PS 3545 
 195 C3 
 1909 
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 Book T ^ J C 3 
 
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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
Olariipljnnia 
 
 A SELECTION OF POEMS 
 
 By GEORGE R. WITTE 
 
 Distributins Agency 
 
 THE BOOKSTORE 
 
 East Northfield, Mass. 
 

 rs-v 
 
 Copyright, 1909, by George R. Witte 
 Northfield, Mass. 
 
 iwo tioules tteteuTii 
 
 MAY 28 i!^J9 J 
 
To the memory of 
 
 Sobrrt S. Mrlurnrg 
 
 for many years the beloved General Secretary of the 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association 
 
 in the city of New York, 
 
 a connoisseur and lover of devotional lyrics, 
 
 the remembrance of whose friendship 
 
 and tender regard will remain a 
 
 sweet fragrance in the realm of personal recollections, 
 
 this volume is affectionately dedicated 
 
 by the Author 
 
The verses contained in this collection do not pretend 
 to be anything else than a reverberation of the ' ' sounds 
 of the heart," as the name implies. 
 
 They were written for the most part during a period 
 of protracted isolation in the British Guiana wilderness. 
 Not a few of the verses are the direct outgrowth of the pecu- 
 liar restraint then imposed on me by being left without a 
 single white companion, without means of communication, 
 and seemingly forgotten even by those whose earlier en- 
 thusiasm in a new missionary enterprise had not been 
 equal to the test of disappointment and misfortune. 
 
 What seemed a disaster to them (and at the time to 
 myself also) proved in the end a great personal blessing, 
 for the very helplessness of the situation drove me to a far 
 deeper sense of conscious dependence on God than I had 
 ever before possessed. 
 
 " 'Twas then there came to me a song " 
 
 and if its reproduction at this time shall prove of help and 
 encouragement to any fellow pilgrim, no one will be more 
 grateful for the outcome than — 
 
 The Author. 
 
^flttg 
 
 "Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord." 
 Psalm 138 : 5 
 
"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good — 
 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." — Psalm loy: i, 2 
 
 The soul which has in it no song 
 
 Is to be pitied, for in it is wanting 
 A precious chord, which lifts man from the throng 
 
 Of hapless malcontents, who in their gloom are taunting 
 That life reflects but ill the rulership divine. 
 
 The oil of joy as truly comes from God 
 As any gift He grants. Then why should we repine 
 
 Instead of making Praise our pleasant daily lot ? 
 
*• i^utg Jortli tl|0 ^mxir of ^xb Name " 
 
 Psalm 66 : 2 
 
 There's a song in my soul, which I gladly would sing 
 
 If I knew how to frame it in words, 
 But like music, which latent lies hid in the string 
 
 Will never sound forth, till the chords 
 By the artist are struck, who the instrument knows, 
 
 The song in my heart must be hid 
 Until touched by the Master, the melody flows 
 
 When my soul by His flame has been lit. 
 
 There's a song in my soul, its vibrations I feel 
 
 While its echoes sweet melody make. 
 And gladly, like chimes which send heav'nwards their peal 
 
 My song, too, its journey shall take. 
 What's the theme of my song ? Could it anything be 
 
 But God and His wonderful love ? 
 In all this wide world naught is dearer to me 
 
 Nor more worthy my heart-strings to move. 
 
 There's a song in my soul, and how gladly I send 
 
 That song as an anthem of praise 
 On the wings of the air, that its voice may ascend 
 
 Till it reach to the throne of His grace. 
 Go forth then, my carol, thou art sent with a prayer 
 
 That a blessing to some one thou prove, 
 If any thou findest who are heavy with care 
 
 Then their sorrow help thou to remove. 
 
Psalm ji8 : 14 
 
 The Lord God is my strength and song, 
 
 At times my spirit sinks and quaileth 
 Before the enemy. He seems so bold and strong 
 
 That, when I need it most, my courage faileth. 
 'Tis then I turn to God and plead my need — 
 
 I feel His strength return, while yet I cry;" 
 I realize Jehovah is indeed 
 
 A present help, so strong, so true, so nigh. 
 
 'Tis then returns to me a song — 
 
 While fear reigned I could do no singing — 
 My care grows less, the nights appear less long, 
 
 The pains of sorrow surely are less stinging ; 
 When faith in God again my soul refills 
 
 Then songs of praise once more re-echo there, 
 The storms, which madly raged, my Saviour stills, 
 
 Hope reappears and life again seems fair. 
 
 O what a precious gift is song. 
 
 Inspired by God, from heav'n transplanted 
 To cheer the faint, our spirits to make strong 
 
 When in the fight one's courage has been daunted. 
 It helps to voice the shouts of grateful praise 
 
 When by His grace the victory is won 
 And in the hearts of wounded ones to raise 
 
 New hope and trust in the Unfailing One. 
 
 13 
 
Psalm iig : 64 
 
 The earth, O Lord, is with Thy mercy filled, 
 
 Thy loving-kindness gleams o'er land and sea, 
 
 The dew, each blade of grass bears fresh distilled 
 At rise of sun, serves as a proof to me 
 
 Of Thine unending, all embracing love. 
 
 Which makes the world in symmetry to move. 
 
 Each tiny flow'r, on opening its bud 
 
 To shed sweet fragrance on the morning air, 
 
 The birds, which circle o'er a peasant's hut. 
 Who by their notes a grateful tribute bear. 
 
 All strive to tune my soul and make it raise 
 Like nature, an exultant hymn of praise. 
 
 Should I stay dumb with music all around? 
 
 The world itself appears to me a song ! 
 From ev'ry hill God's praise seems to resound 
 
 All nature wrapt in glee, the whole day long ; 
 Then let me too join in full gratitude, 
 
 Please God, my song shall be Eternity's prelude. 
 
 15 
 
3pratB0 
 
 Sing praises unto His name, for it is pleasant. 
 Psalm ijs •' 3 
 
** ®I|0 Unirp of U?;otrin0 txnh Bnlvntxan 3(a m 
 ttj0 ©abfrnarb of tijp Uigljtfnua" 
 
 Psalm ii8 : ij 
 
 Rejoicing and Salvation — the two are fitly linked 
 
 As Mercy is with Truth ; 
 A bird, once more let out, by freedom skywards winged, 
 Needs none to stir its muse ; 
 It gladly flutes its strain 
 Of grateful song above 
 And as it soars it gains 
 New melodies of love. 
 
 Thus with the prisoner, for whom at last the door 
 
 Of freedom opens wide, 
 He walks a new-born man through forest, glen and moor, 
 Life never seems more bright. 
 And as he draws the breath 
 
 Of glorious liberty 
 No longer stays suppressed 
 The half-forgotten glee. 
 
 When Zion's captives came, their soul was steeped in mirth 
 
 And laughter filled their mouth, 
 They had not yet forgot the homeland of their birth 
 Nor yet God's holy house ; 
 
 While in their bondage-days 
 
 Their songs died in the throat. 
 How beauteous the lays 
 
 Which now they sang to God. 
 
And we whom God has saved, have we not cause to sing? 
 
 Why then remain we mute? 
 Should we not freely, too, our gladsome tribute bring 
 With timbrel, harp and flute? 
 At least let our frail voice 
 
 His wondrous grace proclaim. 
 In God let us rejoice 
 And bless His holy name. 
 
 20 
 
Psahn ijo : 6 
 
 Let ev'ryone who draws his breath 
 
 Join in an anthem to the Lord ; 
 The angels sing, nevertheless 
 
 God does appreciate the chord 
 Of humbler song, which men can touch 
 
 If with sincerity they come, 
 Those grander notes we too shall reach 
 
 When we have entered heaven's home. 
 
 That keener sense, which some of old 
 
 Seem to have had, led them to see 
 Some beauties, now but rarely told, 
 
 How nature is a symphony. 
 To them each star conveyed a note 
 
 Of benediction to the Lord, 
 From ev'ry cloud there seemed to float 
 
 A call that God should be adored. 
 
 How sad, that some have come to be 
 
 So dull in spirit and in heart 
 That service seems a parody 
 
 And often the essential part 
 Is absent from our thought and song, 
 
 The uttered words are empty sound 
 And while we praise God with our tongue 
 
 Our minds with worldly thoughts abound. 
 
 21 
 
Let us return to former ways 
 
 And tune again our hearts to bring 
 In fervent words and simple lays 
 
 True worship to our Saviour- King; 
 May it be our concern each morn 
 
 To voice God's wondrous righteousness, 
 Then, when the day has downwards worn. 
 
 There'll be more cause the Lord to bless. 
 
i>0tt9a of Seltupranr?" 
 
 Psalm 32 : y ' 
 
 Encompassed with songs of deliv'rance 
 
 My soul is replete with a joy 
 Which the world neither giveth nor taketh, 
 
 Which is free from debasing alloy ; 
 Neither time nor events may corrode it, 
 
 As the days go, it seems to increase, 
 For its well-spring is Jesus, my Saviour, 
 
 And the gift, which He left me, God's peace. 
 
 Encompassed with songs of deliv'rance 
 
 how light is the task of each day, 
 All the fretting concerning the future 
 
 By that song has been taken away; 
 For if God gave His Son as a ransom 
 
 To extinguish my guilt in His blood, 
 Would He ever withhold any blessing 
 
 Which He knew would conduce to my good? 
 
 Encompassed with songs of deliv'rance 
 
 1 need fear neither danger nor foes. 
 Sufficient for me the assurance 
 
 That my Saviour the way fully knows. 
 For the needs of each hour He will always 
 
 With fresh grace and new strength me endue 
 And my Lord's so abundant deliv'rance 
 
 I shall daily experience anew. 
 
** M^ ^0ul, Matt (Ulioit ©ttlg upon (goli " 
 
 Psalm 62 : j-y 
 
 When darkly round thee threat'ning clouds are low'ring, 
 
 The way seems lost, no guide to lead thee on, 
 The sense of unseen danger sets thee cow'ring. 
 
 Thou feel'st thyself forsaken and alone. 
 Then, soul belov'd, with what of faith remaineth 
 
 Reach out to God, thy only help and stay, 
 When all thy hope and expectation waneth 
 
 Cast not thy trust in Jesus Christ away. 
 
 He only is " my rock and my salvation," 
 
 Thus David sang — long centuries ago — 
 Who counts the throng, that speak in confirmation 
 
 Of David's faith and how they came to know 
 That God a refuge is, a rock of strength, a tower, 
 
 A sure defence, a help in present need, 
 In time of storm a safely shelt'ring bower, 
 
 A light upon life's way, a guide to straying feet? 
 
 Wait on the Lord, as one waits for the dawning 
 
 With quiet assurance, that the shades of night 
 Will rise and vanish in the blithesome morning, 
 
 Depend on it, Jehovah guides thee right. 
 God is not man, — He errs not in His measures, 
 
 Makes no mistakes in either time or place, 
 There is no limit to His might and treasures 
 
 As there is none to His abounding grace. 
 
" Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." 
 Psalm 36 : 5 
 
Jeremiah ji : j 
 
 " I have loved thee with an everlasting love." 
 
 How can I ever with my finite mind 
 
 Gauge to its depth so rich, so marvelous a thought? 
 
 It is past comprehension — yet as evident 
 
 As are the laws of nature, which hedge me about 
 
 Though I scarce know their working, nor their cause. 
 
 " I have loved thee," a message from God's heart! 
 
 What ecstasy of joy, what rapture to the soul 
 
 Which but for love and God's sustaining grace 
 
 Would make swift shipwreck on life's hidden rocks. 
 
 Here do I find safe anchorage, — my God's unchanging love 
 
 Supplies me with a firm and stable ground 
 
 From which I can defy the storms of time 
 
 And stand unshaken by the blasts of ill 
 
 Which may shriek round me, but prove powerless 
 
 To separate me from my God's omnipotence. 
 
 " An everlasting love" — timeless in its beginning 
 And time-outlasting, as is God Himself, 
 Unfluctuating too — not changing as does man's, 
 Now in its fervor — now, still worse, in very aim ; 
 God's love remains the same, its outflow has no limit, 
 If seemingly, at times there comes a break 
 It is as when the earth turns on its axis 
 Away from sunlight — then the night grows cold 
 And yet the sun shines not one whit the less. 
 
 29 
 
What then should be my pray'r? Not that the Father's 
 Great loving heart should keep its rhythmic beat, — 
 It does, nor can it ebb, but that I constantly 
 Might have an unobstructed view of Him 
 And of His love, and find therein my peace. 
 
 30 
 
Isaiah 6j : g 
 
 He bare them. 
 As with eagles when the brood 
 Is still unable by themselves to fly, 
 The mother-bird will stretch her wings beneath 
 And lift again the all-too-heavy load 
 Of such as fall when first they try 
 To brave the Alpine mountain-breeze. 
 
 He bare them. 
 As a mother does her bairn 
 When it for refuge flies unto her breast 
 And nestles there, securely hid and warm. 
 If never yet thou hadst a chance to learn 
 What true love is, — go and be blest 
 By watching babe in mother's arm. 
 
 He bare them. 
 Yea, — the Scripture plainly says 
 That God hath borne His own in times of old 
 And carried them on everlasting arms. 
 No less to-day than in the ancient days 
 He does to man His love unfold 
 And keeps His own from all that harms. 
 
He bears us. 
 Why? — Because a promise made 
 By the eternal God stands ever sure. 
 Though heav'n and earth may pass, His word abides 
 And thereon is our sure foundation laid: 
 Unchanging shall His love endure 
 When nothing else shall last besides. 
 
 32 
 
"3( litUl?UilI|©I|^e*' 
 
 Isaiah 4.J : i-j 
 
 When thou passest through the waters, 
 
 God, the Lord, shall be with thee. 
 If at times the turmoil gathers, 
 
 Through the dark thou canst not see- 
 Then remember thou art precious 
 
 To thy God, whose loving will 
 Rules in stormy days as gracious 
 
 As it does when all is still. 
 
 Rivers may be madly roaring. 
 
 Yet they shall not overflow, 
 Blackest clouds seem darkly lowering 
 
 Striking terror, as they grow. 
 Wildest tempests may be breaking 
 
 By which faith is sorely tried, 
 But to end thy fear and waking 
 
 Christ shall come at morning light. 
 
 Even though thy walk at seasons, 
 
 Be through trials long and fierce. 
 For which God's intent and reason 
 
 A deep mystery appears — 
 Thou shalt see, that in the furnace 
 
 God will be thy unseen stay. 
 Granting thee the sweetest solace 
 
 For whate'er He takes away. 
 
" I, the Lord, am thy Redeemer, 
 
 I have bought thee, thou art mine ; ' 
 Let these words dispel thy tremor, 
 
 Thy position they define: 
 Thou belong'st to Him forever, 
 
 He will keep thee to the end, 
 And no enemy can sever 
 
 Him, whom God holds in His hand. 
 
 34 
 
"Olljg ^xpntmm g>I|aU ^^ot 1p Olut (iff" 
 
 Proverbs 24 : 14 
 
 My expectation is from Him. 
 
 If not from God, whence should help be? 
 Where, when my bark is wrecked, can I retrim, 
 
 Where find a haven of security? 
 The world's poor comfort will not then avail, 
 
 The truest friendship mute with sorrow stands. 
 All earthly help, if tendered, would but fail, 
 
 But nevermore the power of His hands. 
 
 My expectation is through Him, 
 
 If not through Christ, how should I find 
 My way to God, whose holiness we deem 
 
 Of right to bar out sinful humankind? 
 How could I hope for access to the King, 
 
 Enthroned in glory in such wondrous light? 
 To there present my cause, whom could I bring 
 
 If not the One who for my ransom died? 
 
 My expectation is in Him, 
 
 If not in Him, what should I have? 
 What were this life, if to the very brim 
 
 Of Jordan's flood, my soul were doomed to crave 
 Yet never satisfy the inborn thirst 
 
 For conscious fellowship with God, my Lord? 
 This precious gift — if I possess that first 
 
 I have more than ten thousand worlds afford. 
 
Jprag^r 
 
 " Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense." 
 Psalm i^i : 2 
 
" (^xxtt Ear unto M^ 'Baitt, Wl^m 3 (dry nnta SI|f p " 
 
 Psabn 141 : i 
 
 My prayer, Lord, though it be weak and halting 
 
 May it as incense come before Thy throne. 
 Thy canopy is space — and all around Thee vaulting 
 
 Are emblems of Thy might ; — hence we are prone 
 To contemplate with sacred awe Thy power 
 
 To think Thee fixed in some far-distant place, 
 Self-centred there and scarce disposed to shower 
 
 Thy blessings on mankind, a fallen, sinful race. 
 
 If such Thou wert, man's prayer would seem presumptuous ; 
 
 Where lies our help? — We know Thee not alone 
 As our Creator-God, to whom nor sumptuous 
 
 Appear His gifts, nor are they ever done 
 To satisfy a whim. With true paternal love 
 
 Thou car'st for each, — " Our Father" is the name 
 Which Thy dear Son has taught, when He came from above 
 
 To demonstrate Thy grace and bear our sin and shame. 
 
 As children then we come and bring our fretting, 
 
 Our anguish, care or dread, to ask our Father's aid. 
 In His caress, how soon we learn forgetting, 
 
 How trustingly our head on His arm may be laid; 
 We know a Father's heart with love o'erfloweth 
 
 And rather grants, than would His help deny. 
 Therefore His child can trust — nay, more — it knoweth 
 
 If aught be for its good, God ne'er rejects the cry. 
 
Psahn iig : j2 
 
 " Enlarge my heart," 
 
 The psalmist said of old ; 
 
 May I not pray the same? 
 
 I find his counterpart 
 
 In mine own self and cold 
 
 Appears my life. The flame 
 Which once in me so brightly burned 
 Few embers only mark its former glow, 
 Once even grief to hallowed joy was turned 
 While now I shrink from ev'ry chilling blow. 
 
 "Enlarge my heart," 
 
 Restore the former faith 
 
 With its quiet blessedness, 
 
 My God, and do impart 
 
 Anew a taste of all Thy grace 
 
 And loving tenderness. 
 How full of joy have been my days 
 When trustingly my hand was laid in Thine, 
 When I sought but Thy will and left my ways 
 Entirely to Thy choice, what peace was mine. 
 
 " Enlarge my heart," 
 O God, fill me with love 
 Which shall grow cold no more. 
 With love gone, life is hard — 
 Dark clouds will slowly move 
 Faith's vision to spread o'er. 
 
 41 
 
The peace which once dwelt in my heart 
 And in it ruled with its benignant sway, 
 Restore it, Lord, and I shall ne'er depart 
 Forevermore from Thine own chosen way. 
 
 "Enlarge my heart," 
 
 Implant anew a hope 
 
 To cheer and lead me on ; 
 
 While struggling heavenward 
 
 Though I may faint and grope 
 
 I shall not feel alone. 
 While I this star shall keep in sight, 
 While faith and love and hope burn in my breast 
 I care not what may come, I have a Light 
 To guide me and to keep my soul at rest. 
 
 42 
 
Psahn iig : iiy 
 
 Hold Thou me tip, my God, for I am weak. 
 
 The night is dark and I am apt to stray ; 
 If not from Thee, where should I guidance seek? 
 
 Who like Thyself knows all my destined way? 
 Who can direct me when the landmarks fail. 
 
 When heavy stormclouds hide the stars from view. 
 When hidden pitfalls make my spirit quail 
 
 And there is naught my courage to renew? 
 
 Hold Thou me up, when at the journey's end 
 
 I reach the river with its untried deep ; 
 How shall I cross, if not Thy gracious hand 
 
 Shall lift me through the current's angry sweep? 
 The aid of friendship and of human love, 
 
 However stanch and true, there it must cease, 
 There is no guide, save but the One above ; 
 
 With Him to steer, I cross in perfect peace. 
 
 43 
 
in tt|P iioriting " 
 
 Psalm 143 : 8 
 
 Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness, 
 
 Most gracious God, while yet the day is young 
 
 Before disquiet and work cause spirit-blindness 
 And dull my sense and then remain unsung 
 
 The hymn, which ought spontaneously to rise 
 
 Like hallowed incense at each morning sacrifice. 
 
 Each bird, at sunrise, when it raises 
 
 Its chirping note of glee, does it not call 
 
 On me to join with it in joyful praises 
 
 To God, who notes a hapless sparrow's fall? 
 
 I, who can think, am I of love so void 
 
 That nature's melodies awaken no delight? 
 
 Forgive me, God, for thus appearing 
 
 As though true gratitude my heart not knew, 
 
 My care distracted me — I needed cheering — 
 Instead of praying I despondent grew, 
 
 When in that frame, I fell an easy pray 
 
 To doubt and baneful fear, which drove my peace away. 
 
 Restore once more Thy gladsome spirit. 
 
 My God, and fill again my life with joy, 
 I pray with humble heart, relying on Christ's merit 
 
 To plead this special grace. — Canst Thou employ 
 This inept tongue of mine to sing Thy grace 
 
 Most gladly will I voice Thine own unending praise. 
 
^£xpmmnB 
 
 " They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great 
 
 goodness." 
 
 Psalm 7^5 / 7 
 
** Attb (iTlinr lEges Hrrr O^^j^nph txnh QII|pg Kn^m i|tm " 
 
 Luke 24. : j2 
 
 Did not our hearts within us burn 
 
 As He to us the word made clear? 
 O that again He might return. 
 
 How strange He should to us appear 
 And we not recognize His face 
 So full of tenderness and grace. 
 
 Remember'st thou how He drew near 
 
 Just when we were in deepest gloom, 
 How, when He joined us, all our fear 
 Soon disappeared and in its room 
 Arose anew a hopeful light, 
 Life ne'er appeared to me as bright. 
 
 Think, too, how kind He was and mild, 
 
 How sympathetic with our grief 
 Like as a father with his child. 
 
 Though He reproved our unbelief 
 
 Yet was it in such tender words 
 As only purest love affords. 
 
 These two, who walked to Emmaus 
 
 With Christ, unknown, right at their side, 
 Do they not call to mind in us 
 Experiences which betide 
 
 More than we think, each child of God? 
 Christ being near, we know it not. 
 
 49 
 
"3lt is (SooJi for 1h to If iJ^tvt " 
 
 Mark 9 .• J 
 
 O what rapture past comparing 
 
 With the world's illusive joys 
 Is one hour of sweet communion 
 
 List'ning to my Saviour's voice ; 
 With what gentle love He takes me 
 
 Soothing my regrets and cares, 
 Even discontents and murmurs 
 
 With what tenderness He bears. 
 
 When in struggling with temptation 
 
 Oft my strength is sorely tried, 
 What a comfort then in fleeing 
 
 For a refuge to His side ; 
 How my heart takes on new courage 
 
 And my troubled soul finds rest, 
 O these hours of sweet communion 
 
 Are so wonderfully blest. 
 
 That He asks me many questions, 
 
 Which cut deep into my heart. 
 Is not this, too, of His goodness 
 
 But a necessary part? 
 As the dresser of a vineyard 
 
 Has to use a pruning-knife. 
 So my Saviour aims in cutting 
 
 But to make more rich my life. 
 
 61 
 
When I think of all the sweetness, 
 
 Which these hours with Him contain, 
 In my heart springs up a longing 
 
 It might ever so remain, — 
 Yet I know that from the hill-top 
 
 Christ to meet His death went down ; 
 Should I then refuse to follow? 
 
 By the cross one wins the crown. 
 
 Some day — (whether soon or later 
 
 Matters not) — God sets the time 
 I shall enter yonder mansions 
 
 Built of workmanship sublime, 
 Then I shall meet with my Saviour 
 
 In one long, unbroken stay 
 With the sweetest heart-communion 
 
 Never more to pass away. 
 
Psahn ji : 20 
 
 In the secret of God's presence 
 
 Sheltered in His loving arm, 
 Hid away in His pavilion 
 
 I am safe from sin and harm, 
 There no trials may assail me, 
 
 Satan's darts have lost their sting 
 For I rest with quiet assurance 
 
 'Neath my God's protecting wing. 
 
 In the secret of God's presence 
 * I can find such perfect rest. 
 
 When without the storms are raging 
 
 Here they cease at His behest. 
 Thus my soul is steeped in quietness 
 
 God's own peace fills me with joy, 
 I forgot the little sorrows 
 
 Which one's daily life annoy. 
 
 In the secret of God's presence 
 
 Is each failing grace renewed. 
 With new strength for further conflict 
 
 For each day I am endued, 
 By the bread, with which He feeds me, 
 
 I can go at His command. 
 Finding springs of living water 
 
 Even in the desert land. 
 
 53 
 
In the secret of God's presence 
 
 O how fain would I abide 
 Fleeing from the daily turmoil, 
 Nestling close at Jesus' side ; 
 Still, if He sees fit to use me 
 
 That by service I may grow, 
 I dare not refuse to follow 
 
 Where my Lord would have me go. 
 
 54 
 
m Wtxr Moh^ " 
 
 2 Corinthians 4 : 10 
 
 "Not I but Christ." 
 Amazing thought. I often wonder 
 
 If ever I can say those words with perfect truth? 
 As o'er the failures of my life I sadly ponder 
 
 It crushes me to think, how oft I live a ruse : 
 Professedly I follow Jesus' leading, 
 
 In truth my own will mostly is supreme. 
 And while at times His voice I have been heeding 
 
 More frequently my ways I hold in most esteem. 
 
 "Not I but Christ." 
 I am persuaded — not profoundest learning 
 
 But life itself taught Paul those solemn words, 
 I own them true and more — am deeply yearning 
 
 To be redeemed from self and quite the Lord's. 
 How can I do it, how obtain the blessing? 
 
 Shall I desist, since struggling seems in vain? 
 Help me, O Christ, from self -life to be ceasing. 
 
 To lose myself in Thee, and in Thee all to gain. 
 
 65 
 
(Hamfavt 
 
 " He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their 
 
 wounds." 
 
 Psalm i^-J : J 
 
"iln All ®l|ptr Amtrtuma i^t Wub KmtUh" 
 
 Isaiah 6j : g 
 
 In all afflictions and temptations 
 
 Which often press God's people hard 
 Not in mere silent contemplation 
 
 But actively God takes a part, 
 It may be past our understanding, 
 
 Unfathomable mystery. 
 Was not so, too, the wondrous sending 
 
 Of God's own Son to Calvary? 
 
 What made the Son of the Eternal 
 
 To leave the glory of God's throne 
 And brave the gates of the infernal 
 
 To suffer and to die alone? 
 Was it not pity for the helpless 
 
 Who without hope were doomed to die 
 If not the Saviour in His goodness 
 
 Had answered their despairing cry? 
 
 He came — He gave Himself a ransom 
 
 And when He died on Calvary 
 Lost mankind's wail turned to an anthem. 
 
 The debt was paid and man went free ; 
 The angels stood in adoration 
 
 At such a wondrous, solemn scene. 
 All heaven rang with acclamation 
 
 When Christ defeated Death and Sin. 
 
 59 
 
Yes — it is true that over yonder 
 
 They do regard our earthly ways 
 And often they must sadly wonder 
 
 To see man, how he blindly strays, 
 But when he turns, great joy is thrilling 
 
 Through all the vast, seraphic throng 
 Who heaven's vaults are gladly filling 
 
 Once more with the Redemption-song. 
 
 God, too, in all His matchless glory 
 
 Takes notice of each man's designs. 
 Did not the Master tell the story 
 
 How that our Father longs and pines 
 To see each erring child returning 
 
 From barren fields of sin and shame 
 And kept love ever brightly burning 
 
 Until at last the wand'rer came? 
 
 O depth of mercy — boundless loving 
 
 To wretched and deep-fallen man. 
 Which set the powers of heaven a-moving 
 
 To work out God's eternal plan. 
 Which He had made, ere the foundation 
 
 Of this once perfect earth was laid, 
 That we should be "heirs of salvation" 
 
 With ev'ry claim of justice paid. 
 
 60 
 
[0 Q^nvmh a Mint into a Jfnuntaut nf Hat^r ** 
 
 Psahn 114. : 8 
 
 Who but our God can turn a flint to water 
 Or make a fountain from the solid rock? 
 
 Who bids the tears, which oftentimes will gather, 
 To disappear and helps me bear the shock 
 
 Of unexpected sorrow, out of which He brings 
 
 A blessing, well distilled, like mountain-springs. 
 
 The Marah wells, which seemed so disappointing, 
 So ill-prepared to quench my burning thirst. 
 
 Did He not make them sweet? And the anointing 
 Which He gave to mine eyes, when, at the first 
 
 A blind man, I appealed to Him for aid, 
 
 Was not His pow'r at once effective made? 
 
 And yet withal men will go on pursuing 
 
 To search for figs, where only thistles grow, 
 
 With aching hearts they still are vainly hewing 
 And carving fate, the end of which we know 
 
 Is naught but sorrow, disappointment, grief. 
 Even with success the pleasure is but brief. 
 
 How different with him who gives the keeping 
 Of his whole life into the Master's hands. 
 
 With Him to guide, joy will come out of weeping. 
 For ev'ry loss sustained He maketh full amends, 
 
 His peace will last and satisfy and be 
 
 A well-spring of pure joy to all eternity. 
 
 61 
 
Hebrews 7 .• ^j 
 
 Dost thou feel all but exhausted 
 
 By the trials of the day? 
 Has the joy, which but this morning 
 
 Made thee gladsome, passed away? 
 Does the struggle with temptation 
 
 Seem to be thy daily part? 
 Go to Jesus with thy sorrow 
 
 Empty there thy burdened heart. 
 
 Are thy nights devoid of quietness, 
 
 Oft thy pillow moist with tears? 
 Is the rest thou art so needing 
 
 Broken in by doleful fears? 
 Art thou worried, lest the morning 
 
 Bring thee added grief and care? 
 Anxious heart, then go to Jesus, 
 
 Leave with Him all thy despair. 
 
 For there is no earthly sorrow 
 
 Which the Saviour could not heal. 
 
 Having passed through our temptation 
 Fully He for us can feel. 
 
 He delights to help the wearied. 
 Loves to set the captives free. 
 
 Confidently bring thy burden 
 
 He will surely succor thee. 
 
Jesus is the burden-bearer, 
 
 He sustains each struggling soul, 
 He binds up the broken-hearted, 
 
 Makes the wounded spirit whole; 
 In the place of bitter weeping 
 
 He brings peace and sweet content, 
 If thou trust Him, He will hide thee 
 
 In the hollow of His hand. 
 
 64 
 
** (Hotm f e Apart inta a i^a^rt piar? anJ> Efst Aml|tl^ ** 
 
 Mark 6 : ji 
 
 If we would get the greatest good 
 
 Out of our intercourse with Christ, 
 We must seek Him in solitude 
 
 And suffer not to be enticed 
 Away from Him by work or play 
 
 But yield to Him our hearts entire. 
 If at His feet we gently lay 
 
 He soon will set our hearts afire. 
 
 How comforting appears His voice, 
 
 How strength-imparting are His words, 
 Despair gives way to hallowed joys ; — 
 
 The soul, responding to the chords 
 Of heaven-born music, rests in peace 
 
 When Christ Himself comes to the heart 
 And by His presence brings release 
 
 From all that makes life dull and hard. 
 
 Lord, do Thou make us quiet and still. 
 
 More teachable and less self-willed, 
 More eager to fulfill Thy will, 
 
 More longing to be spirit-filled, 
 More willing to be naught, that Thou 
 
 Within us All in All might'st be. 
 If self rebels, teach Thou us how 
 
 To conquer self and rest in Thee. 
 
®r«Ht 
 
 " They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, 
 
 which abide th forever." 
 
 Psalm 125 : i 
 
" ©ruat in tl}t i£orh mttl| All olljitt? iJ^mtt ' 
 
 Proverbs j : j-6 
 
 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart 
 
 And lean not on thy understanding; 
 The ivy when it grows apart 
 
 Creeps on the ground, forever bending 
 To ev'ry gust of wind and storm : 
 
 But when its roots embrace the oak, 
 Once with its tendrils fastened there 
 
 Then it defies the mightiest shock 
 Of any tempest and can bear 
 
 The stormiest day in perfect form. 
 
 So, too, is man, so weak and frail 
 
 That to each tempest he is bowing 
 Unless he does himself avail 
 
 Of higher strength and is allowing 
 God in His might to work through him. 
 
 The man who makes the Lord his hope 
 Who clings to Him in weal and woe 
 
 Has a sure path (where others grope) 
 Ev'n though the end he may not know 
 
 He has a light which nought can dim. 
 
Happy the man, who early learns 
 
 What blessings lie in true believing, 
 Whose spirit for comnmnion yearns 
 
 With God, and thus keeps on receiving 
 The comforts of Omnipotence. 
 
 Each day shall bring him added grace, 
 A constant peace must fill his soul, 
 
 He sees God's leadings interlace 
 Life's tangled meshes to a whole. 
 
 His will with God's completely blends. 
 
 70 
 
A Parapl|raae of Paalm 23 
 
 My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 
 
 He bought me for His own 
 And since He found me, leaveth 
 
 Me nevermore alone. 
 He guides me in green pastures 
 
 By waters cool and still, 
 Gives me undreamed-of raptures, 
 
 With joy He makes me thrill. 
 
 My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 
 
 How loving-kind is He, 
 All dread for ever ceases 
 
 When to His side I flee ; 
 When I was bruised and failing 
 
 He then restored my soul, 
 Relieved me of my ailing 
 
 And made me strong and whole. 
 
 My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 
 
 There's nothing now I fear. 
 The spectre " Death " releases 
 
 His hold, when Christ draws near, 
 The grave is but a portal 
 
 To mansions ever fair, 
 My dream of joys immortal 
 
 Finds its fulfilment there. 
 
 ri 
 
My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 
 
 How botmteous His store, 
 His goodness never ceases, 
 
 My cup is running o'er. 
 Each day He fresh anointeth 
 
 Me with His oil of joy, 
 My table He appointeth 
 
 With generous supply. 
 
 My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 
 
 His mercy follows me, 
 My love to Him increaseth 
 
 The more of Him I see. 
 Naught shall henceforth me sever 
 
 From One so full of love 
 Till I shall dwell forever 
 
 In yonder home above. 
 
 72 
 
"(flar^at (H^m Not ©I|at M? fmB\}?** 
 
 Mark 4 : 38 
 
 " Does He not care for all our frightful anguish? 
 
 See, how He sleeps despite the howling storm. 
 O Jesus, Master, help or else we perish." 
 
 Then from His pillow rose the gentle form 
 Of the Redeemer and He quietly says : 
 
 "Why do ye fear? O ye of little faith." 
 
 With Him for our companion in life's journey 
 
 There's naught to dread, He quiets the wildest sea. 
 
 If thou art staggered by the sight before thee 
 Go to the Lord with thy anxiety ; 
 
 The winds and waves bow to His holy will. 
 
 Storms must subside, when He says: " Peace, be still." 
 
 Oh, for more faith to trust the Master's guidance, 
 
 To calmly rest, depending on His care. 
 Would it not mean a blissful, sweet avoidance 
 
 Of most the burdens, which we often bear 
 Because we fail to exercise our faith 
 
 Nor yet avail us of His strength and grace? 
 
 73 
 
Romans 4 : 21 
 
 Soul, dost thou fear, lest God should not be able 
 The promise to perform, which He has made? 
 
 Is to thy mind God's word, like man's, unstable? 
 Has yet He failed in aught which He has said? 
 
 Then why not leave thy doubts and rest content, 
 
 That He both can and will to all thy needs attend? 
 
 Thy doubting heart robs thee of all the pleasure. 
 
 The perfect peace, which comes from child-like faith, 
 
 Compared to it there is no earthly treasure 
 
 Which this sweet gift not utterly outweighs ; 
 
 Our sin condoned, how does our life grow fair 
 
 When at the cross we leave our load of anxious care. 
 
 If God has sent His Son for our redemption 
 
 Would He withhold aught else we might require? 
 
 He will not pass us in our destitution 
 
 Nor leave unsatisfied our heart's desire, 
 
 When in the name of Christ we ask in faith 
 
 We shall not ask in vain for any needed grace. 
 
 75 
 
MtUttxtxan 
 
 " My meditation of Him shall be sweet." 
 Psalm lO/j. : j^ 
 
Hebrews j : 6 
 
 The Master's house, in which He loves to dwell, 
 
 Is not the palace, reared of precious stones. 
 Nor yet the temple, from whose spire the bell 
 
 At noon and night sweet melody intones, 
 Not in cathedrals, built o'er sacred shrines 
 
 In Bethlehem, nor Calvary, nor Rome 
 Or other places, which our thought entwines 
 
 With sacred halo, is the Master's home. 
 
 His house are we — He dwells within the soul 
 
 Of any, who with broken, contrite heart 
 Will ask Him to come in ; — this is the goal 
 
 Which to obtain from heaven Christ did part ; 
 To win these hearts, so weak and yet so dear 
 
 Is what unto the cross our Saviour drove — 
 Now having gained us. He would draw us near 
 
 To make our hearts a temple of His love. 
 
 79 
 
" 31 Wiii IfttBtrurt M}tt atti ©rarlj ®l|f in tl|? 
 
 Psahn j2 : 8 
 
 Sometimes, when in the weaving of our earthly fabric 
 
 The warp and woof appear a tangled mass, 
 When we are tempted to grow faint and heartsick 
 
 Not knowing how this trial we shall pass — 
 'Tis but that God, in His great loving-kindness 
 
 May more effectively this Truth on us impress : 
 That He will guide us and to Him our blindness 
 
 Is but an added claim. His child the more to bless. 
 
 But ere He does, we must become quite willing 
 
 To trust for guidance to His Master-skill, 
 Not until then will peace our souls be filling 
 
 Till we resign ourselves entirely to His will; 
 As long as we retain, in whole or part, the choosing 
 
 Of the direction which our life shall take. 
 We are still unfit for the Master's using, 
 
 Shall we not then a full surrender make? 
 
 When it is done, what rapture, what assurance, 
 
 What joy, what bliss, what holy calm and peace. 
 What strength for service, courage for endurance. 
 
 Our fears subside, our questionings will cease, 
 All this, because we wholly give the keeping 
 
 Of all we have, and are, and hope to be 
 Into the Saviour's hands and quietly go on reaping 
 
 The fruits of faith to all eternity. 
 
 81 
 
" For » iKttiim w l?art " 
 
 I Corinthians ij : g 
 
 We only know in part — 
 
 With patient faith we wait the coming- day 
 When God will deign clear vision to impart 
 
 And from our eyes the veil shall take away. 
 Then shall we see, not only in reflection 
 
 As from a mirror, which but dimly shows, 
 But the reality, — the wonderful perfection 
 
 Of all the gifts, which God on us bestows. 
 
 We only know in part — 
 
 But judging from the fraction which we know 
 May we not reason, that the loving Heart 
 
 Which faltered not to send His Son below 
 To die upon the cross for our redemption 
 
 Will, with Him, give us ev'ry needed grace? 
 Faith in God's promise and not bold presumption 
 
 Enables us as " sons" to claim our place. 
 
 We only know in part — 
 
 But what we know sufifices for our peace. 
 When trials come, we simply draw apart 
 
 To our Lord's cross, to find there sweet release. 
 What boundless comfort, which the knowledge giveth 
 
 That Christ did die and rise, to set us free. 
 That as our Advocate He henceforth ever liveth. 
 
 Is not this part enough for you and me? 
 
" M^ W^lp CUom^tlj from tlj? ICorb " 
 
 Psalm 121 : 2 
 
 Shall I lift Up mine eyes unto the hills 
 
 Where countless temples to the gods are raised, 
 
 Or look to Him, whose loving-kindness fills 
 
 The world with beauty, whose great glory blazed 
 
 All through the night, in myriads of stars? 
 
 For God, nor time nor space forms any bars 
 To His display of might. 
 
 Shall I continue to dig for the well 
 
 Of peace and joy in earth's poor barren soil. 
 
 Instead of asking God my thirsty soul to fill 
 
 With pleasures that will last, which my own toil 
 
 Could never win? These fly as does the dew 
 
 Before the brilliant sun, when it appears anew 
 At early break of day. 
 
 Shall I for comfort in my sorrow go 
 
 To earthly friends, well-meaning as they are? 
 Or ask that closer Friend, that He bestow 
 
 His soothing balm and hush the war 
 And bitter conflict of my troubled soul 
 
 By teaching me, my burdens all to roll 
 On Him who knows to heal? 
 
And when at last I near my journey's end, 
 
 My sight grows dim, my tongue shall speechless be 
 
 Whom will I then ask me His aid to lend 
 And help me go across the untried sea? 
 
 Is it not God alone, who then can bring 
 Effective aid against the cruel sting 
 
 Of death and guide me home? 
 
 86 
 
K^mvmtt 
 
 " Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor 
 
 sleep." 
 Psalm 121 : ^ 
 
** Olall ta St^m^mhranre % Matmn Saga " 
 
 Hebrews jo : j2 
 
 Call to remembrance oft the former days 
 
 When in the present thou art sore perplexed, 
 Think of God's leadings, — how in all thy ways 
 
 Thy strength has never yet been overtaxed, 
 How with each trial which has come to thee, 
 
 God always made a way for thy relief, 
 And in the hours which darkest seemed to be 
 
 He turned to sunshine, by His grace, thy grief. 
 
 Call to remembrance oft the former days, 
 
 'Twill cheer thee in the struggle of to-day, 
 If now perchance thy future like a maze 
 
 Looks doubtful and thou canst not see a way 
 Out of its toils ; — then let thy mem'ry fly 
 
 Back to God's dealings in thy earlier years, 
 A ray of hope will quickly light thine eye 
 
 And faith in God will soon dispel thy fears. 
 
 Call to remembrance oft the former days, 
 
 Think not of danger, but of battles won, 
 Not at thy cross, but upwards fix thy gaze 
 
 And with firm courage press to vict'ry on ; 
 He who has been thy helper in the past 
 
 Will with His might thy future too sustain, 
 In all thy weakness He will hold thee fast 
 
 And help thee to the end, thy crown to gain. 
 
" ©Ije ^£avh Will fnfett Olliat lW|irIj (Konr^nt^tli Mt 
 
 Psabn 138 : 8 
 
 The Lord will perfect that 
 
 (Whate'er it be) which me concerns, 
 Ev'n though I know not "what" 
 
 Or "how" or "when." His wisdom turns 
 My life in channels, which to me seem strange. 
 
 Nor would myself I choose. 
 I quietly trust, that His all-seeing range 
 
 Of vision will cause Him to use 
 Those very means, which as He knows 
 
 Will best promote my usefulness and growth. 
 
 What if my God shall use 
 
 Refining fire, my life to purge? 
 Shall I such time refuse 
 
 To acquiesce? — with mournful dirge 
 Sit down with such as rue their luckless birth 
 
 And call life all a void? 
 Ah, no, indeed. I look upon this earth 
 
 As on a school, to be employed 
 In fitting me by slow degrees 
 
 For work or waiting, as the Lord may please. 
 
 91 
 
How glad I am to learn 
 
 As says this psalm, that in my life 
 Jehovah takes concern; — 
 
 He gives the strength for daily strife 
 Commensurate with what each hour requires. 
 
 And though without avail 
 I try to do what most my heart desires, 
 
 I am not downcast when I fail. 
 In reading this, my faith returns, 
 
 " God will perfect what ever me concerns." 
 
 92 
 
Hebreius yj .• 6 
 
 The Lord is my helper — what a comfort to know, 
 
 For whenever temptations abound 
 I need never have fear, that they can lay me low 
 
 While beneath His protection I'm found; 
 The tempests may storm, persecutions may rage 
 
 Though ten thousand may fall at my side, 
 Till it pleases my Saviour the storm to assuage 
 
 I shall still in His shelter abide. 
 
 The Lord is my helper — what a strength is the thought! 
 
 What a storehouse for courage and might ! 
 After many a struggle, most bitterly fought, 
 
 I might shrink to continue the fight; 
 But with God as my ally, the vict'ry is sure 
 
 Whosoe'er the opponent may be, 
 Nor is it a question if I can endure, 
 
 For I know God is fighting for me. 
 
 The Lord is my helper — what a glorious thing ! 
 
 What distinction ! What honor ! What bliss ! 
 When troubles befall me, I am told them to bring 
 
 To my God, who will view them as His. 
 O how easy for Him, who is mighty in strength 
 
 To bring peace out of weakness and loss. 
 To ease my afflictions and to turn them at length 
 
 Into joy by His sanctified cross. 
 
" ICn. 3f Am mitl| f ou AUwuhb " 
 
 Matthew 28 : 20 
 
 Weak is thy faith? In spite of all thy yearning 
 
 For perfect trust and an abiding peace 
 Thou feel'st, at times, within thy heart yet burning 
 
 Unholy fire, which makes thy love decrease ; 
 In thy despair thou hast with Paul been crying : 
 
 " O wretched man, who me can help afford? " 
 Yet victory, through Christ, within thy reach was lying : 
 
 " Lo, I am with you always," says the Lord. 
 
 Dark is thy road? Each footstep, oh, how weary. 
 
 No friendly light to guide thee on the way? 
 E'en though there be no pitfalls, yet how dreary 
 
 Appears the path — how apt one is to stray. 
 No wonder thou art faint, and worn, and fearful. 
 
 Tempted to yield and give way to despair. 
 But be assured, although thy nights are tearful, 
 
 Yet Christ is with you always, even there. 
 
 Faint is thy strength? — then in thy very weakness 
 
 Lies the assurance of superior strength, 
 When thou hast spent thyself and learned with meekness 
 
 How vain thy efforts, — then it is at length 
 That God can work in thee His perfect pleasure. 
 
 With His own might He then will thee endue 
 And make thee know what an unbounded treasure 
 
 Lies in that word : — Dear child, I am with you. 
 
 95 
 
^nbm 
 
 "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 
 Psalm 126 : 5 
 
Galatians 6:2 
 
 We pass each other on the road, 
 We smile, we give a gentle nod 
 
 And wend our way, 
 But could we see beneath the vail. 
 What makes the other's heart to quail, 
 
 We would obey 
 The nobler dictates of our soul 
 To help some load away to roll 
 
 That very day. 
 
 We meet some mendicant and throw 
 A dole, our sympathy to show. 
 
 But never ask 
 Where lies the root of all his grief 
 For fear, that likely his relief 
 
 Might be our task 
 And thus withhold the greater bliss 
 That in God's sunlight he and his 
 
 Again might bask. 
 
 Perhaps 'tis best, we cannot see 
 Into each well of misery, 
 
 'Twould break our heart, 
 But whereso'er God lets our eye 
 Perceive a need, there we should try, 
 
 However hard. 
 To enter in another's woes. 
 He does it best, who truly knows 
 
 Love to impart. 
 
'* ^t <^mi ta So^rg Matt, ArrortJut^ to ^\B Ability ** 
 
 Matthew 23 : ij 
 
 Is it one talent only, which to thee is left 
 
 To care, develop, multiply and use? 
 Be thou not envious at the one, whose gift 
 Is greater than thine own, nor yet refuse 
 To labor loyally with what thou hast. 
 No work for God will ever stay unblest. 
 
 If little be thy strength, do not therefore refrain 
 
 From putting forth thy efforts day by day, 
 It matters not, how small may be thy gain 
 But do not let thy talent idle lay. 
 
 To him who hath, the Lord still more shall add 
 But who hath not, shall lose e'en that he had. 
 
 The Master, whom we serve, is in His dealings just 
 
 And takes account of our endeavors too, 
 E'en though we fail, He still most generous 
 Rewards our efforts, if they were but true : 
 
 When at the last the reck'ning-time shall come 
 We too shall share the joys of harvest-home. 
 
 101 
 
I Tkessalonza?ts 2 : 18 
 
 "Ofttimes," wrote Paul, "has it been my intent 
 
 To visit you, but Satan blocked the road;" 
 Thus too with us — our minds were often bent 
 
 To do some worthy deed — to lift a load 
 Or ease at least some neighbor's irksome fate 
 
 And then we found that Satan interposed, 
 We pondered, reasoned, waited, till too late 
 
 And when we tried, the door of hope was closed. 
 
 How many gracious acts are left undone ! 
 
 How much of cheer and hope remains unsaid ! 
 The chance to help, before we stir, is gone 
 
 And when we move, obstruction has been made : 
 For now, as then, it is the Devil's aim 
 
 To keep us out of service for the King — 
 Some he beguiles and others scares with shame, 
 
 While all to worldliness he tries to bring. 
 
 Must we infer, that we are powerless 
 
 Against the wiles of the infernal thing? 
 Shall we surrender and thereby confess 
 
 There is no hope against the tempter's sting? 
 Was Paul's grand paean but an empty dream? 
 
 A fancy-myth his " more than conqueror" ? 
 Or did not he it as a Truth esteem : 
 
 " There stood with me the Lord, my Saviour "? 
 
 103 
 
Lord, open Thou our eyes, cause us to see 
 
 There are more with us, than the hosts of hell 
 Can muster to defeat us — they will flee, 
 
 When but of " Jesus " they will hear us tell; 
 His is the name in which our power lies, 
 
 His cross our symbol. He Himself our shield; 
 No matter what assaults the devil tries, 
 
 Through faith in Christ we always win the field. 
 
 104 
 
I Corinthians 75- : ^8 
 
 Steadfast the Lord would have us be, 
 
 Not wand'ring like a summer-cloud 
 Or like some helpless wreck at sea 
 
 Which aimlessly is tossed about. 
 When with a settled, stable mind. 
 
 We keep our goal in constant view 
 In loving service we shall find 
 
 A source of joy, pure, rich and true. 
 
 Unmoveable should we remain 
 
 Though trials may our path beset, 
 The victor's crown we shall obtain 
 
 If fearlessly the foe is met ; — 
 What if perchance our days are drear 
 
 The goal seem quite beyond our reach — 
 At such a time it grows more clear 
 
 That Christ supplies His strength to each. 
 
 Abounding always in the work 
 
 Entrusted to us by the Lord, 
 Each day a fresh advance should mark. 
 
 Some new-found treasure in His word ; 
 Then, if we by His help succeed 
 
 Some straying brother to regain, 
 How comforting the thought, how sweet: 
 
 Our labor has not been in vain. 
 
 105 
 
iit0atottarg 
 
 "Thy people offer themselves willingly, in the day of 
 
 Thy power, in holy array." 
 
 Psalm no : J 
 
Acis 1 6 : 9 
 
 'Twas but a vision which one certain night 
 
 Appeared to Paul, while he in Troas lay 
 In earnest prayer, that God would give him light 
 
 To which new province he should make his way. 
 'Twas but a vision, but no human act. 
 
 No royal mandate, no ingenious thought 
 Has been more fruitful than this night's impact 
 
 On Paul's keen mind and the effect it wrought. 
 
 'Twas but a vision, but it changed the fate 
 
 Of ancient Greece with its philosophy. 
 The roadways of imperial Rome were made 
 
 By it broad conduits for the spread of liberty ; 
 The temples of the gods from that hour came to nought 
 
 And in their place the cross rose to the skies. 
 Who (but one God-inspired) could in that day have thought 
 
 How wide a realm should from Paul's vision rise. 
 
 'Twas but a vision, but it led him on 
 
 To enter on a sphere of even greater toil. 
 Who counts the jewels, which he sought and won, 
 
 The captives, whom for Christ he made a spoil? 
 When in our final home we round God's throne shall stand, 
 
 Shall we not rise and bless that fateful night 
 Which led Christ's servant from his native land 
 
 To win fair Europe for the gospel-light? 
 
 109 
 
'Twas but a vision, but the end who knows? 
 
 Who but the Lord Jehovah sees it all? 
 In its effects Paul's gospel ever grows 
 
 Ev'n as his life continues as a call 
 For us, to join in service to the King, 
 
 To count our wisdom, gifts — yea, ev'rything a loss 
 Which we should gladly as a tribute bring 
 
 And in their place take up the Master's cross. 
 
 How strange a vision ! Look there ! yonder stands 
 
 One like unto the risen Son of man. 
 See, how He beckons! Mark the nail-scarred hands; 
 
 His flaming eyes seem all His church to scan — 
 "Are there not more in all this blood-bought throng, 
 
 (He seems to say) to save the starving host 
 Of countless millions, which to Me belong? 
 
 Will ye stand idle, while the world is lost? " 
 
 110 
 
Hebrews u : 2j 
 
 "As seeing Him who is not seen, 
 
 Enduring all, these walked by faith." 
 No finer epitaph has been 
 
 By poets penned in epic lays. 
 In grandeur and simplicity 
 These words will stand eternally. 
 
 Esteeming the reproach of Christ 
 
 As far surpassing all the wealth 
 Of treasure, which the ancients prized. 
 
 They lived like hunted game, by stealth. 
 The howling wilderness their home, 
 By faith they saw a Heav'n to come. 
 
 Afflictions, if decreed by God, 
 
 They rather chose, than to forswear 
 Their souls' belief, and though their lot 
 Was oft a grievous one to bear 
 
 They quenched the thought of misery 
 In glorious strains of victory. 
 
 They saw, while yet the veil was drawn. 
 
 Dimly indeed, yet clear to faith. 
 Through pagan night the coming dawn, 
 Messiah's reign of Truth and Grace ; 
 
 With God's word for an anchor sure 
 They were prepared all to endure. 
 
 in 
 
Comparing these of former days 
 
 With our poor race, so weak and frail, 
 What pigmies are we ! O that grace 
 
 Restored the faith, which seems to fail, 
 In these last days, that we might see 
 The ' ' Unseen One" in verity. 
 
 112 
 
Psalm 126 : 6 
 
 He that goest forth with weeping 
 E'en in tears on service bent, 
 In due time shall share the reaping 
 When the summer-days are spent, 
 
 When the seed, in spring-time sown, 
 To maturity has grown. 
 
 Bearing seed, which one may scatter 
 In the world's great needy waste, 
 Here and there a word to utter 
 
 By which new hope may be raised 
 
 In some sin-stained, anxious heart, 
 Is not that our glorious part? 
 
 Harvest-time will soon be nearing. 
 
 Shall we too come with our sheaves, 
 Or must we make our appearing 
 
 Bringing naught but useless leaves? 
 Lord, make Thou us wise to sow 
 And in fruitfulness to grow. 
 
 113 
 
'* A0 fta fart 31a ©lyat O^optlj In % lattb, ^o i'lyall 
 f ia fart 1? ©lyat ®armtl| b^ % i'tuff " 
 
 / Samuel 30 : 24 
 
 Compelled to wait 
 Inactively, when one would fain be moving, 
 
 When every nerve with energy is twinged 
 To sit here by the stuff and think of others roving 
 In loyal service, or in battle plunged, 
 What direful fate. 
 
 Compelled to wait: 
 Let those best able bravely keep pursuing. 
 
 Like David's men, the God-defying host. 
 But those who wait should their less brilliant doing 
 Not useless call, nor count their service lost. 
 Nor mourn their fate. 
 
 Compelled to wait — 
 '* These men remained and missed the battle 
 
 By standing guard. Which of them did recoil 
 From war-like work? " Thus David hushed the prattle 
 Of those, who selfishly laid claim to all the spoil 
 Of captured plate. 
 
 For those who wait 
 Another king once said (he never wore a crown 
 
 But such as mark the galaxy of men 
 Whom Freedom's sons in ev'ry age will own) : 
 
 "We too may serve our God — yea, even when 
 We stand and wait." 
 
 115 
 
Yes ! We must wait 
 Till He who knows the end from the beginning, 
 
 Who weighs the thought of man as well as deed, 
 Shall set some prize, adapted to our winning ; 
 That is our time ; — till then it is but meet 
 That we should wait. 
 
 Said you to wait? 
 Naught else? Can nothing I be doing 
 
 To show my love to Him, who gave Himself for me? 
 Yes ! ' ' watch and pray " and quietly go pursuing 
 
 The path, which God shall choose, the straightest road 
 for thee, 
 To heaven's gate. 
 
 116 
 
®Ij^ doming (lUirg 
 
 "With gladness and rejoicing shall they be led, they shall 
 
 enter into the King's palace. 
 
 Psalm /j-S : 15 
 
Ro7nan 8 : J&jg 
 
 " I am persuaded, neither Death, nor Life, 
 
 Nor Spirits, which in unseen form may move. 
 
 Nor present things, nor things yet to arrive. 
 
 Nor heights, nor depths shall keep me from God's love. 
 
 Thus the Apostle. What a glorious faith. 
 
 " In all things I am more than conqueror; 
 Who is it, that a charge against me lays 
 
 Which is not paid for by my Saviour? " 
 
 " Who will condemn, where God has justified? 
 
 Who separates me from the Saviour's love? 
 Who since He rose, sits yonder glorified 
 
 To plead and intercede for me above." 
 
 " What shall we say," asks he, "to these great things? 
 
 If God be for us, who will dare resist? " 
 This triumph-song through earth and heaven rings. 
 
 Its wondrous theme may well our praise enlist. 
 
 119 
 
Psabn ij : ij 
 
 " I will behold thy face in righteousness, 
 
 I shall be satisfied, when I awake." 
 While here my soul is still held in duress 
 
 But when at last my homeward flight I take 
 When I shall enter through yon pearly gate 
 
 Unto the throne of wondrous, radiant light. 
 When at His feet my talent I have laid. 
 
 Then, then at last, I shall be satisfied. 
 
 The glimpses of my Saviour's loveliness 
 
 Which He at times reveals here to my heart. 
 The proofs He gives me of His tenderness, 
 
 How sweet they seem, yet are they but a part, 
 A fraction, earnest, foretaste of the grace 
 
 Which then shall burst on my enraptured sight, 
 Loveliest of all, my dear Redeemer's face, 
 
 With that, at last, I shall be satisfied. 
 
 Like as a bride will only rest content 
 
 When in her bridegroom's eyes she reads his love, 
 Nor messages nor gifts which he may send 
 
 Can for his absence quite a solace prove. 
 So, too, I long for my dear Lord's return 
 
 To stay henceforth forever at His side. 
 No more to weep — to watch — to wait — to yearn. 
 
 But just to be completely satisfied. 
 
 121 
 
** H^motip tl|p Stab^m. Sake aft t^t (Erouin .... Until 
 
 Esekiel 21 : 26-2^ 
 
 Remove the diadem from kingly brow 
 
 Until He come, whose sovereign right it is — 
 To whom, when He appears, all knees shall bow, 
 
 Each tongue confess, that all the world is His. 
 The symbols of imperial earthly power 
 
 Shall all be thrown at Jesus' pierced feet. 
 The royal standards of the world must lower 
 
 Before the One for whom the throne is meet. 
 
 The emblem of the right to rule, the crown, 
 
 Belongs to Him, who once on Calv'ry died, 
 When from the Cross they took the Saviour down 
 
 'Twas but to show God's pre-determined might. 
 That rock-hewn grave could nevermore retain 
 
 The King of Kings, God's chosen Prince of Life, 
 His kingdom's birth no power could restrain. 
 
 Triumphant He emerged a victor from the strife. 
 
 The Conqueror's crown, who has to it more right 
 
 Than He who gained the final victory. 
 Whose resurrection ended Satan's might. 
 
 Who brought us Life and Immortality? 
 Both Death and Hell must flee at His approach 
 
 As does the night at rising of the sun, 
 Whate'er attempts on His realm to encroach 
 
 Shall crumble into dust, before the Mighty One. 
 
 123 
 
Yes! He must reign till ev'ry foe is down, 
 
 Beneath His feet the enemy is crushed, 
 Then we shall see Him in His kingly crown 
 
 With all creation in deep silence hushed. 
 Hark ! Hear the trump ! 'Tis Gabriel's clarion blast, 
 
 The proclamation of the Saviour's reign ! 
 May it be ours, when that day comes at last 
 
 To join our voice in the seraphic strain. 
 
 124 
 
With IttB §>tm?" bg C J. 1^, BpxtU, 1. i. 
 
 Translated from the German by G. R. W. 
 
 How will it be, when past this earthly struggle 
 
 Our final foe at last shall conquered be? 
 When from afar we enter in our homeland 
 
 And all its glories shall unfolded see? 
 When for the last time we have wiped the traces 
 
 Of painful sorrow from our wearied face 
 And with uncovered eyes shall be beholding 
 
 Our Saviour there in all His wondrous grace? 
 
 How will it be, when we at last may follow 
 
 The long-felt yearning of our beating heart? 
 When for its journey to the upper mansion 
 
 The liberated soul may from its body part? 
 When from these mortal eyes the veil is lifted 
 
 Like fog shall vanish in the morning sun 
 And we shall recognize in His majestic fulness 
 
 Our Saviour as God's ever blessed-Son? 
 
 How will it be, when we shall hear His calling: 
 
 " Come, O ye blessed — enter to your rest." 
 When at God's throne in adoration falling. 
 
 The hands we see, which have so often blessed? 
 Shall look into the eyes, whence tears were flowing 
 
 So oft, because of man's perversity? 
 Into the wounds, from which the blood came pouring 
 
 When at the cross He died to make us free? 
 
 125 
 
How will it be? That which is past conceiving, 
 
 What never ear has heard, nor eye could see. 
 What faith alone revealed to the believing 
 
 Will then become a blest reality. 
 Then let us gladly still keep on pursuing 
 
 The narrow path, however rough and steep, 
 Each day the struggle bravely keep renewing — 
 
 Soon comes the time, when our reward we reap. 
 
 126 
 
"C'NCHANTING Northfield, how thy sight instills 
 
 Ecstatic joy into the hearts of those 
 Whose open soul responsively yet thrills 
 
 At Nature's call. Peace and sweet repose 
 Envelop seemingly thy very atmosphere, 
 And fitting symbol of delightful rest appear 
 Thy wood-clad hills. 
 
 TT'AR from the mountain-ridge winds like a dream 
 Sparkling with light, in ever-changing course. 
 Our lovely river. Its reflections gleam 
 
 In brilliant hues and prove a fruitful source 
 To blithsome fancy's play, for all life's varied moods 
 Are read within the rippling, joyous-seeming floods 
 Of our broad stream. 
 
 /"^NE may not stop to picture all thy wealth 
 
 Of beauty, lest some stranger think the reahrjs 
 Of fancy have been drawn upon in stealth ; 
 
 Hence we let Nature speak — she overwhelms 
 By her own charms. Above the reach of mortals' praise 
 She points us silently to view- her stately grace 
 In Northfield's elms. 
 
 A SENSE of quietude pervades the scene. 
 
 Not sleepy dullness, but that blissful rest, 
 Which men will crave, who have most active been 
 
 In meeting duty's call, and who their best 
 Have done to use the talents, which the Master gave. 
 In seeking added strength, life's future work to brave 
 Such here are blest. 
 
 A T either village end — placed there by friends 
 Of worthy deeds — one finds a carven stone. 
 Both marks of that for which dear Northfield stands. 
 
 The one records where service first was done ; 
 The other tells of one, who here was born and raised, 
 Whose fame, in living form, can never be effaced, 
 His work goes on. 
 
MAY as 1909 
 
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