FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY gjffw of mjSfy -«8 i/ AS MARANATHAUJUL2T1935> gocms on tfce Horb's Appearing, JOSEPHINE. " And since thy kingdom is now at hand, and Thou standest at the door, come forth out of thy royal chambers, Thou Prince of the kings of the earth ! Put on the visible robes of thy imperial majesty. Take up that unlimited sceptre which thy Almighty Father hath bequeathed Thee ; for the voice of thy Bride calls Thee, and all Nature sighs to be renewed."— Milton. LONDON: MORGAN AND CHASE, 38, LUDGATE HILL. AND MAY BE ORDERED OF ANY BOOKSELLER. PREFACE FIRM belief in the near approach of " the times of the restitution of all things, of which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began," has prompted the publication of the following Poems. A few of them appeared some years ago in the pages of The Sunday at Home, but most will be new to the reader. It was the glorious prospect of these " times of refreshing that shall come from the presence of the Lord," that fired the soul of that true poet, iv Preface. the author of " Jerusalem the Golden," when he sang, "The world is very evil, The times are waxing late; Be sober and keep vigil, The Judge is at the gate ! The Judge who comes in mercy, The Judge who comes in might To terminate the evil, And diadem the right." And it is the same hope which finds expression in the humbler strains of this little volume, affec- tionately dedicated by the writer to all who long for "the benign benedictions of Messiah's reign." Highbury, May, 1869. INDEX, Calmly the household resteth Crowded on the sinking vessel Faint beats the languid pulse of Time Flowers ; faded, fragile flowers Gone from shadow into sunshine He sat among his lowly friends I know not if He come at eve I would not be asleep In the crowded street she dwelleth Loudly the s corner's laughter peals O glorious harp of prophecy See that ye be not troubled Shall we not miss him ? Sons of Abraham, seeking sadly Page 59 74 28 48 7i 26 9 11 45 15 55 19 43 21 VI Index. Sore disquieted and weary Tired traveller, faint and flagging The Bridegroom cometh ! go ye forth The barren wilderness shall smile The blue .Egean's countless waves The labourers are few The night wind moaneth mournfully 'Twas midnight, cold, and dark, and w 'Twas early morn ! The sultry air 'Twas night ; a thoughtful mother sat Violets, violets, lovely violets ' ' We would see Jesus. " Hark ! When once Messiah's weary feet Where are the labourers ? Where ? Id Page 33 7 61 63 5 3 T "» SO 30 39 66 77 53 17 MARANATHA, "THE LORD IS AT HAND:1 I RED traveller, faint and flagging, Rest thee 'neath the spreading bough ; Heavy drops, through weary toiling, Stand upon thy heated brow. " Maranatha ! Friend, I may not linger now !" Traveller ! rugged, dark, and lonesome, Winds the path that thou must tread ; There, the lurking chasm yawneth ; Yonder, tangled thorns are spread. " Maranatha ! Evil shall not harm my head." "T/ie Lord is at Hand" Traveller, thou wilt surely perish 'Mid the dangers of the way : Fall thou must, from very languor — Heart shall fail and strength decay. " Maranatha ! Bid me not a moment stay. " I shall fall — oh, thought most blessed !- At the threshold of my home ; Loving faces bending o'er me, Bidding me no longer roam. Maranatha ! I must journey ' till He come" " 'Till He come,' whose tender greeting Shall my fainting soul restore ; Nerving me for bliss unbounded, With a strength unfelt before. Maranatha ! Soon I rest for evermore !" ( 9) SOON/ KNOW not if He come at eve, Or night, or morn, or noon ; I know the breeze of twilight grey, That fans the cheek of dying day, Doth ever whisper — Soon ! I know not why our souls should doubt His promise to appear, When every flower's opening eye Looks up into the changing sky, And seems to murmur — Near ! I know not round his blessed feet What peerless glories throng ; I only know from rending tomb The good shall burst, in beauty's bloom; And faith assures — Not long/ i o Soon. I know not if his chariot wheels Yet near, or distant, are; I only know each thunder-roll Doth wake an echo in my soul, That saith — Not very far! I know not if we long must wait The summer of his smile ; I only know that hope doth sweep With thrilling touch my heart-strings deep, And sings — A little while! I know not on this glorious theme Why lips so oft are dumb ; I only know the saddened earth, Will flush with beauty and with mirth At sound of, "Z,o, I come!" ( II ) / WOULD NOT BE ASLEEP! WOULD not be asleep The hour before the dawn ! I would not miss the golden glow That heraldeth the morn ! I would not be asleep When riseth that great sun, Which ne'er shall set while endless years Their circling courses run. I would not be asleep The moment Time and Death, Twin giants, dying side by side, Shall draw their parting breath. I would not be asleep When Christ's dear dead shall rise, To meet His glorious form, whose might Rolls back the opening skies. 12 / would not be Asleep. I would not lie asleep Beside the door of home; But watch with wakeful ear, to catch The first light lifting of the latch, And hear the voice say, Come ! ( 13 ) "THE LABOURERS ARE FEW? HERE are the labourers ? Where ? For the world's great harvest-field Is white, and the corn in the bursting ear Doth plenteous promise yield : And the Lord of the harvest sends This message to each — " My son, Go work for Me 'mid the golden grain, Till the shortening day is done." And oh for the ready hand, And the earnest purpose true, To toil for Him on the waving plains, Where the labourers stand so few. It is but a little while, And the weary limbs shall rest ; And the aching head, and the fevered brow, Grow cool on the Saviour's breast. 14 "The Labourers are Few? It is but a little while, And the Lord of the ripening earth Shall come again, as a crowned King, To the place of his lowly birth ! And who shall describe the joy- To the faithful worker given : The sweet "Well done!" from those blessed lips, Whose smile is the bliss of heaven. ^-■k^ rt^ ( i5 ) "AND THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME:1 |OUDLY the scorner's laughter peals, The scoffer's taunts are bold ; ■j For since the fathers fell asleep Are all things as of old. With proud defiance on the lip, And on the impious brow, — "Who is the Lord?" they ask, "and where His promised coming now?" " I know that my Redeemer lives," Despite their sinful mirth, — " And at the latter day His feet Shall stand upon the earth !" And from His Holy Word I learn — The scoffer's faithless jeer With startling clearness doth proclaim His blessed Advent near! 1 6 " The Desire of all Nations shall come." Then rise, my soul, and trim thy lamp With ever-watchful care ; Lest coming suddenly, He find Thee sleeping unaware ! Not long, before the scorner's jests In deep dismay shall die ; Not long, before thy wakeful ear Shall catch the midnight cry! Not long, before across the waste Thou haste thy Lord to greet, And fall in speechless ecstasy, Low at the Bridegroom's feet. ( i7 ) "THY KINGDOM COMET HEN once Messiah's weary feet The world in sadness trod, His every look, and word, and deed, Revealed Him Son of God ! At glance of Him the maniac's eye Grew calm and strangely mild, And gushing tears of gratitude O'erflowed its brilliance wild. Beneath his tired foot the sea Forgot to foam and swell ; And sinking sailors blessed the calm O'er wave and ship that fell. He spoke — and, at his word, the grave Restored the waking dead ; And at his voice the hosts of hell, Abashed and trembling, fled ! 18 "Thy Kingdom Comer O weary Man ! O very God ! Eternal and Divine ! If here, in human weakness clad, Such power and grace were thine ; What wilt Thou be, when o'er our heads Thy promised sign shall blaze ; And Thou shalt come with saintly train. And burst of angel praise ? Then, if thine arm be our defence, Thy face we shall not dread ; For songs and everlasting joy Shall crown each waiting head. And melodies sublime shall swell From river, sea, and shore, When Thou, earth's rightful Lord, shall take The Kingdom evermore ! #H# ( *9 ) SEE THAT YE BE NOT TROUBLED !y EE that ye be not troubled," Though the night be wild and dark, And dangers around, above, below, Threaten God's holy ark. Ye may weep, but ye may not tremble Ye may mourn, but ye may not doubt; For faithful is He who hath sworn to shield Your heads from the storm without ! Then, what though the tempest rageth, And the ocean roar and swell ! And men, to defy the Lord most high, League with the hosts of hell ! For One is at hand to succour, And ye walk by faith, not sight ; And the lamp of his love, with ray serene, Shall guide through the deepest night. 20 " See that ye be not Troubled!" Then, " see that ye be not troubled;" A moment, and storms shall cease : And never a wave its crest may curl, When the Saviour speaketh " Peace ! ( 21 ) "PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM!" ONS of Abraham, seeking sadly In a stranger-country rest, — Exiles of a land down-trodden, Once by heaven's favour blest. Passing strange the touching story Of your honoured nation's fall ; Cold the heart that beats not kindly With deep interest toward you all ! Oftentimes I sit and ponder On the glory of your race, When the great and Holy City Was Jehovah's dwelling-place \ — When the splendour of your Temple Was the wonder of the earth ; Where ye thronged with festal gladness, And the song of sacred mirth. 22 " Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem ! ' ' Oh, ye were the grandest nation That the world has ever known ! Where are now your songs, your Temple ? Kingly diadem and throne ? Judah ! is thy sweet harp silent ? Hushed the royal City's hum ? If thy Sceptre has departed, Surely then hath Shiloh come ! Yes ! He came — with footstep noiseless, Bent on Love's own mission sweet; And his voice, as sang your prophet, Was not lifted in the street. Well your bard Isaiah named Him "Man of Sorrows," worn with grief; Sliehted, and by men rejected, For whose woes He brought relief. E'en the royal psalmist David Marked and mourned his sufferings all ! Saw the vinegar they gave Him Mingled in the cup with gall. "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem /" 23 Friends, among your mighty nation Great ones of the earth have stood ; Many sons have earned the title Of the just, and wise, and good ; But the noblest Jew that ever Bore with meekness daily scorn, And for cursing gave back blessing, Was in Bethlehem's manger born ! Passed into the depths of glory, Still your near of kin is He; Waiting to " restore the Kingdom," When to Him ye bend the knee ! Friends, your tears have flowed for ages In a tide of hopeless grief! Never had such trouble crushed you But because of unbelief! Time it is to stay your weeping ; Time to cast the veil aside ; Time to see the true Messiah In the God-man crucified; 24 "Pray for the Peace of Jertisalem /" Time to read how Priests and Prophets Hailed Him in the distance dim ; Time to see the lambs once offered Were but suffering types of Him ! Scattered wide through stranger countries, Driven far by wind and wave, Zion's sons are still beloved ! Zion's God still strong to save ! Soon shall Israel's gathered outcasts Homeward march with shout and song, Mourning, 'mid their joy, the blindness That hath hid their Lord so long. Oh, the radiant flood of glory That must break on every shore, When the Lord Himself in Zion Reigns as King for evermore ! WThen, as in Ezekiel's vision, Glorious shall her Temple be, With its living river flowing 'Neath the altar*' to the sea. * Ezekiel xlvii. I. " Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem /" Flowing on with murmuring gladness All adown the holy street, Shaded by the fadeless* foliage Of the trees whose fruit is meat : Trees, whose yield each month reneweth ; Leaves, in whose sweet greenness lies Med'cinet earth too long hath needed That a certain health supplies. Oh, blest hour of Israel's rapture ! Come ! in all thy gladness come ! Hasten, Lord, thy sons' returning To their fatherland and home ! Oh, dear day of Earth's rejoicing ! What shall with thy bliss compare — When Jerusalem the blessed Shall be named "The Lord is there !"J * Ezekiel xlvii. 12. f lb. xlvii. 12. \ lb- xlviii. 35. I) ( ^ ) "I WILL COME AGAIN." E sat among his lowly friends, That night of shame and gloom, And drank the wine, and brake the bread, Within the " upper room." And from his lips, so soon to fade, Such words of comfort fell, His Church hath bade them evermore Deep in her bosom dwell. " Let not your hearts be troubled ! No, Nor faint and fearful be ! In God, my Father, ye believe, Oh, thus believe in Me! " Within his holy house on high. Are many mansions fair; And now I go away, for you A dwelling to prepare. "I will come again" 27 k' I go, — o'er each and all to watch With deepest tenderness ; And surely I will come again Your faith and love to bless ! "I'll come, when at the board prepared In joy and grief ye meet, And of the dying of your Lord, Hold converse grave and sweet. "I'll come when death must claim its prey. And 'heart and flesh' shall fail, And light you through the deepest shades, Adown the gloomy vale. " And when the brimming stream of time Its bank shall overflow, And meet the bright, eternal sea, That drowns creation's woe ; " To the green world that from the flood Emerges fresh and fair, With all my ransomed I will come And drink the new wine there." ( 28 ) 'AND YET THERE IS ROOM. AINT beats the languid pulse of Time; Oh, die not yet, brief day, Till Jesus for his own hath sealed The loved for whom we pray. The sister kind ; the laughing babes, Who cluster round our knee, And sometimes wonder why our looks Are grave, amid their glee; The brother dear ; the old, old friend, Dearer than brother still, To whom we took our smiles in joy, Our tears in time of ill : Oh, heaven hath room for each and all ; And if they all be there, The wreath of joy around our brows No yellow leaf shall bear. "And yet there is Room." 29 Resplendent is the jewelled crown, The Saviour wears in bliss ; Oh, that among its clusters bright, No absent gem we miss ! Then linger on, fast-failing Time, And die not yet, short day ; Till Jesus for his own hath sealed The loved for whom we pray. ( 3o ) FLIGHT IN THE WINTER. WAS midnight, cold, and dark, and wild, The moon withheld her ray, Nor lonely star gave flickering light, When Mary passed away. Through howling blast, and clouds that met And warred in tempest strife, Her gentle spirit meekly soared Up to the gate of life. 'Mid lightning's gleam, and thunder's roll, To her the grace was given, To pass unharmed into the calm, The breathless calm of heaven. 'Twas winter when she left us here, And wildly roared the blast ; But when she comes again to earth, Its winters will be past! Flight in the Winter. She'll come with Him who drank for her The full, deep cup of woe ; And gave it brimming back with joy, For aye to overflow ! She'll come with all the ransomed throng, In bridal garments drest ; With swell of music, burst of song, Triumphant, calm, and blest ! And earth, with sudden summer crowned, Shall smile her welcome sweet ; And spread a robe of gorgeous bloom, Beneath her Maker's feet. Oh haste, dear day of human joy, Most exquisite and deep ! And bring the missing and the loved. Who soft in Jesus sleep. Haste ! We would know them all again, As even we are known ; In robes of perfect beauty veiled, And yet our lost, our own ! 3i Flight in the Winter. - Then tears of sweet excess of bliss, O'er radiant cheeks shall stray ; The only tears which Christ's dear hand Shall find to wipe away. O Death ! of all our dreadful foes. The latest doomed to die \ Come, if thou wilt, in midnight's gloom, Beneath a wintry sky ! There shall be no more winter soon, Nor Waster to destroy ; Nor gloom of night shall shake the bright, Warm summer of our joy. ( 33 ) "BEHOLD! HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS!" ORE disquieted and weary Lies the earth in sad unrest ; Vexed with war's disturbing rumours, With " perplexity " distrest. O Messiah ! long expected, Is it near — thine empire blest ? Saviour, who on Calvary's mountain All our guilt and woe didst bear, Shall we dread the wondrous vision Of thy glory in the air, Praying to the rocks to crush us In our horror .and despair ? No ! the awful revelation Of thy Majesty on high, Startling earth with sudden terror — Seen by every mortal eye — To thine own shall be the token Of their great salvation nigh. E 34 "Behold! He cometh with Clouds /" O Thou M altogether lovely !" Still "the same" — the True alway, Through an infinite "for ever," From an endless "yesterday;" Give us grace, through tears of rapture, To behold thy face, we pray ! , Meeter may thy Spirit make us Daily for that hour sublime, When eternity shall loose us From the slackening hold of time, 'Mid the song of saints and angels, And high heaven's triumphant chime- So, when in the outer darkness Wail thy foes in starless gloom, We shall stand 'mid radiant thousands Risen from the rifled tomb ; Evermore, in fadeless beauty, Through the Infinite to bloom. f^3 ( 35 ) THE EXILE'S VISION. HE blue ^Egean's countless waves in Sabbath sunlight smiled, And murmuring washed the rocky shore of that lone island wild, Where unto him "whom Jesus loved" such views sublime were given, That e'en the land of exile shone, "the very gate of heaven ! " He saw the radiant form of Him, upon whose sorrow- ing breast, At the last supper's solemn feast his weary head found rest ; One " like unto the Son of man," all glorious to be- hold, Arrayed in robes of dazzling light, and girt with purest gold. 3 6 The Exile's Vision. His head and hair were white as wool ; his eyes a fiery flame, Not tearful now, as when he trod this world of sin and shame; His countenance was as the sun, his voice was as the sound Of many waters murmuring deep, in harmony profound. But when before his feet, as dead, the loved disciple fell, How gently deigned the Prince of life his servant's fears to quell ! And gave him strength to see his face, whom highest heavens adore, The Lord who "liveth, and was dead, and lives for evermore ! " Oh, then upon his raptured gaze what floods of glory streamed ! He saw the land of love and light — the home of the redeemed ! He stood by life's resplendent stream, whose tide in music rolled Throughout the holy city's length among its streets of gold. The Exile's Vision. 37 He heard the mighty new-made song, to angel-hosts unknown, Go up like incense unto Him that sat upon the throne; And the pure strains by seraphs sung in that celestial sphere, In sweetest cadence rose and fell upon his listening ear. Within the flashing walls of heaven, with jewelled splendour bright, He saw the countless multitude arrayed in saintly white ; He marked them with their waving palms, in worship bending low Before the feet of Him who smiled beneath the emerald bow. The pearly gates, the crystal sea, the universal hymn, The sun-bright forms, the brilliant eyes which tears may never dim, The healing trees, the fadeless flowers, the harpings of the blest, In splendid vision to his soul revealed the promised rest. 38 The Exile's Vision. Long since that aged saint hath reached the fair celestial shore, And gained the martyr's crown, for he the martyr's suffering bore; Long since his happy feet have stood within his Father's home, Yet still the mighty voice he heard, with ceaseless cry saith, Come. And life's bright fountain springeth yet, as free, and fresh, and fair, As when in Patmos' dreary isle it cheered the exile there ! And hark ! the Spirit and the Bride repeat in mercy still, That he who is athirst may drink — yea, whosoever will ! Oh, blessed voices ! be it ours your loving call to hear, And so obey, that when at last from yonder radiant sphere, The heavenly Bridegroom shall descend to claim his own again, We may lift up our heads and say, " Lord, even so, Amen!" ( 39 ) "ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE:' WAS early morn! The sultry air Nor spray nor leaflet stirred, And from the lurid thunderclouds The distant peal was heard. O'er guilty Sodom, sleeping still, In fiery wrath they hung, When loudly through one dwelling there The urgent warning rung : " 'Scape for thy life ! across the plain, To yonder mountain, fly ! Look not behind thee on the way, Nor linger, lest thou die." But sadly on the patriarch's ear That timely warning fell ; What! must he part from friends at home, And wealth he loved so well ? 40 " Escape for thy Life? Again that vivid lightning flash, And thunder muttering deep : "Fly!" cried the angel visitants, "For vengeance will not sleep!" It gleamed again; a crashing peal Rolled through the angry sky; And suddenly the rising breeze With wailing wild swept by. In haste the mighty angels rose And seized the lingerer's hand ; His wife and daughters hurrying on — A small, repining band. Beyond insensate Sodom's gates They lead the weeping train, And point them to the mountain blue, Across the fertile plain. " Not so, not so," the patriarch prayed, "Lest evil should befal; The mount is distant; bid us fly To yonder city small." " Escape for thy Life" 41 The boon is granted. " Haste," they cry; " Escape, nor longer stay." Alas for that poor wayward soul, Who perished by the way! From Zoar's refuge Lot beheld The fiery deluge fall — The fearful flood — the dying shriek — He saw and heard it all ! He gazed upon the flaming tide, And trembling found no rest, Till in the shelt'nng mountain's cave He stood secure and blest. So when to the eternal hills Our souls from wrath would flee, Dear Saviour, let no Zoar tempt Our roving feet from Thee. Oh, give our shrinking natures strength To bear the daily cross, And for the great reward to count All earthly good but dross ! 42 l< Escape far thy Life" The fierce avenger is behind ; For life, dear life, we fly; O Jesus, to thy shelt'ring arms Receive us, or we die ! Full many a pleasant Zoar lies Beside the heavenward way, With wealth, and ease, and good report, Inviting us to stay. But he must lay aside each weight Who would attain the prize, And with this doomed and dying world Allow no compromise. The fury of the bursting storm Descends where all was fair; The rushing flood sweeps o'er the plain, We may not loiter there. Dear Saviour, in our homeward flight With hope inspire each breast, Till on the mountain of thy love In perfect peace we rest. ( 4. THE FAITHFUL PASTOR. LINES OF FAREWELL. HALL we not miss him? miss his kindly His true paternal smile, [greeting, His warmth of welcome in the social meeting, Enjoyed and prized long while? Shall we not miss his words of consolation, In time of sickness given, When by the languid couch he took his station, A messenger from heaven ? Will they not miss his watchful love to bless them, The young lambs of his fold ? WTas he not wont to smile on and caress them, As did his Lord of old ? In the world's vineyard he was up and doing, From morn till evening grey; Faint — oh, how often ! — and yet still pursuing Through all the weary day. 44 The Faithful Pastor. Telling the wretched in the crowded alley Of happier homes above, Lighting the dying through the darksome valley With Christ's sweet lamp of love. Patiently toiling — oft in pain and weakness — Yet asking no reward, Contented ever to await in meekness The "Well done" of his Lord. There was no threshold in the sphere assigned him His footstep did not cross; Well may such faithful pastor leave behind him A sense of weary loss. Yes, Ave must miss him ; but our consolation Standeth secure and great; For the glad day of earth's regeneration In certain hope we wait. Assured that in the blood-bought restitution Of Paradise to men, Among the white-robed, spotless from pollution, We shall not miss him then. ( 45 ) "SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD:' N the crowded street she dwelleth, Kind, content, and calm, Tenderness her heart's deep fountain, And her life a psalm ! Like the gorse upon the common, Lovely to behold, Spring and Summer, Autumn, Winter, Gemmed with stars of gold. With a smile for every season, Bright with blossoms fair, Ever gleaming like a "glory" Through its greenness rare : So in sadness as in sunshine, Brow serene she wears, With her soothing voice and gladsome, Lightening others' cares. 46 "She hath done what she could," So, unchilled by slight, she liveth, Cheerful, free from guile; And her gentle life hath settled Down into a smile. Silently her deeds of mercy Day by day are done, And the sacrifice she maketh Is revealed to none. All her acts of tender pity Are unbreathed by fame; And the busy world sweeps by her, Asking not her name. But that name in light is written In a volume fair, And her deeds of loving-kindness All recorded there. When her Lord to earth returning Comes to hush its strife, She shall have a joyous waking To a nobler life. "S/ie hath done what she could." Hers shall be a wondrous "glory," Highest thought above, When sweet human pity dieth Into wealth of love. 47 ( 48) LINES ON A GROUP OF DRIED FLOWERS FROM THE HOLY LAND. LOWERS, faded, fragile flowers, Time hath dimmed your brilliance rare, Yet our tender gaze beholds you Bright, and exquisitely fair! Bloomed ye not in Bethlehem's meadows, And her vine-clad hills among. When the news of earth's redemption By an angel-host was sung ? Flung ye not your richest perfume On the air the Saviour breathed ? And around his blessed footsteps Smiled ye not, in beauty wreathed ? In the summer noon's hot languor, Haply by the shaded pool, His meek eye hath marked your brilliance, Mirrored in the fountain cool. Flowers from the Holy Land. 49 In Gethsemane's sad garden, Where the olives whispered low, Folded ye your silken petals On your great Creator's woe ? With your golden, starry glory, Gemmed ye not the rocky way, In that journey to Emmaus, In the less'ning light of day? So, sweet flowers, faded flowers, Light us when our faith is dim; Tell us of the Saviour's presence, Dear memorials of Him! Light us, till all gloom and shadow, Doubt and darkness flee away, And the face of Jesus bless us With the brightness of his "day." ( So) < THE REST THA T REMAINETH." j^T^E HE night wind moaneth mournfully, ^5 jfedj Chill falls the drizzling rain, ^k~?M The jasmine boughs flap listlessly Against the glistening pane; And in my chamber still I lie, And muse on that dear day When storm, and blast, and cloud, shall pass For evermore away. I seek the land of life and light, The sweet repose of heaven, The clime in which we'll love so much Who have had much forgiven. Oh, ark of rest! oh, happy home! I shall go out no more, "When once the Master of the house Has risen, and shut the door." " The Rest that remaifieth." 5.1 Shut in with God! amazing thought Of rapture deep and high ! In perfect love's own sunlight sweet For evermore to lie ! Shut in within the radiant walls Of that bright land of song, With all the dear ones and the good, Beloved and wept so long ! Oh, long-lost friends of earlier days, Whom I may see no more, Until I plant my weary foot On yonder blessed shore — How shall I search, with eager glance, '"Mong many a saintly train, Until, with joy untold, I meet Your loving smiles again ! How shall we mark each bygone grief, And every seeming ill — All upward steps by which we climbed The everlasting hill ! 52 " The Rest that remaineth" Rabboni! Master! mighty Lord! Our great High Priest above! When Thou hast gathered safely home The children of thy love, Oh, how the vast eternal weight Of glory shall we bear ! For what must be the bliss of heaven When Thou thyself art there ! ( 53 ) "WE WOULD SEE JESUS." E would see Jesus." Hark ! the cry re- soundeth From every people, every clime and tongue ; Love hath waxed cold, iniquity aboundeth, And the wide, weary world inquires, "How long?" "We would see Jesus!" From your lips it bursteth, O sable dwellers in the isles afar; Among his shattered gods the savage thirsteth, As once for blood, to hail the " Morning Star." Hush! 'Tis the sigh of Israel awaking In the lone vale, where Death hath held his reign, Among the bones "exceeding dry" a shaking! List! 'Tis the Spirit breathing on the slain! 54 " We would see Jesus." Brothers and sisters, 'tis the breeze of morning Fanning the brows with fevered watchings worn; Lo, in the East the first bright streak of dawning With golden glory heraldeth the morn. Said I the first ? The while we gaze, strange splendour Flames in the Orient. Caviller, be dumb ! The fig-tree putteth forth her leaflets tender; Summer is nigh; the Son of God doth come! ( 55 ) LIGHT AT EVENTIDE. Paraphrase of Habakkuk hi. GLORIOUS harp of prophecy ! Whose wondrous strains sublime Were waked to matchless melody In days of olden time. To theme of grander majesty Thy chords were never rung, Than when the glory of the Lord The bard Habakkuk sung : "God came from Teman; Paran's mount Beheld his brightness blaze; The heavens were covered with his light, And earth was filled with praise. 56 Light at Eventide. "In dazzling splendour He outshone The sun at noontide hour; And in his mighty hand there lay The hiding of his power. " Before Him went the pestilence, His feet were wrapt in flame; He stood and measured all the earth, Which trembled as He came. " The nations He asunder drove; The hills of ages fled ; And the perpetual mountains bowed Beneath his awful tread. " I saw the tents of Cushan fall, And Midian's curtains shake; The rivers and the c great wide sea7 Before his coming quake. " His bow was bare, as o'er the waves His flying chariot passed ; O God ! the earth beneath Thee cleft, Affrighted and aghast. Light at Eventide. 57 "The trembling mountains saw Thee come; The dreadful flood passed by; The deep gave utterance to his voice, And tossed his hands on high. " The sun and moon stood still, then fled Before thy glittering spear, When Thou in wrath the heathen threshed, And brought salvation near. " O God ! in love Thou cam's t to save The people of Thy name, When round them, eager to devour, The sons of evil came. " I saw them crushed, no more to rise, Beneath Thy dreadful hand, When through the heap of waters great Thou ledd'st Thy fiery band. " I saw and feared; my quivering lips Gave forth no sound nor voice; I trembled in the troublous day, But yet shall I rejoice. H 58 Light at Eventide. "Although the fig-tree shall not bloom. Nor fruit be in the vine ; Although the olive fail, the field Yield not her corn and wine; "Although no flock be in the fold, Nor herd within the stall ; Yet, yet will I rejoice in God, My Saviour and my All." ( 59 ) SONGS IN THE NIGHT. ALMLY the household resteth, Hushed in the midnight deep; But weakness and weariness hold mine eyes; Waking, I may not sleep. Yet, Father of lights, the darkness Hides not from thine nor Thee; And the silence and shadows of night are fraught With voices and forms for me. For, lo! in mine ears sweet music, Heard not in daylight's hum ! I will lift up mine eyes to the hills above, From whence those harpings come. Ye are there in your shining raiment, Loved ones, who left us here, To follow the Lamb in the fields of light, In the ever-blissful sphere ! 6o Songs in the Night. Sister beloved ! I see thee One of that holy throng; Brother! I hear thy manly voice In the everlasting song. There, in the Shepherd's bosom, White as the drifted snow, Is the little lamb that we missed one morn From the household flock below. Saviour of sinners! hear me, Take what Thou wilt away, The sweet repose of the midnight hour After the weary day. , Let health and let friends forsake me, Only be this my gain, In a world's despair with my kindred there To walk in thy white-robed train. ( *I ) THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH" Matt. xxv. HE Bridegroom cometh! go ye forth To meet him!" was the cry; It thrilled the ear and heart of all Who heard that solemn, midnight call; And sleep fled every eye. Oh, mighty waking! once again The herald shout was heard ; And wild exultant joy was there, And the low wail of deep despair, Responsive to that word. Forth went the wise with burning lamps, And hailed the summons loud; With hearts that high with rapture beat They sped, till at the Bridegroom's feet In bliss untold they bowed. 62 Tht Bridegr oo7?i Coi7ieth. Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, Nor heart of man hath known, What weight of joy shall crown the head, When God Himself the feast shall spread, And bid his guests sit down. Oh ! when the Lord of glory spake His parable of old, Looked down the future's vista dim, And saw what souls would ask of Him For wisdom's wealth untold; When He surveyed the foolish crowd, So gay and thoughtless now, A dread, despairing, ghastly train Besiege the gate of heaven in vain; My soul ! oh, where wert thou ? ( 63 ) "THE GLORY THAT SHALL BE REVEALED:' Paraphrase of Isaiah xxxv. HE barren wilderness shall smile, the track- less waste rejoice, The solitary place shall ring with many a gladsome voice; For joy and singing shall be heard, and blushing roses strown, And blossoms in abundance burst through all the desert lone. With Lebanon's green glories shall the rocky steeps be crowned, Carmel and Sharon's loveliness shall breathe in sweet- ness round, The beauty of the Lord our God earth's smiling face shall see, And his eternal excellence its ceaseless praise shall be. 64 " The Glory that shall be Revealed. " Oh, strengthen ye the failing hands ! confirm the feeble knees! Say to the fearful heart, Be strong! Ye trembling, dwell at ease! Behold, with an avenging arm your God will surely come, And bring a mighty recompence, and lead you safely home. Then shall the sightless eyes unclose; the deaf shall hear the voice That bids the lame to leap for joy; the dumb with song rejoice; For in the thirsty wilderness shall gushing springs abound; Streams lave the burning desert's face, and pools the parched ground. And in the dragon's arid haunt shall reeds and rushes grow; A glorious highway shall be there — the clean alone may know; " The Glory that shall be Revealed.' 65 "Th e way of holiness" shall bear no loathso me track of sin, And e'en wayfaring men, though fools, therein. shall never err No ravenous beast shall go thereon, no lion from his lair, But the redeemed of the Lord shall walk in safety there ; His ransomed shall return with song every head, . joy crowning For sighing shall be heard no more night hath fled. and sorrow's I c3 ( 66 ) "BEHOLD, I COME AS A THIEF T WAS night ; a thoughtful mother sat beside her infant's bed, And bending o'er the Sacred Book the solemn warning read : — " For had the goodman only known the 'hour the thief would come, He would have watched, nor suffered him to break into his home." And sorrowful that mother grewT, to think how daily care So often stole the earnestness from watchfulness and prayer ; That trifles, like an armed host, should worst her in the fray — Through all unguarded passes rush, and conquer day by day. "Behold, I come as a Thief!" 67 A tear was trembling in her eye, as on that tranquil night She rose, to draw around her babe the sheltering curtains white ; And in her heart a strong resolve, while others slept, to stand, Expectant for the midnight cry, with burning lamp in hand. The bustle of the day was hushed, the household sunk in sleep, But through that mother's troubled dreams a Voice went murmuring deep, — " For had the goodman only known the hour the thief would come, He would have watched, nor suffered him to break into his home." And then she seemed to hear a shout — a clang of trumpet-blast ! A rush of thousand mighty wings that swept her as they passed ; A hurrying forth of countless feet, a burst of childish glee— A hallelujah loud and long — exultant, wild and free ! 68 "Behold, I come as a Thief!" Oh sudden, strange, triumphant song ! She heard it faintly die In melting sweetness, far away in depths of distant sky. Then o'er the room a darkness fell, and on her heart a chill. With terror that the silent house had surely grown too still ! And in the horror of her dream she sought her baby's bed; The downy pillow still was warm — the happy infant fled! The pretty shoes lay on the chair, as she had left them still ; The little socks those rosy feet again might never fill. Straight from her stricken heart arose a wild, despair- ing cry, In very hopelessness of grief, and tearless agony : '; Oh had she only, only known the hour the thief would come, She would have watched, nor suffered him to break into her home !" "Behold, I come as a Thief!" 6g And with that burst of anguish deep the frightful vision fled, And morning's early radiance flushed her sleeping in flint's bed ; Through sudden gush of happy tears, she saw the soft, light hair, And felt, with boundless gratitude, her treasure still was there ! The dream hath fled ; the mother's heart doth still its memory keep, And oft-times will she "watch and pray," while all around her sleep ; She knows that at the midnight hour her absent Lord will come, And, in the " twinkling of an eye," remove His loved ones home. Well may she pray that, when He comes, not one she loves be left To pass through earth's tremendous woes, of kindred dear bereft : Well also may we ever pray to meet Him in the skies, When joyful at the angel's call the "dead in Christ" shall rise. 70 "Behold, I come as a Thief!" Then let us stand with ear prepared to hear that startling cry, When joy shall million bosoms fill, and in all others die! So, if at morn, or noon, or eve, or night, the thief shall come, Our wakeful watchfulness shall lose no treasures from our home. ( 7i ) SAFE AT HOME. ONE from shadow into sunshine, Safe from evil sure to come ; From earth's chilling winds and tempests Sheltered in her Father's home, From His tender care and guidance Nevermore afar to roam. Summoned to attend her Sov' reign, In His court on Zion's hill ; Early called, to leave behind her Sin and suffering, change and ill : Oh ! how selfish the affection That had here detained her still ! Ye, who with her graceful presence, Lost the gladness from your heart, Saw the sunlight of your dwelling With your gentle girl depart : From your eyes so dim with weeping, Let the tears no longer start. 72 Safe at Home. O'er your child, so softly sleeping, Ere the grass hath time to wave, She may spring, in perfect beauty, Joyous from the rifled grave, Circled with the peerless radiance Of a Saviour, strong to save. Ere another tear that trembles O'er your cheek hath time to flow. Ye may feel a change most wondrous Round you like a glory glow ; Swiftly to your Lord ascending, Leaving earth and care below. Will not, then, the pain of parting Vanish into joy's excess, When ye greet your missing daughter, Smiling in her beauteous dress, Lovely in the spotless raiment Of the "Lord her Righteousness"? Safe at Home. 73 Oh, how brief will seem the sorrow Of the farewells Ave deplore, When, to hearts that ache to meet them, Christ our loved ones shall restore ; Forming one bright, happy circle, Death shall enter nevermore. K ( 74 ) THE WRECK OE THE "LONDON.1 ROWDED on the sinking vessel, Calm in majesty of woe ; With no Saviour near to waken, Sleeping on a pillow low : Down into the whirling waters, Down into the foaming tide, Childhood's truth and woman's softness, Manhood's steadfastness and pride ! Down into the chilling ocean, Hearts with swreet affections \varm ; 'Mid the thunder of the billows, And the riot of the storm ! Waves and hurricane in conflict Warring at their own wild will, And no voice to hush the discord, With its wondrous "Peace, be still ! " The Wreck of the "London. " Up, into the calm of Heaven, Soar a ransomed, bloodbought band ; God Himself from off their faces, Wipes the tears with tender hand. All their agony is ended, Oh, the overwhelming joy Of their entrance to the city, Where " no waster may destroy !" Scarcely were their unheard farewells Uttered 'mid the deaf'ning blast, Than they meet again in glory, Tempest-din for ever past ! Faithful pastor, friends and kindred, Timid souls and spirits brave, Falling at His feet in rapture, All Omnipotent to save ! On the bank of life's sweet river, Never yet by storm-wind swept, Doubts forgotten, troubles ended, Partings over, last tears wept : 7 6 " The Wreck of the " London. " Radiant with unearthly beauty, Still their highest song shall be Of His love who safely brought them Where " there shall be no more sea. fB> w ( 77 ) THE LAST BOUQUET, ARRANGED BY HER MAJESTY, AKD PLACED ON THE PRINCE CONSORT 6 COFFIN. IOLETS, violets, lovely violets, Closely clustering, deeply blue; Go and crown the crimson coffin With your royal purple hue ! Fragrant with affection's breath, Deck the resting-place of death. Violets — sweet and fragile violets, ' Twas a weeping lady bound All your tender stems together, Circling you in beauty round. One pale blossom centred there, Pure — and exquisitely fair. 78 The Last Bouquet, She, upon whose wide dominions Never yet hath set the sun, With her heart in gloom enshrouded, Sadly wreath'd you — one by one; While her tears like rain-drops fell For the lost one — loved so well. Violets — as her grief bedew' d you, Brightened ye that darkness dense ? Spake ye to that Royal Lady With your voiceless eloquence ? Telling how the Spring would dawn When the Winter time was gone ? Oh, ye told her of that morning, When the snow that mantles earth Swift should melt in heaven's sunshine, Giving buried hopes new birth! Hopes that yet should spring and wave. Blossoming above the grave. The Last Bouquet. . 79 Violets — sweet and lovely violets, Closely clustering — darkly blue. While ye crown the crimson coffin, Comfort give, ye blest and true ! Emblems, through this wintry strife, Of the spring of endless life. 5J.&&9 ■S LONDON : M O B G A N AND CHASE LUDGATE HILL. 3%£ WM * > I- MNN •* **■■'■