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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Chap Copyrioht No 
 
 Slietf-.r.4-g^C3 
 
 1^ 00 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
Carmina Subseciva 
 
 vii 
 
 Songs from Near and Far 
 
 / 
 
 BY 
 
 O. A. HILLS, D.D. 
 
 Pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church 
 Wooster, O. 
 
 New York Chicago Toronto 
 
 Fleming H. Revell Company 
 
 Publishers of Evangelical Literature 
 
81(>ft2 
 
 Library of Conqreaa 
 
 Two Copies Received 
 IVOV 28 1900 
 
 SECONO COPY 
 
 Oelivw^ to 
 
 OmiH DIVISION 
 
 DEC 101900 
 
 
 Copyright, 1900 
 
 by 
 
 FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 
 
Preface 
 
 A Latin title to an English book is not a happy 
 combination. In this instance it seemed to be a 
 necessity. No other one word, as the Latin ad- 
 jective, expresses the fact that verse-making has 
 not been the author's life-work, but only the oc- 
 casional occupation of odd hours, and that the 
 pieces herein following are "something done be- 
 sides the principal business." The alternative 
 title may please the reader better, which sets 
 forth the truth that while some of these verses 
 first saw the light in the "Auld Manse," others 
 were born in various places ranging from Santa 
 Barbara, Cal., to Venice, Italy. This foreign birth 
 of some is explained by many sleepless nights for 
 which travel abroad was prescribed as a rem- 
 edy,— for long all unavailing; and during which 
 the time passed more rapidly with some occupa- 
 tion of the mind. Some of the pieces herein 
 presented to the reader were printed for private 
 distribution a number of years ago. Advantage 
 
Preface 
 
 is taken of this publication to commit them again 
 to "the custody of the types." Special reasons 
 cause the insertion of the *'Nugae." "Trifles in 
 verse" may not be too trifling to give a little 
 pleasure to a narrow circle of friends. 
 
 If any one shall find the comfort in reading 
 these poems, which their composition afforded 
 the author, — many of them at a time, when both 
 rest on the one hand and severe mental toil on 
 other were denied him, he will have received his 
 reward. 
 
 WoosTER, O., September ist, igoo. 
 
Contents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Pictures of Christ 7 
 
 Praise to Jesus 8 
 
 Fulfill Thy Perfect Will 9 
 
 Resting in Love 11 
 
 Waiting to be Gracious 12 
 
 His Very Own 13 
 
 The Sacrifice of Love 14 
 
 The Words of Grace and Life 16 
 
 Pilgrims of the Night i8 
 
 Dwelling at Bethel 19 
 
 Believe and Wait 21 
 
 Songs in the Night 22 
 
 One Hour 24 
 
 Lakeside Longings 25 
 
 The Fullness of God 26 
 
 A Slumber Song 29 
 
 Bethsaida 31 
 
 " Kept " 
 
 A Meditation 33 
 
 A Prayer 34 
 
 Birthday Musings 35 
 
 Sonnets 
 
 A Picture from Memory 36 
 
 Helping the Helpless 37 
 
Contents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The SiMOKiNG Prophet 38 
 
 The Castle of Heidelberg 40 
 
 The Mulberry Tree 43 
 
 The Silver Wedding 46 
 
 Growing Old 48 
 
 An Unpleasant Discovery 50 
 
 The Nug^ 
 
 The Wedding Fee $2 
 
 The Name on the Scroll 52 
 
 The Perfume Flask 53 
 
 Santa Claus 54 
 
 The Memorial Volume 55 
 
 The Century Club Banquet 56 
 
PICTURES OF CHRIST 
 
 "And a man shall be as a hiding-place from 
 the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as 
 rivers of water in a dry place ; as the shadow of 
 a great rock in a weary land." — Isaiah xxxii. 2. 
 
 Hiding-Place, for toss'd and worn, 
 Covert, Thou, from storm and gale: 
 
 Shelter, Lord, my soul forlorn, 
 O'er the tempest's rage prevail. 
 
 Living Water, flowing now 
 
 Through these wastes of sin and woe; 
 With new life my soul endow, 
 
 May its fruits Thy mercy show. 
 
 Shelt'ring Rock, in weary land, 
 In Thy shade would I repose; 
 
 Turn me from this burning sand, 
 To the rest Thy grace bestows. 
 
PRAISE TO JESUS 
 
 *' Daily shall He be praised.'' — Psalms Ixxii. 15. 
 
 Jesus, Thy holy name we praise, 
 
 Again we sing the song, 
 And sound the strain of former days, 
 
 Which still Thy saints prolong. 
 
 Thy servants, we in rapt amaze, 
 
 Here dwell upon Thy love. 
 We celebrate, in joyful lays. 
 
 Thy grace, O Lord above. 
 
 Thy Holy Church the world around 
 Now joins the glad acclaim; 
 
 In hymns of joy, with cheerful sound, 
 She spreads abroad Thy fame. 
 
 So round Thy throne, of every tongue 
 
 The blest their voices raise; 
 They sing the hallelujah song. 
 
 And praise and ever praise. 
 
 JVooster^ O., Jan. i^th^ iSgo. 
 
 8 
 
FULFILL THY PERFECT WILL 
 
 ** The Lord will perfect that which concerneth 
 me." — Psalm cxxxviii. 8. 
 
 Lonely and dark my way. 
 
 The shadows fall I 
 Be Thou, dear Lord, my stay, 
 
 Oh hear my call ! 
 Make all my woes but gain; 
 In sorrow me sustain; 
 
 Do Thou WITH me fulfill 
 
 Thy perfect will. 
 
 How slow the growth within! 
 
 How evil stains! 
 Remove, O Christ, my sin. 
 
 And break my chains: 
 Upon Thy grace 1 lean, 
 Thy blood doth make me clean; 
 
 Do Thou IN me fulfill 
 
 Thy perfect will. 
 
 The lost around do cry, 
 
 We perish! Save! 
 Thy hand alone, Most High, 
 
 Salvation gave; 
 
FULFILL THY PERFECT WILL 
 
 Now come, Oh Holy Dove, 
 Help me to tell Christ's love; 
 
 Do Thou BY me fulfill 
 
 Thy perfect will. 
 
 My griefs shall ever share, 
 
 With work in heart, 
 And world without. Thy care; 
 
 How great Thy part ! 
 Through all my soul it thrills 
 That thus Thy grace fulfills, 
 
 With, in, and by me still, 
 
 Thy perfect will. 
 
 Los AngeUSf Cal.^ August s^ihf 18S4, 
 
 10 
 
RESTING IN LOyE 
 
 '* The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is 
 mighty ; He will save ; He will rejoice over thee 
 with joy ; He will rest {Hebrew, ''he silenV) in 
 His love ; He will rejoice over thee with singing.'* 
 — Zephaniah iii. 17. 
 
 Distrust Him not, O way-worn soul, 
 Though by thy sorrows press'd; 
 
 In all His ways He gracious is. 
 And in His love doth rest. 
 
 He rests in love; and there shalt thou 
 
 A sweet repose secure. 
 Unchanging 'midst all changing scenes, 
 
 Thy hope undimm'd and sure. 
 
 He will be silent in His love; 
 
 No tongue its power can tell: 
 Rest thou in silent trust on Him, 
 
 He doeth all things well. 
 
 He is the Mighty One who'll save. 
 
 And o'er thy safety sing; 
 He rests in love, and with a song 
 
 To Heaven thyself He'll bring. 
 
 No. 4-^ ^^^ '^^ Clichy, Paris, France, June sd, i8g^. 
 11 
 
WAITING TO BE GRACIOUS 
 
 ** Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be 
 gracious unto you." — Isaiah xxx. i8. 
 
 Return, O weary one, return. 
 
 The Saviour calleth thee; 
 Before thy door He patient waits, 
 
 ''That He may gracious be." 
 
 Thy sins though great may be forgiven, 
 
 His blood avails for thee; 
 O seek its power as now He waits, 
 
 "That He may gracious be." 
 
 Thou wouldst forsake these empty joys ? 
 
 'Tis He that moveth thee. 
 Upon thy whisper'd call He waits, 
 
 "That He may gracious be." 
 
 With all the fullness of His love 
 
 His grace enricheth thee; 
 O cry for this while yet He waits, 
 
 "That He may gracious be." 
 
 Munich, Bavca^ia, April ytk, i8gS' 
 12 
 
HIS yERY OWN 
 
 ** Who gave Himself for us, that He might re- 
 deem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Him- 
 self a people for His own possession." — Titus ii. 
 14 (R. v.). 
 
 Hear, O my soul, this voice of love; 
 
 He bought thee for Himself alone, — 
 His precious blood the ransom price, — 
 
 To be for aye " His very own." 
 
 His own! Blest object of His care! 
 
 E'en though to sin and folly prone; 
 Thee will He ever guard and guide, 
 
 Who art for aye " His very own." 
 
 His own! To train and purify: 
 By hand divine the seed is sown, 
 
 Which springs to perfect life in thee, 
 Who art for aye " His very own." 
 
 His own! His very own art thou, 
 And future partner of His throne: 
 
 Together ye shall reign for aye, 
 O ransomed soul, ** His very own." 
 
 Wooster, Ohio, April 30th, iSgj. 
 13 
 
THE SACRIFICE OF LOFE 
 
 *' Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.'' — 
 Galatians ii. 20. 
 
 How sweet the Name! 
 The ever-blessed Name! 
 Of Him who died that I His own should be; 
 Who bore for me the cross 
 Through shame and loss: 
 " Who loved me, and gave Himself for me," 
 Yes, even me! 
 
 Name of names! 
 
 With fame above all fames! 
 Help me to sound it forth from sea to sea! 
 
 1 would in lowly song 
 His name prolong, 
 
 ''Who loved me, and gave Himself for me," 
 Yes, even me! 
 
 O sacred cries! 
 Beneath the shadow'd skies, 
 Of Jesus bow'd in dark Gethsemane! 
 My soul shall ne'er forget 
 His bloody sweat, 
 " Who loved me, and gave Himself for me," 
 Yes, even me! 
 
 14 
 
THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE 
 
 O blessed Tree! 
 Where Jesus died for me, — 
 The glory-crowned Cross of Calvary! 
 With every passing breath 
 I'll sing His death, 
 " Who loved me, and gave Himself for me,' 
 Yes, even me! 
 
 Chicago, III., Sept. zjth, 1884. 
 
 15 
 
THE IVORDS OF GRACE AND LIFE 
 
 How full of cheer 
 Those words of grace and life, 
 Which lift my soul above the strife 
 
 Of inward fear 
 With all the outward woes, 
 Which bring the care my spirit knows! 
 
 They call my soul. 
 When sorrow-worn and press'd, 
 Come unto Me, I'll give you rest;" 
 
 While on the whole 
 Of life's sad load I see 
 And as thy days thy strength shall be. 
 
 My heart is quick 
 To take the loving word, 
 " Thy burden cast upon the Lord: 
 And hears, sin-sick, 
 His gracious voice to me, 
 *I am the Lord that healeth thee." 
 
 16 
 
THE WORDS OF GRACE AND LIFE 
 
 I trust the Lord, 
 With spirit glad and free, 
 "Who lov'd and gave Himself for me;" 
 And, from His word, 
 Unchanging comfort take, 
 "I'll never leave thee, nor forsake." 
 
 And though I grope 
 In paths I cannot see, 
 The promise stands, " He leadeth me ; " 
 
 So, full of hope, 
 What e'er of ill betide, 
 I sing, "Jehovah will provide." 
 
 Wooster, Ohio, Feb, 21st, i8go. 
 
 17 
 
PILGRIMS OF THE NIGHT 
 
 *' The night is far spent" — Romans xiii. 12. 
 
 Pilgrims of the night, awake ! 
 
 Look! Behold the coming dawn! 
 See the clouds the sky forsake, 
 
 All the shadows are withdrawn. 
 
 Pilgrims of the night, arise! 
 
 Lo, the land of springing flowers! 
 Past these desert sands it lies; 
 
 Haste to gain those welcome bowers. 
 
 Pilgrims of the night away ! 
 
 Yonder bursts the cooling fount: 
 Quench your thirst beneath that spray ; 
 
 Drink, and mercy's way recount. 
 
 Pilgrims of the night, so worn. 
 Tread this weary way no more; 
 
 Rest, that cometh in the morn, 
 Ye shall find on Canaan's shore. 
 
 Woostery Ohio, Feb. 2d, iSgo. 
 
 18 
 
DWELLING AT BETHEL 
 
 "Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there.*' — 
 Gen. XXXV. 1-3. 
 
 Air.—" O how happy are they."— Sacred Songs, 
 No. I, 59. 
 
 Here at Bethel I dwell, 
 
 And the story now tell. 
 Of His grace who has led me along. 
 
 'Twas His voice that I heard. 
 
 Sounding forth from His Word, 
 In the tones of entreaty so strong, — 
 
 "From the world and its cares, 
 
 From its pleasures and snares, 
 O Redeemed of the Lord, come away." 
 
 The sweet call I obeyed. 
 
 Yet in turning I stayed. 
 While my heart for its sin sought delay 
 
 Then the hand of the Lord, 
 
 On my soul brought the sword 
 Of affliction, with sorrow and pain. 
 
 In the depths of my woe, 
 
 *' Up to Bethel now go, 
 There an altar," He said, "build again; — 
 
 19 
 
DWELLING AT BETHEL 
 
 "From the idols of sin, 
 
 Both without and within, 
 With heart-cleansing from guilt turn thee now; 
 
 At this shrine seek My face, 
 
 Here remember My grace, 
 And in penitence pay Me thy vow." 
 
 To thee, Lord, I return, 
 
 And with shame now I burn 
 At Thy feet, while at Bethel I dwell; 
 
 Oh forgive and restore, 
 
 Let me wander no more. 
 And my soul shall here find it is welL 
 
 Ever blest shall it be, 
 
 With my house and with me, 
 While in covenant mercy we share; 
 
 Oh that none in this home, 
 
 May afar from Thee roam, 
 And forsaking Thee sink to despair. 
 
 Ballimore, Md., December iBth^ i8g8. 
 
 20 
 
BELIEVE AND WAIT 
 
 ''Blessed is he, whosoever shall find none oc- 
 casion of stumbling in Me." — Matt. xi. 6 (r. v.). 
 
 Art thou cast down, O stumbling soul of mine, 
 With questions grave perplexed, and doubtings 
 worn. 
 While mingled cares and fears thy hopes entwine ? 
 To thee the Master's loving voice is borne, — 
 " Forever blessed shall he be. 
 Who stumbleth not because of Me." 
 
 And doth His cause to thee, so slowly grow. 
 
 The work appear so vast, the need yet more, 
 While He indifferent seems to all thy woe ? 
 His gentle words thy waning faith restore, — 
 " Forever blessed shall he be. 
 Who stumbleth not because of Me." 
 
 Though led in strangest ways, beset and sore. 
 Yet heed His promise sweet, while wondering 
 still 
 That mysteries so dark should gather o'er 
 The path, which is, for thee, thy Father's will, — 
 " Forever blessed shall he be. 
 Who stumbleth not because of Me." 
 
 Wooster, Ohio, March 4th, i8go. 
 21 
 
SONGS IN THE NIGHT 
 
 " Where is God my maker who giveth songs in 
 the night?" — Job xxxv. lo. 
 
 '* Songs in the night " He giveth to thee; 
 O sing them, my squI, 
 
 Praising by night awaiting the light, 
 Recounting His love, who with voices of song, 
 In seasons of darkness attuneth thy tongue. 
 
 •* Songs in the night" He giveth to thee; 
 
 O sing them, my soul. 
 Singing in sorrow, believing the morrow 
 Will bring thee His message of comforting love. 
 Whose wisdom now sendeth the stroke from 
 above. 
 
 "Songs in the night " He giveth to thee; 
 
 O sing them my soul, 
 Voicing in song thy hope growing strong, 
 That surely and soon all thy foes shall be slain. 
 When in triumph and peace with Christ thou 
 shalt reign. 
 
 22 
 
SONGS IN THE NIGHT 
 
 "Songs in the night" He giveth to thee; 
 O sing them, my soul, 
 
 Looking away to the Lord's coming day, 
 When his radiant countenance, hidden no more, 
 Shall cover with glory eternity's shore. 
 
 Milan, Italy, March sjth, i8gs. 
 
 23 
 
ONE HOUR 
 
 " What! could ye not watch with Me one 
 hour?'' — Matt. xxvi. 40. 
 
 Thou askest but one hour ? 
 Shall I not watch one hour with Thee ? 
 Ah! dearest Lord, the time seems long. 
 That bears its load of grief and pain 
 On slowest wing! Oh help Thou me 
 
 To " watch one hour with Thee." 
 
 A single hour Thy cry ? 
 One hour so short can I not watch ? 
 O Blessed Christ! the flesh is weak. 
 And sleep doth bind my feeble powers 
 In heavy chains! Oh wake thou me 
 
 To " watch one hour with Thee.'* 
 
 Only one hour wouldst Thou ? 
 Can I refuse to watch one hour ? 
 Alas! O Lord, my way is dark; 
 Mysteries lie across my path : 
 But morning breaks! Let grace prevail! 
 
 I'll ''watch one hour with Thee." 
 
 Wooster, Ohio^ January sjth. 1886. 
 24 
 
LAKESIDE LONGINGS 
 
 As these waters quiet lie, 
 
 Turning to the bending sky; 
 So, my gracious Lord let me 
 
 Ever turn my heart to Thee. 
 
 As this burnish'd surface shows 
 Mountain peak, and winter snows; 
 
 So, my life, O Lord of grace, 
 Would reflect Thy Holy face. 
 
 As all forms more bright appear, 
 Through these crystal depths so clear; 
 
 So, may grace, as seen through me, 
 To humble souls more lovely be. 
 
 As those radiant worlds of light 
 Shine beneath these waters bright; 
 
 So, may Heaven come down through me, 
 And the world more beauteous be. 
 
 LuganOf Switzerland^ March sBth, i8g^. 
 25 
 
THE FULLNESS OF GOD 
 
 "That ye might be filled with all the fullness 
 of God.'' — Ephesians iii. 19. 
 
 "The fullness of God! " 'Tis the fullness I need, 
 I know not its fullness of meaning indeed; 
 
 Saviour Divine, make this truth mine: 
 My spirit, so empty and living so low, 
 Lift up in Thy mercy; Thy grace to me show, 
 And fill me with longing this fullness to know ; — 
 
 Lord Jesus, this fullness give me. 
 
 *'The fullness of God!" 'Tis the fullness of 
 light. 
 The sun in the zenith, and all the world 
 bright, 
 A noontide hour of glorious power! 
 When the shadows have fled, with doubtings 
 
 and gloom, 
 Distrust and disquiet, and dreading of doom; 
 While the fullness of joy has come in their 
 room ; — 
 O Saviour, such fullness give me. 
 
 26 
 
THE FULLNESS OF GOD 
 
 "The fullness of God!" Tis the fullness of 
 seas, 
 When the tide's mighty swelling settles in 
 peace, 
 Triumphing o'er the encircling shore! 
 The ebbing and flow in the sea of my soul, 
 And the clash of cross-currents, are lost in the 
 
 roll 
 Of that quieting fullness, which covers the 
 whole; — 
 O Jesus, this fullness, give me. 
 
 "The fullness of God!" 'Tis the fullness of 
 fields, 
 Where the ripening grain of the harvest 
 yields 
 Reward for toil in wealth from the soil! 
 So too, would I have precious fruits of Thy 
 
 grace 
 Abound in my life, 'neath the smiles of Thy 
 
 face, 
 Till, marking their fullness. Thy mercy men 
 trace; — 
 O Saviour, such fullness give me. 
 
 27 
 
THE FULLNESS OF GOD 
 
 "The fullness of God!" Tis the fullness of 
 streams, 
 Which grow as they flow in the sun's radiant 
 beams, 
 Blessing the shores built from their stores : 
 i bus blessing and blest would I join the blest 
 
 throng. 
 Who sing in Thy glory, O Lord, the new song, 
 With a fullness Thy mercy shall ever prolong; — 
 O Jesus, this fullness give me. 
 
 The Europaischer Hofy Easter Mornings 
 
 Dresden^ Germany, April 14th, i8gS' 
 
 28 
 
A SLUMBER SONG 
 
 "So He giveth His beloved sleep,''— ?s^\vn 
 cxxvii. 2. 
 
 Sleep, O beloved; He giveth it thee, — 
 Sweet sleep I 
 And never a care need burden thy prayer: 
 He careth for thee. 
 Thy care may now flee; 
 So trustful thy part 'tis also His will, 
 "Commune with thine heart in bed, and be still." 
 So sleep, my beloved, O peacefully sleep; 
 So giveth He sleep. 
 Sweet sleep! 
 
 Sleep, O beloved ; so giveth He thee 
 
 Sweet sleep ! 
 
 His unfailing power is guarding each hour. 
 
 So faithful and strong. 
 
 Through all the night long: 
 
 Sleep thou on His arm, secure from thy foe, 
 
 He shields thee from harm, and shelters from woe. 
 
 So sleep, my beloved, O peacefully sleep; 
 
 He giveth thee sleep, 
 
 Sweet sleep ! 
 29 
 
A SLUMBER SONG 
 
 Sleep, O beloved; He giveth it thee, — 
 Sweet sleep! 
 His far-seeing love still watcheth above: 
 In love doth He rest. 
 By love thou art blest: 
 Rest thou in His love; 'tis changeless yet free; 
 That love thou shalt prove unswerving for thee. 
 So sleep, my beloved, O peacefully sleep; 
 So giveth He sleep. 
 Sweet sleep! 
 
 Sleep, O beloved ; so giveth He thee 
 Sweet sleep! 
 Carry no sorrow on to the morrow: 
 He ever liveth, 
 Daily strength giveth : 
 For the burden, each hour may on thee still roll. 
 He'll gird thee with power, and strengthen thy 
 soul. 
 So sleep, my beloved, O peacefully sleep; 
 He giveth thee sleep. 
 Sweet sleep! 
 
 Dresden^ Germany ^ Revised ajid rewritten, Wooster, 
 
 April ijih, i8g^. Ohio, March 2d. igoo, 
 
 30 
 
BET MS AID A 
 
 " Whence are we to buy bread, that these may 
 eat?''— ]o\\n vi. 5 (r. v.). 
 
 Behold! the eager thousands press 
 Around the Christ, so wise to bless! 
 
 Among that throng, 
 
 He mourned the strong, 
 
 Who, proud of self, confess'd no wrong: 
 He sees more needy still their case, 
 Who, in our day, refuse His grace, 
 And spurn His face. 
 
 Shall we their failing strength renew 
 With barley loaves and fishes few ? 
 Among so many what are they, 
 To men who in the desert stray ? 
 
 '* We cannot give! O send and buy," 
 
 Our unbelieving spirits cry: 
 
 Yet vain such help! No earthly store 
 
 Can satisfy these starving poor! 
 31 
 
BETHSAIDA 
 
 No, Lord! give Thou, that we may give; 
 So shall these waiting thousands livel 
 Bless Thou, and break our lowly bread;— 
 With growing loaves shall all be fed. 
 
 Yea more! The fragments from Thy board 
 Surpass our richest store, dear Lord : 
 
 "Enough! To spare!" 
 
 Thy children share 
 
 Abounding grace! — Thy constant care; 
 And still proclaim o'er all the gloom, 
 The blessed words, — "And yet there's rooml'* 
 " And yet there's room! " 
 
 Cincinnati, <?., Nov, 8ih, 1S84, 
 
 33 
 
KEPr 
 
 A Meditation 
 
 As with a host God camps around, 
 And guards my stumbling soul; 
 
 To keep my steps He near is found, 
 My way He will control. 
 
 On either hand, with hedge of thorns, — 
 
 A phalanx as of spears, — 
 He keeps my heart; my foe He scorns, 
 
 And banishes my fears. 
 
 By sifting me, He keeps and saves 
 My soul, — His garnered grain; 
 
 Though rest on winnowing floor it craves, 
 The sifting is not vain. 
 
 A shepherd true He keeps His sheep, 
 
 He watches o'er His fold; 
 In pastures green I feed and sleep, 
 
 My need His eyes behold. 
 
 A faithful watcher on the road. 
 
 Before my soul He goes; 
 Alert and strong He bears my load. 
 
 And keeps me from my foes. 
 
 33 
 
A Prayer 
 
 O Saviour Friend, my help and guide, 
 From stumbling guard my feet, 
 
 My way hedge Thou on either side, 
 Sift Thou my soul as wheat. 
 
 Nor let me, Gentle Shepherd, stray; 
 
 Watch Thou along the road. 
 And bring me on to realms of day, — 
 
 Thy loved one's safe abode. 
 
 I. — ^Jude xxiv. — "Keep you from falling." 
 ''Keep'' here means " To guard as with a mili- 
 tary force.'' R. V. — '* Guard you from stumbling." 
 
 2. — Psalm cxxi. 7. — " Preserve thee from all 
 evil." ''Preserve" here means " To protect as 
 with a bristling hedge, or phalanx of spears." 
 
 3. — 2 Tim. iv. 18. — "Will preserve me unto 
 His heavenly kingdom." " Will preserve" here 
 means " To save by sifting." 
 
 4. — Jude I.—" Preserved in Christ." "Pre- 
 served" here means " Cared for as with watchful 
 eye" — as a shepherd's. 
 
 5. — I Peter i. 5. — "Kept by the power of 
 God." "Kept" here means *' To keep an out- 
 look on the road ahead" 
 
 VVooster, O. Jan. 8th, j8gg. 
 
 34 
 
BIRTHDAY MUSINGS 
 
 O Time! Swift moving and remorseless Time! 
 
 Great enemy of life and youth, 
 
 Thou thief of beauty, strength and joy, 
 
 Back fly, and bring again my vanish'd years! 
 
 Vain wish is thine, O foolish man, 
 
 The " greater things " ^ are still before: 
 
 Lookup! Look on! 
 No thief of years, thy friend is Time, 
 An angel gently ministrant. 
 To bid and lead thee to the gracious King, 
 Upon those hills of love and light, 
 Where only reigns immortal youth, 
 And there, — O bles^?d realm! — the land of life! 
 
 Cincinnati^ O., December isth^ 1884. 
 » John i. 50, 
 
SONNETS 
 
 A Picture From Memory 
 (Petrarchan) 
 
 Long years have gone, since in a safe abode, 
 Where love did daily blossom into bliss, 
 A night of pleasure pass'd, with naught amiss. 
 Time brings, on silver'd wing, in silent mode, 
 The weary children to the sleepy road. 
 Most fittingly their hearts all care dismiss, 
 As clad in white they come for father's kiss. 
 And bending on his knee, a precious load. 
 They voice, with lisping tones and stammering 
 
 speed, 
 The words of prayer, that from a father may 
 So sweetly for his children intercede. 
 Those voices to the Throne do find their v/ay. 
 That father never did a manlier deed. 
 Than teach his children how to pray. 
 
 Wcoster, O., Jan. 24th, 1887. 
 
 36 
 
Helping the Helpless 
 (Irregular) 
 
 A MONARCH in the cradle lies: 
 With richest viands at his side 
 He cannot eat. And with a voice 
 That ever wakes solicitude 
 Within a mother's heart, he is 
 Unable to express his wants. 
 Can aught than this more helpless be ? 
 For him the cooling rain must fall; 
 For him the gentle breeze must blow; 
 The genial sun must shine for him, 
 The waves must roll, and waters flow,- 
 For him the arching shade is spread, 
 And various songsters' notes are sung. 
 Thus must the helpless ever helped be. 
 
 Wo0ster, O., Jan. 23th, 1887. 
 
 37 
 
THE SMOKING PROPHET' 
 
 !n fair Vesuve the giant forces seem to sleep, 
 
 Their voices hush'd beneath the depth pro- 
 found; 
 The world above, of life and change, is nought 
 to powers 
 
 That silent lie within that smoking mound. 
 Yet 'tis not so; the cloud, uprising from yon peak, 
 
 Reveals an inner ken of outward pain; 
 The daily veering of that fleecy vane foretells 
 
 The morrow's coming sun or dark'ning rain. 
 Forecasting days of storm and gale, on land and 
 sea, 
 
 In sullen gloom it hides the mountain's crest; 
 On feathery wing it flies to Capri's rocky isle, 
 
 Bright messenger announcing times of rest. 
 
 This limb so wrench'd in years agone is whole 
 again, 
 
 » " In Mount Vesuvius the Neapolitans possess a gigantic 
 barometer. The direction in which the smoke issuing from the 
 crater blows often announces a change of weather twenty-four 
 hours beforehand. When it blows toward Capri good weather 
 may be expected. . . . When the crater is concealed by a 
 thick layer of clouds we may expect the south wind often ac- 
 companied by heavy rain." — Baedeker, 
 38 
 
THE SMOKING PROPHET 
 
 But yet for long the prophet's vision owns: 
 Its pain foretells the coming days of damp and 
 storm, 
 Till shrinking weakly from their power it 
 moans; 
 And then anon the season comes of sweet repose, 
 Which but foreseen brings joy to every 
 power, — 
 So strange the subtle sympathy between the life 
 
 Within, and nature's ever-varying hour. 
 Sure then this fragile frame an inner sense doth 
 hold 
 Attuned to outer things,— a sibyl's tone 
 To prophesy impending ill or coming good, 
 Even as that cloud which floats above yon cone. 
 
 O Prophet of the brighter day, fly swiftly on, 
 
 Spring forth with gladness on your sunlit way, 
 Confirm the cheerful vision of this injured limb, 
 Whose hopes, with this departing pain, would 
 say,— 
 '' Rejoice ! Be glad ! For just beyond the gloom 
 and storm 
 Shine forth the splendors of a sunny day." 
 
 The Villa Trollope^ Florence^ Italy, March 12th, j8gS' 
 39 
 
THB CASTLE OF HEIDELBERG' 
 
 O Time-worn Castle, seated on thy beauteous 
 
 berg 
 What storied heights thy broken towers encrown, 
 What wondrous tales are written on thy crum- 
 bling walls ? 
 
 Here warriors reigned, and forth to battle went; 
 And to thy shelt'ring courts their banner'd hosts 
 
 returned, 
 With songs of triumph, or perchance of woe. 
 
 Within thy halls fair woman ruled more peace- 
 ful realms; 
 And here her merry maidens joined the dance, 
 Or knelt, in solemn mien, before thy chapel 
 shrine. 
 
 Within thy shaded walks and moonlit bowers, 
 The eyes of love to eyes proclaiming love again. 
 Have voiced the old yet ever thrilling tale. 
 
 1 It was my good fortune to see this famous Castle in June, 
 when its terra-cotta colors, illuminated by the setting sun, fur- 
 nished a picturesque contrast with the deep green of the summer 
 foliage, from the midst of which the red sandstone ruin seemed 
 to spring. This fact will explain some of the allusions in the 
 above lines. 
 
 40 
 
The castle of heideLberg 
 
 Upon thy spreading terraces fair views afar, 
 And classic shades outstretch'd beneath thy 
 
 feet, 
 Have called from bard and sage their store of 
 
 song and lore. 
 
 Alas! the changes wrought by ruthless time! 
 Here sounds no more the minstrel's harp, or bugle 
 
 call; 
 Thy princes, dames and warriors all are gone. 
 
 Thy friends and foes alike are in their sepulchres. 
 And strangers, from the lands afar and near. 
 Bemoan thy fate, and sadly tread thy silent 
 courts. 
 
 And still thy towers survive the transient throng: 
 They come and go: thou dost remain; while 
 
 "toothless time" 
 But slowly works with thee its wasting way. 
 
 Still must thou perish 'midst this ever-springing 
 
 life, 
 While all this forest green, — these climbing vines. 
 But veil awhile the process of thy sure decay ? 
 
 41 
 
The castle of heidelberg 
 
 Shall pilgrims, coming from a foreign shore, 
 Behold new monuments in this historic land, 
 Whilst thou art left to crumble into dust ? 
 
 Ah no! It cannot be! A kindlier race has come 
 To guard thy walls, and to repair thy waste, — 
 To watch thy waning, and renew thy failing 
 strength. 
 
 With care they'll beautify thy court and seat. 
 That ever, as in years agone, thou may'st remain 
 A coral gem on nature's emerald robe! 
 
 Begun on the Great Terrace ^ Finished at the Ins el Hotel^ 
 Heidelbergy June igth, j8gj. Constance, June 24th, 18^5. 
 
 42 
 
THE MULBERRY TREE^ 
 
 There is a tree on Piedmont's plain, 
 
 Whose destiny, both sad and strange, 
 Has taught me how— shall it be vain ? — 
 My life may be most full of gain, 
 Even in a narrow and unchosen range. 
 
 Men plant it by the flowing stream, 
 
 Descending from the Alpine snow; 
 With care they tend it, and yet deem 
 It wise to thwart its silent dream 
 Of beauty, fruit, or leafy show. 
 
 1 In Northern Italy, from the Alps to the Apennines, a profit- 
 able form of industry is the cultivation of the mulberry tree, — 
 for the purpose of furnishing food for the silk-worm. The 
 young and vigorous branches of mature trees are best adapted 
 to this end. There is no more conspicuous object over all this 
 plain, in the early spring, than the rows of stout trunks with 
 knarled and knotted heads, made so unsightly by frequent prun- 
 ing, from which the young limbs shoot forth in great abundance, 
 in time of full foliage a choice feeding-ground for the silken 
 spinners. For economy in the use of arable land these trees 
 are generally planted along the irrigating channels, which so 
 widely distribute the waters from the mountains, and make the 
 great plain like «* the Garden of the Lord." 
 43 
 
THE MULBERRY TREE 
 
 Its trunk and branches graceful are, 
 
 Yet oft must part;— the cruel knife 
 Will turn its waving top, so fair, 
 To knarls and knots and boles most bare:- 
 Strange check upon such bounding life! 
 
 A healthful fruit this tree would show, 
 
 If nature might but have her way: 
 Alas! no fruit on it shall grow, 
 On branches high, or limbs below. 
 While man the master has his say. 
 
 The foliage, too, a shady bower 
 
 Would furnish for the sons of toil; 
 But ravenous worms its strength devour, 
 And, eating with voracious power, 
 Soon all its spreading beauty spoil. 
 
 And cannot they who tend protect? 
 
 Must foliage, fruit and form all fail, 
 
 While men this strife for life neglect. 
 
 Nor nature's mute appeal respect. 
 
 That o'er its foes it may prevail .? 
 44 
 
THE MULBERRY TREE 
 
 Here, troubled heart, the riddle read; — 
 
 This martyr tree must fade away. 
 That worms may satisfy their greed, 
 And from their toil silk threads proceed. 
 To weave in sombre webs or gay. 
 
 The tree but seems to come to naught. 
 
 Its perished leaves appear again 
 In fabrics, by the world most sought, 
 Of varied hue and texture wrought, — 
 Perchance a robe or bridal train. 
 
 My heart is still; I ask no more; 
 
 A thwarted, cross'd and narrow life 
 May ever be for me in store; 
 From lowly ways I may not soar. 
 
 Nor find a sweet relief from strife. 
 
 And yet, as with the tree, my loss 
 
 Shall issue in the richest gain 
 For Christ and fellow-men. The dross 
 Shall disappear, and through the cross, 
 Eternal blessing come for bane. 
 
 Venice^ Italy ^ March ^isi, iSgs. 
 45 
 
THE SILVER WEDDING 
 
 He loquitur, — 
 
 O, where is the lassie, so bonnie and gay, 
 
 Who captured my heart in the far distant day ? 
 
 So loving and bright, how it seemed to me then. 
 
 No aging or change will she ever ken. 
 
 She loquitur, — 
 
 Here, too, am I seeking my lover, the lad 
 
 Who made me his bride, full of wonder yet glad, — 
 
 The strong, manly bridegroom, whose clear 
 beaming eyes 
 
 Looked love into mine beneath the June skies. 
 
 He, — 
 
 Ah ! lassie, my dear, 'twas you that came near 
 To my bosom that eve. And nestling there, 
 You've brought me such joys, in the swift fly- 
 ing days. 
 As have mightily grown with your sweet wifely 
 ways. 
 
 She, — 
 
 Yes, laddie, my love, with links forged above, 
 We were bound to each other. And happy the 
 dove 
 
 46 
 
THE SILVER WEDDING 
 
 Still sings in my heart, and coos to its mate, 
 In tones ever sweeter, both early and late. 
 
 Both,— 
 
 And so, friends beloved, the years five and twenty 
 
 Have fled with their sorrows and joys in full plenty ; 
 
 And to our wedding of silver we bid you to- 
 night ; 
 
 Let joy rule the hour, and all hearts be light. 
 
 The silver on mantel and silver on table. 
 To see in abundance you may not be able ; 
 But the tresses and locks of our silvering hair 
 Reveal just as well a Divine Father's care. 
 
 The years fade away, and our strength will de- 
 cline. 
 On God's loving arm we will ever recline ; 
 And enriched with the memory of mercies un- 
 told, 
 We'll go, with clasped hands, to our wedding 
 of gold. 
 
 Wooster, 6>., May i8tk, i8g4. 
 
 The above lines were written for the twenty-fifth anniversary 
 of the marriage of W, G. A. and J. D. A., of Cincinnati, O., 
 the author being the officiating minister. 
 47 
 
GROIV/NG OLD. 
 
 " The stars shall fade away, the sun himself 
 Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years. 
 But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth." 
 
 — AddisoK. 
 
 Say they, dear friend, thou'rt growing old ? 
 Mistaken voices! Heed them not! 
 The day is old, when o'er the landscape darkness 
 spreads, 
 And 'midst the evening's low sweet lay 
 The orb of light doth slowly sink away. 
 But naught is this to thee; 
 Thy face is not on setting sun, nor deep'ning shade, 
 But rather on that glorious height, 
 Where gleam the early beams of light, 
 Which bring the fragrance of the dewy morn, 
 And all the freshness of the eternal day. 
 Not youth is closest to the golden morning time ; 
 Thy lifted eyes salute the nearing dawn ! 
 
 No more, say they, thou'rt growing old ; 
 The seeming here is not the real. 
 That harp is old, whose broken strings resound 
 no more, 
 
 48 
 
GROWING OLD 
 
 Though skillful fingers give the sign, 
 And search its depths for harmonies divine. 
 That stringless harp is naught 
 To thee, within whose soul sound sweetest 
 melodies: 
 Thine ears attend the harpers' song, 
 Which from yon gates is borne along, 
 And ever to earth's sorrow-laden souls 
 Brings messages of joy and blessed peace. 
 Bind they together only youth and harp and song ? 
 Thy heart is tuning for the "Song of Songs." 
 
 Wooster^ Ohio, Dec. 20th, i8g2. 
 
 Recast for the J. R. H. Memorial, Wooster, O., Mar. 9th, 
 1896. 
 
 49 
 
AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY, 
 
 So youthful and fair, O where are the faces, 
 Which brightened my life in that sweet happy 
 age? 
 
 Amidst these old scenes I'm seeking the traces 
 Of a beauty which hngers on memory's page. 
 
 Ah! here's an old mate in the study and play, 
 
 Which divided our minds in those halcyon years : 
 Among thousands I'd know thee ! I greet thee to- 
 day. 
 Though seen through the mists of spontaneous 
 tears. 
 
 Not so, my grave friend ; thee surely I know not: 
 Thine eyes, from their covert of age, may dart 
 fire, 
 
 And thy blood, as when young, continue still hot; 
 But truly the friend of thy youth was my sire ! 
 
 O, say you not so ! Here comes the same maiden, 
 Who troubled my heart in those glad days of 
 yore; 
 
 And still, as of old, her sweet form is laden 
 With graces and beauty in ravishing store. 
 
 50 
 
AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY 
 
 Mistaken again, my venerable friend! — 
 'Twas that matron, you see, so portly and gray, 
 
 (I would not my speaking your thought should 
 ofifend), 
 Who captured your heart in that far distant day ! 
 
 So true it must be ! Old friends (my heart grieves), 
 Have ag'd; and their beauty no longer can hold, 
 
 As pictured unfading in memory's leaves: 
 Ah, me! Then surely I too have also grown 
 old! 
 
 Wooster^ O., June 3d, iSgy. 
 
 Suggested by meeting at the Theological Seminary Anniver- 
 sary the adult children of an old classmate. 
 
 51 
 
NUGy€. 
 
 The Wedding Fee 
 
 No "fee," fair dove, 
 
 For a service of love, 
 Though * ' fees " to the pastor are honey ; 
 
 An earnest of more 
 
 From your husband's store, 
 I beg you keep this for pin-money. 
 
 Santa Barbara^ Cal.^ Sept. loth^ 1882. 
 On returning the fee to a minister's bride. 
 
 The Name on the Scroll 
 Songster light, 
 With eye so bright, 
 You may not longer stay ; 
 Fly home. 
 And whither now your journey trends, 
 Hasten soar, 
 To her restore. 
 Who sent you forth away. 
 This scroll, 
 
 And on it but a name, — a friend's. 
 
 » 
 
 Santa Barbara, Cal., Dec. syth, 1881. 
 
 For a young lady's album, written underneath a bird bearing 
 a scroll. 
 
 52 
 
The Perfume Flask 
 
 Go, little flask,— 
 
 For you an easy task, — 
 
 And faithful bear to her so fair, 
 Whose love 
 (My precious dove!) 
 
 Doth cheer me on this Christmas day, 
 
 A word that to her soul shall say, 
 (O kindly part!) 
 *'Dear heart, 
 
 As odors rare sweet scent the air, 
 My life your love doth still 
 With sweetness fill." 
 
 Wooster^ Ohio, Dec. 24th, /88$. 
 With a Christian token for I. M. F. 
 
 53^ 
 
Santa Claus, 
 
 You lovely dear old Santa Claus, 
 We so much wonder how you came; 
 
 You made no noise 
 
 To wake the boys; 
 And even the girls slept all the same. 
 
 The roofs are rough, the flues are small; 
 Your sleigh must visit all the town ; 
 
 You are so fat, 
 
 No wonder that 
 It seems so strange you could get down. 
 
 But you've been here, we cannot doubt, 
 With all these gifts it must be plain : 
 
 So, while we pry 
 
 Through all the sky. 
 We sing and shout, " O come again." 
 
 Wooster, Ohio, Dec. ist, i88g. 
 
 A Christmas speech for T. McD. H. 
 54 
 
THE MEMORIAL VOLUME 
 
 A " Book of Remembrance" this volume records 
 The greeting of friends to a friend of the Lord's, 
 Who during long years has rejoiced in His grace, 
 And soon in their waning may see His blest face. 
 
 May the " Book of Remembrance " written above. 
 Reveal his dear name there recorded in love, 
 While Jesus, his Saviour, the King on His throne, 
 Shall greet him in welcome, " His loved and His 
 own." 
 
 fVoosUr, Ohio, To accompany 
 
 Dec. gth, i8g6, " GR GIVING OLD.'* 
 
 55 
 
 L^fC, 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 Mayjist, i8g2. 
 
 The First Toast ;—" Our Banquets." 
 Sentiment: — 
 
 " Of att appeals, — although 
 
 I grant the power of pathos, and of gold, 
 Of beauty, flattery, threats, a shilling,— no 
 
 Method's more sure at moments to take hold 
 Of the best feelings of mankind, which grow 
 
 More tender, as we every day behold. 
 Than that all-softening, overpow' ring knell, 
 The tocsin of the soul, — the Dinner-Bell.'' 
 
 — Byron. 
 
 Response : — 
 
 In the days when our world was not so old, 
 Some wise men sat in a leading club, 
 Discussing the race's future. 
 The theme in debate by minds as cautious as 
 bold, 
 Which none the less gave our sages the rub, 
 I must say, was a question of "grub,"— 
 Though the word may not suit you. 
 
 56 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 In this wondrous age of helps for mankind, 
 And women as well, what boon do we need 
 To crown our felicity ? 
 This question it was, which divided the mind 
 Of that guild, who'd accord honor's meed 
 To him, who, answering it, should speed 
 The common tranquillity. 
 
 And, think you, what answer fitted the case ? 
 Escape from oppressive taxations ? 
 Some way much better the tariff to fly ? 
 Or perhaps a device to obstruct the race 
 Of gold from the vaults of the nations ? 
 Or, may be, cooperate cooking of rations \ 
 You've hit it almost, — ' Twas food supply, 
 
 '* He's blessed of men who a green blade doth 
 raise 
 Where erstwhile grew none;" — thus speak- 
 eth the sage. 
 An adage both wise and most wisely said: 
 And if it be wheat, the grain above praise, 
 Which beareth that blade for an hungry age, 
 And yieldeth its wealth to the toiler's wage, 
 The end is secured, — a cheaper bread. 
 
 67 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 And shall we not then, our good brothers praise 
 Who summon us here to close up the season; 
 Where, whether a saint or a sinner, 
 We front a rich board, while our appetite stays 
 
 For feasting so cheaply both body and reason; 
 And where, — shall I say it and not commit trea- 
 son ? — 
 The most impecunious secures a good dinner ? 
 
 And a vast deal more is secured you, my friend. 
 Though even great Byron delighteth to tell 
 The mastery sure of the sweet dinner bell. 
 Yet here will I stand, and maintain to the end, 
 That a bond stronger far than the taste or the 
 
 smell 
 Hath held us, through years, beneath such a 
 spell: 
 A "tocsin "it was not, and much less a 
 *' knell." 
 
 Good fellowship here has always been found. 
 
 The clash of blades bloodless, and yet ever 
 
 glittering 
 
 With fraternal logomachies. 
 
 With wisdom and skill we've gone the fair round 
 58 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 Of our themes, light and grave, which were 
 
 never embittering; 
 Most timely they've been, and ne'er the time 
 
 frittering; 
 Nor have they at all proved sciomachies. 
 
 The titles show this, — a list will declare it: — 
 Of miracles Work the Bible view gave; 
 Our water was fittingly shown up by Beer, 
 And the worth therapeutic of habit by Barrett. 
 The institutions of Europe, and America brave, 
 Were contrasted by Scovel, with lessons most 
 grave 
 Concerning our nation's career. 
 
 Pharmacy's rise our Blackburn the druggist then 
 gave us, 
 And CoovER came after with sewage and drain- 
 age. 
 The mind of a woman, — a most daring 
 theme, — 
 Was described and commended by President 
 Davis. 
 
 59 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 Critchfield then told us of spiritual forces in 
 
 suffrage, 
 While Dawson a fight for the Bible did wage, — 
 Its true inspiration and pow'r supreme. 
 
 The force of all public opinion on law 
 Was measured by Eason, with standard most 
 true. 
 While EvERSOLE tested the novels: 
 Then Milligan and Frick rehearsed what they 
 saw, — 
 Vivid descriptions from personal view, — 
 In the Yellow Stone Park, with its marvels so 
 new, 
 And other bright scenes of their travels. 
 
 From Hart came a glimpse into Russian affairs; 
 While Hills the new Benefit Orders did score. 
 With words a trifle too late. 
 Hughes gave us the dues of the State to the peo- 
 ple, its heirs; 
 And Credit's free coinage then came to the fore, 
 With Lamoureux and Kieffer the lists to ex- 
 plore; 
 'Twas a valiant, diverting debate. 
 
 60 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 With KiRKWooD we studied the myth Holy Grail, 
 With Seelye the claims of the alien, though 
 humble. 
 To the duties and rights of a neighbor. 
 And this is the end; excuse the lame tale; 
 Recounting the list my feet, you see, stumble: 
 Dactyls, iambics, and spondees together here 
 jumble, 
 In spite of my diligent labor. 
 
 And now brothers all, and sisters ye all honorary. 
 Behind us we leave the joust mental and tour- 
 nament, — 
 Brain tiring in each circumstantial ; 
 While arts gastronomic, and skill culinary. 
 Here minister an hour of sweetest content. 
 Amidst all the odors, circumambient. 
 Of viands more fit and substantial. 
 
 Yet means to an end are such. Behold now a 
 
 wonder. 
 
 Who could have thought that our turkey and 
 
 tongue, with the mutton. 
 
 And all these lovely accessories. 
 
 Would so soon reappear in the thoughts, or under 
 6X 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 The magical words, which like an electric 
 
 button, 
 A touch will oft ring, or turn the light on, 
 And evermore prove such potent persua- 
 sories ? 
 
 Brightest thoughts will now circle our table 
 From each profession and trade, or vocation; 
 No other's wit will they need to borrow. 
 The clergy will here less dry be than able: 
 With physic to dogs,— most gen'rous liba- 
 tion,— 
 The doctors are ready for this jubilation, — 
 They'll have more business to-morrow. 
 
 The attorneys-at-law join our banqueting crowd; 
 And suspending the practice of justice and 
 right. 
 Their fam'd repartee will maintain. 
 And our magi, too, not seldom thought proud, 
 Descending yon hill of knowledge so bright, 
 Will illumine this hall with a radiant light; 
 And wisdom in plenty will reign. 
 
 62 
 
THE CENTURY CLUB BANQUET 
 
 But forget not the marvel imperial ! 
 These viands, in strange transmutations, — 
 A wonder in metempsychosis! — 
 Will now rise again in forms more ethereal, 
 And sparkle in bright scintillations, 
 Or indeed may yet burst into vast coruscations, 
 Or even a wide empyrosis! 
 
 All hail! then, we say to our Century Feasts! 
 Banquets they've been for the body and soul! 
 A channel for rivers of reason ! 
 Of fun most provocative, — the foam and the 
 yeast, 
 Which oft from the sides of sobriety roll, — 
 Best agent remedial against growing old! 
 A fitting " wind up " of the season! 
 
 The Century Club constitutes " The Immortals " of Wooster. 
 Founded in October, 1888, limited in membership, with fort- 
 nightly meetings during eight months of the year, having a high 
 standard with higher ideals, it is justly esteemed a great honor 
 to be a member. Each season closes with a banquet. During 
 the year 1891-1892 the Rev. Dr. T. K. Davis was President of 
 the Club ; and papers on the subjects above referred to were 
 read by the members named. 
 
 These facts will explain the " Response." 
 63 
 
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