FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 S.cA 
 
THE 
 
 Changed 
 
 Other Religious Poems. 
 
 KB W AND ENLARGED EDITION. 
 
 NEW-YORK : 
 
 ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH 
 
 770 BROADWAY, 
 
 Corner of Ninth Street. 
 
 1868. 
 
The great favor which a part of the fol- 
 ovving selections had met in the form of 
 ' ' Leaflets for Letters," induced the Publisher, 
 s?me few years ago, to gather them in a vol- 
 ume that has found a wide circulation. The 
 present is a new and enlarged edition. As 
 the poems are mainly waifs, gathered from 
 magazines and newspapers, it has not been 
 possible, except in a few instances, to ascer- 
 tain the names of the writers. 
 
 New-York, March, 1865. 
 
The Changed Cross, 
 
 9 
 
 AMD 
 
 Other Religious Poems. 
 
 IT was a time of sadness, and my heart, 
 Although it knew and loved the better part, 
 Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife, 
 And all the needful discipline of life. 
 
 And while I thought on these, as given to me — 
 My trial tests of faith and love to be — 
 It seemed as if T never could be sure 
 That faithful to the end I should endure. 
 
 And thus, no longer trusting to His might 
 Who says, " We walk by faith, and not by sight," 
 Doubting, and almost yielding to despair, 
 The thought arose — My cross I cannot bear : 
 
 Far heavier its weight must surely be 
 Than those of others which I daily see. 
 Oh ! if I might another burden choose. 
 Methinks I should not fear my crown to lose. 
 
6 THE CHANGED CROSS. 
 
 A solemn silence reigned on all around — 
 E'en Nature's voices uttered not a sound ; 
 The evening shadows seemed of peace to tell, 
 And sleep upon my weary spirit felL 
 
 A moment's pause — and then a heavenly light 
 Beamed full upon my wondering, raptured sight 
 Angels on silvery wings seemed everywhere, 
 And angels' music thrilled the balmy air. 
 
 Then One, more fair than all the rest to see — 
 One to whom all the others bowed the knee — 
 Came gently to me as I trembling lay, 
 And, " Follow me !" He said ; "lam the Way.* 
 
 Then, speaking thus, He led me far above, 
 And there, beneath a canopy of love, 
 Crosses of divers shape and size were seen, 
 Larger and smaller than my own had been. 
 
 And one there was, most beauteous to behold, 
 A little one, with jewels set in gold. 
 Ah ! this, methought, I can with comfort wear, 
 For it will be an easy one to bear : 
 
 And so the little cross I quickly took ; 
 But, all at once, my frame beneath it shook. 
 The sparking jewels fair were they to see. 
 But far too heavy was their iceight for me. 
 
THE CHANGED CROSS. 
 
 u This may not be," I cried, and looked again, 
 To see if there was any here could ease my pain ; 
 But, one by one, I passed them slowly by, 
 Till on a lovely one I cast my eye. 
 
 Fair flowers around its sculptured form entwined, 
 And grace and beauty seemed in it combined. 
 Wondering, I gazed ; and still I wondered more 
 To think so many should have passed it o'er. 
 
 But oh ! that form so beautiful to see 
 Soon made its hidden sorrows known to me ; 
 Thorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair ! 
 Sorrowing, I said : " This cross I may not bear." 
 
 And so it was with each and all around — 
 Not one to suit my need could there be found ; 
 Weeping, I laid each heavy burden down, 
 As my Guide gently said : " No cross, no crown !* 
 
 At length, to Him I raised my saddened heart : 
 He knew its sorrows, bid its doubts depart. 
 " Be not afraid," He said, " but trust in me — 
 My perfect love shall now be shown to thee." 
 
 And then, with lightened eyes and willing feet, 
 Again I turned, my earthly cross to meet, 
 With forward footsteps, turning not aside, 
 For fear some hidden evil might betide ; 
 
t\ THE CHANGED CROSS. 
 
 And there — in the prepared, appointed way, 
 Listening to hear, and ready to obey — 
 A cross I quickly found of plainest form, 
 With only words of love inscribed thereon. 
 
 With thankfulness I raised it from the rest, 
 And joyfully acknowledged it the best — 
 The only one of all the many there 
 That I could feel was good for me to bear. 
 
 And, while I thus my chosen one confessed, 
 I saw a heavenly brightness on it rest ; 
 And, as I bent, my burden to sustain, 
 J recognized my own old cross again. 
 
 But oh ! how different did it seem to be 
 Now I had learned its preciousness to see 1 
 No longer could I unbelieving say, 
 Perhaps another is a better way. 
 
 Ah no ! henceforth my own desire shall be, 
 That He who knows me best should choose for me 
 And so, whate'er His love sees good to send, 
 III trust it's best, because He knows the end. 
 
 41 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord."— 
 Isaiah 50:8. 
 
 " For I know the thoughts that I think towards you — thoughts 
 of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." — 
 Jer. 29: II. 
 
 And when that happy time shall come, of endless peace and rest, 
 We shall look hack upon our path, and say : It was the best. 
 
THE MEETING-PLACE. 
 
 THE MEETING-PLACE. 
 
 WHERE the faded flower shall freshen, 
 Freshen never more to fade ; 
 Where the shaded sky shall brighten, 
 
 Brighten never more to shade ; 
 Where the sun-blaze never scorches ; 
 
 Where the star-beams cease to chill ; 
 WTiere no tempest stirs the echoes 
 
 Of the wood, or wave, or hill ; 
 Where the morn shall wake in gladness, 
 
 And the moon the joy prolong ; 
 Where the daylight dies in fragrance 
 
 'Mid the burst of holy song — 
 Brother, we shall meet and rest 
 'Mid the holy and the blest. 
 
 Where no shadow shall bewilder ; 
 
 Where life's vain parade is o'er ; 
 Where the sleep of sin is broken, 
 
 And the dreamer dreams no more ; 
 Where the bond is never severed — 
 
 Partings, claspings, sobs, and moan, 
 Midnight waking, twilight weeping, 
 
 Heavy noontide — all are done ; 
 Where the child has found its mother, 
 
 Where the mother finds the child ; 
 
10 THE MEETING-PLACE. 
 
 Where dear families are gathered 
 
 That were scattered on the wild — 
 Brother, we shall meet and rest 
 'Mid the holy and the blest. 
 
 Where the hidden wound is healed ; 
 
 Where the blighted light re-blooms ; 
 Where the smitten heart the freshness 
 
 Of its buoyant youth resumes ; 
 Where the love that here we lavish 
 
 On the withering leaves of time, 
 Shall have fadeless flowers to fix on, 
 
 In an ever spring-bright clime ; 
 Where we find the joy of loving, 
 
 As we never loved before ; 
 Loving on unchilled, unhindered, 
 
 Loving once and evermore — 
 Brother, we shall meet and rest 
 'Mid the holy and the blest. 
 
 Where a blasted world shall brighten 
 
 Underneath a bluer sphere, 
 And a softer, gentler sunshine 
 
 Shed its healing splendor here ; 
 Where earth's barren vales shall blossom, 
 
 Putting on their robe of green, 
 And a purer, fairer Eden 
 
 Be where only wastes have been ; 
 
THE PILGRIM. 11 
 
 Where a King, in kingly glory 
 
 Such as earth has never known, 
 Shall assume the righteous sceptre, 
 
 Claim and wear the heavenly crown- 
 Brother, we shall meet and rest 
 'Mid the holy and the blest. 
 
 THE PILGRIM. 
 
 STILL onward through this land of foes 
 I pass in Pilgrim guise ; 
 I may not stop to seek repose ; 
 Where cool the shadow lies 
 I may not stoop amid the grass 
 
 To pluck earth's fairest flowers, 
 Nor by her springing fountains pass 
 The sultry noontide hours ; 
 
 Yet flowers I wear upon my breast 
 
 That no earth-garden knows — 
 White lilies of immortal peace, 
 
 And love's deep-tinted rose ; 
 And there the blue-eyed flowers of faith, 
 
 And hope's bright buds of gold, 
 As lone I tread the upward path, 
 
 In richest hues unfold 
 
12 THE PILGRIM. 
 
 I keep my armor ever on, 
 
 For foes beset my way ; 
 I watch, lest passing on alone 
 
 I fall a helpless prey. 
 No earthly love have I — I lean 
 
 Upon no mortal breast ; 
 But my Beloved, though unseen, 
 
 Walks near and gives me rest. 
 
 Afar, around, I often see, 
 
 Throughout this desert wide, 
 His Pilgrims pressing on like me— 
 
 They often pass my side : 
 The kindly smile, the gentle word, 
 
 For Jesus' sake I give ; 
 But love — O Thou alone adored ! 
 
 For Thee alone I live. 
 
 Painful and dark the pathway seems 
 
 To distant earthly eyes ; 
 They only see the hedging thorns 
 
 On either side that rise ; 
 They can not know how soft between 
 
 The flowers of love are strewn — 
 The sunny, ways, the pastures green, 
 
 Where Jesus leads His own ; 
 
 They cannot see, as darkening clouds 
 Behind the Pilgrim close. 
 
HOLY TEARS. 13 
 
 How far adown the western glade 
 
 The golden glory flows ; 
 They cannot hear 'mid earthly din 
 
 The sono- to Pilgrims known, 
 Still blending with the angels' hymn 
 
 Around the wondrous throne. 
 
 So I, Thy bounteous token-flowers 
 
 Still on my bosom wear ; 
 While me, the fleeting love-winged hours 
 
 To Thee still nearer bear ; 
 So from my lips Thy song shall flow, 
 
 My sweetest music be ; 
 So on mine eyes the glory grow, 
 
 Till all is lost in Thee. 
 
 HOLY TEARS. 
 
 YES, thou may'st weep, for Jesus shed 
 Such tears as those thou sheddest now, 
 "When, for the living or the dead, 
 Sorrow lay heavy on his brow. 
 
 He sees thee weep, yet doth not' blame 
 The weakness of thy flesh and heart ; 
 
 Thy human nature is the same 
 As that in which he took a part. 
 
14 HOLY TEARS. 
 
 He knows its weakness, for he felt 
 The crushing power of pain and woe, 
 
 How body, soul, and spirit melt 
 
 And faint beneath the stunning blow. 
 
 What if poor sinners count thy grief 
 The sign of an unchastened will ? 
 
 He who can give thy soul relief, 
 Knows that thou art submissive still 
 
 Turn thee to Him, to Him alone ; 
 
 For all that our poor lips can say 
 To soothe thee, broken-hearted one, 
 
 Would fail to comfort thee to-day 
 
 We will not speak to thee, but sit 
 In prayerful silence by thy side : 
 
 Grief has its ebbs and flows ; 'tis fit 
 Our love should wait the ebbing tide 
 
 Jesus Himself will comfort thee, 
 In His own time, in His own way ; 
 
 And haply more than " two or three" 
 Unite in prayer for thee to-day. 
 
WHOLLY RESIOyED. 15 
 
 70D OUR STRENGTH. 
 
 MAN, in his weakness, needs a stronger stay 
 Than fellow-men, the holiest and the best : 
 And yet we turn to them from day to day, 
 As if in them our spirits could find rest. 
 
 Gently untwine our childish hands, that cling 
 To such inadequate supports as these, 
 
 And shelter us beneath Thy heavenly wing, 
 Till we have learned to walk alone with ease. 
 
 Help us, O Lord ! with patient love to bear 
 Each other's faults, to suffer with true meekness 
 
 Help us each other's joys and griefs to share, 
 But let us turn to Thee alone in weakness. 
 
 WHOLLY RESIGNED. 
 
 CHRIST leads us through no darker rooms 
 Than he went through before : 
 He that into God's kingdom comes, 
 
 Must enter by this door : 
 Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet 
 
 Thy blessed face to see, 
 For if Thy work on earth be sweet, 
 What will Thy glory be I 
 
' MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND." 
 
 Then I shall end my sad complaints, 
 
 And weary, sinful days ; 
 And join with the triumphant saints. 
 
 That sing Jehovah's praise : 
 My knowledge of that life is small, 
 
 The eye of faith is dim, 
 But 'tis enough that Christ knows all, 
 
 And I shall be with Him. 
 
 X MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND* 
 Psalm 31 : 15. 
 
 FATHER, I know that all my life 
 Is portioned out for me ; 
 And the changes that are sure to come, 
 
 I do not fear to see ; 
 But I ask Thee for a present mind 
 Intent on pleasing Thee. 
 
 I ask Thee for a thankful love, 
 Through constant watching wise, 
 
 To meet the glad with joyful smiles, 
 And to wipe the weeping eyes, 
 
 And a heart at leisure from itself, 
 To soothe and sympathize. 
 
'MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND:" 17 
 
 I wou'd not have the restless will 
 
 That hurries to and fro, 
 Seeking for some great thing to do, 
 
 Or secret thing to know ; 
 I wouid be dealt with as a child, 
 
 And guided where to go. 
 
 Wherever in the world I am, 
 
 In whatsoe'er estate, 
 I have a fellowship with hearts, 
 
 To keep and cultivate ; 
 And a work of holy love to do, 
 
 For the Lord on whom I wait. 
 
 Task Thee for the daily strength, 
 
 To none that ask denied ; 
 And a mind to blend with outward life, 
 
 While keeping at Thy side ; 
 Content to fill a little space, 
 
 If Thou be glorified. 
 
 And if some things I do not ask, 
 
 In my cup of blessing be, 
 1 would have my spirit filled the more 
 
 With grateful love to Thee — 
 More careful than to serve Thee much, 
 
 To please Thee perfectly. 
 
 There are briers besetting every path, 
 That call for patient care ; 
 
18 THE BORDERLANDS. 
 
 Tli ere is a crook in every lot, 
 And a need for earnest prayer ; 
 
 But a lowly heart that leans on Thee, 
 Ts happy everywhere. 
 
 In a service that Thy love appoints, 
 There are no bonds for me, 
 
 For my secret heart is taught the truth 
 That makes Thy children " free ;" 
 
 And a life of self -renouncing love 
 Is a life of liberty. 
 
 THE BORDER-LANDS. 
 
 FATHER, into Ihy loving hands 
 My feeble spirit I commit, 
 While wandering in these Border-Lands, 
 Until Thy voice shall summon it. 
 
 Father, I would not dare to choose 
 A longer life, an earlier death ; 
 
 I know not what my soul might lose 
 By shortened or protracted breath. 
 
 These Border-Lands are calm and still, 
 And solemn are their silent shades ; 
 
 And my heart welcomes them, until 
 The light of life's long evening fades. 
 
THE BORDER-LAXDS. 19 
 
 I heard them spoken of with dread, 
 As fearful and unquiet places ; 
 
 Shades, where the living and the dead 
 Look sadly in each other's faces. 
 
 But since Thy hand hath led me here, 
 And I have seen the Border-Land ; 
 
 Seen the dark river flowing near, 
 Stood on its brink, as now I stand, 
 
 There has been nothing to alarm 
 
 My trembling soul ; how could I fear 
 
 While thus enci/eled with Thine arm ? 
 I never felt Thee half so near. 
 
 What should appal me in a place 
 That brings me hourly nearer Thee ? 
 
 When I may almost see Thy face — 
 Surely 'tis here my soul would be. 
 
 They say the waves are dark and deep, 
 That faith has perished in the river ; 
 
 They speak of death with fear, and weep . 
 Shall my soul perish ? Never ! never ! 
 
 I know that Thou wilt never leave 
 The soul that trembles while it clings 
 
 To Thee : I know Thou wilt achieve 
 Its passage on Thine outspread wings. 
 
20 "ALU ALL IS KXOWX TO TREE." 
 
 And since I first was brought so near 
 The stream that flows to the Dead Sea, 
 
 I think that it has grown more clear 
 And shallow than it used to be. 
 
 I can not see the golden gate 
 Unfolding yet. to welcome me , 
 
 I can not yet anticipate 
 
 The joy of heaven's jubilee ; 
 
 But I will camly watch and pray 
 Until I hear my Saviour's voice 
 
 Calling my happy soul away, 
 To see his glory, and rejoice. 
 
 "ALL, ALL IS KNOWN TO THEE." 
 
 " When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then T iou 
 knewest my path." 
 
 MY God, whose gracious pity I may claim, 
 Calling Thee Father— sweet, endearing 
 name ! 
 The sufferings of this weak and weary frame, 
 All, all are known to Thee. 
 
 From human eye 'tis better to conceal 
 Much that I suffer, much I hourly feel ; 
 But oh ! the thought does tranquillize and heal- 
 All, all is known to Thee. 
 
'ALL, ALL IS KNOWN TO THEE." 21 
 
 Each secret conflict with indwelling sin, 
 Each sickening fear I ne'er the prize shall win, 
 Each pang from irritation, turmoil, din — 
 All, all are known to Thee. 
 
 When in the morning unrefreshed I wake, 
 Or in the night but little sleep can take, 
 This brief appeal submissively I make — 
 All, all is known to Thee. 
 
 Nay, all by Thee is ordered, chosen, planned — 
 Each drop that fills my daily cup ; Thy hand 
 Prescribes for ills none else can understand. 
 All, all is known to Thee. 
 
 The effectual means to cure what I deplore ; 
 In me Thy longed-for likeness to restore ; 
 Self to dethrone, never to govern more — 
 All, all are known to Thee. 
 
 And this continued feebleness, this state 
 Which seems to unnerve and incapacitate, 
 Will work the cure my hopes and prayers await- 
 That can I leave to Thee. 
 
 Nor will the bitter draught distasteful prove, 
 When I recall the Sox of Thy dear love ; 
 The cup Thou wouldst no for our sakes remove- 
 That cup He drank for me. 
 
22 OH! FOB THE HAPPY DA YS GONE BY. 
 
 He drank it to the dregs— no drop remained 
 Of wrath, for those whose cup of woe he drained 
 Man ne'er can know what that sad cup contained, 
 All, all is known to Thee. 
 
 And welcome, precious, can His Spirit make 
 My little drop of suffering for His sake. 
 Father, the cup I drink, the path I take, 
 All, all is known to Thee. 
 
 OH! FOR THE HAPPY DAYS GONE BY 
 
 OH ! for the happy days gone by, 
 When love ran smooth and free ; 
 Days when my spirit so enjoyed 
 More than earth's liberty ! 
 
 Oh ! for the times when on my heart 
 
 Long prayer had never palled, 
 Times when the ready thought of God 
 
 Would come when it was called ! 
 
 Then when I knelt to meditate, 
 Sweet thoughts came o'er my soul, 
 
 Countless, and bright, and beautiful, 
 Beyond my own control. 
 
 Oh ! who hath locked those fountains up ? 
 Those visions v ho hath staid ? 
 
OR ! FO R THE IT A PP 7 DA YS G O YE BY. 23 
 
 What sudden act bath thus transformed 
 My sunshine into shade ? 
 
 Tli is freezing heart, O Lord ! this will, 
 
 Dry as the desert sand — 
 Good thoughts that will not come, bad thought 
 
 That come without command — 
 
 A faith that seems not faith, a hope 
 
 That tares not for its aim — 
 A love that none the hotter grows 
 
 At Jesus' blessed name — 
 
 The weariness of prayer, the mist 
 
 O'er conscience overspread — 
 The chill repugnance to frequent 
 
 The feast of angels' bread : 
 
 If this drear change be Thine, O Lord ! 
 
 If it be Thy sweet will, 
 Spare not, but to the very brim 
 
 The bitter chalice fill ; 
 
 But if it hath been sin of mine, 
 
 Oh ! show that sin to me — 
 Not to get back the sweetness lost, 
 
 But to make peace with Thee. 
 
 One thing alone, dear Lord, I dread- 
 To have a secret spot 
 
24 OBJ FOR THE HAPPY DA YS GONE BY. 
 
 That separates my soul from Thee, 
 And yet to know it not. 
 
 Oh ! when the tide of graces set 
 
 So full upon my heart, 
 I know, dear Lord, how faithlessly 
 
 I did my little part. 
 
 I know how well my heart hath earned 
 
 A chastisement like this, 
 In trifling many a grace away 
 
 In self-complacent bliss. 
 
 But if this weariness hath come 
 
 A present from on high, 
 Teach me to find the hidden wealth 
 
 That in its depths may lie ; 
 
 So in this darkness I can learn 
 
 To tremble and adore, 
 To sound my own vile nothingness, 
 
 And thus to love Thee more ; 
 
 To love Thee, and yet not to think 
 
 That I can love so much ; 
 To have Thee with me, Lord ! all day 
 
 Yet not to feel Thy touch. 
 
 If I have served Thee, Lord ! for hire, 
 Hire which Thy beauty showed, 
 
LOST TREASURES. 25 
 
 Ah ! I ( an serve- Thee now for naught, 
 And only as my God. 
 
 Oh ! blessed be this darkness, then, 
 
 This deep in which I lie ; 
 And blessed be all things that teach 
 
 God's dread supremacy ! 
 
 LOST TREASURES. 
 
 LET us be patient, God has taken from us 
 The earthly treasures upon which we leaned; 
 That from the fleeting things which lie around us, 
 Our clinging hearts should be for ever weaned. 
 
 They have passed from us — all our broad posses- 
 sions : 
 Ships, whose white sails flung wide past distant 
 shores ; 
 Lands, whose rich harvests smiled in the glad sun- 
 shine ; 
 Silver and gold, and all our hoarded stores. 
 
 And, dearer far, the pleasant home where gathered 
 Our loved and loving round the blazing hearth ; 
 
 Where honored age on the soft cushions rested, 
 And childhood played about in frolic mirth. 
 
23 LOST TREASURES. 
 
 WTiere underneath the softened light bent kindly 
 The mother's tender glance on daughters fair, 
 
 And he on whom all leant with fond confiding, 
 Rested contented from his daily care. 
 
 W\ shipwrecked in one common desolation ! 
 
 The garden-walks by other feet are trod ; 
 fhe clinging vines by other fingers tutored 
 
 To tiing their shadows o'er the grassy sod. 
 
 rVliile carking care and deep humiliation, 
 In tears are mingled with their daily bread; 
 
 aid the rude blasts we never thought could reach 
 us, 
 Have spent their worst on each defenseless head. 
 
 i#et us be cheerful ! The same sky overarches — 
 Soft rain falls on the evil and the good ; [ing 
 
 On narrow walls, and through our humbler dwell 
 God's glorious sunshine pours as rich a flood. 
 
 Faith, hope, and love still in our hearts abiding, 
 May bear their precious fruits in us the same ; 
 
 A ad to the couch of suffering we may carry, 
 If but the cup of water, in His name. 
 
 - Let us be thankful, if in this affliction 
 
 No grave is opened for the loving heart ; 
 And while we bend I eneath our Father's chiding, 
 We yet can mourn " each family apart." 
 
8U2TDAY. 27 
 
 Shoulder to shoulder let us breast the torrent, 
 With not one cold reproach nor angry look ; 
 
 There are some seasons, when the heart is smitten, 
 It can no whisper of unkindness brook. 
 
 Our life is not in all these brief possessions ; 
 
 Our home is not in any pleasant spot : 
 Pilgrims and strangers we must journey onward, 
 
 Contented wkh the portion of our lot. 
 
 These earthly walls must shortly be dismantled ; 
 
 These earthly tents be struck by angel hands ; 
 But to be built up on a sure foundation, 
 
 There, where our Father's mansion ever stands 
 
 There shall we meet, parent and child, and dearer 
 That earthly love which makes half heaven of 
 home ; 
 There shall we find our treasures all awaiting, 
 Where change and death and parting never 
 come. 
 
 SUNDAY. 
 
 " I was in the spirit on the Lord's day." — Rev. 1 : 10. 
 
 A FTEE long days of storms and showers, 
 l\ Of sighing winds, and dripping bowers, 
 How sweet, at morn, to ope our eyes 
 On newli •■ swept and garnished " skies! 
 
28 snyDA Y. 
 
 To miss the clouds, and d iving rain, 
 And see that all is bright again — 
 So bright we. cannot choose but say, 
 Is this the world of ye >terday ? 
 
 Even so, methinks, the Sunday brings 
 A change o'er all f ami liar things ; 
 A change — we know not whence it came- 
 They are, and they are not, the same. 
 
 There is a spell within, around, 
 On eye and ear, on sight and sound ; 
 And, loth or willing, they and we 
 Must own this day a mystery . 
 
 Sure all things wear a heavenly dress 
 That sanctifies their loveliness, 
 Types of that endless resting-day, 
 When " we shall all be changed " as they. 
 
 To-day our peaceful, ordered home 
 Foreshadoweth mansions yet to come ; 
 We foretaste, in domestic love, 
 The faultless charities above. 
 
 And as at yester-eventide 
 Our tasks and toys were laid aside ; 
 Lo ! here our training for the day 
 When we shall lay them down for aye. 
 
SrNDA Y. 29 
 
 But not alone for musings deep, 
 Meek souls their " day of days " will keep ; 
 Yet other glorious things than these, 
 The Christian in his Sabbath sees. 
 
 His eyes, by faith, his Lord behold ; 
 How on the week's first day of old 
 From hell he rose, on Death he trod, 
 Was seen of men, and went to God. 
 
 And as we fondly pause to look 
 Where in some daily-handled book, 
 Approval's well-known tokens stand, 
 Traeed by some dear and thoughtful hand 
 
 Even sq there shines one day in seven, 
 Bright with the special mark of Heaven, 
 That we with love and praise may dwell 
 On Him who loveth us so well. 
 
 Whether in meditative walk, 
 Alone with God and heaven we talk, 
 Catching the simple chime that calls 
 Our feet to some old church's walls ; 
 
 Or passed within the church's door, 
 Where poor are rich, and rich are poor, 
 We say the prayers, and hear the word, 
 Which there our fathers said and heard ', 
 
30 SUNDA 7. 
 
 Or represent in solemn wise, 
 Our all-prevailing sacrifice ; 
 Feeding in joint communion high, 
 The life of faith that cannot die. 
 
 And surely, in a world like this, 
 So rife with woe, so scant of bliss — 
 Where fondest hopes are oftenest creased, 
 And fondest hopes are severed most ; 
 
 'Tis something that we kneel and pray 
 With loved ones near and far away ; 
 One God, one faith, one hope, one care, 
 One form of words, one hour of prayer. 
 
 'Tis just — yet pause, till ear and heart, 
 In one brief silence, ere we part, 
 Somewhat of that high strain have caught, 
 ' The peace of God which passeth thought." 
 
 Then turn we to our earthly homes, 
 Not doubting but that Jesus comes 
 Breathing his peace on hall and hut 
 At evening, when the doors are shut ; 
 
 Then speeds us on our work-day way, 
 And hallows every common day ; 
 Without Him Sunday's self were dim, 
 But all are bright, if spent with Him. 
 
ONE BY ONE. 31 
 
 ONE B Y ONE. 
 
 ONE by one the sands are flowing 
 One by one the moments fall, 
 Some are coming, some are going — 
 Do not strive to grasp them all 
 
 One by one thy duties wait thee, 
 Let thy whole strength go to each ; 
 
 Let no future dreams elate tliee ; 
 
 Learn thou first what those can teach 
 
 One by one, (bright gifts from heavtn,) 
 Joys are sent thee here below ; 
 
 Take them readily, when given — 
 Ready, too, to let them go. 
 
 One by one thy griefs shall meet thee, 
 
 Do not fear an armed band ; 
 )ne will fade, while others greet thee, 
 Shadows passing through the land. 
 
 Do not look at life's long sorrow, 
 See how small each moment's pain ; 
 
 God will help thee for to-morrow — 
 Every day begin again. 
 
 Every hour that fleets ?o slowly, 
 Has its task to do or bear; 
 
32 MARY'S ("HOICK. 
 
 Luminous the crown, and holy, 
 If thou set each gem with care. 
 
 Do not linger with regretting, 
 Or for passion's hour despond; 
 
 Nor, the daily toil forgetting, 
 Look too eagerly beyond. 
 
 Hours are golden links, God's token. 
 
 Reaching heaven, but one by one 
 Take them, lest the chain be broken 
 
 Ere the pilgrimage be done. 
 
 MARTS CHOICE. 
 
 JESUS, engrave it on my heart, 
 That Thou the one thing needful art 
 I could from all things parted be, 
 But never, never, Lord, from Thee. 
 
 Needful is Thy most precious blood, 
 Needful is Thy correcting rod, 
 Needful is Thy indulgent care, 
 Needful Thy all-prevailing prayer. 
 
 Needful Thy presence, dearest Lord, 
 True peace and comfort to afford ; 
 
"WEARER home:" 38 
 
 Needful Thy promise to impart 
 Fresh life and vigor to my heart. 
 
 Needful art Thou to be my stay 
 Through all life's dark and thorny way; 
 Nor less in death Thou'lt needful be, 
 To bring my spirit home to Thee. 
 
 Then needful still, my God, my King, 
 Thy name eternally I'll sing ; 
 Glory and praise be ever His — 
 The " one thing needful " Jesus is. 
 
 "NEARER HOME." 
 
 ONE sweetly solemn thought 
 Comes to me o'er and o'er : 
 I'm nearer home to-day 
 
 Than I ever have been before. 
 
 Nearer my Father's house, 
 
 Where the many mansions be ; 
 
 Nearer the great white throne, 
 Nearer the jasper sea ; 
 
 Nearer the bound of life, 
 
 Where we la^y our burdens down ; 
 
84 OR! TO BE READY. 
 
 Nearer leaving the cross, 
 Nearer wearing the crown. 
 
 But lying darkly between, 
 
 Winding down through the nightf 
 Is the dim and unknown stream 
 
 That leads at last to the light 
 
 Closer, closer my steps 
 
 Come to the dark abysm, 
 Closer, death to my lips 
 
 Presses the awful chrism. 
 
 Saviour, perfect my trust, 
 
 Strengthen the might of my faith, 
 Let me feel as I would when I stand 
 
 On the rock of the shore of death ; 
 
 Feel as I would when my feet 
 Are slipping over the brink ; 
 
 For it may be I'm nearer home, 
 Nearer now than I think. 
 
 OH! TO BE READY. 
 
 OH ! to be ready when death shall come, 
 Oh ! to be ready to hasten home ! 
 No earthward clinging, no lingering gaze, 
 No strife at parting, no sore amaze ; 
 
THE BRIDEGROOM'S DOVE. 35 
 
 No chains to sever that earth hath twined, 
 No spell to loosen that love would bind. 
 
 No flitting shadows to dim the light 
 Of the angel-pinions winged for flight ; 
 No cloud-like phantoms to fling a gloom 
 Twixt heaven's bright portals and earth's dark 
 
 tomb ; 
 But sweetly, gently, to pass away 
 From the world's dim twilight into day. 
 
 To list the music of angel lyres, 
 To catch the rapture of seraph fires, 
 To lean in trust on the risen One, 
 Till borne away to a fadeless throne. 
 Oh ! to be ready when death shall come ! 
 Oh ! to be ready to hasten home I 
 
 THE BRIDEGROOMS DOVE. 
 
 u O my Dove ! In the clefts of the rock, in the secret of the 
 stairs."— Cant. 2 : 14. 
 
 ** ~\ J~Y Dove !" The Bridegroom speaks. To 
 iVJL whom ? 
 
 Whom, think'st thou, meaneth He ? 
 Say, O my soul i canst thou presume 
 He thus addresseth thee ? 
 
SQ THE BRIDEGROOM'S DOVE. 
 
 Yes, 'tis the Bridegroom's voice of love, 
 Calling thee, my soul ! His Dove ! 
 
 The Dove is gentle, mild, and meek : 
 
 Deserve I, then, the name ? 
 I look within in vain to seek 
 
 Aught which can give a claim : 
 Yet, made so by redeeming love, 
 My soul, thou art the Bridegroom's Dove ! 
 
 Methmks, my soul, that thou may'st see, 
 
 In this endearing word, 
 Reasons why Jesus likens thee 
 
 To this defenseless bird ; 
 Reasons which show the Bridegroom's love 
 To His poor helpless, timid Dove ! 
 
 The Dove, of all the feathered tribe, 
 
 Doth least of power possess : 
 My soul, what better can describe 
 
 Thine utter helplessness ? 
 Yet courage take ! the Bridegroom's love 
 Will keep, defend, protect His Dove 1 
 
 The Dove hath neither claw nor sting, 
 
 Nor weapon for the fight ; 
 She owes her safety to er wing, 
 
 Her victory to flight. 
 
THE BRIDEGROOM'S DOVE. 8? 
 
 A shelter hath the Bridegroom's love 
 Provided for his helpless Dove 1 
 
 The Hawk comes on, in eager chase— 
 
 The Dove will not resist ; 
 In flying to her hiding-place, 
 
 Her safety doth consist. 
 The Bridegroom opes His arms of love, 
 And in them folds His panting Dove 1 
 
 Nothing the Dove can now molest, 
 Safe from the fowler's snare ; 
 
 The Bridegroom's bosom is her nest- 
 Nothing can harm her there. 
 
 Encircled by the arms of love, 
 
 Almighty power protects the Dove 1 
 
 As the poor Dove, before the Hawk, 
 
 Quick to her refuge flies, 
 So need I, in my daily walk, 
 
 The wing which faith supplies, 
 To bear me where the Bridegroom's love 
 Places beyond all harm His Dove I 
 
 My soul of native power bereft, 
 To Calvary repairs : 
 
88 THE BRIDEGROOM'S DOVE, 
 
 Immanuel is the rocky cleft. 
 
 " The secret of the stairs ! " 
 Since placed there by the Bridegroom's love, 
 What evil can befall His Dove ? 
 
 Though Sinai's thunder round her roars, 
 
 Though Ebal's lightnings flash, 
 Though heaven a fiery torrent pours, 
 
 And riven mountains crash — 
 Through all, the " still small voice " of love 
 Whispers : u Be not afraid, my Dove I " 
 
 What though the heavens away may pass, 
 
 With fervent heat dissolve ; 
 And round the sun this earthly mass 
 
 No longer shall revolve 1 
 Behold a miracle of love ! 
 The lion quakes, but not the Dove f 
 
 My soul, now hid within a rock, 
 
 (The " Rock of Ages " called J 
 Amid the universal shock 
 
 Is fearless, unappalled. 
 A cleft therein, prepared by love, 
 In safety hides the Bridegroom's Dove ! 
 
 O happy Dove ! thus weak, thus safe : 
 Do I resemble her ? 
 
GOD, MY EX0EED1XG JOY. 39 
 
 Then to my soul, Lord ! vouchsafe 
 
 A dove-like character ! 
 Pure, harmless, gentle, full of love, 
 Make me in spirit, Lord, a Dove ! 
 
 O Thou, who on the Bridegroom's head 
 
 Didst, as a Dove, come down, 
 Within my soul Thy graces shed, 
 
 Establish there Thy throne ; 
 There shed abroad a Saviour's love, 
 JQhou holy, pure, and heavenly Dove I 
 
 S. R.M 
 
 GOD, MY EXCEEDING JOY. 
 Psalm 43 : 4. 
 
 EARLY my spirit turned 
 From earthly things away, 
 And agonized and yearned 
 
 For the eternal day ; 
 Dimly I saw, when but a boy, 
 God, my exceeding joy. 
 
 In days of fiercer flame, 
 When passion urged me on, 
 
 'Twas only bliss in name — 
 The pleasure soon was gone. 
 
40 GOD, MY EXCEEDING JOY. 
 
 Compared with Thee, how all things cloy, 
 God, my exceeding joy ! 
 
 At length the moment came — 
 Jesus made known His love ; 
 
 High shot the kindling flame 
 To glories all above. 
 
 Now all my powers one theme emplo) 
 God, my exceeding joy. 
 
 Shadows came on apace ; 
 
 Tears were a pensive shower ; 
 I cried for timely grace 
 
 To save me from the hour ; 
 Thou gavest peace without alloy, 
 
 God, my exceeding joy. 
 
 One trial yet awaits, 
 
 Gigantic at the close ; 
 All that my spirit hates 
 
 May then my peace oppose ; 
 But God shall this last foe destroy, 
 
 God. my exceeding joy. 
 
GOD'S SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. 4 J 
 
 GOD'S SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. 
 
 TRANSLATE! FROM THE GERMAN. 
 
 FORSAKE me not, my God, 
 Thou God of my salvation I 
 Give me Thy light, to be 
 
 My sure illumination. 
 My soul to folly turns, 
 
 Seeking she knows not what ; 
 Oh ! lead her to thyself — 
 My God, forsake me not ! 
 
 Forsake me not, my God ! 
 
 Take not Thy Spirit from me; 
 And suffer not the might 
 
 Of sin to overcome me. 
 A father pitieth 
 
 The children he begot ; 
 My Father, pity me — 
 
 My God, forsake me not. 
 
 Forsake me not, my God ! 
 
 Thou God of life and power, 
 Enliven, strengthen me 
 
 In every evil hour ; 
 And when the sinful fire 
 
 Within my heart is hot, 
 
42 GOD'S SUPPORT AND GUIDA2TOM 
 
 Be not Thou far from me — 
 My God, forsake me not ! 
 
 Forsake me not, my God ! 
 
 Uphold me in my going, 
 That evermore I may 
 
 Please Thee in all well-doing , 
 And that Thy will, Lord ! 
 
 May never be forgot, 
 In all my works and ways — 
 
 My God, forsake me not ! 
 
 Forsake me not, my God ! 
 
 I would be thine for ever ! 
 Confirm me mightily 
 
 In every right endeavor : 
 And when my hour is come, 
 
 Cleansed from all stain and spot 
 Of sin, receive my soul — 
 
 My God, forsake me not ! 
 
/ AM. 43 
 
 I A M. 
 
 u God calls himself 1 AM, leaving a blank which each soa 
 may fill up with that which is most precious to himself." 
 
 THOU bidd'st us call, and giv'st us many a 
 name, 
 That thou may'st hear and answer every cry ; 
 But — for the wants of all are not the same — 
 Another name Thy wondrous love did try ; 
 To Moses first Thou gav'st it, and he knew 
 Its worth, and taught us how to prize it, too : 
 I AM — let every sinner kneel, and thank 
 The Lord, and with his wants fill up the blank. 
 Thy very wounds do say, each drop they bleed, 
 " I AM thy need." 
 
 Oh ! I am weary of this life, 
 
 Of all its vanity and care ; 
 Where can I hide me from its strife, 
 
 From all its noises — where V 
 My spirit sinks beneath the load, 
 I pant to reach a safe abode. 
 When shall I find a sweet release ? 
 Remains there yet a lasting peace, 
 A calm for my long storm -tost breast? 
 " I AM thy rest." 
 
44 / AM. 
 
 Oh ! I am full of grievous sin, 
 I can do naught that's right; 
 
 God ! how base my soul is in 
 Thy pure and holy sight ! 
 
 Thy perfect laws I daily, hourly break, 
 And will not yield my will for Thy sweet sake. 
 Still in my soul do burn wicked desires, 
 And my heart's altar bears unhallowed fires ; 
 
 1 can do naught but all these things confess. 
 
 " I AM thy righteousness." 
 
 But. Lord, I am so weak, so weak, 
 
 I cannot stand before Thy face ; 
 Thy praises I can hardly speak, 
 
 Hardly stretch forth my hands for grace; 
 The way seems long, the burden who can bear ? 
 Lord, must I sink beneath the load of care ? 
 Thus is it now ; what shall it be at length ? 
 " I AM thy strength." 
 
 Lord, I must die ; e'en now the wing 
 
 Of Thy dread angel hovereth nigh ; 
 I know £he message he doth bring — 
 
 " Soul, thou hast sinned, and thou must die." 
 All nature feels and owns the just decree ; 
 And is this all that is in store for me — 
 Ashes to ashes, dust to kindred dust, 
 No hope, no light? Surely my spirit must 
 
A LITTLE WHILE. 45 
 
 Sink in despair ere nature's last, fierce strife — 
 " I AM thy life." 
 
 Oh ! wonderful Thou art ! 
 
 Too wonderful for me is such great love. 
 Shining in such a heart 
 
 Like sunbeams from above. 
 How rich am I ! yea, all things I possess — 
 Peace, joy, life, strength, and perfect righteous* 
 
 ness. 
 Jehovah shows Himself, and gives to me 
 All my desire. Look, trembling soul ! and see 
 On what a treasury thy want may call — 
 " I AM thine all in all." 
 
 A LITTLE WHILE. 
 
 BEYOND the smiling and the weeping 
 I shall be soon ; 
 Beyond the waking and the sleeping, 
 Beyond the sowing and the reaping, 
 I shall be soon. 
 Love, rest, and home 1 
 
 Sweet hope ! 
 Lord, tarry not, but come. 
 
46 A LITTLE WHILE, 
 
 Beyond the blooming and the fading 
 
 1 shall be soon ; 
 Beyond the shining and the shading, 
 Beyond the hoping and the dreading, 
 I shall be soon. 
 Love, rest, and home ! 
 
 Sweet hope ! 
 Lord, tarry not, but come. 
 
 Beyond the rising and the setting 
 
 I shall be soon ; 
 Beyond the calming and the fretting, 
 Beyond remembering and forgetting, 
 I shall be soon. 
 Love, rest, and home 
 
 Sweet hope ! 
 Lord, tarry not, but come. 
 
 Beyond the gathering and the strewing 
 
 I shall be soon ; 
 Beyond the ebbing and the flowing, 
 Beyond the coming and the going, 
 I shall be soon. 
 Love, rest, and home ! 
 
 Sweet hope ! 
 Lord, tarry not, but come. 
 
 Beyond the parting and the meeting 
 I shall be soon , 
 
 
HINDER ME NOT. 47 
 
 Beyond the farewell and the greeting, 
 Beyond this pulse's fever beating, 
 I shall be soon. 
 Love, rest, and home I 
 
 Sweet hope ! 
 Lord, tarry not, but come* 
 
 Beyond the frost-chain and the fever 
 
 I shall be soon ; 
 Beyond the rock-waste and the river, 
 Beyond the ever and the never, 
 I shall be soon. 
 Love, rest, and home 
 
 Sweet hope ! 
 Lord, tarry not, but come. 
 
 HINDER ME NOT. 
 
 HINDER me not ! the path is long and weary, 
 I may not pause nor tarry by the way ; 
 Night cometh, when no man may journey onward, 
 For we must walk as children of the day. 
 
 I know the city lieth fair behind me, 
 
 The very brightest gem that studs the plain 
 
 But thick and fast the lurid clouds are rising, 
 Which soon shall scatter into fiery rain. 
 
48 HIXDER ME XOT. 
 
 I must press on until I reach my Zoar, 
 
 And there find refuge from the fearful blast: 
 
 In Thy cleft side, O smitten Saviour ! hide me, 
 Till the calamity be overpast. 
 
 Ye cannot tempt me back with pomp or pleasure *, 
 All, in my eager grasp, have turned to dust. 
 
 The shield of love around my hearth is broken ; 
 How shall I place on man's frail life my trust ? 
 
 But my heart lingers when I pass the dwellings 
 "Where children play about the open door ; 
 
 And pleasant voices waken up the echoes, 
 From silent lips of those I see no more. 
 
 For through their chambers swept the solemn 
 warning, 
 Arise ! depart ! for this is not your rest ; 
 They folded their pale hands and sought the pres- 
 ence — 
 I only bore the arrow in my breast. 
 
 But there is balm in Gilead, and a Healer 
 
 Whose sovereign power can cure our every ill; 
 
 And to the soul, more wildly tempest-tossing 
 Than ever Galilee, say : " Peace, be still l n 
 
 Who. showing His own name thereon engraven, 
 With bleeding hands will draw the dait again, 
 
HINDER ME KOT. 49 
 
 And whisper : " Should the true disciple murmur 
 To taste the cup his Master's lip could drain V" 
 
 And then lead on, until we reach the river 
 
 Which all must cross, and some must cross 
 alone ; 
 
 Oh ! ye who in the land of peace are wearied, 
 How shall ye breast the Jordan's swelling moan ? 
 
 I know not if the wave shall rage or slumber, 
 When I shall stand upon the nearer shore ; 
 
 But one whose form the Son of God resembleth, 
 Will cross with me, and I shall ask no more. 
 
 O weary heads ! rest on your Saviour's bosom. 
 
 O weary feet ! press on the path He trod. 
 O weary souls ! your rest shall be remaining, 
 
 When ye have gained the city of your God. 
 
 O glorious city ! jasper built, and shining 
 W r ith God's own glory in effulgent light, 
 
 Wherein no manner of defilement cometh, 
 Nor any shadow flung from passing night. 
 
 There shall ye pluck fruits from that tree immortal, 
 And be like gods, but find no curse therein. 
 
 There shall ye slake your thirst in that full fount- 
 ain [sin. 
 Whose distant streams sufficed to aleanse your 
 
50 */ CLING TO thee:' 
 
 There shall ye find your dead in Christ arisen, 
 And learn from them to sing the angels' song , 
 
 Well may ye echo from earth's waiting prison, 
 The martyr's cry : " How long, O Lord ! hovr 
 long !" 
 
 "I CLING TO THEE:' 
 
 OHOLY Saviour, Friend unseen ! 
 Since on Thine arm thou bidst me lean, 
 Help me, throughout life's varying scene, 
 By faith I cling to Thee. 
 
 Blest with this fellowship divine, 
 Take what Thou wilt, I'll ne'er repine : 
 E'en as the branches to the vine, 
 
 My soul would cling to Thee. 
 
 Far from her home, fatigued, oppressed, 
 Here has she found her place of rest, 
 An exile still, yet not unblessed, 
 
 While she can cling to Thee. 
 
 What though the world deceitful prove, 
 And earthly friends and joys remove 
 With patient uncomplaining love, 
 Still would I cling to Thee. 
 
'ALONE, YET NOT ALONE" 61 
 
 Though faith and hope may long be tried, 
 I ask not, need not aught beside ; 
 How safe, how calm, how satisfied, 
 The soul that clings to Thee ! 
 
 They fear not Satan, nor the grave ; 
 They feel Thee near, and strong to save ; 
 Nor dread to cross e'en Jordan's wave, 
 Because they cling to Thee. 
 
 Blest is my lot — whate'er befall; 
 What can disturb me —who appall ? 
 While, as my strength, my rock, my all, 
 Saviour ! I clin£ to Thee. 
 
 . 
 
 "ALONE, YET NOT ALONE." 
 
 WHEN no kind earthly friend is near, 
 With gentle words my heart to cheer 
 Still am I with my Saviour dear : 
 
 " Alone, yet not alone." 
 
 Though no loved forms my path attend, 
 With tender looks o'er me to bend, 
 Yet am I with my unseen Friend : 
 " Alone, yet not alone." 
 
 When sorely racked with pain and gnefi 
 Here I can find a sure relief; 
 
52 THE SCHOOL OF SUFFERWQ. 
 
 And I rejoice in the belief: 
 
 " Alone, yet not alone." 
 
 "lis on His strength that I rely, 
 And doubts and fears at once defy, 
 So happy, so content am T, 
 
 " Alone, yet not alone." 
 
 E'en when with friends my lot is cast, 
 And words of love are flowing fast, 
 Still am I, when those hours are past, 
 " Alone, yet not alone." 
 
 If all my earthly friends remove, 
 My fondest wishes empty prove, 
 Still am I with my Saviour's love 
 " Alone, yet not alone. 
 
 Whate'er may now to me betide, 
 I have a place wherein to hide 
 By faith ; 'tis e'en at His blest side : 
 " Alone, yet not alone." 
 
 THE SCHOOL OF SUFFERING, 
 
 SAVIOUR, beneath Thy yoke , 
 My wayward heart doth pine ; 
 All unaccustomed to the stroke 
 Of love divine : 
 
THE SCHOOL OF SUFFERING. 53 
 
 Thy chastisements, my God, are hard to bear, 
 Thy cross is heavy for frail flesh to wear. 
 
 " Perishing child of clay ! 
 
 Thy sighing I have heard ; 
 Long have I marked thy evil way, 
 How thou hast erred ! 
 Yet fear not, by my own most holy name 
 I will shed healing through thy sin-sick frame. ' 
 
 Praise to Thee, gracious Lord ! 
 
 I fain would be at rest ; 
 Oh ! now fulfil Thy faithful word 
 And make me blest ; 
 My soul would lay her heavy burden down, 
 And take, with joyfulness, the promised crown. 
 
 " Stay, thou short-sighted child ! 
 There is much first to do, 
 Thy heart, so long by sin defiled, 
 1 must renew ; 
 Thy will must here be taught to bend to mine, 
 Or the sweet peace of heaven can ne'er be thine. 
 
 Yea, Lord, but Thou canst soon 
 
 Perfect Thy work in me, 
 Till, like the pure, calm summer good 
 
 I shine Vy Thee ; 
 
54 THE SCHOOL OF SUFFERING. 
 
 A moment shine, that all Thy power may trace, 
 Then pass in stillness to my heavenly place. 
 
 "Ah! coward soul, confess 
 
 Thou shrin kest from my cure, 
 Thou tremblest at the sharp distres. 
 Thou must endure, 
 The foes on every hand for war arrayed^ 
 The thorny path in tribulation laid ; 
 
 " The process slow of years, 
 The discipline of life ; 
 Of outward woes and secret tears, 
 Sickness and strife ; 
 Thine idols taken from thee one by one, 
 Till thou canst dare to live with me alone. 
 
 " Some gentle souls there are, 
 Who yield unto my love, 
 Who, ripening fast beneath my care, 
 I soon remove ; 
 But thou stiff-necked art, and hard to rule ; 
 Thou must stay longer in affliction's school.'' 
 
 My Maker and my King ! 
 Is this Thy love to me ? 
 Oh ! that I had the lightning's wing, 
 From earth to flea ; 
 
THE SCHOOL OF SUFFERING. 55 
 
 How can I bear the heavy weight of woes 
 Thine indignation on the creature throws ? 
 
 " Thou canst not, O my child ! 
 So hear my voice again ; 
 I will bear all thy anguish wild, 
 Thy grief, thy pain ; 
 My arms shall be around thee, day by day, 
 My smile shall cheer thee on thy heavenward way. 
 
 " In sickness, I will be 
 
 Watching beside thy bed, 
 In sorrow thou shait lean on me 
 Thy aching head , 
 In every struggle thou shalt conqueror prove, 
 Nor death itself shall sever from my love." 
 
 O grace beyond compare ! 
 
 love most high and pure ! 
 Saviour, begin, no longer spare, 
 
 1 can endure ; 
 
 Only vouchsafe Thy grace, that I may live 
 Unto Thy glory who canst so forgive. 
 
56 THE PILGRIM'S WANTS. 
 
 THE PILGRIM'S WANTS. 
 
 TWANT that adorning divine, 
 Thou, only, my God, canst bestow ; 
 1 want in those beautiful garments to shine, 
 Which distinguish Thy household below. 
 
 Col. 3:12-17. 
 
 I want, oh ! I want to attain 
 
 Some likeness, my Saviour, to Thee : 
 
 That longed-for resemblance once more to regain, 
 Thy comeliness put upon me. 
 
 1 John 3 : 2, 3. 
 
 I want to be marked for Thy own ; 
 
 Thy seal on my forehead to wear ; 
 To receive that " new name " on the mystic white 
 
 stone, 
 Which only Thyself canst declare. 
 
 Rev. 2:17. 
 
 [ want, every moment, to feel 
 
 That the Spirit does dwell in my heart ; 
 That His power is present to cleanse and to heat 
 
 And newness of life to impart. 
 
 Rom. 8:11-16 
 
 I want so in Thee to abide, 
 
 A.s to bring forth some fruit to Thy praise* 
 
THE PILGRIM "S WANTS. 57 
 
 Oie branch that Thou pnmest, though feeble and 
 dried, 
 May languish, but never decays. 
 
 John 15:2-5. 
 
 I want Thine own hand to unbind 
 
 Each tie to terrestrial things, 
 Too tenderly cherished, too closely entwined, 
 
 W lere my heart too tenaciously clings. 
 
 1 John 2 : to 
 
 I want, by my aspect serene, 
 
 My actions and words, to declare 
 That my treasure is placed in a country unseen, 
 
 That my heart and affections are there. 
 
 Matt. 6: 19-21. 
 
 I want, as a traveller, to haste 
 
 Straight onward, nor pause on my way ; 
 No forethought or anxious contrivance to waste 
 
 On my tent, only pitched for a day. 
 
 Heb. 13 : 5, 6 
 
 want (and this sums up my prayer) 
 To glorify Thee till I die ; 
 Then calmly to yieid up my soul to Thy care, 
 And breathe out In prayer my last sigh. 
 
 PhiL 3 : 8, 9. 
 
58 HE A VEX. 
 
 B E A V EN. 
 
 OH ! heaven is nearer than mortals think, 
 When they look with a trembling dread 
 At the misty future that stretches on, 
 From the silent home of the dead. 
 
 Tis no lone isle on a boundless main, 
 
 No brilliant but distant shore, 
 Where the lovely ones who are called away 
 
 Must go to return no more. 
 
 No, heaven is near us ; the mighty veil 
 
 Of mortality blinds the eye, 
 That we cannot see the angel bands, 
 
 On the shores of eternity. 
 
 The eye that shuts in a dying hour 
 
 Will open the next in bliss ; 
 The welcome will sound in the heavenly world, 
 
 Ere the farewell is hushed in this. 
 
 We pass from the clasp of mourning friends, 
 To the arms of the loved and lost, 
 
 Ajid those smiling faces will greet us there, 
 Which on earth we have valued most. 
 
 Yet oft in the hours of holy thought, 
 To the thirsting soil is given 
 
A VOICE FROM HE A VEX. 59 
 
 That power to pierce through the mist of sense, 
 To the beauteous scenes of heaven. 
 
 Then very near seem its pearly gates. 
 
 And sweetly its harpings fall ; 
 Till the soul is restless to soar away, 
 
 And longs for the angel's call. 
 
 I know when the silver cord is loosed, 
 
 When the veil is rent away, 
 Not long and dark shall the passage be, 
 
 To the realms of endless day. 
 
 A VOICE FROM HEAVEN 
 
 T SHINE in the light of God, 
 His image stamps my brow ; 
 Through the shadows of Death my feet have trod, 
 
 And I reign in glory now. 
 No breaking heart is here, 
 
 No keen and thrilling pain, 
 No wasted cheek, where the burning tear 
 Hath rolled, and left its stain. 
 
 1 have found the joys of heaven, 
 
 I am one of the angel band ; 
 To my head a crown is given, 
 
 And a harp is in my hand ; 
 
60 A VOICE FROM HEA VEN. 
 
 I have learned the song they sing, 
 
 Whom Jesus hath made free, 
 And the glorious walls of heaven still ring 
 
 With my new-born melody. 
 
 No sin, no grief, no pain — 
 
 Safe in my happy home : 
 My fears all fled, my doubts all slain, 
 
 My hour of triumph come ; 
 O friends of my mortal years ! 
 
 The trusted and the true, 
 You're walking still the vale of tears, 
 
 But I wait to welcome you. 
 
 Do I forget ? Oh ! no, 
 
 For memory's golden chain 
 Shall bind my heart to the hearts below, 
 
 Till they meet and touch again ; 
 Each link is strong and bright, 
 
 While love's electric flame 
 Flows freely down, like a river of light, 
 
 To the world from whence I came. 
 
 Do you mourn when another star 
 Shines out from the glorious sky ? 
 
 Do you weep when the voice of war 
 And the ragf of conflict die ? 
 
SUPPLICATION. 61 
 
 Why then should your tear? roll down, 
 Or your heart be sorely riven, 
 
 For another gem in the Saviour's crown. 
 And another soul in heaven ? 
 
 SUPPLICATION. 
 
 LORD, hear my prayer ! 
 Turn not Thine ear from my distress, 
 But with Thy loving mercy bless, 
 Lest I despair 
 
 Be gracious, Lord ! 
 My soul is oft opprest and weak ; 
 Oh ! aid me when I comfort seek 
 
 In Thy blest word. 
 
 My footsteps stray ; 
 I wander often from the road 
 That leads to peace and Thee my God ; 
 
 Teach Thou the way 
 
 Oh ! make me pure, 
 Clothe Thou my soul in spotless white> 
 That my acceptance in Thy sight, 
 
 Be always sure 
 
 Let me be one 
 Of all the sinless company 
 
62 EVENING PRAYER. 
 
 That round Thy throne hosannahs sing, 
 Through Christ Thy Son. 
 
 Thy will be done 
 On earth, as by each holy one, 
 Thy own redeemed, who near thy throne, 
 
 Bow down the knee ! 11 n. 
 
 EVENING PRAYER. 
 
 FATHER of mercy ! at the close of day, 
 My work and duties done, to Thee I pray 
 Before I sleep ; 
 With clasped hands I humbly bow my head, 
 And ask Thee, Lord, ere I retire to bed, 
 My soul to keep. 
 
 The sins and failings of the day now past, 
 The shadows on my soul that they have cast, 
 
 Do Thou forgive ; 
 Oh ! purge my life from every taint of sin, 
 That I within Thy courts may enter in, 
 
 With Thee to live. 
 
 Whatever sorrow I this day have known, 
 I spread it now, O Lord ! before Thy throne- 
 On ! succor send ; 
 I would beneath Thy chastening hand be still, 
 
THE WANDERING HEART. 63 
 
 And meekly bow before Thy sovereign will, 
 Unto the end. 
 
 And now, with folded hand upon my breast, 
 At peace with Thee, I lay me down to rest 
 
 Upon my bed ; 
 May angels guard me through the darksome nighty 
 From troubled dreams, until the morning light 
 
 Its beams shall shed. R N. 
 
 THE WANDERING HEART. 
 
 ALAS ! for the wildly wandering heart, 
 And its changing idol guests ! 
 It has roamed away to the world's far ends, 
 
 At the vagrant wind's behests. 
 More fleet in its course than the flying dart. 
 Alas ! for the wandering heart. 
 
 Go, bind it with Memory's holiest spells, 
 But it recks not the things of old ; 
 
 Go, chain it in Gratitude's surest cells, 
 With fetters more precious than gold ; 
 
 Yet ever, oh ! ever, it will depart — 
 Alas ! for the wandering heart. 
 
64 TEE WAXDERIXG HEART. 
 
 Is it gone up to listen at heaven's gate, 
 
 To Gabriel's lyre of praise V 
 And to catch the deep chanting where seraphs 
 
 As a lesson for its mortal lavs ? [wait, 
 
 O no ! for it loves from such lessons to part. 
 
 Alas ! for the wandering heart. 
 
 It loves on a worthless and treacherous world 
 
 To bestow its high desires ; 
 And the lamp which it ought to be lighting in 
 
 It kindles at idol fires. [heaven, 
 
 Full seldom it turns to its iniidino- chart — 
 
 Alas ! for the wandering heart. 
 
 It needs to be steeped in the briny wave 
 
 Of affliction's billowy sea, 
 And salt tears must water its way to the grave, 
 
 Ere it will from these vanities flee. 
 It must ever be feeling the chastening smart — 
 
 Alas ! for the wandering heart. 
 
 My Father ! my Father ! this heart would be thine 
 
 Restore from its wanderings ; 
 Oh ! visit and nourish thy wilderness vine, 
 
 Though it be from the bitter springs : 
 Till the years of its pruning in time shall be o'er, 
 And its shoots in eternity wander no more I 
 
* RETURN THEE TO THY REST:' 66 
 
 u RETURN THEE TO THY REST." 
 
 RETURN, return thee to thine only rest, 
 Lone pilgrim of the world I 
 Far erring from the fold — 
 By the dark night and risen storms distressed : 
 List, weary lamb, the Shepherd's anxious voice, 
 And once again within His arms rejoice. 
 
 Return, return, thy fair white fleece is soiled 
 
 And by sharp briers rent — 
 
 Thy little strength is spent ; 
 Yet He will pity thee, thou torn and spoiled. 
 There, thou art cradled on His tender breast ; 
 Now never more, sweet lamb, forsake that rest. 
 
 Return, return, my soul ; be like this lamb ; 
 
 Yet can it, can it be 
 
 That thou should'st pardon me, 
 Thou injured love ! all ingrate as I am ; 
 Once again, weary of earth's trifling things, 
 False as the desert's far and shining springs ? 
 
 Return, return to thy forsaken Friend, 
 
 So long despised, forgot — 
 That now, thou wandering heart, 'twere just 
 
 If He should " know thee not :" 
 
66 1TEAR JE8U3. 
 
 Yet on, press on, towards the mercy-seat, 
 And if thou perish, perish at His feet. 
 
 Return, return, for He is near thee dwelling, 
 
 And not into the air 
 
 Need rise the sighs of prayer ; 
 Into His ear thou'rt all thy sorrows telling ; 
 Thou need'st not speak to Him through spaces wide, 
 For He is near thee, even at thy side. 
 
 " Him have I pierced " — oh ! I come, I come ; 
 
 My heart is broken, Lord, 
 
 It needs nor voice nor word ; 
 One only look brought Peter back of yore ; 
 How bitterly I w^ep as then he wept ! 
 Henceforth, oh ! keep me, and I shall be kept. 
 
 NEAR JESUS. 
 
 I WANT to live near Jesus, 
 And nc^er go astray, 
 To feel that I am growing 
 
 More like Him every day ; 
 That I am always laying 
 My treasure up above, 
 And gaining more the spirit 
 Of His gentleness and love. 
 
UTEAR JESUS. 67 
 
 I want such steadfast purpose 
 
 My mission to fulfil, 
 That it may be my meat and drink* 
 
 To do my Father's will, 
 To follow in His footsteps, 
 
 Who never turned aside 
 From the path that leads to heaven, 
 
 Though often sorely tried. 
 
 Oh ! that in His humility 
 
 My spirit may be clad ! 
 That I may have the patience 
 
 My suffering Saviour had, 
 A heart more disengaged 
 
 From earth and earthly things, 
 Which through life's varied trials 
 
 To Jesus simply clings. 
 
 Oh ! I shall live near Jesus, 
 
 And never go astray, 
 And every sin-defiling stain 
 
 Shall soon be washed away ; 
 And I'll bear my Master's image 
 
 When I see Him face to face, 
 Then earth shall lose the power 
 
 Its brightness to deface. 
 
68 WHO IS MY BROTHER? 
 
 WHO IS MY BROTHER f 
 
 MUST I my brother keep, 
 And share his pains and toil, 
 And weep with those that weep, 
 
 And smile with those that smile ; 
 And act to each a brother's part, 
 And feel his sorrows in my heart ? 
 
 Must I his burden bear 
 As though it were my own, 
 
 And do as I would care 
 Should to myself be done ; 
 
 And faithful to his interests prove, 
 
 And as myself my neighbor leave ? 
 
 Must I reprove his sin, 
 
 Must I partake his grief, 
 And kindly enter in 
 
 And minister relief — 
 The naked clothe, the hungry feed, 
 And love him, not in word, but deed ? 
 
 Then, Jesus, at Thy feet 
 
 A student let me be, 
 And learn, as it is meet, 
 
 My duty, Lord, of Thee ; 
 For Thou didst come on mercy's plan, 
 And all Thy life was love to man. 
 
PILGRIM OF EARTH. 69 
 
 Oh ! make me as Thou art, 
 Thy Spirit, Lord, bestow — 
 
 The kind and gentle heart, 
 That feels another's woe ; 
 
 That thus I may be like my Head, 
 
 And in my Saviour's footsteps tread 
 
 PILGRIM OF EARTH. 
 
 ]^)ILGRIM of earth, who art journeying to 
 heaven ! 
 Heir of Eternal Life ! child of the day ! 
 Cared for, watched over, beloved and forgiven— 
 Ari thou discouraged because of the way ? 
 
 Cared for, watched over, though often Thou seemest 
 Justly forsaken, nor counted a child ; 
 
 Loved and forgiven, though rightly Thou deemest 
 Thyself all unlovely, impure, and denied. 
 
 Weary and thirsty — no water-brook near thee, 
 Press on, nor faint at the length of the way ; 
 
 The God of thy life will assuredly hear thee — 
 He will pi ovide thee strength for the day. 
 
 Break through the brambles and briers that ob- 
 struct thee, 
 Dread n )t the gloom and the blackness of night 
 
70 PILGRIM OF EARTH. 
 
 Lean on the hand that will safely conduct thee, 
 Trust to His eye to whom darkness is light. 
 
 Be trustful, be steoufast, whatever betide thee, 
 Only one thing do thou ask of the Lord — 
 
 Grace to go forward wherever He guide thee. 
 Simply believing the truth of His word. 
 
 Still on thy spirit deep anguish is pressing, 
 Not for the yoke that His wisdom bestows : 
 
 A heavier burden thy soul is distressing, 
 A heart that is slow in His love to repose 
 
 Earthliness, coldness, unthankful behavior — 
 Ah I thou mayest sorrow, but do not despair 
 
 Even this grief thou mayest bring to thy Saviour* 
 Cast upon Him e'en this burden and care ! 
 
 Bring all thy hardness — His power can subdue it 
 How full is the promise ! The blessing how free ! 
 
 1 Whatsoever ye ask, in my name, I will do it. 
 Abide in my love, and be joyful in me." 
 
A LITTLE WHILE. 71 
 
 * WHAT IS THIS THAT hZ SAITH : A LIT- 
 TLE WHILE r 
 
 John 16 : 18. 
 
 OH ! for the peace which floweth as a river, 
 Making Life's desert-pi<*c°s bloom and smile. 
 Oh ! for a faith to grasp heaven's bright " for ever," 
 Amid the shadows of Earth's "little while." 
 
 " A little while " for patient vi^ll-keeping, 
 To face the storm, to wrestle with the strong ; 
 
 " A little while " to sow the seed with weeping, 
 Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest-song. 
 
 " A little while " to wear the robe of sadness, 
 To toil with weary step through erring ways ; 
 
 Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness, 
 And clasp the girdle of the robe of praise. 
 
 " A little while " 'mid shadow and illusion 
 To strive by faith Love's mysteries to spell ; 
 
 Then read each dark enigma's clear solution, 
 Then hail Light's verdict — '* He doth all things 
 well." 
 
 u A little while " the earthen pitcher taking 
 To wayside brooks from far-olF fountains fed; 
 
 Then the parched lip its thir&t for ever slaking 
 Beside the fulness of the Fountain Head. 
 
72 m HEA VEX. 
 
 " A little while " to keep the oil from failing ; 
 
 " A little while " Faith's flickering lamp to trim 
 And then, the Bridegroom's coming footstep hailing 
 
 To haste to meet Him with the bridal hymn. 
 
 And He who is at once both Gift and Giver, 
 The future Glory, and the present smile. 
 
 With the bright promise of the glad " for ever," 
 Will light the shadows of the " little while." 
 
 IN HEAVEN, 
 
 44 Their angels do always behold the face of my Father.' 
 
 SILENCE filled the courts of heaven, 
 Hushed were seraphs' harp and tone, 
 When a little new-born seraph 
 
 Knelt before the Eternal Throne ; 
 While its soft white hands were lifted, 
 
 Clasped, as if in earnest prayer, 
 And its voice, in dove-like murmurs, 
 
 Rose Tike music on the ear. 
 Light from the full fount of Glory 
 
 On his robes of whiteness glistened, 
 And the bright-winged seraphs near Him 
 
 Bowed their radiant heads and listened. 
 
m HEAVEN. 73 
 
 u I^ord, from Thy Throne of Glory here, 
 My heart turns fondly to another ; 
 O Lord ! our God, the Comforter, 
 
 Comfort, comfort, my sweet Mother! 
 Many sorrows hast Thou sent her, 
 
 Meekly has she drained the cup ; 
 And the jewels Thou hast lent her 
 Unrepining yielded up. 
 
 Comfort, comfort, my sweet Mother! 
 
 " Earth is growing lonely round her ; 
 Friend and lover hast Thou taken ; 
 Let her not, though woes surround her 
 
 Feel herself by Thee forsaken. 
 Let her think, when faint and weary, 
 
 We are waiting for her here : 
 Let each loss that makes earth dreary 
 Make the hope of heaven more dear. 
 Comfort, comfort, my sweet Mother* 
 
 ■ Thou, who once in nature human, 
 
 Dwelt on earth a little child, 
 Pillowed on the breast of Woman, 
 
 Blessed Mary ! undefined. 
 Thou who, from the cross of suffering. 
 
 Marked Thy Mother's tearful face, 
 And bequeathed her to Thy loved one, 
 Bidding him to fill Thy place : 
 
 Comfort, comfort, my sweet Mother < 
 
74 nr heaven. 
 
 ** Thou who once, from heaven descending, 
 Tears and woes and conflicts won : 
 Thou who, nature's laws suspending, 
 
 Gav'st the widow back her son : 
 Thou who, at the grave of Lazarus 
 
 Wept with those who wept their dead : 
 Thou ! who once in mortal anguish 
 Bowed Thine own anointed head, 
 
 Comfort, comfort, my sweet Mother! 9 
 
 The dove-like murmurs died away 
 
 Upon the radiant air, 
 But still the little suppliant knelt 
 
 With hands still clasped in prayer; 
 Still were those mildly-pleading eyes 
 
 Turned to the sapphire throne, 
 Till golden harp and angel voice 
 
 Rang forth in mingled tone ; 
 And as the swelling numbers flowed, 
 
 By angel voices given, 
 Rich, sweet, and clear, the anthem rolled 
 
 Through all the courts of heaven. 
 " He is the widow's God, r it said, 
 
 Who spared not u His own Son,* 
 The infant cherub bowed his head— 
 
 « Xty will, Lord! be doner 
 
"IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID:' 75 
 
 •*JT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID." 
 Matt. 14 : ST. 
 
 TOSSED with rough winds, and faint wiri 
 fear, 
 Above the tempest, soft and clear, 
 What still small accents greet mine ear ? 
 'Tis I ; be not afraid. 
 
 u 'Tis I, who led thy steps aright ; 
 'Tis I, who gave thy blind eyes sight ; 
 'Tis I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light. 
 'Tis I ; be not afraid. 
 
 u These raging winds, this surging sea, 
 Bear not a breath of wrath to thee ; 
 That storm has all been spent on me. 
 'Tis I ; be not afraid. 
 
 44 This bitter cup fear not to drink ; 
 I know it well — oh ! do not shrink ; 
 I tasted it o'er Kedron's brink. 
 
 'Tis I ; be not afraid. 
 
 u Mine eyes are watching by thy bed, 
 Mine arms are underneath thy head, 
 My blessing is around thee shed. 
 'Tis I : be not afraid. 
 
76 KATVRE AXD FAITH, 
 
 " When on the other side thy feet 
 Shall rest 'mid thousand welcomes sweet, 
 One well-known voice thy heart shall greet 
 Tis I ; be not afraid." 
 
 " From out the dazzling majesty, 
 Gently He'll lay His hand on thee, 
 Whispering : " Beloved, lov'st thou me ? 
 'Twas not in vain I died for thee. 
 'Tis I ; be not afraid." 
 
 NATURE AND FAITH. 
 
 2 Cor. 4 : 17, 18. 
 
 WE wept — 'twas Nature wept, but Faith 
 Can pierce beyond the gloom of deaths 
 And in yon world, so fair and bright, 
 Behold thee in refulgent light ! 
 We miss thee here, yet Faith would rather 
 Know thou art with thy heavenly Father. 
 
 Nature sees the body dead — 
 
 Faith beholds the spirit fled; 
 
 Nature stops at Jordan's tide — 
 
 Faith beholds the other side ; 
 
 Hi at but hears farewell and sighs, 
 
 Thh, thy welcome in the skies: 
 
MATURE AND FAITH. <* 
 
 Natuie mourns a cruel blow — 
 Faith assures it is not so ; 
 Nature never sees thee more— 
 Faith but sees thee gone before ; 
 Nature tells a dismal story — 
 Faith has visions full of glory ; 
 Nature views the change with sadness— 
 Faith contemplates it with gladness ; 
 Nature murmurs— Fa ith gives meekness, 
 ** Strength is perfected in weakness f 
 Nature writhes, and hates the rod — 
 Faith looks up and blesses God ; 
 Sense looks downwards —Faith above ; 
 That sees harshness— ihis sees love. 
 Oh ! let Faith victorious be — 
 Let it reign triumphantly ! 
 
 But thou art gone ! not lost, but flown ! 
 Shall I then ask thee back, my own, 
 Back— and leave thy spirit's brightness ? 
 Back— and leave thy robes of whiteness? 
 Back— and leave thine angel mould ? 
 Back— and leave those streets of gold? 
 Back— and leave the Lamb who feeds thee ? 
 Back— from founts to which He leads thee ? 
 Back— and leave thy heavenly Father ? 
 Back— to earth and sin ?— Nay ; rather 
 
78 MY LAMBS 
 
 Would I live in solitude ! 
 I would not ask thee if I could ; 
 But patient wait the high decree, 
 That calls my spirit home to thee ! 
 
 MY LAMBS. 
 
 ILOYED them so, 
 That when the Elder Shepherd of the fold 
 Came, covered with the storm, and pale and cold, 
 And begged for one of my sweet lambs to hold, 
 I bade him go. 
 
 He claimed the pet — 
 A little fondling thing, that to my breast 
 Clung always, either in quiet or unrest — 
 I thought of all my lambs I loved him best, 
 
 And yet — and yet — 
 
 I laid him down 
 In those white, shrouded arms, with bitter tears ; 
 For some voice told me that, in after-years, 
 He should know naught of passion, grief, or fears, 
 
 As I had known. 
 
 And yet again 
 ITjat Elder Shepherd came- My heart grew faint 
 
MY LAMBS. Y9 
 
 He claimed another lamb, with sadder plaint, 
 Another ! She who, gentle as a saint, 
 Ne'er gave me pain. 
 
 Aghast I turned away ! 
 There sat she, lovely as an angel's dream, 
 Her golden locks with sunlight all agleam, 
 Her holy eyes with heaven in their beam. 
 
 I knelt to pray. 
 
 " Is it Thy will ? 
 My Father, say, must this pet lamb be given ? 
 Oh ! Thou hast many such, dear Lord, in heaven." 
 And a soft voice said : " Nobly hast thou striven ; 
 
 But — peace, be still." 
 
 Oh ! how I wept, 
 And clasped her to my bosom, with a wild 
 And yearning love — my lamb, my pleasant child 
 Her, too, I gave. The little angel smiled, 
 
 And slept. 
 
 "Go! go!" I cried: 
 For once again that Shepherd laid His hand 
 Upon the noblest of our household band. 
 Like a pale spectre, there He took His stand* 
 
 Close to his side. 
 
 And yet how wondrous sweet 
 The look with which he heard my passionate ?ry » 
 
80 MY LAMBS. 
 
 u Touch not my lamb ; for him, oh ! ler me die ! " 
 " A little while," He said, with smile and sigh, 
 " Again to meet/' 
 
 Hopeless I fell ; 
 And when I rose, the light had burned so low, 
 So faint, I could not see my darling go : 
 He had not bidden me farewell, but oh ! 
 
 I felt farewell 
 
 More deeply, far, 
 Than if my arms had compassed that slight frame : 
 Though could I but have heard him call my name — 
 " Dear mother !" — but in heaven 'twill be the same ; 
 
 There burns my star ! 
 
 He will not take 
 Another lamb, I thought, for only one 
 Of the dear fold is spared, to be my sun, 
 My guide ; my mourner when this life is done : 
 
 My heart would break. 
 
 Oh ! with what thrill 
 I heard Him enter ; but I did not know 
 (For it was dark) that He had robbed me so. 
 The idol of my soul — he could not go — 
 
 O heart ! be still ! 
 
 Came morning. Can 1 tell 
 How this poor frame its sorrowful tenant kept ? 
 
MY LAMBS. 81 
 
 For waking tears were mine ; I. sleeping, wept, 
 
 And days, months, years, that weary vigil kept. 
 Alas ! ,k Farewell.'' 
 
 How often it is said ! 
 I Bit and think, and wonder too, sometime, 
 How it will seem, when, in that happier clime, 
 It never will ring out like funeral chime 
 
 Over the dead. 
 
 Xo tears ! no tears ! 
 Will there a day come that T shall not weep? 
 For I bedew my pillow in my sleep. 
 Yes. yes ; thank God ! no grief that clime shall 
 keep, 
 
 Xo weary years. 
 
 Ay ! it is well : 
 Well with my lambs, and with their earthly guide ; 
 There, pleasant rivers wander they beside, 
 Or strike sweet harps upon its silver tide — 
 
 Ay ! it is well. 
 
 Through the dreary day, 
 They often come from glorious light to me ; 
 I cannot feel their touch, their faces see, 
 Y"et my soul whispers, they do come to me ; 
 
 Ileaven is not far away. 
 
82 THE CALL. 
 
 TH £ CALL 
 
 THE night was Uark ; behold, the shade was 
 deeper 
 In the old garden of Gethsemaiw, 
 When that calm voi?e awoke the we-vy sleeper : 
 " Could'st thou not watch one hour alone with 
 me ?" 
 
 O thou ! so weary of thy self-denials, 
 And so impatient of thy little cross, 
 
 Is it so hard to bear tiiy daily trials, 
 
 To count all earthly things a gainful loss ? 
 
 What if thou always suffer tribulation, 
 
 And if thy Christian warfare never cease , 
 
 The gaining of the quiet habitation 
 Shall gather thee to everlasting pea^e. 
 
 But here we all must suffer, walking lonely 
 The path that Jesus once Himself hath gone : 
 
 Watch thou in patience, through the dark bour 
 only— 
 This one dark Lour — before the eternal dawn. 
 
 The captive's oar ci*y pause upon the galley, 
 The soldier sleep beneath his plumed crest, 
 
 And Peace may fold her wings o'er hill and valley t 
 But thou, O Christian ! must not take thy rest 
 
THE CALL 80 
 
 Thou must walk on, however man upbraid thee, 
 With Him who trod the wine-press all alone; 
 
 Thou wilt not find one human hand to aid thee, 
 One humai soul to comprehend thine own. 
 
 Heed not the images for ever thronging 
 From out the foregone life thou liv'st no more. 
 
 Faint-hearted mariner ! still art thou longing 
 For the dim line of the receding shore ? 
 
 Wilt thou find rest of soul in thy returning 
 To that old path thou hast so vainly trod ? 
 
 Hast thou forgotten all thy weary yearning 
 To walk among the children of thy God : 
 
 Faithful and steadfast in their consecration, 
 Living by that high faith to thee so dim, 
 
 Declaring before God their dedication, 
 So far from thee because so near to Him ? 
 
 Canst thou forget thy Christian superscription, 
 " Behold, we count them happy which endure " ? 
 
 What treasure wouldst thou, in the land Egyptian, 
 Repass the stormy water to secure V 
 
 And wilt thou yield thy sure and glorious promise 
 For the poor, fleeting joys earth can afford ? 
 
 No hand can take away the treasure from us, 
 That rests within the keeping of the Lord. 
 
84 THE CALL. 
 
 Poor, wandering soul ! I know that thou art seek- 
 ing 
 
 Some easier way, as all have sought before, 
 To silence the reproachful inward speaking — 
 
 Some landward path unto an island shore. 
 
 The cross is heavy in thy human measure, 
 The way too narrow for thine inward pride ; 
 
 Thou canst not lay thine intellectual treasure 
 At the low footstool of the Crucified. 
 
 Oh ! that my faithless soul, one great hour only, 
 Would comprehend the Christian's perfect life ; 
 
 Despised with Jesus, sorrowful and lonely, 
 Yet calmly looking upward in its strife ! 
 
 For poverty and self-renunciation, 
 
 The Father yielded back a thousand-fold ; 
 
 In the calm stillness of regeneration, 
 Cometh a joy we never knew of old. 
 
 In meek obedience to the heavenly Teacher, 
 Thy weary soul can find its only peace ; 
 
 Seeking no aid from any human creature — 
 Looking to God alone for his release. 
 
 And He will come in His own time and power 
 To set His earnest-hearted children free : 
 
 Watch only through this dark and painful hour, 
 And the bright morning yet will break for thee 
 
OOD'S ANVIL. 85 
 
 D' S A N VIL. 
 
 PAIN'S furnace-heat within me quivers, 
 God's breath upon the fire doth blow, 
 And all my heart in anguish shivers, 
 
 And trembles at the fiery glow ; 
 And yet I whisper, "As God will!" 
 And in His hottest fire hold still. 
 
 lie comes, and lays my heart, all heated, 
 
 On the bare anvil, minded so 
 Into His own fair shape to beat it, 
 
 With His great hammer, blow on blow; 
 And yet I whisper, u As God will !" 
 And at His heaviest blows hold still. 
 
 He takes my softened heart, and beats it. 
 
 The sparks fly off at every blow. 
 He turns it o'er and o'er, and heats it, 
 
 And lets it cool, and makes it glow : 
 And yet I whisper, "As God will ! " 
 And in His mighty hand hold still. 
 
 Why should I murmur ? for the sorrow 
 Thus only longer-lived would be ; 
 
 Its end may come, and will, to-morrow, 
 When God has done His work in me: 
 
86 THE CROSS AND CROWN. 
 
 So I say trusting, "As God will ! n 
 And, trusting to the end, hold still. 
 
 He kindles, for my prc£t purely, 
 Affliction's glcwing, Aery brand ; 
 
 And all His heaviest blows are surely 
 Inflicted by a master-hand; 
 
 So I say, praying, "As God will ! n 
 
 And hope in Him, and suffer still. 
 
 THE CROSS AND CROWN. 
 
 MUST Jesus bear the cross alone, 
 And all the world go free ? 
 No ; there's a cross for every one, 
 And there's a cross for me. 
 
 How happy are the saints above, 
 Who once went sorrowing here, 
 
 But now they taste unmingled love 
 And joy without a tear. 
 
 The consecrated cross I'll bear, 
 Till death shall set me free ; 
 
 And then go home, my crown to wear, 
 For there's a crow a for me. 
 
EVEN ME. 87 
 
 Upon the crystal pavement, down 
 
 At Jesus' pierced feet, 
 Joyful I'll east my golde£ crown, 
 
 And His dear name repeat ; 
 
 And palms shall wave, and harps shall ring, 
 Beneath heaven's arches high ; 
 
 The Lord that lives, the ransomed sing, 
 That lives no more to die. 
 
 EVEN ME. 
 
 LORD ! I hear of showers of blessing 
 Thou art scattering, full and free ; 
 Showers the thirsty soul refreshing — 
 Let some droppings fall on me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
 Pass me not, O gracious Father ! 
 
 Lost and sinful though 1 be ; 
 Thou mightst curse me, ^ut the rather 
 
 Let Thy mercy light on me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
 Pass me not, O tender Sav ; our ! 
 Let me love and cling to Thee ; 
 
88 EVEN ME. 
 
 Fain I'm longing for Thy favor ; 
 When Thou callest, call for me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
 Pass me not, mighty Spirit ! 
 
 Thou canst make the blind to see; 
 Testify of Jesus' merit, 
 
 Speak the word of peace to me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
 Have I long in sin been sleeping, 
 Long been slighting, grieving Thee V 
 
 Has the world my heart been keeping ? 
 Oh ! forgive and rescue me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
 Love of God! so pure and changeless; 
 
 Love of Christ ! so rich and free ; 
 Grace of God ! so strong and boundless ; 
 Magnify it all in me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
 Pass me not, almighty Spirit ! 
 
 Draw this lifeless heart to Thee ; 
 Impute to me the Saviour's merits ; 
 
 Blessing others, oh ! bless me, 
 
 Even me. 
 
THE PEACE OF GOD. 89 
 
 MY SAVIOUR, CRUCIFIED. 
 
 OMY Saviour, crucified ! 
 Near Thy cross may I abide ; 
 There t3 gaze, with steadfast eye. 
 On Thy dying agony. 
 
 Jesus, bruised and put to shame, 
 Tells me all the Father's name ; 
 God is love, I surely know, 
 By my Saviour's depths of woe ! 
 
 In IBs sinless soul's distress, 
 I behold my guiltiness ; 
 Oh ! how vile my low estate, 
 Since my ransom was so grreat. 
 
 Dwelling on Mount Calvary, 
 Contrite shall my spirit be ; 
 Rest and holiness shall find, 
 Fashioned like my Saviour's mind. 
 
 THE PEACE OF GOD. 
 
 WE ask for peace, O Lord ! 
 Thy children ask Thy peace ; 
 Not what the world calls rest, 
 That toil and care should cease. 
 
90 THE PEACE OF GOD. 
 
 That through bright sunny hours, 
 
 Calm life should fleet away, 
 And tranquil night should fade 
 
 In smiling day. 
 It is not for such peace that we would pray, 
 
 We ask for peace, O Lord ! 
 
 Yet not to stand secure, 
 Girt round with iron pride, 
 
 Contented to endure ; 
 Crushing the gentle strings 
 
 That human hearts should know ; 
 Untouched by others' joys, 
 
 Or others' woe. 
 Thou, O dear Lord ! wilt never teach us so. 
 
 We ask Thy peace, O Lord ! 
 
 Through storm and fear and strife, 
 To light and guide us on 
 
 Through a long, stiwolino; life ; 
 While no success or gain 
 
 Shall cheer the desperate fight, 
 Or nerve what the world calls 
 
 Our wasted might ; 
 Yet pressing through the darkness to the light* 
 
 It is Thine own, O Lord ! 
 Who toil while others sleep ; 
 
PEACE. 91 
 
 Who sow, with living care, 
 
 What other hands shall reap ; 
 They lean on Thee, entranced 
 
 In calm and perfect rest ; 
 Give us that peace, O Lord ! 
 
 Divine and blest, 
 Thou keepest for those hearts that love Thee 
 
 [best. 
 
 — ♦ — 
 
 PEA C E. 
 
 LIFE'S mystery — deep, restless as the ocean — 
 Hath surged and wailed for ages to and 
 fro ; 
 Earth's generations watch its ceaseless motion, 
 
 As in and out its hollow moanings flow. 
 Shivering and yearning by that unknown sea, 
 Let my soul calm itself, O God ! in Thee. 
 
 Life's sorrows, with inexorable power, 
 Sweep desolation o'er this mortal plain ; 
 
 And human loves and hopes fly as the chaff 
 Borne by the whirlwind from the ripened grain 
 
 Oh ! when before that blast my hopes all flee, 
 
 Let my sonl calm itself, O Christ ! in Thee. 
 
 Between the mysteries of death and life 
 
 Thou standest, loving, guiding, not explaining : 
 
92 PEACE. 
 
 We ask, and thou art silent ; yet we gaze, 
 
 And our charmed hearts forget their drear com 
 plaining. 
 No crushing fate, no stony destiny, 
 Thou " Lanib that hath been slain !" we rest iu 
 Thee. 
 
 The many waves of thought, the mighty tides, 
 The ground-swell that rolls up from other lands, 
 
 From far-off worlds, from dim, eternal shores, 
 Whose echo dashes o'er life's wave-worn strands ; 
 
 This vague, dark tumult of the inner sea 
 
 Grows calm, grows bright, O risen Lord ! in Thee. 
 
 Thy pierced hand guides the mysterious wheels, 
 Thy thorn-crowned brow now wears the crown 
 of power ; 
 And when the dark enigma presseth sore. 
 
 Thy patient voice saith : " Watch with me on* 
 hour. r 
 As sinks the moaning river in the sea, 
 h\ silent peace, so sinks my soul in Thee. 
 
FRAYEB FOR STRENGTH. 9;* 
 
 PRAYER FOR STRENGTH. 
 
 FATHER ! before thy footstool kneeling, 
 Once more my heart goes up to Thee ; 
 For aid, for strength, to Thee appealing, 
 Thou who alone canst succor me. 
 
 Hear me ! for heart and flesh are failing — 
 
 My spirit yielding in the strife; 
 And anguish, wild as unavailing, 
 
 Sweeps in a flood across my life. 
 
 Help me to stem the tide of sorrow ; 
 
 Help me to bear Thy chastening rod ; 
 Give me endurance ; let me borrow 
 
 Strength from thy promise, O my God ! 
 
 Not mine the grief which words may lighten ; 
 
 Not mine the tears of common woe : 
 The pang with which my heart-strings tighten, 
 
 Only the All-seeing One may know. 
 
 And I am weak ; my feeble spirit 
 
 Shrinks from life's task in wild dismay: 
 
 Yet not that Thou that task wouldst spare it, 
 My Father, do I dare to pray. 
 
 Into my soul Thy might infusing, 
 
 Strengthening my spirit by Thine own, 
 
94 PRATER FOR STREXGTR. 
 
 Help me — all other aid refusing — 
 To cling to Thee, and Thee alone. 
 
 And oh ! in my exceeding weakness, 
 
 Make Thy strength perfect : Thou art strong ! 
 
 Aid me to do Thy will with meekness, 
 Thou, to whom all my powers belong. 
 
 Saviour ! our human form once wearing, 
 Help, by the memory of that day, 
 
 When, painfully Thj dark cross bearing, 
 E'en for a time Thy strength gave way. 
 
 Beneath a lighter burden sinking, 
 
 Jesus, I cast myself on Thee; 
 Forgive, forgive this useless shrinking 
 
 From trials that I know must be. 
 
 Oh ! let me feel that Thou art near me, 
 
 Close to Thy side I shall not fear. 
 Hear me, O Strength of Israel ! hear me; 
 
 Sustain and aid ! in mercy, hear I 
 
OS WARD. 95 
 
 OX \V A R D. 
 
 TRAVELER, faint not on the road, 
 Droop not in the parching sun l 
 Onward, onward with thy load, 
 
 Till the night be won. 
 Swerve not, though thy bleeding feet 
 Fain the narrow path would leave \ 
 From the burden and the heat, 
 Thou shalt rest at eve. 
 
 Midst a world that round thee fades, 
 
 Brightening stars and twilight life ; 
 When a sacred calm pervades 
 
 All that now is strife ; 
 Rich the joy to be revealed 
 
 In that hour from labor free, 
 Bright the splendors that shall yield 
 
 Happiness to thee. 
 
 Master of a holy charm, 
 
 Yet be patient on thy way ; 
 Use the spell, and check the harm 
 
 That would lead astray. 
 From the petty cares that teem, 
 
 Turn thee, with prophetic eye, 
 To the glory of that dream 
 
 Which shall never die. 
 
90 GRIEF WJS SEYT THEE FOR THY GOOD. 
 
 By the mystery of thy trust ; 
 
 By the grandeur of that hour 
 When mortality and dust 
 
 Clothed eternal power ; 
 By the purple robe of shame, 
 
 The mockery, and the insulting rod; 
 By the anguish that o'ercame 
 
 The incarnate God: 
 
 Faint not ! fail not! be thou strong. 
 
 Cast away distrust and fear; 
 Though the weary day seems long, 
 
 Yet the night is near. 
 Friends and kindred wait beyond— 
 
 They who passed the trial "pure : 
 Traveler, by that holy bond, 
 
 Shrink not to endure. 
 
 GRIEF WAS SENT THEE FOR THY GOOD 
 
 SOME there are who seem exempted 
 From the doom incurred by all ; 
 Are they not more sorely tempted ? 
 
 Are they not the first to fall ? 
 As a mother's firm denial 
 
 Checks her infant's wayward mood, 
 Wisdom lurks in every. trial- 
 Grief was sent thee for thy good. 
 
8GEN-ES "Otf JORDAN'S STRAND." 91 
 
 In the scenes of former pleasure. 
 
 Present anguish hast thou felt ; 
 O'er thy fond heart's dearest treasure, 
 
 As a mourner, hast thou knelt ; 
 In thy hour of deep affliction, 
 
 Let no impious thoughts intrude : 
 Meekly bow, with this conviction — 
 
 Grief was sent thee for thy good. 
 
 SCENES " ON JORDAN'S STRAND." 
 
 THERE came a little child, with sunny hair, 
 All fearless to the brink of Death's darfc 
 river, 
 And with a sweet confiding in the care 
 
 Of Him who is of life the Joy and Giver ; 
 And, as upon the waves she left our sight, 
 We heard her say : " My Saviour makes ther i 
 bright/' 
 
 Next came a youth, with bearing most serene, 
 Nor turned a single backward look of sadness ; 
 
 But, as he left each gay and flowery scene, 
 
 Smiling declared: "My soul is thrilled with 
 gladness ! 
 
98 SCENES " ON JORDAN'S STRAND. 1 * 
 
 What earth deems bright, for ever I resign, 
 Joyful but this to know, that Christ is mine." 
 
 An aged mourner, trembling, tottered by, 
 And paused a moment by the swelling river ; 
 
 Then glided on beneath the shadowy sky, 
 Singing : " Christ Jesus is my strength for ever ! 
 
 Upon His arm my feeble soul I lean. 
 
 My glance meets His, without a cloud between." 
 
 And scarce her last triumphant note had died, 
 Ere hastened on a man of wealth and learning. 
 
 Who cast at once his bright renown aside, 
 These only words unto his friends returning 
 
 44 Christ for my Wisdom thankfully I own, 
 
 And as ' a little child* I seek His throne." 
 
 Then saw I this : that, whether guileless child, 
 Or youth, or age, or genius, won salvation, 
 
 Each self-renouncing came ; on each God smiled . 
 Each found the love of Christ rich compensation 
 
 For loss of friends, earth's pleasures, and renown ; 
 
 Each entered heaven, and i4 by His side sat down." 
 
THERE IS LIGHT BEYOND. 99 
 
 THERE IS LIGHT BEYOND. 
 
 BEYOND the stars that shine in golden glory, 
 Beyond the calm sweet moon, 
 Up the bright ladder saints have trod before thee, 
 
 Soul ! thou shalt venture soon. 
 Secure with Him who sees thy heart-sick yearning, 
 
 Safe in His arms of love, 
 Thou shalt exchange the midnight for the morning:. 
 And thy fair home above. 
 
 Oh ! it is sweet to watch the world's night wearing 
 
 The Sabbath morn come on, 
 And sweet it were the vineyard labor sharing— 
 
 Sweeter the labor done. 
 All finished ! all the conflict and the sorrow , 
 
 Earth's dream of anguish o'er ; 
 Deathless there dawns for thee a nightless morrow 
 
 On Eden's blissful shore. 
 
 Patience ! then, patience ! soon the pang of dying 
 
 Shall all forgotten be, 
 And thou, through rolling spheres rejoicing, flying 
 
 Beyond the waveless sea, 
 
1 00 THERE IS LIGHT BE FOXD. 
 
 Shalt know hereafter where thy Lord doth lead 
 thee, 
 His darkest dealings trace 
 And by those fountains where His love will feed 
 thee, 
 Behold Him face to face. 
 
 Then bow thine head, and God shall give thee 
 meekness, 
 
 Bravely to do His will ; 
 So shall arise His glory in thy weakness — 
 
 O struggling soul ! be still. 
 Dark clouds are His pavilion shining o'er thee, 
 
 Thine heart must recognize 
 The veiled Shechinah moving on before thee, 
 
 Too bright to meet thine eyes. 
 
 Behold the wheel that straightly moves, and fleetly 
 
 Performs the Sovereign Word ; 
 Thou know'st His suffering love ! then suffering 
 meekly, 
 
 Follow thy loving Lord ! 
 Watch on the tower, and listen by the gateway, 
 
 Nor weep to wait alone ; 
 Take thou thy spices, and some angel straightway 
 
 Shall roll away the stone. 
 
u THY WILL BE DONE." 101 
 
 Then shalt thou tell thy living Lord hath risen, 
 
 And risen but to save ; 
 Tell of the might that breaks the Captive's prison, 
 
 And life beyond the grave ! 
 Tell how He met thee, all His radiance shrouded ; 
 
 How in thy sorrow came 
 His pitying voice breathing, when faith was 
 clouded, 
 
 Thine own familiar name. 
 
 So at the grave's dark portal thou may*st linger, 
 And hymn some happy strain ; 
 
 The passing world may mock the feeble singer- 
 Heed not, but sing again. 
 
 Thus wait, thus watch, till He the last link sever, 
 And changeless rest be won ; 
 
 Then in His glory thou shalt bask for ever, 
 Fear not the clouds — press on ! 
 
 "THY WILL BE DONEP 
 
 FOUR little words, no more- 
 Easy to say ; 
 But thoughts that went before. 
 Can words convey ? 
 
102 " THY WILL BE DONE* 
 
 The struggle, only known 
 
 To one proud soul, 
 And Him whose eye alone 
 
 Has marked the whole, 
 
 Before that stubborn will 
 
 At length was broke, 
 And a low " Peace, be still '" 
 
 One soil Voice spoke ; 
 
 The pang, when that sad iieart 
 
 Its dreams resigned, 
 And strength was found, to part 
 
 Those bonds long twined, 
 
 To yield that treasure up, 
 
 So fondly clasped, 
 To drain that bitter cup, 
 
 So sadiy grasped ! 
 
 But all is calm at last, 
 
 " Thy will be done !" 
 Enough, the storm is past, 
 
 The field is won. 
 
 Now for the peaceful breast, 
 
 The quiet sleep ; 
 For soul and spirit rest, 
 
 Tranquil and deep. 
 
THEY SHALL BE MINE I 103 
 
 Rest, whose full bliss and power 
 
 They only know, 
 Who knew the bitter hour 
 
 Of restless woe. 
 
 The rebel will subdued — 
 The fond heart free — 
 u Thy will be done !" — all good 
 That comes from Thee. 
 
 All weary thought and care, 
 
 Lord, we resign ; 
 Ours is to do, to bear, 
 
 To choose is thine. 
 
 Four little words, no more — 
 
 Easy to say ; 
 But what was felt before, 
 
 Can words'convey ? 
 
 THEY SHALL BE MINE} 
 
 •< rpHEY shall be mine!" Oh! lay them 
 .J__ down to slumber, 
 
 Calm in the strong assurance that He gives ; 
 i.e calls them by their names, He knows their 
 number, 
 and they shall live as surely as He lives. 
 
104 THEY SHALL BE MJSE .' 
 
 " They shall be mine !" upraised from earthly 
 pillows, 
 Gathered from desert sand, from mountains 
 cold — 
 Called from the graves beneath old ocean's billows, 
 Called from each distant land, each scattered 
 fold. 
 
 Well might the soul, that wondrous spark of 
 being, 
 
 Lit by His breath who claims it for His own, 
 Shine in the circle which His love foreseeing, 
 
 Destined to glitter brightest by His throne. 
 
 But shall the dust from earthly dust first taken 
 And now long mingled with its native earth, 
 
 To life, to beauty, once again awaken, 
 
 Thrill with the rapture of a second birth ? 
 
 44 They shall be mine !" they, as on earth we knew 
 them — 
 
 The lips we kissed, the hands we loved to press — 
 Only a fuller life be circling through them, 
 
 Unfading youth, unchanging holiness. 
 
 "They shall be mine ! r children of sin and sorrow, 
 Giv'st Thou, O Lord ! heaven's almost verge to 
 them? 
 
LEAVE ME XOT XOW. 105 
 
 No; from eacL rifled grave Thy crown shall 
 borrow 
 An added light — a prized and costly gem. 
 
 They shall be mine P' Thought fails and feeling 
 
 falters, 
 Striving to sound and fathom love divine ; 
 All that we know — no time Thy promise alters— 
 All that we trust, our loved ones shall be Thine. 
 
 LEAVE ME NOT NOW. 
 
 LEAVE me not now, while still the shade is 
 creeping 
 O'er the sad heart that longs to rest in Thee ; 
 Hear my complaint, and while my soul is weeping, 
 Breathe Thou the holy dew of sympathy. 
 
 Leave me not now, Thou Saviour of compassion, 
 While yet the busy tempter lurketh near ; 
 
 Lord, by Thine anguish and Thy wond'rous passion, 
 Do 1 entreat Thee now to linger here. 
 
 Jesus, Thou soul of love, Thou heart of feeling, 
 Let me repose the weary night away 
 
 Safe on Thy bosom, all my woes revealing, 
 Secure from dange*, till the dawn of day. 
 
I 06 FAITH 8 REPOSE. 
 
 Then leave me not, O Comforter and Father, 
 Parent of love ! I live but in Thy sight ; 
 
 Good Shepherd, to Thy fold the wand'rer gathei, 
 There to adore Thee, morning, noon, and night 
 
 F 
 
 FAITH'S REPOSE. 
 
 j FATHER, beneath Thy sheltering wing, 
 In sweet security we rest, 
 
 And fear no evil earth can bring, 
 In life, in death, supremely blest. 
 
 For life is good, whose tidal flow 
 The motions of Thy will obeys ; 
 
 And death is good, that makes us know 
 The Love Divine that all things swaya. 
 
 And good it is to bear the cross, 
 And so Thy perfect peace to win ; 
 
 And nought is ill, nor brings us loss, 
 Nor works us harm, save only sin. 
 
 Redeemed from this, we ask no more, 
 But trust the love that saves to guid^— 
 
 The grace that yields so rich a store, 
 Will grant 1 -& al' we need beside. 
 
 
THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS. 107 
 
 THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 I SEE them far away, 
 In their calm beauty, on the evening skies, 
 Across the golden west their summits rise, 
 
 Bright with the radiance of departing day. 
 And often, ere the sunset light was gone, 
 Gazing and longing, I have hastened on, 
 As with new strength, all weariness and pain 
 Forgotten in the hope those blissful heights to gain. 
 
 Heaven lies not far beyond, 
 But these are hills of earth, our changeful air 
 Circles around them, and the dwellers there 
 
 Still own mortality's mysterious bond. 
 The ceaseless contact, the continued strife, 
 Of sin and grace, which can but close with life, 
 Is not yet ended, and the Jordan's roar 
 Still sounds between their path and the Celestial 
 shore. 
 
 But there, the pilgrims say, 
 On these calm heights, the tumult and the noise 
 Of all our busy cares and restless joys 
 
 Has almost in the distance died away ; 
 All the past journey " a right way " appears, 
 T v ^ughts of the future wake no faithless fears. 
 
108 
 
 THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 And through the clouds, to their rejoicing eyes, 
 The city's golden streets and pearly gates arise. 
 
 Courage, poor fainting heart ! 
 These happy ones in the far distance seen 
 Were sinful wanderers once, as thou hast been, 
 
 Weary and sorrowful, as now thou art. 
 Linger no longer on the lonely plain, 
 Press boldly onward, and thou too shalt gain 
 Their vantage-ground, and then, with vigor new, 
 All thy remaining race and pilgrimage pursue. 
 
 Ah ! far too faint, too poor 
 Are all our views and aims — we only stand 
 Within the borders of the promised land, 
 
 Its precious things we seek not to secure ; 
 And thus our hands hang down, and oft unstrung 
 Our harps are left the willow-trees among 
 Lord, lead us forward, upward, till we know 
 How much of heavenly bliss may be enjoyed be- 
 low. 
 
 " And then, said they, we will, if the day be clear, show you 
 
 the Delectable Mountains So he looked, and behold, at a 
 
 great distance he saw a most pleasant mountainous country, 
 .... very delectable to behold, .... and it is as common, said 
 they, as this hill is, to and for all the pilgrims. And when thou 
 comest there, from thence thou mayest see to the gate of the 
 Celestial City.' 1 — Banyan. 
 
THE ANCHOR WITHIN THE VEIL. 109 
 
 TEE ANCHOR WITHIN THE VEIL. 
 
 AMID the shadows and the fears 
 That overcloud this home of tears, 
 Amid my poverty and sin, 
 The tempest and the war within, 
 I cast my soul on Thee, 
 Mighty to save e'en me, 
 Jesus, Thou Son of God! 
 
 Drifting across a sunless sea, 
 Cold, heavy mist, encurtaining me ; 
 Toiling along life's broken road, 
 With snares around, and foes abroad, 
 I cast my soul on Thee, 
 "Mighty to save e'en me, 
 Jesus, Thou Son of God 1 
 
 Mine is a day of fear and strife, 
 
 A needy soul, a needy life, 
 
 A needy world, a needy age ; 
 
 Yet, in my perilous pilgrimage, 
 I cast my soul on Thee, 
 Mighty to save e'en me, 
 Jesus, Thou Son of God ! 
 
no 
 
 THE ANCHOR WIT HIS THE YE1U 
 
 To Thee I come — ah ! only Thou 
 Canst wipe the sweat from off this brow 
 Thou, only Thou, canst make me whole, 
 And soothe the fever of my soul ; 
 I cast my soul on Thee, 
 Mighty to save e'en me, 
 Jesus, Thou Son of God I 
 
 On Thee I rest — Thy love and grace 
 Are my sole rock and resting-place ; 
 In Thee my thirst and hunger sore, 
 Lord, let me quench for evermore. 
 I cast my soul on Thee, 
 Mighty to save e'en me, 
 Jesus, Thou Son of God 1 
 
 'Tis earth, not heaven ; 'tis night, not nocn ; 
 The sorrowless is coming soon ; 
 But, till the morn of love appears, 
 Which ends the travail and the tears, 
 
 I cast my soul on Thee, 
 
 Mighty to save e'en me, 
 
 Jesus, Thou Son of God 
 
GOD'S WAYS, 111 
 
 GOD'S WATS. 
 
 HOW few who from their youthful day 
 Look on to what their life may be, 
 Painting the visions of the way 
 
 In colors soft, and bright, and free ; 
 How few who to such paths have brought 
 The hopes and dreams of early thought ! 
 For God, through ways they have not known, 
 Will lead His own. 
 
 The eager hearts, the souls of fire 
 Who pant to toil for God and man, 
 
 And view with eyes of keen desire ■ 
 The upland way of toil and pain ; 
 
 Almost with scorn they think of rest, 
 
 Of holy calm, of tranquil breast ; 
 
 But God, through ways they have not knc wn, 
 W ill lead His own. 
 
 A lowlier task on them is laid, 
 
 With love to make the labor light , 
 
 And then their beauty they must shed, 
 On quiet homes and lost to sight. 
 
 Changed are their visions high and fair, 
 
 Yet calm and still they labor there ; 
 
 For God, through ways they have not known, 
 Will lead His own. 
 
112 
 
 GOD'S WAYS. 
 
 The gentle heart that thinks with pain 
 It scarce can lowliest tasks fulfil, 
 
 And if it dared its life to scan 
 
 Would ask but pathway low and still ; 
 
 Often such lowly heart is brought 
 
 To act with power beyond its thought ; 
 
 For God, through ways they have not known, 
 Will lead His own. 
 
 And they the bright, who long to prove 
 
 In joyous path, in cloudless lot, 
 How fresh from earth their grateful love 
 
 Can spring without a stain or spot ; 
 Often such youthful heart is given 
 The path of grief to walk to heaven ; 
 For God, through ways they have not known, 
 Will lead His own. 
 
 What matter what the path shall be ? 
 
 The end is clear and bright to view : 
 He knows that we a strength shall see 
 
 Whate'er the day shall bring to do : 
 We see the end, the house of God, 
 But not the path to that abode ; 
 For God, through ways they have not known, 
 Will lead His own. 
 
DISTRACTIOXS IX PllAYEIi. 113 
 
 DISTRACTIOXS IX PRAYER. 
 
 T CANNOT pray; yet Lord, thou know'?* 
 The pain it is to me, 
 To have my vainly struggling thoughts 
 Thus torn away from Thee. 
 
 Prayer was not meant for luxury 
 
 Of selfish pastime sweet ; 
 It is the prostrate creature's place 
 
 At his Creator's feet. 
 
 Had I, dear Lord, no pleasure found 
 
 But in the thoughts of Thee, 
 Prayer would have come unsought, and been 
 
 A truer liberty. 
 
 Yet Thou art oft most present, Lord, 
 
 In weak distracted prayer ; 
 A sinner out of heart with self, 
 
 Most often finds Thee there. 
 
 And prayer that humbles sets the soui 
 
 From all illusions free, 
 And teaches it how utterly, 
 
 Dear Lord, it hangs on Thee, 
 
114 MY GUEST. 
 
 The soul that on self-sacrifice 
 
 Is dutifully bent, 
 Will bless the chastening hand that makei 
 
 Its prayer its punishment. 
 
 Ah, Jesus ! why should I complain ? 
 
 And why fear aught but sin ? 
 Distractions are but outward things ; 
 
 Thy peace dwells far within ! 
 
 These surface troubles come and go 
 
 Like rufflings of the sea ; 
 The deeper depth is out of reach 
 
 To all, my God, but Thee ! 
 
 MY GUEST. 
 
 I II AVE a wonderful Guest, 
 Who speeds my feet, who moves my hands. 
 Who strengthens, comforts, guides, commands, 
 Whose presence gives me rest. 
 
 He dwells within my soul ; 
 
 He swept away the filth and gloom* 
 He garnished fair the empty room. 
 
 And now pervades the whole 
 
MY GUEST. 115 
 
 For aye, by day and night, 
 
 He keeps the portal — suffers naught 
 Defile the temple He has bought, 
 And filled with joy and light. 
 
 Once 'twas a cavern dim ; 
 The home of evil thoughts, desires, 
 Enkindled by infernal fires, 
 
 Without one thought of Him. 
 
 Regenerated by His grace, 
 Still 'tis a meagre inn, at best, 
 Wherein the King's to make His rest, 
 
 And show His glorious face. 
 
 Yet, Saviour, ne'er depart 
 From this poor earthly cottage home, 
 Until the Father bid me come, 
 
 Whisp'ring within my heart : 
 
 "I shake these cottage walls ; 
 Fear not ! at My command they bow ; 
 My heavenly mansions open now, 
 
 As this poor dwelling falls." 
 
 Then my dear wondrous Guest 
 Shall bear me on His own right hand 
 Unto that fair and Promised Land, 
 
 Where I in Him shall rest. 
 
116 00 MING. 
 
 COMING. 
 
 u At even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or In tbe 
 morning." 
 
 k • "FT may be in the evening, 
 
 JL When the work of the day is done, 
 And you have time to sit in the twilight 
 
 And watch the sinking sun, 
 While the long bright day dies slowly 
 
 Over the sea, 
 And the hour grows quiet and holy 
 
 With thoughts of me ; 
 While you hear the village children 
 
 Passing along the street, 
 Among those thronging footsteps 
 
 May come the sound of my feet : 
 Therefore I tell you : Watch 
 
 By the light of the evening star, 
 When the room is growing dusky 
 
 As the clouds afar ; 
 Let the door be on the latch 
 
 In your home, 
 For it may be through the gloaming 
 
 I will come. 
 
 44 It may be when the midnight 
 Is heavy upon the land, 
 
COMING. 1H 
 
 And the black waves lying dumbly 
 
 Along the sand ; 
 Wlu n the moonless night draws close, 
 And the lights are out in the house ; 
 When the fires burn low and red, 
 And the watch is ticking loudly 
 
 Beside the bed : 
 Though you sleep, tired out, on your couch, 
 Still your heart must wake and watch 
 
 In the dark room, 
 For it may be that at midnight 
 
 I will come. 
 
 4 It may be at the cock-crow, 
 When the night is dying slowly 
 
 In the sky, 
 And the sea looks calm and holy, 
 
 Waiting for the dawn 
 
 Of the golden sun 
 
 Which draweth nigh ; 
 When the mists are on the valleys, shading 
 
 The rivers chill. 
 And my morning-star is fading, fading 
 
 Over the hill : 
 Behold I say unto you : Watch ; 
 Let the door be on the latch 
 
 In your home ; 
 In the chill before the dawning, 
 
118 COMING. 
 
 Between the night and morning, 
 I may come. 
 
 "It mav be In the morning, 
 
 When the sun is bright and strong 
 And the dew is glittering sharply 
 
 Oyer the little lawn ; 
 When the waves are laughing loudly 
 
 Along the shore, 
 And the little birds are singing sweetly 
 
 About the door ; 
 With the lorg day's work betore you, 
 
 You rise up with the sun, 
 And the neighbors come in to talk a little 
 
 Of all that must be done, 
 But remember that / may be the next 
 
 To come in at the door, 
 To call you from all your busy work 
 
 For evermore : 
 As you work your heart must watch, 
 For the door is on the latch 
 
 In your room, 
 And it may be in the morning 
 
 I will come." 
 
 So He passed down my cottage garden, 
 By the path that leads to the sea, 
 
COMING. 1 1 9 
 
 Till He came to the turn of the little road 
 Where the birch and laburnum tree 
 
 Lean over and arch the way ; 
 
 There I saw him a moment stay, 
 And turn once more to me, 
 As I wept at the cottage door, 
 
 And lift up His hands in blessing — 
 Then I saw His face no more. 
 
 And I stood still in the doorway, 
 
 Leaning against the wall, 
 Not heeding the fair white roses, 
 
 Though I crushed them and let them fall ; 
 Only looking down the pathway , 
 
 And looking toward the sea, 
 And wondering, and wondering 
 
 When He would come back for me ; 
 Till I was aware of an Angel 
 
 Who was going swiftly by, 
 With the gladness of one who goeth 
 
 In the light of God Most High. 
 
 He passed the end of the cottage 
 Toward the garden gate — 
 (I suppose he was come down 
 At the setting of the sun 
 
120 COMING. 
 
 To comfort some one in the village 
 
 Whose dwelling was desolate)— 
 And lie paused before the door 
 
 Beside my place, 
 And the likeness of a smile 
 
 Was on his face : 
 u Weep not," he said, " for unto you is given 
 
 To watch for the coming of His feet 
 Who is the glory of our blessed heaven ; 
 
 The work and watching will be very 
 sweet, 
 
 Even in an earthly home ; 
 And in such an hour as you think not 
 
 He will come." 
 
 So I am watching quietly 
 
 Every day. 
 Whenever the sun shines brightly, 
 
 I rise and say : 
 u Surely it is the shining of His face V 
 
 And look unto the gates of His high place 
 
 Beyond the sea : 
 For I know He is coming shortly 
 
 To summon me. 
 And when a shadow falls across the window 
 
 Of my room, 
 Where T am working my appointed task. 
 
A QUIET MIXD. 121 
 
 1 lifl my head to watch the door and ask 
 
 If He is come ; 
 And the Angel answers sweetly 
 
 In my home : 
 1 Only a few more shadows, 
 
 And He will come." 
 
 A QUIET MIND. 
 
 I HAVE a treasure which I prize ; 
 Its like I cannot find : 
 There's nothing like it on the earth ; 
 'Tis this — a quiet mind. 
 
 But 'tis not that I'm stupefied, 
 Or senseless, dull, or blind ; 
 
 'Tis God's own peace within my heart, 
 Which forms my quiet mind. 
 
 I found this treasure at the cross : 
 
 And there, to every kind 
 Of weary, heavy-laden souls, 
 
 Christ gives a quiet mind. 
 
 My Saviour's death and risen life, 
 
 To give it were designed ; 
 His love, the never-failing spring 
 
 Of this, my quiet mind. 
 
122 A QUIET MIXD. 
 
 The Jjve of God within my breast, 
 My heart to Him doth bind; 
 
 This "j the peace of heaven on earth— 
 This is my quiet mind. 
 
 I've many a cross to take up now, 
 
 Ari many left behind ; 
 But present troubles move me not, 
 
 Ncr shake my quiet mind. 
 
 And what may be to-morrow's cross, 
 
 I never seek to find ; 
 My Saviour says : u 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 those 
 AY ho have this quiet mind. 
 
 I meet with pride of wit and wealth, 
 And scorn, and looks unkind ; 
 
 It matters not — I envy none, 
 AYLjle I've a quiet mind. 
 
 I'm waiting now to see my Lord, 
 
 So patient and so kind ; 
 I ware to thank Him face to face, 
 
 For this my quiet mind. 
 
ALL IS LIGHT. 123 
 
 ALL IS LIGHT. 
 1 W HAT though storm-clouds gather round 
 
 Hovering darkly o'er my way ? 
 While I see the cross of Calvary 
 Beaming with celestial ray, 
 All is light, all is light ! 
 
 What though mortal powers may falter ? 
 
 Earthly plans and prospects fail ? 
 With a heaven-born hope which entereth 
 
 E'en to that within the veil, 
 All is light, all is light ! 
 
 What though all my future pathway 
 
 Be from mortal sight concealed ? 
 With the love of Jesus glowing, 
 As it lies to faith revealed, 
 All is light, all is light ! 
 + * 
 
 E'en though death's deep vale before me 
 Seem o'erspread with thickest gloom, 
 
 While I see a heavenly radiance 
 Bursting from beyond the tomb, 
 All is liirht, all is light ! 
 
124 LOXGIXGS. 
 
 L ONGIXGS. 
 
 WHEN shall I be at rest? My trembling 
 heart 
 Grows weary of its burden, sickening still 
 With hopes deferred. Oh ! that it were Thy 
 will 
 To loose my bonds, and take me where Thou art ! 
 
 When shall I be at rest ? My eyes grow dim 
 With straining through the gloom ; I scarce can 
 
 see 
 The waymarks that my Saviour left for me. 
 
 Would it were morn, and I were safe with Him ! 
 
 When shall I be at rest ? Hand over hand 
 I grasp, and climb an ever steeper hill, 
 A rougher path. Oh ! that it were Thy will 
 
 >lv tired feet might tread the Promised Land ! 
 
 Oh ! that I were at rest ! A thousand fears 
 Come thronging o'er me, lest I fall at last. 
 Would I were safe, all toil and danger past, 
 
 And Thine own hands might wipe away my tear* 
 
Lomims. 125 
 
 Oh ! that I were at rest, like some I love, 
 
 Whose last fond looks drew half my life away, 
 Seeming to plead that either they might stay 
 
 With me on earth, or I with them above. 
 
 But why these murmurs ? Thou didst never 
 shrink 
 From any toil or weariness for me — 
 Not even from that last deep agony. 
 
 Shall I beneath my little trials sink ? 
 
 No, Lord ; for when I am indeed at rest, 
 One taste of that deep bliss will quite efface 
 The sternest memories of my earthly race, 
 
 Save but to swell the sense of being blest. 
 
 Then lay on me whatever cross I need 
 
 To bring me there. I know Thou canst not be 
 Unkind, unfaithful, or untrue to me ! 
 
 Shall I not toil for Thee, when Thou for me didst 
 bleed? 
 
126 BRIDGES. 
 
 B R 1 D G E S. 
 
 I HAVE a bridge within my heart, 
 Known as the Bridge of Sighs ; 
 It stretches from life's sunny part, 
 To where its darkness lies. 
 
 And when upon this bridge I stand, 
 
 To watch life's tide below, 
 Sad thoughts come from the shadowy land 
 
 And darken all its flow. 
 
 Then, as it winds its way along 
 
 To sorrow's bitter sea, 
 Oh ! mournful is the spirit-song 
 
 That upwaid floats to me. 
 
 A song which breathes of blessings dead, 
 Of friends and friendships flown ; 
 
 And pleasures gone ! — their distant tread, 
 Now to an echo grown. 
 
 And hearing thus, beleaguering fears 
 
 Soon shut the present out, 
 VVTiile joy but in the past appears, 
 
 And in the future doubt. 
 
 Oh 1 often then will deeper grow, 
 The night that round me lies ; 
 
 I wish that life had run its flow, 
 Or never found its rise ! 
 
BRIDGES. 127 
 
 I have a bridge within my heart, 
 Known as the Bridge of Faith ; 
 
 It spans, by a mysterious art, 
 The streams of life and death. 
 
 And when upon this bridge I stand, 
 
 To watch the tide below, 
 Sweet thoughts come from the sunny land. 
 
 And brighten all its flow. 
 
 Then, as it winds its way along 
 
 Down to a distant sea, 
 Oh ! pleasant is the spirit-song 
 
 That upward floats to me. 
 
 A song of blessings never sere, 
 
 Of love " beyond compare," 
 Of pleasures flowed from troublings here, 
 
 To rise serenely there. 
 
 And, hearing thus, a peace divine 
 
 Soon shuts each sorrow out ; 
 And all is hopeful and benign, 
 
 Where all was fear and doubt. 
 
 Oh ! often then will brighter grow 
 
 The light that round me lies ; 
 I see from life's beclouded flow 
 
 A crystal stream arise. 
 
128 "FATHER, TAKE MY HAND." 
 
 "FATHER, TAKE MY HAND." 
 
 ^"^HE vay is dark, my Father ! Cloud on cloud 
 . Is gathering thickly o'er my head, and loud 
 The thunders roar above me. See, I stand 
 Like one bewildered ! Father, take my hand, 
 And through the gloom 
 Lead safely home 
 Thy child ! 
 
 The day goes fast, my Father ! and the night 
 Is drawing darkly down. My faithless sight 
 Sees ghostly visions. Fears, a spectral band, 
 Encompass me. O Father ! take my hand, 
 
 And from the night 
 
 Lead up to light 
 Thy child ! 
 
 The way is long, my Father ! and my soul 
 Longs for the rest and quiet of the goal : 
 While yet I journey through this weary land, 
 Keep me from wandering. Father, take my hand ; 
 
 Quickly and straight 
 
 Lead to heaven's gate 
 Thy child ! 
 
'FATHER, TAKE MY HAyD." 129 
 
 The path is rough, my Father ! Many a thorn 
 Has pierced me ; and my weary feet, all torn 
 And bleeding, mark the way. Yet thy command 
 Bids me press forward. Father, take my hand ; 
 
 Then, safe and blest, 
 
 Lead up to rest 
 Thy child ! 
 
 The throng is great, my Father I Many a doubt 
 And fear and danger compass me about ; 
 And foes oppress me sore. 1 cannot stand 
 Or go alone. O Father ! take my hand, 
 
 And through the throng 
 
 Lead safe along 
 Thy child 1 
 
 The cross is heavy, Father ! I have borne 
 It long, and still do bear it. Let my worn 
 And fainting spirit rise to that blest land 
 Where crowns are given. Father, take my hand; 
 
 And, reaching down 
 
 Lead to the crown 
 Thy child i 
 
1 30 THE QUA CIO US AXS WEB. 
 
 THE GRACIOUS ANSWER. 
 
 The way is dark, my child! but leads to light 
 I would 7i ot always have thee ivalk by sight. 
 My dealings now thou canst not understand. 
 I meant it so ; but I will take thy hand. 
 
 And through the gloom 
 
 Lead safely home 
 My child ! 
 
 The day goes fast, my child ! But is the night 
 Darker to me than day ? In me is light ! 
 Keep close to me, and every spectral band 
 Of fears shall vanish. I will take thy hand. 
 
 And through the night 
 
 Lead up to light 
 My child I 
 
 The way is long, my child ! But it shall be 
 Xot one step longer than is best for thee , 
 A nd thou shalt know, at last, when thou shalt stand 
 Safe at the goal, how I did take thy hand, 
 
 And quick and straight 
 
 Lead to heaven's gate 
 My child J 
 
TEE GRACIOUS ANSWER. 131 
 
 The path is rough, my child ! But oh ! hoa siceet 
 Will be the rest, for weary pilgrims meet. 
 When thou shalt reach the borders of that land 
 To which I lead thee, as I take thy hand , 
 
 And safe and blest 
 
 With me shalt rest 
 My child ! 
 
 The throng is great, my child ! But at thy side 
 Thy Father walks : then be not terrified ' 
 For I am with thee ; will thy foes command 
 To let thee freely pass ; will take thy hand. 
 
 And dirough the throng 
 
 Lead safe along 
 My child ! 
 
 The cross is heavy, child ! Yet there was One 
 Who bore a heavier for thee : my Son, 
 My Well-beloved. For Him bear thine ; and stant* 
 With Him at last ; and, from thy Father's hand, 
 
 Thy cross laid down, 
 
 Receive a crown, 
 My child! 
 
 h. n. a 
 
 Oroatniak, Per$U± 
 
132 ASLEEP ON GUARD! 
 
 ASLEEP ON GUARD! 
 
 *^ /^\ SHAME!" we're sometimes fain to say 
 V-x " On Peter sleeping, while Kis dear Lord 
 lay 
 Awake with anguish, in the garden's shade, 
 Waiting His hour to be betrayed." 
 
 We say, or think, if we had gone 
 Thither — instead of Peter, James, and John— 
 And Christ had left us on the outpost dim, 
 As sentinels, to watch with Him ; 
 
 We would have sooner died, than sleep 
 
 The little time we vigil had to keep ; 
 
 Then wake, to feel His torturing question's power 
 
 " Could ye not watch with me one hour ?" 
 
 One hour in sad Gethsemane ! 
 
 And such an hour as that to Him must be ! 
 
 All night our tireless eyes had pierced the shade, 
 
 Where He in grief's great passion prayed. 
 
 What do we now, to make our word 
 Seem no vain boast of love to Christ our Lord t 
 We cannot take the chidden sleeper's place, 
 And shun, by proof, His deep disgrace ! 
 
ASLEEP OK GUARD t 133 
 
 No more, the olive's shade beneath, 
 The human Christ foretastes the cup of death, 
 And leaves His servants in the outer gloom, 
 To watch till He again shall come ! 
 
 Yet are there midnights dark and dread, 
 When Jesus still by traitors is betrayed ; 
 Our bosom-sin's the lurking foe at hand, 
 And " Watch with rne" is Christ's command. 
 
 One little hour of sleepless care, 
 And sin could wrest no victory from us there ; 
 But, with the fame of our loved Lord to keep, 
 Like those we scorn, we fall asleep. 
 
 Oh ! if our risen Lord must chide 
 Our souls, for slumbering His death-cross beside, 
 What face have we to boast our feeble sense 
 Had shamed poor Peter's vigilance ! 
 
 On Peter, James, and John, no more 
 The wrong reproach of hasty pride we pour; 
 But feel within the question's torturing power, 
 " Could ye net watch with me one hour T 
 
134 THE HOUR OF PRATER. 
 
 THE HOUR OF PRAYER. 
 
 MY God, is any hour so sweet, 
 From blush of morn to evening star, 
 As that which calls me to Thy feet — 
 The hour of prayer ! 
 
 Blest is that tranquil hour of morn, 
 And blest that hour of solemn eve, 
 
 When, on the wings of faith up-borne, 
 The world I leave ! 
 
 For then a day-spring shines on me, 
 Brighter than morn's ethereal glow ; 
 
 And richer dews descend from Thee 
 Than earth can know. 
 
 Then is my strength by Thee renewed ; 
 
 Then do I feel my sins forgiven ; 
 Then dost Thou cheer my solitude 
 
 With joys of heaven. 
 
 No words can tell what sweet relief 
 There for my every want I hnd ; 
 
 What strength for warfare, balm for griefi 
 What peace of mind. 
 
THY WILL BE DONE. 135 
 
 Hushed is each doubt, gone every fear ; 
 
 My spirit seems in heaven to stay ; 
 And e'en the penitential tear 
 
 Is wiped away. 
 
 Lord ! till I reach that blissful shore, 
 No privilege so dear shall be, 
 
 As thus my inmost soul to pour 
 In prayer to Thee. 
 
 THY WILL BE DONE. 
 
 WE see not, know not. All our way 
 Is night. With Thee alone is day! 
 From out the torrent's troubled drift, 
 Above the storm — our prayers we lift — 
 Thy will be done ! 
 
 The flesh may fail, the heart may faint, 
 But who are we, to make complaint,* 
 Or dare to plead, in times like these, 
 The weakness of our love of ease ? 
 Thy will be done ! 
 
 We take with solemn thankfulness 
 Our burden up, nor ask it less ; 
 And count it joy, that even we 
 
136 TBY WILL BE DOXE. 
 
 May suffer, serve, or wait tor Thee, 
 Whose will be done : 
 
 Though dim, as yet, in tint and line, 
 We trace Thy picture's wise design, 
 And thank Thee that our age supplies 
 Its dark relief of sacrifice — 
 Thy will be done ! 
 
 And if, in our unworthiness, 
 Thy sacrificial wine we press ; 
 If, from Thy ordeaPs heated bars, 
 Our feet are seamed with crimson scars, 
 Thy will be done ! 
 
 If, for the age to come, this hour 
 Of trial hath vicarious power ; 
 And, blest by Thee, our present pain 
 Be Liberty's eternal gain, 
 Thy will be done ! 
 
 Strike ! Thou the Master, we Thy keys, 
 The anthem of the destinies ! 
 The minor of Thy loftier strain, 
 Our hearts shall breathe the old refrain— 
 Thy will be done 1 
 
BYMN OF TRUST, 137 
 
 HYMN OF TRUST, 
 
 OLOVE Divine ! that stooped to share 
 Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear ; 
 On Thee we cast each earth-born care ; 
 We smile at pain while Thou art near I 
 
 Though long the weary way we tread, 
 And sorrows crown each lingering year, 
 
 No path we shun, no darkness dread, 
 
 Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near 
 
 When drooping pleasure turns to grief, 
 And trembling faith is changed to fear, 
 
 The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf, 
 Shall softly tell us, Thou art near ! 
 
 On Thee we fling our burdening woe, 
 O Love Divine ! for ever dear ; 
 
 Content to suffer, while we know, 
 Living and dying, Thou art near I 
 
138 TffE BURIAL OF M0SE8. 
 
 THE BURIAL OF MOSES. 
 
 BY Nebo's lonely mountain, 
 On this side Jordan's wave, 
 In a yale in the land of Moab, 
 
 There lies a lonely grave ; 
 And no man dug that sepulchre, 
 
 And no man saw it e'er, 
 For the " Sons of God " upturned the sod, 
 And laid the dead man there. 
 
 That was the grandest funeral 
 
 That ever passed on earth ; 
 But no man heard the trampling, * 
 
 Or saw the train go forth. 
 Noiselessly as the day-light 
 
 C vines when the night is done, 
 And the crimson streak on ocean's cheek 
 
 Grows into the great sun — 
 
 Noiselessly as the spring-time 
 Her crown of verdure weaves, 
 
 And all the trees on all the hills 
 Open theii thousand leaves ; 
 
THE BURIAL OF MOSES. 139 
 
 So, without sound of music, 
 
 Or voice of them that wept, 
 Silently down from the mountain's crown 
 
 The great procession swept. 
 
 Perchance the bald old eagle, 
 
 On gray Beth-peor's height, 
 Out of his rocky eyry 
 
 Looked on the wondrous sight ; 
 Perchance the lion stalking 
 
 Still shuns that hallowed spot : 
 For beast and bird have seen and heard 
 
 That which man knoweth not. 
 
 But when the warrior dieth, 
 
 His comrades in the war, 
 With arms reversed, and muffled drum, 
 
 Follow the funeral car. 
 They show the banners taken, 
 
 They tell his battles won, 
 And after him lead his masterless steed, 
 
 ^Vhile peals the minute-gun. 
 
 Amid the noblest of the land 
 
 Men lay the sage to rest, 
 And give the bard an honored place, 
 
 With costlv marble drest — 
 
140 THE BURIAL OF MOSE& 
 
 In the great minster transept, 
 
 Where lights like glories fall, 
 And the sweet choir sings, and the organ rings 
 
 Along the emblazoned wall. 
 
 This was the bravest warrior 
 
 That ever buckled sword ; 
 This, the most gifted poet 
 
 That ever breathed a word ; 
 And never earth's philosopher 
 
 Traced with his golden pen, 
 On the deathless page, truths half so sage 
 
 As he wrote down for men. 
 
 And had he not high honor ? 
 
 The hill-side for his pall, 
 To lie in state while angels wait, 
 
 With stars for tapers tall, 
 And the dark rock-pines like tossing plumes 
 
 Over his bier to wave, 
 And God's own hand, in that lonely land, 
 
 To lay him in the grave ! 
 
 In that deep grave without a name, 
 
 Whence his uncoffined clay 
 Shall break again — most wondrous thought— 
 
 Before the Judgment-day, 
 
And stand, with glory wrapped around, 
 
 On the hills he never trod, 
 And speak of the strife that won our life 
 
 With the Incarnate Son of God. 
 
 O lonely tomb in Moab's land ! 
 
 O dark Beth-peor hill 1 
 Speak to these curious hearts of ours, 
 
 And teach them to be still. 
 God hath His mysteries of grace, 
 
 Ways that we cannot tell ; 
 And hides them deep, like the secret sleep 
 
 Of him He loved so well. 
 
 "N W »• 
 
 It T3ISE ! for the day is passing, 
 IL And you lie dreaming on ; 
 The others have buckled their armor, 
 
 And forth to the fight are gone : 
 A place in the ranks awaits you, 
 
 Each man has some part to play ; 
 The Past and Future are looking 
 
 In the face of the stern To-day. " 
 
142 THE NEED OF JESU8. 
 
 THE NEED OF JESUS. 
 
 I NEED Thee, precious Jesus ! 
 For I am full of sin ; 
 My soul is dark and guilty, 
 
 My heart is dead within ; 
 
 I need the cleansing fountain, 
 
 Where I can always flee — 
 
 The blood of Christ most precious, 
 
 The sinner's perfect plea. 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus I 
 
 For I am very poor ; 
 A stranger and a pilgrim, 
 
 I have no earthly store ; 
 I need the love of Jesus, 
 
 To cheer me on my way : 
 To guide my doubting footsteps, 
 
 To be my strength and stay. 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus ! 
 
 I need a friend like Thee — 
 A friend to soothe and sympathize 
 
 A friend to care for me ; 
 I need the heart of Jesus, 
 
 To feel each anxious care, 
 To tell my every want, 
 
 And all my sorrows share. 
 
THE NEED OF JESUS. 143 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus 1 
 
 For I am very blind ; 
 A weak and foolish wanderer, 
 
 With a dark and evil mind ; 
 I need the light of Jesus, 
 
 To tread the thorny road, 
 To guide me safe to glory — 
 
 Where I shall see my God. 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus ! 
 
 I need Thee day by day— 
 To fill me with Thy fulness, 
 
 To lead me on my way ; 
 I need Thy Holy Spirit, 
 
 To teach me what I am, 
 To show me more of Jesus, 
 
 To point me to the Lamb. 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus ! 
 
 And hope to see Thee soon, 
 Encircled with the rainbow, 
 
 And seated on Thy throne ; 
 There, with Thy blood-bought children, 
 
 My joy shall ever be, 
 To sing Thy praises, Jesus ! 
 
 To gaze, my Lord, on Thee ! 
 
J 44 TEE CHRISTIAN AND HIS ECHO. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS ECHO. 
 
 TRUE faith, producing love to God and man, 
 Say, Echo, is not this the Gospel plan ? 
 The Gospel plan. 
 
 Must I my faith and love to Jesus show, 
 By doing good to all, both friend and foe ? 
 Both friend and foe. 
 
 But if a brother hates and treats me ill, 
 Must I return him good, and love him still ? 
 Love him still. 
 
 If he my failings watches to reveal, 
 Must I his faults as carefully conceal ? 
 As carefully conceal. 
 
 But if my name and character he blast, 
 And cruel malice, too, a long time last; 
 And, if I sorrow and affliction know, 
 He loves to add unto my cup of woe ; 
 In this uncommon, this peculiar case, 
 Sweet Echo, say, must I still love and bless ? 
 Still love and bless. 
 
 Whatever usage ill I may receive, 
 Must I be patient still, and still forgive ? 
 
 Be patient still, and still forgive. 
 
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS ECHO. 145 
 
 Why, Echo how is this ? thou rt sure a dove ! 
 Thy voice shall teach me nothing else but love ! 
 Not lung else but love. 
 
 Amen ! with all my heart, then be it so ; 
 Tis all delightful, just, and good, I know: 
 And now to practise I'll directly go. 
 Directly go. 
 
 Things being so, whoever me reject, 
 My gracious God me surely will protect 
 Surely will protect. 
 
 Henceforth I'll roll on Him my every care, 
 And then both friend and foe embrace in prayer. 
 Embrace in prayer. 
 
 But after all those duties I have done, 
 Must I, in point of merit, them disown, 
 And trust for heaven through Jesus 5 blood alone ? 
 Through Jesus' blood alone. 
 
 Echo, enough ! thy counsels to mine ear, 
 Are sweeter than, to flowers, the dew-drop tear ; 
 Thy wise instructive lessons please me well : 
 I'll go and practise them. Farewell, farewell I 
 Practise them. Farewell, farewell ! 
 
146 LESS AND MORK 
 
 LESS AXD MORE. 
 
 ^"^W0 prayers, dear Lord, in one — 
 Give me both less and more ; 
 Less of the impatient world, and more of Thee; 
 
 Less of myself, and all that heretofore 
 Made me to slip where willing feet do run, 
 And held me back from where I fain would be — 
 Kept me, my Lord, from Thee ! 
 
 All things which most I need 
 
 Are Thine ; Thou wilt bestow 
 Both strength and shield, and be my willing Guest ; 
 
 Yet my weak heart takes up a broken reed, 
 Thy rod and staff doth readily forego, 
 And I, who might be rich, am poor, distressed, 
 
 And seek but have not rest. 
 
 How long, O Lord, how long ? 
 
 So have I cried of late, 
 As though I knew not what I well do know : 
 
 Come Thou, Great Master Builder, and create 
 Anew that which is Thine ; undo my wrong — 
 Breathe on this waste, and life and health bestow 
 
 Come. Lord, let it be so ! 
 
COMFORT BY THE WAT. 147 
 
 Let it be so, and then — 
 
 What then ? My soul shall wait, 
 And ever pray— all prayers, dear Lord, in one — 
 
 Thy will o'er mine in all this mortal state 
 Hold regal sway. To Thy commands, Amen ! 
 Break from my waiting lips till work is done, 
 
 And crown and glory won. 
 
 COMFORT BY THE WAT. 
 
 I JOURNEY through a desert drear and wild, 
 Yet is my heart by such sweet thoughts 
 beguiled, 
 Of Ilim on whom I lean — my strength and stay — 
 I can forget the sorrows of the way. 
 
 Thoughts of His love ! the root of every grace 
 Which finds in this poor heart a dwelling-place ; 
 The sunshine of my soul, than day more bright, 
 Anil my calm pillow of repose by night. 
 
 Thoughts of His sojourn in this vale of tears ! 
 The tale of love unfolded in those years 
 
148 RETROSPECT. 
 
 Of sinless suffering and patient grace 
 I love again, and yet again, to trace. 
 
 Thoughts of His glory ! on the cross I gaze, 
 And there behold its sad, yet healing rays ; 
 Beacon of hope 1 which, lifted up on high, 
 Illumes with heavenly light the tear-dimmed eye 
 
 Thoughts of His coming ! For that joyful day 
 In patient hope I watch, and wait, and pray ; 
 The dawn draws nigh, the midnight shadows flee, 
 And what a sunrise will that advent be 
 
 Thus while I journey on, my Lord to meet, 
 My thoughts and meditations are so sweet 
 Of Him on whom I lean — my strength, my stay— 
 I can forget the sorrows of the way. 
 
 RETROSPECT, 
 
 O LOVING One ! O Bounteous One ! 
 What have I not received from Thee, 
 Throughout the seasons that have gone 
 Into the past eternity ! 
 
 Lowly my name and mine estate ; 
 Yet, Father, many a child of Thine, 
 
RETROSPECT. 149 
 
 Of purer heart and cleaner hands, 
 Walks in an humbler path than mine. 
 
 And, looking backward through the year 
 Along the way my feet have pressed, 
 
 I see sweet places everywhere — 
 
 Sweet places where my soul had rest. 
 
 For, though some human hopes of mine 
 Are dead, and buried from my sight, 
 
 Yet from their graves immortal flowers 
 Have sprung, and blossomed into light. 
 
 Body, and heart, and soul have been 
 Fed by the most convenient food ; 
 
 My nights are peaceful all the while, 
 And all my mortal days are good. 
 
 My sorrows have not been so light 
 
 Thy chastening hand I could not trace ; 
 
 Nor have my blessings been so great 
 That they have hid my Father's face. 
 
150 THE VERDICT OF DEATH. 
 
 HOW BOTH DEATH SPEAK OF OUR 
 BELOVED? 
 
 u The rain that falls upon the height, 
 Too gently to be called delight, 
 In the dark valley reappears 
 As a wild cataract of tears : 
 And love in life shall strive to see 
 Sometimes what love in death would be." 
 
 Angel in the Boy 86. 
 
 HOW doth Death speak of our beloved, 
 When it hath laid them low ; 
 When it has set its hallowing touch 
 On speechless lip and brow ? 
 
 It clothes their every gift and grace 
 With radiance from the holiest place, 
 With light as from an angel's face ; 
 
 Recalling with resistless force 
 And tracing to their hidden source, 
 Deeds scarcely noticed in their course* 
 
 This little loving fond device, 
 
 That daily act of sacrifice, 
 
 Of which too late we learn the price ! 
 
 Opening our weeping eyes to trace 
 Simple, unnoticed kindnesses, 
 Forgotten notes of tenderness, 
 
THE VERDICT OF DEATH. 151 
 
 Which evermore to us must be 
 Sacred as hymns in infancy, 
 Learned listening at a mother's knee. 
 
 Thus doth Death speak of our beloved 
 
 When it has laid them low : 
 Then let Love antedate the work of Death, 
 
 And do this now ! 
 
 How doth Death speak of our beloved, 
 
 When it has laid them low ; 
 When it has set its hallowing touch 
 
 On speechless lip and brow ? 
 
 It sweeps their faults with heavy hand, 
 As sweeps the sea the trampled sand, 
 Till scarce the faintest print is scanned. 
 
 It shows how such a vexing deed 
 Was but generous nature's weed, 
 Or some choice virtue run to seed ; 
 
 How that small fretting fretfulness 
 Was but love's over-anxiousness, 
 Which had not been, had love been less. 
 
 This failing, at which we repined, 
 But the dim shade of day declined, 
 Which should have made us doubly kind. 
 
152 THE VERDICT OF DEATH. 
 
 Thus doth Death speak of our beloved, 
 
 .When it has laid them low ; 
 Then let Love antedate the work of Death, 
 And do this now ! 
 
 How doth Death speak of our beloved, 
 
 When it has laid them low ; 
 When it has set its hallowing touch 
 
 On speechless lip and brow ? 
 
 It takes each failing on our part, 
 And brands it in upon the heart, 
 With caustic power and cruel art. 
 
 The small neglect that may have pained, 
 A giant stature will have gained 
 When it can never be explained : 
 
 The little service which had proved 
 flow tenderly we watched and loved, 
 And those mute lips to glad smiles mcrcd 
 
 The little gift from out our store, 
 
 Which might have cheered some cheeriest 
 
 hour, 
 When they with earth's poor needs were poor 
 But never will be needed more ! 
 
A CHRISTMAS IIYMN. 153 
 
 It shows our faults like fires at night ; 
 It sweeps their failings out of sight, 
 It clothes their good in heavenly light. 
 
 O Christ our life ! fore-date the work of Death, 
 
 And do this now ! 
 Thou who art love, thus hallow our beloved I 
 
 Not Death, but Thou ! 
 
 A CHRISTMAS HYMN. 
 
 r 
 
 ~N human form enthroned, 
 The sin of man atoned, 
 Immanuel sits in highest seat of heaven , 
 Our nature there He wears, 
 And that blest union bears,- 
 In David's city on the low earth given. 
 
 He draws us by a love, 
 
 Not such as seraphs move 
 hi happy life through all the realms of space 
 
 More subtle is the chord, 
 
 The speaking of a word 
 In language learned among our fleshly race. 
 
 44 My blood, once flowing free 
 Upon the darkened *Tee f 
 
154 THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AlVD THE LIFE. 
 
 Gives life to you in heaven's eternal room ; 
 
 The Brother and the Friend, 
 
 Through ages without end, 
 Shall e'en outlast the Saviour from the doom.' 
 
 THE WAY, THE TRUTH, ANJD THE LIFE. 
 
 THOU art the Way ! 
 All ways are thorny mazes without Thee ; 
 Where hearts are pierced, and thoughts all aim- 
 less stray, 
 In Thee the heart stands firm, the life movea 
 free : 
 Thou art our Way ! 
 
 Thou art the Truth ! 
 Questions the ages break against in vain 
 
 Confront the spirit in its untried youth ; 
 It srarves while learning poison from the grain : 
 Thou art the Truth ! 
 
 Thou art the Truth ! 
 Truth for the mind, grand, glorious, infinite, 
 
 A heaven still boundless o'er its highest growth ; 
 Bread for the heart its daily need to meet. 
 
 Thou art the Truth I 
 
TOE \VA Y, T3* TR UTfl, A .YD T11E LIFE. 1 5 J 
 
 Thou art the Light ! 
 Earth beyond earth no faintest ray can give ; 
 Heaven's shadeless noontide blinds our mortal 
 sight ; 
 In Thee we look on God, and love and live: 
 Thou art our Light ! 
 
 Thou art the Rock ! 
 Doubts none can solve heave wild on every side, 
 Wave meeting wave of thought in ceaseless 
 shock ; 
 On Thee the soul rests calm amidst the tide : 
 Thou art the Rock ! 
 
 Thou art the Life ! 
 All ways without Thee paths that end in death ; 
 
 All life without Thee with death's harvest rife ; 
 All truths dry bones, disjoined and void of breath : 
 Thou art our Life ! 
 
 For Thou art Love ! 
 Our Way and End ! the way is rest with Thee 1 
 
 O living Truth ! the truth is life in Thee I 
 O Life essential ! life is bliss with Thee ! 
 For Thou art Love 1 
 
156 THE T1MB FOR PRAYER. 
 
 THE TIME FOR PRAYER 
 
 WHEN is the time for prayer ? 
 With the first beams that light the 
 morning sky, 
 Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare, 
 
 Lift up thy thoughts on high ; 
 Commend thy loved ones to His watchful care : 
 Morn is the time for prayer. 
 
 And in the noontide hour, 
 
 If worn by toil, or by sad cares oppressed, 
 Then unto God thy spirit's sorrow pour, 
 
 And He will give thee rest ; 
 Thy voice shall reach Him through the fields of 
 air : 
 
 Noon is the time for prayer. 
 
 When the bright sun hath set, 
 
 While eve's bright colors deck the skies ; 
 When with the loved at home again thou'st met, 
 
 Then let thy prayers arise ; 
 For those who in thy joys and sorrows share, 
 
 Eve is the time for prayer. 
 
 And when the stars come forth — 
 
 When to the trusting heart sweet hopes are 
 given, 
 
LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 157 
 
 And the Jeep stillness of the hour gives birth 
 
 To pure bright dreams of heaven ; 
 Kneel to thy God — ask strength, life's ills to bear • 
 
 N'ujht is the time for prayer. 
 
 When is the time for prayer ? 
 
 In ecery hour, while life is spared to thee ; 
 In crowds or solitude, in joy or care, 
 
 Thy thoughts should heavenward flee. 
 At home, at morn and eve, with loved ones there, 
 
 Bend thou the knee in prayer! 
 
 LIGHT IJST DARKNESS. 
 
 BREEZES of spring, all earth to life awak- 
 ing* 
 Birds swiftly soaring through the sunny sky, 
 The butterfly its lonely prison breaking, 
 
 The seed up-springing which had seemed to die 
 
 Types such as these a word of hope have spoken, 
 Have shed a gleam of light around the tomb ; 
 
 But weary hearts longed for a surer token, 
 A clearer ray, to dissipate its gloom. 
 
 And this was granted ! See the Lord ascending, 
 On crimson clouds of evening calmly borne, 
 
158 COMMUNION WITH 00 D 
 
 With hands out-stretched, and looks of love still 
 .bending 
 On his bereaved ones, who no longer mourn. 
 
 u I am the resurrection !" heai Him saying, 
 
 •'I am the life ; he who believes in me 
 Shall never die ; the souls my call obeying, 
 
 Soon where I am for evermore shall be." 
 • 
 Sing halleluiah ! light from heaven appearing, 
 
 The mystery of life and death is plain ; 
 Now to the grave we can descend unfearing, 
 
 In sure and certain hope to rise again I 
 
 COMMUNION WITH GOD. 
 
 LORD, I am come along with Thee ! 
 Thy voice to hear, Thy face to see, 
 And feel Thy presence near ; 
 It is not fancy's lovely dream, 
 Though wondrous e'en to faith it seem, 
 That Thou dost wait me here. 
 
 A moment from this outward life, 
 Its service, self-denial, strife, 
 I joyfully retreat ; 
 My soul, through intercourse with Thee, 
 
COM MU XI OX WITH GOD. 159 
 
 Strengthened, refreshed, and calmed shall be, 
 Its scenes again to meet. 
 
 How can it be that one so mean, 
 A sinner, selfish, dark, unclean, 
 
 Thus in the Holiest stands ? 
 And in that light divinely pure 
 Which may no stain of sin endure, 
 
 Lifts up rejoicing hands ! 
 
 Jesus! the answer Thou hast given ! 
 Thy death, Thy life, have opened heaven 
 
 And all its joys to me ; 
 Washed in Thy blood — oh ! wondrous grace ! 
 I'm holy as the Holy Place 
 
 In which I worship Thee. 
 
 How sweet, how solemn thus to lie, 
 And feel Jehovah's searching eye 
 
 On me well pleased can resti 
 Because with His Beloved Son, 
 The Fathers grace has made me one 7 
 
 I must be always blest. 
 
 The secret pangs I could not tell 
 
 To dearest friend — Tliou knowest well ; 
 
 They claim Thy gracious heart \ 
 Thou dost remove with tender care, 
 
160 COMMUNION WITH GOD. 
 
 Or sweetly give me strength to bear 
 The sanctifying smart. 
 
 Thy presence has a wondrous power ! 
 The sharpest thorn becomes a flower, 
 
 And breathes a sweet perfume : 
 Whate'er looked dark and sad before, 
 With happy bght shines silvered o'er, 
 
 There's no such thing as gloom ! 
 
 Thou know'st 1 have a cross to bear ; 
 The needful stroke Thou dost not spare, 
 
 To keep me near Thy side ; 
 But when I see the chastening rod 
 In Thy pierced hand, my Lord, my God ! 
 
 I feel so satisfied ! 
 
 Now, while I tell Thee how, within, 
 I oft indulge my bosom sin, 
 
 How faithless oft I prove 
 No cold repulse, no frown I meet, 
 But tender, soul-subduing, sweet 
 
 Is the rebuke of Love. 
 
THE SUFFERER CHEERED. 161 
 
 U 
 
 THE SUFFERER CHEERED 
 
 SAY ! shall I take the thorn away ?" 
 So spake niv gracious Lord — 
 u O'er which thy sighs are heaved by day, 
 Thy nightly tears are poured ? 
 Say ! shall I give thee rest and ease, 
 
 Make earth's fair prospects rise, 
 And bid thy bark o'er summer seas 
 Float smoothly to the skies ? 
 
 u Shall peace and plenty's cup swell high, 
 
 Health leap through every vein, 
 And all exempt thy moments fly 
 
 From bitter inward pain ? 
 Be naught to check the inspiring flow 
 
 Of human friendship's tide ; 
 And every want thy heart can know, 
 
 Be quickly satisfied ? 
 
 u Know, thine ease-loving heart might mitt 
 
 The comfort with the care I 
 And that full tide of earthly bliss 
 
 Leave little room for prayer ! 
 Few were thy visits to the throne, 
 
 Unhastened there by pain ; 
 Thou, o'er thy bosom-sins, alone, 
 
 Wouldst small advantage gain I 
 
162 THE SUFFERER CHEERED. 
 
 " Nor deem the highest, holiest joy 
 
 A stranger still to woe ; 
 Blest servants in my high employ, 
 
 Most closely linked they go. 
 My love illumes with tenderest rays 
 
 The path of self-denial ; 
 And burning bright the glory's blaze 
 
 That crowns the fiery trial ! 
 
 " In conscious weakness thou shalt hang 
 
 On my almighty arm ! 
 Soon as the thorn inflicts its pang, 
 
 I'll pour my love's rich balm. 
 Thou plainest in thy deepest woe 
 
 Shalt feel me at thy side ; 
 And, for my praise, to all shalt show, 
 
 Thou art well satisfied. 
 
 44 Then, wilt thou in thy Master's cup 
 
 Consent awhile to share ? 
 Know, when in love I drank it up, 
 
 No wrath was left thee there 1 
 Thy Saviour's love and power to bless, 
 
 Trust where thou canst not see I 
 And in yon howling wilderness 
 
 Step fearless forth with me I w 
 
ALL IN CHltlST 163 
 
 1 Lord ! magnify Thyself in me!" 
 
 With faltering lips I said ; 
 For, strong to bear as faith may be, 
 
 Weak nature quails with dread. 
 Rut He who through the shrinking flesb 
 
 The spirit's will can read, 
 Smiled on His work, and bade afresh 
 
 All gracf meet all my need. 
 
 ALL IN CHRIST. 
 
 IN Thee my heart, O Jesus ! finds repose ; 
 Thou bringest rest to all that weary are. 
 Until that Day-spring from on high arose, 
 I wandered through a night without a star ; 
 My feet had gone astray 
 Upon a lonely way : 
 Each guide I followed failed me in my need ; 
 Each staff I leaned on proved a broken reed. 
 
 Then, when in mine extremity to Thee 
 I turned, Thy pity did prevent my prayer; 
 From that entangling maze it set me free, 
 
 And quickly loosed my heavy load of care ; 
 
164 ALL IK CHRIST. 
 
 Gave me the lofty scope 
 
 Of a heaven-centred hope, 
 And led me on with Thee, a gentle Guide, 
 Thither, where pure immortal joys abide. 
 
 Thou art the great completion of my soul, 
 The blest fulfilment of its deepest need ; 
 When self-surrendered to Thy mild control, 
 It enters into liberty indeed ; 
 Thy love, a genial law, 
 Its every aim doth draw 
 Within its holy range, and sweetly lure 
 Its longings toward the beautiful and pure. 
 
 Thy presence is the never-failing spring 
 
 Of life and comfort in each darker hour ; 
 And, through thy grace benignly ministering, 
 Grief wields a secret, purifying power. 
 'Tis sweet, O Lord ! to know 
 Thy kindredness with woe ; 
 Sweeter to walk with Thee on ways apart 
 Than with the world, where heart is shut to heart 
 
 For Thee eternity reserves her hymn ; 
 
 For Thee earth has her prayers, and heaven her 
 vows; 
 Thy saints adore Thee, and the seraphim, 
 
 Under thy glory, stoop their starry brows. 
 
"HIMSELF HATH DOXE ITT 165 
 
 Oh ! may that light divine 
 On me still clearer shine — > 
 A power, an inspiration from above, 
 Lifting me higher to Thy perfect love ! 
 
 "HIMSELF HATH DONE IT t" 
 
 " TTIMSELF hath done it" all! Oh! how 
 JLJL those words 
 
 Should hush to silence every murmuring thought ! 
 Himself hath done it — He who loves me best, 
 
 He who my soul with His own blood hath bought. 
 
 '* Himself hath done it !" Can it then be aught 
 Than full of wisdom, full of tenderest love ? 
 
 Not one unneeded. sorrow will He send, 
 
 To teach this wandering heart no more to rove 
 
 " Himself hath done it !" Yes, although severe 
 May seem the stroke, and bitter be the cup, 
 
 'Tis His own hand that holds it, and I know 
 Hell give me grace to drink it meekly up. 
 
 " Himself hath done it !" Oh ! no arm but His 
 Could e'er sustain beneath earth's dreary lot ; 
 
 But while I know He's doing all things well, 
 My heart His loving-kindness questions not 
 
166 w HIMSELF HATH DONE IT!" 
 
 "Himself hath done it !" He who's searched ine 
 through, 
 
 Sees how I cleave to earth's ensnaring ties ; 
 And so He breaks each reed on which my soul 
 
 Too much for happiness and joy relies. 
 
 " Himself hath done it !" He would have me see 
 What broken cisterns human friends must prove ; 
 
 That I may turn and quench my burning thirst 
 At His own fount of ever-living love. 
 
 " Himself hath done it !" Then I fain would say, 
 " Thy will in all things evermore be done ;" 
 
 E'en though that will remove whom best I love, 
 While Jesus lives I cannot be alone. 
 
 " Himself hath done it !" Precious, precious words, 
 " Himself," ray Father, Saviour, Brother, Friend ; 
 
 Whose faithfulness no variation knows ; 
 Who, having loved me, loves me to the end. 
 
 And when, in His eternal presence blest, 
 I at His feet my crown immortal cast, 
 
 I'll gladly own, with all His ransomed saints, 
 u Himself hath done it " — all, from first to last ! 
 
LIVING WATERS. 107 
 
 LIVING WATERS. 
 
 IN some wild Eastern legend the story has been 
 told, 
 Of a fair and wondrous fountain, that flowed in 
 
 times of old ; 
 Cold and crystalline its waters, brightly glancing 
 
 in the ray 
 Of the summer moon at midnight, or the sun at 
 height of day. 
 
 And a good angel, resting there, once in a favored 
 
 hour 
 Infused into the limpid depths a strange mysterious 
 
 power ; 
 A hidden principle of life, to rise and gush again, 
 Where but some drops were scattf *ed on the dry 
 
 and barren plain. 
 
 So the traveller might journey, not now in fear 
 
 and haste, 
 Far through the mountain-desert, far o'er the 
 
 sandy waste. 
 
168 LiVIATG WATERS. 
 
 If but he sought this fountain first, and from ita 
 
 wondrous store 
 The secret of unfailing springs along with him he 
 
 bore. 
 
 Wild and fanciful the legend — yet may not mean- 
 ings high, 
 
 Visions of better things to come, within its shadow 
 He? 
 
 Type of a better fountain, to mortals now un- 
 sealed, 
 
 The full and free salvation in Christ our Lord re- 
 vealed ? 
 
 Beneath the Cross those waters rise, and he whc 
 
 finds them there 
 All through the wilderness of life the living stream 
 
 may bear ; 
 And blessings follow in his steps, until where'er he 
 
 . ^oes, 
 The moral wastes begin to bud and blossom as the 
 
 rose. 
 
 Ho ! every one that thirsteth, come to this fount- 
 ain side ! 
 Drink freely of its waters, drink, and be satisfied 1 
 
LIVING WATERS. 169 
 
 Yet linger not, but hasten on, and bear to all 
 
 around 
 Glad tidings of the love, and peace, and mercy 
 
 thou hast found ! 
 
 To Afric's pathless deserts, to Greenland's frozen 
 shore — 
 
 Where din of mighty cities sounds, or savage mon- 
 sters roar — 
 
 Wherever man may wander with his heritage of 
 woe, 
 
 To tell of brighter things above, go, brothers, 
 gladly go ! 
 
 Then, as of old in vision seen before the prophet's 
 
 eyes, 
 Broader and deeper on its course the stream of 
 
 life shall rise ; 
 And everywhere, as on it flows, shall carry light 
 
 and love, 
 Peace and good-will to man on earth, glory to 
 
 God above ! 
 
170 ABIDE WITH US. 
 
 ABIDE WITH US. 
 
 THE tender light is fading where 
 We pause and linger still, 
 And, through the dim and saddened air, 
 We feel the evening chill. 
 
 Long hast Thou journeyed with us, Lord, 
 
 Ere we Thy face did know ; 
 Oh ! still Thy fellowship afford, 
 
 While dark the shadows grow. 
 
 For passed is many a beauteous field, 
 
 Beside our morning road ; 
 And many a fount to us is sealed 
 
 That once so freshly flowed. 
 
 The splendor of the noontide lies 
 
 On other paths than ours ; 
 The dews that lave yon fragrant skies 
 
 Will not revive our flowers. 
 
 It is not now as in the glow 
 
 Of life's impassioned heat, 
 When to the heart there seemed to flow 
 
 All that of earth was sweet. 
 
ABIDE WITH US. 171 
 
 Something has faded — something died — 
 
 Without us and within ; 
 We more than ever need a guide ; 
 
 Blinded and weak with sin. 
 
 The weight is heavy that we bear, 
 Our strength more feeble grows ; 
 
 Weary with toil and pain and care, 
 We long for sweet repose. 
 
 Stay with us, gracious Saviour, stay, 
 While friends and hopes depart ! 
 
 Fainting, on Thee we wish to lay 
 The burden of our heart. 
 
 Abide with us, dear Lord ! remain 
 Our Life, our Truth, our Way ! 
 
 So shall our loss be turned to gain- 
 Night dawn to endless day. 
 
172 TEE BETTER LIFE. 
 
 THE BETTER LIFE. 
 
 "All the way by which the Lord thy God led thee.* 
 
 WHEN we reach a quiet dwelling 
 On the strong eternal hills, 
 And our praise to Him is swelling, 
 
 Who the vast creation fills : 
 When the paths of prayer and duty 
 
 And affliction all are trod, 
 And we wake and see the beauty 
 Of our Saviour and our God ; 
 
 With the light of resurrection, 
 When our changed bodies glow, 
 
 And we gain the full perfection 
 Of the bliss begun below ; 
 
 When the life that flesh obscureth 
 In each radiant form shall shine, 
 
 And the joy that aye endureth 
 
 ' Flashes forth in beams divine : 
 
 While we wave the palms of glory 
 Through the long eternal years, 
 
 Shall we e'er forget the story 
 Of our mortal griefs and fears ? 
 
THE BETTER LIFE. 1 \ 3 
 
 Shall we e'er forget the sadness 
 And the clouds that hung so dim, 
 
 When our hearts are filled with gladness 
 And our tears are dried by Him? 
 
 Shall the memory be banished 
 
 Of His kindness and His care, 
 When the wants and woes are vanished, 
 
 Which He loved to soothe and share- 
 All the way by which He brought us, 
 
 All the grievings which He bore, 
 All the patient love He taught us, 
 
 Shall we think of them no more? 
 
 Yes ! we surely shall remember 
 
 How He quickened us from death : 
 How He fanned the dying ember 
 
 With His Spirit's glowing breath. 
 We shall read the tender meaning 
 
 Of the sorrows and alarms 
 As we trod the desert, leaning 
 
 On His everlasting arms. 
 
 And His rest will be the dearer 
 When we think of weary ways, 
 
 And His light will seem the clearer 
 As we muse on cloudy days. 
 
174 PRAY FOR WHOM THOU LOVEST. 
 
 Oh ! 'twill be a glorious morrow 
 To a dark and stormy day ; 
 
 We shall recollect our sorrow 
 As the streams that pass away. 
 
 PRAY FOR WHOM THOU LOVEST. 
 
 Pray for whom thou lovest ; thou wilt never have any con> 
 fort of his friendship for whom thou dost not pray. 
 
 YES, pray for whom thou lovest; thou mayst 
 vainly, idly seek 
 The fervid words of tenderness by feeble words to 
 
 Go kneel before thy Father's throne, and meekly, 
 
 humbly there 
 Ask blessing for the loved one in the silent hour 
 
 of prayer. 
 
 Yes, pray for whom thou lovest ; if uncounted 
 
 wealth were thine — 
 The treasures of the boundless deep, the riches of 
 
 the mine — 
 Thou could'st not to thy cherished friends a gift 
 
 so dear impart, 
 As the earnest benediction of a deeply loving 
 
 heart. 
 
DRAWING WATER. 175 
 
 Seek not the worldling's friendship, it shall droop 
 and wave ere long 
 
 In the cold and heartless glitter of the pleasure- 
 loving throng; 
 
 Hut seek the friend who when thy prayer for him 
 shall murmured be, 
 
 Breathes forth in faithful sympathy a fervent 
 prayer for thee. 
 
 And should thy flowery path of life become a path 
 of pain, 
 
 The friendship formed in bonds like these thy 
 spirit shall sustain; 
 
 Years may not chill, nor change invade, nor pov- 
 erty impair, 
 
 The love that grew and flourished at the holy tiiL»Q 
 of prayer. 
 
 DRAWING WATER. 
 
 I HAD drank with lip unsated 
 Where the founts of pleasure burst ; 
 I had hewn out broken cisterns, 
 And they mocked my spirit's thirst. 
 
 And I said, Life is a desert, 
 Hot and measureless and dry ; 
 
176 DRAWING WATER. 
 
 And God will not give me water, 
 Though I pray and faint and die ! 
 
 Spoke there then a friend and brother, 
 " Rise and roll the stone away ! 
 
 There are founts of life upspringing 
 In thy pathway every day." 
 
 Then I said my heart was sinful— 
 Very sinful was my speech ; 
 
 All the wells of God's salvation 
 Are too deep for me to reach. 
 
 And he answered : " Rise and labor ! 
 
 Doubt and idleness is death ; 
 Shape thou out a goodly vessel 
 
 With the strong hands of thy faith !" 
 
 So I wrought and shaped the vessel, 
 Then knelt lowly, humbly there ; 
 
 And I drew up living water, 
 
 With the golden chain of prayer. 
 
A TRUE DREAM. 177 
 
 A TRUE BREAM. 
 
 I DREAMT we danced in careless glee, 
 With hearts and footsteps light and free, 
 That one so dearly loved and I, 
 As in the childish days gone by 
 
 For ever. 
 
 I felt her arms around nie fold, 
 I heard her soft laugh as of old ; 
 Her eyes with smiles were brimming o'er. 
 Eyes we may meet on earth no more 
 For ever. 
 
 Then there came mingling with my dreams 
 A sense perplexed of loss and change — 
 An echo dim of time and tears ; 
 Until I said : " How long it seems 
 Since thus we danced 1 Is it not strange r 
 Do you not feel the weight of years ? 
 Or dread life's evening shadows cold ? 
 Or mourn to think we must grow old ?" 
 Wondering, she paused a little while, 
 Then answered, with a radiant smile : 
 
 " No, never ! " 
 
178 A TRUE DREAM. 
 
 Wondering as if to her I told 
 
 The customs of some foreign land 
 
 Or spoke a tongue she knew of old, 
 But could no longer understand. 
 
 Pill o'er her face that sunshine broke, 
 
 And with that radiant smile she spoke 
 That " Never/ 
 
 But not until the dream had fled 
 1 knew the sense of what she said ; 
 Young with immortal truth and love, 
 Child in the Father's house above 
 For ever. 
 
 We echo ba^k thy words again ; 
 They smite us with no grief or pain ; 
 AVe journey not towards the night, 
 But to the breaking of the light 
 Together. 
 
 Our life is no poor cisterned store 
 The lavish years are draining low ; 
 
 But living streams that, welling o'er, 
 Fresh from the Living Fountain flow 
 For ever. 
 
•0 LORD! T/IOC KXOWEST." 179 
 
 "0 LORD! THOU KNOWEST." 
 
 riMHOU knowest, Lord, the weariness and sor 
 1 row 
 
 Of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest : 
 Cares of to-day, and burdens for to-morrow, 
 
 Blessings implored, and sins to be confessed, 
 I come before Thee at Thy gracious word, 
 And lay them at Thy feet — Thou knowest, Lord. 
 
 Thou knowest all the past ; how long and blindly 
 On the dark mountains the lost wanderer 
 strayed ; 
 How the good Shepherd followed, and how kindly 
 
 He bore it home, upon His shoulders laid, 
 And healed the bleeding wounds, and soothed the 
 
 pain, 
 And brought back life, and hope, and strength 
 again. 
 
 Thou knowest all the present : each temptation, 
 Each toilsome duty, .each foreboding fear; 
 
 All to myself assigned of tribulation, 
 Or to beloved ones, than self more dear ! 
 
 All pensive memories, as I journey on, 
 
 Longings for vanished smiles, and voices gone ? 
 
180 " O LORD ! Til U KXO WEST." 
 
 Thou knowest all the future : gleams of gladness, 
 By stormy clouds too quickly overcast ; 
 
 Hours of sweet fellowship, and parting sadness 
 And the dark river to be crossed at last : 
 
 Oh ! what could confidence and hope afford 
 
 To tread that path, but this — thou knowest, Lord ! 
 
 Thou knowest, not alone as God, all-knowing ; 
 
 As man, our mortal weakness thou hast proved ; 
 On earth, with purest sympathies o'erflowing, 
 
 O Saviour ! Thou hast wept, and Thou hast 
 loved ! 
 And Love and Sorrow still to Thee may come, 
 And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home. 
 
 Therefore I come, Thy gentle call obeying, 
 And lay my sins and sorrows at Thy feet, 
 
 On everlasting strength my weakness staying, 
 Clothed in Thy robe of righteousness complete J 
 
 Then rising and refreshed, I leave Thy throne, 
 
 And follow on to know as I am known ! 
 
MINISTRY. 181 
 
 MIX1 STR Y. 
 
 1 The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to 
 minister." 
 
 SINCE service is the highest lot, 
 And all are in one Body boi r.J, 
 In all the world the place is not 
 
 Which may not with this bliss hi crowned 
 
 The sufferer on the bed of pain 
 Need not be laid aside from this ; 
 
 But for each kindness gives again 
 4k This joy of doing kindnesses." 
 
 The poorest may enrich this feast, 
 
 Not one lives only to receive ; 
 But renders through the hands of Christ 
 
 Richer returns than man can give. 
 
 The little child, in trustful glee, 
 
 With love and gladness brimming o'er, 
 
 Many a cup of ministry 
 
 May for the weary ve' jran pour 
 
 The lonely glo/y of a throne 
 
 May yet this lowly joy preserve ; 
 
182 MIXISTRY. 
 
 Love may make that a stepping-stone, 
 And raise " I reign" into " I serve." 
 
 This, by the ministries of prayer, 
 
 The loneliest life with blessings crowds, 
 
 Can consecrate each petty care, 
 Make angels' ladders out of clouds. 
 
 Nor serve we only when we gird 
 Our hearts for special ministry ; 
 
 That creature best has ministered 
 Which is what it was meant to be. 
 
 Birds by being glad their Maker bless ; 
 
 By simply shining, sun and star : 
 And we, whose law is love, serve less 
 
 By what we do than what we are. 
 
 Since service is the highest lot 
 And angels know no higher bliss, 
 
 Then with what good her cup is fraught 
 Who was created but for this ! 
 
IT IS WELL. 183 
 
 
 IT IS WELL. 
 
 SO they said, who saw the wonders 
 Of Messiah's power and love ; 
 So they sing, who see His glory 
 In the Father's house above ; 
 Ever reading, in each record 
 Of the strangely varied past, 
 "All was well which God appointed, 
 All has wrought for good at last." 
 
 And on earth we hear the echoes 
 
 Of that chorus in the sky ; 
 Through the day of toil or weeping, 
 
 Faith can raise a glad reply. 
 It is well, O saints departed ! 
 
 Well with you, for ever blest. 
 Well with us, who journey forward 
 
 To your glory and your rest I 
 
 Times are changing, days are flying, 
 
 Years are quickly past and gone, 
 While the wildly mingled murmur 
 
 Of life's busy hum goes on ; 
 Sounds of tumult, sounds of triumph, 
 
 Marriage chimes an i passing-bell ; 
 Yet through all one key-note sounding, 
 
 Angels' watchword : " It is well." 
 

 184 IT IS WELL. 
 
 We may hear it, through the rushing 
 
 Of the midnight tempest's wave ; 
 \Ve may hear it, through the weeping 
 
 Round the newly covered grave ; 
 II the dreary house of mourning, 
 
 In the darkened room of pain, 
 If we listen meekly, rightly, 
 
 We may catch that soothing strain. 
 
 For Thine arm thou hast not shortened, 
 
 Neither turned away thine ear, 
 O Saviour ! ever ready 
 
 The afflicted's prayer to hear ! 
 Show us light, still surely resting 
 
 Over all Thy darkest ways ; 
 Give us faith, still surely trusting 
 
 Through the sad and evil days. 
 
 And thus, while years are fleeting, 
 
 Though our joys are with them gone, 
 In Thy changeless love rejoicing 
 
 We shall journey calmly on ; 
 Till at last, all sorrow over, 
 
 Each our tale of grace shall tell, 
 In the heavenly chorus joining : 
 
 44 Lord, thou hast done all things well ! 
 
THE CROSS [So 
 
 I. 
 
 THE CROSS. 
 
 • Nom there sti^d by the Cross of Jesus His mothe.." 
 
 rr^HE strongest light casts deepest shade, 
 
 JL The dearest love makes dreariest loss, 
 And she ILs birth so blessed had made 
 Stood by Him dying on the cross. 
 
 Yet since not grief but joy shall last, 
 The day and not the night abide, 
 
 And all time's shadows, earthward cast, 
 Are lights upon the " other side f 
 
 Through what long bliss that shall not fail, 
 That darkest hour shall brighten on ! 
 
 Better than any angel's " Hail ! " 
 The memory of " Behold thy Son ! " 
 
 Blessed in thy lowly heart to store 
 
 The homage paid at Bethlehem ; 
 But far more blessed evermore, 
 
 Thus to have shared the taunts and shame. 
 
 Thus with thy pierced heart to have stood 
 'Mid mocking crowds and owned Him thine, 
 
 True through a world's ingratitude, 
 And owned ii deatJ by lips Divine. 
 
186 THE GROWN. 
 
 II. 
 
 THE CROWN. 
 
 r riHOU shalt be crowned, O mother blest ! 
 _A_ Our hearts behold thee crowned e'en now ; 
 The crown of motherhood, earth's best, 
 O'ershadowing thy maiden brow. 
 
 Thou shalt be crowned ! More fragrant bays 
 
 Then ever poet's brows entwine, 
 For thine immortal hymn of praise, 
 
 First Singer of the Church, are thine. 
 
 Thou shalt be crowned ! All earth and heave& 
 
 Thy coronation pomp shall see ; 
 The Hand by which thy crown is given 
 
 Shall be no strangers hand to thee. 
 
 Thou shalt be crowned ! but not a queen ; 
 
 A better triumph ends thy strife : 
 Heaven's bridal raiment, white and clean, 
 
 The victor s crown of fadeless life. 
 
 Thou shalt be crowned ! but not alone — 
 No lonely pomp shall weigh thee down ; 
 
 Crownc I with the myriads round His throne, 
 And casting at His feet thy crown. 
 
PRAYER OUT OF THE DEPTHS. 187 
 
 PRAYER OUT OF THE DEPTHS. 
 
 ALL in weakness, all in sorrow, 
 O my God ! I come once more, 
 Lifting up the sad petition 
 
 Thou hast often heard before, 
 In the former days of darkness, 
 In the time of need of yore. 
 
 For a present help in trouble 
 Thou hast never ceased to be, 
 
 Since at first a weeping sinner 
 Fell before Thee trustingly ; 
 
 And Thy voice is ever sounding : 
 " O ye weary ! come to Me." 
 
 Lord, Thou knowest all the Weakness 
 Of the creatures Thou hast made, 
 
 For with mortal imperfection 
 
 Thou didst once Thy glory sh de ; 
 
 Thou hast loved and Thou hast sorrowed 
 In the veil of flesh arrayed. 
 
 Thus I fear not to approach Thee 
 With my sorrow and my care ; 
 
 Hear my mourning supplication, 
 Cast not out my humble prayer! 
 
188 
 
 PRAYER OUT OF THE DEPTHS. 
 
 Lay not on a greater burden 
 Than Thy feeble child can bear ! 
 
 Earth has lost its best attractions, 
 All the brightest stars are gone — 
 
 All is clouded now and cheerless, 
 Where so long a glory shone : 
 
 Where I walked with loved companion^ 
 I must wander now alone. 
 
 All is dark on the horizon, 
 Clouds returning after rain ; 
 
 Faith is languid, Hope is weary, 
 And the questions rise again : 
 " Doth the promise fail for ever ? 
 
 Hast thou made all men in vain ? y 
 
 O my God ! rebuke the tempter, 
 
 Let not unbelief prevail ! 
 Pray for me, Thy feeble servant, 
 
 That my weak faith may not fail, 
 Nor my Hope let go her anchor 
 
 When the waves and storms assail I 
 
 All these passing changing shadows, 
 All these brief, bright joys below — 
 
 Let me grasp them not so closely, 
 Nor desire nor prize them so ! 
 
PRAYER OUT OF THE DEPTHS. 189 
 
 Nor endure this bitter anguish 
 
 When Thou bicTst me let them go ! 
 
 Redeemer ! shall one perish 
 Who has looked to Thee for aid ? 
 
 Let me see Thee, let me hear Thee, 
 Through the gloomy midnight shade ; 
 
 Let me hear Thy voice of comfort : 
 " It is I J be not afraid ! " 
 
 For when feeling TJiou art near me, 
 
 All my loneliness is o'er, 
 And the tempter's dark suggestions 
 
 Can oppress my soul no more ; 
 
 1 shall dread the path no longer 
 
 Where Thvself hast crone before. 
 
 I can gaze on tearlessly, 
 When the glory that excelleth, 
 
 When the light of life I see. 
 Whom besides, in earth or heaven, 
 
 Should my heart desire, but Thee f 
 
190 SALOME. 
 
 SAL M E. 
 
 SHE knew not what for them she sought, 
 At His right hand and left to sit ! 
 How great the glory, passing thought ; 
 How rough the path that led to it. 
 
 They knew not what of Him they asked ! 
 
 But He their deeper sense distilled. 
 Gently the selfish wish unmasked, 
 
 But all the prayer of love fulfilled. 
 
 Pride sought to lift herself on high, 
 And heard but of the bitter cup ; 
 
 Love would but to her Lord be nigh, 
 And won her measure full — heaped up 
 
 With vision of His glory blessed ; 
 
 Stood on the mountain by His side ; 
 Leaned, at the Supper, on His breast; 
 
 Stood close beneath Him when He died. 
 
 One brother shared His cup of woe — 
 The second of His martyr-band : 
 
 One, by His glory smitten low, 
 
 Rose at the touch of His right hand. 
 
MEMORIES. 1 \) | 
 
 Tims, when by earth's cross lights perplexed, 
 We crave the thing that should not be, 
 
 God, reading right our erring text, 
 
 Gives what we would ask, could we see. 
 
 MEMORIES 
 
 WHEN fall the evening shadows, long and 
 deep, across the hill ; 
 When all the air is fragrance, and all the breezes 
 still ; 
 
 When the summer sun seems pausing above the 
 
 mountain's brow, 
 As if he left reluctantly a scene so lovely now ; 
 
 Then I linger on the pathway, and I fondly gaze, 
 
 and long, 
 As if reading some old story those deep purple 
 
 clouds among ; 
 
 Then Memory approaches, holding up her magic 
 glass, 
 
 Pointing to familiar figures, which across the sur- 
 face pass. 
 
192 MEMORIES. 
 
 And often do I question, as I view that phantom 
 
 train, 
 Whether most with joy or sadness I behold them 
 
 thus again. 
 
 They are there, those scenes of beauty, where 
 life's brightest hours have fled, 
 
 And I haste, with dear companions, the old paths 
 again to tread ; 
 
 But, suddenly dissolving, all the loveliness is flown, 
 And I find a thorny wilderness, where I must 
 walk alone. 
 
 Thou art there, so loved and honored, as in each 
 
 former hour. 
 When we read thine eye's deep meaning, when 
 
 we heard thy words of power ; 
 
 When our souls, as willing captives, have sought 
 
 to follow thine, 
 Tracing the eternal footsteps of Might and Love 
 
 Divine. 
 
 But o'er that cherished image falls a veil of clouds 
 
 and gloom, 
 And beside a bier I tremble, or I weep above a 
 
 tomb. 
 
MEMORIES. 193 
 
 And ever will the question come, O Memory 1 
 
 again, 
 Whether in thy magic mirror there is most of 
 
 bliss or pain ? ' 
 
 Would I not wish the brightness were for ever hid 
 from view, 
 
 If but those hours of darkness could be all for- 
 gotten too ? 
 
 Then, weary and desponding, my spirit seeks to 
 
 rise 
 Away from earthly conflicts, from mortal smiles 
 
 or sighs. 
 
 I do not think the blessed ones with Jesus have 
 
 forgot 
 The changing joys and sorrows which have marked 
 
 their earthly lot ; 
 
 But now, on Memory's record their eyes can 
 
 calmly dwell ; 
 They can see, what here they trusted — God hath 
 
 done all things well ; 
 
 And vain regrets and longings are as old tilings 
 passed away; 
 
 No shadows dim the sunshine of that bright eter- 
 nal day ! 
 
194 THE WIDOW OF NAIS. 
 
 THE WIDOW OF NAIF. 
 
 fMHY miracles are no state splendors 
 _!_ Whose pomps Thy daily works excel ,• 
 'J ne rock which breaks the 6tream, but rendeit 
 Its constant current audible. 
 
 The power which startles us in thunders 
 
 Works ever silently in light ; 
 And mightier than these special wonders, 
 
 The wonders daily in our sight. 
 
 Rents in the veils Thy works that fold, 
 They let the inner light shine through ; 
 
 The rent is new, the light is old, 
 Eternal, never ever new. 
 
 And, therefore, when Thy touch arrests 
 The bearers of that tier at Nain, 
 
 Warm on unnumbered hearts it rests, 
 Though yet their dead live not again 
 
 And Thy compassionate " Weep not ! n 
 On this our tearful earth once heard, 
 
 For every age with comfort fraught, 
 Tells how Thy heart is ever stirred. 
 
THE WIDOW OF KAI1T. 195 
 
 Nature repeats the tale each year, 
 
 She feels Thy touch through countless springs, 
 And, rising from her wintery bier, 
 
 Throws off her grave-clothes, lives and sings 
 
 And when Thy touch through earth shall thrill 
 This bier whereon our race is laid, 
 
 And, for the first time standing still, 
 The long procession of the dead 
 
 At Thy " Arise ! " shall wake from clay, 
 Young, deathless, freed from every stain ; 
 
 When Thy " Weep not ! " shall wipe away 
 Tears that shall never come again ; 
 
 When the strong chains of death are burst, 
 And lips long dumb begin to speak, 
 
 What name will each then utter first ? 
 What music shall that silence break ? 
 
196 PATHWAYS OF THE HOLY LAJfD. 
 
 PATHWAYS OF THE HOLY LAND. 
 
 rTIHE pathways of Thy land are little changed 
 JL Since Thou wert there ; 
 
 The busy world through other ways has ranged, 
 And left these bare. 
 
 The rocky path still climbs the glowing steep 
 
 Of Olivet, 
 Though rains of two millenniums wear it deep, 
 
 Men tread it yet. 
 
 Still to the gardens o'er the brook it l^ads, 
 
 Quiet and low ; 
 Before his sheep the shepherd on it treads, 
 
 His voice they know. 
 
 The wild fig throws broad shadows o'er it still, 
 
 As once o'er Thee ; 
 Peasants go home at evening up that hill 
 
 To Bethany. 
 
 And, as when gazing Thou didst weep o'er them, 
 
 From height to height 
 The white roofs of discrowned Jerusalem 
 
 Burst on our sight. 
 
Pathways of the holt lands. 19? 
 
 These ways were strewed with garments once, and 
 palm, 
 Which we tread thus ; 
 Here, through Thy triumph, on Thou passedst, 
 calm, 
 On to Thy cross. 
 
 The waves have washed fresh sands upon the shore 
 
 Of Galilee; 
 But, chiselled in the hill-sides, evermore 
 
 Thy paths we see. 
 
 Man has not changed them in that slumbering 
 land, 
 
 Nor time effaced ; 
 Where Thy feet trod to bless, we still may stand ; 
 
 All can be traced. 
 
 Yet we have traces of Thy footsteps far 
 
 Truer than these ; 
 Where'er the poor, and tried, and suffering are, 
 
 Thy steps faith sees. 
 
 Nor with fond sad regrets Thy steps we trace ■ 
 Thou art not dead ! 
 
198 
 
 FOB THE NEW YEAR. 
 
 Our path is onward, till we see Thy face, 
 And hear Thy tread. 
 
 And now, wherever meets Thy lowliest band 
 
 In praise and prayer, 
 Utere is Thy presence, there Thy Holy Land, 
 
 Thou, Thou, art there 1 
 
 FOR THE NEW TEAR. 
 
 ANOTHER year ! another year 
 Has borne its record to the skies 
 Another year ! another year, 
 
 Untried, unproved, before us lies ; 
 We hail with smiles its dawning ray — 
 How shall we meet its final day ? 
 
 Another year, another year ! 
 
 Its squandered hours will ne'er return ; 
 Oh ! many a heart must quail with fear 
 
 O'er memory's blotted page to turn. 
 No record from that leaf will fade, 
 Not one erasure may be made. 
 
FOR THE SEW YEAR. 199 
 
 Another year, another year! 
 
 How many a grief has marked its flight! 
 Some whom we love, no more are here — 
 
 Translated to the realms of light. 
 Ah ! none can bless the coming year 
 Like those no more to greet us here. 
 
 Another year, another year ! 
 
 Oh ! many a blessing, too, was given, 
 Our lives to deck, our hearts to cheer, 
 
 And antedate the joys of heaven ; 
 But they, too, slumber in the past, 
 Where joys and griefs must sink at last. 
 
 Another year, another year ! 
 
 Gaze we no longer on the past, 
 Nor let us shrink, with faithless fear, 
 
 From the dark shade the future casts. 
 The past, the future — what are they 
 To those whose lives may end to-day ? 
 
 Another year, another year ! 
 
 Perchance the last of life below. 
 Who, ere its close, Death's call may hear 
 
 None but the Lord of life can know. 
 Oh ! to be found, whene'er that day 
 Ma}- come, prepared to pass away. 
 
200 TEE PERPETUITY OF JO V IN HEA YEN, 
 
 
 Another year, another year ! 
 
 Help us earth's thorny path to tread ; 
 So may eaeh moment bring us near 
 
 To Thee, ere yet our lives are fled. 
 Saviour ! we yield ourselves to Thee, 
 For time and for eternity. 
 
 THE PERPETUITY OF JOY IN HEA VEN 
 
 HERE brief is the sighing, 
 And brief is the crying, 
 For brief is the life ! 
 The life there is endless, 
 The joy there is endless, 
 And ended the strife. 
 
 What joys are in heaven ? 
 To whom are they given ? 
 
 Ah ! what ? and to whom f 
 The stars to the earth-born, 
 u Best robes " to the sin-worn, 
 
 The crown for the doom ! 
 
 O country the fairest ! 
 Our country the dearest. 
 
THE PERPETUITY OF JOY IN HEAVEN. 201 
 
 We press toward thee ! 
 O Sion the golden ! 
 Our eyes now are holden, 
 
 Thy light till we see : 
 
 Thy crystalline ocean, 
 Unvexed by commotion, 
 
 Thy fountain of life ; 
 Thy deep peace unspoken, 
 Pure, sinless, unbroken — 
 
 Thy peace beyond strife : 
 
 Thy meek saints all glorious, 
 Thy martyrs victorious, 
 
 Who suffer no more ; 
 Thy halls full of singing, 
 Thy hymns ever ringing 
 
 Along Thy safe shore. 
 
 Like the lily for whiteness, 
 Like the jewel for brightness, 
 
 Thy vestments, O Bride ! 
 The Lamb ever with thee, 
 The Bridegroom is with thee— 
 
 With thee to abide ! 
 
 We know not, we know not, 
 All human words show not, 
 
202 THROUGH THE FLOOD ON FOOT. 
 
 The joys we may reach ; 
 The mansions preparing, 
 The joys for our sharing, 
 
 The welcome for each. 
 
 O Sion the golden ! 
 My eyes still are holden, 
 
 Thy light till I see ; 
 And deep in thy glory, 
 Unveiled then before me, 
 
 My King, look on thee ! 
 
 THROUGH THE FLOOD ON &OOT. 
 
 T \ iHE sun had sunk in the West 
 _1_ For a little while, 
 And the clouds which gathered to see him die 
 Had caught his dying smile. 
 
 We sat in the door of our Tent, 
 
 In the cool of the day, 
 Toward the quiet meadow 
 
 Where misty shadows lay. 
 
 Tin. great and terrible Land 
 Of wilderness ar 1 drought, 
 
THRO UGH THE FLOOD ON FOOT. 203 
 
 Lay in the shadows behind us, 
 For the Lord had brought us out. 
 
 The great and terrible River, 
 Though shrouded still from view, 
 
 Lay in the shadows before us, 
 
 But the Lord would bear us through. 
 
 In the stillness and the starlight, 
 
 In sight of the Blessed Land, 
 We thought of the bygone Desert-life, 
 
 And the burning, blinding sand. 
 
 Many a dreary sunset, 
 
 Many a dreary dawn, 
 We had watched upon those desert hills 
 
 As we pressed slowly on. 
 
 Yet sweet had been the silent dews 
 Which from God's presence fell, 
 
 And the still hours of resting 
 By Palm-tree and by Well, 
 
 Till we pitched our Tent at last, 
 
 The Desert done, 
 Where we saw the hills of the Holy Land 
 
 Gleam in ou; sinking sun . 
 
204 
 
 THROUGH THE FLOOD OX FOOT. 
 
 And we sat in the door of our Tent, 
 
 In the cool of the day, 
 Toward the quiet meadow 
 
 Where misty shadows lay : 
 
 We were talking about the King, 
 
 And our elder Brother, 
 As we were used often to speak 
 
 One to another. 
 
 The Lord standing quietly by, 
 
 In the shadows dim, 
 Smiling perhaps, in the dark, to hear 
 
 Our sweet, sweet talk of Him. 
 
 u I' think in a little while/ ' 
 
 I said at length, 
 " We shall see His face in the city 
 
 Of everlasting strength ; 
 
 " And sit down under the shadow 
 Of His smile, 
 With great delight and thanksgiving, 
 To rest awhile." 
 
 "But the River — the awful River I 
 In the dying li^bt," 
 
THROUGH THE FLOOD ON FOOT. 205 
 
 And even as he spoke, the murmur 
 Of a River rose on the night ! 
 
 And One came up through the meadow, 
 
 \Y r here the mists lay dim, 
 Till He stood by my friend in the star-light, 
 
 And spake to him : 
 
 " \ have come to call thee Home," 
 
 Said our veiled Guest ; 
 " The terrible journey of life is done, 
 
 I will take thee into Rest. 
 
 " Arise 1 thou shalt come to the Palace, 
 To rest thee for ever f 
 And He pointed across the dark meadow, 
 And down to the River. 
 
 And my friend rose up in the shadows, 
 And turned to me — 
 u Be of good cheer," I said faintly, 
 " For He calleth thee." 
 
 For I knew by His loving voice, 
 
 His kingly word, 
 The veiled Guest in the star-light dim 
 
 Was Christ, the Lord ! 
 
206 THROUGH THE FLOOD ON. FOOT. 
 
 So we three went slowly down 
 
 To the River-side, 
 Till we stood in the heavy shadows 
 
 By the black, wild tide. 
 
 I could hear that the Lord was speaking 
 
 Deep words of grace, 
 I could see their blessed reflection 
 
 On my friend's pale face. 
 
 The strong and desolate tide 
 
 Was hurrying wildly past, 
 As he turned to take my hand once more, 
 
 And say Farewell, at last. 
 
 Farewell — I cannot fear, 
 
 Oh ! seest thou His grace ?" 
 And even as he spoke, he turned 
 
 Again to the Master's Face. 
 
 So they two went closer down 
 
 To the River-side, 
 And stood in the heavy shadows 
 
 By the black, wild tide. 
 
 But when the feet of the Lord 
 Were come to the waters dim, 
 
 They rose to stand, on either hand, 
 And left a path for Him ; 
 
TffROUOn THE FLOOD ON FOOT. 207 
 
 So they two passed over swiftly 
 
 Toward the Goal, 
 But the wistful, longing gaze 
 
 Of the passing soul 
 
 Grew only more rapt and joyful 
 As he clasped the Master's hand , 
 
 I think, or ever he was aware 
 
 They were come to the Holy Land. 
 
 Now I sit alone in the door of my Tent 
 
 In the cool of the day, 
 Toward the quiet meadow 
 
 Where misty shadows play. 
 
 The great and terrible Land 
 
 Of wilderness and drought, 
 Lies in the shadows behind me, 
 
 For the Lord hath brought me out ; 
 
 The great and terrible River 
 
 I stood that night to view, 
 Lies in the shadows before me, 
 
 But the Lord will bear me through. 
 
208 THE LONG GOOD-WIGHT. 
 
 THE LONG GOOD-NIGHT. 
 
 I JOURNEY forth rejoicing, 
 From this dark vale of tears, 
 To heavenly joy and freedom, 
 
 From earthly bonds and fears : 
 Where Christ our Lord shall gather 
 
 All His redeemed again, 
 His kingdom to inherit. 
 
 Good-night, till then ! 
 
 Go to thy quiet resting, 
 
 Poor tenement of clay ! 
 From all thy pain and weakness 
 
 I gladly haste away ; 
 But still in faith confiding 
 
 To find thee yet again, 
 All glorious and immortal. 
 
 Good-night, till then I 
 
 Why thus so sadly weeping, 
 Beloved ones of my heart ? 
 
 The Lord is good and gracious, 
 Though now He bids us part. 
 
TI1E LOKQ GOODNIGHT, 209 
 
 Oft have we met in gladness, 
 
 And we shall meet again, 
 All sorrow left behind us. 
 
 Good-night, till then I 
 
 I go to see His glory, 
 
 Whom we have loved below : 
 I go, the blessed angels, 
 
 The holy saints to know. 
 Our lovely ones departed, 
 
 I go to find again, 
 And wait for you to join us. 
 
 Good-night, till then 
 
 I hear the Saviour calling — 
 The joyful hour has come : 
 
 The angel-guards are ready 
 To guide me to our home, 
 
 Where Christ our Lord shall gather 
 All His redeemed again, 
 
 His kingdom to inherit. 
 
 Good-night, till then ! 
 
210 FOOTSTEPS oy THE OTHER SIDE. 
 
 FOOTSTEPS ON THE OTHER SIDE. 
 
 Oj ITTIN-G in my humble doorway, 
 kj Gazing out into the night, 
 Listening to the stormy tumult 
 
 With a kind of sad delight — 
 Wait I for the loved who comes not, 
 
 One whose step I long to hear ; 
 One who, though he lingers from me, 
 
 Still is dearest of the dear. 
 Soft ! he comes — now heart, be quick — 
 
 Leaping in triumphant pride ! 
 Oh ! it is a stranger footstep, 
 
 Gone by on the other side. 
 
 All the night seems filled with weeping, 
 
 Winds are wailing mournfully ; 
 And the rain-tears together 
 
 Journey to the restless sea. 
 I can fancy, sea, your murmur, 
 
 As they with your waters flow, 
 Like the griefs of single beings, 
 
 Making up a nation's woe ! 
 
 Branches, bid your guests be silent ; 
 
 Hush a moment, fretful rain ; 
 Breeze, stop sighing — let me listen, 
 
 God grant not again in vain I 
 
 
GONE HOME. 211 
 
 In my cheek the blood is rosy, 
 Like the blushes of a bride. 
 
 Joy ! Alas ! a stranger footstep 
 Goes on by the other side. 
 
 Ah ! how many wait for ever 
 
 For the steps that do not come ! 
 Wait until the pitying angels 
 
 Bear them to a peaceful home ! 
 Many in the still of midnight 
 
 In the streets have lain and died, 
 While the sound of human footsteps 
 
 Went by on the other side. 
 
 GONE HOME. 
 
 /"^ ONE home ! Gone home 1 She lingers 
 \JT here no longer 
 
 A restless pilgrim, walking painfully, 
 With homesick longing, daily growing stronger, 
 
 And yearning visions of the joys to be. 
 
 jone home ! Gone home ! Her earnest, active 
 spirit, 
 
 Her very playfulness, her heart of love I 
 The heavenly mansion now she doth inherit, 
 
 Which Christ made ready ere she went above. 
 
212 FUKERAL HYMN. 
 
 Gone home ! Gone home ! The door through 
 which she vanished 
 
 Closed with a jar, and left us here alone. 
 We* stand without, in tears, forlorn and banished 
 
 Longing to follow where one loved has gone. 
 
 Gone home Gone home ! Oh ! shall we ever 
 reach her, 
 
 See her again, and know her for our own ? 
 Will she conduct us to the heavenly Teacher, 
 
 And bow beside us, low before His throne ? 
 
 Gone home! Gone home! O human-hearted 
 Saviour ! 
 
 Give us a balm to soothe our heavy woe ; 
 And if Thou wilt, in tender, pitying favor, 
 
 Hasten the time when we may rise and go ! 
 
 FUNERAL HYMN. 
 
 COME forth ! come on, with solemn song . 
 The road is short, the rest is long. 
 The Lord brought here, He calls away ; 
 
 Make no delay, 
 This home was for a passing day. 
 
FUNERAL HYMN. 213 
 
 Here in an inn a stranger dwelt, 
 Here joy and grief by turns he felt ; 
 Poor dwelling, now we close thy door ! 
 
 The task is o'er, 
 The sojourner returns no more. 
 
 Now of a lasting nome possessed, 
 He goes to seek a deeper rest. 
 Good-night ! the day was sultry here 
 
 In toil and fear ; 
 Good-night ! the night is cool and cleai 
 
 Chime on, ye bells ! again begin, 
 And ring the Sabbath morning in. 
 The laborer's week-day work is done, 
 
 The rest begun, 
 WTiich Christ hath for His people won 
 
 Now open to us gates of peace ! 
 Here let the pilgrim's journey cease ; 
 Ye quiet slumberers, make room 
 
 In your still home 
 For the new stranger who has come \ 
 
 How many graves around us lie ! 
 How man) homes are in the sky! 
 
214 WE ARE THE LORD'S, 
 
 Yes, for each saint doth Christ prepare 
 
 A place with care. 
 Thy home is waiting, brother, there. 
 
 Jesus, Thou reignest, Lord, alone ; 
 Thou wilt return and claim Thine own. 
 Come quickly, Lord ! return again ! 
 
 Amen ! Amen ! 
 Thine seal us ever, now and then 1 
 
 WE ARE THE LORD'S. 
 
 WE are the Lord's. His, earthly life and 
 spirit! 
 We are the Lord's, who once for all men died ' 
 We are the Lord's, and shall all things inherit ! 
 We are the Lord's, who wins us all beside ! 
 
 We are the Lord's ! So in most holy living, 
 Glad let us, body, soul, be His alone ; 
 
 And heart and mouth, and act join, witness giving 
 That it is surely true : we are His own ! 
 
 We are the Lord's ! So in the dark vale gleaming, 
 One star dispels our fear, and keeping ward, 
 
BUTUANASY 215 
 
 I)< *h light our way with sweet unehangeful beam- 
 ing : 
 It is the precious Word. We're thine, O Lord ! 
 
 We are the Lord's ! So will He on the morrow 
 Watch our last pang, when other help rewards 
 
 No pain, and Death brings not a touch of sorrow. 
 This Word's for ever true : we are the Lord's. 
 
 EUTHANASY. 
 
 WE need no change of sphere 
 To view the heavenly sights, or hear 
 The songs which angels sing. The hand 
 
 Which gently pressed the sightless orbs ere 
 
 while, 
 Giving them light, a world of beauty, and the 
 friendly smile, 
 Can cause our eyes to see the better land. 
 
 We need no wings 
 
 To soar aloft to realms of higher things 
 But only feet which walk the paths of peace, 
 
 Guided by Him whose voice 
 
 Greets every ear, makes every heart rejoice, 
 Saying, Arise, and walk where sorrows ease. 
 
216 ETTTffAXASY. 
 
 Visiting spirits are near ; 
 
 They are not wholly silent, but we can not hear 
 Nor understand their speech. 
 
 Our Saviour caught His Father's word, 
 
 And men of old, dreaming and walking, heard 
 The breathings of a world we can not reach. 
 
 They mounted to the skies, 
 
 And read deep mysteries. 
 While yet on earth, they placed a ladder there 
 
 Like Jacob's, that each round should lead, 
 
 By prayer outspoken, in a word or deed, 
 The soul to heights of clearer, purer air. 
 
 They saw no messenger of gloom 
 
 In him whom we call Death, nor met their doom 
 As prisoner his sentence ; but naturally, as bud 
 unfolds to flower, 
 
 As child to man, so man to angel — 
 
 They recognizing death the glad evangel, 
 Leading to higher scenes of life and power. 
 
THE ELEVENTH HOUR, 217 
 
 THE ELEVENTH HOUR. 
 
 FAINT and worn and aged 
 One stands knocking at a gate 
 Though no light shines in the casement, 
 
 Knocking though so late. 
 It has struck eleven 
 In the courts of heaven, 
 
 Yet he still doth knock and wait. 
 
 While no answer cometh 
 From the heavenly hill, 
 
 Blessed angels wonder 
 At his earnest will. 
 
 Hope and fear but quicken 
 
 While the shadows thicken : 
 He is knocking, knocking stilL 
 
 Grim the gate unopened 
 Stands with bar and lock : 
 
 Yet within the unseen Porter 
 Hearkens to the knock. 
 
 Doing and undoing. 
 
 Faint and yet pursuing, 
 
 This man's fee* are on the Rock. 
 
218 THE ELEVEXTH HOUR. 
 
 With a cry unceasing, 
 
 Knocketh, prayeth he : 
 44 Lord, have mercy on me 
 
 When I cry to Thee." 
 With a knock unceasing, 
 And a cry increasing : 
 
 " O my Lord ! remember me." 
 
 Still the Porter stand eth, 
 
 Love-Constrained He standeth near, 
 \\ hile the cry increaseth 
 
 Of that love and fear : 
 44 Jesus, look upon me — 
 Christ, hast Thou foregone me ? — 
 
 If I must, I perish here." 
 
 i aint the knocking ceases, 
 
 Faint the cry and call : 
 lis he lost indeed for ever, 
 
 Shut without the wall ? 
 Mighty Arms surround him, 
 Arms that sought and found him, 
 
 Held, withheld, and bore through all 
 
 r* celestial mansion ! 
 Open wide the door : 
 
1 BRIXCriyCr OCR SHEAVES WITH US." 21 ( J 
 
 Crown and robes of whiteness, 
 
 Stone inscribed before, 
 Flocking angels bear them ; 
 Stretch thy hand and wear thera ; 
 
 Sit thou down for evermore. 
 
 "BRINGING OUR SHEAVES WITH US." 
 
 THE time for toil is past, and night has come 
 The last and saddest of the harvest e^es ; 
 Worn out with labor long and wearisome, 
 Drooping and faint, the reapers hasten home, 
 Each laden with his sheaves. 
 
 Last of the laborers, Thy feet I gain, 
 
 Lord of the harvest ! and my spirit grieves 
 That I am burdened, not so much with grain 
 As with a heaviness of heart and brain. 
 Master, behold my sheaves ! 
 
 Few, light, and worthless — yet their trifling weight 
 
 Through all my frame a weary aching leaves ; 
 For long I struggled with my hapless fate, 
 And staid and toiled till it was dark and late — 
 Yet these are all my sheaves ! 
 
220 "BR13TGIXG OUR SHEAVES WITH VS.** 
 
 Full well I know I have more tares than wheat — 
 Brambles and flowers, dry stalks, and withered 
 leaves ; 
 
 Wherefore I blush and weep, as at Thy feet 
 
 [ kneel down reverently, and repeat, 
 " Master, behold my sheaves 1" 
 
 I know these blossoms, clustering heavily 
 
 With evening dew upon their folded leaves, 
 Can claim no value nor utility — 
 Therefore shall fragrancy and beauty be 
 The glory of my sheaves. 
 
 So do I gather strength and hope anew ; 
 
 For well I know thy patient love perceives 
 Not what I did, but what I strove to do — 
 And though the full, ripe ears be sadly few, 
 
 Thou wilt accept my sheaves. 
 
INDEX TO SUBJECTS. 
 
 PA UP. 
 
 All is ^nown to Thee, 20 
 
 A Little While, 45 
 
 Alone, yet not Alone, 51 
 
 Anchor within the Veil, the, 109 
 
 All is Light, 128 
 
 Asleep on Guard, 1 32 
 
 All in Christ, 163 
 
 Abide with Us, 170 
 
 Border Lands, the, IS 
 
 Bridegroom's Dove, the, 86 
 
 Bridges,.... 126 
 
 Burial of Moses, the, 
 
 Better life, the, ... 172 
 
 Bringing our Sheaves with Us, 219 
 
 Changed Cross, the, 5 
 
 Call, the, 82 
 
 Cross and Crown, the, 86 
 
 Coming, 116 
 
 Christian and His Echo, the, 144 
 
 Comfort by the Way, 147 
 
 Christmas Hymn, a, 153 
 
 Communion with God, 158 
 
 Cross, the, 1S5 
 
 Crown, the, 1S6 
 
 Delectable Mountains, the, 107 
 
 Distractions in Prayer, 113 
 
 Drawing Water, 175 
 
 Evening Prayer, 62 
 
 Even Me,.. 87 
 
 Eleventh Hour, the, 217 
 
222 1KB EX TO SUBJECTS 
 
 PAOH 
 
 Euthanasy, 215 
 
 Faith's Repose, 1 6 
 
 Father, take my Hand, .*... 128 
 
 For the New Year, 193 
 
 Footsteps on the Other Side, 210 
 
 Funeral Hj-mn, 2 2 
 
 Gone Home, 211 
 
 Ood our Strength, 15 
 
 God, my Exceeding Joy, -'9 
 
 God's Support and Guidance, 41 
 
 God's Anvil, 85 
 
 Grief was sent for thy Good, 96 
 
 God's Ways, Ill 
 
 Gracious Answer, tie, 130 
 
 Holy Tears, 13 
 
 Hinder me Not, 47 
 
 Heaven, 58 
 
 Hour of Prayer, the, 134 
 
 Hymn of Trust, 187 
 
 Himself hath Done It, 165 
 
 I Am, 43 
 
 I Cling to Thee, 50 
 
 In Heaven, 72 
 
 It is I ; Be not Afraid, 75 
 
 It is Well, 186 
 
 Lost Treasures, 25 
 
 Leave Me not Now, 105 
 
 Longings, 124 
 
 Light in Darkness, . 157 
 
 Living Waters, 167 
 
 Long Good-Night, the, 208 
 
 Less and More, 146 
 
 Meeting Place, the, 9 
 
 My Times are in Thy Hand, 16 
 
 Mary's Choice, 32 
 
 My Lambs, 73 
 
 My Guest 114 
 
INDEX TO SUBJECTS, 223 
 
 PA(5E 
 
 Ministry 1-1 
 
 Memories, 191 
 
 Near Home, 88 
 
 Near Jesus, 66 
 
 Nature and Faith, 7 > 
 
 Now, HI 
 
 Need of Jesus, the, 142 
 
 Oh ! for the Happy Days Gone By, 29 
 
 One by One, 31 
 
 Oh ! to be Ready, 34 
 
 Oh ! my Saviour Crucified, S9 
 
 Onward, ... 9"^ 
 
 Lord ! Thou Knowest 1 79 
 
 Pilgrim, the, 11 
 
 Pilgrim's Wants, the, 56 
 
 Pilgrim of Earth, 69 
 
 Peace of God, the, 89 
 
 Peace, 91 
 
 Prayer for Strength, ... 93 
 
 Pray for whom thou Lovest, 1 74 
 
 Perpetuity of Joy in Heaven, . . 2<X) 
 
 Pathways of the Holy Land, 196 
 
 Prayer out of the Depths 1 S7 
 
 Quiet Mind, a, 121 
 
 Return thee to thy Rest, SP 
 
 Retrospect, 148 
 
 Sunday, ... 7 
 
 School of Suffering, 52 
 
 Supplication, 61 
 
 Scenes on Jordan's Strand, 97 
 
 Sufferer cheered, the, 161 
 
 Salome, 190 
 
 There is Light Beyond, 99 
 
 Thy Will Be Done, 135 
 
 Thy Will Be Done, 109 
 
 They shall be Mine ..1<j8 
 
224 INDEX TO SUBJECTS. 
 
 PAOS 
 
 Tempest-Tossed, the, 146 
 
 Time for Prayer, the, 156 
 
 True Dream, a, 177 
 
 Through the Flood on Foot, ?.. 202 
 
 Voice from Heaven, a, 59 
 
 Verdict of Death, the, 15 1 
 
 Wandering Heart, the, 03 
 
 Wholly Resigned, 15 
 
 Who is my Brother? e8 
 
 What is this that He Saith ? 71 
 
 Widow of Nain, the, 194 
 
 Way, the Truth, and the Life, tho, 15* 
 
 We are the Lord's, £14 
 
INDEX TO FIRST LIXE8. 
 
 After long days of storms and showers, 27 
 
 Alas! for the wildly wandering heart, 68 
 
 Amid the shadows and the fears, 109 
 
 All in weakness, all in sorrow, 181 
 
 Another year, another year, 193 
 
 Beyond the smiling and the weeping, 45 
 
 Beyond the stars that shine in golden glory, 99 
 
 By Nebo's lonely mountain, 188 
 
 Breezes of spring, all earth to life awaking, 157 
 
 Christ leads us through no darker rooms, 15 
 
 Come forth ! come on with solemn song, 212 
 
 Early my spirit turned, 3'J 
 
 Father, I know that all my life, 16 
 
 Father, into Thy loving hands, IS 
 
 Forsake me not, my God, 41 
 
 Father of mercy ! at the close of day, 62 
 
 Father ! before Thy footstool kneeling, 93 
 
 Four little words, no more, 101 
 
 Father, beneath Thy sheltering wing, 106 
 
 Faint, and worn, and aged, 217 
 
 Gone home ! gone home ! She lingers here no longer, 211 
 
 Hinder me not ! the path is long and weary, 47 
 
 How few who from their youthful day, Ill 
 
 How doth Death speak of our beloved, 150 
 
 Himself hath done it all, .. 165 
 
 Here brief is the sighing, ..200 
 
 It was a time of sadness, and my heart, 5 
 
 I want that adorning divine, 66 
 
 I shine in the light of God, 59 
 
 I want to live near Jesus, 60 
 
226 INDEX TO FIRST LINES. 
 
 I loved them so, .... T8 
 
 I see them far away, 107 
 
 I cannot pray ; yet, Lord, Thou knowest, 113 
 
 I have a wonderful Guest, 114 
 
 It may be in the evening, 116 
 
 1 have a treasure which I prize, 121 
 
 I have a bridge within my heart, 126 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus, 142 
 
 I journey through a desert drear and wild, 147 
 
 In human form enthroned, 153 
 
 In thee, my heart, Jesus ! finds repose, 1 63 
 
 In some wild Eastern legend the story has been told, 167 
 
 I had drank with lips unsated, 175 
 
 I dreamt we danced in careless glee, 177 
 
 I journey forth rejoicing, 208 
 
 Jesus, engrave it on my heart, 32 
 
 Let us be patient, God has taken from U3, 25 
 
 Lord, hear my prayer, 61 
 
 Lord, I hear of showers of blessing, 87 
 
 Life's mystery — deep, restless as the ocean, 91 
 
 Leave me not now while still the shade is creeping, 105 
 
 Lord, I am come along with Thee, 158 
 
 Man, in his weakness, needs a stronger stay, 35 
 
 My God, whose gracious pity I may claim, 20 
 
 My Dove ! The Bridegroom speaks, 85 
 
 Must I my brother keep, 63 
 
 Must Jesus bear the cross alone, 86 
 
 My God, is any hour so sweet, 134 
 
 Oh ! for the happy days gone by, .. 22 
 
 One by one the sands are flowing, 31 
 
 One sweetly solemn thought, 83 
 
 Oh ! to be ready when death shall come, 84 
 
 holy Saviour ! Friend unseen, 50 
 
 Oh ! heaven is nearer than mortal think, 58 
 
 O Loving One ! O Bounteous One 1 148 
 
 Oh ! for the peace which fioweth as a river, 71 
 
 O my Saviour crucified, 89 
 
rVDBX 7V FIRST LINES. 227 
 
 shame! we're sometimes fain to say, 13.2 
 
 Love Divine ! that stooped to share, 137 
 
 Pilgrim of earth, who art journeying to heaven, 69 
 
 Pain's furnace-heat within me quivers, 85 
 
 Return, return thee to thy only rest, 65 
 
 Rise! for the day is passing, 141 
 
 Still onward through this land of foes, 11 
 
 Saviour, beneath Thy yoke, 52 
 
 Silence filled the courts of heaven, 72 
 
 Some there are who seem exempted, 96 
 
 Say! shall I take the thorn away? 161 
 
 Since service is the highest lot, 181 
 
 So they said who saw the wonders, 183 
 
 She knew not what for them she sought, 190 
 
 Sitting in my humble doorway, 210 
 
 Thou bidd'st us call, 43 
 
 Tossed with rough winds and faint with fear, 75 
 
 The night was dark ; behold, the shade was deeper, 82 
 
 Traveller, faint not on the road, 95 
 
 There came a little child with sunny hair, ,[ * 97 
 
 They shall be mine, " 103 
 
 The way is dark, my Father, 128 
 
 The way is dark, my child, " l 3 n 
 
 True faith, producing love to God and man, ..... 144 
 
 Two Prayers, dear Lord, in One, 1 46 
 
 Thou art the Way, 1 _, 
 
 The tender light is fading where, ."!.".".!."."! 170 
 
 Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow, 179 
 
 The strongest light casts deepest shade, ..185 
 
 Thou shalt be crowned, mother blest! ' 186 
 
 Thy miracles are no state splendors, ]]][[ 194 
 
 The pathways of Thy land are little changed ,,[[ 196 
 
 The sun had sunk in the west, ....[.[ 202 
 
 The time for toil is past, 219 
 
 We are the Lord's. His, earthly life and spirit, 2U 
 
 We need no change of sphere, ..215 
 
228 INDEX TO FIRST U2TE8. 
 
 Where the faded flower shall freshen, 9 
 
 When no kind earthly friend is near, 51 
 
 We wept — 'twas Nature wept, but Faith, 76 
 
 We ask for peace, Lord ! 89 
 
 What though storm-clouds gather round me, 128 
 
 When shall I beat rest? 124 
 
 We see not, know not, all our way, 135 
 
 When is the time for prayer ? 156 
 
 When we reach a quiet dwelling, 172 
 
 When fall the evening shadows long and deep, 191 
 
 Yes, thou may'st weep, 13 
 
 Yes, pray for whom thou lovest, 174