FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ... A <236 /7>i <&^ Compiled by the Editor of 11 The Cii angkd Cross," " This Shadow of the "The Chamber of Peace, 1 ' Etc. Hock," A T THE BEA UTIFUL Ga TE, and other Religious Poems. i8mo. Cloth, gilt edges. Price, 75 cents. Unto the Desired Ha vex, and oth- er Religious Poems. i8mo. Cloth, gilt edges. Price, 75 cents. The Pa la ce of the King, and other Religious Poems. iSmo. Cloth, gilt edges. Price, 75 cents. The above three vols, sold separately or i n case. A T THE BEA UTIFUL Ga TE, Unto the Desired Haven, The Palace of the King. In one volume. Colored border line. Square i6mo. Cloth, gilt edges. Price, $2.50. Sent by mail, post free, on receipt 0/ price. Fractional amounts can be remitted in postage- stamps. ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY, 900 Broadway, Cor. 20//; St., New Vo.-k. OF PHiNGs '* UNTO The Desired Haven, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS POEMS. Compiled by the Editor of it . M *» THE CHANGED CROSS; THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK; "THE CHAMBER OF PEACE. ETC. }N NEW YORK: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, 900 Broadway, Cor. 20th Street. l88o. COPYRIGHT, 1879, BY Anson D. F. Randolph & Company. Edward O. Jenkins' Print, Robert Rttter, Tender, ■20 North William Street, N. Y. 84 Bbbkmam Strf-et, X. Y. The Selections in this volume have been chiefly made from the religious newspaper and magazine. The compiler has sought to avoid the reproduction of poems already embraced in " The Changed Cross," 14 The Shadow of the Rock" " The Chamber of Peace" and in other similar collections. The names of the writers have been given so far as they could be ascertained. October, 1879. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://archive.org/details/untodesOOrand UNTO THE DESIRED HAVEN, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS POEMS. Unto Il)c Dcsircb tyavcn. Psalm cvii. WHAT matter how the winds may blow Or blow they east, or blow they west What reck I how the tides may flow, Since ebb or flood alike is best. No summer calm, no winter gale, Impedes or drives me from my way ; I steadfast toward the Haven sail That lies, perhaps, not far away. I mind the weary days of old, When motionless I seemed to lie ; The nights when fierce the billows rolled, And changed my course, I knew not why. I feared the calm, I feared the gale, Foreboding danger and delay, Forgetting I was thus to sail To reach what seemed so far away. I measure not the loss and fret Which through those years of doubt I bore ; I keep the memory fresh, and yet Would hold God's patient mercy more. (5) M Y HEIRSHIP. What wrecks have passed me in the gale, What ships gone down on summer-day ; Whil^ I, with furled or spreading sail, Stood for the Haven far away. What matter how the winds may blow, Since fair or foul alike is best ; God holds them in His hand, I know, And I may leave to Him the rest, Assured that neither calm nor gale Can bring me danger or delay, As I still toward the Haven sail That lies, I know, not far away. itt s ijeirsljip. LITTLE store of wealth have I ; Not a rood of land I own ; Nor a mansion fair and high, Built with towers of fretted stone. Stocks nor bonds, nor title deeds, Flocks nor herds have I to show ; When I ride, no Arab steeds Toss for me their manes of snow. I have neither pearls nor gold, Massive plate, nor jewels rare ; 'Broidered silks of worth untold, Nor rich robes a queen might wear. MY HEIRSHIP. 7 In my garden's narrow bound Flaunt no costly tropic blooms, Ladcning all the air around With a weight of rare perfumes. Yet to an immense estate Am I heir by grace of God — Richer, grander, than dotji wait Any earthly monarch's nod. Heir of all the Ages, I — Heir of all that they have wrought, All their store of emprise high, All their wealth of precious thought. Every golden deed of theirs Sheds its luster on my way ; All their labors, all their prayers Sanctify this present day! Heir of all that they have earned By their passion and their tears — Heir of all that they have learned Through the weary, toiling years ! Heir of all the faith sublime On whose wings they soared to heaven ; Heir of every hope that Time To earth's fainting sons hath given ! Aspirations pure and high — Strength to do and to endure — Heir of all the Ages, I — Lo ! I am no longer poor ! HINDMOST WITH THE STANDARDS. fjinbmost tmtl) lljc Gtaniuuus. "They shall go hindmost 'with their standards." — Num. ii. 3. WHAT though the hindmost place is thine, And thou art in the rear ? This need not cause thy heart a pang, Nor cost thine eye a tear. The post of duty is the place Where oft the Captain shows His face. All can not charge or lead the van, All can be brave and true ; And where the Captain's standards wave There's work for all to do ; And work from which thou may'st not flee, Which must be done, and done by thee. Among the stragglers, faint and few, Thou dost thy march pursue ; This need not make thy heart to droop, The weak may yet be true ; Through many a dark and stormy day The Captain thus holds on His way. What though no shout of victory comes To greet thy listening ear? Nor voice of friends, nor martial songs Like wine thy spirit cheer? Oh, let not sense thy faith betray, For they arc best who best obey ! THE PORCELAIN CUP. What though no foeman feel thy steel Where fame is to be won ? Yet thou canst lend a loving hand To help the wounded on ; Contentment, too, will spread her feast ; Who would be great must serve the least. And when the Captain comes to greet And bring His army cheer, Not only will He praise the van, But smile upon the rear ; And all who make His work their choice Shall see His face and hear His voice. Lord, from success, its noise and glare, And often shallow life, Guide me to where thy soldiers lie, Faint, wounded in the strife ; Give me a brother's heart, I pray, To watch and help the weak to-day ! £l)e porcelain dtp. WHO watched the artist paint a porcelain cup, Did wonder, when he gathered brushes up And said : " My task is done," That on the toy's fine rim A border black and grim Contrasted hatefully with gentle tint Of pink and azure, blonde and beryl hint, And mocked those threads of sun That made the cup a prize To ravish royal eyes TO STRENGTH FOR TO-DAY. " Why leave this scowl of black ? " one dared inquire, The artist answered : " Clay must taste the fire, And by that test be tried." Snatched from its furnace-heat, Transfigured and complete, The dazzling gift comes crowned with aureole gleam, Its black all changed to gold ! " So" — like a dream Heart said to heart that sighed — " Grief may be joy at last, When Life's fierce test is past." Gtrcngtl) far (Ta-Dar). STRENGTH for to-day is all that we need, As there never will be a to-morrow ; For to-morrow will prove but another to-day, With is measure of joy and sorrow. Then why forecast the trials of life With such sad and grave persistence, And watch and wait for a crowd of ills That as yet have no existence ? Strength for to-day ! what a precious boon For the earnest souls who labor ; For the willing hands that minister To the needy friend or neighbor. Strength for to-day ! that the weary hearts, In the battle for right, may quail not ; And the eyes bedimmed with bitter tears, In their search for light, may fail not. THE EIGHT OF LIGHT. II Strength for to-day, on the down-hill track, For the travelers near the valley, That up, far up, the other side, Ere long, they may safely rally. Strength for to-day, that our precious youth May happily shun temptation, And build, from the rise to the set of the sun, On a strong and sure foundation. Strength for to-day, in house and home, To practice forbearance, sweetly ; To scatter kind words and loving deeds, Still trusting in God completely. (Cljc £igl)t of £igt)t. THE morning breaks, the shadows flee, The gracious skies are clear and bright ; O Light of Light, we turn to Thee, Without Thy beams it still were night ! The midday sun may cloudless shine, And all our way seem smooth and fair ; There are no rays save only Thine Can show the quicksand or the snare. But when the storms of sorrow beat, And darkness falls, and joy takes flight, Thy presence is a sure retreat, And in our dwelling there is light. 12 APRIL. O Jesus, fount of joy and grace, That light on all our darkness pour, Until beyond these nights and days, We dwell in light forevermore ! Ql p r i 1. THE April days have come ; the south winds blow In homestead trees, at morn, the robin sings ; Swift through the softened air the swallows go With warmth upon their wings. O'er all the vales the quickening sunshine gleams ; The timid violet's purple leaves unfold ; And on the banks of swollen meadow-streams The cowslip spreads its gold. With wakeful life the earth's warm pulses stir, Brown buds unroll bright banners on the air, And countless fairy fingers, dripping myrrh, The summer's robes prepare. Impatient soul, weak and complaining still, Are all thy hopes, slow struggling to the light, Less worth than these frail buds no frost could kill Or wind of winter blight ? '£> For if the spring come on with tardy feet, And snows lock late the germs, we do not fear ; Still, with unfailing faith, our hearts repeat, " The summer days are near." CON SOLA TOR HOMINUM. 13 The good we hoped to gain has failed us — well, We do not see the ending ; and the boon May wait us down the ages — who can tell ? And bless us amply soon. In God's eternal plan, a month, a year, Is but an hour of some slow April day, Holding the germs of what we hope and fear To blossom far away. And rayless days must come, and nights of mist, And, after brooding sunshine, dreary showers ; Chill dews delay the buds the zephyrs kissed, And, late, bloom fairer flowers. We pray for growth and strength ; grief's dreaded showers May be, in God's wise purpose, ripening rain ; He only knows how all our highest powers Are perfected in pain. To trusting souls must truest good increase — Loss here shall be accounted treasure there — So we attain to perfectness of peace, What matter how or where ? o (Consolator ijominnm. M Cast thy burden upon the Lord" — Psalm Iv. 22. CAST thy burden on the Lord, and find Relief in Him for weary heart and mind ; 1 4 TIIO U KNO WEST BEST. By anxious cares and daily sins opprest, By troubles vexed and smitten to the dust, A Heavenly Friend with all life's sorrows trust. His mighty hand can give thy spirit rest, For He hath known infirmities like ours, With keener pains from Satan's direst powers ; And all the griefs He carried once for men, E'en now His pitying love will freely bear. O Christ, who canst our inmost feelings scan, Thy cross the shield from Sinai's awful ban, The words of old Thy wondrous grace declare, And laden souls to-day Thy mercy share. ®l)ou Knottiest Best. IT seems such a woful waste Of precious talent and time, To be lying here day after day, Just in my life's best prime, With such a weight on my breast, And such a mist in my brain, That I little or nothing know Save that living is only pain ; When I might be doing some work, Or saying some excellent word, To hasten Thy kingdom on — But Thou knowest best, O Lord ! There is so much work to be done, — So many mouths to be fed, — So many famishing souls Crying for living bread, — THO U KNO WES 7 BEST. 15 So many little ones lost In by-ways crooked and cold, To be tenderly sought and led Into Thy safe, sweet fold ; — Meseems that no willing hand Rejected should be or ignored (Not even this poor one of mine) — But Thou knowest best, O Lord ! Worst of it all, there is need Of so much labor within, — Such deep-down rootlets of ill So subtly spring up into sin ; It would take my very best powers To crop them fast as they shoot, And give to the plants of grace Fair room for blossom and fruit ; — But closer bound with these pains Than with any chain or cord, I count my lost days drift by — But Thou knowest best, O Lord ! Thou knowest best ; forasmuch As Thou only art wholly wise, Present and future and past Blend into one in Thine eyes. That which we miscall waste May be only Thy mystical seed Flung wide to make harvest-home rich, And harvesters blessed indeed ; May be only the wealth of Thy love On an ignorant world outpoured — Ah, lavish my days as Thou wilt, For Thou knowest best, O Lord ! 1 6 STREAMS FROM THE ROCK. Thy purposes will not fail Because of my idleness ; The stars in their courses light For the cause which Thou dost bless ; The angels move at Thy word Swifter than light of sun, And the patient soul works best When it prays, u Thy will be done ! " It may be that never again I shall march with the plough or sword ;- It may be — no matter ! Amen. For Thou knowest best, O Lord ! Streams from tl)c ttock. OFT when of God we ask For fuller, happier life, He sets us some new task Involving care and strife ; Is this the boon for which we sought? Has prayer new trouble on us brought ? This is, indeed, the boon, Though strange to us it seems , We pierce the rock, and soon The blessing on us streams ; For when we are the most athirst, Then the clear waters on us burst. We toil as in a field Wherein, to us unknown, A treasure lies concealed, Which may be all our own ; 4 HYMN OF TRUST. I 7 And shall we of the toil complain That speedily will bring us gain? We dig the wells of life, And God the water gives ; We win our way by strife, Then He within us lives ; And only war could make us meet For peace so sacred and so sweet. Ql fjrnnn of (Ernst. NAY, nay, do not tell me that God will not hear me, I know He is high over all ; But I know just as well that He always is near me, And never forgets me at all. He shows not His face, for its glory would blind me, But I walk on my way unafraid ; Though lost in the desert, He surely would find me, His angels would come to my aid. He sits on His throne in the wonderful city, And I — I am ashes and dust ; Yet I am at rest in His infinite pity, And I in His promises trust. He lighted the stars, and they shine in their places, He maketh the sun like a flame ; But better and brighter to Him are the faces Of mortals that call on His name. 18 A SONG IN THE NIGHT. Nay, nay, do not tell me that, wrapt in His glory, He hears not my voice when I cry ; He made me, He loves me, He knows all my story, I shall look on His face by and by. St Song in tl)c Nigl)t. I TAKE this pain, Lord Jesus, From Thine own hand ; The strength to bear it bravely Thou wilt command. I am too weak for effort, So let me rest In hush of sweet submission On Thine own breast. I take this pain, Lord Jesus, As proof indeed That Thou art watching closely My truest need ; That Thou, my Good Physician, Art working still ; That all Thine own good pleasure Thou wilt fulfill. I take this pain, Lord Jesus ! What Thou dost choose, The soul that really loves Thee Will not refuse. It is not for the first time I trust to-day ! For Thee my heart hath never A trustless " Nay !" TRUST. 19 I take this pain, Lord Jesus ! But what beside ? Tis no unminglcd portion Thou dost provide. In every hour of faintness, My cup runs o'er With faithfulness and mercy, And love's sweet store. I take this pain, Lord Jesus, As Thine own gift, And true, though tremulous praises I now uplift. I am too weak to sing them, But Thou dost hear The whisper from the pillow — Thou art so near ! 'Tis Thy dear hand, O Saviour ! That presseth sore ; The hand that bears the nail-prints Forevermore. And now beneath its shadow, Hidden by Thee, The pressure only tells me Thou lovest me ! 8ni5t. MAKE a little fence of trust Around to-day ; Fill the space with loving work, And therein stay. 2Q PEACE. Look not thro' the sheltering bars Upon to-morrow ; God will help thee bear what comes Of joy or sorrow. }}catc. ERE our dear Saviour spoke the parting word To those who loved Him best when here below, While deep emotion every bosom stirred, He said : " My peace I give you ere I go ! " His Peace — sweet Peace ! As falls the summer dew On drooping flowers, so fell those words of cheer Upon the earnest hearts that dimly knew What they, like their dear Lord, must suffer here. His Peace — Christ's Peace ! Oh, gift most rare and strange ! Never was aught so precious given before ! Vain trifler he who would that gift exchange For all the riches of Golconda's shore ! His Peace — His blessed Peace ! Not Joy, the bright, Bewildering sprite that charmed their early years, When, with youth's roses crowned, and clad in light, Her radiant eyes had ne'er been dimmed by tears — But Peace that walks with Patience, side by side, Bearing Heaven's seal upon her pale, calm face, Child of Submission, whatso'er betide, She wears the white robes of celestial grace. BEYOND IT ALL. 2T O Christ ! whose human heart remembers still The pangs from which death only gave release, Strange griefs, strange fears, our yearning souls must fill, Withhold what else Thou wilt — but give us Peace ! JScrjoub it QUI. I HEAR a gladsome wind that sings In budding copse and waving grass ; And on the hill, like living things, The light cloud-shadows slowly pass ; How soon from forests far away Will ring the wood-dove's summer call, And roses open day by day — But I shall go beyond it all ! Beyond the hopes of life and time ; The songs that end when sunshine dies ; The blooms that wither in their prime ; The passing blush of evening skies ; Beyond the chill of rains that beat On flowers that fade, and leaves that fall ; Beyond the bitter and the sweet — Beyond it all, beyond it all ! Beyond the fitful light and shade ; The idols crumbling into dust; The graves where patient hearts have laid Their memories of love and trust ; 2 2 A TI1AXKFUL HEART. The voices that have changed their tone ; The dreams that fly, the joys that pall ; The grief that only One has known — Beyond them all, beyond them all ! I thank Thee, Father, for the thought That all the work of life is done ; The story told, the battle fought, The rest eternal nearly won. Thy love has kept me till the end, My waiting spirit hears Thee call ; Draw near, O never-changing Friend, And guide me home — beyond it all ! & QCIjankful Ijeart. METHINKS of all the sins that pierce the heart of Christ anew, And once again in bitterwise bring Calvary to view, That in those hands and feet again the nail-prints deep impress, The blackest is the loveless sin of dark unthankful- ness. A grudging soul that counts its sorrows, weighing one by one The pains it bears, the tears it sheds, the work that it hath done ; That thanks its God, perchance, because it has a patient mind, And for its crowning grace desires a spirit well re- signed. A THANKFUL HEART. 23 Resigned ! that Christ hath died for thee upon the shameful tree ; Resigned ! that still He lives and pleads in heaven's high court for thee ; Resigned ! that He hath willed to thee His nature to impart, And that for thee undying love burns in His human heart ! Or it may be thou art resigned to think that thou hast borne One little splinter from His cross, or from His crown one thorn ; Or that (when contumely pursued thy Master year by year) Some word of censure of thyself hath fallen on thy ear. Oh, sin against the love of Christ, of all the sins that are, Methinks that this in heaven must move the great- est sorrow far ; Must make the soul of Christ to grieve, and angels' eyes grow dim At sight of all He does for us and the naught we do for Him. Oh, grudging hearts ! for very shame be thankful, if ye may, That He allows such coward souls to suffer day by day ; That He hath left His cross on earth, nor carried it on high, That ye, in likeness of His death, may learn of Him to die. 2 4 II EA RT II YAIAT. £) c a r t £) 2 m n . BEAR the burden of the present, Let the morrow bear its own ; If the morning sky be pleasant, Why the coming night bemoan ? If the darkened heavens lower, Wrap thy cloak around thy form ; Though the tempest rise in power, God is mightier than the storm. Steadfast hope and faith unshaken Animate the trusting breast ; Step by step the journey's taken Nearer to the land of rest. All unseen the Master walketh By the toiling servant's side ; Comfortable words He talketh While His hands uphold and guide. Grief, nor pain, nor any sorrow Rends thy heart, to Him unknown ; He to-day and He to-morrow Grace sufficient gives His own. t> Holy strivings nerve and strengthen, Long endurance wins the crown ; When the evening shadows lengthen Thou shalt lay the burden down. SO TIRED. 25 £l)c J)eace of (Sob. O PEACE of God ! — as early beams Creep o'er the eastern hills, and start The sparrow from his morning dreams, So still Thine entrance to the heart. O peace of God ! — the evening air, That breathes from calm, cloud-gilded west, Comes not to soothe the hard day's wear, So sweet as Thou to troubled breast. O peace of God ! — the bud that springs Through April snows to seek the sun, No hope of summer gladness brings, Like Thine of heaven already won. O peace of God ! — in Thee to rest, Along life's rough and toilsome ways, Makes daily task a service blest, And turns the daily prayer to praise. So (E i r e b . I AM so tired, my heart and I, So weary of this weary strife ; Day follows day in changeless toil- Its very sameness darkens life. 26 FOR CI1RI SAKE. Ah, child ! heart-idleness doth make Thy hands hang heavy at thy side ; Is there no love for whose sweet sake Thy daily work is glorified ? If not, think what I did for thee, And serve some soul for love of Me. Dear God, forgive ! I had forgot The grace, the light, to Thee I owe — All the rich blessings of my lot — My fault, my fault, O God. I know ! I am so tired, my heart and I, So weary of this useless strife ; Why should I spend my strength and gold } The world wants not eternal life. Art thou more just than God ? Thy fears Are lost in boundless love and power My patience claims eternal years — Canst thou not work and watch one hour ? Dost love me still ? Then by my cross. Count not my tears and blood but loss. O Christ, forgive ! Had I not let Dishonoring doubt my faith assault. My work for Thee had blessing met — My fault, dear Lord ! My fault ! my fault '. o i^or (Cljvisfs Sake, H, what shall I give to the Saviour For what He hath given for me? THE QUI I- T MIND. 27 I'll give Him the gift of an earnest life, Of a heart that is loving and free from strife, As He hath given for me. And what shall I do for the Saviour For what He hath done for me ? I'll pray for the sick, and the evil-doer ; I'll make my friends among the poor, As He hath done for me. And what shall I bear for the Saviour For what He hath borne for me ? Remembering I'm His constant care, Whatever He sends me I will bear, As He hath borne for me. And what shall I be for the Saviour For what He hath been for me ? Long-suffering, kind, unselfish, pure, To bear, believe, to hope, endure, As He hath been for me. (Eljc (Quiet mitib. *A nd the peace of God, which />asseth all understand 'it:g, shall keej> your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" I HAVE a treasure which I prize ; The like I can not find ; There's nothing like it in the earth : It is a quiet mind. 2 8 THE Q UIE T MIND. But 'tis not that I'm stupefied, Or senseless, dull, or blind ; Tis God's own peace within my soul Which forms my quiet mind. I found this treasure at the cross ; 'Tis there to every kind Of heavy-laden, weary souls Christ gives a quiet mind. My Saviour's death and risen life To give this were designed ; And that's the root, and that's the branch, Of this, my quiet mind. The love of God within my heart, My heart to His doth bind ; This is the mind of heaven on earth — This is my quiet mind. I've many a cross to take up now, And many left behind ; But present trials move me not, Nor shake my quiet mind. And what may be to-morrow's cross I never seek to find ; My Saviour says, Leave that to Me, And keep a quiet mind. And well I know the Lord hath said, To make my heart resigned, That mercy still shall follow such As have this quiet mind. NOT IN ANYTHING WE DO. 29 I meet with pride of wit and wealth, And scorn and looks unkind. It matters nought ; I envy not, For I've a quiet mind. I'm waiting now to see the Lord, Who's been to me so kind ; I want to thank Him face to face, For this, my quiet mind. 2Cot in Qtmitljing U)c Da. NOT in anything we do, — Thought that's pure, or word that's true, Saviour, would we put our trust : Frail as vapor, vile as dust, All that flatters we disown ; Righteousness is Thine alone. Though we underwent for Thee Perils of the land and sea ; Though we cast our lives away, Dying for Thee day by day, Boast we never of our own ; Grace and strength are Thine alone. Native cumberers of the ground, All our fruit from Thee is found ; Grafted in Thine olive, Lord, New-begotten by Thy Word, All we have is Thine alone ; Life and power are not our own. 30 COMFORT OR COMPLAINT. And when Thy returning voice Calls Thy faithful to rejoice ; When the countless throng to Thee Cast their crowns of victory, We will sing before the throne, " Thine the glory, not our own." (Comfort or (Complaint. 41 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and suf>- flication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known untc God." — Phil. iv. 6. SING a hymn to Jesus when the heart is faint, Tell it all to Jesus, comfort or complaint : If the work is sorrow, if the way be long, If thou dread 'st the morrow, tell it Him in song, Though thy heart be aching for the crown and palm, Keep thy spirit waking with a faithful psalm. Jesus, we are lowly, Thou art very high ; We are all unholy, Thou art purity : We are frail and fleeting, Thou art still the same, All life's joys arc meeting in Thy blessed name. Sing a hymn to Jesus when thy heart is faint, Tell it all to Jesus, comfort or complaint. All His words are music, though they make me weep ; Infinitely tender, infinitely deep; Time can never render all in Him I see, Infinitely tender human Deity ; Sing a hymn to Jesus when thy heart is faint, Tell it all to Jesus, comfort or complaint. GIVING ALL. 31 Jesus, let me love Thee, infinitely sweet ; What are the poor odors I bring to Thy feet ? Yet I love Thee, love Thee ! Come into my heart ; And ere long remove me to be where Thou art ; Thus I sing to Jesus when my heart is faint, So I tell to Jesus, comfort or complaint. (Siuing Oil I. OH, what a pure, white flame lit up the face, The eager, childish face, that questioned me ! " Could we give all — all things for God's fair grace ? Leave even-thing to follow perfectly ? " Awe-struck, and shaken in my soul, I cry : " Deep are thy words, my child ! Seek not the vow, Though, soon or late, our souls must make reply, Yet let the Saviour ask it — and not thou." " Say, rather — ' Can I fully yield to-day The things for which to-day His Wisdom asks ? The measured steps along the narrow way, Fulfillment fair of little, lowly tasks?' " " Canst heed His voice to-day? Care not to know How high along the mountain-side it leads. Ah ! what if some most blessed morn could show Thy faithful answer said for thee in deeds !" " Thou may'st not leap to glory. God alone Can bring thee, step by step, where waits for thee This crown of life, with grateful tears to own, 1 1 can do all through Christ, who strengthens me ! ' " 32 COXSECRA'I ION. Consecration. I WILL work with all my might, While the Lord shall give me light ; Soon will come the silent night. Soon my toil on earth must close In that hour of calm repose, Undisturbed by friends or foes. Should I therefore now complain Of my weariness or pain, Or of labor done in vain ? Rather let me strive to be More devoted, Lord, to Thee, Thou who hast done all for me ! Grant that I may not repine ; Make my will conform to Thine ; Keep me by Thy grace divine. Then, though humble be my place, If Thy footsteps I can trace, I shall yet behold Thy face. Patient let me work and wait ; Come the summons soon or late, I shall gladly meet my fate. WHY HE TAKES Til EM. 33 U3I)n £)c (Takes £l)cm. THE flock stood waiting by the rapid river, And would not cross, Although the shepherd kindly called them thither, And banks of moss, And fields of green, and verdant hills surrounded The further shore ; The danger still their narrow vision bounded Of crossing o'er. He stretched his kindly arms, and gently called them — They would not heed ; The deep, broad river's rapid stream appalled them, Though pleasant mead And mountain fair beyond the darkling river Rose to their view, And in the distance, bright, unfading ever, Were pastures new. The shepherd took a lamb, and safely bore it Within his arms To where the pastures brightly gleamed before it, And all alarms Were hushed. The mother heard its voice of pleading, And, crossing o'er, The flock behind her followed in her leading Unto the shore. 3 34 SI 10 // ' ME Til Y FA CE. O stricken hearts, all torn with grief and bleeding, A Saviour's voice Ye would not hear, nor follow in His leading Of your own choice. So He takes your lambs into His keeping, That eyes all dim And dark with sorrow's clouds, and sad with weeping, • May look to Him, And see beyond the darkly rolling river, Those gone before, And to the fields with verdure green forever Cross safely o'er. Sljoro iltc oIl)r) fat*. SHOW me Thy face— A cheering beam Of loveliness divine ; And I shall never think or dream Of other love save Thine. All lesser light will darken quite, All lower glories wane, — The beautiful of earth will scarce Seem beautiful again ! Show me Thy face — - The heaviest cro Will then seem light to bear ; There will be gain in every loss, And peace with every care. EVER WITH ME. 35 With such light feet the years will fleet, Life seem as brief as blest ; Till I have laid my burden down, And entered into rest. Show me Thy face — And I shall be In heart and mind renewed, With wisdom, grace, and energy, To work Thy work endued. Shine through the veil, Immanuel, Until, the veil removed, In perfect glory I behold The face that I have loved ! Grucr toitl] Ale. EVER with me, Lord, Thou art, In the crowded busy mart, In the lone, secluded glen, Far from all the haunts of men. Ever with me, by the way, When in weariness I stray ; Day and night, at home, abroad, Thou art with me, O my God ! Ever with me, everywhere, All-pervading, like the air, Penetrating heart and soul, Bending all to Thy control. 3 6 A LITTLE WHILE. Ever with me, to sustain, In the hour of grief and pain, Every rising fear to quell, All my sorrows to dispel. Born of God, in Him I live ; All myself to Him I give : Make me, Lord, forever Thine- Jesus, be forever mine ! a Cittle toljilc. WHAT is this that He saith ? " It is but a little while," And trouble and pain and death Shall vanish before His smile. H A little while," and the load Shall drop at the pilgrim's feet, Where the steep and thorny road Doth merge in the golden street. But what is this that He saith ? " A little while," and the day Of the servant that laboreth Shall be done forever and aye. Oh, the truth that is yet untold ! Oh, the songs that are yet unsung ! Oh, the sufferings manifold, And the sorrows that have no tongue ! NIGH T BR INGE Til CO UNSEL. 3 J Oh, the helpless hands held out, And the wayward feet that stray In the desolate paths of doubt And the sinner's downward way ! For a silence soon will fall On the lips that burn for speech, And the needy and pour that call Will forever be out of reach. " For the work that ye must do Before the coming of death There remaineth, O faithful few, But a little while," He saith. Nigljt Bringetl) (Counsel. HTO tired brain and aching head, -l To those who through the day, With mind distressed, have toiled for bread, Well-nigh too weary e'en to pray ; To such night bringeth counsel. To those perplexed alone in mind, Whose doubts have banished sleep ; Who weary watch and vigil keep ; Who've sought in vain, all day, to find The needed strength or Helper kind , To such night bringeth counsel. 38 AN EVENING HYMN Perchance they find night's quiet rest Can all their doubts dispel ; And learn to say, " He knoweth best Who doeth all things well ; And surely He will give the light We seek to do our work aright." To us night bringeth counsel. Oh, blessed night ! with darkness crowned, In thy sweet silence we have found Help in our precious need. Refreshed we rise to meet the strife 'Twixt right and wrong in daily life Which waits us all. To us indeed Night hath brought counsel. Qln evening ijiimn. NOW the solemn shadows darken, And the daylight slowly dies, Holy Saviour, Thou wilt hearken When Thy children's prayers arise ; Blessed Jesus, Look on us with loving eyes. Some are tried with doubts and dangers, Some have found their hearts grow cold, Some are aliens now, and strangers To the faith they loved of old. Blessed Jesus, Bring them back into tl c fold. "LORD, IS IT /?" 39 Some in conflict sore have striven With temptation fierce and strong ; Lord, to them let strength be given If the battle should be long ! Blessed Jesus, Change their mourning into song. By Thy passion in the garden, By Thine anguish on the tree, By that precious gift of pardon, Won for us alone by Thee, Blessed Jesus, Set the sin-bound captives free. When our earthly day is closing, And the night grows still and deep, Let us, in Thine arms reposing, Feel Thy power to save and keep. Blessed Jesus, Give Thine own beloved sleep. u "£0rb, is it 2V 1 ORD, is it I ? " I ask in tears and sadness, Thy disciple at Thy sacred board, L°? Who from Thy cup hath drunk, Thy bread hath broken ; Oh, is it I, who shall betray my Lord ? " Lord, is it I ? " I ask in deep emotion ; " Exceeding sorrowful," my heart would say, Though I should die with Thee, I'll not betray Thee ; Forbid it, Lord, that I my trust betray. 40 / KNOW Til A T MY REDEEMER LIVES. " Lord, is it I ? " Thou knowest that I love Thee I love Thy habitation and Thy scat ; I love to hear Thy Gospel's holy teaching; With Mary, I would worship at Thy feet. " Lord, is it I ? " I tremble at the question ; Oh, is my faith so weak in Christ my God, That I for worldly gain could sell my Master ; That I for worldly joys deny my Lord ? " Lord, is it I ? ' Thou knowest my temptations, My spirit willing, though my flesh is weak ; My earnest striving, and my often failing; Sinning, repenting, still Thy grace I seek. " Lord, is it I ? ' Oh, cheer my drooping spirit ! Unto Thy Cross I cling in humble prayer, Distrusting all but Thee, and Thy great merit, O blessed Saviour, keep me in Thy care ! 3 iinoxo tljat ittn tlcbccmcr Ciucs. ONE sweet and solemn joy I have Amidst the chance and change of life : It shines upon me, strong and true, Thro' smiles and tears, thro' hope and strife, O blessed thought ! O faith Divine ! What joy and peace Thy presence gives ! Though other hopes be lost to me, I know that my Redeemer lives ! IIYMX. 41 He lives, as He once lived en earth, The Friend — compassionate and true ! No pleading prayer, but He still hears ; No sorrow, but He helps us through ! Are any tempted ? He is near ! Is sin a burden ? He forgives ! O hope that ages have not dimmed — I kno.v that my Redeemer lives ! O worldly-wise ! how can you doubt The precious story of the Cross ? How can you fail to find the Lord — Or, missing Him, survive such loss? Through ages dark, through centuries dim, The Light of all the world still gives Its ray Divine, which shall not cease ! I know that my Redeemer lives ! f)pn, OTHOU, my heart's best treasure ! O Friend unchangeable ! Sweet spring of ceaseless pleasure For all who love Thee well ! Take of my heart possession, And reign alone therein, Thou, whose dear cross and passion Have saved me from my sin. Joy of my life ! Thou feedest My soul with living bread ; Still to faith's sight Thou bleedest, And richest drops are shed. 42 SINCE CHRIST IS COXE TO HEAVEN. When tired and faint I languish, By Thee the weak is strong, And in my night of anguish I tune my loudest song. Ah, pour on me Thy favor, Rich font of love and grace ; Around me shine forever, Great Sun of Righteousness ! Without Thy smile peace-giving Life were but death to me ; Rut in Thy presence living True light and life I see. My heart, in closest union With Thine, dear Lord, made one, Finds here in sweet communion, Its heaven on earth begun : Better 'mid flames fierce-wreathing, Safe in Thy love to be, Than heaven's own fragrance breathing If heaven were void of Thee ! Since (Cl)rist is ©one to ijcaucn. SINCE Christ is gone to heaven, His home I, too, must one day share ; And in this hope I overcome All anguish, all despair ; For where the Head is, well we know The members He hath left below . In time lie gathers there. WAITING. 43 Since Christ hath reached His glorious t.irone And mighty gifts are His, My heart can rest in heaven alone ; On earth my Lord I miss : I long to be with Him on high, And heart and thoughts would hourly fly Where now my treasure is. From Thy ascension let such grace, My Lord, be found in me, That steadfast faith may guide my ways Unfaltering up to Thee, And at Thy voice I may depart With joy to dwell where Thou, Lord, art ; Oh, grant this prayer to me ! to a i t i n g . LEARN to wait — life's hardest lesson, Conned, perchance, through blinding tears, While the heart-throbs sadly echo To the tread of passing years. Learn to wait — hope's slow fruition ; Faint not, though the way seems long ; There is joy in each condition, Hearts, through suffering, may grow strong. Constant sunshine, howe'er welcome, Ne'er would ripen fruit or flower ; Giant oaks owe half their greatness To the scathing tempest's power. 44 WHAT IS THAT TO THEE t Thus a soul, untouched by sorrow, Aims not at a higher state ; Joy seeks not a brighter morrow, Only sad hearts learn to wait. Human strength and human greatness Spring not from life's sunny side, Heroes must be more than driftwood, Floating on a waveless tide. toljat is £l)at to ffljee? 1 WOULD not vainly choose What road shall lead me up the holy mountain, What path conduct me to the crystal fountain ; Nor willing be to lose The guidance of the Hand that e'er has led In ways I knew not, but with mercies spread. When I am called to die, To yield my spirit to His sacred keeping, To rest my body in the long, long sleeping, I fain would not belie My trust in Him who doeth all things well, Whose will alone my every wish should quell. If gentle be the call, If faint and feeble be the distant warning, Like dimmest daybreak of the early morning Tipping the pine tree tall, And brighter growing till the red east shines With fullest glory on the glowing pines. SPEAK LOW, SPEAK LITTLE, 45 How grateful should I feci ! That I might still behold my loved ones longer, Might tarry till my timid faith grew stronger, Might linger to reveal The loves that buoyant life can ne'er unveil — Like odors evening only can exhale. If sudden be the stroke, If all unheralded His solemn coming, Like flash, fast followed by the thunder's booming, That scathes the. skyward oak, While pale with fear we hold our bated breath, In awe of the swift messenger of death, — How blest the favored lot ! A lot to few departing spirits given, Painless to pass from earth and sin to heaven. O surely it were not Departure we should dread, at once to rise On whirlwind pinions to the opening skies. So I repose my trust ; And whether speedy messenger obeying, Or waiting, patiently, my Lord's delaying To summon me to rest. On His dear love my willing trust would dwell ; He knoweth best — He doeth all things well. Speak £ott), Speak tittle. SPEAK low, speak little : who may sin< While vonder cannon thunders boom ? [ g 46 BECA USE. Watch, shuddering, what each day may bring, Nor " pipe amid the crack of doom ! " And yet — the pines sing overhead, The robins by the alder-pool, The bees about the garden-bed, The children dancing home from school. And ever at the loom of Birth The mighty Mother weaves and sings : She weaves — fresh robes for mangled earth ; She sings — fresh hopes for desperate things. And thou, too, if through Nature's calm Some strain of music touch thine ears, Accept and share that soothing balm, And sing, though choked with pitying tears. 13 1 1 a n a e . WITH such a grovelling heart how shall I dare Ask Thee, my Lord, to make Thy dwelling there ? — Because the Bethlehem stable Thou didst share. With restless passions, surging like a sea, How can I think to find repose for Thee ? — Because Thy voice hushed stormy Galilee. With guilt's defilement stained without, within, How may I hope Thy cleansing grace to win ? — Because Thou saidst, ' 1 have forgiven thy sin." OUT AND INTO. 47 With earth's poor, caresome droilings tired, opprest, What right have I to lean upon Thy breast ? — Because Thou ofleredst to the weary rest. With soul affections stony-cold and dead, What claim have I to plead for life instead ? — Because in Joseph's tomb was laid Thy head. (Dnt anh 3nlo. u He brought us out .... that He might bring us in."— Deut. vi. 23. OUT of the distance and darkness so deep, Out of the settled and perilous sleep, Out of the region and shadow of death, Out of its foul and pestilent breath, Out of the bondage and weary chains, Out of companionship ever with stains : Into the light and glory of God, Into the holiest, made clean by blood, Into His arms, the embrace and the kiss, Into the scene of ineffable bliss, Into the quiet and infinite calm, Into the place of the song and the psalm. Wonderful love, that has wrought all for me ! Wonderful work, that has thus set me so free ! Wonderful ground, upon which I have come ! Wonderful tenderness, welcoming home ! Out of disaster and ruin complete, Out of the struggle and dreary defeat, Out of my sorrow, and bondage, and shame, Out of the evils too tearful to name, 4S OUT AXD IX TO. Out of my guilt and the criminal's doom, Out of the dreading, and terror, and gloom : Into the sense of forgiveness and rest, Into inheritance with all the blest, Into a righteous and permanent peace, Into the grandest and fullest release, Into the comfort without an alloy, Into a perfect and confident joy. Wonderful holiness, bringing to light ! Wonderful grace, putting all out of sight ! Wonderful lowliness, draining my cup ! Wonderful purpose, that ne'er gave me up ! Out of the horror of being alone, Out and forever of being my own, Out of the bitterness, madness, and strife, Out of myself and all I called life, Out of the hardness of heart and of will, Out of the longings that nothing could fill : Into communion with Father and Son, Into the sharing of all that Christ won, Into the ecstasies full to the brim, Into the bearing of all things w T ith Him, Into Christ Jesus, there ever to dwell, Into more blessings than words can e'er tell, Wonderful Person, whose face I'll behold ! Wonderful story, there all to be told ! Wonderful, all the dread way that He trod ! Wonderful end, that He brought me to God ! A PRA YER. 49 £l)c (jjeart's £jomc. u God is lave: and he that dwell eth in lo~>e, dwelleth in God y and God in hint." — i John iv. 16. OLORD, in whom are all my springs, Joyful to Thee I come; My grateful heart exultant sings To know Thou art its home. The shelter of Thy glorious arms, How strong and safe and sweet ! From sense and sin, from all alarms, I fly to this retreat. There is my sure and tranquil rest, In every troubled hour ; Weary, I lean upon Thy breast, And feel its soothing power. In that dear place of purest love, What wings encircle me ! Naught in the world can ever move My trusting soul from Thee. My Lord ! if now I find in Thee So blest and sweet a home, What shall the heavenly mansion be When to its door I come Gt p r a t] c v . I BOW my head, I bend my knee, My prayerful voice goes up to Thee ; Lord, wilt Thou hearken unto me ? 4 50 "FOR MY SAKE." I call Thy name with anguished cry, I wait and long for some reply ; Lord, give me answer or I die. Thou, on Thy far-off mercy throne, Have pity on my ceaseless moan ; Lord, let Thy mercy's power be shown. I pray Thee that Thy Spirit may Lead me in some diviner way, And teach me to forget this day. I pray Thee that this grief I know May lift me, though I am brought low ; May teach me gladness out of woe. For Him who for our lives has died, For those sad wounds that pierced His side, Lord, heal my poor heart crucified ! "Sot l\\x) Sake." THREE little words, but full of tenderest meaning ; Three little words, the heart can scarcely hold ; Three little words, but on their import dwelling What wealth of love these syllables unfold ! 11 For my sake " cheer the suffering, help the needy ; On earth this was my work, I give it thee ; If thou wouldst follow in thy Master's footsteps, Take up my cross, and come and learn of me. AN IDLE PR A YER. 5 1 " For my sake" let the little ones be tended, All that I give unto thee safely keep ; I took them in my arms, received and blessed them, Do thou the same for me, " Feed now my sheep." " For my sake " let the harsh word die unuttered, That trembles on the swift, impetuous tongue ; " For my sake" check the quick, rebellious feeling That rises when thy brother does thee wrong. " For my sake " press thou with patience onward, Although the race be hard, the battle long ; Within my Father's house are many mansions, There thou shalt rest and join the victor's song. And if in coming days the world revile thee, If "for my sake" thou suffer pain and loss, Bear on, faint heart, thy Master went before thee, They only wear His crown who share His cross. O Thou, dear Lord, who walked the earth incarnate, Fain would we follow, but we fear, we fall ; Lo ! at Thy feet we bend, Thy aid imploring, Our only plea that " for thy sake " we call. L &u 3Me Jhrager. ONG time I prayed : " My God, More of Thy love abroad Help one to shew." 52 COX TEXT. This day it flashed on me I had prayed thoughtlessly ; More I should know. So when I seek His face, I shall pray : " Greater grace, Dear Lord, bestow ! " Content. '/ have learned in -whatsoever state I am y there~uith to be content" — Phil. it. ii. HAVE I learned, in whatsoever State, to be content ? Have I learned this blessed lesson, By my Master sent, — And with joyous acquiescence Do I greet His will, E\en when my own is thwarted, And my hands lie still ? Surely it is best, and sweetest, Thus to have Him choose, Even though some work I've taken, By this choice I lose. Folded hands need not be idle — Fold them but in prayer, Other souls may toil far better For God's answer there. They that " reap " receive their " wages," Those who "work," their "crown," HYMN TO THE SAIIOUR. S3 Those who pray, throughout the ages Bring blest answers down ; In "whatever state" abiding Till the Master call, They at eventide will find Him, Glorified in all. What though I can do so little For my Lord and King, At His feet I sit and listen, At His feet I sing. And whatever my condition, All in love is meant ; Sing, my soul, thy recognition ! Sing, and be content ! £)mnn ta tlje Satnonr. CHRIST, who art above the sky, Teach me how to live and die ; God has sent me here to be, Born of human-kind like Thee : Thou hast gone before me here ; Make my pathway safe and clear. Pure as snow from taint of wrong, Thou hast felt temptation strong ; Thou wilt help me firm to stand When the tempter is at hand : Thou wilt turn my thoughts to Thee, And the thought of sin will flee. 54 THE MASTER'S CALL. When I fall, my weakness spare ; Saviour, save me from despair ! By the mercy-gate Thou art, Vision of the Bleeding Heart ! If I kneel before the gate, Thou wilt never cry : " Too late." If I fall on evil days ; If the hope of life delays ; If my dear ones leave me lone ; Be Thou here when they are gone : Thou hast known what sorrow is ; Thou wilt turn my tears to bliss. So far oil, and yet so near, Fill me with Thy presence here ! By the love that brought Thee down, By the ancient cross and crown, Aid me here to live and die, Christ, who art above the sky. ®i)c matter e Call. UP, and be doing! the time is brief, And life is frail as the autumn leaf. To God and thy better self be true, Do with thy might what thou findest to do. Though the day is bright and the sun is high, Ere long 'twill k tie from the glowing sky ; THE MASTERS CALL. 55 While the evening shadows darkly fall — There's a time for rest, it will come to all. The harvest is white, and the field is wide, And thou at thine ease mayst not abide. The reapers are few and far between, And Death is abroad with his sickle keen. Oh, think of the Master, worn and faint, Whose meek lips uttered no sad complaint, Who toiled for thee 'mid the noontide heat, And sought no rest for His weary feet ; Of a Father's wrath who drank the wine And bore His cross to lighten thine. Go forth and labor ! a crown awaits The faithful servant, at heaven's high gates ; For a death of shame, the Saviour died, To open those golden portals wide, That souls redeemed from the toils of sin In his spotless robes might enter in. Work with thy might ! ere the day of grace Is spent, ere the night steals on apace — The Master has given His pledge divine ; Who winneth souls, like the stars shall shine ! 5 6 THE FOOLISH VIRGIN £f)c i^bolisl) birgiti. ** 'T^HE midnight comes and my lamp unfilled ! -i (Black and stormy the night wanes on.) " Sisters, help ! ere my hope be killed ; Give, of your store, that my lamp be filled." The Bridegroom into the House hath gone.) " Sisters, help !" They have closed the door. (Black and stormy the night wanes on.) Naught they gave of their brimming store, Each one watching the lamp she bore. (The Bridegroom into the House hath gone.) " I will knock, though the door be closed." (Black and stormy the night wanes on.) " Lord, thy handmaid waits. Unclose ! Around me night like a river flows." (The Bridegroom into the House hath gone.) "Who knocks so late from the darkened East?' (Black and stormy the night wanes on.) " Depart ! I know nor greater nor least Who brings no light to the marriage feast." (The Bridegroom into the House hath gone.) " Depart ! Too late ! " Oh, words of doom ! (Black and stormy the night wanes on.) Watch well thy lamp, that it light the gloom And show the way to the festal room. (The Bridegroom into the House hath gone.) THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK. 57 A Dwellers in Cents. WHILE on earth we roam, In these frail houses which are not our home, Journeying toward a refuge that is sure, — A rest secure. Only a little while We dread the frown of life, and court its smile ; A dwelling then we have, not made with hands, In other lands. Therefore we need not mourn That sudden clouds across our skies are borne ; That winter chills us, and the storm makes rents In our frail tents. Therefore we need not fear, Though moth and rust corrupt our treasure here ; Though midnight thieves creep in with silent stealth To steal our wealth. For in our Father's house A mansion fair He has prepared for us ; And only till His voice shall call us hence, We dwell in tents. £l)c Sljaboto of ilje Rock. k M hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest , as i ivers of water in a dry place ; as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land.'' — Is. xxxii. 2. iry N the Shadow of the Rock Let me rest, 1 58 THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK When I feel the tempest's shock Thrill my breast ; All in vain the storm shall sweep While I hide, And my tranquil station keep By Thy side. On the parched and desert way Where I tread, With the scorching noontide ray O'er my head ; Let me find the welcome shade, Cool and still, And my weary steps be stayed While I will. I in peace will rest me there Till I see That the skies again are fair Over me ; That the burning heats are past, And the day Bids the traveler at last Go his way. Then my pilgrim staff I'll take, And once more I'll my onward journey make As before ; And with joyous heart and strong I will raise Unto Thee, O Rock, a song Glad with praise ! MISUNDERSTOOD. 59 ]) V a 1J ©It, PRAY on ; nor faint, nor cease, Nor ever weary grow, Until the answer come in peace ; Faint not, pray on. Pray on ; for dear ones need Thy loving supplication, And God is pledged to heed ; Faint not, pray on. Pray on ; it is the way He takes to succor thee, With strength for every day ; Faint not, pray on. Pray on ; in faith and love, Believing in His power To hear thee from above ; Faint not, pray on. Pray on ; the promise rests Upon unceasing prayer, Until thou win thy soul's requests, Faint not, pray on. IHisunbcrstoob. THERE'S many a burden bound to many a back Unseen, yet hard to bear ; There's many a form stretched often on the rack. A smiling face must wear. 6o THE PRY IXC HAND. There's many a labor going bravely on, All underneath the ground ; There's many a battle fought and victory won Without a warlike sound. There's many a tongue that does not smoothly tell The news of greatest good, But ever tolls like a discordant bell — Its words misunderstood. There's many a hand that is not quick to do The duties that it would, But labors lamely, though the heart be true — Its deeds misunderstood. There's many a life that treads the world alone, As if in bitter mood ; It may seem void because not better known — A life misunderstood. Oh, sons of men, I pray you take good heed ; Speak, do, live, as you should ; And know that then your word, your every deed, Your life, God understood ! £l)c ftrning Qanb. OUT of a darkened room I drew my friend, And knowing every step and where was light Assured my leading to be safe as sight, And bade her on that utterly depend. MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR. 6 1 Then she leaned on me as secure from harm Till, as we reached the darkest place of all, I heard uncertain touches on the wall, And felt a lessening weight upon my arm. Ah, me ! how Love, both human and divine, Must feel the hurt, when Trust, impelled by Doubt ; Leans one arm less to stretch the other out, And groping, does but half of self resign ! fttp boice sljalt QL\)on Cjcax in tl)c iltorning. MY voice shalt Thou hear this morning, For the shades have passed away ; And out from the dark, like a joyous lark, My heart soars up with the day ; And its burden all is blessing, And its accents all are song ; For Thou hast refreshed its slumbers, And Thy strength hath made it strong. My voice shalt Thou hear this morning, For the day is all unknown ; And I am afraid, without Thine aid, To travel its hours alone. Give me Thy light to lead me, Give me Thy hand to guide ; Give me Thy living presence, To journey side by side. 62 "HOIV MUCH OIVEST THOU MY LORDT Star of eternal morning, Sun that can ne'er decline, Day that is bright with unfading light, Ever above me shine. For the night shall all be noontide, And the clouds shall vanish far, When my path of life is gilded By the bright and Morning Star. "5cm iltncl) (Dtocst (Eljau ittn £orb? HOW much ?— alas, if I could tell, I might have hope to cancel it ; But still the numbers swell and swell, Till now my debt is infinite. I owe Him for my very breath, My life, from His own life distilled ; For all His boundless promise saith, As well as for His word fulfilled. Oh, every joy that glads my path, Oh, every hope that gilds my way, Still for its gracious author hath My Lord — and I have nought to pay ! Even the sorrows that He sends Proclaim His love, and blossom fair With wise designs and wholesome ends, Whose harvest waits me otherwhere. ■>* AS A CHILD. 63 Oh, boundless grace — too often met With doubt and coldness ! woe is me ! And, hopeless to discharge my debt, " Have mercy ! " is my only plea. St. Mark xiii. 37. COULD Christians watch ten thousand years Before their Lord Himself appears, Yet, as He then shall come at last, Twere wise, through all the ages past, To have watched and waited, and have borne The scoffer's jest, the worldling's scorn. But those who watch not in the day Will surely sleep the night away. Lord, make me at all hours awake, And self-denied Thy cross to take, Robed for Thy nuptial feast in white, With lamp in hand and burning bright ; Nor lack of precious oil be mine When the loud cry, " Arise and shine ! " Proclaims Thee come in bridal state, And when preparing is too late ! &* a (Cl)ilb. WHEN evening cools the fevered world And curtains out the glowing day, Comes little Two- Year-Old to me, All weary from her baby play. 64 ASA CHILD, Well pleased, I take her in my arms, My better angel, robed in white, And, nestling warm in my embrace, She woos the grateful rest of night. Yet, ere her senses fade away, Her chubby hand she puts in mine, And then, but not till then, to sleep Her wee, spent powers will resign. And if from midnight slumbers roused, She cries, not knowing I am near, One loving pressure of my hand Will still her every doubt and fear. Sweet, child-like trust ! She knows me not, As she, God willing, yet shall know; Her melting eye, when fixed on mine, Will oft with wonder overflow ; Yet, wiser than some sages are, Who doubt when faith should strongest be, She knows I love her, that her heart A refuge sure may find in me. And so, O God ! when this frail soul, By secret doubt and fear beguiled, Bows to the dust, may Thy sweet grace Grant me the faith of this dear child. When Trial's darkest hour draws nigh And momently my woes increase, Grant that a child-like faith in Thee May give my heart a Christ-like peace. Yes, I will trust Thee, come what may, Though mystery hides Thee from my sight; MY LOVE. 65 Trust Thee, O God ! in life's glad day, But trust Thee more in life's dark night. I ask Thee not for wealth or fame ; I ask not armies to command . But may I, weaker than a child, In faith e'er feel Thy loving hand. tan Y dearest love ! My soul's supreme delight, At early morning hour and late at night ; In prayers and tears and vows, to Thee I plight My troth, my love ! M Thou speakest to my soul in music sweet, And all Thy priceless words I would repeat ; Nor wish for more than at Thy precious feet To lie, my love ! As to the thirsting earth the dew and shower; As is the fragrance of the sweetest flower ; As to declining age sustaining power; So is my love. As speech is to the dumb, sight to the blind ; As heavenly music to the adoring mind ; As friend deserting not, but always kind ; So is my love ! I love Him first, because He first loved me ; And heaven and earth will pass away and be As things that were, ere I shall ever see Change in His love ! 66 / AM Til IX E. I give myself to Him, my all in all ; With patience, faith, and hope I wait the call, When I into His folding arms may fall, Of Christ, my love. Then be at rest ; nor sin, nor troubles more My soul disturb; with nothing to deplore; Redeemed, beloved of Him whom I adore, My God, my love ! 2 a m ffil) i n c . LORD, I am Thine, all glory to Thy name ; I to Thy law my life, myself resign ; Of right Thou dost my love, my worship claim, And I am Thine. In paths of doubt I wandered, lost, of yore, When, lo ! upon my path Thou deign'dst to shine ; Once was my heart a void, and death in store ; Now I am Thine. The world erewhile enchained my captive soul, But now I dwell beneath Thy rule divine ; Sweet is Thy yoke ; on Thee my cares I roll, For I am Thine. Me to receive with welcome to Thy heart, Thine arms outspread, and looks of love combine Lord, I come ; I choose that better part ; Thine, wholly Thine. BIXDING SUE A VES. 67 Possessing Thcc, I am of all possessed ; And 'tis by faith this happy lot is mine ; Upon Thy bosom, Lord, in peace I rest, Thine, only Thine. None from the Book of Life shall blot my name ; No tempter from Thy paths my steps incline ; 'Tis death, 'tis life, Thy piercing glance of flame ; But I am Thine. While on this earth I sojourn by Thy will, My Saviour and my God, still be Thou mine ; Till safe in Heaven I bless Thy mercy still, Forever Thine. Shifting Sljcaucs. * T3 EAPER," I asked, " among the golden sheaves, -LV Toiling at noon amid the falling leaves, What recompense hast thou for all thy toil, What tithe of all thy Master's wine and oil ? Or dost thou coin thy brow's hot drops to gold, Or add to house and land, or flock and fold ? " The reaper paused from binding close the grain, And said, while shone his smile through labor's stain ■ " I do my Master's work, as He hath taught, And work of love with gold was never bought. He knoweth all of which my life hath need — His servants reap as they have sown the seed. With all my heart I bind my Master's grain, And love makes nweet my labor and my pain." 68 GOD'S LOVE. Then bending low beneath the burning sun, The reaper toiled until the day was done. " Lo ! here," I said, " love's largess seemeth more Than cruse of wine or oil that runneth o'er ; If work of love such store of wealth doth yield, I, too, will labor in the Master's field !" ©ob 1 6 £odc. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." OLORD, we know no love like Thine, Exhaustless, boundless, free ; Whose lowest limit lies concealed Beyond eternity. The tallest mountain-tops are low, The soundless seas are small, Compared with Thy unmeasured love Embracing, bearing all. For Thou art round us, oh, our God, As round the sea the shore ; Our bound'ry, which no waves of woe Can pass forevermore. The dazzling day may tempt our feet To wander from Thy sight ; Yet none, however footsore grown, But turns to Thee by night. DAILY BREAD. 69 Across our pathway's deepest gloom, As from a home, we see Thy love, a burning flame, whose light Reveals the way to Thee. And tend'rer than the tend'rest tones, From lips we love the best, The melting music of Thy voice That calls us to our rest. Oh, may we ever see Thy beams Upon our wildest track, And hear, when farthest from Thee strayed, Thy sweet voice call us back.- And from our wand'rings may we turn, Not solely for the night, But make Thee, of our gladdest days, Our glory and delight. Dailji Bxcah . DIVINELY kept, divinely fed, Since He who gives my daily bread Hath all my steps in safety led. Why should I fear for anything The coming days to me may bring, Or, faithless, cease His love to sing? My portion's not what angels brought ; My task is not an angel's thought, Nor is my care of angels wrought. 70 AT EVENTIDE IT SHALL BE LIGHT. But God Himself hath stooped to make My life a gladness. For His sake, My daily bread with thanks I take. Though flesh and heart may fail and faint Beneath the chain of sin's constraint, And oft I lift a weary plaint ; Though to the last I seem to come And see, with lips dismayed and dumb, The draining drops, the lessening crumb; Yet He who only bids me pray For what I need, from day to day, Is pledged to keep me by the way. In all the hunger of my soul, In all the sorrow and the dole, His grace shall surely make me whole. ftt Qfoentibe it Sljull be tigljt. FORTH to thy work from morn till night, Through fog and din thy path would be ; Whilst I at home upon the height Would work and rest and wait for thee. But now along the way of life Through dust and din my path must be, Whilst thou, above all mists and strife, Waitest at Home, on high, for me. COMPENSATION. 71 I will not call them "weary ways ;" No murmur ever left Thy lips ! I will not sigh o'er " dreary days," Though darkened by Thy light's eclipse. A Presence wraps me everywhere, The Presence in which thou art blest ; The Face, the Sun of Worlds, is there, Yet bright to us the glistening west. The work is good, the way is right — But yet, I think, an hour shall be At evening on the home-like height Which will be morn to thee and me. A (JTompcnsation. S singing after silence is, or sun is after rain, So may the lesson be that tells the blessedness of pain : For only at the ending of the journey lies the crown ; And none see all its light but they who on its light look down. Life's labor won is never won, until it first be lost ; As priceless things most priceless are when bought at priceless cost. The sorrow and the sinning that are o'er shall be the way 72 COMPENSATION, That leads us from a darkened past into a brighten- ing day. Though still, as in the past, the night must come before the morn ; The loftiest loves in sorrow still must deepest down be born. Not all on page of parchment, or on monumental stone, The records have been graven that the universe hath known : God still is writing gospels in the lives of those that sin ; E'en while their hearts refuse to let the graver's chisel in. Though all have sinned, and still they sin, it shall not be in vain That any human heart has drunk the dregs of human pain ; Or not in vain the sky of life is dark with clouds of woe, While all its misty mountain-tops arc clad in track- less snow. The light shall shine out brighter, when at last it flashes through ; And evermore the old shall be the pathway of the new. TRUST. 73 8T r n b t . 44 In quietness and confidence shall be your strength »i B E quiet, soul : Why shouldst thou care and sadness borrow, Why sit, in nameless fear and sorrow, The livelong day ? God will mark out thy path to-morrow In His best way. Be quiet, soul : There is no need of doubt and crying, There is no need for anxious sighing, God's love to know : Dost thou not remember His dying, Who loved thee so ? Be trustful, soul : Each day, for thee, thy Father careth — Each day, in sweet compassion shareth Thine every ill : Even thy sin for thee He beareth, And loves thee still. Be trustful, soul : When some dark cloud shuts out before thee Light that hath hitherto shone o'er thee, Doubt not, nor fear ; But know God does it to assure thee That He is near. 74 "/ WILL ABIDE IN THINE HOUSE: Be trustful, soul : Remember God forgets thee never — He who in grace stands waiting ever Thy way to guide — Shall surely hold thee, soul, forever Close to His side. " 3 will 2Lbibe in ftljine tjonsc. 11 AMONG so many, can He care ? Can special love be everywhere ? A myriad homes — a myriad ways — And God's Eye over every place. Over ; but in ? The world is full ; A high Omnipotence must rule ; But is there Life that doth abide With mine own living, side by side ? So many, — and so wide abroad ; Can any heart have all of God ? From the great spaces, vague and dim, May one small household gather Him ? I asked : my soul bethought of this : In just that very place of His Where He hath put and kecpeth you, God hath no other thing to do ! PASSING BY. 75 Passing Sri. "And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passed by." OH, rich man, from your happy door, Seeing the old, the sick, the poor, Who ask for nothing, scarcely weep, To whom even heaven means only sleep, While you, given good things without measure, Sometimes can hardly sleep for pleasure, Let not the blessed moment fly, Jesus of Nazareth passes by. Is there a sinner, tired of sin, Longing a new life to begin ? But all the gates of help are shut, And all the words of love are mute ; Earth's best joys sere, like burnt-up grass, And even the very heavens as brass ? Turn not away so pitilessly ; . Jesus of Nazareth passes by. Self-hardened man, of smooth, bland smile ; Woman, with heart like desert isle Set in the sea of household love, Whom nothing save the " world " can move^ At your white lie, your sneering speech, Your backward thrust no sword can reach, Look, your child lifts a wandering eye : Jesus of Nazareth passes by. Oh, all ye foolish ones, who feel A sudden doubt, like piercing steel, 76 THE DIFFERENCE. When your dead hearts within you burn, And conscience sighs, " Return, return ! " Why let ye the sweet impulse fleet, Love's wave wash back from your tired feet, Knowing not Him who came so high : Jesus of Nazareth passing by ? He must not pass. Hold Him secure — In likeness of His humble poor; Of many a sick soul, sin-beguiled ; In innocent face of little child : Clasp Him — quite certain it is He — In every form of misery ; And when thou meet'st Him up on high, Be sure He will not pass thee by. ®I)C Difference. THINE the bearing and forbearing Through the patient years : Thine the loving, and the moving Plea of sacred tears ; Thine the caring and the wearing Of my pain for me ; Thine the sharing and the bearing Of my sin on Thee. Mine the leaving and the grieving Of Thy mournful eyes ; Mine the fretting and forgetting Of our blood-bound ties ; " HIS COM PA SSIONS FA IL NO T" 77 Mine the plaining and complaining, And complaining still ; Mine the fearing and the wearying Of Thy tender Will. Mine the wrecking, Thine the building Of our happiness — My only Saviour, help me make The dreadful difference less. " £)is Compassions Sail 2Cot. 11 THE farmer chides the tardy spring, The sun withholds his wonted ray, The days are dull and cold and gray, No shadow doth the maple fling. From snow-clad peaks and icy main The north wind cometh wet and chill, And evermore the clouds distill The hoarded treasure of the rain. But still, oh, miracle of good ! The crocus springs, the violets peep, The straggling vines begin to creep, The dandelion gilds the sod. The rain may fall in constant showers, The south wind tarry on its way ; But through the night and through the da) Advance the summer's fragrant hours. 78 " IfIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT." And though the north wind force him back, The song-bird hurries from the south With summer's music in his mouth, And studs with songs his airy track. What then, my soul, if thou must know Thy days of darkness, gloom and cold, If joy its ruddy beams withhold, And grief compels my tears to flow ? And what if, when with bended form I praise the Lord for sorrows past, There ever comes a fiercer blast, And darker ruin of the storm ? As tarry not the flowers of June For all the ill the heavens can do, And, to their inmost natures true, The birds rejoice in sweetest tune ; So, Father, shall it be with me ; And whether winds blow foul or fair, Through want and woe, and toil and care, Still will I struggle up to Thee ; That, though my winter days be long, And brighter skies refuse to come, My life no less may sweetly bloom, And none the less be full of soncr. WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. 79 "SIjou IjaGt ilje iBorbs of (Eternal £ife." John. TO whom, O blessed Saviour, can we go ? But to the human Son of God ! We are perplexed, bewildered with our woe, And looking upwards see the rod Of Righteous Justice : Saviour, help, we pray, Be Thou our friend. Oh, turn not Thou away ! We are so faint and sore, and every bone Is broken, every hope is gone, In helpless wretchedness our hearts do groan, And cry to Thee : we are undone Without Thine aid : O Saviour, help, we pray, Be Thou our. friend. Oh, turn not Thou away ! Our hearts go backward to the dreadful day When first we looked upon our dead, Whose lips we loved so well were turned to clay, And all the tender words of love were said For the last time : O Saviour, hear, we pray, Be Thou our friend. Oh, turn not Thou away ! The words of life eternal, Lord. Thou hast The future that we trembling wait, The weary present and the painful past, The sweet and bitter of our fate Are known to Thee : Then, Saviour, hear, wc pray. Be Thou our friend. Oh, turn not Thou away ! From Thine cxhaustless fullness grant us power Resignedly to take the gift 8o A LESSOX. Of blessing or of pain, in every hour, Content to do Thy will, and lift Our smitten hearts to Thee : Oh, hear, we pray, Be Thou our friend. Oh, turn not Thou away ! w 21 £ c g s o n . HILE in a dark valley I was sitting apart, Lamenting the sorrows That burden the heart, I chanced, looking upward, A star to behold, That sparkled with brightness And this lesson told : Though weary and wasting, Learn wisdom from me ; Surrounded by darkness Contented I be : True, constant, and cheerful Forever I shine, Sustained and enlivened By an impulse divine. I rose from the valley Heroic and wise, Determined to conquer The troubles that rise ; With hope to look upward In sorrow and pain, And never in weakness To falter again. 'THY LA IV." 81 "£1)11 Cow." "Oh, how I lore Thy law ! It is my meditation all the day" "Christ is the fulfilling of the law." HOW can we say, without the condemnation Of our own hearts accusing us of wrong — " I love Thy law; it is my meditation The whole day long " ? Thy law is pure, and strict to mark offenses ; And we, how lightly into sin we fall ! By trifles tempted, by ungoverned senses Still held in thrall. The soul that sinneth — so Thy law declareth — Shall surely die ; and not a soul is born But by inheritance of human nature shareth The doom forlorn. Stern law and sad for daily meditation ! Not David's love, I think, had long endured, But for the vision of an expiation At last secured. With eyes anointed he beheld Thy coming, O blessed Christ, and through the ages saw The sinless One who, all our sins assuming, Fulfilled the law. Give to us now, who in these later ages Have seen the shining of the sacred star; And do possess the joy that seers and sages Gazed at afar, — 6 82 "THY LAW? Give to us, Lord, the fervent adoration For love and justice so divinely blent ; That shall inspire our daily meditation With deep content. Not always, even with the satisfaction Of its extreme requirement made by Thee, Can our weak spirits meet the law's exaction And penalty. There is so much that baffles comprehension, So many hours are darkened with strange pain ; And earnest effort fails of its intention, And prayer seems vain. Too often in the shadow of our sorrow We murmur at the love that sorrow sends : And question whether any fair to-morrow Will make amends. Our lives are full of cares and contradictions That vex our souls, their need misunderstood ; And God, we cry, might spare us these afflictions That yield no good. O Holy One, whose life was not exempted From any grief on human nature laid ; Be Thou our refuge when our souls are tempted And sore dismayed. Thou knowest all the foes that do torment us, Convince us of Thy tender sympathy ; And for the grace that surely shall prevent us We trust in Thee. AT LAST. 83 So shall our hearts grow calm in faith and patience So shall our anxious prayers be turned to praise ; And Love Divine make sweet our meditations Through all the days. & t £ a s t . I ASKED at Thy dear hands a broader field Wherein, my blessed Lord, to toil for Thee ; My grateful heart through lofty deeds would sing The measure of its love and loyalty. With folded hands I waited the response, Idle while others toiled at noontide heat, Bearing the burden it was mine to bear, Binding in sweet content their sheaves of wheat The while I dreamed of tasks I would achieve The sun dropped slowly down the western sky ; The hazy twilight deepened, and the night, So calm and hushed, with stealthy steps drew nigh I rise at last and join the harvesters, To find the humblest task God gives me sweet ; With patient hand I'll strive for His dear sake To gather a few scattered ears of wheat. Oh, slow of heart to learn this simple truth — Thy loyalty and love Thou may'st attest By little deeds within a narrow sphere, Nor vainly roam of broader fields in quest. 84 THE GOOD FIGHT. I CAME and saw, and hoped to conquer, As the great Roman once had done ; His was the one hour's torrent shock of battle , My field was harder to be won. I came and saw, but did not conquer ; The foes were fierce, their weapons strong. I came, I saw, but yet I did not conquer ; For me the fight was sore and long. They said the war was brief and easy — A word, a look, would crush the throng. To some it may have been a moment's conflict ; To me it has been sore and long. They said the threats were coward bluster ; To brave men they could work no wrong ; So some may boast of swift and easy battle — To me it has been sore and long. And yet, I know that I shall conquer, Though sore and hard the fight may be ; I know, I know I shall be more than victor, Through Him who won the fight for me. I fight, not fearful of the issue ; My victory is sure and near ; Yet not the less with hand and eye all watchful, Grasp I my buckler and my spear. IX THE FURXACE OF AFFLICTION. S5 For I must fight, if I would conquer — Tis not by flight that fields are won ; And I must conquer, if I would inherit The victor's joy and crown and throne. " (Cl)oscn— In tlje furnace of Affliction/ 1 HOW long ! how long ! the furnace fires rage high ; Hath God forgotten me, as here I lie ? Is there no silver — is my soul all dross, That I must suffer trial, pain, and loss ? Oh, for the Master's voice ! Will He forsake ? Here in the fires alone, must my heart break ? Be patient, suffering soul ! I hear thy cry. The trial fires may glow, but I am nigh. I see the silver, and I will refine Until My image shall upon it shine. Fear not, for I am near, thy help to be ; Greater than all thy pain, My love for thee. Thy love for me ! My Lord, is this the place Where I may see the shining of Thy face ? Here may I learn Thy holy will to know, And into Thy dear likeness nearer grow. Unto this blessedness, may I aspire — To glorify Thee, even in the fire ? Yes, even here ! Oh, suffering one, be strong ! This trial of thy faith may not be long. Even now, thy soul submissive to My will, Is learning how to trust Me, and be still. S6 SMALL THINGS. My everlasting arms do thee enfold. Precious thou art to Me, as most fine gold. I hear Thy voice, my Lord. I fain would rest, Secure in all my weakness, on Thy breast. But even now, though furnace fires burn low, My spirit trembles underneath Thy blow. Must there be trial still ? Is there no sign — No likeness yet, upon this heart of mine ? The silver truly may reflect My face, Yet must I fashion it, until the grace And fair perfection of its form I see, As chosen vessel, consecrate to Me. As many as I love, I thus refine. Thou shalt be fair indeed, for thou art Mine. I listen, and am still. I doubt no more. All quietly I rest — the strife is o'er. Thy chosen one ! Can I resist Thy will, Or fear to follow Thee, through joy or ill? I may not understand the way I go, The perfect day will come — Then I shall Jc7iow I Small ffiljings. DESPISE not thou small things ; The soul that longs for wings To soar to some great height of sacrifice, too oft Forgets the daily round, Where little cares abound, And shakes of! little duties while she looks aloft. MANNA IN THE NIGHT. 87 God has set some below Who must their all forego, And at His bidding give their loved, their best. The lot of some, like thine, Is small things to resign, Yet if thou giv'st that little, then thou, too, art blest. Thou tread 'st a lowly way, Be willing day by day To give up little comforts at God's call ; That thou may'st ready be To yield up cheerfully, When He shall crave thy dearest and thine all. iUanua in tlje 2ugl)t. SILENTLY it fell, Whence, no man might tell, Like good dreams from heaven Unto mortals given, Like a snowy flock Of strange sea birds alighting on a shore of rock ; Silent thus and bright, Fell the manna in the night. Silent thus and bright, In our starless night, God's sweet mercy comes All about our homes ; Whence no man can see, In a soft shower drifting, drifting ceaselessly, Till the morning light, Falls the manna in the night. 88 EMPTY IIAXDS. Thus His mercy's crown, Bread of life came down, At our doors it fell, Whence, no man might tell, Silent to the ground, Softly shining thus through the darkness all around, Snowy, pure, and white, Fell the manna in the night. A (Omptn £)cinbs. T dawn the call was heard, And busy reapers stirred Along the highway leading to the wheat. " Wilt reap with us ? " they said. I smiled, and shook my head. " Disturb me not," said I ; " my dreams are sweet." I sat with folded hands, And saw across the lands The waiting harvest shining on the hill ; I heard the reapers sing Their songs of harvesting, And thought to go, but dreamed and waited still. The day at last was done, And homeward, one by one, The reapers went, well laden as they passed ; Theirs was no misspent day, No long hours dreamed away In sloth, that turns to stinsj the soul at last. EMPTY HANDS, 89 A reaper lingered near ; " What ! " cried he ; " idle here ? Where are the sheaves your hands have bound to-day ? " " Alas ! " I made reply, " I let the day pass by, Until too late to work. I dreamed the hours away.* 1 " Oh, foolish one ! " he said, And sadly shook his head, " The dreaming soul is in the way of death. The harvest soon is o'er, Rouse up, and dream no more ! Act, for the summer fadeth like a breath. " What if the Master came To-night, and called your name, Asking how many sheaves your hands had made ! If at the Lord's commands You showed but empty hands, Condemned, your dreaming soul would stand dis mayed." Filled with strange terror then, Lest chance come not again, I sought the wheat-fields while the others slept. " Perhaps ere break of day, The Lord will come this way," A voice kept saying, till, with grief, I wept. Through all the long, still night, Among the wheat-fields white, I reaped and bound the sheaves of yellow grain. 90 MY CUP RUXNETH OVER. I dared not pause to rest, Such fear possessed my breast, So for my dreams I paid the price of pain. But when the morning broke, And rested reapers woke, My heart leaped up as sunrise kissed the lands, For came He soon or late, The Lord of the estate Would find me bearing not the shame of empty hands iitn Qrnp Bunnell) (Dticr. WHEREFORE drink with me, friends ! It is nc draught Of red intoxication ; at its brim No vine-wreathed head of Bacchus ever laughed — This pilgrim-cup of mine, now worn and dim With time's rough usage ; no bright bubbles swim, Or foam beads sparkle over. Have ye quaffed The waters clear that through green pastures glide, Where they who love the Shepherd follow Him ? Brimmed with His peace, my soul is satisfied ; Cooled are my feverish fancies, calmed the stir Of dreams whose end was only bitterness. Healed at this fount our inmost ail would be, Did we but health above disease prefer. My cup is filled at wells whose blessedness A world's thirst can not drain. Friends, drink with me. BAR ABB AS. 91 << Barabbas. BARABBAS, in his prison cell, Gazed on the heavens fair, And saw the paschal moon ascend In night's empurpled air. The hours crept on ; with awe and dread, He waited for the morn, He heard at last the soldier's tread. And saw the bolt withdrawn. Barabbas," so the soldier spake, " I bring thee news of grace, For Christ, the man of Nazareth, To-day shall take thy place. Without the gate shall Jesus bear The cross prepared for thee ; Go thou to the atoning feast ! " The man of crime went free. Barabbas saw the darkened earth When came the hour of noon, And slept in peace when Jesus wept Beneath the paschal moon. Oh, man of sin ! in thee I see Myself redeemed by grace ; The blood-stained cross that rose for thee Took every sinner's place. 9 2 M Y MORXING 11 1 r .f/AT. iUn 'Horning Qgmtt. "When I awake I am still with Thee.' 1 '' — Psalm cxxxix. 18. O JESUS, for a touch divine To rest upon this frame of mine ! As now I lie, an empty cup, With vigorous life, oh, fill me up ! Touch Thou mine eyes that I may see What Thou would 'st have me do and be ; Touch Thou my lips, my feet, my hands, That they may follow Thy commands. Touch Thou my heart, and flaming fire Shall burst and blaze, and life inspire, And circle round my home below And every moment brighter glow ; A flame to lighten like the sun, And warm and cheer me while I run ; To do Thy will through all the day, In even, or in roughest way : A flame to purge the dross of sin That chokes and cankers all within ; Oh, let it burn, dear Lord, until The gold shall Thy desire fulfill, And on its molten surface all Can see Thy image clearly fall, Reflecting in their richest grace All the sweet beauties of Thy face. BEYOND THE WALL. 93 Jesus, this waking hour appear In all Thy glory with me here ; And make this first glad morning ray A benediction for the day. • • • • * • • • • The hour with God was passing sweet, And life looked bright before my feet ; And all the day, as on I moved, The precious Christ-touch on me proved. HIS ways are not as our ways ; Our times are in His hand ; Our hours fall from His keeping As fall the grains of sand. Moment by moment falleth — Until the glass is run, And not a grain remaineth To glimmer in the sun. And then, — oh, joy supernal ! Oh, bliss no more to pass ! — To run the hours eternal, His hand turns back the glass ! Snjoub tfje tOall. PHE purple clusters of the fertile vine -*■ In their rich fullness ripen and then fall, Each globe a cup, holding its ruby wine, Beyond the wall. 94 BEYOND THE WALL. A warm, south wind dimples the waters o'er Of the curved bay. I hear the fisher call Unto his lad upon the quiet shore, Beyond the wall. The mountains glimmering in the distance gray, Toss rosy plumes, or wear an ashen pall Of mourning, when the sunlight fades away, Beyond the wall. Long vistas quiver in the misty light With opal tints, o'er which the shadows fall ; Or sunshine laughs to see so fair a sight, Beyond the wall. Within my bars a single beaten track Leads round and round ; always the shadows fall On the grim path, as I tread forth and back, Within the wall. Unfrequent roses sickly bud and bloom, The mildewed fruitage hastens to its fall, Nor love nor beauty, joy nor faith find room Within the wall. This narrow strip of earth and span of sky, Press me betwixt them like a bier and pall ; The heavens are deaf, although to God I cry, Within the wall. But, lo ! the barriers crumble 'ncath my hand, When I in anguish rise and fate forestall ; To Him who wills, as by Divine command, There is no wall ! HIS JEWELS. 95 lie a b 2 . T WOULD be ready, Lord, J- My house in order set, None of the work Thou gavest me To do, unfinished yet. I would be watching, Lord, With lamp well trimmed and clear, Quick to throw open wide the door What time Thou drawest near. I would be waiting, Lord, Because I can not know, If in the night or morning watch I may be called to go. I would be working, Lord, Each day, each hour, for Thee, Assured that thus I wait Thee well Whene'er Thy coming be. I would be living, Lord, As ever in Thine eye ; For whoso lives the nearest Thee The fittest is to die. i] i s 3 c xo c 1 s . "\ \ THEN the Lord makes up His jewels, * V Choosing gems of every hue, g6 BITTER-SWEET. Pearls and diamonds, rubies, sapphires, Showing flawless through and through. Could 1 be the least among them, Smallest gem that love could see, And His eye detect the brightness, That would be enough for me. Precious stones arc cut and polished By the lapidary's skill, Cruel knife and rasping friction Work on each the Master's will. Not until the sparkling facets With an equal luster glow, Does the artist choose a setting For the gem perfected so, Thus I wait the royal pleasure, And when trouble comes to me Smile to think He may be working On the gem though small it be. All I ask is strength to bear it, Faith and patience to be still ; Held by Him no knife can slay me, Loving Him, no anguish kill. Uittcr-Gincct. LOVING words that were a pleasure, Grown to be a pain, Echoing back through memory's chambers, Like a sad refrain ; Gentle words that now arc laden With the griefs of years ; THE WAITING ONES. 97 Roses, with their fragrant petals Petrified with tears ; Summer skies, with rain-drops falling, Then a clouded noon ; Music, once of sweetest sounding, Now gone out of tune ; Hopes that once rose high and buoyant, Lying cold and dead ; Hearts that once had known no hunger, Crying to be fed ; Lives that once were all harmonious, Into discords grown ; Seeds, once meant for richer harvests, By the wayside sown ; Ashes now, where firelight flickered, With its cheerful glow ; Lessons learned, whose tearful conning Only God can know. But He knows, and all life's hunger — All its tears and pain — Are a part of His great teachings ; Nothing comes in vain. ®t)e toaiting ©ncs. THERE are some among the blessed, Waiting, watching every day, Peering through the misty shadows To the clear and lighted way ; Listening in the dusky twilight, Waiting even in the night, 7 98 THE WAITING OXES. >> 'Mid the toil and heat of noonday, Bending forward to the light. And they speak in eager whispers, " Can we see His chariot yet ? " 11 Will the Master come this evening?" " Will the heavenly Friend forget ? So they stand, these earnest servants, Waiting, watching evermore For the clouds to part asunder, And reveal the open door. There are dark-browed ones among them Looking through their eyes of night ; There are fair-haired little children Peering up with faces bright ; There are aged pilgrims, longing For the Master's spoken word ; There are some in every country Waiting, watching for the Lord. But they take their daily duties, And perform them as for Him ; And they read His loving message When their eyes are tired and dim. They are living lives of blessing — Lives of love — for His dear sake, While they wait with eager longing For the morn of joy to break. He will come and will not tarry ; He will fold them to His breast; He will make His watchers happy In a calm and holy rest; FALLING ASLEEP. 99 He will give them satisfaction For their days of waiting here, They shall come to full fruition When the Master shall appear. falling Glslccp. AH, blessed, restful night ! That stealthy flies My weary eyes To curtain from the light ! Clad in thy robe of gray ; Thy beauteous zone With stars bestrown, Is better than the day. Hail, Queen of peaceful sleep ! Mine eyelids close, In soft repose, My tired senses steep. Thank God, the merciful, The darkness comes Upon our homes, To end the labor dull. The busy care must cease, And brain and nerve Refuse to serve Till strength shall have increase. IOO CONTKXr. Even the trees and flowers Would fail to grow, Did they not know Some respite of their powers. May God, our Father, keep Body and soul In His control, While in the arms of sleep ! Content. k Godliness with contentment is great gain, having promise of ths life that now £r, and of that which is to come/* CONTENT that God's decree Should order all for thee. Content with sickness or with health — Content with poverty or wealth — Content to walk in humble guise, And as He wills it, sink or rise. Content to live alone And call no place thine own. No sweet re-unions day by day, Thy kindred spirits far away. And since God wills to have it so, Thou wouldst not change for weal or woe. Content that others rise Before thy very eyes. How bright their lot and portion here! Wealth fills their coffers — friends arc near. GUIDE US TO- DAY. ioi Behold their mansions tall and fair I The timbrel and the dance are there. Content to toil or rest, God's peace within thy breast — To feel thy times are in His hand Who holds all worlds in His command— Thy time to laugh — thy time to sigh — Thy time to live — thy time to die. And is it so, indeed, Thou art with God agreed ? Content 'mid all the ills of life ? Farewell, then, sorrow, pain, and strife ! Such high content is heaven begun. The battle's fought, the victory won ! (Snibe Its Qlo-uiaj). GUIDE us to-day, O loving Care, Shielding our dangerous way. The white mist binds the sky o'erhead, The gulf beside is deep and dread, Our course a maze, our path a thread. Guide us, Love's dearest care ; Guide us this day. Guide us to-day, sweet soul of Peace, Making men's hearts obey. Our naked breasts bleed at a wound, Oppression bows us to the ground, Our hearts faint at a cruel sound. 102 LIFE LESSONS. Kind, calm, consoling Peace, Guide us this day. Guide us to-day, O tender Grace, From zenith, shadows stray ; A sad, deep murmur haunts the sea; The summer withers ; and the free, Fresh wind has sighs of mystery. Guide us, O tender Grace ; Guide us to-day. Guide us, Love, Peace, and Grace ! Guide us, divinest Light ! Through all our work and care and woe, Through all the dizzy joys we know, Through that " Dark Valley " where we go, Guide us, Love's dearest light, To-day, to-night. £ife £csGons. WHO loses self in brotherhood, Forth-giving ever gathers good ; And who for truth or right would die, In falling gains the victory. The spirit wrought to noble aim, The thought that sets the mind aflame, The faith that wins in deadly fight — Forgetting self, have greatest might. So wisdom centers at the heart Like subtle sense that every part MY THANKSGIVING. 103 Moves unpcrceivcd in perfect health ; And knowledge thrives in larger wealth. But chiefest to the soul perplext — By doubt or wayward evil vext — Oppressed with woes or worn with strife, This whisper opes the gates of life : Not what thou art, but what He is In whom thou livest, makes thy bliss; Count self and all its searching loss Before this wisdom of the Cross. jSttg (Eljanksgimng. A T 7TIILE through the land the faithful and believ W i n g In grateful suppliance bow, And all the air is vocal with thanksgiving, My soul, what givest thou ? Oh, looking in remembrance down the reaches Of years my feet have trod, Not one hath lack, not one but surely teaches The providence of God. Still hath the manna gathered ere my fasting, And still the stream hath gushed From desert-rock, at whose delightful tasting My murmurs have been hushed. 104 WHO SHALL ROLL A IV A Y TLLE STONE? Aye ! not alone the wants this life inherits Have been to me supplied, For higher needs, through Christ's uncounted merits, Have been well satisfied. Of this fair earth I own no teeming acre ; Yet am I often led In fields of peace, and made to be partaker Of heavenly good instead. Through vales where falls the sunlight of God's glory In tender mood I roam ; Or from the mount of promise read the story Of love and rest and home. No mansion fair is mine ; yet is my dwelling All beautiful and wide, And joy within my heart is ever swelling Since I with Christ abide. And so, though I possess no crowded coffer, Content, best wealth, is mine ; And my thanksgiving, Lord, to Thee I offer For riches so divine. "toljo sljall Koll GVroan tl)c Stone?" Mark xlv. 3, 4. THAT which weeping ones were saying Eighteen hundred years ago, We, the same weak faith betraying, Say in our sad hours of woe. WHO SHALL ROLL A WA Y THE STOXF.f 105 Looking at some trouble lying In the dark and dread unknown, We, too, often ask with sighing : " Who shall roll away the stone ? " Thus with care our spirits crushing, When they might from care be free, And, in joyous song out-gushing, Rise in rapture, Lord, to Thee. For, before the day was ended, Oft we've had with joy to own, Angels have from heav'n descended, And have rolled away the stone. Many a storm-cloud sweeping o'er us Never pours on us its rain ; Many a grief we see before us Never comes to cause us pain. Ofttimes in the feared "to-morrow" Sunshine comes — the cloud has flown ! Ask not then in foolish sorrow : u Who shall roll away the stone ? " Burden not thy soul with sadness ; Make a wiser, better choice ; Drink the wine of life with gladness ; God doth bid the man : " Rejoice ! " In to-day's bright sunlight basking Leave to-morrow's cares alone ; Spoil not present joys by asking : 11 Who shall roll away the stone ? " r 06 PRA YER A GAINST DO US T. £l)e (Crn of tljc il3carn. o LIGHT of light, shine in ! Cast out this night of sin ; Create true day within ; O Light of light, shine in ! O Joy of joys, come in ! End Thou this grief of sin ; Create calm peace within ; O Joy of joys, come in ! O Life of life, pour in ! Expel this death of sin ; Awake true life within ; O Life of life, pour in ! O Love of love, flow in ! This hateful root of sin Pluck up, destroy within ; O Love of love, flow in ! O Heaven of heavens, descend ! This cloudy curtain rend, And all earth's turmoil end ! O Heaven of heavens, descend ! L grayer Against Doubt. ""Lordy I believe^ help thou mine unbelief." — Mark ix. 24. ORD, take away my doubts, the deepest source Of all upspringing restlessness and strife. THE TREE GOD PLANTS. 107 I would not doubt God rules with tender force The tidal waves that toss man's fragile life That seems near wrecking on a dangerous reef ; Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief. I would not doubt ; God hears and answers prayer, Though strong men, good and wise, are borne away, And they live on whose lives we well could spare, Bringing to us, and to themselves, each day An added weight to an o'erburdened grief ; Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief. I would not doubt ; God bends a watchful eye, And looks with pity on man's sufferings ; That His quick ear notes the unnoticed sigh ; Or that His flail of tribulation brings Good grains of wheat from sorrow's well-filled sheaf, Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief. Oh, question not the cause of good or ill, For querulous distrust brings danger near ; But hush thy heart, and lose thy restless will In that all-perfect love that casts out fear ; Still urging this, of all thy prayers the chief, Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief. ffiljc ®ree ©ob plants. HPHE wind that blows can never kill -*- The tree God plants ; It bloweth east, it bloweth west, The tender leaves have little rest, But any wind that blows is best. lo8 THE TREE GOD PLANTS. The tree God plants Strikes deeper root, grows higher still, Spreads wider boughs, for God's good-will Meets all its wants. There is no frost hath power to blight The tree God shields ; The roots are warm beneath soft snows, And when spring comes it surely knows, And every bud to blossom grows. The tree God shields Grows on apace by day and night, Till sweet to taste and fair to sight, Its fruit it yields. There is no storm hath power to blast The tree God knows ; No thunderbolt, nor beating rain, Nor lightning flash, nor hurricane — When they are spent it doth remain. The tree God knows Through every tempest standeth fast, And from its first day to its last, Still fairer grows. If in the soul's still garden-place A seed God sows — A little seed — it soon will grow, And far and near all men will know For heavenly lands He bids it blow. A seed God sows, And up it springs by day and night ; Through life, through death it groweth right, Forever grows. IVIIA TSOEVER." 109 << " tUljatsocucr." Matt. xxi. 22. John xv. 7. I HUNGERED for the living bread, I opened where the feast was spread ; And, hungering more and thirsting still, I grasped the " Whosoever will." My heart exulted, for my name Could " Whosoever " surely claim ; And following where the leading drew, It touched the " Whatsoever " too. Ask what ye will ! " I knelt and wept, My heart a burden long had kept, And for my want so deep and sore, Pleaded the promise o'er and o'er. " Ask what ye will." Alas, for this ! I pleaded but to ask amiss : A gift I craved for self to take, Nor asked it all for Jesus' sake. " Ask, and, believing, ye receive." Alas ! I did but half believe ; For doubt was whispering to my heart With treach'rous and subversive art : " If ye shall in my love abide Your asking ne'er shall be denied." I looked into my soul to see If so His words did bide in me. tio THE REFINER. Alas ! and thrice alas ! I saw- Self warring there with love's sweet law ; For while I asked for heaven within, My bosom hid a secret sin. " Ask what ye will, but ask Him, still, Wait gladly on the Father's will ; Then shall thy ■ Whatsoever ' be But His best chosen gifts for thee." Dear Lord, I can not rightly plead, Save as Thou dost my asking lead ; Nor even reach Thy gifts to take, But as Thou giv'st for Jesus' sake. ®l] e il £ ft net . *HHIS sw r eet to think that He who tries J- The silver, takes His seat Beside the fire which purifies, Lest too intense a heat, Raised to consume the base alloy, The precious metal, too, destroy. 'Tis good to think how well He knows The silver's power to bear The ordeal through which it goes ; And that with skill and care He'll take it from the fire w r hen fit, With His own hands to polish it. 'Tis blessedness to know that He The piece He has begun /, TOO, HA VE SUFFERED 1 1 1 Will not forsake till He can see The gracious work well done — An image by its brightness shown, The perfect likeness of His own. But, ah ! how much of earthly mold, Dark relics of the mine, Lost from the ore, must He behold ! How long must He refine, Ere, in the silver, He can trace The faint resemblance of His face ! Thou great Refiner ! sit Thou by Thy purpose to fulfill ; Moved by Thine hand, beneath Thine eye, And melted at Thy will. Oh ! may Thy work forever shine, Reflecting beauty pure as Thine. 3, too, l)avc Suffered. i 9 TOO, have suffered, yet I know God's way is best ; And I am blest, Since He sees fit to have it so. My heart was wrung with keenest pain ; But in my grief God gave relief ; I found in loss my richest gain. 112 AT THE CROSS. My heart grew weary, faint, and sad ; God gave me grace For every place, And I grew strong and almost glad. My friends grew cold. I was alone ; Then God drew near, Dispelled each fear, And counted me among His own. The path of life seemed very long ; God is my guide, And by my side Walks one whose arm is very strong. God's way is best. His will be done, His will divine Be ever mine, Until my crown of life is won. Qtt tl)C (ffross. BEFORE Thy cross, dear Lord, I fall ; Out of the depths to Thee I call, O Friend and Helper, one and all ! Oh, dearest Lord, Thy tender eye Rebukes, yet pities my lone cry, When staggering 'neath my cross I lie. " WE II A VE FOUND II IM." 1 13 Poor human heart, with human needs, How many are its broken reeds, Grasped till the hand in torture bleeds ! How many gourds have felt the blight ! How many stars have lost their light ! How many suns gone down in night ! All, all are gone like barks at sea, Lost in the dread immensity ; And now I stand alone with Thee. All prostrate at Thy cross I kneel, For Thou canst all our sorrows feel, And Thy dear hand our wounds can heal. No more I mark the dreary road My bleeding feet so long have trod, — Content to be alone with God. " iDc l)ave fonnb fjim." \ 1 TE have found Him" — sign of mercy * V To the trembling sinner made ; As the Babe we first beheld Him, Lowly in a manger laid. Well may angels gaze adoring, But a Child is born for me, Unto us a Son is given ; Fellow-sinners, come and see. — Isaiah ix. 6. 8 1 14 " WE II A VE FOUND IIIMr " We have found Him" — in the temple, As becomes the Holy Child, In the midst of Jewish doctors, Questioning in accents mild. Well may they, in deep amazement, Ponder who this Child can be — Strong in spirit, filled with wisdom ; Fellow-sinners, come and see. — Luke ii. 26-30, 40-47. " We have found Him" — in the water, Coming unto Jordan's wave, Taking thus a place among them Whom He came to seek and save. Well may John inquire in wonder : " Lord, why comest Thou to me ? " Lo ! the very heavens open ; Fellow-sinners, come and see. — Luke iii. 21, 22. " We have found Him " — in the desert, Fasting lonely, tempted, weak ; As the Son of man, we hear Him With the subtle tempter speak. Well may Satan, thrice defeated, From the second Adam flee — Jesus answers : " It is written ; " Fellow-sinners, come and see. — Matthew iv. " We have found Him " — by the way-side, Seated, weary, at the well, That to her who came for water He might God's salvation tell. " WE II A VE FOUND HIM." 115 Well may she, in eager gladness, Haste to urge her earnest plea, Is not this the Christ, my Saviour? — Fellow-sinners, come and see. — John iv. 4-12. We have found Him " — in the garden ; Tread we here with unshod feet ; For the very ground is holy, Tis a blood-stained mercy-seat. Earth no longer hath its Eden, But in sad Gethsemane Man may find the gate to heaven ; Fellow-sinners, come and see. — Luke xxii. 1. " We have found Him" — God incarnate ! From the manger to the Cross, Through a world of sin and sadness ; Bearing shame, reproach, and loss ; Ever loving, serving, healing, Till they nailed Thee to the tree, Thee, the Lamb of God's providing; Fellow-sinners, come and see. — John i. 29. " We have found Him " — He is risen ! Mary clasps His pierced feet ; And disciples, as they journey, Find His words exceeding sweet. Forty days the faithful Shepherd With His scattered flock will be, Comforting, restoring, teaching ; Fellow-sinners, come and see. —John xx. u6 THE LORD OUR HELPER. " We have found Him" — in the glory Of the Majesty on high ; Looking steadfastly to heaven, Faith may still behold Him nigh, Where the blood of sprinkling speaketh On the mercy-seat for me, There it is I find my Saviour; Fellow-sinners, come and see. —Acts vii. 55, 56 ; Heb. ii. 9 ; Ex. xxv. 17-22 ; Heb. iv. 14, 16 ; x. 12- 21 ; John xiv. 6. QLl)c £orb our fjclpcr. JESUS, I need Thy strength, I am so frail, so weak ; Oh, listen to my prayer, And grant the help I seek ! I can not stand alone, I can not walk aright, Unless Thou hold my hand And aid me with Thy might. Oh, guard me with Thine arm In peril or in pain, And when temptation tries, O Lord, do Thou sustain. Help me in all things, Lord, Gentle and kind to be, And let me grow each day More and still more like Thee. PRECIO US A ND h ORE VER. 1 1 7 Oh, make me patient, Lord — Patient in daily cares ; Keep me from thoughtless words That slip out unawares. And help me, Lord, I pray, Still nearer Thee to live ; And as I journey on, More of Thy presence give. Precious antr forever. Precious Faith. 2 Pet. i. i. Life. Precious Blood. i Pet. i. 19. Rest. Precious Promises. 2 Pet. i. 4. Wealth. He is Precious. 1 Pet. ii. 7. Joy- J ESUS, Sweetly looking unto Thee ; This is precious faith to me ; This is life indeed, O Jesus, Precious and forever. Singing, toiling through the night, Help me, lead me ever; Till my faith is lost in sight, Precious and forever. Jesus, Rest I in the cleansing flood Of Thy ever-precious blood ; This is rest indeed, O Jesus, Il8 THE PLACE OF MERCY. Precious and forever. Peace of God, what peace like this, Calm as Eden's river ; Fortaste of the heavenly bliss, Precious and forever. Jesus, All with Thee I now possess In Thy precious promises; This is wealth indeed, O Jesus, Precious and forever. What are earthly charms to me ? They shall lure me never ! All I want I find in Thee, Precious and forever. Jesus, Sweetly singing o'er and o'er Precious Jesus, evermore ; This is joy indeed, O Jesus, Precious and forever. Nearer, all my heart to fill, O Thou glorious giver; Nearer, dearer, sweeter still, Precious and forever. ®I)C place of illcrcji. THERE is a spot to me more dear Than native vale or mountain ; THE PLACE OF MERCY. 119 A spot for which affection's tear Springs grateful from its fountain : 'Tis not where kindred souls abound, Though that were almost heaven ; But where I first my Saviour found, And felt my sins forgiven. Hard was my toil to reach the shore, Long tossed upon the ocean ; Above me was the thunder's roar, Beneath the wave's commotion, Darkly the pall of night was thrown Around me, faint with terror; [n that dark hour how did my groan Ascend for years of error. Sinking and panting as for breath, I knew not hope was near me ; I cried, oh, save me, Lord, from death ! Immortal Jesus, hear me ! Then quick as thought I felt Him mine; My Saviour stood before me : I saw His brightness round me shine, And shouted glory ! glory ! Oh, sacred hour, oh, hallowed spot, Where love divine first found me ! Wherever falls my distant lot, My heart will linger round Thee ; And when from earth I rise to soar Up to my home in heaven, Down will I cast my eyes once more Where I was first forgiven. 120 DIVINE PEACE. D i tn n c JJcacc. PEACE upon peace, like wave on wave, This the portion that I crave ; The peace of God which passeth thought, The peace of Christ which changeth not. Peace like the river's gentle flow, Peace like the morning's silent glow, From day to day, in love supplied, An endless and unebbing tide. Peace flowing on, without decrease, From Him who is our joy and peace, Who, by His reconciling blood, Hath made the sinner's peace with God. Peace through the night and through the day, Peace through all windings of our way, In pain and toil and weariness, A deep and everlasting peace. O King of peace, this peace bestow Upon a stranger here below ; O God of peace, Thy peace impart To every troubled, trembling heart. Peace from the Father and the Son, Peace from the Spirit, all His own ; Peace that shall never more be lost, Of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. FULFILLED. 121 -fnlfillcb. LJ ARK was the night ; Tossed into fury waves were rolling high ; No light Of moon or star within the midnight sky. God spoke, the mariner to cheer, " Lo, I am here, And I will guide thee ever with mine eye. >» A scorching sun Blazed overhead, the sand was hot beneath ; And one Walked o'er the desert, breathed its fiery breath, But hark ! the pilgrim soul to cheer, " Lo, I am here, And I will be thy shade," Jehovah saith. The battle raged Around, before, behind, on every side ; Fierce waged The conflict was, deep ran the crimson tide ; God spoke, the soldier's heart to cheer, " Lo, I am here, And I will be thy buckler true and tried." A crushing load Was given to a human heart to bear ; The road Was rugged, and the very fields were bare ; God spoke, the troubled one to cheer, " Lo, I am here, This heavy burden I will help thee bear." 122 " BE NOT AFRAID." Unpardoned sin Kept in a wild turmoil an anxious breast ; Within, As yet, had entered not the Heavenly Guest ; God spoke, the weary one to cheer, " Lo, I am here, Come unto me and I will give you rest." " Be Not afroib." HE not afraid," I seem to hear U The loving Saviour say ; My love can still the tossing waves That fret thee on thy way. Look up to Me : I'll send to thee My love for aye and aye. u Be not afraid," for thou art Mine. My sheep I ne'er forsake ; But bring them to the living springs, So they may grace partake. My life I gave For thee, to save, So, heart, good courage take. «< Be not afraid," I've done it all ; 'Twas finished when I died. Thou canst not touch Me, but I am Forever at thy side. Still cling to Me ; I'll comfort thee, And calm life's troubled tide. TK US TING IN HIM. 1 2 3 u Be not afraid," My hand shall guide Thy feet in pleasant ways. My love will cheer thee, doubting heart, And warm thee with its rays. Oh, heart ! entwine Thy love in Mine, And peace will fold thy ways. 1 trusting in £)im. COME, I rest beneath The shadow of His wing, That I may know How good it is Here to abide ; How safe its sheltering ! I lean against the cross When fainting by the way ; It bears my weight, It holds me up, It cheers my soul, It turns my night to day ! I clasp the outstretched hand Of my delivering Lord ; Unto His arm I lean myself — His arm divine — It doth me help afford ! 124 MY LORD'S CHOICE. I hear the gracious words He speaketh to my soul ! They whisper rest, They banish fear, They say, " Be strong," They make my spirit whole ! I look and live and move ; I listen to the voice Saying to me That God is love, That God is light : I listen, and rejoice ! ittU Corifs «ri)oice. THIS work, dear Lord, is not the work I asked, or sought, or meant to do ; I thought to turn my busy hands Where heart and taste would follow too. But such sweet task, dear heavenly Lord, Thou hast removed beyond my hand, And set me one so different, That, shrinking and amazed, I stand. Oh, grant me grace, lest in my grief My hands hang listless at my side, Refusing Thee their patient toil, Because their choice has been denied. THE CHRISTIAN TRAVELER. 125 Grace, that ray heaven-appointed task The cheerful, tireless care may meet Which my self-chosen task had met, Hadst Thou but set that duty sweet. I can not cease to long for it : But I can hold to my great will — My longings subject, while I bend My strange task faithfully to fill. Not feeling that I have no choice, But willing that my Lord should choose ; So glad of any work for Him, That in His will, my will I lose. ®l)e (Eljristian traveler. WITH wondering eyes, the traveler oft Reviews his backward way ; The weary miles his aching feet Have traversed through the day : And, ere his eyes are closed in sleep, Looks forward at the road Which, with perchance as much of pain, To-morrow must be trod. Yet, strengthened by a night of rest, As soon as morning breaks, With hope renewed, and faith confirmed, His pilgrim staff he takes. 126 TRUST. And if the road be long and rou