.«■'■♦ 'O ,■4.* .'J^t' ^'f fP yjJr^^ °<. \ -'U-o^ •^01 > V ^^^^. O "^o V* .° .•I °,*. •. ^°'n*.. V A r\. KM tme: tkmpue: HARP % BY REV. THOMAS NIELD. AUTHOR OF "Baptism in Stioi-t Jvletet-," ETC., ETC. For Sale by the Author, Elmira, Otsego County, Michiq/ Price 60 Cents. T ^J.V'"^ \\- ,t^ MONFORT & CO PUBLISHERS 422 AND 424 Elm Street, CINCINNATI, 0. IN EXCHANGE ; Drew Tli»olr*9J,, SeTTi. ocTi 9 1915 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 01d-,T.estament,, and so.rnake Christ no longer "The Lamb of God Avbich 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 ofif. But 4 THE TEMPLE 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 V'oice 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 cm 26 Psalm CXXX 27 Psalm CXXXIII 28 Psalm CXLVI 29 Psalm CL 30 Great Tidings of Great Joy 31 The Wondrous Birth 32 6 TABLi: OF CONTI^NTS. PAGE. The Word was God 33 The Lamb of God 34 He is Risen 35 Shall Man 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 A^Iiracles 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 . 51 The Lord's Memorial Day 52 The Holy Day 53 Joy in Worship 54 In the Sanctuary 55 table; of contents. 7 PACK. Oethsemane 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 ^2. Buried with Christ 73 Bearing the Cross 74 Help Received 75 Pleasant Ways "^6 Self Lost in God yj God My Strength 78 8 TABI^e: 01^ CONTENTS. PACK. 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 loi Table o:^ contknts. 9 PACK. Forgive as We Forgive 102 By the Rivers of Babylon 104 The Ways of Providence 105 Murmuring 106 We Kiiow in Part 107 The New Jerusalem 108 Saved 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 125 lo table: of conte:nts. PAG^. God Will Provide 126 Be Not Fearful 127 Dismissing Care 128 Daily Victory 129 To-Morrow 130 Our 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 vSeat 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 TABI^e: of COxNTKNTS. II page:. Divine Long-Suffering 14^ Warning i^o The Passover i^i Losing the Soul 1^2 Delaying 1^3 No Peace in Sin 1^4 Choose icc In the Storm 1^6 Repenting 157 Make a Stand for Jesus 158 The Reward of Sin is Sure 159 The Judgment Day 160 ERRATA. Page 43, line 6 — for "bend" read "tend." Page 47, line 10 — read "unsealed." Page 62, line 5 — for "brace" read "trace." Page 66, line 11 — after "goodness" read "doth." Page 76, line 9 — for "much" read "such." Page 104, line i — for "Babylon's" read "Babylonia's." Page 166, line i — for "Lost" read "Tost." the: tempi^E 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 wliere on myriad worlds we gaze. Whate'er exists thy hands have made; Its tiestiny thine eye hath scanned. The future, to thy m.ind 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 THE TEMPI,!: 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. THD T^MPI.1: 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^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 wx smile to look above. Knowing well that thou art Love. i6 the: tempIvE 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 i^rmament, 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: *Xo, God is here, let man rejoice." Tilt: te:mpi,i: harp. 17 PSALM I. Blest is tlie mnu that heedeth not The coi'iisel the ungodly give, Nor with the sinner casts his lot, ^ Nor 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 be 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. Not 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. 1 8 the: TI;MPI.E: harp. PSALM II. Why do the powers of earth coml)ine To thwart the purposes of God? In vain they brave the power divine, Wliich 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 vSon 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. the; te:mpi,i: harp. 19 PSALM III. Many, Lord, against me rise, To assail me with their Hes, Help, they say, is not for me, Since I have no help in thee._ Bnt thou art a shield of power, Guarding me in danger's hour; Source of joy when joy is fled. Lifting up my drooping head. Tliou 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. Graciously let it be shown. 20 the: 'rr:MPi,K 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.. Wl'icnce, from a throne of grace. To thee I look. When snares the wicked lay, Be with me in the way, I.est I should yield. Th.en shall my glad heart be A harp of praise to thee. While thou dost compass me As with a shield. the: te:mpi.:^ harp. 21 PSALM LXXV. To thee, O God, our thanks we pay, Whose presence all thy works declare; For tliongh the earth should pass away, Then still unmoved art reigning there. Thy power can lay the people low; Th?A power the soHd 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 v/ould 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 \Anien they across thy purpose stand. And think to thwart thy righteous power. But we thy righteousness declare. And sing thy praises day by day, Assured we shall thy tavor share Wl'ien \\icked men are cast away. 22 THE TEMPLE HARP. PSALM XC. Thou, Lord, hast 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 fiy. As on a flood, earth's nu'llions pass To an eternal sea; Or as a sleep, or as the grass, They all appear to thee. Orir secret sins, as in thy light, Have darkened all our days; And we have felt thine anger smite Until we mourned our ways. Oh, teach us so our days to count That we may w^iser be, And dedicate the whole amount In service unto thee. THE Te:mPI,E harp. 23 Return, O Lord, in pitying love, A\'ith thy refreshing grace; .Vnd while we turn our eyes above, Oh, let us see thv face. CHRIST THE FIRwST FRUITS. Christ is risen from the dead, Therefore shall his people rise; Rise to share with him, their Head, Endless glory in the skies. \'ain the powers of earth oppose; Vain the hosts of death and hell; Tliey shall rise as Jesus rose. In liis might invincible. Let us then exultant sing Of our Leader's power to save. Death in him has lost its sting; Glory glean_is beyond the grave. 24 the: te:mpi.iv harp. PSALM XCIII. The Lord is throned above the spheres, In majesty arrayed, And there, through his eternal years, His might sliall l)e displayed. The everlasting God, he reigns, And shall forever reign; The world's foundations he sustains, Who only can sustain. The doods, which lift their awfid 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 are divine. the: ti^mple: harp. 25 PSALM C. Let every land extol the Lord And worship him alone, The story of his love record In songs before his throne. Onr 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 he 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 ' THD TKMPLK HARP. PSALM cm. Bless thou the Lord, my soul, aud 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 wdll, 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 rhows; For he his children's weakness knows. We are luit 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. nut TUMPLK HARP. 27 PSALM CXXX. Out of the depths to tliee 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. Oh, 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. Hence 'tis on thee my soul would wait, AVhile weary, weak and worn. As those who watch, with heart elate. To greet the blush of morn. May all thy people join wath me To fix their hopes above, Tliat all may thy salvation see. And prove thy gracious love. 28 THE TE:MPI,t: HARP. PSALM CXXXIIl. 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. T3y 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 forevermore. THD te:mple: 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 iDOunty 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, \Mien the wicked are o'erthrown; Lor the Lord forever reigns. Praise him then in joyful strains. 30 THC: TlvMPI,K ITARP. PSALM CL. » Here in liis courts let saints rejoice, And praise the Lord with cheerful voice; While all the heavenly orhs declare His 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 breathes unite to raise A grateful anthem in his praise; Sea, earth and heaven, with one accord, Sing halleluiah to the Lord. THE TKMPLK HARP. GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY. Tell the tidings through the earth Of the great Messiah's birth. La3'ing 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 the: tkmpt.e: harp. THE WONDROUS BIRTH. Oh, sing- to-day, ye sons of earth, As unto you we l:>ring- 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 In 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. Tiiic tkmple: harp. 33 THE ^VORD WAS GOD. In thee alone, incarnate Word, The mind of God has been exprest; Yet not in speecli that ears have heard Through thee our spirits are addrest. The hidden truths that none could hnd Shone clearly in thy life below, Ilknnin.ating" e\'ery mind That would the mind eternal know. The Infinite and fin.ite thus Hcive an interpreter in thee. Through \\ hom the Godhead speaks to us. In whom his cliaracter we see. Oh, give us ears that will to hear Thy message of eternal love, And hearts that always feel thee near, 13irecting them to things above. 34 'J'H^ TKMPLt: HARP. THE LAMB OF GOD. O Lamb, by God provided The world's great sin to bear, To thee has 1)een confided A task that none may share. All other sacrifices But pointed on to thine, Which in itself comprises All blessing, since divine. A laml) — 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 Laml) is offered, Who only can atone; And life to us is proffered Through him who gave his own O Christ! our sins confessing. We trust thy dying love. Now speak in us the blessing Of pardon from above. THE TEMPLE HARP. 35 HE IS RISEN. All hail the morn when Jesus 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 A\'ho bore on earth our shame; With fadeless honors deck his brow, And giorif}^ his name. Sweep all your golden harps above, Tune all your tongues below. To magnify the matchless love That none can fullv know. 36 THE TEMPLE HARP. vSHALL MAN BE JUST WITH GOD? Job ix. 2. Lord, how shall man l^e just with thee, Whose eye his inmost tlioughts can see, And mark the motions of his will. So prone to play the part of ill? Those tlioug^hts have oft had taint of sin; That will has oft rebellious been; Thy gracious gifts have been al3used; 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 him eternal life we gain — The sinless One for sinners slain. THE TE:MPLr: HARP. 37 THK RICH BECAME POOR. IT. 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 tlien, 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, V\'e might ^vith him partake The glory of the great reward, As heirs together with our Lord. 38 THK TKMPLIv ITARP. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE IJEE. John xiv. 6. Thon art the Way, through whom alone A sinner may salvation find. In vain they would approach the throne Who leaAe thy cleansing blood behind; But all who to the Eather 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 Eather and ourselves in thee. Thou art the Life, wdiose 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. THI; TKMPI^E HARP. 39 THE TRUE ROCK. Matthew xvi. i6. Oh, rock of truth, by man cuniest; "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 Ufe 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, x\nd guardians of the glory-gate. They use tlie senses as a lure. And make the spirit's bondage sure. Our hope of heaven must be from hea\en; For only God to <^jod 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 the: TlvMPLF, HARP. CHRIST WITH US. Matt, xxviii. 20. Ascended Lorrl, we joy to know That, as the ag-es come and go, Thou still art with thine owni. 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 reig'ned. 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 won.drously thy presence see. More gloriously prevail. THi: TEMPLK HARP. 4 1 THE ALTOGETHER LOVELY. Cant. ii. i. How lovely the Savior appears, How fragrant the sense of his love, When, looking to him throngh our tears, His presence and favor we prove. Where he 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. How humble the scene of his birth. And lowly his earthly career! And purity more than of earth Was seen in his character here. His favor is fair as a rose, A solace and comfort to saints; It l)reathes a perfume on their woes. Composing their saddest complaints. A lily that knoweth no stain, A pattern he is for the pure, And all who his graces attain A share in his glory secure. 42 THE TTvMPLE HARP. TPIK CONOUE:RINrx 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, A^nd 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. the: templk itarp. 43 THY KINGDOM COME. Matt. vi. lo. Lord, let thy kingdom come, as thon Hast taught our Hps to pray. Till at thy feet the nations bow And own tln^ sovereign sway. Thus far the footsteps of thy power Toward such a trivmiph 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 "THiv temple: 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 n earing 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, Man 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. the: te:mpi,k harp. 45 THE GREATER MIRACLES. O Son of God, yet man with men ! Nature obeyed thy mighty nod, And owned thee God of nature when Thou didst the deeds of nature's God. ^Mankind beheld those wondrous deeds Forthspringing from a fount of love; For thou didst bring to human needs A Feather's blessing from above. And now, thougli 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. Yet n.ot the outward deed is thine. To bless men in a sensuous way, P)Ut 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: ti^mpi^e: iiap.p. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK. Zech. iv. 6. Alan can not cleanse tlie sinful soul, Nor l)end 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. No, not by might of human hosts. Nor by the ])Ower 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. •fc> Then come, O Spirit, and impart The saving- power to every heart, And sanctify the will; That C1;rist within our hearts may reign, As Monarch o'er his own domain, His purpose to fulfill. thh: temple harp. 47 GOD FOUND IN HIS WORD. Lord, when thy vastest works we view. Then turn the least to note — Whether aljove us in the bhie Or in a Hving mote — We can not tell which most displays Th.e greatness of thy mind; Vet in thy works, where'er we g'aze, Thvself we can not find. 'Tis in thy written ^^'or(l alone Thy secrets are revealed; There ail th\ character is shown, Through holy men revealed. That Word we gladly make our choice. Consulting it with care; \\'e hear its precepts as thy voice. For thou, O God, art there. 48 the: tivmplk harp. THE HOLY BOOK. Book of books, whose blessed pages IVlirror forth the mind of God! In thy light 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 thirsty 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 Tells of peace, good will to men. THE tkmple: 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. Eut 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. so THE TEMPLE HARP. GOD'S WORD UNCHANGEABLE. The works, anrl ways, anci thoughts of man Are changeful as the billowy sea; But Truth has never changed, nor can, But has eternal fixity. lyike God, the Truth Avas 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 AA^ord l)y 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 harl^or ride at ease. THE TEMPLE HARP. 5 1 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 splenut as a crown became. T felt my strength was now divine; My Lord and 1 were one: The blessings of the cross were mine; The burden — it was ijone. TfllC TKMPI,]' HARP. 8l l.OVJXC; TlliC SAVIOR. My Sa\ior, thou art dear to nie. The fairest of the fair; Xot lica\'en itself a hea^•en would be, If thoii sliouldst not ])e there. In wain the thin^-s of time and sense Would try to rival thee; Thy ]o\e, in its onmipotenee, l^^orever keepeth me. Though flesh is weak and prone to err Tn tiiee is streng'th indeed; And thou art such a comforter, No l^etter do T need. Then I will love and serve thee still; And if T augdit deplore, 'Twill be that J have served so ill And have not loved thee more. 82 tttk tivmpj.k harp. TRUST IN CHRIST. In faith f now can take my stand lJ])on tlie precious promises. And smile when woes on every liand Jn tln-eatening thnn.derclouds arise. \\ hat matter though my foes are strong. Since Christ is stronger than them all: Should multitudes around me throng. At his rebuke the last nuist fall. Let hand in hand for ill combine. This I would know, and this alone: That I am Christ's and Christ is mine; For he is sure to keep his own. l\Iy soul would thus serenely rest — Without a moment's anxious care — I'pon my dear Redeemer's l)reast, ,\nd hud its sweetest moments there. TTTt: TKMPIJ-: HARP. 83 .MY TREASURE. TvCl others 1ie eager for gold, Willi all it is able to give, but I have a treasure untold. For which it is nol)le to live. A treasure eternal is mine; A treasure that is not of earth. Its (liver and Ouardian 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! \[y treasure will never grow old. Nor suffer corrosion or rust. 84 THE Tr,Mri,Tv iiARr. diyinp: goodneSvS. [lad I a thousand hearts to feel The goodness of my God; Had I a thousand tongues to tell OMiat 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. Unnuml)ered benefits bestowed Unbounded praise demand; To give a tithe of what is owed AA^ould all ni}' life command. Then how shall I attempt to sing. Or how approach his throne? .M> heart, my life, my all I bring: Lord, take them for thine own. the: te:mpi,e: harp. 85 PRAYER FOR CHRISTIJKENESS. Lord, teach me how to Hve for thee And lose my hfe in thine, That all may see thyself in me, .\nd 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. .\nd let my heart be full of thee, As thou art full of love, That so my one desire may be Eor things that are above. 'I'ake me at last to dwell w illi thee. To .gaze upon thy face, And tell, throughout eternit}'. The glories of thy grace. 86 the: temple harp. PRAYER FOR PURITY. Most liol}^ God! thy ^cjace impart, To purge and pnrif\' my heart; And let it ])e so well retined That not a sin shall stav behind. And, oh! may I not only leave The sins that would the Spirit grieve, Put have thy love so fixed within That I shall hate the thought of sin. Help me its hatefulness to sec As it is looked upon by thee; To hate that hatefulness, and shrink Krcriu it as from destruction's brink. the: 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 \o\q. But when I jjehold The labors untold That hll all his followers' hands. I can not l)ut feel Rekindlings of zeal. To do w hat his service demands. Then still I would share The toil and the care To ])uil(l u]) his kingdom 1)elow. 1 bow to liis will To labor until iM'om earth he shall tell me to 120. fc) ( )h, help me, dear Lord, To wait the reward Laid up for thy servant above. A^et, when I would pine. Thou knowest that mine Is but the impatience of love. 88 the: tkmple harp. HSUS PRECIOUvS IN DEATH. When life's fast-failing pulse is low And death is in mine eye, AV'ith Jesus by my side I know It nnist 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. He knows the path that lies before, Though all unknown to me. And \\hen I reach the farther shore 1 lis hand in n.iine will be. 'bhen let tlie gathering shadows gloon Wdu'le Jesus still is nigh, ^Tn' faith shall look beyond the lomb And hnd it sweet to die. THE TEMPLE HARP. 89 SEEKING THE SPIRIT'S AID. Spirit, source of heavenly light, Dawn npon my inner sight ; Show the deeper truths to nie That alone I 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, Dut the things eternal l)e Life's ureat treasure unto me. 90 THE TEMPLE HARP. BE THANKFUL. Look not at the rich and gTeat, To compare thy low estate. Lest thy sou] should thankless l)e For the lowlier gifts to thee. Rather think of their affairs As a source of nameless cares; Cares from which thou art exempt, \Y\{h their mighty i)ower to tempt. Look thou at their poorer fare A\^ho thy blessings do not share; That thou mayest not repine Wdiile so nnich of good is thine. Think thou of their harder lot, AMu'it thou hast that they have not; 'J'hen thv soul ma\' thankful l)e For the eood bestowed on thee. the: tkmple harp. 91 BE NOT ANXIOUS. Cease, anxious spirit, cease to pine, .\s though thou wert of God forgot: Think of the l^lessings that are thine, Instead of things that thou hast not. Though undeserving aught, how much. Has he apportioned to thy share! Sure he whose bounty has been such \\'in give thee stih a Father's care. His daily 1)lessings are in store For tliose who daily seek supplies, And he will give them more and more As more are needful in his eyes. Th.cn count the blessings of the past. And here thine el)enezer raise, Ivesoh ed to trust him to the last. And he will fill thy heart with praise. 92 THE TEMPLE HARP. HAVE COURAGE. Phil. ii. 12, 13. Courage, Christian, 'mid thy trials! Nothing' hast thou need to dread, IMiough the world may pour the via is Of its wrath upon thy head. Xay, though earth and hell oppose thee, Think not thou art left alone. He who for his service chose thee Does not now desert his own. Think how first the vSpirit won thee, Working out the Father's will ; Think of daily favors done thee, Through the self-same Spirit still. Onward, then, through trihulation. Till his perfect will he done. Till thou gain the full sahation. Till the fadeless crown he won. TIIIJ TKMPLr: HARP. 93 WATCH AND PRAY. () Cliristian pilgrim! watch and pray Against the powers of sin; A liost of ioes 1)esets thy way; A host assails within. W^atch when the powers of hell are nigh, To prey upon thy soul; Watch v. hen the world would please thine eye, To lure thee from thy goal. Watch when thy heart would lust for sin Or welcome whispering, douht. 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; His hand alone can keep. 94 '^'^V TJvMPT.K ITARP. JIOIJ) ON. () child of (jod! amid the storm 'i'hat roars aroniK] iis liere. Be Jirm and true the dark night through Until the day appear. The clouds of life will yet be past, The dawn Ije bright and clear; Then raise thine eyes to greet the skies Whose dawning must 1)e near. Hold l)ravely on; the fiercest gale But bears thee o'er the sea; And though the waves may seem like graves Al30ut to bury thee. Have faith in God, who holds the helm. And tliou shalt guided be. And anchor cast in port at last, From storm and tempest free. Tlir: TKMPI.K HARP. 95 TITK CHRIvSTTAN RACK. 11 c1). xii. 7. () Christian! run the heaxenly race That God hath set l)efore thee; A cloud of those who ran before To-day is watcliing o'er thee. Have patience; they have won the prize, In spite of g-reater trial; Le' them liehold thy equal faith And dauntless self-denial. Lay off the weights of worldliness, And what would most impede thee; Then keep thine eye on Jesus fixed. And he will surely lead thee. Behold, he sits enthroned above. With eye upon thee ever, A croAvn of glory in his hand That never fadeth — never. 96 Tlli: TEMPLi; HARP. A lARIJuND IN NEED. Trouljled soul, no longer nionrn; On the cross thy sins were l3orne. There for thee the ])loocl was spiU That atones for human guilt. Now before the Father's throne Jesus makes thy cause his own; Watches all the tempter's snares; Feels the l)urden of thy cares. Feeble are thou? Never fear; Christ thy vShepherd 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. THIv TKMPI^K HARP. 97 LOSS IS GAIN. Quiet 1)e thy soul to-day. Though a loved one doth depart He who gave tliee takes away, To his home and to his heart. Mourn not o'er the outer void. As the grave of what has l^een; Rather count the hours enjoyech Leaving thee so rich \vithin. Through the evening of Hfe's day Look with tliankful heart al)ove. He who gave and takes away. So has tauoht thee how to love. 9^ THi: TKAIPI.K HARP. GONE HOME. Gone home, to rest where Jesus reigns. No more to suffer aches and pains. How sweet at length that rest to find, .Vnd leave the weary Mesh behind. Gone home to that fair world of bliss. To bear no more the cares of this, ]jnt in reposeful pleasure fmd All irksome thoughts left far behind. Gone home, forevermore to be In spirit from temptation free, Arid in thy Savior's presence find All earthly conflicts left behind. i Gone home! How glorious is thy state! W'hilc we in turn our sununons wait. ( )h, may we all that glory lind Who here to-dav aredeft behind! THI^ TKMPLE HARP. 99 REJOICE. rhii. iv. 4. Let lis rejoice in the God of salvation, Wliile we press on to the kingxlom above. Wq are his cliildren by act of creation; A\"e are his children by pnrchase 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. \Vhat if the shadows of earth become deeper? Brighter keeps beaming the sunshine of God. Dry, then, thy tears, thou disconsolate weeper, Treachng the path that the ]\Iaster has trod. What, if the ])ath l)ecomes rougher and steeper? He will ])roportionate succor afford. Xever lose lieart 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 \'iewed l)y thee, \Ve Idnsli to look upon the sight. So much of self we see. Thy Spirit strij^s our motives bare. To show what lurks within; W'lien, lo! beneath what seemed so fair Are subtle forms of sin. Oh, visit us in gracious might! Make this a searching hour; h'irst grant the gift of clearer sight. And then of clecUising power. Let ever\- screen be torn away. Where foes infest the heart; \nd let our strength l)e as our day. To make those foes depart. THIv TJ^MPLT^ HARP. lOI REVIVE US AGAIN. I\sa. Ixxxv. 6. Oh, wilt thou not revive us, Lord, .\nd let us thy salvation see; Some token of thy love atYord, That so we niay rejoice in thee? Xow 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, Adiate'er the secret hindrance l)e. To give it up this very hour And consecrate it all to thee. Let morning take the place of nig'ht ; Let power instead of weakness be ; Give Zion bloom instead of blight: So shall we all rejoice in thee. I02 TIIK TKMPI.E HARP. FORGIVE AS WJi FORGIVE. Matt. vi. 12. Lord, our debts to thee are many As the sands beside the sea; And should'st thou forgive not any Wq 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, AA'e 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, AVe but pray to be forgiven As our fellows we forgive. THE TKMPLK HARP. IO3 But SO great our nature's weakness, From our lirst forefather's curse, We to mercy, love and meekness Are inherently averse. Then, O gracious Lord, endue us AA'ith a spirit so divine That, whatever men do to us, We mav show a love Hke thine. I04 THE TKMPTJ^: ITARP. ^y TilK KI\n^RS OF BABYLON J>y Babylon's streams of yore Her harps upon the willows luino-; h'or Jndah's heart was bleedini^- sore /\n(l Zion's son^-s were left nnsuni;-. But Judah soui^ht Jehovah's face. And then no more her heart was wrnno She pro\'e(l the riches of his grace, Wdien Zion's songs again were sung. So, \\ hen we sit in silent grief. Our liarps of happiness unstrung. In Jesus we may find relief. Till songs of joy again are sung. THK TKMPLK HARP. I05 THK WAYS OF PRCAMDKXCE. Dent, xxxii. 11, 12. As when an eagle stirs lier nest To make the thorns her eaglets tease. So often God (hstnr1)s onr rest When we would sit in worldl\' ease. She l)ears them upward (mi her wings To give them lieart to \'enture 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 abo\'e, Wdiere we the wings of faith may spread In heaven's higii atmosphere of love. io6 THi^ te:mpi.i5 harp. MURMURINCx. How oft our thoughts have turned to heaven, To lay our secret murmurs there; Because our Father has not given What ^^e have failed to seek in prayer. Perhaps ve looked upon some good, Yet saw his hand that good deny; At which complainingly we stood And dared to ask the reason why. Thus, by our murmuring unbelief, Have we so oft insulted God, And broueht, instead of sweet relief. The strokes of his correcting rod. Oh, let us cease our siniul cry. And lay our war.ts before his feet ; He will not turn away his eye, Nor fail to o-rant us what is meet. Till?: te:mpi.e: harp. 107 WE KNOW TN PART. I. Cor. xiii. 9. The morning star of better things Is in our earthly sky, .Vnd 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 comes the day, \\diich drives away the night; Earth's morning star will melt away In heaven's etfulgent light. I08 TlIIv TlvMPT^Tv HARP. TIIK XKW JERUSATvKAr. The New Jernsalein 1)ehol(l, Descended from the skies, But not in masonry and gold, To dazzle hnman eyes. Alonnt Zion in the Gospel stands More gdorions than before; Tier temple not by human hands. Like that which was of yore. Her walls are now the hearts of men, Bnilt by the Spirit, where The bright shekinah shines again. And shows tliat Ood is there. There dwell, O Christ of God, until Thy glory fills the place; Make all her stones more hallowed stil AX'^ith sanctifying grace. lUtild up Jerusalem, thy church. Until the nations see Her glory from afar, and search Within her walls for thee. TH^ T^MPI.E: harp. 109 SAVED BY HOPE. Rom. viii. 24. By faith at Jirst we fuul the grace 'J'hat makes our guilt remo\'e. In Christ l^ehold the Father's face. His pardoning mere}' prove. There is the ground of all our hope, On which we stand secure. Nor fear with earth and hell to cope, Ivnabled to endure. Thence, from our faith's dixinest heip"ht, Our future home we view. And, thrilled with rapture at the sight. Our onward \va}' ])iu*sue. 'Tis thus the hn\)Q of joys to come Doth sa\e us, day by day; It speeds our steps to reach that home. And cheers us by the way. Oh, ma\ our faith grow stronger still. And make our hope more bright, Tntil we stan.d on Zion's hill In everlastino- liHit. no THE TEMPI^E: harp. IN THE WILDERNESS. From sin's Egyptian bondage tree, In journeying- a season, we Have Canaan in our yiqw. A tedious wilderness we tread, Yet, 1)y our trusty Captain led. Our joiu-ney 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 11ie plenty of that land to taste, A\diere we no more shall roam. Our heavenly Joshua leads the way, And ^\ e are nearer every day To our eternal home. the; tkmpi^e: harp. hi THE CxLORIOUS HOPE. How blest are they whose toils are o'er, Who rest with Jesus evermore! Forgot is every earthly sigh, And not a tear bedews their eye. No thought of things behind molests; Nor aught Ijefore perturbs their breasts. Eaith lends no more her glimmering- light, iUit ends in everlasting sight. There in the glory-light they shine, Where sin mars not the life divine: -Vnd there l)efore the throne adore, To share that glory evermore. 'Then, while with troubles here }'e cope, ( )h, smile, ye saints, in glorious hoi)e! And take this as your Father's way 'J\) make vou fit for endless dav. 112 THE TKM1%K HARP. THE almt(;hty shepherd. ( Treat vShe|)lierd of the sheep, 'l\) thee thy flock is known, And thou liast will and power to keep Whom tliou hast made thine o\\ n. Their nature is sub(hied; Tin- nature has Ijeen i^ixen; AikK w'itli th\' sa\ing' grace en(hie(h They now are heirs of heaven. Their names are in th)' Ixjok; Their souls are in th}' care; Their i)athway thou dost overlook, And all that patli i)re])are. Lf thoughtlessly they straw if here or there they fall. Tin- ])r()vidence ])(^ints out the w a\- ; Thev hear th\- S])irit call. j')\ erring made more wise, \]\ falling taught to stand. Strong in thv strength again they rise, (irasped l)y thy guiding hand. TH^ Ti:MPI.^ harp. 113 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 whate'er 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 ^^^ TEMPI^E 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 TEMPIvE HARP. 115 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 blood 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. ii6 TH^ temple: harp. BEARING CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS. Col. i. 24. IvOrd 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 sufifer all for thee; And they by whom they are endured Are by thy w^ord, thy love, assured They shall thy glory see. Then give us patience now to bear. That thy af^ictions 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 TEMPIvi: 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. Il8 THJS Tf>MPI.K 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 TEMPI^i: HARP. II^- 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. I20 THE T^MPIvK 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 TKMPIvK 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) T^MPI^E HARP. STEWARDSHIP. Luke xvi. 9. Awhile on earth we need The Httle earth can g^ive; 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 Tp:mPI,E harp. 123 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 '^he: te:mpive: 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. TH^ 'ri:MPi.E: harp. 125 CHILDREN OF 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 THE TEMPIvE HARP. GOD WILL PROVIDE. Pilgrims bound heavenward, Tempted and tried, Lean on the mighty Lord Whate'er betide. Long as your faith reUes 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. THK TEMPI.E HARP. 12^ 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 Eord; To him be every want exprest, And he will help afford. 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 TUB t:e:mpi,e 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 wall every help afford. When no other help is found In the whole wide w^orld around. Cast it nozv upon the Lord; Be with him in sweet accord; Then you soon shall prove it true That he careth much for you. THij tkmpIve; harp. 129 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 every day some triumph knows. And every twilight brings repose. And lays some burden down. O fellow soldier! let thine eye Behold thy 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.I: HARP. TO-MORROW. Lodged, LyOrd, 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 lakes, 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. THi: te:mple harp. 131 OUR OPPORTUNITY. One life a mortal lives, Then doomed he 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 th.e deed 1)e 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 Ti:mPI.e: harp. MY MISSION. Lord of my life, to thee I owe Whatever gives that hfe its worth. Nought good I am, or have, or know, Except as thou hast given it birth. Sure not for nought that Hfe 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 ready will, My proper mission to pursue. Give me my vSavior's eyes to see; His 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; Hfe is flitting; Spend no time in murdering time; Deem no la1)or unbefitting; Aught for Jesus is subHme. While a world of sinners dying Daily stands before thy view, Sit not thou, supinely sighing Some stupendous work to do. Face thy Avork 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 "^^^^ T^MPIv^ HARP. WHY STAND YE IDLE? Matt. XX. 6. Why stand ye idle all the day When God has given yon noble powers? Why let the moments flit 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 yonr Master's work undone? Your life is w^earing 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 day, Encumbered with a thousand cares? From God you turn your heart away. Despising him and his affairs. On trifling things ye waste yoar time Who might 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, I^ord, 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 Jesus' sake. 136 THE TKMPLE 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 TEMPI.E 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 w^ould. 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 we feel our hearts on fire, Burning with divine desire, Glad that Christ invites us there. What a privilege is prayer ! When o'erwhelmed with awe we kneel. And his real presence feel, — Wliile communing with him there. What a luxury is prayer! Fan, O Lord, the smouldering fire; Stimulate the dull desire; Let us feel that thou art there, When we bend the knee in prayer. THK TEMPIvE HARP. 139 PRAY ON. Pray on; for God, thy Father, knows Thy needs before they are exprest. Through pra3^er 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 thy^heart and nerve thy hands. 140 THE TKMPT^E 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. TH^ TI:mPLE harp. 141 ASKING AMISS. Alas, O Lord! in ignorance To thee we often cry, When, in thy gracious providence, Thou must our prayer deny; For l^etter to deny thine own, However much we sigh, And give us Inxad 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 In meek su.bmission rest. Assured thou answerest as is meet. In giving what is l)est. 142 the: temple harp. THE FAITHFUL ONE. O Thou, whose eye can see Whate'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 wih provide. THK temple: harp. 143 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 shoukl 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 deHghts. 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 '^'^^ TEMPI^E 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 l:»y sin. The soul shall ever be A spark uncpienchable; Its outlook as eternity; Its home in heaven or hell. the; te:mpi,e: harp. 145 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; tempIvE 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 liim 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 TKMPI.I: HARP. 147 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. Sow to the flesh, then sin will strike Its roots in our affections deep; a 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. 148 THE TEMPI^E 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 founds To fill the soul w4th 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 night? TH^ Te:mPI.jE: harp. I49 DIVIxNE 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 When that rod in wrath shall tall' 150 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 TEMPI,!: HARP. I5I 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 TEMPLE 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 m 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 TEMPLIC 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 '•'HE 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 se^k at once his face; From sin and folly cease; So shall you taste forgiving grace And all the joy of peace. THE Te:MPIvE: harp. I55 CHOOSE. I. John V. 3. Come, man, and seek thy God; His pleasant service choose; He asks no grievous thing of thee; Then why shouklst 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 wav. 156 THE TEMPIvE 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. 'Teace, 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, He then shall find a peace within Unknown until that hour. THE TEMPLE HARP. I57 T^EPENTING. I 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. In 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 dav. 158 TH^ Te:MPI.E 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 Th« duty of to-day, But make a stand for Jesus While now he says you may. the: tkmpIvE harp. 159 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. i6o the: temple harp. THE JUDGMENT DAY. Day of every day the greatest, Day for which all days 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. il3 ^°-nK. V -^^0^ ^^•K?*. y j'"\ °^^m' A^'^-^^ o V O, 'O.J H°^ •/^«^ V\ERT BOOKBINDING