FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HEART TO ; tf OF PR/^fl? h^SS.' 1 HYMNS BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE OLD, OLD STORY." 'As in Water Face answeretu to Face, so the Heart of Man to Man." —Prov. xxvii. 19. NEW YORK: ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY, 770 BROADWAY, Cor. 9th Street. £et tlie moths of mn mouit), anb t\)c meditation of mn Ijeart, be acceptable in dT!)2 sigi)t, © £oro, nm £strenc»tl), anb mn tleoeemer ! CONTENTS. Hidden Glories, .... PAGE. Weary, yet Waiting, Elisha, We, and They, .... . M Thou art near, Lord ! . . . I shall be holy, .... Be Thou their Arm every morning, . . M Not Alone, ..... i*Jll God is so Good! .... . 17 Journeying, .... Fresh Springs, ..... 19- . si . Joy cometh in the Morning, 89 The Bride's Search, .... . »J The Golden Sceptre, 33 The thing that I long for, . m // i White as Snow, .... p I am a little Child, .... . 43 lj (e He knoweth our frame, -4:3 I love to tell the Story, • 11 The Secret Spring, .... 4; VI CONTEXTS. Apart, The Sick Man's Prayer, Joseph and his Brethren, The Guiding Pillar, Draw me, The Eve of Departure, Lovest thou Me ? Solitude, Cqme unto Me, The Prayer of the Destitute,. A Way to Escape, The Man of Macedonia, 53- *Y [Arranged according to date of writing,— 1859— 1869.] HYMNS HIDDEN GLORIES. #art 1. THOUGHTS OX EXODUS XXV. Within the Tabernacle door, My soul, what dost thon see ? 'Tis Jesus, Jesus, everywhere, That shows Himself to me. The "Holy Place" is full of Light, A Light that goes out never ! 'Tis Jesus, who has changed my night To day that lasts for ever. The "Holy Place" has holy Food, Each Sabbath newly spread : 'Tis Jesus that I here behold, The true and living Bread. (7) HIDDEN GLOMUS. And now I press beyond the Veil, And venture still more near. Within the "Holiest of all," What glories now appear ! Upon the Ark, a Mercy-seat ; A perfect Lav.*, within : 'Tis Jesus, "full of Grace and Truth," Atoning for my sin. The given Law was broken, once, But now, in Christ, is whole : And Mercy reigns once more supreme O'er my enraptured soul. Jesus ! Thou art all in all ! I care for none like Thee ! All else be hidden from my sight, But show Thyself to me ! 1 cannot leave this Holy Place ! O suffer me to stay ! I long to see Thy beauty, Lord, All day and every day ! HIDDEN GLORIES Pari 2. THOUGHTS OX EXODUS XXVI. But all the glories of this place Are veiled frorn common eyes ; The "badgers' skin" alone appears, Which o'er those glories lies. Three other curtains, underneath, Their darkening powers unite, To keep the Secret of the Lord, And veil the holy Light. And truly, all that is in Christ, I never should have known, Had Ke not led me in Himself, And all His beauty shewn. Dear Saviour ! people wrong Thee so ! Keject Thee, and despise ! Thy glory, and Thy beauty, too, Seem hidden from their eyes. Give me a message to them, Lord ! Transparent let me be, That I may give a true report Of what I find in Thee ! 10 WEARY, YET WAITING. WEARY, YET WAITING. If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. — Rom. viii. 25. T am weary, vet I would not Flee a war and be at rest : Jesus loves me, and He could not Fail to give me what is best, I am weary, night and morning, Of the world's incessant strife, But I know the dav is dawning Of a bright eternal Life. I can wait a little longer, For His "Will is very dear : And in waiting I grow stronger, For I feel the Day is near. Xot a moment will He keep me When the Harvest-time is come ; Angel-messengers shall reap me, And shall take the Harvest home. WEARY, YET WAITING. 11 Yv^here He is, so He hath taught me, I shall be. when I can bear All the " weight of glory " bought me By His Intercession there. Welcome then be every dealing That is helping to this end ! Though the discipline I'm feeling, I can hail it as a friend. the joy of being holy ! How dehghtful it will be ! Mind and body given solely To the bliss of serving Thee ! Blessed Jesus ! Thou hast told me I shall see Thee as Thou art ! Face to face I shall behold Thee, Never more from Thee to part ! 1 shall see Thee in the glory Which surrounded Thee above, Ere began the wondrous story Of Thy dear redeeming Love. And though now so far above me, That my words are faint and few Yet " Thou knowest that I love Thee ;" Lord, "Thou knowest " that I do ! 13 WEARY, YET WAITING. And the love which I am telling Does but feebly echo Thine ! In Thy Heart of Love I'm dwelling, E'en as Thou, Lord, art in mine. Living Source of living pleasure ! Thou hast satisfied my heart ! Who shall chide this rapturous measure 1 Who shall bid my joy depart ? Holy Saviour ! Dost Thou hear me ? Art Thou really at my side ? Yes, no angel is more near Thee, Glorious Bridegroom of the Bride ! I am one with Thee for ever ; One with Thee, in death and life ! Nought from Thee my soul can sever, All throughout this mortal strife. Here awhile Thy Cross I'm sharing, Yet I would not lay it down, For I need it in preparing For the weight of Glory's Crown. In the joy of Thy Salvation There is heaven on earth, to me : What then — glorious expectation ! Must Thy Heaven in Heaven be ! WEARY, YET WAITING. 13 Not a spot or wrinkle stain iilg The fair beauty of the Bride, And Eternity remaining, To be spent at Jesus' side ! Yet, what was I once % A stranger ! Love alone has rescued me : Love, incarnate in the manger, Love, outstretched upon the tree. Love Incarnate, suffering, bleeding, Bearing all my penalty ! Love Incarnate, risen, pleading, That the sinner might go free ! Love Incarnate ! I adore Thee, Reigning now in Heaven above : For the sinner's heart before Thee Is the conquest of that Love ! 14 ELISHA. E LI SUA . And when Elisha was come into the house, behold the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in there- fore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. — - Kings iv. 3-. 33. The door is shut ! Let none intrude On that momentous solitude : Elisha is alone ! Alone — beside that lifeless boy, But ye ) full of joy, Now, motionless as stone ! The door is shut : but God is there, The living God who answers prayer : What will the issue be ? A glorious answer comes ere long, A prayer is quenched in thankful song : Where, Death, thy victory '? Desponding Christian ! Why not share This glorious privilege of prayer, And share its great reward ? Tis secret prayer J the clay, Not prayerless eff : le and pray ! Thine is Elisha's God ! ELISHA. 15 Enter thy closet : wrestle there, With faith's " effectual fervent prayer," Till death shall change to life ; Till hope out of the dust shall spring, And joyous notes of praise shall ring Out of the bitter strife. Go on in faith, go on in prayer ; Order thy cause before Him there ; It cannot but prevail. The things impossible with men Grow possible with God again : His Power cannot fail. Fear not, though face to face with Death ! Only invoke the Living Breath, To breathe upon the slain ! Once thou thyself wast lying there, As dead as he ! — canst thou despair ? Arise, and pray again ! Go, stretch thyself upon the dead, Thou living proof that Christ has said, " Ask, and ye shall receive !" O claim His promise ! "Ask" once more ! Thou shalt receive a boundless store, «If "_«if thou canst believe !" 16 WE, AND THEY. WE, AND THE Y. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. — Rev. xiv. 13, We have had days of mourning, Since they were called away ; But not a tear of sorrow Have they shed, since that day. We have had hours of conflict, Too fierce, too wild, to own ; But not a moment's struggle Those peaceful ones have known. We have had deep repentings O'er sin's enslaving power ; But oh ! they left off sinning, In that eventful hour ! We have seen Christ but dimly, By faith, and not by sight ; But they have seen Him clearly, In everlasting light ! Yet soon, we shall be with them, And be " with Christ," as they ! O let us not grow weary, In waiting for that Day ! THOU ART NEAR, LORD. 17 " THOU ART NEAR, LORD T Psalm cxix. 151. Jesus, holy Saviour, hear me ! Let me feel that Thou art near me, That my feeble, broken prayer Is not — " speaking to the air !" " Thou art near, Lord I" Thou hast died for me, — I know it ; Thou hast life, and dost bestow it : Yet 'tis not enough for me ; I- must hourly say to Thee : " Thou art near, O Lord I" Live, as seeing Him who liveth, Take, as seeing Him who giveth, Commiuiing with Him each hour, — This alone can give me power : " Thou art near, O Lord !" Power — for each day of sorrow, Since Thou carest for the morrow : Power to work, and power to bear : What may I not do or dare ? " Thou art near, O Lord !" 18 THOU ART NEAR, LORD. Foes are near, but Thou art nearer : Friends are dear, but Thou art dearer ; Closer far than friend or foe, Better known than all I know ; " Thou art near, O Loed !" Jesus ! Jesus ! Let me name Thee O'er and o'er ; — Thou wilt not blame me ! 'Tis my greatest comfort here, Just to whisper in Thine ear, " Thou art near, O Lord !" Yes, and in a little while, Basking in Thine endless smile, I shall say, with sinless heart, Gazing on Thee as Thou art, " Thou art near, Lord !" / SHALL BE HOL Y. > 19 / SHALL BE HOLY. The)' are without fault before the Throne of God. — Rev xiv. 5. I shall be holy ! the thought is dear, "When I am wrestling with corruption here ! It will be over, soon, — this -constant strife With sin and Satan, and the pride of life. I shall be holy ! No indwelling sin, To blight and mortify the grace within ! No cold affections, no inconstant will, • Shall any more the throne of Jesus fill. I shall be holy ! Satan shall be bound, And cease his hungry watchings all around : " No lion shall be there," in search of prey ; I shall be out of Satan's reach, that day. I shall be holy ! This world's glittering scene Never again shall dare to come between Me and my Saviour's countenance, or share One atom of my heart's affections, there. I shall be holy ! Shine then, glorious Sun ! Ripen in me the work Thou hast begun ; Then, Lord, " immediately " Thy promise ke^ j } Put in the sickle, and the harvest reap. 20 BE THOU THEIR ARM. BE THOU THEIR ARM EVERY MORNING. Isaiah xxxiii. 2. Saviour ! From the day's beginning, That I may be kept from sinning, That I may be kept from harm, Every moment be mine Arm ! Work and Duty lie before me ; Thoughts of fear sometimes come o'er me : But «a wonder-working charm Lies in this — I have Thine Arm ! What though many a bitter sorrow May await me on the morrow, Yet to-day I can be calm, Leaning wholly on Thine Arm. In the midst of tribulation, There's abundant consolation, For each wound there is a balm, If I lean upon Thine Ami. And when, safe at home in glory, I shall understand life's story, All throughout that endless calm, I will lean upon Thine Arm. NOT ALONE. 21 NOT ALONE. THOUGHTS IN SICKNESS. Then came JESUS, the door being shut. — St. John xx. 26. My never absent Saviour ! 'Tis pleasant here to lie, And drink in loving glances From Thine indulgent eye ! To hear Thee whisper, " Thou art Mine," And gladly answer, " I am Thine !" My ever-watchf ul Guardian ! I feel that Thou art near ; Thine arm too closely round me, To leave me room for fear. I hear Thee whisper, " Thou art Mine," And gladly answer, "I am Thine!" 22 NOT ALONE . My own untiring Teacher ! It is so sweet to be By Thine own Self instructed, When left alone with Thee ! To hear Thee whisper, " Thou art Mine," And gladly answer, " I am Thine !" My glorious Fobe-bukneb ! What must Thy Heaven be, If it is so entrancing, The very thought of Thee ! For, Lord of Glory, Thou art mine, And not ashamed To call me Thine ! GOD IS SO GOOD! 23 "GOD IS SO GOODT Thou art good, and doest good. — Ps. cxix. 68. - " God is so good !" Though heart and flesh were failing, Though pain and weakness clogged the laboring breath, Thus have our loved ones, fighting, yet prevailing, Believed and spoken in the hour of death. " God is so good !" Think not their lips were bringing Fruit to the altar of an " Unknown God :" Nay, verily ! To Jesus they were clinging, Through Whom alone we learn to " know the Loss. '' " God is so good !" O words of comfort, falling Like prophet's mantle by the rivers side ! In time of need, those precious words recalling, Onward we press, and Jordan's waves divide. " God is so good !" His daily mercies claim it, That we should render daily homage due ; Each morning's light and evening's rest proclaim it, That God is good, and doethjgood anew. 24 . GOD IS SO GOOD ! " God is so good I" But none the less in sorrow, Than when we walk along a path of light ; For there are stars that day can never borrow, And God's best promises shine best at night. " God is so good !" So father-like and tender ! He loves the music of the bruised reed ; He will not break it, when it tries to render Its feeble praises still, in time of need. " God is so good !" Let praise then be unceasing, And " with thanksgiving " mingled every prayer ! All through our trials, howsoe'er increasing, Still let Hosannas pierce the darkened air. Lord, " Thou art good, and doest good ;" I know it, But cannot always feel it as I should. for a stronger faith ! Do Thou bestow it, Till my whole life proclaim that " Thou art good !" JOURNEYING. 25 JOURNEYING. We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you. — Numb. x. 29. We are journeying to a country Of which God Himself hath said, " I will give it you ;" then let us Simply follow as we're led. " "We are journeying f then let patience Be displayed, where'er we roam : Who expects upon a journey All the comforts of a home ? " We are journeying ;" we are strangers, Passing through, not come to stay : Let not foreign toys engross us That we see upon our way. " We are journeying ;" then should riches Be committed to our care, May a special guard attend us, Lest we fall into a snare ! 20 JOURNEYING. " We are journeying ;" O then, onward ! Not as though we had attained, But in holiness advancing, Till our blood-bought Home be grained. " We are journeying ;" yes, and whither ? To a land that's very dear ! To a land of peace and plenty, And that may be — very near ! For, although before us stretching Seem a long and dreary road, Ere we pass another mile-stone, We may be at Home, with God ! FRESH SPRINGS, 27 FRESH SPRINGS. All my Fresh Springs shall be in Thee. — Ps. lxxxvii. 7. (Prayer Book Version.) Why is the world so thirsty, So restless, ill at ease, So careworn with its pleasures, So difficult to please ? Because the truth it cannot see, That all " Fresh Springs " must be in Thee ! "Why is Thy Church so weary ? Why does Thy cherished Bride Appear so sad and lonely, So far from " satisfied " ? What once she knew, she fails to see, That all her " Fresh Springs " are in Thee I Why needs she so much urging To work, and love, and feel ? Why craves $he fresh excitement, To stimulate her zeal ? She cannot, or she will not, see That all " Fresh Springs " must be in Thee ! 28 FRESH SPRINGS. Too true it is ! On every side We look in vain for Christ's true Bride ! We hardly recognize her, now, So faint the glory on her brow ! She lives an outside life, — not void Of talents usefully employed, — The tilted vessel overflows, But day by day more empty grows ; Too seldom is it filled, with care, By meditation and by prayer, For Christ's own Bride — how strange to own ! Is seldom with her Lord, alone ! Is it not strange ? With what surprise Must it be seen by Angel eyes ! But that my own deceitful heart In all these scenes has borne a part, The sad reality would seem The groundless terror of a dream ! I should have thought that she would prize The mute appeal of those kind eyes, The incommunicable things Which Jesus Christ's own Presence brings, The sight of the Incarnate Son, Unseen, yet fondly gazed upon, The speaking silence in Him found, The wordless voice, " 'Tis holy ground :" FRESH SPRINGS. 29 Yes, verily, I should have thought, Unless by sad experience taught, That such exceeding Tenderness, Such all-surpassing Loveliness, Once seen and tasted, had sufficed To make her lose herself in Christ ! I should have thought that one so blest Would never care to leave her nest, Unless, on wings of love, to fly, Led by the glances of His eye, xind, keeping Hirn in sight, fulfill Some fresh expression of His Vv r ill : Then, home returning at His call, Come straight to Him, and tell Him all, Confess her failures, on His breast, Give Hdi the glory of the rest, And then, with loving heart and true, Ask what He next would have her do ; The passion of her heart fulfilled, If all be done as He hath willed : — His thoughts, the standard of her own, His "Will, life's sweetest under-tone, No work of love too great, or small, To undertake at His dear call ! I should have thought the favored Bride Would cling for ever to His side, 30 FRESH SPRINGS And need no pressure of alarm, To make her lean upon His Arm ; No sudden or extreme distress, To prove Kis glorious Faithfulness ; Nor failure of all earthly things, To drive her to the heavenly Springs. I should have thought she would not care For any joy He did not share, Nor any earthly object prize, If Jesus did not sympathize ; For let herself be " greatly moved " By human blame, if He approved ; Nor have a single plan apart From Him, the Sovereign of her heart ; But hang upon His every word, And treasure up each accent heard, Each tone of love, each — less than tone, Each look of love that said : " Mine own !" And never, never turn away From so much love, and coldly say : " I have not time for Thee, to-day!" O Jesus ! Wondrous, loving Lord ! Untired still ! Be Thou adored ! Thy patience with Thy fickle Bride May well attract her to Thy side ! that she may Thy whisper hear, FRESH SPRINGS. 31 Return ! Return ! For I am near !" And ever henceforth taste and see That all her Fresh Springs are in Thee ! JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING." Psalm xxx. 5. 'Tis sweet, when we are weary, To feel that night is near ; To watch the daylight fading, And see the stars appear. For Rest is very welcome To weary laboring men. And with the rising morrow We hope to rise again. But oh ! it will be sweeter, That last " Good Night " to say Then fall asleep, in Jesus, Until the break of Day ! For we are tired ! — so tired ! And on the Saviour's breast We long, with wordless longings, To lay us down and rest. Then, when the blessed Morning" Shall suddenly appear, Refreshed, and clothed with glory, "What greetings shall v> T e hear ! JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. 33 Then all our Father's children Shall meet around His board, And satisfy then longings, By gazing on the Lord. And then, oh ! how delightful, Upon that " holy ground, 55 To see the Saviour's image Reflected all around ! Divine and human beauty Shall wonderfully meet On every saint in glory, In unity complete. For we shall all be " like Him !" And we shall never tire Of gazing at each other, His beauty to admire. Yet we shall know our loved ones, And by them shall be known, And safely then, for ever, May claim them as our own. Each saint we shall distinguish ; Each well-remembered face, Each line of human beauty, We once again shall trace. 34 JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. Yet all we here admire, Is but the streak of dawn, Before the burst of glory, That Resurrection Morn ! For no one will look tired, And no one, full of care : No sin, or weakness, yonder ! No " spot, or wrinkle/' there ! Lord Jesus, keep us patient, Until the setting sun, In works of love abounding Till earthly work be done ! THE BRIDE'S SEARCH. THE BRIDE'S SEARCH. Song Sol. v. 2, to vi. 3. I sleep, but my heart; waketh : I start at every sound : A horror of great darkness Is gathering all around. No voice of love, to calm my fear ! I am alone ! — No Jesus near ! Aroused from sinful slumber, What voice is this I hear ? The voice of my Beloved, In former days so dear ! I am alone ; — yet waiting still Is He whom I have used so ill ! I hear a gentle knocking Outside the sin-closed door : Although my sin He haieth, He loves me as before ! Open to Me, My Love, My Dove I" What can I say to so much love ? 36 THE BRIDE'S SEARCH. Like a belated stranger, His Head is filled with dew ! Oh ! He is -weary, weary ! And it is my fault, too. I am alone, because of sin : I will not let my Saviour in ! But see ! The latch is moving ! His Hand is on the door ! My heart begins to soften ; I hesitate no more. I will arise and let Him in ; Enough of loneliness and sin ! Come in, Thou blessed Jesus ; Be welcome now again ! . . . But oh ! He has departed ! I call on Him in vain ! Where art Thou gone, Beloved, where ? come again ! O hear my prayer ! Where is my heart's Beloved ? Yv T ill no one tell me where ? Alas, the very watchmen But deepen my despair ! They see in me no sign of grace ; v They do not understand my case. THE BRIDES SEARCH. Ye citizens of tins world, Who know not Jesus yet, If ye find my Beloved Ere I Eis answer get, O speak to Him of me — of me ! say : She also longs for Thee ! " "What then is thy Beloved, Thou fairest child of Eve, W hat more than many another Whom our fond hearts receive ? Why dost thou charge us thus ? and why That fevered speech, that flashing eye f Oh ! you know little of Him, If thus you coldly speak Of that transcendent Loved One Whom I so vainly seek ! Xo words of mine can make you see What my Beloved is to me. It were a vain endeavor His merits to portray, For " Altogether Lovely " Is all that I can say. Did you but know Him as I do, You would arise and seek Him too. 39 THE BRIDE'S SEARCH. " O fairest among women ! This earnestness and fear Convince us that thy Loved One, Although unseen, is near. V, T e too would see Him ! Lead the way ! So shall thy darkness turn to day." Yes, it is true : who watereth Shall gain refreshing grace : In pointing them to Jesus, Once more I see His Face ! Jesus Himself is very near ! My own Beloved ! Thou art here ! THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE. 39 THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE. The" King held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. — Esther, v. 2. The King holds cut the golden sceptre ; And this its language seems to be : " Fear not ! My hand has royal power, And I will use that power for thee !" She rightly understands its meaning, And with a beating heart draws nigh. M Queen Esther, what is thy petition ? Fear not ! It cannot rise too high." Encouraged thus, her sad heart's burden She wholly casts upon her lord ; The multitude of thoughts within her, Before that throne of grace are poured. Come, Bride of Christ, her footsteps follow ! Jesus Himself is on the Throne, His Sceptre graciously extendeth, And bids thee call His power thine own. 40 THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE. Then touch the morning, An H-. To evervthing thou hast to I -' ..nnotfhi" :3n, i DS ! ad! Poi nd. Be not afraid For He 1 Dra~ THE THING THAT I LONG FOR. 41 THE THING THAT I LONG FOR. THOU, O LORD GOD, art the thing that I long for — Ps. Ixxi. 4. (Prayer-Book Version.) Thou art the thing that I long for, Though there are beautiful things, Things to delight and enrapture, Even in earth's "nether springs." ' Thou art the thing that I long for ! Give Thyself wholly to me ' Other things crumble and vanish ; Nothing contents me but Thee ! Thou art the thing that I long for ! Lord, I believe Thou art near ! Where could these longings" find utterance, But in Thy listening ear ? Thou art the thing that I long for ! Yes, and this longing of mine, Though almost dumb from intenseness, Is but the echo of Thixe ! 2 1 Josh. xv. 19 ; • Ps. exxxii. 13, 14 ; Song of Sol. vii. 10. 42 THE THING THA T I LONG FOR. Thou art the tiling that I long for ! O that each sorrow I feel, O that each loss and bereavement More of Thyself may reveal ! Thou art the thing that I long for ! Heaven itself will be fail*, Fan* in its glorious completeness, Chiefly because Thou art there ! WHITE AS SXOW. 43 WHITE AS SNOW. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. — Is. i. 1 8. ■ " White as Snow !" O what a Promise For the heavy-laden breast ! When, by faith, the soul receives it, Weariness is changed to rest. " Ked like crimson," deep as scarlet, Scarlet of the deepest dye, Are the manifold transgressions Which upon my conscience lie. God alone can count their number ; God alone can look within ; O the sinfulness of sinning ! the guilt of every sin ! God's own Law, so just and holy, Proves my sin and shame and loss ; But what proves it still more clearly, Is the Story of the Cross. Heavy-laden, worn and weary, To the Promise let me go, " Though your sins may be as scarlet, They shall be as white as snow !" - i: ] - 1 - - -~ ' . - ] - '. :':•!£ ri I for.: . -.. WHITE AS SXOW. 45 Much forgiven ! Quite forgiven, Once for all, yet daily, too, Let me live near Christ my Saviour ; Let me keep the Cross in view. Much forgiven ! Then let boasting Be for ever cast aside : Shall a newly-pardoned sinner Dare to lift his head in pride ? Much forgiven ! my Saviour, If my present state be such, May these further words describe me, This poor sinner loveth huch ! 46 I AM A LITTLE CHILD. I AM A LITTLE CHILD. I am but a little child. — i Kings iii. 7. Sueely the Lord Himself is in this place ! He has not said in vain, " Seek ye my Face !" Thy Face, Lord, "will I seek : 'tis very sweet To be allowed to sit at Jesus' feet ! But stay, there is a still more blessed state, Communion still more close and intimate : Lord, I'm " a little child !" Then suffer me To come, as such, and nestle close to Thee. I am too weak to climb into Thine arms, So take me up Thyself ! Let all alarms Be hushed to sleep upon Thy tender breast : Forbid me not ! I come to Thee for rest. I am a little child ! I never know What is the best or safest way to go : I always make mistakes ! By day or night, It is not safe to trust me out of sight. I am a little child ! So little strength Have I, that I begin to see at length, How true is that first lesson taught by Thee, " Ye can do nothing " — nothing ! — " without Lie. / AM A LITTLE CHILD. 47 I am a little child ! Thy fresh supplies Each day delight afresh my wondering eyes : But do you ask me how it is I'm fed ? My heavenly Father gives me " daily bread." I am a little child ; and satisfied : God has provided, and He will provide. I have enough ; and I can truly sing, " My God withholdefch from'me no good thing." I am a little child ! I cannot see What in the Future is prepared for me : I feel that Thou art training me, each day, But what I then shall be, — I cannot say. ' I am a little child ! 'Tis better so : For we are strong, when weak ; and high, when low; Hichest, when poor ; and wise, when we discern How much, how very much, we have to learn. Where can we learn it, but at Jesus' feet ? Angels must wonder at our self-conceit, If we are not content, and thankful, too, To live and learn — as little children do. No time is wasted, and no labor lost, That teaches our proud hearts, at any cost, From self escaping, to escape to Thee, And leam the wisdom of simplicity. 43 HE KNOWETII OUR FRAME. HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME. WRITTEN FOR AN ESTYALID. He knoweth our frame : He remembereth that we are dust. — Ps. ciii. 14. Loed, is it wrong, — this state of things ? I hardly know : Each little bird its anthem sings ; I feel so low ! So restless, so disheartened, and so weary ! Life seems to me so desolate and dreary ! This body seems to drag me down : I cannot see The beautiful, unfading crown, Prepared for me. Some of Thy children seem so full of light ! But as for me, my day is almost night ! I do believe it was for me, That Jesus died : And Heaven's door, I think I see, Is opened, wide : I do believe that He will let me in. And that His Blood has cleansed me from my sin. HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME. 49 O why then should I feel afraid ? Is it not true, My sins were all on Jesus laid, And sorrows, too ? Hath He not grace enough for all to-morrows ? For surely He hath borne our griefs and sorrows ! My Father ! O how sweet the name ! Art Thou not near ? Say, dost Thou pity me ? — or blame ? I long to hear ! Father ! My Father ! This is all my trust, That Thou rememberest I am but dust ! Thou knowest well my frame, for Thou Hast fashioned me : The darkness all around me now Is light, to Thee ! Then take me by the hand, and lead me on, Thy poor blind child ! — until the night be gone ! Until the shadows nee away Before the Sun, And glorious, everlasting Day Shall have begun ! Meanwhile, in love and pity, lead Thou me, For all my expectation is from Thee ! 5 50 I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY. L LOVE TO TELL THE STORY. Show forth His Salvation from day to day. — Ps. xcvi. 2. I love to tell the Story Of unseen tilings above, Of Jesus and His Glory, Of Jesus and His Love ! I love to tell the Story ! Because I know it's true ; It satisfies my longings As nothing else would do. I love to tell the Story ; More wonderful it seems Than all the golden fancies Of all our golden dreams. I love to tell the Story ; It did so much for me ! And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee. I love to tell the Story ! 'Tis pleasant to repeat Y/hat seems, each time I tell it, More wonderfully sweet. I LOVE TO TELL THE ST OR Y. 51 I love to tell the Story ! For some have never heard The message of salvation From God's own Koly Word. I love to tell the Story ! For those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting To hear it, like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new Song, 1 'Twill be — the old, old Stoey That I have loved so long. 1 Rev. v. g, io . 52 THE SECRET SPRING. THE SECRET SPREYG. He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green.— Jer. xvii. 7, 8. The gentle moon was silvering The outline of the trees, The lullaby of Nature Was whispered in the breeze. 'Twas not a time for talking, Or speculations high : I wanted to be quiet, And hear that lullaby. I wanted to be silent, And watch the waving grass, So gracefully inclining To let the breezes pass. It seemed to grow in beauty, The more it bowed its head, Like penitential murmurs On saintly dying bed. THE SECRET SPRING. 53 I marveled at its beauty, So manifold, so sweet, Like rainbow colors blending In harmony complete. And while I looked, and wondered "What made it grow so high, The question rose within me, Is there a hid supply ? For it was taller, fairer, Than all the grass around ; What made it thus to differ From cumberers of the ground ? At last, the whispering breezes This answer seemed to bring, (Its echoes rang within me), ct There is a Secret Speing ! " You cannot see the waters By which the grass is fed ; You cannot see the brooklet, Within its little bed ; You cannot even hear it, So quiet is its flow ; And yet, those hidden waters Have made the grass to grow !" 54 THE SECRET SPRIXG. Then, " planted by the waters,' 1 O Saviour, let me be, That I may thus be fruitful, And glory bring to Thee ! Xot unto me be glory ! Thy praises would I sing : Yes, for the grass were nothing, Without the Seceet Spring ! APART. 55 APART. Come }-e yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile. — St. Mark vi. 31. " Co:ie ye yourselves apart, And rest awhile ;" So spake the gracious Lord, With gracious smile. What soul-refreshing thoughts The words suggest : " Come ye yourselves apart," With Me, " and rest !" * " Come ye yourselves apart," And tell Me all That you have done and taught, Since that last Call ; Since last I sent you forth To work for Me, Amid the haunts of sin And misery. APART. " Come yourselves apart," And do not fear To tell Me ail your thoughts ; I love to hear ! Begin where you left off ; Leave nothing out ; Tell Me each word and work, Each hope, and doubt. " Come ye yourselves apart," And listen, too ; For I have many things To say to you. I want to let you know What I have thought Of all this work for Me, That you have wrought. " Come ye yourselves apart," That I may teach The many, many things, You have to preach. You cannot learn them all In one short day ; But something may be leamt, If you will stay. APART. " Come' ye yourselves apart !" I care for you ; Not for the sake of aught That you can do : Your work is very poor And weak, at best ; But ye yourselves are dear : Then come, and rest ! " Come ye yourselves apart," Kenew your strength, That you may better go Prepared at length, By holy leisure spent Alone with Me, To work the work prepared For thee ! — for thee ! 1 And when the closing hour Of Life's short day Shall tell of earthly work All passed away, I will draw near, and say, With loving smile, Fear not ; but come apart, And rest — awhile ! 1 See Eph. ii. 10, margin. 58 APART. Rest, rest, with Me, awhile, In Paradise, Till He who bade thee rest, Shall bid thee rise ! Then rise, with quickened powers, To spend, for Me, That blessed leisure-time, Eternity ! THE SICK MAN'S PRA YER. 59 THE SICK MAN'S PRAYER. Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. — MiCAH vi. 9. Lord, I am very ill, But Thou art very near, And I can lie quite still, And trust, without a fear. Thou art so faithful and so kind, That I have not a fault to find. I have no fault to find, Holy One, in Thee : But what is in Thy mind About the faults in me ? Have mercy, Lord, for I am weak ; But speak ! Thy servant heareth ; speak ! 1 want to " hear " the rod ; I want to understand The message of my God, Sent by His chastening Hand. I hope He will not go away And leave me what I am to-day ! 60 THE SICK MAX'S PRA YER. I feel so very far From what I ought to be ; And niy transgressions are Still more than I can see ! What must they be m Thy pure sight ? What must I seem in Heaven's light ? My guilty heart I bring : O search it, Lord ! and see, And cast out everything That still displeases Thee. Lord Jesus, do Thy work within, And save me, save me from my sin ! Not only froni its guilt, But also from its power : O Saviour, if Thou wilt/ Thou canst, this very hour ! I will not let Thee go away Except Thou bless me, Lord, to-day. Hush ! For the Saviour's Voice, His loving Voice, I hear : It tells me to rejoice ; It tells me not to fear. " Fear not ! I have redeemed thee ! Only believe ! Believe in Me !" JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. 61 JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. There stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. — Gen. xlv. I. " Come near to me, I pray you !" * It is the Saviour speaking ! His loving condescension An interview is seeking ! I tremble at His Love, but I draw near, 2 Iu sweet confusedness of joy and fear. 3 Behold in Me your Brother, 4 The Brother whom you sold ! 5 Yet fear not ; 6 for I love you "With love that grows not cold. Through Death and Resurrection I have passed, 7 And now I claim you for My own at last. 1 Gen. xlv. 4. Is. i. 18. James iv. 8. 2 Ps. lxxiii. 27. Heb. vii. g ; x. 19-22. 3 Matt, xxviii. 8. 4 Gen. xlv. 4. Heb. ii. 16, 17. 5 Acts ii. 36. 6 Jer. xxxi. 3. Heb. xiii. S. 7 Gen. xlii. 36, 38 ; xliv. 20^28 ; xlv. 26. 2 Cor. xiii. 4. Eph. iv. 9, 10. Rom. xiv. 9. 6 C2 JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. Behold Me in My glory ! l And oh ! believe Me true, When I declare that mansions 2 Are here prepared for you. God sent Me here before you : come and be 3 The sharers of My throne ; joint hens with Me ! * It is My heart's desire 5 To have you here with Me, That you may see My glory, And share as well as see. Then come unto Me ! Tarry not. I pray ! 6 Yet there is room ! No need to turn away ! 7 Room, in the land of Goshen, 8 The goodly land you see, Room, room, for many others : O fetch them home to Me ! 9 Go down, on messages of love, below : But leave your heart behind you when you go ! 10 1 Gen. xlv. S. Acts vii. 55, 56. 1 Pet. iii. 22. 2 John xiv. 2. 3 Gen. xlv. 5, 7, 8. John xiii. 36. Heb. vi. 20. 4 Rev. iii. 21. Rom. viii. 17. 6 Gen. xlv. 9, 18-20. John xvii. 24, 22. 6 2 Cor. vi. 2. Heb. iii. 15. "' Luke xiv. 22. John xiv. 2. 6 Gen. xlv. 10, u, 19. e Matt. xii. 30. 10 Matt. vi. 21. JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. 63 Then give to each this message : l " Thou shalt be near to Me, And there, in My own Presence, 2 There will I noiuish thee. O famine-stricken soul, why wilt thou die 1 Come unto Me, for I can satisfy." Describe the land of plenty, 3 Where you, by faith, have been : Tell them of all the glory- That your own eyes have seen. And if they hesitate, and wish to stay, Then show them My Provision for the way ! 4 Tell them that He yet liveth, 5 Whom they have mourned as dead : TeU them that I, their Brother, 6 Will do as I have said, 7 And they shall surely go from strength to strength, 8 Until they see My loving Face at length. 1 Gen. xlv. io, n. - Ps. xvi. II ; xxxvi. 7-9 ; cvii. 9. Eph. v. 29, 30 ; i. 22, 23. 3 Gen. xlv. 12, 13. Heb. xi. 1. 2C0r.iii.x8. 1 John i. 3. Acts iv. 20. 4 Gen. xlv. 21. Phil. iv. 19. 5 Gen. xlv. 26. Rev. i. 18. Mark xvi. 10. Heb. ii. 11, 12. 1 Tim. ii. 5. 7 Heb. x. 23. 8 Gen. xlv. 27. Ps. lxxxiv. 7 ; lxxiii. 24. 64 JOSEPH AND HIS BRE THREN. And do not let them linger x To gather up their " stuff," For in the land of Goshen They all will have enough ! No poverty or famine waits them here .: The very trace of grief shall disappear. 2 One word of loving caution, 3 Before I let you go. You are too richly laden To escape the watchful foe : Keep close together ! And again I say, Keep close together, and you win the day ! Go then on this My errand 4 Of mercy and of love, And win the hearts of thousands 5 To seek a Home above ! Give them the message, for you know it's true, Jesus is yet alive, and lives fou you! s i Gen. xlv. 20. Matt. vi. 19, 20. Heb. x. 34. Col. iii. i-3- ' Rev. vii. 16, 17 ; xxi. 4, 6, 7. 3 Gen. xlv. 24. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. 1 Pet. i. 22 ; iii. S ; iv. 8. Heb. xiii. 1. 4 Gen. xlv. 24-28. 5 Numb. x. 29. Dan. xii. 3. 6 Heb. vii. 16, 23-25. John xiv. 10. THE GUIDING PILLAR. 65 THE GUIDING PILLAR. the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way ; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. — Exodus xiii. zi, 22. The " Exodus " was only the beginning Of countless tender mercies by the way : God went before the people He had chosen, With fire by night, and with a cloud by day. Pie took it not away, that cloudy Pillar, Although they oft provoked Him so to do : Ungrateful though they were for all His kindness, The Pillar led them all their journey through. It must have looked, so cool and so refreshing, That cloudy Pillar, in the heat of day ! And then at night, its shadow no more needed, Became a fire to light them on then* way. Just what they needed ! Wonderfully fitted To meet the varying wants of every hour ! But oh ! how little did they prize the token Of His unerring Wisdom, Love, and Power ! 66 THE GUIDING PILLAR. God's leadings often crossed their inclinations : The Pillar went too fast, or went too slow ; It stayed too long, to suit their restless temper, Or, when they wished to stay, it bade them go ! It kept them so uncertain of the Future ! It wrote " if God pesmit," on every plan ; It seemed to mock the wisdom of the wisest, And made a child of every full-grown man. To bear such discipline aright, they needed Ear more humility than they possessed ; More self-abandonment, and more devotion, A will surrendered, and a heart at rest. And so they murmured ! — murmured very often : Their sullen hearts rebelled against the light : And had not God been strong, and very patient, They never would have found their way aright. Now these things happened to them for ensamples We find them " written for our learning," here : O Israel ! Israel ! How can I condemn thee ? Thy condemnation were my own, I fear ! Yet, God of Israel, do not thou forsake me ! O do not answer any wilful prayer ! But lead me safely to the land of Promise, To Heaven itself, and I will praise Thee there ! BRA W ME:' 67 " D R A W M E ." Song Sol. i. 4. Thou whom my soul loveth With true, though feeble, love, 1 want to commune with Thee ; draw my heart above ! Thou knowest that I cannot So much as wish for Thee, Unless Thy Holy Spirit Work mightily in me. The voice of prayer within me Is paralyzed and dumb, The hand of faith is withered, Until Thy Spirit come. The Story of Redemption Seems like an idle tale ; 1 come not, and I care not To come, within the Yeil. But now, my heart is thirsting And crying out for Thee ! O surely, Thine own Spirit Has wrought this change in me. 63 " DRA IV ME." Thou art the thing I long for ! My heart has fled above ; For Thou Thyself hast drawn me With everlasting Love. Thou whom my soul loveth Because Thou lovest me, Thou drawest me so sweetly, 1 must run after Thee ! THE EVE OF DEPARTURE. G9 THE EVE OF DEPARTURE. WRITTEN FOR A SICK FRIEND, ON THE EYE OF A SOLITARY JOURNEY FROM A LONDON LODG- ING TO A COUNTRY HOME. The time of my departure is at hand. — z Tim. iv. 6. I long to flee away, and be at rest ! This world is but a lodging, at the best : It is not Home, and Home can never be, For it is far — too far, O Lord ! — from Thee ! It seemed but twilight, in the broadest day ; And now — its light is fading quite away. I long to be at home ! — to see Thy Face, In the " eternal leisure " of that place, Where none of these distracting sights and sounds, None of the misery that here abounds, Can ever come : holy, blessed life ! How different from all these scenes of strife ! I long to be at home ! Why need I stay An exile from that Home, another day ? Perhaps — I need not ! But God only knows What the untraversed morrow may disclose. Perhaps I may be safe at home, to-morrow, [row ! With Christ ! — far, far away from earth and sor- 70 THE EVE OF DEPARTURE. The morning dawns : methinks I hear a voice : Ci Rejoice, my child ! again I say, Rejoice ! This very day the order for release Is signed in Heaven ; and everlasting peace And everlasting joy begin for thee, This very clay, in Paradise, with Me !" Can it be true ? Shall I so soon be there ? So very soon ? O Holy One prepare My sinful soul to meet Thee face to face, In Paradise ! O strange, mysterious place ! Where is it ? Near ? Or very far away ? Shall I be there, " with Christ," this very day ? I do not fear the landing on the shore ; Christ will be there, and I shall fear no more. But sometimes — for the flesh is weak — I shrink When of the intervening waves I think. The passage may be rough ; and who can say What perils may await me on the way ? And I must go alone ! Most near and dear, I must not hope to have thee with me here ! I know that thou wilt watch me to the last, Till all sweet ministries of love be past, And we shall not be separated long ; [strong. But " Love is strong as Death !" and Death is THE EVE OF DEPARTURE. 71 Lord Jesus, take away this lingering dread ! For Thou art He that livest and wast dead, And now Thou art alive for evermore, That Death's long Eeign of Terror may be o'er. 1 Increase my faith, that I may learn to cry, Thanks be to God, Who giveth victory ! 1 Rev. i. 1 8 ; Heb. ii. 14, 15 ; Rom. viii. 35-39 ; 1 Cor. xv. 55-57. " LOVE ST TIJO U ME ?" "LOVE ST TLIOU ME?" We love Him, because He first loved us. — I John iv. 19. I saw Him leave His Father's Throne, Forsake that Glory, — all His own ! For love of me. And from the lowly Manger-bed, I heard a gentle Voice that said : " Lovest thou Me ?" I saw Him in Temptation's hour, Weak, but o'ercoming Satan's power, For love of me. And as the Tempter fled away, I heard a Voice that seemed to say : " Lovest thou Me ?" I heard Him once, by Jacob's Well, The message of Salvation tell, For love of me. My heart had been as cold as stone ; But how could I resist that tone : " Lovest thou Me V " LO VEST TITO u me r I saw Him come, by pity led, And stand beside my feverish bed, For love of me. Then heard Him whisper, as disease 'Gave way to health, and pain to ease, " Lovest thou Me V He saw me weeping for my sin, 1 And turned to breathe His peace within, For love of me. never may it lose its power, His Voice in that sweet pardoning hour, " Lovest thou me ?" Once, with His own outstretched Arm, He turned the storm into a calm, 2 For love of me : Then came and took me by the hand, And said, as we approached the land, 3 " Lovest thou me V 1 Luke viii. 37-50. 2 Luke viii. 22-25. 3 Is. xli. 13 ; Ps. cvii. 29, 30. 74 SOLITUDE. SOLITUDE. Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. — Ps. xxsi. 20. I long to be alone — alone with Thee ! Lord Jesus, come ! Reveal Thyself to me ! While I am speaking, O my God, draw near ; For why need human presence interfere ? Art Thou not great enough to fill all space ? Is there a bound, a limit, to Thy Grace ? Can I not be alone with Thee, although A stream of people round about me flow ? And though they all were gone, if Thou wert not Thyself revealed upon the lonely spot, Of what avail were outward solitude ? Come; Lord, come now ! And no one shall in- Upon the secret of our intercourse ! [trad Thyself the Fountain ! Thou, the living Source Of joy, and peace, and life for evermore, Of all worth having, or worth asking for ! As seeing Ilim Who is invisible, I call on Him, with voice inaudible, And even here, with busy life around, A secret tabernacle I have found ! I rest in peace, and Thou the watch shalt keep, For so Thou givcst Thy Beloved sleep ! " COME UNTO ME." 75 " COME UNTO ME." St. Matt. xi. 28. " Come unto Me !" He bids me, it is true : And what an easy thing it seems to do ! But where am I to find the Saviour, now % How can I " come " to Jesus ? Tell me how ! He cannot surely mean to lay a snare For heavy-laden souls, by words so fair ? No ! If He thus invites me, it is plain, He is as near, as if on earth again ! And if He were on earth again, I should — And many other needy sinners would — Look up with confidence at that kind Face, And tell Him everything about my case. Or if I could not speak ? — if deaf and dumb ? Still I could " come " to Jesus, — I could come, And let my very silence seem to speak : " Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak !" And though I could not hear the Lord's reply, Still I could read my welcome in His eye : " Come ! for I will in no wise cast thee out : O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt ?" 76 " COME UXTO ME? Or if I could not see ? — if I were blind ? Still I could picture to myself how kind, How full of tender Love, His Face must be, "Who said those gracious words : " Come unto Me !' Or if I could not come as others came, With firm and eager step ? — if I were lame ? Still I am sure that I should find a way To " come " to Jesus ; yes, this very day ! Jesus Christ ! Can it be possible That Thou shouldst be so inaccessible As some describe ? To favored ones, so kind, And yet, so very difficult to find ? " The heart is so deceitful !" It is true : But God knows that ! He knows it better, too, Than any heart-searcher in this world can : " The Man Chbist Jesus " knows what is in man. Saviour, I come ! Whatever others say, Thou art too near, to let me miss the way ; Thou cullest me ; and Thou art far too kind To put a stumbling-block before the blind. 1 take Thee at Thy word ! I come to Thee ; For though I see Thee not, Thou seest me. Weary and miserable, on Thy breast I cast me down, and find the promised " Rest !" THE PR A YER OF THE DESTITUTE. 77 THE PRAYER OF THE DESTITUTE. e will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. — Ps. cii. 17. Give nie a song, and I will sing it ! Give me an offering ; I will bring it ! Give me Thyself, and I will take Thee : Withdraw Thyself, and I forsake Thee ! My land lies fallow : Master, till me ! My heart lies empty : Master, fill me ! It plays the traitor : Master, win me ! It faints ; it dies ! Put new life in me ! It goes astray : Good Shepherd, lead me ! It sighs for hunger : Come and feed me ! It is so poor ! Give riches to me ! It is coiTupt : O Lord, renew me ! So ignorant ! But Thou canst teach me. Has wandered far ! But Thou canst reach 1 Is sore diseased : Physician, heal me ! Exposed to danger : O conceal me ! It trembles ! In Thine arms enfold me ! Begins to sink ! O Saviour, hold me ! Is sinking fast ! Have mercy on me ! So cold and dark ! O shine upon me ! 7* THE ERA YER OF THE DESTITUTE. A poor lost sinner ! Come and find me ! A rebel ! May Thy love now bind me ! A prodigal ! Wilt Thou receive me ? A beggar ! O wilt Thou relieve me ? A backslider ! Do Thou restore me ! A debtor ! Be Thou Surety for me ! Unfit to die ! O God, prepare me ! So weak ! On eagles' wings, bear me ! So comfortless ! Lord Jesus, cheer me ! So lonely ! God of Love, draw near me ! By sin accused ! Good Lord, acquit me ! Unfit for Heaven's pure service ! Fit me ! Unfit for work on earth ! But use me ! A suppliant ! Do not Thou refuse me ! Jesus ! to Thee I call ! Jesus ! be Thou my all ! come and fill the hungry with good things, For Thou hast all I need, thou King of kings ! A IVA Y TO ESCAPE. 79 A WAY TO ESCAPE. O that I had wings like a dove ! For then would I .. away, and be at rest ! — Ps. Iv. 3. From tlia desolating sadness That is creeping over life, I would flee away, in spirit,' For refreshment in the strife. Like tired dove retreating to her nest, My soul would flee away and be at rest ! Yet I cannot, and I would not, Altogether flee away From the discipline appointed, Until God's appointed day. I would not miss one pang, one trial, here : What God thinks good for me, I do not fear. But I need the grapes of Eshcol, To refresh me on the road, Or the cross would seem too heavy, And unbearable the load. I will not ponder o'er its weight and length, But See away, to gain the needed strength. 80 A WA Y TO ESCAPE. First of all. I go to Jesus, And I lean upon His breast, And I say, Lord, I am weary, Very weary ! Give me rest ! The mid-day sun is hot ! O tell me, soon, Where makest Thou Thy flock to rest at noon ? Then His Spirit comes to show me O such wondrous, blessed things, That my sadness is forgotten, In the comforting He brings. He shows me Jesus ! — leads from place to place, To give fresh glimpses of His blessed Face. From the resting-place provided, Where a Manger was His bed, To the resting-place provided For the thorn-crowned dying Head ! Lord Jesus, in Thy Heart is room for me ! Shall I seek rest, where was no rest for Thee ? Onward still the Spirit leads me, To the place where Jesus lay, Where they laid His Sacred Body, On the evening of that day. See ! He hath suffered in the flesh ! — but now, No pain can reach, no thorn can pierce His brow ! A WA Y TO ESCAPE. 81 Then the Holy Spirit whispers, " And canst thou not suffer, too ? Vv^ill thy sufferings last for ever ? Nay, they are but faint and few. Hast thou a load to bear % Thy Lord had more Yet even His afflictions now are o'er/' Onward still ! The risen Saviour Stands with healing in His wings ! " This same Jesus ! " O the comfort That the sight of Jesus brings ! Alive for evermore ! Amen ! Amen ! A living Saviour lives for living men ! But I must not tarry longer ; For He leads me onward yet, To behold the Lord ascendino- o From the mount of Olivet. I see Him rising to the world of light, [sight. Till that white cloud has borne Him from my Then the world again looks dreary ; But I hear a Voice of Love, Saying, " Yonder is thy treasure ! Seek those things that are above ! This lower world was never meant to be Thy Home ; look, yonder is the Home for Thee ! " 82 A WA Y TO ESCAPE. And although the blessed J;:r;s Is no. longer to be found Here on earth, His holy footsteps Seem to make it holy ground. I see Him, hear Him, trace Him everywhere : Look where I will, my Saviour has been there. And sometimes the Spirit leads me, When I stand in need of rest, To behold the Saviour's image, On His followers impressed. I see the Saviour still, in every place "Where live the witnesses of His dear grace. To the silent darkened chamber, Where life's pulse is ebbing low, "With the Comforter beside me, J low my spirit loves to go ! Jesus Himself ! How clearly I can trace His living likeness, on that dying face ! the noble band of sufferers ! Very little do they know Of the life-long work for Jesus, They are doing here below ! How many do they teach, and guide, and cheer, Unknown to them, amidst the battle here ! A WAY TO ESCAPE, 83 And when they are summoned higher, What a track of light I find To the golden gates of glory, By their spirits left behind ! ' Tis easier now, in heart and life to soar, And follow on, where they have gone before. When the world around is dreary, What a blessing beyond price Is the thought, that they are dwelling In the "Rest of Paradise ! " With Christ ! "—Far better," let it be confessed, Than anything on earth that we call " Rest." Thus in spirit oft escaping, When by weariness oppressed, Let me labor on and suffer, Till I enter into Rest : That blessed Rest ! — from sin, and toil, and pain ! To me, to live is Christ ; to die is gain ! " 84 THE MAN OF MACEDONIA. THE MAN OF MACEDONIA. Acts xvi. 6-1 o. O foe a vision and a voice to lead me, To show me plainly where my work should lie ! Look where I may, fresh hindrances impede me ; Vain and unanswered seems my earnest cry. Hush, unbelieving one ! ■ But for thy blindness, But for thine own impatience and self-will, Thou wonkiest see thy Master's loving-kindness, Who by those u hindrances '*' is leading still. He Who of old through Phrygia and Galatia Led the Apostle Paul, and blessed him there, If He forbid to " preach the Word in Asia," Must have prepared for thee a work elsewhere. Courage and patience ! Is the Master sleeping ? Has He no plan, no purposes, of Love ? What though awhile His counsel He is keeping ? It is maturing in the world above. Wait on the Lord ! In His Right Hand be hidden, And go not forth in haste to strive alone : [den :" Shun — like a sin! — the tempting work "forbid- God's love for souls be sure, exceeds thine own. THE MAX OF MACEDONIA. 80 Master cares ! Why feel, or seem, so lonely? Nothing can interrupt real work for God : Work may be changed ; it cannot cease, if only We are resolved to cleave unto the Loed. None are good works, for thee, but works appoint- Ask to be filled with knowledge of His Will, [ed : Cost what it may ! Why live a life disjointed ? One work throughout ! God's pleasure to fulfill ! But if indeed some special work awaits thee, Canst thou afford this waiting-time to lose ? By each successive task, God educates thee ; What if the iron be too blunt to use ? Can walls be builded with untempered mortar ? Or fish be caught in the mrmended snare ? Must not the metal pass through fire and water, If for the battle-field it would prepare ? thou unpolished shaft ! Why leave the quiver ? O thou blunt axe !. What forest canst thou hew ? Unsharpened sword ! Canst thou the oppressed deliver ? Go back to thine own Maker's forge anew ! Submit thyself to God for preparation : Seek not to teach thy Master and thy Lord ! 80 THE MAN OF MACEDONIA. Oall it not "zeal !" It is a base temptation : Satan is pleased, when man dictates to God. Dowd with thy pride ! With holy vengeance I On each self-flattering fancy that appears ! [pie Did not the Lord Himself, for our example, Lie hid in Nazareth for thirty years ? Wait the appointed time for work appointed, Lest by the Tempter's wiles thou be ensnared ! Fresh be the oil wherewith thou art anointed ! Let God prepare thee for the work prepared ! vmm