) CHRISTUS K OONSOLATOR Class _4iiL Book_J Copyright N?._ COEBIGKT DEPOSIT CHRISTUS CONSOLATOR AND OTHER POEMS Cfcrtsitu* Consiolator AND OTHER POEMS BY ROSSITER W. RAYMOND u NEW YORK THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY PUBLISHERS 1^ Copyright, 1916, BY ROSSITER W. RAYMOND // #* DEC 26 1916 ©G1.A453237 PREFACE Nearly all the poems in this book were written for special occasions. Some of them have been widely circulated in fugitive form. Of the title- poem, more than 7,000 copies have been given away, in response to personal requests, and a similar, though smaller, demand for others has proved their helpfulness to many persons of whom I was not thinking when I wrote them. May God continue to bless to sorrowing and doubting souls this message of a brother who has known both doubt and sorrow, and has found much compensation in the exhortation of the Apostle : "That we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble through the comfort where- with we are ourselves comforted of God." Rossiter W. Raymond. Brooklyn, 1916. [5] CONTENTS *AGI Christus Consolator 11 Immortality 13 Once Mine, Always Mine 15 A Little Child Shall Lead Them 17 The Choice 19 Galahad 21 The Two Homes 23 His Name Shall Be On Their Foreheads . . 26 Who Shall Separate Us? 28 The Teacher 30 The Pillar in the Temple 31 Mother 33 Emmaus 34 Death's Revelation 37 The Just Made Perfect 39 The Light Eternal 41 Blessed Are They ' 42 Acquainted With Grief 44 Having Done All, Stand! 45 The Recruit 46 Walking With God (Written for the funeral of William Hamilton Gibson) 48 The Lover of Men (Peter Cooper) 50 Well Done! 51 The Doer of the Word 53 The Face Beloved (Memorial tablet to Henry Ward Beecher, 1893) 54 The Sacrifice (Charles Weitzel) 56 [7] PAGE One Family in Heaven and Earth (Plymouth Church) 57 A Prayer 59 He Stands at the Door .61 My Pilgrimage 62 Christus Conjugatus 64 The Lilies 66 The Grand Canyon of the Colorado .... 68 To a Shut-In 69 The Highest Criticism 71 Thy Will 72 Immortal Love 74 Sing to the Lord! 76 An Anniversary 78 Easter 80 [8] CHRISTUS CONSOLATOR AND OTHER POEMS CHRISTUS CONSOLATOR Beside the dead I knelt for prayer, And felt a presence as I prayed. Lo! it was Jesus standing there. He smiled: "Be not afraid!" "Lord, Thou hast conquered death we know; Restore again to life," I said, "This one who died an hour ago." He smiled: "She is not dead!" "Asleep then, as thyself didst say; Yet thou canst lift the lids that keep Her prisoned eyes from ours away!" He smiled: "She doth not sleep!" "Nay then, tho' haply she do wake, And look upon some fairer dawn, Restore her to our hearts that ache!" He smiled: "She is not gone!" "Alas ! too well we know our loss, Nor hope again our joy to touch, Until the stream of death we cross." He smiled: "There is no such!" [11] "Yet our beloved seem so far, The while we yearn to feel them near, Albeit with Thee we trust they are." He smiled : "And I am here !" "Dear Lord, how shall we know that they Still walk unseen with us and Thee, Nor sleep, nor wander far away?" He smiled: "Abide in Me!" [12] IMMORTALITY Some gazed into the heavens afar; Some delved in darkness underground; But Life Immortal was not found In any stone or star. Some asked the spirits of the dead; Some thrid the mazes of the past; Some called aloud — and heard at last But what themselves had said. Some sought in quivering nerves laid bare; Some cleaved the atoms, one by one; Some cried, their vain inquiry done, "It is not anywhere!" But some in happy peace remained. "Why join ye not," I said, "the quest?" And they made answer, "It is best To seek not, having gained." "Then ye have found it?" "Nay," they cried, "It hath found us. The life above We live by faith and hope and love, Since these three shall abide! [13] "Faith opens wide the gates of gloom; Hope presses to a glad surprise; But love looks round, with happy eyes, And finds herself at home!" [14] ONCE MINE, ALWAYS MINE Wert thou but traveling thro' the spheres And only resting on the way Within these arms, that all my tears Were vain to make thee stay? Thou didst abide so little space, — Forsake so soon this earthly lot — Ah, can it be thy mother's face Already is forgot? With joyful eyes and feet alert, Ungrieving dost thou greet to-day Those angel- friends from whom thou wert So little while away? Nay, love is swift to spring and grow; And where it once has lived, I ween, That place can never be as though The love-life had not been. A bright child-angel, thou didst come, And, dropping here celestial flowers, Hast carried to thine other home Undying blooms from ours. [IS] No crown regained that lights thy face Can hide the earth-born radiance mild That thro' all glory sheds a grace — Thou heavenly, human child! How shall I find thee in the throng? Ah, love knows how to recognize, Through all the thunder of the song And blaze of starry eyes! Not long my soul, that happy day, From its delight shall stand apart: O child, my child! thou wilt obey The crying of my heart! [16] A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM I thought her given a charge to me; I took her with a trembling pride, Remembering what Earth's dangers be, And asking on my bended knee God's wisdom for my guide. I looked upon her innocence, Then forward through the coming years, And thought my earth-experience Should shield her soul from all offence And keep her eyes from tears! What solemn joy, to lead her feet Through Life's bewildering, changeful land, To tell her all the sad and sweet That make Life's mystery complete, And lend her strength to stand! Ah, fond and foolish was my pride, And fond and foolish was my fear! She had no need of earthly guide; 'Twas not for that she sought my side And sojourned with me here! [17] Not she my charge; but rather I To her bright guidance had been given! She came within my arms to lie, That she might know me by and bye, Amid the throngs of heaven! And I shall know her loving eyes — Shall learn of her Life's mystery; Now God be thanked that in the skies — An angel in a child's disguise — My teacher waits for me! [IS] THE CHOICE Ben Ezra, mourning wild Above the body of his child, His faith with fate unreconciled, Complained, and could not understand Why Death's relentless hand A thousand common lives should spare, To snatch a life so fair. "The old outlive the young; The sweetest song is hushed ere it be sung; The loveliest bud," he thought, "Is come to naught; The page of brightest promise falls unread; Oh, cruel jest!" he said. At last His soul flew back into the past. Again he smiled above his new-born son, And was aware of One Who, standing by the cradle, spake: "This gift again I take When but a few swift years are sped. Now choose !" the Presence said : [19] "Since by the changeless, fathomless decree, This bitter loss must be, Were it not better I should touch The child, and mar it, lest it grow to such As, losing, thou would'st mourn too much?" "Or shall I crown it with my rarest crown Of glory, to bring down A deeper shadow when it fades Than common shades? So would'st thou have — and miss — The greater bliss 1" "Nay!" cried Ben Ezra; "since this grace Bides but so little space, Keep back no gift of treasures manifold That heaven doth hold; But pour the brightness of all spheres Into my child's few years, That I may drink of joy's full measure first, Though afterwards I thirst!" The vision fled. Ben Ezra was alone beside his dead; And, while afresh he grieved, Praised God, with tears, that such a child had lived ! [20] / GALAHAD O Lord of Life, and Life again! Obedient to Thy decree, Thy servant fares beyond our ken To spheres and duties known to Thee. Full sorely shall we miss him here: Could'st Thou not spare us for a space Such youthful spirits, bright and dear, And strong to do Thy work of grace? Why callest Thou the stainless knight With sword scarce proved against the foe, Why leavest us, by many a fight Wearied and scarred, and fain to go? Yet this we dimly understand: That Life Eternal is our own, And that the unseen Other Land Is ours, and not this Land alone! Once Thou did'st lose Thy Son awhile On a strange errand, full of pain; Yet with a Father's welcoming smile Did'st proudly take Him home again. [21] So now we say : If Life be One, And Thou of Life the Ruler be, Dear God, Who gavest us Thy Son, Behold! we give our sons to Thee' [22] THE TWO HOMES "I go," said Jesus, "to prepare A place for you;" and surely He Bids in that task our dear ones share, That where they are, we too may be! How sweet, how wise the Master's way To make the household strong and sure — Not raised haphazard for a day, But deeply founded, to endure ! How lovingly He watches, while We mortals build on earth a home, Giving His blessing with a smile As one by one the children come! Each child a stranger, to our sense, Till life has made it closely dear — Yet if perchance He calls it hence, How empty seems the household here! Ah! He is building for our love A home by far outlasting this: The house not made with hands, above, Eternal in the heavenly bliss! [23] Not even the first who pass the gates Can feel themselves indeed alone; For He with cordial welcome waits — A household friend already known! He shows them how His love has cared For us, their love still longs to see, And leads them to the place prepared, Where He and they and we shall be. Thenceforward they who enter there (Returning by the glad new birth Called death) do find a household where Shall be fulfilled the loves of earth. No blind and ignorant babes are they, With love's long lesson yet to learn ; But souls that swiftly tread the way To meet the souls for whom they yearn. Each pilgrim feels familiar arms Outstretched to give the old embrace, And looks, to still all strange alarms, Up into a familiar face! And so the household grows complete, While its destruction we deplore, Unmindful of the safe retreat They have prepared who went before. [24] Dear Christ! in both our homes a guest, Consoling here, inspiring there! Prepare us for the place of rest, While Thou and they the place prepare ! [25] HIS NAME SHALL BE ON THEIR FOREHEADS Above that silent, stainless brow, Behold an Angel bending low! "What doest Thou," I said, "To our beloved dead?" Then smiling, he: "I smooth away- Some words of earthly pain that lay Upon this forehead white. They came there in the night; "And now, at morning's happy tide, They may no longer there abide. See how, at my caress, They fade to nothingness!" "Nay, Thou art doing more than this!" I said; and he, with one swift kiss Upon the shining head, Replied, "I print instead A new name where those words were writ !' "Alas !" I cried, "we are not fit That secret name to know; And we would not forego [26] "The lore of precious, sacred gain Love wrote between those lines of pain. Nor were she truly blest Forgetting us in rest!" Once more he spake: 'This name so new Containeth all the old names, too; What ye have spelled apart In syllables of the heart, "What ye have yearned in vain to say, Is the full name of God — and they On whom that Name is set, Belonging to you yet, Live, and do not forget !" [27] WHO SHALL SEPARATE US? I I marvel not when souls oppressed With toil and care and fear, Look forward, upward, for the rest That is denied them here. The poor, the weak, the lonely lives, How would they curse their birth, But for the hope of heaven that gives A recompense for earth! But we, who journeyed, hand in hand, And rested, heart to heart, Longed not for any better land That we must reach apart. How can celestial scenes atone For earth's remembered bliss To her, in yonder world alone, And me, alone in this? II O tear-blind mourner! lift thine eyes, And dry them in the sun; Thou also art in Paradise, For lo! the world is one! [28] And they who walk the way of love, Love's life eternal win, Nor need to look afar, above, For heaven, that lies within That deeper union cannot hang Upon a mortal breath, Or vanish in a mortal pang — For such there is no death! One with each other and with Christ, They journey as before, And find the joy that once sufficed Become not less, but more. O blessed touch of Death, that takes No jot from joys begun, But only of love's kingdom makes Two worlds that are but one! [29] THE TEACHER Dear Lord, to whom the children ran For blessing sweet and close embrace, Who saidst, the children's angels can Forever see the Father's face; Who didst rebuke the overwise That sought the children to exclude; Who didst approve, with smiling eyes, When children palms before Thee strewed! Behold! Thy servant doth appear Before Thy face he longed to see — His glory this: that, year by year, He brought the children unto Thee! And while he did his loving part, We saw him win a grace unthought; For lo! by touch Divine, his heart Grew to a child's heart, as he wrought! And now we hear Thee, Glorious One, With shining children round Thy knees, Saying, "Thrice welcome, dearest son; Thou art become as one of these!" [30] THE PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE Crowned Son of God ! Behold, Thy friend Departs from us, to bide with Thee, Trusting Thy word, that to the end Where'er Thou art, Thine own shall be. And by Thy promise sure, we know That he on whom we leaned in love Shall stand, as in Thy Church below, A pillar, in Thy Church above! A pillar, always in its place, Steadfast and strong, and true of line, Firm-founded in Thy changeless grace, High-towering to Thy full design! Of these Thy pillars, Thou didst say O Christ! Thou wouldest write on them The name of God, to shine alway, And of His New Jerusalem. Yet these were no inscriptions new — Only a record simply fit; For on this pillar's shaft, these two, Thou knowest, were already writ. [31] But Thou hast promised more than this: — O vision beyond earthly sight! O mystery of consummate bliss! — Thine own new name thereon to write! And in Thy Temple we shall view Our brother strong, who overcame, Bearing, above all names we knew, The glory of Thine own New Name! It shall be whispered in his ear — That glad new name of love and rest; Then chanted through the heavenly sphere ;- Then blazoned on his happy breast! [32] MOTHER True heart and wise, that with Love's key- Didst open all life's mystery And buy life's treasure at the price Of Love's perpetual sacrifice! The peace that Love finds hid in care; The strength that love-borne burdens bear; The hope that stands with love and faith Serenely facing life and death; The blessing that in blessing lies — These didst thou know, true heart and wise! Now God hath added, last and best, The sudden, glad surprise of rest! [33] EMMAUS "Dear Lord," I said, "we would not mourn For any loss that needs be borne, If only we might know our loss Was gain unto Thy Holy Cross. What were our sorrow, in the thought Of Thy new victory thereby wrought! "But didst Thou really know, indeed, Of this Thy saint, Thy kingdom's need — How many souls, she saved for Thee, Now faint for such a friend as she; "How many more she might have won Are seeking help and finding none ; How all Thy servants query who Her place can fill, her work can do? Not selfish is the moan we make; [We sorrow, Master, for Thy sake!" The silence of my soul was stirred By something subtler than a word — Such utterance as the Spirit brings For deep, unutterable things. I know not what the Spirit brought: It seemed a picture and a thought. [34] I saw two travelers in tears, Communing of their griefs and fears, In garrulous sorrow telling o'er, What each already knew before, How death had triumphed to dispel The only hope of Israel. "We thought," they said, "it would be He Who should redeem us!" Suddenly Methought I saw a stranger greet Those hopeless mourners. In His feet And in His hands and in His side The cruel scars yet testified; And on His brow serene was borne The impress of a wreath of thorn. Yet were their eyes with weeping dim; And glory strange encompassed Him — The radiance that witnesseth Of love victorious over death. And so they knew Him not; but soon Methought their faces glowed and shone, As if their hearts, in glad relief, Burned through the ashes of their grief. One little word of all He said Wherewith their souls were comforted, I caught; and, by a mystery, The rest seemed spoken unto me: [35] "If it were better then that I At the vfull hour of hope should die, Doubt not that death with life divine Crowns for new power each child of mine, Nor fear lest any death of man Shall spoil the work My death began! Nay, rather, as My going left A Spirit new in hearts bereft, And they who sorrowed for me most Were kindled by the Holy Ghost To joy and courage, hope and zeal Beyond all human power to feel, So let your seeming loss and pain Be wrought into some nobler strain Of praise and service, worthy her Whose life was My interpreter, And whose strong spirit, glorified, Forever shall with you abide!" The Master was revealed, 'tis said, To them, in breaking of the bread, And vanished: so from me at last The vision of His presence passed; But witness evermore shall be This bread of life He broke for me! [36] DEATH'S REVELATION One more from earth to heaven ascends; Yet earth and heaven do lie so near That still we walk with unseen friends And our beloved still are here! We feel upon our foreheads still Their hands, we strive in vain to reach While with the words of love they fill The silence which is love's own speech. The mystery thus we learn at last, Uniting earth's divided lives, That, all things mortal being passed, Immortal, changeless love survives! Sinning, and doubting overmuch, Too oft we lose the vision clear, The hearing keen, the subtle touch, That link us to a higher sphere. Welcome! thou dear Death- Angel, who Undoest what our lives have done, And, breaking our delusions through, Makest once more the two worlds one! [37] Thy call is doom; thy touch is pain; Thy boon is ours at fearful cost; But thou dost give to us again The priceless treasure we had lost. [38] THE JUST MADE PERFECT O bliss supreme, for which we yearned The while Earth's weary way we trod, And faintly in the sky discerned The shining city of our God! There stand the innumerable throng Of angels, whom we yet shall know, And there, in rest and joy and song, The heroes of the church below. And there the Judge, whose love is law, And the dear Christ, whose pierced side Upon the cross erewhile we saw, Now welcomes them for whom He died ! Yet still our hearts to kindly Death One other longing would declare — Ah! blessed be the word that saith The just made perfect — they are there. They whom we loved with fitful love, Yea, loved — yet did not understand — They wait us in the host above, Transfigured for the heavenly land! [39] And now their deep, transparent eyes Disclose their secret, real and true — All weakness gone that did disguise The heavenly heart from earthly view. What though we find they have outgrown The portrait of our memory? Still we shall know them for our own — Our own — as we would have them be! From glory unto glory bright With flight unfettered now they soar; Yet, on each new celestial height, Still they are ours, not less, but more! [40] THE LIGHT ETERNAL The brightest ray gives deepest shade; And, if we read the gloom aright Some passing shield opaque has made, We say, "The shadow proves the light!" Yea, even the dark of night profound, That seems so boundless to our eyes, Is but a shadow, swinging round Through the vast glory of the skies — The shadow of our floating isle, That, turning, keeps the light away Or brings it back, yet swims the while In the great sea of changeless day! And when to us night seems to fall, And we declare that day is done, Beyond the West earth's dwellers all Are waking glad to greet the sun! So Life and Death, like Night and Day, Are but the change ourselves have made, While round our little world alway Shines Light Eternal, without shade! [41] BLESSED ARE THEY To us across the ages borne, Comes the deep word the Master said: "Blessed are they that mourn; They shall be comforted!" Strange mystery! Is it better, then, To weep and yearn and vainly call, Till peace is won from pain, Than not to grieve at all ! Yea, truly, though joy's note be sweet, Life does not thrill to joy alone. The harp is incomplete That has no deeper tone. Unclouded sunshine overmuch Falls vainly on the barren plain; But fruitful is the touch Of sunshine after rain! Who only scans the heavens by day Their story but half reads, and mars; Let him learn how to say, "The night is full of stars!" [42] We seek to know Thee more and more, Dear Lord, and count our sorrows blest, Since sorrow is the door Whereby Thou enterest. Nor can our hearts so closely come To Thine in any other place, As where, with anguish dumb, We faint in Thine embrace. [43] ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF Lord Jesus ! Thou dost know my pain — Alone, at night, to cry Alas! With anguish, and to cry in vain — Didst Thou not pray, and pray again, The bitter cup might pass? My hopeless struggle ends; and now, In this mine hour of cruel loss, Thou knowest still my pain; for Thou Beneath the crushing weight didst bow, And couldst not bear Thy cross! Though heaven awhile its stars deny, And faith no gleam of rescue see, This, too, Thou knowest, who didst cry Aloud: My God, My God; oh why Hast Thou forsaken me! To Thee the weary way is plain, The fear, the darkness, the release. Since I must tread that path again, Dear Christ, who knowest all my pain, Make me to know Thy peace! [44] HAVING DONE ALL, STAND! Erect, alert, undaunted still, The weary, wounded veteran stands, Waiting to hear the Captain's will, And heeding nought save His commands. In vain we whisper, through our grief, "Lay down thy weapons; take thy rest! Behold, the Angel of Relief Approaches at thy Lord's behest!" "Not so," he saith; "I pledged my Lord In youth, the life He gave me then; And only at His own clear word Will I surrender it again!" Then through the night his lips were dumb; But as the dawn dispelled the shade, The Voice he knew said plainly, "Come!" And in glad silence he obeyed! Thou knowest, Lord, Thy soldier true; For Thou, Thyself, didst set him free, When he had fought the good fight through, And kept the faith once pledged to Thee! [45] THE RECRUIT "Lord, who am I that I should dare," He said, "Thy glorious name to wear, And challenge all to view in me What sort of man Christ's man should be ! "Let this sufficient place be mine, Humbly to hear Thy word divine, And serve Thy children, even as one Not worthy to be called Thy son!" "My son !" — thus ran the answer low — "My son! Thou canst not serve Me so. I need thee wholly; and My need, Not thine alone, I stand to plead. "And whom I call, I will sustain; Falling, they shall arise again; Mine once, mine always, they shall be Who in My need have come to Me." He heard; he hastened to obey, Casting all doubts and fears away, And unto Christ, at that command "I need thee," pledged a loyal hand. [46] How strong the steadfast soldier stood, How faithful to the brotherhood! Ah, clearly, though our eyes are dim, We see how much we needed him! But he has caught again the word That once his generous spirit stirred, As, whispering from a higher sphere, The master said, "I need thee here!" [47] WALKING WITH GOD Read at the funeral of William Hamilton Gibson, at Washington, Connecticut. He walked, the friend of every life In flower or insect, beast or bird; He knew their pleasure and their strife; Their sorrows shared, their secrets heard. Bending their leafy diadems, The trees to him a welcome breathed; The blossoms on a thousand stems To him their deepest hearts unsheathed. The bright-eyed squirrel showed him where Its highway ran along the fence, And, inly glad to see him there, Fled, not too far, in shy pretence. The tilting songster on the bough, The callow nestling in its place, With quick perception learned to know This lover of their hunted race. Around him, like an angel throng, The countless host of gauzy things, With airy flight and murmurous song Unfurled the glories of their wings. [48] For the world's life within him thrilled, And every earthly path he trod To his responsive soul was filled With works, and ways, and words of God. Then spake a dearer Voice: "My son, A life yet wider shalt thou see: Leave these fair hills of Washington, And walk on fairer hills with Me!" [49] THE LOVER OF MEN In memory of Peter Cooper. Now, God be thanked for such a gift! A human life, so strong, so sweet, So blessed, so blessing, so complete, So fit before the world to lift For pattern and encouragement; For silent love and echoing praise; For teaching how earth's fleeting days In heavenly uses best are spent; What guerdon tireless toil commands; What triumph waits on enterprise; How he who serves his kind shall rise, Upborne upon their grateful hands! His goodness struck detraction dumb; He drew the heart of all to his, And lent unto the life that is The brightness of the life to come! [50] WELL DONE! O gallant warrior, whom nor wound Nor weariness could force to yield, Until thou heard'st the bugle sound That called thee to a higher field! O faithful servant, not content To rest upon the service past, But using still the talents lent With jealous ardor to the last! O thorough workman, slighting nought, But laboring on the smallest part Until the whole was fitly wrought To satisfy thy loyal heart! To thee I hear the Master speak Not merely words of pardoning grace, As one who lifts a wanderer weak Into some safe, celestial place! Sweet is His mercy unto all Who fail in what they fain would do; And precious His inspiring call That cheers them to begin anew. [51] But unto some, when life is spent, The fight is fought, the race is run, He saith, not pityingly, "Well meant !" But proudly, joyfully, "Well done!" [52] THE DOER OF THE WORD Not thine in lofty words to celebrate The deeds of other men, or to declare How honor, courage, kindliness are fair; How happy homes make strong the welded State ; How they who draw the path of duty straight And tread therein unswerving, without boast, Of all God's loyal servants do the most To cast up for His feet the highway great. Yet with a clearer language didst thou speak, Than poet's song or preacher's tongue of fire, That truth to utter which mere speech is weak ; And thee not less we gratefully admire, Who quietly hast lived the life they seek By their high words in all men to inspire. [53] THE FACE BELOVED Read at the dedication of the Memorial Tablet to Henry Ward Beecher, at Plymouth Church, 1893. Let us look on his face anew; The face so tender and true; The brow of a strong repose; The eyes of fire and dew; The lips that could unclose To let the thunder through, Or sound Heaven's trumpet of youth To spirits weary of earth, Or challenge the deeps of truth, Or ring with the music of mirth, Or breathe, like a harp in the air, The answering breath of prayer! Let us look on the face we have loved Since ever our love began; The face that with anger was moved When wrong was done to man; That shone in the front of the fight When battle raged for the right, Yet bent with pity again Over the wounded and slain! [54] Let us look on the face of him Who caught from the joyous throng Of worshiping seraphim The note of a rapturous song; Who tasted the bread and the wine Of the human life divine! Come look on his face, all ye Whose tears have watered his grave; Slaves, he called to be free; Soldiers, he cheered to be brave; Hungry souls that he fed; Mourners he comforted; Dead souls, raised from the dead! We need not look on his face In picture or stone or brass; It is kept in a sacred place, While years uncounted pass — In the hearts and the lives enshrined Of the loving, left behind! Nay, not behind or below! For the life eternal is here; And within its shadow we know Our lover beloved stands near, Whose face, not far away, Looks upon us this day! [55] THE SACRIFICE In memory of Charles Weitzee, Assistant Pastor of Plymouth Church. This precious ointment rich and rare — Shall it adorn the fairest fair, Anoint some brow of kingly mien, Or lend its fragrance to a queen, Or, bartered dear for price of gold, Bring wealth and power to him who sold, Or, proudly conscious of itself, In the carved casket on the shelf Its hoarded treasure keep confined, Too sacred for the human kind? Nay, break the box, and pour profuse The ointment in Love's humblest use. No gift can squandered be or lost When Love gives, counting not the cost. Pour it in Love's surrender sweet Upon some weary pilgrim's feet, Or touch with Love's last chrism thereby Some lonely one about to die, And listen while Love whispers thee: "Lo! thou hast done it unto Mel" [56] ONE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH Read at the Annual Dinner of Plymouth Church January 16, 1910. Mother, whose household is one Beneath and beyond the sun! Thy daughters and sons to-day Hail thee and praise thee, and say, "Out of two worlds we come To greet our Mother at home !" Babes taken out of thy breast Into the heavenly rest; Youths made strong by thy voice To serve and endure and rejoice; Veterans crowned, who yet Love thee, and do not forget! Angels of glory and joy Pause in celestial employ, Blessing and honor to shed On thy gray, beautiful head! Blessing and honor to thee From those who have stood at thy knee! [57] Yea, He who is Brother of all Hastens to come at thy call, Gladly revisiting here The home by His presence made dear, Yet bidding us know, at thy side, His presence doth ever abide! So we, who yet linger between The past and the future unseen, Are one with the host on high, And one with the host drawing nigh, Thy children, whose love is secure [While ages and ages endure! [58] A PRAYER God give thee strength, my child, His strength, that cannot break 'Neath heavy burdens, piled On feeble arms that ache! Through all time's weary length God give thee strength! God give thee peace, my child, His peace, mysterious, strange, A music, murmuring mild Above earth's noisy change, That bids the tempest cease — God give thee peace! God give thee joy, my child, Triumphant, full of grace, The joy that aye hath smiled In the True Lover's face, Free of all base alloy, God give thee joy! [59] God give thee life, my child, All-compassing, all bright, Eternal, undented, His life of love and light! Sovereign o'er stress and strife, God give thee life! What human hearts, my child, Can only wish for thee, Albeit, by love beguiled, They fain would givers be, — Of blessings great or small, God give thee all! [60] HE STANDS AT THE DOOR Crowned with the splendor of the skies, Jeweled with stars, and robed in light, So radiant that all human eyes Are blinded by the sight: He holds the keys of either sphere, Yet one small door will not unlock, But stands without, until I hear My Lover's patient knock — Hear and arise, and joyfully Throw for myself the portal wide, That He who comes to visit me May enter and abide! Beloved, through Thy grace Divine, Though I be weak, and full of sin, This right of sovereign choice is mine. Behold, I let Thee in! Come, and my darkened house illume; Come, share and bless my daily store, O Lord of Life and Life to come, Who knockest at my door! [61] MY PILGRIMAGE I journey to no distant goal, That shall reward the toilsome way; Not from to-morrow draws my soul The strength it needs to-day. Not yonder only waits my King To place a crown upon my brow With longed-for praise and welcoming; He walks beside me now. I do not stand upon the beach Of any cold and sullen stream I needs must cross or ere I reach The city of my dream. Life, in a brimming, bubbling tide, Not darkling Death, flows ceaseless by. And evermore, that stream beside, We walk — my Friend and I. We feel the joy of thirst, and drink; We heal the wounds of toil and strife With leaves that flutter to the brink Down from the trees of life. [62] Upward we'll trace the river's course, Until at last, the pathway trod, We stand together at the source, Beneath the throne of God. Dear Friend, what scenes that upper land May hold of unimagined bliss I know not; but I clasp Thy hand, Content with Thee, and this. [63] CHRISTUS CONJUGATUS weary soul! be not distressed; Remember how the Master spoke That day He promised His own rest To them who take His yoke — His yoke, that lays its weight on two, And links the laborer to a Friend Unwearied, patient, hopeful, true, Who bears the other end! Dear Lord and Comrade! I would ask No toil in which Thou dost not aid, Nor any rest from any task Save that which Thou hast said Thou wilt bestow on them who bear This common yoke of theirs and Thine- The joyful burden, light as air, The rest that is divine! 1 would not stop, I would not moan, While life and strength remain in me, If only I be not alone In what I do for Thee! [64] Till there be left no work at all That I on earth with Thee can share, And Thou shalt speak the welcome call : "Rest now — and work — elsewhere!" [65] THE LILIES What is the way the lilies grow? Asleep in winter, under the snow, They stir in their sleep and dream of the sky They shall look up to, by and by; And when the Spring with fingers small, Reaches and touches and wakes them all, Then out they come, and up they go: That is the way the lilies grow! And yet they do not suddenly leap Up from the bed of their winter sleep, Saying, "Behold, how grand are we, As big to-day as ever we'll be !" Oh, no! it is not the lilies' way With strain and striving to grow in a day: Calm and happy and sure and slow — That is the way the lilies grow! [66] They draw their food for leaf and stem Out of the earth that cradled them, Then catch in their tiny hands the rain To wash them clean of the earthly stain, And lift their faces to breeze and sun, That clothe in beauty every one. To heaven above, from earth below — That is the way the lilies grow! By and by, when the time is come All unconscious they bud and bloom! Then, in a glory that far outshines Richest splendors of royal lines, Over the meadow in bright array The lilies cluster, and seem to say, "How this happened, we do not know But that is the way we lilies grow." Little children (and larger, too!) Let the lilies say this to you: Would you rise to the higher air Strong, unsullied and free of care, Gathering ever from earth and sky Grace and glory in full supply — Would you win Life's victory so? Consider the lilies, how they grow! [67] THE GRAND CANYON OF THE COLORADO A thought of God on earth expressed! — The silence of His perfect rest; — The patience of eternal power; — The ceaseless change from hour to hour; — Forms in alternate gloom and flame, That bide yet evermore the same, And do but wear a fitful guise Reflected in our human eyes, Which only compass in their range The things that change, or seem to change ;- The blended hues of heavenly birth Beyond the tenderest tints of earth, That fill and flood these spaces wide With surges of celestial tide; — The mystery of this awful brink Where meaner thoughts in rapture sink, And souls see clear, tho' eyes grow dim, While time and space are lost in Him! Methinks I could not fail or flee In any conflict yet to be, Whatever pathway must be trod, Might I but keep this thought of God! [68] TO A SHUT-IN We ran along the shining sands Beneath the cloudy sky, And saw the ships from many lands — The white ships, sailing by. But lo! upon a quiet spot An idle boat we found. "Boatman," we cried, "Why sail you not?" Quoth he, "My ship's aground." "And are you sad and desolate, To be thus laid aside?" "Not so," he said, "I only wait The turning of the tide. "And while I watch my brethren free Upon the sparkling main, I know the time will come to me When I shall launch again." Dear sailor, stranded for a while, Though other sails are spread, And waves in invitation smile, And heaven shines overhead, [69] We count you still a comrade true, We miss you and we yearn For the glad moment when to you The flood-tide shall return. [70] THE HIGHEST CRITICISM Whene'er, O ever-present Lord! These ancient chronicles I read Of them, Thy human speech who heard, Who touched Thy human hands indeed, Forbid that all my faith be spent To find them true, and free from flaw, Or idly pitch my slothful tent Upon the truth they say they saw! Nay, hold not thus Thyself aloof, But come, and bide and walk with me, That I may cry, on higher proof, Not, "Yes; they saw," but "Lo! I see!" [71] THY WILL Thou, who art inspiring My yearning and desiring, And hearest always when I pray! Hear only, whatsoe'er I say, "Dear God, Thy will be done, And Thine alone !" 1 could not joy in praying, My heart before Thee laying, Did I not know I cannot move The wiser purpose of Thy love! Dear God, Thy will be done, And Thine alone ! Such dread, my faith o'ertasking, Would silence all my asking; How should I dare a single hour To borrow Thine almighty power? Dear God, Thy will be done, And Thine alone! [72] Let not my selfish crying Disturb Thy love's replying! I shall not mourn the things I miss If Thou but make me sure of this; Dear God, Thy will be done, And Thine alone ! [73] IMMORTAL LOVE There is gladness and rest for the spirits bright Who have laid their labors down; They have run the race, they have fought the fight; They have bent their heads for the crown; Yet ever they turn from their rapturous song To the dear ones here below; For love is steadfast, and love is strong, And love will never let go! There is trial and burden and struggle and pain For us on this earthly shore; But we surely some day shall meet again The dear ones gone before; And even in the midst of the heavenly throng Our own we shall find and know; For love is steadfast, and love is strong, And love will never let go! Thou Lord of Life and Lord of Love To whom alike are dear Thy strong, triumphant saints above And Thy weak children here! [74] Thou wilt grant us the joy for which we long; For chiefest in Thee, we know That love is steadfast, and love is strong, And love will never let go! [75] SING TO THE LORD! Sing to the Lord, O my soul, O my soul! Tell of His goodness, tell of His love! Hark! how the music of spheres as they roll Echoes from Heaven above! Angels are chanting from star unto star; Sweetly their melody falls on Thine ear, Thrilling to meet, as it comes from afar, Answering praises here! Surely, my soul, there is joy in confessing Fullness of pardon, and treasure of blessing. Thine be the song to fly swift to His throne With rapture of gladness to angels unknown ! Casting thy crown, O my soul, at His feet, Let thy new strain make the chorus complete, Glory and blessing and honor to bring, — Sing to the Lord, O sing! Not unto us, O my soul, O my soul, Not unto us the praise shall be given; Hail to the Father whose tender control Guideth thy feet to Heaven! [76] Weakness and weariness brood o'er thy path, He is thy refuge and strength by the way; Shadow of sorrow and tempest of wrath Vainly thy course would stay. Straying, He followed thee; lost, He hath found thee; Ever the arms of His love are around thee; He shall acclaim thee, when trials are done Heir of His Kingdom and son with His Son ! Casting thy crown, O my soul, at His feet Let thy new strain make the chorus complete, Glory and blessing and honor to bring, — Sing to the Lord, . O sing ! [77] AN ANNIVERSARY Now rest, ye pilgrim host! Look back upon your way: The mountains climbed, the torrents crossed, Through many a weary day. From this victorious height How fair the past appears, God's grace and glory shining bright On all the bygone years! How many, at His call, Have parted from our throng! They watch us from the crystal wall, And echo back our song. They rest, beyond complaints, Beyond all sighs and tears; Praise be to God for all His saints Who wrought in bygone years! The banners they upbore Our hands still .lift on high; The Lord they followed evermore To us is also nigh. [78] Arise, arise! and tread The future without fears; He leadeth still, whose hand hath led Through all the bygone years ! When we have reached the home We seek with weary feet, Our children's children still shall come To keep these ranks complete; And He, whose host is one, In all the countless spheres Will guide His marching servants on Through everlasting years. [79] EASTER Morning red! Morning red! Now the shadows all are fled; Now the Sabbath's cloudless glory- Tells anew the wondrous story, Christ is risen from the dead. All around, all around, Solemn silence reigned profound; When, with blaze and sudden thunder, Angels burst the tomb asunder, And the Saviour was unbound. Forth He came, Forth He came. Robed in white, celestial flame! Mary, at His empty prison, Knew not her Redeemer risen, Till He called her by her name. Morning red! Morning red! Christ is risen from the dead! Still He walketh in the garden, Speaking words of love and pardon, Though the crown is on His head! [80] Morning red! Morning red! Thou dost light His crowned head! Brightest jewel of His glory, Ever shines that wondrous story, Christ is risen from the dead. End. [81] Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proces Neutralizing Agent: Magnes.um Ox.de Treatment Date: JAri 138° PRESERVATION 1 bUHNULOGIES. LI 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 1 6066