CL * »* ^0 ^^-^ '^^ c'^ •^' % o > /OO Threads of Gold Wai ^en in v erse Ve The '. BfiARY OF OC "JORCSS, Two Oof-iee Received NOV. 30 190t COP^WIOMT bntrv CLASS a-OCXc. No. / 9 "^ff OOfy a. Copyright 1901, by the Author. Press of Tbs Daxota BaruBUCAii, T«rmillion, S. D. Xlireads of Oold.. PREFACE. P I? E F A C E. THE Poet lives in his own sublime sphere, a realm that is entirelj' his own. 63- his own pectiliar fitness he reigns supreme, jet his own adapta- tion determines what the right of the poet shall be in the estimation of a critical world. He must not onlj^ laj- the foundation for his fame, but btiild and beautify the temple that shall draw forth the praises of his adinirers. He must set forth his own enchantments and become personallj" adorned with the richness of his own genius. It inust permeate the poet's soul as he attempts to bring forth in his own graphic way such scenes or events that he may blend into verse to charm other minds. The prayerful desire of the author has been to weave into his poem the spirit of truth and frankness, like a golden thread blending with a childlike simplicit)-. Most of them have been written underneath the im- pulse of the motnent, as the mind came in touch with the subjects blended into verse. The one aim and object has been to glorify the spirit and life of our Lord Jesus Christ. "And whatsoever je do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." THREADS OF GOLD. If these verses shall give comfort in sorrow, strengthen hope in the time of despair, or support in the time of af- fliction, the glorj' and praise shall be given to Him who inspired the mind and guided the pen in the portrayal of those scenes set forth in these silent pages that are now given to the public. Some of these poems have proved strengthening and inspiring to other minds within the narrow sphere of personal friendship. Now, at their solicitation, the3- are given a wider sphere, like a friendly messenger sent forth into the wide, wide world to seek and find other hearts and minds to comfort, thrill and inspire. The Author. INDEX. INDEX Title. Introduction The New Year Theke Is No Night, No Death Silent Service Rock Me to Sleep, Mother One Little Seed My Life, My All Our Wedded Life Where the Zephyr Blows The Silent Message Just Fifty Years Ago . . The Wheels of Time Life's Race The Closing Year' . . The Laborer's Cottage My Mother The Passing Years Where the Lilies Bloomed Waiting Responsibility Who Is Responsible? The Two Lovers Retrospection Page. 10 13 15 16 18 20 22 23 24 25 27 30 33 36 38 40 42 44 4ti 48 51 54 56 THREADS OF GOLD. In Memory of Dwight L. Moody . . The Lokd Doeth All Things Well Partings Strange, but True The Evening Hour . . When the Day Closes . . Love Life's Purpose Let There Be Light Where, O Where ? The New Birth Life's Mission A Visit to the Cemetery .. Harvest The Prince of Israel Unfolding Christmas at the Old Home The Dying Babe Synonymous The Old Year Slowly Dying . . The Coming Storm . . Home, Sweet Home The Better Way Mary's Visit to the Sepulchre The Noble Knight . . An Immortal Soul Temptation Angelo Intelligence A Loving Tribute 58 60 62 63 65 67 68 70 72 74 77 79 81 84 86 87 89 91 93 96 99 101 103 104 106 110 113 114 116 117 INDEX. Our Beloved President . . . . .120 What Are We ? . . 122 Nature's Treasures . . . . . . .125 Wake Up, Ye Christians . . 127 The Book of Life . . 130 Whence Came They? .. 182 The Sparrows . . . . . . 134 Autumn .. .. .. .. 138 I Am Lonely To-Night .140 If I Should Die To-Day . . 142 A Symbol of Beauty .. .. 144 Life's Sea . . . . . . 146 Our Twenty-Fifth Anniversary . . . . . . 149 Nightly Echoes . . 152 Toiling On . . .154 My Study 155 The Christian Graces . . .158 Roses, Sweet Roses . . 160 An Open Grave . . . . . . . . 161 The Tumble Weeds . . 163 Evolution . . . . . . . 165 A Mother's Love . . . . 169 Life's Experiences . . . . . . . . .173 The End 175 INTR OD UC TION. INTRODUCTION. This little book Of poems small, Readers cannot Dig^est it all. It has no lips By which to speak, Silent pages Make it complete. Its true value Measured by love Like unto that Drawn from above, A work of love To many hearts, Away 3^0 u go, With joy departs. Where thou goest Prayers will follow. Truth thou lendesi Minds will borrow— A golden thread That shall yet bind, By its own power Be ye entwined. THREADS OF GOLD. Just one desire From heart doth flow. These silent pages Christ xiiay adore, Thus drawing close By secret ties Links of friendship Beneath the skies. A monument Of thought and toil, This book is sent From treasured soil. Whilst it lingers With 3'ou so nigh, A monument To wife and I. Labor of love, Sent like a dove, Given to you, Study it true, Scatter it wide, Whate'er betide. Have done my best, From toil I '11 rest. THE NEW YEAR. 13 THE NEW YEAR. Hail, bridal morn, another 3ear, Fairest of all that makes the same; It comes with blessings thus to cheer— ' Happ3' New Year" is th3^ fair name. So fair and pnre. hope to inspire. And life suffused to nobler deeds; With firm resolve I touch its l5re — Inspiring thoug-ht to which it leads. It bids me rise in God's own might. With true resolve for duty's hour; This year maj* bring a gi-eater light To heart and home, my dail}- bower. It links nij' life with those now past. And one more jear to earth's domain; The}' come and go, yea, sure and fast, This God-given one doth now remain. It may be one of better years, A friend to me. so good and true. Or one. though strewn with many fears Through sorrows deep that maj- enstie. 14 THREADS OF GOLD. Those years now past — I cannot brino- The lost ones back. O how intense My heart doth j^earn that I might wrino Apart those gates and bring- them thence, Yes, gone; and in abyss thej' hide — Things unknown, alas! not to ine; This year may bring a sense of pride, Like rippling waters of the sea. It comes with love and hope to man. To link his life with stronger faith; When at the dawn it first began, The new brings life, the old brought death. And shall this come in vain? Ah, no; Kind words and deeds in fragrance sweet Fall 'round mj' pathwaj' as I go, To help some one, perchance, I meet. Through dajs and weeks I shall behold The joj's of life's inspiring song ; And when the year grows old and cold, I may have grown more sweet and young. THERE IS NO NIGHT, NO DEATH. 15 THERE IS NO NIGHT, NO DEATH. There is no night, although the sun goes down, Only to rise upon some other shore, J^o that stars may shine, like some jeweled crown, In heaven's fair dome, silent to adore The creator of all. There is no night, for the sun never sleeps, Although it may seem to sink into rest; And from sight withdrawn, it silently keeps Its own sphere, day \yy day, from east to west. Illuminating all. There is no night; the darkness seems to fall. And light of day doth fade, not pass away; A veil doth fall, it does not cover all; Just a little while, then comes the light of day. From the sun's rising orb. There is no death; the life sinks into gloom Only to rise upon some other shore; Hope, like stars, shine above the vaulted tomb In heaven's light, a risen Christ adore- In Christ, the light of day. There is no death; our friends may pass away. And a gloomy shade may o'ercast our sky; The living soul still lives in boundless sway Of endless day. It comes our faith to try In life's great mysteries. There can be no death to the living soul, In its endless life an unfading ray; Like unto the day, the sun doth control; A living soul is an eternal day Of an eternal sun. i6 THREADS OF GOLD. SIIiENT SERVICE. Have you ever watched the glowing sunset, Whilst sinking in the distant west? Or to its speech have you been unmindful, As it whispered a quiet rest ? Have you ever watched the veil of darkness At nightfall, that the sunset brings, As if to cover your own weariness With its gentle evening wings? Often through the night j^ou longed for daylight. Ungrateful for the sky of blue, With its countless stars of midnight brightness And flowers drinking in the dew. As the night ever seemed long with silence, W^ith a sense of some inward fear. Striving to keep your fears in abeyance, As they thus came creeping near, Have you ever watched for daylight breaking In the far-ofif eastern sky — And you could not rest j^our ceaseless longing. So strange it seemed, 3 ou knew not why? Are you ungrateful, or are you selfish. And think the world is going wrong? Maybe you are craving some selfish wish That makes your days and nights so long. SILENT SERVICE. 17 Ah! if you could be thus alwaj'S craving For others' needs, and thus to seek A life of usefvxlness, thus increasing The jo}' of those who mourn and weep! With loving deeds suffuse jour dailj- task. In helping others as 3^ou roam; Thousands there are who thus silentlj^ ask Your help beneath the starry doine. As thej' have watched for that veil of darkness At nightfall which the sunset brings, It does not cover their own weariness With its ffentle evening wings. Many a soul pra3'S at midnight darkness Beneath the canopy of blue, Longing for a star of christian brightness To bring its blessing: Is that you 'r Yes, many a soul thus longs for daylight Beneath the midnight sky of blue; Parched are they for the dew of sjanpathy. To your mission can't you be true? It's j'our "Silent Service" that is needed In a suffering world like this. Go at once, before the daylight fadeth, And in the going find your bliss. 1 8 THREADS OF GOLD. BOCK ME TO SLEEP, MOTHER. Just rock me to sleep, Mother, As you used to long ago, Those little sobs to smother As I laid down on the floor. So tired, weary and fretful, I could find no place of rest The little head, so weary To rest on its mother's breast. I feel so weary with care. Will you a loving watch keep, Again smooth \\\y ruffled hair Whilst rocking your hoy to sleep? I long for those childish j^ears, Now that thej" have passed awaj'. With so many griefs and tears — Yet it seems but yesterday. None to me have been more true. Or a love more wide and deep; My heart often calls for you To rock me again to sleep. How swiftly those years have flown! Their memories still endure; No face on mine ever shone So brightly as that of yours. ROCK ME TO SLEEP, MOTHER. 19 Charm'd awa}- inanj- a pain Whilst slumbers did o'er me creep, Cooling the wee little brain As you thus rock'd me to sleep. I long for it thus once more; The longing is broad and deep, That 5'ou once more as of 5ore Should rock me once more to sleep. It appears to me so long, As I used to fret and weep Just for a motherly song Whilst rocking your boy to sleep. It seems to me like a dream. When nightly shadows doth creep; that to-night it might seem As if you thus rocked me to sleep. 1 fancy I see the chair Where those loving arms would keep Her boy so free from all care As 30U thus rocked me to sleep. To sleep once more on her breast. As if on the ocean deep. Her boy would quietly rest While Mother rocked him to sleep. THREADS OF GOLD. ONE LITTLE SEED. A LITTLE seed placed in the j^rovind Into a tree did grow — The vital germ with life abound That sprang thus from below. The seed, the g^erni, la}' buried low, Yea, lost to mortal sight; Some unknown hand that seed did sow In faith, a prospect bright. That hand, that seed, shall never touch Each other — nevermore. As it thus blends and moulds with dust Its work to life will soar. The tree thus grows for some one else To prize and to enjoj^ — A shelter from the sun that wilts, With burning heat annoj'. They bless that hand, though never seen Or held in friendship's grasp; One noble act thus stands between The present and the past. ONE LITTLE SEED. How many little seeds thus sown In word or noble deed B}^ some kind heart 'neath heaven's dome To bless some one in need ! To-da}- we live to sow some seed, To-morrow we may die; One little act shall surely lead To bless some passer b}'. Some unknown heart will grateful be To him that sows the seed; Whilst unconscious of others' need To gratitude will lead. There's not a source of joy we find Tfiat helps us on our way. But other hands have helped to bind The blessings of to-day. As I have reaped, so maj- I sow For others in their da}'; Whilst thej' reap, they maj- never know Who sowed along the waj-. THREADS OF GOLD. MY LIFE: MY ALL. O Christ, thou life divine, Within my soul thus shine;. Claim me, I pra}^ thee, as thine own, That I may know as I am known, And in th}^ likeness daily grow. That I beyond may reap what I on earth have sown. O Christ, \\\y lord and king. Help me thy praise to sing ; Teach me to trust and rest in thee, That I in thee and thou in me Ma}^ fill my mission here below, That I those joys may reap what I in faith have sown. O Christ, thou son of God, Emblem'd in Aaron's rod. And brighter than the morning star That shines so brightl}^ from afar. Thou art more beautiful than they — The life, the source, the joy, of an eternal da3r O Christ, thou friend of friends. My life in sweetness blends With thee and thine forevermore — Thy glorious name I will adore And dail}' love thee more and more Till thou shalt call ine home to be thine own. O Christ, thou source of all The joj^s that doth befall. As I thus journe3' bj' the waj', Thou art with me, bj' night, b}' da\'. Calling loved ones, j^ea, one bj' one. I am waiting, Lord, for thee to sa^^: " well dotie." OUR WEDDED LIEE. 23 OUR WEDDED LIFE. The darkness falls at eventide, Whilst the fire on the hearth burns briirht; M}^ wife is sitting- by my side. And the glow gives a pleasant light. The cat is sitting at my feet, And children are quiet and still — These quiet hours my soul doth greet, A sweet peace ni}^ spirit doth fill. This home life doth sweet comfort give. As together we onward go; This home life is the life to live — To an3thing else that I know. Eventide, like a whisper'd song Of sweet memories to m\- mind ! These winter nights are none too long For the sweet home life — of tin's kind. 24 THREADS OF GOLD. WHEBE THE ZEPHYR BLOWS. O THOU gentle zeph5'r, that calmly blows Beneath the stars that shine, At the evening- hour when the light withdraws A soothing breath is thine, As from some distant shore on gentle wings A cooling breath thou bears, And to my soul a quiet vesper sings, Like some friend unawares. Thine inspiring breath doth brood over all — The leaves cannot be still; A most welcome guest when night shadows fall, Mj' weariness to thrill. I know not how, or why, or even whence Thou comest unto me; Of thy presence I have a grateful sense, Like others, it ma}' be. Blow, gently blow thy breath upon my face, Its influence to feel. Go and find others, whom I cannot trace, And with them gently deal. THE SILENT MESS A GE. 25 THE SILENT MESSAGE. A LETTER missive came over the sea Bringing the sad, sad news to me — With silent breath It told of death In the home that was far across the sea- The land of mv nativitv. As I broke the seal, I feared to take The silent script, for it would break Sad news to me. From o'er the sea. Of a loved one gone from earth so dear- So far apart and jet so near. It told in tones of most tenderest love How she resigned her will to God; With willing heart She did depart, To be with Christ in the mansions above, Where all is peace, and joy, and love. 26 THREADS OF GOLD. The bitterest pang that it brought to ine That never on earth I should see Her well-known face In fond embrace, As in days of old, just beyond the sea; She was as dear as life to nie. Farewell, thou loved one, it is npt for long When I '11 join that heavenly throng; Once more we '11 greet, Again to meet In the land beyond, by the golden shore, We'll meet again, to part no more. Elizabeth: so dear that well-known name! In death, to me it is the same; No change it makes- It only breaks The sacred ties of home, of earth and friends- Her spirit free to Christ ascends. JUST FIFTY YEARS AGO. 27 JUST FIFTY YEARS AGO. Life's evening shades have gathered low. The night is growing long; It is just fift3" years ago They sang that babj' song. The day had passed, the evening shade, Like unto smiles and tears, When I in tender arms was laid — A wee babe, without 3'ears. An offspring of a mother's love, And from her ejes did glow A tenderness like that above — Just tift3' j^ears ago. How sweetly did her smiles thus fall On that eventful daj^; In innocence before them all I on her bosom Vay. Just like a dream, mj' life has pas.sed Before ni}- dailj- gaze; This one frail link, it cannot last- Not ver}' many da3's. Those tender scenes have all dissolved. And with increasing 3ears Partings and tears have been involved, With man3- anxious fears. 28 THREADS OF GOLD. That home forsaken like a nest, Where loved ones lived and thrived; I am alone, for all the rest Have passed away and died. Fifty years ago: one short day It now appears to me; M}- mother's God has led the way, I thus can plainly see. Those memories, how blest are they, When I a boy at home Went in and out, thus day b}- daj- In childish bliss to roam. My school days came, and they did pass Like a cloud o'er the sky; That mother knew they covild not last — I could not reason why. I unto manhood thus did grow, And with it came a love For sinful men, that they might know That messasfe from above. Twenty-five years ago, or more, It was the month of June, When I stood bj^ that cottage door; A pang mj' heart consumed. JUST FIFTY YEARS AGO. 29 That mother stood before my face, Her hair was turning" M'nO- Anxious thouj^hts on that face I traced Al)out her boj- that da\-. That word *' good-bye" I '11 ne'er foroel; Forced from my lips it came; ">\\ heart was full, m\- cheeks were wet. And her's were just the same. That mother's heart I know did yearn. In secret thus to be. 'Twas a mother's love that did burn, I thus could plainly see. Father and mother have passed awa)' — Brot.hers and sisters, too. Have gone from earth in life's short day. Such thoughts are sad, hnt true. Sweet tho'ts of home, a sweet ])erfunie. In them such pleasure find; Whilst j)assing years cannot consume Such thoughts within mv mind. Their dj-ing blessings came to me Yes, one hy one they came. From the far-away o'er the sea In life, in death, the same. 30 THREADS OF GOLD. THE WHEELS OF TIME. Silently the wheels of time doth unbar The gates of future years, And now the next is standing thus ajar Till this one disappears. Those silent wheels of time shall ne'er roll back, But onward in their course; In their resistless rounds there is no lack Of fear or remorse. Time's stern dial that measures out our space, In j^outhful days of yore. Whatever we gather in life's great race — One life, one race, no more. It's God's stern sentinel of all our schemes, That marks our onward wa}'; We come and go, like leaves upon the trees, And fall to earth's decay. We know that future years are now withheld— One at a tiine we snatch; Be it many or few we have beheld, They can't forever last. THE WHEELS OE TIME. 31 We go step b3' step until we pass by— A truth we don't den}-; Following on our course with J03' or sigh, We live, and that to die. Night after night the sun's great tlaming light The western sky doth dip, Tingeing forests with beautj-— lovely sight— And hill-tops with love's lip. We dare not ask the meaning of such speech, As if our tongues were dumb — Or on our eye-balls blind they fail to reach— We let them pass along. As the years thus roll, ah! what do we see? Or, in dumb silence led. And think what is, yea, forever shall be, Without fear, be it said. How much there is in this short life, that mars, Beneath the skj- of blue Where the great orbs revolve, the sun and moon, Their freedom not debarred. 32 THREADS OF GOLD. Tlie jears with i^ilent voice doth loudly speak To mortals here below; Whilst this day lasts we should earnestlj' seek The seed of truth to sow. The people laugh and inake sport of such thins Revealed: heai-en and hell; Thus deluded, borne on those silent wings. Whither they cannot tell. \Vith the wheels of time we are moving- hence Without a single pause; We allow time to fly, without intent, To fiaht a nobler cause. Kternit3- has alread}' begun — He spake and it was done: Time shall be no more," and yon setting Its race, like yoii, shall run. Like dajsand weeks and months, our life must j)at Into the great bej'ond. To find that God is God — to thee, alas ! Mercj- or vengeance found. LIFE'S RACE. 33 LIFE'S RACE. Life's race to run, Not all for fun; A crown well won Brinsfs the " well done. Life's day is now, Before it bow; Give it th3' thouerht, Spend it for naught. Da3''s morning breaks Take what it makes; Karly or late, Always awake. Life's day a gift, Thj' soul to lift; Seek life and light By day, by night. Life is a day- What doth it say? One word to thee: Wilt thou be free? 34 THREADS OF GOLD. Let it not slip From silent lip; With daily breath It speaks of death. Live while it's day; Do not delay Its guiding ray To endless day. One at a time, Not mine or thine. God sends the day For thee to pray. Day at a time We die or live; With feet we walk. By tongue we talk. Nearer the end That God doth send; Thought act mtist blend- Now to the end. LIFE'S RACE. 35 We live to die, And lavig-h or sig^h; We eat and drink, Then reach the brink. Thus pass along-, To death belong; Not all to die, The reason wh5\ We live or die, Speak truth or lie- It's how we spend Life to the end. Within our reach God's word doth teach; His Son he gave Our souls to save. From to-morrow Do not borrow Moments of grace, But truth embrace. 36 THREADS OF GOLD. THE CLOSING YEAR. The present j-ear is now fadinj:: Like autumn's leaf; Its precious moments are swajing — How short, how brief. Soon it must close and be no more, Beyond all time. Thousands of 3'^ears have gone before The present thine. Fast fading now before thine eyes — Its days are few; If thou hast aught to do, arise. Wait not the new; It's closing fast, the shadows fall Haste, no dela}'; In death so dies, O hear the call Turn not away. ' Another page has almost closed Upon thee now; Its lines are there, b}^ thee composed — Before them bow; Thine heart and thoughts composed tliat life In texture fair. Or else it's marred by sin and strife Deep hidden there. THE CLOSING YEAR. 37 The blood-stained guilt, or deeds of love Are there engraved — That e) e hath seen them from above And there arrayed. Thy life must fade, and like all time, Mnst pass awa\-; Thy soul must breathe another clime— Eternit3\ One life beyond, one life below, A sojourn here - That Shalt thou reap, what thou hast sown; Death may be near. Upon those waves there is a soul; O stand amazed ! Eternity, that boundless shore. Before thee waves. think of all who have passed through Death's solemn gates; What from their lives doth now ensue? All their fates. The present year has borne away Many a soul; 1 might be next, I cannot say - Death doth control. 38 THREADS OF GOLD. THE LABOBEB'S COTTAGE. Behold the cottage of the swain, Monument of his daily gain; He enters as the sun's last ray Falls, at the closing of the Av^y. All work and labor had been done — He came at even, as the sun Sinks slowl}' in the distant west, And gladl}' finds his home, to rest. That humble cottage, it contained Streams of love and joy unrestrained- The joj' of welcome gladly given. That home became the srate of heaven. With loving smiles and deeds so kind. Sweetly flowing from heart and mind, Blending together joke and whim. There voices blend in song- and hymn. Such a home is the sweetest place, Where love and joy can thus be traced, With home-like trinkets on the wall — Tokens of love and gifts from all. THE LABORER'S COTTAGE. Pleasures for all could there be found, By love and truth each heart was bound; That home, the fruits of toil, were saved A life of J03' to Hini who o;ave. That husband, father, crownly head, The evening prayer by him was led; A life so sweet, with love subliine, Flow'd sweetl3- down the stream of time. How blest are all such homes to earth, Where joj^ and peace thus blend with mirth; The greatest blessing God can give, That families with Him maj- live. Such cottage homes are greater far Than palaces where sin doth mar; The peace of life, to those therein, Is marred and spoiled by daily sin. The gifts and blessings of a home Cannot be found by those who roam; Whilst we live we all may share Foretastes of that home oi-er there. 39 40 THREADS OF GOLD. MY MOTHER. The dearest name that I have known Is now no more to me; All that is mortal hath been borne To rest, bej'ond the sea — My Mother. The dearest life that I have seen. As throixgh the world I roam, The life of Mother, it has been A blessing to my own — My Mother. Although withdrawn. I '11 ne'er forget Those early scenes of home; At night when the day's sun was set, We'd gather round the throne With Mother. I've sat for hours at her feet. As she the Book would take; It always seemed as if I 'd meet Beyond the golden gate With Mother. A/V MOTHER. 41 I 've often heard a mother's tread Come to my bed at night; " God bless my son," in prayer she said. Whilst bowed in Israel's might — My Mother. Those lips are sealed, those e3'es are closed, The weary feet at rest; Within the silent grave enclosed — Not mine, God's will is best, Dear Mother. Her well-known voice shall thrill no more As in the da3-s of old; I love her still, m}- thoughts shall soar Aloft; by faith behold My Mother. To such a life there is no death- She lives, and still will live; Within my heart, with my last breath, Praises to thee I give, Dear Mother. 42 THREADS OF GOLD. THE PASSING YEARS. Once in the 3-ears of ages past There lived on earth, the same as we, Mortals whose lot had thus been cast In human moulds, resembling thee. To thee the places of their birth, And where they died, inay be unknown, As they have passed from mother earth, And thou, in turn, survive alone. We come and go as race by race, And leave the foot prints of our day; Races of men can thus be traced, That held their own environed swav. The bounding pulse, the beating heart, Gave life its zest from day to day. Only to fade and to depart. In death's cold chambers thus to lay. Life's daj' is now, 't will soon be o'er And all its aspirations fled; These golden hours will come no more VV^hen thou art numbered with the dead. THE PASSING YEARS. 43 Art thou loving-, love Him who gave His life, thus from a Virgin's womb; He lived, He died, that he might save Thj' life from an eternal doom. He saw what thou hast never seen — And felt those pangs of pain for thee; He went where thou hast never been — Yet in a moment thou misht be. The j-ears doth roll, blends da j' with night. Sun, moon and stars, the earth and main, Uo all exist and teem with life, — But do the}' speak to thee in vain'r In life's short day, canst thou not trace Its own lessons, and thus be wiser Another life in life's great race Is fading now, before thine ejes. Sad if thou hast grown old in sin. And, like a tree, with age art bent. To meet the doom that sin must bring- When daj's of grace have all l)een spent. 44 THREADS OF GOLD. WHEBE THE LILIES BLOOMED. I STOOD where once the lilies bloomed, But now have faded, one bj' one; Beaut)^ and fragrance thus consumed; Their day and life of influence gone. Once their tiny buds did unfold Such rare beauty to human eyes- Perfected beauty thus untold, They lived to fade, as nature dies. Yes, one b3^ one the lilies fade — Beauty, fragrance doth pass away. I paused, as in the evening shade, Where lilies bloomed in life's short da}- Perchance some pilgrim bj- the way Has been refreshed b^' their perfume Some mortal lips were forced to say: " How beautiful the lilies bloomed." WHERE THE LILIES BLOOMED. 45 Ma3' not life, like the lilies, be B3' the waj'side, where mortals tread, And live for others, thus to see Its rare beauty? Thus be it said. In life's short da^' it might unfold Christian graces before it dies, That some pilgrim might behold The beaut}' where the Christ-life shine; To fill one's place, where'er it be That providence has thus assigned; It cannot be where none can see — Your lonely spot some one will find. Some pilgrim needs the life we live- Its inspiration daj' b}' day; It is such lives that God doth give To inspire others on their way. 46 THREADS OF GOLD. WAITING. How sweet the thoug^hts that come to ine, As I thus daily roatn ! I fancy I can almost see The border-land of Hoine. Methinks I see those mansions fair, So beautiful and bright, With voices floating- on the air, And visions to my sight. There is a Heaven not far away; It comes so very nigh By dreams and visions night and da3-— I '11 see it by and by. My spirit longs for that bright home, Where wear}' ones shall rest; The waves of tiiue on which it's borne Go slowl}' at the best. Those longings coine time and again — I cannot reason why; Sometime, I cannot tell just when, I '11 reach it, \>y and b}'. WAITING. 47 So man)' loved ones thus await Beyond my vision, where Tliej' wait beside the g'olden gate, Their joys \ ahnost share. Whilst rajs, as from its golden streets, And the great Jasper Sea, Fall on my pathway- thus to greet, Seem beckoning to me. Just over there how verj' much To me just now awaits, Whose presence I can almost touch. That are within the gates. If I could pass within its walls. See heaven's beauty rare. Whose \-oice would be the first to call Mj- name, in language fair? With man)' loved ones I would go. •And thus draw near the throne. With tens of thousands more, when lo! 1 would the lamb adore. THREADS OF GOLD. RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE a life I must defend From all dangers that will attack; On huinan thought much will depend Upon the wisdom of the act, But if I do not care to try. I make the word of God a lie. Whence came I ? is the question asked. I want some clue, some great ideal, To work upon — a noble task, Life and death: what more are real — What is its value — what the cost, Of life, if it all ends in dross? 'There is no God " — so saith the fool — On fables, myths, life may be nursed ; Much thus depends upon the school That gave the germ from which life biarst; Fool-hardy, some men do not care To reason what beliefs they share. RESPONSIBILITY. 49 Intelligence, that master hand That must instruct, a mortal sir; With evidence on which to stand Revealed alone by faith and prayer; The things of sense reveal the night, It's faith alone that brings the light. It's waste of time simply to guess In building on what is unknown; B3' wisdom be ye richly blest, But self-conceit will ne'er atone For days of ignorance, the curse— B3- it the world is getting worse. Indifference, the curse that blights. The truth of God. left to their fate; It's unbelief that thus doth smite With heartless and unfeeling hate, Whilst behind revelation's plan God thus reveals his will to man. This world's wisdom the cup they drain. And from its source they live to shine; What of the heart— what of the brain- Unconscious of a Christ divine? Thus simplj- grasp things in a dream. \\y morning light came not a gleam. 50 THREADS OF GOLD. Vea, fell rne; is that better far Than hope inspired b}^ lips that pray'r Faith in God is the only star That guides ns in the better way; The truth that shines reveals the bliss There is a better world than this. The be3'ond — the iniinite space— An endless life an endless daj-— The unseen God I thus would trace. His gentle voice, what doth it sa}'? *' I am the way, thf truth, the life," In contrast of a hopeless night. The God who made, made no mistake, VVhen hy his word my life he wrought H3' His command to life awake, And into being came, unsought; Like unto God, with wisdom great. The truth I love, but sin I hate. How know I if there be no God, No wisdom? How could I thus learn': Doth it spring from beneath the sod, Would 3-ou such intelligence spurn? The earth, the sky, the sea, the air — Yea, all proclaim " that God is there. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? What is that upon the open plain? It looks as if it might have been slain; Down upon the ground the object fell- In the fall it found and made its hell. Poor mortal ! Out on the desert wild. To manhood grown, yet some mother's child ; The enem3''s dart has pierced his heart — In a moment peace did thus depart. Conscious of guilt, all covered with shame, A mother's bo3^ with a mother's name, He looks around him in hope and fear To see if sojne brother might be near. Once a friend stands near with steadfast gaze; Their eyes now meet, both are amazed. Do they help each other? Can it be From one another in horror flee? The fallen one, doomed, has been condemm'