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 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. | 
 
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 9^he practical value of this poem is our only plea for 
 presenting it to the public, ^he wreak of many in Life's 
 (Perilous (Places shows it to he a matter of greater im- 
 portance to point out these than suoh as occur in ocean 
 navigation. 
 
 Jdultitudes in the rapids of expiring life exclaim, "I 
 did not think of finding such a zuretched end of my 
 life." We teach that, where the moral sense is corrected 
 by the word and spirit of God, this discovers all the 
 dangers where they once seemed not to he, and passes 
 them safely to a glorious termination of life's voyage. 
 J^ay its mission he accomplished. E. 8. 8. 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1863, by Rev. E. S. Stanley, 
 in the Clerk's OfiBce of the District Court of the District of Connecticut. 
 
TO THE 
 of ray own native land, 
 
 T « I s a ® ® n 
 
 is inscribed, by tlieir sincere friend, 
 
 E. S. STANLEY. 
 
irtli0ii 
 
 |NCE, standing by the stream of passing time, 
 I fell to musing on those things sublime, 
 Where from times past and ages yet to come, 
 Man starts the voyage to his endless home. 
 Most wondrously the great Creator's power, 
 Launched forth the human vessels every hour, 
 
6 
 Full freighted with all needed gifts and powers, 
 For use in happy or in dangerous hours, 
 To sail adown this course of time to sea, — 
 To the vast ocean of eternity. 
 
 Each buoyant spirit took its high command, 
 Delighting in glad scenes on either hand, 
 Not thinking there would ever come a day. 
 When down the stream of time and far away. 
 That stream would widen and great perils come, 
 To test their skill to bring the vessel home. 
 
 But as each soul made ready to depart. 
 There spake a loving Spirit to that heart; 
 
7 
 "An enemy will peril all Ihy way, 
 By snares concealed or shown to lead astray ; 
 O youth! I solemnly declare to thee, 
 The danger's where it may not seem to be. 
 Then take my words and write them in thy soul. 
 So that where'er thy little bark shall roll, 
 Thou'lt sense the danger ere it come nigh thee, 
 And ever find a happy destiny." 
 
 While most seemed not to raise a wish on high. 
 That God would teach them how to live and die, 
 There fell one thought upon my listening ear. 
 Moving my soul with great profoundest fear. 
 
8 
 Like as a nation's armed and mighty host, 
 Trembles before some ill-presaging ghost ; 
 So trembled I at what these words could mean, 
 While yet to me their meaning was unseen ; 
 And sought to solve this solemn mystery, — 
 The danger's where it may not seem to be. 
 Trusting the Spirit's word lest I should stray, 
 Behold ! the Angel Presence led my way ; 
 Removed the vail which o'er my spirit hung, 
 Mystery was gone, I stood in light and sung 
 Praises to him whose word and light are more 
 Than all the world esteems the richest store. 
 
9 
 
 My moral sense was changed, then I could see, 
 The danger where it once seemed not to be. 
 
 Then spake this wondrous Presence to my heart, 
 Whose light caused fear and darkness to depart; 
 "And now that truth may be confirmed in thee, 
 "Watch how my word and providence agree." 
 I sat me down beside the stream to wait. 
 To watch how each began to mold his fate. 
 Would study chart, and trim, and steady guide 
 His vessel down the ever moving tide. 
 ^\ n evil spirit filled the air about, 
 
 Infecting minds with lightest shades of doubt. 
 
10 
 
 Whether the great eternal One had said, 
 Make careful way, as if to make afraid? 
 Whether they'd need his perfect chart to guide, 
 As nature's helps appeared on every side? 
 Reason was good, that saw no dangerous way. 
 They'd light and eyes, what need of chart to say 
 What lay along this charming stream or shore? 
 And strange to tell! most took the doubt before 
 The word of him wdio made their souls and powers 
 Like his, that they might find delightful hours 
 As they compared the scenes on either shore 
 With chart and see that God was there before 
 
11 
 
 In love, to ever calm all rising fears, 
 
 Showing eternal ages for his years ; 
 
 That man might see in future as the past, 
 
 Nor die upon the rack of doubt at last. 
 
 They cherished but a doubt when first they sailed, 
 
 Yet, moving on still greater ones prevailed ; 
 
 Dark, awful clouds came vailing o'er the sun 
 
 Which made them say, " We doubt the course we run. 
 
 Our reason fails which seemed so full of might. 
 
 Our eyes grow dim for want of nature's light." 
 
 The storm drew on as they came down to sea. 
 
 To pass time's gate into eternity: 
 
12 
 
 Darkness prevailed above, within, around, 
 And o'er the deep there reign'd silence profound; 
 So thick a vail was on the face of heaven, 
 How could they ask for aid, or sins forgiven ? 
 All hope was gone! not one dare lisp a prayer, 
 And as each sank below they cried, — " despair ! " 
 
 The gravest query in my mind arose, 
 Where lay the greatest of these lost one's foes ? 
 'Twas not the gloomy night which came on there, 
 For God is light, and present everywhere. 
 Mid clouds of death his glory to increase. 
 That man may have unfailing hope and peace. 
 
13 
 
 The problem solved, — by providence wrought out, — 
 Was this, — 'twas where they first began to doubt. 
 ^i nother scene upon my vision breaks, 
 
 The lightnings flash, the sleeping thunder speaks. 
 There sweeps along the stream a moral blast, 
 Hurling death's fatal arrows thick and fast ; — 
 By stealth it came through some neglected door, — 
 But when that desolating storm was o'er. 
 When sorrow's night was off the surging wave. 
 And light once more illumed the vast concave, 
 A thousand wrecks were seen along the shore. 
 While quiet waters covered thousands more : 
 
u 
 
 But here and there one sail could be descried, 
 All trimmed and steady moving down the tide. 
 
 I wondered at the difference in fate, 
 When each had sailed with equal gifts and great. 
 I saw ! it was not fate, nor in the storm, 
 But in that tireless, vessel-eating worm, — 
 That slightest moral taint, crept in before, 
 So long ago they'd quite forgot the door: 
 And yet, this cursed thing had worked its way 
 To moral rot, then came the easy prey. 
 Those who survived had moral sense to see, 
 The ruin where it oft seems not to be ; 
 
15 
 
 As healing, sweet perfume on poisoned air, 
 So was God's truth their natures to repair ; 
 Each cleaned and kept his vessel sound, — beside, 
 The Bible chart was in the ship to guide. 
 
 Then more, in passing down time's constant stream, 
 Unmindful of their great life-work, — don't dream 
 That they should take in moral good as store, 
 And in the same increase yet more and more; 
 That riches true are such as God provides. 
 And worth more than the universe besides, — 
 Begin to covet golden sands on shore, 
 
 Preferring far this shining dust before 
 
16 
 
 The knowledge of the true and holy One, 
 Or aught that can be found beneath the sun. 
 So earnest were they for this glittering gain, 
 It soon absorbed all thought, nor would they deign 
 To spend one hour in keeping ship, or guide 
 It safely down the ever moving tide. 
 Nature in all her lovely, wondrous forms, — 
 Science and Art were destitute of charms ; 
 The mighty Being from whose hand they came, 
 Was out of mind ; still they profaned his name : 
 Life had no holy joys and but one aim, — 
 To hoard the yellow dust — be rich in name. 
 
17 
 
 Without ambition for the holiest gains, 
 
 For angel life leaving no damning stains, — 
 
 Sweet music in the heart touched by the hand 
 
 Of him who leads the true and joyous band; — 
 
 They did not heed the prophet's voice that cried, — 
 
 "This course will pierce with sorrow every side, 
 
 Will sink you to perdition's endless night, 
 
 Which has no ray of hope, no promised light." 
 
 Not thinking what their ships could safely hold. 
 
 They labored on and gathered in the gold 
 
 From year to year, and with it dross and care, 
 
 Till, loading on more than their ships could bear, 
 2 
 
18 
 
 They wake too late their hoarded wealth to save, 
 And sink with all to find the miser's grave. 
 
 Others foresaw the ending of such ways, 
 Chose wisely, riches true, — great length of days, 
 Were ready for all fortunes that might come, 
 Sailed safely on to their eternal home, 
 To store their wealth where peril ne'er appears, 
 In their grand march with God's eternal years. 
 
 Lover of wealth! and will you dare to say. 
 In overbading's where the trouble lay? 
 Ah no! 'twas where the lust for gold began. 
 This first deceived and then destroyed the man. 
 
19 
 
 ^J^ext came a numerous fleet with songs of mirth, 
 Fixed on a life of pleasure here on earth ; 
 Sweet hope ran high, the mind was free from care, 
 All veins were full of life, and on the air 
 Was borne the merry music of the hour. 
 Charming each soul with such bewitching power. 
 They danced for joy, and thought no life so sweet. 
 As that where sensuous song and pleasure meet. 
 
 The God-sent prophet-pilot then drew near. 
 Waited a pause to catch their listening ear. 
 And then with serious voice he spake to all, 
 " Give heed and hear thy loving Maker's call. 
 
20 
 
 Rejoice, O youth! and let thy heart cheer thee, 
 Walk in its ways, and give thine eyes to see 
 All earth's vain things ; but God thy judge will be, 
 And give as thou shalt work, thy destiny. 
 The fairest flowers may grow along thy way, 
 Sweet, lawful pleasure fill thy life's whole day; 
 Yet, if thou stop to cull or grow mere flowers. 
 Live to be merry all life's passing hours, 
 Then when the world's vast reaping time shall come. 
 When saints in heaven enjoy the harvest home; 
 Thy soul shall die for want of bread to eat. 
 Because thy great life-work is incomplete. 
 
21 
 
 But live in faith that heaven's honor waits, 
 To crown the worthy at her pearly gates ; — 
 Do noble deeds ! then God shall write thy name, 
 Hio^h on the roll of everlasting^ fame." 
 
 The prophet went his way. Silence prevailed 
 Awhile, as down the stream of time they sailed : 
 All felt the truth, — that they had souls to save, — 
 That life's chief work must be done well and brave, — 
 It ill becomes the noblest part of man 
 Living to thwart the great Eternal's plan. 
 
 Each waited for a while and watched to see 
 What their companion's chosen course would be, 
 
22 
 
 Till one more daring far than all the rest 
 
 Stood forth and said, "We see what's right and best, 
 
 Yet, we can seek the pleasures of to-day, 
 
 To-morrow give to find the better way." 
 
 They would not see the snare laid for their feet. 
 
 That snared, it is too late to make retreat; 
 
 That, if from choice, the mind is filled at first. 
 
 With images of pleasure and of lust; 
 
 They leave no place for God or right and truth. 
 
 And haunt beyond the festive scenes of youth. 
 
 With him they all agreed and passed their time 
 In sins of folly, mirth and sensuous crime. 
 
23 
 
 While some ne'er sought repose without the prayer,- 
 " O God ! forgive and kindly for me care," — 
 They spent in pleasure every conscious breath, 
 Till called to sleep the dreaded sleep of death. 
 The rest, disposed to a less serious mood, 
 Were still intent on the forbidden food; 
 They failed to see in each forbidden way, 
 Love's fence along life's path where perils lay, 
 And all the pure commands they did not deem 
 Her arms to draw them to the great Supreme ; 
 Soon wore away all thought of serious strife. 
 For crowns of glory and immortal life. 
 
24 
 They feared the smiting hand would on them fall, 
 Wrecking all hope, and soon might lose their all ; 
 Still, sin's enjoyments they would madly share, 
 And drifted on to ruin and despair. 
 
 You that love pleasure, will you dare to say, 
 That in excess was where the peril lay? 
 That fascinatino; scenes deceived these souls? 
 
 Driving them mad with drink from golden bowls ? 
 
 No ! LOVE OF PLEASURE 'fORE THE LOVE OF RIGHT, 
 
 First dimmed, then took away their moral sight; 
 This first misstep misguided all the rest, 
 They drank the pains of sin and died unblest. 
 
25 
 
 [he final scene of this fijrand vision hour, 
 
 Demands more thought than language has of power, 
 For thought tow'rd God is light and eyes to see 
 Where dangers lay — to find felicity. 
 From where this life begins, — probation's day, — 
 To the dim distance down this watery way, 
 Where hangs the cloudy vail o'er that great sea, 
 And thought has wandered long in mystery ; 
 I saw some well-manned ships with snow-white sails, 
 Unfurled to every breeze, — furled to the gales. 
 With doubt, ease, gold and pleasure by their side. 
 Careful they move as ever on they glide. 
 
26 
 In every case of doubt, each trusting heart, 
 Is guided by the true and faithful chart ; 
 When there is work, or cleansing and repair, 
 'Tis promptly done and with the greatest care. 
 They say to pleasure's offers on the way, 
 "We make safe voyage first, and while we may: 
 Our all at stake, a solemn watch we keep, 
 To gain that port where none shall ever weep. 
 Sweet joys attend the bright'ning way we move. 
 As we all God's great truths and goodness prove; 
 Then all earth's shining gold is left behind. 
 
 To gain the greater riches of the mind." 
 
27 
 I watched as each of these approached the gates 
 To that eternal sea, and gladly waits 
 Removal to that place of hope and song, 
 Where lives no angel Death, or cherished wrong. 
 And lo! as each soul's last time-scene drew nigh, 
 There came a golden light across the sky ; 
 Giving a glorious sunset to their day 
 Of trial life. And, as they passed away, 
 That vail of cloud hiding the other shore 
 Nearly a pure transparent glory wore. 
 I saw beyond, along the shining way, 
 Angels employed these saved ones to convey 
 
28 
 To God's great promised city near at hand, 
 Where, waiting, sings a pure and joyous band 
 Redemption's song. Triumphal arches spann'd 
 The gates, ascribing conquest through that hand 
 Nailed to the cross, leading his followers' way, 
 Through death to life and his immortal day. 
 These favored ones pass on, and entering in, 
 One asks, "How came you this blest life to win? 
 Since multitudes have perished on the way. 
 While you'd no more, or better gifts than they?" 
 Then each proclaims with glad, exulting heart, 
 "I trusted that most perfect book or chart 
 
29 
 
 Of Him who made all things. Ancient of days, 
 
 He surely knows the safe unerring ways. 
 
 My moral sense was changed, then I had sight, 
 
 Through all the perils of the way had light. 
 
 Along the line of moral law my eyes 
 
 Beheld that chance was Satan in disguise. 
 
 That passing hours and fortunes laughed away, 
 
 Are not won back by tears another day. 
 
 Great, bold, grand moral certainties arose 
 
 Like mountain chains, by which the trav'ler knows 
 
 His certain course ; sees in the distance stand. 
 
 That longed for home in his own native land. 
 
30 
 Yet the great thought that kept up steady guard, 
 And brought me to this vast and rich reward, 
 Was God's most kind and solemn word to me, — 
 The danger's avhere it may not seem to be." 
 
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