3^esiursencE JSp S>Erapf) iHalrtiie ©ean anb Hee barber Bean IjC o rh'] Copyright 1914 APR 23 1914 ©Gi,A36981^: iSesiutgence Bejotte I THE Spring has come. I know it by the light Which earlier gleams, and longer stays at night; By birds which twitter gaily as they fly; By skies which show a deeper blue on high When dark clouds lift; by winds which roar and rush Like hurricanes for a brief space — then hush; By the green blades which spring in sheltered nooks From hidden bulbs; by leaping, chattering brooks; By swelling buds of the arbutus bloom On sunny fronts of mountains dark with gloom; By downy willows, and by violet eyes Peeping forth coyly in a glad surprise; — I know the Spring has come. II WHAT though I wake at mom to see the snow Shrouding the earth with starry flakes, which glow Like jewels in the light! Even as I gaze They vanish, and I stand in deep amaze So sudden is their flight. Can but one glance Of Spring's bright eyes the snow-stars thus entrance? Eetoite Beneath her shafts of golden light they gleam An instant, then depart. A dream Is not more evanescent than the snow Which falls today, and by this well I know The Spring, though long delayed, is surely here, And with her advent life, and light, and cheer. Joy, joy, the Spring has come! S. M. D. 3Re£iurrection iWorn AWAKE, Earth, open your eyes . That have been bounden long! The sun is high within the skies, The air is sweet with song. Lift up your head, would you again behold The glorious light on sea, and field, and wold. This resurrection morn! AWAKE, Buds, your eyes are bright ■ As the clear stars on high! Hide now no longer from the light. But glance unto the sky And spread your petals wide; for lo, the sun Sends forth his beams to wake you, every one, This resurrection morn! 3Refi(«rrection jWorn A' WAKE, Heart, to loving praise, ^ The Spring you sought is here And bids you try her sunny ways. And listen to the cheer Of singing brooks, and birds, and voices shrill Which echo forth from pools with lusty will. This resurrection morn! A WAKE, Soul, no more let doubt -'* And fear benumb your life. For entombed Love hath put to rout The tyrant Death, and strife And sloth must cease. A holier, happier day Dawns for thee. Soul; — awake, away, This resurrection mom! S. M. D. TX7INDS once more are soft and balmy, ^ " Wooing flowers long hidden away Underneath the snows, while waiting For the advent of this day. Everywhere are sweet, glad voices Breathing notes of melody, — As if with the flight of winter Were let loose Life's minstrelsy. L. P. D St)a» it te Spring THE same dear old song is sounding again From hillside and valley, from thicket and glen, So we heed not the blustering, burly King Who sets every branch on the trees aswing. For he blows winter's darkness and coldness away, And ushers a fresher and sunnier day; — Aha, it is Spring! EVERY sound is a paean of hope and joy Which the rivulets utter, as they decoy Winter's snow and ice, and with utmost haste Bear them on to the ocean's far-off waste. Singing loud, as they flood the valley and plain, In their wild, rough way this gay refrain; — Aha, it is Spring! AND forth from dark pools where the weird croakers live Come clarion voices at evening, to give Their signals of joy; while bird-notes awake The slumbering buds in woodland and brake. The willows their downy heads bare to the breeze. And the sap rushes now to each twig on the trees; — Aha, it is Spring! ^fia, it IS! ^prmg LET not the rude tyrant, his Majesty March, Chill your heart with new fears, for though hierarch Of the winds and the sleet, his reign must be brief, Since over one month alone he is chief. The warmth and the verdure, the sunshine and cheer Are " crossing- the-line," we have nothing to fear; — Aha, it is Spring! S, M. D. ^ropfietfi; LET snowflakes fall, they cannot last; Let winds their bugles blow; The birds have come, and what care they — God's prophets — for the snow. GO forth like them, behold the life That from the earth upsprings. For March is now unsealing buds, And growing April-wings. L. P. D. title Mv^ttxv of 5lirtl) FROM chaos, through creation, came A strangely wondrous birth, — That sphere of rounded loveliness We designate as Earth. THE night of darkness, cloud, and storm Gives birth unto a day Of sunshine, and its welcome warmth. Which drives all gloom away. AND winter yields us — still we note — From barrenness and cold The sunny spring, mantled in green. With draperies of gold. FROM egg, and seed, and chrysalis. Behold the wondrous change To bird, and flower, and butterfly; — Could aught else be more strange, SAVE birth of man, who sank so low Into sin's grievous state The Holy Ghost gave birth to One, — The Saviour Incarnate, — WHO spake one night in Palestine Words of mysterious worth To Nicodemus, when was told Him of the Spirit's birth. Z'bt Mv^ttxv of JBirtf) O HALL we not make this Christ our God vJ Who dwelt as man on earth, Trusting that He will give to us A still more glorious birth, WHEN dawns our resurrection mom,— That blessed, joyous day In which heaven's angels through the clouds Shall bear our souls away? L. P. D. Jitrtfi, ©eatft, BesJurrection TT HE night comes on, and darkness stills •■■ The voices of Judea's hills; The moon its golden orb displays, And stars with glory are ablaze. Midnight is past, the shepherds' flocks Are scattered on the barren rocks As a strange sound within the sky Proclaims that Angel hosts are nigh. Pittlj, ©eatft, 3&es5urrectian " 1DEACE upon earth, good will toward men," •*• Sounds overhead in wave-notes, then To man is known that Christ has come, — The blessed Saviour of his home, — And that his Star, like glorious gem. Is resting over Bethlehem; With Him, Heaven's wondrous Child, in view Of angel quires, beneath the blue. HE grows unto the age of man. Revealing God's mysterious plan By healing those in dire distress. And even the little children bless. He makes the dead anew to live. And His own life at last doth give That man may on the Easter Day Behold Him break Death's fearful sway. COME forth, flowers, break from the sod, For earth this day shall 5deld your God! Come forth, Christ, that all may see The grave holds not humanity! Easter Day, of days most dear. Drive from our hearts the grief and feai^ And fill us with such life and bliss We here may feel Heaven's preciousness! L. P. D. DOWN through the deep expanse of blue, And midst the cloud-strewn space, There winds a path of rainbow hue Unto Christ's burial place. UNSEEN, unheard, an angel band Descends this pathway bright. And midst the Garden's lilies stand At earliest gleam of light. WITH raptured gaze and steadfast mien These shining angels wait The unfolding of the glorious scene With Power supremely great, WHEN swiftly in the rock-bound tomb Their buried Lord shall break The bonds of Death, and from its gloom To endless life awake. ANGELS of light, and flowers of earth On Easter's blessed day Bear witness to the priceless worth Of Christ, the Sacred Way; THAT Way whereby the soul may rise. And join the angel throng Upon the pathway of the skies. In ecstasy of song. S. M. D. 9 A PALL of darkness through night lies Upon the brow of earth, But at day's dawning swiftly hies Back to its place of birth. AND thus the gruesomeness of night Which overspreads man's tomb Is lifted by a glorious Light From out its pall of gloom. FOR with the dawn of Easter Day Death's darkness flees, and light Enters and fills those caverns gray — Light holy. Infinite. NOR doubt, nor fear, nor scoff can fright The soul that sees this Dawn, Darkness forever takes its flight With Death's barbed spear outdrawn. AND in the tomb an Angel stands Winged, as prepared for flight, Easter Evangel, sent from strands Beyond the Gates of Light. S. M. D. JJ^tUsi a! €a£(ter TTE bells of Easter faster swing, i And, Easter bells, still louder ring, For we stand by an open tomb Robbed of its terror and its gloom! SING, bells of Easter, to us sing Anew of Christ the risen King, That we may see Him with our eyes All-glorious in the heavenly skies! SING clearly of that Risen Lord Revealed to us in God's own Word, For on this Day none should be sad Since even earth itself is glad! O EASTER bells, Easter bells, Your music like God's goodness wells From out the dome of blue above. Sounding forever His dear love ! THEN Easter bells ring sweet and clear To banish from our hearts all fear; Ring, Easter bells, till near and far Your music sets each tomb ajar! L. P. D. OTifjere lilies; Ploont WE watch and wait without the gate All the long night of fear and gloom, Till Christ shall rise, our Sacrifice, In the Garden where lilies bloom. O SACRED Light which follows night, You lead us to an open Tomb! While through the air float perfumes rare In the Garden where lilies bloom. AMIDST them One bright as the sun,— A wondrous Presence, — ^fiUs the room. With angels near, and earth-friends dear, In the Garden where lilies bloom. LOVE'S labor done, and victory won, No shadows now around Him loom. But blossoms spring and joy bells ring In the Garden where lilies bloom. S. M. D. tlTfie ^tone 3&olIeb JSitDap WTH burial spices rare and sweet, At the first soft flush of day, Unto the cavern's dark retreat, Where their Lord and Master lay, Came, sad of heart and with sorrowing mien, Mary, Salome, and Magdalene. THE Morning Star shone with new grace, For a wondrous Day was born. And the sun arose with a brighter face On this first glad Easter morn; Yet sadly did the women say, — "Who will roll for us the Stone away?" WHILE to each other thus they spake, An angel from Glory came. And at his touch the rocks did quake Till the Stone rolled from its frame; Then the frightened keepers became as dead. So bright was the light that round them spread. WITH Heaven's effulgence on his face, And with raiment white as snow, The Angel sat in the sacred place Where the Master was laid low. Who as Victor over death and sin Had now gone forth a world to win. »3 tICtiE ^tone 3RoKeb 9loap '■p EAR not, ye women," the Angel said, IT "He is risen, He is not here, Behold the place where your Lord was laid; Fear not, but draw more near, Then swiftly go and proclaim this day The Stone has rolled from His grave away." O HEART of fear and unbelief, Knowest thou not for thee this day An angel of Light will bring relief. And roll Doubt's stone away? Enter thou in, Faith guards the place Where lay your Lord, the Son of Grace. S. M. D A ^Ubt €bermore VISION was given th' Evangel Divine As he worshiped the Lord on an isle of the Shut out from the world for the love which he bore The blest Son of God, and the Gospel's strange lore. In spirit he heard a great Voice in a shrine Of candlesticks golden, say, — " Write what you see." 14 aiibe Cbermore AND, behold, midst the candlesticks . One like the sun Was seen in this vision revealed unto John! Appareled in majesty, girded with gold, . And his feet bright as brass in the furnace's hot mold! Seven stars were the scepter of this Glorious One, And his voice as when waters united rush on. HIS countenance shone as the sun in its might, And the sword of his mouth was so keen that deep fear Was on the loved John, and he fell to the ground As though he were dead, for the wonder pro- found; But the hand of the Lord raised his face to the light. And the Voice again bade that God's message he hear. aiibe Cbermore " A LPHA and Omega, the First and the Last, -**• I reign over spirits that never can die; And the things which now are, and the things which shall be, And what you have seen, write, — as witness of me, — Christ, the Saviour of men, the First and the Last, — The One that was dead, and now liveth for aye." JOHN the message recorded, and thrice blest Ji are they 10 believe in this Voice as the herald of One Sent forth from God's throne, and the first to arise Triumphant o'er Death, a Saviour All- Wise. Alive evermore! Shout alleluya! Dominion and glory belong to God's Son. S. M. D. Cajfter Mttmt YE violets, roses, and lilies most fair, Your soft, subtle perfume now floats on the air! Yet all your sweet blossoms must wither away And fade from our sight with the glad Easter Day. IF offered you were as pledges of love To the dear, blessed Saviour, now risen above, A mission most holy is yours yet to be; — For once in a dream it was whispered to me THAT the fragrance which flowers with their gentle breath shed Is gathered by angels; — and the Voice softly said Is borne at the Easter afar to the sky To be offered as incense in worship on High. AND then when the songs loving mortals upraise Cease to roll through the air in wave-notes of praise. And the paeans are hushed of the sweet Easter bells, — As the chorus of Heaven exultingly swells, — Casfter Sncensie THE angels to Christ their Redeemer swift turn And on the great Altar the sweet incense burn. Soon in soft, irised clouds the perfumes arise To float in the azure of Heaven's glorious skies. BUT list then the wonder! Each sweet word of cheer, Faint whisper of love, low prayer, or song dear, That was breathed o'er the flowers in its earth- home afar Shines forth on those clouds as a bright golden Star. CALL this naught but a dream, it a message doth bear To each one of us who God's glory would share, That only those thoughts which are perfumed with Love Will shine forth as stars in the Heaven above. S. M. D. ABOVE Jerusalem's bold, rock-bound height, Where slopes the mountain to the wilderness Of dark ravines and lonely barrenness, Behold a wondrous sight! For midst the blue expanse of heaven appear The Angels Twain who loving watch would keep Over their Lord; and with quick, downward sweep Unto the earth draw near. WHEN to Christ's sepulchre the Blessed Twain Approach, so glorious is the light around The keepers trembling fall unto the ground And in deep fear remain. These Angels watch until the Sabbath Day Has passed, and brightly dawns that new glad morn In which the grave shall at the last be shorn Of its most Sacred Prey. NOR Pilate's mob, nor crucifixion's power, Nor bonds of death the Lord can longerhold When backward from the tomb the stone is rolled At Resurrection hour. Triumphant forth He comes; — the Angels wait Within the grave till brighter shines the day, That they unto the sorrowing women may The glorious news relate. 19 OUR graves of flesh we, too, must cast away; And Angels, holy Angels, like the Twain Who to the tomb of Christ the Saviour slain Came on that Easter Day, — Come ye from out your home in depths afar And bear us, likewise, on your mighty wings Through the great welkin that about us swings To Christ, heaven's brightest Star! S. M. D. tCriwmpfjant Hobe SEEK not the tomb— it is the Easter Day And Christ your Lord has risen; haste away To tell the blessed news, nor make delay To sound His mighty love. NOW that your Master's sorrows all are o'er You may behold this day Heaven's open door, Where He, alive, shall dwell forever more In God the Father's love. O DEATH where is thy sting, thy victory Grave, Since through it, weak and sinful man to save, Christ passed triumphantly! His all He gave. Divine, yea matchless. Love. ONLY love pure as His had power to breast Sin's surging waves. A Conqueror safe and blest Behold your Lord this day, at Heaven's behest Crowned with Triumphant Love. S. M. D. €a£(ter JMorning BURST, burst, Tomb, burst every sod, ' You cannot hold the Living God! For His the mightiest power to save, And He will open every grave. angels, holy angels, bring Your golden harps and matins sing This Easter Morn, that every one Behold the Christ as God's own Son! LET heaven and earth unite to praise ' This crowning of His dying days! Let joy possess each mortal soul. For Love has reached its highest goal Till Paradise regains the earth, As in its first existent birth When God with man as angel talked. And in the bowers of Eden walked. LOOK up, that you may clearly see Heaven as your glorious destiny. And in this Easter Tomb espy Your pathway to Christ's home on high! The soul of man can never crave To lie forever in the grave; Soar, soar on wings, Soul, above To find your Christ, the Soul of Love! L. P. Q^tiomast W^otib Co., Boston l^rintertf