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 3sa 
 
 J3P TS 
 
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Hollinger Corp. 
 
PS 3513 
 .132 T5 
 11913 
 Copy 1 
 
 THROUGH FADING MIST 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER POEMS 
 
 CHARLES HAYWARD GIFFIN 
 
 19 13 
 

 Copyrighted 1913 by 
 Charles Hayward Giffin 
 
 '©dA361029 
 
2>cMcatc& 
 
 To all who see, or strive to see 
 Beyond this veil of sense; 
 
 Who, seeking God with constancy, 
 In Him find recompense. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Through Fading Mist . .7 
 
 So Rest My Heart ... 9 
 
 The Bond of Peace . . .10 
 
 Love Owns Them All . . 12 
 
 Oh, Pansy Sweet . . .14 
 
 The World Within . . 16 
 
 The Inner Door . . .18 
 
 The Mystic Chain ... 20 
 
 The Waiting Crown . . .22 
 
 Love's Flowing Stream . . 24 
 
 Near The Gate . . .25 
 
 Love's Unbroken Day . . 26 
 
 Symbols . . . .28 
 
 Heaven Is Here ... 29 
 
 Truth's Rising Star . . .30 
 
 Rest Within ... 32 
 
CONTENT S-Continued 
 
 Earth's Hierogljnphs . . .34 
 
 Fair Tinted Rose ... 36 
 
 TheCatskills . . .37 
 
 Life's Endless Tide . . 38 
 
 The New Birth . . .40 
 
 Houses Not Made With Hands . 42 
 
 Transition . . .44 
 
 The Mists of Earth . . 46 
 
 Our Nearest Friend . . .47 
 
THROUGH FADING MIST 
 
 A mist is brooding o'er the land 
 
 On this midsummer day; 
 I see no landmark where I stand. 
 
 To point my homeward way. 
 
 Although I scarce can see the hills 
 
 The mist so thickly hides, 
 I catch the sound of rippling rills 
 
 That course along their sides. 
 
 SEVEN 
 
Around me, ripened fruits hang low. 
 Whilst perfumes load the air; 
 
 And Nature's gifts, I surely know. 
 Unseen, lie everywhere. 
 
 I feel the south wind softly blow. 
 
 Which soon will sweep away 
 Those clouds of vapor drifting slow. 
 
 On this midsummer day. 
 
 Full well I see; the clouds that hide 
 The works God forms in mind. 
 
 His winds will scatter far and wide. 
 And leave no mist behind. 
 
 Love's countless charms, though now con- 
 cealed ; 
 
 Truth's gems of purest ray; 
 And "Perfect Man" will be revealed 
 
 In God's unclouded day. 
 
 EIGHT 
 
so REST MY HEART 
 
 God's love and care will never cease; 
 
 And God Himself is here : 
 So rest my heart in perfect peace; 
 
 There is no room for fear. 
 
 I were in heaven, did I but see 
 God's bounties where I stand; 
 
 His loving gifts surrounding me. 
 Strewn wide on every hand. 
 
 His blessings oft remain concealed 
 Whilst mortal mists arise; 
 
 But every good shall be revealed 
 As Truth anoints our eyes. 
 
 The clouds of sense must roll away. 
 
 And every shadow flee; 
 For Love disperses day by day 
 
 The mist 'twixt God and me. 
 
 NINE 
 
THE BOND OF PEACE 
 
 As I behold the fragrant flowers, 
 Wet with the dews or gentle showers, 
 
 And skies are clear; 
 When all around earth's praises rise, 
 And fill my soul with glad surprise. 
 
 Then Heaven is near. 
 
 When just beyond, a murmuring brook 
 Flows swift along through shaded nook 
 
 To meet the sea, 
 There comes a peaceful mood within; 
 God, Man, and Nature seem akin. 
 
 And Heaven in me. 
 
 I hear the robins sweet refrain. 
 And pause to listen once again 
 
 To Love's own note. 
 My heart responds with joyful cry 
 That Heaven is not beyond the sky. 
 
 Nor God remote. 
 
 TEN 
 
But blest that hour when Love shall bring 
 To man and every living thing 
 
 One bond of peace. 
 When birds and beasts in man confide. 
 When wolf and lamb he side by side. 
 
 And strife shall cease. 
 
 Then I may stand some coming day. 
 And watch the surf, the dashing spray. 
 
 And angry sea; 
 That day a faith my soul may fill, 
 And I may bid the waves be still 
 
 With God in me. 
 
 ELEVEN 
 
LOVE OWNS THEM ALL 
 
 The worm that creeps, the bird that flies. 
 The star that circuits through the skies, 
 
 Each mountain tall; 
 The modest flower that dots the green. 
 The tiny insect quite unseen; 
 
 Love owns them all. 
 
 The humblest form that I may meet. 
 That strays so helpless at my feet, 
 
 I cannot harm; 
 Why should I choose 'twixt great and small. 
 Since ceaseless Love enfolds them all 
 
 With sheltering arm. 
 
 Come Love and lay thy gentle hand 
 On this and every other land 
 
 Beneath the sun: 
 Teach us to help our brothers weak. 
 Teach us "Thy Way" to think and speak 
 
 And make us one. 
 
 TWELVE 
 
Oh Love, subdue all greed and strife. 
 Blot out all hate from human life; 
 
 Keep us from sin : 
 Come quickly then with guileless art 
 And softly knocking at each heart 
 
 Just enter in. 
 
 Then insect, bird, and timid deer 
 
 At man's approach will know no fear 
 
 With Love's increase. 
 Then wolf and lion now so wild. 
 Will lie beside the sleeping child 
 
 And rest in peace. 
 
 ^ 
 
 THIRTEEN 
 
OH, PANSY SWEET 
 
 Oh pansy sweet, with velvet cheek, 
 
 I would indeed that thou couldst speak, 
 
 And thus declare 
 The art that could those outlines trace. 
 And blend the colors of thy face 
 
 With matchless care. 
 
 Oh pansy sweet, as I bend near. 
 Just whisper how thou earnest here; 
 
 I long to know. 
 And as I wait on bended knee, 
 I fain would ask again of thee 
 
 To whisper low. 
 
 From thee at last I turn my ear; 
 I cannot get the answer here 
 
 I wish to know; 
 So too, I close the outer eye 
 And seek some message from on high. 
 
 That soundeth low. 
 
 FOURTEEN 
 
I should arise, if I would hear 
 The voice that greets the inner ear. 
 
 And so will wait. 
 I must ascend if I would see 
 The things of God that dwell in me 
 
 Both small and great: 
 
 So, when I catch in coming hours 
 The hum of bees, or scent of flowers, 
 
 ril long to see 
 How spirit works with art divine, 
 How loves and cares for forms like thine. 
 
 Though small they be. 
 
 I need not urge my sight, to see 
 The looms of God that weave in me 
 
 His fabrics bright; 
 The clouds of sense are floating past. 
 And I shall see all things at last 
 
 With perfect sight. 
 
 FIFTEEN 
 
THE WORLD WITHIN 
 
 Outside myself, naught can I know; 
 
 Without, there naught can be; 
 The streams that run, the flowers that grow. 
 
 Exist alone in me. 
 
 The glow of eve, the tints of morn. 
 
 The soaring bird so free, 
 The odors on the zephyr borne 
 
 I know are all in me. 
 
 I court the forest's sweet retreat, 
 
 Or wander by the sea 
 Whose tumbling billows reach my feet; 
 
 But these are all in me. 
 
 The timid bird, the gentle deer. 
 
 That at my footsteps flee. 
 In rapid flight reflect the fear 
 
 That lurks unknown in me. 
 
 SIXTEEEN 
 
The star that runs its rapid course, 
 
 The dew drop on the tree. 
 Traced to their deep, mysterious source. 
 
 Still have their home in me. 
 
 In my true self all things I know; 
 
 All things are mine to see; 
 The sky above, the seas below. 
 
 Must find themselves in me. 
 
 The earth and stars, the heavens wide 
 That stretch from pole to pole. 
 
 Float on the bosom of that tide 
 Which sweeps within my soul. 
 
 Thou art in Me, and I in Thee; 
 
 One undivided mind; 
 As Truth dissolves all mystery. 
 
 The All in All I find. 
 
 SEVENTEEN 
 
THE INNER DOOR 
 
 Why waitest thou with anxious mind 
 Some fairer world than this to find. 
 
 For rest and peace? 
 Why watch with long expectant eye 
 For some retreat beyond the sky 
 
 Where discords cease? 
 
 Search as thou wilt both far and near, 
 Thou'lt find no sweeter place than here; 
 
 No fairer spot. 
 Here where each heart its sorrow knows 
 Is where that heart must find repose; 
 
 With pain forgot. 
 
 With loving thoughts can'st thou resign 
 Thy heart's desires, and not repine; 
 
 Nor murmur make? 
 Can'st thou o'erlook the cruel stings, 
 With all the grief that malice brings, 
 
 For Love's own sake? 
 
 OGHTEEN 
 
Then, clean of hand and pure of heart, 
 Thou'lt find thy Heaven just where thou art : 
 
 Good everywhere. 
 Seek not thy home on far-off shore ; 
 Thou standest by an open door : 
 
 Love waits thee there. 
 
 Love lays her gentle hand on thee. 
 And guides thy steps till thou art free 
 
 From taint of sin. 
 So rest, dear heart — search thou no more; 
 Thy hand rests on this open door; 
 
 Love bids thee in. 
 
 The Inner Door through which thou'lt see 
 Life's endless path inviting thee 
 
 Into thine own. 
 And step by step Truth leads the way 
 Through crimson dawn and radiant day 
 
 To heights unknown. 
 
 NINETEEN 
 
THE MYSTIC CHAIN 
 
 The mystic links that join the years 
 
 In one unbroken chain. 
 Will guide our willing footsteps here. 
 
 And make our pathway plain. 
 
 To realms untold these links extend; 
 
 All time and space they span: 
 There is no place where they will end. 
 
 Nor place where they began. 
 
 This chain which spans that dark abyss. 
 
 Dread vision of the night, 
 Conjoins the heavenly world with this. 
 
 And guides our feet aright. 
 
 This bond of Life makes all things one; 
 
 Nor fragments can it know; 
 One substance forms the rain, the sun. 
 
 And all the flowers that grow. 
 
 TWENTY 
 
My hand rests on this golden chain. 
 Which guides me all the way; 
 
 And leads through darkness, grief, and pain 
 Into a perfect day. 
 
 Life, Truth, and Love — the Three in One, 
 
 And each in all the three; 
 Their circle runs from Sun to Sun, 
 
 And joins all things in Me. 
 
 TWENTY-ONE 
 
THE WAITING CROWN 
 
 There comes a time to each, Dear Heart, 
 When tired hands have done their part. 
 
 And we would rest. 
 Rest from the chase of phantoms fleeing; 
 Rest from the groping without seeing; 
 
 In endless quest. 
 
 Yet each shall lay his burden down; 
 His cross exchange for waiting crown; 
 
 Some hour unknown. 
 'Tis not by sense we thread our way; 
 Our tired feet would go astray, 
 
 If left alone. 
 
 So, as our mortal sight grows dim. 
 With stronger faith we lean on Him ; 
 
 There's none beside. 
 Nor can we claim a single power; 
 But live by Him each passing hour; 
 
 In Him abide. 
 
 TWENTY-TWO 
 
'Tis well to heed the lesson taught. 
 That Truth is all, and error naught; 
 
 Whilst God is Life; 
 It helps the heavy-laden heart; 
 It rests the hands that do their part; 
 
 Midst noise and strife. 
 
 I do not yearn through heights to soar; 
 But just to pass the inner door. 
 
 To scenes of peace. 
 I need not roam through unknown space. 
 To find my home, and resting place. 
 
 Where discords cease; 
 
 I fain would grow as some fair tree; 
 Unfolding Truth and Love in me; 
 
 Forgetting sin. 
 It matters not, if here or there; 
 Since God and Heaven are everywhere; 
 
 And yet within. 
 
 TWENTY-THREE 
 
LOVE'S FLOWING STREAM 
 
 There is a stream which onward flows 
 From its pure and boundless source; 
 
 Its mystic fount no mortal knows, 
 Nor sees its endless course. 
 
 No drought can check this ceaseless tide. 
 
 Nor storms its surface mar; 
 So safely on, my bark will glide. 
 
 With Truth its Polar Star. ^ 
 
 I need not strive to bend a sail; 
 
 My course lies clear and free : 
 This constant stream can never fail 
 
 To reach Life's peaceful sea. 
 
 I hear the ripple of the tide 
 
 Whose way I cannot see; 
 But on its breast I calmly ride, 
 
 For all is well with me. 
 
 Oh blessed faith, that bids me test 
 
 So unexplored a way; 
 As on Love's stream in peace I rest. 
 
 My bark drifts not astray. 
 
 TWENTY-FOUR 
 
NEAR THE GATE 
 
 With look upturned to Wisdom's gate. 
 In patience I would learn to wait, 
 
 Fair visions to behold. 
 Beyond all things, this is my choice; 
 To stand and listen, that His voice 
 
 Some wonder may unfold. 
 
 Near to the {mortal I would wait 
 From early hour till day grows late; 
 
 Nor could I weary grow. 
 I fain would see some vision bright. 
 Eclipsing every human sight. 
 
 Transcending all I know. 
 
 Yes, at the threshold I may stand. 
 Made pure of heart and clean of hand. 
 
 In spirit loving, mild. 
 Then visions fair will I behold. 
 While Truth and Love Themselves unfold. 
 
 As to a little child. 
 
 TWENTY-FIVE 
 
LOVE'S UNBROKEN DAY 
 
 Why view with faltering breath 
 That phantom born of fear? 
 
 For God is Life, and knows no death. 
 And Love provokes no tear. 
 
 Dread not that passing dream 
 That darkens o'er our way; 
 
 'Tis but a cloud that hides the beam 
 Of Love's unbroken day. 
 
 God's faithful hand sustains, 
 
 Though deep'ning shadows fall; 
 
 Nor tremor of our fear remains, 
 Since He destroys it all. 
 
 No loss shall we deplore 
 
 As error fades from view. 
 For Love will brighten more and more 
 
 Each joy we ever knew. 
 
 TWENTY-SIX 
 
Truth ever has been here. 
 
 Did we discern the light, 
 The phantoms of our earth-born fear 
 
 Would vanish from our sight. 
 
 God's searchlight pierces through 
 The mist that clouds our eyes; 
 
 It shows unceasing life is true. 
 Whilst only error dies. 
 
 t 
 
 TWENTY-SEVEN 
 
SYMBOLS 
 
 The fire blazing on the hearth. 
 
 The quiet, pattering rain, 
 The daisies peeping from the earth, 
 
 Join in the same refrain. 
 
 We hear the waves of ocean roar. 
 We view the worlds on high. 
 
 But scarcely dream they stand for more 
 Than things that meet the eye. 
 
 Surrounded thus on every hand 
 
 With secrets yet untold, 
 I catch the fragrance of some land 
 
 I do not yet behold. 
 
 How may I know those sounds divine 
 
 That call me every day; 
 How see those objects that are mine 
 
 Strewn all along my way? 
 
 With patience tread each rugged height. 
 
 Let Truth my leader be, 
 'Til I behold with perfect sight. 
 
 The perfect world in me. 
 
 TWENTY-EIGHT 
 
HEAVEN IS HERE 
 
 Forever on Love's ceaseless tide, 
 
 With trusting heart I sail; 
 I cannot doubt my Heavenly Guide, 
 
 Nor fear His love will fail. 
 
 In peace I rest — for well I know 
 Love keeps me day by day : 
 
 'Tis love that makes the zephyrs blow. 
 To waft me on my way. 
 
 A lily floating on the tide, 
 
 A daisy midst the green; 
 Each has its story to confide. 
 
 Of wonders yet unseen. 
 
 Earth's forms and voices come and go. 
 
 With secrets to unfold: 
 Some message for the world to know; 
 
 Or tidings to be told. 
 
 And so, with sense illumed by Him, 
 Love's heavenly tints appear; 
 
 And though our sight be weak and dim. 
 We'll find that Heaven is here. 
 
 TWENTY-NINE 
 
TRUTH'S RISING STAR 
 
 Love hath her blessings to bestow 
 Through nature and through art; 
 
 And streams of love unceasing flow 
 Into each waiting heart. 
 
 Truth's rising star, with kindling ray 
 
 Makes every good appear; 
 And voices that have died away. 
 
 Our quickened sense will hear. 
 
 Think not those images in mind, 
 That memory calls her own. 
 
 Are lifeless shadows, ill defined, 
 Whence all we loved hath flown; 
 
 Love's gentle hand will touch thine eye. 
 Dear heart — and thou shalt see 
 
 That visions of the days gone by 
 Cannot be dead to thee. 
 
 THIRTY 
 
I would not rashly ask the power 
 Truth's wondrous works to see; 
 
 But trust — and wait the coming hour 
 That holds these gifts for me. 
 
 The trusting heart waits not in vain; 
 
 For Truth will show the way 
 How voices hushed, may speak again. 
 
 And bless each passing day. 
 
 THIRTY-ONE 
 
REST WITHIN 
 
 From the outer to the inner turn ; 
 
 This is the Spirit's call : 
 Thus Truth and Love thou shalt discern. 
 
 And know the "All in All." 
 
 From the seen to the unseen turn ; 
 
 Thus thou thy heaven wilt reach. 
 And of the inward Spirit learn, 
 What it alone can teach. 
 
 Turn from this restless mortal sense; 
 
 It's images of sin — 
 And thou shalt find sweet recompense, 
 
 In the deep peace within. 
 
 Rest, weary one, from pain and fear; 
 
 Seek thou this safe retreat; 
 Thy Father — Mother God, is here. 
 And waits His child to greet. 
 
 THIRTY-TWO 
 
Come to this haven — sweetest, best: 
 
 The precincts of the Soul 
 Alone afford eternal rest; 
 
 That rest which makes us whole. 
 
 Thus shall thy faith its strength renew; 
 
 Earth's colors brighter glow; 
 Whilst new-born tints will greet thy view 
 
 In all the flowers that grow. 
 
 Thy fellow-man will then disclose 
 Love's gifts that will surprise; 
 
 As day by day he nobler grows. 
 Since God has touched thine eyes. 
 
 t' 
 
 THIRTY-THREE 
 
EARTH'S HIEROGLYPHS 
 
 The breaking of the day, 
 
 The falling of the rain. 
 The flowers along the way 
 
 That fade and bloom again. 
 
 The circuit of a star, 
 
 The tossing of the sea. 
 The mountain peaks afar, 
 
 A dear one's love for me. 
 
 The robin's sweet refrain, 
 The evening tints of gold, 
 
 And death that sends such pain 
 Are secrets all untold. 
 
 Truth's realm we fain would know 
 Through types and sjmibols here. 
 
 Though they but faintly show 
 How heavenly things appear. 
 
 THIRTY-FCUR 
 
At last, on every side. 
 
 Earth's types will disappear; 
 For things of sense but hide 
 
 Celestial forms so near. 
 
 Thus Truth will yet explain 
 Each emblem that we see, 
 
 As worlds, and drops of rain. 
 Shall yield their mystery. 
 
 T^ 
 
 THIRTY-FIVE 
 
FAIR TINTED ROSE 
 
 Thou queen of flowers with damask leaf, 
 
 I seek thee with a strong belief. 
 
 That in thy heart fair tinted rose. 
 
 Thou hast some secret to disclose. 
 
 I deeply feel that there must be 
 
 Some wondrous art concealed in thee : 
 
 So as I closely scan thy face 
 
 And wonder how God's hand can trace 
 
 Those lovely tints that charm the eye. 
 
 And halt the steps that hasten by; 
 
 I wonder still how odors rare 
 
 Exhale upon the summer air; 
 
 And yet beneath it all, I know. 
 
 Thy fragrance sweet and modest glow 
 
 Are but the whispers in my ear. 
 
 Of things I have so longed to hear. 
 
 So, as 1 take my summer walk. 
 
 And tune my mind with nature's talk, 
 
 I'll come again, sweet rose, to thee. 
 
 To hear my Father speak to me. 
 
 THIRTY-SIX 
 
THE CATSKILLS 
 
 Far from the discords of the town. 
 Amid these cHff s I sit me down 
 
 Where tumults cease. 
 Encompassed thus, my thoughts arise 
 To heights beyond these peaks and skies 
 
 Where dwelleth peace. 
 
 On wood and rock is many a name. 
 Inscribed to give the writer fame : 
 
 A fame that dies. 
 These rocks will crumble and decay; 
 These mortal names will pass away 
 
 From mortal eyes. 
 
 Write not thy name on crumbling stone. 
 But on that rock which stands alone 
 
 Through storm and strife. 
 Truth's changeless rock : Then deeply trace 
 Thy name upon its lasting face; 
 
 It stands for "Life." 
 
 THIRTY-SEVEN 
 
LIFE'S ENDLESS TIDE 
 
 The never ending moan and cry, 
 Born on each breeze that passes by 
 
 With chilHng breath; 
 The crowning woe of all the years; 
 Unfathomed gulf of ceaseless tears; 
 
 This dream of death. 
 
 Oh, troubled heart, couldst thou but see 
 Love's angels standing close by thee 
 
 To light thy way; 
 That spectral dream would disappear. 
 And Truth would change thy night of fear 
 
 To endless day. 
 
 Oh, winds of God, blow swiftly by 
 The mist that darkens earth and sky 
 
 With this dread fear. 
 Roll back the clouds that bound our view, 
 Reveal that life, not death, is true; 
 
 Dry every tear. 
 
 THIRTY-EIGHT 
 
Untarnished Truth, whose perfect reign 
 Knows naught of death, and naught of pain. 
 
 Speed on thy day. 
 Come nearer, guardians of our night. 
 Thy torches flaming clear and bright. 
 
 To Hght our way. 
 
 Unending stream, thy circuit runs 
 Beyond the stars and far-off suns. 
 
 Yet ever clear. 
 No storms can lash thy placid waves. 
 No thought of death nor dread of graves 
 
 Can reach us here. 
 
 Thou flowing Life; thy current strong 
 Will safely bear our bark along 
 
 Thy waters wide. 
 We fear no rock, we dread no gale. 
 For God is with us as we sail 
 
 Out on the tide. 
 
 THIRTY-NINE 
 
THE NEW BIRTH 
 
 Close gently now the opened door; 
 Tread lightly o'er the chamber floor 
 
 To where the Infant lies. 
 Turn back the eiderdown and lace 
 That shade that pretty baby face ; 
 
 That hide those drowsy eyes. 
 
 Here lies our promise of a man. 
 Whose human life is but a span; 
 
 At best a dreamy sleep. 
 Oh, darling babe ! — ^To human heart 
 Can aught be dearer than thou art. 
 
 Or other joy so deep? 
 
 Ah! mortal child — how sweet the bliss 
 That gathers round a scene like this; 
 
 Then why that deep heart sigh? 
 Because — Conjoined with joy is fear; 
 Because — Each smile begets a tear; 
 
 Each mortal hope may die. 
 
 FORTY 
 
I turn my weary, longing eyes 
 To where another Infant lies. 
 
 Whose sweetness welcomes me. 
 In the deep cloister of my heart. 
 From noisy strife and sense apart. 
 
 This new-born babe I see. 
 
 The Infant Christ, the Child Divine, 
 That nestles in this heart of mine 
 
 And lisps a language new. 
 So day by day the child thoughts grow, 
 And day by day I better know 
 
 These lisping words are true. 
 
 FORTY-ONE 
 
HOUSES NOT MADE WITH HANDS 
 
 Oh! Brother; soon thy wearied hand 
 
 Will need no more to toil; 
 To delve and dig — to plough the land. 
 
 And till the barren soil. 
 
 Nor temples build : for man will find 
 Each structure raised in stone, 
 
 Is but a symbol of that Mind 
 Which builds in Mind alone. 
 
 Man will not lift with fainting heart, 
 
 Those heavy blocks each one; 
 For God can build ; whose matchless art 
 
 Excels what man has done. 
 
 With pride we claim, the hand of man 
 Hath built each towering wall; 
 
 But never see God's perfect plan 
 That stands behind it all. 
 
 FORTY-TWO 
 
As man works on, and labors still, 
 
 To do his humble part, 
 God will disclose His mystic skill. 
 
 Unknown to human art. 
 
 When we in wisdom shall have grown, 
 
 We then shall understand 
 That houses, not of wood nor stone, 
 
 God builds with His own hand. 
 
 T 
 
 FORTY-THREE 
 
TRANSITION 
 
 On drowsy wing we seem to soar 
 
 Amid the clouds that hide the shore, 
 Where prospects new will claim our sight. 
 
 And fill us with a strange dehght. 
 How like a dream; — and some may say 
 
 'Tis all a dream, that fades away: 
 A dream perplexed — as in a maze; 
 
 With visions dim, seen through a haze; 
 And scenes that change from old to new; 
 
 Some much too dear, to bid adieu. 
 If dream it be, one faithful guide 
 
 Will walk unseen, close by our side. 
 Though dream it be, concealed, there lies 
 
 Some good witheld from mortal eyes. 
 Our wakened senses will expand 
 
 To catch the perfume of that land; 
 While warbling notes entrance the ear, 
 
 'Till heaven itself seems very near. 
 With thankful hearts we'll wake to find. 
 
 That not one good is left behind. 
 The dearest friends we ever knew. 
 
 Like gold refined, stand firm and true. 
 
 FORTY-FOUR 
 
Love's sheltering arms are spread to save 
 
 The smallest gift she ever gave. 
 Transition? Yes: and must we say 
 
 'Tis but a dream that fades away? 
 I know 'tis Love's sweet cradle song 
 
 That soothes, and smoothes our way 
 along; 
 And Wisdom shows, though strangely true, 
 
 That God names nothing old or new. 
 So through the mist with vision dim. 
 
 Our faltering steps are led by Him; 
 And be our transit short or long. 
 
 Love ceases not her sweetest song. 
 So rest dear heart, fear not the way : 
 
 Thou'lt lose no good of yesterday : 
 The links that bind the new and old 
 
 Are for thy hand to take and hold. 
 So, be thy transit short or long. 
 
 Love ne'er forgets her own sweet song. 
 
 FORTY-FIVE 
 
THE MISTS OF EARTH 
 
 Another step I take to-day. 
 Towards that distant height. 
 
 Which towers high mid vapors grey. 
 Though often lost to sight. 
 
 But, step by step, I slowly rise 
 Above all doubts and fears, 
 
 'Till purer visions greet my eyes. 
 And sweeter sounds, my ears. 
 
 The mists of earth obscure the sight 
 
 Of glories close at hand: 
 But as we rise, we catch the light 
 
 Which shines o'er sea and land. 
 
 FORTY-SIX 
 
OUR NEAREST FRIEND 
 
 We shall arise above each fear. 
 Each sorrow, pain, and falling tear: 
 God will direct our vision high 
 To view Love's rainbow in the sky. 
 
 He will sustain the sinking heart, 
 And heal each wound with loving art : 
 We have no nearer friend than He ; 
 So let us trust implicitly. 
 
 Why not accept this friend so near; 
 Whose every thought is help and cheer? 
 Just take His loving hand to-day. 
 And let Him guide you on the way. 
 
 'Tis hard our will to lay aside 
 And in His wisdom just confide; 
 But through that wisdom I now see, 
 Strength is in God, and not in me. 
 
 FORTY-SEVEN 
 
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