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1 his littlebcokibt is a 
 iorerunnersoto speak ota 
 large voiume to be put out 
 sometiiTie in the tuture, It 
 maybe had of the author, 
 or of Rev, O, U. hi^lburt, 
 the bliPjd singing evangel- 
 ist, Bangor, \Aj\scof]S\n, at 
 10 cents per copy, post- 
 Daid, 
 
(H^^^^^^—o O'l—'-^'-.^D 
 
 6limpsee 
 
 Qt 
 
 Hbe Christ. 
 
 A COLLECTION OF 
 
 If igiftal fmm$. 
 
 
 DONE ON THE PARSONAGE PRESS. 
 
 PALMYRA, WISCONSIN, 1899. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR. 
 

 111898 1 
 
 4146S 
 
 Cop\-KiGiiT, iSg9, By kev.J. B. N'o'. 
 
 fWO©OI»fK8 I^KCHIVED. 
 
 •EOOND COPY, 
 
 .t^'^Mii^*^ 
 
Otimpses ©f Xlbe Cbrist. 
 
 The First Christmas Ni^ht. 
 
 "^^ ime's ever moving cycles 
 \^ Four thousand years have told 
 
 '^ Since first began the story 
 Of man in days of old: 
 Since, eastward there in Eden. 
 The man. with Eve. his wife, 
 AVere sent to dress the garden 
 At God's command*. 
 
 Since life 
 By Infinite breath imparted 
 Made man a living sonL 
 ( Though last of all creation 
 Yet greatest of the whole ! ) 
 Since Satan ( vile deciever ^ 
 All ages since the same! ) " ' " *"* 
 In form of creeping Serpent 
 Into the gardien ('aniiC: 
 1 
 
2 
 Whence, all adown tbe ag-es 
 E'en to the present time 
 Prophetic finger pointed 
 The eyes of earth. 
 
 My rhyme 
 Begins just where the focus 
 Of all prophetic light 
 Formed such a blaze of glory 
 While shepherds watched by night; 
 Begins just where the glimmer 
 Of myriad stars o'erhead 
 With sudden blaze of glory 
 Revealed a lowly bed. 
 (A bed? 'twas but a manger 1 
 So filthy, humble, small, 
 Yet held the Infant Savior, 
 
 My Lord, my life, my all ! ) 
 
 * * * 
 
 Upon the hillside, peaceful 
 Beneath the evening skies, 
 Yet full of life and bustle 
 The little city lies: 
 Her every house is teeming! 
 Her Kahns are overflowed! 
 All ages and conditions 
 Have come by every road. 
 
8 
 
 Some seek in vain for housings; 
 Some camp beside the way; 
 Some haste to end their journey 
 Before the close of day; 
 Some, weary, sad and lonely, 
 From distant lands have come, 
 And now 'mong many strangers 
 They crave the joys of home; 
 Yet others, bright and merry, 
 With laughter fill the air. 
 While others still are bending 
 Beneath a load of care; 
 Thus come the high and lowly. 
 In numbers not a few^ 
 From every land and country, 
 An(lerertj otic a Jar! 
 * * * 
 
 What meaneth this commotion? 
 And why do young and old 
 Come flocking thus together 
 Like sheep into a fold? 
 Why come the gray haired father. 
 The mother bent W'ith age? 
 Why come the rich with power 
 And j)omp and liveried page? 
 Why come the poor and lowly? 
 
4 
 
 Why coine the sick and well 
 
 All for a time toL^ether 
 
 At Bethlehem's ^-ates to dwell? 
 
 Ah! lou^- and sad the story 
 Of Israel's downward way. 
 From all the pomp and ^lory 
 Of Solomon's proud day ! 
 How. Moses' law forgotten. 
 God's name and power i^rofaned. 
 His eurse upon them fastened. 
 Their ix>mp and glory waned 
 Till, now no more a nation 
 Their necks beneath the yoke 
 Of slavery are bending! 
 Thus God his vengeance spoke! 
 How% all adown the ages 
 Had prophets true and brave 
 Foretold the great " Messiah " 
 Whose coming was to save; 
 Told how this " Prince of Glory 
 At Bethlehem must be l>orn 
 And then redeem his people. 
 Of all their glory shorn; 
 Of how, with tearful longing 
 The Jews now watch and w^ait 
 
To see the eoiisolation 
 
 Of Jewish Cliurcl] and State. 
 
 God worketh many wonders! 
 
 E'en now he worketh one! 
 
 The world is set in motion 
 
 To let his word be done! 
 
 For lo, the Roman power 
 
 Would tax the exiled Jew. 
 
 So now for their enrolling 
 
 They gather, not a few; 
 
 Each to his native city 
 
 Has made his weary way. 
 
 So Bethlehem's streets are teeming 
 
 With faces strange, to day. 
 
 Behind the western hilltops 
 In all his glory glides 
 The God of day ; The mountains, 
 Far up their hoary sides 
 From rock and crag reflected 
 Send back each golden ray; 
 Up, higher still, yet higher 
 The deei3'ning shadows play 
 And push the golden circle 
 From crag to crag: Below, 
 The ev'ning twilight clee^jens; 
 
6 
 
 The crowds press to an;l fro 
 
 Each to his own attending': 
 
 At last the topmost hei^jjht 
 
 Yields up its crown of glory 
 
 And turns to greet the night. 
 
 Now, as the twilight shadows 
 
 Creep higher in the east, 
 
 Bright twinkling stars ajipearing 
 
 Wink down at man and beast. 
 
 All nature quiet, restful. 
 
 As though from morn till night 
 
 Well wearied with its labors. 
 
 Bids farewell to the light. 
 
 And wrapjoing well around her 
 
 A sable robe (though yet 
 
 With diamonds pure and sparkling. 
 
 And glowing rubies, set, ) 
 
 Sinks now to sleep. When twilight 
 
 First gathered in the east, 
 
 And evening quiet settled 
 
 O'er nature, man and beast, 
 
 Some travellers, belated, 
 
 In groups of three or four 
 
 Draw near the little city 
 
 Their weary journey o'er. 
 
 The poorest of the people 
 
7 
 Are these who now draw near; 
 No horse, no camel even 
 To bear them on: 
 
 But here 
 And there a faithful burro. 
 An ox, perchance a cow 
 Doth bear the wife and children 
 Of him who leads. 
 
 Just now 
 The rich who needs must journey 
 To Bethlehem, do lie 
 On beds of ease; 
 
 Their horses 
 Well bred and swift to fly 
 O'er rocky road have carried 
 Their masters long ago 
 To where the best of quarters 
 Awaited. 
 
 Even so 
 The man whose wealth permitted 
 A ride on camel's back 
 Was long ago 'mong comforts 
 Established; 
 
 Those who lack 
 Must trudge along more slowly; 
 Though footsore, hungry, tired, 
 
8 
 Their faces stained by travel. 
 In dusty clothes attired 
 Must plod, and plod. and. endiiii^ 
 Their journey, they must take 
 What wealth hath left ( if any 
 Indeed be left. 
 
 "Twould make 
 But little here, as ever 
 The poor do find outside 
 The quarters of the wealthy! ) 
 Thus ever side by side 
 Stand ijoverty and I'l^'idy: 
 Ineeed "tis ever so 
 On earth ; 
 
 The poor may strive j^le. 
 And, pushing to and fro 
 Try e'er so hard to rise 
 But fail, — while yet the wealthy 
 May, e'er an hour dies 
 Be like the ijoor: 
 
 And surely 
 God meets the human need! 
 Most men are poor, but Jesus 
 The Christ was poor indeed! 
 One man, (just when the sunlight 
 Is fading overhead. ) 
 
9 
 
 Conies till with falt'iiii.^- footsteps 
 While at his side is led 
 His faithful beast. 
 
 The saddle 
 Upholds his weary wife; 
 The husband's form is manly, 
 In fullest i)rime of life; 
 His face, so warm, so tender. 
 Reveals a pious mind; 
 His manner tells the story 
 Of nature true and kind. 
 The w^ife is young; 
 
 Her beauty 
 No pen could well portray; 
 Beside the evening shadow^s 
 Which hover o'er the way 
 Her face is veiled save barely 
 A x^air of mild blue eyes 
 'Neath brows of gold: 
 
 A whiteness 
 A seeming x^allor lies 
 Uijon the face; 
 
 The woman 
 Seems W'Caried nigh to death, 
 As, leaning toward her husband 
 She asks wilh labored breath: 
 
10 
 *' Is't far to go my pTosex)li? 
 I faint, unless we rest! '' 
 " Not far, my precious Mary; 
 Just o'er yon hillock's crest: 
 A curse upon Auj^ustus! " 
 He muttered, with a frown. 
 " That we must make this journey 
 To serve a Roman crown! 
 Just now when ease and comfoif 
 Should be thy lot. my wife, 
 This weariness and hunger 
 Do but endanger life. " 
 " Nay, murmur not, my Joseph! 
 Dost thou forget the day 
 When God foretold this liour? 
 Would'st question, then, his way? " 
 "Nay, nay, forgive me Mary! 
 Our God shall surely lead. 
 For see! within the hour 
 Thou'lt have the rest you need. '' 
 While yet he speaks, the city 
 Comes plainly into view. 
 
 Now past the well whose waters 
 
 Their father David knew; 
 
 N<,w in the street where Joseph 
 
11 
 
 In boyiKJocFs freedom roamed; 
 Now \(i the Kalin where many 
 In anger rave and foam! 
 •' No room! '' the keeper shouting, 
 ''No room move on, I say! " 
 Yet still the ijeople clamor 
 And seek a place to stay, 
 On through this babel, Joseph 
 Crowds, to the keeper's side; 
 "Behold, my wife is fainting! 
 Have pity, sir! " he cried! 
 '' One little room — a corner 
 For her! Oh let her stay! 
 See, friend, her sad condition 
 And let her rest, I pray. '' 
 " Fain w^ould I heed thy pleading 
 And give a resting place 
 Where yonder suffering woman 
 Might hide her lovely face, 
 But not a corner even 
 Is free, else it were thine. '' 
 " 'Tis well, " said patient Joseph, 
 "Come wife, we'll not repine! " 
 He turns the faithful burro 
 To seek some other place 
 But hears the cry, "Hail, neighbor !" 
 
12 
 
 A man wiUi kindly face 
 To Joseph's side is pnsliin.L»-: 
 " Come, take for her the stall 
 Where stands my faithful camel; 
 I would this were not all 
 That I could do. 
 
 Nay. bless tliee! 
 No thanks, but haste thee now! "' 
 As quickly toward the stable^^ 
 He turns, with smile and Ijow. 
 Ah! shame on human nature 
 By multitude disi)layed! 
 All honor, gallant straniivr 
 Who kindly offered aid! 
 But ah. those hund^le ([uarters. 
 To these a welcome prize. 
 Form but a sorry shelter 
 From curious, xn'yin^- eyes; 
 Oh thiidv. ye modern mothers. 
 Of all the gjrief and shame. 
 Of what humiliation 
 Attached to Jesus' name. 
 For there 'mong burly drivers. 
 Before another morn 
 The Savior of his people 
 In yonder stall was born; 
 
13 
 
 There in a filthy manger, 
 By humble shepherds sought, 
 Lay one by whom salvation 
 For men was dearly bought: 
 Who said, " If thou would'st merit 
 Salvation full and free, 
 Go, do unto thy brother. 
 And thou hast done for me." 
 Beware, O man! Take warning! 
 When selfishness you"d show. 
 Beware — perhaps 'tis Jesus 
 You bid unkindly " Go! '' 
 Nay, succor those who sorrow^; 
 Give ease to those in pain; 
 Take in the sick and weary 
 And shield from wind and rain: 
 Go soothe the broken hearted 
 And light for them the gloom ; 
 Be sure that 'tis not Jesus, 
 Before you say, " No room! " 
 
 As ev'ning shadows gather, 
 And light to darkness yields. 
 Full many flocks are feeding 
 Out in the hillside fields, 
 While near them, ever w^atchful. 
 
14 
 
 To guard from beasts of prey 
 Or bands of theives and robbers. 
 The faithful she^^herds stay. 
 Sometimes, if storm-clouds threaten 
 Or Autumn winds are cold, 
 The sheep and goats are gathered 
 Into the sheltered fold; 
 Sometimes the faithful shex3herd 
 Around him calls his flocks, 
 The shining stars above him. 
 No shelter save the rocks. 
 There in the field together 
 To spend the long night hours; 
 Sometimes the shepherds gather 
 In groux^s of threes, or fours. 
 And keej) by turns their vigil; 
 'Tis thus to night they lie, 
 One watching while the others 
 Sleep, 'neath the midnight sky. 
 
 The shades of night have fallen, 
 And, like a pall, o'er hill 
 And vale they lie: All nature 
 Seems sleeping, dark, and still; 
 No sound to wake the echoes — 
 No sight to greet the eye, 
 
15 
 
 Save but the twinkle, twinkle 
 Of stars, in yonder sky. 
 
 Tis near the hour of midnight; 
 A stillness as of death 
 Reigns o'er the land; 
 
 The shepherds 
 Sleep, save the guard; 
 
 No breath 
 Of air doth fan the hillsides; 
 The guard with sleepy eye 
 And dreamy mind sits gazing 
 Toward where the starlit sky 
 Bends down to kiss the mountain 
 Upon whose hoary side 
 Yon little city nestles; 
 Though bed and house denied, 
 No king or courtier, lying 
 On beds of down to night 
 More happy or contented 
 Than he; 
 
 No grander sight 
 Than greets this shepherd's vision 
 Ere morning dawns again 
 Hath come to eye of mortal ; 
 No message brought to men 
 
IG 
 
 Hath oreater inipcrl : siltina: 
 Alone beneath the stars. 
 No thought of pomp and glory 
 His calm contentment mars. 
 
 As, near the hoar of mi-,1 night 
 
 He gazes thus afar. 
 
 There streams across the heavens 
 
 Alight! 
 
 One glorious star 
 Like meteor descending 
 With flash of golden light 
 Revealing hill and mountain 
 And dimming stars of night 
 Flies earthward: 
 
 Down, still clownwan] 
 Toward where the city lies, 
 Her tired hosts unconcious 
 Beneath the starlit skies! 
 But never yet did meteor 
 In such a manner fall. 
 Nor flash before so brightly 
 Its glory over all! 
 And ne'er before did meteor 
 Halt, in its downward flight. 
 And, like a lamp suspended 
 
17 
 
 Give forth such softened light! 
 
 For Fee! in all its glory 
 
 Above the city kahn. 
 
 It tells to earth the story 
 
 Of coming Son of Man! 
 
 As from yon dark blue ether 
 
 The star begins to move. 
 
 And with unwonted glory 
 
 Lights all the air above. 
 
 The shei^herd springs half startled 
 
 Ui^on his feet; 
 
 And so 
 When o'er the sleeping city 
 It settles, bending low, 
 His cry of fear awakens 
 His comrades lying near, 
 And in a grouiD they gather 
 All trembling with fear! 
 But one by one the moments 
 Go by: 
 
 No awful doom 
 Befalls; 
 
 And still the radiance 
 Dispels the midnight gloom; 
 So by degrees their courage 
 
18 
 Returns ; 
 
 With voices low 
 E'en scarce above a whisper 
 They talk; 
 
 A softer glow^ 
 Seems o'er the landscape spreading ! 
 Now high up overhead 
 A thing of wondrous beauty 
 Fills every heart with dread! 
 A seeming star comes floating 
 Down, down, with softened light 
 Tow'rd where the shepherds t remble 
 Their faces pale with fright ! 
 And see! when near approaching 
 That which a star had seemed 
 Takes now a form! 
 
 An angel 
 Whose robes with whiteness gleam, 
 Whose face with all the glory 
 Of heavenly brightness glows 
 In mid-air pauses; 
 
 Listen ! 
 Sweet music, soft and low 
 From out the de^jthsof ether 
 Falls on the shepherds' ear! 
 'Tis little wonder surely 
 
19 
 
 Their hearts are filled with fear; 
 That, on their faces bowing 
 The shepherds, trembling, dread 
 Because such mighty wonders 
 Appear from overhead! 
 'Twere strange if any mortal 
 Had courage now to face 
 That messenger of glory 
 Just from the heavenly place! 
 If eyes of earthly training 
 Could meet with brazen stare 
 The eyes of holy angels 
 From heavenly regions fair! 
 'Twere strange if pious shej^herds 
 Whose school was nature's book, 
 Quailed not before that presence 
 Nor braved a single look! 
 'Twere strange if they, ( forgetful 
 Of mortal's lower place. 
 How, lower than the angels 
 Did God create the race ) 
 Feared not before this herald 
 Nor quaked to hear his voice, 
 Although in tones so tender 
 He bade their hearts rejoice. 
 '' Fear not " the voice commanded. 
 
20 
 •• Behold. I surely bring 
 To all the earth glrtd tiding,^; 
 To day is born a king, 
 A Savior of his x)eople: 
 T herald now his birth ! 
 Lo, peace, good will, rejoicing. 
 Shall be to all the earth, 
 F(H' now in David's city 
 In manger lying low% 
 Is Christ the Lord, a Savior: 
 This sign to thee I show."" 
 'Twere strange if such assurance 
 Quelled not the shepherds' fear— 
 If to the welcome message 
 They gave no heeding ear; 
 Their forms no longer prostrate. 
 Their happy hearts rejoice 
 As. bowing low before him 
 They heed th' assuring voice. 
 Their eyes, already dazzled 
 By heavenly sights so grand 
 Are closed; a mighty stillness 
 Is round on every hand. 
 
 The shepherds, nothing doubting, 
 Their hearts in thankful praise 
 
21 
 
 To (xod uplifted, kneeliiii;' 
 See not the dazzliiio- blaze 
 Athwart the pky! 
 
 See only 
 In mind Messiah's face; 
 See oidy Israel's blessing, 
 Salvation for the race; 
 See not the hosts of heaven 
 Assemblini»- in the air, 
 Yet hear indeed the rustle 
 Of jL>iitterini>- pinions fair 
 As though 'twere but the sighing 
 Of evening breezes sweet; 
 Ay. hear the hum of voices 
 As in the air they meet. 
 Then suddenly, like thunder 
 111 volume, yet as free 
 And sweet and clear and thrilling 
 As perfect harmony 
 Burst forth the heavenly chorus 
 Till heaven rang again. 
 "• To God in highest, glory! 
 On earth good will to men! " 
 Up spring the startled shepherds. 
 And. gazing where on high 
 The twinkling stars did glimmer 
 
22 
 Above the midnight sky, 
 They see, not stars, but aiio:els! 
 And where one star had shown 
 A multitude of glories 
 Whose number is unknown 
 Join in the heavenly chorus 
 And sing salvation^s song. 
 While untold reach of distance 
 The mighty tones prolong! 
 No pen could well describe it - 
 That vision pure and bright: 
 Those radiant heavenly beings 
 With forms ethereal, vrhite; 
 The dazzling blaze of glory 
 No eye hath seen before 
 On earth ; 
 
 Those faces, shining 
 With Inlinite love: 
 
 The shore 
 Of God's eternal country 
 Kevealed to mortal men! 
 What wonder that the shepherds 
 Fell on their faces then? 
 What wonder that a blindness 
 Ui:ion their eyes should fallV 
 What wonder that a dimness 
 
23 
 
 Their very minds should pall? 
 That fainter, fainter, fainter 
 Upon their ears the song 
 Should grow, until in slumber 
 They lie? 
 
 The heavenly throng- 
 Back through the i^early gateway 
 On wiiigs (jf light have flown 
 To sing of joy and gladness 
 Around tlf Eternal Throne! 
 
 'Tis near the hour ni morning; 
 The guard lies fast asleejj; 
 Not one among the shepherds 
 Now guards the hel^^less sheejj, 
 Yet neither wolf, nor lion, 
 Nor robber dare molest. 
 For soon will golden sunlight 
 Guild every mountain crest. 
 Here, there, about the valley 
 Is heard the morning call 
 Of bleating flocks; 
 
 But dimly 
 The stars shine over all; 
 Far in the east the halo 
 Of dawning day is seen. 
 
24 
 As, over liill and valley 
 It casts a silvery sheen. 
 
 What pleasant scenes in dreamland 
 Must yonder shepherd know — 
 For see! In sleep he's smiling, 
 His features all aglow! 
 Perhaps again the vision 
 Of heavenly faces bright. 
 And robes of dazzling brightness 
 Are marshalled in his sight! 
 Perhaps again the music 
 Of heavenly choirs he hears 
 While kindly angel voices 
 Would calm again his fears! 
 Perhaps again that brightness 
 Fills all the midnight skies, 
 For see, — he moves. — and shortly 
 Shades with his hand his eyes! 
 But no-- 'tis but the sunlight 
 O'er eastern hills that flows 
 And, flashing 'neath his turban 
 Upon his features glows! 
 
 Awakened now, the shepherds 
 Each would to other tell 
 
His pleasant dreams; what gladness, 
 
 What glorious things befell 
 
 At midnight hour; Amazement 
 
 In every face is shown 
 
 As in another's story 
 
 Each shepherd hears his own. 
 
 ''Tis strange indeed , that angels 
 To each in dreamland came 
 And told to each the story 
 In words the very same! 
 *For now in David's city 
 In manger lying low 
 Is Christ ths Lord, a Savior, 
 This sign to thee I show.' 
 This sign! come brethren, follow! 
 This sign! what meant he thenV 
 Perhaps in yonder city 
 E'en now the hope of men 
 Is born; 
 
 Perchance Messiah, 
 The Prince of Peace, our King 
 Is even now among us; 
 'Twere not a stranger thing 
 That God fullil his i^romise 
 In this, our day, than when 
 
26 
 In Moses' day, or David's 
 He shewed his power to men! 
 That sign ! come , let us jjrove it 1 
 " In manger lying low/' 
 O God, be ours the blessing — 
 Be ours the truth to know! " 
 With one accord they hasten, 
 (Save one, who guards the flocks) 
 To where upon the hillside 
 The city, "mong the rocks 
 Doth glisten in the sunlight. 
 The wakened crowds they meet 
 While jost'ling hither, thither. 
 Fill every lane and street. 
 "We seek the young Messiah — 
 Can'st tell us where he's born? "' 
 Thus asked the eager she^jherds 
 Of all they met; 
 
 Forlorn 
 Were they as oft repeated 
 The scoff, or sneer, or frown 
 Came back to them in answer. 
 Thus wand'ring up and down 
 Among the high and noble 
 They search, but all in vain; 
 Back to their flocks the shepherds 
 
27 
 Would turn themselves again; 
 ^' But wait! "quoth oiie,"in manger! 
 In manger lying low 
 Is Christ the Lord, a Savior, 
 T/iis sign to thee I show! 
 Why seek among the noble? 
 Said not the angel thus? 
 Come brethren, yonder stables 
 May yet reveal to us 
 The Savior of our people!" 
 And now with one accord 
 They seek more liumble quarters 
 To find the new-born Lord. 
 At last they reach the stables 
 Where, only yester-night 
 Good Joseph and his Mary 
 Had come. 
 
 Discouraged quite 
 They would have passed, but Josei3h 
 Who from the well would bring- 
 Some water, met them; 
 
 •' Neighbor, 
 We seek the new-born king; 
 Can'st tell us where to find him ? " 
 And kindly he replied: 
 "No king of royal parents 
 
28 
 New born, know I; Beside . 
 The infant lying yonder 
 My wife doth call her son. 
 (New^ born indeed since y ester 
 At time of setting- sun ! ) 
 I know no other: 
 
 Surely 
 No royal prince am I 
 Who at a work -bench daily 
 To earn my bread do ply! " 
 
 " True." quoth the shepherd, "little 
 
 Api^earest thou a kino^; 
 
 But yet an angel told us, 
 
 'Behold. I surely bring 
 
 To all the earth glad tidings; 
 
 In manger lying low 
 
 Is Christ the Lord, a Savior: 
 
 This sign to thee I show;* 
 
 So now^ we seek. O neigh) )or 
 
 To prove the angel's word.*" 
 
 To Joseph's mind there cometh 
 
 The things so often heard. 
 
 How, to the virgin. Mary, 
 
 An angel long ago 
 
 Foretold the little stranu-er 
 
29 
 
 In 3^011 tier manger low. 
 " And tbon shalt call him Jesus, 
 For he shall save from sin 
 His peoi^le," quoth the angel; 
 How every word had -been 
 In Mary's bosom treasured; 
 Thought how the prophets old 
 The birth of the Messiah 
 In Bethlehem foretold; 
 Thought how at midnight hour 
 He saw (or did he dream?) 
 Bright halos o'er the manger 
 With softened brightness gleam; 
 Was't mere imagination, 
 That music which he heard 
 High up in heaven's ether 
 Like sweetest song of bird? 
 All like a flash went passing 
 Through Joseph's mind; 
 
 His head 
 Seemed in a daze — all whirling 
 As with a trembling tread 
 He turned him toward the stables 
 To lead for them the way. 
 And said'; "Come, thou shalt see him 
 Though on a bed of hay." 
 
30 
 They enter now the stable. 
 A poorly lighted rocm, 
 With but a narrow doorway 
 To light the dismal gloom; 
 Yet from one stall a radiance 
 As from a lamjj doth glow! 
 They pause! '"Tis strange." quoth 
 •'No lamp is here, I know ! [ Joseph, 
 Perhaps a stone is missing 
 From yonder wall, and so 
 The noonday sun doth enter 
 With such a softened glow." 
 But no! now drawing nearer 
 With turbans cast aside, 
 They bow before the manger; 
 Behold, on either side 
 A radiant form, an angel 
 Doth guard the lowly bed! 
 A strange, ethereal glory 
 About the mother's head 
 Doth shine! 
 
 Within the manger 
 Asleep, the infant lay. 
 No mortal eye had ever 
 Such sight beheld! 
 
 No face 
 
31 
 
 Hath i)aled at jj^rander vision; 
 Nor yet a holier place 
 Was known to men; 
 
 The shepherds 
 Whose eyes beheld the host 
 Of angels, as in triumph 
 They sang, did at the most 
 Admire the heavenly singers; 
 Did joy because the song 
 Was sung on high; 
 
 But bowing 
 Not even to a throng 
 Of messengers from glory 
 That filled a midnight sky, 
 But e'en before a manger 
 In worship now they lie; 
 Ay, worship, true and holy 
 As none but Deity 
 Recieves from man; 
 
 Hearts happy 
 And full with melody 
 That wakes the purest echoes 
 A human heart can know; 
 And since that day this Jesus 
 Hath e'er been worshipped so; 
 
32 
 
 Not two or three, but millions 
 Can testify to day 
 Of blessedness, of glory 
 In hearts of all who pray ; 
 Of all who, like the shepherds 
 Bow humbly at his feet 
 In love and adoration; 
 There in his presence sweet 
 Is joy, and peace, and pardon 
 No earthly power can give, — 
 Ay! strength of soul, more surely 
 In righteousness to live. 
 'Tis little wonder, surely. 
 Their hearts with love on fire. 
 The shepherds, humbly kneeling 
 Sang with the heavenly choir, 
 " To God in highest, glory! 
 On earth good will and jjeace; 
 Henceforth the heavenly kingdom 
 Shall evermore increase ! " 
 
Seeking The King. 
 
 "^^^ is evening in the desert; 
 Far o'er the waste of sand 
 The silvery moon is rising; 
 Its sheen, o'er sea and land, 
 O'er desert waste, o'er monntain, 
 O'er forest, hill and dale 
 Doth spread with softened glory 
 Like folds of silken veil; 
 Where, on the hoary mountain 
 Whose rugged sides, and steep, 
 ( Where through the echoing gorges 
 The foaming waters leap,) 
 Are reared aloft, the moolight 
 Dimmed oft by crag or dale. 
 When for away and misty 
 
 Note. Some things in the general outline of 
 this poem were suggested by reading Ben Hur. 
 
 33 
 
34 
 
 Instead of silken veil 
 
 Seems like the silvered tresses 
 
 Which honored age do crown. 
 
 Those twinkling stars u^^ yonder 
 Which gaze so solemn down 
 Like diamonds bright when Luna 
 Doth hide her glowing face, 
 Are now but pearls, so dimly 
 They shine; 
 
 Fair Luna's face 
 With unaccustomed glory 
 Doth smile at earth; 
 
 Indeed 
 'Twould seem, if Nature's quiet 
 We like a book might read 
 As ancients read the starlight 
 As speaking good or ill 
 To man; 
 
 If glorious moonlight 
 O'er silent vale and hill 
 Be token of the coming 
 Of peace, good will to men, 
 Then favored of Jehovah 
 Is man. 
 
85 
 
 Our story then 
 Begins just where this favor 
 In Bethlehem's Babe is shown, 
 While stars the o-racious story 
 To watching sage make known. 
 
 Far in the silent desert 
 
 Where naught doth greet the eye 
 
 But dreary waste; 
 
 W^here billow^s 
 Of drifting sand do lie 
 Like waves of raging ocean 
 While tempest o'er the deep 
 Like lashing tongues of fury 
 O'er foaming waters sweep. 
 By Gorgon's eye arrested 
 And turned to stone, — a tent, 
 Low, small and inconvenient, 
 Much soiled, with many a rent 
 In top and sides, is resting. 
 Upon the sand near by, 
 As though by travel weary, 
 Three resting camels lie. 
 Beside the door a blanket 
 Upon the sand is spread, 
 On which some food is waiting, 
 Light wine, dried meat, and bread, 
 
From out the tent a nminmr 
 
 (3£ voices soft and low 
 
 Betokens human piesence; 
 
 Within, the softened glow 
 
 Of moon and stars scarce enters; 
 
 T he eye can just discern 
 
 Three men devoutly kneeling, 
 
 While each doth jjray in turn: 
 
 " O God of our salvation; 
 
 O God of Abraham; 
 
 Creator thou, and Ruler; 
 
 The only true I Am ; 
 
 Accept our thanks, O Father, 
 
 For all thy mercies great; 
 
 We joy that thou art stronger, 
 
 More powerful than fate. 
 
 And by thy holy prophets 
 
 Hast told of One to come, 
 
 A Prince of Peace, a Savior; 
 
 Thy word though scorned by some, 
 
 To us, thy servants, Father, 
 
 Is precious, more than gold; 
 
 And so in faith, O Father, 
 
 Like holy men of old 
 
 We look for thy salvation — 
 
 For did not glowing star 
 
37 
 Reveal to us thy glory 
 In eastern lands afar? 
 And now, O Father, keep us; 
 Be thou our guide; and when 
 From Israel's land we journey 
 Toward eastern homes again, 
 Grant thou that we a message 
 Of joy, and i^eace, and love 
 May bear unto our people; 
 Oh bless our eyes, and prove 
 The truth of those thy prophets 
 Who tell of Christ the king; 
 Thy servants, O Jehovah, 
 Into THAT PRESENCE bring! 
 
 Long weeks before, this trio, 
 These "Magi", (so did men 
 In eastern countries call them!) 
 Set out to journey: 
 
 When, 
 As each in nightly vigils 
 Sought 'mong the stars to find 
 The fortunes of his i3eople, 
 And each with ready mind 
 Beheld the sign Jehovah 
 Had set, a gleaming star 
 
P>8 
 No chart had yet recorded, 
 And each, though sundered far 
 By weary miles, in countries 
 To pagan worship given. 
 Read there the nan^e "Messiah'", 
 Saw there the King of Heaven, 
 Then each, led by the Spirit 
 And guided by the star 
 Set out to journey westward: 
 No j)leasant railway car 
 To bear them swiftly onward: 
 No Ocean Greyhound fine 
 To bear them o'er the water; 
 Yet neither did repine, 
 But on his faithful camel 
 Each made his weary way 
 By night, in daytime sleeping, 
 (No guide had they by day, ) 
 Until one morning, early, 
 As each would camp and rest, 
 Just here within the desert 
 Each traveller spied the rest. 
 
 With common cheery greeting. 
 Their tents pitched side by side, 
 They rest them from their journey 
 
39 
 
 And for the day abide. 
 Each learns tliat all are iJiishing 
 From eastern lands to west 
 The land of Israel seeking — 
 The same nncommon quest; 
 And 8o, when evening settles 
 The dark'ning landscape o'er, 
 They strike their tents, x^reparing 
 To journey as before, 
 Not one, but three together: 
 Now surely time would pass 
 More quickly. 
 
 Now the journey 
 Would shorter seem; 
 
 Alas! 
 The evening far advancing 
 Reveals no guiding star! 
 No streaming light, no beacon 
 To lead to lands afar. 
 All night three watchers, eager. 
 Scan every twinkling light, 
 And wonder that their leader 
 Doth not appear to night. 
 ''What meaneth it? For surely 
 Before we met,"" quoth one. 
 The star shewed forth his glory 
 
40 
 Ere scarce the day was done! '' 
 But though till light of morning 
 ApiDcared in eastern sky 
 They watched, no star to guide them 
 Did greet their eager eye, 
 And they must needs unsaddle 
 And feed the waiting beasts 
 And rear their tents, while slowly 
 The sun rose in the east. 
 As evening shadows gather, 
 Once more prepared to move, 
 Hearts anxious, faces eager, 
 They watch the sky above. 
 But disappointed, weary 
 When morning dawns at last, 
 Their hearts now full of sorrow. 
 Their mantles from them cast. 
 They wonder much : 
 
 The scriptures 
 Before them all the day. 
 They search till early evening. 
 Pause but to eat' and pray. . 
 One tent is pitched, one only, 
 The others cast aside. 
 Their camels saddled, bridled 
 And ready for the ride. 
 
41 
 
 Their evening meal still waiting 
 They kneel within the tent; 
 Tis thus at first we see them 
 As, low their faces bent, 
 They i3ray for light, for guidance. 
 For, searching through the day, 
 They note the olden promise, 
 And how the scriptures say: 
 •'My word shall be established 
 By mouth of witness three." 
 "And now,'' they say, ''henceforward 
 We three as one shall be,*- 
 Their evening meal is waiting 
 Beside the door; 
 
 They fast 
 Until the guiding glory 
 Upon their x^ath is cast, 
 Or till, no longer able 
 To meet their solemn vow, 
 They turn their steps to eastward; 
 So here in prayer they bow, 
 If yet perchance Jehovah 
 Shall send the welcome light 
 To guide them on their journey; 
 If not, to-morrow night 
 They watch — and next — but surely 
 
42 
 
 Their faith did not decieve ! 
 Would God thus mock his children V 
 Their trusting hearts believe 
 It not. 
 
 This day the knowledge 
 That God would have them go 
 And seek the new-born Savior 
 Had come, while, bowing low 
 They i^rayed; came like the whisper 
 Of angels in each ear 
 The welcome message, bidding 
 To rise from doubt or fear; 
 " Go thou, mine eye shall guide thee! 
 Go, follow^ thou the star 
 (E'en though the w^ay be weary,) 
 To western lands afar; 
 Go, see the great salvation 
 In Israel born this day; 
 Go, seek this king of glory. 
 The Prince of Peace; 
 
 Thy way 
 Lies where the star-like glory 
 Which thou hast follow^ed here 
 Shall lead. 
 
 So now at evening 
 As they do first appear 
 
48 
 To us,— knees humbly bended, 
 They wait for God's good time 
 To lead them on, 
 
 Now praying 
 With heart-faith true, sublime; 
 Now scanning yonder ether 
 Where myriad stars appear. 
 
 Just now when first we meet them. 
 Above the moonlight clear 
 A strange yet piercing glory 
 Streams through yon open rent 
 And throws a heavenly glory 
 O'er all within the tent. 
 W ith cry of joy and gladness. 
 Up,— out beneath the sky 
 They leap! 
 
 The star, their leader 
 Doth greet their eager eye! 
 
 Now, eager for the journey. 
 Yet, thankfulness to prove 
 They pause one little moment 
 In prayer, then quickly move 
 Their fast to break; 
 
 The camels 
 
44 
 
 Well fed, are loaded; 
 
 Then 
 With parting prayer they journey 
 Toward where the hope of men 
 Awaits their coming; 
 
 Journey 
 O'er mountain, vale and jjlain, 
 But pause at early morning 
 To eat and rest again. 
 Thus nightly onward jpressing 
 They move with eager haste. 
 Led by the starlike glory. 
 Sometimes mid desert waste 
 Where sea of sand, bleak, dreary, 
 Spreads out on every hand; 
 Sometnnes 'mong fruitful vineyards 
 Or fields of fertile land; 
 Or else by rugged mountains 
 Hemmed in on every side, 
 Wher'er the shining leader 
 Directs their nightly ride. 
 
 At last, within the borders 
 Of Israel's broad domain. 
 Where once the Jewish ijeople 
 With pomp and power did reign. 
 
45 
 
 They xjitch their tent. 
 
 What changes 
 The centuries have wrought! 
 Here once determined thousands 
 Well armed and fearing naught, 
 Would raze a mighty city 
 To earth; 
 
 Or, far away 
 The conquered host pursuing; 
 Their leader, Joshua; 
 God's mighty arm sustaining; 
 
 But now, alas! the power 
 
 Of Israel hath wasted! 
 
 It were an evil hour 
 
 When Israel's people wandered 
 
 Away from God's commands. 
 
 His wrath upon them resting, 
 
 Here, there, in foreign lands. 
 
 Her people now are scattered. 
 
 Beneath a Roman yoke 
 
 All Jewish necks are bending, 
 
 Hands weak, hearts well-nigh broke. 
 
 In all his radiant glory 
 
 The sun doth mount the sky. 
 
46 
 As onward, ever ui^warcl 
 The three their journey ply, 
 Up toward the hoary city 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 No star 
 Hath guided since the border 
 Was passed; 
 
 No light afar 
 Across the sky to guide them 
 By night did more appear. 
 So now up to the city 
 To Jewish heart so dear, 
 Where, on Moriah's summit 
 Far famed in many lands, 
 With white and gold resplendent 
 The Jewish temi^le stands. 
 They make their way. 
 
 Each traveller 
 They meet is made to stare 
 Because of each, these strangers 
 Do ask a question fair, 
 " Where is the king of Jewry? 
 Behold, we come afar. 
 For in our eastern countries 
 We saw his glowing star. 
 And we are come to worship 
 
47 
 
 The king of all the Jews; 
 Where is he born? " 
 
 And surely 
 No man could well refuse 
 To make a civil answer. 
 "No doubt their heads are turned,"' 
 Thought many Jews; 
 
 Still others 
 The civil strangers spurned. 
 Still others smiled - though sadly. 
 At thought of Jewish king. 
 ''Where born? ay, where? for surely 
 It were a fearful thing 
 If i^rophets told of Savior 
 Who never came; 
 
 If when 
 Times in their fulness sweeping 
 Bring naught from Grod to men 
 But deep desj)air; 
 
 No Savior 
 No Prince of Peace appear; 
 Oh where, and how? " Thus Israel, 
 Hearts sad, and tilled with fear 
 Hoped on; 
 
 The w^eary strangers 
 From street to street inquired; 
 
48 
 At city gates — in temple, 
 With earnest zeal inspired, 
 
 '• What now? and why this insult? 
 Why thus with stave and swurd 
 Well armed, with captain leading 
 Arrest us thus? One word 
 With thee, bold captain! Surely 
 'Twere best for thee to know 
 First what thou doest! Listen! 
 Unto thy monarch go 
 And say: In lands to eastward 
 Whence we have journeyed tar 
 In search of Jewish ruler 
 And led by glowing star, 
 We too do wear the purple I 
 Go say to him Beware! 
 Consider what thou doest! " 
 Thus spake the eldest. 
 
 Where 
 In market place they rested, 
 A Captain of the guard, 
 ( With soldiers in attendance, 
 Their hardened faces, marred 
 With scars, by visors hidden;) 
 
49 
 
 Had roughly hailed the three. 
 " Come thou,'' the captain ordered, 
 "The king hath need of thee! 
 Come thou with us to Herod! " 
 'Twas then the elder spake 
 In words before recorded; 
 " I care not, though it break 
 Thy hearts,'' re^^lied the captain, 
 " To me the king hath said; 
 Bring here the three if willing 
 To come; if not, each head 
 Bring thou to me, and, gracing 
 A pole, the multitude 
 Shall see them rot. 
 
 Know thou, sir. 
 He meaneth to thee good 
 If thou but come in quiet; 
 If not — thy royal birth 
 Shall save thee not; but Herod 
 Would help — to end of earth 
 Would seek the Jews' Messiah; 
 Of thee would question then 
 And heliD thy searching. " 
 
 Bowing 
 The eldest spake again: 
 " 'Tis well — lead on. and freely 
 
50 
 Thy servants follow thee." 
 
 And thus away to Herod 
 Were led the Magi three! 
 
 About the palace, soldiers 
 
 Guard every entrance way 
 
 Well armed, — beside each gateway 
 
 Are watching night and day; 
 
 'Swords guard-Salute !" each soldier 
 
 As passed the captain by 
 
 Did honor thus! 
 
 Through courtways 
 Arched in by naught but sky, 
 Through frescoed room, and passage 
 In semi-darkness veiled; 
 'Twere strange indeed if nothing 
 Of fear their hearts assailed; 
 In iDower of despot Herod! 
 Whose long iDolluted fame 
 Hath gone to lands to eastward, 
 Upon whose very name 
 A curse doth rest! 
 
 A tyrant 
 Well known in distant land. 
 Whose will is law; 
 
51 
 
 Whose bidding 
 Each Lictor's heavy hand 
 Delights to do. 
 
 If scourging 
 For hickless prisoner's back 
 The king decrees, then surely 
 Of strength there is no lack! 
 Nor yet shall thought of pity 
 Make light a blow! 
 
 Nor yet 
 If still to further torture 
 The kingly mind be set 
 Shall lack of means prevent it; 
 Far down beneath that pile 
 Of mighty walls, are dungeons 
 Where humans starve the while, 
 Until, (unless, forgotten, 
 Their bones be left to rot 
 By fetters bound) their master, 
 Their j)leadings heeding not 
 Shall call them forth to suffer 
 At stake — in heated chair — 
 Or heated tongs and X3incers 
 Their quivering flesh shall tear; 
 Or beasts, half famished, angry 
 Shall pull to pieces quite; 
 
52 
 
 Or yet, perchance while feasting 
 
 The king desireth light, 
 
 Well wrapped in oiled blankets, 
 
 To pole tied fast — they burn! 
 
 Strange if the three, well knowing, 
 
 Thought not of these, — did si^urn 
 
 The very thought of anguish ! 
 
 As led the captain on, 
 
 Each wise man prayed: "O Father, 
 
 Protect us now ! " 
 
 Anon 
 The Baths appear: 
 
 Here servants 
 The three make quickly nude 
 And plunge in gilded basins; 
 No laugh or jest; 
 
 Not rude 
 But kind, polite — each servant 
 Well trained, did well his task; 
 All grime of desert travel 
 Is gone; 
 
 No man could ask 
 For cleaner, whiter garments 
 Than these they don instead 
 Of those while journeying here 
 They wore, 
 
53 
 
 Once more the Captain 
 Leads on; 
 
 Ere long appear 
 The massive doors with hinges 
 Of gold, which ope the way 
 To Herod's council chamber. 
 Well might the strangers, — nay, 
 The soldiers e'en, come bowing 
 Full low before the throne 
 80 humbly; 
 
 Surely never 
 Since Roman joower was known 
 By conquered Jew, had Elders 
 Who wield Sanhedrim's power 
 Come thus to council chamber 
 Of Roman king! 
 
 This hour 
 Well might the sages tremble! 
 Beside the Roman Lords 
 On purple divan sitting, 
 Here men whose very words 
 As though divine are heeded, 
 Have gathered; 
 
 One and all 
 Who wield a priestly power 
 Have come at Herod's call. 
 
54 
 
 Bowed low, the captain enters; 
 Behind, the wise men three 
 Make each his humble salaam; 
 The captain, on one knee 
 Said: "King, live thou forever! 
 Behold, I bring the men! " 
 " 'Tis well! retire! '' quoth Herod. 
 His face is turned again, 
 " So ho! '' now to the Magi. 
 " Art thou the men, who, saekin g 
 A Jewish king, are come 
 'Mong subjects of a Csesar V 
 Why this insult toRomeV 
 Speak thou, for well thou knowest 
 Thy life the debt shall pay 
 Unless thou answer truly." 
 
 A moment's pause to pray 
 In secret to the Father, 
 Then spake the three, and well 
 The story of their journey 
 Did they to Herod tell; 
 How, in the eastern country 
 The glowing star appeared: 
 How proj^hets old had spoken 
 And how the three had feared 
 
55 
 
 Yet Longed to see Messiah ; 
 How, following the star 
 A long and weary journey 
 They came from lands afar. 
 The king with many questions 
 Each one and all did ply, 
 To know^ when first this brightness 
 Appeared in western sky: 
 Likewise of priest and elder 
 Asked how, and where, and when 
 The Christ would come, and, coming- 
 How do his work for men. 
 Again outside the palace. 
 The three would make their w^ay 
 To where the Jews' Messiah, 
 The mighty Prince of Day 
 Is born; 
 
 At gate of city 
 They come — no time to waste. 
 For had not kingly Herod 
 Commanded them to haste? 
 " Go find the king,'' quoth Herod, 
 "And bring me w^ord again 
 That I may come and w^orshix^!" 
 So once again these men 
 Would journey on. 
 
56 
 
 At eveniniJ- 
 Behold, again the star 
 In southern sky appearing 
 Would lead them now afar 
 Toward Bethlehem! 
 
 Rejoicing 
 They follow on apace 
 With kingly presents laden 
 To seek Messiah's face. 
 Anon, the little city 
 Is found; 
 
 The shining star 
 O'er yonder kahn is casting 
 A radiant light! 
 
 Afar 
 O'er eastern hilltops, slowly 
 The morning light appears; 
 Within the gloomy stable 
 Where, in the coming years 
 Shall thousands fondly worship, 
 The three are bowing low 
 Before the manger. 
 
 Brightly, 
 Though yet with softened glow 
 Through all the i^lace a halo 
 
57 
 Of heavenly light is seen! 
 Above her babe the mother, 
 tier features calm, serene, 
 Is bending; 
 
 Now the Magi 
 Their store of presents bring, 
 Such, too, as none dare offer 
 To any save a king! 
 And, like the humble shepherds 
 They sing the story old, 
 And lay before the infant 
 Myrrh, Frankincense, and Gold. 
 
 Their duty done, with praises 
 They turn again to go, 
 But not to cruel Herod 
 To take him word — ah no! 
 As soon would either perish ! 
 But toward the east again 
 They haste, to tell the story 
 " Salvation free to men! " 
 Since, all adown the ages. 
 That King of Kings, adored 
 By angels, shepherds, sages 
 And nations as the Lord, 
 Has subjects, many millions, 
 
58 
 
 Who praise his holy name 
 Because to save, redeem them., 
 Jesus from heaven came. 
 
 Salvation, 
 
 Salvation! It is written 
 
 In the great Eternal Mind! 
 Written in the revelation 
 
 God has given to mankind! 
 It was written on the tablets 
 
 Which Shekmah hovered o'er; 
 Written by the holy prophets 
 
 By the Spirit's guiding jjower. 
 It w^as written in the starlight 
 
 When the Infant Christ was born 
 It was written in the glory 
 
 Of the first bright Easter morn! 
 
59 
 
 It was written in the thunders 
 And the gloom of Calvary's night. 
 
 It was written i n his blessing 
 As he vanished from their si^ht. 
 
 'to^ 
 
 It was written in the promise 
 
 Of a Comforter w^ith powder; 
 It was written in the harvest 
 
 Of the Pentecostal shower; 
 It was written by his martyrs 
 
 In their blood so freely shed, 
 Written in the prayers of christians, 
 
 Written in the wine and bread. 
 
 It was written in the promise 
 
 "Follow me, I'll guide thee home," 
 Written in the invitation 
 
 "Whosoever will, may come;" 
 Written by the exiled prophet 
 
 On a dreary Isle apart. 
 Praise the Lord! for free salvation 
 
 Written fully in my heart! 
 
A Mother's Heart, 
 
 "^Sfrtie time is early morning; 
 \y Far over vale and hill 
 
 ^ The moon doth glimmer faintly 
 The air is damp and chill; 
 Far in the dark bine ether 
 Like diamonds pure and white, 
 Bright twinkling stars do scatter 
 Their cold, unfeeling light; 
 Yet could they sjjeak. their story 
 Must move the earth to tears! 
 Their eyes have seen the struggle 
 Of fallen man for years; 
 Nay, years? 'twere even ages 
 Since Noah's ark did rest 
 Beneath that same cold starlight 
 60 
 
61 
 
 Upon the monntaiu's crest, 
 While mountain, hill and valley 
 Like charnel house, with dead 
 Were thickly strewn. 
 
 Above them 
 With glimmering ray o'erhead 
 Shone yonder stars, their beauty 
 Still watching o'er the place 
 Where God in coming ages 
 Would show his smiling face. 
 W^ith those bright orbs w]} yonder 
 'Twas scarce but yesterday 
 Since God shew^ed forth his anger! 
 Anon, the break of day 
 Began at Bethlehem's manger 
 Where, from their place on high, 
 Those stars beheld the Savior, 
 The Infant Jesus lie; 
 Ay ! from their midst with singing- 
 Till heaven rang again, 
 "To God in highest, glory! 
 On earth good will to men!" 
 Came forth the hosts of heaven 
 To bear the news to earth, 
 While stars with light uncommon 
 Announced a Savior's birth. 
 
62 
 
 And since that time those watchers 
 Full three and thirty years 
 Have seen the joy, the sorrow, 
 The labor and the tears 
 That mark a Savior's footsteps 
 Until his work was done. 
 And now, to-night, O Father, 
 Behold thy sntiering son! 
 Just past the hour of midnight. 
 Near where the Kidron flows, 
 He knelt in yonder garden 
 And told to God his woes; 
 Still silent - still beholding. 
 Those stars in yonder sky. 
 Saw Judas and the rabble 
 Lead Jesus forth to die. 
 
 Within the grim, walled city 
 Full many thousands sleep, 
 While round the royal mansion 
 The guards their vigil keep. 
 
 Tall, gloomy, dark, forbidding, 
 Outlined against the sky. 
 The walls of Pilate's mansion 
 Beneath the starlight lie. 
 
63 
 Upon the highest turret 
 Two guards with armor bright 
 An:l visors lying open 
 Gaze out into the night; 
 Out o'er the city, eastward, 
 Where, dimly outlined, lay 
 The hoary Mount of Olives, 
 Awaiting light of day. 
 Here, there, about the city 
 Some twinkling light is seen; 
 Save this, the whole is silent 
 Beneath the moonlight sheen. 
 
 While gazing thus, half dreaming 
 One guard falls fast asleej), 
 And presently the shadows 
 Fall o'er him, dark and deep, 
 And so his comrade, gazing 
 Out o'er the landscape wide 
 Saw not his form, nor either 
 That other by his side 
 Who, silently approaching 
 Spake not, but, standing by 
 Looked out above the city; 
 Now suddenly the sky 
 High up above Moriah 
 
64 
 Reflected back the glow 
 Of many waving torches; 
 Up starts the guard! 
 
 Below 
 A noise of distant shouting 
 And tramp of many feet 
 Breaks out above the stillness 
 Along the darkened street; 
 The guard, now all attention 
 Gives forth a startled cry 
 As to the one beside him 
 He turns with flashing eye! 
 ''What meaneth yonder turmoil? 
 Those flashing lights V the jar? 
 The swords, the staves, the shouting- 
 Like armies waging war? 
 I fear some insurrection, for see! 
 They come this way! 
 Arouse the soldiers — hasten — 
 Guard well the entrance way! 
 Go thou and call the master — 
 Set every foot astir! 
 Ho, laggart! — Ha! — 'tis Pilate — 
 Methought a soldier! Sir, 
 Behold, like surging waters 
 Yon multitude draw near! " 
 
65 
 
 Then np above the turmoil 
 A cry rano- loud and clear : 
 ''On! On to Pilate's chamber! 
 Lead on the accursed Jew! 
 We have no king but Caesar! 
 Down with th' usurping crew! " 
 " Some petty rebel, likely! 
 Methinks 'tis not the hour 
 To visit halls of justice!" 
 Quoth Pilate. 
 
 But his power 
 Self-conscious, vain, aggressive. 
 Appeased his anger soon; 
 His face as down he hurried 
 Was like yon waning moon. 
 In that no pity showed it. 
 
 O stars, close now thine eyes! 
 Moon, hide thy face in horror! 
 Thou sun, refuse to rise! 
 E'en now that Savior, Jesus, 
 Mid bond, and curse, and blow. 
 And scoff, and kick, and buffet, 
 Stands in the hall below ! 
 
 As down the street came surging 
 
66 
 That mass, with hue and cry, 
 With crash of staves and armor 
 While torches lit the sky, 
 The sleeping tired thousands 
 Awaken with a start 
 While prayers of fear or sorrow 
 Go up from many a heart. 
 At windows, faces eager, 
 Cheeks paling at the sight, 
 Eyes open wide and staring 
 Peer out into the night. 
 One female form stood bending 
 Far out with anxious gaze 
 To where, far down the streetway 
 The torches' lurid blaze 
 Revealed the crowd approaching; 
 As nearer still they drew 
 Her face, before but paling 
 Turned ashen its hue! 
 Her eyes, with one hand shaded 
 Bent on the prisoner's face 
 As, pushing, jostling, crowding. 
 They rushed hin past the jjlace; 
 She siezed the sill more tightly 
 As in her mind the truth 
 Dawned all too soon ; Poor mother ! 
 
67 
 She recognized the youth! 
 '' 'Tis he! " she cried, "Oh Jesus! 
 My son! My son! God save! ' 
 She chitchedthe air, and staggered. 
 And felL cold as the grave! 
 A mother's heart! Oh angels, 
 Wake not this sleeping one! 
 There let her sleep. Her loved one 
 Shall, with the morning sun 
 Be led to yonder mountain 
 With thieves and thugs to die; 
 Sure 'were a scene too awful 
 For loving mother's eye! 
 
 When later on she wakened, 
 The dawn was breaking fast, 
 For while she lay thus, swooning. 
 Hour after hour had passed. 
 Her blue eyes opened softly 
 With puzzled look; 
 
 Her hand 
 Stroked back the golden tresses; 
 There round her bedside stand 
 Her friends, all weeping sorely; 
 "Oh John," the mother cried. 
 As that beloved disciple 
 
68 
 Amorjg the rest she spied. 
 "My boy— my Jesus! Tell me! 
 Where is he, John ? " 
 
 With frame 
 That trembled— knees that tottered 
 Close to her side he came; 
 With quivering voice the story 
 By ashen lips was said 
 While on his manly bosom 
 He held the mother's head; 
 She listened, eager, trembling, 
 While briefly he rehearsed 
 The tale; 
 
 How, mocking, scoffing. 
 The rabble raved and cursed; 
 Of witness, purjured, lying. 
 Whom Pilate ruled aside; 
 How leading Jews contended 
 With Pharasaeic loride; 
 Of how the cruel scourging 
 The jeers, the thorny crown, 
 Brought to his lips no murmur, 
 And to his face no frown; 
 Of how at last the people 
 Prevailed ; 
 
 How sentence cold 
 
69 
 
 And cruel passed nxoon him 
 While one Barabbas bold 
 His freedom gained; 
 
 How Jesus, 
 Before the morning sun 
 Should rise half way to zenith 
 Must die. 
 
 "Oh God! My son !^' 
 The mother cried, "Oh take me 
 Where I may see his face! 
 Come with me, brother, sister! 
 Come, let us seek the place! " 
 She started for the doorway 
 But paused! 
 
 A murmur, low, 
 But growing louder, louder. 
 Came like a river's flow; 
 Far down the street advancing 
 A surging, rushing crowd 
 Seeks now the city gateway 
 With cries and cursings loud. 
 Once more beside the window 
 The mother stands! 
 
 Her eye 
 With all a mother's anguish 
 Scans every passer by! 
 
70 
 They come from Pilate's mansion 
 And seek Golgotha, grim, 
 But inong them all the mother 
 Has eyes for one, for Him. 
 '"Oh, there ! see, John ! God help me f 
 There in the surging crowd, 
 One bore a cross; 'Twas heavy, 
 He staggered 'neath the load! 
 " "Tis not thy son, O Mary! " 
 Cried John, " He may not die! 
 His power e'en yet may save him ! 
 He may escape and fly! 
 But, wait — another, bending 
 'Neath burden like the first; 
 Oh, why such awful sentence? 
 Such cruelty accursed? 
 But see, 'tis not our Jesus, — 
 
 Perhaps thy son but no. 
 
 Still yonder comes another 
 With body bending low! 
 Oh Mary! Stay not hither — 
 Go hide thy mother eyes! 
 Come — stay not by the window! " 
 Up from the street the cries 
 Came louder yet; 
 
71 
 
 The mother 
 'Siezed fast the window sill, 
 While from her heart of anguish 
 A cry rang- loud and shrill: 
 ''My son! O Jesus! Jesus! " 
 Just now before the place 
 The suffering one is passing; 
 He raised a blood-stained face; 
 Oh sinful man! Could angels 
 But picture us that look 
 When Jesus saw his mother! 
 His body reeled and shook; 
 His haggard face grew paler 
 If paler it could be, 
 While in the dusty roadway 
 He sank upon one knee; 
 One longing look; 
 
 A shudder 
 Went through his weary frame ; 
 With bloodless lips he uttered 
 Most tenderly a name — 
 'Twas, "Mother! " 
 
 Holy angels, 
 Record that name on high! 
 Oh man, think thou of Jesus 
 Led thus away to die 
 
72 
 Before the eyes of mother! 
 Let i)ity draw the veil; 
 ISlot all the pain he suffered 
 Was caused by scourge and nail; 
 •'On, Jew! " the caxDtain shouted, 
 "Move on! " he tries to go, - 
 His strength is gone! he staggers, 
 Already bending low, 
 He sinks still lower,— lower, 
 Till in the dust he lies. 
 "Here, Simon, bear the burden!'' 
 The angry captain cries! 
 "Up Jew — thou weakling — soldiers, 
 Sui^port on either side! " 
 As to his feet he staggers, 
 And sways from side to side ; 
 Quick to obey, two soldiers 
 Sieze each an arm, and so 
 Half fainting, pull him forward 
 With i^ainful steps, and slow. 
 Thus on the grim procession 
 Tow^ard Calvary moves again. 
 Where on the cross he suffered, 
 A sacrifice for men. 
 
 Out from the room rushed Mar 
 
 -T^ 
 
73 
 
 Behind, with hurrying feet 
 The others came, to follow 
 Along the noisome street. 
 Half fainting, reeling, Mary 
 The mother staggered on, 
 While at her side supporting, 
 Came ever faithful John. 
 Full well he knew what horror 
 Must fill that mother heart, 
 'Twere vain to offer comfort. 
 But well he played his part. 
 ''Perhaps thy son doth try us; 
 His power may yet return. 
 And, spite of bonds and soldiers 
 He Roman XDower may spurn. " 
 •'God grant it," j)rayedthe mother; 
 Around her, closer still 
 The grieved disciples gathered 
 As nearer Calvery's hill 
 They came. There James and Peter, 
 Two Marys, Philip, Jude, 
 All those who followed Jesus 
 About the mother stood. 
 At last without the city 
 Beneath the blazing sun 
 
74 
 
 They stand; E'en now the soldiers 
 Their fearful work have done; 
 There on the crest of Calvary 
 Three Roman crosses stand, 
 To each a quivering body 
 Fast nailed by foot and hand. 
 Why gaze on scene so awful? 
 Let pity draw the veil 
 And hide a mother's sorrow. 
 One scene shall end the tale; 
 The multitude, now scattered, 
 Withdrawn, save but a few 
 Made room for the disciples, 
 And nearer still they drew; 
 At once the suffering Jesus 
 Beheld the weeping crowd, 
 (His mother! His disciples 
 In anguish wailing loud!) 
 "Weep not for me, O daughters. 
 But weep for days to come ! 
 Thou John, behold thy mother! 
 Woman, behold thy son! " 
 'Tis done! His work is ended! 
 Toward home they turn away 
 And with the " loved disciple" 
 Dwelt Mary from that day . 
 
75 
 
 Three days and nights the sorrow 
 Of death had settled round ; 
 No ray of hope or gladness 
 The mother's heart had found; 
 The Sabbath day is ended; 
 The midnight hour is gone; 
 The morning hours are passing; 
 Far in the east the dawn 
 Begins to break ; 
 
 The mother, 
 Her heart still strong and brave, 
 With Mary Magdalene 
 Seeks now the loved one's grave; 
 Her mother heart is yearning 
 For one long look,— the last 
 For one last loving office; 
 The day is breaking fast; 
 The stars, now less like diamonds, 
 Grow dim, and, one by one 
 They yield to yonder brightness 
 Which heralds morning sun; 
 Now in the garden! 
 
 Dimly 
 The tom^b's outline is shown! 
 "But who, " asks each of other, 
 "Shall roll away the stone?" 
 
76 
 Soon, after many windings 
 Among the trees, they stand 
 Before the tomb; 
 
 '' See, Mary! " 
 The mother's trembling hand 
 Points thro the morning twilight; 
 " Behold the open door! '' 
 Down sank the mother, helpless. 
 Her heart all sick and sore! 
 Poor nature struggles bravely. 
 But, weak with grief and fear 
 She fainted ! 
 
 Father, pity! 
 A mother's heart lies here! 
 
 The sun o'er eastern hilltops 
 Is peeping; 
 
 Overhead 
 The sky is bright and golden; 
 Day breaks! 
 
 But still like dead 
 The mother lies; 
 
 A halo 
 Of glory fills the air! 
 Some awful, mighty presence 
 Seems on the soul to bear! 
 
77 
 
 Some influence o'er the woman 
 Seems working! 
 
 Now her eyes 
 Are open wide! 
 
 Some j)ower 
 Seems helping her to rise! 
 Bat ah! Yon tomb is em^jty! 
 She stoox3S to peer within! 
 Two shining forms are sitting 
 Where Jesus' form had been ! 
 She turns again, desj^airing, 
 Scarce knowing what to do! 
 There in the path before her 
 Stands one, she knows not who! 
 She would have fled; 
 
 He asked her: 
 "Woman, why weepest thou? " 
 "Oh sir, yon tomb is empty — 
 Where have ye laid him now?" 
 Her face was veiled; 
 
 With weeping 
 Her eyes were dim and wet, 
 The voice which gave her answer 
 No mother could forget! 
 It was the voice of Jesus ! 
 Her name in tender tone 
 
7« 
 
 He spoke; 
 
 Withdraw, Oh angels. 
 And leave them here alone! 
 
 A mother's heart! Ah. think you 
 She suffered not? 
 
 That He 
 Who died felt not her sorrow? 
 Or could it ever be 
 Prophetic word more fully 
 Fulfilled in every j)art? 
 Well sjjake old Zacharias 
 •' A sword shall pierce thy heart! " 
 
 But joy shall follow weei3ing, 
 Bright day the gloom of night; 
 Eternal joy shall follow 
 The weeping and the blight 
 Of earth; That Savior, Jesus, 
 Now risen from the grave 
 For you and I has suffered, 
 Your soul and mine to save! 
 Wilt have this full salvation? 
 Wilt have this savior true? 
 My faith I rest on Jesus! 
 How^ is it friend, with you? 
 
The Shepherd's V/Isioq 
 
 An Easter Poem. 
 
 ~^p^ he sun was slowly setting 
 Vr/In fioois of golden light; 
 
 ^ The day, so bright and balmy, 
 Fast merging into night; 
 From out the grim, walled city, 
 The ham of busy life, 
 The sound of merry singing, 
 The noise of wordy strife, 
 The tramp of many thous=inds. 
 The jostle, and the jar, 
 Proclaim that strangers, gathered 
 From hills and vales afar 
 To keej) the great Passover, 
 (The Jews' unleavened feast,) 
 Are cam.ped within her portals. 
 79 
 
80 
 The shadows in the east 
 Are growing slowly darker; 
 Some shepherds with their sheej) 
 Are coming from the pastures 
 The Sabbath Day to keep. 
 One, pausing on a hilltop 
 His weary sheep to rest, 
 Espied three Roman crosses 
 Set in the rocky crest. 
 The shepherd frow^ned. "O Israel! '' 
 In bitterness he cried, 
 "How^ are the mighty fallen! 
 How humbled is thy pride! 
 Yon crosses, each an emblem 
 Of galling Roman power 
 Cry out in accents awful 
 Of God's avenging hour! 
 Return to God, O Israel! 
 Bow down in sackcloth, low^! 
 God save us, " prayed the shepherd. 
 With footste]3S faltering, slow, 
 Drew near the shad'wy crosses 
 Their victims' names to learn, 
 And, x^eering through the twilight 
 He barely could discern 
 
81 
 The names so dimly written; 
 The shepherd clenched his hands 
 As near the middle shadow 
 With flashing eye he stands! 
 "Tis false! His false! " he shouted, 
 "The Jews no king have known! 
 'Tis cruel thus to mock us, 
 Who serve a Roman throne! 
 Oh come, thou great Messiah 
 Whom God hath promised long, 
 Redeem thy suffering people! 
 Thy name well praise in song; " 
 Then turned and hurried onward 
 Bemoaning Israel's fate. 
 Soon, passing near a garden 
 He paused before the gate. 
 A tomb is in the garden, 
 A crowd is near the door; 
 The burial rite is finished, 
 The ceremony o'er; 
 Now, turning sadly homeward 
 With solemn, faltering tread 
 The party near the portal; 
 One, marching at their head, 
 A man with tear-stained features 
 And priestly garments came. 
 
82 
 And turned to greet the shepberd. 
 Who gladly called his name; 
 "All hail, good Rabbi Joseph! 
 And who of all thy kin 
 Hath met the grim destroyer 
 And left this world of sinV "' 
 •'Not one," the Rabbi answered, 
 "No kin of mine have died; 
 Our God in mercy grants me 
 My kindred by my side; 
 One greater far lies yonder 
 Within my own new tomb: 
 No bands of royal purple 
 Dispel the sepulcral gloom; 
 
 But yonder lies a j)rophet, 
 
 A king of David's kin, 
 
 A Son of God, O shepherd, 
 
 Who came to save from sin; 
 
 But few days gone, he entered 
 
 In triumph yonder gate 
 
 While thousands dance about him, 
 
 The multitude was great! 
 
 W^e thought, alas! that Jesus 
 
 Our king henceforth should be. 
 
 To day we did behold him 
 
 Nailed to a Roman tree! " 
 
"Whatsay'st? dost mean it, Rabbi? 
 A king- and crucified? 
 Was that a true inscrii)tion 
 On yonder cross? " he cried; 
 Methought they did but mock us, 
 But sayest thou 'tis true? 
 Tlien curses upon Caesar 
 And all his murderous crew! " 
 "Nay, nay, good shepherd, listen; 
 The Jews have slain their king! 
 This Jesus was the Savior 
 Of whom the prophets sing; 
 'Twas our own Priests and Elders 
 
 Condemned him God forgive! 
 
 While even Pilate prayed them 
 
 To let the prophet live. 
 
 And yet — but peace be with you! 
 
 The Sabbath is at hand; 
 
 God save thee from the sorrow 
 
 That settles o'er our land! " 
 
 '■God speed thee!" quoth the shep- 
 
 And slowly turned away [herd. 
 
 To ponder well the wonders 
 
 Of that eventful day. 
 
 "A king ! The Jews condemned him ! 
 
 How strange," the shepherd thought 
 
84 
 To solve the knotty problem 
 Full long he vainly sought. 
 ( Not he alone has pondered, 
 But men of every land 
 Have wrestled with the problem 
 But failed to understand!) 
 
 Ere long, within the sheepfold 
 
 His flock he safely led, 
 
 Then lay his weary body 
 
 Upon his humble bed; 
 
 Anon, the king forgotten 
 
 The weary shepherd slept. 
 
 Last night the great Passover 
 
 Throughout the land w^as kept; 
 
 The Paschal Lamb was slaughtered 
 
 And eaten, as of yore; 
 
 Ay, sacred were the emblems 
 
 Those many tables bore ! 
 
 Few knew that grim Golgotha 
 
 With crosses on her crest 
 
 To day had borne the emblem 
 
 Of Jew and Gentile blest. 
 
 The first day came, and early 
 The shepherd led away 
 
85 
 His sheep to distant pastures; 
 
 'Twas just at break of day. 
 When, i^assing near the garden 
 Where, Friday eve before 
 He met the Rabbi, JosejDh, 
 His heart again was sore; 
 Around the tomb, (Oh curses!) 
 Armed Roman soldiers lay, 
 While back and forth before it 
 The sentry paced his way. 
 
 Again the shepherd's anger 
 Rose high. His clenched fist 
 He shook in their direction 
 As through his teeth he hissed: 
 "The cow^ards! God avenge us! 
 Is't not enough to kill 
 Our king? And must they guard 
 But all about was still. [him? "' 
 
 (Ah, shepherd! Thou most favored 
 Of all the human race; 
 Bend low thy quaking body, 
 And hide thy paling face ! ) 
 
86 
 A moment paused the shepherd 
 To watch the hateful sight, 
 While darkness to the eastward 
 Was giving way to light. 
 
 Was that a flash of sunshine? 
 
 Ah no — 'tis far too soon! 
 
 Beyond the eastern hilltops 
 
 The blazing god of noon 
 
 Remains, with all his glory! 
 
 Was't lightning? such a ray 
 
 Of light so bright, so dazzling, 
 
 Is not like that of day ! 
 
 If lightning, where the thunder ? 
 
 'Tis strange! The trees do glow 
 
 With softened light — and look! 
 
 The sentry bowing low 
 
 Before the tomb whose splendor 
 
 Now rivals morning sun! 
 
 The shepherd reels! he staggers! 
 
 He fears yet cannot run ! 
 
 The earth is rocking, swaying! 
 
 The soldiers lie like dead. 
 
 While strains of heavenly music 
 
 Float down from overhead! 
 
 The shepherd, gathering courage, 
 
87 
 
 And, shading well his eye 
 
 Looks up. A scene of splendor 
 
 Fills all the morning sky! 
 
 A cloud of heavenly beings 
 
 Are hovering overhead, 
 
 While one, more bright and glorious 
 
 The host of angels led! 
 
 Then suddenly he, halting 
 
 His army o'er the place 
 
 Where, round the tomb, the soldiers 
 
 Lay, each ujoon his face, 
 
 Winged then his way full earthward 
 
 Swift as a meteor's flight; 
 
 His robes were pearly whiteness, 
 
 His face a dazzling sight! 
 
 His feet scarce touched the garden 
 Ere nature seemed undone! 
 Earth rocked and quaked and trem- 
 As though the morning sun [bled; 
 Did shine in all his glory, 
 The landscax3e far and near 
 With all the warmth and luster 
 Of noonday brightness clear 
 Shone forth! See now — in worship. 
 
88 
 Before the tomb, bowed low 
 The angel kneels. All nature 
 Is hushed to silence now; 
 From overhead a murmur! 
 Ten thousand fervent prayers 
 By anoel lips are uttered ! 
 The shepherd unawares 
 Upon his knees has fallen: 
 A moment thus he waits; 
 Then heaven sings with the chorus, 
 "Lift up ycur heads ye gntes! 
 Behold, the King of Glory! '' 
 (The shepherd lifts his eyes;) 
 "O tomb, ope wide thy portal! '' 
 Again rings through the skies! 
 ( The sealed door flies open ! ) 
 •'O death, where is thy sting? 
 O grave, where is thy victory? 
 All hail, thou mighty king! '" 
 
 Prostrate the shepherd, swooning, 
 Has fallen on his face! 
 No human eye might see him. 
 But God was in that place! 
 
 When once again the shepherd 
 
89 
 Awakened from his sleep, 
 Full many of his comrades 
 Were passing with their sheex^; 
 The sun w^as shining brightly, 
 Crowds pushed along the street. 
 While in the trees birds caroled 
 A morning chorus sweet: 
 ^Twas strange! The shepherd mar 
 
 veiled! 
 " Why dreamt I thus? '' he said. 
 *' Much time, so precious, wasted; 
 Alas, our king is dead! 
 
 In yonder tomb " he started! 
 
 The door w^as open wide! 
 Within, all silent, empty — 
 No sign of Him who died! 
 
 Long ages have passed onw^ard 
 Since that eventful day, 
 When Christ the Lord and Savior 
 In Joseijh's garden lay; 
 And yet w^e sing the story. 
 We tell it o'er and o'er, 
 How Christ the Lord is risen 
 And lives forevermore; 
 How we, on him believing 
 May also rise and live; 
 
90 
 How God through Christ the Savior 
 Eternal life will give. 
 I'm trusting in that Savior; 
 By faith I claim the prize; 
 Though death close all around me 
 I hope like him to rise; 
 I claim the Father's jDromise; 
 I strive his will to do; 
 I hope for life eternal 
 Through Jesus Christ. Do you? 
 
 A^ Voice In The 'vl/ilderness. 
 
 eside the rolling Jordan 
 Whose muddy waters flow 
 Where dreary plain and moun- 
 No habitation know; [tain, 
 
 Where hungry beasts do wander 
 When driven from their lair 
 In search of food; Where vultures 
 Whose pinions fan the air 
 By forest fragrance laden, 
 Do seek their daily food; 
 
91 
 
 Where roving bands of robbers 
 
 Who gain a livelihood 
 
 By cruel deeds, by thieving, 
 
 Ay, even murder, hide 
 
 From those who fain would jounish; 
 
 No human here beside 
 
 Save now and then a hermit 
 
 Whose time to prayer is given, 
 
 Who. shunning human presence 
 
 Would nearer draw to heaven, 
 
 Doth safely dwell; (No robber 
 
 Is tempted to molest 
 
 Where neither gold nor silver 
 
 Are known; Where, at the best 
 
 A couch of leaves, a garment 
 
 From skin of camel made 
 
 Is all; Why need the hermit 
 
 Of robbers be afraid?) 
 
 E'en here, where sandy desert, 
 
 And shady forest glen, 
 
 And rocky gorge, and valley 
 
 Where seldom foot of men 
 
 Hath trod, are neighbors, 
 
 Begins our little rhyme; 
 
 Begins just where the prophet, 
 
 (The last ere Jesus' time,) 
 
92 
 
 Saith, "Lo, I send Elias; 
 My way he shall prepare." 
 Begins where, near the river 
 A cave, (perhaps the lair 
 Of beasts of prey, or robbers, 
 In days long since agone. ) 
 Doth shelter now a hermit 
 Who, living thns alone 
 Far from the teeming cities 
 Whose filthiness and sin 
 Had prophets old, forgetting 
 The joys that might have been, 
 Dared to condemn; Communing 
 With God from day to day. 
 Sits now^before the doorway 
 W^hile evening shadows play 
 Beneath him in the valley. 
 A stalwart form, and strong, 
 Full six feet, straight and brawny. 
 With hair unkempt and long; 
 His shoulders, broad, well muscled. 
 Are bare; A robe of skin 
 About the lower body 
 Thrown carelessly; No pin 
 Or button hath the garment 
 But when for service used 
 
93 
 
 A girdle holds securely. 
 
 But now for comfort loosed 
 
 Upon the floor is lying. 
 
 His long uncombed hair 
 
 And beard, untrimmed, all flowing 
 
 O'er skin once young and fair, 
 
 But now by storm and sunshine 
 
 Well tanned; Dark piercing eyes 
 
 'Neath shaggy brows are restless; 
 
 Now flashing toward the skies, 
 
 Now sweeping o'er the valley, 
 
 Now bent upon the floor, 
 
 Now closed, while lips are moving 
 
 As though he did implore 
 
 Some unseen one. The features, 
 
 Though rough in detail seen 
 
 Are not unkind, but rather 
 
 Reveal a conscience clean, 
 
 A heart to evil stranger 
 
 But full of peace and love, 
 
 Well rounded out with knowledge 
 
 Of heavenly things above. 
 
 No letters hath this hermit; 
 
 No lore of learned sage; 
 
 No hand for cunning writing; 
 
 No ken of written page; 
 
94 
 
 No school of priestly Rabbis 
 
 Hath taught fanatic's lore; 
 
 No biased thought of Moses 
 
 Or ages gone before : 
 
 No school but nature; Freedom 
 
 From each device of man 
 
 Led on by Satan's cunning 
 
 Hath been his lot; No ban 
 
 Of theologic scholars 
 
 Hath on his mind been cast; 
 
 The Holy Gliost his teacher; 
 
 No specter from the past 
 
 To haunt his every footstep 
 
 And make of life a curse; 
 
 No dream hath he of ijower, 
 
 Nor thought of well filled purse; 
 
 What wonder if his bosom 
 
 Is filled with peace; that deep 
 
 Within his soul the spirit 
 
 Of love and joy doth keep 
 
 A constant watch V What wonder 
 
 If thoughts that fill his mind 
 
 Are free from many evils 
 
 So common to mnnkind? 
 
 For since a lad, his dwelling 
 
 Hath in the desert been 
 
'95 
 
 Alone with God, Around liim 
 Naught that would lead to sin; 
 Sometimes a traveller, weary, 
 Bewildered, wandered here, 
 And, sheltered by the hermit. 
 Had nothing more to fear; 
 Sometimes a band of robbers 
 Camp in the vale below. 
 Or caravan of merchants 
 In journeys to and fro 
 Would rest; not oft the hermit 
 Hears aught of what the race 
 Is doing; thus the Spirit 
 Of God held stronger place 
 Within his heart. This evening 
 Full stranger seems his mood 
 Than e'er before. While sitting, 
 His stalwart form half nude, 
 Low to himself he mutters 
 As though to others near 
 He spake the words: "He cometh! 
 My master doth appear! 
 Tomorrow doth my labor 
 For God, for Him, for truth. 
 Begin in earnest; Surely 
 The world will scorn his youth! 
 
96 
 His face so like a woman's! 
 His heart so pnre within! 
 O Lamb of God, come quickly, 
 To save the world from sin! " 
 
 Down where the river floweth 
 'Neath overhan^i^ing trees 
 Whose branches wave and rustle 
 With every passing breeze; 
 There, close beside the river 
 Are gathered full a score 
 Of men whose weary journey 
 Hath brought them to the shore 
 Of Jordan's stream. Their manner, 
 The bundles lying there, 
 The camels, full three dozen 
 That eat their humble fare 
 Beside the camp, betoken 
 A group of merchants bold 
 From far otf eastern country 
 In search of Israel's gold. 
 
 The morning meal is eaten. 
 And now the men but wait, 
 (Impatient for the journey 
 Before the hour is late,) 
 
97 
 
 Until the camels finish 
 Their meal. The morning sun 
 O'er eastern hills is peeping; 
 • Before the day is done, 
 Far on their weary journey 
 The mc^'rchants hope to be; 
 Full well they know that robbers, 
 In desert places — free 
 From hand of law, do wander. 
 A girdle at each waist 
 Doth hold a sword or dagger, 
 While near at hand is placed 
 A pointed spear. Right dearly 
 Would robber's s^Doil be bought 
 Unless in greater numbers 
 They w^ith the merchants fought. 
 All through the long night hours 
 A watchful sentry stood 
 His guard; By faithful i^acing- 
 Here, there about the wood, 
 Well knew if any danger 
 Did threaten ; even now 
 On yonder rock which towers 
 Above the hilltop's brow. 
 With spear in hand he watches 
 For danger, lest a band 
 
98' 
 Of thieves, or robbers, wancUring: 
 So often in the land 
 Come on them unawares^ 
 And, dashing from the thicket 
 Bear off their precious wares. 
 
 But see —each man upspringing 
 With sword or spear in hand! 
 Cheeks turning pale, eyes flashing. 
 Like statues now they standi 
 Forth from the wood a sudden 
 And startling sound had come! 
 A voice, loud, clear and thrilling 
 Above the noisy hum 
 Of Jordan's rushing water: 
 •'Repent — O man, repent!" 
 Now toward the shady woodland 
 Each merchant's eye is bent; 
 With swinging strides advancing 
 Beneath the waving trees. 
 His hair long, glossy, waving 
 Before the morning breeze, 
 Comes now a form, tall, stalwart, 
 A robe of cameFs hair 
 Well girt about the middle. 
 The merchants blankly stare! 
 
99 
 AVliat madman this? Forbidding 
 At first appearance, yet 
 A something in his presence 
 No man could soon forget! 
 Beneath a rough ai:)pearance 
 A subtle power fine; 
 A touch of truth; a savor 
 Of holy love divine 
 Imx3ressed their hearts; The hermit 
 (For lo, 'twas he!) again 
 Sent forth the cry: "Rej)ent ye! 
 Eepent, Oh sinful men! 
 For lo, the heavenly kingdom 
 Is even now at hand! 
 From God the call proceedeth, 
 Heed thou the Lord's command! 
 Behold, one cometh after 
 Much mightier than I, 
 Whose shoes I am not worthy 
 To loose; Yet even I 
 Would preach to you repentance, 
 And to that end baj)tize 
 With water from the Jordan." 
 Meanwhile in great surprise 
 The merchants listen, wondering 
 To hear such thrilling word, 
 
 L.rfC 
 
100 
 
 To feel a subtle power 
 
 Their very souls which stirred, 
 
 As on and on the heimit 
 
 Talked; Words of burning truth 
 
 Flowed onward like a river; 
 
 Though barely past his youth, 
 
 Unlettered, yet some power, 
 
 Some influence divine 
 
 Did more impress the hearer 
 
 Than cultured language fine, 
 
 And ere he ceased his speaking, 
 
 Dow^n on their knees, bowed low, 
 
 Prostrate the haughty merchants 
 
 Themselves in soirow throw. 
 
 "What shall we do, O stranger? 
 
 Our sins we now confess ! 
 
 How shall we seek remission? 
 
 How live for righteousness? " 
 
 "I call but to repentance, 
 
 But one shall follow me. 
 
 One who shall bring remission, 
 
 Salvation full and free! 
 
 Go, give to men my warning, 
 
 "The kingdom is at hand!' 
 
 Prepare before the Savior 
 
 A way in every land! " 
 
101 
 
 He ceased. The men, still in'ostrate, 
 
 Would seek still more to hear 
 
 As, bowing still, they question: 
 
 "When shall the Lord appear? 
 
 How shall we meet-how know him ?" 
 
 No voice in answer came, — 
 
 The man was gone! The merchants, 
 
 Now risen, seek in vain. 
 
 At last they lade their camels 
 
 And hasten on their way, 
 
 Hearts full of deep rei^entance, 
 
 Not knowing how to pray. 
 
 To all they meet, the story 
 
 Of all their ears have heard 
 
 They tell. Of how the hermit 
 
 Whose power seemed not in word 
 
 Had told of coming Savior; 
 
 Of how his warning, sent 
 
 By them, "The heavenly kingdom 
 
 Is drawing near, — repent! " 
 
 Had thrilled their souls; In city 
 
 And country soon a fame 
 
 Went forth, how, in the desert 
 
 A preacher did proclaim 
 
 The coming of "Messiah" ! 
 
 Of how salvation free 
 
102 
 He brought to men. So shortly 
 Much people came to see, 
 And hear the proclamation. 
 E'en from Jerusalem, 
 From fill a}]Out Judea 
 As word was brouoht to them — 
 Ay, from beyond the Jordan 
 Came people great and small. 
 Came priest and scribe and peasant, 
 Came i3ublicanF. and all 
 To hear this hermit preacher 
 Who with such mighty power 
 Did warn his generation 
 Of God's oncoming hour; 
 AVho taught to men repentance 
 Instead of sacrifice! 
 That Grod would freely pardon! 
 That now for sin no price 
 Should be of men required! 
 How, through his coming Son 
 Would God bestow salvation 
 By faith! And every one 
 Who heard, believed, confessing 
 Their sins; were all baptized 
 With washing of repentance; 
 How human heart hath prized 
 
103 
 
 The reconcilliation 
 
 Which God through Christ the Lord 
 
 Youchsafeth to his people— 
 
 Which often in the word 
 
 To x:)eni tents is promised! 
 
 Then to the river side 
 
 Came men whose hearts were swell- 
 
 With pharasaic xDride; U^S' 
 
 Scribes, Pharisees, confessing 
 
 To multitude their need 
 
 To be baptized! Repentance 
 
 And pharasaic creed ! 
 
 With sneer of scorn the hermit 
 
 Would send them from his face! 
 
 •'Oh wicked generation! 
 
 Oh vipers of your race! 
 
 And who indeed hath warned you 
 
 To flee from wrath to come 
 
 Whose hearts are filled with evil 
 
 In (^uite unmeasured sum? 
 
 Go bring forth fruits, ye vipers 
 
 Which show repentance true! " 
 
 But day by day came others 
 
 In numbers not a few, 
 
 All wondering at the hermit 
 
 Whose eloquence so thrilled 
 
104 
 The souls of many people; 
 Whose very words were filled 
 With some mysterious power, 
 As day by day he stood 
 Baptizing in the water. 
 Not many understood 
 The import of his teaching: 
 "For now the axe '* said he. 
 "With unrelenting power 
 Is laid at root of tree; 
 Not e'en a mighty forest 
 Of righteous trees about 
 Shall save the one that faileth 
 To bear its perfect fruit. 
 Think not. Oh thou descendents 
 Of righteous Abraham 
 To flee from condemnation, 
 For God, the great I Am, 
 From stones beside the river 
 Could raise up holy seed; 
 Repent, unrighteous people! 
 Cast from you every ereed! 
 This mighty one who cometh 
 Will purge his floor complete, 
 And seperate most surely 
 The chaff from out the wheat." 
 
105 
 
 Thus day by day he labored 
 
 And preached the kingdom near; 
 
 That soon among this peox3le 
 
 A Savior would appear. 
 
 One day when many peojole, 
 
 A multitude, vast, great. 
 
 About the preacher hermit 
 
 Did early congregate, 
 
 And he with power was preaching. 
 
 Some face or form he spied. 
 
 And pointing with his finger 
 
 With ringing voice he cried: 
 
 ''Behold the Lam.b, the Savior 
 
 Of sinful human race! " 
 
 In vain the crowd endeavor 
 
 To single out the face. 
 
 In crowd, all pushing, swaying. 
 
 More strange indeed if one 
 
 Could keep but for a moment 
 
 A face in sight. *The sun 
 
 Toward western hills is moving 
 
 As one with measured pace 
 
 Is through the crowd advancing; 
 
 Now, as he nears the place 
 
 The hermit, arms extended. 
 
 As though to ward away 
 
106 
 Some danger, now is kneeling; 
 "Come not, my master, — stayl 
 For need of thy baptism 
 Have I; and eomest thon 
 To me? " Thus spake the hermit; 
 The answer sweet and low. 
 In gentle tones, yet thrilling: 
 ''Nay, let it be so now, 
 For thus it doth become us 
 All to fumi. " With bow 
 Of humble aqaiescence 
 The hermit, thus addressed, 
 Baptized the comely stranger 
 With water, like the rest. 
 
 As up from out the water 
 The stranger came, a light 
 All dazzling in its brightness 
 Burst on the people's sight! 
 Far overhead, the heavens 
 Appeared as opened wide. 
 While flashes as of lightning. 
 Came forth on every side! 
 And now a form, descending 
 As though the Holy Ghost 
 In form of dove did challenge 
 
107 
 The gaze of earthly host, 
 Comes floating down, still downward 
 Until upon the head 
 Of yonder dripping stranger 
 It rests! All quake w^th dread! 
 Now from the midst of heaven 
 A voice, though loud. yet sweet. 
 To ears of gathered thousands 
 Made evidence complete; 
 •'Behold, this my beloved. 
 My Son! Well pleased am I! 
 Ye nations, hear his teaching! '"■ 
 The voice of God Most High 
 Addressing mortal man ! Prostrated 
 Are all the people now 
 Save Jesus and the Baptist! 
 A moment thus they bow; 
 The dazzling brightness fadeth 
 From evening sky; Below 
 A soft yet radiant glory 
 Round Jesus' form doth glow! 
 Now, as again the people 
 Rise to their feet and stand, 
 Toward Jesus' form the hermit 
 Points with his bony hand 
 And cries with voice loud, thrilling : 
 
108 
 Behold the Lamb of God! 
 
 And since have many millions 
 In Jesus' footsteps trod, 
 Because his life hath purchased 
 Salvation free for us, — 
 For all who seek believing; 
 Have YOU sought Jesus thus? 
 
 -=::^-;^,'=Qi^ 
 
 CONTENTS, 
 
 The Fiest Christmas Night, 1 
 
 Seeking The King, - 33 
 
 Salvation, - - 58 
 
 A Mother's Heart, - , 60 
 
 The Shepherd's Vision. - 79 
 
 A Voice In The Wilderness. 90 
 
Glimpses 
 
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