Harp NlELD. FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY JXvtekrf \ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://archive.org/details/teharpOOniel THE TEMPLE HARP BY REV. THOMAS NIELD. AUTHOR OF "Baptism in Slr^ort Meter," ETC., ETC. For Sale by the Author, Elmira, Otsego County, Michigan. Price 60 Cents. MONFORT & CO publishers. 422 and 424 Elm Street, CINCINNATI. O. PREFACE. In the following hymns the author's heart has broken its alabaster box of ointment, in the hope that its perfume may refresh other souls, by leading them nearer to God and heaven. In this hope he sends forth his little volume. It will be perceived that he is not an apostle of the "New Theology," which would heath- enize the Old Testament, and so make Christ no longer "The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," but rather a phil- osophical gentleman of lofty ethical percep- tions, having courage equal to his convictions; nor yet one who thinks it wrong to sing what it is right to talk in the Lord's house. In verse and prose, in song and prayer, in the closet and the temple, give us Jesus, in some aspect of his person, his teaching or his life; for where Jesus is not, God is afar off. But 4 the: tkmple harp. we demand Jesus the God-man; for where the God is not, only a man is left, and man is the equal of Christ. Let any one read the prophe- cies of the Old Testament, and the gospels of the New, and then say whether he dare make such claims for himself, or for any other man, as are there made for "the Christ, the Son of the living God." T. N. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. God Incomprehensible 13 The Triune God 14 What We Know of God 15 The Voice of God in His Works 16 Psalm 1 17 Psalm II 18 Psalm III 19 Psalm V 20 Psalm LXXV 21 Psalm XC 22 Christ the First Fruits 23 Psalm XCIII 24 Psalm C 25 Psalm CIII 26 Psalm CXXX 27 Psalm CXXXIII 28 Psalm CXLVI 29 Psalm CL 30 Great Tidings of Great Joy 31 The Wondrous Birth 32 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. The Word was God 33 The Lamb of God 34 He is Risen 35 Shall Alan be Just with God? 36 The Rich Became Poor 37 The Way, the Truth, the Life 38 The True Rock 39 Christ with Us 40 The Altogether Lovely 41 The Conquering Kingdom 42 Thy Kingdom Come 43 The Gospel Triumphant 44 The Greater Miracles 45 The Holy Spirit's Work 46 God Found in His Work 47 The Holy Book 48 Love of the Word 49 God's Word Unchangeable 50 The Truth Abides 5 1 The Lord's Memorial Day 52 The Holy Day 53 Joy in Worship 54 In the Sanctuary 55 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 7 PAGE. Gethsemane 56 The Costly Sacrifice 57 An Advocate with the Father 58 Self-Denial. . 59 Consecration 60 Faith 61 Desire for Faith 62 Self-Righteousness Vain 63 Saved by Grace 64 Assurance 65 My Trust 66 Grace for Grace 67 Seeking Help 68 Free in Christ 69 Glorying in Christ 70 The Sinner's Friend 71 The Heavenly Bread J2. Buried with Christ 73 Bearing the Cross 74 Help Received 75 Pleasant Ways j6 Self Lost in God yy God My Strength 78 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Afflictions 79 The Cross Twice Borne 80 Loving the Savior 81 Trust in Christ 82 My Treasure 83 Divine Goodness 84 Prayer for Christlikeness 85 Prayer for Purity 86 A Desire to Depart 87 Jesus Precious in Death 88 Seeking the Spirit's Aid 89 Be Thankful 90 Be Not Anxious 91 Have Courage 92 Watch and Pray 93 Hold On 94 The Christian Race 95 A Friend in Need 96 Loss is Gain 97 Gone Home 98 Rejoice 99 Confession 100 Revive Us Again i QI TAIJIJ- <>!■ CONTENTS. 9 PAGE. Forgive as We Forgive 102 By the Rivers of Babylon 104 The Ways of Providence 105 Murmuring 106 We Know in Part 107 The New Jerusalem 108 vSaved by Hope 109 In the Wilderness no The Glorious Hope in The Almighty Shepherd 112 Heaven 113 Our House Above 114 In Remembrance 115 Bearing Christ's Afflictions 116 A Temple of the Holy Spirit 117 Spiritual Communion 118 The Friend of the Poor 119 The Increase of God 120 Divine Knowledge 121 Stewardship 122 Using as Not Abusing 123 Worldly Cares 124 Children of a King- I2q IO TAIiLD OF CONTEXTS. PAGE. God Will Provide 126 Be Not Fearful 127 Dismissing Care 128 Daily Victory 129 To-Morrow 130 Oar Opportunity 131 My Mission 132 Do Thy Work 133 Why Stand Ye Idle? 134 The Sinner's Plea 135 Your Work 136 The World for Jesus 137 At the Mercy Seat 138 Pray On 139 The Hour of Prayer 140 Asking Amiss 141 The Faithful One 142 .Brotherly Love 143 Man Immortal 144 The All-Seeing Eye 145 The Fool's Hope 146 Sowing and Reaping 147 The Downward Road 148 TABLE OF CONTEXTS. II PAGE. Divine Long-Suffering 149 Warning 150 The Passover 151 Losing the Soul 1 52 Delaying 153 No Peace in Sin 154 Choose 155 In the Storm 156 Repenting 157 Make a Stand for Jesus 158 The Reward of Sin is Sure 159 The Judgment Day 160 ERRATA. Page 43 ,Hne 6-for -bend" read -tend " * age 47, line 10— read -unsealed " Pa5e r^r ne 5 - fol ^ b — ^ad "trace." Page 66, line 11 -after -goodness" read Page 7 6 line ^for "much" read -such." Pageio 4 ,hne i_f or -Babylon's" read "Babylonia's." Page l6 6, line , -for « W < 1Va( , „ Togt the: temple harp. 13 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLE. Great Being! vainly finite thought Would try to grasp infinity. In vain the greatest minds have sought, With all their powers, to fashion thee. Beyond the farthest orb of light That greets the earth with glimmering rays, Thou art as limitless in might As where on myriad worlds we gaze. Whate'er exists thy hands have made; Its destiny thine eye hath scanned. The future, to thy mind portrayed, Is only what that mind had planned. In vain, then, would our finite thought Attempt to grasp infinity. In vain the greatest minds have sought. In vain shall seek, to fashion thee. 14 TH £ TEMPLE HARP. THE TRIUNE GOD. Eternal God! who madest known Thyself at first upon thy throne, One God, and only one, — We joy that, in a later day, Thou show'dst us, in a gracious way, Thy Godhood in the Son. We praise thee, too, that later still Thou madest known thy fuller will As God the Comforter. Thus Father, Son and Spirit blend, And we are brought to apprehend Thy threefold character. Grant, O Thou triune God, that we That threefold character may see, And find a threefold grace. Come, Jesus! wash away our sin; Come, Spirit! sanctify within; Then, Father, show thy face. THE TEMPLE HARP. 1 5 WHAT WE KNOW OF GOD. Lord, since we so little know Of thy wondrous works below, Vain indeed the task must be When our minds would compass thee. Yet how much of thee we know, Mirrored in thy w r orks below; Much of mightiness to fear, Much of wisdom to revere. And thou dost the power bestow Grandest things of thee to know; Truths that else must lie concealed In thy Word we find revealed. There thou dost thy nature show Till thy very heart we know, And we smile to look above, Knowing well that thou art Love. l6 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE VOICE OF GOD IN HIS WORKS. Psalm xix. 1-3. In awful vastness o'er our head The heavens are like a curtain spread, And through their realms conspicuous shine Proofs that their Maker is divine. The firmament, in various ways, His wondrous handiwork displays, And all its changing scenes proclaim The glories of Jehovah's name. With soundless eloquence the day Tells of his universal sway, And when the night in splendor glows The presence of a God it shows. And hence, where'er the wanderers be, These silent witnesses they see, And seem to hear an inward voice: "Lo, God is here, let man rejoice/' THE TKMPTJC harp. 17 PSALM I. Blest is the man that heedeth not The counsel the ungodly give, Nor with the sinner casts his lot, Xor lives as wicked scorners live. The law of God is his delight, And in that law he meditates, Makes it his guide by day and night, Content to do as it dictates. He shall he like a thrifty tree Planted where streams perennial flow; His fruit shall in its season be; His leafy years no withering know. Prosperity shall mark his way; On all he does a blessing rest, Brightening his life from day to day, And making him divinely blest. Xot so the godless: they are driven Like chaff from autumn's threshing floor. When judgment is in justice given, They are undone forevermore; For God, who knows his people's ways, With blessings will their steps attend, But they who spurn him all their days Shall find at last a dreadful end. I s 'II IK, TEMPUS HARP, PSALM II. Why do the powers of earth combine To thwart the purposes of God? In vain they brave the power divine, Which smites with an almighty rod The Lord who sits enthroned on high Shall at their futile fury laugh, Till at his whirlwind voice they fly As lightly as the empty chaff. His will is earth's established law, The anchor of his firm decrees; And he will unborn millions draw To own his Son on bended knees. That Son, enthroned, shall claim his own; From east to west display his power; His right through all the earth make known. And seize the nations as his dower. Beware, ye kings and judges, lest Your opposition rouse his wrath; To him be your desires addrest, Nor dare to tempt the power he hath. Till; TOIPIJ; HARP. 19 PSALM III. Many, Lord, against me rise, To assail me with their lies, Help, they say, is not for me, Since I have no help in thee. But thou art a shield of power, Guarding me in danger's hour; Source of joy when joy is fled, Lifting up my drooping head. Thou hast heard me in the past, When on thee my care I cast; Then I laid me down and slept. And awoke, in safety kept. Why, then, should I fear to-day. Though my foes are in array? Save me, O my God, once more ; Bless me as thou hast before. From thy throne of justice look; Give to sin a strong rebuke. Since salvation is thine own, I iraciously let it be shown. 20 Tin-; TEMPLE HARP. PSALM V. The wings of morn shall bear To thee my song and prayer. My God and King, While I am sinful dust, Thou holy art and just, Yet in thy name I trust, Whose praise I sing. The wicked shall not stand. But feel thy mighty hand In dread rebuke; But as for me, my face Is toward the holy place, Whence, from a throne of grace. To thee I look. When snares the wicked lay. Be with me in the way, Lest I should yield. Then shall my glad heart be A harp of praise to thee, While thou dost compass me As with a shield. THE TEMPLE HARP. 2 1 PSALM LXXV. To thee, O God, our thanks we pay, Whose presence all thy works declare; For though the earth should pass away, Thou still unmoved art reigning there. Thy power can lay the people low; ThrU power the solid earth sustains. Let mortals, then, be wise to know How terrible is he who reigns. Let pride be low at thy behest, Who settest up and puttest down; For vain would south and east and west Exalt the man who has thy frown. A cup of wrath is in thy hand. And nations drink it in the hour When they across thy purpose stand, And think to thwart thy righteous pow er. But we thy righteousness declare, And sing thy praises day by day, Assured we shall thy favor share When wicked men are cast away. 22 THE Tl-MPUv HARP. PSALM XC. Thou, Lord, liast shown thy people grace Through all the ages known; Thou who before the earth had place Wert high upon thy throne. The sweep of everlasting years That bear their myriads by, To thee as yesterday appears, vSo swift the ages fly. As on a flood, earth's millions pass To an eternal sea; Or as a sleep, or as the grass. They all appear to thee. ( )ur secret sins, as in thy light, Have darkened all our days; And we have felt thine anger smile Until we mourned our ways. Oh, teach us so our days to count That we may wiser be, And dedicate the whole amount In service unlo thee. Tlllv TKMl'I.K HARP. 23 Return, O Lord, in pitying love, With thy refreshing grace; And while we turn our eyes above, ( )h, let us see thy face. CHRIST THE FIRST FRUITS. Christ is risen from the dead. Therefore shall his people rise; Rise to share with him, their Head, Endless glory in the skies. Vain the powers of earth oppose: Vain the hosts of death and hell; They shall rise as Jesus rose. In Ins might invincible. Let us then exultant sing Of our Leader's power to save. Death in him has lost its sting; Clory gleams bevond the grave. 24 the temple harp. PSALM XCIIL The Lord is throned above the spheres, In majesty arrayed, And there, through his eternal years, His might shall be displayed. The everlasting God, he reigns, And shall forever reign; The world's foundations he sustains, Who only can sustain. The flood's, which lift their awful forms, Display his dreadful power; Earth hears his voice in thundering storms. And trembles in that hour. Yet greater than the vastest sea, And mightier than the storm, God still o'er all his works will be, Who gave them first their form. But while his greatness fills with awe, His truth and grace combine To make us love his holy law, Whose precepts arc divine. the temple harp. PSALM C. Let every land extol the Lord And worship him alone, The story of his love record In songs before his throne. Our God, he made us and doth keep, As with a shepherd's care, And for his people, as his sheep, A pasturage prepare. Then let us, with a gladsome voice And thankful heart and mind, Together in his courts rejoice; For lie is good and kind. His mercy like himself shall last, Nor ever know an end; His truth, as through the ages past. To endless vears descend. 26 the: tkmplE harp. PSALM cm. Bless thou the Lord, my soul, and let My grateful powers proclaim his praise. Yea, bless the Lord; and ne'er forget What benefits enrich thy days. For nought of good his hands refuse; But he forgives thee, saves, renews. As in the ancient days were shown His wondrous power and gracious will. So by his people is he known As merciful and gracious still. So slow to wrath, so quick to aid, Our ill deserts he has not paid. His mercy is as high as heaven, To such as bow at his behest; The memory of their sins is driven Far as the east is from the west. A father's pity thus he fhows; For he his children's weakness knows. We are but as the grass or flower That falls before the passing gust; It flourishes its little hour. Then withers back again to dust. But with the Lord is mercy still, For those who love and do his will. TIIK TEMPLE HARP. 27 PSALM CXXX. ( )ut of the depths to thee I cry; Lord, turn not thou away, But let me find thee very nigh To answer while I pray. Shouldst thou all secret thoughts record, And motions of the heart, ( )li, who could bear his just reward. Nor hear thee say, Depart? But thy forgiveness is a fount Of never-failing grace, To such as on thy mercy count, And humbly seek thy face. 1 fence 'tis on thee my soul would wait, While wear\', weak and worn, \s those who watch, with heart elate. To greet the blush of morn. May all thy people join with me To fix their hopes above, That all may thy salvation see. And prove thy gracious love. 28 THE TEMPI.K HARP. PSALM CXXXII1. Good and pleasant is the sight When the sons of God unite; Peace upon their souls is shed, Like the oil on Aaron's head; And the holy lives they live A perfume of blessing give. As refreshing is the sight As the dew on Hermon's height; Zion feels its gracious power, Given as a heavenly shower, Quickening all her hidden roots, Bringing forth divinest fruits. By the Spirit's power and light Thus the sons of God unite; And the good in them begun Shall in streams of blessing run, From the Spirit's boundless store, Even life forevermoiv. THE TEMPLE HARP. 29 PSALM CXLVI. Praise the Lord, ye people, praise! With my soul your anthems raise. T will praise him while I live, And in death new praises give. Let not princes have your trust. Who are children of the dust; Vainly is their favor earned, When they have to dust returned. Happy he whose hope relies On the Lord of earth and skies; By whose will all things exist; On whose bounty they subsist. While his power to help exceeds All his helpless creatures' needs, He beholds with pitying eye, Marks the tear and hears the sigh. Those who trust him, he will own. When the wicked are o'erthrown; For the Lord forever reigns, Praise him then in joyful strains. TIM-; 1T,M1'I,K HARP. PSALM CL. Here in his courts let saints rejoice, And praise the Lord with cheerful voice; While 'all the heavenly orbs declare I lis greatness and his glory there. Praise him for all his mighty deeds Who knows so well his creatures' needs And, knowing*, every blessing grants, To satisfy their daily wants. Let highest notes of praise abound On every instrument of sound, Till an orchestral joy shall roll, As poured from one exultant soul. Let all that breath.es unite to raise A grateful anthem in his praise; Sea, earth and heaven, with one accord, Sine halleluiah to the Lord. THE TEMPLE harp. GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY. Tell the tidings through the earth Of the great Messiah's birth. Laying by his diadem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. He in highest heaven was known, Seated by his Father's throne; Here, the rod of Jesse's stem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. He, the hope of all the years, Now upon the earth appears; In time's crown the brightest gem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Waft the tidings far and wide, Over every ocean tide. Tell the nations that for them Christ is born in Bethlehem. 32 THfi TKMPLK HART. THE WONDROUS BIRTH. Oh, sing to-day, ye sons of earth, As unto you we bring The story of the Savior's birth And crown him while ye sing. With gladsome heart receive him now. As Prophet, Priest and King; Let all your powers before him bow, And crown him while ye sing. The choicest offerings of your love Tn adoration bring, And with the raptured hosts above, Oh, crown him while ye sing. Let all the corners of the earth With halleluiahs ring, To celebrate the wondrous birth, And crown him while ye sing. THE TEMPLE harp. 33 THE WORD WAS GOD. In thee alone, incarnate Word, The mind of God has been exprest; Yet not in speech that ears have heard Through thee our spirits are addrest. The hidden truths that none could find Shone clearly in thy life below, Illuminating every mind That would the mind eternal know. The Infinite and finite tints I lave an interpreter in thee. Through whom the Godhead speaks to tis. In whom his character we see. Oh, give tis ears that will to hear Thy message of eternal love, \nd hearts that always feel thee near, Directing them to things above. 34 THE TKMPLE HARP. THE LAMB OF GOD. O Lamb, by God provided The world's great sin to bear. To thee has been confided A task that none may share. All other sacrifices But pointed on to thine, Which in itself comprises All blessing, since divine. A lamb — thyself unsinning — For sinners thou didst die, That man from the beginning" Might on thy death rely. And forth through future ages, Whoever trusts in thee, The Father's love engages To set that sinner free. This only Lamb is offered, Who only can atone; And life to us is proffered Through him who gave his own. () Christ! our sins confessing, We trust thy dying love. Xow speak in us the blessing ( )f pardon from above. THfi TKMPI.K HARP. 35 HE IS RISEN. All hail the morn when Jesns rose Triumphant o'er the grave. He who o'ercame the last of foes Can all his people save. Lift up your heads, ye gates of light. And let the Conqueror in; He who, omnipotent in might. Defied the hosts of sin. Let saints and angels crown him now Who bore on earth our shame; With fadeless honors deck his brow, And glorify his name. Sweep all your golden harps above, 'rune all your tongues below, To magnify the matchless love That none can full v know. 36 THE TEMPLE HARP. SHALL MAN BE JUST WITH GODi Jol) ix. 2. Lord, how shall man be just with thee. Whose eye his inmost thoughts can see. And mark the motions of his will, So prone to play the part of ill? Those thoughts have oft had taint of sin; That will has oft rebellious been; Thy gracious gifts have been abused; Thy calls to duty oft refused. And yet thy faultless law demands A faultless service at our hands. Then how shall man be just and live, Who does not such a service give? A faultless Substitute appears And scatters all our sins and fears. Through hiru eternal life we gain — The sinless One for sinners slain. TIIK TKMt'I.K HARP. 37 rni: RICH BECAME POOR. 1 1". Cor. viii. 9. Behold the matchless grace By our Redeemer shown, That he should leave his place Beside the Father's throne, And stoop to wear our sinful frame. To bear the burden of our shame. From heaven his pity saw The race of Adam lie, Doomed by a righteous law. Which sentenced it to die; And then, unmindful of the loss, He left the crown and took the cross. The richest thus became The poorest for our sake. That, through his righteous name. We might with him partake The glory of the great reward, A.s heirs together with our Lord. 38 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE. John xiv. 6. Thou art the Way, through whom alone A sinner may salvation find. Tn vain they would approach the throne Who leave thy cleansing blood behind; But all who to the Father flee Are welcome when they go through thee. Thou art the Truth, whose mission shows Our fallen, lost, and helpless state. Thy sufferings, too, the fact disclose, That God is holy, just, and great. As in a mirror, thus we see The Father and ourselves in thee. Thou art the Life, whose grace imparts A power that none besides can give; The power to quicken sin-dead hearts, And make them in thine image live. Then give thy life to us, that we May be the sons of God in thee. THE TKMPUv JTARP. 39 THE TRUE ROCK. Matthew xvi. 16. Oh, rock of truth, by man contest; "Thou art the Christ, the Son of God." Upon this rock the storms we breast, As on our upward way we plod; On this in buoyant life rely; Here find support when called to die In vain the forms that men devise; Their sacerdotal pomp and state; The boast that they are godly-wise, And guardians of the glory-gate. They use the senses as a lure, And make the spirit's bondage sure. Our hope of heaven must be from heaven; For only God to God can lead. By him our sins must be forgiven, And he supply our daily need. While nought of earth can aught avail. The Christ of God can never fail. 40 TITF, TEMPLE HARP. CHRIST WITH US. Matt, xxviii. 20. Ascended Lord, we joy to know That, as the ages come and go, Thou still art with thine own. Enthroned above the earth's affairs, Thy answers to thy people's prayers Make here thy presence known. Along the centuries we can trace The glorious victories of thy grace, When right has wrong restrained. We see thy hand in every stroke That's freed men from oppression's yoke Till truth and freedom reigned. And still we see thee in the fight, And feel thee make our weakness might, While still thy foes assail. Oh! let the ages yet to be More wondrously thy presence see, More gloriously prevail. Tin; t km I'M-; harp. 41 THE AI/f( >GETHER U >VELY. Cant. ii. 1. New lovely the Savior appear-. Mow fragrant the sense of his love, When, looking* to him through our tears, llis presence and favor we prove. Where lie is a Sharon we find. And he is its beautiful rose. And over the spirit and mind An odor of pleasure he throws. A lily in him we can see, That grew in this valley below, Transplanted from heaven, that we Might somewhat of paradise know. I tow humble the scene of his birth, And lowly his earthly career! And purity more than of earth Was seen in his character here. I [is fav< >r is fair as a rose, A solace and comfort to saints; Tt breathes a perfume on their woes, Composing their saddest complaints. .V lily that knoweth no stain, A pattern he is for the pure, \nd all who his graces attain A share in his glory secure. 4 2 THE TKMPIJv HARP. THE CONQUERING KINGDOM. Psa. ii. 8. Lord, we believe the promise true, That thou wilt yet the world subdue, And all the heathen nations bring To own the Savior as their king. Thy truth is conquering day by day. And yet shall have a boundless sway, And every error vanish hence Before that truth's omnipotence. Its course is ever on, though slow, The ages brightening as they go; And thou shalt yet all glory gain: For Christ is King, and he must reign. thk TEMPLE harp. 43 THY KINGDOM COME. Matt. vi. 10. Lord, let thy kingdom come, as thou Hast taught our lips to pray. Till at thy feet the nations bow And own thy sovereign sway. Thus far the footsteps of thy power Toward such a triumph bend. Oh, hasten thou the happy hour That brings the glorious end! Let error vanish like the night When glinting dawn appears; Thy truth, as o'er the mountain height, Illuminate the years. Bid every age, with brighter glow, Foregleam the reign of love, When men shall do thy will below As angels do above. 44 THE TKML'I.K HARP. THE GOSPEL TRIUMPHANT. Thou with whom are all the ages, We perceive a rounded plan, Shadowed forth on history's pages, For the lifting up of man. Centuries of preparation For the coming of thy Son Speak a far-off consummation, When redemption's work is done. Continents and isles are waking, Startled into life and power; Error's chains thy truth is breaking, Bringing freedom's blessed hour; And a nearing of the nations Gives a sense of brotherhood, Which shall make their emulations Efforts for a common good. These we view as index fingers, Pointing toward the things to be ; And, howe'er we think he lingers, A Tan is drawing nearer thee. May these signs our hearts embolden For the battle but begun. Knowing that millenniums golden Wait the triumph of thy Son. Tin-; TKMi'i.K harp. 45 THE GREATER MIRACLES. ( ) Son of God, yet man with men ! Nature obeyed thy mighty nod. And owned thee God of nature when Thon didst the deeds of nature's God. Mankind beheld those wondrous deeds Forth springing from a fount of love: For thou dids! bring to human needs A Father's blessing from above. And now, though man with men no more. To do the deeds the eye may scan, Thou still art gracious as before, Performing deeds of good for man. Yd not the outward deed is thine, To bless men in a sensuous way. But with an inward power divine Thy miracles are wrought to-day. The Spirit takes thy body's place, Performing wondrous works again; The greater miracles oi grace. Which bring to life the souls of men. 46 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK. Zech. iv. 6. Man can not cleanse the sinful soul. Nor bend the will to his control, By aught that he can do ; But still the heart will be defiled, The will rebellious, wayward, wild. The evil to pursue. Xo. not by might of human hosts, Nor by the power that wisdom boasts, Are souls from evil won; But by the Spirit's power within, Which overcomes the love of sin. The saving work is done. Then come, O Spirit, and impart The saving power to every heart, And sanctify the will; That Christ within our hearts may reign, \s Monarch o'er his own domain, I lis purpose to fulfill. THE TEMPLE HARP. 47 GOD FOUND IX HIS WORD. Lord, when thy vastest works we view, Then turn the least to note — Whether above us in the blue Or in a living mote — We can not tell which most displays The greatness of thy mind; Vet in thy works, where'er we gaze, Thyself we can not find. Tis in thy written Word alone Thy secrets are revealed; There ail tin character is shown, Through holy men revealed. That Word we gladly make our choice, Consulting it with care; We hear its precepts as thy voice, For thou, O God, art there. } s THE TEMPLE harp. THE HOLY BOOK. Book of books, whose blessed pages Mirror forth the mind of Gocl! • In thy hght the ancient sages From the glooms of error trod; And the millions of the ages Up to higher levels plod, In the pathway of thy pages, Leading upward unto God. Fount of truth, forever flowing For the thirst)' souls of men, Life on those who drink bestowing. Bring, oh, bring the era when, Wider still and farther going, Eden shall return again. As the music of thy flowing 'Pells of peace, good will to men. THE TEMPLE HARP. 49 LOVE OF THE WORD. O Lord, I love thy law; 'Tis daily my delight; For wisdom thence I draw, To guide my feet aright. Without it I must go astray, Nor even know the narrow way. For what are human rules, In human weakness made? The guesses of the schools, Where learning is displayed? They all are foolishness to thee, And an uncertain maze to me. But thou, who madest heaven And earth, and all that is, A faultless law hast given; .And he who follows this Shall never find his feet astray, With such a lamp to light his way. 5° the: temple harp. GOD'S WORD UNCHANGEABLE. The works, and ways, and thoughts of man Are changeful as the billowy sea; But Truth has never changed, nor can, But has eternal fixity. Like God, the Truth was never young; Like him, it never can be old. It was ere earth in ether swung, And will be when her knell is tolled. Hence why the Word of God abides, Unchanged 'mid every flux of time; Since in that Word the truth resides, As 'twere in youth's perpetual prime. Then vainly men their progress boast, And test the Word by human sense; Their progress indicates, at most, The changes in their ignorance. Let all the storms of error rage: Let others drift on shoreless seas; That word I make my anchorage, And in the harbor ride at ease. THE TEMPLE harp. 5 THE TRUTH ABIDES. The truth that served the sires of old The children serves as well. To every age it may be told, And still be sweet to tell. Its orb-like splendor filled the past, And shall the future fill; For in the mind of God 'twas cast, And finished by his will. Like hint, it ever shall endure. When time itself expires; Yea, Lord, thy Word shall stand secure 'Mid nature's funeral fires. That Word, then, while the ages roll, Shall be our guiding light; Give hope and gladness to the soul, To cheer earth's darkest night. 52 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE LORD'S MEMORIAL DAY. All hail! thou gladsome day of days, Which saw the great Redeemer rise. A glorious monument of grace, Thou tellest us of paradise. We hallow thee for his dear sake Who brought salvation from above, And thy returning visits make A fond memorial of his love. In memory of creation, thus We give to rest one day in seven; While yet to him who rose for us The first fruits of the week is given. And so, replete with good to man, Our Sabbaths tell of wonders done, Creation's and redemption's plan, Wrought by the Father and the Son. THE TEMPLE HARP. 53 THE HOLY DAY. Hail, holy day! whose hallowed hours Were given to rest my wearied powers, To fan the altar-fires of love, And bear my thoughts to things above. To-day I turn from earth's affairs, And lay aside its load of cares, To sit as an invited guest, Where Jesus bids me sweetly rest. My Savior, come and meet with me, And let my spirit feast with thee, And in my heart a peace distill, As dew of Hermon's holy hill. So shall my earthly Sabbaths prove A foretaste of the rest above, Until no more on earth I roam, But rest and feast with thee at home. 54 TH £ TEMPLE HARP. JOY IN WORSHIP. Again the day of God is here, On which we leave our toil and care, And in our Father's house appear, To offer him our praise and prayer. How bright the holy hours it brings, Which give a glimpse of heavenly things. Begone, ye baubles that would turn Our thoughts away from him we love! His presence makes our spirits burn With longings for our home above; For these communings in the breast Are pledge of our eternal rest. Oh! better one such hour as this Than all the pleasures earth can give. 'Tis here we prove what pleasure is; 'Tis here we learn the way to live. Lord, give new blessings here to-day, As in thy house we praise and pray. THE TEMPLE HARP. 55 JX THE SANCTUARY. Gen. xxviii. 17; Ex. iii. 5. How dreadful is this place. With God alone, When all his wondrous grace He maketh known, As humbly here we bend, And prayers and praises blend, Which as perfume ascend Before the throne. O earth! stand thou aside, And disappear Thy care, and pomp, and pride, Since God is here. Our souls — put off your shoes, And with mute fervor muse, Lest we his unction lose Who draws so near. The gate of heaven is this, Which foretastes brings Of the unmingled bliss Where Gabriel sings. Lo, here, within the gate, Our spirits grow elate, As though we scare need wait The gift of wings. 56 THE TEMPLE HARP. GETHSEMANE. The God-man is groaning In anguish alone, Unthought of by millions, Forgot by his own. He prays 'mid the silence And darkness around, And sweats till as blood-drops It falls to the ground. Mere mortal has never Seen sorrow like his. Ask, What is it causes Such anguish as this? Oh, blush, guilty spirit, And answer with tears, Thy sins are his burden, The sins of thy years. Oh, surely such pity As his can not fail; And, surely, such anguish For thee must prevail. Then cling to him, trusting For pardon and peace, Who suffered to save thee, From sin will release. THE TEMPLE HARP. 57 THE COSTLY SACRIFICE. Amazing sight! On Calvary's tree A sinless victim dies. Look up, my wondering soul, and see The costly sacrifice. Heaven's richest gift, the Son of God, Is there an offering made; And, lo! as Justice plies the rod, On him thy stripes are laid. Dear Savior! hast thou done so much To rescue me from hell? And shall not all my life be such As proves I love thee well? O dearest Lord! reproach and pain Shall only welcome be; For I will count it all as gain To bear so much for thee. 5^ THE TEMPLE HARP. AN ADVOCATE WITH' THE FATHER. i. John ii. ] . thou, my Advocate above, Whose wounds provide a cleansing flood, 1 cast myself upon thy love, And trust the merits of thy blood. I would present no other plea Thau this, that thou hast died for me. Thy wounds are eloquent in prayers, For all who seek thee in distress. The Father on his oath declares He waits to answer and to bless. Then reconciled I now may be; Since thou in heaven dost plead for me. Thou canst not plead my cause in vain; I can not trust thee and be lost; For God will not my suit disdain, With pardon bought at such a cost. No, now I feel my soul is free. Since Jesus died and lives for me. THE TEMPLE HARP. 59 SELF-DENIAL. All selfishness is sin. Then self must be denied; For self can never reign within, And Jesus there abide. Content from him alone Our rules of life to draw, Our heart must be his humble throne, His will our only law. Each temper, passion, lust, Our reason and our will. Must own his government as just, And its behests fulfill. My Lord, I all resign. Thy follower to be, Content to know that thou art mine, And I am owned of thee. 6o THE TEMPLE HARP. CONSECRATION. • I bring my heart to thee, My heart so full of sin; Thy grace alone can be A cleansing power within. My hope is all in thee; Have pity, Lord, on me. I bring my all to thee. Alas! the gift is small; But more there can not be Than just my little all. Oh, may the gift find thee, Whose love gave all for me. I cling, O Christ, to thee; My only hope art thou. Oh, let thy death for me Be my salvation now. Accept my gift to thee, And give thyself to me. THK TEMPLE HARP. 6l FAITH. Faith is the eye that looks above, When all is dark below, And finds in God's unfailing love A solace for our woe. When, in the soul's triumphant hour, We feel salvation nigh. Faith is the power that brings the power Of blessing from on high. Faith is the head of weakness laid On an Almighty breast, Where hell can never make afraid, Nor earth disturb our rest. When on the verge of death we stand, And life's last link is riven. Faith is the hand that grasps the hand Which lifts us up to heaven. THK TEMPLE HARP. DESIRE FOR FAITH. 1 want the faith that will not fear To go where God shall guide; That has for him an ear to hear, While walking by his side. I want the faith whose fingers brace His will in each event; That in the mysteries of his grace Interprets the intent. I want the faith that dares to trust Whene'er it can not see; That turns to him and says he must Forever faithful be. Oh, may this faith be firm in me, So long as I have breath, Through all my life God's hand to see,. And grasp that hand in death. THJv TKMi'LK HARP. 63 SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS VAIN. Shall I, whose sins are mountain high, Whose heart is vile within, Attempt by righteousness to buy Salvation from my sin? Can I to holiness attain, While sin is what I love, And cleanse my heart from inward stain Till fit for heaven above? Nay, Lord, I have no righteousness On which to build a hope, No power of native holiness With such a heart to cope. I need atonement for my sin; But I can not atone. I need almighty power within. Or useless is my own. My only refuge, Lord, art thou. To save me from despair; Low at the cross my soul shall bow And find salvation there. 64 THE TEMPLE HARP. SAVED BY GRACE. I thank thee, Father, for the grace That turned my steps to thee; For I had never sought thy face If thou hadst not sought me. The condescension of thy love My wayward feet pursued; Turned first my thoughts to things above, And then my will subdued. Thy grace has kept me in the way That I so long have trod; And still it draws me, day by day, More close to thee, my God. Now, after all thy mercies past, I can but trust in thee, To bring me safely home al last. Thy presence there to see. the temple harp. 65 ASSURANCE. I know I am saved by the blood of the Lamb, For the promise to sinners is given, That lie who believes and the Savior receives Doth enter the kingdom of heaven. 1 know I am saved by the blood of the Lamb, For the Spirit now whispers within, The witness to give that in Jesus I live, Set free from the bondage of sin. I know I am saved by the blood of the Lamb, >r evil no longer T love; My heart is on fire with a holy desire For good that descends from above. T know I am saved by the blood of the Lamb, For the love of the Savior is mine. T am saved by his grace, and T feel the embrace Of a power that is surely divine. 66 THE TEMPLE HARP. MY TRUST. 1 1. Tim. i. 12. I know him whom I have believed, And still I dare believe That since he has my wants relieved. He ever will relieve. I know not what before me lies; Nor do I care to know. Enough that he is good and wise Who guides me where I go. For while enfolded in his care I fear no threatening ill ; His goodness my lot prepare, His wisdom lead me still. That goodness will my steps attend Through all life's devious way; That wisdom bring me, in the end. To everlasting dav. THE TKMPLK HARP. GRACE FOR GRACE. John i. 1 6. The grace was great that first I knew, By which my heart the Savior drew With cords of love divine. My former fears it sweetly stilled, And with new hopes my spirit filled, When heavenly peace was mine. But 'mid the scenes of stormy strife, And labors of my later life, A greater grace is given; A grace to stand the stress and strain Of trial, trouble, toil and pain, Where other hearts are riven. And of his fullness all receive Who truly on the Lord believe, In daily growing grace. So shall it be till life is past. And glory crowns ns all at last, As we behold his face. 68 THE TEMPLE HARP. SEEKING HELP. When my soul is weak and weary, Take me, Father, by the hand. When my path seems dark and dreary, Lead me toward the better land; There to praise thee With the glad immortal band. In the desert be my Fountain; In the darkness be my Light; When in danger be my Mountain; When in weakness be my Might; In all trouble Be my Solace and Delight. When T pass the shadowed valley. Let thy presence light the place; In a last victorious rally Give to me triumphant grace. Till in glory 1 shall sec thee face to face. THE TEMPLE HARP. 69 FREE IN CHRIST. No more a slave in Satan's power, By lusts and passions bound, I am a freeman since the hour When I the Savior found. The blood for me on Calvary spilt, Atoning for my sin, Has freed me from the sense of guilt That burdened me within. I saw in him my substitute, Whose merits are divine, And he those merits did impute, As though they all were mine. Then came the Spirit's gracious power, And power to me he gave; So, ever since that blessed hour, I am no more a slave. 70 THE TEMPLE HARP. GLORYING IN CHRIST. Gal. vi. 14. God forbid that I should glory, Save in Jesus crucified. * 'Tis my joy to tell the story That for me he lived and died. Human love can find no plummet That can sound the depth of his; Human thought attain no summit Whence to see how vast it is. Oh, the wondrous joy of loving One who has such love for me! ( )h, the privilege of proving That my heart can thankful he! Ever shall it be my glory To extol the crucified; Ever would I tell the story That for me he lived and died. THE TEMPLE HARP. 71 THE SINNER'S FRIEND. Long my laboring soul had toiled On a darksome sea of doubt; Waves of anguish, bursting wild, Tost my helpless bark about. Then I saw a wondrous form. As I gazed with wistful eye; Jesus spake amid the storm: "Fear not, sinner; it is I." Then he bade the tempest cease, Lulled the billows into rest; When T felt a holy peace Sweetly stealing through my breast. Now, my Savior, stay with me Till I gain the farther shore; For if thou my guide shalt be, I am safe forevermore. J2 THK TEMPLE HARP. THE HEAVENLY BREAD. John vi. 48. Blessed Jesus, heavenly Bread, Let me on thyself be fed, That thy life may quicken mine, Making so my life divine. Be to me the living Bread, As my soul on thee is fed. Many foes my ruin seek, And I feel that I am weak; Many dangers daily frown; Many burdens bear me down. Be to me the Bread I seek, Then I shall no more be weak. Weary with my heart of sin. Hungry for thy peace within, Now my fainting soul restore, Let me never hunger more. Be thou, through this world of sin, Life, and strength, and peace within. THK TEMPLE HARP. 73 BURIED WITH CHRIST. Rom. vi. 4, 5. thou, my Savior, crucified Upon the cross for me, 1 would my passions, lusts and pride Were crucified for thee. Now let the true baptismal shower On me be richly shed, And may it prove its cleansing power, Till sin and self be dead. And let my life be lost in thine, With all I have or crave, Until my soul, by power divine, Be buried in thy grave. Then let me resurrected be From all there is below, And rise triumphantly in thee, A purer life to know. 74 THE TEMPLE HARP. BEARING THE CROSS. Lord, the burdens of this life Are heavy to be borne; My soul grows weary of the strife, It feels so weak and worn. And yet no lighter load I ask Of trial and of care; No easier cross my faith to task, But grace my cross to bear. 1 ask thine arm to be my stay, In all I have to do; Thy providence to point my way; Thy strength to bring- me through. So shall I find it joy to share A cross of toil for thee. As thou upon this earth didst bear A heavier cross for me. THE TEMPLE HARP. 75 HELP RECEIVED. I took my burden to the Lord, And laid it at his feet; When faith soon found a full reward, In rest serene and sweet. For when I laid the burden down I calmly left it there. And found my cross become a crown Which was a joy to wear. So there, in every weary hour, Would I my burden lay, To find that an Almighty power Takes all the load away. PLEASANT WAYS. In pleasant ways the Lord has led My footsteps year by year. Not that mine eye no tear has shed, My heart been free from fear. 76 THE TEMPLE HARP. But every tear his love has dried, His word my fears dispelled; And when by fierce temptations tried, His hand my hand has held. A peace of which the world knows not Has welled within my breast. Not that no grief has shared my lot, No storm disturbed my rest. But he has granted me much grace, And been so sweetly nigh, That I have hid in his embrace Until the storm went by. Then, bless the Lord, my soul, to-day, For all his mercies past, And make him still thy staff and stay, To lead thee home at last. THE TEMPLE HARP. 77 SELF LOST IN GOD. O Lord, my life, my light, my love, My help below, my hope above, Now let thy life be life in me, That so thy life my life may be. So like the sun, the source of light, Thy beams dispel the darkest night; Then drive the darkness far from me, Nor leave a cloud 'twixt me and thee. Inflame my love and let it burn. That all my thoughts to thee may turn. And all my love of evil be Consumed in constant love of thee. Tims, Lord, my life, my light, my love. Prepare me for a place above, Where sin, nor sense, nor self shall be, But all be lost in love of thee. 78 THE TEMPLE HARP. GOD MY STRENGTH. It matters not, Lord, to me How great my foes on earth may be; While thou art mine I shall prevail, Strong in a strength that can not fail. Disease may prostrate all my powers, Or fill my life with languid hours; But since it leaves thee still the same, I shall not suffer loss or shame. Or let the earth to chaos turn. Ten thousand worlds to ashes burn; While still on thee my hope is stayed, My soul looks upward undismayed. Then let me never look within. To trust my nature, weak with sin; But let me trust thy power alone. Which makes almightiness my own. THE TEMPLE HARP. 79 AFFLICTIONS. Lord, I thank thee for afflictions That have brought mine eyes to see Its unnumbered derelictions, When my heart was false to thee. 'Twas a Father Laid his hand in love on me. Not in anger, not in blindness, Didst thou measure out my pain, But in wisest loving kindness, For my everlasting gain. Now I praise thee For the blessings that remain. May the secrets inly told me, In the depth of my distress. Be so many bands to hold me In eternal faithfulness; Then thy goodness I forevermore will bless. 80 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE CROSS TWICE BORNE. I took the cross and thought I must Do something for reward; My soul had but a feeble trust, And oft forgot the Lord. The cross grew heavy, and the road Was very hard to tread. My soul was weary of its load; My feet with traveling bled. I bore the cross, because for me My Savior bore the same; No more a cross it seemed to be, But as a crown became. I felt my strength was now divine; M y I A >rd and I were one: The blessings of the cross were mine: The burden — it was gone. rin: TKMIM.K HARP. > s 1 U WING THE SAVIOR. My Savior, thou art dear to me. The fairest of the fair; Not heaven itself a heaven would be, If thou shoulclst not be there. In vain the things of time and sense Would try to rival thee; Thy love, in its omnipotence, Forever keepeth me. Though flesh is weak and prone to err. In thee is strength indeed; And thou art such a comforter. No better do I need. Then I will love and serve thee still; And if I aught deplore, 'Twill be that I have served so ill And have not loved thee more. 82 Tlli; TKMPT.K HARP. TRUST IN CHRIST. In faith I now can take my stand Upon the precious promises. And smile when woes on every hand In threatening: thunderclouds arise. \\ hat matter though my foes are strong Since Christ is stronger than them ail Should multitudes around me throng, At his rebuke the last must fall. Let hand in hand for ill combine. This 1 would know, and this alone: That I am Christ's and Christ is mine; For he is sure to keep his own. My soul would thus serenely rest- Without a moment's anxious care — Upon my dear Redeemer's breast, And find its sweetest moments there. TlH-1 TKMIMJ-: HARP. 83 MY TREASURE. Let others be eager for gold, With all it is able to give, But I have a treasure untold. For which it is noble to live. \ treasure eternal is mine; A treasure that is not of earth. Its Giver and Guardian divine. And nothing can lessen its worth. 'Twas purchased at infinite cost; Conveyed by the Spirit within; And when I was otherwise lost, It gave me salvation from sin. Then go with your silver and gold And perish with them in the dust! My treasure will never grow old, Nor suffer corrosion or rust. 84 THE TEMPLE HARP. DIVINE GOODNESS. i lad I a thousand hearts to feel The goodness of my God; Had I a thousand tongues to tell That goodness all abroad — A thousand hearts would be too few , A thousand tongues too weak, To feel the gratitude that's due, That gratitude to speak. Unnumbered benefits bestowed Unbounded praise demand; To give a tithe of what is owed Would all my life command. Then how shall I attempt to sing, ( )r how approach his throne? M) heart, my life, my all I bring: Lord, take them for thine own. tiik TEMPLE harp. 85 PRAYER FOR CHRISTUKENESS. Lord, teach me how to live for thee And lose my life in thine. That all may see thyself in me. And read thy life in mine. Oh, teach me how to think of thee. And help me so to think. Till thou art as a spring* to me. At which my soul shall drink. And let my heart be full of thee. As thou art full of love. That so my one desire may be For things that are above. Take me at last to dwell with thee. To gaze upon thy face. And tell, throughout eternity. The eflories of thy grace. 86 the tkmpi,l; harp. PRAYER FOR PURITY. Most hoi)' God! thy grace impart, To purge and purify my heart; And let it be so well refined That not a sin shall stav behind. And, oh! may I not only leave The sins that would the Spirit grieve. But have thy love so fixed within That T shall hate the thought of sin. Help me its hatefulness to see As it is looked upon by thee; To hate that hatefulness, and shrink Prom it as from destruction's brink. THIS TEMPLE HARP. 87 A DESIRE TO DEPART. When weary in heart, I sigh to depart And be with my Savior above; For there I would rest. With none to molest, And feast on his infinite love. Hut when \ behold The labors untold That till all his followers' hands, 1 can not but feel Rekindlings of zeal, To do what his service demands. Then still I would share The toil and the care To build tip his kingdom below. ! bow to his will To labor until From earth he shall tell me to go. ( )h, help me, dear I ,ord, To wait the reward Laid up for thy servant above. Yet, when I would pine. Thou knowest that mine Is but the impatience of love. 88 tiii: ti:.mi'jj-; harp. JESUS PRECIOUS iX DEATH. When life's fast-failing pulse is low And death is in mine eye, With Jesus by my side 1 know- It must be sweet to die. When other friends beside me shed The unavailing tear, This Friend will be about my bed, To succor and to cheer. I le knows the path that lies before, Though all unknown to me. And when 1 reach the farther shore ! [is hand in mine will be. Then let the gathering shadows gloom . While Jesus still is nigh, My faith shah look beyond the tomb And find it sweet to die. THE TEMPLE HARP. 89 SEEKING THE SPIRITS AID. Spirit, source of heavenly light, Dawn upon my inner sight; Show the deeper truths to me That alone 1 can not see. Let me view the Savior's face Till I realize his grace; Till that grace my spirit move All its mysteries to prove. Let me feel a holy fire, Burning up each base desire; Rising in a flame of love Toward the purer things above; Rising till the world no more Charms my senses as before, Bui the things eternal be Life's great treasure unto me. 9° THE TEMPIJS HARP. BE THANKFUL. Look not at the rich and great, To compare thy low estate. Lest thy soul should thankless be For the lowlier gifts to thee. Rather think of their affairs As a source of nameless cares; Cares from which thou art exempt, With their mighty power to tempt. Look thou at their poorer fare Who thy blessings do not share: That thou mavest not repine While so much of good is thine. Think thou of their harder lot, What thou hast that they have not Then thy soul may thankful he kor the SfOod bestowed on thee. mi-; tkmplk harp. 91 BE NOT ANXIOUS. Cease, anxious spirit, cease to pine. As though thou wert of God forgot; Think of the blessings that are thine. Instead of things that thou hast not. Though undeserving aught, how much lias lie apportioned to thy share! Sure he whose bounty lias been such Will give thee still a Father's care. Mis daily blessings are in store For those who daily seek supplies. And he will give them more and more As more are needful in his eyes. Then count the blessings of the past, And here thine ebenezer raise, Resolved to trust him to the last. And he will fill thy heart with praise. <)2 THE TEMPIJ* HARP. HAVE COURAGE. Phil. ii. 12, 1 3. Courage, Christian, 'mid thy trials! Nothing hast thou need to dread. Though the world may pour the vials Of its wrath upon thy head. Nay, though earth and hell oppose thee. Think not thou art left alone. 1 le who for his service chose thee Does not now desert his own. Think how first the Spirit won thee. Working out the Father's will; Think of daily favors done thee. Through the self-same Spirit still. ( )nward, then, through tribulation, Till his perfect will he done. Till thou gain the full salvation, Till the fadeless crown be won. TIIIv TEMPLE HARP. 93 WATCH AND PRAY. O Christian pilgrim! watch and pray Against the powers of sin; A host of foes besets thy way; A host assails within. Watch when the powers of hell are nigh, To nrey upon thy soul; Watch when the world would please thine eye. To lure thee from thy goal. Watch when thy heart would lust for sin ( )r welcome whispering doubt. There's more to fear from foes within Than from the foes without. Then watch, and as thou watchest pray To him whose eyes ne'er sleep. His arm alone can clear thy way; I lis hand alone can keep. 94 Tm v TKMl'U' MAR I'. I!( )IJ) < ).\. ( ) child of God ! amid the storm That roars around us here, Be firm and true the dark night through Tilth the day appear. The clouds of life will yet be past. The dawn be bright and clear; Then raise thine eyes to greet the skies Whose dawning must be near. i I old bravely on; the fiercest gale But bears thee o'er the sea; And though the waves may seem like graves About to bury thee, I lave faith in God, who holds the helm. And thou shalt guided be. And anchor cast in port at last. From storm and tempest tree. Tin: ri'.Mrij; HARP. 95 THE CHRISTIAN RACE. I [eb. xii. 7. ( ) Christian! run the heavenly race That God hath set before thee; A cloud of those who ran before To-day is watching o'er thee. Have patience; they have won the prize, in spite of greater trial : Let them behold thy equal faith And dauntless self-denial. Lay off the weights of worldliness, And what would most impede thee; Then keep thine eve on Jesus fixed. And he will surelv lead thee. Behold, he sits enthroned above, With eye upon thee ever, \ crown of glory in his hand That never fadeth — never. 96 THE TEMPLE harp. A FRIEND IX NEED. Troubled soul, no longer mourn; On the cross thy sins were borne. There for thee the blood was spilt That atones for human guilt. Xow before the Father's throne Jesus makes thy cause his own; Watches all the tempter's snares; Feels the burden of thy cares. Feeble are thou? Never fear; Christ thy Shepherd still is near. Leading thee, from day to day. In a safe though unseen way; From the desert, bleak and bare. Into pastures fresh and fair; And he will not fail to keep E'en the weakest of his sheep. THE tempi, i; harp. 97- LOSS JS GAIN. Quiet be thy soul to-day, Though a loved one dotli depart : lie who gave thee takes away, To his home and to his heart. Mourn not o'er the outer void. As the grave of what has been; Rather count the hours enjoyed, Leaving thee so rich within. Through the evening of life's day Look with thankful heart above. lie who gave and takes away, So has taught thee how to love. 98 Till; TKMl'UC HARP. GONE HOME. Gone home, to rest where Jesus reigns, No more to suffer aches and pains. Now sweet at length that rest to find. And leave the weary flesh behind. Gone home to that fair world of bliss, To bear no more the cares of this, But in reposeful pleasure find All irksome thoughts left far behind. Gone home, forevermore to be In spirit from temptation free. And in thy Savior's presence find All earthly conflicts left behind. 1 Gone home! Mow glorious is thy slate! While we in turn our summons wail. I )h, may v\ e all that glory find Who here to-day are left behind! TDK TKMl'J.K HARP. 99 REJOICE. Phil iv. 4. Let us rejoice in the God of salvation, While we press on to the kingdom above. We are his children by act of creation ; We are his children by purchase of love. He has been with us in every temptation. Strengthened and led us, delivered and blest; And he can help in each new situation, Guarding from danger and guiding to rest. What if the shadows of earth become deeper? Brighter keeps beaming the sunshine of God. I )ry, then, thy tears, thou disconsolate weeper. Treading the path that the Master has trod. What, if the path becomes rougher and steeper? He will proportionate succor afford. Never lose heart with so mighty a Keeper: Rather press on and rejoice in the Lord. lOO THE TEMPLE HARP. CONFESSION'. • Lord, when we view our hearts aright As they are viewed by thee. We blush to look upon the sight, So much of self we see. Thy Spirit strips our motives bare. To show what lurks within; When, lo! beneath what seemed so fair Are subtle forms of sin. ( )h, visit us in gracious might! Make this a searching hour; First grant the gift of clearer sight, And then of cleansing power. Let every screen be torn away. Where foes infest the heart; \nd let our strength be as our day, To make those foes depart. 'rill- TI-MIT.K HARP. IOI REVIVE US AGAIN. Psa. lxxxv. 6. ( )h, wilt thou not revive us, Lord, And let us thy salvation see; Some token of thy love afford, That so we may rejoice in thee? Now open thou our blinded eyes The secret obstacle to see. Which in thy people's pathway lies 'And hinders their approach to thee. And with the light give will and power, Whate'cr the secret hindrance be, To give it up this very hour And consecrate it all to thee. Let morning take the place of night: Let power instead of weakness be; ( Jive Zion bloom instead of blight : S< » shall we all rejoice in thee. 102 THE TEMPLE HARP. PORGIVE AS WE FORGIVE Matt. vi. 12. Lord, our debts to thee are many As the sands beside the sea; And should'st thou forgive not any A\'e could not complain of thee. But the fountain of thy mercies With unfailing fullness flows; Every day thy love rehearses, Every night some favor shows. When our debts to thee confessing. We are ever treated thus, Shall we, while thy throne addressing. Hate who debtors are to us? Nay, Lord; as we hope for heaven, As on earth to thee would live, We but pray to be forgiven As our fellows we forgive. riiiC TKMn.K hart. io ; But so great our nature's weakness, From our first forefather's curse. We to mercy, love and meekness Are inherently averse. Then, ( ) gracious Lord, endue us With a spirit so divine That, whatever men do to us, We may show a love like thine. 104 TITI^ TlvAIPIJv HARP. BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON. Psa. cxxxvii. 12. By Babylon's streams of yore I ler harps upon the willows hung; For Judah's heart was bleeding sore And Zion's song$ were left unsung". But Judah sought Jehovah's face. And then no more her heart was wrung; She proved the riches of his grace, When Zion's songs again were sung. So, when we sit in silent grief, Our harps of happiness unstrung. In Jesus we may find relief, Till songs of joy again are sung. THE TEMPLE HARP. 105 THE WAYS OF PR( EVIDENCE. I >eut. xxxii. 11. u. As when an eagle stirs her nest To make the thorns her eaglets tease, So often God disturbs our rest When we would sit in worldly ease. She bears them upward on her wings To give them heart to venture forth; And so our Father kindly brings Our souls to leave the things of earth. Then by the Spirit we are led To seek the better things above, Where we the wings of faith may spread In heaven's high atmosphere of love io6 Tin-; tkmpijv harp. MURMURING. I low oft our thoughts have turned to heaven. To lay our secret murmurs there; Because our Father has not given What we have failed to seek in prayer. Perhaps we looked upon some good, Yet saw his hand that good deny; At which complainingly we stood \nd dared to ask the reason why. Thus, by our murmuring unbelief, Have we so oft insulted God, And brought, instead of sweet relief, The strokes of his correcting rod. Oh, let us cease our sinrul cry, \nd lay our wants before his feet; I [e will not turn away his eye. Nor fail to grant us' what is meet. THE TliMIT,]'. harp. 10; WE KNOW IX PART. I. Cor. xiii. <). The morning" star of better things Is in our earthly sky, And every passing moment brings The heavenly noontide nigh. The Sun of Righteousness imparts A gleam of holy love. Which gives assurance to our hearts Of brighter bliss above. And thus we know, though but in part. The good heaven keeps in store; A light of love within the heart, Until we long for more. And more will come, as conies the day. Which drives away the night: Earth's morning star will melt away In heaven's effulgent licrht. IOcS THE Tl'MPIJv HARP. THE NEW JERUSALEM. The New Jerusalem behold. Descended from the skies, But not in masonry and gold, To dazzle human eyes. Mount Zion in the Gospel stands More glorious than before; Tier temple not by human hands. Like that which was of yore. Her walls are now the hearts of men Built 1)}' the Spirit, where The bright shekinah shines again. And shows that God is there. There dwell, O Christ of God, until Thy glory fills the place; Make all her stones more hallowed still, With sanctifying grace. Build up Jerusalem, thy church. Until the nations sec I [er glory from afar, and search Within her walls for thee. Tin; TfiMPi,fi harp. 109 SAVED BY IK IPE. Rom. viii. 24. By faith at first we find the grace That makes our guilt remove, [11 Christ behold the Father's face. I [is pardoning mercy prove. There is the ground of all our hope, ( )n which we stand secure, Nor fear with earth and hell to cope. Enabled to endure. Thence, from our faith's divinest height, ( )ur future home we view, And, thrilled with rapture at the sight, ( )ur onward way pursue. 'Tis thus the hope of joys to come Doth save us, day by day; It speeds our steps to reach that home. And cheers us by the way. Oh, may our faith grow stronger still, \u(\ make our hope more bright, I 'mil we stand on Zion's hill Tn everlasting licrht. IIO THE TEMPLfi HARP. IN THE WILDERNESS. From sin's Egyptian bondage tree, In journeying a season, we Have Canaan in our view. A tedious wilderness we tread, Yet, by our trusty Captain led. Our journey we pursue. That goodly land before us lies, And we in favored moments rise To Pisgah's lofty height; Whence, by the eye of faith, we glance Across our journey's last expanse And glimpse the glorious sight. Then let us gird our loins and haste The plenty of that land to taste. Where we no more shall roam. Our heavenly Joshua leads the way. And we are nearer every day To our eternal home. tiil; temple harp. hi THE GLORIOUS HOPE. 1 low blest are they whose toils arc o'er. Who rest with Jesus evermore! Forgot is every earthly sigh, And not a tear bedews their eye. \<> thought of things behind molests; Nor aught before perturbs their breasts. Faith lends no more her glimmering light, But ends in everlasting sight. There in the glory-light they shine. Where sin mars not the life divine: And there before the throne adore. To share that glory evermore. Then, while with troubles here ye cope, ( )h, smile, ye saints, in glorious hope' And take this as your Father's wax- To make you fit for endless day. 112 THK TEMPLE HART, THE ALMIGHTY SHEPHERD. Great Shepherd of the sheep. To thee thy flock is known. And thou hast will and power to keep Whom thou hast made thine own. Their nature is subdued; 'idiy nature has been given; And, with thy saving grace endued. They now are heirs of heaven. Their nair.es are in thy book; Their souls are in thy care; Their pathway thou dost overlook, And all that path prepare. If thoughtlessly they stray. If here or there they fall, Thy providence points out the way; They hear thy Spirit call. r>\ erring made more wise, By falling taught to stand. Strong in tin strength again they rise, Grasped by thy guiding hand. TH3 TEMPLE HARP. I 13 Then, how can foes succeed Against whom thou dost keep? Their power the Shepherd's must exceed Ere they destroy the sheep. HEAVEN. We know not, Lord, what heaven can be, It so transcends whatever we see; And yet we look for blest employ, And happiness without alloy. Whate'er can give the spirit rest; Whate'er can make our being blest; Whate'er can make us more like thee, Such we expect that heaven to be. But here we are content to wait, Till entering on our blest estate; For soon shall all thy children know What none can e'er conceive below. 114 ™£ TEMPLE HARP. OUR HOUSE ABOVE. There is a house not made with hands; Beyond our mortal sight it stands, In glory nought can dim. There God presides, enthroned in light, And angels, robed in perfect white, Enraptured, worship him. There, as the Father of our race, He has prepared a dwelling place For all the saints of earth; And all shall meet as kindred there, And in the common blessing share That gives that life its worth. No narrow scope of earthly ties Shall circumscribe their sympathies And cramp their love, as here; But God will so his love reveal That as himself they all will feel In that celestial sphere. THE TEMPLE HARP. II5 Eternally at home, with nought To stir in them desire or thought That would the Father grieve, — One family they so shall dwell, In bliss too pure for tongue to tell Or mortal to conceive. IN REMEMBRANCE. While thy table. Lord, is spread And we break this blessed bread, We receive it as the token Of thy body, bruised and broken. While the sacred cup we take, Drink of it for thy dear sake, We recall our condemnation, Trust thy Mood for our salvation. Meet with us, O Lord, in power; Consecrate this precious hour; May we feel that thou art dearer. And our home a season nearer. Il6 THE TEMPLE HARP. BEARING CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS. Col. i. 24. Lord Jesus, crowned as Conqueror now, With radiant glory on thy brow, Who once wert in the flesh — From age to age thy people fill Thy measure of afflictions still, As crucified afresh. Since their afflictions, Lord, are thine, Thou dost afford them help divine, To suffer all for thee; And they by whom they are endured Are by thy w T ord, thy love, assured They shall thy glory see. Then give us patience now to bear, That thy afflictions we may share Without a murmuring word; And when our present woes are past. Oh, let us find a place at last With thee, our risen Lord. THE TEMPLE HARP. II7 A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. O Holy Spirit! can it be That thou art templed here in me? Then let me tremble at the thought, And use thy temple as I ought. Let not a lust its altar stain, Or footprint of the world profane; But be thy power supreme within, To cast out every lurking sin. So for thyself my heart prepare, And let me hear thee speaking there, Till through my thoughts the words resound: "Take off your shoes, 'tis holy ground." As once the bright shekinah shone, In me thy presence now make known; That I may feel, and others see, That thou art templed here in me. n8 ths T£MPI,E HARP. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. A smile can reach the heart, A frown disturb the soul, An eyeflash make emotions start, And through the bosom roll. Then since our spirits thus Can other spirits move, Much more can God, who fashioned us, His power within us prove. And since these hidden powers, While in the flesh, are given, What blest communion must be ours When spirits meet in heaven. Unburdened of the clay, Which comes between us here, Our trammels will be torn away In that celestial sphere. Oh, rapturous height of bliss To which we then may soar! When in the world that follows this We dwell forevermore. THE TEMPLE HARP. II9 With God we shall enjoy More close communion there, And in his service find employ, While we his glory share. THE FRIEND OF THE POOR. O Jesus, the friend of the poor, Whose sympathy proved thee divine, Who earnest thyself to endure The lot of the poorest of thine, — May we, by our sympathy, show That we are disciples indeed. In having, as thou when below, The hand of a helper in need. The poor in the kingdom of God Are rich in the treasures unseen, Although they may wearily plod, Despised by the sordid and mean. Then may we remember thy poor With sympathy such as was thine, And, helping their lot to endure, So prove our religion divine. 120 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE INCREASE OF GOD. I. Cor. iii. 6. Let the Church, as God hath taught her, From all human vaunting cease. Paul may plant, Apollos water, He it is must give increase. Not in learning's art to reason, Not in labor's fervid zeal, But the Spirit's gracious season, Is the power to save and heal. In the struggle of the ages — Truth with error, right with wrong — Let her, while the conflict rages, Know that he is ever strong. With her eye to him uplifted, Let her faith his presence claim; Then with power she shall be gifted, — Power to conquer in his name. THE TEMPLE HARP. 121 Hitherto his hand hath brought her. And his mercies never cease; Let her plant then, let her water, He will surely give increase. DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. Away, ye doubts, that ask to see The things that hidden lie! Life's deepest mysteries may not be Beheld by human eye. We test not by the touch of sense The secrets of the soul, But have an inward evidence Of a divine control. The Spirit to our spirit speaks The mysteries of the skies; And he who this communion seeks Becomes divinely wise. Then come, O Spirit, speak in us What else we can not know; That we may grow in knowledge thus And foretaste heaven below. 122 THE) TEMPI^ HARP. STEWARDSHIP. Luke xvi. 9. Awhile on earth we need The little earth can give; But not a sordid greed, Which can no more than live. Our bodies live their little day, Then mingle with the mouldering clay. Alas, if we have past Our time in toil and care, That leave us at the last The victims of despair; Since, by our blessings here abused, Before a judgment bar accused! Lord, help us so to spend Our little earthly store That, when this life shall end And earth we need no more, Our faithful use of what was given May find our souls more fit for heaven. THE TEMPLE HARP. 1 23 USING AS NOT ABUSING. We thank thee, Lord of earth and heaven, For every blessing thou hast given; For all that thou dost daily give To make it good for us to live. We thank thee for a vast supply Of beauteous things, to please the eye; For flowery vales and verdant hills; For waving woods and rippling rills. We thank thee for the scented air; For music murmuring everywhere; For all we taste, and all we touch; So varied, pleasant, and so much. Lord, help us so thy gifts to use That we may not those gifts abuse, Lest we their office so reverse, And make each blessing prove a curse. 124 TH E TEMPLE HARP. WORLDLY CARES. How prone we are to magnify The little ills of life, As though there were no Sovereign eye Upon earth's petty strife. We lay our plans as though our all Depends on their success; And if one idol project fall, We sigh in deep distress. And thus we turn our thoughts below Who ought to look above, And fill our hearts with worldly woe, Instead of heavenly love. Lord, let our troubled hearts be calm As summer's twilight hour; Our thoughts of thee a precious balm That has a soothing power. THE TEMPLE HARP. 1 25 CHILDREN OK A KING. Rejoice, ye royal race, Ye children of a King! Who grants you now his grace Will you to glory bring. Then patient to the end endure; Since your inheritance is sure. Condemn the pride of earth, Its empty pomp and praise; Think of your royal birth, And walk in royal ways. Live here below for things above, In all the royalty of love. Think how the King of heaven Has deigned to call you his. Think of the blessings given, And all the promises. Then haste with exultation hence, To gain your great inheritance. 126 THK TEMPLE HARP. GOD WILL PROVIDE. Pilgrims bound heavenward, Tempted and tried, Lean on the mighty Lord Whate'er betide. Long as your faith relies Fixed on the promises, Lift up your cheerful eyes; God will provide. If you shall troubles meet Too great to bear, Go to the mercy seat, Lay them down there. Ask him to bear them, then Take them not up again; Know that he answers, when Called on in prayer. Sure as on Calvary Jesus hath died. If unto him you flee Whate'er betide, THE TEMPLE HARP. 127 Though 'neath a cloud of woes While earth and hell oppose, You shall in peace repose; God will provide. BE NOT FEARFUL. Ye trembling souls, by fears opprest! Call now upon the Lord; To him be every want exprest, And he will help afiford. His faithfulness you oft have seen; Then why in anguish bow? His word has never broken been, Nor will he break it now. Your unbelief alone enshrouds The brightness of your sky. Be still and trust him, then the clouds Before his breath will fly. Yea, look to him in confidence When threatening woes are nigh; He says that he will bring you thence, And God can never lie. 128 THE TEMPLE HARP. DISMISSING CARE. I. Pet. v. 7. Cast your care upon the Lord; Boldly take him at his word; Prove his promises, and so Let your faith to knowledge grow. Cast it all upon the Lord, For he can such help afford As will ease you of the whole, Resting well the weary soul. Cast your care upon the Lord, Then he will your faith reward, Bless as he has others blest, Antedate your heavenly rest. Cast your care upon the Lord; He will every help afford, When no other help is found In the whole wide world around. Cast it now upon the Lord; Be with him in sweet accord; Then you soon shall prove it true That he carcth much for you. THE TEMPI,*) HARP. I29 DAILY VICTORY. When twilight fades around the sky, And we have laid the burdens by That chafed us into pain, How sweet it is that we can say, "The burdens we have borne to-day Shall not be borne again." The battle fought may be renewed, And foes arise that seemed subdued, Ere we obtain the crown. Yet even- day some triumph knows, And every twilight brings repose, And lays some burden down. O fellow soldier! let thine eye Behold th\ Captain in the sky, Directing thee by day. Then, in the calm of every night, - Thy nearing crown shall grow more bright, As burnished in the fray. 130 THE TEMPI^ harp. TO-MORROW. Lodged, Lord, with thee to-morrow lies, It secrets hidden in the bud, And their unfoldment may surprise Us with their evil or their good. 'Tis well the fruitage is concealed, Or we should toil with little zest. 'Twere pain to have the ill revealed; The good would come not at its best. The sweets of hope the saint would lose, And languish, may be, for the goal; The sinner mercy's day abuse, And forfeit, in the end, his soul. It is a happy ignorance That takes, from out a hidden hand, The daily dole of Providence, And asks no more to understand. 'Tis thus, when trusting. Lord, in thee, We walk by faith, and not by sight; And thus, because we can not see, Our darkness is our surest light. THE TEMPLE HARP. 131 OUR OPPORTUNITY. One life a mortal lives, Then doomed be is to die. One time for toil the Master gives, And fast its moments fly. Awhile we have a power, As that within a seed. To bloom into a beauteous flower And bear the bounteous deed. Once let our moments pass, We vainly are appalled; In vain we sigh and cry, Alas! — They may not be recalled. The seed has lost its power, And has no future sun. To give unfoldment to the flower And let the deed be done. Lord, help us so to spend Our moments ere they fly. That we may serve our being's end, And in fruition die 132 the temple harp. MY MISSION. Lord of my life, to thee I owe Whatever gives that life its worth. Nought good I am, or have, or know, Except as thou hast given it birth. Sure not for nought that life was given; For nought thy blessings are not sent; But for the destinies of heaven They have some great and grand intent. Among the multitudes of men Thou hast not blindly cast my lot; Nor has thy providential pen Shown merely an unmeaning blot. A place there is for me to fill, A work my hands were made to do; Then help me, Lord, with read)' will. My proper mission to pursue. Give me my Savior's eyes to see; Ilis sympathizing heart to feel; That so my daily life may be One act of consecrated zeal. THE TEMPLE HARP. I33 DO THY WORK. Rouse thee, brother; life is flitting; Spend no time in murdering time; Deem no labor unbefitting; Aught for Jesus is sublime. While a world of sinners dying Daily stands before thy view, Sit not thou, supinely sighing Some stupendous work to do. Face thy work and calmly view it; Yet be not content to view; Daily, hourly, nobly do it. For so much from thee is due. Work, as though the world's condition Could be much improved by thee; Pray, as though on each petition Hung creation's destiny. 134 TII £ TEMPLE HARP. WHY STAND YE IDLE? Matt. xx. 6. Why stand ye idle all the day When God has given von noble powers? Why let the moments Hit away And leave a wreck of wasted powers? A mighty work remains to do, And he assigns a part to yon. Why stand ye idle all the day And leave your Master's work undone? Your life is wearing" fast away, With nought, perhaps, for him begun. Think what your idle hours will cost When once eternal life is lost. Why stand ye idle all the daw Encumbered with a thousand cares? From God you turn your heart away, Despising him 'and his affairs. On trilling things ye waste your time Who mififht be doing things sublime. THE TEMPLE HARP. I35 Why stand ye idle all the day, With judgment sweeping swiftly on? When here your life has passed away, What will avail the trifles gone? Oh, choose his service while you may, Nor stand ye idle all the day. THE SINNER'S PLEA. Guilty, Lord, to thee I fly; Thou must save me or I die. This is all the plea I make: Save me. Lord, for Jesus' sake. Look not at my life of sin; Look not at my heart within: Look at Jesus on the tree. Then in mercy look on me. If I could for sin atone, I would weep, and plead, and groan, But this only plea I make: Save me now, for [esus' sake. I36 THE TEMPLE HARP. YOUR WORK. Brothers! there is work to do That is meant for none but you. Here a wanderer you can seek, There, a pity you can speak, Or a message you can tell As no other can so well. He who portions out the work Grants no privilege to shirk. Not a day but brings its share; Hence there is no time to spare; Not a day of useless ease; Not a day the flesh to please. Up for Jesus, then, to-day! Seek some soul that goes astray; Thus find pleasure more sublime Than is found in wasting time; Burnish all your nobler powers With the wear of busy hours. THE TEMPLE HARP. I37 THE WORLD FOR JESUS. Go save the world for Jesus. Who bought it with his blood; Let holy ardor seize us To do as Jesus would. Fear not to face affliction; Shrink not from toil and pain; Nay, smile at crucifixion, If we a soul may gain. Go bring the world to Jesus, Who waits to take it in. Such labor ought to please us, Who are redeemed from sin. Remember how he sought us, That we may seek the lost; Remember how he bought us, That we may spare no cost. Go bring the world to Jesus, For millions are astray, And he, the Master, sees us If we the work delay. Oh, do not dare to dally With thoughts of worldly ease, But rouse we for the rally, God's world for God to seize. 138 the: temple harp. AT THE MERCY SEAT. When with languid hearts we meet, Coldly at the mercy seat, Caring little to be there, What a weariness is prayer! When *ve feel our hearts on fire, Burning with divine desire. Glad that Christ invites us there, What a privilege is prayer! When overwhelmed with awe we kneel, And his real presence feel, — While communing with him there, What a luxury is prayer! m Fan, O Lord, the smouldering fire; Stimulate the dull desire; Lei us feel that thou art there. When we bend the knee in prayer. THE TEMPLE HARP. I39 PRAY ON. Pray on; for God, thy Father, knows Thy needs before they are exprest. Through prayer he would thy heart dispose To seek a refuge in his breast. Pray on; for should thy judgment err, Thou mayest be assured of this: That, as thy heart's interpreter. His answer will not be amiss. Pray on, until thy sense of need Shall melt the icy forms of speech, And bring* thy glowing lips to plead In faith that has a farther reach. Pray on, until thy soul is nigh To where his presence may be felt; So shall the treasures of the sky To thee with liberal hand be dealt. ,Pray on, until the power be thine To do the work that he demands; Filled with an energy divine, To thrill thv heart and nerve thv hands. 14° THE TEMPLE HARP. THE HOUR OF PRAYER. There is a calm, inspiring hour Which brings to me a secret power — A power my daily cross to bear, And triumph over every care. There is a sweet, reviving hour, As welcome as a summer shower, Whose gracious drops refresh my soul, And make the streams of gladness roll. There is a glad, expectant hour. Which dissipates the clouds that lower, And opens to my raptured view A glimpse of heaven's eternal blue. There is a great, triumphant hour, When even death shall lose his power; For I shall find my Savior there, With thee the precious hour of prayer. THE TEMPLE HARP. I4I ASKING AMISS. Alas, O Lord! in ignorance To thee we often cry, When, in thy gracious providence, Thou must our prayer deny; For better to deny thine own. However much we sigh, And give us bread who ask a stone, Than with our wish comply. When thus to thee, in ignorance, . Petitions are addrest, The answer of thy providence Interprets the request. Then let us at the mercy seat Tn meek submission rest. Assured thou answerest as is meet. In giving what is best. I42 THE TEMPLE HARP. THE FAITHFUL ONE. O Thou, whose eye can see AYhate'er thy hands have made, In every need we turn to thee And ask thy gracious aid. Since thou hast deigned to make, Thou must be pleased to bless Thy children who thy promise take And walk in trustfulness. Yea, we have found thy grace A never-failing store; For never have we sought thy face Without receiving more. Then still in thee we trust. To have our wants supplied. Thou hast provided, and thou dost And ever wilt provide. THE TEMPLE HARP. I43 BROTHERLY LOVE. How blest the sacred bond that makes Us one in Christian brotherhood! And dear the union that awakes Desires for one another's good. No other bond should be so dear. No other union close as this. Which makes us one in Jesus here; One in our aims and sympathies. Nought born of earth should come between The hearts that Jesus thus unites; Nor aught our warm affections wean From those in whom our Head delights. Then let us all our burdens share, As we our mutual joys partake. What we for one another bear Is so much done for Jesus' sake. 144 ™E TEMPLE HARP. MAN IMMORTAL. This life is not a breath, And then an empty void. There is a something after death That can not be destroyed. Yes, cavil as we will,' And reason as we may, The soul asserts its being still, In spite of all we say. There is a restless thought, Which can not be supprest; There is a mentor comes unsought And speaks within the breast. It tells us that a spark Of being burns within; That should our sinning make it dark, It is not quenched by sin. The soul shall ever be A spark unquenchable; Its outlook as eternity; Its home in heaven or hell. THE TEMPLE HARP. I45 THE ALL-SEEING EYE. There is a sleepless eye That watches all our way; There is a record in the sky Of all we do and say. Our very thoughts are seen; Our motives all are known; Those thoughts and motives nought can screen Before a Judgment throne. There all will be revealed. Our secret sins disclosed; Yea. what we thought the best concealed May be the most exposed. So faithful let us be That, when that day arrives. We may not blush nor fear to see The record of our lives. 146 the; temple harp. THE FOOL'S HOPE. "There is no God/' the fool hath said, "No God that rules on high"; And yet he feels a guilty dread When called upon to die. He fain would live as sinners live, In reckless folly here; His life to sin and Satan give, Then die without a fear. But none can live as sinners live Without a guilty woe. To whom on earth their life they give, To him at last they go. There is an everlasting God, Who made and judges men; And fools at length will feel his rod, And see their folly then. THE TEMPLE HARP. I47 SOWING AND REAPING. Gal. vi. 7, 8. Life is the time, the heart the field, Where seeds of character are sown; And as we sow will be the yield, When once the crop is fully grown. vSow to the flesh, then sin will strike Its roots in our affections deep; And like in time will bear its like, When in eternity we reap. To him whose will subjects the soul, Resisting conscience, earth and heaven, Continuing its usurped control, An endless impetus is given. Not death from nature's law has freed; He reaps not wheat who sowed but tares. By sin corrupted in the seed, Corrupt is all the fruit he bears. Oh, let us to the Spirit sow, That we may life eternal reap; In holiness unceasing grow, That we that character may reap. I4& THE TEMPLE HARP. THE DOWNWARD ROAD. There is a downward road That leads to death and hell, And sinners find the dark abode Where none but sinners dwell. Though smiling sins abound. To lure the soul along, In them no gladsome peace is found. To fill the soul w T ith song. But disappointments mock, And sickly pleasures cloy; While fears of death the spirit shock, And so its peace destroy. If thinking of the end Can every pleasure blight. What must it be in hell to spend • An everlasting nisrht ? the temple harp. 149 DIVINE LONGSUFFERING. Yet awhile the drunken throng, Wild with revelry and song, May with horror fill the night, And the eyes of day affright. Yet awhile, with bloody hand, Crime may riot in the land; Vice go forth with shameless face, Glorying in its dark disgrace. Yet awhile may those at ease Live themselves alone to please; Zion's watchmen, on her walls, Daily drowse while duty calls. Yet awhile the lifted rod, Threatening in the hand of God, May forbear; but woe to all AYhcn that rod in wrath shall tall' I50 THE TEMPLE HARP. WARNING. Willful, wayward, wandering soul, Thou art traveling towards a goal Where alone the wicked dwell, In the banishment of hell. Dreadful doom to dreadful place! Outcast from the God of grace. Woe of woes 'twill be to know That thy deeds have earned thy woe. God has wooed, is wooing still; Warned thee of the fruits of ill; Made thee tremble oft within, In the presence of thy sin. By thy conscience thus condemned, And the law thou hast contemned, Dreadful must it be to dwell In the banishment of hell. THE TEMPLE HARP. 151 THE PASSOVER. On Egypt, in the hush of night, The Lord Almighty showed his might, And with the shadow of his hand Laid low the firstborn of the land. But Israel's hosts uninjured stood, Their doorposts sprinkled with the blood; For where that symbol was in view, Its sacred meaning well he knew. Another solemn night is near, When death to sinners will appear; And they shall quail to feel its power, Like Egypt in that midnight hour. But all the blood-besprinkled band Shall go from earth to God's right hand. Then let us search our hearts with care, To find the blood of Jesus there. 152 the; templk harp. LOSING THE SOUL. Could mortal make the world his throne, And call its treasures all his own. Its sweets would not be sweet within While mingled with the gall of sin. With this brief life the scene would end, And deep remorse his bosom rend. Then what a hell his hell would be, When poor for all eternity! And yet for less are thousand sold: Immortals are exchanged for gold. More than a million worlds in worth They give to grasp a little earth. Eternal life is thrown away For the mere trifles of a day; A day that has so dark a night They think of it with dread affright. Where then the gain by sinners sought? They forfeit everything for nought; And only endless years in hell The story of their loss can tell. THE TEMPLE HARP. 1 53 DELAYING. When Jesus calls, Give me thy heart, In youth we often say, Depart! And so we turn our Lord away. To wait a more convenient day. Again he calls, in later years, With pleading voice and tender tears; But still we think the time unfit, And feel too busy to submit. Thus trifling on from day to day, We grow accustomed to delay; And so in sin our life is spent, And death decides ere we repent. O Savior! do not yet depart; Plead once again within the heart. Some soul, perhaps, will humbly bow And heed thy gracious pleading now. 154 TH £ TEMPLE HARP. NO PEACE IN SIN. O ye who stray from God, Along the paths of sin! Your conscience, with chastising rod, Allows no peace within. In vain you oft have sought Some lasting joy to find; In vain against your conscience fought, To gain a peace of mind. In vain to seek again The peace from which you stray. 'Tis God that giveth peace to men; 'Tis sin that takes away. Then seek at once his face; From sin and folly cease; So shall you taste forgiving grace And all the joy of pence the: temple harp. 155 CHOOSE. I. John v. 3. Come, man, and seek thy God; His pleasant service choose; He asks no grievous thing of thee; Then why shouldst thou refuse? 'Tis thine to heed his call; From sin and death to flee; To love and serve as thou canst do, And be what thou canst be. 'Tis his to'save thy soul And give thee inward strength; To bring thee as a conqueror through To heaven, thy home, at length. Then come and seek his face In this, his gracious day; In Jesus find thy sins forgiven, And walk in wisdom's way. 156 THE TEMPLE HARP. IN THE STORM. Lost on the dark tempestuous deep, The white waves bursting wild, The Lord lay wrapt in placid sleep, Like an embosomed child. "Save, Master !" the disciples cry; While on the tempest sweeps. "Peace, peace, be still!" is his reply; And then the tempest sleeps. So, oft, the sinner, conscience-tost, In weary anguish weeps, And, thinking he is almost lost, He mourns that mercy sleeps. But let him leave with Christ his sin, And prove his saving power, lie then shall find a peace within Unknown until that hour. THE TEMPLE HARP. 1 57 REPENTING. 1 long have trod the ways of sin, And vainly sighed for rest within; In vain have tried my heart to fill With all the empty husks of ill. In vain I mingled with the throng, And joined their laughter and their song; In these, alas! I could not find What satisfied the heart and mind. Since rest in sin there can not be, My Father, I return to thee. Oh, do not spurn thy sinful child, Though undeserving and defiled. [n mercy pardon all my sin. And save me from its power within; Then guide me in the narrow way, And save me in thine awful daw 158 TH3 TEMPLE HARP. MAKE A STAND FOR JESUS. Oh, make a stand for Jesus In this, his gracious day; Yes, make a stand for Jesus While now he says you may. The days and years are passing, And all will soon be past! Then what, ah! what awaits you, Should this one prove your last? Oh, make a stand for Jesus Ere comes the stress of life; Yes, make a stand for Jesus, To fit you for the strife. In living and in dying This Helper you will need, Who, when all others fail you, Will prove a Friend indeed. Oh, make a stand for Jesus, Who gave his life for you; Yes, make a stand for Jesus, And let your life be true. Leave not till some to-morrow The duty of to-day, But make a stand for Jesus While now he says you may. THE TEMPLE HARP. 1 59 THE REWARD OF SIN IS SURE. Num. xxxii. 23. Across the path by sinners trod Is written, by the hand of God, A sentence none may safely doubt: "Be sure thy sin will find thee out." In vain it were to close the eyes; In vain the warning to despise; In vain the scoffer's jibes to share: That sentence still is flaming there. 'Tis fixed as the eternal throne; Its truth by buried ages known; And so shall unborn ages, too, Find out how fearfully 'tis true. O wanderer in the downward way! Heed thou the warning word to-day, And from thy wanderings turn about Before thy sin shall find thee out. l6o THE TEMPLE HARP. THE JUDGMENT DAY. Day of every day the greatest, Day for which all clays were made. On the scroll of time the latest, Looked for long and long delayed,- At thy coming Law and love will be displayed. Day of joy and day of terror; Day of hope and day of fear; Day of sifting truth and error; Day to doom and day to clear, — Saint and sinner Must before the Judge appear. Oh, for One, our interest serving. Who shall of the Judge procure Better than our bad deserving, Else our endless doom is sure. Mighty Savior! Thev who have thee are secure.