oe James QComvor <>] FH Re f “BAF Zig TEE I aR AGP ere OR RN eink i i a aS a ‘ 4 . ; ( 1 ‘ Pe PO Ba loge, = : — i ag mt s ‘ iu . t ; ' Vertue " t ; * + y . ‘ 4 A . ‘ . ‘ ¥ » . ’] ' ' . , ’ { ma ’ + WORKS OF ees O CONNOR THE Deak PO. ET. WITH PeDlOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. Good books are treasures we should have in store, Rich is the man whose mind is rich in lore— That gold, which glitters to allure mankind, Gives no such lustre to the human mind. New York: et) Lyk io eee OC! eo CIN SS :, 37 PARK ROW. 1879. Copyright 1879, By James O‘Connor. Dedication. TO MY FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED WIFE, WHO HAS SPENT MANY WEARY HOURS IN COLLECTING AND COPYING THESE POEMS, AS WELL AS TO MY MANY GENEROUS AND SYMPATHIZING PATRONS, WHOSE LIBERALITY HAS INDUCED THEIR PUBLICA- TION, THESE PAGES ARE AIFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. 2 Be in: lee ng 1Ogut nl va Oud Dare In presenting this small collection of Poems to the public, the author feels inclined to make but few apol- ogies for the many imperfections with which they abound. No man can claim perfection for himself, nor should he expect it from others. There is none perfect. Solomon, with all his wisdom, did many fool- ish things; King David, a man after God’s own heart, did many wicked things; and, although it is hard to understand how an All-wise Creator, perfect in wisdom and foreknowledge, could do any thing he should be sorry for, yet, in Genesis: vi. 6, we read, “‘that it repented him that he had made man on aie earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Gleaners in the best cultivated fields of literature discover many brambles and tares. If the husbandman wishes pure wheat he must separate it from the straw and chaff with which it is connected. A. literary production may sometimes sparkle with gems of thought, but there is no sand so rich with gold but that it needs to be sifted. v1 PREACH, If the literary assayer (the reading public), after — carefully examining this rough specimen of mine, should fail to discover any real grains of gold, and should pronounce the ore worthless, then I shall be compelled to acknowledge that I have wasted much time and labor in working up an unprofitable lode, that is found to be rich only in ‘‘fool’s gold” at last. Laboring under my present physical disabilities, but few persons would be foolhardy enough to make even the slightest pretensions to authorship. My hear- ing began to fail me before I had acquired theefirst rudiments of an education, and for some time past I have been entirely deaf. The little education I have acquired, has been acquired with great difficulty, and, for that reason, the offence should be all the more par- — donable, if its value should appear to be over-estimated by its possessor. i _ From early childhood I have had to rely on exces- sive manual labor as a means of support, and conse- quently, have had but limited opportunities for mental culture. It was not my fortune to be ‘‘born with a silver spoon in my mouth”; nor was I ever one of those youthful prodigies that ‘dsp in numbers”; and whether 1 am truly entitled to the appellation of Poet, or not, I leave for a just and discriminating public to deter- mine. I once read a small volume of poems that had been written by Fry, and as the volume was small, the author must have been “small fry.” But he said there PREFACE. vil were three qualifications esential for a Poet: empty pockets, worn-out elbows, and disappointed love. To the two first qualifications I plead guzlty. Of the third and last I am innocent. Many of my pieces have been composed while hold- ing the plough, or engaged in other field labor, and are the unpolished productions of one who entertains but feeble hopes of ever acquiring even the slightest celeb- rity in the difficult and uncertain fields of literature; and what success I shall meet with as an author, I am unable to foretell. Better and wiser men have failed, and it is possible that as great or even greater fools may have succeeded. I shall endeavor to make the best use of the few talents given me, and leave it for others to write better in proportion as God has given them the natural abilities, and fortune has favored them with greater opportunities of acquiring knowledge. James O’Connor. PeOeNelckeN TS. 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Van Wacenen Tue Vanity or Earrniy Guory (An Essay) . . . 149 151 152 155 167 169 175 183 185 gS be 202 207 209 211 229 231 233 240 244 246 247 250 251 256 259 267 270 275 Pein Biographical Sketch of the Author, ep DOUGLAS. Havine been informed that James O’Connor, the “ Deaf Poet,” had, through the solicitations of friends, consented to publish a volume of his poems and essays, I consider it a pleas- ant duty to write a short sketch of his life as an introduction to the public and his volume. As his name indicates, he came of Irishancestry. His great, great grand-father, Edward O’Connor, came from Ireland before the French and Indian wars in this country. He settled near Albany. The country at the time was a howling wilderness. His great-grand-father, Francis O’Connor, was born there. He was a boat builder by occupa- tion, and during the Revolutionary War built gun-boats on the lakes for the Americans. He thus assisted at the birth of our infant navy. Though young, he remembered well the burning of Schenectady by the Indians, and would recount with marked indignation the stories of their massacres, and the murder of Miss Jane McRea. He married Mary Kidder, of Albany, who was born in Holland. His grand-father, Francis O’Connor, was born at Heidleburg, near Albany. He married Fanny Caulder, who was born at Catskill. Her parents were from the High- lands of Scotland, and were the original settlers of the Thomas Farm at the mouth of Rose’s Brook, in Stamford, Delaware County, New York. His grand-father’s family was among the first settlers of Bloomville, New York, and they were after- wards among the first settlers of Bovina, moving to that town xu BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. in the year 1803. His father, Francis O’Connor, was born at. Bloomville, in the year 1801. His mother, Prudence Faulkner, was of a family of Connecticut Yankees, and, as her name indi- cates, she was of Scotch descent. His parents settled in the town of Andes, Delaware County, New York, where they still reside. The ancestors of James O’Connor were alway true to the interests and cause of America. He came from a race of patriotic, noble, honest, hard-working men and women, who were engaged in many of the fields of industry that the new country presented ; but most of them were farmers and farmers’ wives. James O’Connor, the subject of this sketch, was born in Andes, New York, January 26, 1835. He was always an apt scholar, full of study and full of fun, with a smattering of mischief, which occasionally created, as it is said of our late war, “‘ashght unpleasantness” between the teacher and the taught. Although he justly prides himself up- on his Irish ancestry, it must be confessed that he generally came off second best in the settlement of these incom-Pat-ible and conflicting interests. Often in arranging these matters, con- trary to his views and protests, by an arbitrary appeal to the stripes he has actually been made to see stars. He thus had a Jeeling regard for his national emblem early in life. NoMa haan these occasional misunderstandings with the autocrat of the rod, he became what may justly be called a first- class common-school scholar. Few persons that have not made war the profession of their lives have encountered greater dangers, or had more _hair- breadth escapes. A few of them will only be mentioned, While engaged in “bark-peeling ” in the hemlock woods, he was completely covered from sight, by the top of a large tree, which some choppers had fallen upon him. He found himself between two of its largest limbs, his: body being but a few inches from each ; if either had struck him he would have been instantly killed. . Pr ovidence preserved him, and he came out — from that tree-top unhurt. At another time, a large log came rolling down a hill teen him. It wasso near that it was impossible to get out of its BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTIIOR. XII. way, near by was a small hollow in the side hill, and, with re- markable presence of mind, he rushed to it, and threw himself down into it. The log passed directly over him and he was un- hurt. ; Upon two occasions he was nearly drowned. He has been © run over three times with wagons. Upon one occasion he fell before a loaded wagon, which passed over him, fracturing both of hislegs. When he was fourteen years of age, upon avery cold night in winter, as he was returning from school, he ventured upon a pond to have a slide; the ice was “too thin,” the con- sequence was he caught a fearful ducking anda fearful cold, which resulted in inflammation of the brain. His hearing became impaired, This affliction continued to increase, until for a num- ber of years he has been entirely deaf. Mr. O'Connor was a close student all his life. The improve- ment of his mind was the chief object of his life. He was not satisfied with the education to be acquired in the common: schools. He prepared himself, and entered Union College,’and graduated honorable in the Class of 1858. He chose the Law fora pro- fession, and began its study ; but, on account of his growing deafness, he was forced to abandon his long-cherished hopes. He then turned his attention to the art of printing, which he learned in Oswego, New York. He followed the occupation of printer for some years. On the 15th of October, 1863, he mar- ried Miss Mary J. Dickson, of Lumberville, New York. He then turned his attention from the printer’s to the more busy and stirring life of afarmer. Of late years he has suffered so much from disease of the heart that he has been compelled to abandon almost entirely the independent life of the tiller of the soil. For several years he has devoted a large share of his leisure time to the composition of poetry ; his thoughts seem to flow as freely under the direction of the muses as they do in the sterner vein of prose. His poems, as far as they have frequently appeared in the public press, have been very favorably re- ceived by an appreciative public. For a long time many of his friends, and admirers of _ his poetic genius, have been trying to influence him to publish a volume of his poems, and it is with feelings of pleasure, that bs a Wy = ‘Ay XIV. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. they are assured that he has complied with their request, and _ now presents to the public his first offering, in the form of a book. Several of these Poems were delivered before Literary Associations, Church and Social gatherings, Teachers’ Institutes, &c. ; but most of them were written as the expression of his personal views and thoughts on themes, without a view to their publication or public delivery. These poems speak for them- selves. We have heard some of them delivered by the author, and many of them we have read; and, from knowledge thus’ acquired, we believe that the poems are laid upon the broad foundation of common-sense and poetic genius. Many of them sparkle with wit and humor, while some of them are truly pathetic. Mr. O’Connor merits the thanks of his fellow-citizens for the . work he has accomplished, and we hope they will indicate their gratitude by their general and generous subscription for the volume he now presents to them. BROOKLYN, N. Y., JANUARY 4, 1879. CEERESTIAL ~ LIGHT: ‘LET THERE BE LIGHT!’ Light Terrestrial—Light Intellectual—Light Spiritual. A WORLD in embryo, through ages unnumbered, In primitive darkness and chaos had slumbered, Dark shadows eternal around her still hovered, Her waters untraversed, her shores undiscovered; Her bright hills and green vales, by us mortals now Petro. Preconceived in the mind of Omnipotent God, Still alloyed with the atmosphere, ocean, and sky, Were as yet only seen by the all-seeing eye. Not a sun, moon, or star, not a pale asteroid Shed. one flickering ray o’er this fathomless void; Thus neglected of God, in the absence of light, All things slept, as it were, in perpetual night. Until God, in the spirit, moved forth o’er the deep,. And a world sprung, at once, from millennial sleep. The first works of his hand bore the impress of might,. With the voice of command, God said: ‘Let there: be light.” 2 CELESTIAL LIGHT. The glad edict resounded o’er heaven’s bright plain, While ten thousand bright angels caught up the re- frain ; } The strong flood-gates of heaven asunder were hurled, | Her deep rivers of light were let in on the world. His vicegerents on high, who have heard his command, Now behold the magnificent works of his hand, As Jehovah, at once, taking down the bright scroll, - And the map of creation begins to unroll., And, as Time’s coral reefs, and her islands of green,, In the midst of the eternal waters are seen, Loud hosannas peal forth from that heavenly shore, The glad anthems of praise unto God evermore. ‘The whole angelic throng seem inspired with delight, With this endless, celestial diffusion of light, — Through those numberless worlds most resplendent in hue, ‘That bespangle creation’s broad archway of blue. ‘They rejoice as God’s boundless dominions expand, ‘They rejoice at the wonderful works of his hand, ‘That those new annexations, of boundless domain, Must still further enhance his magnificent reign. ‘That, in worlds yet unknown, as the legates of love, ‘They should yet represent the tribunal above; CELESTIAL LIGHT. 3° That, from worlds; by: the angelic hosts never ‘trodyis% Countless subjects should yet offer tribute to God... As the insect, when charmed by the presence of light, Will flit round the bright blaze of ‘the taper at night, — So, those bright rolling orbs, that bespangle the sky, Revolve round the bright throne in that kingdom on high. One terrestrial orb, the great Author has blest. With his infinite favors above all the rest, For this orb, we are told in his volume divine, The Creator intended all others should. shine. To this earth they are sent as a convoy sublime, In her passage across the dark borders of time, And as long as the earth on her axis shall turn, Her bright watch-fires on high shall continue to burn. | In creating this lovely, terrestial bower, » God has amply displayed his great wisdom and power; He has, also, displayed his affection and zeal, As earth’s lowliest subjects have reason to feel. On this earth has his presence forever been felt, And shall be until time and the elements melt. On this earth the Supreme in his glory once trod, And, here man first appeared in the image of God. 4 CELESTIAL LIGHT. His revealed will, to man, was, here fully made known, ; Here has ripened the fruit of the seed he has sown, As the Lord of the harvest, through joys, and throug tears, : He has garnered the bountiful harvests of years. ve The true seed of his Church, brought to blossom and bear, Here, by Him, was transplanted, and tended with care. That celestial exotic still blooming afresh, — Through the Spirit of God manifest in the flesh— Still, extending her blessings as she has been blest, To the weary soul offering shelter and rest, Till a Christianized world has acknowledged her worth, And her branches have fully encompassed the earth. His most wonderful works have been here multiplied, And his Only Begotten here suffered and died, In the anguish of spirit expired on the tree, That all earth’s captive children, at last, might be tree... Here the Bethlehem star, to the shepherds, betrayed The rude crib where the holy child Jesus was laid,— The bright fame of that star, like the glory of him, Shall remain when the light of all others are dim. This bright earth, in her loveliest garments attired, Was one that both God and the angels admired, CELESTIAL LIGHT. 5 As, . with form of perfection, unequalled in grace, She moved on in her orbit through regions of space. With her bright waters ebbing from mountains, and plains, | The life-giving pulsations from natural veins, Bright arterial fountains still flowing apart, Still, through natural sources, returned to the heart. While at each respiration her oceans, and seas, Her liquid breasts heaving in anguish or ease, Gently swell with the zephyrs that over them play, Or convulse with the tempest and ruffle with spray. The whole earth teemed with riches, the waves of the deep | | Were entrusted with mountains of treasures to keep, Hivery flower a jewel, each dewdrop a gem, Such as never yet glistened in king’s diadem. On her green mountain robes, her blue beds of the sea, Her bright spangles were sprinkled profusely and free, Thus the sun-gilded robes of pure azure and green, Draped the earth when the first man appeared on the scene. . With his spirit enthroned in a body of clay, He was lord of creation with absolute sway, To his Maker alone, was allegiance given, While he basked in the soul-cheering sunlight of heaven. 6 CELESTIAL LIGHT. From. this. high elevation, he cast himself: down, Pye By. denying allegiance to kingdom and, crown, Thus, he forfeits all claims to this lordly estaten And in open‘rebellion must now abdicate. The bright: gates of the once royal gardens are passed, And the man has: become a poor vagrant at last, The bright embers of love: have expired on his hearth, And he wanders a vagabond over the earth. Overburdened with sins, and with sorrows: oppressed, With the fangs of remorse sinking deep in:his breast, As an outcast: from Eden, thus, forced: to depart, © While the life-blood has almost congealed to his heart. Still, the same God in glory is ruling above; The‘same, heaven is displaying her: banners of love; The same+generous earth, from her bountiful breast, Still offers him, nourishment, raiment and rest. But. the: shadows of guilt, the huge: mountains of sin Have.so hedged him about, have so compassed him in, - From the: altar of love his cold heart is estranged, Tul he: fully believes that all nature has changed. As a criminal, fearing the force of the law, Self-arraigned—self-condemned—ever living im awe, He dreads the last summons; fain would shun the bright gates Where firm justice: still tempered with mercy awaits. CELESTIAL LIGHT. % So depraved that he seeks darkness rather than light, That his sinfulness be not revealed to the sight, Like the midnight assassin, whose blood-streaming steel, 3 The dark mantles of night shall assist to conceal. While the night lamps of Heaven the vast canopy 7 crowd, The pale star of his fate remains under a cloud, When the day-god illumines the world with his smile, _ Sinful man remains groping in darkness the while. Yet, on life’s arid desert some oasis is found, Where the life-cheering waters of pleasure abound, - Which the wanderer, over this desolate waste, Is forever in search of, and eager to taste. a The great Author of life, ever mindful of man, As a light, and a guide to life’s huge caravan, Points out the green isles, and the bright sparkling strand, That bestud, and -beskirt this broad ocean of sand. As the earth has no desert that has not its green; And no midnight so dark but the stars may be * geen ; So, life, drear as the desert, and dark as the night, Still discloses the lingering traces of light. 8 CELESTIAL LIGHT. By this sole attribute, man ver hopes to retrace His iniquitous steps to the threshold of grace ; When to ashes life’s smouldering embers shall burn, To that haven of glory he hopes to return. On the billows of anguish his vessel may bound, While the tempest shall burst in its fury around, — Though at times half submerged in the waters of grief, Or, but narrowly passing some dangerous reef, By this light, and this faith, he shall weather the gale, Never tacking about, never shifting a sail, By the murderous death-rocks, the treacherous shoals, ° Which life’s ocean conceals for the wrecking of souls. Not the trade-winds of woe, the siroccos of pain, Which so fiercely oppose him, or languish in vain, Nor the turbid inundating waters of sin, Can extinguish the light that is burning within. Seek the man, where you will, on the land, or the sea, In the hut of the slave, or the halls of the free, He still bears on his visage the impress divine, And the light in his soul still continues to shine. When the clouds of adversity darken his sky, And the storm- -king is speeding his carnage on high, On the horizon, painted in colors serene, The bright bow of his promise remains to be seen. CELESTIAL LIGHT. — 9 In the morning of life, when the soul’s genial rays, Shall have set all the hill-tops of fancy ablaze ; When the pale robes of dawn seem too common and | gray, | % ey And are cast off for something more lively and Say 5 3 When, with pencil of youth, we sketch woodland and lawn, “ (Which our after years prove have been much over- drawn, ) How delightful this fanciful vision appears, Unto eyes yet undimined by the shadows of years. ; While on nature’s broad canvas, thus deftly arrayed. The glad sunlight conceals all the traces of shade, | If one cloud on the canvas our eyes may behold, It is painted with borders of silver and gold. In the well-defined colors this landscape is seen, | There is azure above, and beneath there is green, While just in the beautiful background, somewhere, Our magnificent castles are built in the air. When at last we arrive at our zenith of years, Still more lovely the rich golden sunset appears, With what longings we turn to the beautiful west, The bright sundown of life, the sure haven of rest, 10 ‘CELESTIAL LIGHT. A whole lifetime of fancies would seem to combine, — In portraying those few closing years of decline, All the powers of the soul seem conspired to engage, | And to comfort those last weary footsteps of age. On the borders of life, as we linger to cast The fond glances of love o’er the joys of the past, Through the twilight of age, from the hoar hills of | time, To look back on youth’s ever: delectable are With what mingled emotions the bosom now fills, As we gaze from the top of time’s frost-covered hills, Whose pale lengthening shadows, like spectres of woe, Are extending athwart the green valleys below. A few steps’in advance lies that’ echoless shore, © Where this life’s fitful visions shall greet us no more, While just: back in our wake lies that silent ravine, Beyond which, the still visible past may be seen. To life’s soldier thus called to relinquish his breath, At the frowning, impregnable ramparts of death, . In communion with self, on the eve of the strife, How deceptive appear the vain glories of life. As the mind wanders back o’er the battle-scarred plain, While reviewing his wearisome earthly campaign, How his lost hopes appear like the phantoms of dread, As their skeletons bleach on the fields of the dead. CELESTIAL ‘LIGHT. Bal By the slain, he can see where. pee columns were formed, by ex Where fierce: charges were made; and strong works have been stormed, Where successful advance, or the fatal retreat, mm Have, by turns, led to triumph, or rout and defeat. He can see where the strong, in the battles of life, Have gone down in their strength in the midst of the strife; He can see how the honors, attending the brave, Are neglected, and finally lost in the grave: While he thinks, as the scenes of the shadowy past, Are recalled to his memory painfully. fast, That, perhaps in his striving for earthly renown, He has forfeited claims to a kingdom and crown. Can the pale wreath of fame, that encircles his crest, Still the many tumultuous doubts in his breast? Can the wages of sin—an unholy increase— : Procure for his soul that triumphant release? Can his final reward be consistently large, When, through death, he obtains his eternal. dis- charge? _ With reflections like these—with misgivings and doubt, The grim soldiers of life shall be all mustered out. 12 CELESTIAL. LIGHT, As the will-o’-the-wisp leads the wanderer of night - On to danger, and death, by its treacherous light, So, Fame, fickle goddess, with courtesan wiles, mm Lures her votaries on with false favors and smiles. She weaves her Brent chaplets from ivies that twine O’er the cot where the orphan and widow répine, She culls her gay colors from field. and from flood, Manured with corruption, or crimsoned with blood, Which, when highly perfumed by her poisonous breath, Are more fatal, by far, than the simoon of death, While she waves them aloft over fields that are red With the streaming life current of dying, and dead. Yet her eager aspirants, like demons of ire, Behold only the objects to which they aspire, Disregarding the welfare of body, and soul, They are only intent on obtaining the goal. If vain mortals who strive for the garlands of fame, ‘Knew the cost, and the actual worth of the same, | Her right ardent adherents. would doubtless be few, And her garlands might wither on fields where they grew. Let the hero behold the alembic of gore ‘Through all ages distilled from the ocean and shore, And the red rust might cover his death-dealing blade, When his heart and his hand had relinquished the trade. CELESTIAL LIGHT. 13 Let the monarchs of earth, in their clamor for gain, Only pause to consider the ages of pain— The vast armies of maimed, the huge mountains of slain, And the numberless treasuries emptied in vain. Their mailed hands would instinctively shrink from the grasp Of the sceptre as from the huge coil of an asp. The rich ermine of monarchs, the crown and the mace, Would be spurned, by the beggar, as things of dis- grace. Could the millions who throng on life’s great thorough- af fare, See at once all the burdens their shoulders must. bear, The most valiant of heart might despair at the load, And the strongest of limb might sink down on the road. But that God who is able the tempest to calm, Who hath tempered the fierce wind to suit the shorn lamb, Hath endowed us with strength, and the courage to bear Our allotted amount of misfortune and care. And perhaps it is well that false lights should appear, Giving birth to new hope, and dispelling vain fear. | 14 CELESTIAL LIGHT.. Never grieve for the future, but ponder and wait, val For the trials of life shall come never too late. © Let us cease to lament over troubles in store, | And dispel the dark shadows of care from the door, Let us build our air castles, no matter how tall, For few mortals shall ever be crushed by their fall. If the hopes we have built on, at times disappear, Demolishing all the proud structures we rear, New hopes and new fancies we still have in store, To be used in the rapid construction of more. Shall it profit a man to sit down and complain, | Over life’s disappointments, temptations and pain? Take the world as it is, be it none of the best, Do your duty like men—trust in God for the rest. An eclipse of the soul may obscure all the rays That have gladdened our visions in happier days, Yet no soul should despond when with sorrows o’er- | cast, The return of pure sunlight is certain at last. When occasional shadows have passed from the mind, — Let no gloomy remembrances linger behind, From the sunshine of pleasure ’tis folly to cast On the world, one reflection for things of the past. CELESTIAL: LIGHT. 15 We have loved her caresses, .in seasons of: yore, In her moments of grief we should love her the more, Her afflictions should cause us the keenest regret, And her foibles we all should forgive and forget. When the sun first came wooing this lovely, young earth, So enraptured with maidenly beauty and worth, The fond-hearted, confiding young lover became, That his countenance seemed all aglow with the flame. Like a blushing young maid she received his advances, Her fair face reflecting reciprocal glances. If he kissed her ’twas bliss—if he toyed with her tresses She frowned not, but seemed to enjoy his. caresses. . Though artless and young, she was quick to discover Those traits she admired in her ardent young lover, She could read in his heart, she could see in his eyes, An affection that seemed to be born of the skies. Long ages have rolled since the days of their plighting, The earth has been prone to coquetting and slighting, Has allowed, it is said, other sparks to attend her, Kelipsing, at times, the bright sun in his splendor. But the wanton young maid, the most. beautiful flame, Becomes in her dotage a withered old dame; And the earth, with the wrinkles of time on her face, May have lost much of maidenly. beauty and grace. 16 CELESTIAL LIGHT. Yet deep in her heart, beyond mortal’s discerning, The flames of affection are silently burning, | Bright embers of love are aglow at the centre, Where freezing forgetfulness seeks not to enter, A halo of friendship around her still lingers, That Calumny’s tongue, nor Oblivion’s fingers, The malice of one, nor the craft of the other, Has ever been able to darken, or smother. Amid turmoils unceasing, through numberless years, Amid elements striving, ’mid jostling of spheres, In the shades of reproach, or the glitter of fame, The warm glow of their friendship is always the same. Still, the bright orb of day, in his course through the skies, Warms the earth with the fire from his love-lighted eyes. With a blush on her face, and with love in her breast, She still watches him out at the gate in the west. ‘Tis the type of a union that worlds can not sever, The light of a love that endureth forever, And, how blest is the mortal who basks in that love, - And that light everlasting, that comes from above. Since the receding shades of perpetual night First retreated before the great vanguard of light, And the visible shores of time’s beacon-lit isle Were made glad by the mighty Discoverer’s smile; CELESTIAL LIGHT. iby, Since the flag-ship of light, by celestial winds driven, And displaying the royal ensign of Heaven, In advance of the squadron, bore down on the shore Over waters no sail ever whitened before. In the offing, at anchor, that bright fleet has lain, © In full view of the land, while afloat on the main, Where their binnacle lamps shall continue to burn, ‘Till the Admiral orders their final return. Omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God, By thy light, and thy glory reflected abroad, That bright heavenly world with its visions of bliss, Have been clearly, successfully mirrored im this. Inexhaustible source of perpetual light, Far transcending the bounds of our natural sight, Thou hast set all the works of creation ablaze With thy luminous presence, thy infinite rays. While above, or around us, wherever we turn, The bright beams of thy glory we clearly discern; Roam abroad as we will, o’er the land or the sea, Still that light omnipresent bears witness of thee. Go explore the dark caverns of mountain and glen, Seek those desolate shores never trodden by men, There is light in the darkest and gloomiest spot, Though the darkness at times comprehendeth it not. 2 18 CELESTIAL LICHT. Intellectual light, the bright basis of joy, | Though by man intermingled with basest alloy, With bright hands was extracted from primitive ore, Or was washed from the sands of that heavenly shore. As an unalloyed metal of infinite worth, 'Tis the medium, common, of heaven, and earth, : ‘Tis a component part of the creative plan, Be "Tis an essence pertaining to Maker and man, "Tis a fountain whose channel shall never run dry, Whose bright course may be traced’ through the mead- ows on high; Whose meandering waters incessantly flow To enliven these beautiful valleys below. "Tis a reflected light from the mansions of love, By celestial hands set in the windows above, "Tis the sun-burst of glory, the light of that throne, The grand centre of numberless worlds like our own. "Tis the pure lamp of wisdom, whose rays may be found Interspersed through the darkness that gathers around, Where strict investigation has certainly shown, livery ray forms a separate light of its own. ‘Trace each separate light to its source, and we find Them united in forming the light of the mind; CELESTIAL LIGHT. 19 And again disconnected, each’ ray will appear As‘ complete, and distinct, in its separate sphere. There is ‘one special light which we everywhere’ find Occupying a prominent place in the mind, It is memory’s watch-fire, that time has not dimmed, That our fond recollection has guarded, and trimmed. As around this pale watch-fire we linger to gaze On the light of our earlier happier days, When the sun of the past has eternally set, Though his refracted rays may be visible yet, The bright scenes of the past, when that sun has declined, Like the auroral lights stream back over the mind, And with blissful emotions unequalled before, We enjoy their beatified presence once more. By these embers the wandering exile may doze, As, relieved for a time of life’s burdens and woes, While his feet claim a respite,’ his fancies may roam All unbridled in quest of the pleasures of home. Life’s tempestuous autumn, her winter of age, With her frosts, and her snows to congeal and assuage, Neither distance, nor time, can obscure or control That unquenchable -home-light that shines in the soul. 20. CELESTIAL LIGHT, Though our eyes may grow dim, and our bodies decay, — As we. totter along down life’s wearisome way, , mm Till these tenement windows no longer convey mm To SHER ene ope the splendors of day; mm’ Though, ‘from eaenie home and kindred our lives may be past, : . : ae : Till we stand upon time's extreme borders at last, Though our hearts Bey) grOW cold, and our forms: be- 3 come bowed, | ieee ; As we wait the cold welcome of coffin and shroud Yet, the wanderer stretched on a death-bed of pain, Will yearn for the home of his childhood again; The pale vision of age would appear to renew, As the mind wanders back from a final review. For the eye is still faithful, the heart is still young, Whenever those home-scenes are painted or sung, — And the last tearful glances, the heart’s latest throes, Will reveal the soul’s sad separation from those. Well described in that bright consent of youth, Are the. fixed stars of ne Love, Virtue and Truth, | | In the orbit of home, and distinetly « dating They are plainly marked down on the map of the mind. CELESTIAL LIGHT. 21 There is one light, as all those who seek may discover, Wooves the spirit of man like a natural lover, "Tis an impartial light which we justly may call The inherent, the God-given birthright of all. Without it in wealth the proud monarch may grovel, His’ throne more abject—less secure—than a hovel, With his head ill at ease though supporting a crown, And reclining at will upon pillows of down. With this light in his breast, though by charity fed, With the green earth beneath, the blue sky overhead, The rude, indigent, wandering beggar may own, And enjoy greater wealth than the king on his throne. ‘Man inherits: this light from his Maker divine, Through an infant baptism at liberty’s shrine ; He has courted this light from the hour of his birth; He shall ee this star to the ends of the earth. Tis a Peivenly light grave. a i From nee own hearts, they suffered rebuke, aN 7 they found oe ae Persecution and death to his glory redound; When they saw the strong seal of the sepulchre burst, They could see their last error was worse than the first. eS Time rolls swiftly along in his course never stayed, — And the blossoms of empire have bloomed and de- cayed; ” , Generations of men, like the bubbles of spray, On those deep rolling waters, are passing away. The warm suns of full eighteen broad centuries bright, - Have gone down in the shadows of eternal night; Still his angry accusers are loud in their wail; Still, their false accusations are heard on the gale; a Still the wicked are swift, with the scourge and the rod, 3 | | Persecuting the Only Begotten of God; Still the tongue of derision is swift to revile — That religion which calumny'can not defile. CELESTIAL LIGHT. : 31 By the penitent soul, the fierce rabble is heard, Still reproaching, and doubting the truth of that’ word. The inferior scope of our natural sight Can not measure those rays of superior light. ’Tis alone the partakers of heavenly grace, Who, with soul unto soul; and with face unto face, Having shared, after seasons of anguish and loss, With a Saviour, the fruits of that death on the cross. Only those who have cast off the burdens of grief, Can enjoy the exquisite delights of relief; Only those who withdraw from the world’s wicked strife, | Shall partake of the blessings of eternal life. Unto such, the Redeemer still seen in the flesh, With the wounds of the cross ever bleeding afresh, Is both known, and received as an envoy of love, An embassador sent from that kingdom above. But he wears neither scarlet, nor plaiting of thorns, He is free from the world, with its scoffs, and its scorns, Neither fearing the earth with her sinful conclave, Nor her dreaded triune of Death, Hell, and the Grave. The bright legate of heaven is recalled to the throne, 4nd the fruits of his mission are fully made known, And, moreover, a grand spentakin withal, The deep wrongs he endured from the vile and | u i Pm. ft oe r meetin eo cits ni ; Cag: a Have shown him as ory of heavetl ya trust. es See the light of his presence beam full on our sig Before called to the last cold embraces of night; May our undying spirits awake from the clay — To oe in the splendors = eternal Gah “April 4th, 1872, PAKATAKAN. [Pakatakan was an old Indian village located near where the village of Mar- garetville now stands. In 1863, the inhabitants of Margaretville held the Cen- tennial Anniversary of its settlement by the whites. The following poem was, written and read on the occasion. ] To the Council of the Pale-face: Pakatakan, the departed, sendeth greetings. The spirit of her fathers shall preside over your councils, their words of wisdom shall be heard among you, like the sound of far-off waters—sounding mighty in the past, feebly echoed in the present, dying in the. distant future, to be heard no more forever. TuoucH the pale-face pay her homage— Offer tribute to. her worth, Yet the footprints of her children Have been blotted from the earth. He may treasure up her legends Safely in his heart and head, May again revive traditions, But he can not wake the dead. 34 PAKATAKAN. They are gathered to their fathers, Nor can man avert his doom. Lo! the chieftain now reposes In an unremembered tomb. | Yes! the snows of many winters Have dissolved above their clay, Have obliterated traces ae: / Soe Of their national» decays 8 > 6 | Thus the golden bowl is broken, It hes buried in the sand, And a nation hath departed | To the far off spirit land. While the pale-face speaks in council— . Speaking with historic lore, ; Shall compare the mighty present With the unforgotten yore; While he vainly tries to rescue Our traditions from decay, | He should ponder, should remember, | _ That ‘he, too, must pass away. Should remember. the Great Spirit. ©. From the regions of the sky, —— Very wisely hath appointed it For ‘all men once to die.” * PAKATAKAN. © . 35 The Great Spirit spoke creation, Into being called the light. He commanded that the morning Should be followed by the night. The bright sun which climbs the heavens Roams through ether for a day, Passes into night and darkness, Passes, like our lives, away. One day’s sun has scarce departed Hre another takes its place, Wanders o’er the trackless desert, Through the boundless realms of space. How this world was first created, Or how many moons ago, Our traditions do not tell us, And the red man does not know. But the spirit of the red man, By the Master Spirit taught, Hath a comprehensive vision Of the wonders he has wrought. Sacred writings, which the pale-face Hath acknowledged to be true, Even as the red man’s spirit Now declareth unto you. 36 ee ee”, I, ae Fe ICV ALY ep OTe Soe eR Re AeA (PAKATAKAN. | ee On the morning of creation, | | Ye have read, when time began, That this broad green earth was fashioned For the dwelling-place of man. The rising sun beheld him first In Eden’s lovely bower, The whole broad earth, at present, Beareth record of his power. Yea! she also beareth record Of his natural decay, And, as Time’s unerring index Points to what has passed away. Ye may ponder o’er the ruins Of the cities of the dead, But ye only see the body When the soul thereof has fled. Ye may seek for ancient Babel, For her ponderous remains, But her greatness is a fable, She lies level with the plains. While the pilgrim, as he journeys To the far off Holy Land, With his feet well shod with sandals, With his scrip and staff in hand; * PAKATAKAN. . : 37 While he rambles o’er the mountains, Through the valleys, by the coasts, Would appear to search for footprints Of th’ Almighty God of hosts. He ascends the Mount of Olives Where a Jesus knelt in prayer, There is much to interest him, But he finds no footprints there. The blood is washed from Calvary With heaven descending dews, He sees the cross, no longer, Hrected by the Jews. Lo! the mighty tribes of Judah Have all lain them down to rest, They are sleeping in the vineyards Which their husbandmen have dressed. While old Time still rolls his billows, Yea! and shall forever more, Washing every human footprint From his sands along the shore. Lo! the red man once was mighty, And his lands were broad and free, Yea! his hunting grounds extended From the mountains to the sea. : er 38 PRGA! Sete tre wt Oe Cie ee ars ee ae ol ee eee ae > : dee et Cr na a tt uk PY > Siena. Laker Wy ta Hee eet ka , he r hese Seeger Fa : * e a by PAKA L. AKAN. But the remnant of his nation, Which at present. ye behold, - Is the shadow of a substance That lies sleeping in the mould. Sleeping in the womb of nature, Till the earth, on which ye tread, By the hecatomb of ages, Shall be pregnant with the dead. While the spirit of the red man Holdeth counsel with you here, Lo! his sleeping dust reposes — With your hardy pioneer. Karth shall, hold. them in her bosom is Till the great and final day, Till the overruling spirit Shall reanimate their clay. Yes, in death’s exhaustless quiver Ye may all behold ihe dart gaa Which shall enter every bosom, Which shall poison every hea But the mountains, and the valleys, Which conceal their sleeping dust, : Shall all travail, and bear issue, Shall deliver up their trust, PAKATAKAN. 39 When the chieftain, and the pale-face, Shall awaken hand in hand, And shall journey on together To the far off spirit land. Then remember that the red man, With a hand as firm as you, Oyer.Jordan’s troubled waters Shall yet paddle his canoe. - Though they leave the verdant meadows, And the hunting grounds they love, In the spirit they shall wander Through the azure fields above. Though their nation be extinguished, ' And ye see them here no more, They still shall smoke the calumet Upon the other shore. ' “And thus Pakatakan leaves you— Parts with you in peace, and love, And she hopes some day to meet you At the council-fire above. THE GREAT UNSEEN. - All nations, and all ages, have been deeply impressed with the supremacy of ; a Great Unseen. ae : Waite chaos reigned, and darkness, like a pall, Still spread her sable mantle over all; While uncreated things were wrapped in sleep, The Great Unseen presided o’er the deep. But, lo! he speaks, and, at his mighty voice, The light appears, and worlds on worlds rejoice ; At his command the starry hosts, sublime, — Speed onward in their destined course through time. His laws supreme are stamped on nature’s heart, ‘Nor can one atom from his laws depart ; | Five thousand years and more have passed away, — And only sinful man dare disobey. ‘Tis strange the fairest structure of his hands, Alone, should disregard his strict commands; Should break the law thus given him to keep, Cause earth to tremble, and all heaven to weep. THE GREAT UNSEEN. Al _ Alone created with a form divine, A soul celestial ever more to shine, Lord of creation, fairest flower of earth, The only creature of immortal birth. Sole occupants of Kden’s lovely bowers, With naught to do but tend the fruit and flowers, In love divine, in harmony to dwell, Secure from outward harm—but, lo, they fell! The woman first rebelled, and. from that hour, Death and corruption were her only dower; Man next rebelled, her load of guilt to share, And thus a future world was sunk in care. The vilest worm that crawls in filth, and dust, Fulfils his destined mission meek, and just, His Maker’s laws and precepts all obey, And fills a more exalted sphere than they. And shall degraded man, corrupt, and vile, Receive henceforth his great Creator’s smile? Can rebels to the cause of heaven still trust The mercy of a Power supreme and just? Whose heav’nly mandates fill, whose presence swell The subject realms of heaven, of earth and hell; Who mounts the raging tempest in his wrath, While flames of vengeance flash along his path. 42 THE GREAT UNSEEN. eS At his approach rebellious sons of clay Withdraw in consternation and dismay; , co Their minds, henceforth, are filled wi doubts yt 4 fears, 4 But, lo! in time the Son of man appears. No. downy folds surround his natal bed, Born in a manger where the cattle fed, Mid thorns, and briars, destined long to tread, Without one spot to rest his weary head. The scoffs and scorns, of unbelievers vile, Were heaped upon his sacred head the while : And now. the great and trying hour at hand, Offended Justice makes his last demand. To this demand his. only Son complies, And on the cross a bleeding Saviour dies! Clouds gather, o’er a world convulsed with pain; The temple’s holy vail is rent in twain. Offended Justice satisfied, at ene Becomes the lowly Christian’s hope and strength | In thorny paths, o’er burning sands they roam, Thirsty and faint, bereft of friends and home. Temptation’s snares before their feet are spread, Clouds of despair may darken overhead, Beyond all worldly ken they still descry Their beacon-light bright shining from on high. THE -GREAT. :«WUNSEEN. 43 They suffer stripes, nor flinch beneath the rod, When racked with pain they meekly trust in God; Chained to the stake the martyr’d saint expires, _ A Saviour’s love his bleeding bosom fires. Bound in his narrow cell the pilgrim lies, Phantoms of darkness flit before his eyes, Though prison bars o’ershadow him with gloom, The light of hope his darkest hours illume. Or, like Apostle Paul secure in chains, Careering on old ocean’s vast domains, When raging billows lash his trembling bark, : And to the bottom sends his little ark. When, from her heaving bosom,: with a roar, She casts the shipwrecked pilgrim on the shore, While salt tears spdrkle on the briny deep, She yields the treasure which she can not keep. Though warring elements may spread alarm, Yet, from his immost soul he fears no harm. He knows there is a Power to shield the just, And in that Power he places all his trust. The mountain shepherd, as he tends his flock, Bends low his knees upon the mossy rock, While to the God of heaven his prayers arise, To that Unseen who rules above the skies. 44 THE GREAT UNSEEN. For strength of hope, behold the couch of death! The dying Christian draws. his latest breath, | With no regret to leave a world like this; | He greets the dread unknown, the dark abyss. When anxious friends are weeping by his side, He calmly bids those scalding tears be dried. - With eyes of faith, he penetrates the gloom That shades the confines of the narrow tomb. The vilest wretch that dwells on land or flood, At times will feel to own there is a God! When waves in fury wash the lonely deck, And storm-fiends howl in anguish o’er the wreck; When not one single hope of life remains, His blood-stained soul is fiercely rent with pains; Sunk on his knees, to heaven he lifts his eyes, And to the God of mercy wildly cries. The forest chief may roam the desert wild, Yet Mother Nature owns her rugged child; No written precepts doth his mind control, But nature’s laws possess his very soul, When plenty reigns, and autumn’s sunny days Smile o’er his hunting grounds, and fields of maize, Or autumn winds the forest branches nod, , His prayers he offers to the red man’s God. ¥ LHE GREAT UNSEEN. With bow well strung, and quiver at his back, The chieftain brave pursues the foeman’s track, While kindred spirits haunt his troubled breast, The cry of vengeance will not let him rest. Fierce as the wounded tiger in his ire, With breast of steel, and eyes of liquid fire, His daring front no human power can quail, With tempest speed he darts along the trail. But when the storms of heaven ’round him lower, He bows submissive to a sovereign power When thunders bellow wildly overhead, | His nerves relax, his courage all has fled. _, Low to the earth he bows his trembling form, Before the angry spirit of the storm; His aching breast supports his trembling hands, Imploringly he looks to spirit lands. Those to whom revelations are unknown, | Who bow their heads to gods of wood and stone, From nature, own a power supremely high, Which their false gods will clearly testify. O, Power divine, disperse the shades of night! Fill all thy subjects with true Christian light! Teach us to banish idols from the view, Reject false gods, and worship but the true! 45 - 46 THE GREAT UNSEEN. In searching all the whole creation round, re If there one solitary soul be found, : Who lives, and moves, and passes life away, ~~ Who knows no God, nor fears the judgment-day, — ae To him how dreadful will the summons seem, = When from death’s cold but transitory dream, With all the slumbering nations, yet unborn, To waken at the resurrection morn. When lurid flames shall earth and hell devour, — And all things melt before his sovereign power; a When starry hosts shall from their orbits fall, The heavens shall roll together like a scroll.” When islands sink beneath the raging flood, When suns turn dark, and moons become as blood, All human doubts shall vanish on that day, All earth, and hell, shall tremble and obey. OQ, thou Unseen, whose absence we deplore, Light all thy beacons on the other shore; Speak to the waves, bid their commotions cease, And guide us safely to that port of peace. SOBER REFLECTIONS. ’ PAR eT The imaginary pleasures of earth are the follies of man—the true value of time, or life, death, and immortality. THERE are charms in reflection no: power can reveal, There are pangs in connection no power can conceal, The bright dreams of the past, which afford us such Joy, Are with shadows o’ercast which must ever annoy. Those moments of sadness, those joys, although faded, Still rest in the bosoms that once they invaded. And shall they enchant us till life shall be o’er? Ah, yes! and shall haunt us when time is no more! Former joys in my mem’ry I often renew, But the hours I have wasted, like mountains I view, For I know that time squandered shall trouble my rest, When the clods of the valley le cold on my breast. 48 SOBER REFLECTIONS. But, how varied the objects, how changing the clime We descry while exploring the wild waste of time! Hach day has its comforts, each day has its cares, The field yields her wheat, and the field yields her tares. The sunshine, and darkness, so varied appear, Day fills us with gladness, night leaves us in fear, Time changes our climate as onward he rolls, Youth warms at the tropics, age chills at the poles. Though the sunshine of childhood we still can behold When our minds, like our bodies, are feeble and old, Yet, the valley of shadows -will still intervene, | An impassable gulf there lies stretched out between. Past visions have faded, past hopes have been blighted. Where now are the pleasures in which I delighted? In the pastures, and meadows, where once I have played, 3 Both the roses, and thistles, have bloomed and de- — a cayed. Other eyes may behold them as pleasing to sight, But they fill not my bosom with former delight ; For the pleasures, and pastimes, I used to have there, — Will my mind with regret, and I yield to despair. © : At home, though the fire may be burning as bright, Though the lamp may be shedding as brilliant a light, Ae SOBER REFLECTIONS. 49 Still, voices are wanting to make up the choir, To fill the home circle convened by the fire. The school-house, and play-ground, are lonely and drear, : For the voices of schoolmates no longer I hear, The spring frost has nipped them while yet in their prime, aa 2 a | Life’s thread has been cut by the sickle of Time. Like flowers of the meadow, they bloom and decay, Death but breathes on their petals, they wither away. I gaze all around, as life’s battle I fight, Lo! the few that are living, are scattered in flight. I roam through the orchard, I pause by the rill, Whose beautiful waters flow down from the hill; There the play-house, though standing, bears marks of decay, While the hands that have built it are wasting away. Those visions excite not one feeling of mirth, For they teach us, that, short are the pleasures of earth, That the sunshine of life is all passing away, That a long night of darkness must follow the day, That man, who delights in earth’s pleasures so fond, Who passes this life never looking beyond, 4 50 ' SOBER REFLECTIONS. Shall be tried, and found wanting, shall suffer jection; When trumpets shall sound at the last resurrection. eo o . Knowest thou, fallen.man, as we. journey. from here, In the court of high heaven we all must appear, To account for the time we have faithfully used, . . To account for the time we have likewise abused. ~— Earth was only intended a harbor of rest, si, In our passage to yonder bright land of the blest ;. As a place to refit, and take on a supply, While our lives should be spent.in preparing to die. | I have thought, while. reflecting, that man’s greatest crime, While on earth, is the misapplication of time. — Look abroad and behold his chief object, and aim, . He is constantly striving for riches, and fame. ‘To obtain them, may cost him his health, and his "prime ; It may cost him his virtue, and cost him his time; It may cost thim his comfort, his reason, his life ; ini And, yet, ‘his whole being with hazard is rife. Unpossessed of these objects no pleasure he VIEWS, — So he girds on the armor, the battle renews, Full of scars, and .of years, he. discovers his doom, — His last battle is lost on the verge of the tomb. SOBER REFLECTIONS.’ 51 Too late to retreat, and no time to advance,» | He throws down his armor;his sabre, and lance,” He looks wildly around him, with sorrow oppressed, For his objects, accomplished, afford him no rest. He has wasted his moments, pursuing the goal, He has worn out his. body, and ruined his soul, In the deepest of anguish he draws his last breath, For the life he has led so unfits him for death. Nor can death end his troubles, or shorten his woes, Nor can the grave yield him the slightest repose, For the phantoms of darkness will flit round his head, ’ And the earth-worms will crawl in his cold narrow bed. | And the time he has killed, he beholds in a shroud, While the moments, all ghastly, around him will crowd; Past follies, like demons, his fortress assail, His pall serves butill as a coating of mail. But, such is the doom of a man of the world, To him, the dark banner of fate is unfurled; He abuses the blessings that God has bestowed, And he gathers the fruits of the seed he has sowed. And can this be all that a God has designed, In creating such beings of body and mind? Has the world been created for nothing but strife? Has the grave been ordained as the end of all life? 52° SOBER REFLECTIONS. Lo! a world was called forth by an all-wise command, — It was fitly adorned by an Almighty hand; 93 aaa a ; All else in creation was formed at his will, ee But man was found wanting earth’s bosom to till. In his Maker’s own image man’s body was made, Never had such perfection before been displayed ; He breathed in man’s nostrils his life-giving breath, Tis the same we return at the moment of death. | Thus, man was ordained to be god of the earth, He is next to his Maker in image and birth; All creation, so lovely, is placed at his hand, _ His dominion extends o’er both ocean and land. Though the space may seem narrow, in which we must move, | We have more time allowed than we care to improve ; Yet, I know, it is ever the nature of man To sit idle and murmur at life’s narrow span. That man should be mortal he thinks is unjust, And mourns that his body should sleep in the dust; And the terror of death sends a thrill to his heart, While the soul and the body reluctantly part. It is strange that a being thus formed should rebel, It is strange he should murmur because he has fell, SOBER REFLECTIONS. 53 And, still stranger, to think he should sit and com- plain That the earth has no beauty, that all things are vain. While earth in her bounties, her fruits, and her flowers, | | Still vies with the bounties of Eden’s fair bowers, With seed-time and harvest mankind are still blest, There are seasons for labor, and seasons for rest. Vast herds of wild fatlings roam over the heath, We’ve the blue sky above, and the green earth be- neath, The foam-crested billow man rides at his will, The deep yields her treasures his coffers to fill. He mounts with the tempest, he rides with the clouds, That whiten around him like so many shrouds; Thus the air, earth, and ocean, all lend him their aid, The bright rainbow of promise to him is displayed. The day-god resplendent, affords him his light, The moon, and the stars, shine to cheer him by night, The night dews of heaven refreshen his heart, And to the whole system new vigor impart. How many EKuphrates and Gihons there be, Whose beautiful waters roll down to the sea, All nature, for comfort and beauty arranged, Is still looking lovely, ’tis man that has changed ! 54 SOBER REFLECTIONS. And, yet, there are riches that. all. should desire, There’s a summit of fame to which all should aspire Tis the soul’s dearest treasure, the hope of the Cross, — For, beside it all riches and fame are but dross! But the man thus possessed, will not murmur at God, 4 When afflictions assail him he kisses the rod; , re 1 As he journeys from hence he has well. been foretold eo He can take not his scrip, nor his silver and gold. — When the messenger comes to deprive him of breath, He looks calmly beyond the dark Jordan ‘of death; He beholds his Redeemer, his hope, and his trust, He views the bright Canaan prepared for the just. — Lo! his passport is sealed, and his Pilot is near, He prepares for the transit, a stranger to fear; 4 Though winds sweep in fury, though dark billows roll, | % The canvas is spread that shall bear off his soul. — The moment for parting he greets with delight, His sails are well trimmed, and his beacom is bright; He makes a safe voyage, his troubles all cease, : He anchors at last in the harbor of peace. Though his body shall sleep for awhile in the earth, . Yet, again it’ shall rise and: partake of new birth, — a Shall unite with the soul on eternity’s shore, Where the troubles of parting at-last will be o’er. — “SOBER REFLECTIONS. 55 Can man then be mortal? Ah, no! he shall live The new life his Creator has promised to give! For the strong arm he trusted is able to save, He shall triumph at last o’er death, hell, and the grave. Nor should we sit idle and murmur at fate, Let us up and be doing, the hour’s growing late! Hach moment’s a jewel the brightest, and best, That shines all resplendent in time’s golden crest. The thieves who shall rob me of silver, and gold, I forgive, though their actions are wicked, and bold. They may rifle my pockets, yea! leave not a dime! | But woe to the wretches that pilfer my time! They deprive me of life, for they shorten my hours, They rob my poor soul of her richest of dowers ; If they take my last treasure, what can they take more ? They have robbed me of that which no man can restore. Other wealth, like the seasons, may come and depart; But time, that is lost, leaves a void in the heart. Then let us be faithful, use time as it flies, For its riches retained, shall be ours when it dies. O, let us be wise while the day is our own! For every lost moment we'll have to atone. ts iiebs Roath oh ak ies ‘ ; oT i Lae nt 56 SOBER REFLECTIONS. aes . : we Poe wk ne There are few rich, and wise, as Jerusalem’s king, — Yet all have their ag and talents, to mee We may have but one talent, and still may be blest, 7 For its usage may gain us an eternal rest. _ 7 4 If we suffer our thousands to rust and decay, —_— At the last we shall all be sent empty away. As I sit and reflect on man’s station, and birth, On the riches of heaven, and the blessings of earth, My soul in her poverty, shrinks from the view. How much we receive, where but little is due! age Peon BREE LRCTIONS..; Fes yA 1G From whence do we proceed—what is our mission—whither are we tending ? These little questions, weighed by candid common sense, Are still in point of value found to be immense. WE come direct from God, and at the sole commands Of him who holdeth worlds in his Almighty hands. Our image is divine, our souls, our breath is his, And he our Lamp, our Guide, our very being is. So close allied to God, of such exalted birth, How great must be the trust assigned to us on earth! The pleasant paths of peace before our feet are spread, Ten thousand worlds of light revolving overhead. Our comforts are derived from heaven, earth and sea. Yes, fellow-man, the world was made for you and me. All things, that he has formed, are governed by his laws, | And men have ample minds to fathom every cause. 5S SOBER REFLECTIONS. ; 7 Creation’s vast domain at will we may explore—_ a Our keel may plough its shoals, may visit every shore ; _ 7 K How much of good on earth poor sinful man could do, — a Would he obey his God, and wisdom’s ways pursue. How many noble deeds are placed within his power; How many little acts are present every hour; . Nor need we idle be, there’s work enough for all; Rise, then, O, fallen man! obey your master’s call! ‘Sound loud the trump of fame, with flag of truth un-_ furled, | Sen | Engage the cause of heaven, proclaim it o’er the world; Go tell to all mankind how our first parents fel; Declare how Jesus died to rescue them from hell. Help education spread her genial light abroad, Till every human soul shall know the will of God; In paths..of science tread, her golden gates unfold; Deep in the mines of truth are treasures yet untold. Search every little nook in range of human ken; Search well in thine own heart, search all the hearts of men; So cultivate thy mind, and: pluck out every tare That error’s noxious weeds may never flourish there. | Hold firmly to the right, seek not for earthly fame, It will but prove as ‘‘sounding brass,” an empty name; . SOBER REFLECTIONS. 59 All earthly fame will fade, time shall betray his trust, _ The monuments we build will crumble in the dust. Give freely to the poor, be penitent, and mild; Stand up before thy God with conscience undefiled ; Pour consolation’s balm in every breast of woe; Bid streams of joy arise, where sorrow’s fountains flow; And God shall make thy calling and election sure; The fame that thou hast gained forever must endure ; Thy mission well fulfilled, thy works shall all be blest, Thou servant of the Lord shalt enter into rest. | When clouds of sin disperse, religion’s piercing rays Disclose how few there are who walk in wisdom’s ways; Who keep the rugged path which their Redeemer trod, That straight and narrow way that leads direct to God. "Twas. Jesus called them forth, ‘twas he who paved the ENE, ‘Tis he who guides them now to realms of endless day ; By him the lamps of truth are lit on either side, From which the gospel light is seen both far and wide. Hope, as the pilgrim’s staff, affords him ample aid, When darkness gathers o’er, when hosts of hell invade, He fears no power but God, though legions may op- pose, Through faith he journeys on, secure from all his foes. 60 SOBER LEE CIE But let us turn and view that dark and dismal road, The broad highway that. leads to Satan’s drear. abode; _ q There countless millions Hee and join the motley ’ throng, — | oe ‘ | As hell’s dread minions greet and uaher we along, ay Where error’s lamps shine forth resplendent to the view; Yet penetrating eyes discern them’ from the true. And should you ask their fate, ’tis answered 1 in a a breath, Their chief delight is sin, their only wages death? The Prince of Darkness leads with all his wicked wiles, He beckons them along with his bewitching smiles; For pleasures all men thirst, God places in the cup With pleasure, sin and death; still eagerly they sup. But, O, the bitter dregs that poison every lip; All men shall suffer death, for having dared to sip. And in that night of death, the wicked and the just Shall share one common fate—shall slumber in the — dust. | Humanity may boast of bravery and power, And yet, they shake at death, they dread the final hour, Not all the power. of earth ee potentates can save, The realms of earthly kings are bounded by the grave. 4 SOBER REFLECTIONS. 61 Where poverty, and wealth, shall slumber side by side, When Lazarus, and Dives, together shall have died. Dark is the night of death! and broken is the sleep Of those who spread the sail on Jordan’s troubled deep ! But, lo! a dreadful sound comes drifting o’er the wave, | Reanimates the dead, and opens every grave; The trumpet’s awful tone bids sleeping dust arise, Appear before the throne of Him who rules the skies. Harth’s legions shall arise, the resurrection morn Shall shed her brilliant light on nations yet unborn. And now the morning breaks, the gates of heaven unfold, Behold the court on high adorned crate pearl and gold. There God of heaven, and earth, supremely takes his stand, He calls the court of heaven,,he issues his command; The Son of man appears as counsel for the just, He pleads the cause of those who place in him their trust. Ihe ponderous Book of Life he takes from God’s right hand, Lo! hallelujahs ring through heaven’s immortal band; 62. _ SOBER REFLECTIONS. He opens every seal before the Grear I Am, “7 While saints of God proclaim how sige is: ‘the: Lamb! ; hs Shepherd of his flock, his sheep shall hear his voice ; } He calls the ey and dead; the objects of his ehoidem ’Tis just that Christ should june when souls oe men are tried; For them he came on earth, for them he lived and died. Their weakness in the. flesh, their sins he can forgive, In his atoning grace he bids them trust and live; — They hear his mighty voice, and yet are not afraid; — Their sins are blotted out, their debts have all been paid. And, now, at his right hand, he offers them a seat, He crowns them with his love, with grace anoints their feet; Now all the saints of God with one accord shall sing, Archangels shall proclaim hosannas to our King? When, lo! a trump from heaven sounds louder than before, Its echoes shall resound on Jordan’s farthest shore; And now the Prince of Hell his legions shall arraign, Shall marshal all. his hosts together on the plain. sie, SOBER REFLECTIONS, 63 Before the, Mart of heaven he offers their defence, When, lo! a God replies to Satan: ‘‘Get thee hence!” They now behold in chains their chieftain sent away, And every breast is filled with terror and dismay. | Before that awful Judge, their sins are all laid bare, The crimes of all mankind are deeply written there; He holds the Book of Fate, -he bids them all advance, He pierces every breast with his all-searching glance. Behold earth’s great high priest! their pharisaic god! _ He shuns the Prince, of Peace, he trembles at his nod ; He crys to God for help, declares he spent the days Allotted him below in wisdom’s pleasant ways. But O, hoW vain to plead, no human power can cheat That God who views the soul while in its dark retreat ; ‘Tis true, while in the flesh, he talked aloud of heaven, And at the mercy-seat prayed one day out of seven. For filthy lucre’s sake, like Baalam he has trod The gilded ways of sin against the will of God; In bye, unbidden paths, he led the blind astray, Perverted gospel truths, and peddled them for pay. Poor children of the. Lord were never of his flock,,, . His heart against. the. poor .was harder. than a rock ; But he who knows the soul bids this high priest give place ; _ He sends him thus away, without the hope of. grace. 64 SOBER REFLECTIONS. é And next approaches Dives, he hopes to win his cause; On earth the tongues of men have yielded him applause, He always bowed his knee before the throne of grace, | 4 And in the house of God he always filled his place. The missionary cause on earth he did defend, And ships to heathen lands he long had helped to send ; Whene’er their fate was told, tears started in his eyes For those who pined in sin beneath some foreign skies. Thus, o’er his well-filled purse religion held control, But, O, behold his filth, his poverty of soul! For while he stands to plead, the orphan’s bitter cries, That he has scorned to feed, behind him shall arise. Their evidence in court must silence every doubt, . Must seal his lasting fate, must help to cast him out. But, as the court proceeds, the truth must all unfold, In Mammon’s cause he served, he knew no God but gold ; The heathens of his house, the beggars of his town, As objects of his hate, have all received his frown. Though fair in speech and mien, he hath a traitor’s heart, . Which fails him, while his judge commands him to depart! SOBER REFLECTIONS. 65 Hypocrisy, at last, must ruin whom it serves, For, God will surely mete the measure it deserves; The power and wealth of worlds shall lessen in the scale : Where Mercy pleads in vain, where Mammon shall prevail. But, still the trumpets sound, still on the columns roll, ; Till at the judgment-bar is gathered every soul; Behold the rich, and poor, the lowly, and the great, Before this great Tribune their final sentence wait. But, O, such filth and stench as mortals never knew, Such rottenness of soul is here exposed to view! Here Avarice, Deceit, Hypocrisy and Pride, Self-righteousness and Lust, are gathered side by side. But, now the final trump through heaven shall resound, The gates of hell unbarred, her legions all unbound, Down thence a righteous Judge commands them to de- part, They die the traitor’s death, who have a traitor’s heart. ‘Tis true all men, at first, start in the self-same road, But do not all obtain that high and bright abode, For all mankind possess two natures from their birth, | The one inclines to heaven, the other clings to earth. 5 66 SOBER REFLECTIONS. Thus, souls and bodies clash, though high we may aspire, | | | : By nature we are prone to wallow in the mire; — The body rules the soul when sinful men rebel, Their earthly natures drag their spirits down to hell.’ How oft we imitate what great and good men do, But never seek to know the motives in their view; _ Not for its own dear sake, do we support the right, But for the show we make, in other people’s sight. — But, do not care for what ‘a wicked world may say, This world with all its filth and sham will pass away; But, do your every duty when and where you can, Deal justly with your God, respect your fellow-man. Not always by the gift of kingdoms can we ‘claim To be joint heirs of glory, or immortal fame; But. he who gives, or he who in ‘the battle’ fights, Should think of David, or the lowly widow’s mites. ’Tis more religious thus to give the loaf of bread With which some poor benighted fellow-man is fed, Than sending pious books, and tracts, by scores away, For missionary hands to spread from day to day. And that Samaritan who saves the life of one Poor soul whom the unfriendly Levites seek. to shun, — SOBER REFLECTIONS. 67 To gain himself a crown of lasting fame, does more Than he who wallows to a throne through streams of gore. And thus, reflecting leads me always to decide, That those who with the laws of mercy have complied, Shall be the ones who meet on Canaan’s blissful. shore, When heavens and earth shall fade, and time shall be no more. : LIGHT AND SHADE. No life is all sunshine, no world is all brightness. There are dark spots on the sun, and there are gloomy caverns in the bleak mountains of the moon. The purest metal has its dross, and the most upright heart of man is continually prone to evil. As the roaring of the waters are still heard in the vacant chambers of — the sea-shell, so the world still retains the dark traces of its origin, and still in- clines towards that chaos from whence it sprung. Rott up the scroll of ages, turn from the book of time To God’s eternal sunlight in yon celestial clime; See heavenly hosts assembled, behold! the power di- vine Convenes the court of heaven, makes known his grand design. | Countless embryo worlds within seraphic ken, Jehovah hath designed as the abodes of men; Ten thousand harps are strung at his supreme com- mand, | While hallelujahs ring through heaven’s immiortal band. Swift couriers on wings of lightning seem to fly, They herald Time’s approach, light all the lamps on | high. | LIGHT AND SHADE. 69 Darkness gives place to light, as starry hosts.appear. Creation’s dome is lit by heaven’s great chandelier. The day-god marches forth, his banners all unfurled, His golden armor sheds effulgence o’er the world; Chief of the shining legions marshalled in the sky, With his commission signed by all the powers on high. Long centuries have rolled since first command was given | To marshal that bright host on the blue plains of heaven; Triumphant over time, they’ve led a long campaign, Without one single head-board left to mar the plain. God guards both rank and file, with his all-seeing eye, ‘T'was his firm voice first called their muster-roll on high. He ordered their advance, o’er Hden, in her prime, Shall order their retreat on the last shores of time. To thee, celestial light, we lift our tongues in praise. In thee we recognize the light of other days, Thou morning-star of time, dawn of creation’s birth, When man was sent as God’s ambassador to earth! To thee, his bright escort, he turned with anxious gaze, To thee he looked for light to guide his erring ways, And; when he took his leave from Eden’s hallowed ground, He, by thy light, commenced his journey westward bound. BOS grt ie eed a ea 70 _ LIGHT AND SHADE. Exiled from Paradise, that beautiful retreat, He girded up his loins, put sandals on his feet, eel, i - With not one look behind, he steeled his breast to fear, _ And in thy light set forth, earth’s greatest pioneer. Before him, forests sink; behind him, cities rise; — His bridges span the flood, his temples reach the skies; — a Before his firm advance the wilds of nature yield, Till earth's broad acres are one cultivated field. His navies ride the deep, where ocean surges pour ; On land, his martial tread is heard from shore to shore, Though pestilential foes, at times, his ranks invade, Spreading disease and death, yet is he not dismayed. While countless legions sink, before the spear and lance, . | His voice is heard above the strife, “Close up! ad- vance !” . | Fierce charges still are made, still firm commands are given, | oy : They know the cause of man is still the cause of heaven. For universal conquest, man first took the Held +) a Till that shall be accomplished, man must never yield. Though veterans retire, fresh levies join the strife, Who lead the sanguine charge with all the power of life. LIGHT AND SHADE. 71 Stop not to fortify, fear not the foe before, While God directs the fight, and heaven is smiling o’er. Press onward, in the right, with but this aim in view, While there is light above, there’s work on earth to do. The harvest moon of death may ride the upper deep, While grim mortality is sent on earth to reap, Till earth’s broad swelling bosom, pregnant with decay, Is one great charnel-house of ages past away. And yet oe countless children who daily have their birth, Who gather round, and clamber o’er the cae of Mother Harth, | Who draw their daily nourishment from that fond mother’s breast, 7 Care not how many millions may in her Boson rest. They know that time ek onward to God’s erin shore, They feel the ocean breezes, and hear the billows roar, They see their beacons lighted by angel hands on high, They know that God is with them, and do not fear to die. To-day we see death’s cortege move to the sombre tomb, . From whence to-morrow’s sunlight dispels: the shades of gloom. | ice Ce PO Nomen St ie aera Ee, 4 o hie eas aed) a rie Sam rpl LIGHT AND SHADE. The flower that’s crushed and withered beneath our 4 feet to-day, a Shall blossom on the morrow, when we have passed a away. : All over God’s broad acres bleak ridges may be seen, Thrown up like countless ant-hills on nature’s living green ; But time, whose march is onward, shall batter every mound = R Beneath his heel of iron, till not one trace be found. The moss-grown marble sentry awhile may watch our pyre, ea But time sends no relef guard when they at last ree The monarch of the forest again shall lift his head, And wave his branches over the cities of the dead! Oblivion’s dark waters, time’s distant shores shall lave, Shall bury in her bosom the secrets of the grave, Till phantoms of past ages, no longer we descry, Save as we see their mirage reflected in the sky. Time-bound terrestrial light hath not the power to cast One flickering ray beyond the dark horizon of the past. Our midday cares our minds engage, our days are spent in strife, | We seldom rest our eyes upon the twilight scenes of life. ee ee ae el LIGHT VAND SHADE. 73 See with what matchless genius heaven’s Artist has ar- rayed The countless checkered scenes of pain composed of light, and shade. See nature’s boundless canvas unrolled before our sight, Her dark groundwork in contrast with her scenery of light. The world’s grand panorama of ocean, earth, and sky, Shown off by God’s great foot-lights, so charm the mor- tal eye, We dwell, with fixed attention, upon a scene so fond, And scarcely realize there is a brighter world beyond. Far up the vast empyrean, beyond the ether blue, Are worlds whose light is too intense for mortal eyes | to view, It even pains our vision, one moment's space to gaze On their celestial splendor through earth’s surrounding haze. We see the countless meshes in earth’s canopy of blue, | With heaven’s atmospheric eu forever streaming through ; We bow with adoration before the Power divine Who, in his boundless wisdom, first ordered light to shine, 74 : - LIGHT AND SHADE. pai. ee bea There’s another source of light, selfcramtine as. a “a find, . That would seem to spring, at once, from the chaos. ‘of the mind, Still possessing powers immortal its own beauties to impart, Lights up the darkest intellect, and warms the coldest heart. And, yet, this light would seem to be with darkness still allied, | Joint-tenants of this world of ours, they wander side | by side. | As the diamond is but carbon, transparent, and refined, So, intellectual light is but transparency of mind. As we wander down. the ages of the unforgotten yore, And turn her blotted pages in search of hidden lore, We see time’s brightest magnates with minds that seem to cast The light of inspiration o’er the pages of the past. Stars in the literary sky, gems on the brow of night, That seem to fill time’s firmament with intellectual light, | Yet ’twas through their dark surroundings, their light so brilliant shone, As, at times, the darkest setting best displays thie precious stone. { LIGHT AND SHADE. 15 Let us still be undeceived as to past and present worth, Lest our eyes, at times, be dazzled by the brilliancy of earth, » For the brightest page: historic, that adorns the book - of time, Bears finger-marks of ignorance, and crimson blots of crime. While Hebron’s great lawgiver stood on Sinai’s cloud- capt height, In presence of Jehovah, and surrounded by his light, We see the stiff-necked Hebrews, far down the moun- tain side, Wrapt in Egyptian darkness, sdolatey, and pride. While Moses was receiving God’s instructions in the law, In presence of Divinity, inspired with holy awe, The songs and shouts of revelry ascended on the gale, And from God’s own chosen people sojourning in the vale. King Solomon, whose piety has ever been extolled For building temples to the Lord, and paving them with gold, Encouraged heathen worship, as the sacred Scriptures tell, By dedicating altars to the heathen gods as well. a” | oe 16 ‘LIGHT AND SHADE, — ae i, : See Rome the painted harlot, in the vonitl of her " | powers, Voluptuously reclining in grand Hesperian bowers, Robed in imperial purple, and lusting after fame, ‘The world is all her dower, and exalted is her name; Her forum rings with eloquence, her sages there pre- side, Bright master spirits of the age, by Romans deified ; Her warlike legions storm the Alps, her navy ae : the sea, | 7 s Her golden eagle spreads his wings o’er Rome, the proud and free. | The car of triumph bears her victor chieftains throug 7 the street, While trophies of the conqueror lie clustered at his feet; Ae! Her altar-fires are lighted, and her clouds of incense rise, As to her hero deities she offers sacrifice. Lo! other hills are shaken by the battle’s dire alarms, And other nations made to feel the terror of her arms, Still other foes, beneath her steel, in meek submission cower; And Rome; proud Rome, rejoices in the wantonness of power. | | e LIGHT AND SHADE. 17 Ah! why rejoice that Rome has filled another land with graves, And chained to her triumphal car another race of slaves? Was it for gain? she had enough of worldly wealth before! Was it for fame? her seven hills were drenched with human gore! Or, was it merely done to quench a morbid thirst for blood ? Already had her purple veins ensanguined field and flood! Why do we see the Tiber rolling crimson to the main? Why do we hear along her banks the captive’s clank- ing chain? And shall this harlot’s virtues thus forever be extolled? Throw down her bright escutcheon | tear off her robes, her gold! And see corruption fester beneath a shining mask; Then answer all the questions that I am led to © ask. The blackest human heart may beat beneath a regal - vest, | 7 The very darkest intellect may wear a shining crest. a ee ee Cee a rare de Me US AAT a. 78 LIGHT AND SHADE. Rome was not’ free, her largest class of citizens were 4 by slaves, Who wrought in galling chains by day a conical at night in caves. Rome ae be brave on cpeare field, but when the strife was_ past, aihere was her hero that could brook wit bit- | ter blast? When fate’s sirocco headeus their laurelled brows had fanned, _ Afraid of life, they grasped at death with suicidal hand. : We wonder not they courted death on fields of blood and strife, Who fell not there was sure to fall by the assassin’s knife; With brutal passions long inured to welcome death s behest, No wonder to her banquet board they came a willing guest. Rome trusted to her warriors to shield her martial fame, To guard her sacred liberties, perpetuate her name. They stained her bright escutcheon, ee grasped ae ‘ fatal dart, With bloody hands drove home the steel to her con- fiding heart! LIGHT AND. SHADE. 719 See strangled Roman liberties, by Roman hands ex- pire, : While her polluted body is cast upon the pyre. Let those who can not comprehend the moral of her doom, Here read this truthful epitaph inscribed upon her tomb: hae Those who confide their liberties to military power, Give things which are most holy to dogs that will de- vous, And they who cast these brightest pearls before the feet of swine, Shall see their sacred liberties successively decline. The man of blood whose breast is kindled by a martial flame, Who cultivates the arts of war for military fame, Ts not the man on whom enlightened nations should | rely To guard their public virtues with a calm and stead- fast eye. Lured by the fame of conquest—while avarice beguiles, They sacrifice their virtues to war’s seductive wiles. A nation thus polluted, with her liberties defiled, Will scoff at former chastity, though frequently re- viled. sO | LIGHT AND SHADE. ee While parting with the virtues she so loved in former days, Kmbracing still the libertine, and shouting in 1 his praise, pone prostitute to Cesar,—her garments stained wile ~ gore,— Still gloried in the military ermine which he wore. With her brutal passions heated,—in her we of | desire, — ae: She practiced all the cruelty her nature could inspire; While the Roman heart delighted in scenes that should appall, i Making Rome in all her glory but a bloody pitcher's S stall. Her famous amphitheatre—grand slaughter-house of yore, Where multitudes might satiate their thirst for human Sore ; | Where countless gladiators join the dark arena’s strife, Contend with beasts—with fellow-men—for i for life! Where piercing shrieks of agony, from mortals who ex- pire, | Are stifled by the loud huzzas of thousands who admire: How dark must be the intellect to witness scenes like: — this, - And through depravity of heart account it earthly bliss. LIGHT AND SHADE. 81 Though Rome might boast of characters composed of better stuff, ‘ Who were (to use a modern phrase) true diamonds in the rough, They seem to lack that moral light—man’s noblest at- tribute, While they fostered all the passions Arca to the | brute. Nor yet alone could Rome be said to’ give those pas- sions birth, | For what was true of Ancient Rome, was true of all the earth. | Turn all the pages of the past, behold them as you will, The finger-marks of ignorance are stamped upon them still. While Greece, in all the glory of her literary worth, Was held in adoration by the potentates of earth, The philosophic teachings of her many public schools Were calculated to inspire a race of Pagan fools. Aliens to wisdom, they professed allegiance to her cause, They claimed an inspiration that was foreign to her laws; On mythology they founded God’s Aan plan, Ascribing to the Deity mere attributes of man. 6 82 | LIGHT AND SHADE. In wisdom A thesis claimed to wear the spotless eles % of fame, ‘ae ’Twas her debauchery that gave pollution to then same ; Those Spartan virtues, by the world so lavishly extolled) - Were linked with vices that a world might shudder td behold. Though Greece might boast a warlike host of true-born sons of Mars, Who loved to count their victories won, and snow theie bloody scars; Although her martial captains were a class of real braves, 7 Her private ranks were always filled with criminals and | slaves. With aching limbs released from chains, and age to the strife, -They’d rather die the warrior’s death, ‘than live the captive’s life. Thus stripped of all the sophistry and garniture of fame, : | The wild exploits of warlike Greece seem rather cold and tame. Man loves the light of ae courts the fickle flame; But oft and oft the prize he wins is but an bee! name ; LIGHT AND SHADE. 83 He finds it ever true that all that glitters is not gold; His liberties are hard to gain, and harder still to hold. Man’s domineering over man, his vain display of powers, Destroys the growth of liberty in this dark world of ours ; It is when the light is strongest that darkest shadows. fall ; | ‘Tis where liberty seems greatest, that nations most enthrall. Tis from the womb of liberty that slavery has birth, The proof of which is visible all over God’s green earth ; Drage Yes! that proud and comely matron who curls the lip. of scorn, Must still acknowledge slavery to be her truly born. Release a man from law’s restraint both human and di- vine, With liberty to do just as his nature may incline, And see his baser passions rule him with despotic: sway, While he becomes their abject slave, and hastens to, obey. 84 LIGHT AND SHADE. i ‘We see earth’s countless subjects ground with oppress: ive laws, ect 3 ‘We know excess of liberty to be the only cause. The freedom of earth’s potentates, their powers uncon- fined, ‘Gives birth to all the. sareitiide allotted to mankind. No sooner than a nation climbs the highest round of fame, | . She dons the robes of royalty, adds titles to her name; She spurns the light of liberty—her sacred altar-fire— Neglected flames, with pallid hues, they flicker and expire. The brightest sun that ever blest our being with his light, In his decline has yielded to the sombre shades of 7 night ; The sinking sun shall rise again to light another morn, And liberty shall rise and set on nations yet unborn! As certain as the shades of night succeed the light of _ day, So all created things in time are doomed to pass away ; wie ‘Creation still is going on, and chaos still is rife, While worlds are sinking, other worlds are springing — 7 into life. LIGHT AND SHADE. 85 The living man shall heap the earth above a sléeping brother, That sleeping dust shall rise again to recreate another ; The earth receives the forest leaves in autumn brown and sere ; When spring returns on bough and branch those leaves shall reappear. That God in whom we live and move and draw our very breath, Hath planted in the breast of man the seeds of life and death ; 3 In him we place our trust, at times, in him, at times we doubt, Because his ways unsearchable are past our finding out. THE TEACHER’S CALLING. [Delivered before the Delaware County Teachers’ Institute, 1861.] oh It is with fear and trembling that I come before This vast assemblage, and this heaven-favored corps ; Yet glad am I to lift my voice in this great cause, ; Which through all time has merited such = ap- plause. O! Teachers, let us contemplate how great the due, Which generations, past and present, owe to you; For, has there been a calling since the world began, Which has bestowed such high prerogatives on man? Among no other class of mortals will you find, Where human skill must deal so strictly with the mind; O! would to God that all might here be made to feel == The magnitude of that with which they have to deal! And may you realize, that the immortal soul, The fairest boon of heaven, is under your control; Alas! how few there are who act as if they knew The just amount of work that Teachers have to do. THE TEACHER’S CALLING. 87 Here comes the child to school with satchel on his arm, His inborn soul as yet knows neither good nor harm ; His youthful mind may be considered as a germ, Which bursting from its shell, expands from term to term. In every human breast this germ is placed with care, And as the plant is dressed accordingly ’twill bear ; O! workman, it is yours to labor in the mine, Where workmanship and skill shall make the treasure . shine. Within the little forms entrusted to your care, Perhaps the choicest gems of earth le darkling there ; Whoever in the mind’s deep caverns shall explore, Will surely strike at last a vein of golden ore. The very finest skill this calling must employ, So that the human mind shall suffer no alloy ; Herein do many err, and mankind feel the loss, How many noble minds have -thus been rendered dross! O, Guardians of Youth, look well to what you do, Know that the eye of God is firmly fixed on you! Nor can the Teacher’s calling be considered low, While from the fount of knowledge all our blessings flow. me Sy hed is SO A Me Ane een Hag Oe? ee ee Gee iene Sakae 88 THE. TEACHER'S CALLING. "an Old Time may roll his billows, and sakes his bosom be vast, “4 May bury mighty empires, may cover all the past; The warrior’s wreath may wither, his polished steel may rust, } His monument of Bn ay mingle ait the dust. Aithongh his ashes crumble sithin® a storied urn, When fires within his bosom forever cease to burn, - He was a man of action, and when his spirit fled, ‘f His actions, with his body, must be forever dead. ’Tis not so with the Teacher, whose calling is refined, Whose duty is to deal with matter and with mind; Far o’er the gloomy waters his beacon brightly glows, Although his mortal body be sunk in deep repose. The leading minds of earth, by searching, you will find, Have figured on the stage as Teachers of mankind; — The history of the world will plainly serve to show, How far in point of truth this argument will go. The sage philosophers of ancient Rome and Greece, Those oracles of wisdom, worshippers of peace, As Teachers, one and all, have added to your store, Volumes of deepest thought, and mines of richest lore. Though centuries have rolled since Aristotle died, His works which were preserved, are yearly multiplied; THE TEACHER'S CALLING. | 89 The treasures of his mind, his philosophic rules, Are taught with great success in all our higher schools. So Socrates and Plato, and Huclid, in your cause, By making deep research established many laws! Their teachings, which are known to every zone and clime, Come wafting with the breeze o’er the dark waste of time. Sir Isaac Newton gave philosophy a grace; He taught us to explore the boundless realms of space. The planetary system, as a Newton found, By laws of gravitation are securely bound. And what was Martin Luther, and Calvin, more than this? They taught in higher schools, they taught us right- eousness ; | God’s ministers are all commissioned by his love, To fit our student souls for college halls above. On Horeb’s lofty brow behold a Moses stands, And from the great I Am receives his high commands ; As Teacher of the Lord to lead the mighty host Of chosen Israel o’er Egypt’s desert coast. And so the prophets all were Teachers sent abroad, Proclaiming to mankind the coming of their God; PAL Ge sei bch Dee) il ag 90 —*~*«STHE:s TEACHER’ CALLING. an : Foreknowledge had been given by which the prophets knew The things of which they spoke, their prophecies were 7 true. . And even Solomon, with more than earthly ken, Sought wisdom from on high, and taught it unto men; In lessons which he taught, in proverbs may be found, , Such mighty depths of thought as nowhere else abound. So John the Baptist was a Teacher, sent from God; Glad tidings which he bore were published all abroad; There in those lonely wilds he lifted up his voice, | And multitudes, through him, had reason to rejoice. His salary was small, his locust meat was spare, His simple raiment was the coarsest camel’s hair. How homely was his fare, how scanty was his store! And yet the lowly John could scarcely wish for more. He taught that One should come who greater was than he, Whose holy mission was to set his people free; To raise them from the pit of darkness they were in, To purify their souls and cleanse them from all sin, But, lo! in Bethlehem your brightest star arose, In all your firmament there’s none so brightly glows; THE TEACHER'S CALLING. 91 O, that the Holy Ghost from heaven should descend, To teach a fallen world on whom they might depend. He taught upon the mount, he taught within the glen, ‘Poor fishermen he taught to be fishers of men; ' He taught his greatest lesson on the bloody tree, Showing that freedom is to those whom grace makes free. And his apostles, too, commissioned from above, Through his atoning grace, his never-ending love, Were Teachers sent abroad proclaiming to all men, How Jesus lived and died, and how he rose again. They taught that worldly fame, and riches all were dross, | They taught the will of God, the glory of the cross. And still I might produce examples great and small, To show the Teacher’s calling must be all in all. But what I now have said will be enough to serve, Will show how great the meed this calling must de- serve. Next let tis pause and think if errors do not lay Before the feet of those who tread this great highway. I know ’tis often said that wisdom’s holy creed Is written out so plain that he who runs may read; But in that rugged path lies errors you should shun, Which you may never see if reading as you run. sO = * PEN 7 é ae a = ie rons » + a. s oe yh? ry nae .. i ; PC uene ie ei Sia ae EAE RD te ae a Rarer = ae We ine e : ah Re Seta Le Sere a « 92