Pffi!^?^v;'^^ ' A.n«Ti 2^l<-\oH- The date shows when this volume was taken. All books not in use for instruction or re- search are limited to all borrowers. Volumes of periodi- cals and of pamphlets compidse so many sub- jects,that they are held tu the library as much as ppssible. For spe- cial purposes they are given out for a limited time. Gralduates and sen- idrs are allowed five volumes for two weeks. ., Other- students may have two vols, from the circulating library for two weekis. Books not needed during recess periods should be returned to the library, or arrange- ments made for their return during borrow- er's alisence, if wanted. '" Books needed by more than one person are held on the reserve list. Books of special value and gift books, when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to circulate. Cornell University Library PR4779.H12P7 1869 Poems, 3 1924 013 481 431 The original of tliis bool< is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013481431 POEMS. P0EM8. MAEIANNE FARNINGHAM. , Author of "Lays and lyrics of the Blessed Life;" "Life Sketches, and Echoes from the Valley ; " " Hymns for a Week," &c. Such songs hare power to quiet The restless pulse of care, And come like the henediction That follows after prayer. LOHQ FELLOW. SECOND EDITION. JAMES CLARKE & CO., 13, FLEET STKEET. MDCOOLXIX. is « n^ CNWIS BttOTHEBS, PEINTERS, ORESUAM STEAM PRESS, LONDON. PREFACE. " Or making many books there is no end." What a wise man was Solomon ! Could he really have foreseen, in those far-off times, the heaps upon heaps of books which would be showered upon the public in the nineteenth century, when the duty was taken off paper, and printing and book-binding had been brought well-nigh to perfection ? What would he have said now, when we all try to be seen in print, when not only the " wise men " among us, but many of us who have few pretensions to wisdom, try, and not always un- successfully, to put our thoughts into words, and help to swell the number of books ! This little volume would, perhaps, not have seen the light, but that the great kindness with which its pre- decessors have been received, has induced the writer to hope for this also a welcome in some of the happy homes of dear old England, especially at Christmas- time. She does not pretend to consider the lyrics herein contained as anything beyond surface thoughts. They have been suggested by every-day experiences and occurrences, and are therefore unlikely to contain any very deep things ; but they have been written, from time to time, in the hope that others reading them, and finding that there were answering thoughts in their own spirits, might be encouraged to go forward in the homeward path, joining with glad voices in the pilgrim's hymn. We are all very much ahke — the resemblance may not always appear, but it is there. There are minor difi'erences, but the family likeness is strong. We have our faces set in one direction, our hearts are longing for the same good. We have all the same tliirst after knowledge, the desire to penetrate the mysteries within and around us ; the fears and mis- givings, the dim uncertainties that encu-cle our hves, the mists that gather about us, when we would fain see the way clear and bright, before the confidence that would say, " My Lord and my God ; '' and the reticence, which, in self-mistrust and timidity, dares only to catch hold of the hem of his garment, and hide away in the crowd : we have all these things in common, however we may appear outwardly to differ. It is this conviction which induces the author to send out into the world another collection of songs. She has strained after nothing great or profound, but has written of the things which all have felt and known for themselves, and therefore hopes for the sympathy of the reader. PREFACE. Vll If it were not out of place here, she would be glad to thank those friends who have addressed to her such good words of kindliness and encouragement in letters. It has not been possible to reply to them, from pressure of engagements and want of time ; but they have all been gratefully received and read with pleasure and satisfaction. Such words of kindness have fallen like morning dew or gleams of sunshine ; not one but has been read and appreciated, sometimes with tearful eyes, always with a spirit of deep thankfulness. May some words of the present volume cheer some solitary sufferer, or help to brighten the path for some weary wanderer ! And God bless you, dear readers, and give to us a happy meeting in our Father's house ! MARIANNE FARNINGHAM. December, 1865. CONTENTS, POEMS. PAGS GILBERT. A TALE OF THE TIMES 17 MIGHT HAVE BEES 24 A PASSAGE IN A NOBLE LIFE ... ... ... 28 THE STRONG... ... ... ... ... ... 31 THESE ALSO ... ... ... ... 33 WAITING AND WATCHING FOE ME ... ... ... 33 THE NEW YEAR ... ... ... ... ... 35 HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP ... 30 NOT LOST 37 HER END WAS PEACE ... ... ... ... 38 THOU VISITEST THE EARTH ... ... 39 A HARVEST SONG ... 41 BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, GOD ! ... ... ... 42 BE STRONG AND 01 A GOOD COURAGE ... ... 43 GOD BE MERCIFUL UNTO US AND BLESS US ... 44 LET NOT THE USEFUL DIE ... ... 46 SPRING FLOWERS ... 47 THE angels' SONG 48 "OF WHOM THE WORLD IS NOT WORTHY" ... 49 ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF 50 OUR EYES ARE UPON THEE... ... ... ... 51 X CONTENTS. THE LORD IS THY KEEPER... •' I KNOW THAT MY BBDKEJIEB LIVETH " EVENTIDE "THAT WHICH IS NOT BREAD'' DAY BY DAY MUST IT ALWAYS BE? THE EEJEOTED INVITATION ... LIGHT AT EVENTIDE FALLING LEAVES CUB ONE FRIEND LO, I AM WITH Y'OU ALWAYS SPEAK GOOD OF HIS NAME ... ZIONWABDS ... SDMMEB "ME YE HAVE NOT ALWAYS" ye know not what ye ask akise! AT ALL TIMES THERE SHALL BE NO MOBE SEA ... I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE THY KINGDOM OOME THE PAINLESS LAND KETDBN UNTO THY BEST, MY SODL IN THE NIGHT IN THE MOBNING THE STAB-LIGHTED WAY " CALL ME " ... AN EVENING HYMN DNDEB THE LEAVES SUNNY HODES A HIDDEN PATH AT NIGHT THE SBOBEI PLACE BE THOU MY REFUGE VAGH 52 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 Cli 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 86 87 88 80 91 CONTENTS. XI FAGB SCNDAYS AT HOME 91 GIVEN BACK ... 93 LET THEBE BE LIGHT ... ... ... ... 94 THE BUBNING BUSH... ... 95 " LEAKN OF ME" ... ... ... ... ... 97 "O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LOED " ... ... 98 HOPE THOU IN GOD... ... ... 99 SnjIMEB IS COMING ... ... ... IQO THOU, LOED, MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY ... 101 " LOKD, BEHOLD, HE WHOM THOU LOVBST IS SIOK"' 102 THE SEA 103 THE DAYS ... ... ... 104 THY LOVING-KINDNESS IS BETTEE THAN LIFE ... 105 "LOED, THAT I MAY EECEIVE MY SIGHT" ... 106 DEEPLY-LAMENTED ... ... ... ... ... 107 TBOU WILT SHOW MB THE PATH OF LIFE ... 100 PEACE BE TO THEE ! ... ... 110 THAT FADETH AWAY... ... ... Ill WINTER EVENING ... 112 BE THOU MY STEONG HABITATION 113 "IT IS GOOD FOE US TO BE HBEE " ... ... 115 "IF IT BE POSSIBLE" 116 THE PLAINT OF THE WORLD-WEARY ... ... 117 BECALMED .., 118 EVENING ... ... ... ... 119 THE COOL OF THE BAY 190 BENISONS ... ... 121 THE WAITING MULTITUDE ... 123 THE PEEOIOUS FRIEND ... ... ... ... 123 THE UNNUMBERED MULTITUDE ... ... ... 124 ONE LESS ON EAETH — ONE MOEE IX HEAVEN ... 126 "GIVE PEACE IN OUE TIME, O LOED ! " 127 "MY TIMES AEE IN THY HANDS "... 128 DYING 129 Xll CONTENTS. PAGB THE OLD AND NEW TEAKS ... ... ... 130 WANDEEING THODGHTS ... ... 131 WEBP[KG MAY ENDUKE FOK A NIGHT 132 I WILL GO WITH THEE ... ... ... ... 133 MY SHEPHERD 134 THE PLEASANT WAY ... ... ... ... 135 OUB CONFIDENCE 136 THE LORD IS EISEN 137 THOn GOD SEF.ST ME ... ... ... ... 138 THE WELL IN THE WILDERNESS ... 139 THE SLEEPERS ... ... ... ... ... 140 ELNATHANS ... 142 WE ALL DO EADB AS A LEAF 143 THROUGH GOD WK SHALL DO VALIANTLY 144 OUR FRIEND ... ... ... ... 146 THEY KNEW NOT TH.iT 1 HEALED THEM... ... 147 ALL IN ALL ... 149 HE FAINTETH NOT, NEITHER IS WEARY ... ... 150 THE MORE BLESSED ... ... 151 OUR LIGHT .., ... 152 IN THEE DO I POT MY TRUST ... ... ... 153 THE BLESSED ... ... ... ... ... 154 HOMEWARD ... ... 155 "THOU ART NEAR, LORD" ... ... ... 156 GUIDE MB BY THY COUNSEL ... ... ... 157 "so WEARIED" ... ... ... ... ... 157 THE REMEMBERED ... ... ... 158 "1 KNOW MY SHEEP" ... ... ... ... 159 A GARLAND FOR MAY ... ... ... ... 100 UNIVERSAL PRAISE... ... ... ... ... 161 HOME-SICK ... ... ... 162 THEY PRAISE HIJI DAY' AND NIGHT ... ... 163 JEHOVAH-SHALOM 164 THOU VISITEST THE EARTH, AND WATEREST IT... 165 CONTENTS. XUl P\GH BEHOLD, THOU ABT THERE ... ... ... 166 EVENING MEDITATION 167 GIVE EAR TO MY PRAYER, O GOD 168 SDKELY THE PEOPLE IS GRASS 169 "it is I — BE NOT afraid" ... 170 SEEKING A BETTEE COUNTRY 171 OUT OF THE DEPTHS HATE I CRIED UNTO THEE.. 172 THE LAND OF LIGHT 173 UPWARD AND HOMEWARD ... 174 NOT FOR EVER ... 170 I WILL FEAR NO EVIL 177 MAY MEETINGS ... 178 REJOICE EVERMORE ... ... 179 THE SUMMER-TIME... 1^0 AT HOME 181 THE WISE men's INQUIRY... ... 182 be patient ever ... 184 he will not rail thee 185 after the storm... ... ... ... ... 186 anniversaries ... 187 be not afraid 188 so panteth my soul after thee, o god ! ... 189 sorrow" and sighing shall flee away ... 190 the hiding place 192 "it is i" ... 193 i will never leave thee kor forsake thee.. 194 till the day declineth 195 morning and evening 197 come nearer to us, saviour ! ... 198 "they shall be mine" 199 EASTER 200 UP AND AWAY 201 THE saviour's REPRESENTATIVES 203 SUNDAY EVENING ... 204 XIV CONTENTS. PAGE IT IS WELL... 205 GOOD WILL TO MEN 206 PICTURES IN- THE FIRE 207 A HARVEST SONG ... 209 UKDER THE TREES 210 A SONG OF TRUST ... 211 FALLING LEAVES ... 212 THE WHITE STONE 213 PRAT FOR ONE ANOTHER" 215 THE STORM OF WIND 216 LOOK UP 217 "HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE" 219 TRUST IN GOD 220 NO ABIDING 2-ai GOD IS OUE REFUGE AND STRENGTH 222 JOURNEYING 224 "THIS MAN HECEIVETH SINNERS " 225 HOW MUCH CAN I DO FOR JESUS? 225 CHRISTMAS DAY 227 GOOD FRIDAY 228 SUMMER WOODS 230 HOPE THOU IN GOD 231 AN INVITATION 232 AT HOME 233 WITH THEE FOR EVER 235 WHOM HE LOVED 236 HE OPENETH ALSO THEIR EAR TO DISCIPLINE .. 237 A NEW HEART 239 TIME IS SHORT 240 HOME AND SCHOOL LYRICS. LITTLE CHILDREN GATHER HOME-COMING 241 242 CONTKNTS. XV PAGB THE OPEN Doon 243 OCR MAY 244 LOVE THE CHILDREN ... ... 245 WHO CAKES rOR ME? 346 DYINO ... ... 247 LIVE IN THE SUNSHINE 249 BRINO THE CHILDREN EARLY 249 PRAY, LITTLE . CHILDREN, PRAY 251 "1 SEE A LIOHT; i'm ALMOST HOME " 251 CHEERILY ... ... 253 LET THE CHILDREN LOVE THEE 254 EVERY DAY... ... 255 THE children's HOLIDAY 256 SHALL DOUBTLESS COME AGAIN WITH REJOICINO.. 257 WHAT CAN I DO? 258 IT IS WELL... 259 "SUFFER THE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME"... 260 WHOM DO YOU LOVE? ... ... ... .. 261 FOR JESUS ... 262 FADINO LEAVES 263 WHO LOVES YOU?... ... ... 264 LITTLE SINOEHS ... 265 AT NIGHT 266 LITTLE HANDS 267 WORK FOR THE NEW YEAR 268 HE IS STRONG 269 LITTLE SLEEPERS 270 THE MORNING OF LIFE 271 LITTLE PILGRIMS ... ... 272 SAVED 273 HEALED ". 274 FIRST SUNDAY IN SPRING 275 THERE SHALL BE NO MORE PAIN 276 GOOD FRIDAY 278 CONTENTS. CHRIST SHALL LEAD US ... BRINGINO HIS SHEAVES WITH HIM NELLIE THE PKOMISE OF THE SPRING THE HOMEWARD PATH THE LAND OF PEACE IN THE MORNING BROUGHT TO JESUS TRUST AND GO FORWARD ... PAGB 379 279 •Ml 2b2 283 284 ■2H5 280 287 POEMS. A TAIiE OF THE TIMES. The tunes are times of progress. Yet the march Is sometimes backward to the half -dead years Lying in graves behind. Amid the din Of the metropolis there lived a man, Yoimg, strong, and handsome, bearing in his mien The polish of refinement. Day by day He met his fellows on the busy mart, Coiirteous of mien, but shrewd and well-informed, And just in aU his dealings. Everywhere Men met him with an open hand and eyes That smiled a welcome. Not alone had he A noble moral nature ; he had bathed In Ufe's clear fountain ; and the voice of God Had spoken in his spirit. Still, I ween. He was not perfect — ^he was but a man. Perchance his ears gave credence all too soon To words from other lips. Perchance his eyes Woxdd look too frequently within himself — -^1 18 Too little towards his God. But for these faults Came puniehment enough. With buoyant feet, At peace with all manMnd, and drinMng in The beauty of an autumn sunset, — once He passed where sounds of music were upborne Upon the fragrant breeze ; and listening, An impulse urged him in. With curious glance He looked around the place. Wax tapers burned. And incense filled the room, where rarest flowers Smiled in their beauty round the marble forms Of Mary, and the saints, and statuettes Of Christ, the babe of Judah. One arose And spoke in tones of fiery eloquence, " This day Salration is come near. Te cajinot sin In ignorance now. I warn ye, men of wealth ; Te fling your gold into the treasury And pass away — yourselves ye do not give — The world is eating you. The things of earth Go well and pleasantly. Woe to yourselves ! God will accept ye not in that great day ; It will avail ye not that ye have hved Kindly and courteously — that widows' tears Have dried at your approach, and orphan's hands Have clung around ye lovingly. Te Uve, Making one grand mistake. Te live For earth, and not for heaven. I charge ye men, Come from among the world and live to God ; Give not a paltry tenth, but all you have, Tour gold, your dross, yourselves. This, only this, Will God accept. Oh, be not you with those Who stay amid the turmoil of the world ; Who struggle through a feverish night of life, 1» And know not rest until they sleep in death. Come where the robe of peace shall hide your hearts, Where prayers and penance rise before the Lord As smoke of precious incense." Gilbert passed Out of the blaze of light to the dark street — Darkness within, without. Is it not strange, How sometimes in our lives we are all weak, And ready to be tossed on every wave ? This tirade stem Had dropped into Ms heart Kke molten lead, And burnt its way through wisdom, love, and trust, Taking possession there. He walked abroad With dim misgivings in his heart that night. With ever-ieepening terror surging up. And the re-echo of the preacher's words Filling his soul with dread. And as he walked. He murmured mournfully the sad refrain, " God will accept ye not in that great day." Until his brain half reeled with the great weight Of terror. Far into the stormy night One watched and waited for him, thinking oft, " That is his step, ah ! he is coming now." Shrouding her face behind her hand, as still Came naught but disappointment. Presently, He stood beneath her window moodily, Questioning with himself, " Does God require That I should give her up ? Is it indeed A sin to take what seems to come from God ? Must heaven be bought by sacrifice of earth ? " B 2 20 And a strange Toice whispered from out the night, " Man of the world, it must." He startled, saw With sandalled feet and shaven crown, the man Whose words had moved him. Restlessly he turned, And would have passed away, but that the monk, Litikiug his arm vrith his, said, " Brother, stay, I bear a message from the King for thee. Thou art dissatisfied with earth, come thou And join our brotherhood, mourn for thy sius, Grod will accept thy penance — ^but repent, And serve him with thy life." Much m-ore he said. Speaking in mellow and persuasive tones. Until — the speU upon him — Gilbert lost His strength of mind, and made himself a slave. " I am not weary of the world as thou. It erst has been a bright and pleasant place, Keplete with joy to me. It is the thought Of the great afterward that throws a shade Upon my spirit. If, indeed, it be. That immolation of myself wiU bring Peace in the day of wrath, I am content And glad beyond all gladness." When again The glory rested on the western hills. He sought his love to bid a sad farewell To that which was his life. " Oh ! darling, mine, I scarce can give thee up, but God has called. And I have heard a noise amid the din Of populous city and of silent waste, ' The Lord hath need of thee.' I go to be Naught but what he approves. I leave behind The world and its aUuxemeuts. I have turned 21 Heavenward to-day — ^let no one call me back." Then spake the maiden with binning cheek, " /would not call thee back. God's messages May not be disregarded ; but, be sure That they are his, not man's. Be also sure That this which thou hast chosen is the road, The highway into heaven. To me it seems There is a better way — a way of peace. Where flowers of love are blooming, and the breeze Of human sympathy has fanned the brows O'er-heated by the world. Along this path There grow the flowers of gladness, and the fruit Of sweet affection. Little children come And sing their songs to the glad marching time Of many happy years ; and brilliant eyes Beam love and gratitude ; and kindly thoughts, Fall sweetly on the way. And in this path The labourers in the vineyard take the work That lies the nearest to them. Sighing not For labours unattainable, they do What God has given them well. That he accepts Their work is seen by the calm peace that steals Into their spirits ; not the subtle oahn Of selfish iudolence, but deeper peace, The peace that passeth knowledge." Gilbert paused, But would not be convinced. Before the sun Wakened the world to Hf e, and the next day, Gilbert supposed that he had left the world, And had passed near to heaven. Now a round Monotonous and weary, was his task, Of prayers by night and fastings every day. 22 And aimless work that wrought not any good To any soul of man. But most of all, j It galled his pride that he should have to bow, In reverence so profound, before the man They called " Superior." Gilbert saw his faults, And measured all his littleness, and felt The many sins of those who caEed themselves The " Temple of the Lord." Ere many weeks, His nights were spent in sorrow and regret ; He yearned for his lost love, and for the world In which he might do good, in which his heart Should hunger not as now for bread of love, And thirst for human kindness. Day by day, A maiden prayed and waited. Day by day. Hearing no tidings, and yet loving much. She asked for light for Gilbert. Very soon The glamour fell from off his eyes, but then The " Father," with his eloquent words and stem, "Would bring Mm back and weave again The silken meshes round him. Still a power Held him in thrall, and still the might of love Wooed him with tender accents. But there came A certain day when he must take the name Of the selected order, and decide His course for lite. It was not yet too late ; But he had heard some threatening words that day Of excommunication, and he feared To be with those who turn them from the way That leadeth to the kingdom. 23 So, at night, He lay upon Ms hard imrestful couch, Tom with conflicting feelings : full of fears, Yet daring now and then to hope for love. And struggling with hia doubts until they grew More undefined and dim. And presently He spoke aloud, " Give me some token. Lord, Of what thou wiliest for me." Suddenly, A voice came through the darkness, soft and low, " I pray not thou shouldeat take them from the worlds But keep them from the evil." Starting up, He looked around him, " Well I know the words. They are the Master's, but the voice was hers ; Where art thou, my beloved P " But no one Answer to him made. Was it then a dream ? Or had she spoken there beneath the walls The message of her Saviour ? Earnestly Thanked he his God that 'twas not yet too late To break the shackles from him. Forth he went A better, wiser man, conquered by love, And glad to foUow feet he loved, to heaven. With quick and eager footsteps. Gilbert lives And labours for his fellows. He has found The better way of usefulness and peace. The little children love him, and the poor Pray for him nightly in their happier homes, And the old men are thankful that he lives. He does not now spend days of fasting, nights Of aimless prayer ; but with meek earnestness He lives, as did his Master, doing good. 24 The winter's snow lay on the fields, the trees were gaunt and bare, An aged woman mused alone in a quaint old rocldng chair, The embers of a dying fire lay scattered in the grate. And the pale lips of the withered one kept muttering, "Too late.'* " I was but ten years old that day, a winter's day like this, And I took, as if it were my due, my father's birthday kiss, I pouted ere the day was gone that my present was not grand, And I threw a gloom upon our home, and our Httle playful band. "My mother shed some tears that night when we had finished play, Oh, foolish that I did not cHmb to kiss them aJl away ! I wondered and felt sorrowful, but forgot it in my dreams. "Was it sixty years ago to-day ? But yesterday it seems. " She died a few weeks after that. I was not there to see, But they said she left some loving words and gentle looks for me ; Oh, mother, will there come a day when I shall cease to yearn That for one little hour at least thy spirit might return ? ' ' I might have soothed her aching brow, I might have saved her feet Some weaxy steps about the house, some journeys through the street, / never need have given her pain, nor dimmed her dear dark eyes — Oh, that she would forgive me though she spoke it from the 25 " And Harry went away to sea, I might have kept Mm here, We quarrelled and I saw >n'Tn go and never shed a tear ; But ho'w my heart has ached since then for a brother's look and tone ! How dreary is a wintry night while sitting here alone ! " I might have hushed the stinging word and stayed the angry breath; I think he hated me that day, and he has met his death, And never sent a little word of love to cheer my heart, But then, my brother, it was I who caused thee to depart. " Then Charlie came. How good he was, how beautiful and brave ! I think of all he said to me beside the sad sea wave, I had some holy thoughts that day; they ebbed as did the tide — I should have lived a better Ufe with Charlie at my side. " A stranger came across my path, a stranger grim and cold. But he told me I was beautiful and he bought me with his gold, I never loved the stem dark man, though I gave to him my hand. And frowned tUl Charlie went away to a far and foreign land. " Ah ! Charlie ! Charlie ! He had grief, but I have had the most. The memories of that olden time throng round me hke a host ; What weary days, what dreary nights came in those after years ! But I could not wash the wrong away with all my bitter tears. 26 " And yet my husband loved me, and I migM have blessed his life, But I made it dark with vexing care, and over-full of strife, I wronged him with the others, and I sorrow for him yet, 'Tis sad to be so weary, and unable to forget. " No little children kissed my face, or stroked my changing hair, I think I should have sinned the less through listening to their prayer ; That joy was not for such as I — I might have trained them ill, I've been conjplaining aU my life, and now I should be still. ' ' But what a wasted Uf e it is ! Though I might have made it grand With love and IrindlJTiesa and worth, with tender heart and hand; With sacrifice of self and pride, and lowliness of heart, I might have lived a better Kfe and done a better part. " Too late, too late ! I am very old and nigh to death to-day, I cannot plant a single flower in all my dreary way, And not a single sunbeam falls upon the darkened scene, My heart is sad and sorrowfiil for what I might have been." The winter's snow lay on the fields, the trees were gaunt and bare, As the aged woman mused alone in that old rocking chair. But she looked toward the open door with fear and with surprise. As an old man came toward her with the summer in his 27 "Have you not forgotten Charlie, though the snows of many years Have fallen on our bowing heads, and filled our eyes with tears? But waste not now the moments few that Ke the grave between. In murmurings and repinings over what might once have been. " There is a love so deep, so true, and so unlike to ours, It washes all our sins away, it falls in cleansing showers; It is a love that can forgive, a guiding, strengthening love, That lifts us from our wasted lives to a perfect life above." The winter's snow lay on the fields, the trees were gaunt and bare. But the aged woman no more mused in that old rocking chair, Her hand was in another hand as wrinkled as her own, And a light was in her dying eyes, and a joy was in her tone. " It was the sweetest lesson I have learned amid my strife. The love that Jesus can forgive even a wasted life ; I would that all who weep as I over what might have been, Could know what I have known to-day and see what I have seen." The winter's snow lay on the fields, the trees were gaunt and bare, But the aged, sinning, suffering one no longer sorrowed there ; Only a grave old man went forth to linger for a day, Until the angels also came to carry him away. 28 |i f assagi3 in a BaMe Jaife. These are footsteps in the city, weary feet that, pacing slow, Are echoing back the dismal beat of hearts surcharged with woe. No joy is in the marcher's soul, no smile is on his Hp ; Alas, for France ! alas, for all in grief's sad fellowship ! Toll, toll the bells with measured peal ! darken the windows now, Grim care has left his fingermarks on eye, and hand, and brow; Gaunt hunger stalks about the streets and enters many a home. And babes, and men, and women cry, " WUl the Deliverer come?" With restless, sparkling, piercing eyes, bent forward eagerly, A maiden spurs her charger's side, and gallops fearlessly : She scans the country restlessly, as one who searcheth there For friend or foe, or some great work to do, perchance to bear. There are stem, strong men about her, men who sneer and only deem That the maiden is upholden by the fancy of a dream ; Men scornfully ambitious, men who will that only they Shall be crowned as hero-gods in this brilliant testing day. Three days, three weary dreary days, they lead her wrong- fully; Three nights, three damp and darksome nights, she rested songfully ; 29 But the deceivers are deceived who hope to quell the brave, And Joan, undaunted, hastened on, strong in her wHl to save. From castle tower, from hut, from hall, peals out a joyous " The maid is come, the maid is come, oh Joan, the maid, ie nigh;" And little children clap their hands in wild and turbulent glee. The famished city, wUdly glad, sobs in its ecstacy. Chime out the bells, — O ringers ring ! for this great throb of buss ! Te need invent some fitting speech for rapture such as this ! And gather on, O thankful crowds, to the cathedral's light. And chant the grand Te Deum on this memorable night ! But hark ! there thrills another cry — the sick, the wounded come. And wonderingly enquire the cause of the electric hum ; " The maid is come, the maid is come," Father, merciful. The tears are in her bright brown eyes, — our bravely beau- tiful. Weep on, weep on, O strange brave girl, though yet thou canst not see The crown within thy slender hand, thy dear King on his knee; The cannon's roar, the battle's smoke not yet has dimmed thine eyes. Thou art God-sent, O maiden, with a mission from the skies. They crowd around her gladfully, that wan and famished band. She gives to them the bread of Kf e with Knd unsparing hand ; 30 Witli eyes, and lips, and thanHol hearts, they bless h'er earnestly, — That noble girl who dared so much to make them glad and free. Two hundred sturdy men at arms, she bringeth in her train. And the Loire is dotted o'er with creaking boats of grain; Let cynics in their haughtiness say of her what they may. It surely is a woman's work that she has wrought to-day, — A woman's work of healing love, that bringeth back again The smile to faces sad with woe, and health instead of pain, That feeds the hungry with her hand, and wipes the child- ren's tears. And makes the aged softly glad in their decaying years. She sees not yet her martyr robe, her chariot of fire ; She knoweth not what lies beyond her climax of desire ; But she is glad as only those may know, who in a need Can meet despair's demands, and prove themselves man's friends indeed. We know that ignorance gave to her the martyr's fiery crown ; But we will give her songs of praise and love's complete renown ; And we will teach our little ones to honour well the name, That bought with tears of blood and death the patriot's noble fame. 31 The Strong. " In quietness and in confidence shall be your streiigtli." — ISAIAH xxx. Not in the pride that ever self -referring, Measures its goodness, scans its breadth and length ; Not in the scorn that frowns upon the erring, Spring the deep fountains of the Christian's strength. Not in impatience querulously crying, " Why dost thou tarry ? Wherefore hide thy face ? Why should the nations deep in sin be sighing ? When shall the heathen waken to thy grace ? " But in the trust that fixed upon the Saviour, Learns at his feet a noble self-control. Patiently quiet, by a calm behaviour, Flashing the light that glimmers in the soul. Sweet is the Hfe thus breathed away in gladness. Peacefully still as summer's silvery sea. Hecks of calm pleasure gUd the cloud of sadness, And the saved spirit rises strong and free. No torturing doubt turns morning into midnight, Faith ever whispers, " Christ the Lord is near ; " Glad in the sunshine of his love's bright daylight. The vistas of the world are calm and clear. Near, near to him though evening shadows lengthen. They catch his response while singing their sweet song ; Hushed their complainings — love and gladness strengthen The hearts that weary not though he tarry long. 83 So grow they strong in quietness reposing, Serene and unmoTed by all the scenes of strife ; So may toe rest vmtil, our tired eyes closing, We waken with the strong to perfect life. Th^sB also. ' Father, I will that they also whom thou hast giren me may be with me where I am." I AM pressing on to the slippery shore With my sore and weary feet, But a little while and I hope to stand At the edge of the golden street. But I pray this prayer from amid the deep — Saviour of sinners, bring Those whom I lore to abide with me In the presence of the King. There are warm young hearts in the household band ; There are brightly beaming eyes ; There are voices sweet that I fain would hear 'Mid the anthems of the skies : Thou knowest, Jesus, how closely here The bonds of love entwine ; I count them o'er in the gloaming hour. And remember these words of thine. There are trembling fingers and silvery hairs. And eyes that are growing dim. And voices less strong than in days of yore. Swelling the evening hymn. 33 I would not miss them at home in heaven ; O Jesus, who gave them me, May I have them again in the laud of peace. In the home by the glassy sea ? "Wlien the golden orowns at thy feet are cast, May they be among the band ; When the hymn is eweUiug'o'er heavenly hills, Let them with the h'arpers stand. It cannot be that our dearest ones Shall depart in the day of strife ; It cannot be that the loves of earth, Shall die in the day of Mfe. I would that my dear ones might all be brought To the feet of the Crucified ; Might be carried to him when borne away By the coldly rolling tide. But man is weak, although love be strong, And I can but look to thee. And pray as thou prayedst in thine agony, 0, give them again to me ! Waiting and Watching fat me. [An old tradition says that those whom we have served on ^rth shall be the first to welcome us to heaven.] When mysterious whispers are floating about, And voices that will not be still Shall summon me hence from the slippery shore To the waves that are silent and chill ; (3 34 When I look with changed eyes at the house of the blest, Far out of the reach of the sea, — Will any one stand at the Beautiful Gate Waiting and ■watching for me f There are little ones glancing ahout on my path In need of a friend and a guide ; There are dim little eyes lookidg up into mine Whose tears could be easily dried. But Jesus may beckon the children away In the midst of their grief or their glee ; Win any of these at the Beautiful Gate Be "waiting and "watching for me ? There are old and forsaken, "who linger a"while In the homes "which their dearest have left, And an action of love or a fe"w gentle "words Might cheer the sad spirit bereft. But the reaper is near to the long-standing corn. The "weary shall soon be set free : Will any of these at the Beautiful Gate Be "waiting and watching for me ? There are dear ones at home I may bless "with my love ; There are "wretched ones pacing the street ; There are friendless and suffering strangers around ; There are tempted and poor I must meet ; There are many unthought of, whom happy and ble.^t In the land of the good I shall see. Will any of them at the Beautiful Gate Be waiting and watching for me P 35 I mai/ be brought there by the unbounded grace Of the SaTiour who loves to forgive. Though I bless not the hungry ones near to my side, And but pray for myself •while I live ; But I think I should mourn o'er my selfish neglect, If sorrow in heaven can be, If no one should stand at the Beautiful Grate, Waiting and watching for me. The Mm f^ar. Welcome the year with song ! Let the glad peal Bing through the roof-tree of each happy home, While the prophetic song- words shall reveal Glimpses of bright and joyous days to come ; Let the hymn rise, and no discordant note Break on the harmonies that smoothly float. Welcome the year with praise ! The past has brought The Father's love-gifts to his children's hands ; The good old year was with rich blessings fraught — Blessings that garlanded our household bands — And it befits us, on these gladsome days. To sound aloud our Father's highest praise. Usher it in with prayer ! In lowKness Call on thy God, and kneel before his feet ; Ask first of his great love, the blessedness Of living close before his mercy-seat. And then the wants that hunger in thy heart For the new year unto thy Friend impart. 2 36 Welcome the year with trust ! Go gladly on, Fearless of evils thou mayest never see ; Have confidence in G-od — the year now gone Has proved how tenderly he cares for thee, And the bright future beareth on its breast Calm days of happiness, and peace, and rest. Usher it in with love ! The love that asks What great things it can do for its best Friend, That takes with cheerful thanks the proifered tasks. And singingly performs them to the end ! Welcome the glad young year, and may it be Laden with joyous love-gifts unto thee. He wraps the weary in his arms, he folds them to his breast. Kisses the aching eyes to sleep, soothes the tired head to rest, Gives to the sad ones happy hours, and floods with cheerful Ught The quiet and the deep repose of the refreshing night. He Ufts the care from oflf their hands, he stays their rising fears. He cheers the faint and sinking heart, he dries the burning tears; He rescues them from all the woe which made the long day sad. And in his watchful tenderness he maies the night-time glad. 37 He pities, cares for, tends them when no other friends are by, He dra-WB the curtain of his love around them where they Ke, He hushes all the rude alarms the outer world has known, He wards the strife and danger off, they come not near his own. The storm may roar, the waves may toss, but they will rest secure ; No more of fear or loneliness their weary hearts endure j They knew in whom they had believed, and to his keeping gave The precious, the immortal soul, that he from death might blessed, holy, sleeping ones ! 'twere well to bfe with ye ; The daily toil, the nightly dread, the pain and sin have we ; But soon the angel-forms will come and smooth us whenwe weep. And the Father in his tenderness will give his loved ones sleep. Mat l»ast. Death makes sad havoc here ! So stealthily He comes amongst us with his greedy hands Eifling our treasure-casket, stealing thence The dearest and the best ! "We would have watched And hidden them away ; but he is strong. And takes us unawares. Our hearts are poor. Losing so many riches, and our homes 88 Are still and sorrowful, that erst were gay And musical with song. There are some names We cannot utter for the choking tears, — Some spots so full of painful memories We scarce can bear to see them. In our hearts Are pictures of the missed ones, painted there By the deep touch of anguish. We can see The eyes that looked their yearning love, the Kps That parted oft to bless us : but the mist Is o'er our eyes : they are but pictures still. And such is earth ! But ah ! there is a home — A land of no more death, whose sapphire halls Have never echoed back the cry of pain Wrung from white lips at parting. Tliere the sighs Are turned to song, the fears to sparkling gems. The prayers to praiseful anthems. There, ere long, We shall regaia our treasures. They are safe. For G-od has kept them for us. Very soon He vriU enrich us with them — there at home. ^jer Bni was fe^nce^, Shoet words and few, but volumes in each word ! We whisper with hot tears in oxn eyes. And, weeping, bring our praise before the Lord, And offer mom and noon sad sacrifice ; Sad, and yet joyful ; we have lost a friend, But she has gained the bUss that has no end. 39 Peaceful as night the ebhings of life's sea, Calm and unruffled 'ueath the setting sun, So passed she to the mansions of the free. Where the new Ufe immortal is begun ; No toil, no struggle — scarce a closing sigh — The Saviour took her home so peacefully. The world is empty, heaven is full for us ; Her end was peace — our aching hearts are glad That she has gained the endless pleasure thus. That she shall never more be sick or sad. Peace, and the storms of life are o'er, and prayer Can ask for nothing now more bright and fail". Her end was peace. Our end is drawing near ! Christ breathe thy benediction o'er us too. Let not that day be one of pain and fear. But open heaven's dear beauty to our view. Our hearts are tired and doubting, soothe us, Lord, In our vrild restlessness, with thy good word. Thixti uisit^st the Eatth, "We cannot see thee as of old, Aud hear thy wondrous words unfold ; Our pleasant way we cannot take Beside the G-alileaii Lake ; We cannot stand as Adam stood And talked with thee before the flood. 40 But every mom, God, we trace Thy footsteps near our dweUing-place. Thy hand has poured the fruitful shower. Thy finger touched the opening flower. And every fresh awakening scene Is bright with joy where thou hast been. Thy step is in the shady wood ; We stand with awe where thou hast stood ; Thy voice is heard amongst the trees ; Thy fragrance fills the passiug breeze ; The glancing sunbeams flash and play, For thou hast sent them on their way. " Thou visitest the earth." Man's lot Is by thee. Father, unforgot. Thou droppest many a cheering word, Until he cries, " It is the Lord." Thy peace is spread upon the strife Which gathers round our daily life. We cannot see thee ; but how near The wonders of thy works appear ! When thou dost come, we are not sad — Thy presence makes our spirits glad — Thy visits turn our nights to days ; com.e, and stay with us always ! 41 ^ ^aw^st Song:, The com waves on a thousand hills, Kefleoted in the sparkling ril^s ; The earth has had its meed of rain, The Bun has spread its warmth again. Put in the sickle, reap the com ; It is the pleasant harvest mom. Sing out a song of trust and love, Sing praises to the God above, — A new glad song of gratitude ; His work is ever kind and good. Put in the sickle, reap the com ; It is the pleasant harvest morn. But other com is ripening still Than that which waves on breezy hiU ; Another sun shines on to-day, And soon the husbandman will say, " Put in the sickle, reap the com ; 'Tis the eternal harvest mom." And Death shall be the rej-per then. Among the standing fields of men. And many a one with glad surprise Be gathered to the smiling skies. Put in the sickle, reap the com ; For soon 'twill be the harvest mom. 42 0, to be ready for tliat day, With its magni¢ array ! O, to be fully ripe, that we Among the garnered grains may be ! Put in the sickle, reap the com ; It is the solemn harvest mom. B^ mexcitul unto m^, ^ ^ad! God of mercy, be thou near While I tread the desert drear : Weary feet, and aching head : Hungry for life's feeding bread : Sighing for a glimpse of thee — God be merciful to me ! When the path is smooth and plain, And my heart is free from pain ; When, with gladsome, buoyant feet, On I travel, brisk and fleet ; Lest I wander thoughtlessly, God be merciful to me ! When my prospect loometh drear ; When my heart is faint with fear : When the black storm draweth nigh. Ere the terror passeth by ; While the cloud looms threateningly, God be merciful to me ! 48 When, amid a precious throng, Joyously I swell the song ; Tender hands the burden move ; Loving arms a safe-guard prove ; Lest my heart should stray from thee, Grod be merciful to me ! Wlien frem my weak hands have flown All I fondly called my own ; Fading — dying — ^never more Blessing me as heretofore ; O, in that great agony, G-od be merciful to me ! When, with fleeting, failing breath, I am brought to look on death ; Lonely, weak, and sinful, stand On the borders of that land Where is vast eternity ; God be merciful to me ! ^S-^ld lie MetciM untxx %s atid God be merciful and bless us When the cares of life oppress us ; Let us not in wild dismay Cast our trust in thee away ; Be thou near us in our giief — Give thy waiting ones relief. 44 God be mercifiil and bless us When the sins of life distress us ; Let us in thy bosom Mde ; Turn to Jesus crucified ; Bring to bi-m our sins and "woes: — Find tie Christian heart's repose. God be merciful and bless us When the joys of life caress us ; Let us not forget thy love, Nor our fairer home above. Help us, that the feeble heart Loses not its better part. God be merciful and bless us ; In thy heart of love possess us ; May thy presence make our day. Wilt thou bring us on our way P Father merciful, be near Till we at thy throne appear. Be nut silent ta me. When my heart, o'erfraught vrith care, Poiirs itself in anguished prayer; Brings its every grief and smart, Yearning toward thy Father-heart, God of David, pityingly. Be not silent unto me. 45 When my weak uncertain feet Halt wliere varied pathways meet, Knowing not the narrow way, Seeing not the eternal day, Lest I be by sin beguiled. Be not silent to thy child! When the gale of woe has rushed, Voices I have loved are hushed. Lips are cold that heretofore Kissed away the grief I bore, Weepingly I turn to thee — Be not silent unto me. When the battle-heat is strong. Right can scarcely conquer wrong, And the coward heart within Well-nigh would succumb to sin, Holiest, give me sympathy. Be not silent unto me. When the last dread hour draws nigh, Father, wilt thou then be nigh f And above the storm's loud roar. Beating louder than before, I will cry for help to thee, Be not silent unto me. Be not sUent, God of might ; Speak to me amid the night. Speak amid the burning day. Speak wherever lies the way ; O, till I am safe with thee. Be not silent unto me ! -46 het ti(xt tbfi Iftseful die. Let not the useful die, O Lord! The reaper's scythe is here, The ripe com falls before its stroke, the old leaves brown and sere Droop where he stands beneath the tree, and the young flowers fall and die ; Hold thou the hand that wields the scythe, choose where the dead shall lie. Let not the useful die, Lord! The oumberers fill the ground. The idle and the useless ones — let them not abound ; Take not the healers from the world, where sicknesses and stiife Steal joy from hearts all over-borne by the many ills of life. Let not the useful die, Lord ! Thou numberest the grey hairs That gather on the furrowed brows ploughed deep by others' cares ; So tenderly thou lovest them, and thou canst stop decay, And make the old grow young again, who linger on thy way. Let not the useful die, O Lord ! What were this world ui thine. With none to live the life of faith, or in thy light to shine r Let witnesses of Jesus live, that other feet may come, .Vnd march with them the upward hill that leadeth to thy home. 47 Let not the useful die, Lord ! let not the useful die, Spare those who bring their Uvea' best wealth thy sacred altar nigh ; Spare them to stay, in thy great name, the flowing stream of strife. Spare them through long and happy yeara to represent thy life. opting: Iflaw^rs. Bloom again, bloom again, beautiful flowers, We are weary of waiting through winter's long hours ; Come with the sunshine to gladden the earth, Come with the early birds' singing and mirth. Smile again, smile again, beautiful flowers. Smile in our vaUeya and amile in our bowers ; Snule in the cottage, the palace, the haU, Breathe out your scent where ovir little onea call. Look again, look again, beautiful flowers. Look with your sunny eyes up into ours ; Look toward heaven for the sun and the rain. Which the hand of the Master shall scatter again. Speak again, speak again, beautiful flowers. Speak to our hearts in the apring's fragrant bowers ; Speak of the Father's love, speak of his might. Who is filling the newly-clad earth with delight. Bloonl again, bloom again, beautiful flowers. We are weary of waiting through winter's dark hours : Smile on the hearts that are burdened with care. Waken our songs of thanksgiving and prayer. 48 " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." ! WHILE the merry bells peal forth, let the glad angel's song Be sung by grateful human Ups though sad and silent long, Be wafted through the frosty air this blessed Christmas mom, Until of its clear gladsome notes a holy joy is bom. " Glory to God ! " Let hearts bow down before the Eternal King, And children's ringing voices join the anthem sweet to sing. Let seraphs catch the echoing notes, and bear them to the throne. For he, the Jesus Christ, the Lord, our feeble song shall own. "Peace on the earth." Where now the strife is raging wild and high. May angry spirits hear once more that song fall from the sky. And the frown pass from the clouded brow, and the smile again be seen. And the brother's hand clasp brother's where the discord long has been. blessed, holy Jesus, look on us this sacred day, Take from our weary, troubled souls what grieves thine eye, away; And speak to us in thy great love that our joyous hearts and free. May sing a gladsome Christmas song, Son of Man to thee. 49 "m Wham the mmU is mt Wxitthij." Thet are am earnest little band, unknown to human fame, But they have bound about their hearts the Sarlour's precious name,; And feet, and hands, and lips, and Uves, they dedicate to him, — The shade of earth lies on their hearts — t/iat love is never dim ! They vralk not now with fearless step up to the martyr' s stake, Yet sorrow, suilering, pain, and strife they bear for Jesus' sake, The sharp reproach, the satire keen, the cold and curious stare ; And the only refuge from them aU is the sacred hour of prayer. Men say they do no mighty deeds. Ah ! none have ever seen The anguish of the wrestling soul, where deadly sin has been — The battle strong, where right and wrong have fiercely fought for sway ; The aug^uish sharp, the battle fierce, and the vietonj have they. They cannot make this world their home ; they wear the pilgrim's dress. And a restlessness is in their hearts as the upward hiH they press. They are panting for the promised lan,d spread peacefully before. Their language is the breath of prayer till the journeying be o'er. D 50 They are men of ■wondrous power and might, but they conquer sflently ; They gain the triumph o'er themselves, they live on ear- nestly. They are a Royal Family ; and the children of the King Shall stand ere long before his face, and the pahn of victory bring. j^cquaititfid with ^tiet The Saviour's heart ■wells o'er -with symyathy, The falling tear can swell that fount of love, His ear ne'er fails to catch the sufferer's sigh, His helping hands send healing from above. For he has suffered, he has tasted woe, Not one of all our griefs to him is strange, Therefore he watches every step we go, Therefore his tenderness can know no change. In the dark troublous days of this our life. In the fierce hours of utter ■wretchedness — We know how long he wrestled ■with the strife Of the fell tempter in the ■wilderness. And he has hungered for our common bread. He has gro"wn thirsty by the wayside well. Life's hot and dusty miles he had to tread, And he has listened to hope's dying kneU. He has experienced all our loneliness ; He has been wounded by beloved hands ; He was forsaken, poor, companionless — A stranger in the midst of household bands. 51 From those Mnd eyea have fallen bitter tears, For Death spared not his friends, which spares not ours ; He -walked, enwrapped in shadow, through the years ; He lived in sorrow mid the bitter flowers. "We cannot know the agony he knew When drops of sweat fell from his sinless brow ; TTia were the many sorrows, ours the few ; We have his pity and his succour now. Therefore, whene'er the giief is sharp or long, let us nestle near that loving Friend ; Nor needlessly will he the woe prolong, The Man of sorrows will our sorrows end. Bm Bps arfi npan Thee. Not of ourselves, Lord, we meet the strife Of the unequal battle of the world ; We look to thee amid the waves of Ufe, When the black tempest has its might unfurled : In every trouble. Lord, we lift our eyes XJp to thy hills, whence hope and help arise. They are dim eyes, O Grod, that cannot see Which is the way that thou would' st have us go, But light and darkness ever dwell with thee — O, flash the radiance of thy smile below, And fleck the narrow way with spots of Hght, That we may tread it even in the night. D 2 52 And they are weeping eyes. Hot, blinding tears Have often gathered in them day by day ; Sorrow has spread its pall above onr years, And laid its thorns upon the chequered way ; Yet through our tears we struggle after thee — O God, reveal thyself, and set us free ! For pleading eyes are they, that would bespeak Thy lovmg pity and thy helping hand ; Pilgrims in nights of sorrow, blind and weak. We grope about for thee where dangers stand : Pity us. Father, in our dark distress, Give to our yearning hearts thy tenderness. Lord, they are trustful eyes that turn to thee ; We have thy promises, — our prayers prevail ; Thou wilt withhold no blessing, thou wilt be A Light when all the lamps of earth shall fail : So lift we up our eyes in holy calm And sing to thee the pflgrim's happy psahn. The Jaord is Tliy Y\zz^zt, Thoit'bt like a child, with loving arms Ever enfolding thee — A parent's never-slumbering care, A love unbounded, free — Compassion, tenderness, and power, Which never weary be. 53 And thou may'st walk about at noon, Thoug-h arrows fly around ; May'st slumber fearlessly and safe Amid night's gloom profound ; May'st stand erect, unflinchingly, Where pain and death abound. The serpent's trail is on the path, The pitfaU yawneth there, The noisome pestilence may float Upon the poisoned air ; But thou art safe — thy keeper, Grod, Is with thee everywhere. Nor moon shall ever smite thee here, Nor heat of noon-day sun ; A shade is round about thy head, And heaven is begun : So passing sweet it is to be The Father's oared-for one. O cherished, kept, beloved, and watched, Trust thou that loving hand, And listen for that mighty voice ; Obey his Mnd command, And, dinging closely to his arm. Pass through the stranger's land. 54 "$ Vitiixw that my EfijJ^^m^t IsiwtJi." - Steonq words oft breathed by dying lips, dear -words that pierce the sMes, Brave words that fill the soul with peace, and light the closing eyes, Faith's words that come xmflinchingly from hearts made stiU by prayer. While Christ the Resurrection and the Life is waiting there. " I know that my Hedeemer Hvee," life's lights are growing dim. But in the darkness of the night there's always light with TiiTn ■ And the waters are not terrible, when on the other side We know he waits and watches, while they bear us on then- tide. " I know that my Redeemer hves,'' mine, mine for ever- more. Whom I shall know and understand when these dark nights are o'er ; When the mists that lie so thick around shall all be cleared away, And the Morning Star shall usher in the long, undying day. " I know that my Redeemer lives," and Death shall have no power. For its night shall all be smiled away, e'en in the last dark hour; He shall redeem my soul from death, and bring the newly- born To bask in the refulgent beams of the eternal mo»ii. 55 " I know that my Redeemer lives," O fear and doubt remove, And never cloud my soxd again that glories in its love ! For yet a very little while, and we shall stand and sing The song of triumph over death, in the presence of the King. CaI/M is the eventide ! Slowly and still The shadows creep over the valley and hill ; All nature arrayed in its night-robe of peace. Bids the day's labour aU trauquUly cease. Sweet is the eventide, softly to rest Soothes it the weary ones safe on its breast — Kisses the tears of the weary away, Brings a soft blessing- word after the day. Think in the eventide, gather the flowers Which thy memory planted in day's busy hours 5 Think of the loved ones whose eyes have grown dim- Think of the voices that sang the night hymn. Think in the eventide, thiok of thy God, When the night dew refreshingly falls on the sod, For so shall his presence, as dew on thy soul. Make the weary and wounded one restfuHy whole. Sing in the eventide, softly and low Let the heart's music-stream gratefully flow ; Sing, looking back on the blessings of light — Sing, looking on to the silence of night ; 56 Sing in the even thy sweetest of songs, Sing out the love that to heaven belongs — Sweetly and tenderly up to the skies Let the glad vespers at twilight arise. Pray in the eventide ! Weary of sin, Weary of conflict around and within, Pour out the spirit's deep needs in thy prayer, RoU at the Saviour's feet all of thy care. Pray in the eventide ! Softly shall come Thoughts of the better land, thoughts of thy home ; Pray, and thy heart shall turn fondly above, Klled and refreshed by the Infinite's love. "That tuWdi is not 'Utead," ' Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread ? and your labour for that which satisfieth not V " Weaet workers in Kfe's hot day. Wherefore fling ye your strength away f Wherefore toil ye from mom's first blush E'en to the midnight's solemn hush ? What have ye garnered for all your pain For the young life's strength which comes not again? Have ye won for the over- wearied brow The crown of fame ? — ^is it thorn-set now ? In yoiir gathered wealth do ye put your trust ? Have ye yet learnt aught of the moth and riist ? Do ye barter for pleasure your life's best hours ? Are ye looking ever for fairy flowers ? 57 Ye spend your money in yain, in vain : Te give what ye cannot receive again ; They are broken cisterns ye fondly hold — For Sodom's apples ye give your gold ; And yonr hungry hearts have the same wild cry- " Bread and healing for those who die." Weary workers in life's hot day, Wherefore fling ye your strength away ? Come to the cross in your deepest need — Come where the Saviour's loved ones feed; Come in your thirst to the Crucified, And your spirit's wants shall be satisfied ! Linger not on the barren moor, Weary, heart-sick, wounded, sore ; Come where the healing waters spring ; Come your sickness and sorrow bring ; Come in your need of life and love To the open arms of the Friend above. " Give U3 day by day our daily bread." Thus did the Saviour teach us. Thus would we Frame our petition to the generous K in g — Look to >iim every morning trustingly. And shrink not every eve our need to bring, Asking enough but for one passing day. That as the new wants come we still may pray. 58 Thus faith would keep its ever-Vindled eye On the great Author of o>ir blessings here ! Thus fear should mingle not with her low cry, And cold distrust ne'er wound the Friend most dear, But living, loving, looking to its G-od, Build Bethels where before was thirsty sod. " Grive to us day by day our daily bread." The Saviour knew the Father and his love — Knew how he would his children should be fed, Receiving daily manna from above ; In love's dependence seeking stUl his face. That he might satisfy us with his grace. And we do trust thee. Lord ! For day by day Come ever fresher blessings from thy hand ; Thou changest to a pleasant sunny way What else were but a dry and desert land. Help us to love thee with more confidence. That thou mayest bless us with thy recompense. Must it Jtlways Be? Must it always be that the flowers will fade, And summer leaves in the dust be laid ? That clouds m.ust gather o'er azure sMes Y O'er the fairest scenes must storms arise ? Must it always be that the hours of earth Are dimmed in their moments of highest m.irth ■ 69 Must it always he thai the heart shall mourn Over its loves that will ne'er return ? Must graves be dug in the wilderness Each new step that the pilgrims press ? Must we always walk in the mist of tears ? Nor struggle through to the happier years ? Must it always he that our heaits shall faint O'er griefs that can find no word of plaint? That the nameless yearnings shall ne'er be stilled ? And the spirit's cravings be never filled? Shall we always be helpless and poor and weak, Ne'er finding the good for which we seek ? Must it always be that the hand of sin Shall sadden the heart in its needs within ? Shall we always grope in the shadowy road, Sighing ever for light and God ? Shall darkening distance our spirits bar From the Friend who is our Morning Star ? Nay, nay ! The morning shall chase the night. The weary spirit shall bask in light, The ransomed heart shall sin no more, When tears and storms and death are o'er. Not long shall we mourn in our hours of pain. Soon wUl the Healer come again. Soon in the city bmlt by Grod, In the golden streets by myriads trod. Light shaU break o'er the mystery, And the struggling spirit at last be free ; It will always he in the home above, That tears are dried by the hand of love. 60 The, l^j^ct^d Invitation. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." They do not hear ttee, Saviour ; earthly notes dwell on their ears ; They do not Katen for the voice which turns to smiles the tears, They will not seek thy holy face, they will not cast their care Before the Burden-bearer in the restful hour of prayer. They know thee not, O Saviour, though thou dweUest by their side, And speakest in th y still small voice kind words at eventide ; Thou art a stranger unto them ; with cold unloving thought They pass thee by as if thy mighty tenderness were nought. They do not see thee. Saviour, for the glitter of the world Has dazzled their weak vision — ^has its banners bright unfurled; O Jesus, they have followed that, while the banner of thy cross Neglected hangs — pity them ! they know not gold from dross. They do not love thee, Saviour — thee, who lovest them so much! Yet have they hearts that can be thrilled with love's im- perfect touch ; In the o'erburdening sorrow, Lord, they turn away from thee. Yet lift their dim, appealing eyes for human sympathy. 61 patient Saviour ! pity those wlio -will not hear thee speak, Torsake not the ungrateful ones until thy face they seek ; Bring them, O bring them near to thee ! O make them find thy rest. And be with those who hear thy voice, those whom thy peace has blest. MqH at Eu^ntid^. " Thb day has been o'ershadowed. From the rising of the mom, Until the hours have spent themselves, the day has been forlorn. The clouds have hung athwart the sky, and the relentless rain. Has fallen to the sodden earth, as constant throbs of pain." Yet ere the day has faded quite, a change shall make it blest : The calm light comes at eventide, the clouds have left the west. " My life has been o'ershadowed. Pain has waited on each day, And sorrow, fear, and care have thrown their pall above my way, And the dark night looms before me." Nay, the star of light was near, And a strong voice bade him dry his teare, and oast away his fear ; For the mountain of his life's distress had melted as the snow. And the Ught his day-time never saw, his eventide should know. 62 " Heaven and my Lord are so far ofF — far as the distant sky — My day has all been dark as night, and now I fear to die ; For if the clouds about my life have ever been so dense, What -will the narrow passage be, when I am summoned hence ?" 'Twas glorious light at eventide, no fear, no doubt, no care, The night was changed to golden day for the Light of life was there. Saviour, it is ever so : the night can never come. Where thy bright presence sheds its light upon the earthly home. We win not fear the dull thick mist, for thou wilt hear our cry. Thou light of all the darkened world will in our woe be nigh. So wiU we falter not, whate'er our hearts betide. Since thou wilt flash a sudden ray of light at eventide. Falling t oaves. "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season : h is leaf also shall not wither." They fall upon the sodden earth, the fading, dying leaves. Death comes to them, the beautiful, in the autumnal breeze ; Their little summer day is past, and yellow, dry, and sere. They droop before the winter's touch as the biting blast draws near. 63 Old trees, ye mil be desolate, ajid naked, and forlorn, Lifting your bare arms upwards in the frosty winter' s mom ! Old trees, your bright green, dancing leaves, where sun- beams loved to play, "Will by the swift relentless storm be roughly swept away. And we have had our falling leaves — the autumn winds have come And rudely swept across our hearts, and robbed our pleasant home. The friends we loved, the joys we clasped, the hopes that made us glad. Are drooping one by one away, leaving us poor and sad. But he whom God has planted where the eternal rivers gUde, Has his sure promise that his leaves shall fair and green abide , That though " the fig-tree wither " and "the olive branches faU," The tree that he has planted, still shall flourish young and hale. For every hope that fadeth, he shall give a fadeless joy ; For every drooping pleasure, perfects gifts without aEoy ; For every passing loved one, purer love to bud and bloom In the land where death shall come not — ^in the home without a tomb. Then let us meet the autumn with a strong and perfect trust, And fear not that the stormy wind shall lay us in the dust; For a mighty hand is o'er us, and a Father's perfect love Shall guard till he transplants us to the garden fair above. 64 0ut 0tiid fmnd. He heals the smitten one, Pouring his loye into the aching smart ; Bidding the sickness of the soul be gone : He heals the broken heart. He takes the throbbing head, And soothes it gently on Ms loving breast. Bringing sweet comfort where the weary tread. Breathing his peaceful rest. He takes the burning hand, And guides the aching feet the desert through ; He throws his smile upon the stranger's land, He brings the home in "view. He never will forsake ; His love is changeless, constant, perfect, free ; Howe'er our long and darken' d way we take. He by our side will be. We have no other friend, For " Jesus only " through whole Hves will love ; His tenderness will last us tm the end — ■ And make our home above. Alone, forsaken, sad, He pitieth our weakness. He will bring Our yearning spirits to the ever glad. In the eternal spring. 65 Sa-piour ! whom we love, Thou axt the ever-blest ! Seraphim Sing not more eagerly thy praise above; Than we our lowlier hymn. J30, t am with 1J0U alwaijs. Ye never can be desolate who are the Lord's beloved, Though dangers stand on either hand ye never shall be moved; Ye iuow within your siniing hearts that evermore he stands, With loving pity in his eyes and healing in his hands. Although the way be full of care, the winter flim and drear. Ye cannot be alone — unloved — with the Eternal near, Ye cannot sit ye down and die with the weight of earth's distress. Ye cannot pass the darkest day without his tenderness. He waJteth on the waters when the storm is high and strong, He turns the shrieks of terror to the mariner's sweet song. He gives the toiling ones success, and, on the happy shore. He feedeth with his own right hand, and they never hunger more. He Cometh in the morning, bringing strength for every day. He Cometh swift to add and bless when busy noon has sway, He cometh in the eventide, with whispers of his love. He cometh in. the stilly night, from the land of peace above. 66 Te need not fear then, Chxistians, that ye e'er shall be forgot, Since the Master will be with you, and his friendship changes not; But gladly go the appointed way — it cannot well be dim. For, rough or smooth, or long or short, ye take the steps with him. $ji^afe 6-xiad oi ^is Same. Speax good of his name, he has loved ye long ; Extol his mercies in jubilant song ; Raise toward heaven high notes of praise ; Fill with music the happy days. Has he not blessed you ? Then spread his fame ; Be thankful unto him, and bless Ms name. Thou, on whose brow are the marks of years, Has he not healed thee, and dried thy tears P Did he not soothe thee in each distress ? Did he not fill thee with happiness ? Speak good of his name, where'er thou shalt be. Who has been so abundantly good to thee. Thou, who hast knelt in thine agony Wrestling, when none but he was nigh, Pouring thy soul out in bitter groans, Has he not stifled thy wildest moans ? Did not his voice hush the storm of woe ? Speak good of his name, that all may know. 67 Thou who wert lonely, and -weak, and sad, He loved thee, and blessed thee, and made thee glad ; He brought thee out in a pleasant place ; He has encompassed thee -with grace ; Speak good of Ms name to each listening ear. That others may hold thy Friend most deax. Speak good of his name ! bear not thou The coward Up and the timid brow ; Be bold to speak of him everywhere ; He cares for thee, he hears thy prayer; He is thy G-od, extol his love Tin thou praisest him. in the realms above. Thet have struggled away from the city of tears. They have broken the bands that had bound them long, They have shaken off fetters that held them for years. They are learning the notes of the heavenly song. With firm step and rapid they march up the hill. And keen eyes that look for the city of light. Only halting awhile by the bright sparkling rill, And dreaming of ladders to heaven by night. They wake with the pilgrim's strong staff in their hands. And gird on their armour, and cheerfully go Where eternal suns shine on the holier lands, And the weary ones rest them, forgetting their woe. e2 68 Faint echoes hare come from the far golden shore, Foreshadowing pictures have brightened their eyes, And, glad for the fatherland lying before. They reck not if gloom clothe the winter's cold sHee. With the seal of the kingdom engraved on each brow. And with hearts that are restless till resting at home. They are pilgrims and strangers all sorrowful now ; They shall reign with the Kiug when to Zion they come. ^ummet. The earth awakes with starts of joy ; A thousand happy voices Float echoing through the sunlit vales. While every heart rejoices. A song floats o'er the landscape fair. Fills with music the soft air, — Fathers, children, old and young. Join the grateful, gladsome song. Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord ! The sunlight gilds the rugged cliff. And lights the hoary mountains ; Crowns ocean's ever- restless brows. And sparkles in the fountains. Lifts the heart of man above In a gush of grateful love ; And again the song is heard, By the pleasant zephyrs stirred. Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord ! 69 The perfumed breezes gently float Above the graceful willows ; They move among the waving com, And stir the sUv'ry bUlows : And whisper ever ia their play Through the long sweet sunny day, Aged man and gladsome child, Passionate heart, and spirit mild, Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord ! The earth is full of joy to-day. And nature, mutely raising Its mirthful hymns of deep content, Has filled the world with praising. And shall not we — ^to whom are given Blessings of the earth and heaven — Brothers, sisters, old and young. Join the grateful, gladsome song ? Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord ! ''Me ^e hatr^ next always." Pkiends of the Saviour, you have met at the table of your King, And a humbler spirit, tenderer heart, to "the Hfe that is" you bring ; Por you have sat at his dear feet, and drank so much of love, That you woiild be evermore at rest with that holiest Friend above. 70 Ton would be evermore -witli him — ^but, ah! not yet, not yet Is the day of glory come to you ; but your hearts may not forget The farewell words he left behind, and, till he calls you home, Bear tenderly his messages where'er your feet may roam. He left to the beloyed John the Mother of his heart. To cherish and to comfort ; and to you a nobler part. To loTe, for your deep love of him, the needy, the distressed — To let the loveless and the lone be with your friendship blest. " The poor are always with you," but the Lord has passed above ; O, for his sake be pitiful to aE. who need your love : Be bountiful as he would be — as you would be to Him Did he walk the earth a stranger now. His eyes with sorrow di'-m Ye fain would bring your gold and myrrh, woiild bathe his feet with tears. But ye may wia his smile of love, through all the passing years. If ye dry your brothers^ weeping eyes, if ye cheer the mourning heart, And raise the song of grateful praise where sighs of woe had part. ^fi linxiw not tthat i}b asli. Daily there surges upward to the throne The burning wave of passionate appeal ; Te bring your bleeding hearts, your brains that reel, And gasp your prayers in eager feverish tone ; The kind ControUer loots with pitying eyes On the wild upturned faces — and denies ! 71 A thread of gold hangs midway in the air, " 0, let me grasp the thread," ye cry aloud; It holds a burning sword beyond the cloud, Te see not that, ye pour impassioned prayer And struggle for it with your eager hands — Shall God, the all- wise, answer your demands ? Footsore and weary, ye espy a nest. Tranquil and shady, beautiful with flowers ; There would ye dream away delicious hours — " Father, give to me that pleasant rest ! " Stay ! stay ! the deadly upas tree is there. Shall he who loves you hearken to your prayer ? A shadowy form allures your pleading eyes, " let me clasp that hand, and bring it near ; Unto that heart alone I would be dear ; That love, those sheltering arms are aU I need." Blind ! bUnd ! those feet are on the downward track, Christ cares for you — shall he not hold you back ? Life's cup, with sorrow's bitter leaves made strong. Is held to your hot lips by holy hands ; Ye push it from you, making wild demands — " take it back, my God, it must be wrong, I cannot drink it, I would rather die" — Shall the Physician listen to that cry ? Te doubt your Father, weep, and wiH not rest When he denies the gilded joys ye crave — O children ! will ye ne'er be strong and brave. And trustful of his love who knoweth best ? For, when the night of sad distrust is spent. How will ye mourn o'er all this discontent ! 72 Jiris^e ! Aeise, arise, from thy" sluggish sleep, Shake ofif the spell of thy slumbers deep. Open the eyes thou art fain to close In the stealing sweetness of soft repose ; Rouse the limbs that 'would lie at ease. And awaken thy dormant energies. Arise, arise, for the night is spent, And behold another day is lent — A day to accomplish some earnest deed, A day to satisfy some great need, A day in which kindly words may be Spoken to sorrowing hearts by thee. Arise, arise, and with gladness go To the homes of vice and the hearts of woe, And seek to bring to the Saviour's feet. That they may the Friend of sinners meet. All who are wounded and full of grief — All who sigh for a great relief. Arise, arise, for the Master's sake, And thine earnest life-work humbly take ; Work, for the Lord is watching thee ; Work, for the even soon will be, A blessed hour of reward and rest, Which thou shalt pass on the Saviour's breast. 73 lit aU Tim^s. "A friend loveth at all timea." *• Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? " Thou'et not Hie human friends, OChiist! and yet the hearts that twine Around us in thy lower world are pictures faint of thine ; For we know, if proud hearts ever turn toward us tenderly. They have a spark to gladden us from thine infinity. Jesus ! thou dost make us rich in all thy wealth of love, Which comes in showers of blessing from thy Father-heart above ; Thy love is all unmeasured, and we only faintly guess The tenderness of Jesus and his loved one's blessedness. Thou lovest us in times of woe, though all besides are cold ; Thou carest for the youngest one, thou cherishest the old ; And even when our hearts are filled by other friends than thee, Thou watchest o'er our chequered path, and lead'st us tenderly. We thank thee for this stronghold 'mid the storms and wrecks of life, That nothing e'er can part us — not the day of longest strife ; That 'mid the frowns of friends below our hearts may calmly rest Upon thy deep and changeless love, upon our Saviour's breast. 74 There shall be tux mote $ea. All day sigh on the shore the surging billoT™ That steal with greedy Kps onr joys away ; All night roU on the ever-shifting pillows On which the weary breathe their lives away. Awhile the waves are bright with flashing sunlight, — There axe dark silent graves far, far below, And while they darkly toss, 'mid gloom of midnight, Our treasures heavily beneath them go. We are not safe ! The foe too near us glideth, Serenely, silently, insidiously ; And all the safeguards passionate love provideth It sweeps from clinging grasps relentlessly. AH round the island of our lives it surges. Enwraps us closely — there is no escape ; And while the syren's voice oiir ruin urges, The restless billows far beneath us gape. Thus rolls the sea of care and sorrow ever Above our very hearts, close to our homes ; "We deprecate its rule with vain endeavour. The heavy roaring wave still nearer comes, " There shall be no more sea." 0, golden city, The loved, the longed for, the eternal blest ; The waves shall touch not those who have God's pity, In thy fair homes of perfect peace and rest. 75 " There shall be no more sea." God, our Father, When sorrow's waters beat us ceaselessly, Help us to bear the grief till thou shalt gather Thy loTed, thy cared for, where is no more sea. I am the hard that ^ealeth Thee. We oome to thee, kind Healer, bringing all our sicknesses. We lift our weary eyes to thee in all our miseries. We lie beside thy feet and sigh — 0, touch us with thy hand. For siti and sorrow, pain and woe, will flee at thy command. Our hearts are weary of the weight wfi carry to the grave, We creep along the path of life — L make us strong and brave ; The toil and turmoil of the world have stolen all our rest ; ! Healer of our sicknesses, make thou the weary blest. We bring our wounded ones to thee ; Christ, in thy better love Teach them how sweet it is to have so strong a friend above; Stay thou the agony of fear, dry thou the weeping eyes, And make them happy evermore by thy kind sympathies. " I am the Lord that healeth thee." We know thee, O our Friend; Stay with us in thy mighty power till every grief shall end. We thank thee for the wounds thou send'st, for it is good to be The weary, weeping, wounded ones, so sweetly healed by thee. 76 Thy Kingjlom Bame, Thy Mngdom come, God, All day, all night thy children cry aloud, Por sin and sorrow-stricken is the crowd That waits upon thy nod. We groan amid our chains, O for the voice to speak and set us free, And clothe us with the sinless majesty That for thy sons remains. Thy kingdom come ! O now From many lips arises the deep cry, Lo the expectant nations far and nigh As supplicators how. 0, send the time of peace. For which our weary eyes have waited long ; 0, teach the world to join the praiseful song, And let all sorrow cease. Why does it tarry yet P The watchers have grown old and passed away ; The night is dreary, when shaJl come the day ? Sure, thou wilt not forget ! Nay, for the light shall hreak. And peace shall spread its wing o'er each fair home. And happy feet the heavenly journey take : Thus shall thy kingdom come. 77 And from all oKmes shall throng The ransomed, -who have found the Kong's dear grace, The eager, who shall gaze upon his face, And join the unending song. The f ainless Jaand. " Neither shall there be any more pain." How sweetly rest at home those who have acted In life's e'er painful drama darkling parts ; There nevermore are aching brows contracted. There nevermore bleed bruised and broken hearts. * Not there, as here, sad eyes are watching, weeping. Beloved ones tossing through the nights of pain ; Not then, as now, is death its cold hands steeping Deep in the blood and tears of all the slain. There the sharp cut of harsh neglect ne'er bringeth Tears to the eyes, whence tears are wiped away ; There hate or anger ne'er its wild dart flingeth Upon the unshielded ; there is peace alway. In heaven is perfect health — ^no pain, no weakness. No brooding sorrow, no oppressive fears ; The pure, the blest, made perfect in their meekness. Pass tranquilly adown the eternal years. O restful home for us the broken-hearted, We turn our eyes to thee, amid our pain ; When shall life's pressing sorrows have departed, And we have reached the shadowless again ? 78 Itfitttrn uiitix ih^ Itest, mi} Saul. With •weary feet and drooping wing- npon thy burdened breast, O dove tbat wandereth from, the ark, return unto thy rest; Thou canst not scale the -water's deep in the blackness of the night. Fly back, fly back, world-wearied one, to the God who giveth light. No rest, no rest, where now thou strivest to find a resting- place, * No smile, no love, where now thou seek'st a calm and tender face ; No safety where thou fain would'st stay until the storm is o'er; Return, return unto thy rest, and leave it nevermore. The nest is stirred, the wind is high, the Ughtning flasheth now, The night is on thy laden heart, the sadness on thy brow ; linger not to find a rest where cometh winter drear. Return unto the Father's arms, return while he is near. Rest is beneath his shadow, — rest which nothing here shall break, A cahn repose that he will give for the Redeemer's sake, A rest in his unchanging love, a rest where perfect peace Enfolds the hearts of his beloved, and biddeth sorrow cease. 79 Return, return unto thy rest ; why wilt thou longer roam ? O, hasten ere the eventide within thy beauteous home ; Now, quicken the slow feet and haste the Father's love to learn; Return unto thy rest, my soul, earnestly return ! In iU WighU SoLEMKLT, silently Falling asleep. Rest they all placidly Those who oft weep, Gathers all wearily Each to his nest, Folding the aching limbs Sweetly to rest. Solemnly, silently Angel forms come, Hang o'er the Christian man, Guarding his home ; Bidding the weary eyes Peacefully close. Sealing the trembling ones Safe in repose. Solemnly, silently Sweet dreams are given. Dreams of the fatherland. Sweet dreams of heaven ; 80 Smiles wreathe the rested face, Music notes come Soothingly, thriUingly, From the far home. Solemnly, silently Thus win it he, When the voice caUeth us — " Come and be free ; " Sweet peace shall fall upon Eyes that did weep. And with the happy dreams Tired ones shall sleep. Solemnly, silently Lift we our prayer — God, who has guarded us Aye with thy care. Be with our spirits then, Fold us to sleep "With thy beloved ones, Never to weep. In the Naming:. When the solemn tnunpet soundeth o'er the couch of all the world. And the curtains of the darkness shall for ever far be hurled, What a morning then shall break o'er the opening eyes of earth. What a rush of mighty terror then shall hush the sounds of mirth! 81 When tlie solemn angel crieth, saying, Time shall be no more, And the Judge of all the nations throweth wide the open door, And the solemn silence f aUeth on the trembling spirits there. And no sound is breathed among them — not a sound of earth-like prayer. And the angels gather 'mid them — what a morning that will be For the myriads bound in fetters, for the myriads glad and free, For the friends who love the Saviour, for the foes who curse his name, What a morning that wiU be for the Judge's awful fame ! When shall break that solemn morning o'er the nations wrapped in sleep. When shall sound the angel's summons o'er the sad and silent deep ; May we hear the Master calling to the realms of cloudless light- " Come up hither, rested sleepers, come, for here is no more night." The^tat-J^i^lma Way It is not always light where we are treading. The shades lie deep upon the hidden way : Night hangs about the thicket we are threading, And the tired heart sighs for the gladsome day. 82 It is not always dark ■where we mnst linger. The sun shines out upon the pleasant land ; And we can gaze upon the Guide's kind finger, And walk among the flowers a happy band. It is not always dark or light. There breaketh The Morning Star upon the dim, deep grey ; And life itself the sober night tinge taketh, And joy or woe's extreme has passed away. It is a safe and happy time, the spirit Upsoareth not, nor droopeth in the vale, But museth on the life it must inherit. And is made wise by many a secret tale. The Father cometh nearer, and his token Is the calm peace that steals o'er troubled lives ; , The spell that bound to earth is well-nigh broken, The world grows diTn but hope of heaven revives. Therefore motim not the time of constant sameness, The quiet, or the dulness of thy day ; For God can bear thee happy, safe, and blameless, Along the half-hidden, the star-lighted way. " San me:' Caii. me, dear Saviour ! I will wait and listeu For the dear voice which I have loved so long — Win wait with eager heaii and eyes that glisten, Where memories of thy goodness round me throng. 83 Call me, dear Father ! for the night is closing Over the mountain path which I must tread ; My soul will hear ttee, and, in peace reposing, Forget its sorrow, smile away its dread. Call me, dear Saviour, nearer, ever nearer. Unto tte sheltering fold of thy dear love ; That as the days glide on, stiH brighter, dearer, May grow the prospect of the life above. Call me, dear Father ! many others hear thee. And I am thirsting for thy presence too ; I also sigh for thee, and love and fear thee ; I would rejoice as thine own children do. Call me, and I will answer. Gladly singing, As runs the child to see his father's face. So will I run to thee, my whole heart bringing, And finding by thy side my restful place. Thott Guardian of the silent night, Around whose throne is constant Kght, We sing our even song to thee, And pray in love's humility. AH day the dangers near us hung, All day thine arm was round us flimg ; Our wants have risen through the hours. Thy blessings came like summer showers. f2 84 We thani: thee, Father, and we pray That Jesus' love may wash away The fears, the freshly-gathered sin. That through this day have crept within. O breathe thy peace on weary brow, G-ive us a glimpse of heaven now, That we may love that land of light. That blessed home of " no more night." The darkaess spreads its brooding wing, But to thy sheltering side we cling, ! wipe the tears from eyes that weep, And give to thy beloved sleep. And when the night of death is nigh. Help us as peacefully to die ; Close thou our eyes as tenderly. So let us sleep and wake with thee. GrLADLT the Summer's long day shall pass. Throwing its shadows o'er growing grass, Lighting with beauty the sheeny sea, Bringing bird-music, aU sweet and free. Warming to life the crown it weaves Of glory and brightness — ^uuder the leaves. 85 Grladly shall rise tlie dmstian's song, Tlie glades, and the hills, and the vales among ; Gladly shall words of peace be read Where the -weary feet shall in summer tread ; And prayer shall rise while the heart believes In the Father's goodness — ^under the leaves. Grladly shall Hope grow strong again After a season of grief and pain ; Love shall be quickened in each glad hour. And Faith have more tlian its usual power. Sweet are the lessons which Sununer weaves With the hearts that love it — ^under the leaves. Grladly the Summer-time shall bring Thoughts of the land of eternal spring — ■ Thoughts of the home where our loved ones be, ' The strong, the holy, the saved, the free — Holy and swift- winged thought that cleaves The clouds above us under the leaves. Grladly and gratefully come we now To a restful shelter for heart and brow ; Grladly and gratefully hours shall pass 'Mong the fragrant flowers and the beauteous grass ; While many a grateful spirit weaves A praiseful garland among the leaves. 86 $unn^ Ijotirs. On the earth long barren Palls refreshing rain ; Then the nurttiring sunbeams Warm the sod again ; And amid the hedgerows Break the budding flowers, While the songsters carol In the sunny hours. Softly on our spirits Are the raindrops laid ; Cheerily the glad songs Pierce the merry glade. And the soft-toned patter Of the pleasant showers Wakes the grander anthems Of the sunny hours. Sweetly in the forests Falls the slanting sun, Softly droop the shadows When the day was done. Many a pleasant lesson, From the skies and flowers. Learn we in the spring-time, And the pleasant hours. Let our songs rise higher. In the merry time Of the spring's bright verdure, Or the Bumm.er's prime. 87 Let ua praise our Father, Bringing fragrant flowers Lowly to his footstool In the sunny hours. |i ^idd^n rath. Thebe were no sunbeams on the long way sparkling ; We slowly walked, And looked above us at the dense clouds darkling, And sadly talked. There were the mutterings of friend to friend, " Oh, would that we could only see the end !" We parted the thick boughs that hung beside us, With many a fear. Lest every step some danger should betide us, Threateningly near. We stood in silent awe and hushed our breath, And thought, " Perchance this leadeth us to death." We met sometimes some faintly g limm ering token Of stronger life ; But on we crept, our terror all unbroken, Fearing new strife ; And at each pleasant spot we cried, " Beware ! Some deadly foe, some danger, lurketh there," 88 Pear held us in its grasp, grim, stem, and tightening ; We were afraid That God's bright sunbeams were but tempest lightning, And sore dismayed. We thought the midnight deepening — when the day Flashed glorious light upon the hidden way. And lo ! the Leader's voice, in tones commanding. Bids us to look : The hidden way lies where oiir feet are standing — An open book. Flowers bloom and fountains gush where we have been ; It was & pleasant path J could we have seen. lit Uight. Hushed are sounds of human mirth, Silence falls upon the earth. Peace has spread its soothing wing Softly over everything, Care is silenced for awhile, And the stars look down and smile, As we bend the lowly knee, Father of the light ! to thee. Speak, and bid the weary eyes No more weep ; Hear us in thy far-off skies ; Give us sleep. Little ones, with faces fair, Kest upon their clustering hair, Eyes of youth and beauty close Dreamily for soft repose ; 89 Genius, ■witli its aching brow, Only wooeth slumber now ; Sorrow tumeth. eyes to thee. Prince of Peace, beseeohingly. Thou who dost not weary grow. Near us keep ; Thou who dost oui- weakness know, Give us sleep. In the absence of the Ught, In the sUenee of the night. In the hour of loneliness, Pather dear, thy children bless, Give us greater strength, alway For the yet unopened day ; Give us dreams of home above. Make us happy in thy love. "Weariness and slumber's power O'er us creep ; Father, in this holy hour. Give us sleep ! The $ectet flac£. ' He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the ahadow of the Almighty." God taketh us away Far from the heat and turmoil of the world, Hideth us in his shadow, where alway His glory is unfurled. 90 Oh ! holy, secret place ! What revelations of a love Divine, What blessed glances of onr Father's face, What perfect joys are thine ! Earth's din and strivings cease, And heavenly symphonies float thrOlingly In that blessed atmosphere of perfect peace Where God's beloved ones be. Sweet lessons are we taught In the deep quiet of this secret place ; And here with scarce a veil, our hearts are brought To gaze upon his face. Nor harm shall ever come, Of dangers, storm-cloud, or of lurldng foe, Within the precincts of our Patter's home. Whose happiness we know. Nor burning summer heat, Nor blast of autumn, nor the winter's cold. Shall ever reach us at the Master's feet, While his dear arms enfold. Oh be it evermore Our hiding-place, our happy, sheltered home, Until the voyage of our life be o'er And we shall no m.ore roam ! 91 Be Thau m^ Itefuge. When the burden heavy lieth, And I faint, Hear the plaint, Which my spirit orieth. When the storm is wildest beating. Gather me Unto thee ; Bid the clouds be fleeting. When the danger is the longest, Father dear. Be thou near ; Be thy love then strongest. When the foe is all about me, Father, speak; I am. weai ; Do not let me doubt thee. Then, when thou my feet art bringing To the gloom Of the tomb, I win still be singing. Sundaijs at ^ome, FouE Sundays since. We read the grand old psahn, " Lord, thou has been our dweUing-plaoe." He spake In faith's strong words of the eternal calm Of those who in the Lord's glad beauty wake. 92 We sang, "Nearer to Thee," and unseen hands Knitted our hearts to God's great heart of love ; We bent our knees in prayer, and angel bands Brought us the echoes of the choir above. Two Sundays since. The bands were growing cold That clung to mine beside the parting wave : The spirit looking through bis eyes grew bold. His strength bad failed him, faith had made him brave. " I Icuow in whom I have believed." Heaven's light Became too strong for his poor mortal eyes : He closed them ; and there came to me the nigbt, — To him, the morning in the upper skies. Only two Sundays since. The weeks seem years. I read the grand old psalm alone to-day ; I bathe the holy words in human tears. Since he who read with me has passed away. How far away, and yet how veiy near ! The door that hangs between is only air ; I put my band within the Father's here, He dwells in his immediate presence there. I weep, and he rejoices. But a word Spoken in softest tones shall reach me soon. And I shall be as he is, with the Lord — Mine the bright morning, his the blissful noon. 93 "And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus delivered him to his mother." — LUKB vii. 15, Fast fell the -widoVs buming tears amid tlie ■weeping' band — Tears for the bright young life gone out from the early- darkened land. Slowly and sadly passed they on, the silent, mournful train ; And the mother's heart -sras bleeding tears of deep and quenchless pain, — Tears for the flower out down too soon, for the morning overcast ; Tears that the flashing light of love so soon had burned its last. But Jesus had compassion for the lonely weeping one. Whose empty arms and aching heart yearned for her absent son. He bade her dry her falling tears, for her sorrows should be o'er. And the hour of sUenoe and of death should trouble her no more. So the kind hands (ever blessing filled) removed the mother's pain, And gave her, young and beautiful, her only son again. 0, mother's heart so wildly glad, thy joy is not alone ; We too have known that thiilling hour, — we have had back our own. As kind to us as to thyself, Jesus, the Life, has been, — As tenderly compassionate in each distressing scene ; We too have wildly watched and wept in timid love's alarms ; We have received our treasures back with eager, thankful 94 Not always when we asked of Tiim ; but then, his time is best ; Sometimes we bave been wearied sore before be gave us rest ; And be bas kept a few away, to bave tbe more to give In tbe home of perfect love and rest when we begin toKve: But oftener still be givetb us our well-beloved again, And maketh us as wildly glad as the widowed one of Naiu. And so, when fever heats the brow and dries the lips we love, "We turn our tearful eyes away and watch for Christ above ; "We husb our sighs of fear and grief to hear what be will say, And know his love is still as strong as on that joyful day ; We place our sick and dying ones where he will pass along. For be will say " "Weep not," and turn our sorrow into song. Now, as in thy voice of thunder Thou didst cleave chaos asunder, Tet once more perform the wonder- Mightiest, give us light. Now as comforts are declining, And in darkness we are pining For tbe radiance of thy shining- Father, give us light. "We our weary way are pressing Over hills and steeps distressing ; Pray we for one precious blessing — Master, give us light. 95 We axe thy displeasure wiiming, We are ignorant and sinning, — For a better life's beginning, Holiest, give ns light. Grasping in the darkness, yearning To be rapidly discermng All the truths we should be learning — Spirit, give us light. In our thirst and hunger, needing Pastures where thy lambs are feeding. Listen to our earnest pleading — Jesus, give us light. Near to thee we would be hiding, In the nught of love's providing. To thy cross our worn feet guiding — Saviour, give us light. The Burning: Btistj. ' And tlie angel of the Lord appeared unto Mobbb in a flame of fire out of the midst of a burning bush." We stand beside the bumi'ng bush, Full often in our quiet lives ; There comes to us the solenm hush, And awe with love and courage strives ; We turn aside where gleams the light. And tremble at the marvellous sight. 96 It happens when, with wandering eye, Por daily task we tend our sheep, Or tread the desert wanderingly. Or Unger some given charge to keep, All unprepared for voice or sound To tell ns it is holy ground. God sends some startling providence, Flashes his fire across our way ; Thus forces us to hurry hence. And kneel with covered face to pray ; And when we watch with trembling hush, Speaks from amidst the burning bush. We are not Moses. Ours is not A leader's task — a hero's might ; We have a humbler, easier lot — To crush the wrong and raise the right ; A lowlier work is ours to take For God a.nd for our people's sake. But God's command to us is strong. As if on Horeb it were given. And to our little strength is long And difficult. But help from heaven Shall help us on our toilsome way With strength sufficient for the day. 97 We would be children, Saviour, ever sitting at thy feet, And learning of thy gracious lips the lessons that are meet, And we would hush our trivial words, to hear what thou wilt say. To us who need thy holy love to help us every day. Thou wert the ever patient one. But we so soon forget. The fire of passion blazes forth, we frown, and fume, and fret. We know not how to trust and wait, dear Saviour teach us how, Breathe on us patience for our life, as near to thee we bow. Thou wert the never-sinning one. We sin in word and thought, Our every act is tainted, every deed with darkness fraught; Jesus, teach us how to live, that in the midst of aia We yet may grow akin to thee, thy smile of love to win. Thou wert the ever loving one. We only love in part. For anger and impatience dwell in our divided heart ; And we are full of thoughts for seU . A Saviour wilt thou be And Teacher till we shall have gained resemblance unto thee. " Learn of me." So we would, Christ, but weak and tired we grow ; O teach us day by day to Hve within this world of woe ; And bring us in thine own good time to the better school above. That we may slug the glad new song of aU thy patient love, a 98 " Fob He is good ! " This the theme shall be Which we somid right joyously o'er the sea. Earth and water are eloquent With the words of love which the Lord has sent : Budding flow' ret and fruitful tree Whisper, " How good the Lord must be 1" Give thanks to God in the early day, And when the noon hath pleasant sway ; Give thanks to God in the soft twflight, And in the peacefully silent night ; Give thanks, give thanks — ^let heart and tongue Fill the world with the pleasant song. Give thanks for the beauty of earth and sky ; Give thanks for the woods' sweet minstrelsy ! Give thanks for the summer's joyous beam ; Give thanks for the sparkling, sUvery stream ; Give thanks for the healthy springing com ; Give thanks for the scent of the fragrant mom. Give thanks for the health in the tingling vein ; Give thanks for the hour of tears and pain ; Give thanks for the joy athwart thy vray ; Give thanks for the saddened and shady day ; Give thanks for the ease and the comforts given ; Give thanks when these ties of earth are riven. 99 Give thanis for the love that is ever near, In the brightest smile or the saddest tear ; O, sing to the Lord, both old and young. Swell the triumph of eager song. He giveth us life, and friends, and food ; Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. ^o-pe Thau in €ad. Hope thou in God. Look on to the skies When the surging trouble around thee rise. Though the waves are dashing above thy head, And thy heart is faint with foreboding dread, Hope thou in God ; thou shalt praise him yet. And the depths of thy sorrow in joy forget. Hope thou in God. Though the night be long. The morning breaketh in jets of song. The heart that f ainteth shall live again. The grief shall fade and the joy remain ; And life shall woo thee in richest dress Of trust, and gladness, and loveliness. Hope thou in God. Give up the gold. Or joy, or beauty ; but ne'er withhold From thy heart its meed of hopeful love That oUngeth strong to the Friend above. If it must be, loose all fragile ties ; But fix on God thy trustful eyes. a 2 100 Hope thou in God. In the darkest night This hope shall be a briUiant light ; In the hour of thy passionate, deep despair, This hope shall teach thee unfaltering prayer ; In the hour when the unseen world draws near, This hope shall render it bright and clear. Summer is Baming, SuMMEE is coming ! the bright, the fair. Scattering beauty everywhere. Filling the world with the joy of youth, Telling us aye of the God of truth. Making us all in its beauty kneel To speak the thanks which our spirits feel. Summer is coming ! the gay and glad. Cheering the sick, the wan, and sad. Bidding the eyes that are dark with tears Look up to the mansions where Christ appears, Seeing with faith's awakened view The happy land of the " Ever new.'' Summer is coming ! the sunny hours Shall march before us with bright-hued flowers ; The world shall awaken to sounds of mirth, New robes of beauty adorn the earth. The woods re-echo with birds' glad songs ; Summer is coming ! to Hnger long. 101 Summer is coming ! Be glad ! rejoice ! Lift to HeaTen a grateful voice. Summer and winter do not fail, And thus the undying words prevail. Let us kneel on the fragrant sod, And love, and trust, and praise our God. Thau, Jsorja,mali^st me duf^U in ^afetij. The storm beats rough and high around, the danger presses near. And yet thy family, O Lord, have little cause for fear. The tempest's crash is overhead, but thou art strong above. And thy beloved evermore are safe within thy love. Thy children lay them down to sleep, o' erwearied by the day ; Thine ear is opened unto them when trustingly they pray. They close their eyes in sweet repose when darkness spreads its paU, Nor need they breathe a sigh of care, for thou art over all. Thou spreadest out thine arms, Lord, a shelter and a shield, And to thy kind protection we our weary spirits yield. Thou givest thy beloved sleep ; no danger can betide Those who are safely hid away by thy protecting side. Yet tremblingly we turn our eyes to a deeper sleep than this, And shudder on the threshold of a strange eternal bliss ; But thou wilt make us safely dwell, though death itself be nigh; And thou wilt give us calm repose in thy blest home on high. 102 God pity us and help us now, that faith be not so dim, That our spirits turn more trustingly in sight of death to him. So shall we close our eyes at last, as tranquilly as night ; So shall we ope them in the world of happiness and light. " hard, hehald, he whcxm Thau luuBst is $ici:' We send our message to thee, Lord, as the grieving sisters sent, And we the weary waiting hours ai'e spending as they spent. We look for the Physician's touch, we hsten for his feet ; But, alas ! all other sounds than that are murmuring in the street. Those whom thou lov'st are sick, Lord ! From many a darkened home The pleading prayer for healing and the wail of sorrow come; And hearts are hushed in deepest woe, and tears bedew the eyes That Uft to thee their helplessness, and pierce the o'er- hanging skies. Those whom thou lov'st are sick, Lord ! They did thy work below ; The feet are stiU that visited the troubled haunts of woe ; The hands are nerveless that have loved the hungry ones to feed ; The voices faint and falter now that cheered us in our need. 103 Those -wliom ttou lov'st are sick, Lord ! Let not the useful die. O spare them to enrich thy world with love and sympathy strengthen thou the feeble ones who yearn to speak thy name, And teach the earth to sing the song of ""Worthy is the Lamb ! " Those whom thou loVst are sick, Lord ! come to us and say, "This sickness is not unto death! " Take thou the pain away. Our faith is weak, but thou art strong to hear the faintest cry; Speak thou one word of healing, Lord ; let not thy loved ones die ! The billows rise and fall — Songs for the Kving, dirges for the dead : They toss their spray upon some fair young head, Or spread a watery pall. The wide, unrestful sea ! Mourns it for ever in that sad, sad tone ? Sigheth it ever with its weary moan P Laokelii it sympathy ? Mourn on, ocean deep ! Mourn for the noble ones in thy dark graves. Mourn for the weU-beloved beneath thy waves : Mourn on, sea, and weep. 104 But still repent thy deeds : Bring healthy hues into the faded cheek ; Bring on thy heaving waves strength for the weak ; Be gentle to their needs. The dead are past recall ; The hving stand upon thy shores all day, And watch with swinuning eyes thy varied play : Do thou some good to all. Sparkle on, gUstening waves, Bearing your heads where man's foot hath not trod. And shout with all your might, G-lory to God ! From deeps to echoing caves. Roll on, frothy sea ! Scatter thy spray upon the shelving shore ; Thou in the last great day shalt " be no more ; " RoU on till then, vast sea ! Tlie Baijs. MoRNXNG melteth into eTeniiig-, Evening fadetli into night, And the solemn midnight passeth To the morning's pleasant light. Glide the hours on rapid pinions^ Silently away, away ; And we say, with careless utterance. There has passed another day, 105 Day of wrestlings witt the anguish Of a more than morial strife ; Day of trembling for the nearness Of the slippery edge of life ; Day of cries to God the Father That his kingdom might have come ; Day of tears, despair, and groanings ; — Such has been the day to some. There will come a little season When the last of earth is near ; Not another day is granted : Then shall be o'erwhehned with fear AU who trifle, idly wasting Precious hours of fleeting day ; Those who let them sMp unheeded, SKp unwept, unmoumed away. Some one act of rendered kindness, Some few spoken words of love, Some temptation mourned and conquered. Some high thoughts of home above, — These should gild each day that passeth, These should sanctify each hour ; And the days thus consecrated Would be crowned with holy power. Bettee than life ! E'en when the pulse is springing, With the fuU joy- tide of its healthful glee ; And the glad spirit in its mirth is singing ; And the Uf e-flood flows peacefully and free ! 106 Better than Kfe ! For shadows dim life's brightness, And its most precious things will gUde away ; The sun of day will lose its warmth and lightness — Thy loving-kindness 'mid it all will stay. Better than life ! Thy houndless goodness, Father, Cheers every step along the hardened sod — Eemains with us when 'mid the gloom we gather — Star of our darkened journey — ^love of G-od ! Better than life ! More worthy of our keeping ; The spirit's anchor in the tempest's might ; Joy for the tears which aching hearts are weeping ; For the glad dawn which smiles away our night. Better than life ! God, whate'er thou takest In mercy still bereave us not of this ! Thou, in thy loving-kindness, Father, makest This life a foretaste of the eternal bliss. Open our eyes, Saviour! with that heaKng touch of thine. The darkness thickens round our path ; we long to see thee shine. Our eyes are sealed ; we cannot find the smile upon thy face. 0, make the bhnd to see thee. Lord ! and glad shall be this place. 107 Open our eyes, Saviour ! In tlie strange sad scenes of life, Amid tlie spell-bound, wintry -waste, amid the storms of strife, "We know thou may'st be near ub, but we cannot see thee near. O, heal us of our blindness. Lord ! the gloomy darkness clear. Give thou us sight to understand how close thy hand may be, When we are trembling fearfully, and only wish to see How strong the love is in thy heart, though we can onily know The dismal danger aJl around, and the deeper dread and woe. Open our eyes, dear Saviour ! that we know the path of right ; To think of thee and of our kind, oh ! give thy children light. Scatter the darkness of the night, and bid thy sun to shine. That we may see thy love for us, and read that we are thine. "We watched her fade away from earth. E'en as the spring flowers came. The Father called his child away — We answer to his claim. He gave and he hath taken her. And blessed be his name. But oh ! we miss her everywhere ; The house is dark and still ; Her smile no more lights up the days, Her voice no more shall thrill. The home that late was gay and glad Is desolate and chill. 108 We mias her. She was young and bright, And winsome, too, and fair ; And yet her hands were strong to lift The burden of oirr care ; And many a heart that she had cheered Joined in our passionate prayer. She was not self-enwrapped. Her robes Were love and kindliness ; Her lips were used to gentle words ; Her hands were used to bless ; Her feet were swift the ways of peace With buoyancy to press. We can but miss her. She has earned The meed of many tears. And loving, grateful thoughts of her Go with us through the years ; And we shall look for her again As each the portal nears. We bless her midst our tears ! God grant We all may meet again Within that fairer home above Where shall be no more pain ! And let us thank him fervently If our loss be her gain. 109 Thuu wilt Shaw me the f ath Jif I»ife. When my wearied eyes are closmg, And the night Dims my sight Ere the last reposing, — I win cry to thee, my Father. In that hour Show thy power. And my spirit gather. When the darkness closes round me. And below Lurks the foe, Let them not confound me. I shaU search amid my blindness For the road ; Father God, Help me in thy kindness. Show me where thy children linger ; Bring my feet To thy seat ; Gruide me with thy finger. Bring me to the restful hareu Of thy love — Home above — Where thy peace is given. 110 There I'll tell tlie wondrous story Of thy grace — See tiy face — Evermore in glory. f ^axi^ he ia Tlwe I Say " Peace to ttee !" once more, God our Father, Our weary souls are sighing for that word ; With smitten hearts around thy throne we gather. And, eager, wait to cry, " It is the Lord." The world is full of strife, and sin, and riot, And hate of man toward his fellow-man. Lo ! dire confusion reigns. give us quiet, And make the stoutest heart uphold thy plan. God ! the nations are immersed in sadness ; The joyous note is hushed along the shore. And rapid sighs have followed shouts of gladness. For that the wise, the good, are now no more. Tet, stay. Thou hold'st the hehn, Great Eternal, The hearts of all are in thy wise control, And thou canst make them like the spring-time vemal- Calm, loving, and forgiving, healed and whole. Then speak thy peaceful words above the riot ; Let the storm die, the flashing lightning cease ; And bring thy children to the home of quiet, Close by thy side ; for there is always peace. Ill That Fadeth not li-waij. The shadows slowly lengthen Along our way to Hf e. And softly in the distance Die off the sound of strife ; The mower moweth daily Along the whitening way ; The flowers of youth are fading ; His scythe will not delay. He toucheth with his finger The beautiful and young ; The bright eyes close in darkness, The gladsome song is sung, The pleasant tale is ended. The mom is lost in night — The fair free life has faded Before the early blight. for a life immortal ! for a longer day — A life without corruption, That f adeth not away ! for a house where lingers The sanctity of home. Where death, nor loss, nor sorrow, Nor wild despair shall come. O Fatherland beyond us, We turn our eyes to thee ; Thy blissful portals open. And soon we shall be free. 112 Jerusalem, we love thee : God gTiide oiir wandering feet Up to tliy hills of glory, And down thy golden street. Winter 'B.vming. How blows the wind without ! Its mournful tunes Are whistled at our windows. Fast the snow Falls on the whitened pavement, and the sky Hangs out its leaden curtains. Rapid steps Pass homeward through the storm, for home to-night Has many great attractions. Yet a few Linger outside its portals. Some to spend The hours in sin and riot ; some to tread The lighted halls of science, garnering gems To gild their after lives ; and some, alas ! Roam through the biting blast, and find no rest For their o'erwearied feet. God pity them. And give us grateful hearts ! How sweetly sleep The little ones this evening ! Many a Mss Has fallen on chubby lip, and dimpled hand, And Ciilm clear brow ; and many a tear has sprung Into the mother's eyes, who knelt and prayed Beside her treasures. Round the blazing fire What happy faces gather. How the jest Passes from Mp to lip, and wreathes in smiles The saddest one among them ! Songs are sung. And music-strains pour forth ; and yet, methinks. 113 The purest haxmony is that which wells Up from the mirthful spirits of the young And spends itself in laughter. In his chair Keclines the aged man. How his dim eyes Peer into the red fire ! What sees he there ? Dim shadows of the mocking past, perchance, When he was young and happy. Yet his heart Warms in the common joy ; and, as he draws Into the snuggest comer, does he think Of that bright land where there is no more cold Or suffering P Hark ! from how many homes Rises the evening sacrifice ! The glow Of ruddy firelight falls on folded hands And reverently closed hds. Happy the home Where Grod is worshipped ! There old Winter's stay Seemeth not long nor tedious — ^they have light That ne'er will turn to darkness. Grant to us, God of the seasons, that our hearts may be. Amid stem winter's cold, thus warmed by thee. Not as a transient seat — Solenm and still retreat^ But for a while Basking in holy peace. And, till the noontide cease, Time to beguile. 114 But to Kve ever there, Breatluiig tie holy air. Kind arms aromid ; Circled where'er I be. Listening eagerly Love's thrilling sonnd. Not when the tempests blow, Tremblingly lying low, QuaMng with fear ; But when the dangers throng, Ever secure and strong, Friend ever near. Home, 'mid the storm's wild power ; Home, ia the darkest hour, Never to roam : Home in the bright daylight ; Home in the shades of night — • Beautiful home ! Father, ia mercy be Thus as a home to me In thy great love ; Circling me stOl around Till with thy saints I'm found Singiug above. 115 " it is goxxd tat tis ta be ^ere." G-ooB to be here ! All freshly falls the blessing Beside our feet ; And the disciples joyously are pressing The floVrets sweet That grow upon the mountain where they pray ; And Christ is with them through the happy day. Grood to he here ! Although weak eyes are peering Through shadows dim, Soon will his glory's powerful beams be clearing The mists from him ; And as we gather closer to his side The cloud of brightness shall not us divide. Good to be here ! Although some fears oppress us, Yet all is well ; And if our Saviour stay with us and bless lis We here would dwell ; And, kneeling ever on the mountain sod, Fill our hushed spirits with the peace of God. Good to be, Master, wheresoe'er thou takest The wiUiag heart ; And in thy glorious loving-kindness breakest The bonds that part Our yearning spirits far too oft from thee ; 0, Jesus, may thy children nearer be ! h2 116 " It it U f ossihk." " If it be possible ! " Tbe prayer was wrung By mightiest amguish ia Gethsemane ! When the world's weight of sins' atonement hung Upon the Saviour ! But it might not be ! The deepest dregs within that bitter cup, He in his love, unmurmuring, drank up ! " If it be possible ! " The prayer is ours Who faint beneath our !itt/v load of care ; Who shrink from sorrows of the darker hours, And yearn for paths more lightsome, smooth, and fair : Who, looking onward 'mid the mists that fall, In weakness for a lighter burden call ! " It is not possible ! " An earthly rest Is not the better portion for the soul ! The discipline severe of life is best ; The sorrow-storm that we may not control : From the sharp trial will the blessing spring ; The hands, unloosed from earth, will heavenward cling. " If it be possible ! " Dear Lord, may we Take with unquestioning love whate'er is sent ! The fiercest agony /or good will be — cahn our spirits from their discontent ! Help us to say — 0, God's beloved Son ! — " If thou be willing — but Tht/ will ie done." 117 We are so far from thee, Spirit of life, and love, and holiness ! And yet we need thee, as unrestingly Up the steep hill we press. The wild wind hlows around ; Tlie storm-cloud curtains the o'erhanging sky; And like a knell the distant thunders sound : O, for a shelter nigh ! Amid the darkness dense Our weak eyes strain to catch a glimpse of light, A single ray to cheer our passage thence ; But all is blackest night ! Our arms stretch yearningly, But clasp the priclring thorn — the broken reed ; — O, Father, where art thou, the Strong, the Free, The Helper in our need f We gathered pearl and gem, If they the tedious journey might beguile — The weight we bear is but increased by them. And the heart starves meanwHle. O, for a feast of love ! A draught of water from Life's swelling tide ! O, for the blessed Peace-star from above To shine our path beside ! 118 0, thou AJl-merciful ! Enfold us, 'mid the gloom, on thy kind breast ; Soothe the alarmed, pity the sorrowful ; Give the world-weary rest. Hushed the deep breath of sighing gale, No gentle breezes Hss the sail ; Scarce ripples stir the placid deep ; The freshening zephyrs are asleep — Becalmed ! No change to break the lagging day ; No shade to check the scorching ray ; No cloud to float athwart the sky And veil the brazen sun on high — Becalmed ! The deep heaves not a single sob. Nor beats its mighty heart a throb ; Its bosom feels no quivering thrill — • A thing of life so deathly still — Becalmed ! Jiet/ond — a bright, a love-washed strand — Blest mansions ia our fatherland — ■ Our loved ones happy, saved, and free. Singing their sweetest songs — and we Becalmed ! 119 O, "waft us to them, Tieavenly gales ; Move the atiU billows, fill the sails ; Bear us toward the golden shore, Sweet breezes, that we be no more Becalmed ! Euening. "When flie shadows softly fall. When the angel- voices call, When the lonely aged weep. When the happy children sleep, When the flowers' sweet eyelids close, When the sighing west wind blows. When the red hues bathe the sky, When the light dies silently, AiSTien the spirit spreads its wings, When yon heaven a halo flings, When earth-wishes pass away. When the heart is forced to pray, When we long to reach the throne, Conmiime with the Holy One, Dwell amid the depths of love, Howing round him there above — O, -when, day has glided by, And the night comes o'er the sky, And we love alone to creep. Where no eyes may see us weep — 120 Be thou with us, Father- Friend, That with thee we may ascend, That our hearts, at eventide, May with thee, our God, abide. HU ^(xo-l of iU Uaij. 'And they heard the voice of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day." — Gen. iii. 8. When the spirit is the nearest To the Lord, Then Ms Word Comes to us the clearest. When the day has ceased its diiming'. And the heart Mourns its part In this world of sinning — Wlien the limbs are growing weary ; And we long For a song 'Mid the desert dreary — When the night-dews round us gKsten ; And we bend Toward our Friend Eagerly to listen — Then our Father, with ns waUdng — Very near — In our ear Drops his gentle talking. 121 Sweet to be his counsels learning: ; May he come To o\ir home — Stay our spirit's yesoming. When AgTii-like, thou breath' st a prayer For all a Father's losing care, GroJ bless thy basket and thy store, And richest blessings for thee pour. When, David-Hie, thou ■walk'st beside Life's rirers purs, which sparkling glide. Be thine this song — ■" God leadeth me, And he my Shepherd still shall be." When, b'kp the wise man, thou shaJt turn From where earth's glittering lamplets bum Grod stay, with holier hopes, the sigh That all the world is vanity. When, Hagar-Bie, tliy heart is rent — Thy loved ones parched — ^the water spent; God make the healing fount to gush, And with his love thy mournings hush. When, like Elisha, there shall come To thee the Father's sTraimons home. Be thine the chariot in the air — The Saviour's raoile, the angel's care. 122 And tlien, like John, be it thine To dwell where jasper cities shine ; Where, happiest of the Happy throng, The golden harps shall aid thy song. TU Waiting Multituae. " These wait all upon thee : that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather ; thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good." Upon the hills and in the valleys deep. In the thick forests and the mighty sea. The eager multitudes their long watch keep. For that all-open hand so kind, so free ; The hand that never wearies, never tires, In granting those he loves their new desires ; The universal cry goes up. God hears The softest "whisper, 'mid the general cry ; He showers his largess, drying the hot tears, And turning to a song of praise the sigh. He heals the wounded, stiUs the throb of pain. None ever seek his tenderness in vain. " And they are filled with good." How weak are we, Who when the blessing comes, half doubt its good ; And take it from our Father tremblingly — Fearing the gift, that must be wholesome food. Alas ! for us, if only sweets were given ! We cannot live on earth as those in heaven ! 123 O Father bountifnl ! We bless thy hand, Which satisfies thy creatures here helo-w ; And fills with plenty every hungry land, And makes us more of thy vast love to know. Grive to us grateful hearts, that we may praise Thee who hast been the guardian of our days. Th& fvemans Friend, "Unto you who believe he is precious." Tes, thou art precious, Jesua, while on earth The din of pleasure fill" our ready ears. Precious amid the laughter and the mirth, And changes that encircle rapid years ; Thou art the only Precious, and we come Finding in thee a satisfying home. Precious, though many loving ones are nigh, And fond aflPection binds us with its chain, And look meets look in eloquent reply, And the weat heart would almost here remain : Then thou art precious, Jesus, for thy love Is mighty — boundless — as the heaven above. Precious ! O how much more when life is dim, And clouds have gathered in the darkening sky ; When mournfully we chant our dirge-Hie hymn, And thou alone, our Comforter, art nigh : Then thou art precious, Jesus, and thy peace Hushes the storm, and bids its terrors cease. 124 Precious wlien friends have gone, and joys have fled, And ties that bind us here are frail and 'weak ; When life's bright flowers are strewn beside us dead, And, turning from them all, thy face we seek : Then thou art precious, Jesus, and thy voice E'en 'mid such wreck of joys makes us rejoice. Precious when death, in its deep gloom, draws near, And the cold waters surge toward our feet, And earth and all its pictures disappear, And the shorn soul goes forth its God to meet ; Then, precious Saviour, ransomed by thy blood. May we have everlasting peace with God. " These are they which came out of great tribulation." The hosts no man can number wave their palms before the throne, They shout their songs of triumph, with no languor in the tone; Their blood- washed robes are free from taint, happy and pure they stand : No hunger-pang, no burning thirst, no sorrow in that land : The tears are wiped from every eye, and Life's free gushing fount Springs ready for the eager lip upon the Sacred Mount ! 125 Whence came the multitude? Ah! they have marched through paths of flame, Where martyr-firea have silenced tongues that called on Jesus' name — From the thickest of the battle, from the conflict sore and long. Where the trembling heart grew feeble, where the foes were fierce and strong : From the scorching sands of desert-lands ; from the ever- frozen isles — Yes, they have come from tears and sighs, to the brighter home of smiles. Whence came the multitude ? They came from homes that Death had riven ; From dreary, vacant, joyless hearths, whence light and joy were driven ; They are mothers, whose fond gentle hearts were cruelly bereaved ; They are fathers, husbands, left alone, with spirits sorely grieved : They are crushed, forsaken, mourning ones — ^but now, in perfect rest They sing the song of the redeemed, in the city of the blest. Whence came the radiant multitude, amid the bliss above ? They came from dim and shaded lives of unrequited love ; From yearnings long unsatisfied, unanswered questionings ; From brooding o'er th' uncertainty of all their precious things: From sorrow, sickness, death itself,'the spirits freed have come To bask them in the love and light of that eternal home. 126 And wc, along the weU-wom track, our long, dark journey take, Longing, with aching hearts, to rest in heaven for Jesus' sake; Yet, let us shrink not from the way so many trod before, If we may join that multitude, when all our toils are o'er ; But welcome tribulation, if, at last, our feet it bring Safe o'er the threshold of that home — to the presence of the King. ^tie Uss ixti Earth— on^ tnixu in One less on earth to suffer 'mid the passionate imrest. That mantles on the gloomy brow, that stirs the weary breast ; One less wild hands to wring with pain, to moan in anguished prayer ; One less to swell the unending shriek of torturing despair. One more in heaven to sweetly rest after the toilsome day. To lie and bask in perfect peace where holiness hath sway ; One more to join the happy choirs in their eternal song. And raise the thrilling burst of praise, those sapphire halls among. One less on earth in grief's black stream the shrinking brow to lave. To moisten with the mourner's tears the deep and open grave; To weep o' er hearths made desolate, o' er seats all empty left ; One less to walk the "vale of tears," o'er-burdened and bereft. 127 One more to stand ail-brightly olad before the "great white throne " — One of a smiling, happy band, where paxtings are not known ; One more at home, to leave no more the Father's loving side, But with the unbroken family for ever to abide. One less to toss, through sleepless nights, upon the bed of pain, Sighing for blessed ease and rest that may not come again ; One less to start, with timid soul, at the approach of death ; One less to breathe the life away in one last feeble breath. One more to rise, in health and youth, where death may come no more, To dwell aU fearlessly for aye, upon the tearless shore, Where death, and sin, and sorrow, have for ever flown away ; One more safe landed 'mid the joy of that long, cloudless day. 'Siufi fesiC^ in (xuv Time, laxwd! " Peace in our time, O Lord ! Hush thou the strife Of the world's angry spirits ; hear the cry Uprising to thee from the hum of hfe, Wrung from thy children's hearts of agony ; Stay thou the fierce revenge, and let us live As Jesus taught — all willing to forgive. Give peace to us, Lord ! Thrice-blessed peace, Let its soft influence gently o'er us fall ; Make thou the dreadful din of war to cease ; Lift thou the overhanging fearful paJl : Let brothers love, and every hatred end ; And so remember the peace-making Friend. 128 Peace in our time, Saviour ! Let thy voice Calm tlie wild rage of passion's foaming sea; Speafe thou amid the storm, that we rejoice, And leam to Kve in perfect unity ; Let discord, selfishness, and pride all cease ; And in our time, Father, send us peace. "My Times nte in Thij l^ands." Like a tired, wandering child Wlio presses to his father's sheltering side. So would I pass along the desert wild. And close to thee abide. Father, who lovest me, Thou makest joy-founts spring where'er I stand ; And from my heart I whisper gratefully, " My times are in thy hand." My times of joy or grief. Times of bright day, times of dark sorrow's night Of racking pain, and long-delayed relief. Thou send'st, and they are right. Tes, all is well, my God, And cheerfully I press the upward way For thou hast blessed the path thy child has trod ; Hast cheered me night and day. Whate'er of joy or woe The future bring to me from thy wise will. It shall be what is best for me, I know, And I will trust thee stUl. 129 " My times are in thy hands." I am content, O Grod, to leave them there ; Only guide thou my way until I stand Where praise succeeds to prayer. Btjing. The leaves are dying ! Drop they to their grave, While the wild winds their mournful requiem sigh ; The naked branches o'er them sadly wave ; The piercing storm will sweep in terror by ! The leaves' bright life is past — the snow will fall, And cover them as with a funeral paU. The i/ear is dying ! Old and feeble grown, Its last sad days are passing sUently ; Soon shall we listen to the parting moan ; Soon will it bear its record-book on high. The bright, fresh life that cheered us with its stay. Is passing, like aU earth-loaned things, away. Our friends are dying ! Beautiful and dear, Yet are the seeds of death within them sown ; The heart grows weak, the dreaded change draws near. And weariness will mar the music-tone ; Yes, those who fling love's radiance o'er our hours Are fading from our presence, Kke the flowers. And we are dying ! Through our quick frames creep The sting of pain and tedious sicknesses ; Our youth is left behind, our spirits weep As rapidly toward the goal we press — Where aU of eager, restless life shall cease, And we have rest, amid the grave's deep peace. 180 0, thou, the Undying One ! "We look to thee, That when our lives are ended we may come And dwell amid the holy purity Of thine aU-happy, all-eternal home : 0, when we die, give us that holy life — Happy, for there is no more djang strife. The ^\d nnd Bew Hfiars. Fabewell to the good old year ! It ia passing so silently, mournfully by. We recked not its flight, till its even was nigh ; And its moments are numbered — yet stay, ere it goes Let's breathe a fond wish for the old year's repose. Farewell to the good old year ! Its joys and its sorrows liavc glided away. And only its memories longer can stay ; The deep shade of death resteth dark on its brow, And we look toward the niomin^- of blighter hope now. Welcome the glad new year ! God's blessing upon it ; and, 0, may it bring HeaUng and light from the HoUest's wing — Peace from on high to the hearts that are sad ; G-rateful devotion from hearts that are glad. Welcome the glad new year ! And we hopefully press through the untrodden v.My, And look to our God for his presence each day : Glad of his light through the wilderness drca.- ; Glad of his blessinj,' — the crown of the m ar. 181 Swin of flig-ht — on airy pinions, Eoaming over land and sea — Idly floating on tlie zephyr, Gliding onward carelessly ; Carelessly — ^whUe things eternal Flash before us constantly ! Kesting on a slight acquaintance — Busied with the week's new cares — Passing pleasures, vaguest dreamland, AH to wandering thoughts are snares ; Bringing discord to our praises — MingUng even with our prayers ! Wandering thoughts — to trifles giving Time, and energy, and love ; Stealing powers the right of heaven, Casting clouds our hearts above : Wandering thoughts, so still and subtle, Bitter foes ye often prove ! Father of all good ! O help us When our hearts to thee would speak ; Stay the Storm of thoughts within us — Deathless strength ! help the weak ; Crive us constant thoughts, and holy. When we bow thy face to seek. I 2 132 W^fiping ma^ ^ndut^ fat a Bight. Theouoh all the dreary night, when stars are hid, And the mid winds wail mournfully and Idw ; When the deep silence creeps upon the soul, And the long hours drag wearily and slow : Then, in the lonely watches, tears may be The sole companions God shall send to thee. Yet weeping — though it be of anguish bom — Is one of Grod's great blessings ! Holy things. In gentle lessons, soitow teaches oft, .^d a calm after-peace to sufferers brings ; And the " shorn lamb " bows gratefully at last — When the long night of agony is past. For mom shall break — a joyous, gladsome mom ; And the free spirit, after its sad rest. Shall soar, with thrilling song, to heaven's high gate. And bless the Master-Friend who knoweth best ; And the warm walk along the path of light Shall be more pleasant for the hours of night. Therefore, amid thy weeping, learn to trust The love that gniides a gentle Father's hand — And, 'mid the darkness, lean thou on his arm — For he shall guide thee to a better land Where there is no more weeping — ^for his l(i\c Shall wipe all tears away at home above. 133 I ixrill Q(x witJi Thee, Theeb is no loneliness Por those who have the Highest for their Friend ; Whatever path their trusting feet may press, He guides them to the end. Amid the pleasant mom, When shining dew-drops sparkle in the way, And all things smile upon the opening dawn. He tumeth not away. And in the noon-tide heat, When the world's din breaks loud upon the ear, 'Mid pressing throngs upon the crowded street, StUl is the Father near. So in the peaceful eve, When shadows gather, and the day grows dim. Our weary hearts the cares of earth may leave. And lean for love on him. Nor in the solemn night Need we have fear, if he be standing by : His love can make the deepest darkness light. His voice bring ecstasy. So clasping fast his hand, Cheerily along the desert path we go, On to the bright celestial Promised Laud, Where there is no more woe. 134 Guid'st thou me evermore All the green pastures o'er,. Day after day ; Lead'st thou me tenderly Where the sun pleasantly Shines on the waj'. Where the deep waters floAV Throug-h the stiU. vales below^ Sheltered and calm, Shepherd, thou leadest me While I am joyously Singing my psahn. Danger and distance come Darkly before my home — Yet ^vilt thou guide TOl, where the mansions be, I shall my Father see — Rest by his side. Long is the way, and rough. Yet have I joy enough — Thou art my Priend ; Shepherd, I cling to thee ; Shepherd, abide with me Still to the end ! 135 The Ifleasant Way. " The lines have fallen imto me in pleasant places." " Jn pleasant places ?" There have been dark nights And stormy passages along the ■way ; Perpetual fadings of earth's dear delights ; And dense clouds shrouding the approach of day ! " la pleasant places ?" Yet there oft have been The thorny desert — the bare wilderness ; Eank -weeds, in place of flowers, upon the scene ; And, ringing in the air, cries of distress. Ay, yes ! "in pleasant places ! " For the storm Has only made the after-sunshine sweet ; Has only driTen me to the shelter warm — The nook of safety at the Saviour's feet. In very " pleasant places ! " God has led, And I have followed where he left the light I The way is fuU of blessing when I tread Close after Mm, and keep him in my sight. " In pleasant places ! " He has caused to flow Rivers of love beside the path I take ; Has brought me from the darkened way below, Up to the sunny side, for his love's sake. And my full heart, forgetting aU its pain, Sends up a thankful thought to that best Friend ; And breathes one prayer — that he will yet remain My Guide, my Guardian, even to the end. 130 0nt BdntiAonce, " Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of tlie desolation of tlie wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence^ and shall keep thy foot from being taken."— Proverbs iii. 2S, 20. " The Lord shall be thy confidence " when fall The terror and the darkness of the night ; When dark clouds spread as a funeral pall, And hide from thy rough path the rays of light. " The Lord shall be thy confidence " whene'er There gathers round thine aching, shrinking head The o'erhanging storm of weakness and of fear, And hope has fainted, joy is lying dead. " The Lord shall be thy confidence " when, lone. Thou passest on the dim unlighted way — When those who blessed thee with their love are gone, And joy is taken from the weary day. " The Lord shall be thy confidence " in life. Whene'er thou falterest in the trying scene, Whene'er thou shrinkest from the battle's strife, His angel passeth thee and woe between. " The Lord shall be thy confidence " in death. When the dark waters rise above thy brow ; When shorter grows the last departing breath ; And will support thee, even then, as now. Fear not, fear not, O Christian ! Joyfully Pass on thy journey — gladly hasten thence And sing, with heart and lip, most gratefully, The Lord thy joy — the Lord our confidence. 137 The havd is Miseti, Ebjoioe, the Lord is risen ! No darkened tomb Holds the Redeemer from our eager eyes ; A light from heaven has beamed upon the gloom ; The cloud has fallen from the smiling sMes ! Redeeming love Kghts up the pleasant way ; A burst of song shall rend the air to-day ! The Lord is risen. And, for our darksome night, There is the angel sitting at the cave ; There is the cheering voice, the shining Ught, "When we, too, make our sojourn in the grave. O ! glorious thought ! Death's paleness on the brow Need bring our hearts no fearful terror now ! Rejoice, the Lord is risen ! He is not dead ; He has appeared among us from the tomb ; And his disciples, strong and comforted. Pluck flowers among the gardens of the tomb, And sing, with gladsome voice and happy breath, The song pf Life for the lament of death. The Lord is risen. 0, gladly may we press Along the path that to his presence leads. For there are flowers amid our wilderness — Soft-gushing foimts, and dewy, jragrant meads. On, brothers, on — ^for we shall shortly rise. And dwell with Jesus, there beyond the skies. 138 Thou ^(xd $«fist me> Tiiou seest me, God, In the parched day, amid the "svildcriicss, T^Hieu, tired, mth burning- steps alrcfidy trod, I closer to thee press. And when my treasui'es die — Fall from my side, and langiiish withering- — God, thou hear'st my heart's despairing- cry ; Thou mak'st the fount to spring-. Dim grow the gentle cye.s That, in past years, so loved to look on me ; But, far beyond the lofty azure skies, Father, my heart seeks thee. And, as I look around. My faith grows stronger, for I feel thee near , And, listening, I catch the joyful soimd That tcUs me I am dear. Dear unto thee, my G-od ! So dear, thou keep'st me ever in thy sight ; And a glad song arises from the sod — G-lad e'en in darkest night. A song- of thy great love, O thou, who cheer' st the lonely wilderness ; Giv'st me thy hand until, redeemed above, Close to thy side I press ! 139 The WbU in the Wilderness. I SAT me down and wept, for I had marched A long and weary way amid the wilds ; Joy's water spent, my lips grew hot and parched A*; the lone Hagar's and her dying child's. One only treasure clasped I to my breast ; But, as the sere leaves droop in autumn-tide, So faded that, and, in my grief's unrest, Despaii' awoke, and mocked me as I sighed. No longer could I hope's bright blossom keep, My quivering heart was with sharp son-ow rircn ; And from my troubled spirit's stormy deep There surged a wild and wistful cry to heaven. Then holy fingers cooled my aching eyes ; And to my ears there floated melody Of gushing waters, and I strove to rise And see what angel-hands had brought to me. And lo ! a well amid the wilderness ! And, as I drank, new life leapt through my frame And joy came back in all its blessedness ; So was I strengthened, calHng on God's name. Now cheerily I tread the trackless way — For, though the desert-sands be hot and di-ear. No trials now my strong heart shall dismay : I know God's fount of love is springing near I 140 (Written in the Northampton Cemetery.) How sweetly, tranquilly they rest, the Bleeping, dreamless dead! The verdant turf and perfumed flowers above the silent head, The leaves drop quietly around the hushed and darkened home. And far above them peacefully is stretched heaven's azure dome. The ears close .sealed to human sounds hear not the merry noise Of voices from the busy town, now shouting of their joys ; Light feet trip near their resting-place, and happy hearts are near, But stirless are the slumberers within the graveland drear. The fragrant scent of countless flowers has fiEed the spring- tide ail', And youth and beauty tell their love beneath the branches there ; For even here amid the graves light hearts ai-e passing by. And none can re;ilizc how soon they too may faint and die. But ah ! death stays not to inquire if any \rish to go, Ere he his fatal javelin with certain aim doth throw ; And some, perchance, who silently repose beneath om- feet Were hurried from the beauteous earth while yet they wore unmeet. 141 Here lie some sin-encrusted brows ; oh, did they bend to lave Their temples in the fountain which from sin can cleanse and save ? And here are aged, frosted heads, amid their garnered lore, Had the sweet story of the cross been read and pondered o'er? Here is the fair white brow, fond lips were used so oft to kiss; Had the young swelling heart e'er throbbed beneath a holier bliss ? Here lies the strong and manly breast ; oh, had it ever proved How worthy was the Saviour-Friend to be adored and loved ? Some died in Jesm, and they know a calm, unbroken rest. Amid the glories of their home, upon his loving breast ; And sweet and low the call to them to leave earth's dark abode. And mount on angel-pinions to the mansion of their God. How must the call have startled some amid the twilight dim. Who had not loved the Holiest, who had no Friend in him ! But careless of the agony that would have bid him stay. From strongest and most loving arms, Death bore his guests away ! O, when for us this summons comes, and we as low must lie, God help "us that we be not then aU unprepared to die ; But ransomed by a Saviour's blood, saved by his precious- grace. In yonder cloudless home of love, O, may we find a place ! 142 Blnatliaiis. (" Given of God.") God's love-gifts fall in showers "Where'er on this vast earth his children be, As plentiful as summer's ■wild-wood flowers, As heautifiil and free, — Bright with the morning's sun ; Arrayed with gladness in the cloudless noon ; Tinged with joy's gloaming when the day is done ; And peaceful 'neath the moon. God's hand is never slow ; He wreathes oiu- dwellings with his smiles of love ; And the Elnathans, wheresoe'er Ave go, Ai'e given us from above. Such are the hearts that 'cling- In faithful fondness ever unto ours ; The eloquent eye, the kindly hands that fling Love's sunbeams o'er the hours. The present genun'd ynth joy ; The happy, buoyant heart that knows no thrall ; A future's prospect, having no alloy ; These are Elnathans all. Nor less God's sacred g-ift — The dread on-looking for the coming iU ; The tearful heart, by some great soitow rift. That knows not to be still. 143 Good gifts they are always ; May -we feci satisfied, whate'er they he, And take them ever with a hurst of praise, Giver of good, to thee ! W^ all d^cy Fadje as a Ja^af. Even the fair-haired child — the bright and happy dancing boy. Living, enwalled hy strengiih of love, his life of cloudless joy.— Gay as the morning sunbeam — ^bright as dew upon the glade — Can feel the autumn's icy breath that bids his young life fade. AU careless of the mourning ones who spend their sobs of gTief — * Hearing the calling voice of God, he droopeth mth the leaf. And she, the beautiful, whom arms of deathless love en- fold, ■ Whose words and smiles are held more dear than countless stores of gold. The life that blessed others — shall it not be spared to bless ? Will not God hear the wild, wild cries which at Ms foot- stool press f He knoweth best — the fading time must slowly, surely come ; The loved, the beautiful, the good, he gathers to his home. 144 And he, the strong and manly one, of lofty mien and form,. Who, in past years, has breasted many a chilling winter's storm. When the breath of God has blown above, silent and help- less lies ; Death stills the throbbing generous heart — death seals the brilliant eyes : And he is borne, as autumn leaves, to the cold and silent earth, Deep sleeping tiU, in God's good time, there comes a nobler birth. Thus fade we all — as fade the flowers — the beautiful, the young. Soon as the feeble, who long years in sight of death have hung! Forth goes the fiat and we droop, as droop the sodden leaves, When autumn wind its piercing- sigh amid the darkness heaves. O, may we aU, prepared to go, his nijghty summons wait. Whose voice shall call the sleepers to the heavenly golden gate ! Thmu^li ^(xd void sliall dcx Valiantly, Cheistiamb, in God be strong, And fearlessly go forth to join the fight ; The day of conflict will not linger long, Fa-