■ ---»■ FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY /S,A7'7 401 OF JW/j^. v OCT 1 1 1933 a cc SPIRITUAL FOE THE SUNDAYS AND HOLYDAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. JOHN S. B. HON SELL, LL.D. VICAE OF EGHAM, AND ETJEAL DEAN. AUTHOR OF 'PAEISH MUSINGS,' ETC. ' Speaking to yourselves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.' Ephesians v. 19. THE THIRD EDITION, REVISED. LONDON : PARKER, SON, AND BOURN, WEST STRAND. 1861. LONDON J 8AVILL AND EDWAEDS, PBINTEBS, CHANDOS-STEEBT, ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. The following Poems were written amid the orange and olive groves of Italy, during a winter spent (for the sake of health) upon the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Their aim is the highest to which any human compositions may aspire — to honour God, and help man along the way to Heaven. Their attainment of this object must of course largely depend upon the extent to which they have caught the pure spirit of those sacred seasons which called them forth, and which they are designed to illustrate. It has pleased God so far to prosper them, that a Second Edition has been called for. After a careful revision they are now sent forth again into the world with the same hope and prayer which accompanied them on their first departure : — That they may, under God, lead some souls into a more fervent use of our English Ritual ; teaching them how truly — in its deep earnestness, and tender spirituality — ' we have the mind of Christ.' Egham Vicarage, Surrey. Ascension Day, 1859. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/holydssfoOOmons CONTENTS. PAGE ADVENT SUNDAY I SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT .......... 3 THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT 5 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT 7 CHRISTMAS DAY 9 st. Stephen's day n st. John's day 13 the holy innocents 15 sunday after christmas day 1 7 the circumcision op christ 19 the epiphany 21 first sunday after epiphany 24 second sunday after epiphany 26 third sunday after epiphany 29 fourth sunday after epiphany. 31 fifth sunday after epiphany 32 sixth sunday after epiphany , . ... . 34 septuagesima sunday 36 sexagesima sunday 38 quinquagesima sunday 4o ash wednesday 42 first sunday in lent 44 second sunday in lent 46 VI CONTENTS. PAGE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT 49 FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 5 1 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT 53 PALM SUNDAY 55 MONDAY BEFORE EASTER 57 TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER 60 WEDNESDAY BEFORE EASTER 63 THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER 66 GOOD FRIDAY • 68 EASTER EVE 71 EASTER DAY 74 MONDAY IN EASTER WEEK 77 TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK 79 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 82 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 85 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 87 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 90 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 92 ASCENSION DAY , 95 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY 98 WHIT-SUNDAY TOO MONDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK I03 TUESDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK . . . I06 TRINITY SUNDAY J09 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 113 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY U5 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Il8 CONTENTS. Vll PAGE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 121 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ........ EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ......... TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY , . . THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ....... SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY . SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY , TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ...... TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY ST. Andrew's day st. thomas the apostle the conversion of st. paul the presentation of christ in the temple .... st. Matthias's day viil CONTENTS. PAGE the annunciation of the blessed virgin mary . . 1 86 st. mark's day i9o st. philip and st. james's day 192 st. barnabas the apostle 194 st. john baptist's nativity i98 st. peter's day 202 st. james the apostle 204 st. bartholomew the apostle 208 st. matthew the apostle 211 st. michael and all angels 2i4 st. luke the evangelist 2 20 st. simon, and st. jude, apostles 223 all saints' day 225 INDEX TO FIRST LINES 230 ^iiunt guit&sjj. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. — Horn. xiii. 12. THE sky is dark with storm and cloud, The winds are piping high and loud, The outer air is dull and chill, The snow lies heavy on the hill ; Yet there is gladness in the soul, No clouds or darkness may control ; And on the heart a golden glow Warmer than summer sunsets know. God bless the calm and holy cheer That ushers in the Christian year; And, whatsoe'er of gloom or shade Season or sorrow may have made, Lifts us, with its mysterious power, Out of the dark and dying hour, Into the lights which ever play Round children of th' Eternal Day. Blest Advent of our ling' ring Lord ! How high the hope, how sure the word, That thus, with every year's return, Make our dull hearts within us burn B ADVENT SUNDAY. For that long sought and promised day, When * Heaven and Earth shall pass away,' And Christ from highest Heav'ns shall come, To take His waiting people home. Since childhood's early hours, our eyes Have watch'd the east for reddening skies ! Year after year has Advent brought Nearer to us the Prize we sought ; But still it lingers that we Were more prepared to welcome Thee, Thine Advent with its angel throng Would not be tarrying, Lord, so long. r Bttariii §mfo% k Jprfmtf. Whatsoever tilings -were written aforetime, were written for our learning ; that we, thro' patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. — Horn. xv. 4. BLESSED Lord, who, till the morning Of thine Advent shall appear, Words of hope hast left, and warning, Souls to strengthen, guide and cheer ; Left them ( Written for our learning,' Pointing out the narrow way, Lest our hearts, with all their yearning After home, should go astray. Grant us, in these sacred pages, Grace to find those gifts untold, Which, for ages upon ages, Did Thy people's hearts uphold. * Grant us, in the sacred story Of the deeds which Thou hast done, Grace to catch those gleams of glory, That on saint and martyr shone : From Thy life so high and holy, From Thy love so deep and pure, From Thy head, which bow'd so lowly, Pains for others to endure : B 2 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. From Thy heart so meekly bearing All the scorn of sinful men, Lord of legions ! yet so sparing ! Never answering again ! » O how blessed thus to linger O'er the steps which Thou hast trod, While Thy Cross, with silent finger, Points the upward way to God, In the path of self-denial, Meekly borne for love of Thee, Wearing out life's weary trial, Till the blushing dawn we see : 'With our lamps well trimm'd and burning,' Patient through Thy Holy Word, Watching for the bright returning Of our too long absent Lord. t ft&irtr Sttniaj in Jitoeni Ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. iv. 1. AS odours, press'd in summer hours From summer's bloom, remain ; To soothe and comfort, till the flowers Of spring revive again ; So, till ' the Rose of Sharon' bloom Once more, the desert's pride, We feed upon the rich perfume It yielded when it died. ' In earthen vessels,' weak and frail, The heav'nly treasure lies ; Enriching every passing gale, With fragrance of the skies, — Faint breathings of the blessed morn, That Advent shall restore, When Christ shall to His own return, Nor ever leave them more. Thy sacred ministers, Lord, Who at Thine altars stand, Who break the bread, who ' preach the word/ And wait on Thy command, — 6 THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. Like censers in this world of sin, Full of Thy fragrant love, Till fresher fragrance usher in Thine Advent from above ; — O fill them with Thy grace, that they To God and sinners true May lead as well as point the way, And what they teach may do. And all our hearts make ' holy ground/ So, at Thine Advent, we A people ready shall be found, Prepared Lord for Thee. ^ fourtjr j&mttorg in $Mwtt. Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice. Phil. iv. 4. ALWAY in the Lord rejoice, Lift my soul thy heart and voice, Lift them holy, high and pure, For His mercies aye endure ! Up to heav'n where He doth live, Thro' the world which He doth give, Raise thy heart and lift thy voice, ' And again I say, Rejoice !' Gently all thy trials take, They are thine for Jesu's sake ; Meekly 'mid thy mercies move, They are thine thro' Jesus love. All thou hast and all thou art Own as His with thankful heart, Use as His with heedful care, For His coming to prepare. 1 Let your moderation be Known to all men.' They shall see What God's grace can make of those Who upon His truth rei^ose. 8 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. Live above, tho' living in. This polluting world of sin, Whether change or chance befal Using, * not abusing,' all. Live in faith and live in prayer, In His presence everywhere ; Live as angels tho' on earth, Children of the second birth. Live as those who, on His eye, Hang with love, and walk thereby ; c In thy lot' prepared stand, For the Lord is nigh at hand ! r Crista gag. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we "beheld his glory, the glory as of the only "begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. — Johni. 14. BLESSED morning ! all the year Draws its light and warmth from thee ; When thy dawning doth appear, Night departs and shadows flee. Suns may rise and suns may set, Summers come and summers go, Earth its wintrv grave forget, When the vernal breezes blow ; But the day would be as night, And the summer winter prove, If the rising of thy light Did not wake our souls to love. O the blessedness of those Who thine inner sunshine feel With its calm and soft repose, Gently o'er their spirits steal ; Who, as earth doth own the power Of her sun her life to wake, Burst as doth an opening flower, Into life for Jesu's sake ! *0 CHRISTMAS DAY. In His house in holy mood We have knelt and prayed to-day, By His body and His blood Strengthened for our heavenly way : In the manger we have laid All our worldly pomp and pride, Where with beasts the Saviour made His first cradle, side by side : On the mountain we have heard Sweeter chimes than ever rang, Or Creation's silence stirred, Since the stars of morning sang : One bright angel told the story, Myriads answer'd him again : 6 Unto God in highest, glory ! Peace on earth, good will tow'rd men.' In our homes His blessed name Brightens joy round every hearth, And its meetest place doth claim In the Christian's evening mirth. Homes with crowded love were fair, On the night when Thou wast born; Fill them Lord with love and prayer For the day of Thy return. And as Thou, to make us Thine, Stoop'd a mortal man to be, Fill us with Thy life divine, Lift our lives of love to Thee. II St. %k$W$ gag. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. — Acts vii. 59, 60. FIRST of the martyred throng To join his Lord above, First to commence the endless song Of his redeeming love ; First to essay the sword and shield, The holy Stephen takes the field. First to obtain a crown, — First — by the mercy-seat — To lay the blood-bought trophy down At ts dear Owner's feet ; Through the grave-gates the Saviour burst, — He homeward heavenward enter'd first. Men thought the sufferer dead, And high exultings kept, But on his blood-stained stony bed The saint serenely slept, Wrapped in the banner of the cross, His all the gain — theirs all the loss. i2 st. Stephen's day. Lord grant Thy grace that we, Whate'er our lot may prove, May learn his high fidelity, His deep forgiving love ; That boldness which could part with life, And yet be gentle in the strife. 13 St. Mn's |ai. Now there was leaning on Jesus* bosom one of Ms disciples whom Jesus lo^ed. — John xiii. 23. ON my Saviour's bosom leaning, Drawing thence His mystic meaning, Hearing there the springs that move His unutterable love — Thence by daily draughts receiving, From that well-spring of believing, Faith, which teacheth how to lean Amid sight on things unseen — Waiting, watching, lingering near Him, All life long to love and fear Him, Finding this my best employ, Chiefest business, purest joy ! Thus while years away are wearing, For the coming night preparing, For the night, and then the day, When the shadows flee away. On His loving bosom lying, Working, resting, living, dying, In His bosom to awake, When the morn of morns shall break. i4 st. john's day. Thus, my soul, with each returning Of this Day, let all my yearning Be with him He loved to rest Ever on my Saviour's breast. ^ 15 $>¥ 2W Inwwwrts. These are they "which, follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth : these were redeemed from among men, "being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile : for they are without fault "before the throne of God. — Key. xiv. 4, 5. DREAM not my soul of cloudless days, If thou wouldst follow in the ways Which thy dear Saviour trod ; Strait is the gate, the pathway steep, Hard to be found, and hard to keep, Which leads us up to God. With no delusive hope of joy, Such as experience must destroy, Are we by Christ beguiled ; No votive flowers deck His bed, But martyr heaps of infant-dead Surround the Royal Child. Would we His faithful followers be, We must in this true warning see Of future grief and care ; And feel that love were little worth, Which shrinks from any cross on earth We may for Jesus bear. l6 THE HOLY INNOCENTS. well it is that, when our sight Of duty in the dazzling light Of glory might be lost, The Church, her martyr's triple shade A blest retreat for souls has made, Where they may count the cost ; — And ask if, for the Lord who gave His life their precious souls to save, They would their lives lay down ; For he who will not suffer loss, Or meekly bear for Christ his cross, Shall never wear a crown. O Saviour ! for whom infants died, "Whom even infants glorified, In life and death the same ; Grant us, by pure and holy lives, And faith, which life and death survives, To glorify Thy name. n Santaa after Christmas gag. And they shall call his name Emmanuel, •which beinj interpreted is, God -with us. — Matth. i. 23. LAST Sunday of the work-day year, How sweetly falls on heart and ear That blessed Name, by which we know That ' God,' thro' all our weal and woe, Is 'with us,' and will ever make Our cause His own, for Jesus' sake. When toiling thro' this world of care, Depressed in faith, and faint in prayer, Distracted by life's sinful ways, With baffled hopes, and cloudy days, What pledge in that one word is given To weary earth of watchful Heaven ! When on the losses, which have cast Their shadow o'er the year that's past, Or on the cares, whose trembling gloom Is hanging o'er the year to come, The troubled heart despondent dwells, How ' God with us ' all gloom dispels ! c l8 SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY. If God be with us, — who hath power To harm us in the weakest hour? If God be with us, loss and pain Touched by His Presence turn to gain ! All clouds and darkness then will take The hues of heaven for Jesus' sake ! Alas ! that we should ever prove Unthankful for such tender love ; Alas ! that we, when God would thus For ever be a c God with us/ Should force Him from the gentle path, To be ( against us' in His wrath. 19 %\t €m\xm\%mx at €\mt Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the linage of Kim. that created him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor un- circumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free : but Christ is all, and in all. Col- iii. 10, 11. A HAPPY, happy Christmas ! and A merry bright New Year ! How sweet the kind old greetings sound To every heart and ear : No matter how care-burdened, and No matter how deprest, A something in their welcome makes Them dear to every breast. We heard them in our childhood, when With spirits light and gay We dreamt not that life's joyfulness Could ever pass away ; And tho' long years of carefulness Have sobered many a heart, A joy still lingers round them, which Can never quite depart : — Nor ever shall — if Christian-like We count the rolling years, Not as removing joys from us, But sins, and cares, and tears : C 2 20 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. And upward onward bearing us, To that bright land, and blest, Where i the wicked cease from troubling, and The weary are at rest.' ~No year can open gloomily For him whose heart doth yearn, Above all hopes and cares on earth, To see his Lord's return : As stars their light, and mists their shade, Lay down before the day, , So joys and griefs of earth, in Heav'n's Calm sunshine, fade away. My soul ! wouldst thou with happiness The opening year begin ? Come kneel by Jesu's cradle-bed, And count the cost of sin ! His tears were wept to dry thine eyes, His grief was for thy gain, The octave of thy song of joy Was His first cry of pain. Thence let the year its colouring Of sober duty take, Rise up, go forth, do everything For thy dear Saviour's sake ; And 'mid the world's temptation Remember for thy good, On New Year's Dav the infant Christ First shed His ' precious blood.' 21 %\t €y\$\ni. That the Gentiles should "be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ hy the Gospel. — Eph. iii. 6. HOW calm, how blest this tranquil hour Of household evening joy ! The world shut out, with all its power To trouble or annoy. The world shut out, and love shut in, With youth and gentle mirth, Which ever make their pleasant din, Best by the household hearth. The duties of the day are done, Its toil and burden o'er ; To claim, until the rising sun, Our anxious hearts no more. Then let us rest amid the gifts God's tenderness hath given, And bless each blessing as it lifts Our grateful hearts to Heaven. Whence have we this secure repose, This light in evening's gloom, This warm and cheerful gleam that glows Round all the pleasant room? 22 THE EPIPHANY. These songs of joy, these smiles of love, These voices soft and low, That talk with us of home above, And brighten home below 1 Long time ago, a wondrous star Led o'er a trackless way Three Gentile sages from afar, To where an Infant lay — In swaddling clothes, — all helpless bound, In poor and mean abode, And there in Him all Gentiles found Their Saviour and their Gocl. Thence come all joy, all love, all light, That gladden Christian homes, Our very safety day and night From that one Dwelling comes : The Sun that morning star foretold High in mericliau stands, And scatters gifts an hundredfold O'er all the Gentile lands. Cold then and heartless they must be Who all these blessings share, Yet grudge, on Christ's Epiphany, Their meed of praise and prayer. THE EPIPHANY. 23 The Gifts of God so large and free They proudly deem their own, Which, but for Christ's Epiphany, They never could have known. Lord keep us from such sinfulness, And give us grace to prove, How they, who daily debts confess, Should render love for love. f 24 first Sutttog alter djjifylro. Wist ye not that I must "be ahout my Father's "business ? — Luke ii. 49. OFT do tli the Christian's heart inquire, What does my God of me desire ? What service holy, pure, and high, Can He receive from such as I ? With heart and hands alike denied, Poor erring tho' repentant child ! Christian ! thy God deems nothing due, But what He gives thee grace to do • And nought as worthy doth He take, Save what is done for Jesu's sake : With such pure trust, and simple aim, Thy lowliest deed His smile may claim. The highest duties oft are found Lying upon the lowest ground ; In hidden and unnoticed ways, In household works, on common days, Whate'er is done for God alone, Thy God acceptable will own. FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 25 To do our 6 Father's business ' here In humble reverence and fear, Meekly upon His will to wait In little things as well as great, Contented in our lot to rest, 'Tis thus the Christian serves Him best. Whether our path of duty be In public or in privacy, To teach or to be taught in truth, Submit to age, or bear with youth, We must be wisest in the school, And gentlest under parent's rule. Like Christ in all things we must prove, His life our model, — and His love The only pure unfailing spring Of holiness in every thing, — The only law by which we e'er Can do our ' Father's business' here. f 26 teimfo BwtU% after <£|ij)jpg. And "both Jesus -was called, andHis disciples to the marriage. — John ii. 2. SOME use religion as a cloak Which need be only worn When solemn days, by custom's claim, At stated times return. 'Tis decent then, with Sunday clothes, To put the semblance on, To be as easily put off, When the dull day is done. Alas ! how little can they know The life divine within, The gain, the loss, the joy, the woe, Of holiness and sin. He who hath tasted and hath seen How gracious is the Lord ; Whose hungry soul hath fed upon The manna of His word : Whose desolate and lonely heart, Hath brightened with the glow Of that approving smile of Love The pardon'd only know ; — SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 27 He would not change one hour of peace, For all the world could give ; Nor deem that it were life at all Without his God to live. .Not in the holy place alone, Nor only when in prayer, Doth he His gracious presence feel, But always everywhere. The world with all its goodliest gains, Home with its calmest rest, Life's heaviest aud life's lightest hours, Without Him are unblest. So, when of old the marriage feast Was spread, they sought the Lord, Joy from His gentle Presence flowed, And plenty from His word. He checked no gladness, such as might The Christian's heart become, From Him no cloud can ever fall Over a Christian home. And so let all our festal joy Be in His presence found, And so let every spot on earth Be counted ' holy ground ;' 28 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. And every day a solemn day In which His gentle voice, Speaking to us in every sound, Bids every heart rejoice. He shares our griefs : let us our joys With Him devoutly share, And every festive day we keep, Be our Bedeemer there ! * 2 9 £|jtfo Saniag after ^t^aits. G-o thy "way, and as thou hast "believed, so "be it done unto thee.— Matth. viii. 13. HATH the Church of God received This great promise from his Son, 1 Go and, as thou hast believed, So it ever shall be done V Why then has she failed to gladden Hearts and homes with gospel Light, Which life's clouds and darkness sadden, Thro' the ]ong unwakened night? Hath her God forgot His promise ? Is His hand too short to save 1 Can the evil One wrest from us What the great and good One gave ? Or have we forgot the treasure That in trust and trial lies, When strong Prayer in boundless measure Wins its answer from the skies ? Where's the Gentile faith ; which rested On the hope that gave it birth, Till the Lord himself confest it As a marvel upon earth ? 30 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Throwing into sliade the sunshine Of His people's highest noon, Omen of their sad declining Clouds to settle o'er them soon I Lord ! our sleeping souls awaken, Lead us forth to work for Thee, And restore Thy long-forsaken To the land where they would be : So, through us, each Gentile nation Thine Epiphany shall learn, And her long-lost ' consolation ' Unto Israel return. 3i $mt\ Swnkg after d^ar®. /WV W WA/V V \Z"V\/V\/\/ VW And he saith -unto them, Why are ye fearful, ye of little faith ? Then he arose, and rehuked the winds and the sea ; and there was a £reat calm. — Matth. viii. 26. WHY my soul so sad and fearful, Crossing life's dark ocean tide 1 Why that upward eye so tearful 1 Christ is sleeping by thy side ! Tho' the storm and tossing billow Seem the only presence near, Christ is nearer, on a pillow Sleeping by thee — wherefore fear 1 Wakes the storm 1 — it is to try thee ! Sleeps the Christ ? — 'tis for thy sake ! Let thy heart but feel Him nigh thee, Lift thy voice — and He'll awake : Hell awake, and wind and ocean Soon shall bow before His will, All thy weary heart's emotion Hushed before His ' Peace be still.' ¥ Jplj Swnkjr after $pujpir. Let "both, grow together until the harvest. — Matth. xiii. 30. /^\ ENTLY think and gently speak, V>* Art thou strong *? respect the weak ; Art thou weak ? from what thou art, Gently judge another's heart. Gentle thoughts and gentle words Ever were thy Saviour Lord's, Shall the fellow-worm reprove, When the holy God is Love ? He, who knew the thoughts of men, He was gentle, let us then Gentle be in thought and tone, We, who scarce can read our own. Spirits harsh and words unkind, Like to rough ungentle wind, Often scatter ' precious seed,' Often break the ' bruised reed.' Patiently that Day abide, When 'the angels' shall divide ; When 'the Harvest 5 shall declare, Which the wheat, and which the tare. FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 33 Now let both together grow, God Himself alone can know Who hath faith, and who hath none, Which His foe, and which His son. how sad it then will be One afflicted soul to see — Hurt thro' thy mistaken zeal, Hurt beyond thy power to heal. Rain, and dews^ and sunshine fall With unbounded Love on all 5 Shall thy narrow heart refuse Its poor sun, and rain, and dews 1 Then be gentle my soul, Thoughts and words alike control, If thou must in aught decide, Err upon the gentle side. Gentleness can do no wrong To the weak or to the strong, Be thou strong or be thou weak. Gently think and gently speak. D 34 Sfeijf Sratog after (%ij)jpg. And every man that hath this hope in him pnrifieth him- self even as he is pure. — 1 John iii. 3. BLESSED hope ! that we the sinful May be like to Thee the Lord, Our degraded souls exalted By Thy wonder-working word. ? Twas for this, blessed Jesus, Thou didst leave Thy bright abode, To destroy the works of Satan, ' And make us the sons of God,' And to souls all lost and hopeless This reviving hope impart — That the lost may be restored And the vile be ' pure in heart.' Here the world but little knows us, Or our title to the skies, We are but the wild enthusiasts 'Tis the fashion to despise. But within our grateful bosoms We ' a hidden treasure' hold, Which we would not give the worldling For his glory or his gold. SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 35 Blessed is the fond assurance Of our God, that we are His, Blessed are the hope and promise — c We shall see Him as He is.' Shall we waste our hours in folly Who may this reward secure, To be purified and holy, Even as our God is pure 1 Gracious Saviour ! tho' c it doth not Yet appear what we shall be,' Still we know that, when Thou comest, We shall then be like to Thee. And we live upon the promise On the mount by Thee bestowed, 1 Blessed are the pure in spirit, They alone shall see their God.' D 2 36 S^topinra gmtoajj. So run, that ye may obtain.— 1 Cor. ix. 24. AS with gentle modulation Chords of music melt and flow Down from strains of exultation Into plaintive notes of woe : As with soft and tender shading Farewell beams of parting day O'er the evening landscape fading, Into twilight die away : — So the Church's songs of gladness Change their key to heart and ear — So steals on with sober sadness The dim twilight of her year. Late her Saviour Lord's appearing Filled each heart and swelled each strain, Now the solemn time is nearing When He passes into pain. Late, tho' round a lowly manger, Angels sang and glory shone, Now He passes into danger, In the wilderness alone : SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 37 And His Church with fond affection Bids her children all prepare To partake of His dejection Low in penitence and prayer. Lord, our souls and bodies render Meet to watch and kneel and pray By Thy love, so true and tender, All thro' that long battle- day. Grant us that instinctive yearning Which the Christian's soul doth move, To be ever near Thee, learning The deep secrets of Thy love. And, tho' i justly our offences,' Shut us out from joy and Thee, Keep us near Thee, for from thence is All the light our souls can see : Keep us near Thee, in thy fasting, In Thy peril and Thy pain ; That, our garland everlasting Running c so/ we ' may obtain." t 38 >OTpiiM jilting. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. — 2 Cor. si. 30. AWAKE my soul ! and for the strife Of onward upward Christian life In earnest faith prepare ; Where the fight rages fierce and high, Goes forth the Church's chivalry, And thou too must be there. Thy Lord awaits thee in the field, Bring forth the spear, essay the shield, And bind thine armour on ; Low tho' thou art, for thee there's fame, By thee a high and honour'd name And glory may be won. Never, in tourney or in fight, Did warrior old win name so bright As thou mayst win and wear, If, like the valiant ones of old, Thy faith be high, thy heart be bold To do, as well as dare. SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 39 JSTot with a sword by bloodshed stain'd, Nor for a wreath that, soon as gain'd, Shall fade upon thy brow ; But with the sword of God's good Word, And for the ( Well done' of thy Lord, Go forth and conquer now. Wait not, till foes in serried line And burnish' d armour flash and shine, To tempt thee to the fray ; Thine enemies are all around, And every spot is battle-ground Where thou canst ( watch and pray.' In little things of common life, There lies the Christian's noblest strife — When he does conscience make Of every thought and throb within, And words and looks of self and sin Crushes for Jesus' sake ; And all the while no glory sees Save in bis own infirmities, Which magnify the Grace, That out of weakness strength can brin«". And give so low and vile a thins: In God's high work a place. Then up my soul, and onward press To Jesus, — in the wilderness He waits and fights for thee ; Thy love to Him devoutly prove By deeds not words, and let His love Thy < Shield and Buckler' be. 40 <$ ttinpapima jstanbag. Jesus, thou Son of -David, have mercy on me. Luke xviii. 38. JESUS CHRIST ! thou Son of David Mercy mercy have on me ; For my soul, too long enslaved, Sighs for liberty and Thee. On life's wayside, dull and dreary, I can hear Thee passing by, But my heart is sad and weary Till I see Thee with mine eye. Long alas ! by passion blinded, Wand' ring off ' the narrow way,' how hard it is to find it ! Turn, my Saviour, turn and stay. Hush poor soul ! thy Lord is going On to weariness and pain, Wilt thou then, this secret knowing, Care to lift thy voice again ? Yes ! I will, His very sorrow Makes me know He feels for mine, Thence alone my heart doth borrow All its hope of light divine. QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 41 Had He stayed in bliss above me, I might doubt His care to bless, But what proof, that He doth love me, Better than the wilderness 1 There let His sweet voice allure me, I will follow and have rest, Certain that He will ensure me Comfort, in the way that's best. But canst thou, with calm conviction, Trust Him even tho' He slay, And His footsteps of affliction Follow, as the safest way 1 Yes ! I can, let me but hear Him, I shall follow that sweet Yoice, Thankful only to be near Him, Till His light my soul rejoice : Waiting till His glory lighten These dark eyes to look on Him, And behold His sunshine brighten All that else on earth were dim. Only let my Lord precede me, Only let Him deign to bless, I shall follow, lead me, lead me, c Up into the wilderness.' Rise glacl soul ! thy prayer is granted, Soon thy longing eyes shall see That for which thy heart hath panted : Rise, thy Saviour calleth thee. 43 §sli TOwstag, Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your G-od. — Joel ii. 13. MY sin ! my sin ! O God ! my sin Lies heavy on this heart within, All thro' the dreary live-long day Wearing my aimless life away, All thro' the weary watch of night, Tossing my bed till morning's light, It lays its heavy load on me, Miserere Domine ! My sin ! my sin ! God ! my sin ! Where does its sad account begin ? Par off in early wasted years I see it thro' these dimming tears ; Hence my whole life its clouds attend With darkening shadow : where the end Of all this shade and gloom for me 1 Miserere Domine ! My sin ! my sin ! God ! my sin ! What power shall peace and pardon win ? What shall blot out the scarlet stain That doth upon my soul remain 1 ASH WEDNESDAY. 4 What will for me with Mercy plead — For me with Justice intercede — Break these sad chains, and set me free 1 Miserere Domine ! My grief ! my grief ! God ! my grief Finds in Thy sorrows its relief ; My soul kneels down by Thy distress, And, with Thee in the wilderness, Watching Thy long and patient fast, Conflict, and triumph at the last, Finds heart to lift its voice to Thee, Miserere Domine ! Thy pain ! Thy pain ! O God ! Thy pain Is my heart's ease, Thy loss my gain : Thy love in all its depths and heights, These forty days and forty nights, My soul will measure, scale, and prove. Until it learn itself — to love, And fix its only hope on Thee, Miserere Domine ! Thy fast ! Thy fast ! O God ! Thy fast Shall thus become my feast at last, When — thro' long days and nights of care, And deep heart-searchings — faith and prayer Shall take the sins they have descried, And lay them by Thy suffering side, And lift their voice, and cry to Thee, Miserere Domine ! ■> 44 Jfrst Sm&as in f wit. And -when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterwards an-hungred. — Matt. iv. 2. THE Lord, wlio sits enthron'd in light, With regal glory crowned, Eternal in His matchless might, Whom angels worship round, Watches for man in his distress, Alone, and in the wilderness. The Lord, who on a thousand hills The cattle daily feeds, Who with ten thousand thousand rills Waters the parched meads, Who gives His people ' daily bread,' — He is a-thirst, ' an-hungered ! ' The Lord — who from his angel throne, The Prince of darkness threw, Then came on earth to give His own Power to bruise him too, Whose heel could crush the Serpent's head,- Across the Serpent's trail is led. FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. 45 The Lord — who by one living word Could dash him to the ground, — Uses the forged and well-tried sword With every Christian found ; The ' It is written/ in which we Our best defence shall ever see. Saviour ! shall we see Thee thus In weakness, want, and woe, Conscious that it was all for us Thy Godhead stoop'd so low ; And shall we shrink with Thee to share Thy fastings in the desert air ? Shall we, in light and giddy mirth, Pass with the worldling by, ISTor deem Thy costly sufferings worth One sympathizing sigh ; But, 'mid such undeserved woes, Go feast and revel with thy foes ? When Thou didst leave Thy home divine To save our souls, shall we "No lawful things of earth resign, To show our love to Thee ? Shall we take all the gift and gain, And leave Thee all the price and pain f Didst Thou for forty days and nights All food and rest refuse % How boastful then the soul that slights What Thou didst deign to use ! When Thou didst so Thyself prepare, Need we no fastings and no prayer % 4 6 tab S»nks in f ml Great is thy faith ; he it unto thee even as thou wilt,— Matt. xv. 28. LONG and earnestly she pleaded. Grief and faith her spirit stirred, Mercy for her child she needed, But He answer' d not a word. Still she pray'd, and drew the nearer, Sorrow made her spirit bold, For she felt her Lord would hear her, Tho' all other hearts were cold. Yes ! He hears her, but the token That her voice had reached His ear, When that silence sad is broken, Fails her drooping heart to cheer : e She is but a Gentile stranger, Israel's fold His chiefest care :' Surely this repulse will change her Earnest pleading to despair. Still she prayed, and still she pleaded, Tho' all hope seeni'd well nigh past ; 1 But the bread the children needed Cannot to the dogs be cast.' SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. 47 Oh how cold the outward seeming Of such answer to her cry, Was she waking ? was she dreaming 1 Could this be her Lord's reply ? Yet how gently is she able Still to plead, in spite of all % ' Truth ! but crumbs from off the table Even to the dogs may fall,' It is done ! the clond hath melted, Yon dark cloud so cold before ; Sunshine bathes her, she hath felt it Pass into her spirit's core : He, who seemed so dull to hear her, Answered not thro' very love, Stood aloof, to draw her nearer, Moved not, that her soul might move, All that shade, and seeming coldness, Hanging o'er His gentle face, He assumed to stir her ' boldness' Coming to the ' throne of grace/ Now with tenderness inclining He doth turn to soothe her pain, She like ( tender grass' is ( shining' In His sunshine ' after rain.' Thus my soul in all thy pleadings Let thy faith unwearied be, What at first seem lets are leadings Sent to help, not hinder Thee. 48 SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. Trust the promises which never Fail to answer earnest prayer : Clouds may rise, but Love is ever Shining bright behind them there. And thro' all this Lenten season Watch and wait, and trust and pray, Sure there is some blessed reason, If Love linger on the way. They, who can with ' crumbs' content them, Thankful on the least to live, Soon shall have all blessings sent them, Which the Lord of Life can give. r 49 flDjjirfc Sttitoag m $n\t The last state of that man is worse than the first. Luke xi. 26. "jVTOT always in the goodliest rite, -^ The swept and garnished ground Of forms, most fair to human sight, Is Jesus to be found. For the mere words, with which we claim His love, He doth not care ; We must be gathered in His name, Or else He is not there. And tho' He ever hears the cry Of those whose hearts complain. And none, who seek Him earnestly, Can seek His face in vain, — Yet men may fast from week to week, In form may mourn and pray, While the good gifts they seem to seek, May still be far away. In prayer and fasting let us strive To keep our bodies down, To save our precious souls alive And win a glorious crown. E SO THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. For it is hard to conquer sin, And climb the narrow road, And wishes only will not win An entrance unto God. Yet on those blessed means of grace Our souls must not depend ; Theirs simply is the handmaid's place Of means unto an end. But used in faith, with grace they teem For every troubled mind, As to the leper Jordan's stream, As Siloam to the blind. Nor must we only for awhile Put off the sins we mourn, To flatter conscience, and beguile The hours till they return : But low in penitence must lie In deed as well as word, Cut off the hand, pluck out the eye Offensive to the Lord. Use thus, my soul, with equal care This sad but gracious time, For prayerless fast, or fastless prayer, To God shall never climb. Watch lest the blessings offer'd thee Thro' thine own fault be curst, And thy last state may haply be Far worse than was thy first. 5 1 Jmll] i&rattoig in f tut Whence shall we Duy "bread, that these may eat ? (And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew •what He would do.) — John vi. 6. WHEN the faint and famish'd thousands Round their Saviour Lord did press, And He asked, how He might feed them In the hungry wilderness : Coldly reasoning, Philip answers As the rules of sense accord, Thoughtless that the meek Inquirer Was the all-providing Lord. Soon all human schemes confounded Lay their selfish reasonings by, And a few poor loaves and fishes Blest, abundance doth supply — • To remind the Lord's disciples, That if they to Him be true, Nought, their utmost need requireth, Is too hard for Him to do. E 2 52 FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Let us take the bright example, Let us seek Him for Himself, Ready, for His sake, to trample On all worldly power or pelf. Let us freely trust our bodies Where our souls their safety own, Mindful that the man-immortal ' Doth not live by bread alone.' Count not with such selfish caution What may vex, or what may please : Art thou earnest 1 Seek thy Saviour, Yea ! at any cost of ease. He would rather work a wonder, Drop from Heav'n itself their food, Rather than that souls, which trust Him, Aught should want of needful good. r 53 Jfifljf $m\h% m Itatt. But Jesus hid himself. — John viii. 59. JESUS ! my loving Lord ! I know How much my welfare stands In loss or cross for Thee below, Therefore I'm in Thy hands ; Do aught that seemeth good to Thee, But hide not Thou Thyself from me. 'Tis not the wilderness I dread, Its peril or its pain ; No pathway Thou didst ever tread But, with its grief, hath gain ; I can bear all, so it may be Thou wilt not hide Thyself from me. And well I know Thou dost not love That gentle face to hide, Only in need, dull Faith to prove, The wav'ring heart to chide : Were pain in Heav'n, 'twere pain to Thee, I know, to hide Thyself from me. 54 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. By Thine own sorrow on the cross, That agonizing cry, Thy sense of that one moment's loss, When darkness veil'd the sky, And hid Thy Father's face from Thee :- Hide not Thy face, Christ, from me. 55 aim jSantag. On the next day much people, that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took "branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessedis the King of Israel, that cometh in the 3s ame of the Lord.— John xii. 12, 13. WHEN* the sacred Name is spoken, Bowed knee and bended head Are the outward sign and token That we feel what we have said : Feel that Jesus, God most holy, Tho' unseen, is somewhere nigh, And, with reverence de^p and lowly, Worship as He passes by. So when He, the Lord, did enter His Jerusalem of old, Souls and eyes in Him did centre, Waves of welcome round Him roll'd : And before that lowly Wonder Raging hearts grew still and calm, While they cast their garments under, And his pathway strew' d with palm. 56 PALM SUNDAY. Yet the throng, that now rejoices, Whose Hosannas rend the sky, Soon shall shout, with treacherous voices, Crucify Him, crucify ! They, who lowly now adore Him, Soon shall fling their insults round, Mocking, bow the knee before Him Scarlet-robed, and thorn-encrown'd. Therefore, when that Name is spoken, And, with bended head or knee, Thou dost give the outward token Of thine inward fealty, — Watch my soul ! that every feeling Be in concord with that sign, Heart as well as body kneeling, Thoughts as well as looks divine. *£\ 57 0itkg Mm fete. She hath done -what she could,— Mark xi v. 8. 1 CI HE hath done what she could' ^ Her poor all hath expended, With ointment most precious Her Lord to prepare ; 1 She hath done whafc she could' And her Lord hath commended For His body her love, For His burial her care. The spikenard the worldly Would lavish on pleasure, The hair that the trifling Would deck to deceive, The one she pours out On her Lord, without measure, A robe for His feet With the other doth weave. The thoughtless may wonder, The Godless may slight her, And murmuring ask, To what purpose such waste ? 58 MONDAY BEFORE EASTER. What matter ! the Lord With His love doth requite her, Her deed on the roll Of His records hath placed. The days and the hours When calm in devotion She hung on His lips, Or sat low at His feet, Come soft o'er her heart With their tender emotion, Than beauty more precious, Than spikenard more sweet. She knows that those days Are for ever departed, She lives in their light, Tho' her soul be in gloom, She believes, she can trust, Eut still, half broken-hearted, She hopes in His life, But prepares for His tomb. Thus Lord give us ever The grace to watch by Thee, In sorrow and shade, As in sunshine and joy ; Our bliss, wheresoever Thou art, to be nigh Thee, Our wealth, all we have For Thy use to employ. MONDAY BEFORE EASTER. 59 O blest above measure, If we too may hear Thee Accept our poor service Imperfect and rude, And — marking with favour The faithful who fear Thee— This blessing bestow, — 1 They have done what they could.' S?i 6o tebag Mow faster. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, -what evil hath he done ? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify Him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people . . . delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to he crucified. — Mark xv- 15. PROUDLY in his Hall of Judgment, There to play his fearful part ; Sat the Roman Pontius Pilate, Clear in head, but cold in heart. Bound and silent stood before him, Meek and sad, the Lord of all, Listening to His false accusers, In that awful judgment hall : Listening to His words perverted, All too gentle to complain ; Tho' one word had struck them speechless, Yet not answering again. Thousands round, like storm-toss' d ocean, Fling their furious rage on high ; Shouting, in their wild commotion, Crucify Him, crucify ! TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER. 6l Wretched man ! tho' passing power Seem thy little soul to please, Yet thine inner self doth cower Under conscience, ill at ease. Thine own fears, and other's dreaming, Terrible attendants are ; Judge — alone in outward seeming — - Thine own Judge is at thy bar. Vain to soothe that troubled conscience All thy pleading with the throng ; While within the battle rages, Sense of right, and love of wrong. Vain to wash thine hands, disclaiming Part in that accursed day, Blood is on them, which thy Victim's Blood alone can wash away. O my soul ! take hence the measure Of their misery, who can Sacrifice their sense of duty To the wretched fear of man. Play not with those dread convictions That would wrest its slave from sin, Sad to see the refuge-city, See, but never enter in. 62 TUESDAY BEFORE EASTEK. Of all men on earth the poorest They who know what they should do, But, thro' vain men-pleasing, cannot To their own belief be true. Just enough of night, to darken That pure day in which they live, Just enough of light, to sadden All the joys that sin can give. 63 SRttottstatv before £mUx. I have sinned, in that I have "betrayed the innocent "blood. And they said. What is that to us ? See thou to that. — Matt, xxvii. 4. 'nniS o'er ! the last kind deed is done, J- The last kind word is spoken, The last few sands are almost run, And the last links are broken ; Love's bonds are burst, and he is free With an enslaving liberty. He who, admitted near his Lord, Tended with care parental, Had seen His deeds, and heard His word, So loving and so gentle, Rises, and goes his fearful way Out into darkness to betray. All acts of love, all means of grace, His stubborn soul refuseth, Self occupies the Saviour's place, And His best gifts abuseth ; The wretch, thro' wretched love of pelf, Betrays his Lord, betrays himself. 64 WEDNESDAY BEFORE EASTER. Long had he harbour' d secret sin, And long with truth had trifled ; Now Satan safely enters in, And God's own shrine is rifled : The hands, that long in secret stole, Now sell his Saviour, and his soul. By slow degrees the deed was done, The fetters, that now bound hi in, Had, day by day and one by one, Been surely drawn around him : He would not burst them when he could, He could not burst them when he would. Think not he deem'd Christ's death would b< The end of his pursuing, Far rather hoped he thus to see His enemies' undoing ; He have his silver, they their fall, His Lord triumphant over all ! Alas ! how little they can know The end of the beginning, Who calculate how far to go Into the ways of sinning : — Turn to Aceldama, and there Witness the suicide's despair ! Saviour ! teach us how to take Warning from that offender j And keep our souls, for Thy dear sake, To Thee still true and tender ; WEDNESDAY BEFORE EASTER. 65 Lest, turning wilfully away We leave Thy table, to betray. One downward step of early sin Indulged in or neglected, One look of love — our hearts to win Back to Thy side — rejected ; May our soul's separation be Eternally, God, from Thee. p 66 ffyttitag Matt €nttx. Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And He -was withdrawn from them ahout a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed. — Luke xxii. 40,41. JESUS ! my Master ! when I feel The world's temptations round me steal. When things of sense too much employ My heart with their deceptive joy, When things of faith too little move My soul to thoughts and deeds of love, I'll turn aside, and keep with Thee Watch in that sad Gethsemane. When, — cross'cl by cares which Thou hast sent In mercy, sadder to prevent, Cares which, if rightly understood, Must only work me deeper good, — I, slighting what Thou dost provide, Would push the bitter cup aside, — O give me grace, to keep with Thee Watch in that sad Gethsemane. Life's gaudy but unreal glow, The littleness of human woe, The joys which some so much control, They should be payment for a soul ; THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER. 67 The griefs which some so much depress, As if our right were happiness ; Their nothingness we best can see, When look'd on in Gethsemane. Thy sorrows there, alone can prove The depth of real grief and love ; Thy lonely and thrice offer'd prayer, If it were possible, to spare — The meekness of that love, which still To Heav'n subdued Thy human will, These are the lessons which can be Best taught us in Gethsemane. There let us kneel, and c watch and pray,' Against tha,t dark and awful day, When Thou upon the cross didst give Thy life, that a]l the world might live. If for one moment sin seem slight, Or our oifences few or light, They'll take their proper form, when we Kneel by Thee in Gethsemane. * F 2 68 toft Itttrag. A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. — Is. liii. 3. , AY of loss and day of gain, Day of peace and day of pain. Thou art come to us again ! Death on thee hath done his worst, Hell on thee his gates hath burst, God on thee hath been accurst. Yet the Death, which struck so high, Doom'd its very self to die, In the hour of victory. And the Hell, which mutter'd low Triumph at that deed of woe, Felt the suicidal blow. And the God accurst doth rise, In the very hour He dies Over all His enemies. GOOD FRIDAY. 69 Mystery for high belief ! How, from depths of guilt and grief, God doth work for man's relief. Christ, on the accursed tree Bound, to set the sinner free, Triumphs in His agony. Hell, whose deadly hate and pride Heaven its very self defied, Bows before the Crucified I Mystery all thought above ! Death the birth of Life to prove ! Hate to be the womb of love ! Wonder of all wonders known ! Christ upon the cross alone Makes the whole world's sins His own. Horror of all horrors wrought ! Sinful man, whose soul was sought, Sheds the blood by which he's bought ! Day ashamed a veil doth take, Earth dismay 'd doth reel and quake, And the very dead awake. Jesus ! Gentle Sufferer ! say How shall we, this dreadful day, Near Thee draw, and to Thee pray 1 70 GOOD FRIDAY. We, whose proneness to forget Thy dear love, on Olivet Bathed Thy brow with bloody sweat ;- We ; whose sins with awful power, Like a cloud did o'er Thee lower, In that God-excluding hour ; — We, who still in thought and deed Often hold the bitter reed To Thee, in Thy time of need ; — , Canst Thou pardon ? wilt Thou pray, As for those who on that day, Took Thy precious life away 1 Yes ! Thy Blood is all my plea, It was shed, and shed for me, Therefore to Thy Cross I flee. At Thy feet, in dust and shame, I dare breathe Thy holy name, And a ' great salvation' claim. Save me, Saviour ! stoop and take Pity on my soul, and make This day bright, for Thy dear sake. 7i faster $te. In the garden, a new sepulchre. — John xix. 41. LOWLY kneel and softly tread Round the Saviour's Sabbath bed, Mourn not, weep not, ' watch and pray,' Put all restless thoughts away, Whatsoever grief or strife Thou hast ever known in life, Bring it to this garden-ground, Where His sepulchre is found. Hath thy youth been fresh and fair, Unobscured by cloud or care % Have all precious things of earth, Smiled upon thee from thy birth % Come and watch against the day, When these joys may pass away, And in thine own garden-ground Some new sepulchre be found. Is that stain the stain of tears That upon thy cheek appears ? Is that long and dreamy stare, — Fix'd on that one vacant chair, — *J2 EASTER EVE. Are those hush'd and chasten'd ways — That going softly all thy days — Proofs that in thy garden-ground Some new sepulchre is found 1 Come, and on Christ's Sabbath bed Aching heart and throbbing head Lay in meek submission down, For heart's-ease and glorious crown Shall for both from thence arise, When the Living Sacrifice Bursts the bands by which He's bound, And makes all earth one garden-ground. To waiting souls how purely blest That last primal-Sabbath-rest, Coming, as it did, between Calvary's dark Passion-scene, And the dawning of that day, When every doubt would flee away, And Sharon's bursting Pose be found, The glory of that garden-ground. Ere its claim on them expired, It did all their souls required ; Shut the world's intrusions out, Cherish'd faith, and chasten'd doubt, Kept them from that loving deed Christ would show He did not need, By His grave next morning found Empty in that garden-ground. EASTER EVE. 73 Tims, my soul, wait in thy place, Meekly use all means of grace, Days of toil, or days of rest, As God sends them, suit thee best ; Simply strive to do His will, Keep self under, and be still, Though thy struggling heart be found Yearning toward some garden-ground. The best spices to prepare Are waiting faith, and earnest prayer ; With these, in holy rest and calm, All thy fondest hopes embalm ; Lay them at thy Saviour's feet, Wrap them in His winding-sheet, And, some morning, they'll be found Risen from that garden-ground. $?% 74 §n\tx gag. Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. — Is. lx. 1. AWAKE, glad soul ! Awake ! awake ! Thy Lord hath risen long ; Go to His grave, and with thee take, Both tuneful heart and song : Where Spring awakens all around, Where vernal voices sing, The first bright Blossom may be found Of an Eternal Spring. Yet woman's love, too true and brave For guards or night to scare, Last at the Cross, first at the grave, Found not that Blossom there ; To Angels' sleepless eyes alone Did Heav'n that boon accord, Their hands had roll'd away the stone, And deck'd their rising Lord. So ever lag our steps behind The Lord's preventing grace ; So often fail our hearts to find The beauty of His face : EASTER DAY. 75 Yet in that tomb's depressing shade Two Angels sat and shone, To point where lately He was laid, And tell how He was gone. Not selfishly their souls enjoyed The secret which they knew, Grateful they wait — by Christ employed To comfort others too : Words long forgotten to recall, Faith drooping to revive, And tell His followers, where all May see His face alive. Love ! which lightens all distress, Love, death cannot destroy ; O grave ! whose very emptiness To Faith is full of joy : Let but that Love our hearts supply From Heaven's Eternal Spring, Then Grave, where is thy victory 1 And Death, where is thy sting ? The shade and gloom of life are fled This Resurrection Day, Henceforth in Christ are no more dead, The grave hath no more prey ; In Christ we live, in Christ we sleep, In Christ we wake and rise ; And the sad tears Death makes us weep He wipes from all our eyes. 76 EASTER DAY. And every bird, and every tree, And every opening flower, Proclaim His glorious victory, His Resurrection-power : The folds are glad, the fields rejoice, With vernal verdure spread, The little hills lift up their voice, And shout that Death is dead. Then wake, glad heart ! awake ! awake ! And seek thy risen Lord, Joy in His Resurrection take, And comfort in His Word : And let thy Life, thro' all its ways, One long thanksgiving be ; Its theme of Joy, its words of Praise, ' Christ died and rose for me.' ¥ 77 Hjtontots in faster Muh Abide "with, us, for it is toward eTenin^, and the day is far spent* — Luke xxiv. 29. 1 A BIDE with us,' the shades of eve -£*- Are falling fast around ; ( Far spent' the day — do not leave The souls Thy Love has found. We lost Thee in an hour of fear, Thy words of love forgot ; Once more that blessed Yoice we hear, Saviour leave us not. Too cold, too sad, too slow of heart We wander'd here alone, And where Thou wert, not where Thou art, Was all our souls would own. Alas ! that we should e'er forget The hope Thy sufFrings gave, 1 Thine agony and bloody sweat,' The Garden, Cross, and Grave, — 78 MONDAY IN EASTER WEEK. Or lose amid their gloom the pure Perfection of that joy, No clouds of grief should e'er obscure, No cross or grave destroy. But Thou art come to us again, — Our souls so dull and sad Thou c madest soft with drops of rain,' And now with sunshine glad. Then ' abide with us,' nor leave Those whom Thy love hath found, For life is wearing — shades of eve Are falling fast around. The solemn joy, the awful fear, The hallow' d hush of peace, The consciousness that Thou art near, We would not these should cease. They came to us with glad accord This blessed Easter-ticle, They will ' abide with us' Lord, If Thou with us abide. r 79 flfaes&ag in faster Witth The same day at evening, "being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus, and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace he unto you.— John xx. 19. LORD, when my feet would turn away From keeping of Thy Holy day To worldly joy or care ; When secret pleasures of mine own Tempt me one moment to disown Thy blessed House of Prayer : — When that sweet call of Sabbath bells, Which on the ear now sinks now swells, Hath fail'd my heart to win ; And, with averted soul and eye, I pass Thine open portals by, When others enter in : — Let me remember days of gloom, When, gathered in an upper room, With closed and guarded door, 80 TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK. Depressed with fears, by foes beset, Thy broken band of followers met, In secret to adore. No solemn pomp of worship theirs, No bells to call to Holy prayers, No aisles by thousands trod ; The Church, which was to bear to men Freedom of soul, enjoyed not then Freedom to worship God. Yet never, in her palmiest days, Or fairest shrines which love could raise, Or most melodious choirs, Rose truer service to the ear Of Him, who stoops with joy to hear The prayer which faith inspires. The beauty of that little room, The rainbow lights across its gloom, Were love, and trust, and prayer ; The glory of that simple spot, Where gold and frankincense were not, Was, that their Lord was there. His presence all their fears subdued, His words of peace their faith renewed, No more their souls complain ; He showed to them His hands and feet, He shared with them their earthly meat, And was their own again. TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK. 8l O Saviour ! in a world like this What purer joy, what deeper bliss, Can faith for mortals win 1 Their joy — Thy presence to adore ! Their bliss — an ever open door ! With grace to enter in. G 82 Jint jtantag after Easier. And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus, the doors Toeing shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace he unto you. John xs. 26 EEW and fleeting days remain, Christ returns to Heaven again, Bearing far above the sky Glorified humanity ; That, which here for us He bore, Mortals soon shall see no more, 'Till the dav when to the skies He descends, and we arise. Sweet to mark the tender care All His best belov'd ones share, To their lowest wants He bends, To their weaknesses attends : Was there one who fail'd or falter'd 1 He shall find His love unalter'd, And some gentle deed or word Have from his forgiving Lord ! FIRST iSUXDAY AFTER EASTER. 83 Still bv leaguering foes beset, Where the first Lord's Day they met, There the little Church is found, When the next Lord's Day comes round : Weeping, watching, waiting, praying, Wond'ring where their Lord is staying, Wliy the constant Friend of old Now so seldom they behold ! In the midst of hearts and hands Lifted up in prayer, He stands : Peace to every soul He brought, But one doubter chiefly sought, With His wounded hands and side, Proof abundant to provide, And exchange his faithless