering ! And as I sing, I pray for thee, my child, For I do long That thou shalt be all kept, Christ's undefiled. And brave and strong ; — Oh, that my Lord may ever pray for me, That I be kept in His own sanctity. Stir not, my child, I hold thee close and fast. Rest sweetly on, A MOTHER'S MEDITATION 243 My strength is all for thee while strength shall last, Till life is gone ; — Thus, would I rest, all free from life's alarhis. Held fast and safe in Everlasting Arms ! 1908 A SHEPHERD SONG " lestis, that great Shepherd of the sheep" TESUS, Shepherd of Thy sheep, Thou who dost kind vigil keep, While we wake and while we sleep, May we dwell with Thee. Do thou keep us from all harm, Save us e'en from wild alarm. Guard us by Thy mighty arm. As we follow Thee. Lead us forth to pastures new, Do Thou fainting strength renew, Be for e'er our Shepherd true, While we walk with Thee. 244 A SHEPHERD SONG 245 When the new day has begun, Through the hours of glaring sun, Till the day is fully done, Keep us close to Thee. When the day is overpast. When the night has come at last, By Thy hand enfolded fast. We would rest by Thee. When we pass through death's dark vale, When dread foes do us assail, Let thy rod and staff prevail. While we trust in Thee. When we reach the heavenly land And sweet joys 'fore us expand, May we dwell beneath Thy hand, Kept for e'er by Thee. 1908 A PARALLEL " SAe laid Him in a manger.'' " To give light to them that sit in darkness." — " Until Christ be formed in you." " Christ in you, the -hope of glory.'' Vy/ITHIN the sky, a God who gave, Below on earth, a stony cave, Within the cave, a mother mild, Beside her there, a new-born Child ; — And lo, a world of darkest night Illumined with a radiant Light ! A throne of grace in heaven above. Upon the throne, a God of love, Below on earth, a heart of sin And Christ, by faith, re-born within ; — And lo, a life of sinfulness Turned into radiant holiness ! 1908 246 HUMILITY " God . . . giveth grace unto th THE WILD ROSE (to my daughter hildegarde, upon her eighteenth birthday.) T^HREE roses bloomed in the garden bed, One was all white and the others were red, They were straight and tall, and were strangely rare As they shed sweet fragrance upon the air, And they grew and blossomed beneath the sun Till the spring was past and the summer begun, 247 248 HUMILITY One day in the summer the gardener old Came up from the pasture beyond the fold — Where the sheep were kept and the cattle fed- Till he stood near the house by the garden bed, And he held in his hands a trailing vine Which had grown in the woods — the eglantine. The wild-rose trembled in stem and flower, And, so frail was its leaf, that a single hour From the shade of the wood had made it fade, For its delicate branches had not been made To grow and bloom near the haunts of men But only in wooded and shadowy glen. But the gardener placed it with tender care In the soft, rich soil by the porch, just where The shadows fell and the dews lay long. HUMILITY 249 And there he trailed its branches along The trellis-work, where he bound them fast, In the hope that the rose would revive and last. And lo, 'neath the gardener's patient hand. The vine took root and began to expand. Twining lonig tendrils first here, then there, And lifting its leaves and flowers in the air, Till, at last, it stood, uplifted and tall. The straightest and tallest and fairest of all. 'Twas a wonderful sight, this eglantine — This rose transplanted in flower and vine — As it clung to the porch and nodded its head To the roses three in the garden bed, And brightly smiled to the passers by. With its flowers held up to the sunlit sky ; 250 HUMILITY So winsome it was that, oft in a day, The little children would stop in their play And count its roses, a full eighteen. When, standing off with a tender mien. They would throw it kisses — both girls and boys — While hushed was their careless laughter and noise ; And sometimes a trav'Uer in dusty road. While wearily bearing some heavy load, Would see, in passing, a flower's sweet face, Blooming all fair in its delicate grace, When, quickly uplifting his bowed-down head, He would go on from thence with a buoyant tread ; And once, it is said, a woman all wild. With her eyes fast fixt on her fatherless child, HUMILITY 251 Who was hast'ning on to the river-bridge — Which stood in the vale just over the ridge — When she saw the rose, stopped short, with a moan, And then turned back — transformed — to her home. So the eglantine, through the summer long, Brought joy to sad hearts, and righted their wrong. Unconscious of all the blessing it brought To lives with suff'ring and sorrow fraught; — And none were more glad, when the summer had fled, Than the roses three in the garden bed ! 1908 LIGHT " In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." (a well-known christian poet, shortly be- fore HE DIED, CRIED OUT: "l WANT THE BLINDS UP ; I WANT TO SEE THE SKY AND THE LIGHT.") T IGHT, give me light! the light of life is fading, Let me see light, the light on land and sea, Light, radiant light, the darkness all pervading, That light that lightens all the world, and me. 252 LIGHT 2S3 Now, now I see the light o'er all resplendent ; — And yet its brightness shines not as of yore ; My soul cries out, upon bright light dependent ; Oh, for the light, and oh, for more and more ! Light has been mine through all the days of living, Fair, beauteous light — through nature, home, and friends. Life, long, glad life, its rich effulgence giving ; — But now it fades as my long journey ends. Must life grow dark ? Is there no light eternal ? ust moon and stars and sun all fade away? Must the bright light of nature, sweet and vernal, Give place at last to nature's cold decay? Missing Page Missing Page 2S6 A CONFESSION The more I seek, the more is mystery ; The dark e'er deepens in intensity; I yearn for wisdom, light, for these I cry, They stand far off, not nigh. I grasp at substance, and I find it air ; I place my foot on rock, and naught is there ; I think high thoughts, they turn to foolishness And add to my distress. E'en love is e'er imperfect here below ; The fondest hopes are often turned to woe ; At heart of sweetest joy lies secret pain. And life is loss, not gain. Yea, I have seen life's ideals pass away, As passes into night some brightsome day, 'Till what is left is disappointment keen For things which might have been. A CONFESSION 257 I will not cease my quest, but this I see There is no solving here of mystery ; I will pursue life's ideals, but I know The best is not below. Life, at its best, is brightness shadowed o'er ; Life, 'spite of life, lies ever on before ; Not here, but there in heaven, may hearts abide For ever satisfied. This, then, I've surely found — with God above Is everlasting life, and light, and love; And this, in spite of all that makes life sad — This keeps me ever glad ! 1908 17 RESURRECTION " 1/ a man die, shall he live again?" '■'■The dead in Ch-rist shall rise first." TO A BUTTERFLY. A ND so thou hast burst forth from place of ■^- death, Enshrouded as thou wast, thou beauteous thing ; Wast thou made suddenly by God's sweet breath, With slender body and with radiant wing. Out of dark nothingness, This shadowy world to bless, 238 RESURRECTION 259 With seven-hued colours bright, Like ray of glory-light? Who could have thought on yesterday, When thou didst lie like sodden clay, That, in thy wrapped-up, dark cocoon, There should have happened, and so soon, This miracle of Ufe and light ? As well imagine darksome night Could suddenly be day ! What, goest thou away, And higher up. From buttercup, To white rose on the lifted stem ? Thou lookest like a flashing gem Held fast at snow-white throat ; only thy wings Do pulsate in the very joy of things. And show thou art not dead, as once before, E'er God had opened wide the fast-closed door 26o RESURRECTION Which held thy radiance in — thou wondrous thing, Thou restless insect with the quivering wing! — What, art thou not content With thine environment? Must leave the snow-white rose To be the joy of those Who, by their birth, Love lower earth ? Dost fly to higher trees Where hum the busy bees, Seeking their honeyed dower From newly bloss'ming flower? There, weary insect, take thy rest. And dip thy dark-hued, breathing breast In the bright calyx where the fruit wiU be When the same Hand hath wrought that fashioned thee. Now, thou dost glow with light ; RESURRECTION 261 No one could think that night Once wrapped thee round As one close-bound ; Thou dost with sunlight gleam As if thou wert its beam, Thyself the very light ! — What now? Another flight, Still higher up ? Wilt mount so high That thou wilt touch the azure sky ? Where art thou now ? — I only see A faint-winged, throbbing flash of thee. As thou art merged in seven-fold ray Of the fair gleaming, glittering day : Ah, thou art wholly gone ; Thou didst to heaven belong, God made thee for the skies. So thou didst heavenward rise : Goodbye, Bright butterfly ; 262 RESURRECTION I too, a worm, shall turn to clay, But I shall follow thee one day, Thou happy thing, Thou radiant insect with the outspread wing ! 1908 MORGAN AND SCOTT LTD. 12, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS LONDON, ENGLAND