PS 3529 
 .B75 
 1897 
 v. 1 
 Copy 1 
 
 
 «»«Ull. .. . nrfnin^. 
 
 
 
 poetical 
 Works 
 
 BY- 
 
 MISS MARY ANN O'BYRNE, 
 WATERVLIET, N. Y. 
 
 id * 
 
 $ 
 
 *• 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 PRICE, 10 CENTS, 
 
 COHOES, N. Y. : 
 E. H. Foster & Co., Book and Job Printers. 
 
 ,,r»—«Hi)|5iflH>-~W|^ji|»J»~u«(m^ )w .^.», 
 
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 BY 
 
 MISS MARY ANN O'BYRNE, 
 
 M 
 
 WATERVL1ET, N. Y. 
 
 33 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR QjJ3u £^ 
 
 Stf 
 
SECOND COPY, 
 
 TS* 
 
 S^°[ 
 
 -&* 
 
 pi 
 
 Entered according to an Act of Congress 
 
 in the Librarian's Office, Washington, 
 
 D. C, in the year 1897. 
 
An Ibonor of St. 3o0epb. 
 
 QT. JOSEPH is my favorite saint, 
 ir On him I do depend, 
 When trials press upon me, 
 And seem to have no end. 
 
 I then write a letter, 
 
 And place it at his statue's feet, 
 Then for the answer 
 
 I never have long to wait. 
 
 For my trials seem to vanish 
 In such a miraculous way, 
 
 That I wish that all God's people 
 Would to St. Joseph pray. 
 
 He was the head of the holy family, 
 While on earth he did remain, 
 
 And now Heaven's choicest blessings 
 For his clients he can obtain. 
 
And all those blessed spirits 
 
 That have left this world of cares, 
 
 Will aid us in our trials 
 
 If we mingle our prayers with theirs. 
 
 For our Saviour promised 
 
 Where there are two or three assembled 
 in his name, 
 There he is in the midst of them, 
 
 And there his blessing will remain. 
 
 So there is nothing like having lots of 
 friends, 
 
 That will an interest in us take ; 
 Then they will cheer us on our death bed, 
 
 When our salvation is at stake. 
 
 Then let no one be so foolish, 
 As for one moment to despair, 
 
 For Heaven is gained by violence, 
 And God will help us there. 
 
Gbe ^a^inge of St. peter. 
 
 \ Y/E have left all to follow Thee, 
 
 St. Peter to our Saviour said; „ 
 Then they certainly must have left their 
 wives, 
 Or St. Peter must have told a fib. 
 
 St. John he was unmarried, 
 
 And he seemed to be to our Lord the 
 dearest one, 
 For with childlike simplicity 
 
 He rested his head on His bosom. 
 
 Now, when one man hires another, 
 By the month, week or day, 
 
 He will expect him to work full time 
 For the wages he does pay. 
 
And Christ expected his disciples 
 To work all their lives for him ; 
 And unless they left their wives and 
 families, 
 They could not have done Him justice 
 then. 
 
 So that those that are unmarried, 
 
 Their whole life in the service of God 
 can spend, 
 While those that are married 
 
 To the wants of their wives and families 
 must attend. 
 
 Then those that gives up their lives to re- 
 ligion, 
 
 Must do it with their whole heart, 
 And from their nearest and dearest 
 
 They certainly must part. 
 
 Now its only in the Catholic religion 
 
 That this rule is carried out, 
 Where there are thousands of men and 
 
 women 
 That are well known to be devout. 
 
Then they care for the sick and ailing, 
 
 And for the people of old age, 
 And some the orphan children are training, 
 
 While others are on the battlefield en- 
 gaged. 
 
 And some are on the leper's island, 
 And some with the Indian tribe, 
 
 While the foremost soldiers 
 
 Over God's sanctuaries preside. 
 
 And the spiritual wants of His people 
 With the. sacraments they supply, 
 
 Which increases for »Him their love and 
 confidence, 
 And prepares them well to die. 
 
 So that they are all so very busy 
 
 That they never think much of home, 
 
 And their love for their divine master 
 Is far greater than for their own. 
 
Cbe Sign of tbe Cross. 
 
 DOW to resist temptation, 
 
 fe We must be wide awake; 
 Then we can always chase the devil, 
 
 If the sign of the cross we make. 
 
 It is the symbol of our salvation, 
 And by our Lord was sanctified, 
 
 And it revives in us hope and courage, 
 When ]>y temptation we are tried. 
 
 For this life it is a warfare, 
 
 But we must keep our conscience clear, 
 To fight God's battles bravely, 
 
 For the little while we are here. 
 
 Protestants an& Catbolics. 
 
 QQ ANY times in my travels 
 
 ^ J have heard Protestant people say 
 " Oh, you Catholics think we Protestants 
 Will be all lost some day." 
 
Now that is not the teachings 
 
 Of our Holy Creed. 
 For many a soul has been reconciled to 
 God 
 
 Before their last breath they breathe. 
 
 And all baptised Protestant children, 
 That die under the age of seven, 
 
 Will certainly without a doubt • 
 Be ushered into Heaven. 
 
 And if they chance to live a lifetime 
 Without committing any grievous sin, 
 
 Then they like the little children 
 Will in Heaven be ushered in. 
 
 Then there are some Protestants 
 
 That are inclined to doubt, 
 And would make any sacrifice 
 
 If the truth they could find out. 
 
 Now if those honest people 
 
 Will only persevere, 
 The truth they are in search of 
 
 Will be obtained by fervent prayer. 
 
But if they should chance to die 
 
 Before the truth they find, 
 Then they are sure of Heaven, 
 
 As God judges them by their mind. 
 
 Then there are other Protestants 
 
 That don't care whether they are right 
 or wrong, 
 
 And will die in the religion 
 That their parents did belong. 
 
 For them there is no salvation, 
 
 As our Saviour they must first mind, 
 
 When He tells them very plainly 
 To seek and they shall find. 
 
 Then the savages will be saved, 
 
 If they according to their consciences 
 live, 
 For they, like us, must make good use 
 
 Of the talents that God does give. 
 
 10 
 
Then all over the world 
 
 From the rising to the going down of the 
 sun, 
 The Holy Mass is offered 
 
 For every living one. 
 
 And those that are in purgatory, 
 
 They too have their share 
 Of the prayers and masses offered 
 - That they may soon leave there. 
 
 Now we Catholics should be careful 
 Not to misrepresent our Holy Creed, 
 
 And we can easily avoid that danger. 
 If our church books we will read. 
 
 And for those that are not able 
 
 Their religion to explain, 
 For God's sake then keep silent, 
 
 And on yourselves you will bring no 
 blame. 
 
 11 
 
Bridget ant) tbe flMnteter. 
 
 (1 DOW BRIDGET," said the Minister, 
 
 ^ " Its strange your Priests don't. wed." 
 " They are wedded to the Church of God," 
 Then Bridget calmly said. 
 
 " But, Bridget, I have got a wife, 
 
 And I am wedded to the Church beside." 
 
 " Oh sir, it is not lawful 
 
 That you with two wives reside. 
 
 " For nowhere in the Life of Christ 
 Will you find where he has said, 
 
 That a man could have the privilege 
 That he two wives could wed." 
 
 Then again to Bridget 
 
 The Minister did say, 
 " Why don't ye Catholics 
 
 Eat meat on Friday ? " 
 
 12 
 
B. 
 
 " That was the day our Saviour 
 
 By the Jews was crucified, 
 
 And none of His true followers 
 
 • Will feast the day He died." 
 
 M. 
 
 " But you eat the cow's butter, 
 And you drink her milk beside ; 
 
 Then why not eat her flesh ? 
 
 Now this question you must decide.' 
 
 B. 
 
 " When you drank your mother's milk, 
 
 Did you eat her flesh also ? 
 Now my question is just as reasonable 
 
 As what yours is you know." 
 
 M. 
 
 " What you say about the milk 
 
 To me seems very true, 
 But you eat the butter 
 
 That comes from the cow too." 
 
 13 
 
B. 
 
 1 There are other things that come from 
 the cow, 
 
 That you would not eat at all ; 
 Now sir, ye would not care to feast 
 
 Upon the cow's gall." 
 
 M. 
 
 " Now Bridget, about the cow 
 We will have no more to say ; 
 
 That subject I reckon 
 Is well explained away. 
 
 " But in the entrance of your church, 
 
 I notice there does stand 
 A. big bowl of water 
 
 Where you all put in your hand." 
 
 B. 
 
 " We sprinkle ourselves with holy water, 
 
 Before in the church we go, 
 To show that we cannot be too clean 
 
 In the presence of God you know. 
 
 14 
 
Then it wards off evil spirits 
 That to us is such a bother, - 
 
 Particularly when we say our prayers 
 They 'round us try to gather." 
 
 M 
 
 " You have images and pictures 
 Hanging on your church walls, 
 
 And God forbids us to have graven images 
 Or likenesses of anything in the heavens 
 or earth at all." 
 
 B. 
 " Those images and pictures 
 
 Represent the saints of God, 
 And He is very anxious 
 
 That we trace the steps they trod. 
 
 " And you have images and pictures 
 Of your family and friends at home, 
 
 And they recall unto your memory 
 Their .kindness to you shown. 
 
 15 
 
" When Veronica saw our Saviour 
 
 With the blood streaming down His face 
 
 That was caused by the heavy blows 
 That He received from His own race, 
 
 " She rushed to Him with a towel, 
 And with tears did Him embrace, 
 
 Then He affectionately handed back to her, 
 Stamped with the likeness of His face. 
 
 " And millions of His pictures 
 Has been copied from that one 
 
 That He presented to Veronica 
 For the noble deed she done. 
 
 " And we have them in our churches, 
 And we have them in our home, 
 
 But the one He gave Veronica 
 Is yet preserved in Rome. 
 
 " And right well He knew His followers 
 Would His picture strive to have, 
 
 And the pictures of His beloved Saints, 
 That so faithfully did Him serve. 
 
 16 
 
" And although they are very imperfect 
 Yet with them we are content, 
 
 For they are more precious to us than 
 diamonds 
 On account of the one they represent. 
 
 " If we had a friend to aid us, 
 
 After we meeting with a loss, 
 How soon we would hang his picture 
 
 In the best room in our house. 
 
 " Now if Jesus came visiting among us, 
 I am sure He would feel more at home 
 
 With those having His pictures hanging on 
 their walls, 
 Than those that does have none. 
 
 " Some will say they have them in their 
 Bible, 
 
 Or in some other book ; 
 But those that truly love Him, 
 
 Will have them every side they look. 
 
 17 
 
" So that we are more energetic in pleasin; 
 God 
 
 Than our opponents any day, 
 For we are off to mass before daylight 
 
 While they in their beds do lay. 
 
 " And nothing but the love of God 
 Could bring us out at that hour 
 
 As we are often to our knees in snow, 
 Yet for us it has no horror." 
 
 M. 
 
 " There is a lamp burning, 
 
 In your church all day ; 
 Now I think the church is bright enough 
 
 For all to see their way." 
 
 B. 
 
 " The lamp represents our Saviour, 
 That in the tabernacle does live, 
 
 And when we kneel before Him, 
 His blessing to us does give. 
 
 13 
 
"It is true that He will listen 
 
 To our petitions anywhere, 
 But the Church it is His own house, 
 
 And He loves to meet us there. 
 
 " And the light of the lamp reminds us 
 How He light to the world did show, 
 
 And when you see the altar illuminated 
 It denotes joy also. 
 
 " Then the light of the lamp represents the 
 light of faith 
 That should ever in us shine, 
 And the heat represents how our hearts 
 should burn 
 With love for our Lord divine. 
 
 " It also reminds us 
 
 How we should shine before men, 
 By the good example 
 
 We should give to them. 
 
 19 
 
" Now those different significations 
 
 Does our piety increase, 
 Which enables us to serve God 
 
 Until our lives will cease. 
 
 " And we are all blessed with good vision, 
 Like the rest of the human race, 
 
 But the sanctuary lamp reminds us 
 Of the solemnity of the place." 
 
 M. 
 
 " For me it is not necessary, 
 Those outward signs to have, 
 
 As I can well remember, 
 
 That I my God must serve." 
 
 B. 
 
 " The engineers of the railroad 
 Are familiar with their route, 
 
 But their memory would soon fail them 
 If their red lights were put out. 
 
 20 
 
" The Angels told the Wise Men 
 
 To follow the guiding star 
 That would lead them on to Bethlehem, 
 
 As the distance it was far. 
 
 " Now like the engineers and Wise Men, 
 
 We need exterior signs, 
 That will guide us on in safety, 
 
 Into the arms of our Lord divine. 
 
 " So don't be wise in your own conceit, 
 
 Or your memory it may fail 
 Just at the time of danger, 
 
 When help to you will be of.no avail." 
 
 M. 
 
 " I notice that your altar, 
 
 You decorate with flowers; 
 Now, would it not be better 
 
 To give God this heart of ours." 
 
 21 
 
B. 
 "You know thatfthe Almighty, 
 
 At certain times of the year, 
 Adorns this earth with flowers, 
 
 That perfumes the atmosphere.. 
 
 "Now, what is more appropriate, 
 
 On a feast or festival, 
 Than to put sweet smelling flowers 
 
 On the altar where God doth dwell.' 
 
 M. 
 
 "When your priest is on the altar, 
 . He does like a monkey dress; 
 And the thought always strikes me, 
 That he is in lack of common sense.' 
 
 B. 
 
 "Those sacred vestments of the priest, 
 That looks to you so monkeyfled, 
 
 Represents the garments worn 
 Bv our Saviour before he died. 
 
 22 
 
"And they vary in their color, 
 For fast days and feasts of joy; 
 
 They also resemble the garments worn 
 By the priests of the old law. 
 
 " And it is no more than right or reasonable, 
 When they at God's altar serve, 
 
 To wear garments that would remind them 
 Of the sanctity they should have." 
 
 M. 
 
 '* The priest in an unknown language, 
 
 The mass he always says; 
 Now that seems ridiculous 
 
 In those enlightened days." 
 
 B. 
 
 " The mass it is familiar, 
 
 With the Catholics indeed; 
 As it is explained in their own language 
 
 In the prayer books that they read. 
 
 23 
 
" And it is generally offered 
 
 In the Latin or the Greek, 
 As that was the language that the people 
 
 In our Saviour's day did speak. 
 
 " And they preserve that language in the 
 church, 
 
 And would not it translate, 
 So as to avoid all danger 
 
 Of making a mistake. 
 
 " Then the church is universal, 
 And must have a universal tongue, 
 
 So that when the bishops of various coun- 
 tries meet at a council 
 Their language must be one." 
 
 M. 
 "One day at your church service, 
 
 I heard the ringing of a bell; 
 Then all at once throughout the church 
 
 A death like silence did prevail." 
 
 24 
 
B. 
 
 '* They always give that signal 
 
 Before transubstantiation does take place, 
 As they are precious moments 
 
 For the people to ask for grace." 
 
 M. 
 
 " Then around the altar 
 
 I saw a lot of smoke, 
 And they knowing I was a Protestant, 
 
 I suppose they made it for a joke." 
 
 B. 
 "They were then incensing the altar, 
 
 And it represents how our prayers ascend 
 Up before the throne of God, 
 
 That he may to our wants attend. 
 
 " So their is nothing jokey in the services 
 In the church where I belong, 
 
 And no one will speak against it 
 That knows the right from wrong " 
 
 25 
 
M. 
 "When your priest gives out communion, 
 
 He only gives one part, 
 And drinks up all the wine himself, 
 
 Which shows the smallness of his heart." 
 
 B. 
 
 ' The mass cannot be offered 
 
 Without the bread and cup, 
 That was blessed by our Saviour 
 
 Before his life he did give up. 
 
 "And as there are many millions of Cath- 
 olics 
 
 That receive holy communion everyday, 
 The priests could not supply them 
 
 With wine in any way. 
 
 "Then in the very cold and very hot re- 
 gions, 
 
 They cannot cultivate the grape vine; 
 Our missionaries find it difficult 
 
 To procure enough of altar wine. 
 
 26 
 
iC Now the church, like other societies, 
 
 Makes rules to accommodate 
 Each and every one of her members, 
 
 So that in all her blessings they can par- 
 take. 
 
 "So she feeds them with the body of Christ, 
 Under the appearance of bread; 
 
 Or else many would die without it, 
 As enough of wine could not be had. 
 
 " Besides it would be distasteful 
 For all to drink out of one cup; 
 
 Then it would be a profanation 
 If a portion of it should drop. 
 
 " Now when we eat an orange, 
 
 We also drink the juice, 
 And when we eat of the flesh of the Son of 
 God, 
 
 We also drink His blood. 
 
 27 
 
" For Christ is wholly present, 
 
 Under the appearance of wine as well as 
 under the rppearance of bread, 
 As his body and blood and soul was 
 united 
 When he arose up from the dead. 
 
 "And when the pope and priests are about 
 to die, 
 
 The same sacrament they receive 
 That is given to the laity, 
 
 When this world they are going to leave 
 
 " And every Catholic throughout the world 
 
 Believes as firm as I, 
 That when they receive their holy com- 
 munion, 
 
 They receive their God on high. 
 
 "Now this subject is so sacred, 
 That I can't get it all in verse, 
 
 But I hope you will think favorable 
 On what I did rehearse. 
 
 28 
 
" But let us be ever ready 
 
 To believe what Christ has said, 
 
 For the stormy waves of the ocean 
 His command at once obeyed." 
 
 M. 
 "Why don't you Catholics 
 
 Confess your sins to God, 
 And not be going to the priest 
 
 To tell him every word." 
 
 B. 
 
 " When you are sick or ailing, 
 
 Do you go to God for pills, 
 Or do you go to your doctor, 
 
 To explain to him your ills. 
 
 " Now Christ's mission on this earth 
 
 Would not be complete at all, 
 If he went away and left us 
 
 Without appointing doctors for the soul. 
 
 29 
 
"And if, in my first edition, 
 
 About the ten lepers you will read, 
 
 You will find my explanation on confession 
 Is satisfactory indeed." 
 
 M. 
 
 " Now when we take the paper, 
 
 And read of wicked crimes, 
 We find it is the Catholics 
 
 That are guilty every time," 
 
 B. 
 
 " The devil is always after the Catholics, 
 And with the weak ones he does stay, 
 
 For if he does not watch them closely 
 They will from him get away. 
 
 " But with other denominations 
 
 He would not waste his time, 
 As he knows its mighty easy 
 
 To get them to fall in line. 
 
 30 
 
" And their crimes are far more numerous, 
 But they work things round so cute, 
 
 That the papers will not publish them, 
 And they seldom get found out. 
 
 " And if by chance they get arrested, 
 
 Then Irish names they take, 
 To shield their degradation 
 
 For their own and families' sake. 
 
 " But those that are brought up to be 
 honest, 
 
 When they are tempted to do wrong, 
 They do it in such a blundering way 
 
 That their freedom is soon gone." 
 
 M. 
 
 " Now Bridget, you know as well as I 
 
 That vulgarity seems to reign 
 Among many of the Catholics, 
 
 That are great church members by name." 
 
 31 
 
B. 
 
 A 11 the Catholics that are contrite 
 In confessing every sin, 
 Will not use foul, profane or vulgar lan- 
 guage, 
 In any company that they're in. 
 
 "Bur there are some among them 
 Who their dirty sins won't tell, 
 
 Therefore they receive the sacraments un- 
 worthy, 
 And goes faster down to hell. 
 
 " t And although they may seem prosperous, 
 Yet true happiness they do not know, 
 
 For their conscience is condemning them, 
 Wherever they may go. 
 
 "Then they use all their influence 
 
 To tempt others to do wrong, 
 By misrepresenting the sacred teachings 
 
 Of the church where they belong. 
 
 32 
 
"For misery loves company, 
 
 Is a remark we often hear, 
 And no one is so miserable 
 
 As those that's in despair. 
 
 "Judas received unworthily, 
 
 Although he belonged to Christ's own 
 school ; 
 Then he betrayed his belpved master, 
 
 And died the death of a fool. 
 
 "And if he asked forgiveness, 
 
 It would be given unto him, 
 For Jesus told him He was full of mercy 
 
 And would pardon the greatest sin. 
 
 " And he was the smartest and most in- 
 telligent 
 
 Of either of the other eleven, 
 But like many of our church members 
 
 He preferred the money bag to Heaven. 
 
" But if we wot ship God in earnest, 
 
 And ever watch and pray, 
 He will number us among His friends 
 
 Upon the judgment day." 
 
 M. 
 
 " Your priest will not allow you 
 
 The bible for to read, 
 And therefore he deprives you 
 
 Of much knowledge that you need." 
 
 B. 
 " Every Catholic that can afford it, 
 
 Will a bible try to own, 
 And you will see it in their parlor 
 
 When you visit at their home. 
 
 " But with some people it is difficult 
 
 The bible to understand, 
 And if they take a wrong meaning from it, 
 
 They are liable to be damned. 
 
 34 
 
" I once heard about a minister 
 
 That spoke wisely indeed, 
 When he said there was passages in the 
 bible 
 He would not want to have his daughter 
 read. 
 
 " So the priests are misrepresented 
 In many things they say and do ; 
 
 Then the best way is to face them 
 And then the truth you'll know. 
 
 " If thou wilt enter into life, says Christ, 
 The commandments you must keep, 
 
 Then without the bible 
 
 In heaven's joys we can partake." 
 
 M. 
 
 " I notice that you Catholics 
 
 On Palm Sunday, 
 Carry palms in your hand 
 
 From the church away." 
 
 35 
 
B. 
 
 '' We join in spirit with the people 
 
 That spread palms in our Saviour's way 
 
 As He rode in triumph to Jerusalem 
 Upon that blessed day. 
 
 " And we hold it in our right hand, 
 
 While the gospel it is read, 
 To show that if its necessary 
 
 Our blood for him we would shed. 
 
 " We also have it over our doors, 
 
 Where we go out and in, 
 So as to have a share in the blessings 
 
 That he dispensed among them. 
 
 " Then on Easter Sunday, 
 
 Christ's resurrection we celebrate, 
 
 The palm is an emblem of victory, 
 
 And with it our sanctuaries we decorate. 
 
 36 
 
M. 
 " Now Biidget, all my questions 
 
 Are now at an end, 
 And from this day forward, 
 
 The Catholic Church I will attend. 
 
 B. 
 
 " Oh, sir, then may God bless you, 
 And aid you to lead the way, 
 
 For others to follow after you, 
 That yet are going astray." 
 
 Gbe Ibatl ptar^ 
 
 Gospel Luke 1 : 26-38. 
 
 0N the twenty-fifth of March, 
 The Hail Mary was first heard, 
 Coming from the lips of the Angel Gabriel, 
 When to the Blessed Virgin he appeared. 
 
 37 
 
Oh the dazzling brightness that shown 
 around her, 
 
 While she was absorbed in prayer, 
 By the appearance of that heavenly spirit, 
 
 Who GbdV'nfessa'ge to her did bear. 
 
 When she looked up and saw the Angel, 
 His presence caused her pain ; 
 
 For she made a vow to God in her child- 
 hood, 
 That a Virgin she would remain. 
 
 So that even an Angel of the Lord, 
 While alone she would not trust ; 
 
 For he appeared to her in the form of a 
 man, 
 That was made out of the dust. 
 
 But in a voice like the sweetest music, 
 
 He then did her salute, 
 And announced to her his message, 
 
 Whereby our salvation could be bought. 
 
 38 
 
Hail Mary, full of grace, 
 
 Thou hast found favor with the Most 
 High; 
 For a holy one will be born of thee, 
 
 That the Heavens and earth will glorify. 
 
 " How can this be." she asked the Angel, 
 
 " For man I do not know ; 
 And I am consecrated to my God, 
 
 And shall ever remain so." 
 
 "Oh fear not," said the Angel, 
 
 '\For the Holy Ghost shall overshadow 
 thee, 
 And both a mother and a Virgin, 
 
 In the future you can be." 
 
 " Behold the handmaid of the Lord," 
 
 With joy she did reply, 
 " May it be done unto me according to thy 
 word, 
 
 And my God I shall magnify." 
 
 39 
 
And the word was made flesh and dwelt 
 amongst us, 
 
 On that memorial day, 
 By the consent of the Blessed Virgin, 
 
 While she on her knees did pray. 
 
 The angel then informed her 
 
 That her cousin, St. Elizabeth, con- 
 ceived a son, 
 And that Zachariah, for doubting the word 
 of God, 
 For a time would be struck dumb. 
 
 A long and tedious journey, 
 
 She at once did undertake, 
 To visit her cousin, St. Elizabeth, 
 
 So that in each other's joys they could 
 partake. 
 
 When she arrived at the threshhold, 
 
 Waiting her cousin to see, 
 St. Elizabeth said that the mother of my 
 Lord 
 
 Has come to visit me. 
 
For the child that I am carrying 
 
 Has jumped with joy within my womb, 
 
 So that angels know each other 
 Before into this world they come. 
 
 Then in each other's arms 
 
 Those two cousins were embraced; 
 And the Blessed Virgin said that henceforth 
 
 All nations should call her blessed. 
 
 And she remained with St. Elizabeth 
 
 Until the time of her delivery had come; 
 
 Then Zachariah wrote upon paper 
 
 That the child's name should be John. 
 
 Then his speech returned when St. John 
 was named, 
 That the Lord had taken away, 
 And Zachariah, with his whole heart and 
 soul, 
 Praised God both night and day. 
 
 41 
 
Now the teachings of an angel 
 
 We should joyfully receive, 
 And recite his beautiful lesson 
 
 Every day we live. 
 
 And the oftener we recite it, 
 The more angel-like we will be, 
 
 For the Blessed Virgin obtains for us new 
 graces, 
 Whenever we say her Hail Mary. 
 
 Oh what a benediction 
 
 She brought down on the human race, 
 For she, by consenting to be the mother of 
 God, 
 
 Opened the gates of paradise. 
 
 And now, in her exalted station, 
 She demands the respect of all, 
 
 For her share in our redemption, 
 When we were lost by Adam's fall. 
 
 42 
 
For the same flesh that clothes the mother, 
 
 Does also clothe the son, 
 Therefore her grief through all his suffer- 
 ings, 
 
 Could not be told by human tongue. 
 
 And Christ gave her to us as a mother, 
 
 In the person of St. John, 
 Then let us run to her with open arms, 
 
 And try to love her as Christ has done. 
 
 Now all you sinners that are heavily laden, 
 Try to be foremost in the race, 
 
 For she is ever pleading for you in heaven, 
 And will obtain for you all a special 
 grace. 
 
 Oh then do not keep her waiting, 
 
 Or have her pleading for you in vain, 
 
 But despise at once the power of Satan, 
 While time for you does yet remain. 
 
 43 
 
And although your sins are public, 
 
 Yet in the sight of God they are not so 
 bad 
 
 As the secret sins of others, 
 
 Who more advantages than you had. 
 
 So do not for one moment feel discouraged, 
 No matter how black your crimes may be, 
 
 For you are possessed with many virtues, 
 That seldom in the saints we see. 
 
 Then leave at once the ranks of Satan, 
 And join the Blessed Virgin's son, 
 
 For she is continually rejoicing 
 Over every soul that's by him won. 
 
 And even if she was not God's mother, 
 She was the purest creature ever born, 
 
 For she preserved unsullied every virtue, 
 Wherewith he did her soul adorn. 
 
 44 
 
Therefore with God she has more influ- 
 ence, 
 
 Than any creature he ever made, 
 And she does insist on him showing mercy, 
 
 To every sinner that will implore her aid. 
 
 In obedience to her he wrought his first 
 miracle, 
 At the wedding of Canan before his 
 time, 
 In the presence of all the waiters, 
 
 When he changed the water into wine. 
 
 Then shame on those that will dare to 
 slight her, 
 
 To whom God did so much honor show, 
 For it is the very height of ignorance 
 
 Not to give respect where respect is due. 
 
 45 
 
And although a son may be degraded, 
 Yet if an improper word is to his mother 
 said, 
 In one instant he will seek vengeance, 
 And on the form of his victim he will 
 tread. 
 
 Then how can any one expect mercy, 
 Or raise their eyes to heaven's throne, 
 
 That will dare to insult God's holy mother, 
 Or her influence over her son try to dis- 
 own. 
 
 Not even her beloved picture 
 
 Would be allowed to hang in their church 
 or home, 
 That would remind them of her virtues, 
 
 That should be practiced by every one. 
 
 Now if the mother of George Washington, 
 
 Would visit our city any day, 
 Oh, what homage would be paid her, 
 
 And all the flowers in the country would 
 be strewn in her way. 
 
 46 
 
And if a stranger would ask the question, 
 What better is she than any other woman, 
 
 They would say, "you very foolish creature, 
 Sure she is the mother of George Wash- 
 ington." 
 
 And he is the father of our country, 
 Who gained the freedom of our land, 
 
 And now we think it a great honor 
 
 If we can possibly kiss his mother's hand. 
 
 There are many that honored Washington's 
 mother, 
 That would not honor the mother of God, 
 Although her Son purchased the freedom 
 of heaven, 
 By shedding for them the last drop of 
 His blood. 
 
 So that with desolation is the land made 
 desolate, 
 
 For no one thinketh in his heart; 
 And vanity of va.nities and all is vanity, 
 
 If we do not choose the better part. 
 
 47 
 
ftbe Xate flDieelon in St Brit>* 
 qcVb Cburcb, port Scbu^ler* 
 
 /JHE Mission in St. Bridget's Church, 
 ^ By the Redemptorists Fathers given. 
 Added much to the people's happiness, 
 In preparing them for Heaven. 
 
 The weather was disagreeable, 
 
 Yet it did not interfere 
 With the people that went in large crowds, 
 
 The Mission Fathers for to hear. 
 
 Their sermons was so attractive, 
 That the people were spellbound, 
 
 And their words so simple and earnest, 
 That their betters can't be found. 
 
 Then they worked hard day and night, 
 
 And took the greatest care, 
 That everyone had the privilege 
 
 In the Mission for to share. 
 
 48 
 
Now some people will wonder, 
 
 When they hear of a Mission given, 
 
 And will say that their own clergy 
 Understands the way to Heaven. 
 
 But God who wills not the death of the 
 sinner, 
 And would rather he would repent and 
 live, 
 Very often uses extraordinary means, 
 That He his soul may save. 
 
 And sometimes on the battlefield, 
 When the enemy gets too strong, 
 
 Our generals writes to headquarters, 
 To send reinforcements on. 
 
 Now when the generals of the Church of 
 God, 
 
 Notices the Devil getting strong, 
 They too write for reinforcements, 
 
 Then the Missionaries comes on. 
 
 49 
 
Then let us hail the Missionaries, 
 Whenever they among us come, 
 
 For they are the reinforcements 
 That God himself sends on. 
 
 Oh may God bless and prosper ihem 
 
 In what they say and do, 
 And may they be able to chase the Devil, 
 
 Wherever they chance to go. 
 
 £be Xate fHMesion in 5L 3o» 
 sepb'a Cburcb, Soutb Zvoy. 
 
 HE people of St. Joseph's Church, 
 In the southern part of Troy, 
 Had one of the grandest Missions 
 That they ever did enjoy. 
 
 It was conducted by the Jesuit Fathers, 
 
 Whose order is so severe, 
 That nothing but the love of God, 
 
 Could enable them to live there. 
 
 50 
 
The weather it was bitter cold, 
 While the Mission was going on, 
 
 Yet the Church it was so crowded, 
 They had not elbow room. 
 
 And they were so closely packed together, 
 That many of them were not sure 
 
 Whether their bones were out of joint, 
 Until they got outside the door. 
 
 For wherever the Jesuits are located, 
 
 They take the greatest care 
 To drive from among God's people, 
 
 The demon of dispair. 
 
 And their words of consolation, 
 
 To the young and to the old, 
 Has brought down from Heaven's treasury, 
 
 Many blessings yet untold, 
 
 Oh may God speed the Jesuits, 
 
 While they labor here below, 
 And may He present them with reserved 
 seats, 
 
 When on the other side they go. 
 
 51 
 
Hfc&ress to tbe IRnigbts of 
 Columbus* 
 
 A WAS speaking to a lady friend, 
 ^ In my travels the other day, 
 And she told me about a society, 
 
 That was in opposition to the A. P. A. 
 
 This she said is a subject, 
 
 For you a poem to make, 
 As we are all bound in conscience. 
 
 For to protect our faith. 
 
 They call it the Knights of Columbus, 
 And although it is yet young, 
 
 It has caused many of the A. P. A's 
 From their headquarters for to run, 
 
 Now to the Knights of Columbus, 
 Those few words I would say, 
 
 And that is, our Church is too solid 
 To be injured by the A. P. A. 
 
 52 
 
And the cross that Columbus planted 
 When in this country he did land, 
 
 With hearts filled with pride and glory, 
 By it we shall ever stand. 
 
 For God is stronger than the Devil, 
 
 And his promises will not fail, 
 When he said the gates of Hell shall never 
 
 Against His Church prevail. 
 
 And as she has come out victorious, 
 For over eighteen hundred years, 
 
 The A. P. A's, like the rest of her enemies, 
 Will wind up in shedding tears. 
 
 ©n prater. 
 
 |Q OW some people will tell you, 
 ^ k That no matter how much they pray, 
 That God never seems to listen, 
 To anything they say. 
 
 53 
 
Then there are others, 
 
 That are not. near as well off as them, 
 That is continually giving thanks to God 
 
 For what He has done for them. 
 
 But there is nothing so bad but what might 
 be worse, 
 Is a remark we often hear, 
 And many a misfortune has been warded 
 off, 
 By the saying of a fervent prayer. 
 
 Then the Devil always trembles, 
 When he hears us say a prayer, 
 
 And is ever trying to make us believe, 
 That God for us don't care. 
 
 But not a breath of holy desire, 
 Poured out in prayer to God ; 
 
 Not a tear of sacred sorrow, 
 Will by Him be forgot. 
 
 54 
 
And God's delays are not denials, 
 And in his own time and way, 
 
 Showers of blessings he will pour upon us. 
 And on those for whom we pray. 
 
 So while we are engaged in prayer, 
 
 From wilful distractions we must keep, 
 
 And look up earnestly into God's face, 
 While to Him we do speak. 
 
 Hbbrese to different IRation* 
 alities* 
 
 QX H, the dear old Indians, 
 
 ^■^ That this country first did own, 
 
 They suffered a great injustice, 
 
 When they were forced to leave their 
 home. 
 
 When Columbus landed among them, 
 They received him with great joy, 
 
 So that he found them far more civilized, 
 Than those that did his life destroy. 
 
 LofC. 
 
 55 
 
For when God made the world, 
 He made it big enough for all, 
 
 But when some people gets on horseback, 
 For them it is too small. 
 
 The French people are remarkable 
 For their stylish dress and home; 
 
 And Washington conquered England, 
 Through the generosity LaFayette had 
 shown. 
 
 And for the English government, 
 
 Of course we do not care, 
 But the English people by themselves 
 
 Are welcome everywhere. 
 
 The Scotch for their sociability, 
 
 To every one is known, 
 And they are also remarkable 
 
 For the love they bear their own. 
 
 The Germans are industrious, 
 
 And of their families take good care, 
 
 When other men are idle 
 
 They will find work somewhere. 
 
 56 
 
And the Italian people, 
 
 That so often gets a sneer, . 
 Is far ahead of the county treasurer, 
 
 That was so much in the rear. 
 
 Then the Jewish people 
 
 To each other they are true, 
 And whenever they deal with me, 
 
 They pay every cent they owe. 
 
 The Chinese in their laundries, 
 They work with the greatest care, 
 
 And they enjoy much comfort 
 
 In the loose garments that they wear. 
 
 And the Polish people 
 
 I do not understand, 
 But they are just as friendly, 
 
 As any in the land. 
 
 Then I know a clergyman, 
 
 That has a colored mission in his charge, 
 And he says the good are beautiful, 
 
 And to their own business they attend at 
 large. 
 
 57 
 
But the Irish are the best of all, 
 When they live up to their creed, 
 
 But when they do neglect it, 
 They are the worst indeed. 
 
 And as a rule they have all the children, 
 
 That God does to them give, 
 For their new baby is always welcome, 
 
 Even if they do in a hovel live. 
 
 And if it only lives but an hour, 
 
 They are always wide awake, 
 To see that it gets christened, 
 
 So that in heaven's joys it can partake. 
 
 For the most ignorant among them 
 
 Knows that nothing impure can enter 
 heaven, 
 And that the original sin that we are 
 born in, 
 Must by baptism be forgiven. 
 
 58 
 
But some people will tell you 
 That the sin of Adam and Eve 
 
 Has nothing to do with an innocent baby! 
 Then why doesn't it go to heaven alive? 
 
 We all know that it was through sin, 
 That death into this world came, 
 
 And that the innocent as well as the guilty 
 Has to die all the same. 
 
 Now if a baby shares in the temporal pun- 
 ishment 
 
 Of our first parents' sin, 
 It also shares in the spiritual punishment, 
 
 And must be cleansed by baptism. 
 
 But if it should die without it, 
 
 It does not to a place of torture go, 
 But it goes to a place of darkness, 
 , And has more happiness than we alto- 
 gether in this world enjoy. 
 
 59 
 
Then do not dare to contradict our Saviour, 
 When he said, "Suffer the little ones to 
 come unto me, 
 And forbid them nut," for then there is 
 danger 
 That the kingdom of Heaven they will 
 never see. 
 
 XLo a Jfloung ZhcolOQian 
 
 /^T*HOSE paintings of the sacred heart, 
 ^t I very highly prize, 
 And may God's blessing come upon you 
 Every day you rise. 
 
 And may He also 
 
 Unto you impart, 
 The grace for to win 
 
 Every erring heart. 
 
 And when they find out 
 
 You are their true friend, 
 Their prayers up to God 
 
 Will for you ascend. 
 
 60 
 
Then in heaven, 
 
 You shall meet some day, 
 The souls you have led 
 
 Fiom the path of sin away. 
 
 .*»_ 
 
 H Surprise* 
 
 (\ WAS much surprised some time ago, 
 ^ When October did first begin, 
 When a gentleman asked me to make a 
 poem 
 About calling the white hats in. 
 
 My own hat was white you know, 
 
 But it was not the only one ; 
 But who would ever think that a ladies' hat 
 
 W T ould be noticed by a gentleman. 
 
 Now when October comes around again, 
 
 A dark hat I shall wear, 
 So ladies all be wide awake, 
 
 Then for a gentleman you needn't care. 
 
 61 
 
fll>£ Closing poem. 
 
 (iN my first edition, 
 
 I bade my readers all farewell, 
 But in a few months after 
 I thought of more to tell. 
 
 I meet with so many people 
 That thinks my creed is wrong, 
 
 That I feel myself bound in duty, 
 My religious subjects to prolong. 
 
 So here now single-handed 
 
 Before you I do stand, 
 And remember my feelings toward you 
 
 Is that of a true friend. 
 
 And as for a good education, 
 
 With it I am not blessed, 
 But I have given you a slight idea 
 
 Of 'the faith that I possess. 
 
 62 
 
But this lime I won't say good-bye, 
 
 For we will meet again, 
 As I have thought of other things 
 
 That I did not vet explain. 
 
 But this book is already large enough 
 For the price that I do ask, 
 
 So that I will have to wriie another 
 Before I complete my task. 
 
 I know there are some subjects 
 That I cannot well rehearse, 
 
 But our learned theologians 
 
 Will with you any time converse. 
 
 HE India ointment, 
 
 That is made in Watervliet, 
 Will make you ambitious, 
 And happy indeed. 
 
 By its drawing and healing, 
 
 You will very soon learn, 
 That the best ointment in the country, 
 
 Is made by Miss M. A. O'Byrne. 
 
 63 
 
 T 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 In Honor of St. Joseph 3 
 
 The Sayings of St. Peter 5 
 
 The Sign of the Cross 8 
 
 Protestants and Catholics 8 
 
 Bridget and the Minister 12 
 
 The Hail Mary 37 
 
 Mission in St. Bridget's Church, Water- 
 
 vliet 48 
 
 Mission of St. Joseph's Church, South 
 
 Troy.... 50 
 
 Address to the Knights of Columbus. . 52 
 
 On prayer 53 
 
 Different Nationalities 55 
 
 To a Young Theologian 60 
 
 A Surprise 61 
 
 My Closing Poem 62 
 
 The India Ointment , 63 
 
 64 
 
■gg&v