Class 
 
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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
POEMS 
 
 BY 
 
 E. L. NOBLE 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 THE GORHAM PRESS 
 
 1906 
 
Copyright 1906 by B. L. Nobi,E 
 
 *A11 Rights Reserved 
 
 UBRARY of CONGRESS 
 Two Copies Received ! 
 r;OV 22 '906 
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 The Gorham Press, Boston 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 BOOK I 
 
 The Poetic Spirit . . . . . 1 
 
 A View of Life . . . . .4 
 
 A Matrimonial View . . . . . 8 
 
 BOOK II 
 
 The Beauties and Powers That Be . .114 
 
 BOOK III 
 
 A Child of Nature 182 
 
 Memory . . . . .. .197 
 
 The Old And The New . . . . 200 
 
 Love . . . . . . . . 202 
 
 Liberty Bell 206 
 
 To A Friend . ... . . 208 
 
 To A Lady Friend . . . . .208 
 
 To A Lady Friend After Visiting Her Home 209 
 The Way 211 
 
THE POETIC SPIRIT 
 
 Poetry's the quintessence of truth in fairest 
 beauty clad, 
 
 Magnetic hke connecting all that makes heart and 
 soul most glad ; 
 
 Or like some ether' al tube extending beyond 
 bound of night, 
 
 Through which we may drink essence of pure in- 
 tellectual light ; 
 
 Through which the soul doth gather wealth richer 
 than the purest gold. 
 
 Which purify and crystalize our being in purest 
 mould. 
 Poetry's that Spirit which inspires nature's 
 vital powers 
 
 To play in softest sweetest grandeur 'neath seques- 
 ter' d bowers — 
 
 Where silent joys spread a couch most magnifi- 
 cent, pure and grand — 
 
 Where bright sparkling waters babble pouring 
 over golden sand : 
 
 'Tis that spirit which emanates from the universal 
 soul. 
 
 While in order, eternal laws in sublimest beauty 
 roll. 
 Poetry's that grandeur that over the raging 
 billows smile ; 
 
 While the lightning flashes; all elements dash in 
 torrents wild ; 
 
 That holds serenest beauty o'er the most arid des- 
 ert seen ; 
 
 Where blue of the sky shows purest in the sun's 
 resplendent beam. 
 That silent majesty, which rule holds o'er 
 primeval forest ; 
 
 That grandeur of floral beauty, which in somber 
 shades doth rest, 
 
 Is poetic spirit, one imposing majestic greatness — 
 
Other, beauty in purity, resting in eternal stillness. 
 That silence, which holds all in awe before 
 the hurricane's rage. 
 
 Is pictur'd in poetic beauty on many a fold'd page. 
 
 That purest domestic life, which about each 
 hearth-stone that steals, — 
 
 Which, yet, rules hearts of men when time many 
 a destiny seals : ^ 
 
 That purest vernal beauty, which yet rules the 
 heart as of yore, — 
 
 Which ripens into autumnal wealth, nature's 
 most lavish store : 
 
 That deep pure silent love, which rules the fire- 
 side, at winter's eve. 
 
 Of the distant home of the cotter, which purest 
 joys doth leave. 
 
 Are lasting influences of pastoral love and beauty, 
 
 Which are the deepest essence of parental love 
 and duty. 
 Elegance and dignity of life 're subjects of 
 lyric themes ; 
 
 The real daring and brave revel and soar in tragic 
 dreams. 
 
 Deepest truths and purest knowledge are taught 
 in didactic verse ; 
 
 Pure streams of love flow through the soul from 
 the voice that can rehearse 
 
 The powers that inspired the poet to produce 
 such a rhyme — 
 
 Which beauty flowing through the heart and re- 
 flecting on the mind 
 
 Exalting in ecstacy of soul, beyond this vale of 
 tears ; 
 
 And carrying to a state of bliss beyond this flight 
 of years, 
 
 Where poets alone doth live, while serving on 
 probation here ; 
 
 Where to enjoy light and beauty of the most ra- 
 diant sphere. 
 
Deep and pure are poetic laws, yet, deeper still 
 is its source — 
 
 Pure and sweet are its influences ; more lovely, yet, 
 its force — 
 
 It is the deep essence of love flowing from a foun- 
 tain-head ; 
 
 Where to a purer, richer, source of life no stream 
 hath e'er led. 
 Any prose production may be given in rhyme 
 and meter; 
 
 Yet, it is not poetry, but, is only render'd sweeter. 
 
 Language like metal, must be under many for- 
 ges, wrought ; 
 
 Each time show forth a deeper, and richer, 
 and purer thought 
 
 Until all dross and all baseness wholly extracted 
 be, 
 
 Thus and thus alone we pure poetic verse may 
 hope to see. 
 Each subject has a poetic side, but poets lone 
 can view ; 
 
 But of the subject in itself alone, this is never true ; 
 
 The poetic side only can see in the Creator's plan; 
 
 And the wonders view'd are but the plastic beau- 
 ties of His hand. 
 
 There is a poetic essence in every human speech. 
 
 But how few are the minds that can that deep 
 pure essence reach ? 
 
 How sweet and lovely must be that speech, all 
 dross extracted from, — 
 
 Each word growing sweeter, — All forming a more 
 elegant psalm. — • 
 
 How great must be that knowledge, where only 
 words most pure are heard ; 
 
 Where by purer love and beauty the heart's being 
 ever cheer' d. 
 
A VIEW OF LIKE 
 
 By the kind assistance of a retrospect of life, 
 I reclaim my happiest day and quietest night ; 
 And live again youth's most blissful hour 
 In softest shades of sweetest bower. 
 Cooled by the gentlest breeze that sways 
 The dark green leaves of the growing maize ; 
 Enraptured by sweetest song sung in nature's way ; 
 Enticed by the softest hues of floral display ; 
 Enchanted by fragrance of fairest flowers that 
 
 blow; 
 Entomb'd by the verdant grandeur of forest show. 
 
 Again I lie in a quiet pensive dream 
 On a cool mossy brink of a gurgling stream, — 
 View the limpid waters flowing in silv'ry sheen ; 
 And with equal delight drink in the forest green. 
 I now awake from my sleeping state, 
 And pursue with joy the long spent chase — 
 Drawn on by the fond exspectation of hope ; 
 Eagerly climb the brow of the rocky slope, 
 And follow on til I have securely reached 
 The dazzling summit of the loftiest peak — 
 While proudly on that glowing hight I stand — 
 Survey beneath the vales of drifting sand ; 
 Intercept' d by the rivulets' sparkling strand ; 
 Dotted by solitary abodes of man. 
 From the crags below comes the eaglets' clamo- 
 rous cry ; 
 Silenc'd by a motherly voice from depths of the 
 
 sky; 
 And turning to gaze on the bird of supreme flight, 
 The surrounding landscape fades in dimness of 
 sight. 
 Here comes a glimmering light of the contract- 
 ed sphere of man ; 
 Broaden' d only through magnetism of that hea- 
 venly mind, 
 Who, from the throne of his majesty on high, 
 
 8 
 
Scans all things with the sight of a perfect eye ; 
 
 As they here in this dusky vault' d chamber range, 
 
 To detect if any to nature have grown strange. 
 In the paradise of God, or garden of primi- 
 tive man. 
 
 An image of creation in primeval beauty yet 
 stands ; 
 
 Will continue Heaven's jewel for returning pil- 
 grims to wear ; 
 
 And thus all the host of heaven must appear in 
 alike attire. 
 
 Of all the rich gifts of that most beautiful land 
 
 There's no sweeter than that enabling us to stand 
 
 In the likeness of God, — true image of man. 
 My heart with true rev'rence being deeply 
 embued ; 
 
 I turn from the trail of the game before pursued, 
 
 To follow in the path marked and lighted by truth 
 
 Instead of wasting life chasing phantoms of youth. 
 I have travers'd this world in search of a retreat 
 
 Where favors of life flourish in fragance most 
 sweet, 
 
 And find that place is not in air, on sea or land. 
 
 If it depends on satisfying the greed of man. — 
 
 But, for a man of generous heart and benevolent 
 way; 
 
 Control' d by that beauty and that art to which 
 nature gives sway ; 
 
 With these principles to control, for life of refine- 
 ment and ease. 
 
 There is no place more in v' ting than the shade of 
 Kentucky's trees. 
 
 Beneath which flourishes a grass of a bright bluish 
 green; 
 
 Producing softest carpet that in nature's to be 
 seen; 
 
 Where the birds are at home in the boughs over 
 head 
 
Pouring their souls in music, which silence man's 
 
 tread, — 
 Which draws his admiration from the most bliss- 
 ful scenes below 
 To connect his affections with joys of perpetual 
 
 flow. 
 Among the loveliest flowers that bloom in valley, 
 
 glen or glade ; 
 Protected from a vernal sun, many wooing lovers 
 
 strayed ; 
 And they speaking in love's softest lowest tone. 
 Yet, sweeter voices from blushing violets come, — 
 To the wooing of lovers lend an alluring power 
 To bring a confession of love at an earlier hour ; 
 And thus speed on to an earlier end 
 Vanity of women, — fickleness of men. — 
 The bereav'd may listen to the dove's doleful 
 
 songs 
 Repeating the joys and sorrows, which life pro- 
 longs; 
 In notes inimitable by another voice or tongue. 
 Either in rising sweetness or for a more plaintive 
 
 moan.— 
 A voice, beyond doubt, that heaven ever hears, 
 Because it speaks truer penitence than tears. 
 In earth's wide domain there's no plain, valley 
 
 or hight. 
 Which contrast more perfectly the beauties of light, 
 Than an exceeding great mountain slope cloth' d 
 
 in an evergreen robe ; 
 Fring'd above, carpeted below by the pure white 
 
 of falling snow : 
 One an emblem of purity ; other of constancy and 
 
 strength, 
 vShowing what worth spiritual power to physical 
 
 has lent ; 
 Or how this tenement of clay is most beautified 
 When the mantle of wisdom to its purpose is plied. 
 
 10 
 
Yet, this contrasting scene's rendered more excel- 
 lent and bright, 
 
 When crown' d by the frosty diadems of a still 
 clear night : 
 
 Like a face beaming with the radiance of a heart's 
 delight, 
 
 So this scene smiles sweetest while immerging from 
 the shades of night. 
 
 Bowing with reverence to the great ruler of day 
 
 As he spans the blue dome in his diurnal display ; 
 
 By his gentle touch transforming the hoar-frost 
 of former age ; 
 
 With equal kindness marking end of the philoso- 
 pher and sage. 
 
 The sun's the great wonderful arch calendar of 
 man; 
 
 To mark the beginning and end of this mortal 
 strand — 
 
 Gathering to himself all influence of starry or 
 lunar light, 
 
 Has given seasons to mark the divisions of vege- 
 table life ; 
 
 Only, true history giving in order epochs of time ; 
 
 Showing how one age would build up, and another 
 would cast down ; 
 
 Proving that works of man in disorder ever appear, 
 
 But, he who works as God has order' d finds nothing 
 to fear. 
 When humanity will have filled its course ; 
 
 The burning sun to mortal sight be lost ; 
 
 This clayey mould quickened to eternal life, 
 
 And clothed in a robe of pure celestial white ; 
 
 Then this mortal age from which we all soon must 
 pass 
 
 'LI be less than a night's watch in that eternal 
 last. 
 In life I view for man a happier lot than mor- 
 tal tongue can tell. 
 
 11 
 
Whose mind is ruled by constant peace, that from 
 
 eternal truth hath fell 
 Into the heart that causes a virtuous stream to 
 
 incessantly flow, 
 And water all the heavenly flowers, in human life 
 
 is wont to grow. 
 If man'll cultivate those celestial plants for moral 
 
 worth, 
 He will gather from this life no fruit of a common 
 
 birth. 
 
 A MATRIMONIAL VIEW 
 
 Madam, seeing in life you're young and fair. 
 Of temper most sweet and manner most rare ; 
 In knowledge wise, — understanding clear — 
 So I trust you will my story hear. 
 I'll speak what experience has taught, 
 In language quaint and by reason fraught ; 
 But, not as a gift of chance or an idle thought ; 
 But, to supply necessity the mind has wrought 
 Things most beautiful if finished by art of school. 
 Which I have been forc'd to learn at ignorance's 
 
 stool ; 
 Taught by the rough instructors of demand and 
 
 supply. 
 On invention's mother, to ever wait and rely, 
 For the ready reward of a helping hand 
 To supply with ample gifts ev'ry demand. 
 
 Madam, these things you will do well to hear, 
 Since they'll enable you to see more clear 
 Barriers, which in your path must fall. 
 No matter how calm the waves may roll. 
 Now, if you have a stronger hand 
 To guide you by the broken strand ; 
 Through the strait of whirling tides, 
 Where life's sweetest gift e'er glides 
 Into the sea of calm repose ; 
 
 12 
 
Where human bliss etern'ly flows : 
 You'll receive in nature greater share 
 Of the gifts she has to offer there. 
 
 Sir, while I to you may seem thus fair 
 'Tis because you're old and can't see clear. 
 There are no charms, Sir, to possess, 
 Save such as 'dom the human breast. 
 
 I'm always ready to hear a story told ; 
 So that it relates not to the story old. 
 For which Eve's been faulted by human kind, 
 Because she had in her love grown blind. 
 In admiration for that manly form. 
 Which did Eden's garden with grace adorn. 
 
 It is true, or always so appear. 
 That women will love what seems most queer — 
 So 'twas with Eve in her beauty array, 
 That she show'd the same weakness we display; 
 Then, such, I hope not to endure, 
 Less manly form be godly pure. 
 
 Your instructions 're from an instructor true, 
 Who ever instructs from a needed view ; 
 To strenthen and help a weary hand, 
 That e'er seeks to know the better plan. 
 I well know such things are most pleasing to hear, 
 Since they'n make life's realities seem more dear : 
 Then if to ev'ry step we give a known charm, 
 As the way brightens the heart will grow most 
 
 warm. — 
 But, what pleasure to you to gather the same 
 
 flower 
 Plucked by you in an earlier and happier hour ? 
 I am told, for pleasures to be true. 
 That they must also be wholly new ; 
 That life will not gather from abroad 
 The things, which it of itself has throw' d — 
 But will pursue its course in a stronger road ; 
 Just as the human form bends beneath its load. 
 'Tis true, that under the guide of a stronger 
 
 hand 
 
 13 
 
We may be carried to a purer happier land ; 
 But, while, if you from your course turn back 
 It will surely from your life detract 
 The higher, purer, sweeter joy. 
 That thrills the heart without alloy. 
 
 Madam, I have passed the age of middle life ; 
 
 Find to be truly happy, must have a wife. 
 
 That the cares and disappointments, which daily 
 come. 
 
 Be absorb'd in blissful scenes of a happy home ; 
 
 Where the strength of man may support a lovely 
 queen. 
 
 Who may rule a palace grand in a garden green ; 
 
 Direct gentle hands with a tender air 
 
 To render the scene most extremely fair, 
 
 Which would be most dreary and dismally dark ; 
 
 But, for the peace and the grace thy charms im- 
 part. 
 Finding life's current to strong in ev'ry part 
 
 To stem its raging flood in a half -man' d bark ; 
 
 So I will ask you to help me expel life's dark ; 
 
 That, in love's eternal day, in safety's ark. 
 
 We may sail together o'er life's troubled waves; 
 
 From road of disappointment turn our ways. 
 
 Sir, to have reciprocated with you in such a 
 
 bright hope, 
 I would have delighted, before you pass'd on life's 
 
 shady slope ; 
 But, instead of budding in love and flushing with 
 
 youth. 
 You are turning from the page recording love's 
 
 sweet truth. 
 To where life's sad evening story is told 
 Of dead hopes buried in the deceit of gold. 
 What I now live for in your life is past ; 
 What I delight in, from your bosom's cast: 
 
 14 
 
Unless we can travel the same road at the same 
 
 time ; 
 To each other's pleasures and enjoyments we'll be 
 
 blind: 
 Unless, in uni ted bliss, we enjoy life's charm, 
 Then otherwise a union our pleasures would 
 
 harm, — 
 My way of living wouldn't your course adorn ; 
 And at my pleasures you would cast a scorn. 
 
 Madam, true 'tis I have passed the meridian 
 
 of age, 
 While, in the mysteries of life, I hope to grow more 
 
 sage ; 
 And as the shadows of age, in the distance may 
 
 fall, 
 In light of reason and truth, I trust to grow more 
 
 tall; 
 Till I can look into highest realm of man ; 
 And a God- given dame b}^ my side may stand 
 Strong in the pure deep bonds of God's own heart's 
 
 love. 
 As were Adam an Eve in mansions above ; 
 And from there look down the dim years that roll 
 As humanity fades in God's pure soul. 
 
 Instead of passing from the page recording 
 
 love's worth 
 I am engaging now in a richer, sweeter search 
 For pure principles of love, which should engage 
 The true faculties of man to calm his rage 
 In affections as pure ; as sweet ; as good, 
 As were first ordain'd in our love we should — 
 'Tis true that many a desire for principles 
 
 free from rust 
 Have been disarmed, dethron'd and defeated by 
 
 lucrative lust ; 
 Which are not dead hopes buried in gold's deceit, 
 But the sowers finding their harvest to reap ; 
 For as is truly said, "God is not deceived, " 
 But, kind of seed sow'd, the harvest will reveal. 
 
 15 
 
Wheat will not grow barley, you know of a truth ; 
 
 Neither will vice or folly virtue produce — 
 
 Then, since the seed sow'd the harvest will rule; 
 
 So life's principles do our end control. 
 
 'Tis also true less we gather our pleasures 
 from same source, 
 
 That, otherwise, a dissevering of hearts it will force ; 
 
 While, for two hearts to be united in a like pursuit 
 
 They must not, over things true to humanity, dis- 
 pute ; 
 
 But find unit'd bliss in a principle, which leads 
 
 From death's dark chasm to the light of most no- 
 ble deeds ; 
 
 Where selfishness and sordidness will like fade 
 away 
 
 Beforejamore bouyant light of apureceaselessray — 
 
 Then, each of our way of living would others course 
 adorn ; 
 
 Nor in the rough rugged scenes of life would we 
 grow forlorn ; 
 
 But each give testimony to sweeter pleasures in 
 truth. 
 
 Than such as add grace and beauty to the blushes 
 of youth. 
 
 vSir, your position in the matter I most clearly 
 
 see; 
 But, the ideal's e'er brighter than the real can 
 
 be.— 
 If life could be as enchanting as you describe 
 Above the angels of light we mortals would ride ; 
 And sport before God in an elysian scene ; 
 In a realm beyond where the seraphs have been ; 
 In joys surpassing the description of tongue ; 
 And pleasures far greater than angels have sung. 
 W^e poor mortals are not prepar'd for such bliss, 
 Else we would not be plac'd in a world like this ; 
 Where every one would be the judge of his foe,— 
 Justify his friend in foulest sin— deepest woe,— 
 
 16 
 
Say there is no good, save such as we give 
 To our friends in the deceit that we Hve. 
 
 Love's course you know is a bewildering way, 
 Destin'd to allure and lead all mortals 'stray ; 
 From all principles of reason to lament and sigh ; 
 Without reality of pleasure in life to try. 
 For you know it is taught the object of our love to 
 
 gain 
 Is the towering hight of each and ev'ry human 
 
 plain ; 
 Where sets a decaying hope to eternally wain, 
 Just as ev'ry monument erect' d to worldly fame, 
 "is mark'd by time when to totter and fall; 
 So vain things have timely destiny — all. 
 'Tis also said that affections will waste 
 In each admiring glance for any fair face, — 
 That he, who's fancied many, can really love none ; 
 Since the life of his affections is wholly undone. 
 Principle like that, when scatter'd, is as a broken 
 
 urn. 
 Eternally fixed without hope or promise of return ; 
 Or as a stream flows by singing one sweet song, 
 Which's carried as an echo in life so long ; 
 So's a fair face that takes from our affections one 
 
 touch,— 
 It has robb'd the true strength of that principle 
 
 so much. 
 
 Madam, real'ties of life are far greater than we 
 can suppose ; 
 The ideal is only a shadowing to him who best 
 
 knows 
 The rewards of living by pure principles of 
 
 love, — guided by truth, 
 Which's a perpetual growing into grander myster- 
 ies of youth ; 
 While the close of this life will bring us in sight 
 Of a brighter, grander, sweeter, purer Hght : 
 Our souls be set in the purest plight, — 
 
 17 
 
On pinnions of love to wing their flight, 
 Through purer worlds of joy's unbounding way ; 
 Life grows sweeter as brighter grows the day. 
 If our souls be set on fire by God's pure love 
 'Twill folly, deceit and corruption remove ; 
 Just as the refining of gold destroys the dross ; 
 And separates the pure metal from out the gross. 
 If we accept pure essence of truth as light of the 
 
 soul. 
 Our lives will shine like apples of silver set in pure 
 
 gold, 
 To give light to all those who are walking in the 
 
 dark; 
 Prosecuting in ignorance an uncertain work ; 
 Purporting, in life, to be work of the man, 
 Who has not felt the touch of a ruling hand 
 vSupremely fitted by that all guiding mind 
 To lead through the boundless age of endless 
 
 time. — 
 Most glorious scenes,— over fields of golden sand 
 And wash'd by pure streams of light extremely 
 
 bland. 
 Love, without virtue, purity and truth to guide, 
 Will e'er cause humanity to falter and slide 
 Into chasms that be most dark and deep ; 
 In death's deepest gloom to ever weep 
 And sigh for death, with her promised boon, 
 To come and hurry to ceaseless doom ; 
 Where life has no further joys or pains to give, — 
 Life shall cease to be, or mortals ne'er again live — 
 In death be etern'ly dying and sinking in woe ; 
 And while age rolls on such agonies deeper grow. 
 While love in its purity has the sweetest clime 
 For mortals to etern'ly rise through ceaseless time, 
 In worlds of bliss' highest dazzling charms, — 
 Free on life's bosom from raging storms ; 
 To move onward and upward in love's eternal 
 
 peace ; 
 Where sighing and where sorrowing will forever 
 
 cease : 
 
 18 
 
Into higher joys Hfe will ceaselessly roll 
 
 Onward through the mansions of love's cherished 
 
 goal — 
 Where all things calm in one perfect truth — 
 Of love's lasting virtue — God's own youth. 
 
 It is true that affections may vanish in waste 
 When they do not the real' ties of life embrace ; 
 For all that be not, by a true anchor of hope, 
 Stay' d within the bosom of virtues bounding scope, 
 Must pass into the realm of forgetfulness to dwell — 
 And roll on with a sigh, — without a lasting fare- 
 well — 
 Into the home of deceit, where held at its worth 
 By the devel's foulest mist'ries, — in deepest 
 
 search, — 
 For the most dreaded weapon of hell to disown ; 
 Thing to herself for'er and lastingly unknown : 
 Or in hell search after the thing deepest in waste ; 
 To the devil offer thing bitterest of taste, 
 It will be the thing in time, having no purpose to 
 
 give; 
 Or in ages unbounded exist with no life to live, — 
 In days unending having nothing to know. 
 Since out of nothing, what can, but nothing grow ? 
 Then, since deceit be the chief of hell's ways 
 To bring her miseries unending days; 
 So afifections in truth will e'er augment 
 Through gathering ages of joy unspent, — 
 Into a bright' ning day of purest light, — 
 Further being remov'd from woes of night ; 
 Till mortals forget sorrow e'er had reign ; 
 Or man in his age had ever a pain : 
 Nor shall we never look back to see what has been. 
 But ever look forward through a brightening scene 
 To enjoy, through days infinite and unspeakably 
 
 grand, 
 The golden pleasures leading over heaven's peace- 
 ful strand ; 
 Laden with fragrance embalming into heaven's 
 light 
 
 19 
 
The obedient soul, which ascends, in silent flight, 
 
 Affection's bright, and alluring, and towering 
 hope, — 
 
 In love's tender influence to be willingly lost. 
 There is a fault in love to be found invariably- 
 such, 
 
 That love, beyond merit of principle, finds no 
 heart to touch ; 
 
 But, perish in a sad refrain, since no bonds declare 
 
 Of love with principles that ne' er did existence wear. 
 
 For love to be true virtue, a guiding star, must 
 surely stand 
 
 As a sun holding two planets by affection's strong- 
 est band, — 
 
 Wrought by love's tenderest influence,— nature's 
 most lasting power,^ 
 
 Which' s foundation and structure of humanity's 
 greates tower. 
 If life becomes love for virtue's pure sake 
 
 'Twill ev'ry faculty of truth awake 
 
 To the real and progressive scenes of life, — 
 
 As a gathering influence free from strife ; 
 
 Hoarding the mercantile products of life in boun- 
 teous store, 
 
 To deal with a charitable hand to the needs of the 
 poor ; 
 
 For what is paid by charity, with respect to God's 
 love. 
 
 Is restored most bounteful in peace by the white 
 wing'd dove. 
 I have long felt in life a void that I trusted time 
 would supply, — 
 
 lyong, but in vain, I have tried that tender influence 
 to defy, — 
 
 The stronger I resist, of its worth I am more con- 
 sciously taught, — 
 
 Without which the beauties and splendor of life 
 will pass into naught. 
 
 20 
 
In life there's a ne'er dying union to be misteri- 
 
 ously wrought 
 From the deUcate love of women and masculine 
 
 features more rough, 
 Which perpetuates life in the fairest principles of 
 
 youth ; 
 Establishing life in the lasting unerring joys of 
 
 truth : 
 That institution of Eden, that from earth hath 
 
 not yet fled ; 
 But, the purity of life neglected and its beauty 
 
 dead, — 
 In our hearts, it seems to me, we can that Eden 
 
 again revive ; 
 Rest within that ancient bower of love, where all 
 
 such beauties thrive, 
 Which produce rich fruits of peace; the fairest 
 
 wealth of earthly store. 
 Carrying with it the brightest gems of Eden's an- 
 cient lore. 
 
 Sir, love to be appreciat'd must surely be known 
 With respect to the element from which it has grown ; 
 Under beauty and luster spreading profus'dly 
 
 round. 
 From the jewel- pressed brow, which is with ele- 
 gance crowned 
 By rubies of purest light gath'ring true renown ; 
 Which in search of intellect's fairest gem was found 
 Set in the heart of nature's purest gold. 
 Which ever the merits of truth unfold ; 
 As a never fading light to sink in the west 
 From the pallatial scenes of the home it'd blest, — 
 But still be the light mortal sos to guide 
 O'er death's yawning gulf gainst its rushing tide; 
 While truth does the disasters of folly deride ; 
 As it hurries unmolest'd in admiring pride ; 
 Where sets the lasting ruby of life 
 In the purest depths of spotless white. 
 
 21 
 
Love you know is the tenderest part of the 
 
 spirit and soul,— 
 'Tis Hfe's golden property perfecting two hearts 
 
 as of old. 
 When they were but one in Adam, the man, 
 Love was pure and perfect in sweetest plan ; 
 Possessing all the tender faculties of the human 
 
 race; 
 All the holy principles of virtue did that heart 
 
 embrace, — 
 All that be pure in feminine affection and mascu- 
 line life 
 Were wrought into love and made a perfect power 
 
 and lasting light. 
 Then, what is holy and true in one is perfect to 
 
 the other ; 
 So love embraces affections of parent, sister and 
 
 brother : 
 But, when all that is truly feminine was to itself 
 
 made a part 
 It carried with it the influence that controls and 
 
 refines man's heart. 
 Man solicits his ideal of beauty, love and art 
 To supply that void and be in his life that better 
 
 part. 
 In woman's heart and mind there is ever dwell- 
 ing, so sweet and still, 
 A desire to resume that place she'n so well and 
 
 fittingly fill. 
 In man, at fourteen some faculties mature, of that 
 
 void's conciously told ; 
 And to supply and to please the soul, he seeks that 
 
 vacated gem of old : 
 Woman at twelve, somewhat confident she can 
 
 that void supply ; 
 Listens with patience to the strange story, with a 
 
 heaving sigh ; 
 When told that she is all for which man's heart 
 
 doth yearn, — 
 
 22 
 
Without her his Hfe will languish, grow cold and 
 
 stem, — 
 She being thus solicited, that vacancy to supply. 
 With a faithful heart and in tender words answers, 
 
 I will try ; 
 If it be to form a union, such as in Bden's bliss. 
 Gave refinement and social pleasure to a life like 
 
 this; 
 Such as God approved and delighted to see 
 Before mortals tast'd fruit of forbidden tree ; 
 But, not such as infest 'd soul and mind. 
 Since contention they were bent to find ; 
 To disturb the peace of man, and provoke the 
 
 wrath of God 
 By accepting as life's realities, a falt'ring love, 
 Instead of such love as join'd their hearts and 
 
 lives 
 In union acceptable to One most wise ; 
 Such as freed from jealous rage and bitter tears ; 
 Keeping pure the heart and soul through length of 
 
 years, — 
 If your intention be to enter that blissful state, 
 Then, both in heart and hand, let our lives be 
 
 joined by faith ; 
 And if we fail to find truth sufficient to restore 
 
 that ideal bliss. 
 May we be happy, as were Isaac and Rebecca, in 
 
 life like this. 
 
 Madam, true 'tis we should know the source 
 
 from whence our affections rise ; 
 That source should be such that we could in no 
 
 way justly despise ; 
 But, so pure that our love would ever more richly 
 
 increase ; 
 Thus ever making life a current of augmenting 
 
 peace 
 Flowing qui'tly to that great calm ocean of endless 
 
 years 
 
 23 
 
Filled with essence of pleasures most pure, — un- 
 mingled with tears, ^ 
 
 The true splendor of the home, but so infrequently 
 there. 
 
 That in the family circle it has no place or share. 
 
 Love should have an altar from whence in union 
 our hearts could rise 
 
 To mingle in such pleasures as have their rest be- 
 yond the skies ; 
 
 Where angel's fond hearts commingle in pure 
 essence of love 
 
 With hearts and with lives more constant and 
 more true than the widowed dove. 
 Since beauty and purity of thy life in words are 
 known ; 
 
 I wish to know the social commerce of thy parents' 
 home: 
 
 And there see you, a fostered plant of domestic 
 care. 
 
 Who the pure elegance of social refinement wear ; 
 
 Where the grandeur of religion must smile most 
 pure and sweet ; 
 
 Where elegance, grandeur and purity in union 
 meet 
 
 To set thy home above the course of unholy things ; 
 
 Where wealth of celestial beauty eternally clings, — 
 
 Which robes the mind with magnificence of per- 
 petual peace ; 
 
 Where domes of immaculate beauty, to rise, will 
 never cease. 
 A caller at thy home it would much delight me to 
 be found. 
 
 Where such grandeur and elegance of life do most 
 richly bound ; 
 
 And on Thursday next, if you will grant this re- 
 quest. 
 
 In thy tranquil home, I trust to serenely rest. 
 
 Sir, your letter, mingling pleasure and surprise, 
 
 24 
 
Has just this moment been opened to my eyes ; 
 And, of purest grandeur, it seems so rich and full. 
 That the elegance of heaven doth downward pull. 
 And for you to call at our home of simplicity and 
 
 ease. 
 On Thursday next, my parents permit and me 
 
 'twill truly please . 
 
 Her letter composed, with befitting modest, gave 
 to post — 
 To make her home glow with artless attraction, 
 
 no time she lost. 
 When the expected visitor, on that morning, ap- 
 peared 
 Pure magnificence shown, but artless as song of a 
 bird. 
 Sir, with my father you, I will acquainted make. 
 Sir, much respect awaits you for my daughter's 
 
 sake. 
 Not a more desirable gift. Sir, you have to give. 
 Sir, to pay her highest honors, I shall ever live. 
 My mother. Sir, the splendor of this home, you 
 now may greet ; 
 Grace, grandeur and elegance in her life with con- 
 cord meet. 
 Madam, for you, this fills my heart with respect 
 most pure ; 
 To doubt woman's majesty, be this a perfect cure. 
 To know you. Sir, I'm pleased, here a true wel- 
 come you shall find 
 Befitting your dignity of soul ; supremacy of mind. 
 Thy home is bless' d with all that's good ; no 
 superfluities are here ; 
 Purity, the intrinsic beauty of all, here is shown 
 
 most clear. 
 Beauty lavishly spread, to satiate unlawful lust 
 
 and pride. 
 Becomes a hurtful curse — scatters the true wealth 
 of life far and wide. 
 
 25 
 
With true economy and useful science, thy home 
 is dressed ; 
 
 No luxur'us pomp or volupt'ous habit claims 
 sweets of rest : 
 
 The just demands of life, with purest wealth, are 
 supplied most true ; 
 
 O, bless' d earth, to feed unnatural want, nothing 
 cumbers you. 
 
 The needs of the poor are drafts ever honor' d by 
 charity ; 
 
 To the poor all is loan'd with God's promise for 
 security. 
 
 To supply God opens nature's universal store ; 
 
 And here her ceaseless wealth and eternal beauty 
 pour. 
 To leave the city built on pole of land hemisphere, 
 
 The center of wealth and commerce, what attrac- 
 tion here? 
 To see a home restor'd to the ancient purity of 
 human bliss 
 
 Is far more alluring than the affluence of many 
 worlds like this. 
 
 Before leaving England's pride, her shining domes 
 I stopp'd to view ; 
 
 Saw the broad avenues of commerce fill'd with a 
 thronging crew ; 
 
 No respect or honor was shown humanity true, 
 
 But to luxur'us wealth and pomp seem'd all honor 
 due. 
 
 On the overhanging cloud plaid the morning's 
 ancient hue ; 
 
 Unfaded beauties of the sun showed in the spark- 
 ling dew ; 
 
 But, the splendor of London is not so perpetual 
 and pure, — 
 
 England's glory is evanescent ; her vitals are wast- 
 ing sure. 
 
 The pendent boughs to summer breeze, most audi- 
 bly seem to say, 
 
 26 
 
England has reached her zenith and now is fast 
 
 fading away. 
 Ten centuries from now, we know not what re- 
 cord this nation' 11 bear — 
 What of great Babylon,— which was seated — we 
 
 can never know where ? 
 Upon the great Euphrates, she sat, and her com- 
 merce did play 
 On the great deep, — gath'ring wealth from 
 
 nations in distance 'way : 
 Over her the sun, in his ancient majesty, moved 
 
 unchanged ; 
 Beneath her that noble river roll'd in grandeur to 
 
 the main : 
 But, now her place is fore'er lost; her influence 
 
 most vain ; 
 And that proud daughter of the Chaldees lives but 
 
 in a name. 
 Of thee, somber forest, once covering this fairest 
 
 isle from sea to sea, — 
 Making a trackless solitude, this noble oak's a sad 
 
 relic of thee ; 
 And not unlike thee, O oak, most stately, grand 
 
 and noble tree ; 
 (Whereon the bird of supremacy has set his prey 
 
 to see), 
 Is this home, a fragment from that state of felicity, — 
 (Which was wasted by allurements of the forbid- 
 den tree) ; 
 Where rest the more glorious emblem, that of 
 
 purity. 
 Ye parents of this damsel dear, my mission 
 
 here shall know; 
 While in this calm serene, life's meditated joys 
 
 shall flow. 
 As it is plain to see my years are more than fancy 
 
 loves ; 
 But, congenial souls contagious fire more often 
 
 moves 
 
 27 
 
To commingle in higher realms of peace and light ; 
 In truth and reason free from fancy's shades of 
 
 night, 
 Than they who are by lust and admiration led 
 To revel in the pleasures of the marriage bed. 
 Your daughter and I are drawn by truth's mag- 
 netic force 
 To unity of life in reason's deep tranquil source ; 
 Such we believe is love, and only such should 
 
 wed 
 As have been led by truth to that great fountain 
 
 head — 
 And by contagion of that pure celestial fire. 
 Their hearts and souls been purged to life's most 
 
 pure desire : 
 Now, this we make the condition of our future life. 
 And 'tis for you to say whether we have judged 
 
 aright. 
 The character portrai'd by your letters we've 
 
 consider' d well ; 
 Yet, your address in person a purer stream of life 
 
 doth swell. 
 This home's of that same birth, but not in such 
 
 depth of soil fixed ; 
 It is of a pure growth ;with no adulteration mixed. 
 But, can never tower in those celestial fields 
 Where the tree of life such wonderful fruitage 
 
 yields. 
 My daughter, Sir, in marriage, you may truly 
 
 claim 
 To journey with you over fields of greater fame — 
 More perfect scenes, our hearts with you will pon- 
 der o'er. 
 And live in realms of light of pure eternal lore. 
 Your hopes, which carry you with us through 
 
 such realms of bliss ; 
 Strong must be to surpass colloquial scenes like 
 
 this, 
 
 28 
 
Which can only be by passing into God's eternal 
 
 peace ; 
 Where purer richer scenes of life can never have 
 
 end or cease. 
 Then let the priest come forth— testimony of 
 
 these hearts receive ; 
 And pray heaven that for wrongs intended these 
 
 souls may never grieve. 
 By the faith here phghted and testimonies of 
 
 this life, 
 In holy bonds of wedlock, I pronounce you man 
 
 and wife. 
 I do here certify that time itself can ne'er erase 
 The vow here made; principles and gem these 
 
 hearts embrace. 
 But, shall stand before the Father through the 
 
 eternal age, — 
 The elegance of life, or just cause of the deepest 
 
 rage. 
 Such pure deep and perfect joys life hath never 
 
 wore ; 
 Heaven seems more embracing than ever before : 
 In my heart it seems that Flora has pour'd all her 
 
 tender wealth ; 
 And more grandeur and elegance of life, no soul 
 
 hath e'er felt. 
 Life is now replete, what is there that can embel- 
 lish more ? 
 Of all most refining, it needs but in the heart to 
 
 pour. 
 This life I so embellish, I will love and cherish 
 
 ever ; 
 In Christ be so united that death itself cannot 
 
 sever ; 
 Through Christ flow into that most noble and ma- 
 jestic life. 
 That bears no mark of toil,— etern'ly free from 
 
 woe and strife. 
 
 29 
 
THE BEAUTIES AND POWERS THAT BE. 
 
 There's a way to the plain of fame unknown, 
 That way is not dotted by blood or stone ; 
 But, clear to the knowledge of One who made 
 The wild mountain rose to nod in the shade ; 
 Perfect to Him who by his wisdom profound 
 Created the pure lily from dust of ground. 
 That road is wonderfully narrow and bright; 
 Illuminat'd by pure elements of light; 
 Paved by principles most perfect and true; 
 The way it leads is pleasant to pursue — 
 And if you give attention to the things by the way 
 You will see and hear the beauties which wisdom 
 
 display ; 
 The things which you hear and see to bid adieu 
 Will tempt you to linger for a longer view — 
 Don't stay, there are brighter things to engage the 
 
 sight 
 Than the mere beams in which fancy finds its 
 
 delight ; 
 Things so perfect and wonderfully true 
 That they dazzle the mind as well the view. 
 When you have reached that plain by the path 
 
 of the just. 
 Your foot prints '11 not be traceable in mud or 
 
 dust; 
 But found in accordance with principles that laid 
 Foundation of earth and by which heaven was 
 
 made, 
 And in nowise contrary to principles that create 
 The smallest plant; the most stupendous weight 
 
 hold in space. 
 On that plain are things you should behold, 
 For the same things are both new and old — 
 Ancient in having their beginning with good ; 
 New, since not before seen, or they understood. 
 Things which need not polish to keep ever shining 
 
 and new; 
 
 30 
 
That need not remod'ling to keep perfect with all 
 
 things true. 
 These things are perfect principles, — most delicious 
 
 food for the soul, 
 Which causes man to seek the true riches more 
 
 pure and precious than gold. 
 Introduction of these elements to the mind brings 
 
 eve to that night. 
 Which keeps closed the portals of soul through 
 
 which comes the emission of light; 
 And not unlike the time when God's command 
 
 was, " Let there be light," 
 Which wrought destruction to obscurity — was 
 
 morning of sight. 
 Here set the seven pillars which wisdom has 
 
 well hewn; 
 Their depth of foundation, no human mind can 
 
 presume ; 
 These pillars are not carved from stone or from 
 
 wood. 
 But from power that sent and abat'd the flood; 
 The work was not performed by hand weak or 
 
 frail ; 
 Or devised by a mind that doubts such a tale. 
 But wrought by Him who collected all solids into 
 
 mass ; 
 And separated each fluid according to its class ; 
 Decreeing that by the union of elements of fluids 
 
 with the earth. 
 If connected with other influences would produce 
 
 vegetable birth — 
 From perfect knowledge and equal power these 
 
 pillars came ; 
 And on this foundation's erected the temple of 
 
 fame. 
 Just how the materials of the pillars and temple 
 
 unite and blend 
 Cannot be detected by human sight or understood 
 
 by carnal mind, 
 
 31 
 
But, the beginning and ending is there made plain 
 
 To him who will accept of the Almighty's plan. 
 These works are His, whose works alone are 
 perfect and true ; 
 
 But cannot be comprehended from a worldly view. 
 
 The walls are of stone most precious and bright, 
 
 Of equal width, of exact weight and height; 
 
 Placed in exact relation with regard to their con- 
 nection with light. 
 
 That the coloring and reflection of each render 
 others more bright: 
 
 These walls are most beautiful and pleasing to 
 sight. 
 
 When eliminated from influences of night. 
 The temple is paved with purest gold more 
 transparent and lucid than glass. 
 
 Which obstructs not light's passage, but enabling 
 each in beauty to surpass 
 
 Their individual splendor ; like flowers sweeter 
 than the petals cast; 
 
 Which blending with purest colors, grander beauty 
 each blending brings to pass ; 
 
 While augmenting in beauty ever growing purer 
 and more sublime; 
 
 Rising in richer domes of grandeur, rivaling never 
 ending time. 
 
 The light doth purity of each color more perfectly 
 display ; 
 
 While the glittering of such beauty helps in per- 
 fecting the day: 
 
 The relation of each to the whole is an indispens- 
 able thing, 
 
 For the influence of such connecting beauty per- 
 fection doth bring. 
 
 To shelter this temple, there is needed no roof ; 
 
 There's nothing higher, nor anything more aloof, 
 
 Except the great Artificer whose principles shine 
 on all things below; 
 
 32 
 
Thus bring to naught the vanity of pride and the 
 
 world's vain hope in show ; 
 For by Him things 're brought to a reckoning 
 
 exactly as they are ; 
 And thus we find that to act in the true light is 
 
 better by far. 
 If we stand before the world and God as we be ; 
 Act regarding all things by the truth that we see ; 
 Do not despise work of the hand that did us create ; 
 And gave a mind to find how we to all things re- 
 late — 
 And if from pure love of obedience to right, that 
 
 relation, we keep. 
 The loveliness of that temple, we may behold, and 
 
 in it have a seat. 
 All who live in deceit ; and in falsehood ; and in 
 
 doubt ; and thus grow vain, 
 Had better, from ent'ring that temple, or seeking 
 
 its beauty, refrain — 
 Unless they will live and walk in the light of 
 
 beauty, which it doth reflect, 
 Otherwise, happiness and pleasure would be a 
 
 crime longer to expect: 
 Then let us no longer hope that our crimes are 
 
 buried from sight ; 
 But know, for certainty, that we're to be tested 
 
 by true light. 
 In the center of the temple is situated the throne. 
 On which sits the One whose beginning and ending 
 
 cannot come ; 
 In whom all principles are perfect, which perfec- 
 tion true power doth lend 
 To give exact weight to all acts of man — by his 
 
 acts establish his end : 
 If man's end be established by the works of his 
 
 hand. 
 And that end be destruction, he can blame no one 
 
 but man; 
 
 33 
 
Or, if man's acts in the scale of justice be heaviest 
 
 for good 
 He has no one to thank for that blessing save the 
 
 Almighty God : 
 Because he was right in taking to himself all 
 
 principles of good; 
 Relating them so perfectly as to make their chief 
 
 influence love ; 
 Wise in rejecting the dark and his principles 
 
 wrought into perfect light, 
 That darkness and its influence might be expelled 
 
 from obstruction of sight, — 
 For, if the principles of good and evil had not been 
 
 set apart. 
 And thus show that influence of light is destruc- 
 tive to that of dark, 
 Man could have never known the sorrows evil doth 
 
 bring, 
 Or the joys that to the path of the righteous doth 
 
 cling; 
 The world would have been without pleasure and 
 
 joy, the just a reward; 
 The transgressor, in the evil of his way, would 
 
 not have grown tired : 
 Man would 've been related to himself and the 
 
 confusion of things ; 
 Empires would've been built on the destruction 
 
 of people and kings ; 
 Regard for human life and happiness wouldVe 
 
 been the least of things that be. 
 Since destruction of happiness would render the 
 
 gath'ring of gold more free ; 
 The sight of all high principles would ' ve been lost 
 
 in the selfishness of man ; 
 Desolation and heaping of riches been only virtues 
 
 of the land. 
 By collecting all the elements of light into one 
 
 cardinal good ; 
 
 34 
 
Thus making the relation of all things to that 
 
 principle understood, 
 Has caused man to turn from the mist of the shade 
 
 of the realm of night 
 And journey to that land which is most beautiful 
 
 to perfect sight ; 
 There to seek a home by accepting the wisdom 
 
 and ways of God, 
 Who properly relating all, established universal 
 
 good. 
 The throne on which the Almighty doth sit is 
 
 a structure most wonderful ; 
 If, to all things create compared, — of material 
 
 found most beautiful ; 
 The workmanship by which it was wrought is 
 
 without imperfection or dot ; 
 Nor could there be other beauty or perfection 
 
 create that it hath not — 
 The material from which this throne is made, in 
 
 perfection so great, 
 Has even puzzled the ministers, and those who are 
 
 enthron'd in state ; 
 And these men have wondered how such a thing 
 
 can be, 
 So great that their minds can't conceive, or optics 
 
 see: 
 Now the reason is this, their eyes are train' d to 
 
 seek for the glitter of gold; 
 Their hearts forc'd to believe, any means employ'd 
 
 to possess hurt not the soul; 
 So by forcing their hearts to accept a thing so 
 
 absolutely untrue 
 They rob the soul of greatest joy ; the intellect of 
 
 more glorious view. 
 The material of the throne is principles of -perfec- 
 tion and truth; 
 Enamel' d and ennobled by light far greater and 
 
 more splendid than youth. 
 
 35 
 
The Architect's plan's such that these principles 
 
 to each other so relate 
 That the influence and splendor of either make the 
 
 others far more great ; 
 The influence which each to others lend is so 
 
 acceptable and good, 
 That materials are cemented perfectly by uni- 
 versal love. 
 These principles are made more perfect in Him, 
 
 who is seated on the throne; 
 With higher elements and virtues united, reach 
 
 perfections unknown : 
 On the throne of these principles, He sits in ma- 
 jestic power sublime ; 
 And gathering to himself the control of all things 
 
 by knowledge divine ; 
 Nor has he enter' d in league with another being 
 
 to gather such rule ; 
 To the perfection of His power and system of 
 
 laws belong control. 
 In that temple's an apartment for ev'ry one 
 
 whose heart is not sold 
 To vanity, the lust of the world, or for the influ- 
 ence of gold; 
 Fitted with a relief for ev'ry desire that can 
 
 come. 
 Or rightly have claim to a place in the soul's 
 
 bright home. 
 Before entering that abode, must be purged by 
 
 perfection of truth ; 
 Be freed from ev'ry thing not in accordance with 
 
 perpetual youth; 
 Be renew' d to those pristine beauties of love for 
 
 true hope and desire. 
 Which finds its dehght in bathing the soul in light 
 
 of celestial fire ; 
 And unlike Adam, when to that blissful abode 
 
 retire ; 
 
 36 
 
Be purged from worldly lust, lucrative and human 
 
 desire ; 
 Be filled with principles, which 've ever been free 
 
 from corruptable dross ; 
 Be renew' d to that state, which, through tempta- 
 tion to humanity, was lost; 
 And Adam from there scourged and driven because 
 
 of a desire to seek. 
 With insatiable lust, things in Paradise unlawful 
 
 to seek. 
 Because of human weakness, supported by fire of 
 
 youthful lust 
 Man became a pilgrim in search of the way re- 
 turning to dust ; 
 And would not be forc'd or pursuaded by the 
 
 knowledge of Him who could show 
 Imperfections practiced on this mundane sphere 
 
 circling in distance below ; 
 Or that perpetual existence in purest youth, and 
 
 vigor, and prime 
 Would be his to enjoy through unending and un- 
 erring cycles of time. 
 If he would that destructive and useless desire 
 
 by heart and mind reject ; 
 That perpetual and ceaseless joy, which ever flow, 
 
 in true faith accept. 
 Man's inconsistency, refusing God's power to 
 
 accept or believe ; 
 In search of the visionary imperfections of human 
 
 thought did leave 
 Eternal bliss; stepping forth on this terrestrial 
 
 ball with Eve his wife 
 To whom he join'd his every hope, and for whom 
 
 resigned his fear of strife ; 
 But soon found as we all do find, that the income 
 
 of our hopes and fears. 
 When vested in a like union, can only be but 
 
 sweat and tears. 
 
 37 
 
Seeing it vain searching self for influence to con- 
 trol an element ; 
 Or to unfold beauties and mysteries of nature 
 
 was uselessly spent ; 
 He begins to seek for a plan by which he can the 
 
 course of life beguile 
 Into acceptance of laws contrary to nature and be 
 
 reconcil'd : 
 But, in such an attempt to reconcile nature he 
 
 could only find 
 That things only could be untied, which nature 
 
 to like laws consigned. 
 When man had exerted all his faculties, and in all 
 
 things had failed 
 To create, or give influence to a cause, his heart 
 
 melted — cheek pal'd,— 
 Thus he saw that man of himself was a failure, 
 
 and the cause of a thing 
 Chang' d not, or obedience render, but to Him in 
 
 whom it has being. 
 Here man remembers the council of God, and be- 
 lieves, on this plants his faith; 
 Hopes, through obedience to rejected laws, to 
 
 regain the lost estate : 
 A more serious problem man's rest disturb' d 
 
 through a vision of the mind. 
 That before he can keep God's law he must, his 
 
 relation to all things, find — 
 If, for sake of obedience, man a knowledge of that 
 
 relation seek ; 
 And, with perfect heart that knowledge with 
 
 true affection, in honor, keep ; 
 God, whom he desires to serve will enable him his 
 
 duty know ; 
 And with respect to all things wherein he must 
 
 act that knowledge show. 
 Man, to God, is related as His power, wisdom, 
 
 glory, goodness knows,— 
 
 38 
 
That relation, God honors or disregards, according 
 
 to acts man does. 
 Man's solution of his relation to the Great, Eternal 
 
 One First Cause 
 Determines his course ; becomes a basis of his acts ; 
 
 or to him is law, — 
 The law which governs all his acts, and his reason 
 
 for every deed ; 
 So man's belief is his religion, be it false reasoning 
 
 or church creed. 
 From that beautiful mansion, where man first 
 
 willingly turned his steps to roam, 
 Through obedience and supplication is pleading to 
 
 make it his home: 
 With eyes steep' d in tears, a visible token of heart 
 
 rended condition. 
 He vows to the Universal Ruler to serve without 
 
 superstition ; 
 Sealing the obligation of his vow with sacrifice, 
 
 the blood of life; 
 Observing obligations of matrimony in taking Eve 
 
 to wife : 
 That obligation acknowledg'd in the pleasant 
 
 shade of Eden's tree ; 
 Before the throne of God, on the flowery shore of 
 
 the crystal sea; 
 Witnessed by angels looking from the vault of 
 
 a boundless unclouded sky, 
 Where the splendors of youth and brightness of 
 
 the morning are never passed by; 
 Saw by that sleepless Eye that regardeth not the 
 
 innocent flower, 
 Which matures into beauty and passes on 'neath 
 
 the summer bower; 
 That it may do obedience to kindness of Almighty 
 
 power 
 In passing from life in its fairest beauty, at the 
 
 appointed hour ; 
 
 39 
 
Heard by that auditory acuteness registering ev'ry 
 
 sound, 
 Gathering the cause which disturbed the quietness 
 
 before the resound; 
 Known by that mind which sees in the elements 
 
 the gendering of thought, 
 Which hghting on the brain of man shows how 
 
 mysteries of God are wrought: 
 Marriage was instituted with knowledge of all 
 
 things in a holy place ; 
 In the sacred precinct of light, so recommended to 
 
 all Adam's race: 
 Declared as the bond for the union of love, cement- 
 ing two hearts as one ; 
 Thus with respect to ties of love, man's obedience 
 
 to his wife begun. 
 So Adam saw no wrong in consenting to taste 
 
 fruit Eve's sweet lips press'd. 
 Who, after they were sufficiently enlightened, 
 
 found themselves undressed; 
 Being yet surrounded by beauty and innocency in 
 
 realms of light 
 They hoped to securely shelter their sin in the 
 
 depths of the shade of night : 
 To such realm they were unable to retire, or place 
 
 find to hide their woe ; 
 For place, where light of truth and knowledge 
 
 enters not the righteous seed to sow. 
 Is not to be found in the heights above, or with 
 
 the depths below. 
 Search most secret spot — with light of morning, 
 
 to uttermost bounds, go ; 
 And a place you will not find, where God is not 
 
 ever present 
 To judge all lords and kings, and console the 
 
 heart of the peasant. 
 Seeing themselves guilty before God and all 
 
 things, which did, yet, truth obey; 
 
 40 
 
They began preparing raiment, so foundation for 
 
 tailoring did lay ; 
 Gathering material from vegetation, such we get 
 
 from field; 
 Using the largest that least labor might require 
 
 to cause to yield 
 Into a garment fitting nice. — As Bve had no glass 
 
 herself to behold. 
 She must rely on what Adam said, but still think- 
 ing her beauty untold. 
 From sweetness of earth, ocean and air distill 
 
 their purity, it you will find 
 A bitterness of horror, when compared to influence 
 
 of joys divine : 
 Veg'tation, animal life and material world, their 
 
 beauty refine, 
 It would, if compared with celestial beauty, to 
 
 imperfection incline. — 
 From the diamond, sun and all things having 
 
 light, extract the purest spark; 
 But, when liken to the pure light of the just, you 
 
 will find deep shades of dark : 
 From the human voice ; note of singing bird ; 
 Or all things in which a pleasant sound be heard, 
 Draw from them the most pleasing strain, note 
 
 or word; 
 But, when compared with music of heaven's choir 
 In it you'd no sweetness or accordance hear. 
 The joys of the human heart, that break forth 
 
 in discordant song 
 On the still night air, or carried with the golden 
 
 flush of mom; 
 The love of the singing bird carroll'd forth to the 
 
 delight 
 Of all nature from a heart yearning for pur'ty of 
 
 light; 
 And all the creatures of nature as they seem to 
 
 waste their souls in praise 
 
 41 
 
To Him whose love ne'er grows cold, nor wastes 
 not in endless years or days, 
 
 Are all resung in perfect tone, without discord, by 
 that heavenly choir, 
 
 Whose voices into one perfect sound roll through 
 endless time and boundless air. 
 As each note of instrumental music some pas- 
 sion of soul elate ; 
 
 Or, as it some new joy, pleasure or gladness within 
 the heart awake; 
 
 So in music of that band that e'er plays to please 
 the Master great. 
 
 Each of these notes, in purest art, are perfect 
 made in tone and shape — 
 
 All the purity and sweetness of that music so per- 
 fectly sublime 
 
 Unite in one sweet chime — break on chord of 
 the Aeolian-harp of time. 
 
 And in that happy land where all voices are but 
 one; 
 
 Where all instruments of music to one note are 
 strung. 
 
 There that great, pure, sweet tone into which all 
 voices have grown, — • 
 
 The chiming of that wonderful harp into same 
 have flown. 
 
 How all vocal sounds and tones of instrumental 
 music into same' 11 flow 
 
 Is an admirable myst'ry for man too vast to 
 understand or show; 
 
 To the mind of the statesman, priest, poet or sage 
 
 Is a thing too wonderful for him to presage ; 
 
 But to the mind that can correctly see or com- 
 prehend. 
 
 The reason is that their influence is one and the 
 same — 
 
 Instrumental music is art of human voice playing 
 on a string, 
 
 42 
 
And for that reason it is an accomplishment to 
 
 play and to sing. 
 Since all power and influence to One Eternal 
 
 Cause in union flow; 
 Nature from that Great One First Cause with due 
 
 obedience receives her law. 
 Men and nations from kind nature, which will not 
 
 give 
 Personal favors, get instructions how to live : 
 Write their laws from instructions thus received ; 
 At her bar seek redress from what aggrieved. 
 Nature to her principles is never untrue or unfair, 
 Nor will she leave her trusting children to perish 
 
 in despair; 
 But, all her causes in scale of justice try ; 
 The poise observe with an unremitting eye — 
 Before announcing to the recording angel the 
 
 weight, 
 She observes again each influence and due caution 
 
 take 
 To see that every poise of the scale does exactly 
 
 state 
 How the influence of the circumstance to the 
 
 cause relate.^ 
 And the good or evil, that has thus arose, 
 Is instantly recorded to whom it goes. 
 He, who sits on the throne by His inevitable laws, 
 Sees what word or action has been productive of 
 
 the cause ; 
 Finds the exact influence intended to produce, 
 Which brought the word or action to such a state 
 
 or use; 
 Or how it has influenced the world, or gave 
 Principles of strength some falling heart to save. 
 If evil Almighty Good the thing rejects. 
 Seeing no beauty it holds or light reflects ; 
 If good, to the light it shows the highest respect ; 
 The power of right in strength it e'er will protect. 
 
 43 
 
What is nature, or from whence her lofty 
 powers grow? 
 Ask the Skeptic, doubting Love's influence or her 
 
 law. 
 Before you can, or will accept the answer to 
 
 the question give. 
 You must accept the influence of elements in 
 
 which you live; 
 And this existing truth, you must accept, that life 
 
 cannot come 
 From the power of either element in itself alone : 
 That life is given, or as you would say produced 
 By that influence, which each lends for others use : 
 That that common influence into which they all 
 
 doth blend 
 Is become the strength, vitality, light and life of 
 
 men: 
 That the existence, progress and well being of all 
 
 things truly depend 
 On keeping a true relation with influence in which 
 
 they began. 
 Sir, I cannot find reason to support a doubt 
 
 that would reject 
 The truth, which the conviction of my heart does 
 
 on my mind reflect. 
 Then, if this truth does so clearly to thy mind 
 
 impart 
 The strength that influence of wisdom has o'er 
 
 the heart; 
 How is it then, that you are unable to see, or 
 
 understand. 
 To rule this universe, the Being must be superior 
 
 to man? 
 Or how you can within your heart and mind con- 
 ceive 
 A thing that could induce you life's true path to 
 
 leave ? 
 Because the Almighty has not seen fit to lend 
 A power to all men His works to comprehend? 
 
 44 
 
Then, since the causes, which produce the animal 
 
 Hfe, I so plainly see, 
 Why is it I can't understand how an acorn can 
 
 contain a tree? 
 In gentle spring the mighty oak puts forth its 
 
 flower 
 To welcome the refreshing touch of the vernal 
 
 shower ; 
 In the sweet influence of sun bathe its tender 
 
 soul,— 
 In the bright splendor of the radiant light of gold ; 
 From the influences it loves gather strength of 
 
 vital force. 
 With nature of the oak unite elements, which give 
 
 the growth. 
 Thus maturing into fruit of purity and worth. 
 It falls to sleep upon the lap of mother earth ; 
 Closely nestled within her bosom neat and warm, 
 Protected from the drifting snow and winter' s storm ; 
 Reposes with unconscious ease from ev'ry harm, 
 And awaketh not until free from all alarm : 
 So a perfect tree within a shell's thus enclosed. 
 Surrounded with all nutriments by which it grows ; 
 But, would not be stirred from the silence of its 
 
 repose. 
 Until returning life had touched the heart of the 
 
 rose — 
 Urg'd by the caressing hand of loving mother 
 
 earth ; 
 Allur'd by the wide spreading music of vernal 
 
 mirth ; 
 Refreshed by the healing balm applied to the dust 
 Forth into the joys and power of life it burst. 
 Two leaves at first its foliage did compose, 
 But in after years put forth mightier boughs ; 
 Its broad spreading roots into earth's bosom shove 
 Piercing the vaulted sky as in greatness arose. 
 Since this great truth is so firmly fixed on my 
 
 sight, 
 
 45 
 
Then, I would be pleased to know from you, what 
 
 is light? 
 Before the light you can know, its source, you 
 
 must seek, 
 Not as the pround and haughty, but the low and 
 
 meek: 
 Your heart must be ready to receive and accept 
 
 the truth ; 
 Become as humble and dependent as the nursing 
 
 youth : 
 Think not that there is wisdom or strength within 
 
 man 
 His course too prosperous make, or destiny plan ; 
 But this one truth, must know, accept and under- 
 stand. 
 That the means employed will determine the end ; 
 Course or character of principles he cannot bend 
 To suit the purpose of his own superstitious mind. 
 Light's source, then Sir, you must hope to see or 
 
 find in the place. 
 Where sits the Creator, Ruler, Guider of human 
 
 race ; 
 To his infinite, unerring, infallable knowledge 
 
 adjust your sight. 
 Then this you will understand and confess to be 
 
 only true source and light. 
 When your relation to all things you seek to trace. 
 Ignorance and darkness, you must, from your 
 
 mind, erase; 
 For as you see a thing, whither dimly or clear. 
 So that thing will to you a like relation bear ; 
 So long as such relation is permitted to endure 
 You will, from it some good receive or evil, pro- 
 cure: 
 If you see a thing in original light. 
 And it you apply according to such sight ; 
 It's virtues you'll no longer fear or deny. 
 But, on its purpose, you will firmly rely. 
 Opinion's but a collection of light, 
 
 46 
 
Harmonized by each faculty of sight ; 
 
 Thus in acceptance, guarding our approach to the 
 close, 
 
 In determining what confidence's worthy repose. 
 Whither intelligence be conducted by either 
 faculty of sense. 
 
 Through observation and adjustment it must 
 gain the other's consent: 
 
 By such acceptance we receive intellectual light, 
 
 Which is equally as true as the reflection of sight. 
 
 If at any time one faculty refuse with others to 
 coincide, 
 
 Then reason's most powerful lens is faithfully 
 sought and as truly tried; 
 
 The cause confine to a closer restriction of purer 
 Hght 
 
 To relieve the mind from waving image of shadow- 
 ing doubt ; 
 
 Enable the faculties, of the cause, a true disposi- 
 tion make; 
 
 Place in life's scale where most happiness and 
 greatest pleasure effect. 
 Purest gems of life are only discoverable be- 
 neath reason's ray; 
 
 Life's sweetest and most tender thoughts often 
 contained by subjects cast away : 
 
 Then let each subject having influence with our 
 lives to connect, 
 
 Be tried by the light and the beauty that it of it- 
 self reflect ; 
 
 Plac'd in due connection with every pleasing in- 
 fluence of the soul ; 
 
 With concentrated light of ev'ry virtue humanity 
 can behold. 
 
 And, if through the current of the varied relations, 
 there be caused to flow 
 
 Into the heart sereener joys — to exile force some 
 instrument of woe ; 
 
 47 
 
Then its course make most sure, ever lighted by 
 
 the self same spark, 
 Always welcome its ebb and flowing through 
 
 portals of the heart. 
 The influence which flows from the bodies 
 
 celestial. 
 In sweetest effulgence o'er this ball terrestrial, 
 Is the sun's bright glow tinctured by the moon's 
 
 silvery beam; 
 And soft affections of the king of day for the 
 
 nightly queen 
 Is gendered into the stars' soft melting blaze, 
 Which union attracts the angels' fondest gaze : 
 Union should be no less a virtue in this life. 
 When pertaining to the bonds binding man and 
 
 wife; 
 And let confidence bear a soothing for ev'ry tear ; 
 As in darkest night greatest constellations appear. 
 As lesser luminaries pale before the King of the 
 
 Solar Reign; 
 Or the morning, from the rose's smiling face, as in 
 
 silence she complians, 
 Kisses a dewy tear away; so small ideas lead to 
 
 high views, 
 And continue through pure principle to rise to 
 
 more perfect truths. 
 Our being is but a solar system of human light. 
 Of which the soul is sun and intelhgence the sight ; 
 The mind, the moon, piercing the deep darkness 
 
 and gloom of ignorance night ; 
 Searching her dusky vaults and asserting claim 
 
 to utensils of life : 
 The soul and mind then give time and season to 
 
 ev'ry affair, 
 Which also determine the character of fruit that 
 
 we bear. 
 All physical and intellectual forces are stars of life. 
 Gathering an influence and vital strength from 
 
 the soul's pure plight 
 
 48 
 
To adjust them to their position in the system of 
 
 Hfe; 
 Bound man's conduct by more perfect beauty- 
 refinement of Hght. 
 Rehgion is the axis on which human destiny 
 
 revolves, 
 Which is so infinite in extremes that there can be 
 
 no poles. 
 If that religion be a true faith in the powers of God, 
 Production of that planet will grow from pure 
 
 flowers of love ; 
 Ripen into fruit of the purest mellowy hue ; 
 Fragrant with flavors of the sweetest heavenly 
 
 dew; 
 Containing nutriment to nourish ev'ry virtue of 
 
 gold, 
 And fluids sufficient to slake every thirst of the 
 
 soul. 
 If the axis be paganism, or infidelity, or doubt, 
 The planet of life will continue to circle in un- 
 known route 
 With no fixed purpose to rule, or to guide its 
 
 course ; 
 To lights of humanity be forever lost — 
 A miserable sphere, in a desolate abode. 
 Disconnected from all there are to adore or love ; 
 A barren, ice-cover' d, tempestuous, rocky home; 
 A place where no joys of life flourish, or virtues 
 
 bloom. 
 Seven lib'ral arts or sciences are Pl'ads of life, 
 Having an influence no man can bind or set at 
 
 strife ; 
 Lending a needed assistance to every vocation of 
 
 man; 
 Enabling every faculty of mind to take hold with 
 
 the hand. 
 To put in execution art's most perplexing or 
 
 wonderful plan; 
 
 49 
 
To erect every structure devised by the sapience 
 of man : 
 
 Has checked the sea in her wild domain, 
 
 To a portion of her bed set claim. 
 
 Flourishing districts and cities now stand where 
 the sea once raved, 
 
 To its marts gather luxuries of the world from o'er 
 her wave: 
 
 Sends in exchange articles for which human pride 
 continues its cry; 
 
 To every necessity of man furnish a lib'ral supply : 
 
 Has discovered and made application of the 
 powers of steam, 
 
 Lessened the burdens and cares of life by loco- 
 motive machine. 
 
 The locomotive and steamer have reached the 
 most distant place; 
 
 Quicken' d all branches of industry to a more pro- 
 gressive pace: 
 
 Has tamed the forked lightning of the thunder, 
 
 Which was to man a terrifying wonder — 
 
 Curbing its force, light and speed to the course of 
 a wire ; 
 
 Substituting its light for cannels, its heat for fire. 
 
 Its power to propel applied to the trolley and 
 wheel. 
 
 And through this application great usefulness doth 
 reveal — 
 
 Sound's now transmitted with speed rivaling 
 velocity of light ; 
 
 Communication established between all people , — 
 black or white — 
 
 Electricity now carries intelligence over land, — 
 under sea, — 
 
 Has wrought a revolution in every branch of in- 
 dustry that be. 
 Brotherly friendship' s that Orion B and that binds 
 Man to humanity through all its course and lines ; 
 Makes him a brother and friend to every race ; 
 
 50 
 
Gives man a welcome in every clime and place : 
 Seated deep in every heart to rule through time 
 
 and space; 
 A band the devil cannot break — stamp he can — 
 
 not erase. 
 Through the channels of the blood it flows pure, 
 
 deep and strong; 
 Renovates and purifies our lives with mercy's song : 
 Heart speaks to heart in nature's deepest tone, 
 When all earthly help has fled and is gone : 
 Calls to life those principles in the human breast, 
 That stir supreme joys from abode of earthly rest ; 
 Thus in the orb of life a new luminary softly 
 
 shines 
 To light humanity to more glorious and sweeter 
 
 climes. 
 This band has bound continents by commercial 
 
 lines ; 
 Encircled the globe with joyous and peaceful 
 
 climes ; 
 Has taught peaceful arts to every tribe beneath 
 
 the sun; 
 Will continue until rendered useless the sword 
 
 and gun; 
 Will set in reign pure joy, where strife did once 
 
 abound, 
 Strewn the earth with desolation and carnage 
 
 round ; 
 O'er useful arts, with truth, to etem'ly smile 
 On Folly's grave, that once ruled the savage wile; 
 But sincere Folly's death true splendor in radi- 
 ance shine 
 With a glow that superstition and folly cannot 
 
 blind. 
 God's power to know and to save from the 
 
 hand of fate 
 Just at that moment when earthly help seems too 
 
 late ; 
 Preserve us in quiet peaceful hours of sleep 
 
 51 
 
From the hand that would, the earth with our 
 
 blood, steep; 
 To conceal from the eye of the serpent, or the 
 
 enemy that lurks 
 In secret paths, to seize with fiery fangs, or hurl 
 
 poisonous darts. 
 Is to humanity like Mazzaroth, which in nature 
 
 gives 
 Exact time and season to each botanical form 
 
 that lives; 
 Instructs plants and trees, when to answer nature's 
 
 call ; 
 And when to shout with vernal voices one and all ; 
 When to spread forth their lovely hands in form 
 
 of flowers and leaves, — 
 Sparkling dew drops and other heavenly blessing 
 
 to receive ; 
 Hurry on in tender buds through sunny days 
 To drink in the sweeter notes of summer lays ; 
 Watch then as they through the age of beauty 
 
 glare 
 Toward approach of hyperborean air, 
 As it follows the sun in his southerly retreat, 
 Leaving nature, over her shining vesture, to weep : 
 As the frost follows in the sun's bright wake; 
 From trees and plants their verdant robe, to take, 
 Leaving them bear to the howling storm and 
 
 raging air, — 
 Among the branches, pure lovely snow flakes 
 
 play so fair. 
 That there could seem no harm in their visiting 
 
 this earth for a while. 
 Since they, in such perfect loveliness, over nature 
 
 cast their smile: 
 Covering the earth with a pure white coverlet not 
 
 her own; 
 Decorating the forest with beauty not of foliage 
 
 grown ; 
 Calling the vital elements to quiet repose ; 
 
 52 
 
And nature stooping to hear all her creatures woes, 
 
 Kindly admonishing them that they which least 
 complain 
 
 Will soonest feel life's adolescent powers again — 
 
 And will stronger grow in favor with the sun, 
 
 'Til his course to Canser be completely run ; 
 
 To look again with a smile upon the polar field ; 
 
 Where the treasures of frost, snow, hail and ice lay 
 concealed. 
 
 Think what'd be their worth if God had not con- 
 fined 
 
 His annual course to these tropical lines ; 
 
 The beauty of the artic realm would vainly fair, 
 
 If he should elect to extend his visits there ; 
 
 The congealed bosom of the artic sea 
 
 Into placid waters would molten be. 
 
 If the sun in his steady course the north pole 
 should find, 
 
 The cold from there driven would around the 
 south combine. 
 If it be true what the scientists say, 
 
 That glaciers over this zone once held sway; 
 
 The sun's most southerly bound at the time 
 
 Must have been the Ant-arctic circling line; 
 
 And the tropic of capricom, the equator of time, — 
 
 Equally further to south extended the frigid 
 clime, — • 
 
 Then, we must believe that in the circle of years 
 
 The sun'll vary 'til cancer, the equator appears. 
 How all changes in nature come and how they go 
 
 Is not for mortal man to understand or know ; 
 
 But God in his pure wisdom so equal and pro- 
 found 
 
 Will bring into usefulness all elements that bound ; 
 
 The frosty realms that now lay buried by ice and 
 snow 
 
 May in the course of time into fertile valleys grow ; 
 
 The deserts, that now lay parched by an equa- 
 torial sun, 
 
 53 
 
May enjoy the cooler bliss of a milder temperate 
 
 zone; 
 Regions, that now lay barren from heat and cold, 
 May one day be praised for their wine and their 
 
 gold; 
 The parch' d shrub or lichen that may now be 
 
 growing there, 
 Instead may grow, tropical plants and flowers 
 
 most fair; 
 In space, where no knowledge, save instinct and 
 
 intelligence of God abound. 
 In the future annals of time great universities, 
 
 there, may be found ; 
 Where no labor of man is now to be seen or heard. 
 The works of useful arts and science may spread 
 
 abroad ; 
 O'er the bosom of the now frozen sea, the million- 
 aire's yacht may skim; 
 And on the now bleak shores the solitary peasant 
 
 may chant a hymn. 
 That great light or virtue in which all human 
 
 lights or virtues are bound, 
 From it all lesser lights or virtues in humanity, to 
 
 flow, are found, — 
 Spreads with equal fullness undiminished ray and 
 
 light 
 Through the vaulted sepulchers of human fear 
 
 and strife; 
 To lay superstition and folly in their lothesome 
 
 beds so low; 
 Leave the better flowers of nature, in the human 
 
 heart to grow — 
 That bows humanity at a sympathetic shrine 
 With loving heart and tender soul for the weak 
 
 and blind, — 
 When moving among worms to guide the foot with 
 
 caution tender. 
 That their rights you may not obstruct, or in their 
 
 labor hinder ; 
 
 54 
 
But rejoice in their moving at the command 
 Made by the waving of an Almighty hand — 
 The treasure of the mother bird regard with most 
 
 tender care, 
 That we may rejoice with her in what we love in 
 
 equal share 
 By like pity that cause us the mother bird's young 
 
 to spare 
 God will our rights to mercy by his loving hand 
 
 declare ; 
 That teaches to admire the rose in its splendor 
 
 and pass 
 Without obeying the desire its beauty to 
 
 possess ; 
 Through obedience to that desire the beautiful 
 
 crush to death; 
 And leave the stem to solitary pining for its 
 
 wealth bereft. 
 We cannot carelessly crush the meanest plant 
 
 that grows, 
 Or so deprive of life the lowest insect that moves 
 Without being in violation to God's most tender 
 
 laws, 
 Through which all creatures' lives and rights to 
 
 him he sweetly draws. 
 Through that mercy shown by God to man, 
 From man to each living form extend, 
 Causes influence of floral beauty, in tenderest bliss, 
 To salute the soul of man with nature's sweet 
 
 adoring kiss, — 
 Which inspires man's soul in its highest strain 
 To sing praise to God's pure and holy name, 
 For communion with tender beauties of ocean, 
 
 earth and air ; 
 To bring his soul before God in sweet and solemn 
 
 prayer. 
 By man accepting these lights and seeking their 
 
 source 
 His life will drift on in truest, loftiest course ; 
 
 55 
 
Not by force impelled, but drawn by purest im- 
 pulse of love 
 Over the calm bosom of peace to eternally move 
 In the boundless realm of peaceful light and end- 
 less good; 
 Where humanity is calm as it anciently stood — 
 And still carried upward through an endless year ; 
 The fullness of God's glory can ne'er appear: 
 Then, since God's glory and fullness can never 
 
 cease, 
 Man's pleasures will have a perennial increase; 
 And man into godliness will continually grow, 
 While the fullness of such godliness he can never 
 
 know: 
 And still there is a centering power of God's mercy 
 
 which draws 
 A perfect feeling of sympathy for ev'ry creature's 
 
 woes ; 
 And through that potent feeling administers equal 
 
 laws, — 
 Ever by scale of justice establish the rightful 
 
 cause. 
 There is no act of charity or oppression, but God 
 
 knows why 
 That the happy are delighted, or that the lowly 
 
 cast a sigh. 
 All vitality, truth and intellect in God becomes 
 
 but one, 
 Just as all creatures' beings were with Him before 
 
 their lives begun; 
 And every living form endowed with a life and 
 
 nature of its own ; 
 That each generated being should be flesh of its 
 
 flesh, bone of its bone — 
 Each created being looks to God through life and 
 
 form its own; 
 And by that nature, and life, and form it to its 
 
 class is known. 
 
 56 
 
By that first form or image, which stands before 
 
 God's throne; 
 Through which each has its being and to the 
 
 Father sworn 
 To bear true the precepts of His love to each cre- 
 ated kind, 
 That they may to their first image turn for glory 
 
 so divine. 
 The image of the first created being is Lord of all 
 
 its race, 
 Since they are bound by its form and nature and 
 
 ruled by its sight and taste, 
 As all races of living creatures have first their 
 
 being with God, 
 And through that being ever bound by an uner- 
 ring force of love 
 To keep true the laws of nature and pay homage 
 
 to him above; 
 So the image drawn in heaven is the sun of each 
 
 systematic life 
 Harmonizing vital forces, which beautify and rule 
 
 each in its might; 
 Thus all are bound by the pure love of the Father 
 
 into a higher life, 
 That keeps lowest creature, — rules the distant 
 
 planets and sets the stars aright. 
 Bach form of life has a vital planet as a lordly 
 
 image drawn 
 By the great Architect of the universe before the 
 
 earth had form; 
 Each planet set universal to draw its innumerable 
 
 train 
 Into boundless infinite kingdom of God before 
 
 his holy reign. 
 So this planitary light we may view in life's lowest 
 
 form 
 To the more splendid light of man, which is 
 
 nearest heaven drawn : 
 
 57 
 
In reverse we find, man below angels made a 
 
 little less; 
 Thus each sphere of life does alike vanish down 
 
 to nothingness. 
 The tracing of each hiiman principle from a 
 
 spark most obscure 
 Through a gathering influence into a living light 
 
 most pure 
 Is but humanity gathering into heaven's sweetest 
 
 love, 
 As will eternally brighten through endless age 
 
 that doth move 
 Into a brighter world of thought, as an endless 
 
 day will roll. 
 Through fuller life with no bound, joy and per- 
 fection to control: 
 Instead of feebleness of age man'll continue to 
 
 grow more strong in youth, — 
 There is no feebleness of age, but in receding from 
 
 God's loving truth. 
 Just as each vital planet's adjusted by the Great 
 
 Life Giving Force 
 To its proper position with regard to every vital 
 
 course ; 
 So material planets are controlled by solar powers. 
 That govern time, rule the seasons and regulate 
 
 the showers; 
 Which power is gathered into myriad suns, 
 And properly lights and heats each planet that 
 
 hums 
 Its course within the arms of equal force 
 To connect all its parts with the need source. 
 Arcturus is that power which draws 
 All systems to seat of solar laws. 
 As they are held in the vast expanse 
 By powers equal, but not by chance ; 
 While the distance of their course and the time to 
 
 make 
 Are reckon'd with precision, so to render safe 
 
 58 
 
The vast universe in all its parts and as a whole, 
 Should each system be set ne'er in time to cease 
 
 to roll; 
 And when billions of years, in dusky cycles, will 
 
 have past 
 In time and distance there 'd be no variance in 
 
 the least; 
 The same relation to its sun each'd yet maintain, 
 Nor yet in space would have turned to the light 
 
 in vain; 
 As yet, the seasons it would continue to change, 
 For all creatures' benefits equally the same — 
 All the vast universe would continue to roll, 
 Alike for the same purpose as we now behold ; 
 Nor would there have been one collision in all that 
 
 vast host; 
 One star or planet in its course or to its sun be lost, — 
 But prove this truth to all generations yet unborn, 
 That the Great I Am does all his work with truth 
 
 adorn : 
 By perfect knowledge, through reason clear in 
 
 space, bind 
 All his principles and works through unerring time ; 
 Where they in purest light doth truly shine 
 Through test of wisdom, true to ever find 
 Their perfect sitting, in this vast universe, thus 
 
 behold 
 To mould all space in one just body and one per- 
 fect soul. 
 So God did all things to their rightful realms 
 
 confine 
 In harmonious keeping with a perfect mind — 
 And set in touch with a Being that ever knows 
 All that be not in keeping with perfections' laws ; 
 And when such keeping does not always be. 
 The offender's found by the perfect three. 
 The Father from whom all in order grew, 
 Ever holds them by a most perfect view 
 To account to all His vastness great 
 
 59 
 
For the keeping of their first estate, 
 
 This solar system we behold materially disclose, 
 To us the fact, that it from a universal system 
 
 grows ; 
 Controlled by equal, yet by greater laws, — 
 Which knows no variance or seeks a pause 
 To make better anything for nature's cause,— 
 For, as they were first created so must stand 
 True to perfection's everlasting plan. 
 Which the Creator had ever seen 
 Bach thing to itself so pure and clean : 
 Thus in creating ordained to it a law 
 To ever within the orb of nature draw — 
 A rule by elements it thus compose. 
 To determine the rights of its dispose. 
 So through this it is given a law to find 
 How each form of life is to its sphere confin'd ; 
 Bach planet in position to sun inclin'd. 
 
 As the stars, through the universe inconstella- 
 
 tions, gather round 
 To veil their sweet faces in honor of sun's more 
 
 glorious crown ; 
 Or as the suns, which spread their beauty through^ 
 
 infinite space. 
 Delight to pay homage to Arcturus' more dazzling 
 
 grace; 
 Which supplies the most distant planet with 
 
 means of fire. 
 Or robes in light of crystal beauty the purest star : 
 Thus, the many virtues of humanity ever cluster 
 To unite their light, power and beauty in purest 
 
 lustre, 
 To form a crown for man, it to give. 
 If worthy in life he strives to live ; 
 When, before the Father be summoned to appear 
 The radiant light of that crown will banish all fear ; 
 For truth doth ordain that no being shall possess 
 
 such apparel. 
 
 60 
 
Who is unworthy to enjoy the light of the su- 
 pernal world — 
 
 And that he who such a robe may possess, 
 
 Shall inherit wealth of immortal bliss. 
 
 There are other human virtues, which we might 
 minutely relate; 
 
 Within their spheres are artisticallly fitted and 
 supremely great,— 
 
 But to the subject we must turn to state; 
 
 To hear, the Skeptic doth linger and wait. 
 
 Sir, a question you have asked and yet not will- 
 ing to hear 
 
 The truth of bright mysteries lingering ever so 
 near, 
 
 Which are ever conversant with souls that would 
 know 
 
 The sweet beams of joy which incessantly flow 
 
 From nature's audible speech, or heaven's vocal 
 sounding ; 
 
 To every ear speaking and through all space re- 
 sounding : 
 
 And yet, Sir, have you not felt, nor do you under- 
 stand 
 
 How the grandeur of the rose salutes the soul of 
 man? 
 
 While man returns the salutation so civil and 
 seemingly quiet 
 
 In recognition of such exquisite beauty and purity 
 of life; 
 
 Through love breathes out the beauty and sweet- 
 ness of its soul 
 
 For the sake of good and not for rubies or for gold ; 
 
 But, prove the congeniality of air and mould 
 
 As the Plastic Hand, them in such mystic beauty, 
 fold. 
 Sir, nature in a plant, let us first seek to trace. 
 
 To find how it does many elements embrace. 
 
 There, moisture, and earth, and air, and light 
 
 We see spreading into life so bright ; 
 
 61 
 
And, if the truth we do seek to find, 
 
 Why these elements will so combine; 
 
 This a supreme idea we will find to truly glow 
 
 Traceable under guidance of nature's useful law. 
 
 First we find, in the realm of life came a demand, 
 And to find what it was was part of wisdom's plan ; 
 So she, from the characteristics of the call, saw 
 
 what would supply,— 
 That materials to make it did somewhere in na- 
 ture's kingdom lie; 
 And wisdom calling for material in a voice nature 
 
 knew. 
 She electrified each source with a spirit to the 
 
 others true; 
 And gave them with a pleasing will. 
 Knowing they would the purpose fill. 
 Thus knowledge, under the guidance of truth, was 
 
 made to understand 
 How this form of life was delivered nature under 
 
 wisdom's plan: 
 The Creator did there ordain for nature's sake 
 The form of mould these principles should touch 
 
 and wake: 
 And through the kindred feeling, congenial to 
 
 them all, 
 Gave eternally the form of plant that should rise 
 
 and fall : 
 Endowed them with a sense of feeling so perfect 
 
 and so pure. 
 From the autumnal or vernal touch tell which 
 
 will kill or cure. 
 The harmonious blending of elements the plants 
 
 existence compose, 
 While through the material principles, they do 
 
 its being so disclose. 
 At the touch of that harmony, in life, a plant 
 
 rises forth; 
 And through the strength of the union finds the 
 
 extent of its growth. 
 
 62 
 
The power that causes kindred principles to blend 
 in life, 
 
 For a purpose true with God in wisdom's pure and 
 perfect light; 
 
 Call to existence certain iroms from the dust of 
 earth, 
 
 And control them in after life as true as in birth, — 
 
 With all other powers and principles, which do 
 that form concern 
 
 In harmony are called nature as they homage to 
 God return. 
 This power of nature's art has and will ever dis- 
 play 
 
 Floral beauty, the grandest and purest man's 
 heart to sway : 
 
 The vegetable kingdom spread over this earth so 
 vast. 
 
 Until the islands remote in such like beauty were 
 cast ; 
 
 To laden the cooling breeze with fragrance pure, 
 lovely and sweet; 
 
 Until o'er the bosom of the far distant ocean 
 might greet. 
 
 With joy some lonely being that has a tear to stay, 
 
 Caused by the rending of hearts when in distance 
 away; 
 
 In (and where spirits congenial had learn' d to cling 
 
 In the harmony of truth two souls were wont to 
 sing. 
 The mineral and vegetable kingdoms being com- 
 plete ; 
 
 All other powers gave audience to hear wisdom 
 dictate. 
 
 Not being willing that all this magnificence should 
 here be doomed to waste. 
 
 Called a multiplicity of animals — each with a pe- 
 culiar taste — 
 
 That would in them a pure relish, thus produce 
 
 63 
 
For the vegetation fitting for their use. 
 
 The beasts were made, the earth in kindred herds 
 to rove ; 
 
 To seek food from nature's store — shelter in the 
 grove : 
 
 The fish were formed to love the watery fields 
 that sweep 
 
 Over the mighty caverns, and in their secrets 
 sleep : 
 
 Fowls were made, on wing, to explore the aerial 
 plain ; 
 
 To give the soul in artless song the savage breast 
 to tame: 
 
 Then came man, the lordly being of a created plan, 
 
 With knowledge to find secrets — the hidden mys- 
 teries scan. 
 
 All things engaged his search, their usefulenss to 
 unfold ; 
 
 In each form, and through each trace, and with 
 them as a whole. 
 
 The link of nature's pleasing art; binding them to 
 his soul. 
 
 He lost not from a living form down to the sleep- 
 ing mould : 
 
 So all things, whether in place remote, or in distance 
 near, 
 
 In the scale of man's necessity do somewhere ap- 
 pear. 
 
 Every created form, through the art of nature's 
 mazy plan. 
 
 Has a direct usefulness, traceable to some need 
 of man — 
 
 From each form, by vital powers, given strength 
 and taste; 
 
 Clothed with magnificent beauty of artistic grace ; 
 
 Or objects inanimate designed to stand. 
 
 Where set a shelter from time's inclement hand, — 
 By instinctive feelings akin to fraternal power, 
 
 64 
 
Bach being, to its species, is bound in life's fatal 
 
 hour, 
 To give attention to distress' unnatural, yet, fa- 
 miliar cry; 
 To render a needed assistance, .with hurried steps, 
 
 will ever fly 
 To the relief of one uttering such signs of distress, 
 That it may be freed from the powers, which do 
 
 so oppress. 
 That power propitious. Sir, that in all creation is 
 
 cast; 
 Binding sympathetically each living creature to 
 
 its class, — 
 Being eternally bound by the form of ancestors 
 
 primeval ; 
 Also by sight, taste, hearing, smelling, feeling and 
 
 habits co-eval. 
 In animals are denominated faculties of nat'ral 
 
 instinct. 
 While in addition to these man is given power to 
 
 reason and think. 
 ^ Nature, Sir, in its fullness is that power, which 
 
 found fitting 
 All things their place in the universe where they 
 
 are now sitting; 
 To and from all things else give and gather a 
 
 mutual assistance, — 
 No matter how small or insignificant, without its 
 
 existence. 
 The Creator's work would be incomplete, and 
 
 time's hand that flaw would seek; 
 Nature's adamantine bands, to slowly dissolve and 
 
 as quietly break — 
 Then the universe from off its foundation, shake 
 To again be hurled into a chaotic state — 
 But, since nature has under the guide of wisdom's 
 
 eye. 
 Set her works, time's devastating hand, to defy; 
 
 65 
 
Until that great coming day in which fire, this 
 
 flight of years, shall sweep, 
 Into the past in search of inhabitants for celestial 
 
 deep. 
 Then, while time'll last, man will find nothing to 
 
 fear, 
 If, through nature to God, he ever draws near. 
 Nature further, Sir, is like a great capillary 
 
 system which connect 
 Each feeling and pulse and sense of the mortal 
 
 with an immortal effect ; 
 Like sensor and motor currents of the spinal 
 
 system, which we trust 
 To convey exact intelligence to the mind of each 
 
 thing we touch : 
 So do the great truths of the Creator, all feelings 
 
 of his creatures, bind 
 To his power of feeling and intellect, their wants 
 
 and needs to define; 
 So no creature can feel, act or move, except an 
 
 impression exact 
 Is felt by the great heart and soul of nature, and 
 
 so reflected back: 
 Thus all our lives, before the Father, ever stand 
 Tried, tested and proved by heaven's own loving 
 
 hand. 
 In the Archives of nature the book of truth'll 
 
 unfold. 
 In letters enamell'd by time and burnished with 
 
 gold, 
 A history of all things as God saw them in light of 
 
 age; 
 By the power of his wisdom, before their existence 
 
 gave,— 
 There find the source from whence every habit of 
 
 life has its spring, — 
 The reason why these ancestrial habits forever 
 
 will cling, 
 
 66 
 
In every age and clime, true to the offspring of its 
 kind. — 
 
 Authenticity of its records proclaim in words 
 divine — 
 
 There may read the mysteries which a plant im- 
 parts, 
 
 But must do it at the expense of nature's arts ; 
 
 Before we can its powers of beauty extol, 
 
 We must every secret of its worth unfold: 
 
 To obtain knowledge by which it was made alive 
 
 We must, the plant of its form and beauty, de- 
 prive, — 
 
 For by the knowledge of the Creator, the plant 
 into existence came, — 
 
 A separation of elements be necessary for to ob- 
 tain 
 
 A like intelligence of the plant, its culture, its 
 climate and its name. 
 
 We find God's power to create and preserve the 
 science of arts involve; 
 
 And for man to successfully trace, must the plant 
 to all its parts dissolve — 
 
 Find each element has material existence to itself 
 alone ; 
 
 But, not existing influence to the elementary 
 world unknown. 
 
 Each life's influence of certain elements in har- 
 mony blended, 
 
 So we find that they are from a like union of the 
 whole descended. — 
 
 Then read nature perfect as a whole, and in every 
 part; 
 
 And there read the perfection of science and alike 
 of art. 
 Sir, will you not to the Skeptic here well and truly 
 explain 
 
 How Adam was reconciled to the Father in Eden's 
 plain ; 
 
 67 
 
Placed in a garden filled with fruits the most de- 
 licious to taste; 
 With flowers the most gorgeous in colors on which 
 
 sight could feast; 
 With orders, thatseen elysian, to dress and to keep— 
 Of the fruit of good and evil, prohibited to eat ? 
 After the fruit of knowledge of good and evil did 
 
 partake, 
 It was then of the tree of life he was forbidden to 
 
 taste? 
 And where now, Sir, is that garden, if thou can'st 
 
 tell; 
 Of the tree of life, is it yet standing or fell? 
 
 Sir, in the Book of Revelations it is again reveal' d 
 In words of pure holiness and with prophetic 
 
 knowledge seal'd. 
 That in crystal purity the river of life begins its 
 
 flow 
 From the throne of God, and there the tree of life 
 
 continues to grow 
 On either bank, and twelve manner of fruits are 
 
 its monthly yield ; 
 While, by the virtue of its leaves the nations are to 
 
 be healed. 
 Before the throne of God, then, the plane of Kden 
 
 expands ; 
 And there to the eastward that beautiful garden 
 
 yet stands; 
 Where pure flowers of virtue cluster in youthful 
 
 birth, 
 And scatter their holy fragrance far over the 
 
 earth 
 To awake the soul of man to the touch of purity 
 
 again, ^ 
 Turn the affections of his heart to that land from 
 
 whence it first came: 
 There virtues ripen into fruits of the most re- 
 splendent hue ; 
 
 68 
 
Filled with flavors as pleasing to taste as the 
 
 colors we view, 
 Pure sweet fruits of virtue are the food angels to 
 
 feed, 
 As their lives can only be filled with the purest 
 
 deed. 
 If their thirst be slaked by any but dew shed on 
 
 virtue's softest bower; 
 Be delighted other than by the odor of the most 
 
 fragrant flower; 
 Or their hunger appeas'd, other than by virtue's 
 
 purest flavor 
 They would be unable to execute the Father's 
 
 loving favor — 
 For if the food be not of the purest on which they 
 
 feast 
 It will alike tincture their lives, though it be but 
 
 the least. 
 The life that is not pure cannot attend the Fath- 
 er's perfect grace, 
 Nor can the soul that is unclean have a smile from 
 
 His dazzling face. 
 Yet, Sir, there stands the tree of life perpetually 
 
 in bloom ; 
 Sending forth its beauty and odor into death's 
 
 deepest gloom ; 
 With power sufficient to heal the wound of sin's 
 
 deepest dart; 
 With the light of truth to cleanse the soul and 
 
 purify the heart, — 
 To annul the ordinances of hell, which death's 
 
 vigil keeps 
 Over the soul's sepulchre, which in silent slumber 
 
 creeps. 
 But the soul by truth probed and by mercy clensed 
 Hell hath no power to bind within its fens. 
 While Adam enjoyed a reconciHation with the 
 
 Father, 
 
 69 
 
All power, strength and virtue of humanity in 
 him did gather: 
 
 He with a love single to the Creator before whom 
 he moved; 
 
 A soul congenial to the sacred precincts in which 
 he roved; 
 
 With a knowledge of art enabling him to under- 
 stand 
 
 The beauties of nature as painted by Heaven's 
 own hand ; 
 
 With a scientific sense of power true to under- 
 stand and find 
 
 A classification of creation acceptable to God's 
 mind: 
 
 And with respect to each's importance and its use, 
 
 Gave them names in keeping with their generic 
 truth; 
 
 And, if, that name through all its various rela- 
 tions, you trace, 
 
 There will find a true history of that creature and 
 its race. 
 
 And yet, there is a name the mind of man cannot 
 peruse ; 
 
 Nor can he find the worth and beauty God's 
 powers diffuse ; 
 
 Yet, man's supremacy, over all creation, is there 
 defined. 
 
 Which dominion is due the empire of the soul, and 
 heart, and mind. 
 While all human principles were united in Adam 
 with truth 
 
 They dressed him with the shining robe of heav- 
 en's perpetual youth ; 
 
 Enthroned him within the shade of celestial 
 bowers ; 
 
 Clothed with the regal splendor of supernal 
 powers : 
 
 Man sat monarch of the world, but not at rest, 
 
 Since the powers to rule strove within his breast ; 
 
 70 
 
Yet, while to his own mind and desires gave control, 
 A realm of peace and light before him began to 
 
 roll; 
 So continued until he found knowledge, which 
 
 made him so wise 
 That he found it easier to fall than to continue to 
 
 rise. 
 Sir, here think with reason's mind and you will 
 
 see, that to this time, 
 Man was not only masculine, but equally fem- 
 inine ; 
 Here God seeing fit the two characters to divide. 
 Spread the earth in which his generations to abide ; 
 And as in truth the Holy Writings say, 
 That God from man taken a rib away ; 
 And with it the feminine character of that lordly 
 
 man. 
 Which moulding with a more delicate beauty and 
 
 tender hand; 
 A more feeling heart and sweeter grace of mind 
 Than in other creation we e'er could find — 
 And Adam no longer gentle in mind or tenderly 
 
 seeing. 
 Sighed for those sweet graces, which before had 
 
 so neatly dress' d his being. 
 When woman was presented to man, in her he 
 
 saw that beauty of art. 
 Which before had so gently charm' d his mind and 
 
 so tenderly soothed his heart : 
 Seeing himself without her, how incomplete and 
 
 how impolite; 
 Comparing when those feminine graces were the 
 
 masculine light — 
 That while with God perfect in soul and in heart ; 
 Of man woman was the lovely gem of art. 
 Which engrossed them in the Creator's tender 
 
 care. 
 As one, through holy bonds creating wedded pair : 
 
 71 
 
Thus man does again, that jewel, so precious in 
 
 his Hfe, embrace, 
 Which, with the Father and angels, secured him 
 
 cherished light of grace. 
 So Adam saw that woman was, yet, as much of 
 
 him a part. 
 As before separated by creative powers of art. 
 Being so embraced in the powers of self love. 
 Each, for the other in this life, began to move,— 
 And they no longer true in affection to God, Life's 
 
 Goal; 
 Were given to enjoy the fruits of a less hallowed 
 
 mould : 
 They being more precious to each other than the 
 
 real Goal of Life; 
 In selfishness veiled their hearts, and minds, and 
 
 souls to the true source of light. 
 Seeing in this the dim disordered light of man ; 
 Through time interminable, should his race at- 
 tend. 
 If permitted, of the fruit of the tree of life, to taste, 
 Which purpose is not to change, but is to perpet- 
 uate 
 The then existing state of the creature which does 
 
 partake. 
 For the good of man God, the fruit of the tree of 
 
 life reserved; 
 Until man had again the true powers of Heaven 
 
 observed ; 
 And made his life the more glorious image of his 
 
 Lord. 
 Now, hear the only true secret of matrimony, 
 
 which is to find 
 How the feminine virtues did first ennoble and 
 
 refine man's mind; 
 How they were the tenderest beauties of his soul ; 
 Kept his deepest affections a pure burning coal 
 On life's altar, a shrine of purest gold ; 
 Cast with purest dyes in a perfect mold ; 
 
 72 
 
Set in that glorious temple not made by hand, 
 Prehistoric to the most ancient day of man : 
 Then for marriage to be a blessing and be true 
 The parties must be harmonized in their ever 
 
 view, — 
 A harmony in keeping with the principles and 
 
 smiles of truth; 
 Be guided by all availing strength of love's per- 
 petual youth; 
 Walk cautiously and securely in that narrow way. 
 Directed by the knowledge which lights that 
 
 ceaseless day; 
 Let not the sparks of life waste in oblivious night ; 
 But be absorbed by the intellect of purest light — ■ 
 'Gain find their lives with the Father in union a 
 
 perfect one, 
 As were such before this flight of years began its 
 
 course to run; 
 In the joys of heaven find the sweetest rest ; 
 In the favors of life be securely blest. 
 
 The truths of God are all the powers that have a 
 
 lasting stay ; 
 All else are folly riden, alluring from true path 
 
 away; 
 So to the course of this faltering strand, 
 The Maker will ascribe a fitting end, 
 To be determined by influence of act and deed ; 
 Till this flight of time on golden wings will cease 
 
 to speed, 
 Over the revolving flight of measured years; 
 Freighted with the weight of many joys and tears. 
 When the raging storm of life will have sped its 
 
 ceasing gale; 
 In time's most distant port, life's bark lowered 
 
 its latest sail; 
 Then comes the inspector true with knowledge 
 
 and power aglow 
 To set the cargo on high, or cast it in the depths 
 
 below. 
 
 73 
 
Since first the human race, at God's command in 
 
 Ufe, began, 
 Through the return of years, in generations, to 
 
 expand 
 Into cities and nations from a roving clan ; 
 Until the pursuit of life bound them by its span, 
 It has been taught by scriptural truths and does, 
 
 yet, prove true; 
 While physical man weakens intellect broadens 
 
 its view, — 
 Then, as primitive man was clothed in physical 
 
 strength. 
 So must the latter age of man in wisdom be spent ; 
 And, here, a wonderful mystery of truth, we find. 
 How wisdom so exactly supplants the lack of time ; 
 As it spreads before us the gathered volume of 
 
 truth. 
 Which' s been wrought by logic's equilibrium of 
 
 proof — 
 Find the equaUty of God in the might of power 
 
 explain ; 
 How, through ages in time unequal, to man He's 
 
 ever the same; 
 How life's shortened exact in proportion to ad- 
 vantages given 
 By experiment, which opens more truly the 
 
 splendors of heaven : 
 We find the exact equality, in the height of perfec- 
 tion, to extend 
 Through all ages, which the Creator, in his wisdom, 
 
 allotted to men. 
 Trace the smallest principles of truth as they in 
 
 harmony blend; 
 Through the elementary world'll find pyramids of 
 
 light ascend 
 High in the light of intellectural day. 
 Where the sons of science cast their purest ray : 
 Thus through the world of intellect scientific 
 
 pyramids appear 
 
 74 
 
Most refulgent beneath unfaded splendor of suns 
 of ceaseless glare: 
 
 Through that realm of intellect are many pyra- 
 mids and suns to find, 
 
 Which stand perfect and radiant through the most 
 extended lap of time. 
 
 He, who the material can annalyze, or Architect's 
 mind explain. 
 
 May hold converse with the sons of genius upon 
 the highest seat of fame; 
 
 For he, who thus ascends a pyramid by power of 
 . sight, 
 
 Constructs for himself a monument of pure and 
 lasting light. 
 
 All these shining obelisks of science and suns 
 which illume their span 
 
 Are cemented by wisdom, the purest of the ever- 
 lasting plan, 
 
 Into one grand structure composing quintessence 
 of each light and gem ; 
 
 Wrought with the highest grandeur on which 
 supreme magnificence attend; 
 
 Adorn' d by most exquisite beauties to which 
 powers of art ascend. 
 Wisdom's the source and splendor of intellectual 
 day, 
 
 Sending forth beams the brightest of the ever- 
 lasting ray; 
 
 The light and law by which all other lights were 
 planned ; 
 
 Constructed; placed and rul'd for purposes most 
 Grand ; 
 
 A guide to inspect true the mysteries of all space, — 
 
 Show a plan of usefulness where none is doomed 
 to waste, 
 
 Save that to which the law of light be adverse ; 
 
 And cast with those that be of an endless curse : 
 
 Wisdom is the brightest of the everlasting light; 
 
 75 
 
The instructor of sages; the deadHest foe to 
 
 night; 
 The Hght by which, the universe in its purity, God 
 
 saw 
 And set all things in observation of an unerring 
 
 law; 
 To preserve them in pristine beauty of their purest 
 
 strength. 
 That radium-like spreads itself in light, yet, never 
 
 spent ; 
 Enlightening the world with pure principles, 
 
 which more luminous grow 
 As we trace them toward the gathering splendor 
 
 of majestic awe, — 
 Where sit the sons of science, in audience most 
 
 reverent and profound. 
 To be instructed by pure and perfect intelligence 
 
 gathering round 
 The Foot-stool ; where wisdom, the gist of genius 
 
 and of power. 
 Proves by just and equal laws the accomplishment 
 
 of each hour; 
 Where time is authenticating what God by wisdom 
 
 first hath said ; 
 While all things else, in deathly silence, slept in 
 
 a chaotic bed. 
 Would by principles of truth be brought to pass 
 From first spring of time, even unto the last. 
 
 Sir, the Skeptic you have in mystery brought 
 To where, by holy logic, he must be taught 
 Concerning the character of Christ, our Lord ; 
 Given by the Father in His sacred word : 
 How Christ and the Father are one, yet, Christ 
 
 be not God? 
 If he be the Highest, why deny himself to be good ? 
 The Son of God of a truth. Sir, was of a most 
 
 pure and holy birth; 
 Possessing highest beauty of woman — purity of 
 
 human worth; 
 
 76 
 
Crown' d with the Hght and beauty of wisdom, and 
 filled with the virtues of truth ; 
 
 Perfect in feeling for infirmity of age and tender- 
 ness of youth; 
 
 Acquainted with the rage of Hfe and the passions 
 to subdue 
 
 Through subjection to Spirit of Holiness, present- 
 ing to view 
 
 The path leading to that mansion finished to 
 highest perfection of art. 
 
 Which introduces the Builder to every affection of 
 the heart; 
 
 Who yet reigns higher over the perpetual mansions 
 of grace ; 
 
 Gathering souls precious to His Being from the 
 most remote space ; 
 
 Where the highest beauties of pleasure and the 
 sweetest essence, which feed 
 
 Purest, deepest hunger of spiritual, — intellectual 
 need, 
 
 Are most sumptuously and luxuriously spread 
 
 To supply exact the hunger that is to be fed : 
 
 And he who at that banquet may feast will ne'er 
 grow prodigal again ; 
 
 But, e'er gather treasures of excellency from an 
 elysian plain. 
 When Christ's sight was first met by the im- 
 maculate beauties of mom. 
 
 Like man the principles of his intellect were but 
 embryon, — 
 
 Yet, in favor with God and man he gradually 
 increased. 
 
 Until the heights of humanity in perfection, did 
 reach ; 
 
 And there gave a living testimony in that height 
 he had rose. 
 
 That the splendor of humanity is not otherwise 
 disclosed ; 
 
 77 
 
But in that highness, where humanity and godli- 
 ness become one; 
 Where doubtful hopes are lost, and where perfect 
 
 love and confidence begun; 
 Where ignorance, the deepest darkness, is ex- 
 pelled by purity of light, 
 And man is made to see and feel, by the power of 
 
 Heaven's perfect sight, 
 The true glory of all creation shining in its perfect 
 
 glow; 
 With a smile for every pleasure ; a sigh for every 
 
 woe. 
 Christ's temptations, in all things in the extreme, 
 
 can only be defined, 
 Which were presented, in tastefulness more full 
 
 than fancies of the mind; 
 To the highest passion of pride, or love for lordly 
 
 sway. 
 Which darkens hell into most miserable woeful 
 
 day; 
 Alluring by sensual pleasures through a region 
 
 without way. 
 Into a yawning chasm as dismal and dark as once 
 
 it was gay ; 
 Which were met on equal footing by a soul human- 
 like. 
 Whose guide was wisdom, a weapon to conquer 
 
 moral strife; 
 Whose support was christian virtues, a power 
 
 that never fails 
 To land the ship in safety, no matter what oppose 
 
 her sails. 
 A Being, who knew celestial riches, future wealth 
 
 to gain 
 By making most precious to the soul Thing of 
 
 loftiest fame. 
 In the Son of God human virtues attained their 
 
 highest degree, 
 
 78 
 
Which were perfect unto godHness through that 
 
 peace that ever be 
 To waft us heavenward over the bosom of the 
 
 calmest sea; 
 Where no hideous monsters unseen lurk to give 
 
 frightful currents play; 
 But the breeze balmiest of the balmy and life 
 
 gayest of the gay: 
 Then since humanity in its highness is a part of 
 
 godliness made, 
 Which is not all of godliness, but for a just and 
 
 holy purpose staid 
 With that most glorious Being where the strength 
 
 of every truth is laid : 
 If the life and character of Christ in godliness be 
 
 absorbed, 
 Then he and the Father must be one as asserted 
 
 by his word ; 
 Just as we rightly say the chest and body compose 
 
 but one, 
 The chest be not all the body, so be the Father 
 
 and Son. 
 Christ's life may be said to gather, acorn-like, 
 
 virtues' purest essence known; 
 Set in humanity's truest heart rose in tow'ring 
 
 heights to brighter dome. 
 Through the light of celestial knowledge where 
 
 the day is never old; 
 Bowing, in that most splendid City, before One 
 
 of purest soul. 
 He, who has tasted the pleasures, or felt the light 
 
 of supernal day, 
 Confesses goodness alone's of the Father, nor hath 
 
 another way. 
 The Son, who knew the perfect light ; the Father's 
 
 greatness to adore. 
 Could only say there is but One Good ; no matter 
 
 who might deplore, — 
 
 79 
 
Wish for contention or division in that most regal 
 
 power, 
 Where two Beings of equal splendor might seek 
 
 men as a dower; 
 Not because of a desire, the divine virtues, to 
 
 impart 
 To man, that purify the soul, the light of the mind 
 
 and heart ; 
 That calleth men in loving joy to a land of purest 
 
 bliss, — 
 Leave them that wish a division to sink into 
 
 deepest mist: 
 But, that they might, under guile of falsehood, 
 
 gather to Them courtier-like ; 
 Through adulation change intellectual day to 
 
 ignominious night. 
 Then, since goodness be a unit, and so will ever 
 
 stand, 
 Man must gather unto goodness, not goodness 
 
 unto man. 
 If holiness gather' d unto man, there would be a 
 
 degrading law; 
 While holiness would suffer evil and leave man 
 
 to no better grow — 
 Since One of perfect holiness alone is a rising 
 
 force, 
 Man, who seeks the Fountain of Goodness, must 
 
 gather to that source ; 
 And drink freely of that pure flowing stream that 
 
 crystallyzes the soul ; 
 Makes the heart a perfect diamond set in a mind 
 
 of purest mold. 
 There is no good, Sir, save such as from the Fa- 
 ther's highest honor grows; 
 All else fade in deathly dark under influence of 
 
 infernal laws. 
 Then, if man loveth not the good and the light of 
 
 virtue's brightest gem 
 
 80 
 
He cannot to purest precincts of life and intel- 
 ligence ascend; 
 In the light of majestic grandeur of the most holy 
 
 laws, 
 Holding all things in the light and nature of the 
 
 truth it shows : 
 As is said, " None is good," save Him by holy 
 
 virtues keep 
 Calmly still the serene current of perpetual peace ; 
 Flowing over the smooth billows of the celestial 
 
 deep ; 
 Where souls, in shallops to the highest purest 
 
 taste of pleasure form'd. 
 In softest breezes, sweetly glide o'er bosom of 
 
 eternal calm. 
 Christ, who was perfect and just in all his life 
 
 and ways; 
 Possessing a spirit that keeps pure through endless 
 
 days. 
 Was tinctured not by sin or lust, 
 Though foully laid beneath the dust ; 
 Who, without sin, became sin for man through 
 
 sympathetic ties, 
 That holds humanity in life of that Being who 
 
 ne'er dies; 
 Suffering the deepest shame, and bearing the dis- 
 grace of the cross; 
 Paving way to that garden humanity, in distance, 
 
 had lost. 
 Which yet bears a reflection in the light of the 
 
 mind. 
 As we look through mist of years to beginning of 
 
 time; 
 A way mystified by human doubts and waste of 
 
 falling tears 
 Is more obstructive to spiritual sight than manly 
 
 fears. 
 While on the cross he, life's deepest agonies, bore ; 
 
 81 
 
Man heartlessly pierced his side for the healing 
 
 gore; 
 And did a sacred gift to earth his blood outpour : 
 He approached in bitterness the darkening door, — 
 While entering gave a cry of deepest distress, 
 As closed o'er him the bitterest horrors of death : 
 While the powers of death contended with those 
 
 of life, 
 The universe quaked with vengeance in that hour 
 
 of strife; 
 As death received her victim in agony of pain, 
 The innermost veil of the temple was rent in twain ; 
 As the Father saw the son's soul in the lowest hell 
 
 laid; 
 And man consign his body to the keeping of the 
 
 grave. 
 There nature hid her face in mourning's deepest 
 
 shade ; 
 As in agony sustain' d jar that sin had made ; 
 And she unveil' d not her face nor smiled again, 
 
 until Christ confined, she saw 
 By all bars of death and hell, to spirits bound, 
 
 peaching the redeeming law ; 
 That death and hell hath no power to bind the 
 
 just and true; 
 That they would soon obey and recognize the 
 
 Father too: 
 So remained in bondage until day the third. 
 When God's demand for his release should be 
 
 heard. 
 The devil setting all his powers to bind and guard ; 
 Stood boldly defying the Father's holy sacred 
 
 word: 
 So again contended the powers of life and death. 
 As is said, while the Roman Soldiers in qui'tness 
 
 slept. 
 All forces of Heaven and hell did with vengeance 
 
 quake 
 
 82 
 
As God by truth the powers and bars of hell did 
 break, — 
 
 Left the soul free to rise to the spirit's high plain, 
 
 That believed and trusted in the Father's pure 
 name, — 
 
 Leaving the devil with his own who could no 
 longer bind 
 
 An immortal soul by hope to higher regions con- 
 sign' d. 
 
 All things opposing the resurrection of Christ back- 
 ward did roll, 
 
 As his body was quickened by the Hght of the im- 
 mortal soul; 
 
 The body arose in the pleasure and light of love ; 
 
 In the grandeur of beauty and meekness of a 
 dove — 
 
 And angels remained to inform those who might 
 seek 
 
 Of the resurrection of him who was so meek ; 
 
 Who wore the splendor of regality supreme. 
 
 Whom man had condemned as being groveling 
 and mean; 
 
 Because he was content in humanity's lowest 
 state 
 
 To serve the Father's will,— his blessings patiently 
 await ; 
 
 That all things might rise to the Being they 
 praise 
 
 To live in His glory through infinite days. 
 
 His abhorrence for riches and luxurious ease, 
 
 Which close man's eyes, heart and soul to the 
 light he should see; 
 
 His love for humanity in its feebleness wrought 
 
 Shameful derision and mock'ry from the rich 
 it brought ; 
 
 Because he labored in love to strengthen the poor 
 
 Society cast him out and then barred its door, 
 
 Saying, you must accept us if you would here 
 abide, 
 
 83 
 
Otherwise you must eternally remain outside ; 
 What would society be, if we forsake its pride? 
 But to labor it means for Christ to remain inside. 
 Christ being free from all things that could 
 
 hinder or bind ; 
 There bieng nothing so secret but what he could 
 
 find 
 Its exact purpose, its form, its rise, and its plan, 
 As it effects purity in the life of man : 
 Thus he entered the chambers where secret bars 
 
 kept guard, 
 While, not a foot-fall the watches of silence dis- 
 turbed ; 
 So he ever is present, a standard our lives to 
 
 judge, 
 And will, in the end, all the secrets of man's life 
 
 divulge. 
 God seeing in his son how hard each temptation 
 
 to overcome 
 Left this propitiation for all, and His grace denied 
 
 to none ; 
 But would give power to each who, through the 
 
 humanity of Christ, would seek 
 The perfection of Him who holds empire o'er the 
 
 realm of infinite deep : 
 Who stamped each soul with His image, the coin 
 
 of love ; 
 So to make them current in the market above ; 
 And, if truly observed unto that image, the stamp 
 
 of the coin, 
 From a communication with wisdom you no one 
 
 can disjoin ; 
 But, will ever be to you a medium of exchange 
 To pass you from mortality to Bden's joys again. 
 Therewas a pure principle in humanity from be 
 
 ning of time ; 
 Existing first in chaos, but e'er being manifest in 
 
 soul and mind ; 
 
 84 
 
As this principle, through ages, gathered in per- 
 fect form and soul 
 
 To it, perfection of humanity by the Spirit, was 
 told. 
 
 Would be gathered to the Father in the person of 
 His son, 
 
 Which the Creator ordained before earth's foun- 
 dation begun ; 
 
 And, as we trace true enlightenment through all 
 the annals of man. 
 
 We find in the gath'ring of that principle pure 
 knowledge expand ; 
 
 And those in whose lives such gathering was most 
 clear and most prevalent ; 
 
 In searching useful knowledge, with their history 
 most time must be spent. 
 
 Those with whom that principle abode God's Holy 
 Spirit commun'd, 
 
 Conducting them in peace and qui'tness to their 
 rest within the tomb ; 
 
 Where truth, though profoundly silent, holds 
 sacred their dust and bone, — 
 
 Until their Saintly Spirits return to guide them to 
 their home. 
 
 The patriarchs and saints of old are they who 
 Christ's lineage bore 
 
 From Adam until made perfect unto the Father 
 ever more. 
 
 Of that principle, we find God mindful, from the 
 most distant day ; 
 
 And while with Noah He preserved it in a most 
 glorious way ; 
 
 He bore him upward and safely o'er tempest of the 
 mightiest deep, 
 
 While all man's long boasted works and false wis- 
 dom were wasted in the sweep : 
 
 Again we find Him mindful, when Isaac, a proffer- 
 ed sacrifice, 
 
 85 
 
upon Moriah's brow, lay bound, a helpless victim 
 
 to the knife : 
 Again we find Him mindful, when from Egyptian 
 
 bondage led 
 The lineage of that principle that entered for gift 
 
 of bred : 
 Again we find Him mindful, when captive led to 
 
 Babylon's wall, 
 Which mindfulness broke power of empire and let 
 
 the mighty fall. — 
 So that principle we ever find, when contending 
 
 for the right, 
 Leading to victory, general and valor of human 
 
 might ; 
 That principle led Isr'el captive to foreign land 
 To serve a day of penance before the Holy Man. — 
 Never, while idolaters served an image drawn 
 To represent the Deity through ages down. 
 Did that principle bow to worship idols in God's 
 
 stead, 
 Or from fear in honor to them bow a reverent 
 
 head ; 
 But always led humanity to see the better way. 
 To recognize the good, and to answer the evil nay. 
 That principle in its gathering dictated to man 
 
 the law 
 From perpetual fount of reason, whence all ruling 
 
 powers flow ; 
 Producing justice and equity under pure colors by 
 
 which they shine. 
 Which are a joy to the soul, an elegance and a 
 
 splendor to man-kind ; 
 Law as a mathematical system to solve on eternal 
 
 day 
 The origin of man's being, as the mist of age is 
 
 rolled away ; 
 And God see more glorious and splendid through 
 
 eternity of time ; 
 
 86 
 
And see perfection of perfections in the origin of 
 
 the mind. 
 First we find that principle the only seat of human 
 
 bliss ; 
 The pure heart of humanity gathering from out 
 
 the mist, 
 The essence of all the beauty and the worth it 
 
 owned, 
 Until in person and soul, a perfect man was form- 
 ed, — 
 Which quickened to life by a like essence of spirit- 
 ual truth. 
 Was perpetuated unto God in tenderness of its 
 
 youth. 
 Then, in such a being, was there imperfection, 
 
 fault, or sin to be found ; 
 Where flesh was perfected unto soul, and soul unto 
 
 spiritual bond ? 
 This was the being who endured the scorns of 
 
 man : 
 Served a life of truth and will eternally stand. 
 As the way to heavenly mansions from this world 
 
 of sin ; 
 And he, who accepts not that way, can nowhere 
 
 enter in ; 
 For, from man to God, there is way but one. 
 Which way's through the perfection of His Son, — 
 For which perfection, man must deny himself and 
 
 accept as his own. 
 For not another life or being can ever to the Father 
 
 come. 
 To coming of Christ, 'lone to Isr'el, could man 
 
 look for saving grace ; 
 For to which time and for which purpose the Jews 
 
 were a chosen race. — 
 After Christ's work on earth was tinished the law 
 
 and the prophets found their end ; 
 After which the Jews were no longer chosen, but 
 
 became as other men : 
 
 87 
 
But, for which cause the skeptic doubts that such 
 
 a being e'er hath been ; 
 For which cause the Jew will not believe that he 
 
 is as other men. 
 In splendor of highest perfection, now Christ is 
 
 ascended unto God, 
 But, for man's cleansing left on earth the power of 
 
 his all atoning blood ; 
 Through which atoning and perfection is power 
 
 to draw 
 All men unto him at the seat of God's majestic 
 
 law, — 
 Where in perfect splendor and pure glory; while 
 
 cycling time ne'er will pose. 
 The highest seraphs' 11 sing his victory counting 
 
 dust from whence he rose ; 
 Til the pure spirit of all music in holiness join 
 
 them ; 
 While Heaven's shining host thus proclaim the 
 
 praise that ne'er shall end. 
 From the time that Christ first arose in triumph 
 
 from the depths of morbid woe. 
 In spiritual grandeur, he to his disciples did him- 
 self disclose, — 
 While to the heights of celestial glory not yet as- 
 
 scended ; 
 Yet, the imperial host of heaven with him attend- 
 ed: 
 As he, in light of highest principles that humanity, 
 
 e'er can wear, 
 Was viewed by his followers until he in brighter 
 
 day did disappear, — 
 When beyond (where in human weakness might 
 
 fall 'way), securely asscended, 
 The comforting joy of the Holy Spirit on believers 
 
 descended ; 
 And join'd by them who have their home beyond 
 
 this vale of human weakness ; 
 
 88 
 
Where all most sweetly move in the gentle flow of 
 
 perpetual gladness : 
 And moved by music precisely fitted to proclaim 
 
 the glad joys of day, 
 Which hold eternally a vernal feeling purer than 
 
 flowers of May ; 
 So on Christ rises through joys purer, — joined by 
 
 music sweeter still. 
 Until is seated on the summit of the Father's holy 
 
 will ; 
 Where beauty, elegance, sublimity in grandeur of 
 
 their highest state 
 Fade before those more wondrous beauties that 
 
 robe the One of purest taste. 
 In that robe is a color holding ideal affection of 
 
 each thing, 
 And thus the homage of all the universe does to 
 
 Him forever cling. 
 The throne whereon the Father's seated is sus- 
 
 tain'd by truth of all that sway ; 
 And all there is which does not honor, but oppose, 
 
 of itself 11 fade away. 
 Before the throne extends a perpetual mansion, 
 
 but not made by hand ; 
 And the power, which supports the throne, will 
 
 cause it to eternally stand : 
 That mansion is more spacious than all ocean, 
 
 earth and air ; 
 Curtained by colors, which are pure to all light 
 
 that is fair ; 
 Nor containing anything that'd bring the faintest 
 
 shadow play; 
 But pure in colors, which beautify light of the 
 
 purest ray. 
 All beauty has its perfection in the Father, — 
 
 there's ever staid, 
 Was wrought in its purest blending when the eter- 
 nal throne was made ; 
 
 89 
 
But, beauty is not alone in the things, which sight 
 
 to the mind reveals ; 
 The grander beauties are in light of wisdom that 
 
 to the soul appeals : 
 If with God be principles which are purest, wis- 
 dom and virtue are these ; 
 For beauty which eyes behold seem ascribed to 
 
 visible forms, plants and trees. 
 Then since the soul is made to feel what the mind 
 
 reflects or the eyes may see ; 
 So in their pureness virtue, beauty and light in 
 
 that mansion all agree : 
 There all hunger and thirst are supplied exact by 
 
 what is just to seek, 
 Which' s so complete, its fullness is not expressable 
 
 by human speech. 
 The thing there of least beauty is more splendid 
 
 than all this world would make ; 
 Thing of least worth the accumulated wealth of 
 
 earth woud not effect : 
 There is where the riches of all nations their final 
 
 place is said will find, 
 Which are not what men hold most dear, but the 
 
 fruit of virtuous soul and mind. 
 Why Christ, to the heights of all perfection, has 
 
 thus attain' d ; 
 That position in God's glory will forever retain. 
 Is a question deep and serious, but, if in wisdom 
 
 pondered well 
 To the heart that is pure and faithful, this deepest 
 
 truth to it will tell ; 
 That Christ's Spirit from there was permitted to 
 
 descend to man's lowest state. 
 Which quicken' d purest essence of humanity to 
 
 share man's common fate. 
 When his work was finish' d, he was placed in low- 
 est depths of infernal space ; 
 Where the Demon Ruler himself had feared to en- 
 ter, — yet, his steps to trace, — 
 
 90 
 
From there ascended, not to the lowest, but hu- 
 manity's highest state; 
 Left proof that, for what's acceptable unto God, 
 
 there's no unholy place. 
 When before and after death he did, with all his 
 
 powers for man, atone. 
 He to heaven ascended with victory of all that's 
 
 beneath the throne, — 
 And the Father with him seated, on the throne 
 
 to ever dwell ; 
 Saying, whereas I sent you all things you have 
 
 accomplished well ; 
 And here with me, over all that is ancient, or mod- 
 em, or yet to be, 
 I will give you supremacy,— -glory of Hght,— joy 
 
 of eternal ease ; 
 And with My own glory crown you for the great 
 
 victory you have won ; 
 To all who may behold you, be more dazzHng than 
 
 the radiant sun : 
 In time, from space, expel all other hght and law ; 
 Leave no other source to seek, or from whence to 
 
 draw. 
 With me your immortal Spirit hath ever been ; 
 Your human form, gathered glory of ancient man : 
 Save for Myself and all attending crew, for man is 
 
 made the highest state ; 
 And a way for him is paved from the most infernal 
 
 depth to heaven's gate. 
 Which will open to all whom the Father's goodness 
 
 to that entrance won. 
 But, all other ways lead to a point, where there is 
 place to enter none. 
 In that mansion wisdom holds the key that jun- 
 locks the door. 
 Where pure knowledge and perfect understanding 
 
 are in store 
 For all who seek them as a gift precious from 
 above. 
 
Given as a favor of the Father's perfect love, 
 Which introduces the highest Author of beauty to 
 
 the soul of man ; 
 Acquainting him with each principle, a unit and 
 
 variegated plan : 
 Wisdom is also the light that holds the secrets of 
 
 the realm of truth, 
 Where virtue, justice and equity are associated 
 
 in youth ; 
 Wisdom also holds honor, riches and glory in 
 
 bounty of her hand, 
 Which she gives as a merit according as God reck- 
 ons the deeds of man : 
 By wisdom the raiment of the Most High is select- 
 ed and made ; 
 By her the pure sparkling jewels in His crown are 
 
 fittingly laid ; 
 By her that raiment is fitted with exactness so to 
 
 show 
 From whence the perfection of all things begin to 
 
 weel and flow ; 
 By her that crown is set over the mind and visage 
 
 most clear. 
 Since purest dignity and most dazzling glory 
 
 gather there, 
 Man's raiment's all the beauty of nature purified 
 
 by celestial light ; 
 Under the inspection of the Father by wisdom's 
 
 pure and perfect sight, 
 Which augments in brighter glories, as is nearer 
 
 drawn to Him, 
 The soul that sought and found in Him a life pure 
 
 from taint of sin : 
 The food man's soul to feed is sweeter and is purer 
 
 made, 
 As he gathers where virtue's most glorious worth 
 
 is staid. 
 As man rises to higher realms courser principles 
 
 of his soul are lost ; 
 
 92 
 
Like gold is made purer and more precious as it is 
 
 being freed from dross : 
 Yet, the soul of man will be somewhat base, 
 
 through the endless day that runs. 
 If compared to Him whose glory far exceeds the 
 
 brightness of the sun : 
 Man's pursuit of gain will be to gather full that 
 
 virtuous goal. 
 Which makes more rich, and which makes more 
 
 pure the augmenting wealth of soul : 
 Man's pursuit of knowledge will be to understand 
 
 and know 
 How full, and how rich those most precious gifts 
 
 can rise and grow. 
 For four thousand years, since first this flight of 
 
 time began ; 
 And during four thousand years from the advent 
 
 of man, 
 Wisdom was cautious and prudent to gather w^ell 
 
 and true ; 
 And to carry safel}^ down the hurrying years that 
 
 flew. 
 That lordly principle and personage of the human 
 
 race, 
 Which the Holy Spirit of God in all things kept 
 
 pure and chaste ; 
 Until humanity in its essence was perfect made 
 
 and purified ; 
 Adorned with beauty and glory such as befitted a 
 
 celestial bride, — 
 Who, after fully serving humanity in all things 
 
 that make it blest, 
 Rises through colloquial scenes to serenity of ce- 
 lestial rest, — 
 Made Vice- Regent in power and glory to One 
 
 Eternal and Supreme, 
 Whose dominion is through all space, o'er each 
 
 body heavenly or terrene. 
 
 93 
 
God, the Most High, over all things has rule, 
 
 and by them thus esteem' d; 
 With Him their first beauty and true glore e'er 
 
 are kept pure and clean, — 
 Then, all who would seek to know the highest 
 
 state to them assigned, 
 By truth and wisdom, must seek it in scope of 
 
 that perfect mind ; 
 And through the principles, by which that state 
 
 is formed, 
 Ascend its heights and prove their right by them 
 
 adorned : 
 For all your joys and all your glory acclaim to 
 
 God the praise ; 
 From thence view the Father's glories, riches of 
 
 eternal days, — 
 Through day interminable these glories will with 
 
 new beauty glow. 
 As wisdom adds to the mind a light of a more re- 
 fulgent flow. 
 Man's soul will gather the pure principles, which 
 
 enrich the ether' al plain ; 
 Yet, purer beauties, richer treasures, higher glo- 
 ries, for the soul remain. 
 While man's soul is purer made, and is thus sus- 
 tain' d in upward flight. 
 His sight is freed from gloom of age and passes on 
 
 through brighter light 
 Toward where youth's first beauties, in highest 
 
 state, set forever unchanged, 
 Whose age is wisdom abounding with knowledge 
 
 of time no date has named. 
 No soul has e'er lower sank, or to higher plane 
 
 arose 
 Than the realm of the principles, that do that 
 
 soul compose. 
 Man's soul's destin'd to rise as it absorbs principles 
 
 of eternal light ; 
 
 94 
 
Thus being freed from each shade of night, it con- 
 stantly wings its silent flight 
 
 Through increasing splendor and rising glory of a 
 more radiant day; 
 
 Yet teeming with more magnificent beauties, 
 paleing before purer ray ; 
 
 While, through time interminable, and eternity 
 continues its roll, 
 
 These augmenting beauties and riches will con- 
 tinue to the mind and soul : 
 
 Then since the mind and soul of man, in grandeur 
 seeking, can know no bound ; 
 
 Neither can the perfection of eternal glories by 
 man be found ; 
 
 But, if, with perfection of beauty, man seeks to 
 enrich his soul ; 
 
 His only knowledge be to understand the source 
 of wisdom's goal, 
 
 He must ascend in upward flight through time 
 sempiternal ; 
 
 Unceasingly bathe his mind and soul in light su- 
 pernal ; 
 
 Must forever be a pilgrim in an aerial way ; 
 
 Ever nearing the source that supplies light of ce- 
 lestial day. 
 The soul, to each realm through which it passes, 
 must be congenial made ; 
 
 And only thus, to a more lofty realm, a foundation 
 can be laid : 
 
 And as we slowly rise to those realms, that so 
 distant are. 
 
 Our souls grow more pregnant with the light of 
 celestial fire, 
 
 Which pregnancy can ne'er in time accomplish, 
 or in fullness mature ; 
 
 But to ever expand in greatness, and in principle 
 grow more pure. 
 Then since Christ has safely passed from the 
 highest to the lowest realm ; 
 
 95 
 
Conquering and subjecting each force that sought 
 
 his soul to overwhelm; 
 Thus experiencing the influence each evil in life 
 
 can sway ; 
 Knows weight of accumulated woes of hell, what 
 
 each obscures from day ; 
 So he knows precisely the punishment each sin is 
 
 due, — 
 How the Almighty in his judgment set each thing 
 
 so true : 
 That it is impossible for an error, by His justice, 
 
 to be made. 
 Since a reckoning of each principle by the poise of 
 
 His scale is laid, 
 Which scale will not wear by use or vary through 
 
 length of time ; 
 Because its poise is kept by equal powers of God's 
 
 mind. 
 So Christ has stood in the nethermost depths, there 
 
 felt and saw-tried, 
 In the scale of God's justice, weight of all power 
 
 deep and wide ; 
 There saw, prevailing o'er infernal woes, power of 
 
 Almighty Love ; 
 Also noting the weight and gloom of each realm, 
 
 in his ascent above. 
 With the Father he reigns o'er all things, with 
 
 victory triumphantly crown' d; 
 Robed with perfection of all principles, as well 
 
 their strength and beauty bound : 
 Bearing in his soul and mind perfect knowledge of 
 
 each sin-inflicted woe ; 
 Also the mark of every woun(i dealt to truth by 
 
 sin's vindictive blow : 
 When a mortal soul appeals to God for relief from 
 
 each infesting ill, 
 Then these wounds are shown and knowledge pled 
 
 to present what mortals cannot tell ; 
 
 96 
 
So nearest God these feelings come, since they're 
 not of Him part ; 
 
 But through the love He bears His Son they 
 touch His inmost heart : 
 
 Thus through grace a soul is freed from sin, when 
 relief is sought aright ; 
 
 From gloom of sin and darkness turned to heav'n 
 in peace of silent flight : 
 
 The mind and the soul are purged from sin, and 
 charged with light pure shining ; 
 
 Unlike the course pursued before, strength of last- 
 ing truth imbibing — 
 
 Drawn by force of understanding into the current 
 of augmenting peace, 
 
 Whose purity will in richness of principle unceas- 
 ingly increase ; 
 
 While purer essence of truth in grander lights are 
 more fittingly blended ; 
 
 Virtues more dazzling grow as majesty of God is 
 nearer ascended ; 
 
 Each moment the soul is bom anew to more last- 
 ing principles of youth ; 
 
 The heart more virtuous made by increasing light 
 of all availing truth. 
 When from this mortal sphere, in light of truth, 
 we upward fly, 
 
 We bid farewell to kindred feelings of a fleshly tie ; 
 
 By the most Holy Spirit of truth begot and of wis- 
 dom bom ; 
 
 Until, in fraternal love, freed from rage of passion's 
 ruling storm ; 
 
 In a progressive brotherhood, flowing into the 
 lasting calm of youth, 
 
 We nearer, in bliss of soul, the gathering splendors 
 of eternal truth. 
 
 As we pass to more perfect light, as if from tint of 
 shade. 
 
 Thus we pass to more youthful states, as if from 
 gloom of age. 
 
 97 
 
In passing to youth we must slowly pass from age 
 
 to age ; 
 But, in passing to light we leave behind the realm 
 
 of shade : 
 Where we find perpetual youth we also find an- 
 cient of days ; 
 But, in the source of light we find vanished all 
 
 influence of shades. 
 In God's throne we find beauty's external per- 
 fections in purity combine 
 Paying homage to more excellent majesty, which 
 
 their beauty incline ; 
 For He, who sits on the throne possesses majesty 
 
 far more excellent. 
 Beyond the wonders of the throne, than beauty's 
 
 charms, in that structure, are spent. 
 Then, if the throne be the crowning beauty of all 
 
 things which God did create ; 
 To find majestic beauties which crown His Being 
 
 is beyond reach of date : 
 To crown a mind so excellent, a heart so free, a 
 
 soul so pure 
 Is a malady to human mind beyond its power to 
 
 cure — 
 But, if we cast aside our frailties, and trust that 
 
 power divine, 
 A healing balm will be those beauties through a 
 
 never ending time. 
 Then, since ignorance, the chief of maladies to the 
 
 human mind, be ; 
 Its cure's the power of truth shed by resplendent 
 
 light of purity : 
 For such cure to be effective, there must be in the 
 
 soul a spark divine. 
 Which gathers most full and free that virtuous 
 
 light, the strength of the heart and mind ; 
 That light is such by which we see, comprehend, 
 
 know and understand : 
 
 98 
 
Reveals universal mist'ries to faculties of erring 
 
 man; 
 Arouses the dormant soul by expelling the mist 
 
 that o'er it holds sway ; 
 Strenthens life's powers with intellectual splen- 
 dors of eternal day. 
 Indulge the Skeptic another question, and but 
 
 this, 
 What produced the grandeur of the joys of Eden's 
 
 bliss ? 
 Why to man consigned the riches and beauties of 
 
 that blissful scene, 
 But, not permitted to abide the pleasures of its 
 
 youthful green ? 
 What's Paradise or heaven, if this be not it? 
 Or is the soul of man, for greater pleasures, fit? 
 While man lived in due obedience to God's 
 
 most holy laws ; 
 Resigned the right to Him who knows the source 
 
 of every cause 
 To cast by truth of wisdom's light the lot of each 
 
 deed 
 To its goal, where the force of such act doth bear 
 
 in speed : 
 While love of truth and reconciliation, man to 
 
 God's pure highness, led, — 
 In peace repos'd, — his head pressed the softest 
 
 pillow, — his soul the downiest bed : 
 While man and all things else kept the state of 
 
 their created lot, — 
 Their ev'ry act producing one universal bhss with- 
 out blot ; 
 No evil thought or meditated wrong perform' d 
 
 through vengeful act or deed ; 
 Finding most good in universal bliss, — receiving 
 
 full heav'n's promis'd meed, — 
 Bden and her epoch, then was that day of created 
 
 bliss, 
 
 LOFC, 
 
 99 
 
When all things conformed to the will of God 
 
 without amiss ; 
 When from man no joy was withheld on charge or 
 
 for fault of sin ; 
 No knowledge fait' ring, or power of sight with 
 
 tears growing dim ; 
 No wrong to judge, no vain pride to humble or 
 
 abate, 
 But all to reward with gifts of an exalted state. 
 All things were created to supply some just 
 
 need of man ; 
 Until for man accurs'd in full strength yield' d the 
 
 fruitful land. 
 While all in full strength of joy gave full their 
 
 true source of yield ; 
 Pleasure reign' d complete, in proportion as each 
 
 heart could feel : 
 Until man falter' d and sank beneath the wave of 
 
 sin. 
 That bliss in no part failed, or sorrow invited in : 
 Since all was given for man's glory and to exalt 
 
 his peace. 
 In proportion to his wrongs, their usefulness and 
 
 pleasure ceas'd: 
 Then for transgression of man the earth ceas'd 
 
 her full fruitage to yield ; 
 Not only man, but all creation was doom'd that 
 
 great hurt to fell ; 
 Thus, when man, from the garden of bliss, for dis- 
 obedience, was cast, 
 All nature felt the frown of Eden over her richest 
 
 prospects pass. 
 To nature this seems quite unjust ; but to her 
 
 more so to yield 
 To sinful man her full treasures, — than for her 
 
 his woes to feel. 
 Man is not responsible alone to God for slight- 
 ing holy truth, 
 
 100 
 
But to all nature for the right to give the full 
 
 strength of fruitful growth. 
 vSince man is unworthy to receive, nature cannot 
 
 give more than is due ; "" 
 
 Else, before the pure and holy laws of heaven, she 
 
 would be sinful too. 
 For man, nature is denied the full pleasure of her 
 
 fruit to yield ; 
 But, to man, in full measure, she ever does his due 
 
 portion seal. — 
 Nature is e'er pleased to pour full man's portion, 
 
 but loath to hold 
 Any part of her lavish gifts from the longings of 
 
 his soul. 
 In ev'ry clime we see the due measure of man's 
 
 acts, given, , . , 
 
 By nature fixed, under just graduatmg laws ot 
 
 heaven : 
 Of times the kingdom of nature's scorched by 
 
 power of wrath divine. 
 To reward man for the wrongs done through evils 
 
 that his heart dezined ; 
 Of times nature frowns and heav'n refuses to shed 
 
 one lambent ray serene ; 
 Or supply one crystal drop to preserve the beauties 
 
 of the fairest scene : 
 Nature in the depth of her soul is ever yearning 
 
 man to restore 
 To Eden's bower and crown him with beauty of 
 
 wisdom's ancient lore : 
 This heav'n would permit, if man would to the 
 
 holy spirit of truth return ; 
 And drink deep and free of crystal purity flowing 
 
 from that holy urn. 
 Which God fill'd with truth and virtue's purest 
 
 essence and cans' d to over run 
 Infinite space with radiant influence brighter than 
 
 the glowing sun ; 
 
 101 
 
Which, if man alone takes to appease and slake 
 
 the hunger and thirst of soul, 
 His life will rival the diamond's purest beauty set 
 
 in richest gold ; 
 His riches would exceed the treasured wealth of 
 
 past and future time ; 
 His understanding in great splendor grow to 
 
 knowledge pure sublime. — 
 But, man seems prone to drink from that other 
 
 urn, which is over filled 
 With bitterest essence that, from most woeful 
 
 things, can be distilled. 
 Both these urns God, in his supreme justice, has 
 
 seen fit to so fill, 
 That he may justly reward the service due his 
 
 most holy will : 
 One sheds that beautiful rich influence that an 
 
 Eden makes ; 
 The other the gloomy horrors which a soul in hell 
 
 partakes. 
 Eden, then, is a shadowing of that heavenly Para- 
 dise, 
 Which here is thus only felt ; but in heaven is given 
 
 precise : 
 As we may here enjoy the influence of that hea- 
 venly state ; 
 As we here depart from that influence, the bitter 
 
 urn must taste. 
 Then, as the celestial glories rise in magnificence 
 
 more supreme ; 
 So the gathering gloom of hell must run in the 
 
 other like extreme ; 
 As one in increasing splendor rise, or in mantling 
 
 beauties spread ; 
 So the other in darkness sinks, gathering dismal 
 
 woes instead. — 
 Then, since Eden be the supreme bliss for mor- 
 tality designed. 
 
 102 
 
Which is only shadowing of that joy tO] happy 
 
 souls consigned — 
 Paradise, then, must be that state fill'd with holy 
 
 riches deep and pure. 
 Which in richer beauties endless rise, until in 
 
 greatness grown obscure. 
 As these riches thus in beauty rise through like 
 
 splendor of eternal day ; 
 So the soul will find an upward flight in like glory 
 
 of celestial ray.— 
 The goal of life, then, must be a passing from the 
 
 shadow to the real ; 
 The bliss of eternit}^ be to feel richer beauties, 
 
 which less reveal. 
 The soul of man, then Sir, is fit such pleasure 
 
 and wealth to find 
 As it seeks by principles of truth through never 
 
 ending time. 
 Which must be to always lave the mind and soul 
 
 in purer light ; 
 And pass through more radiant day freed from 
 
 lingering shades of night ; 
 Until it fades before that godliness, which is ever 
 
 wholly clean, — 
 Which alike pass on to states in itself greater and 
 
 yet more supreme : 
 Thus His greatness rise on in equal merit to the 
 
 highest name. 
 Through perpetual greatness rise the glory of eter- 
 nal reign. 
 Man passed from Eden to life, a state of uncer- 
 tain fame; 
 While here awaiting death's dreaded call, — seal 
 
 of mortal claim — 
 He fixes the anchor of his sail in the shining truths 
 
 of heaven's light ; 
 Or leaves that sail without a rudder to drift on 
 
 through endless shades of night. 
 
 103 
 
With the realm of mortal shade, there are three 
 
 states beneath the throne, 
 Which man must travel before he can to the eter- 
 nal come : 
 First from mortality to death must pass before 
 
 immortal birth ; 
 Then through the immortal state must pass to 
 
 shore of eternal worth : 
 Then, if a thing that is mortal can be immortal 
 
 made. 
 Such, then, cannot be equal to that of eternal age. 
 That eternal state of peace begins, where imper- 
 fection's name is unknown ; 
 While, yet, there must be states super eternal 
 
 equaling His Highness grown. 
 The way to trace such majesty, man can never 
 
 find. 
 For His Eternal greatness is like ne'er ending 
 
 time. 
 Just as mortality cannot into immortality flow, 
 Neither can things of perfection, the things of 
 
 imperfection, know: 
 By God's high truths mortality is put off and a 
 
 thing immortal made ; 
 So by a like law immortality does to the eternal 
 
 shore lead. 
 Then, since from this mortal realm, each does to 
 
 a higher lead ; 
 Alike from this mortal realm the infernal so recced. 
 Inhabitants of the celestial deep are to their 
 
 realms confined 
 By spirits made congenial to laws of the realm so 
 
 assigned : 
 What immortal angels are in life to the welfare of 
 
 mortal man ; 
 The seraphs are to immortal angels beyond the 
 
 eternal strand. 
 If man, by obedience to immortal laws, gains 
 
 freedom of life, 
 
 104 
 
Then, may he commune with immortal angels on 
 
 a shore free from strife ; 
 As do such angels, along the blissful scenes of that 
 
 eternal strand. 
 Hold communion with seraphs concerning the 
 
 eternal state of man. — 
 So does the pure light of God Eternal, on man im- 
 perfectly shine. 
 Which by mortal man is sought and cherished as 
 
 a light holy divine ; 
 To clothe his soul in richer vesture through the 
 
 lap of ne'erending time. 
 As he nears those more glorious states, where 
 
 superior splendor find. 
 Mortality is a state that alike inclines to each 
 
 extreme, 
 So pure light of God and deep shades of hell 
 
 are each imperfect scene — 
 Here the fate of man is fixed, whither he will in 
 
 true greatness ever climb, 
 Or fix his course in infernal space where to aug- 
 ment woes e'er so incline. 
 Man, we find from land of eternal riches, did 
 
 ceaselessly immerge, 
 Through celestial states of beauty, to find himself 
 
 at that awful verge : 
 The soul, yet, through magnetic splendor holding 
 
 that purity most profound. 
 Stood gazing at hell's misty horrors, too deep for 
 
 eternity to sound. 
 Why man was cast from that perpetual greatness 
 
 to that narrow space 
 Was because mortality did in love of soul beauty 
 
 so deface — 
 A thing may, its lowest level, quicker than a mo- 
 ment find ; 
 But to be made like purest spark eternity can 
 
 alone refine. 
 
 105 
 
The gathering of that love to the soul is pleasure 
 of divine delight, 
 
 So man in asscending unto God finds blessings of 
 purer, sweeter light. 
 
 Man is placed to enjoy all God's blessings most 
 sweet and most pure, 
 
 Gath'ring in all its richest forces from a spark most 
 obscure ; 
 
 Which is e'er flowing into a deeper stream of ho- 
 lier truth 
 
 As we journey through the gathering sources to 
 more lasting youth ; 
 
 To where )^outh's supremest beauties, by wis- 
 dom's most glowing power of art, 
 
 Are made the age of most rever'd greatness due 
 Him of deepest purest heart. 
 
 Thus we find to enjoy is to ever continue in up- 
 ward flight, 
 
 That fills the soul with richer beauties gathering 
 in the purer light. 
 
 Mortality, then, we rightly designate as that mid- 
 dle ground, 
 
 Where the soul receives a heavenly spark of beau- 
 ty sweet and profound; 
 
 While to the other hand the dismal source of eter- 
 nal night is found ; 
 
 And slowly sinks into deeper gloom as the soul is 
 heavier made 
 
 By gathering influence from infinite depths of in- 
 fernal shades ; 
 
 Alike bitterness of increasing horror, gathering 
 to its aid: 
 
 One rises through intellectual purity to shine in 
 truth's abode; 
 
 The other sinks into a deep'ning shadow beneath 
 its gathering load. 
 The Millenium is that state where the Saints 
 of God will reign 
 
 106 
 
With Christ a thousand years in splendor and 
 
 freedom from all pain ; 
 The length of which time is reckon' d in proportion 
 
 to the greatness of light, 
 A.3 the beauty of immortality surpasses that of 
 
 mortal sight. 
 These are they who shall pass on to the joys of 
 
 eternal rest. 
 Join perpetual bright'iiing in freedom from the 
 
 second death, — 
 During which time Satan shall from that realm be 
 
 bound. 
 That unruffled peace reign over that holy ground. 
 The Millenium is perfection of that peace that 
 
 sweeps the mortal breast 
 In silent grandeur with heavenly sweetness from 
 
 the shore of lasting rest ; 
 The joy there is but a current passing to a realm 
 
 of more perfect bliss, 
 Which floats a softer sweeter current in streams of 
 
 beauty rivaling this, 
 In proportion as the light frees supernal beau- 
 ties from the shades of mist. 
 So will increase in like greatness as we nearer life's 
 
 eternal goal ; 
 And so in like greatness will increase riches and 
 
 splendor of the soul. 
 They w4io've not put on the w^hole armor and 
 
 cast all things else away 
 Must in death and darkness sleep until the great 
 
 resurrection day; 
 Till Satan will have been set free, — gather'd to war 
 
 Gog and Magog, — 
 Lav siege about the saintly camp, the beloved 
 
 City of their Cod, 
 Which will be protected from such rage by a show- 
 er of celestial fire ; 
 Which will drive Satan to infernal night to writhe 
 
 forever in despair. 
 
 107 
 
When all things will have been vSubdued to God's 
 
 eternal law, 
 He who subdued will reverence God with majestic 
 
 awe; 
 Be subject unto Him from whom he received his 
 
 glory and power, 
 Then, as is said, Gabrel shall stand and proclaim 
 
 the time appointed hour, — 
 Then shall the sea, and death, and hell deliver up 
 
 their dead. 
 Which' 11 stand before Almighty God to hear their 
 
 sentence read. 
 Christ is God's standard by which he will judge the 
 
 lives of all men ; 
 As they meet that standard glory will be given 
 
 unto them. 
 So will all beings their just level, by that perfect 
 
 standard find ; 
 Be adjusted unto glory through perpetual lapse 
 
 of time : 
 Then, if, in this life, we no resemblance of Christ's 
 
 glory wear. 
 Where can we hope for eternity, but in endless 
 
 despair? 
 Humanity tnade perfect, the splendor of God's 
 
 glory hold. 
 Seated at His right hand on a throne of beauty 
 
 laid in gold — 
 Excepting God, what can greater be, than life per- 
 fect in majestic awe ; 
 Confess' d as God's glory, made the standard of 
 
 his eternal holy law ? 
 All that's beautiful, pure, perfect and holy be- 
 neath God's throne found. 
 Compose the throne of Christ whose's with the 
 
 splendor of God's glory crown' d. 
 Christ, then's the fulness of humanity, its beauty, 
 
 glory and renown. 
 
 108 
 
In whom a fulness and richness of all things unto 
 
 godliness abound. 
 Through humanity there flows from perfection 
 
 of eternal life a spark ; 
 Alike principles of metal, which hold a degree of 
 
 the perfect part, 
 Which taken as it is, the base metal destroys the 
 
 use of high degree ; 
 Which may be wrought into beauty and useful- 
 ness past our power to see ; 
 Through a process of tempering carried under due 
 
 science of that art. 
 By just graduation, carry all from the lower to the 
 
 higher part : 
 As intrinsic value of metal may be increased along 
 
 that line. 
 It will be freed by degrees from the devastating 
 
 hand of time ; 
 But, to be safe there can be no remittance of that 
 
 great process of art. 
 Else time through eternity will be reducing all to 
 
 a baser part : 
 So the true religion is that science of human light 
 To temper human principles into a nobler life ; 
 That e'er passes onward and upward in freedom 
 
 of the truth ; 
 That ever fills our lives with purer gems of super- 
 nal youth. 
 If man does not always seek the application of 
 
 that most cogent art. 
 Sin will gradually darken the portals of his soul, 
 
 his mind and heart ; 
 Sink him below redemption into the dread horrors 
 
 of ignoble dark. 
 Lives like all things else in originality were but 
 
 one; 
 Existing first in chaos before creation's work 
 
 begun. 
 
 109 
 
Which is truly clear, and he who, earnestly, looks 
 
 may most plainly see. 
 Through all creatures, a most noble rev'rence for 
 
 the life of high degree : 
 Alike figure, through the many qualities of metal 
 
 find, if we search. 
 Bach bearing a likeness leading through the others 
 
 to one of noblest worth. 
 That mass of life was like oar containing metals 
 
 of many kind, 
 According to its intrinsic worth wisdom did each 
 
 so refine : 
 Through each process from the greater the baser 
 
 quality flows, 
 Till in due degree from out that mass the life of 
 
 man arose, — 
 And as each form of life was gathered from out 
 
 that great mass 
 So each clayey mould was fashioned according to 
 
 its class — 
 During which time no creature had e'er demanded 
 
 a counsel call, 
 Till to form a creature superior in beauty to it all : 
 Wisdom looking into humanity saw it in love and 
 
 beauty rise. 
 In fullness unto Him whose glory and splendor in 
 
 deepest grandeur lies, 
 Beyond the flight of fancy or the sight of intel- 
 lectual eyes. 
 To find the perfection of whose works engage the 
 
 counsel of the wise ; 
 When they find the splendor of one see it into 
 
 richer beauty flow. 
 So the works and beauty of Almighty God in cease- 
 less grandeur grow : 
 Saw humanity in purity worthy the glory of God 
 
 above ; 
 And if by man in honor kept should be crowned 
 
 by His Almighty love. 
 
 110 
 
Wisdom seeing that her works alone were far in- 
 sufficient for man, 
 
 Ask advice of Him who to all in supreme majesty- 
 gives command ; 
 
 Who beyond the gather' d perfection of all things 
 is yet more supreme ; 
 
 While for joy and the perfection of our own being 
 must forever lean 
 
 With most adoring love, to Him who beyond con- 
 ception is pure and clean, — 
 
 So His image we are whose beauty surpasses the 
 fancies of a dream. 
 
 God looking, in his greatness, through all ages and 
 eternity of time 
 
 For a limit to man's greatness and found it in the 
 splendor of His mind : 
 
 If worthily sought, to His riches and glory, would 
 ever so incline ; 
 
 So He to wisdom said let's make man worthy of 
 thy immortality. 
 
 And let My eternity be the only source of his 
 reality. 
 
 As each form of life beneath humanity in due 
 graduation fall, 
 
 So is man unto Him who is the beauty, riches, 
 life and light of all. 
 
 As Christ, the Lord of humanity, is the standard 
 of created life. 
 
 So his Lord is the beauty and the grandeur of the 
 everlasting light. 
 
 Under that same standard by which all were cre- 
 ated, it seems to me. 
 
 Will be the standard of that great Judgment of 
 man, that is yet to be. 
 There is for each creature an exact state of felic- 
 ity, 
 
 Set in keeping with its intellectual abiUty. 
 
 Intellect is the source of all pleasure, which gives 
 in due weight 
 
 111 
 
The riches of all things, as we recoginze their pur- 
 est state : 
 
 God's pure intellect is the central force, and of all 
 virtues most supreme ; 
 
 Of all things the splendor, making them what they 
 are instead of what they seem : 
 
 Intellect is essence of God's own grandeur, and 
 that everlasting light ; 
 
 The essence of His supernal brightness, and to all 
 things the source of sight. 
 
 From that essential principle, all greatness is in- 
 fluence grown. 
 
 For by that all have their benig, and by that their 
 relation known : 
 
 That is the seat of God's eternal bliss, supremacy 
 and law ; 
 
 That is the influence begetting praise of most ma- 
 jestic awe. 
 
 Of all things Intellect is chief, and over all holds 
 supremacy just ; 
 
 For its wealth and grandeur, no other source can 
 too greatly hunger or thirst : 
 
 By that was truth begotten, and from the womb 
 of chaos freed by force ; 
 
 Of truth were the daughters of virtue bom, par- 
 ent — age of the same source ; 
 
 Of which wisdom is the fairest, queen of all that 
 beauteous host. 
 
 But all their beauty before the Original's in bright- 
 ness lost. 
 Intelligence found the usefulness of all things 
 in the hand of truth. 
 
 Which gave consciousness of worth, and the beauty 
 of perpetual youth : 
 
 The truth of a thing is what it is, but its virtue is 
 its force 
 
 To give all its worth to the universe and gather 
 from that source. 
 
 112 
 
In all creatures, intellect is the true heart, power 
 involuntary ; 
 
 Is intelligence flowing from God, but with man 
 his being primary. — 
 
 Which is the supremacy of humanity, — the wis- 
 dom, the might, — 
 
 The cleansing of the heart, and the mind, and the 
 soul, — purest depths of life : 
 
 It prepares this temple for the Master's use, makes 
 it sweet and sure. 
 
 Purifying all vessels for His service with oil soft 
 and pure. 
 
 God, alone, is pure perfect intellect, which is not 
 mere knowing ; 
 
 But perfection of all things good, — to us an influ- 
 ence growing 
 
 Ever brighter ; as we seek the truth of that intel- 
 lectual worth 
 
 We are gradually but surely, receiving a more 
 noble birth. 
 
 Every consciousness, influence, or impulse, that 
 moves God's holy breast. 
 
 Is justly owing some source of intellect, which 
 completes His perfect rest. 
 
 In God's intellect the principles of his Being are 
 equally true, 
 
 Crown' d by charity, most excellent beauty, giving 
 all an equal view. 
 
 Then, since all God's principles do an equal majes- 
 ty thus include. 
 
 So one power cannot on the others rights in any 
 way intrude. 
 
 Charity's the supreme touch of all God's greatness, 
 where true majesty lies ; 
 
 The perfect intellect, where all beauty in most ex- 
 cellent grandeur rise : 
 
 Charity is alike to all things, nor can her greatness 
 e'er be found ; 
 
 113 
 
Of justice and equity their majesty, their essence 
 
 most profound : 
 Charity in human Hfe is that influence that brings 
 
 man nearest God, 
 Which makes all the virtues of life an associated 
 
 counsel for good. 
 Life without charity is like material for a great 
 
 structure laid 
 In such disorder, a building void of beauty and in 
 
 disgust is made, — 
 While, if same material was laid under due science 
 
 of art 
 The building would stand in glowing beauty, form- 
 ing one perfect part ; 
 Bach part growing more magnificent in beauty, 
 
 when set as should. 
 In exact order, which increases in forming one 
 
 perfect good : 
 What the material is to the building so is virtue 
 
 to life ; 
 What art is in building, is character in setting vir- 
 tue aright : 
 So to character is charity, what to art is science ; 
 As art in science's spent, character in charity's 
 
 confident : 
 As it is art in the building and not science that we 
 
 see. 
 So is character in life call'd beautiful, not charity: 
 As science is lost in its love and its usefulness to all 
 So charity the all of life we can her but rightly call. 
 In beautiful lives we see the influence of charity, 
 
 not herself ; 
 While she is the supreme beauty of all, she is never 
 
 seen, only felt. — 
 While never seen, yet, above all she is much more 
 
 admired ; 
 Her voice more tender and much sweeter than all 
 
 else e'er heard : 
 
 114 
 
She is that worth to all things what they cannot be 
 
 to themselves ; 
 She's that unsearchable wealth not laid in store or 
 
 plac'd on shelves ; 
 Of all hearts most sympathetic, feeling the deepest 
 
 power of touch ; 
 Always exact, never in this giving too Httle, in that 
 
 too much : 
 She is never idle, ever diligent in finding some 
 
 good to do ; 
 She only lives, but in that deep silent beauty, 
 
 wherein her grandeur grew. 
 She may be liken to some flower, in silence bom 
 
 and spent unseen ; 
 Breathing ambrosial fragrance ; clothed in perfect 
 
 beauty, o'er living green ; 
 Stood enjoying the profound bliss of soul, that 
 
 selfishness had never flush'd, — 
 Unconscious of its wealth and beauty, living in 
 
 all hearts that felt its touch ; 
 Only alike, as that ideal flower is queen of floral 
 
 wealth, — 
 Unseen by eye or self, only enjoy'd by those its 
 
 influence felt. 
 If that flower had been seen, its deep tender in- 
 fluence would' ve been lost; 
 The greedy eye would have wasted all in glutting 
 
 on the tender dross. 
 Visual beauty is external and transitory, but 
 
 serves to show 
 The deep silent course of majestic truth, from 
 
 whence these mighty beauties flow : 
 Such beauty has a noble purpose if man would 
 
 seek to find 
 Its awful majesty, quietly stirring the heart and 
 
 mind, — 
 Which moves the soul to delight in that gentle 
 
 power which draws 
 
 115 
 
A most tender reverence for pure eternal source 
 
 of laws. 
 It is the deep secret laws, which are eternal, that 
 
 leads us to admire 
 The perfect work of an Almighty Hand alone 
 
 which will stand test of fire. 
 What is wrought in God has stay eternal, yet the 
 
 outward veil will fade. 
 Leave God's laws standing in ancient beauty, 
 
 when all else in waste be laid. 
 They, who sought life in Him who gave laws most 
 
 pure and eternal, 
 Will abide with Christ, clothed with native light 
 
 of love supernal ; 
 Admiring Him who to them is riches, beauty, 
 
 glory, love, life divine. 
 While to all who disbelieve Him such is the power 
 
 of wrath unconfin'd, — 
 For a man's belief becomes his faith and trust, 
 
 with it he will sink or climb, — 
 In its light and beauty he will rejoice, or in its 
 
 night must weep and pine. 
 Those whose faith did not sore with infinite 
 
 grandeur, in God's perfection deep; 
 Whose glory can know no bounds, or his greatness 
 
 end in time's eternal sweep : 
 Until Satan's war is over, must in ethics of dust 
 
 repose 
 In forgetfulness of slumber, until the Judgment 
 
 Day disclose 
 That transitory things have reached the day that 
 
 gives perpetual doom ; 
 Proclaim lost in brighter day radiant sun, melting 
 
 stars and pale moon : 
 Must appear before ineffable brightness of God, 
 
 source and light divine ; 
 May, for lack of faith in that source to abide eter- 
 nal circling of time. 
 
 116 
 
Suffer everlasting death before things so pure, yet, 
 to grow more supreme ; 
 
 As the dross and darkness sink before the pow- 
 er of that pure heaHng stream. 
 
 Which ineffable brightness flows in currents of 
 joy most calm and serene ; 
 
 Awakes the soul to living ecstacy, in the light of 
 that rising scene. 
 When the immortal reign shall end, Christ the 
 the key to God return ; 
 
 Then, like the mortal at its close, so must the im- 
 mortal bum 
 
 Before the mighty truths of God, that with eter- 
 nal beauty glow ; 
 
 All that survive immortality, like pure metal from 
 out dross' 11 flow ; 
 
 And so continue until that pure spark alone will 
 shine. 
 
 Which survives wreck of ages, brightens beyond 
 range of time. 
 
 At the close of the immortal reign, on the shore of 
 ceaseless light. 
 
 All who are unworthy will be swept with dross 
 into endless night. 
 All who cannot survive that realm from whence 
 Lucifer fell, 
 
 Seems must find their eternal place within a sink- 
 ing hell — 
 
 Men, like Lucifer, who refuse loyalty to Eternal 
 God of hght, 
 
 Must writhe with him in the deep gathering hor- 
 rors of everlasting night. 
 
 Lucifer must have immortal been, sank to like 
 depths of infernal space ; 
 
 His nature was to the true light repugnant, said 
 he did not like the place. 
 
 Then, shall I say that man must pray, until he 
 survive that stately fall. 
 
 117 
 
Be approved by God's holy call, gather'd in eter- 
 nal light of all ? 
 
 End of First Book 
 
 THE BEAUTIES AND POWERS THAT BE 
 
 BOOK II 
 
 The Great I Am, in time beyond the conception 
 
 of the human thought ; 
 In the morning of Eternity, proclaim' d all not of 
 
 him is naught : 
 By the perfection of his own Being, he asserted his 
 
 dignity; 
 Intellect's infinite depths of purity and beauty 
 
 gave supremacy : 
 Crowned by Charity, the essential glory of eternal 
 
 worth. 
 From whence flow all grandeur, all power, all Hght 
 
 of majestic birth. 
 On God's perpetual goodness the pillars of Eter- 
 nity rest ; 
 All the materials flow from a point within His 
 
 sacred breast — 
 Intellect directed the hand that that mightiest 
 
 structure laid ; 
 Charity, one the influence and purpose of the 
 
 structure, made — 
 Wisdom God made to light his temple, and truth 
 
 to proclaim his hand ; 
 Virtue to adorn with love; Grace and Mercy to 
 
 save fallen man. 
 
 118 
 
Yet, there's another realm or principle, which 
 seems of greater age than good, 
 
 Since, with us darkness is before light, so we sup- 
 pose ignorance to God, — 
 
 But these two great principles are in age co-eter- 
 nal; 
 
 One the source of all good, the other of night in- 
 fernal. 
 While Ignorance lay slumbering in confidence, 
 of perpetual reign, 
 
 Evil set contemplating what could there be for 
 her to hold in disdain. — 
 
 While in the other realm intellect was planning 
 Eternal Day of life ; 
 
 Good calculating the rescue of usefulness from 
 slothful reign of night. 
 
 While that awful silence reigned, no motion the 
 solemn stillness broke ; 
 
 Intellect investigated all, but, yet, not a word had 
 spoke : 
 
 With her nature most throughly saturated all that 
 did repose, 
 
 Left untouched by vital powers, which glory of 
 living light disclose. 
 
 Before God spoke, intellect did prepare all things 
 His voice to truly hear ; 
 
 With intellectual light to vitalize elements of va- 
 pid air. 
 
 When all things to God were set aright he utter' d 
 forth his glorious voice ; 
 
 Deep in heart of hearts Charity felt eternal good 
 in her soul rejoice : 
 
 All things good saw and worshiped the everlasting 
 God of light; 
 
 The morning stars sang together, their joy pierced 
 the gloom of night ; 
 
 The sons of God shouted louder praise, their glad- 
 ness spread the genial ray. 
 
 119 
 
Night it drove away and claim' d the universe for 
 
 reign of eternal day. 
 While God spoke ignorance from her lethargy 
 
 awoke in great surprise, — 
 She saw herself, — she hated, — and her soul cursed 
 
 with a curse that ne'er dies. 
 All things now awoke, — Satan rag'd, — the two 
 
 powers a war involve ; 
 Satan by himself swore that he would the eternal 
 
 light dissolve. 
 War is now declared by Satan ; the battle ground 
 
 is ready laid ; 
 Satan has declared, the sacred precincts of light, 
 
 he will invade. 
 And blot that everlasting light and its Author 
 
 forever from view, — 
 Quietly to his realm again retire, and his useless 
 
 sleep renew. 
 The Almighty God, the Imperial General, most 
 
 majestic stood, 
 Within himself supreme, proposing to enlist all in 
 
 their proper good ; 
 To make all things useful and in him the universe 
 
 enjoy, 
 In that God made it possible for all to that end 
 
 employ. 
 In that service all must obey the commands of 
 
 the imperial law ; 
 For success all, the sword of mercy from pure 
 
 hearts of love, must surely draw ; 
 Bear the shield of God's everlasting power, and 
 
 dart the spear of truth ; 
 Seek his riches of everlasting wealth, beauty of 
 
 celestial youth. 
 All God's soldiers must seek him as the only wealth 
 
 beauty, light and good, 
 And against the emeny must stand a universal 
 
 brotherhood ; 
 
 120 
 
God's army must trust all to the General's wisdom 
 
 and his mighty hand ; 
 Success depends on a faithful execution of ev'ry 
 
 command. 
 The General relies on his supremacy in every 
 
 virtue ; 
 His superior and essential goodness in every thing 
 
 that's true. 
 This leader is perfect in ev'ry tactic, and moveth 
 
 but for some good ; 
 Acknowledges no superior or equal, as other lead- 
 ers would ; 
 Exact in every effort, never leading a superfluous 
 
 force, — 
 No point within the universe, but's fortified with 
 
 an infinite source : 
 Ever present at each post, — ever operating su- 
 premely there ; 
 Not supreme alone in one place, but equally su- 
 preme ev'ry where ; 
 Ever possessing a most perfect knowledge of the 
 
 enemy's strength ; 
 E'er operating with due dilligence, yet, no force is 
 
 e'er spent. 
 Satan in his realm is equally supreme, which is to 
 
 imitate ; 
 Having no wealth or beauty to reward, or source 
 
 from whence to create ; 
 Also supreme in every art and power to deceive, — 
 His only goal, death to life, — his only pleasure to 
 
 agrieve : 
 The imitated in all things so closely resembles 
 
 the real. 
 That we cannot trust sight, but must rely on what 
 
 the soul's made to feel. 
 If it were possible God's mind to deceive, the elect 
 
 would be misled, — 
 All hope would cease and all glory fade with the 
 
 silent slumber of the dead. 
 
 121 
 
Satan trusted this magic power of art, the truth 
 
 from God's mind conceal; 
 Triumphantly raise the banner of the false where 
 
 God had staid the real ; 
 Set in disorder that mighty battle line, — ^virtue 
 
 and truth no more know 
 Their source, but be left to eternally wander 
 
 through the pale realms of woe. 
 Satan viewing God's forces, — seeing but one in all 
 
 his mighty camp, 
 Martial' d before Him innumerable legions of im- 
 
 itat'd stamp : 
 So he every where lay seige, — maneuvred his 
 
 trusted line ; 
 Hoping God to affright, that weakness in Him he 
 
 might somewhere find. — 
 But the imperial General stood unmov'd before 
 
 that awful crew ; 
 When all his martial force exerted, he in weakness 
 
 the seige withdrew ; 
 And passed to regions not eternal, — sustaining, 
 
 yet, immortal pride ; 
 So with God is established peace eternal and Satan 
 
 cast outside. 
 So long as man battles with Satan alone upon 
 
 a moral plain. 
 The war's never o'er, no matter how many vic- 
 tories he may gain ; 
 He fights for no lasting purpose, while in the end 
 
 can hope but to be slain, — 
 A moral victory serves only the purpose for which 
 
 it be gained. 
 But, when the war's chang'd from a moral to a 
 
 religious affair ; 
 And God man makes his general, then Satan flees, 
 
 we know not where : 
 For then he sees the Leader the eternal palm of 
 
 victory bears ; 
 
 122 
 
And knows to desert the field he flees a train of 
 
 unavailing cares. 
 Morality, we then may say's an influence of reli- 
 gious laws, 
 By man sought to serve him in a selfish, or a tem- 
 
 porial cause ; 
 So religious laws only serve a man to the extent 
 
 of his trust ; 
 If moral, it ceases to serve him when the body 
 
 returns to dust. 
 If religion be the medium by which we seek God's 
 
 eternal worth. 
 It will serve a higher moral purpose, — add riches 
 
 of immortal birth : 
 God's ability to do can't be equal'd, or exceeded 
 
 by man's faith. 
 And as his heart, soul and mind are fixed in that, 
 
 so will his life be great : 
 God's laws will not deceive, but as they are trusted 
 
 so will they prosper men ; 
 If for a temporial purpose, that life will know a 
 
 sorrowful end. 
 Satan's first siege ser^^ed to prove the perfection 
 
 of God's eternal laws ; 
 That, perpetual and impregnable to sin, are ce- 
 lestial walls. 
 That siege may've held for ages, its duration God 
 
 alone can tell ; 
 Unless his last resource had failed him, Satan 
 
 would not yet have fell. — 
 And with him everything that falter'd, or toward 
 
 God not holy pure ; 
 So establishing God's perpetual greatness, — his 
 
 purpose made secure. 
 By that God was not more exalted, in himself 
 
 more secure felt ; 
 For before him all wrongs must perish, — all feeble 
 
 hearts surely melt : 
 
 123 
 
But, with the seraphs, who faithfully trusted, 
 
 but knew not the war's sure end. 
 His name in glory's exalted beyond the power of 
 
 their praise to send : 
 The courts of heav'n with unspeakable grandeur 
 
 and eternal glory blaz'd, 
 While all its shining host and dazzling beauty, in 
 
 vain strove to speak his praise. 
 All mortal strength may of His beauty speak, yet, 
 
 it is most feebly said ; 
 Immortal riches may asscribe their glory, the 
 
 ejffort must be led ; 
 The grandeur of eternity may fully speak, the first 
 
 is, yet, but told ; 
 Eternity may untold times etem'ly search, yet, 
 
 there's a purer soul. 
 The bitterest pangs of hell we can but feebly pic- 
 ture, yet, they are sure ; 
 For his abhorrence of evil is equally strong, as his 
 
 soul is pure. 
 When eternity was lost all had pass'd, but to that 
 
 Satan kept blind ; 
 Pitching his tent in the immortal realm and pro- 
 
 claim'd himself divine. 
 Here, like mortality to immortality, eternity's 
 
 veil'd. 
 Save to one, through which all the secrets of the 
 
 others are true revealed. 
 What Christ is to mortality, so is Michael to the 
 
 host he lead, 
 Nor against the eternal kingdom of God, can ne'er 
 
 be led to secede. 
 Satan hoping to prosper by his defeat, proclaims 
 
 himself the son 
 Of the everlasting morning, and here he his course 
 
 had set to run : 
 Seating about him many vices, imitating virtues 
 
 'bout God's throne ; 
 
 124 
 
Leaving vacant seats of the elders, Christ and 
 Michael by side his own : 
 
 Inviting all to seated be and him due homage pay, 
 
 But Michael defied, proclaiming the true Hght of 
 day. 
 
 Satan again declares war; that this realm he 
 would by right of conquest force — 
 
 Michael, in the name of living God, orders him on 
 his downward course, — 
 
 But he boldly defies Michael and his authority 
 given, 
 
 And tries the fortune of war within the sacred 
 precinct of heaven. 
 
 Satan Martial' d his innumerable forces to support 
 deepest wrong, — 
 
 Michael's army was fortified by God's eternal 
 truths, deep and strong : 
 
 The General who knows no defeat directed that 
 invincible line ; 
 
 Demanding of Satan the principle for which he 
 fought, he none could find. 
 
 Satan relied on his prodigious resource of false- 
 hoods — on none could lean — 
 
 Michael trusted to One Eternal, who in himself 
 alone supreme. 
 
 Satan arrayed in vanity's gayest trappings and 
 her richest pomp. 
 
 Adorn' d with all that pride could wish — most in- 
 viting pleasurer lust could want ; 
 
 Presenting fairest of all things, which most entice 
 the soul to sin ; 
 
 Exercising deceptions strongest powers, — doubt- 
 ing souls to win : 
 
 To all his numberless host, these were their hearts ; 
 their minds', their souls' deep source ; 
 
 And as these delusions vanished, they were left 
 without a hope or course : 
 
 Michael stood unmov'd, confident in God's ever- 
 lasting ways ; 
 
 125 
 
Led by truth unadorn'd, which' s fairest in her own 
 
 essential blaze — 
 In Michael's cause truth and wisdom stood on 
 
 either hand ; 
 Truth to support and execute what wisdom should 
 
 command. 
 With their hearts, minds, and souls firmly fixed in 
 
 God's majestic law ; 
 For all they stood nothing unworthy, but purest 
 
 riches saw. — 
 As each charge repulsed they felt new pleasure in 
 
 their souls arise ; 
 Saw purer richer beauties each swifter mantling 
 
 to the skies. 
 A battle now was sure, the cause no recon- 
 ciliation would allow, 
 For each against the others reign by eternity seal- 
 ed a lasting vow : 
 Satan debated long from point of his own dark 
 
 selfish aim. 
 That, since God is securely set in his own eternal 
 
 reign. 
 He woud not below his dignity step to claim an 
 
 interest here — 
 Vilest sophistry ! In all good God's interested and 
 
 does appear. 
 Much on the result depended, and that full well 
 
 each leader knew. 
 Whither heav'n's glories should sacred be, or wast- 
 ed by foulest crew. 
 This, Satan viewed, a spoil immense, to him what 
 
 dazzling glory to see 
 Himself in reign o'er such wealth and beauty, and 
 
 their purity wasted be. 
 Purity Satan could in no wise brook, but ever 
 
 sought its spoil, 
 And wherever its reign prevail' d, Satan pitched 
 
 camp in other soil. 
 
 126 
 
Heaven's proposition, seems, was, first to estab- 
 lish all things as they are. 
 Then make existence a progressive bliss under test 
 
 of celestial fire. 
 Satan confident in skill, supported by such great 
 
 contrabands of war, 
 Flatter' d himself that with least missile could set 
 
 the enemy's gates ajar : 
 So he led the battle with such horrid cries as 
 
 pleased his savage will ; 
 Least falsehood, direct at heart of Micheal, hurl'd 
 
 with befitting skill, — 
 But that heart was invulnerable, nor was he in 
 
 tactic slow 
 To use the weapon fitted exact to ward off the 
 
 fatal blow ; 
 The next, with its wonted force, he hurls quicker 
 
 than a human thought, 
 But before the truth it sought to waste it, both 
 
 force and purpose lost ; 
 The next quicker sends with such skill that no 
 
 power to execute did lack. 
 Had it been possible for vice to slay virtue the work 
 
 would' ve been exact ; 
 Swifter leads the conflict, as his weapons permit, 
 
 or occasions demand. 
 So contend the powers, — Satan strives to cast 
 
 down, — Michael to withstand : 
 Satan continues that single combat to urge to a 
 
 supreme degree, 
 Til many angels failed themselves to guard, but 
 
 tum'd that awful sight to see, — 
 When all the negligent had attention tum'd to 
 
 witness their leader's art. 
 The host of Satan, their weapons at them, hurl'd 
 
 and pierced deep each inmost heart : 
 Thus many of the Angelic host felt the power of 
 
 sin's deadly dart ; 
 
 127 
 
Satan had sorely learn' d that negligence with 
 
 cowardice bore equal part. 
 Here Satan had hoped to his favor to turn the for- 
 tune of the day ; 
 The intrepid valor of Michael daunt and to his 
 
 charge give way ; 
 But, when to follow up his success, found an in- 
 vincible line, 
 Though no greater skill in war'll be displayed 
 
 through eternity of time : 
 So battle raged, — not a soldier lack'd skill to equal 
 
 part his leader played, 
 Nor did leader or soldier despair 'till they saw their 
 
 greatest effort fade. 
 Then Michael, truth into Satan's camp, did with 
 
 modest fury hurl. 
 Which forc'd him and his crew with their dead to 
 
 shelter in the nether world. 
 The victorious band then paid most solemn 
 
 thanks to mighty God of host ; 
 In style befitting beauty of their lives, lament 
 
 their many consorts lost. 
 Michael reviews the battle, considers Satan's un- 
 merited skill ; 
 If his weapons had equal' d the occasion, might 
 
 have gain'd the holy hill ; 
 Saw how, that if it were possible, the mighty works 
 
 of God could dissolve ; 
 How that an end to heaven's eternal day might 
 
 in endless night revolve. 
 But, since without God there's nothing worth, 
 
 but all of him is of purest light ; 
 All else to him subject, then heav'n can no more 
 
 feel the restless shades of night. 
 Satan had not considered some points of war on 
 
 which success depend. 
 But, thought that any weapon with such dexter- 
 
 'ty sway'd success would attend, — 
 
 128 
 
Had he considered the heavenly cause, the lead- 
 er's merit and skill ; 
 The power of truth to make alive, and o'er sin to 
 
 pour deadly chill. 
 He would've meekly laid his weapons down and 
 
 sought a lowlier place to fill. 
 Here learn that the success of war does not depend 
 
 on the general's rage ; 
 But on the cause he supports, — on the resources 
 
 and weapons he engage. 
 The holy flowers of heaven now in the full 
 
 strength of their beauty sprang ; 
 Of that pure source from whence they gender' d in 
 
 sweetest melody deeply sang ; 
 The angels join'd the mellifluous flow of that holy 
 
 song, 
 And pour'd forth the pure delight of soul in music 
 
 sweet pure and strong. 
 To enjoy such profound bliss of soul these faithful 
 
 beings had never thought 
 Would be their lot, until to maintain what God 
 
 had given they daily fought 
 With hearts filled with love for that purity for 
 
 which they ever wholly sought, — 
 Since in that name they fought and conquered, 
 
 that purity more richly flows ; 
 Now they're progressive beings and each soul ever 
 
 more resplendent grows. 
 There are two great beings, which are co-eternal, 
 
 from whence all things arise. 
 And as for wisdom to prosecute their designs, each 
 
 seems equally wise. 
 The Greater to whom all power, glory, honor and 
 
 majesty is due ; 
 In whose own essential being is perfection of all 
 
 things that are true : 
 The other of all most abominable, who to honor 
 
 has least claim, 
 
 129 
 
From whose essential being flows all things that 
 
 are loathsome, foul and unclean. — 
 One who in himself is highest of the high, to whom 
 
 we all honor owe ; 
 The other who is meanest of the mean, — in him- 
 self lowest of the low. 
 In the morning of Eternity each of these beings 
 
 was omnipresent. 
 Except neither in the other's self, so Satan could 
 
 try his utmost strength ; 
 But to be equal in power all must be possible to 
 
 each's access, 
 Which could not be, but to know Satan challenged 
 
 the right of God's rule to test. 
 Satan was wise to know that if he could enter 
 
 God's inmost heart and quench 
 The essential source from whence issues every 
 
 good, that His reign was spent ; 
 But unless he could pollute the source, all else 
 
 would prove a most vain attempt. 
 In such an attempt, what could Satan hope, but to 
 
 ingloriously fail ? 
 For what's in itself eternally pure cannot pollute, 
 
 or e'er grow stale. 
 While Satan vainly strove, God's eternal glory, to 
 
 restrain, 
 God proved that all was to him accessable by a 
 
 secret reign 
 Of his holy laws, which are deeper fixed in each 
 
 soul, and heart, and mind. 
 Than the being itself can e'er have power its 
 
 source or wealth to find ; 
 So we find likeness of the true man in this temple 
 
 most truly inlaid ; 
 For whose indwelling the temple of man was thus 
 
 adorn' d and neatly made. 
 In that likeness deeply lies true grandeur, claim- 
 ing our ever respect. 
 
 130 
 
Which if we alone solely honor, in our lives will 
 
 glow the true effect ; 
 So our beauty doth not appear in this visible tene- 
 ment of clay, 
 But, that invisible splendor surviving glory of 
 
 eternal day. 
 Beneath Satan's essential being where he felt his 
 
 supremacy seal'd, 
 God secretly entered and beneath each falsehood 
 
 firmly set the real ; 
 So the false can no where enter, but what the true 
 
 is also there reveal' d, — 
 Thus the truth underlieth all, but never hid to a 
 
 faithful search. 
 But a modest stillness holds, for what cometh of 
 
 itself s nothing worth. 
 Truth sought in her native beauty is the fairest 
 
 treasure, — never spent, — 
 In her source wedding each virtue, kiss'd by, their 
 
 loves as she journies hence : 
 Charity will proclaim the nuptials and direct the 
 
 wedding feast ; 
 Prescribe hymeneal pleasures that in her hand 
 
 will never cease. 
 In the soul' 11 wed truth and virtue, there their 
 
 nuptials ever celebrate, — 
 In the heart Charity will store the treasures of that 
 
 connubial state. 
 Falsehood's like the mighty storm that plays up- 
 on the bosom of the great deep, 
 Which chills the heart of the sailor with the 
 
 thought that beneath him there's no peace : 
 But far below the troubled roar of storm, like 
 
 truth peace reigns most profound, 
 There unadmired her jewels of soul, — such wealth 
 
 no earthly prince e'er crown' d : 
 Yet, there may gently glide some welcome current 
 
 full pregnant with torrid wealth, 
 
 131 
 
To pour its conceptions on some frigid shore, 
 
 there great fecund joy make felt ; 
 Or Hke the treasures of some arctic sea carried by 
 
 a friendly stream 
 Through delightful regions where the sun pours 
 
 forth a more genial beam ; 
 While the torrid deep this friendly intrusion with 
 
 awful silence greet, 
 As it gently soothes her fever' d bowels troubled 
 
 most sore with liquid heat ; 
 So he who would enjoy the placid calm of perpet- 
 ual youth, 
 Must seek his rest on that tranquil shore, in the 
 
 silent realm of truth ; 
 Or through reason, by religion and by faith ap- 
 proved, serenely rise 
 In ecstasy of soul, to bathe in that crystal fount 
 
 beyond the skies ; 
 Be enwrapped in higher pleasure than attend 
 
 the calm of sweet repose. 
 While in that course we journey, love of nature in 
 
 our heart deeper flows. 
 God has created all things in their purest light, 
 
 angels and man left free 
 To elect whether with God to live and an endless 
 
 course of pleasures see ; 
 Or Satan idly worship and leave that state of 
 
 pur'ty to wasted be : 
 This angels know and if Satan could speak the 
 
 truth he would with them agree, 
 That he seeks to separate from holy lives men and 
 
 angels, them to damn ; 
 While if he possessed the true riches, he would 
 
 their due homage sure demand ; 
 This we ought to know, if we're not greater, then, 
 
 why are we by Satan sought ? 
 Or if man or angels sell virtue for vice, then, can 
 
 they but hope for naught? 
 
 132 
 
While God we must ever seek as the only wealth 
 
 and beauty of soul ; 
 For eternal Hfe must with patience delve, as the 
 
 miner does for gold ; 
 God we must seek for his unerring goodness, — his 
 
 unspeakable beauty, — 
 For the purity of his soul, — to serve his will be 
 
 our love and duty. 
 To fix his greatness, God needs no aid, but it is the 
 
 creature that receives ; 
 Should men and angels profane his glory, yet, he 
 
 reigns with majestic ease. 
 God created all with befitting majesty, their honor 
 
 so to prove. 
 Wherein they fall below that standard, they fail 
 
 to honor the God of love ; 
 God fully delights in his creatures as he form'd 
 
 them, and alone can please, 
 Thus man must stand before he can gain enter the 
 
 fragrant bower of ease. 
 Satan on failing to blot out the eternal light, as 
 
 he had sworn. 
 Enter' d the immortal heaven with confident elate 
 
 and unf orlom ; 
 By due subtility he hop'd to have its inhabitants 
 
 to delight 
 In celestial gore, and hold all things else in arms 
 
 of chaotic night. 
 Satan having fail'd to successfully dispute God's 
 
 right to create. 
 Either by fortune of war, or boasted resource of 
 
 power to debate ; 
 That since angels are free in choice, he trusted to 
 
 involve them in his fate, 
 And heaven's pure rich blooming fields, of worthy 
 
 creatures, to depopulate ; 
 But, knew not that God, no creature of his hand 
 
 would ne'er forsake or disown. 
 
 133 
 
If it faithfully trusted him, for all its wants and 
 
 frailties, to atone. 
 But, all who seek in God a refuge, and make him 
 
 their stay and tower 
 Will stand approved and with success move a- 
 
 gainst each opposing power. 
 Bach creature stood as form'd, until by Satan led 
 
 their honor to disown, 
 Then was heaven justly purg'd and freed of all 
 
 idlers and each useless drone. 
 Heaven has since and will with pure riches per- 
 petually flow ; 
 The faithful will continue to rise for whom that 
 
 wealth was made to glow. — 
 God did not set himself to know which of his crea- 
 tures would fall or which stand, 
 But set himself alike to all who honor' d the work- 
 manship of his hand : 
 All who make him the object of their choice, he 
 
 has elected to save ; 
 Make them heirs of his eternal wealth with the 
 
 true hearted and the brave. 
 We know not the duration of that infernal and 
 
 supernal strife. 
 But, know that Satan sorely tried each heart and 
 
 disputed ev'ry right ; 
 Contested every inch of celestial soil, to its harvest 
 
 laid claim ; 
 On every cost sought shelter to conceal the infamy 
 
 of his name : 
 Nor would he, his false assertion to those fair fields 
 
 yet have sealed. 
 Had not his utmost resource his vanished glory so 
 
 revealed. 
 The immortal realm being now refulgent with light 
 
 of eternal day ; 
 Freed from all unholiness, or what could offend, 
 
 or mar the purest ray ; 
 
 134 
 
The faithful made eternal, always receiving a 
 purer balm of life ; 
 
 The soul ever being flooded with splendor of a 
 richer force of light : 
 
 The immortal incorporated in God's everlasting 
 might, 
 
 And its bounds so secur'd against ev'ry nocturnal 
 source of night. 
 
 So the Eternal Kingdom being set, enriched and 
 beautified, 
 
 As befits the majestic grandeur of Him who o'er 
 all preside ; 
 
 The purity and beauty of the immortal heaven 
 sustained. 
 
 With worthy inhabitants set to enjoy God's per- 
 petual reign : 
 Satan, chaos and all things failing to honor the 
 Creator's hand 
 
 Claim'd empire and right of rule in all beyond and 
 o'er the mortal stand ; 
 
 But, God calling all things terrestrial from out 
 that dismal waste. 
 
 As pleased him, gave each form, vitality, intelli- 
 gence and place. 
 
 The womb of mother earth, God fiU'd with purest 
 fruit of impregnated seed 
 
 Unpolluted by germ of thorn or thistle, — no par- 
 ent of useless weed ; 
 
 Then earth's lust being satiate by intercource with 
 bodies celestial, 
 
 Pour'd forth the bounty of her soul, filling her 
 bounds with joys terrestrial : 
 
 Thus all creatures were form'd from dust impreg- 
 nate alone with the pure and good ; 
 
 Man a blooming monument of living virtues, above 
 all others, stood ; 
 
 All lives were pure and flourished like flowers cul- 
 tur'd in the richest soil, — 
 
 135 
 
Man walked with God over fields yielding fairest 
 
 fruits, yet, — unmarked by toil. 
 God did not delight in man because he was of him- 
 self wholly pure ; 
 Nor because of personal charms, or power of his to 
 
 long endure ; 
 But because He knew the frailty of man's being,— 
 
 his credulous heart ; 
 How he would grieve, if he should from that in- 
 nocent state of truth depart ; 
 That deep down in his life and soul, where the true 
 
 being and image stand, 
 He would most bitterly cry for perfection of the 
 
 creating hand. 
 While man knew but God, and no evil passions 
 
 played upon the cords of life. 
 He could love God, the Eternal Father, with all 
 
 his soul, heart, mind and might ; 
 While all blown in purity, and but virtuous fruits 
 
 grew fair and ripe, 
 Man knew but to adore and trust the Author of 
 
 perpetual light. 
 Knowledge of good and evil, God forbid man to 
 
 taste, — ^well he knew the strife ; 
 That such an excellent power of knowledge He 
 
 alone could use aright. 
 Thus Satan led man to believe that to be like God 
 
 only meant to know ; 
 Then the supreme dignity of himself would be of 
 
 a nature flow ; 
 But when he'd tasted, to his lasting sorrow and 
 
 most grave surprise, 
 
 136 
 
He learned that to be like God meant more by far 
 
 than being thus wise. — 
 With God knowledge is servant to his pure Being, 
 
 most perfect intellect, — 
 No harbinger of ill, to whom all excellence pays 
 
 the most grand respect. 
 Man possesses no such excellency, but to knowl- 
 edge and passion swerves. 
 But, grows noble or ignoble in the master's char- 
 acter whom he serves. 
 Poor man ! Since he tasted the forbidden fruit, he 
 
 became a field of strife ; 
 Satan seeks the conquest of the soul by wasting 
 
 the holy spark of life. 
 The body of man is the temple of the living God 
 
 Eternal, 
 Fortified with intellect, truth and vrtue under 
 
 light supernal ; 
 Supplied with vessels most suitably fitted for the 
 
 Master's use; 
 Set in that apartment most holy, — filled well 
 
 with nectarine juice. 
 Where the soul may, in fairest habit clad, sup with 
 
 the One Divine, — 
 Partake with him ambrosial food, and freely drink 
 
 celestial wine : 
 There man may have communion with the God of 
 
 perennial year ; 
 Where Satan or things infernal will never dare to 
 
 interfere. 
 The soul's given charge that temple to so keep that 
 
 the Holy Ghost may dwell 
 A pleasing inmate, the soul's High Priest, to pre- 
 sent a heart that pleases well ; 
 And place within the sacred precincts of that 
 
 heart a new white stone. 
 That completes the sanctuary into a pure and 
 
 saintly dome : 
 
 137 
 
A place more holy than where the angels are said 
 
 with man to commune, — 
 Which yet remains sacred to the Father while at 
 
 rest within the tomb. 
 When man, fruit of double nature, tasted he gave 
 
 ev'ry vice a right 
 To enter and inhabit there under the dubious 
 
 shades of night : 
 The earth so cursed that all her sons, after bom, 
 
 must know like uncertain state ; 
 Must conquer Satan and drive, and ever guard 
 
 him without the temple gate ; 
 And invite the Holy Spirit to establish the Church 
 
 of God within ; 
 And like the temple of His Son, forever, keep it 
 
 pure and free from sin ; 
 And with vessels of that temple be the soul's de- 
 light to ever serve 
 The Almighty God, nor from a duty he commands, 
 
 ne'er turn or swerve. 
 'Bout the citadel, in ambush, Satan lays, support- 
 ed by his sable crew ; 
 Those points which' re weakest and with least 
 
 vigilence kept he holds in steady view. 
 When the vig'lent grow credulous, he insinuates 
 
 vice in virtue's stead ; 
 Invites the soul in seemingly saintly terms to des- 
 ecrate holy bread ; 
 To life's lamp that sheds such lucid light,^ from a 
 
 sempiternal source is fed, — 
 Satan would add sulphuric fire, — swaddle the soul 
 
 with trappings of the dead. 
 That temple God no longer visits, but is loathed 
 
 as a den of thieves ; 
 In thickest dark the keeper e'er gropes, — for the 
 
 living light most sorely grieves : 
 The treasure of that house is taken, — waters from 
 
 the living fountain fail ; 
 
 138 
 
The vessels meant for God's service pour libations 
 
 to the idol Baal. 
 To keep this house aright the alter must glow 
 
 with fire of holy zeal ; 
 The soul must be pregnant with a love purer than 
 
 the patriots feel : 
 Wisdom must be more sacred to the heart than the 
 
 miser's gold to him be ; 
 More often than the miser seeks his store, we must 
 
 appear on bended knee 
 Before the One most holy pure, whose laws are as 
 
 equally just and wise. 
 To serve him as befits his awful majesty, in truth 
 
 without disguise : 
 We must not doubt because of human frailties, 
 
 or the fault'ring heart give heed, 
 But believe that, in the hand of God, man is equal 
 
 to every deed : 
 Ever striving by His truths, before him, to order 
 
 our lives aright ; 
 Seek in him that only freedom from shades of 
 
 ignominious night. 
 Life is like some pensive scholar, who from some 
 
 mountain peak serene and fair, 
 That lifts itself in massive grandeur far above all 
 
 others in mid air ; 
 Views through lens that will guide sight the farth- 
 est into the vast expanse of space. 
 And finding no object whereon to rest, the sight 
 
 fades in an unknown place ; 
 Yet, if he could onward advance, that space would 
 
 grow more pervious to view ; 
 The increasing splendor would lead him to forget 
 
 what he had hurried through : 
 So when man will have, through Christ, ascended 
 
 humanity's most lofty bound 
 To enter God's infinite grandeur and enjoy that 
 
 peace the most profound, 
 
 139 
 
He there will taste God's purity so deep that eter- 
 nity cannot sound ; 
 
 Ever gathering richer fruits of knowledge flowing 
 o'er celestial ground. 
 Man's fall did not involve his end, nor does to 
 eternal destruction lead, 
 
 But left him clothed in doubt and dread so that 
 he much divine instruction need ; 
 
 For his wrongs, thorns and thistles became the 
 most common brood of mother earth, 
 
 Nor could the nature of man be unlike the ele- 
 ments which give it birth. 
 
 Since that useless growth has thus become the seed 
 impregnate in earth's womb, 
 
 Man must toil it to remove to secure fruitful plants 
 a needed room ; 
 
 That earth may pour forth her strength in beauty 
 and richness of fruitful ease, — 
 
 That pure fragrance of flowers and fruits float 
 sweetly in the gentle breeze. 
 
 Thus man's nature's alike impregnate with ig- 
 norant and evil seed, 
 
 Which must be rooted out, truth planted and 
 cultured for its virtuous breed ; 
 
 So while man toils to fill the earth with fragrant 
 bowers and fruitful trees 
 
 He must earnestly war with vice to give his soul a 
 conscious ease. 
 
 While earth delights in pleasure of intercourse 
 with fecund powers benign 
 
 She is cumber' d with a fruitless growth, man of 
 his ancient choice, to remind. 
 
 In this human soil where holy plants once grew 
 and yielded fruit divine, 
 
 Life's now encumber' d with doubt and dread, 
 products of superstitious mind. 
 
 So man must strive with folly's brood, led by good- 
 ness of the One Supreme ; 
 
 140 
 
Must purge his life of Satan's spawn, — garner 
 
 instead fruits of golden sheen. 
 To live this man enters a war that closes but with 
 
 this temporal life ; 
 By aid of truth, must seek the One Eternal Good, 
 
 nor turn to left or right ; 
 To the One Eternal Goal, must faithfully run the 
 
 gauntlets through. 
 Nor seek to divert the sight, wishing an easier 
 
 mark to view. 
 Thousands have falter' d in that race and cowardly 
 
 join'd the motley crew ; 
 Grasp weapons, the damnation of their souls, to 
 
 hurl at the faithful few. 
 To enter the narrow gate and keep the way that's 
 
 straight, man must pur'ty love ; 
 Must honor that wisdom, which it crowns with 
 
 spirit like the aboding dove. 
 The path is surely paved by truth and might, 
 
 mark'd by the holy light of day. 
 While virtue's sweetest flowers and ripening fruits 
 
 gladen the shining way. 
 That way is not unmark'd by toil, nor free from 
 
 Satan's missile showers ; 
 As vice is always wont to lurk about virtue's most 
 
 sacred bowers. 
 On either side that narrow gate, the towers of vice 
 
 and folly stand, 
 And from there such weapons hurl, as slay many a 
 
 would be valiant man ; 
 There none can enter whose soul is not impreg- 
 nated with celestial fire ; 
 But such enter in face of Satan's host and^force the 
 
 meanest to retire. 
 That way bears mark of many battles fought, — of 
 
 celestial armor laid by, — 
 Of many who forsook truth's banner, — of many 
 
 for her fear'd not to die : 
 
 141 
 
Many perpetual monuments arise to name the 
 sages who've trod, 
 
 With humble steps, extoling the majestic grand- 
 eur of Almighty God. 
 
 No soldier e'er march'd that way without ent'ring 
 many conflicts fierce and long ; 
 
 Learned well the lesson, that victory's ever to the 
 faithful, not the strong. 
 
 Man should well observe the trophies erected by 
 victors along that march ; 
 
 Gather true the nature of the conflict, let each 
 cause engage a full search : 
 
 That path is mark'd by many a broken column, 
 noting an unfinish'd work ; 
 
 About the fallen fragment many useful and beau- 
 tiful mystries lurk : 
 
 The remains of each column shows what life would 
 be, should man worthy live ; 
 
 Showing the finishing touch, which the Eternal 
 Master to all can give. 
 
 These fragments show where once holy men, per- 
 chance, have sought a devious course ; 
 
 Left the stream flowing from the pure fount, drank 
 deep from sedimentary source : 
 
 Instead of striving to finish that beautiful column 
 untimely broke. 
 
 The shatter' d bark of life, tempest toss'd, on bil- 
 lows of unknown ocean float ; 
 
 Where all's an infinite expanse of waste, — no har- 
 mony or concord dwell ; 
 
 But the vital being must ever feed the unrelenting 
 pangs of hell : 
 
 All concord and harmony have their place far be- 
 yond that dismal strand. 
 
 Where the grandeur of that finished column 
 marks the blissful state of man ; 
 
 Where that monument. The Beautiful, rises in 
 magnificence most pure ; 
 
 142 
 
Where man, above all his faults and frailties will 
 
 arise eternally sure. 
 Man, if he will while dwelling on earth, may taste 
 
 fruits of immortal glory ; 
 May treasure up the sweets of life and journey here 
 
 til his locks grow hory ; 
 Then sink to rest with all at peace, as the sun of 
 
 life should set ; 
 The sleep of the righteous sleep, until called to 
 
 His perfect rest ; 
 In that fairest realm where no storm or tempest 
 
 rage, nor fiery passions burn ; 
 Where life will in God's holy refinement grow, nor 
 
 ever again will yearn 
 For unholy things ; in that life that serener grows, 
 
 man will rise e'ermore. 
 Wings of love and pinions bright, sweeter elysian 
 
 fields, will bear him o'er; 
 Eternally speed him on toward life's goal, the per- 
 fection of all bliss. 
 In that day that knows no bound, to richer strains 
 
 of music may ever list. 
 In that realm gather all that is most beautiful, 
 
 pure, rich and good ; 
 And there the only pure essence of man's life has 
 
 ever so stood : 
 As he grows into that purest life, joins what, it 
 
 seems, he once has known ; 
 That man, unto the purity of his pristine state, 
 
 again has grown. 
 To view the most lamentable scenes of human 
 
 fragments, be relumed 
 A desecrated human temple, there fairest relics 
 
 lay inhum'd ; 
 Vessels once sacred in the ministration of the 
 
 soul's humble right ; 
 While in the place most holy supping with Ever- 
 lasting God of light ; 
 
 143 
 
In that pure recess, where man once heard of su- 
 pernal beauty far and wide ; 
 
 All now in profination, — growing more dismal 
 beneath Satanic pride ; 
 
 In depths of gloom the soul sets a weeping hermit, 
 amid ruins so fair ; 
 
 While hope' 11 ne'er again ascend the throne of 
 mercy on the wings of prayer. — 
 
 Then should not man guard the temple of the 
 Lord with unremitting care, 
 
 Since he supplies with purest love, and preserves 
 the soul from such despair? 
 In humanity there appears another realm more 
 sweet and more refine 
 
 Than that of man, which unembraced slowly bleeds 
 at heart, quicker ends in time ; 
 
 That realm supplies humanity with the rich in- 
 fluence of floral love ; 
 
 Reclaims man to his higher nature, makes him 
 tender like the gentle dove. 
 
 Man unbound by that influence in life is as a strong 
 unfinish'd dome; 
 
 Like some stately mansion grac'd by all save floral 
 wealth, yet, no pleasant home : 
 
 Gainst such gentle influence and tender beauty, 
 no human heart is proof, — 
 
 In man's affections more deeply set than that be- 
 neath the parental roof. 
 
 To be embellish' d by that grace the heart of man 
 doth long to feel the touch ; 
 
 O'er the joy of making such completion, the heart 
 of woman ponders much. 
 
 The wealth of womanhood, if purely kept, — lily- 
 like matures free from stain, — 
 
 Is a richer treasure, more to be desired, than all 
 earthly store can name. 
 
 What's more to be admir'd, than a living monu- 
 ment of blooming virtue, 
 
 144 
 
Truly the goal of womanhood, all that's Junonian 
 
 there lone to view ? 
 That virtue that, to idolarous passion, ne'er tum'd 
 
 or gave a smile, — 
 Ever pristine in its beauty, and so pure that lust 
 
 cannot defile ? 
 As the apple puts forth in bloom predicating the 
 
 virtue of the fruit. 
 So the flowers of virtue do as fittingly, the human 
 
 offspring, suit : 
 That when Satan comes he must dispute what in 
 
 humanity is most fair, 
 But, with the human race to-day it seems such 
 
 fruit is most extremely rare. 
 Then, how frail must man be ! who is the fruit of 
 
 vain pride and unlawful lust ; 
 Gender' d in the ancient fault of man, which is in- 
 nate to his mortal dust. 
 Woman, a pure monument of virtue, — man, a 
 
 finish' d column, should stand 
 Before the Father, when in holy wedlock to 
 
 unite both heart and hand : 
 But, when in the age of man, has man witnessed 
 
 such human grandeur ; 
 Or in principle, has join'd his consort with heart 
 
 thus pure ? 
 Christ, the perfection of humanity, who has per- 
 petually stood 
 Most meekly and holy dedicated to God, the One 
 
 and only God, 
 Is the true Church, through whom man to the 
 
 living God should holy wedded be ; 
 So the woman through the man, thus making a 
 
 perfect unit of the three. 
 But, there came a time, after Eve had tasted fruit 
 
 of the forbidden tree. 
 That man had to elect which way to turn, in which 
 
 all men can clearly see 
 
 145 
 
That Eve drew near his weaker side, from whence 
 
 she was taken, — claiming the heart ; 
 Unloosing the golden cord of life, for which all men 
 
 yet, doth sorely smart : 
 Now, from the Father being unbound, without 
 
 care, they float on billows wide ; 
 But, keep their eye on the star of life as they glide 
 
 o'er the uncertain tide. 
 The sun and the moon have no power to move the 
 
 sea from its fixed bed, 
 But cause its ebb and flow, so Christ' 11 move the 
 
 souls of all the silent dead ; 
 The billows on life's sea doth rise and fall, sure as 
 
 waves of ocean roll ; 
 So soul of man in Christ may rise to humanity's 
 
 loftiest pole, — 
 The axis of life ends not there, but's the entering 
 
 of a purer soul. 
 In which there's no bounds to the refining riches 
 
 and beauty of life's goal. 
 Adam, before creation of woman, was humanity 
 
 most complete ; 
 Embracing life real and ornate, principles most 
 
 strong, gentle and sweet : 
 Adam viewing himself alone, ask God a helpmate 
 
 for him to secure, 
 So God seeing fit to separate from man all save 
 
 life's real structure ; 
 From the ornaments and beauties of man, form'd 
 
 woman with befitting taste ; 
 Made man more delighted with himself, while, 
 
 yet, he did but himself embrace. 
 Thus stood man in Eden divided into the beauti- 
 ful and the strong ; 
 Man representing the column of strength, woman 
 
 the monument of song. 
 Satan entered and of self conceited beauty sang to 
 
 Eve a hymn 
 
 146 
 
Of luxury and voluptuous pleasure, leaving Eden's 
 
 glories dim ; 
 Forthwith Eve grew enchanted, — most fervently 
 
 pray'd that she could chant such rhyme, 
 If possible with such endearing skill and beauty, 
 
 to the Muses Nine ; 
 She thus beguird,— Satan with subtility led in 
 
 the forbidden line, 
 Telling her in the fruit forbidden, in that alone, 
 
 could such power find : 
 In that enchanted moment she, the gall of Hfe with 
 
 joy, did partake, — 
 Hurried to deceive Adam before reaHzing her sad 
 
 mistake — 
 Satan delighted much in prospects of his deceit, — 
 
 the house divided stood ; 
 Eve couldn't resume her native purity, but Adam 
 
 could forsake the good : 
 Eve, Adam had sworn to love and cherish, until 
 
 in death they should part ; 
 Well he knew she he had not wedded in her pre- 
 sent soul, mind nor heart ; 
 Well he knew, by God's injunction, they were 
 
 then separated by her death. 
 But should he now descend to that state to be with 
 
 her to her latest breath. — 
 'Gain man views himself alone, "But how" unlike 
 
 the first lonehness, " he said, — 
 "All consolation departed, — much better that all 
 
 to same end be led. " 
 But, he reason' d not that it would be better to 
 
 enter life unadom'd, 
 Than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season be- 
 neath the Father's scorn. 
 Thus Adam f alter' d; his Eve he sought; the bri- 
 ny gulf gan to ford, 
 And soon, in the forbidden state, Eve entertained 
 
 her fallen lord. 
 
 147 
 
As they knelt to pray at Nature's alter, the angels 
 
 from their presence fled ; 
 They found their place no longer with the living, 
 
 but compos' d the sinful dead : 
 They turning from the pure shining paths of vir- 
 tue, where they had wont to stray, 
 Into the silent recess of shades, hoping to hide 
 
 themselves away 
 From His august majesty, — from whose awful 
 
 presence fled the light of day ; 
 But when His voice moved the solemn stillness, 
 
 they in secret no longer lay ; 
 Adam answering, * ' Here am I, " in trembling tones 
 
 pour'd forth his sad laments. 
 As he saw pass from him the real bliss of life, for 
 
 which man yet repents. 
 When ask, man gave true the reason for his sin, 
 
 which did Eve incriminate ; 
 While she confession gave revealing Satan's con- 
 spiracy with the snake. 
 God, through each attribute of his divine nature, 
 
 tried man's ev'ry impulse ; 
 Regarding each influence relating, that might 
 
 justify the result : 
 On finding no excuse, they were dismissed from 
 
 the celestial garden ; 
 Admonished to seek man's original state and an- 
 gels would attend 
 Them through their pilgrimage of woe, and be 
 
 redeem' d and saved in the end : 
 That the Word, that gave man's being, with the 
 
 seed of woman, yet should blend ; 
 Vindicate the works of God, and most sorely 
 
 bruise the serpent's head. 
 And while the serpent to revenge itself would 
 
 bruise his heal instead : 
 They were usher' d from life's Oriental splendor 
 
 into the distant wxst, 
 
 148 
 
Where Satan's rage refluent rolls from off the 
 
 shores of everlasting rest : 
 If man journeys farther to the west, he enters 
 
 gloom of that awful deep, 
 And Jonah-like, less by providential aid, must 
 
 groan neath its lasting sweep: 
 While in the brine some great fish, a kind agent 
 
 of the Lord, may take him up ; 
 When truly penitent, may save from the portion 
 
 of that bitterest cup. 
 While many've tum'd and patiently strove to re- 
 gain that oriental peace. 
 But, knew not that same sun, which to west had 
 
 passed, would appear 'gain in the east. 
 Man, then, while plac'd on the westmost strand of 
 
 life, stood in the dawn of peace. 
 Just as the sun, when he has reach'd his west- 
 most bound, shines 'gain in the east : 
 We mortals can then, but take up the duties of 
 
 life and with patience run, 
 With the heart and soul fixed on Him who guides 
 
 the course of the radiant sun : — 
 Sure as he returns to his place in the east, we in 
 
 Christ will be renew 'd ; 
 And the pure virtuous pursuits of life will be by 
 
 man again pursu'd; 
 Instead of the fruit of the forbidden tree, the tree 
 
 of life will taste ; 
 Gather pure intellectual wealth from infinite ex- 
 panse of space. 
 And live with Him whose glory is light and beauty 
 
 of the uncycled year, 
 Ever there enjoy more full richer flowing peace, 
 
 and life without a tear. 
 Before tasting the perpetuating fruit, in Christ, 
 
 man should sure atone 
 For all his sins, so in no wise mar the grandeur of 
 
 his eternal home. 
 
 149 
 
When life's sun in its first beauty shall shine a- 
 gain, and pure refulgent beams 
 
 Fill the soul, man will find real what the skeptic 
 thinks to be christian's dreams, — 
 
 Then, with great sympathy pity the skeptic's 
 state, when he has ponder' d o'er 
 
 The mighty barrier that separates him from that 
 blissful shining shore — 
 
 In that realm, where he never shall find truth to 
 dissolve the mind from doubt. 
 
 The soul will lead through deepest gloom to where 
 hell's increasing torrents spout 
 
 Venom of the vilest serpent's rage, — a rich treas- 
 ure of unbelief. 
 
 For which there's no balm, but proves a gath'ring 
 source of unremitting grief : 
 
 While ages roll, and while hell extoll the infernal 
 essence of her womb, 
 
 Ever a viler source of venom will crown the nup- 
 tials of her bridegroom ; 
 
 While vengeance great as God is pure will order 
 the hymeneal rite ; 
 
 In pleasure's stead the most augment'd woes that 
 could infest the deepest night 
 
 Will prepare, attend, bless and grace the ill-sought 
 ease of that marriage bed ; 
 
 For soft down of peace, thorns that inflict deepest 
 pain will have place instead. 
 
 In the soul, meant a hall of praise, the most ex- 
 quisite torments will ne'er cease, 
 
 While such horrors deeper grow, — that soul's far- 
 ther driven from the shore of peace. 
 
 For the light that would have shown and purest, 
 softest effulgence shed, 
 
 The fire of the soul is smouldering, but hath no 
 beauty to spread. 
 
 At Eden's gate, from whence man did his exit take 
 from life's orient, 
 
 150 
 
Is placed cherubims and a flaming sword turning 
 
 ev'ry way, thus meant 
 To preserve and keep sacred the fruit and the way 
 
 of the tree of Hfe, 
 That no one should return by the way he came to 
 
 that pure shining light. 
 The true relation to the great Planet of Life, must 
 
 observe to steer right 
 His pale planet, to preserve it in course from un- 
 certain shades of night, 
 Until it be securely set in the assurance of Christ's 
 
 life and death ; 
 In him to rise and join that blissful rest, by the 
 
 Eternal Father blest. 
 All other ways are wrong, their pleasure, wealth 
 
 and influence most vain. 
 And Lucifer-like will sink beneath the wave ne'er 
 
 to rise again. 
 Christ's beginning consisted only of original 
 
 plan of life. 
 Drawn by the great Architect of the Universe in 
 
 its purest light. 
 With due regard to the material from which the 
 
 workman was to build ; 
 So to guide aright the builder, the Spirit of the 
 
 Architect had fill'd: 
 He laid the foundation of the temple in Eternal 
 
 Word of Truth; 
 Drew, from only source of Good, material fitted 
 
 for the builders use ; 
 Each part and section numbered according to the 
 
 architectural plan : 
 Slow rises the structure, showing the pure and 
 
 delicate touch of the hand — 
 As infancy passes into childhood, and the child 
 
 matures into man 
 We see complete the first drafted temple, in all its 
 
 parts most pure and grand. 
 
 151 
 
Thirty years that temple was in building, when all 
 
 its parts were made complete ; 
 The purest essence of created beauty, yet, of all 
 
 men the most meek. 
 Satan daily view'd that grandeur, admired its 
 
 beauty, but purity loath' d, 
 In his inmost being rav'd to see such magnificence 
 
 in meekness cloth' d. 
 ''But (said he) I'll spoil it in its dedication, — 
 
 Adam once stood thus well. 
 Here in this dust note his fragments, who was 
 
 equally grand before he fell. " 
 He saw Christ come to John's baptism, and was 
 
 hurried in Jordan's crystal stream ; 
 Saw the Spirit descend, and heard the testimony 
 
 of The One Supreme. 
 "But ah! (said Satan), I saw Adam visited by 
 
 angels far and wide ; 
 I saw him, in his first state, walk and commune 
 
 with God in no humble pride : 
 With but one temptation to offer, I drew Adam 
 
 from his lordly realm ; 
 Then, with all earth's fair realms, which are mine 
 
 to give, can I not this man o'erwhelm? 
 Then, into the wilderness, was Christ led of the 
 
 Devel to be tempted ; 
 For righteousness humanity was a more dense 
 
 wilderness, — more wide spread ; 
 More dang'rous pits and snairs conceal' d, — by 
 
 more ravenous beasts infested. 
 To him of all men considered least, — ^less known, 
 
 this great work entrusted : 
 On every side, from alters wide, saw incense of 
 
 ignorance rise. 
 But, saw no homage paid, in the deep calm truth, 
 
 to the One Good,— Most Wise. 
 King Folly sat on earth's throne, o'er all nations 
 
 the rod of empire swayed; 
 
 152 
 
His great Treasurer, Pride, the luxuries of earth 
 
 at his feet had laid — 
 How vast the work ; Truth to insinuate, ignorance 
 
 waste, and knowledge spread ; 
 Dethrone Folly, his treasurer banish, and humility 
 
 seat instead. 
 He saw the ardueous task of raising man from his 
 
 fallen state ; 
 Of restoring, in purity, the favor of his ancient 
 
 place : 
 He saw how easy it would be, with his great know- 
 ledge of each thing 
 And understanding of men, all nations to his sub- 
 jection bring. 
 For forty days and nights, Satan caused the 
 
 grandeur and glory of earth. 
 Before the Lord, to pass, — asking pleasure of serv- 
 ing his regal worth ; 
 But, deeper Christ saw virtue, the true wealth and 
 
 luxury of nations lie ; 
 Deep in his soul, the true grandeur and glory of 
 
 man gave the deepest sigh ; 
 "Why are these not honored?" Chiist ask, to 
 
 which Satan found no fit reply. 
 "These (Christ said), in magnificence, jar exceed 
 
 all pomp you rate so high ; 
 They claim more worthy attention, — on this true 
 
 so v'mty can alone rely; 
 For these to national sovernty raise, let me be 
 
 doom'd to bleed and die." 
 Satan observing the moment when hunger was 
 
 most urgent for food, 
 Ask why the stones be not made bread, which 
 
 temptation Christ boldly withstood ; 
 Showing that man liveth not by bread alone, but 
 
 God's holy will. 
 And that it becometh man, all of God's righteous 
 
 laws to fulfill. 
 
 153 
 
Then, forth, to the summit of the highest pinnacle 
 
 of the temple led. 
 Saying thyself cast down and see if His angels 
 
 bear thee up as 'tis said? 
 Jesus said, again it is written, " The Lord thy 
 
 God thou shalt not tempt," 
 The Son of man's duty is to do and teach His will 
 
 by whom he's sent. 
 ' ' The Devil again him taketh up into a mountain 
 
 exceeding high," 
 The summit of worldly greatness, — beneath them 
 
 earth in fairest prospects lie : 
 Royal palaces rais'd their sparkling domes, luxu- 
 
 r'ous pomp her beauty spread; 
 The magnificent splendor of the future, — glory of 
 
 the ancient dead: 
 All that present held ; in the future lay ; or in the 
 
 past at rest, 
 To dazzle, roU'd a united wave, that mighty soul, 
 
 to suppress ; 
 That the Devil's greatest force, with dexterity ex- 
 ceeding thought of man, 
 Storm' d man's only hope, but more quick was 
 
 Christ to behold the most dext'rous hand; 
 Then, to Satan's offer, Christ turned his back, — 
 
 him commanding to go hence; 
 In deepest disgrace he fled, seeing all his toils bore 
 
 no recompense. 
 Satan thus laments, " I who once disputed the 
 
 Eternal Sovereign's right 
 To rule, who heavenly battles fought, — trophies 
 
 carried from celestial light. 
 Here, in a more decisive battle, defeated by one 
 
 of mortal frame ; 
 From that battle bears no trophy, but a far more 
 
 exceeding weight of shame: 
 Shall this man regain for man all that in the fall 
 
 of Adam, was lost; 
 
 154 
 
And, all his progeny back to Eden, lead a victo- 
 rious host?" 
 Of battles fought and victories won, this appears 
 
 not less glorious, 
 Which retrieve from hell the soul of man, — he 
 
 in splendor raise from the dust. 
 Angels then minister unto the Son, for his great 
 
 merit commend, 
 ** In thy labors we will bear thee up, — in thy death 
 
 we will thee attend ; 
 We with care will guide thy rights, until to heaven, 
 
 thou shalt safe ascend. 
 Where, in unending bliss, thy labors shall find a 
 
 more glorious end : 
 A greater king than Solomon, thou shalt reign, in 
 
 purer holier land, 
 There, for them thy toils share, a place prepare, 
 
 in that City not built by hand." 
 So Satan saw the temple, (he had said should 
 
 not be), dedicated 
 Holy to God's service, wherein a pure heart's zeal 
 
 glow'd unabated. 
 Satan reviewing the history of man from Adam 
 
 to Christ with pride 
 Is fill'd: " How few escaped my seducing powers, 
 
 or o'er my pits did glide? 
 Enoch, with whose ways God was pleased, — who 
 
 to my charms gave no enchanted ear, 
 God him hath taken, with Him to ever live beyond 
 
 most radiant sphere : 
 When I hoped this race, unredeem'd, would sink 
 
 beneath the flood's relentless wave, 
 Noah, who believ'd, with his offspring ferried o'er, 
 
 here lies within the grave : 
 Righteous Abra'm, who I thought to see the pros- 
 pects of redemption waste. 
 With the promised seed, is also sleeping here 
 
 within death's strong embrace: 
 
 155 
 
Jacob, Israel's bold soldier, whose sons I caus'd 
 
 to so sorely grieve, 
 Is also by the same enclosed, though cloth' d by 
 
 Egypt's embalming ease: 
 Joseph, whom God was delighted to increase so 
 
 great in worldly fame, 
 Also, in like embalmment rest, a strong hero in 
 
 life's battle slain: 
 Moses, who Israel from bondage led, through 
 
 whom God made known his laws to men. 
 His dust I claim' d, but found the chief of angels 
 
 there, his body to defend ; 
 His body is not here; his spirit does not this 
 
 mouldering heap attend; 
 But, that body was so pure that it need not to the 
 
 dust return again: 
 Joshua, at whose command nature did her plan- 
 
 itary laws suspend, 
 Like most great men of earth, at death's call, his 
 
 prostrate body, did here extend : 
 The servant, Job, who I ask his Lord to curse 
 
 when suffering such sore pain ; 
 Whose property I wasted, on him shower' d all my 
 
 torments, but in vain, 
 Yet, his body in dust reposes here, as God's records 
 
 doth so explain: 
 Samuel, who in priestly service, was so proven 
 
 from a child. 
 From duty found release, when gather' d to this 
 
 monumental pile : 
 David, God in his sacred word hath said, was a 
 
 man after his own heart ; 
 From the other royal heads of earth, found his 
 
 remains should not rest apart: 
 Solomon, whom God gave wisdom to known each 
 
 creature's nature and its speech, 
 Who by proverbs of most excellent riches taught, 
 
 and same in truth did preach; 
 
 156 
 
Who, the properties of each plant, knew, that 
 
 grew within the most silent nook ; 
 Who, all the secrets of men, read as true as if they 
 
 were an open book; 
 Heard his fame, while luxuries of wisdom and 
 
 riches waited on his breath; 
 Found no discharge, but to his fathers gather' d 
 
 in this silent hall of death : 
 Elijah, who lov'd truth and God alone, to no 
 
 other fame did aspire. 
 The belov'd of God, did to heaven ascend on 
 
 charriot wheels of fire: 
 But, Elisha to whom a double portion of Elijah's 
 
 spirit came ; 
 The agent of many a wondrous deed, as recorded 
 
 with his name, 
 The touch of whose sacred bones a dead body 
 
 renewed to life again; 
 Here in ashes listless lies that man of whom life 
 
 boast such distant fame : 
 Hezekiah, Juda's King, whom God from death 
 
 fifteen years respite, gave. 
 Here with the peasant in mould doth rest with the 
 
 heroic and the brave: 
 Good old Daniel, who through God's favor great 
 
 and wonderful mysteries knew ; 
 Who from the service of the true and Hving God 
 
 no day or night withdrew ; 
 Who with the other Hebrew Children, for their 
 
 faith, walked the fiery furnace. 
 Was, in the swaddling robes of death, conducted 
 
 to this mournful resting place: 
 Mysterious Melchizedek to whom Levi paid 
 
 tithes as money lent 
 To God, his priestly dust nor bones are nowhere 
 
 in the bosom of earth pent : 
 All other of Adam's race, save those mention' d, 
 
 servant, prophet, priest or king, 
 
 157 
 
To the bosom of their native mother, as a mould- 
 ering fabric cHng : 
 Yet, I fear that all my most prized victims, who 
 
 me defied and so withstood, 
 Will by the Christ he releas'd, since all I meant 
 
 their ill, some way was their good. 
 At Christ's rebuke all my legions, spirits and 
 
 angels will break rank and flee 
 Their ancient habitations, in and among men, the 
 
 wealth of Eden's tree; 
 Before whose word falsehood will vanish as night 
 
 before the parent of day; 
 Before whose life pride will waste, and luxuries 
 
 of the earth fade in last decay ; 
 Whose city is Salem, he prince of Peace, where 
 
 truth with righteousness abide ; 
 Who will the riches and glory of Babylon waste, 
 
 the Mistress of pride. 
 In calling his apostles twelve, if he fails the Holy 
 
 Spirit to give, 
 I will seek his removal from this life and urge my 
 
 claim while man shall live." 
 Satan heard Christ charge the twelve, God's king- 
 dom to Israel you go proclaim ; 
 Heal the sick, the devil castout; all I command 
 
 do and teach in my name. 
 " Ah! (said Satan) his success is now less secure, 
 
 a credulous one 
 There may be among that twelve; of that band 
 
 Perdition may have a son ; 
 I will try each impulse of their natures, and the 
 
 influence weigh with care ; 
 The true and false resemble so that to detect the 
 
 utmost skill require; 
 He who's truth and in no falsehood dwells, can 
 
 alone in all the perfect find ; 
 Then, he who is but man, not by the true Spirit led 
 
 how easy to blind ! 
 
 15S 
 
Of men, three classes are : One conceives a thing 
 
 to do, then considers it, 
 If wrong repents and acts not; One who some- 
 times rashly acts and sins a bit; 
 And one having time to think, repents not until 
 
 he does the wrong commit. 
 Having considered, Judas finds, who ne'er re- 
 pents for committed sin; 
 He also money loves, which makes my point many 
 
 times more easy to win; 
 He who repents but for committed sin, of all men 
 
 there's least hope for him." 
 As the twelve went forth to teach, an unclean 
 
 spirit their commands did defy. 
 So the apostles inquir'd of Jesus, wishing to know 
 
 the reason why; 
 From what he taught, 'tis clear intemperate 
 
 spirits leave but in fast and prayer ; 
 The spirit of gluttony knew none but Christ such 
 
 palms of victory bear. 
 As Christ went forth teaching and performing his 
 
 great and miraculous deeds. 
 To consider all as works of a worldly king, forth 
 
 Judas Satan leads: 
 While in the temple the elders sought to take him, 
 
 and he from their sight past 
 So misteriously, that in spite of men and devils 
 
 his stay would last 
 With men, while the sun and his train of planets 
 
 should keep their unerring course ; 
 His kingdom excell all human thought of greatness, 
 
 that man's powers be lost 
 In eternal admiration, while the Son entertain' d 
 
 the Father's host: 
 Then earth would pass into a perpetual realm to 
 
 be rul'd by gold, — 
 Man's passions be most sumptuously served, — 
 
 could more excellent bliss unfold ? 
 
 159 
 
So Judas thought, ** What's humanity worth to 
 
 me, except the price 't will bring? 
 Then, for thirty pieces of silver I will barter my 
 
 Lord, Priest and King. 
 They cannot take him, — to reign he's bound; 
 
 then can higher dignity be found ? 
 For the price I receive, I can greatly enhance the 
 
 beauties of my crown: 
 Then, shall I not, for such superior splendor, 
 
 nearest the king be found ? 
 For the price of a man, with the chief Jews, he 
 
 reckoned, well this the Lord knew; 
 But, finding his ticket not for Christ's kingdom, 
 
 he did much the bargain rue : 
 Failing the bargain to rescind, forth into the 
 
 temple the money threw; 
 To enter the halls of death before his Lord, from 
 
 society withdrew. 
 Satan could find no power to restrain Christ till 
 
 his labors were complete. 
 This he plainly taught, at the last supper, while 
 
 he washed the disciples' feet, — 
 Said, when he drank the vine's fruit again 't 
 
 would be in his Father's kingdom new — 
 In the eternal Kingdom of his God, where the 
 
 celestial vintage grew. 
 Then Jesus came with the disciples unto a place 
 
 call'd Gethsemane ; 
 Then went forth to pray, taking with him Peter 
 
 and two sons of Zebedee: 
 Then, exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, Jesus 
 
 began to be. 
 As he went forth to pray, said unto the three, 
 
 tarry here and watch with me. 
 Christ seem'd to know not, whither trial — like it 
 
 pleased God Abra'm's faith to task. 
 His should be, — prayed the Father, if possible, 
 
 that the bitter cup might pass ; 
 
 160 
 
But, unlike Isaac, when the Father found none 
 
 could substitute his son, 
 Christ said, nevertheless. Father, not my will, 
 
 but that thy will be done. 
 In agony Christ poured out his soul, sweat like 
 
 drops of blood stood on his brow, 
 Of that great suffering, the garden, where he 
 
 pray'd, bears a silent record now. 
 Jesus, of the gath'ring multitude, inquiring, 
 
 "For whom do ye seek?' 
 They answering, " Jesus," then spake Jesus I am 
 
 he of whom ye speak: 
 At his answer they backward went, falling to the 
 
 ground, — truth to falsehood dealt 
 A mortal wound, — too great was that power of 
 
 truth their guilty hearts had felt. 
 They from that shock being recover' d, in bHnd 
 
 wrath onward did proceed. 
 Until they saw the just, upon the Roman cross, 
 
 for the guilty bleed. 
 Jesus looking into their hearts saw that blindness 
 
 from whence their fury grew. 
 Thus for them pray'd, " Father forgive them 
 
 for they know not what they do." 
 As the soul of nature felt that deep compassion 
 
 all cords were unbound; 
 Then and there, for man's redemption, in the 
 
 Father's grace a place was found. 
 In that awful hour all grew dark, the great lumin- 
 aries refus'd to shine; 
 That the Eternal Father, who deepest feels, 
 
 might not witness man's foulest crime — 
 While suff'ring deepest pain, cried, "My God, my 
 
 God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 
 Then once again crying with a loud voice and all 
 
 was paid upon the tree : 
 Committing his Spirit to the Father, his soul de- 
 scends to hell's domain; 
 
 161 
 
His body seal'd within the grave, yet, to spirits 
 
 bound preach' d redemption plain; 
 And, no doubt, found disciples there, who were 
 
 made free within that dismal flame ; 
 Sending apostles to preach the kingdom to all 
 
 who pass'd before he came. 
 Christ taught and prov'd that in hell Satan was 
 
 not more to be fear'd than elsewhere. 
 That if a soul believed and prayed in hell, God 
 
 would surely hear that prayer; 
 That true faith would not go unreward'd, though 
 
 in hell, no matter how far; 
 That God could free from corruption, though the 
 
 soul be in hell's deepest mire. 
 God's kingdom rules in heaven above, preach'd 
 
 in hell beneath and earth between. 
 But, nowhere can be serv'd, less through Christ 
 
 the heart and soul be made pure and clean : 
 In hell Christ preach'd the truth, that cures the 
 
 broken heart and sets the captive free ; 
 Which comforts the believing soul concerning that 
 
 peace that ever be, — 
 Hell rang with an unnat'ral sound as the re- 
 
 deem'd sang praises rich and pure; 
 As the soul received that augmenting peace, 
 
 which to the broken heart gave cure. 
 Christ taught that in three days the Father from 
 
 death and hell, him would redeem; 
 That all powers of death and hell would be broken 
 
 and life reign supreme; 
 That they should see angels descend and upward 
 
 bear his soul away, ;-v. j 4; < 
 
 With the Spirit reunite to live in their tenement 
 
 of clay: 
 Sure as this shall be, you may look forward to 
 
 my coming again ; 
 Then will I call and all the dead come forth from 
 
 death, hell and the main; 
 
 162 
 
To the righteous my call' 11 be to enter the joys 
 
 of life supernal; 
 The same to the ungodly will be, depart into 
 
 death eternal. 
 At this Satan became alarm' d, " The prophetic 
 
 records in haste go search," 
 Thus commanding, Lucifer once familiar with 
 
 such mysteries leads the work; 
 And his findings soon reports, ' ' John, who for his 
 
 testimonies of this soul. 
 Was beheaded, his mission and hist'ry in those 
 
 records were surely told; 
 Christ's saying, " The Son of man go'th as 'tis 
 
 written of him," is truly so. 
 And his entire life seems as if it did from pro- 
 phetic history grow. 
 David hath said, speaking to the Father, ' Thou 
 
 wilt not leave my soul in hell. 
 Neither, thine Holy One to see corruption, wilt 
 
 thou sufiFer,' so we dwell 
 Not longer on his word, but speedily turn and 
 
 find holy teachings say 
 As Jonah in the whale stayed, so the son of man 
 
 in heart of earth shall lay. 
 David could not have spoken of himself, his dust 
 
 and bones in earth we find, 
 Which show that they've known corruption and 
 
 were not proof against the action of time. 
 We find God's word, when truly spoken, has ever 
 
 proven most sublime ; 
 Then, why not confess Him and hope to receive 
 
 a better heart and mind? 
 I once enjoy'd celestial favors before listening to 
 
 your romance ; 
 The light and freshness of the morning were 
 
 borrow' d from my countenance; 
 I saw this man there, who was, by the Father, 
 
 above angels preferr'd; 
 
 163 
 
I there heard spoken of him, what he here has 
 
 repeated in his word: 
 Of men he's the mightiest, and will prove a con- 
 queror where e'er he goes; 
 Then can we hope by opposing him, but too 
 
 many times increase our woes?" 
 Satan thus return' d, " I know thou wert a celes- 
 tial favorite, and fair, 
 Yet, thy superior elegance and merit, I also 
 
 noted there: 
 You couldVe had no superior, at the greatest you 
 
 could' ve but known a peer; 
 The victory's not to the strong alone, but the 
 
 faithful, then should we fear? 
 When we will've subdu'd our enemies, then in 
 
 equal power will we reign ; 
 But, O, thy immaculate beauty will the homage 
 
 of my heart constrain ! 
 Then join thy celestial graces, 'twill place thee 
 
 beyond my power to view ; 
 Then it shall be my first delight to serve thee, to 
 
 whom soveriegnty is due; 
 Now, I am about to issue my orders, what shall 
 
 I expect of you ?' 
 " Give command, I will do with might what 
 
 soe'er is in my power to do." 
 Satan call' d his mighty army, — said, " Leave 
 
 unattended all other cares ; 
 Around this soul gather, about him with all skill 
 
 bind your mightiest bars ; 
 Then I will cement it with my rage, — place on it 
 
 my adamantine seal; 
 Then if that be not secure, what I have meant for 
 
 him, let my own heart feel." 
 All being made thus secure, he placed in command 
 
 his most trusted guard, — 
 " With a desire to safely keep this trust, know 
 
 that your inmost hearts're fir'd." 
 
 164 
 
As the many keepers stood strong in confidence 
 
 of Satanic power, 
 Time with ancient steadiness rolFd on in inno- 
 cence of the destin'd hour; 
 When the faithful angels, with God's redemption, 
 
 descend with awful sweep 
 Into that dismal pit, where sin vainly tried into 
 
 that pure soul to creep; 
 With the sword of truth, to Satan and his crew, 
 
 dealt deep the deadly wound ; 
 With the same broke the seal, cut the bands with 
 
 which the Son of Man was bound : 
 Within the boundless depths of hell no enemy of 
 
 life was left unslain ; 
 An awful thing to hear the rage of dying fiends 
 
 throughout that sinking plain ; 
 Throughout the universe resounded the falling 
 
 wrecks of hell. 
 Of which the gospel records, of a mighty earth- 
 quake doth tell — 
 As the angels broke death's seal and roll'd back 
 
 the stone, the Roman soliders fell; 
 And in bliss liv'd the Son of man, while Eternal 
 
 life in his heart doth dwell. 
 All things, if truly trusted to the Father, can be 
 
 safely counted gold, 
 As through Christ's sufferings, now, pour im- 
 measurable riches to the soul. 
 At Christ's resurrection many saints arose, — into 
 
 the City went, 
 But, of them, we have not since heard, nor do we 
 
 know, how their time is spent. 
 After Christ's resurrection, yet, he did fifty days 
 
 on earth remain; 
 But, with the faithful alone, of that the ungodly 
 
 no knowledge claim. 
 What he taught spiritually while mortal, to sight 
 
 was now manifest, 
 
 165 
 
So the Christian's hope of immortal life does on 
 
 such testimonies rest; 
 Yet, the splendor of his ascending glory their 
 
 mortal visions blest; 
 While the one remaining promise, the Holy Spirit 
 
 did soon attest. 
 Thus the soul is comfort 'd by spiritual testimony 
 
 of that life; 
 Of the Eternal Father begotten and safely hid 
 
 away in Christ : 
 So the believing soul's regenerated in Christ's 
 
 virgin purity; 
 By God begotten ; of the Holy Spirit born ; from 
 
 sin etern'ly free. 
 This is most plain since before John's birth he 
 
 testimony of Christ receiv'd, 
 Which was not the result of John's faith, but 
 
 because his parents had belie v'd 
 That she, who'd long pa?s'd nature's bounds, 
 
 should according to nature so conceive ; 
 Thus John we see the product of faith, who the 
 
 prophet's spirit did receive, 
 From God, yet, John saw him through whom he 
 
 and all inspir'd prophets do believe — 
 That same spirit, by which the Holy Prophets of 
 
 the future taught. 
 Is now the comforter testifying of man's redemp- 
 tion wrought, — 
 Presenting true what has been and now is, which 
 
 we through an eye of faith see 
 That true light, which the prophetic eye viewed 
 
 by faith, and most truly taught' d be. 
 Christ came by the Holy Spirit overshadowing 
 
 a virgin Jewess, 
 Which righteous intercourse resulted in gendering 
 
 of conception purest: 
 On the virgin's part was that deep faithful longing 
 
 of a righteous soul 
 
 166 
 
F or intercourse with the Eternal Father, life's pure 
 
 and richest goal ; 
 So the seed was incorruptible ; the virgin pure and 
 
 free from stain, 
 Which fact the life and works of Christ do by 
 
 great and equal truths explain. 
 First, there are promises like to Abra'm and 
 
 Sarah which man must believe ; 
 Then comes desire for intercourse with Him by 
 
 whom the virgin did conceive; 
 Then an intercourse arises through the virgin 
 
 purity of Christ, 
 Which brings a regenerating and renewing in that 
 
 pristine life; 
 Which gives a testimony of what's conceived and 
 
 hid away in Christ. 
 '* Ah! (said Satan), with the great Omnipotent, 
 
 who can with success contend? 
 I no longer have power in hell, but must turn to 
 
 war with puny men ; 
 I can no longer hope for empire, but for common 
 
 sufferers must strive; 
 No reward awaits me, but to eternal punishment 
 
 be made alive : 
 From continuing my strife with men, this mortal 
 
 wound doth not restrain; 
 But, many of Adam's race, with pleasure, see 
 
 plow hell's sulphuric main." 
 Hence Satan most cowardly grew ; now rules the 
 
 great sophistic reign we see, 
 But, Christ has, his disciples, told to resist the 
 
 devil and he will flee. 
 Christ knew, after his ascention, that great empire 
 
 was next in birth, 
 So he said, " When the Son of man cometh shall 
 
 he find faith on the earth:" 
 Thus Christ of that great kingdom, wam'd his 
 
 disciples what they might expect; 
 
 167 
 
If possible false Christs and prophets would de- 
 ceive the very elect; 
 
 But since it is not possible for the mind of God to 
 be deceiv'd, 
 
 They whom the Holy Spirit keep, can but by others 
 sins be griev'd. 
 
 Then the visible church became a real and active 
 field of strife; 
 
 In the same soil where the true seed was sown 
 sprang the brood of Pluto's wife, 
 
 Whose womb is most pregnant with false doc- 
 trines sent forth to deceive 
 
 The credulous, who love soft teachings, a volup- 
 tous breed; 
 
 A family of Anti-Christs and false prophets, 
 which numberless are, 
 
 Who grow more vile as they propound the mys- 
 teries of their sable sire. 
 
 Christ's the true invisible church, where the Holy 
 Ghost militates with care ; 
 
 Where the perfect truths of God are taught and in 
 him a true resemblance bear ; 
 
 Where man can worship all that's most high and 
 pure, and serve with holy zeal 
 
 The One Most True, where the soul can all His pure 
 deep rich influence feel. 
 The laws of God are ne'er changed, but to be- 
 lieving souls more resplendent grow. 
 
 While the fullness of such splendor man can ne'er 
 reach, yet are God's riches so 
 
 That, except through Christ man can none of 
 their real beauty or grandeur know ; 
 
 Yet, they are ever shining around him in their 
 real and perfect glow. 
 
 While through Christ man seeks to propser by 
 to God's truths giving heed. 
 
 He may, by God's grace, to the eternal fount of 
 riches lead. 
 
 168 
 
The soul that knows its need of such purity,— 
 
 felt touch of contagious fire,— 
 Can find no rest or know peace, except God's 
 
 mercy satiates that desire. — 
 Then through Christ, the true church, humanity's 
 
 greatest splendor and grandeur, 
 Man can alone drink at that eternal fount, which 
 
 e'er flows so rich and pure. 
 The infinite wealth of' God's truths to believing 
 
 souls is most true reveal' d, 
 And the great heart of mercy, for man to atone, 
 
 before God lay unseal' d ; 
 While the sophist great hypothesis state, — with 
 
 evanescent glory spread. 
 But, when for its heart you search, find it neither 
 
 with the living nor the dead: 
 It proves but a thing assum'd which when the 
 
 true light is brought to bear 
 All its attributes are faded, and the thing you 
 
 sought is not there: 
 All that imagin'd glory's vanished; the soul left 
 
 in blank despair; 
 And finds that goal so eas'ly sought is in the land 
 
 of nowhere. 
 Yet, the truths of God the same will stand, and 
 
 must be preach' d through the ages down. 
 Until, in that morbid womb, no false doctrines be 
 
 for the false teachers found. 
 All false prophets and teachings must have their 
 
 day, — before the truth must stand 
 To know which is of the everlasting rock, or which 
 
 of drifting sand. 
 lyCt the false accuse and boast, but man must 
 
 trust the power that Satan fears ; 
 Love him with pure heart whom Satan hates, — 
 
 whose majesty's as the endless years. 
 Faith comes by hearing, but woe to him who does 
 
 not prove the thing he hears 
 
 169 
 
To know the thing is true, but believes because 
 
 the teachings so appears. 
 A man may possess the truth untried,— and yet 
 
 his Hfe may be cloth' d in daubt, — 
 Man ne'er truly believes a thing till through laws 
 
 infallible search' d it out; 
 Then the product, thus resulting, is of himself 
 
 surely made a part ; 
 And truly lives while such facts are in possession 
 
 of the mind and heart. 
 The doctrine of God's Son leads to the fount of 
 
 life immeasurably deep, 
 Where the richest beauties, purest gradneur of 
 
 that eternal calm doth sweep : 
 The soul that believes on God through Christ 
 
 grows most rich in celestial wealth. 
 And the elegance of supernal luxuries in the soul 
 
 is felt. 
 The man who builds his hopes on Satan's teach- 
 
 ings'll find his life a waste; 
 Where he hoped to find his rest and wealth, will 
 
 find dark expanse of space ; 
 From where he hoped to reap his goal, nothing has 
 
 been stolen or misplac'd ; 
 In the beginning not a thing was there, 'twas but 
 
 a vain hope he chas'd: 
 While he clings to many fleeting visions, yet, no 
 
 real form embrace; 
 While for the sweets of life his soul doth yearn, 
 
 yet, the bitterest gall must taste. 
 First, faith in the christian's heart is planted, 
 
 far less than a mustard seed ; 
 If truly cultured, in grandest beauty spreads, 
 
 and life grows great indeed, — 
 Seeds of falsehood quick spring up, — ^her votaries 
 
 far through fancy's regions lead, — 
 Their visions so dilate, if possible, make the false 
 
 the true much exceed 
 
 170 
 
In splendor; in fairest colors picture, for each 
 
 desire falsehood can breed, 
 An exceeding weight of pleasure, from that to 
 
 nothingness such fast recede. 
 Faith in God through Christ is businesslike, 
 
 where each day man can see new wealth pour ; 
 Where he, who labors most and freest gives to 
 
 God's kingdom, has greatest store. 
 Satan places all in view and proclaims, " 'Tis 
 
 man that does, — nothing's more sure;" 
 But, he, who such believes, through the parch' d 
 
 regions of hell, each day grows more poor. 
 In heaven all the true riches of the universe, God 
 
 has treasur'd up; 
 While nothing in hell is stored, save that which be 
 
 foul, loathsome and most corrupt. 
 Heaven's an increasing state, which its riches and 
 
 grandeur in life receive; 
 While hell, of all regions, is the most desert, where 
 
 its inmates can but grieve, — 
 That for which the soul doth truly hunger and 
 
 thurst, hells most destitute; 
 But far away in celestial fields it spreads broad 
 
 branches and deep root ; 
 While all travelers in those bourns ever doth deep- 
 er thirst and hunger feel ; 
 Like thirsting souls on some desert hurrying, 
 
 views relief, but how unre'l: 
 As those seeming fountains vanish the soul deeper 
 
 imbibes Satanic rage ; 
 In those wilds there is much to instruct a thought- 
 ful soul, yet, returns no sage. 
 Two souls in this life, one heavenly bom, the 
 
 other of mortal seed, 
 In same land may dwell ; where the mortal would 
 
 fail the other well succeed. 
 There is no place so arid, but, that God can make 
 
 a pure fountain flow; 
 
 171 
 
Nor no soil so sterile, but, that God can make a 
 
 fruitful tree to grow. 
 Man's lack of faith is his poverty; all who look 
 
 may see it so. 
 The man is greatest who before God, meekly sets 
 
 himself most low. 
 As we the church corridors enter, hear ascend 
 
 many a prayer; 
 But true faith in God through Christ, or faith at 
 
 all, is a thing most rare : 
 Before the teacher, the word of God lay, a message 
 
 most pure, deep and clear. 
 Yet, there it is more often the sophist's voice than 
 
 the true teacher's we hear. 
 The Holy Scriptures have now become the weapon 
 
 of the false and true ; 
 Through those teachings come life or death, de- 
 pending on how we do construe. 
 Many deluded souls believe whatsoe'er they ask, 
 
 if with Christ's name, 
 Whether it be right or wrong, that the Father will 
 
 do it just the same. 
 Christ has said, whatsoe'er ye ask in his name, 
 
 believing it should be done ; 
 Yet, no ignorance or imperfection can be trac'd 
 
 through that Holy One : 
 If the perfection of the Father, alone, be found 
 
 blooming in the Son, 
 Then, can we ask anything, but what's just and 
 
 pure, in that name? I say none: 
 If man believes and testifies to such, then is he 
 
 not false witness found? 
 Can such be counted righteousness, or will it pass 
 
 with this terrestr'l mound? 
 No matter what a man's faith may be God will 
 
 not do a wrong. 
 Right will ever sure prevail, with God truth alone 
 
 is most strong, — 
 
 172 
 
Man's faith does not make right or wrong, but 
 
 before God all fall where they belong; 
 And unless a thing be consistent with God's laws, 
 
 it cannot flourish long. 
 God will not prosper the wrong, because man 
 
 fails to see the truth, 
 For all must grow old and perish, save God's 
 
 perpetual youth. 
 Christ could not be the Son of God, if he knew 
 
 not the Father's Holy Will; 
 Then can we believe a thing unjust would be 
 
 asked on that most Holy Hill? 
 Christ is man's mediator, and does for his inborn 
 
 sins alone atone. 
 And when to that pristine light restor'd he sins 
 
 against God and God alone ; 
 Until restor'd to that pristine light, we sin against 
 
 the Son of Man ; 
 Then for man's sins, when to that light restor'd, 
 
 where can an atonement stand ? 
 There sin becomes eternal and such there is no 
 
 atoning for. 
 Which alone God's grace can reach, or otherwise 
 
 eternally are 
 Corrosive forces, which endlessly waste the soul 
 
 as an increasing fire; 
 Gradually sink beneath the weight of increasing 
 
 woe, — from peace more far. 
 The Christian goes forth on his way rejoicing, 
 
 gathering pleasures most sweet; 
 No disappointments rest upon his brow, no 
 
 troubles roll beneath his feet; 
 His life is a giving up of dross ; a gathering heap of 
 
 richest gold ; 
 A spreading forth of diamonds bright; an aug- 
 menting of a purer soul. 
 So we see a Christian is a happy man, kept by 
 
 eternal powers; 
 
 173 
 
Given luxuriant wealth of purest peace, most 
 
 fragrant wealth of bowers. 
 Then why should not man live to worship God> 
 
 and be heir to that richest store ; 
 And the eternal truths gather up in the beauty of 
 
 celestial lore ? 
 God is the Author and giver of pure riches, beauty 
 
 and all peace ; 
 Heaven is a most abounding state, yet its beauty 
 
 doth e'er increase — 
 To the soul that grows in grace the grandeur of 
 
 heaven can never cease. 
 Nor the soul that's bom of God, the fullness of 
 
 eternal life can reach — 
 By faith in God through Christ, in the soul, a hope 
 
 of glory is form'd, 
 Which, nucleus-like, gathers substance pure to 
 
 feed the soul new born ; 
 While that hope within the soul's forming, a burr 
 
 encloses keeping pure 
 The sacred germ, until that fruit of celestial 
 
 growth doth well mature: 
 While the crisp white frost of age is falling, the 
 
 burr opens to the sun ; 
 The soul, as fruit full ripe, in nature's bosom rest, 
 
 till time's course is run: 
 In the Judgment mom, when the sun of everlast- 
 ing life has touched its heart. 
 That fruit will spring up anew, and as Son of God 
 
 receive the better part. 
 All men somewhere in life blossom forth, in pros- 
 pects of fruitage rare. 
 But somehow the inmost germ is wasted, yet, it 
 
 grows outward fair ; 
 While, in Christian beauty and grandeur of Hfe, 
 
 it seems to flourish long. 
 But when the burr to nature opens all hope of 
 
 future life is gone; 
 
 174 
 
The inward growth had long since perished, yet, 
 
 had wav'd defiance to the storm, 
 In such lives no fruit is found, yet, there remains 
 
 a true symbol and a form; 
 This is the moral, christian, who accepts the doc- 
 trine the sophist teach, 
 The fruitful essence in him had vanish' d, whom 
 
 the world had sent to preach. 
 There is another, which at first blossoms strong 
 
 for a time seems well dispos'd, 
 Claiming great promise of fruit, which soon crisps 
 
 hard and its end is thus disclos'd; 
 A cankering worm soon devours the tender fruit, 
 
 and there makes its grave, 
 But, these are they who believe the Father them 
 
 has predestin'd to save. 
 Dead prospects on the fairest boughs of fruit trees 
 
 are very of times found, 
 Of chestnuts most frequent, rarest fruit 'bout 
 
 dead burrs sometimes gather round: 
 These are like h^^pocrites, dead, yet, in visible 
 
 churches retain their place; 
 For the influence of their wealth the ministers 
 
 give an extended space: 
 This is not God's work, but belongs to Satan nor 
 
 neither will it. stand; 
 The greatest potentate of earth is not more with 
 
 God than poorest man. 
 God delights not in unrighteous gain ; the wealth 
 
 of the universe he gives; 
 A pamper' d lust is not the christian's goal, but 
 
 through supernal riches lives; 
 For the pleasures denied the sensual, to feed the 
 
 immortal part, 
 Is truly treasur'd up and made celestial food for 
 
 the faithful heart. 
 Such ministers, as think God's church is a place 
 
 for worldly gain, cry aloud. 
 
 175 
 
Support the church ! while in reaFty they belong 
 
 to the other crowd : 
 God's peace does not flourish in such hearts, nor 
 
 are their minds free from stains ; 
 Their barks of life are tossed by raging storms; 
 
 their souls yet wear their chains. 
 For a time all men sow wild oats, — so call'd, — 
 
 not thinking of a time to reap, 
 Until the harvest ripens, day and night then 
 
 garner, — find no time for sleep ; 
 But, the product they gather is not staple, — 
 
 find no market for the seed, 
 The more they garner, the more poor become,. 
 
 until they grow most poor indeed. 
 All men should refuse to garner such product, but 
 
 few there be who do; 
 They should burn the wild growth, and with ce- 
 lestial seed sow their fields anew : 
 Before that new seed be sow'd, the soil must be 
 
 prepar'd with joy to receive; 
 The soil be thoroughly purged, in Christ be 
 
 made anew ; and from Satan set free ; 
 The soil is then impreng'd with righteous germ, 
 
 causing the seed to take deep root. 
 To spread forth its lofty boughs, — enrich the 
 
 soul with fragrance of purest fruit: 
 While the soil is being purged, man many and 
 
 deep furrows find 
 Deeply entrenching the heart's deep seat, the 
 
 depth of soul and mind : 
 Long in that trench life will tend to drift, while 
 
 to an upward course feel inclin'd : 
 Yet, God's grace, if trusted, is sufficient all into 
 
 purest gold refine. 
 The aches and disappointments in life are what 
 
 the furnace is to gold. 
 That which tends to waste life's spring is but 
 
 forcing into current mold : 
 
 176 
 
Just as the pure gold and silver first from out the 
 
 ore must pass, 
 Then to the mind be brought, and into a current 
 
 coin be cast : 
 So life must be purg'd from dross, — before the 
 
 mint a pure bullion lay, — 
 Stamped with that mould, which makes current in 
 
 the mart of eternal day. 
 If a man's right with God, all meant his hurt, God 
 
 to pure riches will transmute ; 
 All false accusations, in time, a life of righteous 
 
 acts will just refute. 
 He who trusts all to God, — through purity of 
 
 Christ seeks the righteous end. 
 Each temptation will cause deeper influence of 
 
 truth in his life to blend : 
 They who seek his ruin will see him flourish 
 
 through great and wondrous deeds, 
 While they sink in deepest ruins, where unright- 
 eousness ever surely leads. 
 All men should so live that when their lives to this 
 
 mortal end have roll'd; 
 Like Job, can say, I know, when I am tried I will 
 
 come forth pure gold ; 
 While Satan cloth' d him with bitterest pangs, he 
 
 prov'd a soldier truly bold ; 
 While in the end he more affluent grew, — stood 
 
 dress' d in a much richer stole. 
 So will all men rise, when their lives have been as 
 
 truly tried and prov'd. 
 In terrestr'al and celestial wealth, the gift of the 
 
 God he lov'd. 
 The three friends of Job were not God's agents, 
 
 who believed they were by Him sent, 
 They appear to have been most noble men, to the 
 
 service of Satan, lent. 
 Job knew himself, nor would he to their elegant 
 
 and much fair speech give heed. 
 But said, I will trust Him, though he slay me, 
 
 177 
 
Yet, proving great in act and deed. 
 
 How few are men who live so they could trust their 
 
 lives when such afflictions pour ; 
 Yet, there'll come a time when we must trust 
 
 our lives, or else we can live no more. 
 Beyond doubt, that was as great a battle as mortal 
 
 man e'er fought ; 
 Helpless, — beneath those nightly strokes lay 
 
 groaning, yet, what beauty wrought. 
 Life, like metal, must pass through many forges 
 
 before being freed from dross ; 
 Or like gold, each time the furnace tries proves 
 
 brighter, till all its baseness lost ; 
 Or like metal, so long as in the earth as form'd 
 
 will preserve that state, 
 But, when from its ore ta'n, — in itself grows can- 
 kerous, — soon sinks in waste : 
 Unless for a useful purpose refin'd, and preserv'd 
 
 unto its place — 
 Thereby becoming an instrument for good, and 
 
 does a lot embrace : 
 So is life when separated to itself, and vital being 
 
 given. 
 It must in usefulness be refin'd, or else be to des- 
 truction driven. 
 In youth the Spirit and soul are a wedded pair, 
 
 till mature years arrive ; 
 Then, for a time, lust becomes the darling of the 
 
 soul, — deep in follies dive ; 
 Then to wisdom's voice no longer giving heed, — 
 
 the mother of the wise ; 
 During its dalliance with lust, the true departs, it 
 
 can't have two wives. 
 Before that soul, the spirit, can wed again, it must 
 
 renew its first love ; 
 From lust be divorc'd,— In Christ be regenerated 
 
 and born from above. 
 Without that renewing, the soul cannot receive 
 
 again its heav'nly bride ; 
 
 178 
 
Will remain eternally divorc'd; the soul waste in 
 
 hell's relentless tide : 
 Without the renewing they remain enemies, — can- 
 not be reconcird, — 
 The Spirit will not keep union with the soul, that 
 
 by lust remains defil'd. 
 In Christ all will be resurrected ; made 'live to that 
 
 spiritual desire ; 
 To the righteous be life eternal; to the wicked a 
 
 consuming fire. 
 The body of man is mortal, the temple where the 
 
 soul resides ; 
 Where in mature years may take a supernal or 
 
 infernal bride : 
 Unless, from that bride divorc'd, will his inher- 
 itance eternally seal ; 
 After death the mortal will not longer suffer, but 
 
 the soul then will fell. 
 The man who dies in sin hath no life immortal, 
 
 but's eterna'ly dead ; 
 In Christ they have no part, as he in immortal 
 
 words of truth hath said 
 I am the way, the truth and light, through which 
 
 man passes from death into life. 
 And unless you pass through that door you can in 
 
 no way flee the shades of night. 
 After Michael had fought with Satan,— unto 
 
 the Father all subdu'd, — 
 The immortal veil as a scroll roll'd back and all the 
 
 faithful imbu'd 
 With God's eternal glory and ineffable brightness, 
 
 thus made to share 
 The beauties and riches of him whose grandeur 
 
 • and glory are man's to wear. 
 Thus the first heaven past ; while the immortal 
 
 realm stood an unpeopl'd state; 
 But soon given for man to inhabit, who did his 
 
 glory much abate : 
 
 179 
 
Yet, man has a hope within the flesh, should he 
 
 survive its fleeting pride, 
 Which's a renewing in the creating word; where 
 
 God's grace yet abide, — 
 Thus between God and mortal man the current of 
 
 an awful gulf doth glide 
 Over the immortal realm,— from whence man 
 
 fell — spread these raging billows wide : 
 In Christ these billows rage no more, but become 
 
 an ocean most calm ; 
 Christ's suff' rings reconcil'd the Father, spoke 
 
 peace to the dashing storm. 
 Christ said, in my Father's house are mansions 
 
 many, the vast expanse of space ; 
 I go to prepare for you a place, — through the im- 
 mortal realm lead this race. 
 Man cannot pass from mortality unto God, but 
 
 through the lost estate,— 
 These portals Satan long kept closed, but through 
 
 our Lord now stands an open gate. 
 In Eden's pleasant bowers the Saints with Christ 
 
 a thousand years will reign. 
 In the New Jerusalen, the fairest City and of 
 
 greatest fame. 
 After the thousand years are fulfill' d, Satan shall 
 
 be loosed from his chains ; 
 An army as numberless as the sea-sands gather on 
 
 Bden's plains 
 To war against that peaceful city, whose king 
 
 holds victory ready gain'd : 
 Fire will rain from heaven and Satan and all his 
 
 numerous host be slain ; 
 That'll be the last great battle, all lost by Adam's 
 
 fall will there be regain' d; 
 Bden restor'd ; the Devil into hell cast, and only 
 
 God's truths remain ; 
 No falsehood or deception there; all like the vic- 
 tory Michael won : 
 
 180 
 
Heaven as a vestment from His face roll back, — 
 
 whose glory exceeds the sun : 
 From before His face the heaven and earth will 
 
 flee, — for them no place be found ; 
 Then, from the books, which he will open, read 
 
 that doctrine eternally sound ; 
 There no man's faith or works shall live, which 
 
 does not within his truths abound ; 
 There's no life, save that wherein the everlasting 
 
 youth of God be found. 
 In God through Christ the righteous will find a 
 
 justification of their faith ; 
 In the same the wicked's just condemnation, but 
 
 to save it comes too late. 
 Before time shall end, in the State of passion, a 
 
 City shall stand, 
 The Babylon of Pride ; the Seat of lust ; the mart 
 
 of vice, in Folly's land ; 
 Where the Argosies of intellect gather from earth's 
 
 cities, most remote, 
 The treasures of vanity, that swiftly over the film 
 
 of falsehood float : 
 There sets the goddess of passion, among men her 
 
 alters spread far and wide ; 
 Here men dedicate their fortunes, — burn their 
 
 manhood to satiate her pride : 
 All the beauty and wealth of nature, her fires of 
 
 oblation would ignite ; 
 And purest nectar, a libation, pour from the gold- 
 en vessels of life. 
 With her most luxur'us passions flourish; her 
 
 commerce floats on many seas ; 
 Her most devoted followers are those who most 
 
 delight in lustful ease. 
 The beautiful strains of music ; the endearing pow- 
 ers of human speech, 
 Man has dedicated to her service, — her fabulous 
 
 glory to teach. 
 
 181 
 
The sophistic priests, the visable church, have here 
 
 led a captive ; 
 The fair temple of truth demolished, but truth 
 
 itself yet doth live. — 
 When earth' 11 have paid her last and fairest tri- 
 bute, by culminating hand 
 Of human science; the genius of human intellect 
 
 laid the span. 
 Which completes the City's greatness — then the 
 
 goddess and votaries forth go 
 To revel in eternal ease, but see not how such 
 
 portend endless woe : 
 As, the holy vessels once dedicat'd to truth, they 
 
 fill with life's gall, 
 And from these fairest vessels drink, they will see 
 
 writing upon the wall 
 The fingers of truth, in an unknown hand, the 
 
 destiny of them all : 
 The language of truth, they do not know, nor can 
 
 they the hand of fate read ; 
 Then for a Daniel call, who revels not with the un- 
 righteous seed, 
 To read to them words of truth, the end to which 
 
 that city long will lead. 
 There will be no faithful found, save a contending 
 
 band of captives few. 
 Who had purpos'd in their hearts that they would 
 
 not eat of the wasting cruise ; 
 That they would of the waters of life drink ; feast 
 
 on God's eternal truths; 
 Such grow venerable in age, yet vigorous as the 
 
 blushing youths. 
 That City, truth will long hold in siege, but must 
 
 wait until its day is o'er; 
 It is destin'd to stand until her iniquity be most 
 
 full with gore ; 
 When all be gather'd there which oppose God's 
 
 kingdom, it will be no more ; 
 
 182 
 
'Twill be finish' d and number' d greatest of all its 
 like, — none to restore. 
 
 Then will truth, all the wealth of nature, to its 
 usefulness reclaim ; 
 
 The holy things, in the New Jerusalem, dedicate 
 again ; 
 
 Then shall that haughty queen lament for her 
 offerings and vanish' d state. — 
 
 The goddess with her passions burning, — no lust- 
 ful savor to satiate : 
 
 Then shall her votaries weep, having no offering 
 to bestow ; 
 
 To see her thus sorely weeping, — O, it agonizes 
 so! 
 
 Her merchants, upon many seas, will set howling 
 for all their prospects lost ; 
 
 All their vessels most heavily freighted , — by ris- 
 ing waves of ocean toss'd. 
 
 How sad ! left without a port to land, or market 
 their freight to demand ; 
 
 Every effort of a busy life, here, must perish with 
 the man. 
 That city stores the wealth of vanity, even from 
 times first date ; 
 
 The flood its citizens wasted, yet, the riches sur- 
 vive their fate : 
 
 Soon on this side a greater 'gain more dazzling 
 beauties to spread. 
 
 Where unnumber'd souls have perished, that the 
 goddess' lust be fed. 
 
 Many Sodoms have vanish' d, yet, that great Ba- 
 bylon their wealth holds in store ; 
 
 The volupt'ousness of many Gomorrahs been ra- 
 vish' d by that great whore. 
 
 The children of that great parental City once 
 spread from shore to shore ; 
 
 Yet, that mother's ever destroying her daughters 
 to enrich her store. 
 
 183 
 
That city's built of the fragments of man, on Bd- 
 
 en's ancient ruins ; 
 Caus'dby the dalhance of the soul, — led by Satan's 
 
 subtile wooings 
 To adorn self, — convert the powers of nature to 
 
 draw others to him : 
 Prove that man is not dependent on the Father, 
 
 but he who will may swim 
 The current made turbulent by man's sin, and 
 
 make it subject to his will, 
 And in time he might command the peace, and 
 
 all the universe hold still : 
 The longer and the more earnestly man labored, 
 
 the less he did perform : 
 Each effort brought disorder ; more troubled grew 
 
 the sea; louder rag'd the storm. — 
 So he strove earth's luxuries to gather up; convert 
 
 them into powers. 
 To build on that ancient seat, the greatest of Ba- 
 bylonian towers. 
 Thus the most beautiful and elegant are made like 
 
 instruments of crime ; 
 Their purity and usefulness are unsought, the 
 
 grandeur by which they shine. 
 The things themselves are without fault; 'tis the 
 
 application that makes the sin ; 
 But when God comes to judge, he will truly trace 
 
 the cause to the point within. 
 The things, themselves through their purity, will 
 
 be reclaim' d to usefulness. 
 While the man, wherein the fault's found will be 
 
 subject unto deep distress : 
 The loveliness and purity of life bring unto man 
 
 no distress, 
 But adds unto him more glowing powers of beau- 
 ty, with much success. 
 Then, should not we seek, in righteousness, to be 
 
 cloth'd, — wearing the robe of peace ; 
 
 184 
 
Be enwrapped by those pure beams of glory, that 
 
 to righteous souls will ne'er cease ? 
 When the mortal state will liave been finish' d 
 
 and judged, the righteous few 
 Rewarded ; and the ungodly into chaos cast, then 
 
 anew 
 Heaven and a new earth will be created and re- 
 peopled as at first, 
 Yet, the creatures, that will next inhabit it, will 
 
 be of less regal worth 
 Than man. The former creations we know not, 
 
 nor the increate that are ; 
 But, that the earth endureth forever, and next is 
 
 to be purged by fire. 
 God's command to this creation, was to multiply, 
 
 the earth replenish, 
 Was a command to man alone, but not to the 
 
 beast, the fowl, or the fish, — 
 Then, does not this teach that in the beginning of 
 
 eternity was this 
 Creation of the heaven and the earth? So earth 
 
 survives and endless bliss. 
 Then, shall we think that seraphs and angels were 
 
 tried on these terrestr'al plains ; 
 That the close of each creation constitutes a hea- 
 ven, as best explains 
 The Holy Record. Paul was caught up into the 
 
 third heaven, so we find ; 
 Then, the states this earth survives cannot be 
 
 comprehended by human mind, — 
 Thus, through the eternal years, God's kingdom 
 
 will be an increasing state ; 
 Earth may pass to, untold times, be inhabited by 
 
 the increate : 
 Yet, Satan will try each creation, but to prove 
 
 God's works more complete ; 
 Through each creation, Satan's glory will vanish, 
 
 God's truths grow more deed. 
 
 185 
 
Through the eternal aiinal, God's regulating 
 
 hand I view methink ; 
 Til all increate be tried and proven, the rebellious 
 
 crew shall sink : 
 The meek and lowly shall first be axalted, and the 
 
 proud abased ; 
 The self important and arrogant'll each in that 
 
 scale be duly plac'd. — 
 Then, will the rebellious turn and most meekly 
 
 seek the Father's grace ; 
 Most suppliantly will ev'ry knee bend, asking a 
 
 servant's place; 
 Then shall the rebellious souls, each be reduced 
 
 within that dismal shade ; 
 In proportion to their crimes, til Satan be servant 
 
 of servants made ; 
 Then shall all things prosper well, and the glory of 
 
 eternal glory blaze ; 
 The celestial more splendid grow ; hell to itself be 
 
 more intricate maze. 
 
 End of Book II 
 
 A CHII.D OF NATURE 
 
 I, who was born in the trackless solitude 
 Of the forest, by the river's winding course; 
 Where, my childhood in innocent sport, spent 
 Among fairest flowers, that in beauty spread 
 A couch most magnificent ; where I might rest 
 My weary limbs from the long fatigue of day ; 
 There to engage the duties of life without 
 Thought of to-morrow's needs, which provisions 
 
 for 
 Herself make, or otherwise go unsupplied : 
 Who had no deed of wasting life's spring to lay 
 
 186 
 
Great stores for moth and rust, in decay to waste , 
 
 But, only gather a supply sufficient 
 
 Wants of each day to supply with ample store. 
 
 A child satisfied with the gifts of Nature ; 
 
 With shelter of her luxur'ant foliage pleas' d ; 
 
 Within her somber isles delighted to stray, 
 
 Where nature's anthems rose savage souls to 
 
 soothe. 
 No book I read, save on nature's page inscrib'd 
 Truths congenial to my own heart's delight. 
 A God worship' d and serv'd whom I knew not, 
 But, him homage pay was my soul's great delight. 
 There my childhood was spent ; her teachings there 
 
 learn 'd 
 To love, — with forms invisable to commune ; 
 Nature's pulsation, there, I inherited. 
 Which, in music's measur'd strains, drew out my 
 
 life 
 In harmony with a chord before unknown. — 
 Deep in my soul (but not by that name then 
 
 known) 
 Rose reverence for a Being, to describe, 
 I cannot ; or His importance to me speak, — 
 In whose tender care I most delight to live 
 In innocency of His wrath unconstrain'd. 
 My boyhood brought to riper years, — where 
 
 deeper 
 Through my musings read greater truths, and 
 
 more plain 
 The Creator's perfect work and the plastic 
 Beauties of His hand ; in reverential awe. 
 Which bowed my heart and soul with respect 
 
 most pure, 
 And drew out life in deepest admiration. 
 Who can view such order and beauty and not 
 Be constrain' d to worship, or in musing lose 
 Himself while pondering o'er life to such adverse? 
 I view'd the great parent of day, but not mov'd 
 By contemplative science to estimate 
 
 187 
 
His wealth to man, or find his years of cycHng ; 
 At dawn, with love, looked on his rising splendor ; 
 Until high noon, view'd his ascending glory, 
 In surpassing majesty, a moment stood 
 In his ancient grandeur dressed ; the central force, 
 In no mean contempt, but chief of solor good. 
 Then to the west past on, — evenescent grew. 
 Til his shim' ring light the waters laid in gold : 
 The mountain crags and peaks with beauty gilded : 
 To tint and adorn the heghts of other lands 
 I knew not of, or in fancy e'er pictur'd. 
 
 The moon, then, in her incandescent splendor. 
 To quiet of repose called the world I view'd : 
 The waters filled with silver beams and o'er earth 
 Poured her ancient powers of beauty unchanged. 
 My mind puzzl'd not, her the sun's negative, 
 To prove, or look upon her the source of cold. 
 As the sun is of heart ; but, yet, looked on her 
 With youth's familiar eye ; nor with volcanic 
 Eruption thought her interior troubled ; 
 Or earth like e'er pour'd her intestine troubles 
 Upon her bosom ; or from inward heat e'er thought 
 Her radiance flowed, this earth with sweetness 
 
 bless. 
 I saw her continue to rise and set ; with 
 Her wealth pleas' d without seeking to know its 
 
 source. 
 The stars view'd from same point of innocency ; 
 Not seeking to know, which to the sun akin. 
 Or which with the moon classed a negative groop — 
 I scrutinized not perfection of God's works ; 
 To each affirmative saw not how exact 
 A negative set, all things in tact to hold. 
 All things I viewed as felt, and as I felt saw 
 From an inward testimony that I and 
 They were creatures of the same hand ; that they 
 
 were 
 For my good made, but my worth to them knew 
 
 not. 
 
 188 
 
The years of purity I now well had reach'd, — 
 To my side called one of like maturity 
 From the opposite sect, my peace, to augment 
 And in volume rise to a smooth current, free 
 From the breakers that lay at the seat of life ; 
 To flow on in silent grandeur to life's sea, 
 Like some noble river in majesty moves 
 On to the deep, when all founts their tributes paid : 
 We, like two streams, to form one river, destin'd: 
 Having their sources far distance, though within 
 The same system bound, unconcsiously moved on 
 To the same point, one mighty course, to form ; 
 So forming a more noble stream that rolls in 
 Deeper majesty to the Eternal Main. 
 Oftimes the stream from one of these sources cease, 
 While the other, in melancholly, keeps its 
 Silent way. Sometimes unites another 
 The void to supply, though never to remove 
 That melancholly from the deserted course. 
 Oftimes two streams unite their floods, which are 
 In course to opposite points bound, such forming 
 Whirlpools great ; deviations in course, and sand 
 Galls burst, and much beauty from its face de- 
 tract ; 
 But, when they reach the Eternal Deep, all calm. 
 Lives like rivers sometime loose themselves in the 
 Desert sand, and never reach that lasting rest. 
 These great truths, I have observed and in my 
 
 course. 
 Though short, I have somewhat realiz'd ;and hence 
 Howe'er, will find life alike to others true. 
 
 In the depths of the ancient forest ; in its 
 Primeval solitudes, untouch' d or trod 
 By cilivized man, in veneration bowed to 
 Worship the Creator and preserver of 
 That sylvan beauty. He I knew as the Good 
 And the Devil as the Evil Spirit, but 
 The Good Spirit's omnipitence I knew not. 
 But praised him and feasted before him in love 
 
 189 
 
And obedience — a continuance of his 
 Favor, invoking ; at seed time asking that 
 Fecund powers benign might smile on the 
 Seed scatter' d, and a bounteous harvest yield. 
 The Evil Spirit I at the same time prayed 
 To leave unblighted,nor seek to prevent the 
 Favors the Good Spirit for me sought to give : 
 At harvest when I garner' d the season's wealth 
 To the propitious gave thanks, and alike to 
 The Evil for permitting me to receive 
 Heaven's favors untouched by blight of mildew : 
 But, knew not that I was robbing the Good of 
 His praises justly due to give my Arch Foe.— 
 But from observation just find his bounty 
 To the faithful pour, and from the unjust hold 
 His ample gifts; That famine, pestilence and 
 Mildew's blighting force were but marks visable 
 Of His displeasure recalling proffer' d gifts. 
 
 In union with my consort no priest called 
 Our nuptials to declare, but ta'en her to me 
 As a gift from the Good Spirit to complete 
 My better nature ; and in my devotion 
 To her Great Spirit to me grew more 
 Propitious, because I in my devotion 
 To Him was bound to love, cherish and honor 
 Her whom He gave to be with me through this life. 
 Nature, as it testimony bore to my 
 Inward life or better nature, was my law ; 
 My Guide Supreme ; my revelations divine : 
 My pleasure in keeping this grew strong and great ; 
 In keeping this relation, I alone knew joy. 
 With the beast of the forest, empire, disputed ; 
 From forest fruits each sustenance gather' d, 
 And ravenous grew, — each on other preying : 
 We each our kind loved, as nature had ordain'd ; 
 But, as to arts governing, each little knew : 
 In waging war neither wished or hoped other 
 To exterminate, but, that hunger's rage might 
 Consume the victims in battle slain, — neither 
 
 190 
 
Conquest sought, but, continuous war engage. 
 
 A knowledge of the elementary world 
 My attention ne'er engaged, them only knew 
 In their rage, or express usefulness to man. 
 The silent or separate powers of the 
 Elements I ne'er sought to know ; or engage 
 Them more fittingly ; or more excellence add. 
 I did not seek to find my relation to the 
 Vital powers, or the influence their lack 
 Of harmony might have on my own being ; 
 The beauty of nature viewed, but never thought 
 To contrast its attractions with art of man. — 
 No majesty saw in the terrors of the 
 Gathering storm, but only beheld with dread 
 The lightning of thunder as it denuded 
 The lofty forest trees of beautiful boughs, 
 And rifted the ancient rocks of the mountains ; 
 Yet, in that there was beauty and majesty 
 Supreme — Grandeur personified smil'd most sweet ; 
 Elegance sublime, in perfect dignity, sat ; 
 Her robes showing no waste or decaying signs, 
 But, ever in pristine purity renewed — 
 In the gloom of the gathering shades of night 
 No loveliness saw, but felt its deepening weight ; 
 While meloncholly sat, in the forest deep. 
 Meditating on eternal gloom of night. 
 Where my fore-fathers enter' d death's silent halls ; 
 And I soon to be united with their shades. 
 Yet, I dreamed of waking in a happy land 
 Where the shades less heavy fall, or light obscure ; 
 The hunter in endless chase the deer pursue ; 
 Flowers indigenous, endless beauty spread 
 In uncultured luxury, — Flora in health 
 Most pure lived and smiled o'er nature's floral 
 
 deep, — 
 Fairest colors spread o'er a flowery sea 
 And resplendent beams of sun through silvery 
 Drops of rain a most beautious rain-bow spread. 
 Here amidst these dazzling and endearing scenes 
 
 191 
 
I lived and loved : My soul communed with all in 
 Nature's light, — while my soul thus commun'd 
 
 and loved 
 My fancy led to scenes alike more dazzling 
 And endearing, which much increasing my soul's 
 Intrinsic values by neutriment divine. 
 
 Unlearned in art or by science taught, — here I 
 Saw life in ceaseless and eternal progress 
 Rise in honor to God's majesty supreme ; 
 And not unattended by an increasing 
 Splendor of things with which the soul delighted 
 To commune, and gave intellectual food. — 
 And saw man, through the imbibing of the soul 
 Immortal beauty, drink ; and in ecstacy 
 Of soul into God's eternal grandeur sink. 
 
 The tender plants I saw bitten by the frost ; 
 The fair prospects of fruit saw untimely blighted ; 
 And these with plants and fruits mature saw per- 
 ish: 
 In decay their beauty saw vanish ; their sweet 
 Incense and odoriferous purity 
 Saw in effluvium waste. Yet, nothing is 
 Annihilated, — each principle to its 
 Native state returns. Thus nature is renewed 
 Continually and under heaven there 
 Is nothing new or old, — the old is new made, 
 But to grow old again. — The store from whence 
 The ancients fed, I feast, and from the same 
 
 cloth'd; 
 And so to time's end must man be cloth'd and fed : 
 From the same can that Nature first dipped her 
 
 brush : 
 And with her plastic hand , the ineffable 
 Power of art, inimitable beauty 
 Spread upon each leaf and flower to which 
 Earth should give birth, — with selfsame colors in 
 
 splendor. 
 No less grown, the botanical fields are yet, 
 And till this eternal chip waste, be arrai'd. 
 
 192 
 
I loved nature's arts, and her magnificence 
 Display' d admired from my inmost soul and heart : 
 Though in natural science untaught by man — 
 Unlettered as I was, could see the order 
 Of things unifying at each step until the 
 Works culminated in the Supreme Workman : 
 Thus the universe a single unit forms 
 Through which God the all inspiring Soul becomes. 
 
 I saw,^ — in wonder and astonishment stood: 
 How misterious — How grand — How beautiful — 
 How glorious, and yet so perfect are the 
 Eternal Works ! Nothing but gives usefulness, 
 And through that usefulness perfect beauty forms. — 
 How pure — How useful — How exact are they all 
 While in the state where the Creator plac'd them. 
 
 During many a pleasant day ; on hill top, 
 Mountain slope, or in some delightful vale, my 
 Drowsy limbs I basked in the sun's vernal beams. 
 All nature saw come forth ; the genial streams. 
 To welcome. In notes of rising sweetness, a 
 Welcome sang to inspiring powers of wealth : 
 All creature's vocal powers in jub'lant strains 
 Their full volume pour'd to my inward delight : 
 The youthful breeze of spring bore a healing balm ; 
 Wiping from my life winters baleful story. 
 I then resting free from disability 
 Of body, mind or soul, lived 'lone in that day: 
 Deep were joys of that day ; but transitory. 
 Each day mutations brought, but only to keep 
 Life's pleasures new and feed the soul's fancy — 
 The most magnificent scenes when of times view'd 
 Familiar grow and most dazzling powers lose : 
 But, each return of those merry days welcom'd 
 With new delight ; through the long days of winter 
 My longing for their sweet return grew deeper ; 
 And sometimes in winter's depth them liv'd anew. 
 
 The season' s'change is life's ragout, it makes man 
 Appreciate new nature's prospects re turn' d: 
 Winter is time of Nature's digest ; Spring 
 
 193 
 
When she assimilates anew food ready 
 
 Made for summer, which autumn's intervention 
 
 Return's as nature's food again, new prepar'd. 
 
 I no music heard by art refin'd ; but as 
 The creature felt so its song gave utterance : 
 No science strove to classify broken tones 
 Of human speech ; or with instrumental sound 
 Bring it to accord ; or in harmony bind. 
 While elegance and refinements attended 
 Not my course, my felicity was not less 
 Complete, than they in populous cities 
 Dwell ; where all life's vanities claim an honor 
 To some human pride ; or human passion due ; 
 To such my life owed no debt, — or things unfit 
 For life's use, through desire unnatural craved, — 
 I ate my soul to refresh, and to preserve 
 From waste my body ; I drank my thirst to slake, — 
 But, not burden with unnecessary cares 
 Life as it kept the course by nature designed. 
 In summer, under shade of some lofty tree, 
 I sheltered from power of the mid-day beam 
 Of the melting sun at meridian splendor ; 
 As I there, alike at home with beast and bird ; 
 Lay ruminating, my musings were disturbed by 
 The multitude of fishes that moved qui'tly 
 In the pure waters of the beautiful brook 
 Purling its devious course through mossy banks 
 Hard-by-fringed by flowers of various hues. 
 Enticed by the beauty of the prospects that 
 Lay before me ; by the fragrance of bowers 
 Enchanted ; and by the gentle breeze from the 
 Brook, with odors most tenderly laden, sooth'd — 
 While enjoying pleasures of prospects thus fair 
 I sought to know why inhabitants of seas, 
 Rivers and lakes were more numerous than the 
 Fowls of air or the beasts of forest or field. 
 In meditating called to mind the stories 
 Of long ago as given my parents from 
 Ancestors of old — how the earth was cover' d 
 
 194 
 
With a flood of waters and all creatures 
 
 Of earth and air were wast'd, save a few of each 
 
 In an ark preserved ; while the inhabitants 
 
 Of the waters were in no way diminished. 
 
 The story believed because 'twas a legend 
 
 Of ancestral merit ; but in this search 
 
 Find an evidence that's unimpeachable. 
 
 The sun of life had now reached its meridian 
 Splendor and was sinking slowly, but surely down 
 The western slope of life ; Deep and sober grew 
 The years as they sank behind the western crags : 
 Physical beauty and vigor grew alike 
 Evanescent : The grinders one by one grew 
 Dull and ceased : The shade fell heavier on the 
 Window panes and the sight daily grew weaker : 
 The things of my youth gradually disappear' d 
 From life's scene, sinking under the mist of age. 
 I well knew where my sun would set, but not when 
 Or how. Well I knew this sun must rise again, 
 But how ? A brighter star or smouldering flame ? 
 
 I saw the worm pass into the June bug ; take 
 Wing and mount upward in aerial flight 
 To enjoy sweeter peace of etheral bliss. 
 While in its sleep forgot terrestrial woes. 
 Which were not resurrected in the higher life. 
 The bug was the worm, but the worm wasn't the 
 
 bug; 
 It was the wonder mutation wrought. The worm 
 Ceased and was no more ; the creature then put off 
 The nature of the worm, and liv'd as a bug; 
 So when this life will find its end the nobler 
 Principles will shuffle off this mortal coil 
 And in some form; and in some way may live 
 again. 
 I have seen the caterpillar grow from an 
 Almost infinitesimal state into 
 A well developed worm — loathsome creature : 
 Saw the same creature of disgust hide away 
 In some secret comer ; itself bandage well, 
 
 195 
 
In textile art surpassing genius of man : 
 
 There, through laws divine, the caterpillar change 
 
 To a butterfly arrayed in colors bright ; 
 
 On wing broad and sweeping migrate from tropic 
 
 To tropic to sip the sweets of many a clime, 
 
 And its fair plumage bathe in more radiant 
 
 Lights of gold, so to always live in a clime 
 
 To its nature congenial and sweetest day 
 
 Productive. This question ask myself, was 
 
 The felicity of the caterpillar 
 
 Less perfect than the butterfly's? It was not. 
 
 The caterpillar lived in realm congenial 
 
 To its nature, and of things most loved feasted : 
 
 The butterfly could have nothing more. What 
 
 one 
 Loved the other did not. Yet from the same 
 Each taken its food ; but in a higher way 
 The butterfly fed, — instead, the trees of their 
 Beautiful foliage, depriving, but sipp'd 
 From flowers nectar of morning dews distill' d. 
 Then, before this body lives again, what great 
 Changes shall it know ? The great Fore Parent will 
 Such form of excellence give as pleases him : 
 And of the same food we here delight to taste 
 Feast, but in essence of ambrosial state. 
 
 After the noon of life is past each wave or 
 Blast of winter testifies of life's decline ; 
 Each effort to discharge its duties speaks of 
 The temple's fall and its last decay in earth. 
 Nature is most exacting — nothing's given 
 But 'tis required again — what earth nourishes 
 Must to earth return — Earth to earth, dust to dust 
 Is a law on this temple wall well inscrib'd, — 
 Immutable and written indelibly 
 By truth in day that creation's work begun. 
 As you can read the departure of summer. 
 Or approach of autumn in the cricket's voice : 
 To pleasure bidding good-bye, — entreats autumn 
 To stay his frost and snow till it finds a sure 
 
 196 
 
Shelter in the bosom of mother earth from 
 
 Ruthless hand of winter fast approaching; 
 
 So can man from dolorous tones of nature 
 
 Read his own decline, when the meridian 
 
 Of life has cross 'd — to him the shades grow somber ; 
 
 All scenes put on a slight aspect of mourning ; 
 
 And man's soul, yet, in no gay mood, lives in pure 
 
 Essence of deeper joy ; and instead of wild 
 
 Plants lives in fields ripe with rich domestic fruits. 
 
 All scenes familiar to my youth, or through their 
 Associated influence howe'er wild 
 To others seem, pleasures domestic to me 
 Were, or to themselves had domesticat'd 
 Me through time's long accustom'd hours of 
 straying. 
 
 Glory of nations, — excellency of kings, 
 I knew not of — Vanity of men or pride 
 Borrowed not my comforts to repay in sloth — 
 Contentment was my goal, that by Nature's laws 
 Found prescribed, temperance laws the moralist 
 
 calls, 
 Which the philosopher gives in Reason's Code-- 
 While to know man need but study self and his 
 Relation to all things observe and caution take 
 To see the mandates are kept true as given. 
 These, I grew close in observance of ; as 
 The eastern bounds were receding and fading 
 Fast in hazy distance of twilight of age : 
 To each I clung with fondness of youth until 
 It was with me no more, but forever gone : 
 Sunk within the great gulf of f orgetfulness : 
 My memory for it mourned, as a mother 
 For her lost babe ; and with tears as bitter wept. 
 
 The middle years of man are by far less dear 
 To old age than are the hours of filial peace ; 
 For old age is but youth travel'd in reserve. 
 By same steps he ascends life's stage, must de- 
 scend. 
 Less permaturely hurl'd down uncertain flights. 
 
 197 
 
By alike flight of steps all men enters life's 
 Stage; and laws' re fixed prescribing their actions 
 
 there, 
 But, if not kept will soon vanish from that scene 
 By a way not intended for man to go. 
 Each year added deeper shades of twilight ; and 
 The visions of my mind contracted to fields 
 Of more narrow space ; my soul set on things of 
 Deeper truths — with eternal facts commun'd my 
 Mind, and called my heart to witness the musings : 
 Ascended high summits of beautiful slopes 
 In fancy's regions ; for a while lost myself 
 In scenes f^ir as fancy's feet, in youth, e'er trod ; 
 Only gathering shades of heavier tint 
 To more consciously tell of my wasting years. — 
 Grew more habitual in habits of life, 
 As time sprinkled my temple with frost of age 
 And silvered over the raven locks of youth. 
 Like ancient grandeur of some noble city 
 Sunk in mid-eval chaos,^it's majesty 
 And excellency set brooding o'er ruin'd 
 Structures, golden vases and pure marble walls 
 Deep entered by earth and ashes in desert 
 Or forest wild, lost to all save to it's own 
 Majesty, a forgotten pile, — I brooding 
 Sat on mountain crags ; or in some valley low. 
 O'er my life secluded ; soon to sink in waste 
 Obscure, save my spirit's own visitations : 
 Or like the eagle, most noble bird of flight ; 
 Under fallen crest cow' ring on tallest 
 Forest bough, overlooking deepest scenes of 
 Primeval solitude, — a more imposing 
 vScene has never moved man's soul, touched his 
 
 heart or 
 Sublimer powers of greatness brush' d his brow ; 
 So I sat, under the fallen crest of age. 
 Overlooking, but not penetrating the 
 Future solitudes, or sublimer myst'ries 
 That lay silent beyond the close of life's day. 
 
 198 
 
Pure and deep are laws of everlasting love ; 
 More fair and bright are her fields achieved by 
 
 fame, 
 Where the spirit of peace in harmony moves 
 With a mind that's ever sane — a heart by pure 
 Devotion ruled, — waveless as the endless main : 
 Yet, within my soul that peace is sometimes still, 
 But, deep and strong are the emotions that roll 
 Along the axis that's of infinite bound. 
 When the inmost being of man is stirred with 
 Love and devotion pure for The Eternal. 
 
 Late in the evening of life my consort 
 From me was taken ; eclipsing serenest 
 Splendors of my fading light ; pouring deathly chill 
 Over my soul ; drops of dew, by death distill'd, 
 Stood heavy upon my weeping brow ; but soon 
 To be congealed, by discontent of winter. 
 Into arctic frost of age, to more hoar grow 
 Through death's long silent wasteful hours of 
 
 slumber. 
 While to the claims of earth we gave her body ; 
 And left hurried within that cold embrace, my 
 Only cheer ; the one who had so often stood 
 By my side in time of danger ; shared with me 
 My toils ; clasp my hand in moment of vict'ry ; 
 And in hour of adversity gave succor, — 
 This question to myself address' d, shall we meet 
 Again? To which eternity responded. 
 In union unchanged, ye have lived ; the love which 
 Bound you is to the eternal laws consistent ; 
 And as the principles, which bound you, endure 
 So shall you in union stand ; and when the shades 
 Of death are passed, in sweeter union shall meet. 
 All the scenes of life, whither in bereavement ; 
 Moments of exultation ; or hours of toil. 
 Closer knit our souls and bound with stronger cord. 
 
 As I review the vicissitudes of life 
 And its events ; Strange yet, true are the workings 
 Of a hand unseen, which moves in silence, yet, 
 
 199 
 
With precision most exact, to overthrow 
 
 The wicked in their might : To a level just 
 
 Bring them, and the pure of heart to a station 
 
 High exalt. If man could but look into the 
 
 Infinite exactness of Eternal Laws 
 
 He would there see weighing ev'ry influence, 
 
 And where they belong placing, till an event 
 
 Most precise stands prominent as the result ; 
 
 Though it be far from the result intended 
 
 By the creature, who stands as the prime mover 
 
 Visiable to mortal sight. — Force invisible. 
 
 Though most evident in the gaining each goal, 
 
 Disposes man's every proposition ; 
 
 And prospers or wastes his prospects as is just. 
 
 Unlearned in Heavenly visions as I was, 
 Yet, could see rule of an all disposing hand 
 Prevailing in each effort and work of man : 
 Great and miraculous is work of that hand, 
 Which unseen moves to wend its secret power, 
 Disposing aright man's every purpose 
 As the scale of eternal justice metes it. 
 Then in me what could there be more wise than 
 
 to set 
 My affections on that Being Eternal ; 
 To his disposal trust my ev'ry prospect; 
 And, to his might supreme, consecrate my life? 
 In each result rejoicing, knowing it true, 
 Considering well the means and how employed. 
 I have spent in holy communion, this life, — 
 In the rising and setting of its sun I've 
 Kept pure my inward source of light and its flame, 
 Yet, glows unabated in first purity : 
 None of Nature's gifts, I've lavishly wasted ; 
 Or in luxurious pride delighted ; but 
 In way as best I knew have served Nature true : 
 
 As r'received this life, so I resign it ; 
 And each to its realm consign my sev'ral parts ; 
 Leave to the great Author and Finisher 
 Of Nature to dispose as most pleases Him. 
 
 200 
 
MEMORY 
 
 In the sweet sunny south 'mong mountains rare, 
 
 There is a haunt to me most fair ; 
 
 It was not fashioned with beauty to glare, 
 
 But its shades no pleasures doth spare. 
 
 Oftimes through memory there I yet dwell, 
 And sport anew with brothers I love well ; 
 Repeat in youthful frolic and fun 
 Old puns and games, which have long since gone. 
 
 Sweet memory, thy branch is ever green, 
 Fraught with return of pleasures now unseen ; 
 Yet, for thee, when once past be forever gone, 
 But through thee their sweet influence doth 
 return : 
 
 By thee we're enabled to live past again, 
 
 And thus trace life as one continuous chain ; 
 
 In few swift hours repeat pleasures of many a 
 
 game; 
 But to recall our cruel tricks with much regret 
 
 and shame : 
 
 Make past joys a healing balm for present pains. 
 List to mother's lullaby with renew' d strains ; 
 Recall a mother's cares, that with us had no claim, 
 Yet, causes the fire of the soul to renew its flame : 
 
 To mingle past, present and future into one ; 
 Render sweetest of present and past the future's 
 
 own: 
 Thus an increasing volume of pleasure into the 
 
 future rolls ; 
 The history of past and present unite what future 
 
 unfolds. 
 
 201 
 
Destroy memory and the progress of the world 
 
 will cease, 
 It brings materials for life's monumental increase ; 
 Serves as a guide that from evils of the past we 
 
 may turn ; 
 So enabling us a better and more sure course 
 
 discern : 
 
 Making the to-morrow free from ills of to-day, 
 That each moment we may more godliness display — 
 As we start forth into life on it our progress de- 
 pends ; 
 The use we make of time's fragments gives our 
 standing with men. 
 
 Memory's but a history within itself 
 
 Recording how our past hours and days were 
 
 spent ; 
 Showing how acts from circumstances are made ; 
 And proving how causes into events lead. 
 
 Then, history is but a journal, which intends to 
 
 state 
 The condition of articles receiv'd by mental 
 
 freight ; 
 Also their number, as they in importance relate 
 The progress or final destiny of some great state. 
 
 To give the history of a nation is but to show 
 
 By progressive science, the paths its inhabitants 
 
 go; 
 And by the principles, on which it took its stand. 
 Prove its position 'mong the nations of the land ; 
 
 Or bring to light the reality of its prides 
 By tracing its beauty through scientific strides ; 
 The customs and religion of the people see 
 In the monuments of the Country which they 
 leave. 
 
 202 
 
It is easy to find, by the plants and trees that grow 
 The harvest reap'd or the kind of seed farmers 
 
 would sow ; 
 From the condition of climate, it would be plain 
 
 to see 
 What the industrial pursuits of the people would 
 
 be. 
 
 To see the bloom of the peach, while yet on the 
 
 tree, 
 'Tis hard to tell of what character the fruit'U be ; 
 Till it has ripen' d, we can't understand or see. 
 Whether it will cling to the stone or be free. 
 
 So in the relics of a nation, though to the heavens 
 
 may lume, 
 The customs and habits of its people will continue 
 
 to bloom ; 
 But, in this 'tis hard to read their hopes and fears ; 
 Or know their rulers to be prophets or seers. 
 
 In monumental glory the pride of a nation may 
 
 live; 
 In statuary gems devotion of its people may give ; 
 In glowing colors paint the beauties of the land ; 
 In the polish of art show the touch of the hand : 
 
 But, the conditions under which the structures 
 
 were rear'd. 
 Must from counterfeit of imagination be clear'd 
 By facts bearing evidence to the course that was 
 
 stear'd. 
 That same were in harmony with voice of rule there 
 
 hear'd. 
 
 And from these proofs be it faithfully observed, 
 Whether the people's voice or another was served ; 
 And by these prove the relics to be genius's bloom, 
 Or they superstition and pride of kings presume. 
 
 203 
 
Memory hath power to turn time's gray hairs 
 
 black ; 
 To strike from the bending form of age the crook' d 
 
 back; 
 But, not to stay the current in which nature flows 
 To drift us far beyond the troubl'd wave of woes. 
 
 THE OLD AND THE NEW 
 
 Year, hke many thousands gone, thy knell is rung ; 
 By tongues, which daily praised thee, thy dirge is 
 
 sung; 
 To thy close many lives have but linger' d through ; 
 To many woeful hours, glad to bid adieu. 
 Yet, within thy many merry chamber cells. 
 Many a golden deed in secret there dwells, 
 Serenely buried within its own deep grave, 
 For which minds may delve and hearts may wish 
 
 to lave 
 Within the purity of its own silent wave ; 
 To well extract its essence and beauty save : 
 A gift invaluable to hearts that know 
 The joy that from such silent impulses flow. 
 
 Many are the events which must dwell with thee. 
 Within thy faithful bosom rest full and free : 
 Many and deep are the waves which roll beyond 
 The first annual surge thou art built upon : 
 Yet, many may be waves of incoming tide 
 To cover deep with mist place where thou reside. 
 Many beautiful monuments, thou hast built ; 
 Many precious lives on thy peaceful shore spilt, 
 Which succeeding time will note by columns tall ; 
 While other years grow eventful by their fall. 
 
 For ungrateful men, thou art marked deep with 
 shame, 
 But time is kind and will rid thee of that stain. 
 The good will to the future rich fruitage bear, 
 
 204 
 
While coming years will a nobler gift prepare. 
 With deep regret, we note thy last sand is run, 
 But welcome thy cheerful sister ready come. 
 She comes to us in a bright and merry day. 
 But we'll tell her not that she must speed away 
 On time's broad swift wing, prolific with decay; 
 Most relentless, even to the sweets of May. 
 
 With the old year lies many vows made and broke, 
 To which the incoming year may breathe new 
 
 hope; 
 And revive the hearts and souls that such vows 
 
 made 
 With power inspiring that'll not let them fade 
 From their lives til they are well and truly kept ; 
 Comforting the heart, that for their breaking 
 wept. 
 Thou, New Year, rich and pure with untainted 
 light. 
 Will but know thy existence, before a blight. 
 From a ruthless hand, will rest upon thy sight ; 
 And some foul creature proclaim that it is right 
 For thee, an innocent and unspotted page, 
 To be smeared and checkered o'er with such out- 
 rage. 
 Man, how beautiful would be the years that roll, 
 If thy Maker but honor' d, kept pure thy soul, — 
 What could there be, but an endless round of bliss? 
 The new born sister press with a welcome kiss 
 The lips of her honor' d sister timely ceased, 
 With this injunction, wait my return in peace. 
 
 Many and tender are the hearts that will lay 
 Beneath the sod, before 'nother New Years' Day ! 
 Many and beautiful are cheeks that will press 
 The turf, which their own hands will for others 
 
 dress. 
 Deep, pure and sweet are the melodious lays, 
 That will be sung during this years coming days : 
 Loud and lamentable are voices that'll wail 
 
 205 
 
For dear ones, whose lovely cheeks in death will 
 pale. 
 We should let our lives pass as a tale well told — 
 Like time, in succession of years, must grow old. 
 
 LOVE 
 
 Love is light and beauty of the soul's bright sun, 
 Flowing from that Being from whom all blessings 
 
 come ; 
 To make this human sphere a fertile plain, 
 When water' d and nourish' d by crystal rain, 
 That falls in a most gentle sooting strain 
 In sympathetic strength for others pain : 
 Thus causing the seed of virtue, which Heaven 
 
 has sown, 
 In this human soil, in full strength and power to 
 
 bloom ; 
 Free from the tar's troublesome rankling wrath; 
 Seeking a cause against virtue to cast ; 
 Its purity and sweetness of growth to blast. 
 That its culture in human fields might not last. 
 
 This human sphere's a garden of heav'nly soil, 
 In which for man to live rejoice and toil ; 
 Surrounded by atmosphere congenial to the 
 
 growth 
 Of either the flowers of virtue, or thistly sloth — 
 The seed of good and evil both lay claim 
 To flourish 'lone throughout this mortal plain, — 
 Then, since conditions be like congenial to each, 
 It depends on the conclusion that the keepers 
 
 reach ; 
 Whither this life shall be cumbered with fruitless 
 
 growth. 
 Or crowned with a fruit of purest heavenly worth. 
 Truth's that principle of love symbolic of that 
 
 beautiful heavenly blue, 
 
 206 
 
Which e'er permeate this universe in all its parts 
 
 most exact and true: 
 As this world of flowers, in their many and varied 
 
 hue, 
 Is rendered most beautiful by the many shades 
 
 of blue, — 
 So lives and acts of men with generosity and 
 
 gentleness bedews 
 Social circles accordingly as this principle in their 
 
 Uves diffuse. 
 Purity's that principle of love emblematic of 
 
 purest white, 
 Which is neither color or refinement, nor neither 
 
 is it light; 
 That giveth no reflection, yet, 'tis never obscure 
 
 from sight. 
 Having power to claim fancy of the loftiest in 
 
 their flight. 
 Or to show itself in deepest ;in the stillest ; darkest 
 
 night. 
 White's that element in nature akin to both 
 
 color and light, — 
 Being neither, yet, from it all the powers of beauty 
 
 flow, — 
 Various shades and hues in nature from its influ- 
 ence grow. 
 The soul of man is that purity in human life. 
 To give shade and coloring to all our acts and 
 
 strife. 
 The soul within itself is ever pure and clean. 
 And so remains till tinctured by the foul and 
 
 mean; 
 Then, 'tis truly said, the temple wherein it dwells 
 
 becomes unclean 
 By reason of the wrong for which it must forever 
 
 bear a stain: 
 So against man judgment the Almighty did pro- 
 claim ; 
 
 207 
 
That he would not dwell in a temple foul and un- 
 clean ; 
 But, still through mercy would condescend 
 To refit man for that better end 
 If he would accept that eternal purity that from 
 
 Him came; 
 And aUke all other principles ever with Him pure 
 
 and clean, — 
 Which pervades this universe its influence to 
 
 wend; 
 Ever present with sin, yet, with sin it will not 
 
 blend. 
 By accepting that purity, which cannot, will not 
 
 change. 
 As the only balm to purge his soul from its woeful 
 
 stain ; 
 And to seal this hope in a way man's soul to win 
 The comforter came to lead through this vale of 
 
 sin 
 To that land where transgression is sure slain. 
 And its victims delivered to death's claim ; 
 Returning each influence to the elements from 
 
 which it first came, 
 Just as hues of decaying flowers return to their 
 
 colors again; 
 Leaving each pure in itself and the soul again 
 
 clean ; 
 The Spirit then embalms perpetu'ly against stain : 
 So when our mouldering dust be fashion'd into its 
 
 '^ form again 
 The spirit will unite the body and soul in life 
 
 without pain. 
 Unless the soul be so steeped and deeply imbrued 
 
 with stain 
 To leave nothing pure to consecrate to God's holy 
 
 name, 
 Then that soul has hope, eternal life to gain ; 
 But, if all God'd accept be wast'd in disdain 
 
 208 
 
To his holy laws for earthly pleasures or worldly 
 
 fame, 
 What then, can the reward of that soul be, but 
 
 endless pain? 
 If man's food be purely of the vegetable and the 
 
 mineral line, 
 'Twill only nourish those principles, which to 
 
 humanity incline; 
 Since in the veg'table and min'ral kingdoms there 
 
 be no evil design 
 To stain the soul of man or to darken any reflec- 
 tion of his mind, — 
 But, to establish him truly in strength with the 
 
 approach of time ; 
 Enable him the magnitude of humanity to do 
 
 fine. 
 Man was fashion' d from the earth by that same 
 
 power 
 That calls into life ev'ry leaf, bud and flower ; 
 And their beauty moulded from the same clay from 
 
 which man was form'd ; 
 Possessing all the elements from which earthly 
 
 man was bom. 
 The soul of man's the harmonized elements of his 
 
 earthly form; 
 Set to action by the deep current of life, when 
 
 pure, flush and warm, 
 Which's heat'd and caus'd to flow by influence of 
 
 a' rial power; 
 Thus with the pure beauties of heavenly love, 
 
 flush man and flower. 
 When God, in his law to man, did his food define. 
 He withheld from him no herb, fruit of tree or vine ; 
 But of the living of earth and air, denominated 
 
 foul and beast. 
 It is especially specified to man of which to feast. 
 Then God, who knows best, we must concede, — 
 Has said flesh, man's hunger to appease. 
 
 209 
 
Should be taken from the herbiverous class that 
 
 graze; 
 Distinguished by nat'ral features and natural 
 
 ways. 
 
 LIBERTY BELL 
 
 In Old Liberty Hall hung a bell; 
 Sweetest music 'twas destin'd to tell, 
 And when its message tolled loud and free 
 Its soul rifted deep from inmost glee — 
 Rending wide the imperial veil ; 
 With her purple rigging Freedom's sail, 
 To plow the wave of no mystic sea, 
 But alike the industrious bee, 
 Direct her bark to no unknown cause ; 
 On marble slabs gave constitut'd laws 
 Deep engraved and well, with Freedom's pen, 
 Inscribed upon hearts and souls of men. 
 To Freedom's sons, yet, stands open wide; 
 Pouring its music o'er purple tide. 
 Deeply colored by the Nation's blood. 
 Which' s augmenting wealth of Freedom's flood — 
 Which inspired the patriotic soul 
 To lay his limbs in the silent mould — 
 
 Deeply inspiring are tones that float 
 Soft like voice that to Elijah spoke ; 
 Breathing confidence to faithful soul ; 
 Speaking words rich with wealth of life's goal. 
 That tongue spoke with no impious word. 
 When its pure embosom' d truth out pour'd; 
 The nation's speech in deep tones was heard 
 Vibrating pure from the belfry height, 
 Laden with essence of Freedom's light 
 Floating soft on immaculate breeze. 
 Declaring with ineffable ease 
 The excellency of liberty; 
 Glory of a nation's majesty. 
 
 210 
 
Music's sweet strains each vibration toll'd, 
 
 Spreading glad tidings from pole to pole ; 
 
 On earth's east and westmost strand they met ; 
 
 Touch' d each nation's heart, till cheeks were wet 
 
 With deep streams of patriotic tears 
 
 For its own thralldom, each heart yet wears. 
 
 When that tongue proclaim' d Liberty's birth, 
 The news serenely spread out the earth; 
 And ne'er rested, but, in hearts most pure; 
 From the will of traitors made secure, — 
 Safe in precincts of life most holy. 
 Found in the human heart most lowly ; 
 Meekly bowing to truths low or high ; 
 Each force opposing, strong to defy. 
 Of America's rights prevailing 
 That tongue well spoke ; of hearts assaiHng 
 Wrongs, which tyrants had and would impose 
 On their loyal subjects, not their foes. 
 Souls that could live but in Freedom's air; 
 In beauty of manhood strong and fair. 
 Arose such flagrant wrongs to oppose ; 
 Stood boldly for rights to transmit those, 
 Who at their forest homes spent those days, 
 By deep flowing streams, in childish plays, — 
 In fields unnoted on page of fame. 
 Yet, most deep inscribed was freedom's name 
 In hearts that por'd their blood, life's sweet 
 
 stream, 
 O'er plains now verdant with living green — 
 Fruits grow riper and fairer in soil 
 Mark'd by Freedom's blood, — her scenes of toil. 
 
 No soul, except a tyranic fiend ; 
 Or cowardly wretch, most low and mean. 
 Can breathe this air, or such music hear. 
 Except in freedom's ranks, he'll appear. 
 And bare his breast to the tyrant's spear, — 
 No imperial, save God will fear. 
 
 211 
 
TO A FRIEND 
 
 I almost envy you your place of toil, 
 Amid rare beauties of the virgin soil; 
 Visited by pure limpid waters of a purling 
 
 stream, 
 Which testifies of Nature's love beneath the smil- 
 ing green ; 
 Where the sqirrel would live in sport along the 
 
 mossy brink ; 
 And with the wild bird partake of life's luxurious 
 
 drink. 
 Within that scene so sweetly blest, 
 The birds 're playful and seem to rest 
 Their lives in innocent love and faithful trust 
 To Him who gave the beauty from out the dust : 
 The glorious contentment, which smiles beneath 
 
 those bowers, 
 Is made an object lesson, most true, to these 
 hearts of ours. 
 The sunbeams steal among that foliage true 
 To sip the freshness of the morning dew ; 
 And mingle in that realm of constant peace. 
 Where nature enjoys perpetual feast: 
 And there you say the course of this life to you 
 Is sad like the ev'ning shades of day's adieu: 
 Yet, with you, I know there is a life of truth 
 Holding communion with that sylvan proof; 
 Spreading, about you, its pleasant shades ; 
 Blessing the path where your spirit leads. 
 
 TO A LADY FRIEND 
 
 If time's wings may moulder to dust. 
 
 Or truth decay by waste of rust ; 
 
 If there be no test to try the weight of tears ; 
 
 No sun to mark the varying course of years : 
 
 Then my love for you may have only seem'd ; 
 
 212 
 
May pass from my mind as a fading dream. 
 But, since truth can know no waste, nor to false- 
 hood incline; 
 Nor its last be marked by etem'ty or close of time, 
 So my affections for you'll bear as true a test 
 When time will have folded her wings in ceaseless 
 
 rest: 
 My love for you be as a gath'ring day, 
 When all things timely will have passed away. 
 Two lives made precious through love, to that 
 perfect Eye 
 Should never, in doubt or fear, ask the question, 
 
 " Why?" 
 For two souls, lit by Truth to Love's highest, 
 
 purest aim. 
 Are like congenial spirits, — part'd to meet again. 
 
 TO A LADY FRIEND AFTER VISITING 
 HER HOME 
 
 You are precious in my life, — 
 No image of woe or strife, 
 But a type of truth and love 
 Gathering strength form above. 
 In life you seem as pure as a budding flower ; 
 Seeking innocent rest in a silent bower. 
 Where nature may speak to the heart 
 Of beauty through innocent art: 
 The power of affection simple and true; 
 Represented and expressed in all we view : 
 Where shades seem pleasant because they're so; 
 The birds sing sweetly when free from woe : 
 With no object to present to the mind 
 The woes and miseries of human kind; 
 With all things pure like thy own heart's love ; 
 True and faithful as the patient dove, — 
 But, things, which are bom to act and not to 
 speak, 
 
 213 
 
From their example, we consolation take; 
 
 For if they ever have sorrows, trials or woes, 
 
 Such vexations and disappointments, no one 
 knows. 
 
 Then to see the motives from whence our actions 
 rise; 
 
 To find them equally true, it would us surprise ; 
 
 For we cannot read them true from what they 
 express. 
 
 Unless we can know ev'ry fault through which 
 they pass: 
 
 Then let human frailties be buried 'neath reason 
 deep 
 
 And ever give the true course of life a constant 
 sweep. 
 
 To drift from our being things which faulter by 
 decay; 
 
 Leaving purer, deeper, patient deeds their con- 
 stant sway: 
 
 A happy state, then, will surely flow; 
 
 Life no more speak of sorrowing woe. 
 
 Your home must be a place of constant bliss, 
 
 Where such passing pleasures are never missed ; 
 
 But succeeded by new joys of their like; 
 
 Such influence gend'ring day without night. 
 Your mother, a guarding angel, seems to pass. 
 
 Performing deeds and speaking words that e'er 
 last ; 
 
 And you to imitate,— conscious of her worth, 
 
 Are striving to mould a life of lasting truth. 
 Your father seems a devoted happy man 
 
 Because of the support of your mother's hand: 
 
 Guided by a mind of religious peace. 
 
 Which flows full with joys that can never cease. 
 Then, when we're apart let's not think of fault- 
 ing love. 
 
 But live constantly in that peace, which flows 
 from God,— 
 
 214 
 
Which Truth alone can join hearts to abide in 
 peace ; 
 
 Bidding doubt and superstition to fore'er cease. 
 My love for you can never grow old, 
 
 Less it be to waste my life and soul 
 
 In affections consuming unquenchable flame, 
 
 Which would prove that I have not loved you, 
 but a name: 
 
 That where I sought, your heart did not dwell ; 
 
 But thing sought was but a magic spell. 
 
 I, yet, believe your heart is in league with con- 
 stant truth, 
 
 And since I have sought it there, I will not know 
 reproof ; 
 
 But on truth's mansion find it there to please 
 
 The heart and mind that seek that realm of ease. 
 
 THE WAY 
 
 Toil on, ye poor, be not dismayed, 
 
 Look defiance boldly in face ; 
 Discharge your duty in honest weight, 
 
 And think to labor is no disgrace. 
 
 The poor are they who preserve the world 
 From the worship of the image gold; 
 
 And teach man as ever of old. 
 Human 'ty's a principle of soul. 
 
 Then, can any man disdain his lot. 
 Or feel he's not human, but a blot; 
 
 Because a humble duty is his to discharge, 
 And not other's woes to pity without regard? 
 
 But, think, O man, your lot is great. 
 
 Not all we do's decreed by fate ; 
 But, that all who labor, justly to obtain. 
 
 May sufficiently share all there is to gain. 
 
 215 
 
We may each to our lot in life become reconciled 
 By pursuing things of life as men and not a 
 child; 
 
 For how we pursue things that are, — 
 The end we reach is just and fair. 
 
 It seems rather hard for most men to reconcile 
 Their minds to principles leading to higher 
 clime ; 
 
 But' re set to pursue things of less consequent, 
 Than to reach the higher plain by slow ascent. 
 
 There's a way to all things if man will pursue, 
 Most clearly marked by principles just and true : 
 
 That end we all may reach, if we strive to do ; 
 And that clime we may know by its pleasant 
 view. 
 
 216 
 
NOV *ai ii§0§