^^^aiM^^ ^4^J^^ /f?t ft ii/ WISDOM SERIES. Selections from the Aj>ocryj>ha. The Wisdo)n of Jesus, the Son of Sirach ; or, Ecclcsiasticus. Selections from the Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Selections from the " Imitation of Christ.'''' Sunshine in the Soul. Poems selected by the Editor of " Qu'iet Hours.'''' First and Second Series. Selections from Efictetus. The Life and History of the Rev. Doctor John Tauler. Selections from Fctielo7i. Socrates. The Apology and Cr'ito of Plato. Socrates. The Phcedo of Plato. Other volumes in preparation ; the series edited by the editor of " Qitiet Hours.'''' iSwc, cloth, red edges. Price 50 cents each. ♦ ROBERTS BROTHERS, Publishers, Boston. Sunshine In the Soul ^otms sclecteD bg tlje EUitot of "I ux>K to Thee iu eveiy need. And never look in vain ; 1 feel Thy touch, Eternal Love, And all is well again. The thought of Thee is mightier far Than siu and pain and sorrow are." »0}«{0« BOSTON: Eobertfi ^votl^tve 1884. Copyright, 1876, By Roberts Brothers. EXCHANGE SROWN Ui^-liV LiSRARY OCT 7. 1938 Unjvkksity Pi^ess : John Wilson & Son, Cambridge. preface. These poems have been brought together from many sources, old and new, with the liope that their notes of encouragement and c:heerfulness may help to carry strength and courage into daily life. I have repeated here bivo poems which were printed in "Quiet Hours," because I could, not spa^e., them. They are, " Thou GracO',- Div4ne encircling all," and " I look to Thee in every need." I have taken the liberty of substituting the word " chafing " for " craven " in the first line of "Alone with God," and "mother" for " bosom " in the first verse of " How beautiful our lives may be." I must express my thanks to Messrs. J. R. Osgood & Co., Scribner & Co., and Roberts 4 Preface. Brothers for their permission to use copy- righted poems. And I make grateful ac- knowledgments to the authors »vho have so kindly allowed me to use thei; poems. M. W. T. December, 1S76. InOeji* of Smt iLiucs. Aft asterisk shows that omissions have been made in the poem indicated. PACK ♦Abide with me, fast falls the eventide . . . 124 A branch of yellow autumn leaves 47 *Ah ! dearest Lord, to feel that Thou art near . 105 * A dreary desert dost thou trace 103 *Alone with God ! day's chafing cares .... 25 *As God leads me, will I go 20 Awake! O beautiful Hesperus 36 *Ee Thou my Sun, my selfishness destroy . . 63 *Calm Soul of all things ! make it mine ... 42 *Come, children, let us go 62 ♦Commit thy way to God 80 ♦Dear night I this world's defeat 29 ♦Father, replenish with Thy grace 93 Furenoon, and afternoon, and night, — Forenoon 22 Free of the world, by right divine 64 ♦From heart to heart, from creed to creed . . 75 ♦God Hveth ever 81 ,God ploughed one day with an earthquake . . 120 6 3Inticx of JFi'rst 3Lincs. PAGE God sends sometimes a stillness in our life . . 52 God speaks to hearts of men in many ways . . 122 God's smile is on the waters 4^ •^Happy me, O happy sheep 10 1 He hides within the lily 45 How beautiful it is to be alive 94 IIow beautiful our lives may be ; how bright . 9S How few, who from their youthful day ... 89 *I ask not, take away this weight of care ... t8 I cannot think but God must know 30 *I have a little trembling light, which still . . 32 *I have seen a curious child 118 I hear through all the solemn pines .... 48 I look to Thee in every need 12 It is not happiness I seek 17 I wake this morn and all my life 23 *I will not doubt the love untold 44 Judge not ; the workings of his brain .... 56 *Lame from our birth, and daily we are brought 40 Late on me, weeping, did this whisper fall . . 96 Let nothing make thee sad or fretful .... 70 Life! I know not what thou art 112 *Like a cradle rocking, rocking 35 *Look up, look up, my soul, still higher ... 79 Lord, what a change within us one short hour 109 Li. . ^ly, shadowy, soft and still 25 Midwinter comes to-morrow 20 *Mother, fold me to your knees . ... 22 hxtitx of iFirst limes. My days are as the grass My God, I thank Thee, who hast made My little maiden of four years old . . None loves me, Father, with Thy love Not so in haste, my heart Now, on land and sea descendincr . . *0 foolish heart, be still . . . *0 God ! Thy power is wonderful *0 God ! whose thoughts are brightest light *Oh ! Source divine, and Life of all *0h, this is blessing, this is rest . . O leave thyself to God ! and if indeed O Lord ! how happy should we be *0 Love ! how cheering is thy ray *0 Mother-Heart, to Thee I turn One Lord there is, all lords above On the earth a flower grew . . . O Thou in all Thy might so far . *Quiet from God ! how beautiful to keep *Renew Thine image. Lord, in me . . Serene, I fold my hands and wait . . Since thy Father's arm sustains thee Source of my life's refreshing springs . , ^Spirit sent from God above . . Sweet morn from countless cups of gold ►Teach me my God and King .... The day with light its genial self engirds The dying year grows strangely mild . 8 Ettlicx of jjFirst Ernes. PAGB The farmer chides the tardy spring 87 The lad and lass were forced to part .... 43 *The life of man has wondrous hours . . . . 1 1 1 *There sits not on the wilderness's edge . . . 117 Therefore, our Heavenly Father 31 *There 's a wideness in God's mercy .... 64 *The stream of life from fountains flows ... 109 The twilight falls, the night is near 27 The wind has blown as it listeth 117 This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign . . 38 *This world I deem 91 Thou art with me, O my Father 19 Thou Grace Divine, encircling all , ... . 15 *To do or not to do, — to have 91 Unfold, unfold, take in his light 49 *What comforts, Lord, to those are given . . 13 *Whate'er God does is well 76 *Whate'er my God ordains is right 68 What have I yet to do 61 "What shall I do, lest life in silence pass ... 99 *When, before, my God commanded .... 103 When I have said my quiet say 122 When the night is still and far 84 *When up to nightly skies we gaze 115 When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean . 108 With eager impulse, outward tending .... 33 Within, within, O turn 9 *Yea, my spirit fain would sink 97 ^uml)im in tl)e ^ouh WITHIN. VyiTHIN ! within, O turn ^ ^ Thy spirit's eyes, and learn Thy wandering senses gently to control ; Thy dearest Friend dwells deep within thy soul, And asks thyself of thee, That heart, and mind, and sense He may make whole In perfect harmony. Doth not thy inmost spirit yield And sink where Love stands thus revealed ? Be still and veil thy face, The Lord is here, this is His holy place ! Then back to earth, and 'mid its toil and throng One glance within will keep thee calm and strong ; And when the toil is o'er, how sweet, O God, to flee Within, to Thee ! Gerhard Terj^tehgen, i6<37-i76g 10 Sunsfjfne in tfje .Soul. FAITH, LOVE, AND PATIENCE. "^TONE loves me, Father, with Thy love, -^^ None else can meet such needs as mine O, grant me, as Thou shalt approve. All that befits a child of Thine ! From every doubt and fear release, And give me confidence and peace. Give me a faith shall never fail. One that shall always work by love ; And then, whatever foes assail. They shall but higher courage move More boldly for the truth to strive, And more by faith in Thee to live : A heart, that, when my days are glad. May never from Thy way decline, And when the sky of life grows sad. May still submit its will to Thine, — A heart that loves to trust in Thee, A patient heart, create in me ! From the GHK^'AJ^. OTnitiug. 11 WAITING. ERENE, I fold my hands and wait, *^ Nor care for wind, or tide, or sea ; 1 rave no more 'gainst time or fate, For, lo ! my own shall come to me. I stay my haste, I make delays. For what avails this eager pace ? I stand amid the eternal ways, And what is mine shall know my face. Asleep, awake, by night or day, The friends I seek are seeking me; No wind can drive my bark astray, Nor change the tide of destiny. What matter if I stand alone ? I wait with joy the coming years ; My heart shall reap where it has sown, And garner up its fruit of tears. The waters know their own, and draw The brook that springs in yonder height ; So flows the good with equal law Unto the soul of pure delight. 12 Sunsjme m tlje 5oiiI. The stars come nightly to the sky ; The tidal wave unto the sea ; Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high, Can keep my own away from me. John Burkoughs LOOKING UNTO GOD. 'God's hand in all things, and all things in God's hand.'' T LOOK to Thee in every need, -*- And never look in vain ; T feel Thy touch, Eternal Love, And all is well again : The thought of Thee is mightier far Than sin and pain and sorrow are. Discouraged in the work of life. Disheartened by its load, Shamed by its failures or its fears, I sink beside the road ; — But let me only think of Thee, And then new heart springs up in me. Thy calmness bends serene above. My restlessness to still ; Around me flows Thy quickening life To nerve my faltering will; J^caben on ISartft. 13 Thy presence fills my solitude : Thy providence turns all to good. Embosomed deep in Thy dear love, Held in Thy law, I stand ; Thy hand in all things I behold, And all things in Thy hand ; Thou leadest me by unsought ways, And turn'st my mourning into praise. S. Longfellow. HEAVEN ON EARTH. VT 7 HAT comforts. Lord, to those are given, ^ ' Who seek in Thee their home and rest ! They find on earth an opening heaven. And in Thy peace are amply blest. Their tranquil joy no troubles banish; Their hiding-place is safe above ! The dismal clouds of night must vanish At dawning of Thy light of love ! Wolfgang Christoph Desslek, 169a 14 ^ungjine in tfje SouU ALL IS YOURS. r^ FOOLISH heart, be still ! ^-^ And vex thyself no more ! Wait thou for God, until He open pleasure's door. Thou knovv'st not what is good for thee, But God doth know ; — Let Him thy strong reliance be, And rest thee so. He counted all my days, And every joy and tear, Ere I knew how to praise, Or even had learned to fear. Before I Him my Father knew, He called me child ; His help has guarded me all through This weary wild. The least of all my cares Is not to Him unknown, — He sees and He prepares The pathway for His own ; And what His hand assigns to me. That serves my peace, — The greatest burden it might be, Yet joy's increase ! Eie ILobe of ©otj. 15 Give me, my Lord, whatever- Will bind my heart to Thee ; For that I make my prayer, And know Thou hearest me ! But all that might keep back my soul, Make Thee forgot, — Though of earth-good it were the whole, Oh give it not ! When sickness-pains distress. And want doth follow fear, And men their hate express, My sky shall still be clear. Then wait I, Lord, and wait for Thee ; And I am still, — Though mine should unaccomplished be, Do Thou Thy will ! Christian Furchtegott Ghllert, 1715-17691 THE LOVE OF GOD. 'T^HOU Grace Divine, encircling all, "*- A soundless, shoreless sea Wherein at last our souls must fall ! — O Love of God most free ! When over dizzy heights we go. One soft hand blinds our eyes, 16 20 Sunsijine in tje Soul. MIDWINTER. IVyT ID WINTER comes to-morrow, -i-'-l. My welcome guest to be : White-hair'd, wide-winged Sorrow, With Christmas gifts for me. Thy angel, God ! — I thank Thee still. Thy will be done — Thy better will ! I thank Thee, Lord ! — the whiteness Of winter on my heart Shall keep some glint of brightness. Though sun and stars depart. Thou smilest on the snow : Thy will Is dread and drear, but lovely still. W. J. LlNTOM FOLLOWING. A S God leads me, will I go, -^^^ Nor choose my way. Let him choose the joy or woe Of every day : They cannot hurt my soul, Because in his control : I leave to him the whole, — His children may. jFoIlolDincj. 21 As God leads me, I am still Within His hand : Though His purpose my self-will Doth oft withstand. Yet I wish that none But His will be done, Till the end be won That He hath planned. As God leads, I am content ; He will take care ! All things by His will are sent That I must bear. To Him I take my fear, My wishes while I'm here, — The way will all seem clear, When I am there ! As God leads me, it is mine To follow Him ; Soon all shall wonderfully shine, Which now seems dim. Fulfilled be His decree ! What He shall choose for me, That shall my portion be, Up to the brim ! L. Gedickb. 22 Bunsfjme m llje Soul. LIFE. ■pORENOON, and afternoon, and night! — -^ Forenoon, And afternoon, and night! — Forenoon, and — what ! The empty song repeats itself. No more ? Yea, that is Life : make this forenoon sublime, This afternoon a psalm, this night a prayer, And Time is conquered, and thy crown is won. Edward Rowland Sill THE CHILD'S FAITH IN LOVE. "\/r OTHER, fold me to 5'our knees I •^^■'' How much should I care for these Little joys that come and go, . If you did not love me so ? Father, now my prayer is said, Lay your hand upon my head ! Pleasures pass from day to day, But I know that love will stay. While I sleep it will be near ; I shall wake and find it here ; I shall feel it in the air, When I say my morning prayer ^ fHorni'ncf Bong. 9.^ And when things are sad or wrong, Then I know that love is stronsr : When I ache, or when I weep. Then I know that love is deep. Love is old and love is new, You love me and I love you ; And the Lord, who made it thus, Did it in His love for us. William Brighty Ranos. A MORNING SONG. T WAKE this morn, and all my life ■*- Is freshly mine to live ; The future with sweet promise rife. And crowns of joy to give. New words to speak, new thoughts to hear. New love to give and take ; Perchance new burdens I may bear For love's own sweetest sake. New hopes to open in the sun, New efforts worth the will, Or tasks with yesterday begun More bravely to fulfil. 24 ^unsfjmc fn tf)c Soul. Fresh seeds for all the time to be Are in my hand to sow, Whereby, for others and for me, Undreamed-of fruit may grow. In each white daisy 'mid the grass That turns my foot aside, In each uncurling fern I pass, Some sweetest joy may hide. And if when eventide shall fall In shade across my way, It seems that nought my thoughts recall But life of every day, — Yet if each step in shine or shower Be where Thy footstep trod, Then blessed be every happy hour That leads me nearer God. Chambers' Journ/vl "iaione iMi't!) ©otJ. 25 AT EVENING. T OVELY, shadowy, soft, and still -*— ' Is the eventide ; Ah ! if but my heart and will Evermore might so abide ! Lord, Thy presence can alone Make this lovely calm my own. Gerhard Tersteeghn, i697-i7b9. ALONE WITH GOD. A LONE with God ! day's chafing cares '^ ^ Have crowded onward unawares ; The soul is left to breathe her prayers. Alone with God ! no human eye Is here, with eager look to pry Into the meaning of each sigh. Alone with God ! He only knows If sorrow's ocean overflows The silent spring from whence it rose. Alone with God ! He mercy lends, — Life's fainting hope, life's meagre ends, Life's dwarfing pain, He comprehends. 26 Sun0{)me in t|)e ^otil. Alone with God ! He feeleth well The soul's pent life that will o'erswell, — The life-long want no words may tell. Alone with God ! still nearer bend, O tender Father! condescend In this my need to be my friend. Alone with God ! with suppliant mien Upon Thy pitying breast I lean, Nor less because Thou art unseen. Alone with God ! safe in Thine arms, Oh shield me from life's wild alarms, Oh save me from life's fearful harms. Alone with God ! my Father, bless With Thy celestial promises The soul that needs thy tenderness. Alone with God ! Oh sweet to me This covert to whose shade I flee, To breathe repose in Thee — in Thee ! Hymns of the A(i: ^z iJlnotottt). 27 HE KNOWETH. T^HE twilight falls, the night is near ; ■^ I fold my work away, And kneel to One who bends to hear The story of the day. The old, old story ; yet I kneel To tell it at Thy call ; And cares grow lighter as I feel My Father knows them all. Yes, all ! The morning and the night, The joy, the grief, the loss, The roughened path, the sunbeam bright, The hourly thorn and cross. Thou knowest all : I lean my head, My weary eyelids close ; Content and glad awhile to tread This path, since my God knows ! And He has loved me ! All my heart With answering love is stirred; And every anguished pain and smart Finds healing in the word. 28 ^imsjittc nt t?)c 5oul. So here I lay me down to rest, As nightly shadows fall, And lean, confiding, on His breast, Who knows and pities all ! Anonymous- vesper HYMN. IVrOW on land and sea descending -^^ Brings the night its peace profound: Let our vesper hymn be blending With the holy calm around. Soon as dies the sunset glory. Stars of heaven shine out above, Telling still the ancient story, Their Creator's changeless love. Now our wants and burdens leaving To His care, who cares for all, Cease we fearing, cease we grieving ; At His touch our burdens fall. As the darkness deepens o'er us, Lo, eternal stars arise ; Hope and Faith and Love rise glorious. Shining in the spirit's skies. Samuel LoNGFELT/rir STije liigfjt. 29 THE NIGHT. "pvEAR night ! this world's defeat ; ^^ The stop to busy fools ; care's check and curb ; The day of spirits; my soul's calm retreat Which none disturb ! Christ's progress and his prayer-time ; The hours to which high heaven doth chime. Were all my loud, evil days Calm and unhauntcd as is thy dark tent, Whose peace but l^y some angel's wing or voice Is seldom rent ; Then I in heaven all the long year Would keep, and never wander here. There is in God, some say, A deep but dazzling darkness ; as men here Say it is late and dusky, because they See not all clear. Oh for that night ! where I in Him Might live invisible and dim ! Henrv Vaughan, 1621-1695 30 ^unsljinc m tfjc Soul, HYMN. T CANNOT think but God must know ■*■ About the thhig I long for so ; I know He is so good, so kind, I cannot think but He will find Some way to help, some way to show Me to the thing I long for so. I stretch my hand — it lies so near : It looks so sweet, it looks so dear. " Dear Lord," I pray, " Oh let me know If it is wrong to want it so ? " He only smiles, — He does not speak : My heart grows weaker and more weak, With looking at the thing so dear. Which lies so far, and yet so near. Now, Lord, I leave at Thy loved feet This thing which looks so near, so sweet; I will not seek, I will not long, — I almost fear I have been wrong. I'll go, and work the harder. Lord, And wait till by some loud, clear word Thou callest me to Thy loved feet, To take this thing so dear, so sweet. Saxe Holm ODuv JTathci iAnLnucli^ OUR FATHER KNOWETIl. Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." npHEREFORE, our Heavenly Father, ■^ We will not fear to pray For the little needs and longings That fill our every day ; And when we dare not whisper A want that lieth dim, We say, " Our Father knoweth," And leave it all to Him. For His great love has compassed Our nature, and our need We know not ; but He knoweth, And He will bless indeed. Therefore, O Heavenly Father, Give what is best to me ; And take the wants unanswered, As offerings made to Thee. Anonymous. 32 Simsijiiu in tijc ^oul. THE INWARD LIGHT. T HAVE a little trembling light, which slill '- All tenderly I keep, and ever will. I think it never wholly dies away ; But oft it seems as if it could not stay, And I do strive to keep it if I may. Sometimes the wind-gusts push it sore aside : Then closely to my breast my light I hide, And for it make a tent of my two hands : And though it scarce miglit on the lamp abide, [t soon recovers, and uprightly stands. Sometimes it seems there is no flame at all ; I look quite close, because it is so small : Then all for sorrow do I wee]) and sigh ; But Some One seems to listen when I cry, And the light burns up, and I know not why. God, O Father, hear Thy child who cries ! Who would not quench Thy flame ; who would not dare To let it dwindle in a sinful air ; Who does feel how all-precious such a prize, And yet, alas ! is feeble, and not wise. ^'piri'tiial jFovrcs. o3 Oh hoar, dear Father ! for Thou know'st the need Thou know'st what awful height there is in Thee, — How very low I am : Oh do thou feed Thy light, that it burn ever, and succeed My lite to deepest holiness to lead. Hknky Septimus Sutton, 1854- SPIRITUAL FORCES. CENTRIFUGAL. VT 7ITH eager impulse outward tending, ' ' Keen to explore the solemn Whole. Hot life-throbs toward far verges sending, — What shaH constrain this reaching soul ? CENTRIPETAL. By sweet calm sway of inward might Held in an orbit's large control, Illuniined by the Light of light, — What shall mislead this trusting soul ? Katharine Hansoh 34 Sun3|3inf in tljc Soul. THE MYSTERY OF GOD. r^ THOU, in all Thy might so far, ^-^ In all Thy love so near, — Beyond the range of sun and star. And yet beside us here : — What heart can comprehend Thy name, Or, searching, find Thee out? Who art within, a quickening Flame, A Presence round about ! Yet though I know Thee but in part, I ask not, Lord, for more : Enough for me to know Thou art, To love Thee and adore ! Oh sweeter than all else besides. The tender mystery That like a veil of shadow hides The Light I may not see ! And dearer than all things I know Is childlike faith to me, That makes the darkest way I go An open path to Thee ! Frederick L. Hosmhr. Cfje ilobeof ©atj. THE LOVE OF GOD. T IKE a cradle rocking, rocking, -*-^ Silent, peaceful, to and fro, Like a mother's sweet looks dropping On the little face below, Hangs the green earth, swinging, turning, Jarless, noiseless, safe, and slow ; Falls the light of God's face bending Down and watching us below. And as feeble babes that suffer, Toss, and cry, and will not rest, Are the ones the tender mother Holds the closest, loves the best, — So when we are weak and wretched, By our sins weighed down, distressed, Then it is that God's great patience Holds us closest, loves us best. Saxb Holm. 36