V FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Section / (/(/^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/istianOOIees 7/ '■: fi-fii. ,.v?<< 8 atiga of Cjiriatinii Ctfioitlrt). It was intended to have included in this volume other poems under the title of " Lays of Hope," and " Scenes and Thoughts/' answering to the threefold division, Faith, Hope, Charity, or the " Work of Faith," the " Patience of Hope," and the " Labour of Love." The expense of printing has prevented this ; but should the sale of this little volume warrant it, the two other parts will be pub- lished uniform with the M Songs of Christian Chivalry." In the beautiful poem by S. M., " Our Mother Church," after the lines in page 73 — " By the food which thou givest, We dare not to name," the following quatrain should have been inserted — " By the Watchers above thee, Pointing- the way for thee, Angels who love thee, Saints who still pray for thee ! " And as the omission was supplied too late for insertion in the text it is noticed here. Imtgs nf CjnMmt CJtelrg, tit BY THK AUTilOR OF HYMNS AND SCENES OF CHILDHOODS " NOW ABIDETH FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY." " Fight the good Fight of Faith." " Above all taking the Shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench alt, the fiery darts of the wicked." LONDON : JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, AND 78, NEW BOND STREET. mdcccxlviii. LONDON : ay JOSEPH MASTIC RS F.R^GATE STUEET. flu tanj. Faixtly though my timbrel soundeth, And not yet the joy aboundeth, Some there are whose hearts may own Solace in its under tone, And with deep responsive thrill, Every faltering note fulfil, Till the lay that erst begun In such weakness, strength have won, Many-voic'd, and upward borne, Mingling with the songs of morn, When the timbrels that of old, Israel's glad thanksgiving told, Blending with the choral swell Of a mightier triumph tell. II. Be it so ! meanwhile may I Share love's lowliest ministry ; Freely giving, Lord, of Thine, May the handmaid's joy be mine, Joy that many a maiden knew, When with ready zeal she drew THE ENVOY. Water from the crystal well, Where the palm tree's shadow fell. For the weary by the way, Faint with noontide's scorching ray. Till the burning thirst allay'd, Grateful for the timely aid, Sped the victor's glorious toil, And the tarriers shar'd the spoil. ill. Brethren, comrades tried and true. Hear me then — I sing for you — Warrior on the tented plain, Where the fight is yet to gain, By the Red Cross on thy shield, Liegeman of my Loed reveal'd, Helm on head, and sword in hand, On thy ward enforc'd to stand, If it suit thy mood to hear Songs of Chivalry and cheer, Tis for such I fain would sing — Take the offering that I bring, And if cheer be in the lay, For the minstrel's gladdening pray. August, is is. (Cimtrnts. PAGE i. Take up, take up the Timbrel 1 2. 44 Who hath believed our Report ? " 2 3. 44 Truly this Man was the Sox of God" 6 4. Counting the Cost . 8 •5. Res Severa est Verum Gaudium 11 6. Come, Lord, come 13 7. 44 It remaineth," &c. 14 8. It remaineth that some must enter therein 16 9. Faith and Presumption 18 10. My Hope is constant in Thee. E.G. 20 11. 44 He counted me faithful," &c. 22 12. 44 Where the Word of a King is there is Power. ' 25 13. The Shepherd's Watch 2G 14. To the Writers of the Lyra Apostoiica . 28 15. 4 4 Will ye also go away ? ' ' 29 16. The Valley of the Shadow of Death 30 17. Expostulation 32 18. A Second Thought 35 19. Turning Aside 3G 20. The Almond Tree . 39 21. The Days of Old. Anon. 41 22. Rejoinder 42 23. Sadness .... Tj Mil CONTENTS. PAGE 24. Clarior e tenebris ... 45 25. The Watchword . . .50 26. Loneliness ... 54 27. Paraphrase of the Forty -eighth Psalm. Rev. J. G. C. . . . 56 28. " Ye know not what ye ask." E. O. . 59 29. " Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.' ' 60 30. " Your fathers, where are they? " . 62 31. The Past and the Present. E. O. . 64 32. " To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 66 33. The Message Confirmed. . . 68 34. Our Mother Church. S. M. . 71 35. Response to the foregoing . . 75 36. The Link between Faith and Love . 79 37. The Church's Amen . . .84 38. The Hour of Prayer . . 85 39. A Battle Song . . .87 40. " I prayed to God to avenge me of Death.'' — Rev. Thos. Whytehead . . 88 41. " Dust shall be the Serpent's meat.'' . 89 42. The Trial of Faith . . .93 43. The Household Sorrow . . 97 44. Christ in His Church . . 99 45 . "Ye are they which have continued with Me. ' ' 102 46. David's Three Mightiest . . 107 47. " What of the Night ? " . . i 09 48. Knighthood . . . 119 49. The Banner of Blue. G. B. . .116 50. " He hath given a Banner," &c. . 118 ADDITIONAL POEMS. A Lay of Holy Land, I. and II. Holy Communion 12J 130 IrnigB nf Ctrrfata Cjrittalrtj. x. " The singers go before, the minstrels follow after : in the midst are the damsels playing with the timbrels. Give thanks, O Israel, unto God the Lord in the congregations, from the ground of the heart." Take up, take up the timbrel, And sing as Israel sung, When o'er the sea of Egypt The glad thanksgiving rung : The Lord, the Lord Jehovah Hath triumph' d gloriously ! His Hand the horse and rider Hath cast into the sea. Forget ye not His wonders, Who in that night of dread, Safe through the parted waters, His people Israel led ; When not a foe escaped, To tell the fearful tale, Only the waves responded To Egypt's land of wail. TAKE UP THE TIMBREL. Ye fathers, to your children Jehovah's might proclaim, And call on His redeemed, To triumph in His Name : Tell how the foe rush'd onward, In heaven-led Israel's track, Till over all his chariots The whelming wave rolled back. The pillar'd cloud before them, Pass'd to their rear by night, A barrier to the Egyptians, "While Israel walk'd in light : The oppressor thought in fury Pursuing, to o'ertake, Nor feared he in his madness, Jehovah's wrath to wake. Forth from His cloud pavilion He look'd upon the foe, And the fast-speeding chariots Drave heavily and slow ! Upon the surging billows The Almighty's voice was heard- The spirit of the haughty A sudden trembling stirr'd ! Then vainly in their terror They sought to flee away ; The waters were around them- Jehovah stopped the way ! TAKE UP THE TIMBREL. The tide at morn that bore them, All lifeless to the shore, Bade ransom'd Israel triumph — The tyrant's reign was o'er. In all the joy of freedom They stood upon the strand, The sea bore back their anthem To Egypt's orphan'd land, Then for the captives' wailing, The hallelujah rose, The song of God's redeemed, Avenged of their foes ! And Israel's graceful daughters Went forth in Miriam's train, With dances and with timbrels, Beside the billowy main. They answer'd one another, " Sing ye unto the Lord," And every step was vocal, In musical accord. The spirit of the freed one To high emprize was strung, As thus the strain responsive O'er Egypt's waters rung, " The Lord, the Lord -Jehovah Hath triumph' d gloriously ! His Hand the horse and rider Hath cast into the sea!" B 2 TAKE UP THE TIMBREL. O ye, to whom belongeth The name of Israel now, Have ye no thanks to offer, No heaven-recorded vow ? Freed from a sorer bondage, Through the baptismal wave, While yet its dewy spangles Your cross-signed foreheads lave ; Where is the burst of gladness ? The voice of joy and praise? Or, count ye the deliverance A tale of other days ? Nay, though the Land of Promise Lie far before you yet, And slavish-hearted pilgrims The captives' fare regret : Falls not the heavenly manna Beside your pathway still, While living streams refresh yen. And prophet voices thrill ? And ere the last faint echo Of that rejoicing strain Had pass'd, the Spirit's breathing Hath woke the voice again ! There are who with the timbrels Responsive tones prolong, And hero-hearts are kindling, To list the freed one's song, WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR HE PORT ! " The right hand of Jehovah Is our salvation still, Outstretched to plant His chosen In Sion's holy hill \" 2. • Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" A FEEBLE, faint, despised few, To Thee we mourn and cry, And though Thy promis'd help delay, On Thy sure word rely ! Our brethren turn their face away, And deem us self-deceiv'd ; Thine arm, Loud, is not reveal'd, Nor Thy report believ'd ! Xo, for in broken, breaking flesh, The glory must be shown, And but in utter helplessness The Spirit's might be known. Our narrow hearts could never bear Love's fulness to contain ; Then though with Thine they too should break. Would we not count it gain ? Thou, Who hast shown the path of life We might not trace at first, Teach us the love that wrung from Thee, The anguish'd cry, " I thirst." (5 TBULY THIS MAN WAS THE SOX OF GOD. So in our death Thy life shall reign — Our weakness prove Thy strength — The longing of a Saviour's heart, Find utterance at the length ! It struggles now to find a vent, To pour itself abroad, But who can bear that bitter cry, The anguish'd love of God ? It bow'd the Man of Sorrows' head, It broke the Saviour's heart, But strong as death, in death prevail'd The blessing to impart ! "The Blood is the Life." 3. "Truly this Man was the Sox of God." Yes, there was darkness o'er the land On that tremendous day ! The temple veil was rent in twain 'Mid earthquake and dismay, But through the darkness shone confess'd Thy glory, and our sin, And mighty Thine expiring breath Acknowledgment to win ! TRULY THIS MAN WAS THE SOX OF GOD. With shameful cross for kingly throne, For crown the platted thorn, Yet of the willing sacrifice How was the witness borne ? Not such the malefactor's death Though 'neath Thy people's ban ! And faltering lips confess'd at length, " This was a Righteous Man !" Thy Godlike majesty in death Rome's stern centurion saw, Nor rending rocks his spirit thrilPd With such mysterious awe. He marked Thee on Thy Father call In calm of holiest peace, Then bow r Thy sacred head to die, And from that suffering cease. " Truly This was the Sox of God !" In marvelling fear he cried, While sinners smote upon their breast, And trembling turn'd aside. So by the cross in sight of all The lifting up was shown, And what if thus our brethren too Thy followers' sonship own ? COUNTING THE COST. 4* (fmmttiig tjp Cnst Have ye counted the cost, Have ye counted the cost, Ye warriors of the cross ? Are ye fix'd in heart for your Master's sake To suffer all worldly loss ? Can ye bear the scoff of the worldly wise As ye pass by pleasure's bower To watch with your Lord on the mountain top Through the dreary midnight hour ? Can ye sorrow with Him, Can ye sorrow with Him, All selfish sorrow forgot, When the heart grows chill, and the eye is dim, And the rescue cometh not ? Can ye bow the head when the heart is rent And all earthly aid forego, Resign'd to receive from a Father's hand That cup of bitterest woe ? Can ye drink of the cup, Can ye drink of the cup That your Lord and Master drank, When His holy soul was so sore amaz'd And His flesh from suffering: shrank ? COUNTING THE COST. Can ye feel the sting of a traitor's kiss Nor yet from your purpose move ? Can ye keep your heart as a shelter meet For the grieving Holy Dove ? Are ye able to share, Are ye able to share In the baptism of your Loed ? Are ye strong in His strength with Him to bear, And to prove His faithful word ? Can ye prove the word that shall prove you first, As silver in furnace tried ? The earthen vessel may fail, but the word Is seven times purified ! Do ye answer, "We can," Do ye answer, " We can Through His love's constraining power ?" But do ye remember the flesh is weak And shrinks in the trial hour ? Yet yield to His hand Who around you now The cords of a man would cast, The bands of His love, Who was given for you To the altar binding fast ! Can ye cleave to your Lord, Can ye cleave to your Loud, When the many turn aside ? Can ye witness He hath the living Word, And none upon earth beside? And can ye endure with the virgin band, The lowly and pure in heart, Who whithersoever the Lamb may lead, From His footsteps ne'er depart ? 10 COUNTING THE COST. Ye shall drink of His cup, Ye shall drink of His cup And in His baptism share ! Ye shall not fail if ye tread in His steps, His blood-stain'd Cross to bear ; But count ye the cost ! Oh, count ye the cost, That ye be not unprepar'd, And know ye the strength that alone can stand In the conflict ye have dar'd ! In the power of His might, In the power of His might, "Who was made through weakness strong, Ye shall overcome in the fearful fight, And sing His victory song ! But count ye the cost ! Oh, count ye the cost, The forsaking all ye have ! Then take up your cross, and follow your Lord, Not thinking your life to save ! By the Blood of the Lamb ! By the Blood of the Lamb, By the faithful witness word, Not loving your lives to the death for Him, Ye shall triumph with your Lord ! So count ye the cost ! yea, count ye the cost, Ye warriors of the Cross, But in royal faith, and in royal love, Count all selfish gain for loss ! Oh, the Banner of Love ! Oh, the Banner of Love, "Will cost you a pang to hold ! But 'twill float in triumph the field above, Though vour heart's blood stain its fold ! RES SEVERA EST VERUM GAUDIUM. 11 Ye may count the cost ! ye may count the cost Of all Egyptians treasure, But the riches of Christ ye cannot count ! His love ye cannot measure ! 5, RES SEVERA EST VERUM G A ODIUM. There is a joy tears cannot weep, And laughter ne'er might tell, An inward bliss, a peace so deep, Tis like some hidden well. No earthly ray the depth reveals Whence living waters flow, Day's garish light the stars conceals, That there in brightness glow ! Yet listening ears might catch the sound Of music underneath, And mark above it, and around How freshest breezes breathe. Thus, follower of a thorn-crown' d Chief, Within thy heart should be, A fount of joy, undimm'd by grief, Unlit by worldly glee ; 12 RES SEYERA EST VERUM GAUDIUM. Too deep for smiles or tears to show, Yet o'er life's common ways, Flinging its gladdening healing glow, To wake the voice of praise. Thy lot be of the wean'd from earth, In angel-bliss to share, Yet grudge not to light-hearted mirth, Her merriest smiles to wear! Think how the Blessed One, while sore Our burdens on Him lay, The gladdening of His smile might pour On sportive children's play ! See Him with little ones around, Or at the bridal board, As though our all of gladness found A response from our Lord ; And look thou thus in tenderest love On ought of joy below, While counting it thy bliss to prove Christ's fellowship in woe ; The myrrh and spice together go, The bitter and the sweet ; The Broken Heart's deep bliss to know, For strangers were not meet. " The heart knowcth his own hittemess ; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy," COME, LORD, COME. 13 6. 1 Come, Lord, come." Come, Lord, come ! For love is waxing cold ; Forgotten are Thy mercies past, Thy wondrous works of old ! Men say Thou hast forsaken The world Thine hands have made, And even they who bear Thy name, Thy standard have betray 'd. Come, Lord, come ! Unfurl Thy conquering sign — The kingdom, power, and glory, Are Thine, Lord, only Thine ! Hear Thou the faint low sighing Of Thine oppressed few, And for Thy truth and mercies' sake, The enemy subdue ! Come, Lord, come ! The floods uplift their voice — The billows threaten to o'erwhelm— Thine enemies rejoice; But speak Thou in Thy glory — Lift up Thy standard, Lord, And lo, the waters are a wall, Obedient to Thy word ! 14 IT REMAINETH. Come, Lord, come ! As in the days of old, Thine own right hand shall bring Thee help, Thy fury Thee uphold ! Oh, yet make known that Thou art King, From age to age the same, That men may reverently adore Thy glorious, fearful Name ! 7. " It remain eth."— 1 Cor. vii. 9, and Heb. iv. 9. " It remaineth — it remaineth," Was sounding in mine ear, Mid many a dirge-like cadence Of the departing year, Most like the spirit music, When hope and fear are blent, To tame our reckless joyance, And yet for solace sent. A shadow mid earth's sunshine, A glory mid her gloom, To every heart a blessing, That gives the lesson room. IT REMAINETH. 15 Oh, shrink not from the shadow, As of the dove's soft wing, Nor yet refuse the comfort, The turtle's voice should bring ! " It remaineth — it remaineth," — "Would'st know what now remains ? That earthly joys are passing, And passing earthly pains, Yea, as a dream are passing, To leave no trace behind, On saintly brow no shadow, No stain on saintly mind ! For thee, a pilgrim stranger, Remaineth only this, To lightly bear earth's sadness, And lightly hold her bliss ; To be as one that waiteth, And watcheth for the Lord, So mayst thou at His coming Receive a full reward. " It remaineth — it remaineth," — Would'st know what then remains ? The glory, and the gladness, Love's everlasting gains ! All that was worth the prizing, Most precious, and most pure ! All that the true heart treasures, For ever to endure ! 16 IT REMAINETH THAT SOME The time is short ! He cometh, "Whose love hath set thy task — A crown of life His guerdon ! What other would'st thou ask ? But let thy consolation — In toil and vigil be, There remaineth, there remaineth A Sabbath rest for thee ! *'■ It remaineth that some must enter therein.*' Though the fight be thickening round thee, One by one thy fellows fall, Fear thou not, thou red cross warrior. Thou shalt yet prevail o'er all ! God's whole armour take thou to thee, Dreadless on the battle plain, Though the foe have seemed to triumph, Though thou standest mid the slain. Hold the shield of faith before thee, Quenching every fiery dart — Let thy loins with truth be girded — Bind thy breast-plate o'er thy heart. MUST ENTER THEREIN. 17 Lest thou stumble, know thy standing In the peace-proclaiming blood — "Wear thy helmet of salvation, Hoping against hope in God. Grasp the Spirit's sword undaunted, Steadfast, watching unto prayer — Lonely though thou seemest, many With thee yet the vigil share ! Jesus, and His witness army, Compass round His faithful few, He Who fought the fight before thee, Christ the Faithful and the True ! Shrink not in His steps to follow Through the dark and fearful night ; Onward where thy Captain calls thee, Mid the thickest of the fight ; Not with flesh and blood to wrestle, Nor in fair and open field, But against the powers of darkness, Heavenly weapons thou must wield. One with all thy brethren, cleaving To each other in the Loud, For in oneness ye shall triumph, And receive the full reward. Though their bones are whitening round thee, Scatter'd in the open vale, Yet the word, (than vision surer,) "Word prophetic, shall not fail, c 18 IT EEMA1NETH THAT SOME MUST ESTEK. At the end the vision speaketh — It shall speak, and shall not lie ! Hold thy confidence the firmer — The redemption draweth nigh ! From the four winds life is breathing ! God shall breathe upon His slain — His exceeding mighty army, Lo, they rise and fight again ! Trampling down the foe before them, Cloth'd with resurrection might, One shall make a thousand waver — Two, ten thousand put to flight ! Though the vision seem to tarry, Faith shall its unfolding win — Still the word of God remaineth, Some must surely enter in. 9, /nitjr mifr ^rtsiimptinn. ' He that believeth shall not make haste," therefore, "he shall not be confounded." FEAB to ask, "If it be Thou, Bid me come to Thee," Though thou think at Jests' word Thou couldst walk the sea. FAITH AND PRESUMPTION. 19 Haste is mingling with such faith. And betrays it weak. Rather be it thine to wait Till thy Lord shall speak. He, or e'er thy thought be said, Well thy glowing heart hath read. If He bid thee walk the wave, Be thou sure that He will save. But, thy frailty all forgot, Such commandment tempt thou not, Lest thou learn in shame at length Conscious weakness is our strength. Hast thou faith, and couldst thou joy Perils to abide? Yet bethink thee how a saint His dear Lord denied ! " Yea, though all offended be, I will not," he said, But for those presumptuous words Bitter tears were shed ! Taught from thence with lowly mind, Keep the place His love assign'd, Answering but, " Thy will be done," At His bidding thou shalt run. Gathering strength in self-control, Patiently possess thy soul, Storing up each earnest thought For a time with trial fraught. 20 STANZAS. to. Ititmns Addressed to a Macdonald, of Clanranald, on his family motto, " My hope is constant in Thee." E. O. The Bruce he was fighting at Bannockburn, And the Lord of the Isles was nigh With twice three thousand men to shout The Clanranald battle cry. "Wild rag'd the fight, and the English lance Through the Scottish ranks went far, But silent and calm those warriors stood In the maddening din of war. The foe rush'd on with horse and mail — He was dark with banners free; Then spoke the King to the Island Chief, "My hope is firm in thee." That night the stream ran red with blood — Borne down was England's might, And long did English matrons rue " Saint Barnaby the bright." MY HOrE IS CONSTANT IN THEE. 21 ? Twas enough for the men who turn'd to flight Her armies on the plain, That on them their Monarch had not plac'd His steadfast trust in vain. 'Twas enough for their Chief that his shield should bear The words of the kingly trust ; They were left as a pledge by the sire to the son, When in turn he lay down in the dust. Thou, who art bearing on thy shield The words thy fathers bore, To thee they speak with a holier power Than ever they claim'd of yore. A mightier foe is round thee now, And few the patriot band Who dare abide their Leader's will, Or strike at His command. But He Who stoop'd from Heaven to win In death thy liberty, Hath bid thee watch and ward for Him, His trust is firm in thee. 22 HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL. It " He counted me faithful, putting me into the lninistry." Hath He counted thee faithful, Trust placing in thee, The highest and holiest on earth that may be ? With the love of a mother His chosen to tend, With the zeal of a brother, to keep, and defend ! In vigil unwearied, In fasting and prayer, Lest harm should befall those He left in thy care ! The drought in the day time, The frost in the night Endur'd for thy brethren in love's patient might ! Oh, well may it awe thee, Yet gladden thy heart, So think that thou hast in His ministry part, Whose Body is broken, Whose Blood for us shed, To furnish the Table from whence we are fed ! And canst thou dispense them, Nor yield thee to know The breaking, the wounding, whence Love's bounties flow ; HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL. 23 To die with Him daily, Christ living in thee, While our wine Cup of gladness thy witness should be ? Yea, counted thus faithful, What love should reward Thy perilous service for us in the Lord ? And how should we honour Who thus for our sake His life in his hand hath not scrupled to take ? We cannot repay thee, Yet guerdon is sure — A crown of rejoicing that aye shall endure. Oh, bright is the glory For pastors prepar'd Who with the Chief Shepherd His labours have shar'd. Yet bear thou the warning That cometh of love ; 'Tis not to upbraid thee — nay, not to reprove. A whisper within thee, " Yet lovest thou Me ? Then feed thou the flock I committed to thee. " The hireling cares only His own life to keep ; The Good Pastor giveth His life for the sheep. " And seeketh My servant Gain, honour, or ease, Intent like the worldling self only to please ?" 24 HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL. Nay, brother, it may not, It cannot be thus ; Thou shalt tread in His footsteps Who suffer d for us. For how wilt thou answer Should evil betide Thy charge, and they perish, for whom He hath died ? Yet knows He thy frailty, Who smil'd on thy vow, Whose Name is upon thee for panoply now. The true heart within thee Responds to His word : The gift that is in thee His breathing hath stirr'd. He counted thee faithful, Trust placing in thee The highest and holiest on earth that may be. The word He hath spoken Thy spirit shall thrill With the zeal of thy first love thy vows to fulfil. The priestly anointing, Endures it not yet ? The Hand laid upon thee thou can'st not forget. If love lose its fervour, If faith should grow dim, He is faithful Who called thee, and hope thou in Htm. THE WORD OF A KING IS POWER. 25 12. " Where the word of a king is, there is power.' Oh ! sing aloud — oh ! sing aloud ! With understanding sing : With heart and voice Do ye rejoice In Israel's God and King. Come ye before Him with a song, For He is God indeed, Our God and B.ock, Who like a flock His people forth doth lead. With songs of praise at His command Still onward let us go ; By Moses' and By Aaron's hand, His guidance we shall know. Oh ! be not as your fathers were, A faithless, froward race, Who thought not on His wonders done Before His people's face. But yield ye to His guiding hand, And walk ye in His way, And strong in faith, Whate'er He saith Rejoice ye to obey. 26 the shepherd's watch. Yea where His word is, there is power To execute His will. A kingly word Comes from the Lord His purpose to fulfil. Oh ! sing aloud — oh ! sing aloud, Ye that in strength excel ! Glory and might Are His by right, And in His presence dwell ! 13* CJji ijupjrerifjf IMclj. "There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night." Star-lit shadows, soft and still, Lay on field, and fold and hill, Where their vigils shepherds kept While their flocks in safety slept. Brightly rose night's loveliest gem Over distant Bethlehem, Hail'd by Magi from afar, Judah's promised regal star. But the glory of the Lord Was around those shepherds pour'd : First upon their startled ear Thrill'd the angel's word of cheer, THE SHEPHERD'S WATCH. 27 Ere the answering burst of song SwelTd the peopled sky along, Teaching man with joy to hail Christ, the Lord, in fleshy veil. Thus to faithful shepherds still, Watching on the holy hill, Pouring out their soul in prayer, Heedful of their slumbering care, Oft at midnight hour are given Glimpses of an opening heaven ; Visions of the coming morn Cheer the weary heart forlorn, Till their faith takes up the song Of the blessed angel throng — " Glory in the Highest still, Peace on earth — to men goodwill !" And in lowliest guise they learn Heirs of glory to discern, Strong for Jesus' sake to keep And to feed His blood-bought sheep. Though the night endureth still, Long and weary, dark and chill, Faint not mid thy slumbering sheep Thus thy pastoral watch to keep, Listening in calm hope and fear Midnight songs of praise to hear, As from yonder skies again Issue forth Christ's angel train. Then shall the Chief Shepherd's voice Bid each faithful one rejoice, And the weary watch shall seem Transient as a moment's dream : 28 TO THE WRITERS OF THE LYRA APOSTOLICA. "While the veil asunder riven, Fadeless crown to each is given, And the rapt angelic song Swells eternity along. 14. TO THE WRITERS OP THE LYRA APOSTOLICA. O ye, whose lyre of calmly thoughtful tone Hath almost seemed to us a voice from heaven, For truest cheer in troublous season given, Chiding weak hearts that deenrd themselves alone, And waking tuneful echoes of its own ; Ye know not where those echoes deepest sound, And truest response to your song is found — Mid some whose faith as schism ye disown j For ye, methinks, Nathaniel-like have pray'd In secret 'neath your fig tree's household shade, And wedded to its shelter, sit at home, Answering, " Can good thing out of Nazareth come ?"* Yet come and see, true-hearted men, and own The Nazarite to whom your secret prayer is known. * Nazareth, the place of separation. WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY? 29 15. " WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY ?" Saviour, we hear Thy voice of love ; with broken heart we hear The voice that wounds and heals at once, and shames our faithless fear : We own it faithless — we have walk'd in doubt and dimness long, And we are slow to learn of Thee, in love's confiding strong. What though our brethren turn aside, and scornful men blaspheme, And call Thy work delusion all, a vain and idle dream ; And though each onward step reveals our ignorance the more, And oft with tears of bitterness our folly we deplore ; It does but warn us yet the more self-chosen ways to flee; It does but bid Thy little flock more closely cling to Thee. Thou only hast the words of life that thrill the listen- ing heart ; To whom and whither should we go, if we from Thee depart ? 30 THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. We cannot answer those who taunt, yet put us not to shame, Who in our weakness keep Thy word, nor dare deny Thy name. Men talk of snares on every hand ; but Thou canst not deceive. Oh ! keep us— guide us in Thy truth, and teach us to believe. 16. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. We are in death in the midst of life, We walk in a fearful dream, As though entranc'd in the battle's strife, While our foes but phantoms seem ; For we wake to dream, and we dream, we wake- On ! when will the light that unfoldeth break ? 'Tis a fearful thing to sound the deep Of one's own wild, darkling thought ; Better I love in my heart to keep The w r ords by my Saviour taught, And to w r alk by their steadfast and truthful ray Until these shadows shall flee away. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. 31 Yea, the gentleness of Almighty Love Hath curtain'd our feeble sight From the depths below, and the heights above, With their blinding glare of light, And a tenderer love than a mother's now Doth in shadowy veils to our weakness bow. Then grudge not the dimness a little while Ere the curtain be withdrawn, And thou wakest up in the joyous smile Of love's own unclouded morn, Like a nursling train'd 'neath her sheltering wing, To soar in sunlight, and soaring sing. And lest thy heart and thy flesh should fail, O'ercome by a nameless fear, Bethink thee how in the shadowy vale There is One for ever near, More nigh than all, for His arms enfold, And His rod and staff thy steps uphold. Hast thou never look'd on a little child "When he first awakes from rest, And laughs to think how his dream beguiPd, And he slept on a parent's breast ? So wondrous glad shall our waking be In the light of Love's eternity, 32 EXPOSTULATION. 17. drxjrastolittnra. Suggested by a poem in " Thoughts in past years," entitled, ' the midst of life we are in death," and concluding thus : " For I dream. Where am I ? O vanity, We are not what we deem. These sins that hold my heart in thrall, They more real are than all." Nay, say not so — I cannot bear That chilling utterance of despair — Sins that hold thy heart in thrall, May more real be than all That we fondly deem, But not more real than the Love That brought our Helper from above, And did with blood redeem. Is He not nigh thee, close beside, The Living One, the Lord, Who died, And lives thy cause to plead, And make thee free indeed ? One drop of His all cleansing blood, Avails it not for thee ? Yea, the abject captive erect hath stood, By Christ, the Son, made free. And hath look'd with joy on his Maker's face, Forgetting his bondage and foul disgrace ! EXPOSTULATION. 33 And why 'midst shadows wilt thou rove When round thee shines the light of Love ? Is it that thine eyes are dim, And thou canst not look on Him, Fetter'd by a fearful spell, Darkness only visible, Groping in sepulchral gloom, Like a tenant of the tomb ? Yet thou hast not far to seek — Listen, thou may'st hear Him speak, " Sleeper, from the dead arise, And Christ shall give thee light. Child of clay, lift up thine eyes ! Dream not, as by night !" At His look, His touch, His word, Drop thy fetters — own Him Loud ! Stir thou up His strength within, Bursting all the bands of sin ; Touch'd with lightning fire of love, Like a thread of tow they prove ! Stand thou up, redeem'd from all, That would hold thee still in thrall, Xerv'd with everlasting might, Walking in the eternal light Of each word that He hath spoken, Never, never to be broken ! Didst thou question, " What is man. Dreaming out his little span, Fearfully to wake anon ! Borne mid shadows fleeting by To a dread eternity, Stealing all unnoted on ?'' 34 EXPOSTULATION. Did thy sickening heart reply, " Vanity ! O vanity ! For I dream — where am I ?" Fear thou not ! His love hath found thee Light of life is shining round thee. And His ransom'd ones may brook On realities to look. Truly man is vanity, At his best estate a lie, Dust, returning unto dust! But redeem'cl with precious Blood, Heir of glory, Child of God, Ministering Angels wait On him as in regal state, Glorying in their precious trust ! Henceforth in the light of Heaven Look thou up — thy bonds are riven, "lis no time for dreamy sadness — Thou must gather strength in gladness, And thine onward path pursue With the glorious prize in view. King, and Priest, by Heaven-born right ! Child of day, and not of night ! Dost thou deem it right and well In uncertain gloom to dwell ? Should'st thou mid the graves remain, Binding fast thy broken chain, Vainly seeking 'mong the dead Him, whose path on high hath led ? Nay, but this were vanity ! Daylight hours are fleeting by — Hast thou not a race to run While thou may'st behold the sun ? A SECOND THOUGHT. 35 House thee ere the night o'ertake thee, And the star of Hope forsake thee, Ere thy shadowy dream may be Stern and dread reality, Dwelling on the darkness past, Till again it hold thee fast, In a stronger, sevenfold spell, Only darkness visible ! And all too late thou wring thy hands, and cry vanity ! vanity ! IS. % Itrnnii Cjnragjjt Why should self-pitying thoughts arise To mar our holier mood ? Are we not pledg'd in love's dear might To overcome with good ? Oh, shame ! that for some fancied slight The fount of tears should flow, While in our hardness we refuse A Saviour's grief to know ! His wounded feet require the streams That run to waste so free ! Yea, Lord, it is Thy grace permits To spend our tears on Thee ! D 2 36 TUBNING ASIDE. 19. (Enuring Isik Vide the poem in the "Christian Year*' for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity. We followed in a desert place To listen unto One Whose wondrous words of truth and grace Our hearts' confiding won. A table in the wilderness His loving care supplied ; I thought not there in bitterness To miss thee from my side . Didst thou not know, thou weary soul, Heaven had " in store a precious dole ?" And wherefore wouldst thou turn away, And come so far, refuse to stay ? But thou art gone, thou weary soul, And pain'd I needs must be, Though the burden of my grief I roll On One who cares for thee, On One who knows thy childlike heart, Thy yearning after Him, And will not let thee quite depart Though faith and hope are dim. Yet darkness now around thee lowers, And lost to sight are Salem's towers, For thou hast left the Blood-track'd road To the fair city of our God. TURNING ASIDE. 37 Oh! thou hast fainted ere noontide O'erburthen'd with the heat, x\nd turn'd with sickening heart aside To seek some cool retreat — To miss the shadow of the Rock, Found in a weary land ! And the noonday pastures for His flock By heavenly breezes fann'd Green pastures, where they feed and rest, By living streams of comfort blest, And where in peace the turtle dove Chants the deep song of holy love. Alas ! my Brother, when I kneel In sorrowing prayer for thee, My burthen'd spirit yearns to feel How sad thy heart must be. For trampled pastures, streams defil'd, And scanty in their flow, How have thy footsteps been beguil'd Our portion to forego ? Of Shiloah's waters, softly flowing, Of spicy gales from Eden blowing, Perplex'd, benighted, as thou art, Comes not the freshness o'er thy heart ? Had not our grief its own deep bliss Of pure reposing love ? And canst thou, Brother, fail to miss The comfort of His Dove — The softness of His sheltering wings — The tones that thrill' d so deep, That woke our harp's responsive strings, And made it joy to weep? 38 TUENING ASIDE. The Hand that wipfd away the tear, The voice of love, the words of cheer. That bade us swell the song of praise, And high as deep our anthem raise." Yea ! these are thoughts that must abide Deep shrin'd in memory's cell, That from thyself thou canst not hide, Although thou may'st not tell ! Thou hast left us, but to weep apart In bitterness to weep, To commune with thy own sad heart, And lonely vigil keep. Return ! return ! thou weary soul ; " Heaven hath in store a precious dole." Turn not to perish by the way, Nor come so far, refuse to stay. Thou wouldst "not be untrue," I said — Thou shouldst " not be beguil'd," Although the onward pathway led Yet further in the wild ; And still I keep me to the word, My faith would hold thee fast — Thou sore tried servant of the Lord, Thou wilt return at last. The harp upon the willows hung Shall yet to harmony be strung And mine a dearer joy shall be Than if I ne'er had wept with thee. A mightier love than mine shall keep The tried and tempest-toss'd ; The chosen pastor of Christ's sheep Shall not be lightly lost ; THE ALMOND TREE. 39 One look of His within thy heart Shall memory's fount unseal, And bitter though the contrite smart, That bitterness shall heal. He pray'd for Peter — prays for thee, And thou shalt yet our strengthener be, Converted, comforted to prove How His forgiven ones should love. 1 And when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." 20. fljr Sllffiiiiiii fee. " "Tpt^