* ^(o n'/^ Printed hu 11. Clark, Edinburgh CONTEXTS, Page Sweet Cup of Sorrow I Divine Sympathy . 3 Beyond the Skies . 5 Hope's Rainbow . 6 God is Love 7 Labour and Rest . 1 1 The Three Weepers 13 My God, my All . «5 Thy Darling is not Dead n My Psalm 19 The Christian Dead * 23 The Glory to be Revealed 25 Short Sorrow, Long Joy 26 Come, Lord Jesus 27 Thy Daughter is Dead . 28 Thank the Lord for Sorrow 30 The God of Abraham 31 Our Golden Dav . 35 Clinging 37 The Unchangeable 39 iv CONTENTS. Page Our All -41 Returning Clouds . 4? Pass over to thy Rest 44 Ready to Depart . • 47 Cross and Crown . • 49 The Refiner . • 5* I am with Thee • 53 Light out of Darkness • 55 It is Well .... • 57 All in God .... . 58 Divine Companionship . 59 Within Sight of Canaan . 61 The Death of Moses 62 It will soon be Well • 63 It is the Lord . 64 The Taiting and the Meeting . 66 All is Well .... 68 Praise for the Hope of Glory . 70 Saviour be Near .... 74 My Pilgrimage .... 75 My Redeemer Liveth 77 The Ways of God 79 Who are These and whence came T ley . 80 Resting in Hope .... 83 The Joys of Heaven 84 I )eath of Saints .... 86 Sleep in Jesus .... 88 I )ead and Risen .... 90 The Joys Above .... 92 CONTENTS. Page Our Mother's Death 93 Dying in the Lord 97 Weep not for Me .... 99 My Times are in Thy Hand . 100 Rest Above ..... 102 Wings like a Dove 104 Onward ..... 106 How Long ..... 107 We shall Arise .... 109 Mountain and Valley 1 1 1 The Guest ..... iij Arise ...... "5 Whom having not seen ye Love 117 Haste not — Rest not 119 Our Rest 121 We would see Jesus 123 A Broken Heart ..... 125 Evening Song after a Day of Difficulty 127 Like Christ ...... 129 " She is not Dead, but Sleepeth." . - 131 Home of the Conquerors 132 Our Beloved ..... i34 The Refuge ...... 136 When He giveth Quietness, who then can make Trouble ?..... 138 Matthew xx. 17-28. .... i39 God Everywhere ..... 140 The Retrospect ..... 142 Work and Rest . . . . . 144 vi CONTENTS. Page The Harvest Home ...... 146 Hymn ..... 150 Desire to Depart .... 152 Rest, weary Soul .... 154 How Long ? .... 156 Thou wilt never grow Old 158 Upheld 160 Faith 162 Thoughts in Blindness . 164 The Pilgrim's Farewell . 166 Rachel's Tears .... 168 The Heavenly Well-Spring 169 Our Everlasting Home . 171 Be Still .... 172 Looking to Jesus . 174 The Secret Place of the Most High 176 Death of the Saint . 178 Rest in Hope . 180 Star of My Hope . 181 I would not Live always . 182 When I am Dead . • 183 Homeward Bound . 186 A Little While . . 188 A Prayer 190 A Retrospect • 193 Things Above 195 Divine Shelter 197 Jesus Help .... [99 Be Strong .... 201 CONTENTS. vii " Page Consolation ....... . 202 Comfort in Affliction . 204 Secret Sorrows ...... 206 The Anvil and the Hammer . . . . . 208 Heal Me 209 Far from Home ...... 2IO Affliction ....... 211 In Sorrow ....... 212 Affliction ....... 214 Night in the Dark Valley . • 215 Conflict . . . . . . . 217 Divine Comfort ...... 219 Remember Me ...... 221 Value of Afflictions . . 223 The Mourner's Hymn .... . 224 The Days of Thy Mourning shall be Ended 226 " Hope thou in God " . . 228 Bitter-Sweet ..... • 230 Song of the New Heavens and New Earth ■ 232 Peace be with You ! • 234 Thankful Joy ..... . 236 The Night Song ..... • 238 Christ my Joy ..... 24O An Old Epitaph ..... . 243 Not my Will, but Thine be Done • 245 Israel's Cry . . . . • » • • 247 The Shadow of the Cross ■ 249 The Shepherd and the Rest • 250 Trust ....... • 252 viii CONTENTS. Page The Border- Lands . . . . . .253 Apprehension • 256 Holy Tears .... • 257 Whom have I in Heaven but Thee • 259 The Hiding-Place 261 Retirement .... 262 I am with You 264 The Heavenly City . 266 Patience .... . 268 As Thou Wilt 269 Song of the Eternal Sabbath . 270 Song of Resignation • 273 Evening Song . 276 I will not leave You . 278 Desire of Death . 280 Triumph over Death 282 The Consolation of the Bereaved 284 Bearing the Cross 286 Jerusalem and the Morning Star 288 Our Eai^thly Sojourn 290 A Hymn ..... 293 I move into the Light 295 Dying in the Lord 297 My Life's a Shade 298 Onward ..... 300 Hope in Loneliness 303 Extra Portam .... 305 T5Z- SWEET CUP OF SORROW. / Sweet cup of sorrow, I would drink thee ! Cup of unearthly wine, As thy lip touches mine, I would bethink me, — " Christ, my joy and hope, Once drained a bitterer cup, Let me then drink thee up !' Dear cup of sorrow, I would own thee ! And speak thy praises true, As only those can do Who have known thee. i! LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Sweet and bitter joined Medicine of soul and mind, Health in thee let me find ! Though thou art bitter, Love is in thee ; Pledge of the brighter wine, Let my pale lips touch thine, For within thee Are the blessings seven ; O cup, O wine of heaven, At the high banquet given ! DIVINE SYMPATHY. Jesus, my sorrow lies too deep For human ministry ; It knows not how to tell itself To any but to Thee. Thou dost remember still, amid The glories of God ? s throne, The sorrows of mortality, For they were once thine own. Yes : for, as if thou wouldst be God, Even in thy misery, There's been no sorrow but thine own, Untouched by sympathy. Jesus, my fainting spirit brings Its fearfulness to Thee \ Thine eye, at least, can penetrate The clouded mystery. LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. And is it not, Lord, enough This holy sympathy? There is no sorrow e'er so deep But I may bring to Thee. It is enough, my precious Lord, Thy tender sympathy ! My every sin and sorrow can Devolve itself on Thee. As God, thou graspedst e'en the whole Of human misery ; — Thine own alone lay desolate, That Thou mightst pitied be. Thy risen life but whets Thee more For kindly sympathy ; Thy love unhindered rests upon Each bruised branch in Thee. Jesus ! thou hast availed to probe My deepest malady ; It freely flows — more freely finds The gracious remedy. Lady Powerscourt. BEYOND THE SKIES We seek a rest beyond the skies, In everlasting day ; Thro' floods and flames the passage lies, But Jesus guards the way. The swelling flood and raging flame Hear and obey his word ; Then let us triumph in his name, Our Saviour is the Lord. Newton. HOPE'S RAINBOW. Though the heart that sorrow chideth Sink in anguish and in care ; Yet, if patience still abideth, Hope shall paint her rainbow there. Faith's bright lamp her light shall borrow From religion's blessed ray, And from many a coming morrow Charm the clouds of grief away. Wherefore should we sigh and languish, When our cares so soon shall cease, And the heart that sows in anguish Shall hereafter reap in peace % This is not a scene of pleasure, These are not the shores of bliss ; We shall gain a brighter treasure, Find a dearer land than this. Anon. GOD IS LOVE. Who fathoms the Eternal Thought 1 Who talks of scheme and plan 1 The Lord is God ! he needeth not The poor device of man. I walk with bare hushed feet the ground Ye tread with boldness shod ; I dare not fix with mete and bound The love and power of God. Ye praise his justice ; even such His pitying love I deem ; Ye seek a king ; I fain would touch The robe that hath no seam. Ye see the curse which overbroods A world of pain and loss ; I hear our Lord's beatitudes And prayer upon the cross. LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. More than your schoolmen teach, within Myself, alas, I know ; Too dark ye cannot paint the sin, Too small the merit show. I bow my forehead to the dust, I veil my eyes for shame, And urge, in trembling self-distrust, A prayer without a claim. I see the wrong that round me lies, I feel the guilt within ; I hear, with groans and travail-cries, The world confess its sin : Yet in the maddening maze of things, And tossed by storm and flood, To one fixed star my spirit clings : I know that God is good ! Not mine to look when cherubim And seraphs may not see, But nothing can be good in him Which evil is in me. GOD IS LOVE. The wrong that pains my soul below I dare not throne above ; I know not of his hate — I know His goodness and his love. I dimly guess from blessings known, Of greater out of sight, And, with the chastened Psalmist, own His judgments too are right. I long for household voices gone, For vanished smiles I long, But God hath led my dear ones on, And He can do no wrong. I know not what the future hath Of marvel or surprise, Assured alone that life and death His mercy underlies. And if my heart and flesh are weak To bear an untried pain, The bruised reed He will not break, But strengthen and sustain. io LYRA C0NS0LATI0NIS. No offering of my own I have, Nor works my faith to prove ; I can but give the gifts he gave, And plead his love for love. And so beside the silent sea I wait the muffled oar ; No harm from him can come to me On ocean or on shore. I know not where his islands lift Their fronted balms in air ; I only know I cannot drift Beyond his love and care. O brothers ! if my faith is vain, If hopes like these betray, Pray for me, that my feet may gain The sure and safer way. And Thou, O Lord ! by whom are seen Thy creatures as they be, Forgive me if too close I lean My human heart on Thee ! Whittier. LABOUR AND REST. " Two hands upon the breast, and labour is past." Russian Proverb. " Two hands upon the breast, And labour's done : Two pale feet crossed in rest, The race is run : Two eyes with coin-weights shut, And all tears cease : Two lips where grief is mute, And wrath at peace." So pray we oftentimes, mourning our lot ; God in his kindness answereth not. " Two hands to work addrest Aye for his praise : Two feet that never rest, Walking his ways : 12 L'YRA CONSOLATIONIS. Two eyes that look above, Still through all tears : Two lips that breathe but love, Nevermore fears/' So cry we afterwards, low at our knees, Pardon those erring prayers ! Father, hear these. -^s. THE THREE WEEPERS. Sorrow weeps ! — And drowns its bitterness in tears ; My child of sorrow, Weep out the fulness of thy passionate grief. And drown in tears The bitterness of lonely years. God gives the rain and sunshine mild, And both are best, my child ! Joy weeps ! — And overflows its banks with tears ; My child of joy, Weep out the gladness of thy pent-up heart. And let thy glistening eyes Run over in their ecstasies ; Life needeth joy ; but from on high Descends what cannot die ! H LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Love weeps ! — And feeds its silent life with tears ; My child of love, Pour out the riches of thy yearning heart, And, like the air of even, Give and take back the dew of heaven ; And let that longing heart of thine Feed upon love divine ! H. Bonar. MY GOD, MY ALL. My soul doth pant towards Thee, My God, source of eternal life, Flesh fights with me : O end the strife, And part us, that I may Unclay My wearied spirit, and take My flesh to thy eternal spring. Where, for his sake Who is my King, I may wash all my tears away, That day ! Thou Conqueror of death, Glorious triumpher o'er the grave, Whose holy breath Was spent to save Lost mankind, make me to be styled Thy child ! i6 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. And take me when I die, And go unto my dust ; my soul Above the sky With saints enrol That in thy arms for ever I May lie ! Jeremy Taylor. -~'-^;< THY DARLING IS NOT DEAD. Look up, look up and weep not so : Thy darling is not dead ; His sinless soul is cleaving now Yon sky's empurpled bed : His spirit drinks new life and light Mid bowers of endless bloom ; It is but perishable stuff That moulders in the tomb. Then hush, O hush the swelling sigh And dry the idle tear, Look out upon yon glorious heaven And joy that he is there. Already hath he gained the goal And tasted of the bliss, The peace that God's pervading love Prepares for souls like his. Then calm thy sorrow-stricken heart. And smile away despair ; Think of the home thy child hath won And joy that he is there. 1 8 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. When summer evening's golden hues Are burning in the sky And odorous gales from balmy bowers Are breathing softly by ; When earth is bright with sunset's beams And flowers are blushing near ; And grief, all chastened and subdued, Is gathering to a tear : How sweet 'twill be, at such an hour, And mid a scene so fair, To lift thy streaming eyes to heaven, And think that he is there ! And when that final hour arrives, The hour that all must brave, Ere thy full ear of life be reaped, And garnered in the grave ; While deeply musing on the fate Our prayers may not defer, What ardent longings after bliss Each failing pulse will stir ! How sweet will be the glance to heaven, The heaven thou soon mayst share ; The memory of thy buried babe, The hope to meet him there ! Alaric A. Watts. MY PSALM. I mourn no more my vanished years ; Beneath a tender rain, An April rain of smiles and tears, My heart is young again. The west winds blow, and, singing low I hear the glad streams run ; The windows of my soul I throw Wide open to the sun. No longer forward nor behind I look in hope and fear ; But, grateful, take the good I find, The best of now and here. I plough no more a desert land, To harvest weed and tare ; The manna dropping from God's hand Rebukes my painful care. 2o LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. I break my pilgrim staff, I lay Aside the toiling oar ; The angel sought so far away I welcome at my door. The airs of spring may never play Among the ripening corn, Nor freshness of the flowers of May Blow through the autumn morn ; Yet shall the blue-eyed gentian look Through fringed lids to heaven, And the pale aster in the brook Shall see its image given ; The woods shall wear their robes of praise, The south wind softly sigh, And sweet, calm days in golden haze Melt down the amber sky. Not less shall manly deed and word Rebuke an age of wrong ; The graven flowers that wreathe the sword Make not the blade less strong. MY PSALM. 2i But smiting hands shall learn to heal, To build as to destroy ; Xor less my heart for others feel That I the more enjoy. All as God wills, who wisely heeds To give or to withhold, And knoweth more of all my needs Than all my prayers have told ! Enough that blessings undeserved Have marked my erring track — That whereso'er my feet have swerved. His chastening turned me back — That more and more a Providence Of love is understood, Making the springs of time and sense Sweet with eternal good — That death seems but a covered way Which opens into light, Wherein no blinded child can stray Beyond the Father's sight — 22 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. That care and trial seem at last, Through Memory's sunset air, Like mountain-ranges overpast, In purple distance fair — That all the jarring notes of life Seem blending in a psalm, And all the angles of its strife Slow rounding into calm. And so the shadows fall apart, And so the west winds play ; And all the windows of my heart I open to the day. Whittier. THE CHRISTIAN DEAD. They dread no storm that lowers, No perished joy bewail ; They pluck no thorn-clad flowers, Nor drink of streams that fail : There is no tear-drop in their eye, Nor change upon their brow ; The placid bosom heaves no sigh, Though all earth's idols bow. Who are so greatly blessed ? From whom hath sorrow fled? Who find such deep unbroken rest. While all things toil ? — The dead ! The holy dead '. — Why weep ye so Above their sable bier? Thrice blessed ! they have done with woe,- The living claim the tear. 24 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. We dream, but they awake ; Dark visions mar our rest ; Mid thorns and snares our way w r e take, And yet we mourn the blest. For those who throng the eternal throne, Lost are the tears we shed: They are the living, they alone, Whom thus we call the dead. Sigourney, / THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED. The time will come when even- change shall cease, This quick revolving wheel shall rest in peace ; Xo summer then shall glow, nor winter freeze ; Nothing shall be to come, and nothing past, But an eternal now shall ever last. Though time shall be no more, yet space shall give A nobler theatre to love and live. Then all the lying vanities of life, The sordid source of envy, hate, and strife. Ignoble as they are, shall then appear Beneath the searching beam of truth severe. Then souls, from sense refined, shall see the fraud That led them from the living way of God. Blest is the pile that marks the hallowed dust, There, at the resurrection of the just, When the last trumpet, with earth-shaking sound. Shall wake her sleepers from their couch profound : How will the beatific sight display All heavenly beauty in these climes of day ! Petrarch. SHORT SORROW, LONG JOY. After long storms and tempests' sad assay, Which hardly I endured heretofore, In dread of death, and dangerous dismay, With which my silly bark was tossed sore, I do at length descry the happy shore In which I hope, ere long, for to arrive ; Fair soil it seems from far, and fraught with store Of all that dear and dainty is alive. Most happy he that can at last achieve The joyous safety of so sweet a rest ; Whose least delight sufficeth to deprive Remembrance of all pains which him oppressed. All pains are nothing in respect of this ; All sorrows short that gain eternal bliss. Edmund Spenser. COME, LORD JESUS! Great joy to me it were to join the throng, That thy celestial throne, O Lord, surround, Where perfect peace and pardon shall be found, Peace for good doings, pardon for the "wrong ; Great joy to hear the vault of heaven prolong That everlasting trumpet's mighty sound, That shall to each award their final bound, — Wailing to these, to those the blissful song. GUITTOXE D'AREZZO, A.D. 1527. THY DAUGHTER IS DEAD. I know the child is fled ; A lovely maiden comes to me in dreams, Yet the same splendour in her blue eye beams, While sunny hair ripples in wavy gleams Around the fair young head ; I know she moves, the central star to light A pastor's home : long be that hearthstone bright. Beyond the shadowy pale I stretch my hand, and paint her destiny With rainbow hue ; a flowery life-road see, Then trembling cry — My God it rests with Thee. Alas, a low deep wail From breaking hearts; I know the fair is fled ; " Death found strange beauty;" swift his arrow sped. THY DAUGHTER IS DEAD. 29 Our Father, 'tis thy hand ! The stricken feel it, yet 'tis hard to say, Thy will be done — No parent near, to lay In those cold arms a darling's form of clay, And with the spirit stand Neath the bright portals of eternal day, Till sister spirits beckoned her away. It could not be, O God ! It could not be ! then fold them tenderly In thy Almighty arms ; soothe lovingly Each bleeding heart, and fill with heaven and Thee ; So shall they kiss the rod. The soul her shining wing shall lift from dust, And sing — "Although He slay me, I will trust." O. E. Reynold. THANK THE LORD FOR SORROW. Thank the Lord for every sorrow, Thank Him for the keenest smart ; Pleasures trouble's pathway follow ; Anguish lifts from earth the heart. The summer's hot, oppressive ray, Ripens but the luscious fruits ; On the rough briar's thorny spray Oft the fairest flower shoots. The stars most brightly shine on high In the deepest, darkest night ; 'Tis only through a cloudy sky Bends the rainbow's glorious light. Take, then, sorrow as a treasure, Thankfully from God's kind hand ; For th' unfailing cup of pleasure Waits thee in the better land. From the German. THE GOD OF ABRAHAM. The God of Abraham praise ! Who reigns enthroned above : Ancient of everlasting days, And God of love ; Jehovah, Great I Am ! By earth and heaven confessed ; I bow and bless the sacred name, For ever bless'd. The God of Abraham praise ! At whose supreme command From earth I rise — and seek the joys At his right hand ; I all on earth forsake, Its wisdom, fame, and power, And him my only portion make, My shield and tower. LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. The God of Abraham praise ! Whose all-sufficient grace Shall guide me all my happy days, In all his ways : He calls a worm his friend ! He calls himself my God ! And He shall save me to the end, Through Jesus' blood. He by himself hath sworn, I on his oath depend, , I shall, on eagles' wings up-borne, To heaven ascend : I shall behold his face, I shall his power adore, And sing the wonders of his grace For evermore. Though nature's strength decay, And earth and hell withstand, To Canaan's bounds I urge my way, At his command : The watery deep I pass, With Jesus in my view ; THE GOD OF ABRAHAM. 33 And through the howling wilderness My way pursue. The goodly land I see, With peace and plenty bless'd; A land of sacred liberty, And endless rest : There milk and honey flow, And oil and wine abound ; And trees of life for ever grow, With mercy crown' d. There dwells the Lord our King, The Lord our Righteousness, Triumphant o'er the world and sin, The Prince of Peace ! On Zion's sacred height His kingdom still maintains ; And glorious, with his saints in light For ever reigns. He keeps his own secure, He guards them by his side, Arrays in garments white and pure, His spotless bride ; D 34 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. With streams of sacred bliss, With groves of living joys, With all the fruits of paradise, He still supplies. Before the Three in One, They all exulting stand, And tell the wonders He hath done, Through all their land. The listening spheres attend, And swell the growing fame, And sing in songs which never end, The wondrous Name. Oliver. OUR GOLDEN DAY. Have we not now a golden daye 1 The Lorde prolonge the same ! That in his fear henceforth we may Practise our lives to frame ; And so be thankful to our God For these his gifts of grace ; That He may still behold our days With his most loving face. That all our wordes and deedes henceforth May lerne so to accord, That we, with harts unfained, may Still live and laude the Lorde. Increase the number of thy falde ; Thy mercie, Lord, displaie ; Prolonge, amonge thy simple sheepe, This happy golden daie. 36 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Come, haste thy kingdome, mighty God, Come, Jesus Christ, we praie, That all our foes may learne and know We have a golden daie. Which to continue longe, To God let us all pray ; Whose glorious name be lauded still For this our golden daie. John Phillip, 1570. CLINGING. Cling to the Mighty One. Cling in thy grief: Cling to the Holy One, He gives relief. Cling to the Gracious One. Cling in thy pain : Cling to the Faithful One, He will sustain. Cling to the Living One, Cling in thy woe : Cling to the Loving One, Through all below : Cling to the Pardoning. One. He speaketh peace : Cling to the Healing One, Anguish will cease. 38 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Cling to the Bleeding One, Cling to his side : Cling to the Rising One, In Him abide : Cling to the Coming One, Hope shall arise : Cling to the Reigning One, Joy lights thine eyes. Anon. — 13? U^ THE UNCHANGEABLE. What though time on earth were over I Not on time our hopes depend ; Lo, beyond it, we discover Life that never knows an end. 'Mid the woes that life attend, • Still for rest we turn to Thee : God, a father and a friend, Changeless, in his Son we see. Father still in all our need, Father still in weal or woe : Father even of the dead, When into the grave we go. Change may toss us to and fro, Changeless He in whom we trust : Even our dust his care shall know, When our bodies turn to dust. 4Q LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Then let days and years be fleeting, Swiftly pass our joys and woes ; 'Mid the changes we are meeting, God, our God, no changes knows. Ours be then a life that shows That, conducted by his hand, We shall enter at its close Our beloved father-land. From the Dutch. OUR ALL. Art thou weak, afflicted soul ? I am strong to make thee whole. Art thou sick, and hast no cure ? I am thy Physician sure. Art thou fainting on thy road ? I am near to bear thy load. Art thou hungry, thirsty, poor? I am rich to bless thy store. Art thou much with grief opprest ? I am come to give thee rest. Art thou weary of thy sin ? I am peace to thee within. I am ready at thy side, At thy right and left to guide. I am life, and love, and peace, — I am joy which ne'er shall cease. Axon. RETURNING CLOUDS. The clouds are returning after the rain j All the long morning they steadily sweep From the blue northwest, o'er the upper main, In a peaceful flight to the eastern deep. With sails that the cool wind fills or furls, And shadows that darken the billowy grass, Freighted with amber or piled with pearls, Fleets of fair argosies rise and pass. The earth smiles back to the smiling throng From greening pasture and blooming field, For the earth, that hath sickened with thirst so long, Has been touched by the hand of the rain, and healed. RETURNING CLOUDS. 43 The old man sits 'neath the tall elm trees, And watches the pageant with dreamy eyes. While his white locks stir to the same cool breeze That scatters the silver along the skies. The old man's eyelids are wet with tears — Tears of sweet pleasure and sweeter pain — For his thoughts are driving back over the years In beautiful clouds after life's long rain. Sorrows that drowned all the springs of his life, Trials that crushed him with pitiless beat, Storms of temptation and tempests of strife, Float o'er his memory tranquil and sweet. And the old man's spirit, made soft and bright By the long, long rain that hath bent him low. Sees a vision of angels on wings of white, In the drooping clouds as they come and go. American. PASS OVER TO THY REST. From this bleak hill of storms, To yon warm sunny heights, Where love for ever shines, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! From hunger and from thirst, From toil and weariness, From shadows and from dreams, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! From tides, and winds, and waves, From shipwrecks of the deep, From parted anchors here, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! PASS OVER TO THY REST. 45 From weakness and from pain, From trembling and from strife, From watchings and from fears, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! From vanity and lies, From mockery and snares, From disappointed hopes, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God .' From falsehoods of the age, From broken ties and hearts, From suns gone down at noon, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! From unrealities, From hollow scenes of change, From ache and emptiness, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! 46 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. From this unanchored world, Whose morrow none can tell, From all things restless here, Pass over to thy rest, The rest of God ! H. Bonar. READY TO DEPART. I'm going to leave all my sadness, I'm going to change earth for heaven ; There, there, all is peace, all is gladness, There pureness and glory are given. Come quickly then, Jesus ! Amen ! Friends, weep not in sorrow of spirit, But joy that my time here is o'er ; I go the good part to inherit, Where sorrow and sin are no more. Come quickly then, Jesus ! Amen ! The shadows of evening are fleeing, Morn breaks from the city of light ; This moment day starts into being, Eternity bursts on my sight. Come quickly then, Jesus ! Amen ! 48 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. The first-born redeemed from all trouble, (The Lamb that was slain, in the throng), Their ardour in praising redouble ; — Breaks not on the ear the new song 1 Come quickly then, Jesus ! Amen ! I'm going to tell their glad story, To share in their transports of praise ; I'm going in garments of glory, My voice to unite with their lays. Come quickly then, Jesus ! Amen ! Ye fetters corrupted, then leave me ; Thou body of sin, droop and die ; Pains of earth, cease ye ever to grieve me ; From you 'tis for ever I fly. Come quickly then, Jesus ! Amen ! Malan. CROSS AND CROWN. Jesus, our head, once crowned with thorns, Is crowned with glory now ; Heaven's royal diadem adorns The mighty victor's brow. Delight of all who dwell above, The joy of saints below ; To us still manifest thy love, That we its depths may know. To us thy cross, with all its shame, With all its grace, be given ! Though earth disowns thy lowly name, All worship it in heaven. Who suffer with Thee, Lord, below, Will reign with Thee above ; Then let it be our joy to know This way of peace and love. E 5° LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. To us thy cross is life and health, Though shame and death to Thee, Our present glory, joy, and wealth, Our everlasting stay. Anon. THE REFINER. God's furnace doth in Zion stand, But Zion's God sits by \ As the refiner views his gold With an observant eye. God's thoughts are high, his love is wise, His wounds a cure intend ; And though He doth not always smile, He loves unto the end. Thy love is constant to its line, Though clouds oft come between ; O could my faith but pierce these clouds, It might be always seen. But I am weak, and forced *to cry, Take up my soul to Thee ; Then, as Thou ever art the same, So shall I ever be. 5 2 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Then shall I ever, ever sing, While Thou dost ever shine : I have thine own dear pledge for this, Lord, Thou art ever mine. Mason, 1683. I AM WITH THEE On mountains and in valleys, Where'er we go is God ; The cottage and the palace Alike are his abode. In sinking and in soaring, ■ Thought finds Him ever near,- Where angels are adoring, Where fiends believe and fear. With watchful eye abiding Upon us with delight : Our souls, in Him confiding, He keeps both day and night. Above me and beside me. My God is ever near, — To watch, protect, and guide me, Whatever ills appear. 54 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Though other friends may fail me In sorrow's dark abode, — Though death itself assail me, I'm ever safe with God. From the Dutch. LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform ; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sov'reign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take. The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. But trust Him for his grace : Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. 56 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain : God is his own interpreter, And He will make it plain. Newton. IT IS WELL. Beloved, " it is well ! " God's ways are always right ; And love is o'er them all, Though far above our sight. Beloved, "it is well !" Though deep and sore the smart, He wounds, who knows to bind And heal the broken heart. Beloved, "it is well !" Though sorrow clouds our way, 'Twill make the joy more dear That ushers in the day. Beloved, "it is well!" The path that Jesus trod, Though rough and dark it be, Leads home to heaven and God. Anon. ALL IN GOD. O loved, but not enough; — though dearer far Than self, and its most loved enjoyments are ! None duly loves Thee, but who, nobly free From sensual objects, finds his all in Thee. Glorious, Almighty, First, and without end ! When wilt Thou melt the mountains and descend 1 When wilt Thou shoot abroad thy conquering rays, And teach these atoms Thou hast made thy praise ! Guion. DIVINE COMPANIONSHIP. When quiet in my house I sit, Thy book be my companion still, My joy thy sayings to repeat, — Talk o'er the records of thy will, And search the oracles divine, Till every heart-felt word be mine. may the gracious words divine Subject of all my converse be ; So will the Lord his follower join, And walk and talk himself with me So shall my heart his presence prove, And burn with everlasting love. Oft as I lay me down to rest, O may the reconciling word Sweetly compose my wea'ry breast ! While on the bosom of my Lord 1 sink in blissful dreams away, — And visions of eternal day. 6o L YRA CONS OLA TIONIS. Rising to sing my Saviour's praise, Thee may I publish all day long ; And let thy precious word of grace Flow from my heart and fill my tongue ! Fill all my life with purest love, And join me to the church above. Wesley. WITHIN SIGHT OF CAXAAX. O Israel, who is like to thee ? A people saved, and called to be Peculiar to the Lord ! Thy shield ! He guards thee from the foe Thy sword ! He fights thy battles too, Himself thy great reward. Thy toils have almost reached a close. Thou soon art destined to repose Within the promised land : Its rising hills ev'n now are seen Enrich' d with everlasting green, Where thou so soon shalt stand. Sweet hope ! it makes the coward brave, It makes a freeman of the slave. And bids the sluggard rise ; It lifts a worm of earth on high, It gives him wings, and bids him fly To everlasting joys. Anox. THE DEATH OF MOSES. Sweet was the journey to the sky The holy prophet tried ; " Climb up the mount," said God, " and die '" The prophet climbed, and died. Softly, with fainting head, he lay Upon his Maker's breast ; His Maker soothed his soul away, And laid his flesh to rest. In God's own arms he left the breath That God's own Spirit gave ; His was the noblest road to death, And his the sweetest grave. Watts. IT WILL SOON BE WELL. My span of life will soon be done, The passing moments say ; As lengthening shadows o'er the plain Proclaim the close of day. Soon will the toilsome strife be o'er Of weariness and care ; And life's dull vanities no more This anxious heart ensnare. Courage, my soul ! thy bitter cross, In every trial here, Shall bear thee to thy heaven above, But shall not enter there. Courage, my soul ! on God rely, Deliverance soon shall come ; A thousand ways thy Saviour has To bring his people home. Mrs. Cowper, Aunt of the Poet. IT IS THE LORD. It is the Lord — enthroned in light, Whose claims are all divine ; Who has an undisputed right To govern me and mine. It is the Lord — should I distrust Or contradict his will, Who cannot do but what is just, And must be righteous still 1 It is the Lord — who gives me all, — My wealth, my friends, my ease ; And of his bounties may recall Whatever part He please. It is the Lord — who can sustain Beneath the heaviest load : From whom assistance I obtain, To tread the thorny road. IT IS THE LORD. 65 It is the Lord — whose matchless skill Can from afflictions raise Blessings, eternity to fill With ever-growing praise. It is the Lord — my covenant God — Thrice blessed be his name, Whose gracious promise, seal'd with blood, Must ever be the same. Greene. THE PARTING AND THE MEETING. When friend from friend is parting, And in each speaking eye The silent tears are starting, To tell what words deny, — How could we bear the heavy load Of such heart-agony, Could we not cast it all, our God, Our gracious God, on Thee ; And feel that Thou kind watch wilt keep When we are far away, — That Thou wilt soothe us when we weep, And hear us when we pray 1 Yet oft these hearts will whisper — That better 'twould betide, If we were near the friends we love, And watching by their side. But sure thou'lt love them dearer, Lord, For trusting Thee alone, THE PARTING AXD THE MEETING. 67 And sure Thou wilt draw nearer, Lord, The farther we are gone. 1 Then why be sad, since Thou wilt keep Watch o'er them day by day ; Since Thou wilt soothe them when they weep, And hear us when we pray ? O for that bright and happy land, Where, far amid the blest, The wicked cease from troubling, and The weary are at rest ! Where friends are never parted, Once met around thy throne ; And none are broken-hearted, Since all with Thee are one ! Yet, Oh, till then, watch o'er us keep, When far from Thee away, And soothe us, Lord, oft as we weep, And hear us when we pray. MONSELL. ALL IS WELL. If my bark be strong, If my anchor sure, Then let billow upon billow beat ; Am I not secure 1 On the dreariest, wildest sea, What are winds to me ? Up between the stars Spreads night's tranquil blue ; Not one ruffle, not one wrinkle there Blots the changeless hue. Storms of earth for earth are given ; But they reach not heaven ! To that heaven I go, To that starland bright, Where the sea is ever smooth and fair. And the sky all bright ; Never heavy, pale, or dull ; — Starland beautiful ! ALL IS WELL. 69 Therefore am I calm ; Peace and love within. That dear light, that on me gently falls. Casts out fear and sin. As my home above is. so Am I now below. H. Bonar PRAISE FOR THE HOPE OF GLORY. I sojourn in a vale of tears ; Alas, how can I sing ! My harp doth on the willows hang. Distuned in every string. My music is a captive's chains, Harsh sounds my ears do fill ; How shall I sing sweet Zion's song On this side Zion's hill ? Yet lo, I hear a joyful sound, " Surely I quickly come ;" Each word much sweetness doth distil, Like a full honey-comb. And dost Thou come, my dearest Lord % And dost Thou surely come 1 And dost Thou surely quickly come 1 Methinks I am at home. Come then, my dearest, dearest Lord, My sweetest, surest friend ; PRAISE FOR THE HOPE OF GLORY. 71 Come, for I loathe these Kedar tents ; Thy fiery chariots send. What have I here 1 My thoughts and joys Are all pack'd up and gone ; My eager soul would follow them To thine eternal throne. What have I in this barren land 1 My Jesus is not here ; Mine eyes will ne'er be blest until My Jesus doth appear. My Jesus is gone up to heav'n, To get a place for me ; For 'tis his will that where He is, There should his servants be. Canaan I view from Pisgah's top ; Of Canaan's grapes I taste ; My Lord, who sends unto me here, Will send for me at last. I have a God that change th not, * Why should I be perpiext ? My God, that owns me in this world. Will own me in the next. 72 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Go fearless, then, my soul, with God, Into another room ; Thou, who hast walked with Him here, Go see thy God at home. View death with a believing eye, It hath an angel's face ; And this kind angel will prefer Thee to an angel's place. The grave is but a fining pot Unto believing eyes : For there the flesh shall lose its dross, And like the sun shall rise. The world, which I have known too well, Hath mock'd me with its lies ; How gladly could I leave behind Its vexing vanities 1 My dearest friends they dwell above, Them will I go to see ; And all my friends in Christ below Will soon come after me. Fear not the trump's earth-rending sound, Dread not the day of doom ; PRAISE FOR THE HOPE OF GLORY. 73 For He, that is to be thy judge, Thy Saviour is become. Blest be my God that gives me light. Who in the dark did grope ; Blest be my God, the God of love, Who causeth me to hope. Here's the Word's signet, Comfort's staff. And here is Grace's chain ; By these thy pledges, Lord, I know My hopes are not in vain. J. Mason. ->X SAVIOUR BE NEAR. My Saviour, be Thou near me Through life's night ; I cry, and Thou wilt hear me, — Be my light ! My dim sight aching, Gently Thou'rt making Meet for awaking Where all is bright ! Oh, through time's swelling ocean Be my Guide ! From tempest's wild commotion Hide, O hide ! Life's crystal river Storms ruffle never ; Anchor me ever On that calm tide ! M. L. Duncan. ',7fS^ ^; ." f r MY PILGRIMAGE. What is this life ? A constant scene Of sighs and tears, of care and pain. Moments of sin and months of woe Here ebb and flow. Till we are summoned hence to go. And what is man ? A clod of earth, A needy mortal from his birth : Brought nothing with him when he came. But sin and shame, And naked leaves this earthly frame. Evil and few have been my .days, Weary and sad my pilgrim-ways, When God shall call his sen-ant home, I'll seek the tomb, In hope of endless joys to come. 76 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Amen ! Thou sovereign God of love Grant us thy bliss when we remove ; That we, redeemed by thy blood, May find in God Our everlasting sure abode. Moravian. MY REDEEMER LIVETH. " I know that my Redeemer lives,'' What comfort that sweet sentence gives ! He lives ! He lives '. who once was dead He lives, my everlasting Head ! He lives, triumphant from the grave : He lives, eternally to save. He He He He He He li\ liv liv li\ liv liv es, all glorious in the sky ; res, exalted there on high : es, to bless me with his love ; es, to plead my cause above ; es, to upbind and make me whole ; es, to calm my troubled soul. He lives, to grant me rich supply ; He lives, to guard me with his eye ; He lives, my hungry' soul to feed ; He lives, to help in time of need ; He lives, that He may in me dwell ; He lives, to crush the powers of hell. 78 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. He lives, to silence all my fears ; He lives, to stop and dry my tears ; He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend ; He lives, and loves me to the end ; He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King ; He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing. He lives, to grant me daily breath ; He lives, and I shall conquer death ; He lives, my mansion to prepare ; He lives, to bring me safely there. the sweet joy this sentence gives — " I know that my Redeemer lives !" Anon. l£ si THE WAYS OF GOD. Thy ways, O Lord ! with wise design, Are framed upon thy throne above ; And every dark or bending line Meets in the centre of thy love. With feeble light, and half obscure, Poor mortals thy arrangements view ; Not knowing that the least are sure, The most mysterious just and true. My favoured soul shall meekly learn To lay her reason at thy throne : Too weak thy secrets to discern, I'll trust Thee for my guide alone. Anon. WHO ARE THESE AND WHENCE CAME THEY? Not from Jerusalem alone, To heaven the path ascends ; As near, as sure, as straight the way That leads to the celestial day, From farthest realms extends ; Frigid or torrid zone. What matters how or whence we start ? One is the crown to all ; One is the hard but glorious race, Whatever be our starting-place ; — Rings round the earth the call That says, Arise, depart ! From the balm-breathing, sun-loved isles Of the bright southern sea, From the dead north's cloud-shadow'd pole, We gather to one gladsome goal, — One common home in thee, City of sun and smiles ! WHO ARE THESE ? The cold rough billow hinders none ; Nor helps the calm, fair main ; The brown rock of Norwegian gloom, The verdure of Tahitian bloom, The sands of Mizraim's plain, Or peaks of Lebanon. As from the green lands of the vine, So from the snow-wastes pale, We find the ever-open road To the dear city of our God ; From Russian steppe, or Burman vale, Or terraced Palestine. Not from swift Jordan's sacred stream Alone we mount above ; Indus or Danube, Thames or Rhone, Rivers unsainted and unknown ; — From each the home of love Beckons with heavenly gleam. 81 Not from gray Olivet alone We see the gates of light ; From Morven's heath or Jungfrau's snow We welcome the descending glow 82 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Of pearl and chrysolite, And the unsetting sun. Not from Jerusalem alone The Church ascends to God ; Strangers of every tongue and clime, Pilgrims of every land and time, Throng the well-trodden road That leads up to the throne. H. Bonar. RESTING IN HOPE. Jesus, I cast my soul on Thee, Mighty and merciful to save ; Thou wilt to death go down with me, And gently lay me in the grave. This body then shall rest in hope, — This body which the wonns destroy ; For surely Thou wilt bring me up To glorious life and endless joy. Anon. THE JOYS OF HEAVEN. Far from these narrow scenes of night, Unbounded glories rise, And realms of infinite delight, Unknown to mortal eyes. Fair distant land, could mortal eyes But half its joys explore, How would our spirits long to rise, And dwell on earth no more ! There pain and sickness never come, And grief no more complains; Health triumphs in immortal bloom, And endless pleasure reigns. No cloud these blissful regions know, For ever bright and fair ; For sin, the source of mortal woe, Can never enter there. There no alternate night is known, Nor sun's faint sickly ray, THE JOYS OF HE A VEN. §5 But glory from the sacred throne Spreads everlasting day. Oh, may the heavenly prospect fire Our hearts with ardent love, Till wings of faith and strong desire Bear every thought above. Steele. DEATH OF SAINTS. Man's life's a sigh, a groan, a cry, Looks up, and then begins to die ; Death steals upon us while we're green, Behind us digs a grave unseen. But oh, how great a mercy's this, That death's a portal into bliss ! While yet the body's scarce undrest, The soul is slipt into its rest ! My soul ! death swallows up thy fears, Thy grave-clothes dry off all thy tears ; Why should we fear this parting pain, Who die that we may live again. Who walk below in light and love, Are sure to live with Christ above ; A bosom heaven will afford To those that live unto the Lord. DEATH OF SAINTS. 87 O how the resurrection light Will clarify believers' sight ! How joyful will the saints arise, And rub the dust from off their eyes ! My soul, my body, I will trust With Him who numbers every dust ; My Saviour faithfully will keep His own ; and death is but a sleep. J. Mason. SLEEP IN JESUS. Death steals upon us unawares, And digs a grave unseen, Whilst we dispute, are full of cares, What may be, what has been. Shall I be bent on vanity, And rottenness to trust, Till death shall lay his hand on me, And crumble me to dust? What if my sun should set at noon ? If death should call to-day, Canst thou, my soul, go off so soon ? Hast thou no scores to pay 1 Behold my sands, how quick they run, How near I am my goal ; Let not my body be undressed, Till Thou hast dressed my soul. SLEEP IN JESUS. 89 That at the trumpet's sound I may Spring from my dusty bed, Rejoicing at the voice that calls, Arise, come forth, ye dead. Lord, give me patience if I lie Upon a dying bed, O let my Saviour, standing by, Support my weary head. Support my weak and tottering faith While dismal fears annoy : My Jesus, be my sweet defence; My Jesus, be my joy. Blest Advocate, do Thou not fail At this time to appear, O let my shaken faith prevail, My evidence be clear. My soul in thy sweet hands I trust. Now can I sweetly sleep j My body, falling to the dust, I leave with Thee to keep. J. Mason. DEAD AND RISEN. A son of man the Son of God Became, and did not scorn ; On earth, from Mary's virgin womb The holy child was born. Let me remember all that love, Which in his breast did burn, When all the wrath of God for sin, Upon his soul did turn ; When God's own well-beloved Son Went mourning to the grave, And died accursed for sin, that grace Might dying sinners save. See from the dead the Prince of Life In glory bright appears ; No further proof of love I'll seek ; This quiets all my fears. DEAD AND RISEN. 91 This bow of light upon the cloud Sure token is of grace ; Where wrath did frown, see mercy smiles, From Jesu's loving face. This sign of love my soul relieves ; 'Tis ease from all my pain ; I shall not blush to see Thee, God, Because the Lamb was slain. Old Author. THE JOYS ABOVE. O what a glorious lot shall then be mine When God to me shall these bright joys assign ! For there the sovereign good for ever reigns — No evil yet to come, no present pains ; No baleful birth of time its inmates fear, That comes, the burden of the passing year ; Oh, happy are the blessed souls that sing Loud hallelujahs in eternal ring ! Thrice happy he, who late, at last shall find A lot in the celestial climes assigned ! He, led by grace, the auspicious ford explores, Where cross the plains the wintry torrent roars ; That troublous tide, where, with incessant strife, Weak mortals struggle through, and call it life. One glimpse of glory on the saints bestow'd, With eager longings fills the courts of God For deeper views, in that abyss of light ; While mortals slumber here, content with night Though nought we find below the moon can fill The boundless cravings of the human will. Petrarch. OUR MOTHER'S DEATH. Silently, over land and sea. Came down the winter's night : Bearing upon its ebon wings A mantle purely white. A spangled robe, as beautiful As the Immortals wear ; And over all the land it spread The vesture soft and fair. Over the frozen river's breast, And o'er the town 'twas spread ; And o'er the monuments and mounds Above the quiet dead. Upon the mountain's lofty head, And o'er the fields below, O softly, softly, every where, Came down the gentle snow. 94 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Within our peaceful, sheltered home, Where all was bright and warm, Was one preparing to go forth, But not into the storm. A stranger to our home had come, A message there to bring ; Our mother took the scroll, and knew The signet of the king. The bitter, parting hour had come ! Husband, nor child, nor friend, Could stand against the strangers power, Nor with his will contend. We gathered round our mother's bed To catch her parting breath ; But one stood nearer to her heart ; We knew his name was Death ! And from our love, and from our grief, And from our dwelling warm, He bore our mother in his arms \ But not into the storm. OUR MOTHER'S DEATH. 95 She went unseen, but not alone, Dear pilgrim of the earth ; For Jesus took her by the hand, And gently bore her forth. And the sweet word she left for us, Shall our life's watchword be : "As I have followed Jesus' steps, Beloved ones, follow me." We laid her body down to sleep, Where all is sweet and still, Where the last rays of sunlight fall Upon the westward hill. And precious, precious to our hearts Shall be that sacred spot, While by the Lord she loved so well It will not be forgot. 4 Wasted and wan we laid her down ; Worn out with mortal strife ; But fair and glorious shall she rise To glad, eternal life. 9 6 L YRA CON SO LA TIONIS. Oh ! Heavenly Father, teach us how To live and how to die, That we may with our mother rise To immortality. Augusta Moore (American). DYING IN THE LORD. When the glowing pulse of health is beating, 'Tis hard to die ; When friends surround me with their earnest greeting, Hoiv hard to die ! Though sickness comes, in waking and in sleeping, 'Tis hard to die ! When true hearts look on me with sighs and weeping, How hard to die ! But when the sting of death my Lord is stealing, 'Tis sweet to die ! And when my Saviour smiles, his love revealing, How sweet to die ! 4 When all my sins my precious Lord is hiding, 'Tis sweet to die ! And when my soul is to his presence gliding, How sweet to die ! H 98 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Oh, death is ?iow but as a blessed river, So sweet to die ; It leads from gifts, up to the glorious Giver ; So sweet to die ! There I shall see his beauteous face for ever, Oh, sweet to die ; And leave his presence nevermore, no, never, Oh, sweet to die ! D. H. E. (American.) WEEP NOT FOR ME. When the spark of life is waning, Weep not for me : When the languid eye is straining, Weep not for me : When the feeble pulse is ceasing, Start not at its swift decreasing ; 'Tis the fetter'd soul's releasing : Weep not for me. When the pangs of death assail me, Weep not for me : Christ is mine, — He cannot fail me, Weep not for me : Yes, though sin and doubt endeavour From his love my soul to sever, Jesus is my strength for ever ! Weep not for me. Dale. MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND. " My times are in thy hand," My God ! I wish them there j My life, my friends, my soul, I leave Entirely to thy care. " My times are in thy hand," Whatever they may be ; Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, As best may seem to Thee. " My times are in thy hand," Why should I doubt or fear ? My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear. " My times are in thy hand," — Jesus the crucified ! The hand my cruel sins had pierced Is now my guard and guide. MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND. 101 " My times are in thy hand," — I'll always trust in Thee ; And after death at thy right hand I shall for ever be. Anon. REST ABOVE. Here I find no rest ; By fierce pain opprest, And by sin distrest, I am weary, weary ! Though this world be fair, Sin is ever there, And its guilt I share : I am weary, weary ! Soon death's night will come, — Where is now the gloom Of the silent tomb ? I am weary, weary ! Christ hath died to prove God's amazing love. O for life above ! I am weaiy, weary ! REST ABOVE. to Earth gives me no pleasure ; Heaven contains my treasure, — Bliss in boundless measure : I am weary, weary ! Why should I complain % Jesus suffer' d pain, And for me was slain : I am weary, weary ! Now, from heaven on high, Christ hath heard my sigh, Mark'd my mournful cry : I am weary, weary ! He hath given me peace, Even tho' pains increase, Soon shall sorrow cease : I am weary, weary ! Dawn thou heav'nly light, On my ravished sight ; All there's pure and bright ! I am weary, weary ! Axon. j WINGS LIKE A DOVE. My soul, amid this stormy world> Is like some flutter'd dove ; And fain would be as swift of wing, To flee to Him I love. The cords that bound my heart to earth Are broken by his hand : Before his cross I found myself, A stranger in the land. That visage marr'd, those sorrows deep, The vinegar and gall, Were Jesus' golden chains of love His captive to enthrall ! My heart is with Him on his throne, And ill can brook delay ; Each moment list'ning for the voice, — " Rise up and come away." WINGS LIKE A DOVE. 105 With hope deferr'd, oft sick and faint, "Why tarries He?" I cry: And should my Saviour chide my haste, Sure I could make reply. May not an exile, Lord, desire, His own sweet land to see? May not a captive seek release, A pris'ner to be free ? A child, when far away, may long For home and kindred dear ; And she that wails her absent Lord May sigh till he appear. I would, my Lord and Saviour, know, That which no measure knows ; Would search the mystery of thy love, — The depth of all thy woes. Sir E. Denny. ONWARD. We go with the redeem'd to taste Of joy supreme, that never dies ; Our feet still press the weary waste, Our hearts, our home, are in the skies. And oh ! while on to Zion's hill The toilsome path of life we tread, Around us, loving Father, still Thy circling wings of mercy spread. From day to day, from hour to hour, Oh ! let our rising spirits prove The strength of thine Almighty pow'r — The sweetness of thy saving love. Anon. HOW LONG? My God. it is not fretfulness That makes me say " how long ?'' It is not heaviness of heart That hinders me in song ; 'Tis not despair of truth and right, Xor coward dread of wrong. But how can I, with such a hope Of glory and of home ; With such a joy before my eyes, Not wish the time were come, — Of years the jubilee, of days The Sabbath and the sum ? These years, what ages they have been ? This life, how long it seems ? And how can I, in evil days, 'Mid unknown hills and streams, But sigh for those of home and heart, And visit them in dreams ? io8 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Yet peace, my heart, and hush, my tongue ; Be calm my troubled breast ; Each restless hour is hastening on The everlasting rest : Thou knowest that the time thy God Appoints for thee, is best. Let faith, not fear nor fretfulness, Awake the cry, " how long ?" Let no faint-heartedness of soul Damp thy aspiring song : Right comes, truth dawns, the night departs Of error and of wrong. H. Bonar. WE SHALL ARISE. High lies the better country, The land of morning and perpetual spring ; But graciously the warder Over its mountain-border Leans to us, beckoning, — bids us, "Come up hither !" And, though we climb with step unfixed and slow, From visioning heights of hope we look off thither. And we must go. Beloved ! beloved ! not cloud and fire alone From bondage and the wilderness restore, And guide the wandering spirit to its own ; But all His elements, they go before : L'pon its way the seasons bring, And hearten with foreshadowing The resurrection-wonder, * What lands of death awake to sing And germs of hope swell under ! And full and fine, and full and fine, The day distils life's golden wine ; no LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. And night is Palace Beautiful, peace-chambered. All things are ours ; and life fills up of them Such measure as we hold. For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait. Anon. MOUNTAIN AND VALLEY. Ox Alpine heights the love of God is shed ; He plants the morning red, The flowerets white and blue, And feeds them with his dew. On Alpine heights a loving Father dwells. On Alpine heights, o'er many a fragrant heath, The loveliest breezes breathe ; So free and pure the air, His breath seems floating there. On Alpine heights a loving Father dwells. On Alpine heights, beneath his* mild blue eye. Still vales and meadows lie ; The soaring glacier's ice Gleams like a paradise. On Alpine heights a loving Father dwells. ii2 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Down Alpine heights the silvery streamlets flow, There the bold chamois go ; On giddy crags they stand, And drink from his own hand. On Alpine heights a loving Father dwells. On Alpine heights, in troops all white as snow, The sheep and wild goats go ; There, in the solitude, He fills their heart with food. On Alpine heights a loving Father dwells. On Alpine heights the herdsman tends his herd ; His shepherd is the Lord ; For He who feeds the sheep Will sure his offspring keep. On Alpine heights a loving Father dwells. Krummacher. THE GUEST. Speechless sorrow sat with me ; I was sighing wearily ! Lamp and fire were out ; the rain Wildly beat the window pane. In the dark we heard a knock, And a hand was on the lock ; One in waiting spake to me, Saying sweetly, " I am come to sup with thee !" All my room was dark and damp ; " Sorrow," said I, " trim the lamp ; Light the fire, and cheer thy face ; Set the guest-chair in its place." And again I heard the knock : In the dark I found the lock — " Enter, I have turned the key ! Enter, stranger, Who art come to sup with me ! " H4 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Opening wide the door He came ; But I could not speak his name ; In the guest-chair took his place, But I could not see his face ; When my cheerful fire was beaming, When my little lamp was gleaming. And the feast was spread for three, Lo ! my Master Was the guest that supped with me ! Harriet M'Ewen Kimball. ARISE. Arise, My soul, arise ! Sing with thy latest breath Christ's conquest over death. Arise, My soul, arise ! Sing it unto the skies. Sing it over the earth and under • There, 'mongst the myriad graves Of kings or slaves, Let the song pierce their urns asunder. Arise, Our souls, arise ! In heaven, the angel-band Stand ready, in each hantl A palm to wave ; On earth, a listening throng Wait the redeeming song, Their souls to save. n6 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Below, all silently, The dead attend the cry : O grave ! Where is thy victory % The branches wave ; Our Lord hath risen on high ! O death ! Where is thy sting 1 The dust beneath Stirs while we sing. O grave ! where is thy victory 1 O death ! where is thy sting 1 Arise, Our souls, arise ! Mrs. Sarah Flower Adams. WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN YE LOVE. How strange is Heavenly Love ! I never saw his face, I never trod his courts above, I have but known his grace, Yet my affections cling To his beloved side, I feel He is my God, my King, And I his ransomed bride. How strong is Heavenly Love ! Stronger than ought below, Though wide and wild my passions rove, I will not let Him go ; What though I see Him not, I feel the ardour burn, He hath for me the victory wrought, I love Him in return. How sweet is Heavenly Love ! 'Tis all in all to me, u8 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. I muse on Him in field and grove, Or sailing o'er the sea. I walk with Jesus here Not lonely though alone, Till in his presence I appear, And know as I am known. Anon. HASTE NOT— REST XOT. "Without haste ! without rest !" Bind the motto to thy breast ! Bear it with thee as a spell ; Storm or sunshine, guard it well ; Heed not flowers that round thee bloom- Bear it onward to the tomb ! Haste not — let no thoughtless deed Mar fore'er the spirit's speed ; Ponder well and know the right, Onward then with all thy might : Haste not — years can ne'er atone For one reckless action done ! Rest not ! — life is sweeping by, Go and dare before you die ; Something mighty and sublime Leave behind to conquer time ; 120 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Glorious 'tis to live for aye When these forms have passed away. " Haste not ! — rest not !" Calmly wait ; Meekly bear the storms of fate ; Duty be thy polar guide j Do the right, whate'er betide ! Haste not ! — rest not ! Conflicts past, God shall crown thy work at last ! Goethe. OUR REST. My feet are worn and weary with the march Over rough roads and up the steep hill-side ; Oh, city of our God, I fain would see Thy pastures green, where peaceful waters glide. My hands are weary, labouring, toiling on, Day after day, for perishable meat ; Oh, city of our God, I fain would rest ; I sigh to gain thy glorious mercy-seat. My garments, travel-worn and stained with dust, Oft rent by briars and thorns that crowd my way, Would fain be made, O Lord, my righteousness, Spotless and white in heaven's unclouded ray. My eyes are weary looking at the sin, Impiety, and scorn upon the earth ; Oh, city of our God, within thy walls, All, all are clothed upon with the new birth. 122 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. My heart is weary of its own deep sin — Sinning, repenting, sinning still alway; When shall my soul thy glorious presence feel, And find its guilt, dear Saviour, washed away ? Patience, poor soul ; the Saviour's feet were worn ; The Saviour's heart and hands were weary too ; His garments stained and travel-worn and old, His sacred eyes blinded with tears for you. Love thou the path of sorrow that he trod ; Toil on, and wait in patience for thy rest ; Oh, city of our God, we soon shall see Thy glorious walls, home of the loved and blest. S. Roberts. WE WOULD SEE JESUS ! We would see Jesus — for the shadows lengthen Across the little landscape of our life : We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen For the last weariness, the final strife. We would see Jesus — for life's hand hath rested, With its dark touch upon both heart and brow, And though our souls have many a billow breasted Others are rising in the distance now. We would see Jesus — other lights are paling . Which for long years we have rejoiced to see ; The blessings of our pilgrimage are failing, We will not mourn them — for we go to thee. We would see Jesus — the great rock foundation Whereon our feet were set by sovereign grace ; Not life, nor death, with all their agitation Can thence remove us if we see his face. * 124 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. We would see Jesus — yet the spirit lingers Round the dear objects it has loved so long, And earth from earth can scarce unclose its fingers j Our love to Thee makes not this love less strong. We would see Jesus — sense is all too blinding, And heaven appears too dim, too far away. We would see Thee, to gain a sweet reminding That Thou hast promised our great debt to pay. We would see Jesus — this is all we're needing, Strength, joy, and willingness come with the sight; We would see Jesus, dying, risen, pleading, Then welcome day and farewell mortal night. American. A BROKEN HEART. Oh ! blessed be the heart that breaks ! It is a broken heart that wins The fellowship of Him who takes Our sorrows with our sins ! As many a flower has blown and blush'd, Yet ne'er its hidden sweets distill'd Until its bleeding leaves were crush' d, And gather'd dews were spill'd ; So many a heart, that ne'er requites Its Father's love, perchance may need That He should pluck its green delights, Or bruise it so it bleed ! Oft, thus, what we had thought to keep, He takes — to make it ours the more ; And calls our heavy eyes to weep That ne'er knew tears before : 126 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Or warns us first with wounding dart, Then smites us with his chastening rod ; Till, when we have a broken heart, We yield it up to God ! T. T. EVENING SONG AFTER A DAY OF DIFFICULTY. Lord, a happy child of thine, Patient through the love of Thee, In the light, the life divine, Lives, and walks at liberty. Leaning on thy tender care, Thou hast led my soul aright ; Fervent was my morning prayer, Joyful is my song to-night. Oh, my Saviour, Guardian true, All my life is thine to keep ; At thy feet my work I do, In thy arms I fall asleep. Tender mercies on my way, Falling softly like the dew, Sent me freshly every day, I will bless the Lord for you. 128 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Though I have not all I would, Though to greater bliss I go, Every present gift of good To eternal love I owe. Source of all that comforts me, Well of joy for which I long, Let the song I sing to thee, Be an everlasting song. Mrs. Waring. LIKE CHRIST. Be it my anxious care to know If more like Christ I daily grow, If He, my Lord, dwell in my heart. If ever towards the mark I press, And never from his path depart. If still in Christ I walk and live, If as a goodly branch I thrive, And draw from Jesus strength and power If when my heart is sore distressed, When it complains, with grief oppressed. I come to Christ at every 7 hour. If I neglect through carelessness My duty, or through weariness, Or my frail heart inconstant be : If I, each day, all outward sin, And treachery that lurks within, Repent in all sincerity. K 130 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. If Christ to me is all in all ; If still, whate'er on earth befall, My source of blessedness is this, Beneath his gracious smile to live. If evermore I wrestling strive, To be the Lord's and only his. Tholuck. fefe*, Ov tbrth^ "SHE IS NOT DEAD, BUT SLEEPETH." The baby wept ; The mother took it from the nurse's arms, And soothed its griefs, and still'd its vain alarms, And baby slept. Again it weeps, And God doth take it from the mother's arms, From present pain, and future unknown harms, And baby sleeps. Dr. Hinds. _^v ^r HOME OF THE CONQUERORS. Home of the conquerors ! how bright. How glorious shine thy walls of light ! May I, through Christ, a passage win, And, late or early, enter in. No clang of arms, no shouts are there, Borne on the soft and balmy air ; No snares are spread, no serpent's fold, Upon the shining streets of gold. No foeman's form is there descried, No whisper heard of hate or pride ; To all the storms that here may swell, The hosts of heaven have bid farewell. O joy ! when all our fear and ill Shall cease with Jesu's " Peace, be still." O joy ! when we shall sin no more, But holy live for evermore. HOME OF THE CONQUERORS. 133 Home of the conquerors ! I press Towards thy haunts of happiness. In Jesu's name I fight, I win ; Lift up the gates and let me in ! E. A. W. OUR BELOVED. Our beloved have departed, While we tarry, broken-hearted, In the dreary, empty house. They have ended life's brief story, They have reached the home of glory, Over death victorious. Hush that sobbing, weep more lightly, On we travel, daily, nightly, To the rest that they have found. Are we not upon the river, Sailing fast to meet for ever On more holy, happy ground 1 * On we haste, to home invited, There with friends to be united In a surer land than here ; Meeting soon ; — and meet for ever ! OUR BELOVED. Glorious hope ! Forsake us never, For thy glimmering light is dear. i35 Ah ! the way is shining clearer, As we journey ever nearer To the everlasting home. Comrades ! who await our landing ! Friends ! who round the throne are standing ! We salute you, and we come. Lange. • THE REFUGE. Mortal, who sittest silent, dumb with woe, Know'st thou to whom the sorrowful should go '? Hast thou not heard of One who lived and died To bless mankind, Jesus, the crucified 1 Shake off thy lethargy ; to Jesus flee : '■ Be of good comfort ; rise, He calleth thee." Oh, not in vain was the Redeemer sent, Nor vain the years of grief and toil he spent ; It was to teach us how to bear the rod, To suffer and to do the will of God. Mortal, shake off thy gloom ; to Jesus flee : " Be of good comfort; rise, He calleth thee." Our Saviour never shrank from duty's call, He gave for sinful man his life, his all ; Mortal, he thought no pain too great for you. And is there nothing thou canst find to do 1 All, yield not to despair; to Jesus flee : " Be of good comfort ; rise, He calleth thee." THE REFUGE. 137 Thou hast been creeping slowly o'er the road That leads to peace, to purity, to God ; And now a hand is stretched to lead thee on, 'Twill ne'er forsake thee till the goal is won. Oh, thrust it not away ; to Jesus flee : " Be of good comfort ; rise, he calleth thee." Thou hast been sitting by the way-side blind, And never any healer could'st thou find ; But hearing now that Jesus passeth by, To Him with earnest heart and voice you cry; And He has heard thee ! then to Jesus flee : " Be of good comfort; rise, He calleth thee." Anon. WHEN HE GIVETH QUIETNESS, WHO THEN CAN MAKE TROUBLE? Quiet from God ! how beautiful to keep This treasure the All-merciful hath given, To feel when we awake and when we sleep, This incense round us, like a breath from heaven. To sojourn in the world, and yet apart ; To dwell with God, and still with man to feel ; To bear about for ever in the heart The gladness which his Spirit doth reveal. Who shall make trouble then 1 Not evil minds, Which like a shadow o'er creation lower. The soul which peace hath thus attuned finds How strong within doth reign the Calmer's power. What shall make trouble 1 Not slow-wasting pain, Nor even the threatening, certain stroke of death. These do but wear away, then break the chain Which bound the spirit down to things beneath. Anon. MATTHEW XX. 17-28. Thy thoughts were on Jerusalem, The cross before thine eye ; But Thou, O Lord, didst look in vain For human sympathy. Thy thoughts were on the many things That Thou should'st suffer there ; While thy disciples only thought Of glory as their share. Thy thoughts were on the crown of thorns, The grief, the shame, the woe ; Their thoughts were on the glorious crowns Thou would'st on them bestow. * How selfish is the human heart ! (O God, we feel, and own), That, while the Saviour seeks a cross, Can seek itself a throne. A. A. W. GOD EVERYWHERE. thou, by long experience tried, Near whom no grief ran long abide ; My Lord, how full of sweet content 1 pass my years of banishment ! All scenes alike engaging prove To souls impress'd with sacred love. Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee ; In heaven, in earth, or on the sea. To me remains nor place nor time, My country is in every clime : I can be calm and free from care- On any shore, since God is there. While place we seek, or place we shun. The soul finds happiness in none : But with a God to guide our way, 'Tis equal joy to go or stay. GOD EVERYWHERE. 141 Could I be cast where Thou art not. That were indeed a dreadful lot ; But regions none remote I call, Secure of finding God in all. Guion. THE RETROSPECT. When the vale of death appears, Faint and cold this mortal clay, Kind Forerunner, soothe my fears, Light me through the darksome way Break the shadows, Usher in eternal day. Starting from this dying state, Upward bid my soul aspire ; Open thou the crystal gate, To thy praise attune my lyre : Dwell for ever, — Dwell on each immortal wire. From the sparkling turrets there, Oft I'll trace my pilgrim way ; Often bless thy guardian care, — Fire by night, and cloud by day, — While my triumphs At my Leader's feet I lay. THE RETROSPECT. *43 And when mighty trumpets blown Shall the judgment dawn proclaim, From the central burning throne, 'Mid creation's final flame, With the ransom'd, Judge and Saviour, own my name ! Mrs. Gilbert. WORK AND REST. What have I yet to do 1 Day weareth on — Flowers that, opening new, Smile through the morning's dew, Droop in the sun. 'Neath the noon's scorching glare, Fainting I stand ; Still is the sultry air, Silentness everywhere Through the hot land. Yet must I labour still, All the day through — Striving with earnest will, Patient my place to fill, My work to do. WORK AND REST. 145 Long though my task may be, Cometh the end. God 'tis that helpeth me, His is the work, and He New strength will lend. He will direct my feet, Strengthen my hand ; Give me my portion meet ; Firm in his promise sweet Trusting I'll stand. Up, then, to work again ! God's word is given, That none shall sow in vain, But find his ripened grain, Garnered in heaven. Larger the shadows fall, Night cometh on ; Low voices softly call, • " Come, here is rest for all ! Labour is done !" Anon. THE HARVEST HOME. From the far-off fields of earthly toil, A goodly host they come ; And sounds of music are on the air, 'Tis the song of the Harvest Home ! The weariness and the weeping, The darkness, has all passed by, And a glorious sun has risen, The sun of eternity ! We've seen those faces in days of yore, When the dust was on their brow, And the scalding tear upon their cheek Let us look at the lab'rers now ! We think of the life-long sorrow, And the wilderness days of care ; We try to trace the tear-drops ; But no scars of grief are there ! THE HARVEST HOME. 147 There's a mystery of soul-chastened joy Lit up with sunlight hues. Like morning flowers, most beautiful When wet with midnight dews. There are depths of earnest meaning In each true and trustful gaze, Telling of wondrous lessons Learnt in their pilgrim days ; And a conscious confidence of bliss, That shall never again remove ; All the faith and hope of journeying years Gathered up in that look of love ! The long waiting days are over, They've received their wages now ; For they've gazed upon their Master, And his name is on their brow. They have seen the safely garner'd sheaves, And the song has been passing sweet, Which welcomed the last incoming one Laid down at the Saviour's feet. Oh, well does his heart remember, As those notes of praise sweep by, The yearning, plaintive music Of earth's sadder minstrelsy ! 148 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. And well does He know each chequer'd tale. As He looks on the joyous band ; All the lights and shadows that cross'd their path In the distant pilgrim land ; The heart's unspoken anguish, The bitter sighs and tears, The long, long hours of watching, The changeful hopes and fears ! One had climbed the rugged mountain side — 'Twas a bleak and wintry day — The tempest had scattered his precious seed, And he wept as he turned away. But a stranger hand had watered That seed on a distant shore, And the lab'rers now are meeting, Who had never met before. And one — he had toiled amid burning sands When the scorching sun was high ; He had grasped the plough with a fever'd hand, And then laid him down to die ! But another, and yet another, Had filled that deserted field ; Nor vainly the seed they scatter'd Where a brother's care had tilled. THE HARVEST HOME. 149 Some with eager steps went boldly forth, Broad-casting o'er the land ; Some watered the scarcely budding blade With a tender, gentle hand. There's one — her young life was blighted By the withering touch of woe ; Her days were sad and weary, And she never went forth to sow. But there rose from her lonely couch of pain The fervent pleading prayer ; She looks on many a radiant brow, And she reads the answer there ! Yes ! sowers and reapers are meeting, A rejoicing host they come : Will you join the echoing chorus ? 'Tis the song of the Harvest Home ! C. P. HYMN. No ! no ! It is not dying To Jesus' self to go ; The gloom of earth forsaking, In one's pure home awaking, Should give no pang of woe. No ! no ! It is not dying, In heaven at last to dwell ; In the eternal glory Of crown and harp and story Our earthly fears to quell. No ! no ! It is not dying, To hear the gracious tone Of the Almighty, saying : " Come, child, wherever straying, Behold me on the throne ! " HYMN. No ! no ! It is not dying, To leave this world of strife, And seek that blessed river, Where Christ shall lead for ever, His sheep 'neath trees of life. No ! no ! It is not dying, With lordly glory crown'd, To join in the thanksgiving To Him, the everliving, With which the heavens resound. O no ! It is not dying, Thou Saviour of thine own ! There from the fount Eternal, Gush life and joy supernal ; Here there are drops alone. 151 Gerhardt. DESIRE TO DEPART. Let me depart, beloved, I entreat ye ! Oh ! I am weary of these mortal bands. Know ye who waits upon the throne to greet me 1 What voice has called me to celestial lands ? Hinder me not ; your loving ministrations Do but bind up this shattered house of clay ; When my poor heart with agonized pulsations Has nearly worn the crumbling walls away. See how it flutters, in the vain endeavour ; Hear the hard labour of my panting breath. " How long, O Lord, how long ! oh, wilt thou never Lend to my help thy strong deliv'rer, Death ? " Think not, beloved, that I measure lightly All your long patience, your unwearied care ; The tender love that kept its vigils nightly, Whilst hope sank slowly into long despair. DESIRE TO DEPART. i53 For, when the message to my soul was spoken : " Thy work is finished ; thou art called above ; Herewith I give to thee a certain token " — Ah ! I clung sobbing to my earthly love. But day by day have faith and hope waxed stronger, Till now, that my Redeemer bids me come, My soul exults ; I would not tarry longer Far from the shelter of my Father's home. Jordan is wide ; its stormy billows gather ; My mortal weakness shudders at their strength ; But, on the other side, I know my Father Waits to receive me into rest, at length. I near the shore — thanks for a faith unshaken ; Jesus has kept me in his close embrace. " Good night," beloved ; when again I waken I shall indeed behold Him " face to face !" Anon. REST, WEARY SOUL. Rest, weary soul ! The penalty is borne, the ransom paid, For all thy sins full satisfaction made ; Strive not thyself to do what Christ has done : Take the free gift, and make the joy thine own. No more by pangs of guilt and fear distrest — Rest, sweetly rest. Rest, weary heart ! From all thy silent griefs, and secret pain, Thy profitless regrets and longings vain ; Wisdom and love have ordered all the past, All shall be blessedness and light at last : Cast off the cares that have so long opprest — Rest, sweetly rest. Rest, weary head ! Lie down to slumber in the peaceful tomb, Light from above has broken through its gloom ; REST, WEARY SOUL. i Here, in the place where once thy Saviour lay, "Where He shall wake thee on a future day, Like a tired child upon its mother's breast — Rest, sweetly rest. Rest, spirit free ! In the green pasture of the heavenly shore, Where sin and sorrow can approach no more ; With all the flock by the good Shepherd fed, Beside the streams of life eternal led, For ever with thy God and Saviour blest — Rest, sweetly rest. Anon, jo HOW LONG? The tear will fall, O Father, When I see Those curious glances Fixed on me. How long this cross, my Saviour, must I bear ? " Until thine eyes no more can shed a tear." The flush will rise, O Father, When I hear Those rude, insulting words — The bitter jeer. How long, O Lord, must I, with trembling, fear ? "Till thou these mocking words no more canst hear!" Sad are my thoughts, O Father, Well I know, Ofttimes neglects are mine, From this deep woe. How long, kind Parent, must I check each sob 1 " Until thy heart no more with pain can throb." HOW LONG? »57 Then all my life, O Father. Teach me how, Beneath this galling cross To humbly bow. Oh ! shall I never cease to feel thy rod ? "All trials cease in heaven, at home with God !' : Anon. THOU WILT NEVER GROW OLD. Thou wilt never grow old, Nor weary, nor sad in the home of thy birth ; My beautiful lily, thy leaves will unfold In a clime that is purer and brighter than earth ; O holy and fair, I rejoice thou art there, In that kingdom of light, with its cities of gold ; Where the air thrills with angel hosannas and where Thou wilt never grow old, sweet — Never grow old ! I am a pilgrim, with sorrow and sin Haunting my footsteps wherever I go, Life is a warfare my title to win — Well will it be if it end not in woe. Pity me, sweet, I am laden with care ; Dark are my garments with mildew and mould ; Thou, my bright angel, art sinless and fair, And wilt never grow old, sweet — Never grow old ! THOU WILT XEVER GROW OLD. 159 Now, canst thou hear from thy home in the skies, All the fond words I am whispering to thee ? Dost thou look down on me with the soft eyes Greeting me oft ere thy spirit was free ? So I believe, though the shadows of time Hide the bright spirit I yet shall behold ; Thou wilt still love me, and, pleasure sublime, Thou wilt never grow old, sweet — Never grow old. Thus wilt thou be when the pilgrim, grown gray, Weeps when the vines from the hearthstone are riven ; Faith shall behold thee, as pure as the day Thou wert torn from the earth and transplanted to heaven. O holy and fair, I rejoice thou art there, In that kingdom of light, with its cities of gold, Vv 'here the air thrills with angel hosannas, and where Thou wilt never grow old, sweet — Never grow old .' Mrs. Howarth. UPHELD. When heart and flesh despondent sink And from life's warfare fain would shrink, An upward glance brings heavenly cheer ; Upheld by Him I smile at fear. When life appears a sea of woe, And all its waves my soul o'erflow, To Him I flee for sure relief; Upheld by Him, I smile at grief. When troubles like a mountain rise, And comfort from my bosom flies, I to the mercy-seat repair ; Upheld by Him, I smile at care, When earthly treasure fails and fades, And chilling poverty invades, He every needed good will grant ; Upheld by Him, I smile at want. UPHELD. 161 When faith grows dim, and from its sight My star of hope would vail its light, Grace bids a beam of joy shine out ; Upheld by Him, I smile at doubt. When wasting anguish and disease Upon my suffering body seize, My murmuring lips shall not complain : Upheld by Him, I smile at pain. When time with me shall reach its close. And in the grave I seek repose, With joy I'll yield my failing breath ; Upheld by Him, I smile at death. Anon. :.i FAITH. See Faith, with upward eyes, Beholds the distant land ; Her fair possessions in the skies, And waits with outstretched hand. She leans upon the cross, And sheds a tear or two : But glory plays in either eye, As beams in early dew. She smiles in deep distress, In storms she stands serene ; The whirlwind idly rages by, Unmoved she views the scene. The world beneath her feet, She heeds not, or disdains j Her thundering foes are slain, or bound In adamantine chains. FAITH. 163 She waits the voice of God, That calls her to the skies ; Then soars aloft, in glory veiled. And in fruition dies. Lawson. THOUGHTS IN BLINDNESS. O loss of sight, of thee I most complain ! Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, Dungeon, or beggary, or decrepit age ! Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, And all her various objects of delight Annull'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd, Inferior to the vilest now become Of man or worm ; the vilest here excel me : They creep, yet see ; I, dark in light, expos'd To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong, Within doors, or without, still as a fool, In power of others, never in my own ; Scarce half I seem to live, dead more than half. Oh, dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse Without all hope of day ! O first created beam, and thou great Word, THOUGHTS IN BLINDNESS. 165 "Let there be light, and light was over all;" Why am I thus bereav'd thy prime decree % The sun to me is dark And silent as the moon, When she deserts the night, Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. Milton. THE PILGRIM'S FAREWELL. Farewell, poor world ! I must be gone ; Thou art no home, no rest for me : I'll take my staff, and travel on, Till I a better world may see. Why art thou loth, my heart ? O why Dost thou recoil within my breast 1 Grieve not, but say farewell, and fly Unto the ark, my dove ! there's rest. I come, my Lord, a pilgrim's pace ; Weary and weak, I slowly move ; Longing, but can't yet reach the place, The gladsome place of rest above. I come, my Lord, the floods here rise, These troubled seas foam nought but mire ; My dove back to my bosom flies : Farewell, poor world ! — heaven's my desire. THE PILGRIM'S FAREWELL. 167 "Stay, stay," said Earth, "whither, fond one? Here's a fair world, what would'st thou have 1" Fair world ! Oh no, thy beauty's gone, A heavenly Canaan, Lord, I crave. Thus ancient travellers, — thus they, Weary of earth, sighed after thee : They're gone before, — I may not stay, Till I both thee and them may see. Put on, my soul, put on with speed ; Though the way be long, the end is sweet : Once more, poor world, farewell indeed ! In leaving thee, my Lord I meet. Anon. RACHEL'S TEARS. Oh, weep not o'er thy children's tomb, O Rachel, weep not so ! The bud is cropped by martyrdom, The flower in heaven shall blow ! Firstlings of faith ! the murderer's knife Has missed its deadliest aim : The God for whom they gave their life, For them to suffer came ! Though feeble were their days and few, Baptised in blood and pain, He knows them, whom they never knew, And they shall live again. Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb, O Rachel, weep not so ! The bud is cropped by martyrdom, The flower in heaven shall blow. Heber. THE HEAVENLY WELL-SPRING. Bliss beyond compare, Which in Christ I share ! He's my only joy and treasure ; Tasteless is all worldly pleasure, When in Christ I share Bliss beyond compare. Jesus is my joy, Therefore, blest am I. Oh ! his mercy is unbounded, All my hope on Him is founded ; Jesus is my joy, Therefore blest am I When the Lord appears, This my spirit cheers ; When, his love to me revealing, He, the Sun of Grace, with healing In his beams, appears, — This my Spirit cheers. 170 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. Then all grief is drown'd ; Pure delight is found. Joy and peace in his salvation, Heav'nly bliss and consolation, Ev'ry grief is drown'd Where such bliss is found. Anon. OUR EVERLASTING HOME. Still in a world of sin and pain, Far from our home, we meet again ; Dreary and long our course may be, But oh, our God, it leads to thee ! Thou art the light by which we roam,— Thou art our everlasting home. Thy hand is still around to bless, Thou dost not leave us comfortless ; Earth and its pain we still may feel, But Thou art ever near to heal ; Still as our day our strength shall be, For all our cares are borne by Thee. Still, as time's changing current rolls, Thy comforts, Lord, delight our souls : Thy mighty arm to smooth our way, Thy light to turn our night to day ; Onward with firmer steps we roam, On to our everlasting home. Anon. BE STILL. Be still, my soul ; Jehovah loveth thee ; Fret not nor murmur at thy weary lot ; Though dark and lone thy journey seems to be, Be sure that thou art ne'er by Him forgot. He ever loves ; then trust Him, trust Him still, Let all thy care be this, the doing of his will. Thy hand in his, like fondest, happiest child, Place thou, nor draw it for a moment thence ; Walk thou with Him, a Father reconciled, Till in his own good time He call thee hence. Walk with Him now, so shall thy way be bright, And all thy soul be filled with his most glorious light. Fight the good fight of faith, nor turn aside Through fear of peril from or earth or hell ; Take to thee now the armour proved and tried, Take to thee spear and sword ; — oh, wield them well ; So shalt thou conquer here, so win the day, So wear the crown when this hard life has pass' d away. BE STILL. 173 Take courage ! faint not, though the foe be strong ; Christ is thy strength ; he fighteth on thy side ; Swift be thy race ; remember, 'tis not long, The goal is near ; the prize He will provide ; And then from earthly toil thou restest ever ; Thy home on the fair banks of life's eternal river ! He comes with his reward ; 'tis just at hand ; He comes in glory to his promised throne. My soul, rejoice ; ere long thy feet shall stand Within the city of the Blessed One. Thy perils past, thy heritage secure, Thy tears all wiped away, thy joy for ever sure. H. Bonar. LOOKING TO JESUS. Thou, who didst stoop below, To drain the cup of woe, Wearing the form of frail mortality, — Thy blessed labours done, Thy crown of victory won, Has passed from earth — passed to thy home on high. Man may no longer trace In thy celestial face, The image of the bright, the viewless One ; Nor may thy servants hear, Save with faith's raptured ear, Thy voice of tenderness, God's holy Son ! Our eyes behold Thee not, Yet hast Thou not forgot Those who have placed their hope, their trust in Thee ; Before thy Father's face Thou hast prepared a place, That where Thou art, there they may also be. LOOKING TO JESUS. 175 It was no path of flowers, Through this dark world of ours, Beloved of the Father, Thou didst tread ; And shall we, in dismay, Shrink from the narrow way, When clouds and darkness are around it spread 1 O Thou, who art our life, Be with us through the strife ! Was not thy head by earth's fierce tempest bowed ? Raise Thou our eyes above, To see a Father's love Beam, like the bow of promise, through the cloud. Even through the awful gloom, Which hovers o'er the tomb, That light of love our guiding star shall be ; Our spirits shall not dread The shadowy way to tread, Friend, Guardian, Saviour, which doth lead to Thee. Anon. THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH. Call Jehovah thy salvation, Rest beneath the Almighty's shade, In his secret habitation Dwell, nor ever be dismay'd; There no tumult can alarm thee, Thou shalt dread no hidden snare ; Guile nor violence can harm thee, In eternal safeguard there. From the sword at noonday wasting, From the noisome pestilence In the depth of midnight blasting, God shall be thy sure defence. Fear not thou the deadly quiver, When a thousand feel the blow, Mercy shall thy soul deliver, Though ten thousand be laid low. SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH. 177 Thee, though winds and waves be swelling God, thine hope, shall bear through all, Plague shall not come near thy dwelling. Thee no evil shall befall ; He shall charge his angel legions, Watch and guard o'er thee to keep, Though thou walk through hostile regions. Though in desert wilds thou sleep. Since, with pure and true affection, Thou on God hast set thy love, With the wings of his protection He will shield thee from above : Thou shalt call on Him in trouble. He will hearken, He will save : Here for grief reward thee double, Crown with life beyond the grave. Montgomery. N DEATH OF THE SAINT. In vain our fancy strives to paint The moment after death, The glories that surround the saint, When he resigns his breath. One gentle sigh his fetters breaks ; We scarce can say, " He's gone," Before the willing spirit takes Her mansion near the throne. Faith strives, but all its efforts fail To trace her in her flight ; No eye can pierce within the veil, Which hides that world of li< r ht. Thus much (and this is all) we know, They are supremely blest ; Have done with sin, and care, and woe, And with their Saviour rest. DEATH OF THE SAINT. i/9 On harps of gold they praise his name. His face they always view ; Then let us followers be of them, That we may praise him too. Newton. REST IN HOPE. Rest, rest in hope, thou dying dust ; Thou shalt arise in glory bright ; The grave shall hold thee but in trust : — God is the everlasting light Of thee, and all the happy just. Cobbin STAR OF MY HOPE. Star of my hope ! depart not ; My soul's supremest light ; 'Tis horror where thou art not, Worse than Egyptian night ! Though many a star of splendour Around the concave shine, Their beams no comfort render, Till lighted up by thine ! But Thou, though far, canst lighten This dark world with thy ray ; And, sunlike, heaven will brighten ; The fountain of its day ! Edmeston. sfe (? r 3 I WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAYS. Call earth an Eden, if on roses Your every step in life you tread ; But he whose cherished all reposes Where rest the missing, silent dead, Will have no wish to live for ever — Will deem each day too dearly won. Thank God, my five-and-thirtieth sun Has passed ! Time, like this mountain river, Rolls on. Life hath for me few pleasures. Press lightly, earth, on my departed ; And soon shall I, the broken-hearted, Lie down, in rest where lie my treasures. Burger. WHEN I AM DEAD. When I am dead, and silent lying, Should you, in your hour of awe, Gaze upon me, softly sighing, Back the solemn curtain draw : But the frame of clay you'll see, belov'd, will not be me; 1 shall be with Christ, my treasure. Drinking in eternal pleasure. When I'm in the coffin shrouded, Mantled in a winding-sheet, All the springs of life beclouded, In that peaceable retreat : 4 Stay the tear ; to weep forbear ; I, my friend, shall not be there ; I shall be where Sharon's Rose, Chief in beauty, fragrant blows. 1 84 LYRA CONSOLATIONIS. When you see my eye fast closed, And regret its quenched beam, — Every fringy lash reposed Where oft flowed the copious stream : Let no tear-drop fall from thine : Dear one, it will not be mine ; Mine on Jesus will be dwelling, All the sons of light excelling ! When my feet, devoid of motion, Side by side inactive lay, Should you think, with fond emotion, "Never more with me they'll stray !" They will not be mine, beloved ; Mine, by love's impatience moved, Will o'er heaven's bright pavement glide, Till they reach Immanuefs side. Should your mournful eyebeam linger, Should your palm the surface press Of my icy, marble finger, Shrinking from its nothingness : Dearest friend, 'twill not be mine, Motionless in palm of thine ; Mine will then be sweetly playing, O'er a harp angelic straying. WHEN I AM DEAD. When you mark my head reposing, Heedless, thoughtless, tearless, still, Death's dark victory disclosing, O'er the memory, heart, and will : As you trace care's furrowed line 'Cross the brow, 'twill not be mine ; Mine will lean on Jesus' breast, Pillowed on eternal rest. When the humid grave's receiving That cold casket, where to dwell, Oft my spirit, sadly grieving, Found it but a prison cell : I, my love, shall not be there, — Clear escaped for ever, where I shall then be with another, Christ, my Lover, Bridegroom, Brother. 185 Anon. HOMEWARD BOUND. Out on an ocean all boundless we ride, We're homeward bound ; Tossed on the waves of a rough restless tide, We're homeward bound ; Far from the safe, quiet harbour we've rode, Seeking our Father's celestial abode, Promise of which on us each He bestowed. We're homeward bound. Wildly the storm sweeps us on as it roars, We're homeward bound ; Look ! yonder lie the bright heavenly shores, We're homeward bound ; Steady, O pilot ! stand firm at the wheel, Steady ; we soon shall outweather the gale, Oh, how we fly 'neath the loud creaking sail. We're homeward bound. HOMEWARD BOUND. 187 Into the harbour of heaven now we glide, "We're home at last ; Softly we drift on its bright silver tide, We're home at last ; Glory to God ! all our dangers are o'er ; We stand secure on the glorified shore ; Glory to God ! we will shout evermore, We're home at last. Anon. ''