FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY p Pgmtis FOR Clje I)0xts^fj0lir of Jfaitfr, fags of % fetter £ atrfr. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/hyholOOwill * JUL 25 1935 €§t iMseJinlfr of $M), iJTags 0f % Ijkite ITaitlr. Thanksgiving and the Voice of Melody." "Things New and Old." Second Edition, considerably enlarged. LONDON : WILLIAM MACINTOSH, 24, Paternoster Kow, e.c. 1867. " TO MY BELOVED AND VALUED FRIEND, AND SISTER IN CHRIST, THE , AUTHOR OF THE " SCHONBERG-COTTA FAMILY," WHOSE 11 VOICE OF CHRISTIAN LIFE IN SONG," AND STORY, ARE SO MUCH PRIZED BY THE " HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH," THIS NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION OF HYMNS FOR ITS MEMBERS IS INSCRIBED, IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF THE HAPPY DAYS OF PLEASANT CONVERSE ENJOYED WITH HER, AND HER FAMILY, AND IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HER LOVING SYMPATHY WITH THE DESTITUTE ORPHANS, FOR WHOSE BENEFIT THE PROFITS OF THIS VOLUME ARE DEVOTED. J. W. PREFACE. In this new and enlarged Edition of " Hymns for the Household of Faith/' while a few of those most known have been omitted,, a considerable quantity of new matter has been added ; amongst which are various Hymns and Poems which have not before appeared in print ; several contributions from the pen of the author of the <( Schonberg- Gotta Family" with those of other kind friends, have helped to enrich the Volume, which is not intended to be merely a collection of Hymns and Poems " new and old," put together without order, but arranged so as to illustrate the great principles and truths of the Vlll PREFACE. Gospel, and to apply them to the outer and inner life of the Believer, as a means of exciting to more sympathy each for his brother in their One Head — to a deeper trust in Him, who reveals Himself to mourners as " a God of Consolation " — and to a more hopeful and rejoicing spirit in the Christian pilgrim, while passing through the " light afflic- tions " of this changeful world to the Eternal Joys which await him in the true Home. The book is sent forth with an appeal on behalf of the destitute " little ones," who are everywhere to be found wan- dering about our streets without an earthly father, and ignorant of a Heavenly One, and with a prayer that He will move the hearts of many to pity and help them. The profits of this Volume are devoted to two little " Orphan Homes " in the neighbourhood of Bath, conducted on the Family system, wliich arc entirely de-pendent upon the voluntary offerings of PREFACE. IX those who feel the obligation of the Master's command — ' ' Feed My Lambs." To the members of the " Household of Faith " no more urgent claim can be put forth than the cries of the fatherless, who may truly say, " Refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul." 11 How many a soul the price of blood, Marked by the Almighty's Hand for good," is now left to perish in misery and ignorance, and that — not in far-off heathen lands : but, in our midst — not those only who have " chosen the way of trans- gressors," and "refused the Yoice of Instruction"; but thousands who have never been shewn the way of life, or told of that Saviour's love, who " tooh the little ones in His arms and Messed them.33 To leave such to find their way into Reformatories, Guardian- Asylums, or Gaols, a prey to the Spoiler, is truly not befitting the followers of Him, who has declared that " it is not the will of our Father that one of these little ones should perish," — and this surely is enough X PREFACE. for the Lord's people not to pass such by unheeded. To take lower ground. — It might be shewn, in an economical point of view, how much less expensive prevention is than cure, and how heavy a cost might have been spared to the community, as well as life- long misery and suffering to the poor wanderer, if a timely hand of help had been held out before con- science was seared and character lost. It is found, by experience, that comparatively very few are ever reclaimed, who have got so far on the downward road as to have become inmates of penitentiaries or gaols ; and it can also be shewn, that bringing up destitute children in family -groups, instead of larger numbers, besides giving them the advantage of Christian and home-influences, is less costly than any other plan, even including " the Union.,} The labour being one of love, there is scarcely anything to deduct for paid agency, which, together with expensive buildings, swallows up so much of the funds in large public institutions. PREFACE. XI The first of these little " Homes/' to which atten- tion is now invited, as illustrating a principle, was opened seven years ago, at Headingley, near Leeds, (where it is still carried on, though the original Managers have removed to Bath, where they have at this time the privilege of superintend- ing three such " Homes/') It was opened in faith that the promises of "the God of the fatherless" would be fulfilled, and help sent to those who had the care of His children. Seven Orphan Homes, sprung from that humble effort, have attested His faith- fulness. Loving help has come from all parts to support the Orphans, who have also come from all parts. The " Homes " migfct, and would be multi- plied to meet the urgent need for such, if more labourers could be found to enter this field of great promise and reward. Perhaps this Appeal in behalf of the fatherless cannot be better concluded, and a plan by which they might be succoured, described, than by giving part of a letter written to the Editor, Xli PREFACE. by the Author of the " Schonberg-Cotta Family " who, in the midst of the unceasing demands which her own great work bring upon her, has stepped aside to shew sympathy for them : — My dear Mes. W., Our visits to you at Headiugley, and at Bath, left the happiest and most encouraging recollections. There is something in the gathering of the forsaken homeless little ones around a Christian home, near enough to share the warmth of love at the heart of it, — and in numbers not too large for every child to be personally known and understood; that seems to me just the type of what works of Christian charity should be. A real natural household of God's appointing, the centre ; and linked to it this house- hold of desolate, destitute little children, who, but for such care, would never have known what home was, bound to the members of the family as a kind of God-sisters in the love of Him, who took the little ones in His arms, — and in whom is the new eternal PREFACE. Xlll source of relationship to each other. We must be glad of every effort to rescue little children from being trained in that terribly efficient school of evil, which never wants recruiting agents or teachers — even down to the mere cold sweeping in of homeless little ones from starvation and the streets, to be marred together by hundreds within the walls of a metropolitan workhouse ; and I am sure you would render all honour to the noble liberality, which endeavours, to meet the all but unbounded misery of our large cities, by collecting thousands of orphans into princely asylums. But those who have sacri- ficed most in such efforts,, would no doubt be the first to confess how imperfect (though most terribly necessary) such enormous institutions must be as training places for children, meant in the original plan of Providence to grow up in little family groups, large enough to train and discipline each other by the contact of various characters, yet not too large to be understood and watched over, cherished and XIV PREFACE. chastened, by one or two in the place of parents at the head. The multiplying of such small " Orphan Homes " seems to me, if practicable, better in every way than the magnifying of a few great Orphan Institutions. Besides the influence on character, I should think the preparation for domestic service in ordinary middle-class households, likely to be far more effectual in such " Homes," with ordinary arrangements for washing, cooking, and housework, than in gigantic mansions where the kitchens and laundries are triumphs of machinery, and the house- work must lack the little homely details, attention to which, makes or mars the comforts of our homes. With regard to the reaction of blessing on the Family which links to itself such an Orphan Home, it seems to me nearly the best thing in the whole scheme. How discontent might be checked by the thought of the little ones at hand so differently placed, and indolence, by the constant opportunities PEE FACE. XV of rendering little services, — how superfluous time, and property, and acquirements would all find fresh happy uses, — and how, above all, works of the mere routine of " charity " might be warmed into hearty services of personal care and love ! These are results, almost as cheering to think of as the rescue of the little homeless ones themselves from the depths, on the slippery brink of which they were taken up into the arms of Christ-like pity, and folded in the " Orphan Home/' *#* Any who feel interested in the " little ones," and desire to hear more about them, can have full information respecting these "Orphan Homes/' either by addressing a letter to Mbs. Williamson, Widcombe Hill, Bath, or by -personal enquiry. . INDEX OF SUBJECTS. PAGE TRUTH 1 Before Thy mystic altar ... Sir W. Jones - 1 Difficulties of Milton - - 2 Divinity of E. B. Browning 2 Lines on - -- 3 Strive for - -- 3 Be just and fear not .... Afford - - 5 " Lord, teach us Thy Truth " - - Hinds - - 7 FAITH 8 " Believe and live "---- - -- 9 Blessedness of those who believe and have not seen - - 10 Hope still Anna Shipton - 11 For the Epiphany ... - M. G. Taylor - 12 Weak Faith ... From Hymns for a Week 14 Exhortation to Faith - Chandler - - 15 Increase our Faith - Hinds - - 1 G Efficacy of Faith .... Ibid - - 1G " Faith worketh by Love " - J.D.Burns - 18 The Bight must win ... Faber - - 19 " My cup runneth over " ... - - - 22 LOVE 24 " Tell me, my wishing soul " Quarles - - 24 "Say, hast thou ever yet" - From the German of Lavater 24 " How little and how lightly " - - Tupper - - 24 What Love is Anon. - - 25 The Loving One Anon. - • 25 Love keeping watch - Hinds - - 2G Love springing from Forgiveness - - J. A. Elliot - 27 " Upbraideth not " - - - - C. M. N. - 29 b XV111 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. PAGE Exite, Sion Filise - Translated by C. Neale 31 " This is not your rest "... Lord Glenelg - 32 Who is my Neighbour ? - - - - - - 34 A Contrast J. R. Lowell - 36 Stores of Love A. A. Proctor - 37 The Unnamed Women - Author of " Schbnberg-Cotta Family" 38 The Service of the Lord 39 The Christian Warrior - - - Chandler - 41 The Kingdom of Go i - - - - Trench - - 42 The Battle won J. B. Mcnsell - 43 Love to God shewn in love to man - Blanchard - 44 " The Lord is my portion " - - - A. L. Waring - 45 " Come and rejoice with me " - Author of" Schbnberg- Cotta Family " - 49 FOKGIVENESS 51 " Thy sins are forgiven thee " - Author of " Schbnberg- Cotta Family " - 52 Forgiven A. A. Proctor - 53 "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain " - Ilinds - - 54 TRUST ------ - - - 55 The Soul committing itself to God - Neumarck - 56 " He shall direct thy paths " - - Lord Glenelg - 57 I will fear no evil " - - - - A. L. Waring - 59 " My Father is the mighty Lord " - Lange - - 60 The Well at Sychar - - - Author of '" Schbnberg- Cotta Family" - 61 ;- Soon and for ever " - - - - J. B. Monsell - 62 God's will is best - Faber - - 64 Wait on the Lord - - - - J. Crewdson - Go u My times are in Thy hand" - - A. L. Waring - 6Q '; My strength and my heart faileth" - Ibid - - 68 Life's Answer - --69 PRAYER 71 Description of Prayer - - - - Montgomery - 71 Key of Morning and Lock of Night - Ibid 72 "Pray without ceasing" - - - Hemans - - 73 INDEX OP SUBJECTS. XIX PAGE " Why standest Thou afar off ? " - - J. Crewdson - 74 Ignorance in Prayer - Shakspeare - 75 Sonnet on Prayer - - - - R. C. Trench - 75 " Their strength is to sit still" - - J. B. Monsell - 76 The Mercy-seat - . . 77 '; Ask and it shall be given you " - - II. Stowell - 78 Asking amiss ----- Hinds 79 Counsel to a Soldier - - - - Pritchard - 80 Praise and Prayer - Hymns from the Land of Luther 81 The Blessed Best ... - Ibid - - 83 The Infant's Prayer 84 "Watch and pray" ... - C.Elliot- - 86 " The Son of Man " - - - -La Trobe - - 87 A Child's Prayer - Anna Shipton - 88 James and John ----- Lyra Apostolica 89 CHBIST OUB ALL 90 Christ Precious ----- - --91 I heard the Voice of Jesus say - - H. Bonar - 92 " Now mine eye seeth Thee " - - M. J. Jewsbury 93 God in Christ Hinds - - 94 The Condescension of Christ - - - - - 94 Best in Christ - Author of " Schonberg-Cotta Fainily" 95 THE CHBISTIAN LIFE 99 " Have ye counted the cost ? " - - Songs of Chivalry 100 The Christian Life - Thomas Gisborne 103 Bunning the Bace - - - 105 Hope and Memory ---./. S. Howson, D.D. 106 Samuel - Cawood - - 107 The Providence of God - - - Paul Gerhard - 108 Abide with me T. Lyte - - 111 Follow me Anon. - - 112 Growing in Grace - - - - R. C. Trench - 113 Sweet is the voice of Song - - - J. A. E. - - 114 Fountain of Siloam - Mc Cheyne - 117 TBLBULATION - 118 Friend Sorrow A. A. Proctor - 1 19 " Hue ad jugum Calvariae - - Daniel's Hymnology 120 62 XX INDEX OF SUBJECTS. "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by" The S^vmpathy of Jesus The Pilgrim Fathers - M How long " " The Son of Man hath not where to lay His head " - Sonnet written in Old Age - Lord, many times 1 am aweary quite - - Mrs. Sigourney- - S. Wilherforce - - Hinds J. B. Monsell Michael Angela R. C. Trench Veiled Angels Author of" Sc/idnberg- Cotla Family " ': Lord, help me "---- - -- " Undertake for me " - The Border Land .... L. N. R. Deep calleth unto Deep - - - A. L. Waring - The Fountain in the Desert - - Anna. Shipton - " Be careful for Nothing " - - - - In the Field Mrs. Hemans - Bachel weeping for her Children - - Hinds Voice from a Parsonage - Tierman - At eve, when o'er the lonely soul - He went, like one that hath been stunned ... Cleansing Fires ----- - -- Disappointment C. M. N. The Stranger Mrs. Hemans - " And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes " M. G. Taylor - The Widow of Nain - Author of " Schonberg- Cotia Family " - - SUBMISSION Christian Endurance - - - - M. Milne* "Beareth all things" - - - - S. T. Coleridge - '•Not as I will, hut as Thou wilt" - //. Bonar The Patient Waiting for Christ - - Hinds The Believing Wife - Ibid Ministry - Fiom " The Voice of Christian Life in Song" Faithfulness of God iu Affliction - - J. B. Monsell - Exaggeration E. B. Browning Evening Song, after a day of Difficulty- A. L. Waring - PAGE 122 123 124 125 126 128 128 129 131 132 134 137 140 144 145 147 148 150 152 153 154 155 156 157 160 161 163 163 165 165 166 168 169 170 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. XXI PAGE Christmas Bells J.F.Richardson 171 The Blind Man's Hymn - C. Elliot - - 172 What pleases God - Paul Gerhardt - 1 74 Security - - - - - - J. B. Monsell - 170 "Pray ye that your flight" - - M.G.Taylor - 170 The Proud Heart subdued - W. Hone - - 178 Pencil-yarks in a Book of Devotion From " Good Words" 179 Sabbath Hymn in Sickness - - - D. Wordsworth 180 The Soul committing itself to God - Anna Shipton - 181 CONSOLATION ----- - - 184 Sonnet on Consolation - - - E. B. Browning 185 " It shall be well with the Kighteous " - Kent - - 185 Despise not chastenings - - - J. D. Burns - 180 " When my father and mother forsake " - - - 187 Ministering Angels - - - - B. - -189 Angel Watchers ----- - -- 190 The Sorrow of the World - - - - - 192 Peace in Jesus ----- _ -- 194 Light in Darkness - Hymns from the Land of Luther 195 " They that sow in tears shall reap in joy*' - - Author of u Schonberg-Cotta Family" 197 " Thou maintained my lot " - A. L. Waring - 199 " And there was no more sea " - - E. Hey - - 200 Light at Eventide - Montgomery - 200 The Old, Old Story 201 CONTENTMENT - 203 Cheerfulness taught by Keason - - E. B. Brov;niny 204 A Quiet Mind 204 On the Providence of God - - - Baxter - - 20G Murmurs A. A. Proctor - 207 Lead Kindly Light .... - Newman - - 209 Murmurs E. C. Trench - 210 " Sufficient unto the day " - - - Ibid - - 210 Aspects M. G. Taylor - 211 " Blessed are the poor in spirit " - - W. W. How - 212 Lay of Peace in Sickness - - - - - -213 Lay of Peace De Vere - - 214 XXI 1 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Song for the Wilderness Tauler, the Preacher - The Fountain - I am content with what I have - Mrs. E. Walker - J. R. Lowell - Bunyan PKAISE " I will bless the Lord at all times " - "Kejoice evermore" - Moultrie -• It is good to sing Praises ... From the German " The Earth is the Lord's " - - - A. De Vere Gloriosi Salvatoris - - - - J. M. Neale Omnis Fidelis Gaudeat - - C. M. Neale Praise of God's Providence - Mason Hymn to Christ ----- - -- Alleluia ------ From the Latin - " Kejoicing in Tribulation " - Emily Taylor - MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS - Early Eising and Prayer ... Hymn for Sunday Morning - From Evening Song for the Lord's Day Sunday Evening Evening Hymn - - - Evening Hymn - - - Nearer Heaven - - - Evening Twilight For a Wakeful Night - " He giveth His beloved sleep " The Sleep of the Beloved - Hymn for Midnight - A Midnight Hymn PRAYING AND WORKING Use Me A Starless Crown The Day Labourer One by One - " Work while it is called to-day Sowing and Reaping - Strive, Wait, and Pray The Night cometh H. Vaughan Hymns for a Week - Montgomery From Hymns for a Week - Paul Gerhardt - From Hymns for a Week - Carey - Pastor Josephsen - De Vere - - H. Bonar - De Vere - - Ibid Bonar - Anna Shipton - A. A. Proctor - J. Anderson - A. A. Proctor - Ibid PAGE 215 216 220 221 222 222 223 225 226 227 229 230 232 234 235 238 239 240 242 244 245 248 249 251 252 253 254 255 257 259 260 261 262 265 267 268 269 270 INDEX OP SUBJECTS. XX111 PAGE GIVING 273 How to give - - 274 The Cruse that faileth not - - Author of " Schonberg- Cotta Family " - 274 Giving 276 Who ever lost by Giving ? - - - 277 Give - - A. A. Proctor - 277 Sonnet on Giving .... Mant - - 279 TIME 280 First Day of Creation - - - II. Bonar - 281 Second „ - T. Whitehead - 282 Third „ ... Ibid - - 284 Fourth „ „ ... Ibid - - 28G Fifth „ ... Ibid - - 289 Sixth „ „ ... Ibid - - 290 Seventh „ ... Ibid - - 291 " Kedeeming the Time " - - - J. D. Burns - 293 The Present - - - - - A. A. Proctor - 294 Now!— To-day! .... Ibid - - 295 Incentive to Early Kising - - - - 296 Hora Novissima - - - - H. Bonar - 298 "Behold, I come quickly " - - - J. Deck - - 300 " God calling yet " ... Gerhard Tersieegen 301 The Little Child and the New Year - - - 302 The Flight of Time 304 Our One Life 307 SCKIPTUEE SCENES 309 Jacob's Burial - - - - - J. D. Burns - 310 Wells of Marah J. Borthwich - 311 The Burial of Moses - - - - C. F. Alexander 313 The Child Samuel 317 Elisha Multiplying the Widow's Oil - JR. C. Trench - 318 Christ's Baptism - Chandler - - 319 King Herod's Oath - - - - M. T. Jewsbury 320 The Miracle at the Marriage Feast Author of" Schonberg- Cotta Family " - 322 The Homeless Wanderer - Bussel - - 323 XXIV INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Christ's Miracles The Child set in the Midst - Christ Raising the Widow's son The Woman taken in Adultery Blind Bartimeus Christ Eebuking Peter A Song of the Disciples Jesus at the Well of Sychar Martha and Mary Gennesaret ... Talitha Cumi - Author of " The Woman that was a Sinner • Christ in the Pharisee's house The Two Alabaster Boxes - Gethsemane - Peter Weeping - The Two Accusations - " The Disciple whom Jesus loved Restoration .. The Pharisee and the Publican - Hamilton - - Anna Shipton - M. G. Taylor - Hinds Schonbe? g-Cotta Family" - Dr. Huie - - S. M. Waring - - Author of " Schonberg- Cotta Family " - Ibid - S. M. Waring - - Author of '" Schonberg • Cotta Family " Author of " Schonberg- Cotta Family ' - Crashawe PAGE 324 326 328 329 332 334 335 338 339 340 341 345 347 348 352 355 356 357 359 360 RITES AND ORDINANCES A Church - Prayer for Baptism Prayer for Baptism Baptism - Confirmation Hymn - The Table of the Lord Hymn for Ordination - Hymn for a Marriage - Visitation of the Sick The Death of a Believer Farewell to Earth Funeral Hymn - - Miss Cox - B. Guest - - Alford - - Hinds Author of" Schonberg- Cotta Family " - H. W. Longfellow - Miss Cox - Monsell - - J. D. Burns - Miss Cox - Sachse 361 361 362 363 364 364 365 3G6 367 369 370 37J 374 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. XXV BIRTHDAY HYMNS - A Birthday Hymn - To J. W. on her Sixteenth Birthday - To H. J. J. on her Nineteenth Birthday To , on her Twenty -first Birthday A Birthday Wish - MEETING AND PARTING I go to Life - - - - - H. Bonar - The Meeting of Friends - - - J. A. Elliot The Meeting Place - - - - H. Bonar My God ! I know that I must die - B. Schmolk Quis Separahit - - - - - H. Bonar Parting ------ Spitta The Long Goodnight - Hymns from the Land of Luther The Day of Death - - - - R C. Trench - " Lord, if Thou hadst been here " - J. D. Burns To a friend departed - Ibid " I am the resurrection and the life " - - - " Earth to earth, and dust to dust " - Mil/nan - A Requiem - - - - - J. D. Burns So we part sadly - Shalcspeare GATHERED-IN - There is no flock - What are the living ? - The Little Sleeper To my Gathered Lily - " Only a Year " - " It is well with the child " The Fountain frozen at its Source After the Battle Asleep in Jesus - The Child Asleep " She is not dead, hut sleepeth " - The Lambs of Christ - How does Death speak of our Beloved The Happy Spirit - - Longfellow ■ Montgomery • Trench - II B. Stowe - ■ Moultrie - - T. Moore - R. C. Trench - - Miss Shuttleworth -L.N.R.- - Hinds Author ofu Schon- berg-Cotta Family" - M. J. Jewsbury PAGE 375 37G 377 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 385 387 388 390 391 393 394 396 396 396 398 399 399 399 400 401 404 406 408 408 411 413 416 416 418 421 XXVI INDEX OP SUBJECTS. PAGE HOME 424 Our Father which art in Heaven - ... 425 The Christian Household - - - 425 Song of the Goldfinch - - - Evans - - 427 De Gloria et Gaudiis Paradisi - - Mr. Wackerbath 430 A Mother to her Child - - - Evans - - 432 The Promised Land - Anna Shipton - 434 The City of God .... C. M. Neale - 436 The World not the Christian's Home - Mant - 440 Song of the Sojourner - Paul Gerhard - 441 Here and there ----- Lange - - 443 The True Home - Evans - - 446 I walk in the Eden of God - - - M. G. Taylor - 448 Going Home ----- Lange - - 450 The River of God 452 Heaven - - - - - -M.J. Jewsbury - 453 Will you be there ? 455 MISCELLANEOUS - The Hermit of the Thebaid - A Student - The Vaudois Valleys - The Prodigal - Proverbs - The Household Darling The Abbot turned Anchorite Lines on Cowper - Cowper's Grave - " Nasci poena, vita labor, necesse mori ' Youth and Age - - - - - The Everlasting Memorial - Written in a Bible, a Present to a God- child Charging God foolishly - The Gipsies - The Race The Two Voices - A Legend told by Luther - J. G. Whittier - A. A. Proctor - Mrs. Hemans - R. C. Trench - Ibid John Prince B. Barton Newton - E. B. Browning B. Barton H. Bonar Hinds J. D. Burns - Stanley M. G. Taylor - M. G. Taylor - 458 459 463 465 466 467 468 471 474 476 480 481 483 485 486 488 489 491 492 INDEX OP SUBJECTS. XXV11 PAGE Advent C. Rossetti - 495 The Passion-flowers of Life - - A. II. Baldwin - 497 Opportunities L. N. R. - - 499 Gustavus Adolphus' Battle Song - Author of " Schonberg- Cotta Family " - 501 Honour 502 " Trust in God, and do the Eight " - N. Mc Leod - 504 Havelock - -- 505 The Pearl - 506 Words 508 Trifles 510 Song of the Redbreast - Evans - - 512 The Cuckoo Ibid - - 514 The Petrel - - - - - J. D. Burns - 515 A Simile ------ Longfellow - 518 The Fatal Decision - Mc Cheyne - 519 The Crown - Author of u Schonberg-Cotta Family" 520 " With the lowly is wisdom " - A. De Vere - 521 Christ's Triumph after Death - ^ Giles Fletcher - 522 Vanity of the World - - - - H. Bonar - 524 " Out of the eater came forth meat " - F. W. Faber - 525 " He respecteth not the persons of men" Wordsworth - 526 Power in Silence - - - - T. T. Lynch - 527 Goldau, as seen from the Eighi - - T. Whytehead - 528 Mont Blanc Revisited - - - J. Ruskin - 529 Lines on Visiting my Aged Parents - - - 531 A Sermon from a Child - - - 533 Durable Riches - Author of " Schonberg-Cotta Family" 535 Not walls and towers - - 536 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. A. PAGE A band of faithful men 361 A Cross stands black against the last pale glow 356 A crowd to Jericho approached ... 332 A grain of sand upon the sight ... ... ... ... ... 510 A king for earthly wisdom prayed 485 A light is breaking forth 12 A little while our Lord shall come 300 A most impressive change it must ... 471 A pilgrim and a stranger ... ... ... 441 A smile in kindly eyes I see ... ... 376 A soldier's course from battle won 103 Abide with us from morn till eve ... ... ... ... 238 Abide with me; fast falls the eventide ... Ill Again farewell ye hours f£ day ... ... ... 83 Ah ! why, you'll ask, should love decay ? ... ... ... 432 All are not taken ; there are left behind 185 All around thee 270 All round the rolling world ... ... ... 154 All through the wild and starless night ... ... ... 335 Alleluia; best and sweetest ... ... ... 234 And shall vre pray for our release ? 176 Are nature's charms all hidden ? 172 ; or the day is passing 295 Art thou so weak ? O canst not thou digest 118 Around a table, not a tomb 365 As April's suns and April's showers 377 As oft with worn and weary feet 123 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. As those that watch for the day As vet the darkness and the day At evening time let there be light At eve when o'er the lonely soul At home, and in the body pent . . Away o'er Lake Erie's ripple PAGE 132 200 150 424 531 B Before thou wendest to the fray . . . Before Thy mystic altar Beneath Moriah's rocky side Be not dismayed thou little flock u Beyond this life of hopes and fears ' Birds have their quiet nest Blame not a sister By Marah's bitter fountains By Xebo's lonely mountain 1 117 501 455 126 339 311 313 C. Child, amidst the flowers at play Christian, seek not yet repose Christ to the young man said Come and rejoice with me Come to the morning prayer Commit thy way to God . . . Courage, brother, do not stumble 73 366 49 72 108 504 D. Daughter of faithful Abraham's race Daughters of Zion, seek your King Do not cheat thy heart, and tell her Do not crouch to-dav and worship 377 31 119 294 B. Earth is no home of thine '•Earth to earth*' ... 440 396 INDEX Oi1 FIRST LINES. XXXI F. PAGE Fair is our ZiorTs Promised Land ... 434. Far down the ages now ... ... ... 298 Far on yon heath ... ... ... ... ... 28 Far out at sea ... ... ... ... 515 Father, for pleasant paths on earth ... 181 Father, I know that all my life 6G Father, my way is dark and wild ... 124 Fighting the cattle of life 145 Forgiveness may then yet he mine ... ... 52 For thee, 0 dear, dear country ... ... ... 436 From a vexatious heavy load set free 128 Gently I took that which ungently came ... 1G3 Give! as the morning ... 274 Give smiles to them whose hearts are glad ... ... ... 140 God calling yet 301 God of Grace, Thy grace still give 379 God many a spiritual house has reared ... ... ... ... 467 Go, find a friend ... ... 506 Go not far from me, 0 my Strength 137 Go, traveller, to the pastoral vales 465 Go, and let my grave be made 372 II. Have you no friend 118 Have ye counted the cost 100 Hard are Thy ways Hard are the ways of truth .. ... ... ... ... 2 Hail, tranquil hour of closing day ... ... 251 Hast thou within ... ... ... 144 Heavenly Father, may Thy love 363 He clothes thy soul in spotless dress ... ... ... ... 359 He stooped and wrote upon the ground .. . ... 329 He giveth His beloved sleep • ... 253 He is gone. Heaven's will is best 505 He strays — how far to Thee alone 165 INDEX OP FIRST LINES. He taught the cheerfulness He went, like one that hath been stunned " He turned to her." All eyes beside Here in an Inn a stranger dwelt Here may the band that now Honour is tender human love Hope still tho' darkness round thee spread How blessed from the bonds of sin How blest when parted through the day How does death speak How little and how lightly How much that genius boasts How sure it is How oft we fret for time's delays How views the youth ... How wearily and drearily How weary and how worthless ... Hushed was the evening hymn Hush, hush, my soul , I. I am content with what I have If grief in heaven I go to life I have a son, a darling son I have a treasure which I prize I have been to a land I heard the voice of Jesus say I journey forth rejoicing ... I journey through a desert drear and wild I kiss thy brow I knew a mother whose fair boy I know not if the dark or bright I met a fair young child I never heard I say to thee, do thou repeat I sing to my mate on her mossy nest I slept and dreamt .. INDEX OF FIRST LINES. XXX111 PAGE I think we are too ready with complaint 204 I walk in the Eden of God 448 I worship Thee, sweet Will of God G4 In Thee I live, and move, and am 230 In the mid silence of the voiceless night ... 257 In token that thou shalt not fear 364 In heavenly love ahiding 59 In Israel's fane hy silent night 107 In Jesus' arms ... 411 "In silence mighty things are wrought" ... 527 Into the sunshine 220 In weakness at Thy feet I lie 68 Is thy cruse of comfort wasting ... ... ... ... ... 274 It could not he ; no light from heaven 486 It is a place where poets crowned 476 I've found the Pearl of greatest price 01 J. Jesus, Lord, Thy servants see 362 K. Kind hearts are here 53 L. Last of Creation's days 290 Lead kindly Light 209 Leave God to order all thy ways 56 Let every faithful heart rejoice 229 " Let there he light," Jehovah said 281 Let thy gold he cast in the furnace 153 Life is but a weary chafing 211 Little Ella, fairest, dearest 468 Lord, a happy child of Thine 170 Lord, many times I am aweary quite 128 Lord of the lords of all the earth 226 Lord, shall thy children come 364 XXX IV INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Lord, we know that Thou art near us Lose one day loitering ... Love is the source of breath and life Love is the true economist M. Majestic dwelling-place of truth and love Make use of rne, my God ! Mark that long line of shadows Millions within Thy courts have met Mortal that standest on the point of time Mother! said little Isabel My Father and my God , My Father is the mighty Lord My God ! I know that I must die My God, I thank Thee My God, it is not fretfulness My heart is resting, 0 my God My Lord hath taught me how to want ... My lovely little Lily .. My poor heart clung to earth My soul, thy gold is true My task is o'er, my work is done N. Nay, 'tis not as we fancied No mother's eye beside thee wakes to-night Not walls and towers could guard so well Now all the woods are lulled to rest Now darkness over all is- spread , Now Jacob rests where all his kindred are Now one day's journey less divides Now stately womanhood has set 0. 0 faint and feeble-hearted ... U 0 God of truth 3 0 happy home ; where thou art loved 425 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. WXY 0 say not that the boon of birth 0 watch ye well by daylight 0 it is hard to work for God 0 look, my soul, and see 0 Life, what is thy breath ? 0 Mount beloved 0, mourners, call not that a home 0 mourn not that the days are gone 0 Kose of Sharon ... 0 Saviour, hear a little child 0 Saviour, whose mercy severe in its kindness 0 strong in purpose, frail in power 0 strong up welling prayers of faith 0 Thou whose tender feet have trod 0 where is He that trod the sea 0 Thou, whose bounty fills my cup O'er many a weary mile 0"er the dark wave of Galilee O'er the void and formless earth ... Oft had I prayed Oh ! how soft that bed must be Oh ! turn not such a withering look Oh! weary in the morning One by one the sands are flowing One sweetly solemn thought One touch from Thee On, onward borne by mighty wings On the lone bosom of a lake One year ago ... Our beloved have departed Over an ancient scroll I bent PAGE 480 190 lit 22 380 529 424 18 232 88 57 355 459 18(1 324 222 44(i 323 289 79 369 345 192 265 249 65 304 340 404 450 463 P. Peace in Jesus ! blessed promise ... Pity thyself ! Words seeming kind Pleasantly passeth the summer . . . Pour forth the oil Prayer is the burthen of a -sigh . . . 194 334 213 318 71 XXXVI INDEX OP FIRST LINES. B. Raise high the note of exultation Raise up Thy power Receive me, Lord, to Thee I fly ... Remnant of ages, from thy glory cast Rejoice in Christ alway ... Remove the stone ... Rest for the weary River of God that springest Run ye the race, 'tis not earth's fame Sabbath of the Saints of old Say hast thou ever yet See the rivers flowing She bathed His feet with many a tear She hath chosen the world Silence in heaven and earth Since service is the highest lot ... Sin hardens all the heart Slowly, slowly, up the wall Soft slumbers Some gentle souls Some murmur when their sky is clear Soon and for ever ! So part we sadly in this troublous world Source of my life's refreshing springs Sow with a generous hand Sow ye beside all waters ... Speak thou the truth Stark, stark that arm Strangers we were, and sojourners below Strive, yet I do not promise Strong words are these Sunlight has vanished Sweet brooklet ever gliding INDEX OP FIRST LINES. XXXV11 Sweet is the voice of song Sweet was the hour, 0 Lord, to Theo Sweet when friends their joys impart PAGE 114 338 382 TalithaCumi! Tauler the Preacher Tell me the story simply Tell me, my wishing soul The Apostle slept The baby wept The charities that soothe ... The Christmas bells rang gladly in The evening shades to rest invite The Hand that might have drawn aside The Hand that strews the earth with flowers The holy house of prayer The meanest creature of His care The memory of Thy truth to me The night is fast waning on high The new year's morning was sad and still The proudest heart that ever beat The setting sun was sinking fast The Sabbath day has reached its close ... The stars shine bright The stranger's heart, oh ! wound it not ... The sun gives ever ; so the earth The rounded whole of truth The voice of Him who cries aloud The way seems dark about me The waves were dashing loud and high ... The west had shut its gates of gold The world from age to age The worship of this Sabbath mom There is a child of mystery There is a day of sunny rest 341 216 201 24 370 41G 526 171 87 38 322 492 535 394 238 302 178 497 244 255 155 276 3 319 131 16 84 491 180 326 184 XXXV111 INDEX OF FIEST LINES. There is an Eye that never sleeps There is a holier, sweeter rest There lies a little lonely isle There is no flock however watched There no waxing moons nor waning There is a little lonely fold They are evermore around us They tell us, Lord, we are not Thine They are not — Sleep they in the grave... They were gathered early They have stopped the sacred well They sit beside Think on the mercy of our God ... This Advent moon This did not once so trouble me This world I deem Tho' poor and weak Thou art free from pain and sorrow Thou ask'st why Christ, so lenient to the deed Thou glorious Sun of Eighteousness Thou inevitable day Thou little flock Thou shalt be crown'd Thou spakest and the waters rolled Thy love Thou sentest oft to me Thy miracles are no state splendours Thy neighbour ! It is he whom thou . . . Thy way, not mine, 0 Lord 'Tis a thousand years and more ... 'Tis not for man to trifle 'Tis thus they press the hand and part ... 'Tis not the blood-stained vest alone Time, whither dost thou flee ? To God and to His Son be praise To the Name that brings salvation Two brothers freely cast their lot Two sisters are there — ever year by year INDEX OP FIRST LINES. XXXIX Two went to pray, or rather say Two things have shone with golden light PAGE 360 212 U. Unnnmber'd blessings, rich and free Up and away Up to the hill of Calvary V. Vain was that man, and false as vain Voyager on life's troubled sea W. Watcher, who wak'st by the bed of pain We bless Thee for the quiet sleep We crowned the hard- won heights We, ignorant of ourselves We lead a gentle life below We live not in our moments We love Thee, Lord We overstate the ills of life We praise and bless Thee, gracious Lord We saw Thee not when Thou didst come We sadly watch'd the close of all Weep not for those What are the living What cheering words are these What ! gazing on your Saviour's face What God decrees, child of His love What mean ye by this weeping ? What no human eye hath seen ... When ease and quiet are our lot When first thine eyes unveil When hearts are full of yearning tenderness When on his flight When Thou, in patient ministry When worldly men 129 483 120 375 112 122 396 408 75 214 210 27 169 81 10 393 408 399 185 16 174 382 503 176 239 75 54 348 76 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. When summer suns their radiance fling "Where the faded flower shall freshen Who ever lost by giving ? Whom see I ? Why do ye weep ? Why feedest thou on husks Why wilt thou make bright music Without a home, without a nest Words are lighter than the cloud-foam Work,— thy mission is not slumber PAGE 235 383 277 93 421 466 207 514 508 2G7 Ye have not sowed in vain Yes and they may forsake Yes, weep, 0 woman 197 187 292 " Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy Word is Truth." " Before Thy mystic altar, heavenly Truth, I kneel in manhood, as I knelt in youth ; Thus let me kneel till this dull form decay, And life's last shade be brightened by this ray." Sir W. Jones il •• Straight is the gate, and narrow- the way, and few there be that find it." LJ ARD are the ways of Truth, and rough to walk ; Smooth on the tongue discoursed, pleasing to the ear, And tunable as sylvan pipe or song ; What wonder then if I delight to hear Her dictates from thy mouth ? most men admire Virtue, who follow not her lore. Milton. DIVINITY OF TRUTH. How sure it is, That if we say a true word, instantly We feel His God's, not ours, and pass it on As bread at sacrament, we taste and pass, Nor handle for a moment, as indeed We dared to set up any claim to such. E. B. Browning Cnttb. LINES ON TRUTH. The rounded whole of Truth the mortal mind May never mirror in its narrow sphere, Yet, as it looks to Heaven, may hope to find, The faint reflection ever wax more clear. To him that seeks, it is more largely sent, Nor need he grieve that all can not be given ; Upon the leaf each dew-drop is content To hold its segment of the round of heaven. " Strive for the truth to the death, and the Lord shall fight for thee."— Ecclus. IV. 28. " Thou requirest truth in the inward parts." 0 God of Truth, whose living Word Upholds whatever hath breath ; Look down on Thy creation, Lord, Enslaved by sin and death. Set up Thy standard, Lord ! that we Who claim a heavenly birth, May march with Thee to smite the lies, That vex Thy groaning earth. Mount Thy white horse, Thou Word of God ; Thy blood-stained vesture don : To the last strife with death and hell Lead Thy great army on. b2 (Truth. Ah ! would we join that blest array, And follow in the might Of Him, the Faithful, and the True, In raiment clean and white ? We fight for truth, we fight for God, Poor slaves of lies and sin ! He who would fight for Thee on earth, Must first be true within. Then God of Truth, for whom we long, Thou who wilt hear our prayer, Do Thine own battle in our hearts, And lay the falsehood there. Thou sword which goeth from his mouth, Smite these false hearts in twain ! Here burn, thou never-dying fire ! Fall on, thou fiery rain ! Still smite ! still burn ! till nought is left But God's own truth and love ; Then, Lord, as morning dew come down — Rest on us from above. Tea, come ! then, tried as in the fire, From every he set free, Thy perfect truth shall dwell in us, And we shall live in Thee. Cntitr. BE JUST AND FEAR NOT. Speak thou the truth. Let others fence. And trim their words for pay ; In pleasant sunshine of pretence Let others bask their day. Guard thou the fact : though clouds of night Down on thy watchtower stoop ; Though thou should'st see thine heart's delight Borne from thee by their swoop. Face thou the wind. Though safer seem In shelter to abide ; We were not made to sit, and dream; " The safe must first be tried." Where God hath set His thorns about. Cry not — " The way is plain." His path within for those without Is paved with toil, and pain. One fragment of His blessed word Into thy spirit burned, Is better than the whole, half heard, And by thine interest turned. Show thou thy light. If conscience gleam, Set not the bushel down ; The smallest spark may send his beam O'er hamlet, tower, and town. Cmtb. Woe, woe to him, on safety bent, Who creeps to age from youth, Failing to grasp his life's intent Because he fears the truth. Be true to every inmost thought, And as thy thought, thy speech : What thou hast not by suffering bought Presume thou not to teach. Hold on, hold on — thou hast the Eock ; The foes are on the sand : The first world-tempest's ruthless shock Scatters their shifting strand ; While each wild gust the mist shall clear We now see darkly through, And justified, at last appear The true, in Him that's True. Alford. Crutjr. "LORD, TEACH US THY TRUTH." It is not meet to take the children's meat and cast it to the dogs. • They tell us, Lord, we are not Thine, Because not all their creed we hold ; They bid us heaven and hope resign, For they alone are Israel's fold. Thou knowest, Lord, if it be so — Still, she was not of Israel For whom Thy mercies once did flow, — The crumbs that from Thy table fell. And we in truth and patience strong, To Thee will come and cry like her ; Enlighten us if we be wrong ; Eulighten them if they do err. Hinds. tD' " Faith is the confidence of things hoped for.' For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end." '• Faith is not reason's labour, but repose. " Young. fA " Believe and live/' ^p HOU ask'st why Christ, so lenient to the deed, & So sternly claims the faith which founds the creed ; Because, reposed in faith the soul has calm, The hope a haven, and the wound a balm ; Because the light, dim seen in reason's dream, On all alike, through faith alone could stream, God will'd support to weakness, joy to grief, And so descended from His throne — Belief ! Nor this alone — Have faith in things above, e unseen beautiful of heavenly love ; nd from that faith what virtues have their birth, at spiritual meanings gird like air the earth ! deeper thought inspires the musing sage ; o youth what visions, what delight to age ; loftier genius wakens in the world, o starrier heights more vigorous wings unfurled, o more the outward senses reign alone, he soul of nature glides into our own, o reason less is to imagine more; Therefore, the God-like Comforter's decree — "His sins be loosened who hath faith in Me ! " 10 if aitb. Therefore, He shunned the cavils of the wise, And made no schools the threshold of the skies. Therefore, He taught no Pharisee to preach His word — the simple let the simple teach ; Upon the infant on His knee He smiled, And said to wisdom " be once more a child." u Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." We saw Thee not when Thou didst come To this poor world of sin and death, Nor e'er beheld Thy cottage home In that despised Nazareth ; But we believe Thy footsteps trod Its streets and plains, Thou Son of God. We did not see Thee lifted high Amid that wild blaspheming crew, Nor heard Thy meek imploring cry, u Forgive, they know not what they do ; M Yet we believe the deed was done, Which shook the earth, and veiled the sun. We stood not by the empty tomb Where late Thy sacred body lay, Nor sat within that upper room, Nor met Thee in the open way j But we believe that angels said : " Why seek the living with the dead V gmfy. 11 We were not with the chosen few Who saw Thee thiV the clouds ascend, Nor raised to heaven our wondering view, Nor to the earth did prostrate bend ; Yet we believe that mortal eyes Beheld that journey to the skies. Now Lord of love who reign' st on high, And dost Thy waiting people bless With rays of glory from the sky Which shine e'en on our wilderness : We can believe Thy faithful Word, And trust in our redeeming Lord. HOPE STILL. Hope still, though darkness round thee spread, Count mercy in the cloud overhead, And lean thee upon God. Wait for the strength the Lord will send, He that endureth to the end, Shall win the crown at last ; Nor will He mourn the way was dim, Christ trod a darker way for him, And clasps his weak hand fast. 12 faifly. " Only believe " — 0 wondrous words ! That wake the doubting soul's dull chords, That Jesus pleaded thus. " Only believe " ! 0 Lord of Light, Help us to watch for Thee by night, Who watched all night for us. Anna Shipton. FOR THE EPIPHANY. From the German of Miiller. A light is breaking forth — 0 soul ! delay no more ; The wondrous star gives tidings true, Thy Lord is at the door. Go forth from thine own land To seek this Lord afar, And let thine eyes be ever turned Towards that bright morning star. To thee it has arisen — Mark thou that beam so mild, It leadeth thee to thy Saviour-Lord — Jesus the heavenly child. Jfwtjjf. 13 Now, therefore, ready be, Leave all thou hast behind, Leave all thou lovest dear and best, Go forth with willing mind. And gird thyself in haste To journey through the wild, And tarry not upon thy way, Till thou hast found that Child. Then fall thou at His feet, In thy heart's lowliness ; He with His heavenly ray of joy, Thy soul will deign to bless. Offer thyself to Him In grateful, loving fear, And sing with all the Angel- choir Immanuel, He is here ! Here is the Truth, the Way, The entrance into Life ; Here is the gate of Paradise, A resting-place from strife. With God and all His saints Thou hast communion dear, Here by this manger thou art blest, God dwelleth in thee here. A way He sheweth thee Thou knewest not before ; The path of quietness and peace To the true heavenly shore. . M. G. Taylor. 14 it-Yttlr. WEAK FAITH. " Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees." 0 faint and feeble-hearted ! Why thus cast down with fear ? Fresh aid shall be imparted, Thy God unseen is near. His eye can never slumber. He marks thy cruel foes ; Observes their strength and number, And all thy weakness knows. Though heavy clouds of sorrow Make dark thy path to-day, There may shine forth to-morrow, Once more a cheering ray. Doubts, griefs, and foes assailing, Conceal heaven's fair abode ; Yet now faith's power prevailing Should stay thy mind on God. From Hymns for a Week, by C. Elliot. ■attlj. 15 EXHORTATION TO FAITH. (From Hymns of the Primitive Church.) Thou little flock, whose Shepherd is above, From sinful fears your wavering mind refrain. Are ye not now partakers of His love ? Are ye not partners of His future reign ? How many saints who now surround His throne, Were once like you with cares and sorrows worn ? Their griefs unnoticed, and their joys unknown, They dared not murmur and they would not mourn. They bore the cherished burden of the cross, And thus the strait and narrow way they trod ; Through many a doubtful contest, many a loss, Still slowly struggling on their way to God. The inward bursts of passion or of pride They sought with prayer and watching to subdue, With many a comfort to themselves denied, The path of indigence they loved to strew. Their daily banquet was the Holy Word, Their chiefest pleasure and their noblest prize ; And oft on mild devotion's wings they soared, And held communion with their kindred skies. This was their path by which they rose to God ; Eternal Lord of Heaven, be ours the same ; May we too come and join them in the road, And still ascending, praise Thy glorious name. Cha_\dleb. 16 Jfaiflj. And the Apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.' What ! gazing on your Saviour's face. And listening to His Word, Dared ye to ask for further grace, To credit all you heard ? Yes so it is ; belief springs still In soils that nurture doubt ; And we must go to Him who will The baneful weed cast out. Did never thorns thy path beset ? Beware ! be not deceived ; He who has never doubted yet, Has never yet believed. HrxDs. THE EFFICACY OF FAITH. The waves were dashing loud and high, My child looked on with me ; " Father," she cried, " why may not I Trust God, and walk the sea ? J-Yttb. 17 Was it not lack of faith alone That made the Apostle sink ? By faith, therefore, it may be done ; Father, what should I think ?" <( The Lord bade Peter go, my child ; And should He thee command, Thy feet would on these waters wild Be firm as on this sand. But life has storms more awful yet, Waves rougher than yon sea ; Then do not thou in these forget That Jesus is with thee. Care not what others have to do — What may be, or has been ; But, on the path God calls thee, go, And use thy faith therein." Hinds. 18 Jfai% "Faith worketh by Love." 0 mourn not that the days are gone, The old and wondrous days, When Faith's unearthly glory shone Along our earthly ways ; When the Apostle's gentlest touch Wrought like a sacred spell, And health came down on every couch On which his shadow fell. The glory is not wholly fled, That shone so bright before, Nor is the ancient virtue dead, Though thus it works no more. Still, godlike Power with Goodness dwells, And blessings round it move, And Faith still works its miracles, Though now it works by Love. It may not on the crowded ways Lift up its voice as then, But still with sacred might it sways The stormy minds of men. Grace still is given to make the faint Grow stronger through distress, And even the shadow of the saint Retains its power to bless. From The Voice of Prophecy, by J. D. Burns. Jfaitfr. 19 THE RIGHT MUST WIN. 0 it is hard to work for God, To rise and take His part Upon this battle-field of earth, And not sometimes lose heart ! He hides Himself so wondrously, As though there was no God ; He is least seen when all the powers Of ill, are most abroad. Or He deserts us in the hour The fight is all but lost ; And seems to leave us to ourselves Just when we need Him most. O there is less to try our faith In our mysterious creed, Than in the Godless look of earth, In these our hours of need. Ill masters good : good seems to change To ill with greatest ease ; And, worst of all, the good with good Is at cross purposes. It is not so, but so it looks, And we lose courage then ; And doubts will come, if God hath kept His promises to men. c 2 20 faitl;. All ! God is other than we think ; His ways are far above, Far beyond reason's height, and reached Only by child-like love. The look/ the fashion of God's ways Love's life-long- study are ; She can be bold, and guess, and act, Where reason would not dare. She has a prudence of her own, Her step is firm and free ; Yet there is cautious science, too, In her simplicity. Workman of God ! 0 lose not heart, But learn what God is like ; And in the darkest battle-field Thou shalt know where to strike. 0 blest is he to whom is given The instinct that can tell That God is on the field, when He Is most invisible ! And blest is he who can divine Where real right doth lie ; And dares to take the side that seems Wrong to man's blindfold eye ! 0 learn to scorn the praise of men ! 0 learn to lose with God ! For Jesus won the world through shame, And beckons thee His road. f:\xik 21 God's glory is a wondrous thing, Most strange in all its ways ; And of all things on earth, least like What men agree to praise. As he can endless glory weave From time's misjudging shame ; In his own world he is content To play a losing game. Muse on His justice, down-cast soul ! Muse, and take better heart ; Back with thine angel to the field, Good luck shall crown thy part ! God's justice is a bed where we Our anxious hearts may lay ; And, weary with ourselves, may sleep Our discontent away. For right is right, since God is God, And right the day must win ; To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin ! Fabee. 2-2 f;utfj. "My cup runneth over." 0 look, my soul, and see How thy cup doth overflow ! Think of the love so free, Which fills it for thee so ! Let fall no tears therein, Of self-will or of doubt ; There may be tears for sin, But sinful tears keep out. What lies within ? — Life, health, Friends — here, or gone before, — Promise of heavenly wealth, Of earthly, some small store, — Power to act thy part In earth's great labour-field, — Grace which should make thy heart An hundred-fold to yield. The drops that overflow, Shine in the morning sun, And catch the evening glow, When each day's work is done. And if there mingle there Some drops of darker hue, What colour would all bear, If all were but thy due ? gmfy. 23 These cannot now obtain A gleam from earthly light ; But look, my soul, again, — Use faith instead of sight. Are they noi sinful tears Which weep for humbled pride ? Or even the hope of years — By perfect love denied ? What God's own wisdom planned, Is it not right and meet ? Shall aught come from his hand, And not to thee seem sweet ? Ah, thankless heart ! I feel It is thy unbelief! For waut of faith can steal The very joy of grief. 0 earth-perverted taste ! Seek, seek thy joys on high ! Lest my soul be a waste, With a river flowing by. For what if from thy cup All earth-joys dried away ? Can God not fill it up ? Think, guilty soul, and say ! " Love is the fulfillingtof the law." " Tell me, my wishing soul, did'st ever try, How fast the wiugs of red-crossed faith can fly 1 Why begg'st thou, then, the pinions of a dove 1 Faith's wings are swifter ; but the swiftest love.'''' QUARLES. " Say, hast thou ever yet, Implored on bended knee, Of all-embracing love, That thine this love might be ? Whilst with full choice thy heart was given, To Him who reigns through earth and heaven." From the German o/Lavater. " How little and how lightly We care for one another ; How seldom and how slightly Consider each a brother. For all the world is every man To his own self alone, And all beside no better than A thing he doesn't own." Tltper. WHAT LOVE IS. fOVE is the source of breath and life, The very fount of bliss ; The light that fills the world above, And sweetly shines on this. Love is the gentle air of heaven, Enjoyed by angels there, And wafted from that beauteous land, To soothe the sons of care. Anon. THE LOVING ONE. "He shall feed His sheep like a shepherd." There is a little lonely fold, Whose flock one Shepherd keeps, Through summer's heat and winter's cold, With eye that never sleeps. 26 foitt. By evil beast, or burning sky, Or damp of midnight air, Not one in all that flock shall die, Beneath that Shepherd's care. For, if unheeding, or beguiled, In danger's path they roam, His pity follows through the wild, And guards them safely home. 0, gentle Shepherd ! still behold Thy helpless charge in me ; And take a wanderer to Thy fold, That trembling turns to thee. Anon. LOVE KEEPING WATCH. Far on yon heath, so lone and wild, A mother sits to watch her child, Delighted with its heedless play, Yet fearful lest it go astray. God watches both : 0, mother ! pray That when these little feet shall stray O'er paths of life more lone and wild, God still may watch thy heedless child. fofac. 27 Pray, little one, that God may bless Thy mother for her tenderness, And watch her from His throne above With all her own unwearied love. Hinds. LOVE SPRINGING FROM FORGIVENESS. "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven ; for she loved much/' We love Thee, Lord, yet not alone because Thy bounteous hand, Showers down its ceaseless gifts on ocean and on land; Because Thou bidd'st the sun go forth, rejoicing in his might, And kindle earth to glowing life and beauty with his light. Because thou rolPst the orbs of light through track- less fields of space, And giv'st to each low creeping flower its own peculiar grace; Because in sunshine and in storm alike we see Thee near, In summer gale and rushing storm alike Thy voice we hear. Tis not alone because Thy names of Wisdom, Power, and Love, Are written on the earth beneath and the glorious skies above ; 28 iCofac. We praise Thee, Lord, for these, yet not for these alone The incense of a Christian's love arises to Thy throne. We love Thee, Lord, because when we had erred and gone astray, Thou did'st recall our wandering souls into the hea- venward way j When helpless, hopeless, we were lost in sin and sorrow's night, Thou did'st beam forth a guiding ray of Thy benign- ant light. Because when we forsook Thy ways, nor kept Thy holy will, Thou wert not an avenging judge, but a gracious father still. Because we have forgotten Thee, but Thou hast not forgot — Because we have forsaken Thee, but Thou forsakest not. Because, 0 Lord ! Thou loved' st us with everlasting love; Because Thou gav'st Thy son to die that we might live above ; Because when we were doomed to hell, Thou gav'st the hope of heaven. We love, because we much have sinned, and much have been forgiven. J. A. Elliot. fobC. 29 " Upbraideth not." " God upbraideth not." Receive me, Lord, to Thee I fly, Defeated and dismayed, Thou only refuge from the sound Of voices that upbraid. There is no day from out the past But has its bitter cry, — No friend but I may sometime read Reproaches in his eye. E'en those for whom my wealth of love Outran their utmost need, Might say, " "Why, with intenser prayer, For me did'st thou not plead V3 Nature through every changing mood Has a low chiding tone, Telling of uncompleted works, And of occasions flown. The very father of all lies Speaks truth as he recalls Transgressions, failings numberless, Infirmities, and falls. Conscience imperious grown, reproves The evil I have wrought ; My wishes, purposes, and life, Are baser than I thought. 30 fobt. Exhausted by the tumult wild And overborne, I pine For silence, infinite in depth Of tenderness Divine. Against Thee only have I sinned, And all this evil done ; Yet Thou alone dost not upbraid, 0 meek and spotless One. No weak reproaches full of self Thou makes t me endure, For stronger even than my sin Is Thy great power to cure. Thou wilt do all I leave undone, Remake what I have marred, My foolish hindrances the while Wilt gently disregard. And when Thy work is all complete, Then Thou wilt call it mine, And I shall hear Thee say, "Well done, Henceforth My joy is thine." C. M. N Stofre. 31 EXITE, SION FILIM. (Medieval Hymn.) Daughters of Sion, seek your King ! Go forth, — go forth to meet Him ! Your Solomon is hastening Where that dear flock shall greet Him. The sceptre and the crown by right He wears, in robe of purple dight. Your Solomon — the Prince of Peace — Bears not His mother's laurel, But with the olive bids to cease The long and bloody quarrel. Jesus, the Son of God Most High, Offers His peace to them that die. It glitters fair His diadem, But thorns are there entwining, And from the Red Sea comes each gem That in its wreath is shining : Their radiance glows like stars of night ; With precious blood-drops are they bright. The royal sceptre that He bears, Beneath whom nature quaketh, 4 No monarch's pride and pomp declares, A reed, it feebly shaketh : For iron sceptre ne'er possess'd The power to guide a human breast. 32 %slbt. The festive purple of the Lord, Is here no garment stately ; A vest, by very slaves abhorred, — The worm hath tinged it lately. " I am a worm," of old, said He, And what its toils have tinged ye see. We, therefore, to the King of kings Bow lowly, from Him learning, To pomp and pride, that this world brings, To make our boast in spurning : Such love the members best adorns, For whom the Head was crowned with thorns. Translated by C. Neale. "THIS IS NOT YOUR REST." Sweet brooklet ever gliding, Now high the mountain riding, The lone vale now dividing, Whither away ? With Pilgrim course I flow, Or in summer's scorching glow, Or o'er moonless wastes of snow, ' ' Nor stop nor stay ; iCobc. 33 " For 0, by high, behest " To a bright abode of rest,, " In my parent ocean's breast, " I haste away." Many a dark morass, Many a craggy moss, Thy feeble force must pass, Yet, yet delay ! " Though the marsh be dire and deep, "Though the crag be stern and steep, (e On, on my course must sweep, " I may not stay ; " For 0, be it east or west, " To a home of glorious rest, u In the bright sea's boundless breast^ " I haste away ! n The warbling bowers beside thee, The laughing flowers that hide thee, "With soft accord, they chide thee, Sweet brooklet stay ! " I taste of the fragrant flowers, (i I respond to the warbling bowers, " And sweetly they charm the hours " Of my winding away $ u But ceaseless still in quest " Of that everlasting rest, " I haste away." D 34 foirt. Knowest thou that dread abyss ? Is it a scene of bliss ? Ah, rather cling to this, Sweet brooklet stay ! " 0, who shall fitly tell, " What wonders there may dwell ? ' ' That world of mystery well " Might strike dismay. " But I know 'tis my parent's breast, u There held I must needs be blest, " And with joy to that promised rest, ' ' I haste away." Lord Glexelg. WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR? Thy neighbour ? — It is he whom thou Hast power to aid and bless, Whose aching heart or burning brow, Thy soothing hand may press. Thy neighbour ? — 'tis the fainting poor, Whose eye with want is dim, "Whom hunger sends from door to door, Go thou and succour him. l&rftt. 35 Thy neighbour ? — 'tis the weary man Whose years are at the brim, But low with sickness, cares and pain. Go thou and comfort him. Thy neighbour ? — 'tis the heart bereft Of every earthly gem, Widow and orphan helpless left — Go thou and shelter them. Thy neighbour ? — yonder toiling slave, Fetter' d in thought and limb, Whose hopes are all beyond the grave,- Go thou and ransom him. Where'er thou meet'st a human form Less favoured than thine own, Remember, 'tis thy neighbour worm, Thy brother, or thy son. Oh pass not, pass not heedless by, Perhaps thou canst redeem The breaking heart from misery- - Go share thy lot with him. Anon. 36 $tibt. A CONTRAST. Thy love Thou sentest oft to me, And still as oft I thrust it back ; Thy messengers I could not see In those who everything did lack, — The poor, the outcast, and the black. Pride held his hand before mine eyes, The world with flattery stuffed mine ears ; I looked to see a monarch's guise, Nor dreamed Thy love would knock for years, Poor, naked, fettered, full of tears. Yet, when I sent my love to Thee, Thou with a smile did'st take it in, And entertain'dst it royally, Though grimed with earth, with hunger thin, And leprous with the taint of sin. Now every day Thy love I meet, As o'er the earth it wanders wide. With weary step and bleeding feet, Still knocking at the heart of pride And offering grace, though still denied. J. E. Lowell. goto 37 STORES OF LOVE. My God, I thank Thee, who hast made The earth so bright, So full of splendour and of joy, Beauty and light : So many glorious things are here Noble and right. I thank Thee too that Thou hast made Joy to abound ; So many gentle thoughts and deeds, Circling us round, That in the darkest spot of earth Some love is found. I thank Thee more, that all our joy Is touched with pain ; That shadows fall on brightest hours ; That thorns remain : So that earth's bliss may be our guide, And not our chain. For Thou who knowest, Lord, how soon Our weak heart clings, Hast given us joys, tender and true ; Yet all with wings : So that we see gleaming on high Diviner things. 38 gate. 1 thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept The best in store ; We have enough, yet not too much To long for more : A yearning for a deeper peace Not known before. I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls, Though greatly blest, Can never find, although they seek, A perfect rest ; Nor ever shall, until they lean On Jesus' breast. A. A. Proctor. THE UNNAMED WOMEN. The hand that might have drawn aside The veil, which from unloving sight Those shrinking forms avails to hide, With tender care has wrapt it tight. He would not have the sullied name, Once fondly spoken in a home, A mark for stranger's righteous blame, Branded through every age to come. fobe. 39 And thus we only speak of them As those on whom His mercies meet, " She whom the Lord would not condemn/' And, " She who bathed with tears His feet." Trusted to no evangelist. First heard where sins no more defile, Read from the Book of Life by Christ, And consecrated by His smile. Author cf " Schdnberg- Cctta Family.'1' THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. " Der Dienst des Herrn." If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be." How blessed, from the bonds of sin And earthly fetters free, In singleness of heart and aim, Thy servant, Lord, to be ! The hardest toil at Thy command, The meanest office to receive With meekness at Thy hand ! 40 fob*. With willing heart and longing eyes, To watch before Thy gate, Ready to run the weary race, To bear the heavy weight j No voice of thunder to expect, But follow calm and still, For love can easily divine The One Beloved's will. Thus may I serve Thee, gracious Lord ! Thus ever Thine alone, My soul and body given to Thee, The purchase Thou hast won. Through evil or through good report, Still keeping by Thy side, By life or death in this poor flesh, Let Christ be magnified. How happily the working days In this dear service fly, How rapidly the closing hour The time of rest draws nigh, When all the faithful gather home, A joyful company, And ever where the Master is, Shall His blest servants be. %obi 4i THE CHRISTIAN WARRIOR. 'Tis not the blood-stained vest alone That makes the Lord's true champions known, For often 'tis a bloodless strife Through which we enter into life. No lingering cross, no torturing flame, Procured our saint a hero's name, But self-condemned to sin he died, To the vain world self-crucified. He was not call'd upon to feel The lash, the dungeon or the wheel : A martyr's pains he did not prove, But he had all a martyr's love. By faith he quench' d his carnal pride, By faith his flesh he crucified ; And love, descending from the skies, Consumed the holy sacrifice. Oh, yes, he ever ready stood For Christ to shed his own life-blood ! But this was not the will of heaven — His tears alone were asked and given. May Christ to us such grace supply, That we through life may learn to die, And oh, may we, when life is o'er, Be raised by Him to die no more. Hymns of the Primitive Church, translated by Chandlek. 42 V0bc> THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I say to thee, do thou repeat To the first man thou mayest meet In lane, highway, or open street — That he and we, and all men move Under a canopy of love, As broad as the blue sky above : That doubt and trouble, fear and pain, And anguish, all are shadows vain ; That death itself shall not remain ; That weary deserts we may tread, A dreary labyrinth may thread, Thro' dark ways underground be led. Yet if we will one Guide obey, The dreariest path, the darkest way Shall issue out in heavenly day. And we, on divers shores now cast, Shall meet, our perilous voyage past, All in our Father's house at last. And ere thou leave him, say thou this ; Yet one word more — they only miss The winning of that final bliss, Who will not count it true that love, Blessing, not cursing, rules above, And that in it we live and move. £»i». 43 And one thing further make him know, That to believe these things are so, This firm faith never to forego, Despite of all which seems at strife With blessing, all with curses rife, That this is blessing, this is life. Tkench. THE BATTLE WON. " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous- ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day." My task is o'er, my work is done, And spent the weary day ; I've fought the fight, the battle's won, And I must haste away ; Henceforth there is laid up for me A crown, thro' all eternity ! A crown, by Hands eternal wove, Meet for a child of God, Geuim'd with the jewels of His love, And purchased by His blood ; Which human hands could ne'er have wrought, And human merit ne'er have bought. 44 %abt. Farewell, tlae cross, 'neath which so long I've watched, and fought below, And welcome now the harp and song That wait me where I go. Yet 0, that cross must still be dear, Tho' borne thro' many a sorrow here ! And oft throughout eternity, 'Mid all that's bright and blest, Its joys my constant theme shall be, And I will love it best ; For 'twas through Him who died thereon, My fight was fought, my Victory won ! J. B. MONSELL. LOVE TO GOD SHEWN IN LOVE TO MAN. He taught the cheerfulness that still is ours, The sweetness that still lurks in human powers ; If heaven be full of stars, the earth has flowers. His was the searching thought, the glowing mind, The gentle will, to others soon resigned, But, more than all, the feeling just and kind. His pleasures were as melodies from reeds, Sweet books, deep music, and unselfish deeds, Finding immortal flowers in human weeds. fete. 45 True to his kind,, nor to himself afraid, He deemed that love of God was best array'd In love of all the things that God had made. He deemed man's life no feverish dream of care, But a high pathway unto freer air. Lit up with golden hopes, and duties fair. He showed how wisdom turns its hours to years, Feeding the heart on joys instead of fears, And worships God in smiles, and not in tears. His thoughts were as a pyramid up-piled, On whose far top an angel stood and smiled, Yet, in his heart was he a simple child. Blanchard. " The Lord is my portion, saith my soul ; therefore will I hope in Him." My heart is resting, 0 my God,— I will give thanks and sing ; My heart is at the secret Source Of every precious thing." Now the frail vessel Thou hast made No hand but Thine shall fill — For the waters of the earth have failed, And I am thirsty still. 46 foto. I thirst for springs of heavenly life, And here all day they rise — I seek the treasure of Thy love, . And close at hand it lies. And a ' ' new song " is in my mouth To long-loved music set — Glory to Thee for all the grace I have not tasted yet. Glory to Thee for strength withheld, For want, and weakness known — And the fear that sends me to Thy breast For what is most my own. I have a heritage of joy That yet I must not see : But the Hand that bled to make it mine Is keeping it for me. There is a certainty of love That sets my heart at rest — A calm assurance for to-day — That to be poor is best. A prayer reposing on His truth Who hath made all things mine, That draws my captive will to Him, And makes it one with Thine. I will give thanks for suffering now, For want and toil, and loss, — For the death that sin makes hard and slow, Upon my Saviour's cross — fofo. 47 Thanks for the little spring of love That gives me strength to say, " If they will leave me part in Him, Let all things pass away" Sometimes I long for promised bliss, — But it will not come too late — And the songs of patient spirits rise From the place wherein I wait ; While in the faith that makes no haste, My soul has time to see A kneeling host of Thy redeemed In fellowship with Thee. There is a multitude around Responsive to my prayer ; I hear the voice of my desire Resounding everywhere. But the earnest of eternal joy In every prayer I trace ; I see the glory of the Lord On every chastened face. How oft, in still communion known, Those spirits have been sent To share the travail of my soul, Or show me what it meant ! And I long to do some work of love No spoiling hand could touch, For the poor and suffering of Thy flock Who comfort me so much. 48 J 0fe. But the yearning thought is mingled now With the thankful song I sing ; For Thy people know the secret Source Of every precious thing. The heart that ministers for Thee In Thy own work, will rest ; And the subject spirit of a child Can serve Thy children best. Mine be the reverent, listening love, That waits all day on Thee, With the service of a watchful heart, Which no one else can see — The faith, that in a hidden way No other eye may know, Finds all its daily work prepared, And loves to have it so. My heart is resting, 0 my God, My heart is in Thy care — I hear the voice of joy and health Eesounding everywhere. i( Thou art my portion," saith my soul, Ten thousand voices say, And the music of their glad Amen, Will never die away. A. L. Waring. !?0&t 49 " Come and rejoice with me." Come and rejoice with me ! For once my heart was poor, And I have found a treasury * Of love, a boundless store. Come and rejoice with me ! I was so sick at heart, Have met with one, who knows my case, And knows the healing art. Come and rejoice with me ! For I was wearied sore, And I have found a mighty arm Which holds me evermore. Come and rejoice with me ! My feet so wide did roam, And one has sought me from afar, And beareth me safe home. Come and rejoice with me ! For I have found a Friend Who knows my heart's most secret depths, Yet loves me without end. E 50 f flirt. I knew not of His love, And He had loved so long, With love so faithful and so deep, So tender and so strong. And now I know it all, Have heard and know His voice, * And hear it still, from day to day ; — Can I enough rejoice ? Author of " Schonberg-Cotta Family. Am W £? m$$l%$m " Thy sins are forgiven thee." tt CJTORGIVENESS may then yet be mine, \d) The sinless lips have said 'forgiven ; " Pardon is then a right divine, And love indeed the law of heaven. " But can the sullied snow grow white ? What spell can seal the memory fast ? What has been, ever must have been. The Almighty cannot change the past, " His eyes, though piercing as the light, In pity may refuse to see ; But what can make my memory white ? What veil can hide myself from me ? " Oh ! raise thy downcast eyes to His, And read the blessed secret there ; The pardoning love from guilt that frees. By loving thee shall make thee fair. Love's deepest depth of saving woe Has yet to be to thee reveaPd \ Blood from that tender heart must flow, And thus thy bitter streams be heaPd. jforgtbcrtcss. 53 Thy guilt and shame on Him must lie ; Then search the past thy guilt to see, Instead, this sight shall meet thine eye, — Thy Saviour on the cross for thee ! Author of " Schbnberg-Cotta Family. FORGIVEN. Kind hearts are here, yet would the tenderest one Have limits to its mercy ; God has none ; And man's forgiveness may be true and sweet, And yet he stoops to give it ; more complete Is love that lays forgiveness at thy feet, And pleads with thee to raise it ; — only Heaven Means crowned, not vanquished, when it says — " Forgiven." A. A. Proctor. 54 /orgitrciwss. " And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him." When on his flight the first-born went, with blood Upon his hand and breast, and every one, Kindred and kind, the avenger ; still Heaven's sun Gave him its light and warmth j and still the flood And fountain slaked his thirst j and eve and morn Breathed their soft blessings on the wretch forlorn. God's voice was there, and that voice bade him yet Look up to Him, who for all creatures cares, Who on his awful brow the symbol set . Of a command, — Spare whom Jehovah spares. Rise, then, thou trampled soul from the world driven Like Cain, the accursed, for loud-crying sins, Look up, pray, hope, nor judge by earth of heaven, For oft man's mercy ends where God's begins. Hinds. IQJ/fc " I will trust the Lord at all times. 9m»1 " We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." . T tiAVE God to order all thy ways, *W And hope in Hirn whatever betide, ThouTt find Him in the evil days Thy all-sufficient strength and guide. Who trusts in God's unchanging love, Builds on the rock that nought can move. What can these anxious cares avail, The never-ceasing moans and sighs ? What can it help us to bewail Each painful moment as it flies ? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness. Only thy restless heart keep still, And wait in cheerful hope, content To take whatever His gracious will, His all-discerning love hath sent. Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own. He knows when joyful hours are best, He sends them as He sees it meet ; When thou hast borne the fiery test, And now art freed from all deceit, He comes to thee all unaware, And makes thee own His loving care. Crust. 57 Nor in the heat of pain and strife Think God hath cast thee off unheard, And that the man whose prosperous life Thou enviest, is of Him preferred. Time passes, and much change doth bring, And sets a bound to every thing. All are alike before His face ; 'Tis easy to our God Most High, To make the rich man poor and base, To give the poor man wealth and joy ; True wonders still by Him are wrought, Who setteth up, and brings to nought. Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways, But do thine own part faithfully ■ Trust His rich promises of grace, So shall they be fulfilled in thee. God never yet forsook at need, The soul that trusted Him indeed. From Lyra Germanica. — Nehmarck, 1653. "He shall direct thy paths." 0 Saviour, whose mercy, severe in its kindness, Has chastened my wanderings, and guided my way, Adored be the power which illumined my blindness, And weaned me from phantoms which smiled to betray. 58 Crust. Enchanted with all that was dazzling and fair, I followed the rainbow, I caught at the toy, And still in displeasure, Thy goodness was there, Disappointing the hope, and defeating the joy. The blossom blushed bright, but a worm was below, The moonlight shone fair, there was blight in the beam ; Sweet whispered the breeze, but it whispered of woe, And bitterness flowed with the soft-flowing stream. So cured of my folly, but cured but in part, I turned to the refuge Thy pity displayed ; And still did this eager and credulous heart Weave visions of promise that bloomed but to fade. I thought that the course of the pilgrim to heaven Would be bright as the summer, and glad as the morn; Thou showedst me the path, — it was dark and uneven, All ragged with rock, and all tangled with thorn. I dreamed of celestial rewards and renown, I grasped at the triumph which blesses the brave ; I asked for the palm-branch, the robe and the crown, I asked, and Thou showedst me a cross and a grave. Subdued and instructed at length to Thy will, My hopes and my longings I fain would resign ; 0 give me the heart that can wait and be still, Nor know of a wish or a pleasure but Thine ! Crust. 59 There are mansions exempted from sin and from woe, But they stand in a region by mortals untrod ; There are rivers of joy — but they roll not below ; There is rest — but it dwells in the presence of God. Lord Glenelg. "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.: In heavenly love abiding, No change my heart shall fear, And safe is such confiding, For nothing changes here. The atorm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid, But God is round about me, And can I be dismayed ? Wherever He may guide, No want shall turn me back ; My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack. His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim ; He knows the way He taketh, And I will walk with Him. 60 (Trust. Green pastures are before me, Which yet I have not seen ; Bright skies will soon be o'er me, Where the dark clouds have been. My hope I cannot measure, My path to life is free, My Saviour has my treasure, And He will walk with me. A. L. Wabixo. "My Father is the mighty Lord." "All things are yours." "Mein Vater ist der grosse Her der Welt." My Father is the mighty Lord, wlfose arm Spans earth and sky, and shields his child from harm ; Whose still small voice of love is yet the same, As once from Horeb's fiery mount it came, Whose glorious works the angel- choirs declare, He hears their praise and hearkens to my prayer. My King is God's eternal, holy Son, And He anoints me as a chosen one ; He has redeemed me with His precious blood, And for unnumbered debts has surety stood ; He fought the foe, and drew me by His hand, Out from His camp, into His Father's land. (Trust 61 My brotherhood's a circle, stretching wide Around one fount, although a sea divide ; With fathers, who behold the Lord in light, "With saints unborn, who shall adore His might, With brothers, who the race of faith now run, For union and communion, I am one ! My journey's end lies upward and afar, It glimmers bright, but vaguely as a star, And oft as faith has caught some glimpse serene, So often clouds and mist obscure the scene ; Yet in this longing ends each vision dim, To see my Lord ! and to be made like Him ! My grave so long a dark and drear abyss, Is now scarce noticed on the way to bliss ; Once at the gates of hell it yawning lay, Now stands as portal to the land of day ; It takes me to the Father's home so blest, It brings me to the feast a welcome guest. Hymns from the Land of Luther. — Lange. THE WELL AT SYCHAR. (On finding it filled up by the Arabs.) They have stopp'd the sacred well which the patriarchs dug of old, Where they water' d the patient flocks at noon, from the depths so pure and cold ; 62 ©nust. Where tlie Saviour asked to drink, and found at noon repose, But the living spring He opened, no human hands can close. They have scattered the ancient stones, where, at noon, He sat to rest, None ever shall rest by that well again, and think how His accents blessed ; But the rest for the burdened heart, the shade in the weary land, The riven rock with its living streams, for ever un- moved shall stand. Earth has no Temple now, no beautiful House of God; For earth is all one temple-floor which those sacred feet have trod ; But in heaven there is a throne, a home, and a house of prayer, Thyself the Temple, Thyself the Sun; our pilgrimage endeth there ! Author of " Schonberg-Cotta Family" " Soon and for ever." The time is short."— 1 Cor. vii. 20. cc Soon and for ever " — such promise our trust, Tho' ashes to ashes, and dust unto dust ; " Soon and for ever," our union shall be Made perfect, our glorious Redeemer, in Thee &xmt 63 When the sins and the sorrows of time shall be o'er, Its pangs and its partings remembered no more, Where life cannot fail, and where death cannot sever, Christians with Christ shall be — " Soon and for ever." " Soon and for ever " — the breaking of day Shall drive all the night-clouds of sorrow away ; f ' Soon and for ever " — we'll see as we're seen, And learn the deep meaning of things that have been. When fightings without us, and fears from within, Shall weary no more in the warfare with sin ; Where fears and where tears, and where death shall be never, Christians with Christ shall be — " Soon and for ever." " Soon and for ever " — the work shall be done, The warfare accomplished, the victory won ; " Soon and for ever " — the soldier lay down His sword for a harp, and his cross for a crown ; Then droop not in sorrow, despond not in fear, A glorious to-morrow is brightening and near ; When, (blessed reward of each faithful endeavour) Christians with Christ shall be "Soon and for ever." From Parish Musings, by J. B. Monsell. 64 Crust. GOD'S WILL IS BEST. (The following version, by Mr. Faber, of a fine old Latin Hymn, in rugged rhymes, gives much of the best type of Christian experience.) " I worship Thee, sweet Will of God, And all Thy ways adore ; And every day I live, I long To love Thee more and more. ( ' Man's weakness waiting upon God, Its end can never miss ; For man on earth no work can do More angel-like than this. " He always wins who sides with God, To him no chance is lost ; God's Will is sweetest to him when It triumphs at his cost. (C 111 that God blesses is our good, And unblest good is ill, And all is right that seems most wrong, If it be His dear will f " When obstacles and trials seem Like prison-walls to be, I do the little I can do, And leave the rest to Thee. u I have no cares, oh blessed Will ! For all my cares are Thine ; I live in triumph, Lord ! for Thou Hast made Thy triumphs mine." Faber. Crust. 65 WAIT ON THE LORD. " Lord, behold he whom Thou lovest is sick." One touch, from Thee — the Healer of diseases ; One little touch would make our brother whole ; And yet Thou comest not; — 0 blessed Jesus ! Send a swift answer to our waiting soul. Full many a message have we sent, and pleaded That Thou would'st haste Thy coming, gracious Lord ; Each message was received, and heard, and heeded, And yet we welcome no responsive word. We know that Thou art blessing, whilst withholding ; We know that Thou art near us, though apart ; And though we list no answer, Thou art folding Our poor petitions to Thy smitten heart. A bright and glorious answer is preparing, Hid in the heights of love — the depths of grace ; We know that Thou, the Eisen, still art bearing, Our cause as Thine within the holy place. And so we trust our pleadings to Thy keeping ; So at Thy feet we lay our burden down ; Content to bear the earthly cross, with weeping, Till at Thy feet we cast the heavenly crown. J. Crewdson. go (Trust. " My times are in Thy hand." Fathek, I know that all rny life Is portioned out for me, And the changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see ; But I ask Thee for a present mind, Intent on pleasing Thee. I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles, And to wipe the weeping eyes ; And a heart at leisure from itself, To soothe and sympathise. I would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro, Seeking for some great thing to do, Or secret thing to know ; I would be treated as a child, And guided where to go. Wherever in the world I am, In whatsoever estate, I have a fellowship with hearts To keep, and cultivate ; And a work of lowly love to do For the Lord, on whom I wait. Croat 67 So I ask Thee for the daily strength, To none that asked denied, And a mind to blend with outward life, While keeping at Thy side ; Content to fill a little space, If Thou be glorified. And if some things I do not ask, In my cup of blessing be, I would have my spirit filled the more With grateful love to Thee — Less careful how to serve Thee much, Than to please Thee perfectly. There are briers besetting every path, That call for patient care ; There is a cross in every lot, And an earnest need for prayer ; But a lowly heart that leans on Thee, Is happy anywhere. In a service which Thy will appoints, There are no bonds for me, For my inmost heart is taught "the truth" That makes Thy children "free"; And a life of self- renouncing love, Is a life of liberty. A. L. Waring. f2 68 ©ntsl " My strength and my heart faileth." In weakness at Thy feet I lie, Thine eye each pang hath seen, Scarce can I lift my heart on high, Yet, Lord, on Thee I lean : Lean on Thy sure, unfailing Word, - Thy gentle "It is I "; For Thou, my ever-living Lord, Know'st what it is to die. Thou wilt be with me when I go, — Thy life, my life in death j For, in the lowest depths, I know Thine Arms are underneath. 'Tis not the infant's feeble grasp Which holds the mother fast ; It is the mother's gentle clasp Around her darling cast. Just so Thy child would cling to Thee, Knowing Thy pity long ; For feeble as my faith may be, The hand I clasp is strong." A. L. Waking. Crust. (3D LIFE'S ANSWER. I know not if the dark or bright Shall be my lot : If that wherein my hopes delight Be best, or not. It may be mine to drag for years Toil's heavy chain : Or day and night my meat be tears On bed of pain. Dear faces may surround my hearth With smiles and glee : Or I may dwell alone, and mirth Be strange to me. My bark is wafted to the strand By Breath Divine : And on the helm there rests a Hand Other than mine. One who has known in storms to sail I have on board. Above the raging of the gale I hear my Lord. 7<» (Trust. He holds ine when the billows smite, I shall not fall : If sharp, 'tis short : if long, 'tis light : He tempers all. Safe to the land — safe to the land, The end is this : And then with Him go hand in hand, Far into bliss. Abo*. ^^ 'All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Prayer is the burthen of a sigh, The falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near. Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infants lips can try, Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high. Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice Returning from his ways, While angels in their songs rejoice, And cry, "Behold, he prays." Montgomery *#^ §wp«* THE KEY OF THE MORNING AND LOCK OF NIGHT. (TO dft OME to tlie morning prayer ! rkJ Come let us kneel and pray ; Prayer is the Christian pilgrim's staff, To walk with God all day. At noon, beneath the Rock Of Ages, rest and pray ; Sweet is that shadow from the heat, When the sun smites by day. At eve, shut to the door, Round the home-altar pray, And finding there " the house of God," At " heaven's gate v close the day. When midnight seals our eyes, Let each in spirit say, ' ( I sleep, but my heart waketh, Lord, With Thee to watch and pray." Montgomery. . %mtt. 73 " Pray without ceasing." Child, amidst the flowers at play, While the red light fades away ; Mother, with thine earnest eye, Ever following silently j Father, by the breeze of eve, Called thy harvest work to leave, — Pray ! ere yet the dark hours be, Lift the heart and bend the knee. Traveller, in the stranger's land, Far from thine own household band ; Mourner, haunted by the tone Of a voice from this world gone ; Captive, in whose narrow cell Sunshine hath not leave to dwell ; Sailor, on the darkening sea, Lift the heart and bend the knee. Warrior, that from battle won, Breathest now at set of sun ; Woman, o'er the lowly slain Weeping, on his burial plain ; Ye that triumph, ye that sigh, Kindred by one holy tie, Heaven's first star, alike ye see, — Lift the heart and bend the knee. Hemans. « 74 |1r;n;cr. "WHY STANDEST THOU AFAR OFF?" " Why standest Thou afar off, 0 Lord? why hidest Thou Thyself in time of trouble? Lord ! we know that Thou art near us, Though Thou seem to hide Thy face ; And are sure that Thou dost hear us, Though no answer we embrace. Not one promise shall miscarry ; Not one blessing come too late : Though the vision long may tarry, Give us patience, Lord, to wait. While withholding Thou art giving, In Thine own appointed way ; And while ivaiting we're receiving Blessings suited to our day. Oh the wondrous loving kindness, Planning — working out of sight ! Bearing with us in our blindness ! Out of darkness bringing light. Weaving blessings out of trials, Out of grief evolving bliss ; Answering prayer by wise denials When Thy children ask amiss ! i ^Irnncr. 75 And when faith shall end in vision, And when prayer is lost in praise, Then shall love in full fruition, Justify Thy secret ways. J. Crewdson. IGNORANCE IN PRAYER. We, ignorant of ourselves, Beg often our own harms which the wise powers Deny us for our good ; so find we profit, By loving of our prayers. Shakspeare. SONNET. When hearts are full of yearning tenderness For the loved absent, whom we cannot reach- By deed or token, gesture or kind speech, The spirit's true affection to express ; When hearts are full of innermost distress, And we are doomed to stand inactive by Watching the souPs or body's agony, 76 firmer. Which human effort helps not to make less j — Then like a cup capacious to contain The overflowings of the heart, — is prayer ; The longing of the soul is satisfied, The keenest darts of anguish blunted are ; And though we cannot cease to yearn or grieve, Yet we have learned in patience to abide. Trench. " Their strength is to sit still." When worldly men, and worldly ways, Provoke thy wicked will, " Watch," — for the careless heart betrays ; — Be silent, and be still ! When scorn that wounds, and wrong that grieves, Thy bursting bosom fill, " Pray," — for the prayerless heart deceives, — Be silent, and be still ! Bear all that mortal hate can do : Its worst may only kill ; His hope is sure whose heart is true, — Be silent, and be still ! One bitter word, one angry thought, Will haunt thy memory, till It hurt thee more than him it sought ; — Be silent, and be still ! Ijntmr. 77 Trust Him to right thee, who can take Vengeance whene'er He will ; Forget thyself; and for His sake Be silent, and be still ! J. B. MONSELL. THE MERCY-SEAT. How blest, when parted through the day, Friends near and dear at evening meet, To read the Word, to praise and pray, United round the mercy-seat. From kindred lips and mingling hearts, The song of praise flows calm and sweet, The purest joy that earth imparts Is found beside the mercy-seat. Still, 0 our God, as evening falls, These hallowed moments may we greet, And love the peaceful hour which calls Our household round the mercy-seat. There find a dearer home in home, A happy rest, — a safe retreat, — And know the peace and joy that come To those who love the mercy-seat. 78 ilrancr. And when our earthly work is done, May we be found, our joy complete, In Thee, in Christ, for ever One, Around the heavenly mercy-seat. " Ask and it shall be given you." There is an Eye that never sleeps Beneath the wing of night, There is an Ear that never shuts, When sink the beams of light, There is an Arm that never tires, When human strength gives way, There is a Love that never fails, "When earthly loves decay. That Eye is fixed on seraph throngs, That Arm upholds the sky, That Ear is filled with angel's songs ; That love is throned on high. But there's a power which man can wield, When mortal aid is vain, That Eye, that Arm, that Love to reach, That listening Ear to gain. ^rancr. 79 That power is 'prayer which soars on high, Through Jesus to the Throne, And moves the Hand which moves the world, To bring salvation down. " Ye receive not because ye ask amiss." " All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Oft had I prayed, — believing prayed, Yet nothing could obtain, And in my folly oft I said, "And is the promise vain?" I prayed in youth that I might win The race of youthful pride ; Though hope burned like a fire within My heart, it was denied. I prayed for power, I prayed for wealth, Nor wealth nor power was mine ; In lingering pain I prayed for health, And felt my strength decline. At the last, wisdom spoke, — " My son, Christ's kingdom is of heaven ; Ask heavenly things — they shall be done." I asked, and it was given. Hinds. 80 prancr. COUNSEL TO A SOLDIER. Before thou wendest to the fray, For king and country — soldier ! pray The Lord of Hosts to give thee heart And strength to act a warrior's part. In danger, prayer shall more avail Than mail to guard when foes assail, Or brand to take the foeman's life. His hands when Moses heavenward spread, More of the Gentile warriors fell Than by the sword of Joshua bled, And all the host of Israel. Then let thy hand be in the fray, But with the heart, 0 soldier, pray. Pray, and thou yet shalt find in fight, That prayer is more than mortal might ; Pray, and let each petition be Linked with His Name who pleads for thee. Pritchard, 1664. $rapr. si PRAISE AND PRAYER. " If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature ; old things are passed away ; behold all things are become new." " 0 Treuer Heiland Jesu Christ." We praise and bless Thee, gracious Lord Our Saviour, kind and true, For all the old things passed away, For all Thou hast made new. The old security is gone, In which so long we lay j The sleep of death Thou hast dispelled, The darkness rolled away. New hopes, new purposes, desires, And joys, Thy grace has given ; Old ties are broken from the earth, New ones attach to heaven. But yet how much must be destroyed, How much renewed must be, Ere we can fully stand complete In likeness, Lord, to Thee ! Ere to Jerusalem above, The holy place we come, Where nothing sinful or defiled, Shall ever find a home ! 82 IJrajrtr. Thou, only Thou, must carry on The work Thou hast begun : Of Thine own strength Thou must impart, In Thine own ways to run. Ah, leave us not ! from day to day Revive, restore again ; Our feeble steps do Thou direct, Oar enemies restrain. Whatever would tempt the soul to stray, Or separate from Thee, That, Lord, remove, however dear To the poor heart it be ! When the flesh sinks, then strengthen Thou The spirit from above ; Make us to feel Thy service sweet, And light Thy yoke of love. So shall we, faultless, stand at last, Before Thy Father's throne, The blessedness for ever ours,* The glory all Thine own ! Hymns from the Land of Luther. \)v:x\m. 83 THE BLESSED REST. I will both lay me down and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." Again farewell, ye hours of day, Slow hours of toil and care, And welcome evening's calm approach, And evening's hour of prayer. How sweet the rest which, after toil, The weary frame renews ; The sleep which bathes the fevered mind In cool refreshing dews. But sweeter far the rest — the strength — Which only prayer can bring, The true reviving draught to drink From mercy's secret spring. So, through the new and living way, By all believers trod, Would I approach the mercy- seat, And commune with my God. My sin, and want, and grief to lay Full in my Saviour's sight, ' To ask forgiveness for the day, And blessing on the night. 84 fragtr. Thus pleading Jesus' blessed name, The only password there, My soul this night shall enter through The gate of heaven by prayer. Hymns from the Land of Luther. THE INFANT'S PRAYER. The west had shut its gates of gold Upon the parted sun, And through each window's curtained fold Lamps glittered one by one ; And many a babe had sunk to rest, And many a mother's yearning breast Still lulled its idol care ; When in a nursery's peaceful bound, By pure affection circled round, I heard an infant's prayer. Yes, there it knelt, its cherub face Upraised with anxious care ; And well devotion's heaven-born grace Became a brow so fair j pnpi\ 85 But seldom at our Father's throne Such blest and happy child is known So painfully to strive ; For long with trembling ardour fraught That supplicating lip besought, « Please God, let Lily live \» And still the imploring voice did flow That little couch beside, As if for poor sick Lily's woe It could not be denied ; E'en when the spell of slumber stole With soothing influence on the soul. Like moonlight o'er the stream, The murmuring lip, the sobbing strife, The broken plea for Lily's life Blent with the infant's dream. So Lily lived ! but not where time Is measured out by woes ; Not where cold winter chills the clime, Or canker eats the rose ; And she who for her infant friend In agonizing love did bend To pour the tearful prayer, Safe from the pang, the groan, the dart, That pierced the mourning parent's heart, Lives with her Lily there ! 86 draper. " Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation." " Christian ! seek not yet repose"; Hear thy guardian-angel say ; Thou art in the midst of foes — " Watch and pray!" Principalities and powers, Mustering their unseen array, Wait for thy unguarded hours — ' l Watch and pray ! M Gird thy heavenly armour on, Wear it ever, night and day ; Ambush' d lies the evil one — ' ' Watch and pray ! n Hear the victors who overcame, Still they mark each warrior's way ; All, with one sweet voice exclaim — " Watch and pray !" Hear, above all, hear thy Lord, Him thou lovest to obey ; Hide within thy heart His word — " Watch and pray \" Watch, as if on that alone Hung the issue of the day ; Pray } that help may be sent down — " Watch and pray!" C. Elliot. \xnmx. 8? The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." The evening shades to rest invite ; Beasts to their covert roam ; Birds nestle in the leafy shade, But Jesus has no home. The mountain tops His presence know ; He spends the night in prayer. Nor ceases till the morning breaks, — Dawn finds the Saviour there. In prayer and tears He spends the night, Oh how should He but weep, A world of sinners spread below, Wrapt in their nature's sleep. Yet kinder than the tenderest sire He minds our earthly frame, And gives the rest He might not know, To those who love His name. Then 0 my soul, canst thou refuse One hour with Him to spend, Who watched the weary night for thee — Thy ever-living Friend. La Trobb. 88 $j*agtr. A CHILD'S PRAYER. " Their angels do always behold the face of your Father which is in heaven." 0 Saviour ! hear a little child, Who knows not how to pray : On earth Thy face so meek and mild Was never turned away. The children gathered to Thy breast Have found a blessed home ; Where safe from every sin they rest ; Then suffer me to come. 1 ask Thee for a heart, to try To please Thee day by day ; Thy love, to lead me back, when I From Thy commandments stray. Do Thou, 0 Lord, my sins forgive, The sins that wound Thee sore ; And teach me every day I live, To love Thee more and more. Anna Shipton. |)rapr. 89 JAMES AND JOHN. Two brothers freely cast their lot With David's royal Son ; The cost of conquest counting not, They deem the battle won. Brothers in heart, they hope to gain An undivided joy, That man may one with man remain, As boy was one with boy. Christ heard ; and willed that James should fall First prey of Satan's rage ; John linger out his fellows all, And die in bloodless age. Now they join hands once more above, Before the Conqueror's throne ; Thus God grants prayer ; but in His love Makes times, and ways His own. Lyra Apostolica. 1J!J: TOP II M ■ Christ Is All and In All/ To you therefore, that believe, He is precious/ CHRIST PRECIOUS. K ' VE found the pearl of greatest price, J My heart doth sing for joy ; And sing I must, a Christ I have, Oh what a Christ have I ! My Christ He is the Lord of lords, He is the King of kings ; He is the Sun of Righteousness, With healing in His wings. Christ is my meat, Christ is my drink, My medicine and my health ; My peace, my strength, my joy, my crown, My glory and my wealth. Christ is my Father and my Friend, My Brother, and my Love ; My Head, my Hope, my Counsellor, My Advocate above. My Christ, He is the Heaven of heaven, My Christ what shall I call ? My Christ is first, my Christ is last, My Christ is All in All. 92 Christ am 5U(. Of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." I heard the voice of Jesus say, " Come unto Me and rest ; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast." I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad ; I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, " Behold I freely give The living water — thirsty one, Stoop down and drink, and live." I came to Jesus and I drank Of that life-giving stream ; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him. I heard the voice of Jesus say, u I am this dark world's light ; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright." I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun ; And in that light of life Fll walk, Till traveling days are done. H. Bonar. Christ 0itr M. 93 " Now mine eye seeth Thee." Whom see I ? Not the God I sought With vain imaginings of mind ; A Deity of formless thought, A God no human heart can find. Whom see I ? Not the God of fire, Mosaic priests and prophets saw ; A Being of avenging ire, The Father of a flaming law. I see Him, not on wild and waste, Where pilgrim patriarchs bent the knee, Nor yet in Zion's temple, graced As temple never more may be. They heard from Sinai's steep His voice, But I on Calvary view His face ; I see Him and with right rejoice ; I see Him full of truth and grace. He speaks — it is a brother's tone, He bleeds — the stream is love divine, He dies — but in that dying groan Is life for myriad souls — for mine. M. J. Jewsbury. 94 CFjrist 0itr %ll GOD IN CHRIST. " And the Lord direct your hearts unto the love of God." My poor heart clung to earth — too high And holy for affection's eye Was He who rules in heaven above ; I trembled, and I could not love. Delightful then it was to me, Jesus, to sit and think on Thee ; Thee I could love \ each day became More dear to me Thy human name. Time brought — I know not how — time brought My heart the blessing it had sought ; And 0 ! the truth was heaven to me, That I loved God in loving Thee. Hinds. THE CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST. Think on the mercy of our God— Our great Redeemer's love ; How the dim waste of earth he trod, And left His throne above ; And all frail man, His foe, to save, And show him hopes beyond the grave. Cfrrist oxxx §JL 95 He came not in a warrior's path, With mighty armies strong ; He came not as a God of wrath, Avenging Judah's wrong. To preach on earth His Father's word, A little child came Christ the Lord ! Glad was our Saviour's natal morn ; Angels rejoiced in heaven, That (C unto us a child is born," " To us a son is given." And angels left their home on high To tell of Christ's nativity. REST IN CHRIST. Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Silence in heaven and earth ! The hush of love or fear ; His voice the Highest sendeth forth, The still small voice is here. The world's hoarse murmurs under, Its loudest din above, 96 (Lhiist our p. It speaketli not in thunder, But in words, and the tone is love. It calls, and a gift it offers j To whom are those words addressed ? " Come, ye that are heavy laden. And I will give you rest." Ye that have toiled in vain, Till strength and hope have fled, And lavished the years that come not again, For that which is not bread ; Ye who are toiling now, "Weary in heart and limb, With a strength each day more low, And a hope each day more dim ; "Weary in soul and spirit, Toiling with hearts oppressed, " Come to Me, all that labour, And I will give you rest." Is guilt unpardoned there, W~ith heavy hand and strong ; The weight in the air of measureless fear, Or of hope deferred long ? The sorrow which freezeth tears With the force of a sudden blow, The long dull pressure of weary years, Bowing you silently low ? Many the burdens and hard Wherewith the heart is pressed : " Come, all that are heavy laden, And I will give you rest." <%ist our p. 97 The world has many a promise To beguile the blithe and young ; But to you the world is honest, — It has ceased to promise long. Wealth, pleasures, fame, successes, — The world has store of these ; For you it no cure professes, It offers you no ease. But I have an Arm almighty, And a balm for the faintest breast j " Come, ye that are heavy laden, And I will give you rest." Would ye fain among the sleepers In dust your tired hearts bow ? The rest I give is deeper, And I will give it now. No dull, oblivious sleep In the lull of pain represt, But all your hearts to steep In perfect and conscious rest, — Best, that shall make you strong To serve among the blest, " Come, all that are heavy laden, And I will give you rest." The rest of a happy child, Led by the Father on, Feeling His smile, and reconciled To all that He has done ; H 98 Christ our |0. Of one who can meekly bend 'Neath My yoke with Me beside ; Of a soldier who knows how the fight will end With a Leader true and tried : The rest of a subject heart, Of its best desires possest. " Come, ye that are heavy laden, And I will give you rest." Rest from sin's crushing debt, In the blood which I have shed : From the pang of vain regret, In the thought that I have led. Rest in My perfect love, Rest in My tender care, Rest in My presence for you above, In my presence with you here. Rest in me slain and risen, The Lamb, and the Royal Priest. " Come, all that are heavy laden, And I will give you rest." Author of "Schonberg-Cotta Family" I slept and dreamt that life was beauty I woke and found that life was duty : Was then thy dream a shadowy lie ? Toil on, sad heart, courageously, And thou shalt find thy dream to be Noonday of light and truth to thee. H 2 %\$ €fcfe1to Sifc "HAVE YE COUNTED THE COST?" Luke xiv. 25-38 ; John xiii. 24-20, and Matt. xix. 27-30. t.'LJ AVE ye counted the cost, (fin Have ye counted the cost, Ye warriors of the Cross ? Are ye fixed in heart, for your Master's sake, To suffer all earthly loss ? Can ye bear the scoff of the worldly-wise, As ye pass by pleasure's bower, To watch with your Lord on the mountain top, Through the dreary midnight hour ? Can ye sorrow with Him, Can ye sorrow with Him, All selfish sorrow forgot ? When the heart grows faint, and the eye is dim, A-nd the rescue cometh not ? Can ye bow the head when the heart is rent, And all earthly aid forego — Resigned to receive at a Father's hand The cup of bitterest woe ? Can ye drink of the cup, Can ye drink of the cup, That your Lord and Master drank, When His holy soul was sore amazed, And His flesh from suffering shrank ? Cfrt Christum fife, 101 Can ye bear the sting — can ye bear the sting, Nor yet from your purpose move ? Can ye keep your heart as a shelter meet For the grieving Holy Dove ? Are ye able to share, Are ye able to share, In the baptism of your Lord ? Are ye strong in His strength, with Him to bear, And to prove His faithful Word ? Can ye prove the Word that shall prove you first, As silver in furnace is tried ? The earthen vessel may fail, but the Word Is seven times purified ! Do ye answer, " We can," Do ye answer, " We can," Thro' His love's constraining power ? But do ye remember, the flesh is weak, And shrinks in the trial-hour? Yet, yield to His hand, who around you now The cords of a man would cast ! The bands of His love, who was smitten for you, To the altar binding fast. Can ye cleave to your Lord, Can ye cleave to your Lord, When the many turn aside ? Can ye witness, He hath the living Word, u And none upon earth beside ? " 102 Oe Christian iCifc And can ye endure with the virgin band — The lowly and pure in heart ! Who, whithersoever the Lamb may lead, From His footsteps ne'er depart ? Ye shall drink of the cup ! Ye shall drink of the cup ! And in His baptism share ! Ye shall not fail, if ye tread in His steps, His blood-stained cross to bear ! But count ye the cost : oh ! count ye the cost ! That ye be not unprepared ! And know ye the strength that alone can stand, In the conflict ye have dared ! In the power of His might ! In the power of His might ! Who was made thro' weakness strong, Ye shall overcome in the fearful fight ! And sing His victory song ! But count ye the cost ; yea, count ye the cost- The forsaking all ye have ! Then take up your cross and follow your Lord, Not thinking your life to save ! By the " blood of the Lamb/' By the " blood of the Lamb," By the faithful witness Word ! Not loving your lives unto death for Him, Ye shall triumph with your Lord ! £Ije Christian fife. 103 So count ye the cost j yea, count ye the cost, Ye warriors of the cross ! Yet in royal faith and in royal love, Count all selfish gain but loss ! Oh ! the banner of love ! Oh ! the banner of love ! It will cost you a pang to hold ! But 'twill float in triumph the field above, Though your heart's blood stain its fold. Ye may count the cost, ye may count the cost, Of all Egyptians treasure ! But the riches of Christ ye cannot count — His love ye cannot measure ! Songs of Chivalry. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. ': Fight the good fight of faith— lay hold on Eternal Life." A soldier's course, from battles won, To new commencing strife ; A Pilgrim's, restless as the sun j Behold the Christian's life ! 104 fbt Clmsthm £ifc. Prepared the trumpet's call to greet, Soldier of Jesus, stand. Pilgrim of Christ, with ready feet, Await thy Lord's command. The hosts of Satan pant for spoil : How can thy warfare close ? Lonely thou tread'st a foreign soil ; How can'st thou hope repose ? Seek, soldier- pilgrim, seek thy home, Revealed in sacred lore ; The land whence pilgrims never roam, Where soldiers fight no more. Where grief shall never wound, nor death, Beneath the Saviour's reign ; No sin with pestilential breath, His holy realm profane. The land where suns and moons unknown, And night's alternate sway ; Jehovah's ever burning throne Upholds unbroken day. The land (for heaven its bliss unseen, Bids earthly types suggest,) Where healing leaves and fadeless green Fruit-laden groves invest. Where founts of life their treasures yield In streams that never cease : Where everlasting mountains shield Vales of eternal peace. %\t €1gn*ixtm fife. 105 Where they who meet shall never part, Where Grace achieves its plan ; And God, uniting every heart, Dwells face to face with man. Thomas Gisborne. RUNNING THE RACE. "Eun with patience the race set before you." Run ye the race, 'tis not earth's fame For which we bid you run ; Lift up your eyes, with grateful heart, And gaze on yonder sun : — A crown more glorious than his beams, Christ bids you strive to win ; A home where tempest rageth not, Nor sorrow enter eth in. Immortal souls, prisoned in forms Of this decaying earth, The casket — oh ! how perishing,- — The gem of priceless worth. Press onward, for one gracious smile From your Redeemer's face, Repays far more than all the toil And labour of the race. 106 £bc Christian fife. HOPE AND MEMORY. Two Sisters are there — ever year by year Companions true and dear To meek and thoughtful hearts. Fair Hope is one With voice of merry tone, With footstep light and eye of sparkling glance ; The other is perchance E'en somewhat lovelier, but less full of glee : Her name is Memory. She wanders near me, chanting plaintive lays Of bygone scenes and days, And when I turn and meet her thoughtful eye, She tells me mournfully Of soft low gurgling brooks and glist'ning flowers, And childhood's sunny hours, And then with tears and melancholy tone She tells me they are gone. Hope gently chides her — bids me not to cast My eyes upon the past — Cheering me thus, she leads me by the hand To view her own fair land : And soon I see where many pleasures meet, Some close before my feet ; And some, seen dimly through the distant haze, Grow brighter as I gaze. £bc Christum fife. 107 Oh ! both refresh rue. — Yet not only so : They teach — where'er I go. One tells of follies past, and one is given To talk to me of Heaven. And thus I'll cling to both. Soft Memory All pensive though she be, Shall bide a comrade cherished to the end : But Hope shall be my friend. J. S. Howsox, D.D. SAMUEL. Then Samuel answered — Speak, for Thy servant heareth." In Israel's fane by silent night The lamp of God gave fitful light, And there by viewless angels kept, Samuel, the child, securely slept. A voice unknown the stillness broke, " Samuel," it called, and thrice it spoke ; He rose, — he asked whence came the word ! From Eli ? — No, it was the Lord. Thus early call'd to serve his God, In paths of righteousness he trod ; Prophetic visions fired his breast, And all the chusen tribes were bless'd. 108 fth Christian iCifc. Speak, Lord, and from our earliest days, Incline our hearts to love Thy ways ; Thy wakening voice has reached our ear, Speak, Lord, to us, Thy servants hear. Cawood. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and He shall bring it to pass." Commit thy way to God, The weight which makes thee faint ; Worlds are to Him no load ! — To Him breathe thy complaint. He, who for winds and clouds Maketh a pathway free, Through wastes, or hostile crowds, Can make a way for thee. Thou must in Him be blest, Ere bliss can be secure : On His work must thou rest, If thy work shall endure. To anxious, prying thought, And weary, fretting care, The Highest yielded nought ; He giveth all to prayer ! cT be Christian fife. 109 Father ! Thy faithful love, Thy mercy, wise and mild, Sees what will blessing prove, Or what will hurt Thy child. And what Thy wise foreseeing Doth for Thy children choose, Thou bringest into being, Nor sufferest them to lose. All means, always possessing, Invincible in might ; Thy doings are all blessing, Thy goings are all light. Nothing Thy work suspending, No foe can make Thee pause, When Thou, Thine own, defending, Dost undertake their cause. Though all heir's armies throng Thine onward course to stay, Thou passest calm along, Nor swervest from Thy way. What Thou hast once disposed And ordered in Thy strength, Whatever powers opposed, Must reach its goal at length. Hope then though woes be doubled, Hope and be undismay'd ; Let not thine heart be troubled, Nor let it be afraid. 110 (The (Christum £ifc. Tliis prison where thou art, Thy God will break it soon, And flood with light thy heart, In His own blessed noon. Up, up ! the day is breaking, Say to thy cares, good night ! Thy troubles from thee shaking, Like dreams in day's fresh light. Thou wearest not the crown, Nor the best course can'st tell ; God sitteth on the throne, And guideth all things well. Trust Him to govern, then ! No king can rule like Him ; How wilt thou wonder when Thine eyes no more are dim : To see those paths that vex thee, How wise they were and meet ; The wofks that now perplex thee, How beautiful complete ! Faithful the love thou sharest, All, all is well with thee ; The crown from hence thou wearest, With shouts of victory. In thy right hand, to-morrow, Thy God shall place the palm, To Him who chased thy sorrow, How glad will be thy psalm ! Paul Gerhard. From The Voice of Christian Life in Song. &Ijc Christian fife. lit ABIDE WITH ME. John xiv. 23. " Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words ; and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Abide with me ! Fast falls the eventide ; The darkness thickens : Lord ! with me abide,, When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, 0 abide with me ! Swift to its close, ebbs out life's little day, Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away, Change and decay in all around I see : 0 Thou, who changest not, abide with me ! Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord — Familiar, condescending, patient, free', Come not to sojourn, but abide with me. Come not in terrors as the King of kings, But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings, Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea ; Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me ! Thou on my head in early youth did'st smile, And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee : On to the close, 0 Lord : abide with me ! 112 £ljc Christian fife. I need Thy presence every passing hour, What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power. Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be ? Through cloud and sunshine, 0 abide with me ! I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless, Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting ? where, grave, thy victory ? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me ! Eeveal Thyself before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies, Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, 0 Lord ! abide with me ! T. Ltte. FOLLOW ME. Jesus saith unto His disciples, If any man follow Me. let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow." Voyager on life's troubled sea, Sailing to eternity, Turn from earthly things away ; Vain they are, and brief their stay : Chaining down to earth the heart, Nothing lasting they impart j Voyager, what are they to thee ? Leave them all, and follow me. Z^t Christian fife. 113 Traveller on the road of life, Seeking pleasure, finding strife — Know the world can never give, Aught on which the soul can live. Grasp not riches, seek not fame — Shining dust, and sounding name. Traveller, what are they to thee ? Leave them all, and follow me. Wanderer from thy Father's home, Hasten back — thine errings own ; Turn — thy path leads not to heaven ; Turn — thy sins will be forgiven j Turn — and let thy songs of praise Mingle with angelic lays. Wanderer, here is bliss for thee ; Leave them all to follow me. Anon. GROWING IN GRACE. This did not once so trouble me, That better I could not love Thee ; But now I feel and know That only when we love, we find How far our hearts remained behind The love they should bestow. 114