Class _21_35:2^ 
 Rnnk J ZS (j-ff 
 
 Copyright N"_JiOL_ 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr 
 
The Author 
 
The Guiding Hand 
 
 BY 
 
 JOSIAH NICHOLAS KIDD 
 
 Revised Edition of the Author's Former Work, 
 
 Entitled, "Sylvanus and Ruth, or The 
 
 Operations of Providence with 
 
 Respect to Matrimony" 
 
 A. D. 1908 
 

 Copyright 1908 
 By Josiah Nicholas Kidd 
 
 WICHITA EAGLE PRBSS 
 
 LligRAHY Of CONGRESS 
 * 'Two CoDip.3 Received 
 
 JUN 23 \^<i^ 
 
 CLASS x^ ■'^''^'^' ■ 
 
 Z223 ^5 
 
 COPY a. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 PROEM 1 
 
 SECTION I.— The birth of Sylvanus and Ruth, and 
 
 the meeting of their Guardian Angels 3 
 
 SECTION II.— The early training of Sylvanus and 
 Ruth, and the removal of Sylvanus' 
 parents from Old Virginia to Okla- 
 homa, where they settle within twenty 
 miles of the home of Ruth 19 
 
 SECTION III.— A great meeting of the Guardian 
 Angels at the home of Sylvanus, and 
 their discussion of the subject of 
 matrimony 23 
 
 SECTION IV.— Sylvanus and Ruth in college— one in 
 
 Kansas, and the other in Oklahoma... 35 
 
 SECTION v.— The commencement 45 
 
 SECTION VI.— Sylvanus and Ruth at home 65 
 
 SECTION VII.— Sylvanus and Ruth meet for the first 
 time at a Fourth of July celebration, 
 where Sylvanus delivers the oration of 
 the day, and Ruth leads the choir and 
 sings an original solo 69 
 
 SECTION VIII.— The uneasiness of unassured love 108 
 
 SECTION IX.— Sylvanus and Ruth choose teaching 
 in the public schools as their profes- 
 sion, and participate in a teachers' 
 meeting 117 
 
 SECTION X.— The engagement of Sylvanus and 
 Ruth, followed by a jubilant song of 
 the Guardian Angels 132 
 
 SECTION XI.— Sylvanus and Ruth participating in 
 the social, literary and religious work 
 of the community— Sundry Poems and 
 Songs 153 
 
 SECTION XII.— Sylvanus and Ruth, during the sum- 
 mer vacation of 1907, take part in the 
 Oklahoma campaign for the constitu- 
 tion. Sylvanus does the speaking and 
 Ruth leads the singing, throwing in 
 an original solo now and then 184 
 
 SECTION XIII.— Sylvanus and Ruth finally decide to 
 change their occupation, and enter the 
 work of the Gospel Ministry, but con- 
 clude to teach one more year first, 
 then wed, and in the autumn begin ^a 
 course of special study in the Uni- 
 versity of Chicago and the Woman's 
 Missionary Training School 223 
 
 SECTION XIV.— The passing of the seasons, the close 
 of the second school year, the wedding 
 of Svlvanus and Ruth, their departure 
 for Chicago, and the Epilogue 244 
 
The Guiding Hand 
 
 PEOEM. 
 
 In the visions of the sages, 
 In the movements of the ages, 
 In the forms of sea and land 
 May be seen the Guiding Hand. 
 
 When the war-clouds blaze and thunder, 
 And the people gaze and wonder. 
 Still the unseen mighty Hand 
 Shapes events sublimely grand. 
 
 Through the mists of superstition; 
 By the pitfalls of Perdition — 
 Onward with unfailing might. 
 It is guiding toward the right. 
 
 In the rise and fall of nations, 
 And in social agitations. 
 It forestalls the wrath of man 
 By its overruling plan. 
 
 In the progress of our nation, 
 Eising from its lowly station. 
 May be seen the Guiding Hand 
 Pointing to the Promised Land. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 By a pathway dark and gory, 
 We have reached the stars of glory, 
 And above them brightly shine 
 "With benignity divine. 
 
 In pursuit of true religion. 
 Though it be through shadows Styg'an, 
 We behold the Shepherd^s rod 
 In the Guiding Hand of God. 
 
 Not alone in world-wide movements. 
 Nor alone in race improvements; 
 But in ev'ry life, the Hand 
 Has a purpose wisely planned. 
 
 In pursuit of life's true pleasures. 
 Or in search of worldly treasures. 
 There is seen the magic wand. 
 Wielded by the Guiding Hand. 
 
 From a realm of matrimony. 
 Where the roads are never stony. 
 Comes a vision of the Hand 
 In a wedding that it planned. 
 
 It is such a lovely story. 
 That it fills my soul with glory. 
 Calls my Muses out to sing 
 Like the happy birds of spring. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 So while in my psychic slumbers, 
 I'll begin the metric numbers, 
 Which the Muses bid me use 
 With similitudes profuse. 
 
 Largely in iambic measures 
 That are rich with metric treasures. 
 Let us trace the Guiding Hand 
 In this wedding which it planned. 
 
 SECTION L 
 
 The 'birth of Sylvanus 
 and Ruth, and the meeting 
 of their Guardian Angels. 
 
 In Old Virginia's grand domain. 
 
 Where valleys, rich with fruit and grain, 
 
 Lie down between the sloping hills 
 
 To drink from rivers, creeks and rills. 
 
 That crops may on their bosoms grow, 
 
 A child was born, not high nor low. 
 
 But like the creek between its banks. 
 
 He took his place in human ranks. 
 
 'Twas not in April, nor in May, 
 
 When nature looked sublime and gay. 
 
 And greeted man with smiling face. 
 
 And welcomed him with fond embrace; 
 
 But when cold Winter, bleak and bare. 
 
 With snowy feet and long white hair. 
 
 Stalked through the land with frosty breath. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To cover Autumn's work of death 
 
 In orchards, meadows, fields and woods, 
 
 With fleecy robes and downy hoods. 
 
 While verdant Nature soundly slept. 
 And Winter still his vigil kept. 
 The Guard'an angel came with joy, 
 And took control the little boy. 
 With quiet and prudential skill, 
 He worked upon his parent's will 
 Until he could, at length, proclaim, 
 Sylvanus, as his given name. 
 "Sylvanus Walden," now resounds 
 Throughout the happy Muses' bounds. 
 With rhythmic time it glides along 
 In long or common meter song; 
 And even in trochaic verse. 
 We may the measured name rehearse. 
 With dactyl, too, and anapest. 
 It may become a welcome guest. 
 Iambic, though, the Muses say, 
 Will give to it a greater sway. 
 In this the Muses, then, shall sing, 
 And make the realm of Hymen ring. 
 
 The angel, now, with loving heart. 
 Begins at once to do his part 
 In shaping this unfolding life. 
 And finding for the boy a wife 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 When he shall reach the proper age, 
 
 And in the work of life engage. 
 
 He guarded him through infant days 
 
 From all the danger of his ways, 
 
 And followed him through coming years. 
 
 And wiped away his childish tears. 
 
 Then by and by with ways sedate, 
 
 He searched for him a future mate. 
 
 He left him in the safest care 
 
 Of other angels serving there. 
 
 And spread his wings and flew away. 
 
 Upon a pleasant day in May, 
 
 To look among the daughters fair 
 
 Of rosy cheeks and auburn hair. 
 
 For one who would a helpmate be. 
 
 And add to his felicity. 
 
 Throughout the boy's own native state. 
 
 He tried in vain to find his mate; 
 
 Then turning westward in his flight, 
 
 Kentucky's landscapes came in sight. 
 
 Enraptured by the splendid scene 
 
 Of verdant fields and forests green, 
 
 He sailed along without delay. 
 
 Admiring nature's grand display. 
 
 And singing grateful songs of praise 
 
 To Him who pointed out his ways: 
 
 And while he's sailing smooth and fast. 
 
 He meets another unsurpassed 
 
 In flowing robes of spotless white. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And face resplendent with delight. 
 They both in salutation bend, 
 And seem to fully comprehend 
 The other's thought, and hope, and aim, 
 And that their mission is the same. 
 Then with one voice they both exclaim — 
 Their hearts with heaven's love aflame — 
 "Let us go down to yonder mount, 
 And on its summit there recount 
 Our work, our mission and our aims, 
 And also learn each other's names." 
 Then round and round and lower down — 
 Each one with long white flowing gown — 
 They circled to the round-top hill 
 Which stood beside a gurgling rill. 
 The mount was clothed with forest-trees 
 That rustled in the gentle breeze. 
 Adown they sat upon the ground, 
 On top that lovely shady mound. 
 And like two lovers, side by side. 
 Described a future groom and bride. 
 With happy hearts and sparkling eyes, 
 They wisely talked of marriage ties. 
 And told their names and stations, too ; 
 Also the work they came to do. 
 
 Fidelia, was the name of one. 
 Who had immortal glories won 
 By leading girls in Wisdom's ways, 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And guarding them through all their days 
 And Eupert, was the other's name, 
 A¥ho, too, had won distinguished fame 
 By leading boys in paths of light. 
 And crowning them with virtues bright. 
 
 While human sex does not belong 
 To heaven's great angelic throng, 
 Yet may we not, to suit our aim. 
 Such qualities of them proclaim? 
 Still other reasons might be named 
 To keep the scribe from being blamed, 
 But they will all appear in time, 
 Expressed in story and in rhyme. 
 But now the story must unfold. 
 And all its facts be fully told. 
 
 The angel of the sterner kind 
 Described the girl he hoped to find; 
 And as he talked of this and that. 
 The gentler angel raptly sat 
 With smiling face and sparkling eyes. 
 Expressive of a glad surprise; 
 And ere the story was complete. 
 She rose sublimely to her feet. 
 And with her face with joy aflame. 
 Exclaimed: ^'I know her, and her name. 
 Though of an humble country birth, 
 She's one among the best of earth. 
 
 —7— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Her eyes are dyed with heaven's blue; 
 
 Her hair is of an auburn hue, 
 
 And she's a most delightful blonde. 
 
 Of whom the neighbors all are fond. 
 
 Though yet a babe in mother's arms, 
 
 I see in her the future charms. 
 
 Which, like the lovely Kuth of old. 
 
 Will firmly and for ever hold 
 
 Her husband fast in love's embrace. 
 
 And pour sweet smiles into his face 
 
 Until relentless death shall break 
 
 The ties that purest love did make. 
 
 From heaven I was sent to earth 
 
 As guard'an angel from her birth, 
 
 To guide her through this world of sin. 
 
 And teach her how the crown to win 
 
 Of noble life and true success, 
 
 And everlasting happiness. 
 
 I left her in another's care. 
 
 So I would feel no doubt or fear, 
 
 And started out among the sons 
 
 To watch the course of life that runs 
 
 In sweeping currents through their veins, 
 
 Producing muscles, bones and brains, 
 
 Prom which the actions of their life 
 
 Spring forth in either peace or strife, 
 
 To see if I could find the youth 
 
 Prepared by God for little Euth. 
 
 'Euth Caldwell,' is the metric name 
 
 -8- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 By which she shall be known to fame." 
 
 "Praise God, Fidelia/' Rupert said, 
 
 With crown of life raised from his head, 
 
 "The little boy I have in care. 
 
 Of ruddy face and ebon hair. 
 
 And brawn and muscle firm and strong. 
 
 And mind intent to shun the wrong, 
 
 I think must be the ordained youth 
 
 To mate your darling little Euth. 
 
 A faithful helpmate he will be. 
 
 And add to her felicity. 
 
 If you will come and go with me 
 
 To where the oak and poplar tree. 
 
 The sugar maple and the beech. 
 
 Whose graceful arms far outward reach. 
 
 And gently wave their vernal fans. 
 
 And beckon to the other clans 
 
 To join with them in glad refrain. 
 
 Because the spring has come again, 
 
 I'll show you where Sylvanus dwells 
 
 Among the joyful hills and dells." 
 
 "I will," Fidelia quickly said. 
 Instinct with sure success ahead. 
 "Then let us," Eupert said, "arise 
 Up to the blue and tranquil skies. 
 And through the lovely azure plain 
 Sail o'er yon lofty mountain chain, 
 
 _9- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And toward Virginia haste away, 
 As it is now the close of day." 
 
 Then from that lovely-shaded-hill, 
 
 Which stood beside the rippling rill, 
 
 They raised their wings and took their flight 
 
 In flowing robes of spotless white 
 
 That floated back beneath their feet 
 
 With heaven's loveliness complete. 
 
 With long extended glossy wings 
 
 All covered o'er with shining rings, 
 
 And crowns of beauty on their heads 
 
 Adorned with pearls on golden threads; 
 
 And faces brilliant as the sun 
 
 When he his course doth proudly run, 
 
 They sailed along with easy speed 
 
 O'er mountains tall and flowry mead, 
 
 Until they reached the humble dome 
 
 Where young Slyvanus made his home. 
 
 The sun had run his daily race. 
 And hid his bright refulgent face. 
 That other worlds might come in sight 
 To beautify the vernal night; 
 And Ebon, from his starry throne. 
 With many blessings all his own. 
 Had rocked the busy world to sleep, 
 And from the heat of day did keep 
 It resting in the gentle breeze 
 
 -10- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 That played among the forest-trees, 
 When these two angels ope'd the door, 
 And softly walked across the floor 
 With graceful and with noiseless tread, 
 And found the boy asleep in bed. 
 There bright Fidelia stood and gazed 
 With heart in prayer to heaven raised 
 For wisdom and for help divine 
 To ascertain the Lord^s design. 
 Her prayer was heard; the answer came, 
 And lit the future with its flame. 
 With miscroscopic sight she read 
 Just how the little boy was bred. 
 And saw his life in conduct flow 
 Through all his journey here below. 
 With pensive eyes she looked beyond. 
 And saw his future as it dawned 
 Into deportment, act and thought. 
 And how he would be trained and taught. 
 Her heart with joy began to swell, 
 And sparkling eyes began to tell 
 That she had found the precious prize. 
 Of proper age and proper size. 
 In that delightful blooming youth 
 Prepared by God for little Euth; 
 And, turning round, took Eupert's arm. 
 And glided out without alarm. 
 To have an earnest talk with him 
 Upon a long and swinging limb, 
 -11- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Which from a beech-tree reached afar. 
 As if to see a shining star. 
 Upon that limb they lightly sat, 
 And talked of this, and then of that, 
 Concerning young Slyvanns' life. 
 And she who was to be his wife. 
 
 With cheerful voice, Fidelia said: 
 "Your boy I've seen and fully read, 
 And found in him the virtues true. 
 Which will the life of Euth imbue 
 With satisfaction, joy and love. 
 Allied to that in realms above. 
 And now, if you will go with me. 
 We'll leave this most delightful tree. 
 And this sublime ambrosial land 
 Where Cupid waves his magic wand. 
 And reigns supremely over all 
 From his own gorgeous palace hall. 
 And to the West we'll quickly go 
 Where rivers through the prairies flow. 
 And fertile plains, like oceans broad. 
 To beautify the works of God, 
 Spread out in grandeur like the sky 
 When o'er its bosom no clouds fly; 
 And there upon the prairie strand, 
 Near where it joins a small woodland, 
 I'll show you Euth's abiding-place, 
 And let you read her lovely face." 
 
 —12— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 '^ith pleasure, I will go with you/' 
 Said Rupert, "For I must be true 
 To him whose happiness I seek, 
 And he of whom I love to speak/' 
 
 Then from the limb they rose aloft 
 Upon the gentle breeze so soft, 
 That even night-birds could not hear 
 Their silent motions through the air; 
 And tow'rd the West in rapid flight. 
 They sailed on that delightful night 
 To Oklahoma's goodly land — 
 To which led forth the Guiding Hand. 
 
 The sky was clear, the air was calm, 
 And filled with nature's soothing balm. 
 The queen of night was on her throne. 
 And with transcendent beauty shone 
 With full round face of amber glow 
 Upon the landscapes far below. 
 Ten thousand worlds appeared in space 
 Each with a bright and shining face — 
 To beautify the lovely night 
 On which they took their happy flight. 
 The scenes below and scenes above. 
 They passed between on wings of love, 
 And sang with joy this glad refrain, 
 While gliding through the azure plain: 
 
 —13— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "How bright the love of God doth shine 
 Upon the earth below. 
 When all the stars of night combine 
 His grace and pow'r to show ! 
 
 "0 see the worlds in splendor roU 
 Like flaming balls of fire, 
 As God unfolds his shining scroll 
 To let the earth admire! 
 
 "Let shining worlds His praises sing, 
 Let angels join the choir. 
 Let all the earth its homage bring 
 In Love's sublime attire. 
 
 "Sing on, sing on, universe — 
 In endless praise sing on; 
 And let your song God's love rehearse 
 Through Jesus Christ His Son.'* 
 
 Thus on they go with flaming zeal. 
 Their hearts aglow with heaven's weal. 
 And songs of praise that far excel 
 What Orpheus could write or tell; 
 And conversation free and pure 
 Concerning their great overture, 
 Until they reach the cozy home 
 Where guard'an angels love to roam 
 To catch a glimpse of little Euth, 
 
 —14— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To see if she might be, for sooth, 
 The girl they longed and hoped to find 
 To mate the boy they left behind. 
 
 The weary world was still asleep. 
 And resting like the silent Deep. 
 The humble cottage snugly stood 
 Near where the prairie joined the wood— 
 Upon a gently sloping mound — 
 With ornamental trees around. 
 They entered it without a noise — 
 Their hearts athrob with untold joys — 
 And quickly stood beside the bed, 
 On which the lovely Kuth was laid 
 Between her parents, safe from harm. 
 And sleeping on her mother's arm. 
 There Eupert stood with gleaming eyes. 
 Fixed on the girl and then the skies; 
 For well he knew that from above. 
 True "Wisdom, like the Holy Dove, 
 Must come and give prophetic light 
 To aid his judgment and his sight. 
 The keen prophetic vision came 
 And lit the future with its flame, 
 The same as when Fidelia prayed. 
 And young Sylvanus' life portrayed. 
 He saw her life through ev'ry stage — 
 From childhood down to ripe old age — 
 And read her thoughts and motives, too, 
 
 —15— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 From which he very quickly knew 
 That he had found the girl he sought 
 With all the female virtues fraught, 
 Who would a faithful helpmate be, 
 And bring his boy felicity. 
 With smiling face he turned about. 
 And with Fidelia glided out 
 To have a further talk with her 
 About the things that should occur 
 To cause the boy and girl to meet, 
 When preparations were complete. 
 So down upon the lawn they sat 
 Beneath the starry skies to chat ; 
 And there upon the lovely grass. 
 They talked of what should come to pass- 
 How boy and girl should both be led 
 Until the time that they should wed. 
 They wisely talked and wisely planned, 
 But trusted to the Guiding Hand 
 To shape events and blaze the way 
 That they might meet some future day. 
 The way began to open up, 
 And gladness overflowed their cup. 
 When plans, at length, were settled on. 
 Then Eupert said : "I must be gone ; 
 But let us, first, before we part, 
 In prayer and praise lift up each heart 
 To Him whose will we love to do. 
 Whose shining face we love to view, 
 
 —16- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And who has blessed us with success, 
 And filled our cups with happiness/^ 
 
 Then down they dropped upon their knees 
 With costumes waving in the breeze, 
 And offered up a grateful prayer 
 For further guidance and for care. 
 They gently rose from off their knees. 
 And talked awhile beneath the trees 
 Like friends before they separate 
 Wlien one's about to emigrate. 
 At length their conversation closed, 
 And Eupert, first, farewells proposed. 
 
 Rupert : — 
 
 "Farewell Fidelia, fare thee well; 
 May heaven's joys thy bosom swell; 
 And may you crown the life of Euth 
 With peace and joy and love and truth." 
 
 Fidelia : — 
 
 "Dear Eupert, I shall ne'er forget 
 The time when yesterday we met, 
 And talked about our little pets. 
 And crowned them with such epithets. 
 That we without a doubt believed 
 Our undertaking was achieved. 
 And then our supermundane flight 
 On this delightful vernal night, 
 
 -17- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Has been so full of peace and joy 
 Because we've found our girl and boy, 
 That I must say, my heart doth sing 
 More gladly than the birds of spring. 
 And now we part to meet again 
 Upon this lovely western plain. 
 When you and young Sylvanus come. 
 And locate near Euth's happy home. 
 So fare thee well with my best cheer; 
 And as we visit twice a year, 
 We can our pleasant work review. 
 And thus our well-laid plans pursue." 
 
 Eupert : — 
 
 '^ell said, Fidelia, fare thee well ; 
 The joy I feel no tongue can tell ; 
 But now I can no longer stay; 
 For long before the break of day, 
 I must Sylvanus' dwelling reach 
 Among the maples and the beech.'' 
 
 Then Eupert spread his glossy wings. 
 Which moved by unseen motor-springs. 
 And like a brilliant lightning-flash 
 Without its roaring thunder-clash, 
 Or like a meteoric stone 
 From out the upper regions thrown, 
 He went a sailing through the air 
 With such a splendid heav'nly glare, 
 
 —18— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 That bright Fidelia stood and gazed 
 Until the earth between was raised 
 Above the line he sailed upon, 
 And he below the sky was gone. 
 
 SECTION 11. 
 
 The early training of the toy 
 and girl, and the removal of 
 Sylvanus' parents to Oklahoma. 
 
 The moon was still upon her throne, 
 
 When faithful Eupert, all unknown 
 
 To those within the house asleep, 
 
 Passed through the door with gentle sweep. 
 
 And took control his boy again 
 
 To lead him through this world of sin. 
 
 Both fam'lies rose at break of day 
 
 Unconscious of the grand display 
 
 Of holy angels in the room 
 
 With happy faces all abloom 
 
 With heaven's bright, immortal youth. 
 
 And love and wisdom, joy and truth. 
 
 The morning birds began to sing 
 And make the woods with music ring. 
 The sun arose with smiling face. 
 Expressive of benignant grace, 
 Poured forth his glory on the earth. 
 And to another day gave birth. 
 
 -19— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The busy world, renewed by rest, 
 Again its muscles put to test. 
 The wheels of commerce rolled along 
 With rattling, clanging, ringing song. 
 
 And thus the world, from day to day, 
 Rolled onward in its destined way. 
 Imparting poverty and wealth, 
 Disease and sorrow, joy and health, 
 According to the higher plan. 
 Which man can only partly scan. 
 
 Amid these scenes of grief and joy. 
 The angels raised their girl and boy. 
 And led them in the ordained way 
 To meet on God's appointed day. 
 
 In early youth they sought the Lord, 
 Believed in Christ and in His Word, 
 Obtained the pardon of their sin. 
 And started out the crown to win 
 Of human worth and true success, 
 And everlasting happiness. 
 
 To public school they both were sent. 
 And there their time was partly spent 
 While passing through the early stage 
 Of happy youth's florescent age. 
 
 -20- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The earth rolled on around the sun 
 To where it first its race begun, 
 And then again it took its flight 
 Around the central orb of light; 
 And so continued once a year — 
 Completing its ordained career — 
 Producing seasons richly fraught 
 With blessings which it daily sought 
 In regions of celestial heights, 
 For man, the object of its flights. 
 
 A few such revolutions past, 
 The boy and girl arrive, at last. 
 To that important stage of life 
 When thoughts of husband and of wife 
 Become the silent motor-force 
 Propelling them along the course 
 That leads to Hymen's blest abode 
 Where reigns the highest social code. 
 Unconscious of the other's name. 
 And knowing not the other's aim, 
 Nor what the country or the place. 
 Nor what the visage of the face. 
 They both, at length, arise and start. 
 Though many hundred miles apart. 
 Upon the Hymenean route 
 With secret purpose fixed and mute. 
 To seek the partner of their life — 
 The husband true, and faithful wife. 
 
 -21- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 They thought, sometimes, that they had found 
 
 The one to whom they could be bound. 
 
 But something always interfered 
 
 And all their present prospects seared. 
 
 They calmly bore the consequence. 
 
 Believing that God's Providence 
 
 Was guiding them along the way. 
 
 And that He would, some future day, 
 
 Eeveal the one they hoped to find. 
 
 Alike in ways, alike in mind. 
 
 Eeflection soon revealed the fact, 
 
 That they the age and wisdom lacked 
 
 To fit them for the marriage state. 
 
 Which they too soon did meditate; 
 
 For 'tis a fact by age well-known. 
 
 That love, when first upon the throne. 
 
 Is like a vascillating queen 
 
 Who changes with the changing scene. 
 
 The days in quick succession fly. 
 
 The weeks and months grow old and die. 
 
 And ere another year rolls round, 
 
 A. happy fam'ly westward bound. 
 
 Is seen on upland and on plain 
 
 With young Sylvanus in the train. 
 
 The Fast Express now rolls along, 
 
 Conveying its exultant throng 
 
 To homes within the growing West — 
 
 That country so divinely blessed 
 
 —22— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "With such great opportunities, 
 To meet the East's deficiencies. 
 Our hero's fam'ly, glad with hope. 
 Admire the country's splendid scope. 
 At length they reach the destined place, 
 Tow'rd which they long had set their face. 
 And settle near to Abalooth, 
 Not more than twenty miles from Euth — 
 Whose home is in a lovely dale. 
 About a mile from Pleasant Vale. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 As soon as Sylvanus' parents 
 are well located in their new 
 home, Fidelia visits Rupert, 
 welcomes him to the West, and, 
 together, they discuss the 
 subject of Matrimony. 
 
 The angels twice a year bad met 
 Without a failure to regret; 
 And now they are again to meet 
 According to their plans discreet. 
 Fidelia comes to be the guest, 
 And welcome Eupert to the West. 
 
 'Twas on a dark and stormy night. 
 When all the stars were hid from sight 
 Behind a raging thunder-cloud, 
 Whose cannonading was so loud 
 
 —23— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 That some awoke in great dismay, 
 And some began to fear and pray. 
 Its darting flames the heavens rent, 
 As if they devastation meant. 
 But yet the angels did not fear 
 The rushing wind nor lightning spear, 
 Nor all the shafts from heaven thrown; 
 For danger was to them unknown. 
 Sylvanus' parents seized with fright. 
 Arose in haste the lamp to light, 
 But Eupert whispered in their ear : 
 "Lie down in peace and do not fear, 
 Nor wake the children from their sleep. 
 For God is near their souls to keep. 
 He guides the lightning in its course. 
 Controls the wind's tremendous force; 
 So trust in His Almighty Arm, 
 And He will shield you from all harm.'' 
 
 Ere long Fidelia came and knocked. 
 To whom the door at once unlocked 
 As Eupert quickly turned the key. 
 And welcomed her most cheerfully. 
 With joy each did the other greet 
 In tones with melody replete; 
 And then they talked of Providence 
 In lofty strains of eloquence. 
 Which poets, should they all combine 
 And call upon the Muses nine, 
 
 —24— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Could only poorly imitate, 
 And only partially relate. 
 
 Fidelia : — 
 
 '^Vith yonder storm, I came to-night. 
 To see the bright electric light 
 By atmospheric force displayed, 
 And by dynamic force conveyed 
 In zigzag streams of forked fire 
 Disporting with Euterpes' choir 
 Across the heavens with a noise 
 Expressive of transporting joys. 
 Above, below and all around, 
 I heard the praise of God resound. 
 And saw His glory flashing forth 
 From east to west, from south to north. 
 And as I came on through the storm 
 Beholding nature's laws perform 
 The will of Him who reigns supreme. 
 And who devised the wondrous scheme. 
 My admiration grew so great 
 That I began to celebrate 
 With demonstrations of delight, 
 His goodness, glory, and His might. 
 And chant 'The music of the spheres,' 
 Which fell so sweetly on my ears." 
 
 Eupert : — 
 
 "I'm glad, Fidelia, that you've come 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To see me in my western home. 
 I saw you coming in the cloud, 
 And heard your voice resounding loud. 
 In tune with nature's 'Tempest Song,' 
 When mighty forces move along 
 With grandeur through the upper plains 
 To bless the earth with needed rains. 
 But now, Fidelia, while I love 
 To talk about those scenes above. 
 And how the loving God controls 
 The storm that frightens human souls. 
 But fills the angels with delight 
 As they behold the wondrous sight, 
 I must our conversation turn 
 To something that doth more concern 
 Our mission to this mundane sphere — 
 To guide a boy's and girl's career 
 Until their eartlhy race is run, 
 And they ascend above the sun." 
 
 Fidelia : — 
 
 "For this, dear Eupert, I have come 
 
 To see you in your western home. 
 
 The scenes through which I came to-night 
 
 Were so inspiring to my sight, 
 
 And so suggestive to my mind. 
 
 That I was for awhile inclined 
 
 To first adore our mighty King, 
 
 And of His wondrous power sing; 
 
 -26- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 And then to show that He controls. 
 
 Not only storms, but human souls. 
 When they are seeking for a mate. 
 Though some men call it luck and fate; 
 But yet the fact remains the same. 
 And God will glorify His name 
 In each divine unfolding plan. 
 Concerning each and ev'ry man. 
 The first man, Adam, found a mate, 
 But not by chance, or luck, or fate; 
 For God prepared her for the man 
 According to His ordained plan. 
 This same eternal purpose runs 
 Down through his multitude of sons — 
 That God, with wisdom and with care. 
 Doth for each one a mate prepare — 
 That in the sacred marriage rite 
 Most men and women shall unite. 
 And if they seek with cautious care, 
 They^ll find that God is always near 
 To give direction to their feet, 
 So all affinities shall meet.^^ 
 
 Eupert : — 
 
 " 'Tis true, Fidelia," Eupert said, 
 ''That men and women are to wed; 
 And if they wed with proper care. 
 They'll have no cause to shed a tear. 
 Nor to regret their marriage vow; 
 
 —27— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 For love will be the fruitful bough 
 That yields a true domestic bliss, 
 And pardons ev'ry word amiss. 
 Like two converging streams they'll meet. 
 And gladly each the other greet, 
 Embrace, entwine, caress and praise, 
 And journey on through all their days 
 As one great river formed of twain. 
 Which never can be two again. 
 Thus will their lives flow into one 
 Beneath the warm refulgent sun 
 Of sweet domestic-Christian-love — 
 The greatest gift from heav'n above. 
 Their peace will like a river flow 
 Through all their journey here below. 
 Enlarging as it flows along 
 Through realms of sorrow or of song. 
 We have a match like this to make. 
 Which naught but death can ever break — 
 A match that God Himself hath planned, 
 As they shall some day understand.'^ 
 
 Fidelia : — 
 
 "Yes, Rupert, what you say is true; 
 
 Such cautious people never rue 
 
 The vow they made to love and share 
 
 The other's joy and grief and care. 
 
 Those matches made alone by self 
 
 For social gain or paltry pelf, 
 
 —28— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And those made, too, with undue haste, 
 
 Without regard to proper taste; 
 
 And those who've been deceived also 
 
 By lovers false or outward show, 
 
 Are always sure to end their course 
 
 In woeful strife or in divorce. 
 
 If they would only stop to think. 
 
 Before they reach the fatal brink. 
 
 What consequences it involves, 
 
 And from which nothing here absolves. 
 
 They then would heed the voice within. 
 
 Which tells them how to seek and win 
 
 A partner of intrinsic worth, 
 
 Made such by nature and by birth. 
 
 Or if they'd heed their angel guard. 
 
 Who labors with them long and hard. 
 
 Or even take the good advice 
 
 Of those their seniors more than thrice — 
 
 Who've lived to see the bitter strife 
 
 Of injudicious married life — 
 
 They'd have occasion to rejoice. 
 
 And never would regret their choice.'^ 
 
 Rupert : — 
 
 " 'Tis true, Fidelia, and we know 
 
 That wealth, with all its pomp and show. 
 
 Cannot evolve a true manhood. 
 
 Though wealth when not abused is good. 
 
 And necessary in its place 
 
 —29— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To help advance the human race; 
 
 But yet, 'tis virtue makes the man. 
 
 Because it doth his motives scan, 
 
 And makes them clean and pure and true. 
 
 So nothing evil may ensue." 
 
 Fidelia : — 
 
 '^Yet Eupert, there is something more 
 
 That human nature must adore 
 
 Before it can attain the height 
 
 Of perfect manhood pure and white. 
 
 Since man has fallen into sin, 
 
 He must another life begin, 
 
 By passing through the Crimson Fount, 
 
 That sparkles on the Sacred Mount/^ 
 
 Rupert : — 
 
 ^^Of course, Fidelia, this is true, 
 
 And man cannot the fact undo. 
 
 The moral standard of the world 
 
 Which human sages have unfurled. 
 
 While it sets forth a splendid plan 
 
 To make an upright honest man. 
 
 Can never pow'r divine impart 
 
 To purify the human heart. 
 
 It is a fact, divine and sure. 
 
 That man, in order to be pure. 
 
 Must have his heart renewed by grace. 
 
 And with true faith and love embrace 
 
 -30- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The All-sufficient Son of God, 
 Who once, alone, ^The AVine-Press trod' 
 As substitute for fallen man, 
 According to His Father's plan." 
 
 Fidelia :— 
 
 "Eeligion is the source divine 
 Of all those blessings that combine 
 To make man happy, wise and good. 
 In youth, or age, or strong manhood; 
 And if the nymphs who contemplate 
 A move into the marriage state. 
 Would only look for Christian fruit 
 In those who ply the courtship suit. 
 They would not make the great mistake 
 That causes many hearts to ache; 
 Or vice versa, if the swains 
 Would always take the proper pains. 
 They would not let the vain coquettes 
 Deceive them with their epithets; 
 For they would look for Christian maids 
 Whose moral beauty never fades. 
 The boy and girl we have in care. 
 Do each these Christian virtues share. 
 And therefore both of them shall find 
 A imion true of heart and mind." 
 
 This topic done, Fidelia said: 
 "Five happy hours have quickly fled 
 
 —31— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 In sweet communion here with you; 
 But I must now bid you adieu, 
 And to my happy post repair, 
 As morning's dawn will soon be here." 
 
 Rupert : — 
 
 '^ut dear Fidelia, let me first 
 Repeat the truth you have rehearsed — 
 That Providence supremely reigns 
 O'er all of Nature's grand domains 
 With such extensive amplitude, 
 And such exhaustless stores of food. 
 That man cannot its height ascend. 
 Or to its depths profound descend; 
 And neither can the angels see 
 The whole of its immensity; 
 But we can see much more than man 
 How God unfolds His righteous plan 
 In ev'rything that appertains 
 To human joys or human pains. 
 And since the sacred marriage rite 
 Contributes to the world's delight, 
 God's Providence to it extends. 
 And to it all its blessings lends. 
 The angels do not wed, you know. 
 Like human beings here below. 
 But yet our imions suit our state. 
 And satisfy us with our fate. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To man, alone, its blessings come, 
 And he can never count their sum." 
 
 Fidelia : — 
 
 "Dear Eupert, this transporting theme 
 Doth with increasing int'rest teem; 
 But now I must bid you adieu. 
 And close this pleasant interview.'^ 
 
 Eupert : — 
 
 "Farewell, Fidelia, may our youth 
 
 Continue in the way of truth. 
 
 Oft, now, with pleasure we shall meet. 
 
 And often, now, each other greet." 
 
 The storm was o'er; the clouds were gone; 
 The twinkling stars with beauty shone; 
 The waning moon had just appeared 
 With more than half her visage bleared; 
 And twilight, morning's herald gay. 
 Proclaimed the fast approaching day, 
 When Eupert's fair celestial guest 
 In heaven's bright apparel dressed, 
 Ascended to the upper plain, 
 And homeward took her flight again; 
 And as she swiftly sailed along, 
 She sang an angel's mission song: — 
 
 -33— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 THE ANGEUS MISSION SONG. 
 
 "Oh, how blest the angePs mission 
 To this fallen world below, 
 To relieve the sad condition 
 Caused by Satan's reign of woe! 
 Sin has marred its ancient beauty. 
 Poisoned man with unbelief, 
 Caused him to neglect his duty. 
 And has filled the world with grief. 
 
 '^e are here with saints defending 
 God's eternal right to reign. 
 And with mighty fiends contending 
 For His Kingdom's lost domain; 
 They, at length, shall all be driven 
 From this long afflicted earth. 
 And the blessed reign of heaven 
 Shall abolish sin and death. 
 
 "Then the joyful acclamation 
 Shall be heard by one and all, 
 That the Savior's 'Great Salvation' 
 Hath o'ercome the ancient fall ! 
 Hallelujah! Blest fruition! 
 Glory, honor to our King! 
 Hallelujah ! Full remission ! 
 All the holy then shall sing." 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 This song had so her mind engrossed. 
 That when she reached her happy post. 
 She still was singing loud and strong, 
 Though human ears heard not her song. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 Sylvanus and Ruth 
 in College. 
 
 God's plans begin to soon unfold 
 
 In ways obscure, and also bold. 
 
 The youths impelled by strong desire 
 
 A higher knowledge to acquire. 
 
 Go forth with expectations rife 
 
 To drink the cup of college life. 
 
 Sylvanus goes to Sunlight Hill, 
 
 And Euth decides for Stellarville — 
 
 The first in Kansas on a stream 
 
 About which student poets dream; 
 
 The second on a lovely plain 
 
 In Oklahoma's choice domain. 
 
 As anxious seekers in pursuit 
 Of "Wisdom's higher grades of fruit. 
 They press their way with might and main 
 The higher knowledge to obtain. 
 Like athletes in Olympic games, 
 Impelled by high and noble aims, 
 They grapple problems with a zeal 
 Which none but students ever feel ; 
 
 -35— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And with superior mental strength, 
 They make them freely yield, at length. 
 The treasures that they have in store 
 For those contending for their lore ; 
 Or, like the runners in the race. 
 With nimble feet and winsome grace, 
 They fix their watchful, gleaming eyes, 
 With pleasure on the promised prize. 
 And swiftly run along the way 
 That leads to graduation day. 
 Their rivals they with ease surpass, 
 And win the laurels of their class. 
 With many honors they are crowned. 
 And all acknowledge them profound 
 In Wisdom's higher realms of thought. 
 To which they all have now been brought. 
 
 And thus the current of each life 
 EoUed on with aspirations rife, 
 Enlarging as it flowed along 
 Through somber shades or realms of song 
 As ev'ry day poured in its cup, 
 And ev'ry year its wealth gave up. 
 
 At length, the senior year rolls round. 
 And all with hopeful joys abound. 
 The students often meet with joy 
 Their mental powers to employ 
 In literary feats and drills — 
 
 —36— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 In arts of speech and writer's quills. 
 Sylvanus, with ambition strong, 
 Puts forth his third attempt at song. 
 The Kansas Motto, was the theme 
 On which he spoke with eyes agleam. 
 And which electrified them all 
 Like some historic waterfall. 
 
 ''TO THE STARS THROUGH DIFFICUL- 
 TIES/' 
 
 'In the Kansas Motto may be found 
 Striking facts which everywhere abound. 
 As the pathway leading to the stars 
 Passes through the bloody realm of Mars — 
 Leading on through other realms of woe. 
 Where the lotus and the bramble grow. 
 And the fascinating manchineel 
 Poisons, more or less, our cup of weal. 
 
 '^Kansas, through these awful realms has passed. 
 And is, therefore, with the greatest classed : 
 In the center of the starry field 
 With the other planets as her shield. 
 She sublimely shines both night and day 
 To encourage others on their way. 
 Who are traveling tow'rd a higher goal, 
 Paying all the necessary toll. 
 
 -37- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "Thus the roads that always upward tend. 
 
 Pass through difficulties to the end; 
 
 And the students who desire to rise, 
 
 Must press upward tow'rd the promised prize — 
 
 Must apply themselves with might and main — 
 
 If they ever reach the upper plain. 
 
 For the cowards who are put to flight 
 
 Shall be deeply buried out of sight. 
 
 "In the universal course of life 
 
 Through this struggling world of bitter strife, 
 
 God's adapted program plainly reads, 
 
 'That in thorny paths He wisely leads'; 
 
 But His Guiding Hand points on beyond. 
 
 Holding up to all the title-bond 
 
 To positions always higher up, 
 
 Where Success holds out her golden cup. 
 
 "All along the pathway of our race 
 Thorns and thistles stare us in the face — 
 Tearing hands and pricking weary feet — 
 As they walk the highway or the street ; 
 And to-day, while it is much improved. 
 Many ugly thorns, still unremoved. 
 Make the famous pathway hard to walk. 
 As they try our forward march to balk. 
 
 "All the mighty nations of the earth 
 Have the record of a military birth. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Or, at least, through Difficulty's gates, 
 Forced their way to independent states; 
 Even though they've reached the civic stars. 
 They must still contend with angry Mars, 
 Who, with wisdom, tact and old-time skill. 
 Still incites the human race to kill. 
 
 "In the very making of the world. 
 
 Smoke from awful battles upward curled, 
 
 While ten thousand earthquakes, o'er and o'er. 
 
 Added to the terrifying roar; 
 
 But the mighty process moved along 
 
 With its evolutionary throng. 
 
 Till, at last, the finished earth appeared, 
 
 Filled with treasures and to man endeared. 
 
 "From creation's process we can see 
 How our God transforms society — 
 How the making of the social state 
 Overtops the world inanimate : 
 These upheavals, then, among mankind. 
 Loudly say to ev'ry thinking mind. 
 That the way to Nature's highest goal 
 Is the road that's under God's control. 
 
 ^^ut the storm's and earthquake's presence yet. 
 Will not let the thinking mind forget 
 That the worlds of matter and of mind. 
 In unfinished states are yet confined; 
 
 -39- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Still the whole creation onward moves 
 In its own divinely ordained grooves, 
 And will so continue on its way 
 To the perfect, glad, triumphant day. 
 
 "In the world's great Palingenesis, 
 
 There shall be a state of perfect bliss. 
 
 For the golden age shall then have come 
 
 Where the Saints of earth shall make their home; 
 
 There upon the reconstructed earth. 
 
 Which shall know no sorrow, pain nor dearth. 
 
 Perfect, sinless manhood shall appear, 
 
 Nevermore to die nor shed a tear. 
 
 " To the Stars Through Difficulties,' then, 
 Shall be loudly sounded forth again. 
 As we then shall better comprehend 
 All the imports of the former trend; 
 There before the Beatific Throne, 
 We shall plainly know as we are known, 
 And no more through difficulties press 
 In pursuit of health and happiness." 
 
 Applause broke forth, both loud and long. 
 From all the happy student throng. 
 
 His reputation grew apace. 
 As he bent forward in the race 
 For all the knowledge of the school, 
 
 -40- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Unwinding it as from a spool. 
 And weaving it with splendid skill 
 Into his intellect and will, 
 And all the fibers of his soul. 
 For progress and for self-control. 
 Congratulations were profuse. 
 And all around was spread the news 
 Of his achievements in the school. 
 And his success in keeping cool 
 Amidst the praises he received 
 For what he often-times achieved. 
 The news of his well-earned renown. 
 Soon reached his Oklahoma town. 
 Where he already had a name. 
 And had acquired some local fame. 
 
 While Walden thus stirred Sunlight Hill, 
 Euth Caldwell captured Stellarville. 
 Concern about the "Statehood BilF' 
 Absorbed the thought and swayed the will 
 Of Oklahoma's rank and file 
 In such a way and such a style, 
 As nothing else had ever done 
 Since first the people made their run. 
 With flaming zeal and active brain. 
 For homes within her choice domain. 
 The schools discussed the measure, too. 
 Though some the others did oat-do. 
 
 -41- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 At Stellarville the student force 
 To public meetings took recourse. 
 And shouted for it loud and long, 
 And sometimes put their shouts in song. 
 
 At length, with pleasure and delight. 
 
 The people and the schools unite 
 
 To magnify their country's cause 
 
 In speeches, songs and loud applause. 
 
 The programme, full and strong. 
 
 Exhilarates the student-throng. 
 
 And moves by its intense appeal. 
 
 The people's patriotic zeal. 
 
 The speakers, with distinguished skill. 
 
 Defend the "Double Statehood Bill," 
 
 While ev'ry singer's magic art 
 
 Electrifies the human heart. 
 
 Ruth Caldwell, though, excels them all, 
 
 And fairly shakes the college hall. 
 
 By calling forth such great applause 
 
 For Oklahoma's worthy cause. 
 
 With stately verse and language choice. 
 
 She makes the hearts of all rejoice. 
 
 And thrills them with exalted thought 
 
 That she within her soul had wrought. 
 
 And which she now in solo sings, 
 
 And from the stars her message brings. 
 
 Her theme, which echoes near and far, 
 
 Is "Oklahoma's Double-Star.'' 
 
 -42— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Her words ring out as clear as day, 
 While skillful hands the organ play. 
 Her voice is strong, yet soft and clear ; 
 And now and then there falls a tear. 
 In which her own reflected light 
 Makes tiny rainbows out of sight. 
 But let us listen to the song 
 That moves this literary throng 
 To great ecstatic heights of joy, 
 As she her forces all employ. 
 
 ''OKLAHOMA'S DOUBLE-STAB/' 
 
 "A double-star outside its constellation shines. 
 And toward its own divinely ordained place in- 
 clines ; 
 But perturbations in its movements plainly show, 
 That from its cluster winds of opposition blow. 
 
 '^Vithin the Nation's Constellation is a place, 
 Which nothing but this double-star's effulgent face 
 Can radiate with floods of unreflected light ; 
 And to that place it has an undisputed right. 
 
 "It has great wealth of soil and treasures under 
 
 ground. 
 And no more healthful climate has, as yet, been 
 
 found; 
 
 —43— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Then through her goodly landscapes lovely rivers 
 
 flow. 
 And on her peaceful bosom crops abundant grow. 
 
 "The herds in countless numbers on her pastures 
 
 graze. 
 And all her towns and cities with true splendor 
 
 blaze ; 
 Great nets of railroads spread across her fertile 
 
 plains. 
 And splendid schools and churches lift their glad 
 
 refrains. 
 
 "Her teeming populeation numbers more, by far. 
 Than any proud and gleaming constellation-star 
 When first admitted to the Sisterhood of States, 
 And took her destined place among her loyal 
 mates. 
 
 "Brave Oklahoma's wand'ring star has waited long 
 To take her place within the Constellation-throng ; 
 But now her anxious people think the time has 
 
 come 
 When she should be admitted to her rightful home. 
 
 "0 Constellation, open wide your golden gate. 
 And let this double-star outside become a state; 
 And then, as one refulgent star, we will, with you. 
 Sail on triumphant through the azure field of 
 blue.'' 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 THE COMMENCEMENT, 
 
 Upon an early day in June, 
 When zephyrs hummed a joyful tune, 
 And drowsy Summer was revived, 
 The Graduation Days arrived, 
 Clothed with the season's choicest gowns, 
 And w^earing amaranthine crowns. 
 From near and far the patrons came — 
 Their eyes aglow and hearts aflame 
 "With lawful pride and friendly zeal, 
 Which only loyal souls can feel. 
 Distinguished speakers lent their aid. 
 And skilled musicians sang and played. 
 The graduates were at their best — ■ 
 Excelled by none in east or west. 
 Each one's oration glowed with thought, 
 And was with kn9wledge richly fraught. 
 The college spirit flamed with zeal, 
 And ev'ry heart was filled with weal. 
 A tense emotion swept each soul. 
 And now and then escaped control 
 In demonstrations, long and loud, 
 Which made the speakers justly proud. 
 
 —45— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 At Sunlight Hill, Sylvanus spoke, 
 
 And all his former records broke. 
 
 As poet of the honored class, 
 
 He felt that he must now surpass 
 
 The other efforts he had made. 
 
 And try to reach a higher grade 
 
 In lofty thought and measures, too, 
 
 Which he had studied through and through. 
 
 With rapid verse and skillful rhyme. 
 
 He took them on a mountain-climb. 
 
 And showed them scenes superbly grand. 
 
 And wonders great on ev'ry hand 
 
 That he had seen with his own eyes 
 
 Sublimely rising tow'rd the skies. 
 
 The hardships through his life endured. 
 
 The knowledge he had now procured 
 
 By struggling through his college course, 
 
 And overcoming want by force. 
 
 Convinced him that the rugged road, 
 
 Inspite of its Draconic Code, 
 
 Led upward to the highest good 
 
 For manhood and for womanhood. 
 
 The difficulties he attacked, 
 
 Developed all his latent tact. 
 
 And in their own peculiar way. 
 
 Brought all his forces into play; 
 
 And this fact was the reason why 
 
 He talked of climbing mountains high. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 ''THE MOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE r 
 
 "The Mountain of Truth from its summit sublime, 
 Invites us, as students, its ranges to climb, 
 But tells us in accents apparently gruff. 
 That most of its roads are exceedingly rough; 
 They traverse the canons, ascend the great peaks. 
 Cross over the valleys and ford the swift creeks. 
 Then upward ascend the precipitous cliffs. 
 And pass through the clouds in the opening rifts. 
 
 "The roads are beset with belligerent foes 
 Opposing our progress with militant blows, 
 Or else like the thieves on the 'Jericho Eoad,^ 
 They practice upon us their brigandage code; 
 Diseases, contagions, and accidents, too, 
 Are ready from caverns to come into view 
 To harass our pathway and check our ascent. 
 And thus our attempted achievements prevent. 
 
 "Throughout the short term of our physical life. 
 We meet with much gladness as well as much 
 
 strife. 
 But childhood and youth with abounding delights, 
 Are greatly entranced with its beautiful sights; 
 And manhood, itself, in the midst of its cares. 
 Stops often to wonder at nature's affairs. 
 While age, in its dotage, finds much to enjoy. 
 And even the sick their emotions deploy. 
 
 -47— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "Then Death has his forces all stationed along 
 In groups and battalions and regiments strong. 
 And only a fraction of those in the race 
 Succeed in escaping his sullen embrace, 
 And reaching the limit of threescore and ten — 
 The time that's allotted to women and men — 
 While most of the happy and jubilant crowd 
 Have long been enwrapt in their funeral shroud. 
 
 "The Mountain of Knowledge continues to rise, 
 Though man in his weakness surrenders and dies; 
 Its wonders all human descriptions transcend, 
 While all its great beauties in harmony blend; 
 Its summit is lost in the ambient sky 
 Above the high-range of the rational eye. 
 And where the great sages have never yet stood. 
 Nor even the angels, so wise and so good. 
 
 "It rises sublimely above the broad plains 
 Surrounded with foot-hills in numerous chains, 
 Each rising in series successively high'r, 
 And circling around the Imperial Spire; 
 Still upward and upward the ranges ascend 
 To guard the great mountain and on it attend. 
 Until it is lost in the infinite space, 
 And reaches its goal in the Infinite's face. 
 
 "Thus far we have only scaled some of its peaks, 
 And only discovered the source of some creeks, 
 
 —48— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But yet from the lowlands these peaks appear high. 
 And seem to reach upward almost to the sky ; 
 And then, as we stand on the top of one hill. 
 The visions beyond us our faculties thrill, 
 For far up above us with rapture we see 
 Another great peak with a higher degree. 
 
 "To-day we have mounted Saint Peter's Great 
 
 Dome, 
 But we must not make it our permanent home : 
 Below us, Cheyenne, with her canons sublime. 
 Is always proclaiming her message in rhyme; 
 Then Manitou Mountain and Cameron's Cone 
 Stand up with a beauty distinctly their own. 
 While Garfield rises in statesmanlike form. 
 Defying the ages and taunting the storm. 
 
 "Above us Mount Baldy invitingly stands. 
 While Pike's Peak beyond all the others com- 
 mands. 
 As all of the mountains surrounding his base. 
 Serve only to guard him and carry his mace; 
 Majestic he stands with his head in the cloud, 
 Adderssing his courtiers in thunder-claps loud. 
 Or, speaking most kindly from skies that are clear, 
 His message falls gently, producing good cheer. 
 
 "Symbolic of knowledge, this peak has no top, 
 And hence as we climb it there's no place to stop; 
 
 —49— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But upward and upward we always shall climb. 
 Enjoying the rhythm of its infinite chime, 
 And slaking our thirst from perennial springs. 
 Delightful to students, professors and kings — 
 Transforming to life and transporting to 
 
 thought — 
 The blessings of which all the ages have sought. 
 
 "Thus climbing the Mountain of Knowledge, we 
 
 see, 
 Is mounting the scale from degree to degree : 
 You may, if you like, call it Fremont or Pike, 
 Mount Massive, McKinley, Long's Peak and the 
 
 like; 
 Or, if you prefer, use Sorata, the Great, 
 With grand Illimani its suitable mate; 
 Or Everest, which is the greatest of all, 
 And stands up so bravely and wonderously tall. 
 
 "Together four years we've been climbing this 
 
 Mount, 
 And now we can pause and our struggles recount. 
 And also the joys that we shared on the way 
 To where we now stand on this beautiful day ; 
 The way has been pleasant, though rugged, at 
 
 times, 
 And we have had many most difficult climbs. 
 But victory, now, o'er these cragged inclines. 
 Has opened to us their subliminal mines. 
 
 —50— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "Our splendid professors have helped us thus far. 
 And patiently guided our destiny-star. 
 For which we shall thank them the rest of our days, 
 And shower upon them exuberant praise; 
 Our debt to the college can never be paid, 
 Its impress upon us shall never once fade, 
 Because it has taught us the climber^s great art. 
 And given us all a magnificent start. 
 
 ^^ut now we go forth tow'rd our summit of time 
 Without our professors to help us to climb. 
 And even each other^s assistance from date. 
 Will henceforth be missed in our journey so great; 
 Alone we must climb this precipitous peak, 
 And grapple with problems still harder than 
 
 Greek, 
 While Latin and German will sink out of sight, 
 Compared with the problems that wait in the 
 
 height. 
 
 "This Mountain of Knowledge has treasures un- 
 told 
 To give to the student who's earnest and bold, 
 But nothing to offer the cowardly wight 
 Who quickly deserts at the first of the fight; 
 Then let us remember, as parties concerned, 
 The wonderful lessons expensively learned; 
 And let us with fervor the upward-way press, 
 To higher and higher degrees of success. 
 
 -51— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "But knowledge falls short of its possible goal 
 Till faith is implanted deep down in the soul. 
 As reason, alone, is unable to rise 
 To where is located the loftiest prize; 
 The Province of Faith lies within the unseen, 
 WTiile that of the Eeason is found in between 
 The animal plane and the spiritual zone, 
 Where little of heavenly matters is known. 
 
 ^^y Horeb's refreshing and strengthening Fount; 
 By Sinai's blazing and thundering Mount; 
 By Pisgah, and Ebal, and Gerizim heights; 
 By Hermon, and Carmel, and Lebanon sights; 
 By Zion, Moriah, with glory their own; 
 By Sinai Second, whose name is unknown. 
 We've finally landed on Calvary's Dome, 
 From which we can view our glad heavenly home. 
 
 "This Scripture Olympus, where Deity dwells. 
 
 This Christian Parnassus, whose fountain excels 
 
 The heathen Castalian fountain of old. 
 
 Has something to give us much better than gold; 
 
 The Biblical Delphi is located here. 
 
 Proclaiming her oracles, simple and clear, 
 
 As well as her truths that are deep and profound. 
 
 Which give the true worshipers joys that abound. 
 
 "So then, if we climb this great mountain aright. 
 Beholding its glories by heavenly light, 
 
 -52- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 We must in humility ascend it by faith, 
 And govern ourselves by what the Book saith ; 
 For all the way upward this shiboleth sounds, 
 Expressive of blessings with which it abounds, 
 And pointing the way to the haven of rest 
 Ear upward within the glad realms of the blest. 
 
 ^This phase of the mountain in places is steep, 
 And often the climbers bend forward to creep. 
 While enemies with a malevolent frown 
 Come shouting and fighting the precipice down; 
 The climbers, however, with helpers divine. 
 Soon drive them away like the grovelling swine, 
 And then, like the heroes of Biblical fame, 
 They go on their way in the strength of His Name. 
 
 ''While trials and troubles are pressing around. 
 Yet gladness, supernal, is oftener found. 
 Since from the perennial fountain above. 
 There flows the enlivening Eiver of Love; 
 Delightfully down the deep canons it leaps. 
 And often in beautiful lakelets it sleeps, 
 Inspiring the mind and refreshing the soul. 
 As upward we climb tow'rd the heavenly goal. 
 
 '^And now as we part and return to our homes 
 To rest for awhile in our fatherly domes. 
 And then with ambition go forth to our work. 
 Let none of us ever dissemble or shirk; 
 
 —53— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But let us continue this mountain to climb, 
 And tune our deportment to heavenly rhyme, 
 And then we'll contribute some good to the world 
 By helping it keep the right banners unfurled. 
 
 '^ith sadness of heart we must now bid farewell 
 To students, professors and friends who here dwell, 
 And never again, we regretfully say. 
 Shall we be permitted to meet as to-day; 
 But some day, we hope, on this Mountain of Truth, 
 To drink from the Fount of Perennial Youth, 
 And there our old pleasures live over again. 
 Where there is no parting, no sorrow nor pain. 
 
 "From thenceforth with ever increasing delight, 
 Uuhindered by age, by fatigue or by night. 
 And having no evils with which to contend. 
 We shall through eternity upward ascend. 
 Beholding the Infinite glory unfold. 
 And finding unlimited treasures untold. 
 Which gladden the heart and develop the mind 
 With all that is lovely and pure and refined.'^ 
 
 As soon as he was through, there was 
 A hearty and a long applause. 
 While flowers of the richest hues 
 Around about him fell profuse. 
 Eemaining self-possessed and cool 
 Amidst the plaudits of the school, 
 
 —54— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And words of praise from special friends, 
 Who proudly watched his mental trends. 
 He showed superior mental force — 
 Free from the trifling and the coarse — 
 And all foresaw that his career 
 Was destined for a noble sphere. 
 
 About this time at Stellarville, 
 Where college zeal was never ill. 
 Another great Commencement Day 
 Was blazing forth with fine display 
 Of youthful talents highly trained. 
 And great rhetoric flights unfeigned. 
 The graduating class was large. 
 And ready, like a new-made barge. 
 To launch upon an untried sea. 
 Though not with blind temerity. 
 Euth Caldwell, dressed in flowing white, 
 And face resplendent with delight. 
 Stepped forward to assume her part. 
 And talk of Wisdom and her art. 
 
 ''THE PALACE 8 OF WISDOM:' 
 
 ^TBefore the morning stars began to sing, 
 And there was not, as yet, a living thing. 
 Supernal Wisdom, an immortal youth. 
 Stepped forth as Architect of Truth. 
 
 —55— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 She saw chaotic systems scattered round 
 With dark abysmal widths and depths profound; 
 But each, she saw, contained the living germs. 
 Which could unfold within the given terms. 
 Her mighty intellect was well aware 
 That God's creative power had been there, 
 As she with joy had always been on hand 
 When all the solar systems first were planned. 
 
 Into these silent places, deep and dark, 
 The Architect sent forth the vital spark, 
 Which caused the latent forces all to act 
 As workmen of the greatest skill and tact. 
 The darkness of the ages took its flight. 
 And all the mighty deep was filled with light. 
 Then order out of chaos next evolved, 
 Until the whole creation was resolved 
 Into completed systems without flaw. 
 Sublimely governed by eternal law. 
 These systems hold her mansions in the skies. 
 The wonder and delight of human eyes; 
 And as they from their lofty orbits shine. 
 They symbolize eternal truth divine. 
 
 But while her stellar mansions glow with skill. 
 And all the heavens with their glory fill. 
 Yet smaller mansions all around are seen 
 Wherever this great Architect has been. 
 So passing by the distant Aries, 
 
 -56— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades; 
 And leaving Capricornus far behind 
 With Leo, Virgo, Libra, and their kind; 
 And coming down below our brilliant sun. 
 Around which mighty worlds their races run, 
 We come, at length, to our beloved earth, 
 "VMiich boasts the highest and the noblest birth — 
 The coming down of God in human form 
 To be the world's Eedeemer and its Norm. 
 Here, too, the greatest sacrifice took place 
 That ever happened anywhere in space; 
 And through this sacrifice, so wise and great. 
 There is redemption from our fallen state. 
 Here Wisdom, by her reconstructive art. 
 Is doing grandly her distinguished part 
 To raise this mansion from its ancient fall. 
 And make it the sublimest world of all. 
 Thus measured rightly by its great events. 
 It should receive the highest compliments. 
 
 Within this gorgeous palace. Wisdom reigns. 
 And, with unerring skill and knowledge, traingr 
 Her loyal subjects in her handicrafts; 
 And on the pinions of her mind she wafts 
 Their aspirations tow'rd the perfect goal — 
 The future palace of the human soul. 
 
 In view of Wisdom's mansions in the skies. 
 Their beauty, wonder and collosal size. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Her smaller mansions here upon the earth 
 Are often valued far below their worth; 
 But some of them are greater far than those 
 Which larger magnitudes and groups enclose. 
 
 The Temple of the Body, 
 
 "Take man, for instance, as her workmanship. 
 
 And he in skill and wonder will outstrip 
 
 The mighty constellations seen on high. 
 
 As all the truly wise will testify. 
 
 In him, as Wisdom's masterpiece, we find 
 
 A universe of mansions all combined — 
 
 The comprehensive genus of the host — • 
 
 The mighty spheres and systems all engrossed. 
 
 The temple of the body shows a skill. 
 
 Which makes the scientific spirit thrill 
 
 With wonder and with admiration great. 
 
 As it attempts its worth to calculate. 
 
 The wondrous temple of King David's son. 
 
 The Hall at Karnak and the Parthenon, 
 
 The Xerxes Palace at Persepolis, 
 
 With those of Baalbek that the heavens kiss; 
 
 Together with Saint Peter's and Saint Paul's, 
 
 And all the mighty modern palace halls. 
 
 Are naught beside the Temple of the Soul, 
 
 Through which a thousand crimson streamlets roH 
 
 And thousands of tremendous forces talk 
 
 As through its corridors they proudly walk. 
 
 —58— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Composite architecture here is found — 
 Ionic, Doric, Tuscan, much abound, 
 With splendid Eomanesque and Byzantine, 
 Superbly blended by the Hand Divine. 
 
 The Palace of the Soul 
 
 ^'The soul that in this temple walks about. 
 
 And through its gorgeous windows looks without, 
 
 Or stands within its five artistic doors. 
 
 And all around the universe explores. 
 
 Is greater than its tabernacle home, 
 
 And all the mansions in the starry dome; 
 
 For it possesses intellect and will, 
 
 And depths which all the heavens cannot fill. 
 
 The universe of matter cannot think, 
 
 Nor feel, nor will, nor freedom's pleasures drink. 
 
 Because it is within the realm of Fate, 
 
 Unconscious of itself and of its state; 
 
 But not so with the active mind of man. 
 
 Which of itself can feel, and think, and plan. 
 
 And execute according to its choice. 
 
 And then o'er mighty victories rejoice. 
 
 The body will, ere long, return to dust, 
 
 And much of Wisdom's workmanship will rust; 
 
 The heavens, too, will sometime pass away 
 
 With all their wondrous glitter and display; 
 
 But man's immortal soul with glory crowned. 
 
 And in Salvation's goodly garments gowned, 
 
 -59— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Will through eternal ages gladly sing 
 The praises of the Universal King. 
 Its body, too, will some day rise again, 
 And be for ever free from sin and pain. 
 Both soul and body shall be glorified, 
 And all their splendid powers multiplied; 
 And Wisdom will their lovely tenant be 
 Throughout the ages of eternity. 
 Her royal table will be richly spread. 
 And satisfy them both with living bread. 
 Then through this microcosmic universe. 
 Supernal Wisdom will with joy rehearse 
 The triumphs of redeeming grace and skill. 
 In winning back to God the human will. 
 
 But Wisdom also has her clusters here. 
 Allied to those within her starry sphere, 
 And like her systems in the field of blue, 
 They come sublimely into human view. 
 
 The Home or Family 
 
 "The home, 'where love and virtue never droop. 
 Is Wisdom's first and chief primeval group — 
 A solar system with a double sun. 
 Around which little planets gladly run — 
 A constellation with two major stars — 
 Without the mythologic god of wars. 
 Here loving parents with their faces bright, 
 
 —60— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 In good and faithful children take delight, 
 
 While happy children all their laws obey, 
 
 As they around the homestead romp and play, 
 
 Or circle round the stand with books in hand, 
 
 Or humbly bow in one delightful band 
 
 Around the altar of the fam'ly prayer. 
 
 Committing unto God their ev^ry care. 
 
 Oh, this is heaven's choicest vestibule. 
 
 And this her primal kindergarten school ! 
 
 We thank thee thou mighty Architect, 
 
 For all the fam'ly clusters that reflect 
 
 The unseen glories of the home beyond. 
 
 Which in this way upon the earth have dawned. 
 
 The Puhlic School System. 
 
 "The next great cluster is the Public School, 
 
 Where Wisdom still extends her sovereign rule. 
 
 And where still larger numbers circle round 
 
 To hear her words, both simple and profound. 
 
 Here spelling, reading, writing, history. 
 
 With mathematics and geography. 
 
 Together with some latin in the course. 
 
 And good deportment taught by word and force, 
 
 Develop and enlarge the human mind 
 
 In all the ways it seems to be inclined. 
 
 The indications of its horoscope 
 
 Point plainly to the morning star of Hope, 
 
 Which is the dawning of the perfect day 
 
 —61— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 When Wisdom shall have universal sway. 
 All hail, then, to the major stars who wield 
 The scepter over this young stellar field. 
 The world at large delights to honor them. 
 And give to each a shining diadem. 
 
 The University. 
 
 "A higher constellation next appears 
 With glory crowning all its passing years. 
 And as it moves along its shining way, 
 The lower clusters feel its gentle sway. 
 And gladly follow on within its wake, 
 Determined fully higher grounds to take. 
 Here brilliant stars of mighty magnitudes. 
 Develop in our youth the higher moods. 
 So they can better serve their fellow man 
 According to Supernal Wisdom's plan. 
 A group of mansions, both sublime and grand- 
 The pride and glory of the favored landl 
 It strongly grapples with all mystery. 
 Because its name is University. 
 
 The State. 
 
 "Another mansion-cluster is the State, 
 About which politicians oft debate. 
 And demagogues sometimes in fury rage 
 Both in the street and on the public stage ; 
 
 —62— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But yet the constellation moves along 
 More often in the right than in the wrong. 
 The Institution, though, is always right, 
 No matter how its lusty subjects fight; 
 For Wisdom builds the state, as well as schools. 
 And should not have to bear the blame of fools. 
 This cluster of our independent states. 
 Which Freedom with her torch irradiates. 
 Is Wisdom's greatest civil-palace-hall, 
 To which she does all burdened peoples call. 
 Of course, the other nations, too, are hers. 
 And she their patriotic fervor stirs 
 To higher aims, as well as nobler deeds. 
 As she with loving kindness gently leads. 
 Thus all her civil mansions here below 
 In one great constellation brightly glow, 
 And onward, upward, tow'rd the far-off goal. 
 They move along with Wisdom in control. 
 
 The Church. 
 
 ^'The next great constellation is the Church, 
 
 Which some with vicious slander try to smirch; 
 
 But yet, inspite of all the evil horde. 
 
 It has within it choicest treasures stored. 
 
 It is the Tillar and the ground of truth,' 
 
 The place for hoary age and virile youth, 
 
 A light illuminating all the world, 
 
 An army with its banners all unfurled, 
 
 -63- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 A mountain gold-field with the richest mines — 
 
 A city out of which Jehovah shines. 
 
 Salvation is her bulwarks and her walls^, 
 
 And gladness echoes through her goodly halls. 
 
 Her horoscope predicts a Golden Age, 
 
 When wrongs shall all be driven from the stage^ 
 
 And nevermore disturb the human race, 
 
 And nevermore contend with Sovereign Grace. 
 
 Like Ursa Major with its pointers, true. 
 
 It brings the far-off Pole-star into view. 
 
 By faith we see the perfect realm beyond 
 
 To which believers have a title-bond — 
 
 A world of many mansions, we have learned — 
 
 In which we all should deeply be concerned. 
 
 Immortal glories all the righteous wait; 
 
 And when they pass within the Golden Gate, 
 
 The vision that will meet their raptured eyes 
 
 Will be a happy and a grand surprise; 
 
 For Wisdom's mansions there will far excel 
 
 What all the poets here could ever tell. 
 
 And all the glory of the universe 
 
 Which neither men nor angels can rehearse.'' 
 
 Like waves upon the mighty deep 
 When gentle winds its bosom sweep. 
 Or like the waving forest-trees 
 Before a gentle summer breeze, 
 The hearts of that assembled throng 
 Were moved by this delightful song. 
 
 —64- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Emotions of the pleasant kind 
 Took full possession of their mind; 
 And when she bowed her last farewell, 
 As from her lips the last word fell. 
 The pent-up feelings of the crowd 
 Broke forth in plaudits long and loud. 
 Then as she gently took her seat, 
 There quickly fell about her feet 
 A cloud of presents and bouquets, 
 To emphasize her well-earned praise. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 AT HOME. 
 At Pleasant Vale and Abalooth, 
 The aged came, as well as youth. 
 To welcome home the gifted son 
 And brilliant daughter who had won 
 So many honors while at school. 
 And lived so well the golden rule. 
 Their many friends for miles around. 
 Were at the great reception found. 
 In conversation and in song. 
 The joyful programmes moved along 
 Until the midnight hour had come, 
 When they began to start for home. 
 
 Sylvanus and Miss Euth, as yet, 
 Had never, to their knowledge, met, 
 
 —65— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Though of each other they had heard, 
 And to each other felt endeared. 
 Good news from each through faithful friends, 
 Who long had watched their mental trends. 
 And felt convinced if they should meet 
 That both their hearts as one would beat. 
 Caused both of them, at length, to muse. 
 And each the other's life peruse. 
 
 Sylvanus :^ 
 
 "Is what I hear an idle tale 
 That comes on some unfriendly gale 
 To agitate my heart and mind 
 Until I can no respite find? 
 Or has some angel interposed, 
 And all these thoughts to me proposed? 
 I learn, from what some neighbors say. 
 That there resides some miles away, 
 A maiden of superior worth. 
 Though of an humble country birth, 
 And whom these friends all recommend 
 As one to whom I should extend 
 The friendly offer of my hand, 
 For reasons which I understand. 
 They tell me of her college fame. 
 And how the people laud her name; 
 And of her noted Christian zeal, 
 Which to my heart makes strong appeal. 
 Of graceful form and average size; 
 
 —66— 
 
THE GITIDING HAND. 
 
 With lovely face and azure eyes; 
 
 With winsome ways and charmnig voice. 
 
 Which make her many friends rejoice, 
 
 And with a polished dignity 
 
 That any one can plainly see. 
 
 She stands a model of her sex, 
 
 And noblest womanhood reflects. 
 
 About a score of miles away, 
 
 This brilliant girl resides, they say. 
 
 I\e often heard of her before, 
 
 And twice IVe passed right by her door; 
 
 But I have never seen her yet — 
 
 A fact I very much regret. 
 
 The friends that in between us live. 
 
 Important information give 
 
 About this charming, educated girl. 
 
 Which causes all my thoughts to whirl 
 
 Like windmills in a western breeze 
 
 When they rotate with perfect ease. 
 
 The recent fame that she has won. 
 
 Has quickly through these sections run. 
 
 Somehow, their story strikes me so. 
 
 That I do feel inclined to go 
 
 And ascertain, myself, the truth 
 
 About this maiden they call Ruth. 
 
 But yet I must not be in haste. 
 
 The cup of deeper love to taste; 
 
 For now I feel the burning coal 
 
 Through all the regions of my soul. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And if I see her now, I feel, 
 
 That love would all my senses steal. 
 
 So, then, I'll wait till I regain 
 
 The full possession of my brain. 
 
 And till an opportunity 
 
 Throws open wide her door to me.'' 
 
 While he was thus in mind confused, 
 Euth also in her parlor mused: — 
 
 Ruth:— 
 
 " 'Tis passing strange that what I hear 
 
 Falls with such force upon my ear, 
 
 And trills along on ev'ry nerve 
 
 Until it captures the reserve 
 
 That I have kept for only one, 
 
 Who lives somewhere beneath the sun. 
 
 I think Sylvanus is the swain. 
 
 Who has the knowledge and the brain. 
 
 The virtues of the true manhood. 
 
 And all the traits for which I've stood; 
 
 For never was my heart so swayed 
 
 By anything upon it laid. 
 
 Though I have never seen his face. 
 
 Affection's arms doth him embrace. 
 
 In view of what is said of him, 
 
 I must indulge this girlish whim. 
 
 I wonder if its Cupid's dart 
 
 That has so deeply pierced my heart ? 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Or may it be the Guiding Hand 
 That hath this strange emotion fanned? 
 It must be some celestial fire 
 Awaking in me this desire 
 Toward one, a stranger yet to me. 
 But whom I hope sometime to see. 
 Of course I shall not be in haste. 
 And will not any moments waste 
 In planning for an interview. 
 As foolish maidens sometimes do. 
 I will await the proper time 
 When circumstances aU are prime. 
 If we were for each other made. 
 And both are of the proper grade. 
 The unseen Hand will find a way 
 For us to meet some future day.'^ 
 
 Thus those two hearts in union beat. 
 And longed to each the other meet; 
 But something in between them stepped. 
 And in suspense they both were kept 
 Until the time the angels set, 
 When first in years gone by they met. 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 The Meeting. 
 At length, on Independence Day, 
 
 Amidst the glitter and display 
 
 -69- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of blazing patriotic zeal, 
 Expressive of a nation's weal, 
 The golden opportunity, 
 "WTiicli did with modesty agree, 
 Arrived in stately gracefulness 
 This waiting couple soon to bless. 
 Within a most delightful grove. 
 Where Cupid's victims love to rove. 
 The people came for miles around, 
 And made the neighborhood resound 
 With patriotic speech and song, 
 And noisy tumult of the throng. 
 
 The singers, first, as had been planned. 
 All took their places on the stand. 
 Euth Caldwell, in her best attire. 
 Stepped forth as leader of the choir. 
 And took her seat with graceful air, 
 And never looked more debonair. 
 Sylvanus, yet within the crowd. 
 Almost began to love out loud. 
 He knew that she was on the ground. 
 And that the time would soon roll round. 
 When she would take her ordained place 
 Where he could see her face to face. 
 So when she turned and faced about, 
 His heart began to sing and shout. 
 A summer breeze swept through his soul. 
 Which taxed his noted self-control, 
 
 -70- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But by an effort of his will, 
 His swaying soul again was still. 
 As speaker of the day, he knew 
 That it would never , never do. 
 For him to show the least concern, 
 Or let the crowd his feelings learn — 
 At least till he had made his speech, 
 And landed safely on the beach — 
 For this attempt seemed now to him 
 Like sailing o'er an ocean grim. 
 So with an Herculean stroke. 
 The magic spell he quickly broke. 
 And took his place upon the stand 
 Near both the singers and the band. 
 
 As he was brought up from the crowd, 
 
 Applaudits broke forth long and loud; 
 
 And as he toward the stand advanced, 
 
 Euth Caldwell seemed to be entranced. 
 
 She joined the plaudits of the throng. 
 
 Which made him feel both brave and strong. 
 
 Her attitude, as thus expressed. 
 
 Did more, by far, than all the rest 
 
 To all his energies inspire, 
 
 And call forth all his latent fire. 
 
 The band first played a splendid air. 
 And next the choir, with music rare. 
 Called forth expressions of delight, 
 
 -71— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And made a thousand faces bright. 
 Distinct from all, the voice of Euth, 
 Appealed to age as well as youth. 
 Well modulated, strong^ yet soft, 
 It bore the thoughts of all aloft 
 Like flocks of birds from off the ground 
 Aroused by some approaching sound. 
 Sylvanus felt infilled with strength, 
 Until he found himself, at length. 
 Like nature in the month of June 
 When all her forces are in tune. 
 
 The chairman introduced him well. 
 Which caused Euth's heart with joy to swell. 
 His early life and college days 
 Eeceived their just deserts of praise. 
 
 Sylvanus, then, arose to speak. 
 And looked both leonine and meek. 
 His voice was strong, distinct and clear, 
 And free from all his erstwhile fear. 
 His stalwart and sjnnmetric form 
 Sent forth a great magnetic storm. 
 He spoke upon a weighty theme. 
 But yet he made his subject gleam 
 With knowledge and with lofty thought. 
 Which he from many sources brought. 
 
 -72- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 ''WAR AS A FACTOR IN THE WORLD'S 
 CIVILIZATION/' 
 
 " 'A great misnomer/ some will doubtless say — 
 'A shocking statement for the world to-day ! 
 Do you, in this enlightened age, affirm 
 That angry Mars who makes the nations squirm 
 Beneath his mighty avalanche of woes, 
 And suffer aU of his destructive blows. 
 Contributes any good to struggling man. 
 Or helps along the universal plan? 
 Dare you assert that all this awful strife 
 That separates the husband from his wife. 
 Deprives the children of a father's care, 
 Leaves broken-hearted sisters in despair. 
 And lovers to bemoan their wretched fate. 
 And travel through this life disconsolate, 
 Can help to civilize the human race, 
 And raise it to a more exalted place? 
 The fact of bloody wars you should deplore, 
 And pray that they should curse the world no 
 
 more. 
 When Eachel for her children loudly weeps. 
 And rampant war across our country sweeps. 
 Despoiling cities, railroads and our crops. 
 Before its dreadful devastation stops. 
 How can you, sir, in view of such a scene. 
 Affirm that anything can contravene 
 
 —73— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To turn this carnage to a good account, 
 Or draw sweet water from this bitter fount?' 
 
 "Admitting all the horrors you relate, 
 
 Both in the home, as well as in the state, 
 
 And deprecating just as much as you 
 
 The multitude of evils that ensue, 
 
 And claiming, too, that war should be condemned, 
 
 And that this trend of nations should be stemmed; 
 
 Eegarding it as evil, in itself, 
 
 And that it's often waged for paltry pelf. 
 
 And painting it with all the blackest paint 
 
 That can be mixed by any pious saint, 
 
 I still believe, without the least of doubt, 
 
 That war, with all its evils, brings about 
 
 Improved conditions in the hostile states. 
 
 Which have been rent by factions and debates — 
 
 That from the carcass of the lion comes 
 
 Both meat and honey for the states and homes. 
 
 Around about the Euler of the world 
 
 Are clouds from which red thunder-bolts are 
 
 hurled — 
 Not all the time, of course — but now and then. 
 To humble and reprove the pride of men. 
 And vindicate the justice of His laws 
 By that which startles, terrifies and awes. 
 'Tis said that one great scientific priest* 
 
 *Kepler. 
 
 -74- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Once thought this earth a living beast; 
 And that it breathed in winds and swelling tides, 
 As round the sun it sped with rapid strides, 
 And shook itself in mighty earthquake-throes, 
 Or belched its fury forth in volcanoes. 
 But while this beast devours the human race, 
 And human blood is spattered o'er its face; 
 And while it sometimes leaves a country waste 
 To satisfy its maw and please its taste, 
 Yet from its open mouth there gently flow 
 Ten thousand streams with blessings to bestow 
 On vegetation, crops, and brutes and men. 
 As cycles move away and come again; 
 And which make landscapes blossom as the rose, 
 And splendid cities on their banks to pose. 
 Its rosy lips drop like the honeycomb 
 As it proclaims the treasures in its home. 
 And all the knowledge that it has in store 
 For those who o'er its wondrous volumes pore. 
 Its garments smell like ancient Lebanon — 
 With spikenard, calamus and cinnamon — 
 With saffron, aloes, myrrh and frankincense, 
 And spices with the sweetest odors tense. 
 Within its gardens fragrant flowers grow, 
 O'er which the perfumed zephyrs gently blow. 
 While all its orchards bear the choicest fruit. 
 Which ev'ry kind of appetite doth suit. 
 Its breath with health and vigor is replete. 
 And scented with a thousand odors sweet; 
 
 —75- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Then when it sometimes turns to frightful gales. 
 
 And colder breathing, now and then, prevails, 
 
 It still refreshes and invigorates, 
 
 Inspires, expands, delights and stimulates. 
 
 Upon its back the farmer raises corn, 
 
 While crops of ev'ry kind its fields adorn. 
 
 Upon its liquid bosom proudly float 
 
 The mighty ships of nations which denote 
 
 A busy and a friendly world, as well. 
 
 The wealth of which no mortal man can tell ; 
 
 While now and then the navies of the world 
 
 Sail forth with military flags unfurled. 
 
 It has ten thousand pockets filled with gold, 
 
 And other precious treasures manifold. 
 
 From which it takes with free and lavish hand. 
 
 And scatters blessings over ev'ry land. 
 
 And when the resurrection morning dawns 
 
 And ev'ry empty cemetery yawns. 
 
 The bodies of the children and the just 
 
 Which have for ages slept in silent dust, 
 
 Shall come forth clothed with immortality, 
 
 And filled with everlasting ecstasy. 
 
 Thus while this huge and mighty beast of prey 
 Is giving forth its sweetness day by day. 
 The time is coming when its fragrant mouth 
 Shall issue proclamations north and south. 
 And in the dawning east and golden west, 
 That all the good shall be for ever blest. 
 
 -76- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The whole creation which so long had groaned 
 Where great disasters seemed to be enthroned, 
 Shall then blaze forth with splendor now unknown, 
 And good, alone, shall occupy the throne. 
 
 The Programme of the Ages, 
 
 "The programme of the world was largely changed, 
 When from his Maker man became estranged. 
 If he had always kept his first estate. 
 The primal programme would have gone on 
 
 straight, 
 And universal peace would still prevail 
 With all the blessings that it would entail; 
 But now the changed conditions all demand 
 A confiscation of the contraband. 
 To make the wrath of man proclaim the praise 
 Of Him, who thus adapts His sov'reign ways, 
 To turn rebellion to a good account. 
 And draw sweet water from this bitter fount; 
 For God, alone, can do this mighty act. 
 And you will doubtless recognize the fact. 
 
 When children from their father^s rule depart, 
 Becoming hostile in their mind and heart. 
 The father must assume an attitude — 
 Not like the mother-bird with happy brood — 
 But like the civil ruler, stanch and stern, 
 When loyal subjects from His kingdom turn. 
 
 —77— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 So, then, in view of sin's abnormal reign, 
 We may expect much evil in its train, 
 And that the rightful Euler of the soul 
 Would find a way by which He could control. 
 Confuse, dismay, direct and overrule. 
 The folly of the wise man and the fool. 
 
 Included in this programme's wondrous sweep. 
 Though buried in its boundless wisdom deep. 
 Are what the preachers call, ^Divine decrees 
 Of the permissive kind,' which, like the bees, 
 Make honey in their providential hives 
 Just as the Guiding Hand of God contrives. 
 That is, God lets the nations have their way, 
 And their ambitious tendencies obey, 
 And then, with unseen and with skillful hand. 
 He brings about results as He had planned. 
 
 Vicarious Suffering. 
 
 "The chief department of this programme is 
 The Incarnation of the Christ and His 
 Great substitutionary death for man, 
 A part of which we now will try to scan. 
 As it will throw great light upon our theme. 
 And bring from greatest depths its richest cream. 
 
 Without this great and fundamental fact. 
 The mighty problem would the mind distract; 
 
 -78- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But with it, the solution may be found 
 That will irradiate the subject round. 
 
 The Great Eebellion of this world of ours, 
 And its collusion with Satanic pow'rs. 
 Have made it necessary for our God, 
 Not only to display His chastening rod. 
 But also His eternal love for man. 
 As now expressed in His Eedemptive plan. 
 The satisfaction that His law required. 
 As He has taught us by His Book inspired. 
 Was blood-atonement for the human soul, 
 And full surrender to Divine control. 
 
 In nature, too, this fact is written large. 
 
 And from its reign there shall be no discharge 
 
 Until the world has run its present course 
 
 And passed beyond the bloody reign of force. 
 
 Meantime, the present order of the world. 
 
 Will keep the flag of sacrifice unfurled. 
 
 Decaying matter fertilizes soil. 
 
 And for each other nature's forces toil. 
 
 The seed must die to bring forth larger fruit 
 
 To satisfy the wants of man and brute. 
 
 Eapacious beasts upon each other prey. 
 
 Their raving appetites to feed and stay; 
 
 And then, according to the ordained plan. 
 
 Lay down their lives and shed their blood for man; 
 
 Or else wear out their lives in daily toil 
 
 -79- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To haul him round and cultivate his soil. 
 This law of sacrifice goes on apace, 
 And takes posession of the human race, 
 Instructing by its bloody catechism, 
 And leading forth to deeds of heroism. 
 But passing by the philanthropic deeds 
 Performed to satisfy our common needs, 
 And all the little altruistic codes, 
 Which help to lighten one another's loads, 
 We come, at length, into the realm of Mars 
 To see this law perform in bloody wars. 
 The law of substitution here prevails 
 In flowing human blood and dying wails. 
 For country and for home our soldiers die. 
 And thus the death on Calv'ry typify. 
 
 As we, to-day, with weeping eyes look back 
 Along this fallen world's rebellious track. 
 We find it deeply stained with human blood, 
 And wet with tears of weeping womanhood; 
 But yet this blood atoned for many wrongs, 
 And thrilled the world with patriotic songs. 
 Despotic nations have been overthrown, 
 And right has been exalted to the throne. 
 A thousand evils have been swept away. 
 And dying men have ushered in a better day. 
 
 —80— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The Roman Legend. 
 
 ''In ancient Rome, a famous legend runs, 
 An earthquake, more appalling than the Huns, 
 Op'ed wide and deep a yawning, hissing chasm. 
 Which threw the multitudes into a spasm. 
 They called upon their thirty thousand gods. 
 Like those who wrestle with o'erwhelming odds. 
 But all of them remained aloof for cause, 
 And left them in the hands of nature's laws. 
 ^What shall be done ?' the people loudly cried, 
 As sturdy men and valiant soldiers sighed. 
 The wise men, after consultation, said: 
 *The gods are angry, and their wine-press tread. 
 This chasm will never cease to fume and hiss 
 Until you throw into its dark abyss 
 The choicest treasure that you have in Eome, 
 Belonging to the state or to the home.' 
 
 The people brought their silver and their gold. 
 
 The nation its most sacred things of old. 
 
 And threw them down its black and dismal throat ; 
 
 But it continued still o'er them to gloat. 
 
 And opened wider still its ugly mouth 
 
 For houses east and west and north and south. 
 
 Despair spread consternation through the hosts 
 
 As fast as he could send around his posts. 
 
 Excited people prayed and wept and wailed 
 
 Until their waning strength and voices failed. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 At length, a youthful soldier came in sight, 
 With Eoman uniform and armor bright, 
 And mounted on a trained and valiant steed, 
 As if he meant to do some daring deed. 
 The noble beast, like Job's War-horse of old. 
 Advanced in military fashion bold. 
 His neck was clothed with thunder or a mane 
 That quavered like a storm-cloud pouring rain. 
 He sniffed the wind and pawed the trembling 
 
 earth. 
 Expanding and contracting in his girth. 
 His graceful head, uplifted now and then, 
 Was seen to tower o'er the tallest men, 
 And then again with neck most proudly bowed. 
 The best of all good qualities he showed. 
 He pranced along without the least of fear; 
 And as he tow'rd the yawning pit drew near. 
 The soldier's armor rattled on his sides. 
 And sundered people moved aback like tides. 
 The soldier stopped him on the crumbling brink, 
 As if to take a little time to think. 
 Or give the people time to draw their breath 
 Before he made the startling plunge to death; 
 But such was not his purpose, they soon learned, 
 As he with calmness tow'rd them slowly turned. 
 And with a loud and charming voice then cried : — 
 'The wise men have most truly prophesied. 
 This yawning gulf, I'm sure, will never close 
 Until the state its choicest treasure throws 
 
 -82- 
 
TIIE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Into its open mouth with willing hand, 
 According to the statutes of the land. 
 Your precious jewels and your treasured gold, 
 Are not the choicest things your coffers hold. 
 True patriotic zeal or love of state. 
 Alone, can all the gods propitiate.' 
 
 Then with a shining face lit up with bliss, 
 
 He boldly leaped into the dark abyss. 
 
 And horse and rider disappeared from sight 
 
 Deep down within the weird abysmal night. 
 
 The necessary sacrifice was made. 
 
 And all the angry gods their vengeance stayed. 
 
 The earth closed over both the horse and man. 
 
 And many people from the vision ran. 
 
 While others, with their mingled grief and joy, 
 
 Proclaimed the praises of the soldier-boy. 
 
 He died for country, friends and home, 
 
 And by his death he saved the famous Eome. 
 
 Thus earthquakes in the realms of mighty states, 
 Produced by despots and their advocates. 
 Or else by lovers of a worthy cause 
 To free themselves from old oppressive laws. 
 Have opened dismal pits, both wide and deep, 
 Which caused the Eachels on each side to weep, 
 And stalwart men to tremble with dismay. 
 And from the awful sight to turn away. 
 
 -83- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The advocates of peace have wisely planned, 
 
 And with heroic skill have tried their hand 
 
 To stay those yawning gulfs without a war, 
 
 And stop the crushing Juggarnautic-car ; 
 
 But all their many efforts were in vain. 
 
 And left the hostile nations rent in twain. 
 
 ^What shall be done T the people wildly cry, 
 
 As war-clouds spread across the peaceful sky. 
 
 'To arms ! To arms ! To arms !' the leaders shout ; 
 
 'For gallant force can only bring about 
 
 The state of peace we all desire to see, 
 
 And cause these war-clouds from our sky to flee, 
 
 And these abysmal depths their mouths to close, 
 
 And desert lands to blossom like the rose. 
 
 The patriotic sacrifice of life 
 
 Can only stop this bitter, wrangling strife. 
 
 A blood-atonement is the only thing 
 
 That can the dove of peace to us re-bring.' 
 
 Then, like the Marcus Curtius of old. 
 
 With country's uniforms and faces bold, 
 
 A million of their brave and stalwart youth. 
 
 Borne forward by the love of right and truth, 
 
 March boldly to their nation's pit of woe. 
 
 And in its deep abyss their bodies throw. 
 
 Its mouth upon their bleeding bodies close, 
 
 And peace again throughout their country flows 
 
 Like rivers that make glad the landscapes round, 
 
 And cause them with new blesings to abound. 
 
 —84— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Thus on the bloody battle-fields of earth 
 Where independent states have had their birth, 
 And where great civic wrongs have met their fate. 
 And tyrants have been forced to abdicate, 
 Lie buried millions of our bravest youth. 
 Who sacrificed their lives for love of truth. 
 
 The Revolutionary War. 
 
 *^Our own United States were thus made free. 
 And thus we won the prize of liberty. 
 Oppression had his foot upon our necks. 
 And practiced his conscription on our decks. 
 He had refused assent to wholesome laws. 
 And in our conduct looked alone for flaws. 
 He sought to weary us in many ways — 
 By arbitrary acts, and long delays; 
 By dissolutions of our Parliament, 
 And his officials to our country sent ; 
 By making judges on his will depend. 
 And justice to his selfish notions bend; 
 By sending standing armies to our shores, 
 When flags of peace hung over all our doors; 
 By trying to subject our civil state 
 To military rules of ancient date; 
 By interfering with our foreign trade. 
 And unjust taxes on our people laid ; 
 By thwarting justice in our civil courts. 
 And taking victims to his foreign ports ; 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 By abrogating laws not to his taste, 
 And trying to our burdened country waste ; 
 By causing insurrections in our land, 
 Which he with malice knavely planned ; 
 And then, his sordid appetite to please. 
 And his unjust displeasure to appease. 
 He sent his army to uphold his throne, 
 And force us his despotic rule to own. 
 
 Our fathers tried their best to stem the tide. 
 And in the Mother Country to confide. 
 They often sent petitions for redress, 
 But those petitions brought them more distress. 
 They kindly made appeals to kindred ties, 
 And tried to bring the tears to George's eyes ; 
 And then they warned and threatened him, at last. 
 That in the West was rising such a blast 
 That even England could not stand before. 
 And which would drive her from our ev'ry shore. 
 
 But all their efforts proved of no avail. 
 
 And all their wrongs continued to prevail. 
 
 Thus only one resort was left to them 
 
 By which they hoped this foreign tide to stem; 
 
 And that resort was stern and righteous force. 
 
 Which now should run its long and bloody course. 
 
 So civil independence was declared. 
 
 And patriotic men their bosoms bared; 
 
 And after many years of shot and shell, 
 
 —8ft- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The flag of England in our country fell, 
 And Independence took her starry throne 
 Erom which the joy of liberty was sown 
 Like floods of morning light o'er all the land, 
 According to the unseen Guiding Hand. 
 The country's burden from its shoulders fell, 
 And glad and restful days began to tell 
 The good results that followed up the war, 
 And pointed tow'rd the goal, not very far. 
 When this should be a nation of delight. 
 Contending for the everlasting right. 
 And richly dressed in garments pure and white, 
 And clothed with almost universal might. 
 To-day their hopes are largely realized, 
 And their beloved states are aggrandized — 
 Exalted to the very highest place 
 Of any nation in the civic race. 
 From glory unto glory we still march 
 Beneath our great, triumphant, starry arch. 
 And with the years are always growing strong — 
 Enlarging as we swiftly move along. 
 But let us not the tragic fact forget 
 That blood-atonement all those evils met. 
 And drove them from our dearly-purchased soil, 
 And on our troubled waters poured its oil. 
 
 Thus from the mighty eater came forth meat. 
 And from the strong there came the honey sweet. 
 The healing balm has also been applied, 
 
 -87— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And both the countries now are satisfied, 
 And gladly walk together, arm in arm, 
 "With no intent to do the other harm, 
 And showing to the nations all around. 
 That they by ties of love are strongly bound. 
 
 The Great Rebellion. 
 
 "The costly peace our early fathers bought, 
 And which with blessings was so richly fraught. 
 Was sometimes marred by wars of lesser note. 
 The growing country's welfare to promote; 
 But we shall pass them by without review, 
 And come to one of more concern to you. 
 
 A mighty civil earthquake shook our land 
 
 And rent asunder our united band. 
 
 The yawning crater opened wide its mouth, 
 
 And mighty forces from the North and South, 
 
 Eushed into it without regard for life. 
 
 That they might stop the long and bitter strife. 
 
 Which, like hot winds upon the western plain. 
 
 Left death and dessolation in its train. 
 
 Three hundred thousand of our northern youth 
 
 Laid down their lives for freedom and for truth, 
 
 While full as many on the southern side, 
 
 For what they thought was right and proper died. 
 
 A million, altogether, it is thought. 
 
 Were in this great volcanic crater caught. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 They either died Tipon the battle-field, 
 Or from disease or wounds that never healed. 
 When human blood sufiicient had been shed, 
 And men enough were numbered with the dead, 
 The ugly crater closed its awful mouth. 
 Uniting once again the North and South. 
 Four million human slaves were thus set free. 
 The good results of which all now can see. 
 The honey from the eater flows in streams. 
 And blesses all beyond their fondest dreams. 
 Our country never was so great before. 
 And stiU its outlook is with good galore. 
 What matter if some problems have been raised. 
 Before which thinking people stand amazed? 
 These problems will be solved in course of time. 
 And made to fit the universal rhyme. 
 We need to grapple with such problems, too. 
 To give us elevating work to do. 
 Then do not blame the war for such results. 
 As this does not become our nation's cults. 
 ^Tis childish, and unlike the stalwart mind, 
 Which in these problems makes a precious find. 
 The problems looming up before the war. 
 Were more perplexing to the states, by far. 
 Than any that have followed in its train. 
 Of which so many thoughtless men complain. 
 They stood like mountains on our ev'ry side. 
 Or stretched before us like the Eed Sea wide. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 While on behind us came the rushing storm 
 All dressed in military uniform. 
 
 The only way to stop this angry flood 
 
 "Was through the troubled Sea of Human Blood. 
 
 Into this rolling sea our soldiers plunged. 
 
 And from our land those evils were expunged. 
 
 Then let us meet the problems of to-day, 
 
 And not, like cowards, from them run away. 
 
 Our difficulties are of such a kind 
 
 That all should fall before the thinking mind. 
 
 Our present problems do not call for war, 
 
 Nor controversies that should cause a jar. 
 
 So let us, then, instead of finding fault 
 With problems rising from that great assault, 
 Eemember those whose sun went down in blood 
 From ev'ry state and ev'ry neighborhood; 
 For they deserve their country's highest praise 
 For saving it in those most trying days. 
 
 And those who fought beside those heroes bold, 
 And who to-day are growing feebly old — 
 Those who escaped the leaden-hail of death. 
 And often felt Death's powder-scented breath — 
 Have truly won the hero's starry crown, 
 At which no loyal citizen can frown. 
 Like Him who came from Edom's gory field. 
 And up from Bozrah with His mighty shield, 
 
 -90- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Where He, the wine-press of a righteous wrath. 
 Tread boldly, and from which a bloody path 
 Comes down the ages dropping endless good. 
 And giving to the world a true manhood, — 
 So have our heroes come from fields of blood 
 With garments spattered with the crimson flood. 
 Which, from the wine-press of the nation's wrath. 
 Sends forth its blessings all along its path. 
 All glory to their valiant heroism 
 That saved our Union from its awful schism. 
 A grateful nation never can forget 
 The faithful men who paid its gory debt. 
 Their deeds are written with an iron pen. 
 And all our loyal people shout, ^Amen.' 
 
 The Reunion. 
 
 "But while we thus the union soldiers praise. 
 And in their honor all our banners raise. 
 Yet we can also praise, without reserve. 
 The honest candor, courage, grit and nerve. 
 Of those who fought them with heroic skill. 
 And often gave to them the vanquished-chill. 
 Their southern foes were worthy of their steel. 
 And fought them with their own peculiar zeal. 
 If like the Filipinoes they had fought. 
 How cheap the prize the northern soldiers bought I 
 But since they, too, were men of their own type. 
 And with the Anglo-Saxon virtues ripe, 
 
 —91— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The ISTorth may glory over its success, 
 
 And value Southern soldiers none the less. 
 
 We need not from our country's teaching swerve 
 
 To give them all the credit they deserve. 
 
 The victors and the vanquished in the fight, 
 
 Should both upon their kindred-grounds unite. 
 
 As it was but a f am'ly fuss, you know. 
 
 And not a war with any foreign foe. 
 
 Thus should our magninimity abound. 
 
 And meet our brethren on this kindred-ground— 
 
 The sacred ground of Sisterhood-of-states — 
 
 Where Union, now, her triumph celebrates. 
 
 And let the vanquished in that bitter strife. 
 Who loved the Southern Cause above their life. 
 Pull up the bitter-roots within their heart. 
 And with their Northern Brethren do their part 
 To bring about a state of perfect peace. 
 And our beloved country's worth increase. 
 The selfish lion, thus, we can destroy. 
 And from his carcass eat the sweet with joy. 
 
 The Spanish' American War, 
 
 ^'Another war, I'm sure, will entertain. 
 And that was our unselfish war with Spain — 
 Unselfish in its purpose or its aim. 
 Because it was another country's claim 
 That we with zeal espoused, and not our own. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To drive the lusty tyrant from his throne, 
 And give to her the freedom she desired — 
 The high estate to which she long aspired. 
 The message that we sent the struggling state, 
 We now in shorter measure will relate. 
 
 The Message, 
 
 ^e are coming, Cuba, coming — 
 Uncle Sam is on the way — 
 Wheels of transports all are humming. 
 Coming nearer ev'ry day; 
 Freedom's voice is loudly ringing. 
 Shouting, ^Cuba must be free!' 
 And the Muses all are singing 
 Songs of coming victory. 
 
 ^e have seen your desolation. 
 And have heard your cries for bread ; 
 Listened to your lamentation. 
 And bemoaned your loyal dead; 
 We are moved by your condition. 
 And the sinking of the Maine, 
 To begin this coalition 
 Per the punishment of Spain. 
 
 ^ith our Navy on the water. 
 And our Army on the land, 
 There wiU be a mighty slaughter, 
 
 -93— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 If the Spaniards try to stand; 
 They will have to soon surrender 
 Or be blotted from the earth, 
 When we make to them the tender 
 Of abandonment or death. 
 
 *Get your gallant forces ready, 
 
 Join us on your border-land, 
 
 Keep your nerves and courage steady. 
 
 Make a bold decisive stand; 
 
 Then fear not your own abduction. 
 
 And we'll drive the Spaniards out. 
 
 And the Work of Keconstruction 
 
 Will be quickly brought about.' 
 
 "The war of intervention soon begun. 
 
 And in a hundred days its course was run. 
 
 And Spain was driven from the great Antilles, 
 
 And Cuba soon received her sovereign seal. 
 
 While Porto Rico with a willing mind. 
 
 And with a noble purpose well-defined. 
 
 Took refuge under our benignant rule. 
 
 And entered our great Independence School. 
 
 And then to us a reflex benefit. 
 
 The lamp of reconciliation lit. 
 
 The factions North and South and East and West 
 
 Were to their civic Mother's bosom pressed, 
 
 And there they laid aside their erstwhile hate, 
 
 And promised nevermore to separate. 
 
 -94- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Our dormant powers also wakened up, 
 
 And drank a potion from a larger cup 
 
 That widened our horizon all around, 
 
 And caused us to enlarge our native bound. 
 
 A hermit nation we had been so long. 
 
 That it was hard to join the larger throng. 
 
 And take our place upon the world-wide stage. 
 
 And in the mighty world-wide work engage; 
 
 But by the war of blood, plus war of words. 
 
 We stretched our tent and lengthened all our cords. 
 
 Until we, now, with banners all unfurled. 
 
 Exert a wondrous power on the world. 
 
 No longer anti-mission in belief. 
 
 We, with a willing hand, extend relief 
 
 To those who need our help beyond the sea. 
 
 And thus enlarge the bounds of liberty. 
 
 Woman's Part in the Bloody Drama, 
 
 "'Twould be a slight to all the gentler sex. 
 If in this bloody programme, so complex. 
 Their noble part should not be mentioned, too. 
 And credit given them the ages through; 
 Eor in the struggles of the world at large. 
 And also in the military charge. 
 The women have the truest helpmates been 
 In time of peace and in the battlers din. 
 They always find a way to help the men, 
 To either slay the lion in his den, 
 
 -95- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Or else upon the roaring battle-field. 
 
 Where he, at length, must die or humbly yield. 
 
 The Carthaginian women did their share 
 
 By cutting ofi their long and flowing hair. 
 
 Which was the women's glory then, as now. 
 
 And with their skillful hands — they knew just 
 
 how — 
 They wove it into bowstrings, neat and strong. 
 Which sent the arrows with their deathly song 
 Into the vitals of the coming foe. 
 And laid the military lion low. 
 
 When Conrad, at the siege of Weinsberg, gave 
 The city's women all a chance to save 
 What they could carry out upon their backs. 
 He saw them filing out along the tracks; 
 And on the back of each and ev'ry one, 
 Was seen a husband, brother or a son, 
 A stalwart father or a soldier-friend, 
 Who could his country's liberties defend. 
 So touched was he by this heroic sight. 
 He spared the city from its threatened plight. 
 
 Thus all along the red path of our race — 
 
 In ev'ry country and in ev'ry place- — 
 
 The women have heroic splendor shown. 
 
 And crowned themselves with glory all tne'ir own. 
 
 Among the sick and wounded they have won 
 
 Immortal glory for the work they've done. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Their labor in the home and in the field 
 
 To keep their children from the wolf concealed. 
 
 Together with the uniforms they've made, 
 
 The needy soldiers at the front to aid, 
 
 And all the other ways they've helped the cause. 
 
 And saved their country from the lion's claws. 
 
 Have given inspiration to the men, 
 
 Which was to them like freshest oxygen; 
 
 For, after all, it is for womankind 
 
 That man delights to exercise his mind. 
 
 And even go to war for her welfare, 
 
 If he her sympathy can only share. 
 
 With faithful woman standing by his side, 
 
 No matter what his pathway may betide. 
 
 He will not hesitate to do his best. 
 
 And sacrifice his life if she is blest. 
 
 The Ultimate Civilization. 
 
 ^^But while the programme of the ages past 
 Has held the world in bloody conflicts fast; 
 And while these conflicts have, with master strokes. 
 Relieved the peoples from oppressive yokes. 
 Which ev'ry other effort failed to do, 
 As we, I think, have plainly shown to you; 
 And while this programme yet may long prevail, 
 And Eachel still be made to weep and wail. 
 Yet I am sure that better days will come. 
 When nations will discard the old-time drum 
 
 -97- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 That called their noblest sons to give their life 
 To arbitrate disputes and settle strife. 
 The factors working for a lasting peace 
 Are taking on the world a longer lease, 
 And by and by they will the world possess, 
 And fill it with eternal blessedness. 
 True universal peace shall come, at last. 
 And war shall be a relic of the past; 
 For all the prophets have thus prophesied. 
 And for it Wisdom has for ages cried. 
 
 Isaiah in his far-off vision, saw 
 
 Disorder all reduced to righteous law. 
 
 And in his high and lofty style, he said. 
 
 As most of you have doubtless read : — 
 
 ^And it shall come to pass in latter days 
 
 That in the Holy Mountain God shall raise 
 
 His Kingdom to a high and lofty place. 
 
 And gather to it all the human race. 
 
 Then into plowshares they shall beat their swords ; 
 
 And spears, that once belonged to warring hordes. 
 
 Shall be transformed to peaceful pruning-hooks. 
 
 And all the world shall change its former looks. 
 
 The nations nevermore shall go to war. 
 
 And nevermore their sons convene from far 
 
 To learn the arts by which to slay their foe, 
 
 For foes, again, they nevermore shall know. 
 
 There all shall walk in Wisdom's peaceful ways. 
 
 And military ensigns never raise; 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 For out of Zion shall go forth the law 
 
 With which the world shall never find a flaw/ 
 
 Then we shall see, as never seen before. 
 That meat and honey from the lion's store 
 Will furnish all a thousand sacred sweets 
 With no more use of armies nor of fleets ; 
 And that the way that led to this estate 
 Passed through unnumbered difficulties great. 
 hasten on, thou glad and happy day, 
 When universal peace shall come to stay, 
 And all the world shall be for ever blessed. 
 And all its many wrongs shall be redressed.'' 
 
 All through this strong, impassioned speech. 
 
 Although its purpose was to teach. 
 
 And not to play upon the heart 
 
 By any tender-speaker's art. 
 
 Applause, at times, prolonged and loud. 
 
 Broke forth from that delighted crowd: 
 
 And when he made his closing bow 
 
 With perspiration on his brow. 
 
 The clapping hands and loud acclaims. 
 
 Were like ovations in the games. 
 
 Though this effect was not his aim. 
 
 Yet he with zeal was so aflame, 
 
 That all the powers of his soul 
 
 Blazed forth almost beyond control. 
 
 -99- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 When quiet was again restored, 
 Ruth Caldwell, whom her friends adored, 
 Was introduced in splendid style 
 To entertain the crowd awhile 
 With one of her inspiring songs. 
 Composed for patriotic throngs. 
 But while Sylvanus talked of war, 
 And showed its blessings from afar. 
 She thought her song was out of place. 
 Until he closed with such good grace. 
 She feared at first they would conflict. 
 And that her theme would contradict 
 The broad position which he took, 
 And proved from nature and the Book. 
 But when, at length, he talked of peace, 
 And of a time when wars should cease, 
 And how delightful it would be 
 When right has won the victory. 
 Her face with joy began to beam. 
 Because her song would fit his theme. 
 His weighty words were now made plain^ 
 And she was at herself again. 
 Indorsing fully all he said. 
 Her fear of contradiction fled. 
 When she discovered that her song 
 Would with his teaching move along. 
 So when the chairman called her out, 
 And told what she would sing about, 
 She stepped forth with a courage strong, 
 
 -100- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And faced the great applauding throng. 
 Thus welcomed, she began to sing, 
 And from her treasure-house to bring 
 A message that thrilled ev'ry heart, 
 Enforced by all the singer^s art. 
 
 ''THE VICTORIES OF PEACE/' 
 
 "Peace is a jewel of infinite beauty 
 Dug from the quarries of Brotherly-love; 
 Peace is a lamp for the highway of duty — 
 Peace is a radiant heavenly dove; 
 Peace is an angel from regions of glory, 
 Pilling the world with enrapturing songs. 
 Planting the olive on battle-fields gory, 
 Burying deep their distresses and wrongs. 
 
 ^Teace is a victory over destruction — 
 Over dissension, disturbance and strife — 
 Peace is the blessed and lawful deduction 
 Of the ideal — the perfected life; 
 Cities destroyed have been resurrected, 
 Countries made desolate bloom as the rose. 
 Newness of life in their veins is injected. 
 Giving them all a prosperity pose. 
 
 "Schoolhouses and churches are rising sublimely, 
 Eailroads are growing in number and length. 
 Telegraphs, telephones — always so timely — 
 
 -101- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Give us increasing and conquering strength; 
 Nations made weak by deterioration. 
 Caused by the loss of their healthiest sons. 
 Are, with rapidity, gaining in station, 
 Pressing on upward without their war-guns. 
 
 "Oh, how delightful is peace among nations ! 
 Oh, how inspiring within our own land! 
 Nothing else causes such great celebrations — 
 Nothing else looks so exceedingly grand; 
 Let us rejoice in her splendid production. 
 Following closely her wonderful ways. 
 Taking a part in her work of construction. 
 Sharing the joys of her halcyon days." 
 
 A thousand hands began to clap, 
 While roses fell upon her lap; 
 And soon they called from near and far 
 For "Oklahoma's Double-Star." 
 Again she stepped out on the stage. 
 Attracting childhood, youth and age. 
 And with her soul all set on fire 
 By touching some electric wire, 
 Through which harmonic forces flow 
 From some tremendous dynamo. 
 She sang with that entrancing pow'r 
 That always brings a perfumed show'r 
 From clouds celestial and unseen, 
 
 —102— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Upon the people who convene 
 To hear a Muses' daughter sing, 
 And from afar her message bring. 
 
 Sylvanus sat completely charmed. 
 And, like a captured knight disarmed. 
 Was ready to surrender all. 
 And at his captor's feet to fall. 
 The little Cupid, quick and wise. 
 Brought forth the love-light to his eyes. 
 And pierced his palpitating heart 
 With his own never-failing dart. 
 
 The greatest demonstration yet, 
 And one that she would ne'er forget. 
 But often through her life review. 
 Broke forth as soon as she was through. 
 Her first song greatly pleased the crowd; 
 And of that effort all were proud. 
 But "Oklahoma's Double-Star," 
 Threw all emotion's gates ajar 
 So that their patriotic zeal 
 Broke forth for Oklahoma's weal. 
 
 At length the meeting was adjourned. 
 And many tow'rd the speaker turned. 
 While others tow'rd the singer rushed 
 With happy faces deeply flushed; 
 And for a time they both were praised 
 
 —103— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Until their modest blood was raised, 
 
 And, with a skillful painter's brush, 
 
 Produced upon each face a blush 
 
 As pretty as a summer sky 
 
 When clearest days begin to die. 
 
 When all were through, they scattered out. 
 
 And left but few aroundabout. 
 
 The Introduction. 
 
 At length the psychologic time 
 Arrived with gracefulness sublime. 
 When those two noble souls could meet. 
 And each the other kindly greet. 
 The self-respect in each one's heart. 
 Had thus far kept them both apart; 
 Por love, when joined with self-respect, 
 Desires to be in acts correct. 
 True love is sometimes bashful, too, 
 And keeps itself from public view 
 Until its courage gathers force 
 To help it on its wonted course. 
 So those two youths desired to meet. 
 But being modest and discreet. 
 As well as truly dignified, 
 And bashful, too, as was descried. 
 They waited for the proper time 
 That would with circumstances rhyme. 
 The golden time was now at hand, 
 
 —104— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 As only few were on the stand. 
 
 A faithful friend of each was there, 
 
 And took occasion with great care 
 
 The couple so to introduce 
 
 That fears would raise a flag of truce. 
 
 The angels, too, were both on hand 
 
 To see that what they^d wisely planned 
 
 Was executed with the skill 
 
 That would each heart with rapture thrill. 
 
 The work was done — the two youths met 
 
 The time and way the angels set. 
 
 Sylvanus, in his splendid style — 
 His face illumined with a smile — 
 Was first to speak, and then to praise 
 The singer for her splendid lays. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "Fm glad to meet you here to-day. 
 
 And hear you sing in such a way. 
 
 Your song, *The Victories of Peace,' 
 
 Should cause all cries for war to cease; 
 
 And then your ^Oklahoma Song' 
 
 That moved in tidal waves along. 
 
 Submerged me in its thrilling flood. 
 
 And warmed my patriotic blood. 
 
 I would not try to flatter you. 
 
 But both your songs distilled like dew 
 
 —105— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Upon the tender grass in May, 
 Or on the fields of new-mown hay. 
 Nay, more, they fell like April show'rs 
 Upon the early vernal flowers. 
 And like the rain in summer time 
 When nature makes her perfect rhyme." 
 
 Euth Caldwell's face turned rosy red, 
 And with well chosen words, she said — 
 
 Euth:— 
 
 "I thank you, Mr. Walden — yet, 
 
 It seems to me that you have let 
 
 The inspiration of the day 
 
 That you, yourself, called into play. 
 
 Cause you to overestimate 
 
 The efforts you congratulate. 
 
 'Twas your great speech that fired the crowd, 
 
 And brought the shower from the cloud — 
 
 That caused the hearts of all to sing. 
 
 And made this grove with gladness ring. 
 
 Unless your speech had gone before. 
 
 My songs had fallen to the fioor; 
 
 But on the wings of your great speech. 
 
 They were enabled thus to reach 
 
 The hearts of that inspiring throng 
 
 That you so strongly bore along 
 
 Upon the currents of your thought, 
 
 Which you from deepest fountains brought. 
 
 —106— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 I never heard such words before; 
 
 And I shall never puzzle more 
 
 O'er God's great programme in the world 
 
 When bloody banners are unfurled/' 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "I feel unworthy of such praise: 
 
 You almost aU my senses daze. 
 
 I'd rather hear such words from you 
 
 Than any one I ever knew; 
 
 For one who could compose such songs. 
 
 Among the truly great belongs; 
 
 And one who sings them with such pow'r. 
 
 Has shared the Muses' highest dow'r." 
 
 Their friends had stepped aside awhile 
 With satisfaction in their smile. 
 And only heard the first few words 
 That flew from Walden's lips like birds. 
 They stood near by in one small group. 
 While farther off was seen the troop 
 Engaged in sports and friendly talks 
 Along the splendid shady walks. 
 
 Thus left alone the couple stood 
 Beneath the best trees of the wood. 
 With conduct graceful and polite. 
 And faces flushing with delight, 
 
 —107- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 They gently talked as friend to friend, 
 And seemed to fully comprehend 
 The meaning of the other's look, 
 In which their hearts much pleasure took. 
 
 SECTION VIIL 
 
 The Uneasiness of Unassured Love, 
 
 When left alone, grave doubts arose, 
 Which dealt each one some heavy blows; 
 For while they were by love immured. 
 They felt a little unassured 
 That they had won each other's heart. 
 And in each other shared a part. 
 Thus while they felt love's joyful thriU, 
 Their anxious minds began to fill 
 With apprehensive doubts and fears 
 That sometimes filled their eyes with tears. 
 As love with doubt began to strive, 
 It caused their Muses to revive; 
 And so they both began to muse 
 With lovers thoughts and words profuse. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "I must confess," Sylvanus mused, 
 "That I am very much confused. 
 And hardly know just what to do. 
 Or just what course I should pursue, 
 
 —108— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Or how to vent plethoric thought 
 Concerning one who is so fraught 
 With such delightful loveliness, 
 And such refinement of address. 
 Her education also draws, 
 According to its magic laws; 
 And then her strong athletic mind 
 Has round me all its tendrils twined, 
 And with its strong magnetic cords 
 Draws from my heart its warmest words. 
 Her Christian faith and zeal impart 
 Their thrilling gladness to my heart. 
 The strength I summoned for a shield, 
 Doth now in sweet submission yield 
 To Love, the rightful queen of earth, 
 Whose sacred, peaceful, joyful birth. 
 In Eden's fair and happy state. 
 Caused all the stars to celebrate. 
 And all the sons of God to shout 
 Their acclamations round about. 
 As far as Love's dominion goes, 
 Peace like a gentle river flows, 
 And joys transporting fill the soul, 
 Because of her benign control; 
 For when this queen is on her throne. 
 All strife and envy are unknown. 
 Within my heart she sits as queen 
 With dignified and graceful mien. 
 And I do feel the blissful thrill 
 
 —109— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of her benign and sov'reign will. 
 She bids me Euth at once to woo, 
 And at the Court of Hymen sue 
 For full possession of her heart, 
 And this important courtship start. 
 But how shall I begin this case? 
 By letter ? friend ? or face to face ? 
 ^By letter/ says a voice within, 
 ^Is just the way you should begin.' 
 A letter, then, I'll quickly send. 
 And my regards to her extend. 
 And thus relieve my mind of doubt 
 So I can either mourn or shout. 
 If she accepts my proffered love, 
 ^y joy will rise to realms above. 
 But if she can't my love return. 
 My heart with grief will always bum.'' 
 
 Euth:— 
 
 "Somehow," mused Euth, "I can't refrain 
 From thinking of that noble swain 
 With whom I met some days ago. 
 And whom I hope to better know. 
 If I were only loved by him, 
 My eyes in tears of joy would swim. 
 My heart would beat with pure delight. 
 And I could soundly sleep at night. 
 I never loved as I do now, 
 -no- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And never shall again, I vow. 
 Sylvanus is my only choice; 
 And with his love I could rejoice 
 In any circumstance of life, 
 If I could only be his wife. 
 His manly form and pleasant face, 
 His winsome ways and gentle grace, 
 His knowledge and his Christian zeal, 
 Do like celestial magic steel 
 Through ev'ry recess of my heart 
 With richest blessings to impart. 
 On that glad day he talked with me, 
 I thought that I could plainly see 
 The love-light glowing in his eyes 
 With no deception or disguise; 
 But now I fear 'twas my mistake; 
 And this fear makes my heart to ache. 
 If I was not mistaken, though, 
 HeTl find a way to let me know." 
 
 When through with her soliloquy, 
 A feeling of tranquility 
 Took full possession of her soul. 
 And gave her splendid self-control. 
 She felt that all was wisely planned. 
 And that the unseen Guiding Hand 
 Was shaping circumstances right 
 To bring the unknown soon to light. 
 -Ill- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 While thus she sat demurely mute. 
 The mail clerk on his rural route, 
 Drove up somewhat unorthodox. 
 And put some mail into the box. 
 Euth heard the horse's nimble feet, 
 Which fell upon the road like sleet; 
 Also the rumbling buggy wheels 
 That followed close upon his heels; 
 And saw the mail clerk leave the mail. 
 And quickly move along his trail. 
 A voice within was heard to say : 
 '^There is good news for you to-day.'' 
 With eager steps and flying feet. 
 She soon was in the country street 
 And standing by the letter box. 
 With hope as firm as solid rocks. 
 Among the fam'ly mail she found 
 A letter which made joy abound. 
 Eeturning quickly to her room 
 That seemed with gladness all abloom. 
 And with a sweetly blushing face, 
 Which stole the roses from the vase, 
 She read the letter with great haste. 
 And found it blissful to her taste. 
 With throbbing heart she then began 
 And read it slowly o'er again; 
 And as she folded up the sheet. 
 She said: "My joy is now complete. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 How glad I feel ! yet strange, indeed ! 
 My feelings and my thoughts exceed 
 The power of my tongue to tell 
 The Joy that doth my bosom swell. 
 Yes, he has touched the living key 
 Of interchanging harmony, 
 And I will answer him to-night. 
 And fill his heart with sweet delight.'^ 
 
 That night, Sylvanus, so depressed 
 That he could neither sleep nor rest. 
 Began to thus soliloquize 
 With troubled heart and wakeful eyes: — 
 
 "My mind to-night is much annoyed 
 By doubts that I cannot avoid; 
 For love, when kept in dread suspense, 
 Almost distracts a person's sense. 
 What if my love should be in vain. 
 And she should treat it with disdain? 
 Or if, perchance, some other youth 
 Has won the loving heart of Kuth? 
 Oh, how these thoughts perplex my mind, 
 And how the eyes of hope they blind! 
 The gleams of moonlight gently fall 
 Like silver sheen upon the wall. 
 The gentle zephyr sweetly sings. 
 And with her fragrant-laden wings 
 
 -113- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Attempts to drive away the gloom 
 Of dismal shadows from my room; 
 But yet to me no comfort comes, 
 For hostile Doubts all beat their drums, 
 And shout with such sonorous tones 
 That I cannot suppress my groans. 
 
 gentle zephyr, His in vain 
 For you to try to ease my pain, 
 Or to relieve me of the blues. 
 Unless from Kuth you bring good news. 
 Oh, could I hear from her to-night. 
 And did our hearts in love unite. 
 
 My joys would beat a double-quick, 
 And with increasing gladness tick 
 This long and gloomy night away, 
 And muster in the welcome day ! 
 But news so soon I can't expect. 
 And so must wait awhile perplexed. 
 
 1 thought, on Independence Day, 
 That I could see affection's ray 
 Shine forth from her entrancing eyes. 
 Which glowed like summer's lovely skies. 
 And felt at that time satisfied 
 
 That love to love had well replied; 
 But somehow, since that happy time. 
 My heart has lost that joyful rhyme. 
 And will not find it, I am sure. 
 Till Euth accepts my overture. 
 
 —114— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 True love's a passion of the soul 
 That mortal man cannot control. 
 E'en Sampson with his mighty arm 
 Could not resist her Siren charm. 
 She sits upon her golden throne, 
 And all around are trophies strewn, 
 Which her delightful charms have won 
 From ev'ry land beneath the sun; 
 Or presents that she has received, 
 And victories by her achieved. 
 She conquers, not by force of arms. 
 But by her own inherent charms. 
 All nations worship at her shrine, 
 And kings to her their thrones resign. 
 The rich, the poor, the wise and great, 
 As willing courtiers on her wait. 
 She is a benefactress kind 
 To rich and poor and sick and blind. 
 She has her banners all unfurled 
 To banish hatred from the world. 
 True love is nature's balance wheel. 
 The fountain of domestic weal. 
 The sure preventive of divorce. 
 The source of social intercourse. 
 The bond of peace and harmony 
 And friendly reciprocity." 
 
 'Twas thus he mused away the hours 
 Until the radiating show'rs 
 
 -115- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of morning's dawn had drowned the night, 
 
 And filled the world with welcomed light; 
 
 But yet his troubles were not drowned 
 
 Until the next day rolled around. 
 
 When Euth's expected letter came, 
 
 And set his heart with joy aflame. 
 
 With trembling hands and dizzy head. 
 
 He opened it and quickly read 
 
 The message that dispelled his gloom, 
 
 Drove all the shadows from his room. 
 
 And sent his doubts in great dismay 
 
 And wild disorder all away. 
 
 The mental clouds, so dark and weird. 
 
 Before his vision disappeared. 
 
 And he, with wonder and surprise. 
 
 As if he had received new eyes. 
 
 Exclaimed with joy: "The scene has changed. 
 
 Or else my vision is deranged. 
 
 The sky has changed its lurid hue 
 
 Eor its delightful native blue. 
 
 Which for awhile it seemed to lose 
 
 While I was waiting for this news. 
 
 The verdant landscapes look serene. 
 
 And so does all the wondrous scene 
 
 That greets my eyes from all around, 
 
 And brings to me these joys profound. 
 
 The fiends that on me fiercely frowned. 
 
 Are in the Styg'an Eiver drowned, 
 
 —116— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And angels now around me sing, 
 And I'm as happy as a king." 
 
 The courtship suit was soon begun, 
 And like the blazing morning sun 
 Eejoicing to begin his race 
 Through regions of celestial space, 
 And feeling sure that he will win, 
 And take the prize with pleasure in. 
 So young Sylvanus with a zeal 
 That only those in love can feel. 
 Pressed hard his suit at Hymen's court 
 Where he was held in good report. 
 The suit went on in proper style. 
 While days and weeks in single file 
 Brought round to them in golden cup, 
 From which they both as one did sup, 
 The pleasures of a courtship life 
 That never knew a bit of strife. 
 Together they were often found, 
 Which pleased the country all around. 
 
 SECTION IX. 
 
 Sylvanus and Ruth Choose Teaching 
 in the Pu'blic Schools as their 
 Profession. 
 
 Positions came to them unsought. 
 
 And some of which they had not thought, 
 
 But they concluded to accept 
 
 -U7- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The work for which they seemed adept — 
 Positions in the Public Schools 
 Where Pedagogic Wisdom rules. 
 Sylvanus, in the bloom of youth, 
 Took highest place in Abalooth, 
 And Euth, with skill that could not fail. 
 Took highest place in Pleasant Vale. 
 
 Auspiciously their schools begun; 
 Successfully they both were run; 
 And as the weeks and months passed by, 
 The waves of worthy praise rose high. 
 And still continued to ascend, 
 As they pursued their noble trend. 
 Of course a few with evil eyes 
 Would sometimes try to criticise, 
 But like the meteoric stones 
 That come within the planets' zones. 
 They flashed a moment, then went out, 
 Confused, ashamed and put to rout. 
 
 In all the country's civic life. 
 
 To aid the right and put down strife. 
 
 They used their talents with a will 
 
 That caused the hearts of all to thrill 
 
 With admiration and delight, 
 
 As they advanced the cause of right. 
 
 In church, they also took their place. 
 And ran with zeal the Christian Pace. 
 
 —118— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 With all its work identified, 
 And with its membership allied, 
 They soon became a mighty force 
 In helping on its forward course. 
 Such teachers never lose their hold 
 Upon the young nor on the old, 
 But grow in favor through the years 
 As they assume the peoples cares. 
 
 They both were always in demand 
 In all things that the people planned 
 To help advance the youthful state. 
 And make it one among the great. 
 Then let us follow them awhile. 
 And see how varied was their style 
 In aiding ev^ry enterprise 
 That would their country aggrandize. 
 
 At a Teacher's Meeting. 
 
 In Pleasant Vale, ere long, was held 
 A Teacher's Meeting, unexcelled 
 In pedagogic lore profound. 
 In all adjacent districts round. 
 Sylvanus took a leading part. 
 And Euth took hold with all her heart 
 To entertain the youthful throng. 
 And help the programme move along. 
 Sylvanus, in the best of mood, 
 
 —119— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 As he had always done, made good. 
 The subject he discussed so well, 
 We now in brief will try to tell. 
 
 ''ETHIC 8 IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS/' 
 
 "While mental training has the primal place 
 
 In all the great curriculums of schools, 
 
 Yet moral culture must be emphasized. 
 
 As well, since knowledge by itself, alone, 
 
 Is destitute of moral character. 
 
 And hence, like steam when uncontrolled by man. 
 
 Would soon derail the engine and the train. 
 
 And lose its force within the atmosphere; 
 
 But knowledge by a moral culture backed. 
 
 Will always keep the train upon the track. 
 
 And thus perform a service for the world, 
 
 The benefits of which cannot be told. 
 
 So while the training of the intellect 
 
 In point of time comes first, the moral man 
 
 Must take precedence in the race of life. 
 
 If we would serve our fellow-man aright. 
 
 A Perverted Moral Nature. 
 
 "The moral nature also is depraved. 
 And hence is most inclined to choose the wrong. 
 Instead of right; and as the bush is bent 
 The tree is sure to grow unless we train 
 
 —120— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 It with a skillful hand another way. 
 
 To this important work the teacher must 
 
 Devote some time, and supplement the work 
 
 Of anxious parents and of church and stale. 
 
 If we should train the body by itself, 
 
 Alone, we then should have a stalwart frame, 
 
 Perhaps, and rounded out symmetric form, 
 
 "Within which there would dwell a mental dwarf 
 
 Possessed with brutish instinct to devour. 
 
 Destroy, and overrun the world with woe. 
 
 If we should train the body and the mind, 
 And leave the fallen nature unrestrained. 
 Then we should have an educated fiend — 
 A human devil highly qualified 
 To do more mischief than he could before. 
 But, if along with body and with mind, 
 We train the moral nature of the child. 
 We then shall have a splendid type of man 
 Or upright woman, as the case may be. 
 
 The Obstinacy of Heredity. 
 
 "The greatest difficulty that we meet 
 With in the pupil's moral training, is 
 Heredity — the sure transmission of 
 Parental traits to all the children born. 
 This law is fundamental in our world. 
 Without it, it would be a world of chance. 
 
 -121- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 We would not know on what we could depend. 
 
 The law of cause and of effect would be 
 
 Uncertain, unavailing and deranged. 
 
 The a priori order of the world 
 
 Eequires succession of phenomena. 
 
 The fall of man did not destroy this law, 
 
 Else nature's order would have been destroyed, 
 
 And universal chaos would prevail 
 
 Among the races and the species of 
 
 The world so they could not be classified. 
 
 Therefore the law must still hold good in man 
 
 And take his nature as it now exists, 
 
 And pass it down the great ancestral line 
 
 Until the present order comes to end. 
 
 The river that is poison at its source 
 
 Must send its poison down along its course. 
 
 Unless a mighty antidote is found 
 
 To overcome or counteract its trend. 
 
 While urging that Omnific Antidote 
 
 Is rightly left to preachers, yet, there is 
 
 Connected with it lawful means that we 
 
 May use and which we all should aiilize. 
 
 These means are moral precepts found within 
 
 The Holy Bible. That great Book should have 
 
 A proper place in all our public schools. 
 
 We need not introduce disputed points 
 
 On which denominations differ much, 
 
 But we can use the great important truths 
 
 Which bear upon the conduct of the child. 
 
 —122— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 These truths will counteract the evil trend 
 Of youthful life, exalt it and transform 
 It into better types of human kind. 
 
 Thus far, we teachers may, and ought to go ; 
 And if we go this far, we then shall start 
 The moral trend which may go on apace 
 Until the mighty Antidote is found 
 That purifiies the heart or fount of life 
 So that the streams of conduct flowing from 
 It may, and will, be like the Fountain-head. 
 In this way we can help the home and church 
 Without disturbing their peculiar creeds. 
 
 Aside from moral precepts, we can find 
 
 Within this sacred Book the very best 
 
 Of literary compositions, too. 
 
 Which will delight and elevate the mmd 
 
 As nothing else in all the world can do ; 
 
 For here we find the most exalted truths 
 
 That finite minds can find to grapple with. 
 
 Infinity comes plainly into view; 
 
 And since it is a fundamental law 
 
 That finite minds tend toward the magnitude 
 
 Of that which they adore and contemplate. 
 
 It follows, then, that those who thus reflect 
 
 Upon the great, sublime, and wondrous truths 
 
 Set forth in this divine and matchless Book, 
 
 Will not, alone, improve their moral tone, 
 
 —123— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But will also enlarge their intellects 
 As long as they continue thus to do, 
 Through time, and even through eternity. 
 
 The Time Element 
 
 "We have the pupils under our control 
 Almost one half their wakeful hours from six 
 To nine months of the year, and this fact seems 
 To me a cogent reason why we ought 
 To take some special pains to supplement 
 The moral training of the home and church. 
 Of course we must not try to take the place 
 Of home or church in this important work. 
 But only supplement the work they do. 
 Lest it, through us, may fail or suffer loss. 
 If we neglect to carry forward this 
 Important training of the home and church. 
 Our dereliction may, perchance, result 
 In moral damage to their boys and girls. 
 As it is certain that the downward pull 
 Must be resisted by an upward lift 
 Much stronger than the downward pull, if we 
 Would help them reach the highest goal of life. 
 
 The Neglect of Home Training. 
 
 "The other cares and duties of the home 
 Must also be considered in this work, 
 
 —124— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 As parents have much other work to do 
 Besides the moral training of their young, 
 "While others, doubtless, are not qualified 
 To train their children in the better way. 
 
 Then others have no real concern at all 
 
 About their children's moral life; and some, 
 
 It seems, would rather teach them wrong than 
 
 right. 
 Like Topsy, many children only grow 
 Like tender plants in famished soil without 
 Attention, and without the least of help 
 From those who gave them being in the world. 
 
 And then, the church can only spend an hour 
 Or two with them but once or twice a week, 
 "VMiile many others are deprived of this 
 Important privilege by parents who 
 Are too depraved, or else perhaps, too poor 
 To dress them as they think they ought to be. 
 
 In view of these authenticated facts. 
 Our moral duties stand out clear as day. 
 If we neglect these duties, we shall fail 
 To do our part in shaping tender lives 
 Committed to our care for thirty of 
 The choicest hours of ev'ry week, and six 
 To nine of all the best months of the year. 
 
 —125— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 If we are worthy and well qualified 
 To teach by precept and example, both, 
 The finished products of our public schools 
 Are sure to be important factors in 
 The world to make it what it ought to be. 
 While there would be exceptions, now and then. 
 Yet this, we may be sure, will be the rule. 
 We may expect some cheat among the wheat, 
 Some nubbins in the choicest fields of corn. 
 Some smutted ears upon the finest stocks. 
 Some rotten apples on the best of trees 
 And some distressing failures in our schools. 
 
 The Highest Basis of the Moral Life, 
 
 "The highest basis of the moral life 
 
 Is found in Christianity, alone. 
 
 Eight here is where the heathen sages failed 
 
 In all their social codes. Their ethics could 
 
 Not change the moral nature of their hearts 
 
 Or moral dispositions of their minds, 
 
 And hence they all concluded that it would 
 
 Be necessary for the gods to send 
 
 A superhuman teacher to the world. 
 
 Who could command the moral sense of right, 
 
 And teach them how they could obtain the prize 
 
 Of noblest manhood and true happiness. 
 
 The great Divine Instructor came, at last, 
 
 And pointed out the way of truth and life; 
 
 —126— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And all who walk according to His laws 
 Will reach the happy goal some future day. 
 Thus Christianity, alone, can meet 
 The deeper and the higher wants of man. 
 So while I would not try to preach to you, 
 Yet I'm constrained to emphasize this fact 
 Because I know it is sublimely true. 
 If it is true, as doubtless you believe, 
 Then my conclusions rest upon the rock. 
 And will withstand the fiercest criticisms. 
 Nay more, if my positions all are true. 
 It follows, then, that ev'ry teacher ought 
 To be a Christian of the highest type 
 In order to instruct immortal minds. 
 And fit them for the highest service here, 
 And for the glory of the world to come." 
 
 While most of all the teachers there 
 Enjoyed this moral bill of fare, 
 Yet some of them expressed dissent 
 To its robust religious bent. 
 
 :fe 4c 4c ^ ^ 
 
 At length Euth Caldwell took her place, 
 And, with a bright and shining face, 
 Began with deep and earnest tone. 
 And with an art and style her own. 
 To magnify the teacher's work 
 When he does not attempt to shirk. 
 
 —127— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 ''TEE HONOR OF THE TEAGHEB'8 
 CALLING/' 
 
 '^When pirates seized the quaint Diogenes, 
 And flung his freedom to the passing breeze. 
 And were about to sell him as a slave, 
 The cynic sage of Greece, with manners grave, 
 Declared: *I know no kind of trade, except 
 To govern men : in this I am adept ; 
 And so I make request that I be sold 
 To one who wants a master, wise and bold.' 
 With this peculiar diplomatic stroke. 
 In which there was no sign of jest or joke, 
 Xeniades was pleased and so impressed 
 That he desired of him to be possessed; 
 And so he bought him for his own household. 
 And paid for him a handsome sum of gold. 
 Thus he was highly honored, though a slave. 
 And took his place among the wise and brave* 
 
 Those, who for mental work are qualified, 
 Should not with other work be occupied. 
 If it's below their known capacity, 
 ISTo matter how important it may be. 
 They will be discontented with their sphere. 
 And seem to fellow-workmen strange and queer. 
 Thus was it with the quaint Diogenes 
 When he was purchased by Xeniades. 
 
 -128- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 His sense of dignity at once rebelled 
 
 Against the thought of being thus compelled 
 
 To serve his master like a common slave, 
 
 And thus be buried in a social grave. 
 
 'Shall 1/ he doubtless said, 'a sage of Greece, 
 
 Allow these beastly pirates thus to fleece 
 
 Me of the honors I have fairly won, 
 
 And make me do the work that great men shun ? 
 
 Not if I can their sordid plans defeat, 
 
 And cause their lower natures to retreat 
 
 So that their higher selves can take command, 
 
 And show a more humane and tender hand.' 
 
 'Twas this high sense of honor which he showed 
 That saved him from the lowest servile code, 
 And won his coming master's sov'reign grace. 
 And gave him such a high and noble place. 
 The honor of his calling was so great 
 That glory shone around his lowly state. 
 
 There is an honest and a lawful pride 
 That makes a person truly dignified, 
 And gives to him a proper self-respect, 
 Which no respected person should neglect. 
 Of course, all honest callings are divine. 
 And with their own peculiar honors shine. 
 Yet some, like stars of larger magnitude. 
 Are with a greater brilliancy endued. 
 So while I would not in the least reflect 
 
 —129— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 On any calling that commands respect, 
 Yet, teaching in the public schools, I think, 
 Where young and thirsty minds begin to drink 
 From primal fountains in the realm of truth, 
 And so continue through their early youth. 
 Is one among the highest callings known, 
 And occupies a most distinguished throne. 
 
 The work of molding youthful minds aright. 
 
 And leading them to larger realms of light. 
 
 Has so much bearing on the years to come. 
 
 Both of the state and also of the home, 
 
 That we cannot its honors all relate, 
 
 Nor tell its blessings in the aggregate. 
 
 The early culture of the growing tree 
 
 Is most important to its destiny. 
 
 If it has been neglected in the bush. 
 
 There's no amount of energy or push 
 
 Can overcome the teacher's early sin. 
 
 And make the tree just what it would have been 
 
 If it had been attended to when young. 
 
 When all its fibers were correctly strung. 
 
 So if the man was overlooked in youth 
 
 When he was searching for the unknown truth. 
 
 There's no amount of effort nor of skill 
 
 Can fully overcome the former ill, 
 
 Or disannul the edicts of the Fates, 
 
 And round him out in all his native traits. 
 
 -130- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 IN'eglect of training at the proper time, 
 Lets pass the opportunity sublime 
 To shape the pliant mind within the mold, 
 From which it will not turn when it is old. 
 
 The teacher, then, who trains the bushes right. 
 Will some day in the stately trees delight, 
 And hear glad voices from their lofty boughs 
 WMch will her youthful energies arouse. 
 And add new jewels to her honored crown 
 That they will bring from high positions down. 
 At home, in other states, and other lands, 
 Theyll scatter honors with their skillful hands. 
 
 So, then, the teacher's influential zone 
 Extends beyond the bounds where she is known. 
 The human mind canont describe its bounds. 
 Nor tell the value of its goodly grounds. 
 Her pedagogic waves, beginning here. 
 Will grandly roll along from year to year 
 Until they strike against the golden shore. 
 And into heaven all their treasures pour; 
 And even, then, as ages roll along. 
 They will flow on in everlasting song. 
 
 Then fellow-teachers, hold your heads erect, 
 And be in all your conduct circumspect. 
 As your most worthy calling is replete 
 With honors never to become effete, 
 
 -131- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 But will for ever cumulative be 
 Throughout the ages of eternity/^ 
 
 The pleasing thought of this address, 
 On which she laid such splendid stress 
 By winsome gestures and with voice. 
 Made ev'ry teacher's heart rejoice. 
 
 The meeting was at length adjourned, 
 And all with faith and hope returned 
 To push the work they loved to do 
 With increased zeal and knowledge, too. 
 Sylvanus, first, went home with Euth, 
 And then from there to Abalooth, 
 When he had spent a day with her. 
 To which they often would refer 
 With pleasure in the years to come 
 When settled in their happy home. 
 
 SECTION X. 
 The Engagement. 
 
 The moments now become intense. 
 
 And fragrant with true love's incense. 
 
 Emotions, like the hurricanes 
 
 That sweep across the western plains. 
 
 Pass through the landscapes of their souls. 
 
 And circle round affection's poles. 
 
 The strips of timber, here and there, 
 
 —132— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Bend low before the rushing air; 
 
 But when the storm has spent its force, 
 
 They rise again along its course, 
 
 And with increasing vigor grow, 
 
 While all the streams their banks o'erflow. 
 
 When this great psychologic storm 
 Began to caper and perform, 
 Sylvanus sat with charming Euth 
 Beneath a lovely sunmier booth. 
 Where children met to romp and play. 
 And pass the summer months away. 
 Within it was a small settee 
 Just large enough for two or three. 
 The booth was in Euth's father's lawn. 
 And to it they had both been drawn. 
 Some splendid shade-trees stood around. 
 But did not shade the entire ground. 
 
 Beneath this children's habitat. 
 The storm-swept couple swaying sat. 
 'Twas on a bright November day. 
 When Indian Summer's grand display 
 Was introducing autumn's style, 
 And making nature blandly smile 
 Like sunlight does the ev'ning sky 
 When daylight is about to die. 
 The trees were giving up their fruits. 
 And changing green for yellow suits, 
 
 —133— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Though some were slow to make the change. 
 Which made them look a little strange ; 
 But yet this strangeness did not pall, 
 But gave more beauty to the fall 
 By way of contrast that was grand, 
 And showed the artist's skillful hand. 
 
 The day was charming and sublime — 
 
 Almost as warm as summer time. 
 
 It was on Sunday afternoon 
 
 When Love sent forth her great typhoon 
 
 To bring them to the crucical point, 
 
 So she could both their souls anoint 
 
 With balmy and with fragrant oil 
 
 To sweeten all their future toil. 
 
 The Guiding Hand was moving fast, 
 
 And their good angels had, at last. 
 
 Succeeded in their well-laid plans 
 
 To bring them to the border-lands 
 
 Of Matrimony's glad domain, 
 
 Where one is strangely made of twain. 
 
 On either side the angels stood. 
 
 And pressed the matter as they could. 
 
 With strange maneuvers they performed. 
 
 And all their forts severely stormed 
 
 Until Procrastination fell. 
 
 And Fear had heard his own death-knell, 
 
 Bowed down his erstwhile lofty head 
 
 And soon was numbered with the dead. 
 
 —134— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 While Love's decisive storm, as yet, 
 
 Was in the distance weaving jet 
 
 Into her growing thunder-cloud, 
 
 From which she soon would speak aloud. 
 
 This happy couple gladly talked 
 
 Of many scenes through which they walked 
 
 In childhood and in college days. 
 
 And were with life and joy ablaze. 
 
 While talking of the former times. 
 
 They often broke forth into rhymes; 
 
 And as they talked, the nearer drew 
 
 The love-storm that would soon renew 
 
 Sylvanus' courage for the task 
 
 The hand of Euth to boldly ask. 
 
 As yet, his courage always failed. 
 
 Which he within his heart bewailed. 
 
 He struggled hard with needless fear. 
 
 But could not drive it to the rear. 
 
 While this conflict was going on, 
 
 And he was thinking pro and con 
 
 Concerning that important hour. 
 
 Love's tempest came with mighty pow'r. 
 
 And he was driven by its force 
 
 To break forth in a love-discourse. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "Dear Euth, ere long I must depart ; 
 
 But there is something in my heart 
 
 -135— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 That I must say before I go ; 
 
 And what it is, you doubtless know. 
 
 Somehow, when I first heard of you, 
 
 A sweet emotion thrilled me through. 
 
 And with you I was so impressed 
 
 That I could scarcely sleep or rest; 
 
 And when I met you face to face. 
 
 My heart besought the ^Throne of Grace^ 
 
 For guidance and for help divine 
 
 That I might some day call you mine. 
 
 And now, a full acquaintanceship. 
 
 Has strengthened your delightful grip 
 
 Upon my glad and willing heart, 
 
 So that when we are miles apart, 
 
 I always feel the happy thrill 
 
 Of your strong hand upon my will. 
 
 I love you with undying love. 
 
 Which I am sure comes from above; 
 
 For I believe the Guiding Hand 
 
 Has both our lives together planned. 
 
 I think I can quite plainly see 
 
 That you are my affinity. 
 
 I feel that I could live with you 
 
 The everlasting ages through. 
 
 And from unfailing fountains dip 
 
 The joys of true companionship. 
 
 And now, if you feel thus toward me. 
 
 Please take my hand and let me see 
 
 —136— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The answer in those lovely eyes 
 
 From which true inspiration flies, 
 
 And let me feel it in the touch 
 
 That always strengthens me so much; 
 
 But, over and above it all, 
 
 Please let your verbal answer fall 
 
 Like perfumed rain from those sweet lips. 
 
 From which my heart true pleasure sips/' 
 
 AYhile this discourse was going on, 
 Euth, o^er its words, did wisely con. 
 Her love for him was always strong. 
 But when Love's tempest came along. 
 It fanned it into greater flame. 
 And caused her to express the same. 
 She sat with eyes upon the ground 
 As he the question did propound. 
 And when, at last, he finished it. 
 She still continued thus to sit 
 A moment lost in solemn thought. 
 While he with anxious feelings fought. 
 Like twilight on a summer morn 
 When some glad day is being bom, 
 Her answer soon began to dawn 
 And radiate the lovely lawn. 
 She lifted up her moistened eyes 
 Just like the summer-morning skies 
 When seen through dewy atmosphere 
 
 -137— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 As Sol is ready to appear, 
 And turned them tow'rd Sylvanus^ face 
 With such a sweet benignant grace 
 That drove away his facial shade, 
 And filled with light his mental glade. 
 She took his warm extended hand. 
 And with a voice serenely bland. 
 She answered him with thrilling words 
 Which far out sang the happy birds. 
 
 Kuth:— 
 
 "I thought that you would say this soon, 
 
 And that this lovely afternoon 
 
 Would be the epoch-making time 
 
 When both our hearts would speak in rhjrtne 
 
 Upon this most important theme 
 
 That doth with vital issues teem. 
 
 I felt that day when first we met. 
 
 The joys of which I'll ne'er forget. 
 
 That Mutu'l Love, with golden crown, 
 
 Had from her happy realms come down 
 
 To lead us up to her domain. 
 
 There to enjoy her blessed reign. 
 
 I made no effort or attempt 
 
 From her control to be exempt. 
 
 A willing captive I became, 
 
 And always shall remain the same. 
 
 The freedom that most pleases me 
 
 —138— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Is her benignant sovereignty. 
 There is no freedom half so sweet, 
 And none that can at all compete 
 With that which she so freely gives. 
 Since with her Freedom always lives. 
 
 You may for ever call me thine. 
 If I may always call you mine; 
 And then together we shall walk, 
 And of our glad fruition talk 
 Throughout this earthly term of life. 
 As husband true and faithful wife; 
 And then, if in our future state. 
 Where all the good shall congregate, 
 This glad relationship shall be 
 Continued through eternity 
 In some way suited to that sphere. 
 Though much unlike it is down here, 
 I'm sure companionship with you 
 Will be my joy the ages through." 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 'TTour answer has my being thriUed, 
 
 And all my soul with rapture filled. 
 
 I am so overwhelmed with joy 
 
 That all the words I can employ 
 
 Seem feeble and inadequate 
 
 To half express my happy state. 
 
 —139— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 My mind is like the smiling sky 
 Where joyful seraphs ever fly, 
 And where the waves of ether roll 
 In grandeur o'er the opened scroll. 
 There comes to me a higher zone, 
 Which was to me before unknown. 
 The sun shines brighter than before. 
 The world with beauty seems galore, 
 Your heart gives up its choicest ore 
 And I'm enriched for evermore. 
 With us, ^Deep calleth unto deep,' 
 As waves of love so grandly sweep 
 From shore to shore or soul to soul. 
 And girdle us from pole to pole. 
 While I felt sure that all was well. 
 And that you could from actions tell 
 That I was yours without a doubt. 
 And that Love's arms were round about 
 Us like the suns magnetic cords 
 Which girdle all its distant wards. 
 And hold them with unfailing grip, 
 From which not one can ever slip, 
 Yet, somehow, in this world of ours, 
 Unwedded love, with all its pow'rs. 
 Feels more or less solicitude 
 Until its faith and hope include 
 Engagement's promissory note. 
 Its latent forces to promote; 
 
 —140— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And even then the fear of death 
 Makes lovers sometimes short of breath. 
 While others, still, with doubts contend, 
 And so cannot with faith depend 
 Upon each other to be true 
 The necessary courtship through; 
 But this is not the case with us, 
 As I shaU now with joy discuss. 
 
 The mighty God who made the worlds, 
 Each one of which forever whirls 
 Within the orbit planned for it. 
 And by its sun is warmed and lit. 
 Arranged them into social groups 
 Connected by true kindred loops. 
 So in the world of human kind, 
 God has His plans all well-defined. 
 The social groups, both large and small. 
 In their respective orbits fall. 
 The likes will each the other seek, 
 As they do all one language speak. 
 This fact obtains in ev'ry realm, 
 No matter what is at the helm — 
 If it is either right or wrong — 
 All find the place where they belong. 
 In commerce and in politics, 
 The likes all find a way to mix. 
 In trades, professions and in creeds, 
 
 —141— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 They all unite to meet their needs. 
 
 The social circles, good or bad, 
 
 The happy people or the sad 
 
 Unite according to their choice 
 
 To either mourn or to rejoice. 
 
 The optimist and pessimist. 
 
 The solemn man and humorist — 
 
 Each finds his proper orbit soon 
 
 Just like a planet or a moon. 
 
 And thus it is the whole world round, 
 
 As thoughtful people all have found. 
 
 So in the blessed marriage state 
 
 The likes are bound to congregate. 
 
 But as mistakes are sometimes made 
 
 In any calling or a trade, 
 
 So they are sometimes made in this. 
 
 And truest likes each other miss. 
 
 But since the large majority, 
 
 As any one can plainly see. 
 
 Do find their proper place and sphere, 
 
 So I believe it holds good here. 
 
 By counting all the homes you know, 
 
 I think you soon will find it so. 
 
 The blunders foolish people make. 
 
 This settled rule can never break. 
 
 And these mistakes would not be made. 
 
 If those within each social grade 
 
 Would follow all the rules laid down 
 
 —142— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Eor those who seek the marriage crown. 
 The way for some is made so plain 
 That they with ease the crown obtain. 
 While others are compelled to wait 
 Along time for the proper mate; 
 But if they hold out long enough, 
 Though all their way be very rough, 
 They^ll be rewarded by and by 
 By Him who rules the earth and sky; 
 And if there are no mates for some, 
 To them some other good will come. 
 
 While we, at times, have felt some doubt. 
 The Troubler soon was put to rout. 
 The way for us is now so clear 
 That we have only Death to fear. 
 And now that we have spoken out. 
 My own glad heart doth sing and shout 
 The praises of the Guiding Hand 
 That hath our lives so plainly planned, 
 And given me a jewel bright 
 That doth outshine our solar light. 
 In your effulgence I shall walk. 
 And of your virtues proudly talk 
 Until relentless death shall come, 
 And send us to our future home; 
 And then, in some way now unknown, 
 When we appear before God's throne, 
 
 —143— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 I think that He has so arranged 
 That we shall never be estranged. 
 But that we shall forever love 
 According to the laws above." 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "To hear such words from one so good, 
 
 Makes me feel proud of womanhood; 
 
 For when it thus on manhood plays, 
 
 And calls forth such a heart-felt praise, 
 
 It makes a woman raise her head. 
 
 And on the highest summits tread. 
 
 This subject I would not discuss. 
 
 If some one else had spoken thus, 
 
 But since these praises come from you. 
 
 They do my deepest self imbue 
 
 "With honest, though yet humble pride. 
 
 That will, I'm sure, with me abide 
 
 As long as Eecollection lives, 
 
 And from her hand this treasure gives. 
 
 I'm glad also, as well as proud, 
 
 That I have driven back the cloud 
 
 Which for a moment crossed your mind 
 
 When I fell just a bit behind 
 
 In my response to your appeal, 
 
 And caused you thus to sadly feel. 
 
 Your words so overpowered me, 
 
 I could not for a moment see 
 
 —144— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Just how to frame my answer right 
 So it would thrill you with delight. 
 With you I heartily agree 
 That we cannot mistaken be, 
 As I have prayed about it much, 
 And felt the strong, impelling touch 
 Of that unerring Guiding Hand 
 That all the universe hath planned. 
 I do delight to hear you talk, 
 And by your side to proudly walk; 
 And if I can inspire your life 
 By being your devoted wife, 
 I'll gladly don the queenly gown. 
 And wear the brightest earthly crown.'' 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "I would delight to kiss the lips 
 
 From which such fragrant comfort drips, 
 
 And in this manner, here and now. 
 
 Seal this delightful marriage vow.'' 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "You may do so if you desire. 
 And if it will your heart inspire 
 With courage for your daily toil 
 In cultivating mental soil." 
 
 —145- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Three kisses, then, were quickly giv'n, 
 Which caused the bells to ring in heav'n; 
 And while they thus so sweetly rang, 
 Their guard'an angels loudly sang, 
 And thus expressed their great delight 
 Vouchsafed to them by that glad sight. 
 
 The Angels' Song, 
 
 "All glory to the Guiding Hand 
 Which hath such wisdom shown. 
 And filled this grand and goodly land 
 With purest love's ozone! 
 
 "True love is joyful any where, 
 And it will never fail 
 To scatter blessings here and there, 
 Along its blissful trail. 
 
 "It fills our own abode with peace. 
 Which like a river fiows. 
 And joys that evermore increase 
 Free from all kinds of woes. 
 
 "Love makes the sun with splendor shine. 
 And stars with beauty glow; 
 And those who worship at her shrine, 
 Shall all her secrets know. 
 
 —146— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 ''Within this world of sin and strife, 
 Love gives her subjects joy. 
 And blesses both the man and wife. 
 Who all her means employ. 
 
 ''When she at last shall have full sway. 
 And reign the world around. 
 True happiness will come to stay, 
 And more and more abound. 
 
 "This couple who are now engaged. 
 Are under her control; 
 Their joys shall never be assuaged 
 While endless ages roll. 
 
 "The time we set for them to meet 
 And plight their mutu'l love. 
 Has come with fragrant odors sweet. 
 Distilled from realms above. 
 
 "The stage of life they now have reached. 
 We both have longed to see; 
 And we have oft about it preached 
 With hopeful ecstasy. 
 
 "And now that it has come, at last, 
 With such a smiling face, 
 The streams of joy are flowing fast 
 From upper founts of grace. 
 
 —147- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "The final stage is guaranteed 
 By this sublime event, 
 And it shall come from flow'ry mead 
 With gladness redolent. 
 
 "0 blessed day, thy joys are great. 
 And greater yet shall be, 
 When we with them shall celebrate 
 The nuptial victory." 
 
 A Delightful Dream. 
 
 The couple, after they had kissed. 
 
 Were shrouded with a psychic mist. 
 
 And sat awhile and sweetly dreamed. 
 
 As shortly afterwards, it seemed. 
 
 That they had heard some unknown chimes. 
 
 And unknown songs from other climes. 
 
 The dreamy mist soon passed away. 
 
 And both their minds were clear as day. 
 
 Sylvanus, first, the silence broke. 
 
 And of the far-off music spoke. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "While sitting here absorbed in thought. 
 There seemed to come to me unsought. 
 The sound of music from afar 
 Without a discord or a jar. 
 
 —148— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 It doubtless came from other realms, 
 
 But sounded here among these elms, 
 
 And then in wavelets seemd to roll 
 
 Through all the regions of my soul. 
 
 I know I'm not an Occultist, 
 
 Nor am I a Theosophist. 
 
 With Mystics I could never train, 
 
 Nor Necromancy entertain. 
 
 Communication with the dead 
 
 Is a delusion of the head. 
 
 The whole weird band of Occult Arts, 
 
 I do reject in whole or parts; 
 
 And if some facts with them are found. 
 
 They must belong on other ground. 
 
 So those subjective sounds I heard. 
 
 And which to me became endeared. 
 
 Have no connection with those cults. 
 
 Nor with their strange and weird tumults; 
 
 But on the other hand, they came 
 
 From where they have a higher aim — 
 
 From that sublime angelic sphere. 
 
 Which lies so far and yet so near 
 
 To those who fellowship with it. 
 
 And near its borders raptly sit. 
 
 IVe heard it many times before. 
 
 When I\e been sitting in the door 
 
 Of holy meditative thought. 
 
 Beholding what our God hath wrought." 
 
 -149— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "I heard the same delightful strains 
 From realms where perfect music reigns. 
 And I have often heard the same 
 When all my soul has been aflame 
 With love divine and holy zeal — 
 Always replete with heavenly weal. 
 I hate the 'Black Arts/ as they're called. 
 And think that they should be blackballed; 
 But with the angels I can sip 
 The joys of psychic fellowship; 
 For God has sent them to this world 
 To keep His banners all unfurled. 
 They have a righteous mission here, 
 And work within a holy sphere. 
 As they are here to do no harm, 
 Their presence does not cause alarm — 
 At least to those who do the right. 
 And walk as children of the light; 
 But we should keep away from coasts 
 Where dwell the evil occult ghosts, 
 Or where 'familiar spirits' dwell, 
 As they are messengers from hell. 
 Their mission here is to deceive, 
 And willing minds to make believe 
 That they are their departed friends. 
 As their dark-lantern-cult contends; 
 But angels of the holy kind, 
 
 —150— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Whose noble missions are defined 
 So plainly in the Book of books, 
 Are not allied with Satan's spooks, 
 But come as messengers of God, 
 And, with their gentle shepherd's rod. 
 Lead forth the sheep with interest keen 
 To waters still and pastures green. 
 They come, like those to Abram's tent. 
 As messengers of justice sent, 
 Or, like the ones in Jacob's dream, 
 Who brought him heaven's golden gleam 
 To comfort his despondent heart, 
 And in his life-work take a part. 
 They come to strengthen weary men, 
 Like that one to Elijah when 
 From Ahab he was made to flee. 
 And came and sat beneath the tree 
 That stood within a country dry. 
 And prayed to God that he might die. 
 They come, like those to Daniel, too. 
 To help him with his trials through. 
 Or, like the mighty one who came 
 To bring to earth the Savior's name. 
 And also like those on the Mount, 
 Of which the Gospels give account. 
 They come with shining garments on. 
 Like those who came to lonely John 
 In great Apocalyptic scenes 
 
 —151— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Thrown plainly on his psychic screens. 
 As Guard'an angels, too, they come. 
 To guide ns to our heav'nly home. 
 I think the joyful sounds we heard, 
 And which so far away appeared. 
 And yet within our souls echoed, 
 Came from the angePs blest abode. 
 Or from our guardian angels sent 
 To ratify this glad event. 
 I feel their holy presence now. 
 And to them my glad soul doth bow.^' 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "You^re right in all that you have said 
 
 About the living and the dead. 
 
 And also our relationship 
 
 To those beyond this narrow strip 
 
 Of time that lies along between 
 
 The unseen universe and seen. 
 
 But now, while I would love to stay. 
 
 And with you while more hours away, 
 
 Yet yonder sinking sun proclaims. 
 
 By its grand occidental flames. 
 
 That I must leave my darling Euth, 
 
 And start at once for Abalooth; 
 
 But I will often come to you. 
 
 And our delightful talks renew. 
 
 The time when you shall be my bride, 
 
 —152— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 We will some future day decide. 
 
 Of course we will not be in haste, 
 
 Nor will we let time go to waste. 
 
 So farewell, for the present time. 
 
 And farewell to this place sublime. 
 
 A little while, a little while — 
 
 It gives to me a happy smile — 
 
 A little while, and 111 return. 
 
 As my fond heart will for you yearn; 
 
 A little while, and you'll be mine. 
 
 And I will be completely thine. 
 
 If it should be a year or two. 
 
 The days and months will seem but few. 
 
 A little while, shall be my song, 
 
 As time doth swiftly move along." 
 
 SECTION XL 
 SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS WORK. 
 
 8ylvanus, having heen asked to 
 recite an original poem at a so- 
 cial gathering, chose as his suJ)- 
 ject, "The Great Western Kansas 
 Blizzard," of January 6th and 1th, 1886y 
 of which he had heard so much 
 from an eye witness. 
 
 The Western Kansas Blizzard, 
 
 "Oh, that cold and dreadful blizzard 
 That once swept the Kansas-land, 
 
 —153— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 As if ev'ry northern wizard 
 Had its sure destruction planned! 
 On they came in loud procession 
 With their snowy avalanche, 
 To demand a full possession 
 Of the western cattle-ranch. 
 
 "It was on a pleasant ev'ning 
 Of a January day, 
 When the stock-men, all believing. 
 That the starry night^s display 
 Was a precious boon of pleasure 
 To the cowboys of the west. 
 Who were feeling much at leisure 
 When they laid them down to rest. 
 
 "Soon the storm began to gather 
 In the northern hemisphere, 
 And the sudden change of weather 
 Made the people quake with fear; 
 In a little while the rattle 
 Of the sleet against the door. 
 Proved the north had opened battle 
 On the sunny Kansas shore. 
 
 "Now the wizards all are whooping — 
 Dancing, yelling all around — 
 And with shovels they are scooping 
 
 —154— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 All the snow from off the ground; 
 Working thus in bold collusion 
 With the wind's tremendous force, 
 Woes are scattered in profusion 
 All along their gloomy course. 
 
 *^In dismay and out of kelter, 
 Farmers rise their stock to see — 
 Those who have for them no shelter 
 But the cloudy canopy; 
 They behold the swift destruction 
 Sifted down without restraint, 
 And their three-years' best production 
 Growing hour by hour more faint. 
 
 ^'But with firmness and decision. 
 They are fighting with the storm. 
 Which is grinning in derision 
 As it watches them perform; 
 Soon the scene becomes appalling. 
 And their hearts almost despair. 
 As they see their cattle falling 
 AU around them ev'rywhere. 
 
 ^'Freezing cattle seek a shelter 
 From the blinding snow and sleet. 
 Stock are running helter-skelter, 
 Soon their dreadful fate to meet, 
 
 — ]55— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 While their owners are affrighted 
 At the driving wind and snow. 
 And are trying, though excited. 
 To the needful help bestow. 
 
 "Still the storm is growing stronger. 
 And the stock are growing weak; 
 Men are wondering how much longer 
 Is this night so cold and bleak; 
 Long it spreads its consternation 
 Through the ranches of the West, 
 Leaving death and desolation 
 As its only last bequest. 
 
 "On and on until the morning — 
 Through the long remembered-day — 
 It continued with much scorning 
 On its bold, destructive way; 
 The second midnight it subsided. 
 And its course was fully run, 
 But it still the West derided 
 Through the vict'ry it had won. 
 
 "Morning came without commotion. 
 
 And the gorgeous sun arose, 
 
 Looked upon the snowy ocean. 
 
 Wept upon its awful woes; 
 
 Then the clouds, their strength renewing, 
 
 —156— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Hid, at times, the weeping sun, 
 As they passed along reviewing 
 All the mischief they had done. 
 
 "Then with gloomy apprehension 
 Men were seen upon the plains, 
 Looking with profound attention 
 For the traveler's last remains; 
 All along the public highways, 
 Then through valleys and ravines, 
 They explored the nooks and by ways 
 That might serve for winter screens. 
 
 "Soon a cry of lamentation 
 
 Eose upon the bracing air. 
 
 As they saw the desolation 
 
 All around them everywhere ; 
 
 Swine and cattle thousands numbered, 
 
 Men and women near a score 
 
 In the silent snow-drifts slumbered. 
 
 Conscious of the storm no more.^' 
 
 Rutn Caldwell, at a literary 
 gathering, recites an origi- 
 nal poem dy special request. 
 
 ''THE POWER OF WORDS/' 
 
 "By far the greatest armies that this world has 
 
 ever known. 
 Are not its soldiers who have won a glory all their 
 
 own, 
 
 -157- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And who deserve the gratitude of all their civil 
 
 states 
 For what they've done to save them, or to fight 
 
 against the Fates; 
 But they are great Vocabularies filled with 
 
 human thought, 
 Which can proclaim the greatest battles that the 
 
 world has fought, 
 As well the greatest victories that ever have been 
 
 won 
 By any military forces underneath the sun. 
 
 ^^When each of these Vocabularies marches out its 
 
 words. 
 They fly in all directions like a thousand flocks of 
 
 birds ; 
 And each contains a dagger or an olive-branch of 
 
 peace 
 With which to stir up trouble or demand that 
 
 strife shall cease; 
 Great wars have been averted by these valiant 
 
 little lords, 
 And mighty conflicts have been stopped, as 
 
 history records, 
 While peace again was summoned from her golden 
 
 throne above, 
 And gently bound the hostile nations with her 
 
 cords of love. 
 
 —158— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "Thus words are living forces on the battle-fields 
 
 of Hf e. 
 Enlisted in the struggle for eternal peace or 
 
 strife ; 
 They stand for truth or falsehood, as the speakers 
 
 may desire, 
 And make the nations better, or else set them all 
 
 on fire; 
 Like old-time Greek projectiles, they are hurled 
 
 against the foe. 
 Aflame with naphtha, niter and with sulphur, as 
 
 they go; 
 But good words blaze with virtue and for ever 
 
 make for peace. 
 Demanding that the bitter conflicts of this world 
 
 shall cease. 
 
 "So, then, if words incite to war, and then to 
 peace again. 
 
 And if from bloody struggles they compel us to 
 abstain. 
 
 They are the greatest warriors on the battle-flelda 
 of earth. 
 
 Deserving praise and credit for their great in- 
 trinsic worth; 
 
 In words, therefore, we have a mighty force at 
 our command 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To put to flight the barking war-dogs on the sea 
 
 and land, 
 And overcome all other troubles that disturb <vur 
 
 race, 
 And make this fallen world, at length, a most 
 
 delightful place. 
 
 "In public speaking — in the pulpit and upon the 
 stage — 
 
 In conversation, singing, and upon the printed 
 page, 
 
 The world^s Vocabularies play a most important 
 part 
 
 In science, ethics, politics, religion and in art; 
 
 Then let us learn the splendid art of using words 
 aright. 
 
 And we shall be commanders in the thickest of 
 the fight — 
 
 Commanding our Vocabularies, both in speech 
 and song. 
 
 As well as through the printing-press to over- 
 throw the wrong/' 
 
 —160- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Sylvanus, at a social religious 
 gathering, recites another orig- 
 inal poe7n by request on — 
 
 ''THE GARDEN OF EDEN/' 
 
 "Behold that Garden of Delight, 
 "Which sang with joy both day and night — 
 ^Vhe^e man, primeval, walked with God, 
 And all the paths of wisdom trod! 
 
 "God planted it in ancient times, 
 And filled it with the sweetest chimes 
 Of nature's glad and rhythmic voice. 
 To make the heart of man rejoice. 
 
 "Then come with me, and let ns go 
 To man's lost Eden here below; 
 And side by side we'll gladly roam 
 Through that primeval happy home. 
 
 "There four great rivers had their source. 
 From which they took their winding course 
 Through all the happy country round 
 To water all the goodly ground. 
 
 "There trees, esthetic natures thrilled 
 With gladness from their leaves distilled, 
 
 —161— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 While singing birds from lofty boughs. 
 Seemed man^s well-being to espouse. 
 
 "There orchards with the choicest fruit — 
 The eye to please and taste to suit — 
 In grandeur waved their fruitful limbs. 
 As zephyrs sang their joyful hymns. 
 
 "There grew the stately Tree of Life, 
 Well guarded from all sin and strife, 
 Whose fruit would human life prolong, 
 And always keep man well and strong. 
 
 *^ithin the garden also stood 
 The Tree of Evil and the Good; 
 And its forbidden fruit maintained 
 Man's freedom that was beins trained. 
 
 'to 
 
 "There flowers in perpetu'l bloom. 
 Gave to the air a sweet perfume. 
 And filled man's heart with pure delight. 
 As he beheld the pleasant sight. 
 
 "Imagination now grows faint. 
 As she with joy attempts to paint 
 The beauty of that ancient Site — 
 The happy Garden of Delight. 
 
 —162— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "She closes both her sparkling eyes, 
 And with enraptured heart she cries: 
 ^lest Garden, thou dost far excel 
 What all the Muses nine could tell! 
 
 "There Adam and his lovely spouse, 
 Abode in nature's dwelling-house; 
 And God would oftentimes draw near, 
 And they would meet Him without fear. 
 
 "At length, from their exalted state, 
 They fell, but not by force or fate. 
 But by their own free will they chose 
 The fruit containing all our woes. 
 
 "Then God came down with glory bright. 
 And from the Garden of Delight, 
 Excluded them with guilt and shame 
 To vindicate His holy Name. 
 
 "With aching hearts and weeping eyes. 
 They left that happy Paradise 
 To reap the fruit of evil deeds, 
 And labor to supply their needs. 
 
 "Outside the garden they sat down 
 Beneath insulted nature's frown, 
 
 —163— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And loudly wept the blessed state 
 Inside the closed and guarded gate. 
 
 "But God had promised that the seed 
 Of Eve should meet their moral need, 
 And open wide the pearly gate 
 Of entrance to a higher state. 
 
 "This Seed was Christ, the Son of God, 
 Who was to wield the shepherd's rod, 
 And lead the fallen human race 
 Tip to the new appointed place. 
 
 "So now on wings of faith we rise. 
 And soar beyond the starry skies 
 To where our spirits soon shall flee, 
 And bask in pure felicity. 
 
 "The other garden was the type, 
 And this the perfect anti-type. 
 Excelling man's primeval state 
 Far more than we can calculate. 
 
 "This is our future Paradise, 
 To which we turn our wistful eyes, 
 And gaze upon the lovely sight, 
 Of that great Garden of Delight.'' 
 
 -164- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Ruth Caldwell sings an 
 original song at the fu- 
 neral of a heloved wife 
 and mother, to comfort 
 the dereaved family. 
 
 'VUR HEAVENLY HOME/' 
 
 *^There is a world somewhere in space, 
 Where friends shall meet in fond embrace. 
 And of the great salvation talk, 
 As down the ages they shall walk. 
 
 *^There happy loved-ones robed in white. 
 Together walk the Plains of Light, 
 And talk and sing in gladdest strains. 
 While roaming o'er the lovely plains. 
 
 ^^There sin and death shall not be found. 
 While countless ages roll around; 
 And wailing never shall be heard, 
 Nor strife and envy ever feared. 
 
 "There grief and want can never come 
 To that delightful happy home ; 
 For heaven's fullness all shall share 
 Without a single want or care. 
 
 "There trees of life sublimely grow, 
 Whose fruitful branches, bending low, 
 
 —165- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Invite the happy throngs in white 
 To come and eat to their delight. 
 
 '^There Life's Eternal Eiver flows, 
 (Upon whose banks the Life-tree grows), 
 To keep their youthful vigor strong, 
 While countless ages roll along. 
 
 "There golden mansions stately rise, 
 And kiss the sweet refulgent skies; 
 And happy souls within their walls. 
 Send sweetest music through the halls. 
 
 "There little children saved by grace. 
 Among the blessed take their place. 
 And with their childish voices sing — 
 'Hosanna to their Savior King.' 
 
 "There mother's hearts with gladness sweU, 
 The depth of which no tongue can tell. 
 When to each one her baby flies 
 With glory sparkling from its eyes. 
 
 "There fam'ly groups all safe at home, 
 Sit down within the golden dome, 
 And with enraptured joys proclaim. 
 Salvation through their Savior's Name. 
 
 —166— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 '^0 may we all those glories share, 
 And breathe that holy atmosphere, 
 Where fragrant flowers always bloom. 
 And fill the air with sweet perfume." 
 
 Sylvanus, hy request, sings 
 an original song in a revi- 
 val meeting to fit a series 
 of allegorical sermons 'being 
 preached ty his pastor on, 
 ''The Broad Way" 
 
 ''THE DOWNWARD COURSE/' 
 
 "Downward the sinner is traveling with speed. 
 Downward he's going and will not take heed. 
 Steering his course for destruction and woe 
 In the dark regions of weeping below; 
 He will not listen to warnings of friends, 
 He will not hearken, but downward he tends. 
 Stopping his ears to entreaties of love. 
 Coming with power from heaven above. 
 
 "Passing the cities upon the Broad Way, 
 Passing the places of sinful display, 
 Deeper and deeper he's sinking in sin, 
 Stifling the voice of his conscience within; 
 Still he's determined his race he will run. 
 Still will he roam like the prodigal son, 
 Spending his money for that that's not bread. 
 Drawn by decoys and allurements ahead. 
 
 —167— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "Soon will he pass the redemption of grace, 
 Soon will he reach the dark end of his race. 
 Where he will plunge into infinite woe, 
 Captured at last by his merciless foe; 
 Hearken, then, sinner while mercy is free, 
 Hearken while Jesus is calling to thee — 
 Bidding thee come with contrition of mind 
 Where you will life and true blessedness find. 
 
 ^'He is the way and the life and the truth. 
 He is the way to the fountain of youth. 
 Where you'll for ever drink pleasures untold. 
 Never grow weary and never grow old; 
 These are the blessings He offers to you. 
 These are the pleasures for you to pursue; 
 then, dear sinner, forsake the Broad Way — 
 Come, and receive these great blessings to-day/' 
 
 Ruth visits an aged and pious 
 widow, and sings two songs for 
 Tier comfort and consolation. 
 
 ''THE WORLD BEYOND/' 
 
 ^^Beyond this world of sin and sorrow, 
 A world of glory lies, 
 Eesplendent with eternal beauty — 
 Delightful to our eyes. 
 
 —168— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "By faith I see its golden mansions, 
 And hear the angels sing; 
 By faith I hear the saints adoring 
 Their Savior and their King. 
 
 "I see the golden streets of Zion 
 Beneath the lovely trees, 
 Whose fruitful boughs are always bending 
 Before the gentle breeze. 
 
 "Then death's approach should not dismay us. 
 When such a world as this 
 Lies just beyond the rolling Jordan, 
 Filled with eternal bliss." 
 
 ''TEE PROMISED LAND/' 
 
 "On top of Pisgah's lofty Mount, 
 
 The faithful Moses stood. 
 
 And viewed the Christianas home beyond, 
 
 Filled with eternal good. 
 
 "So on the shining Mount of Faith, 
 The weary pilgrims stand. 
 And look with pleasure and with hope 
 To their own Promised Land. 
 
 "Ten thousand glories come in sight 
 To greet their longing eyes, 
 
 -169- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And strengthen tliem to press their way 
 To win the promised prize. 
 
 "Oh, how their hearts will leap for joy 
 When they shall reach its shores, 
 And enter through the open gate 
 To its exhaustless stores!" 
 
 Sylvanus visits a patron who 
 is Vadly discouraged because 
 of difficulties and misfor- 
 tunes, and sings two songs 
 for his comfort and encourage- 
 ment. 
 
 ''CROSSING THE RED SEA/' 
 
 "The Eed Sea rolls before me wide. 
 And on its banks I stand; 
 The mountains rise on either side, 
 And foes my all demand. 
 
 "Lord, here I am hedged in around. 
 And helpless without thee; 
 may escape for me be found 
 Through this unfriendly sea. 
 
 " ^Go forward,' says a voice divine, 
 'Fear neither sea nor foe; 
 For both the land and sea are mine, 
 And all the winds that blow.' 
 
 —170- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "I take a step without delay, 
 And, lo, the sea divides; 
 I hear the winds and waters say — 
 ^See how the Lord provides.' 
 
 '^ith joy now streaming from my eyes. 
 And feet made light and free, 
 I bound away while angry cries 
 Are fast pursuing me. 
 
 *^At length I reach the other shore. 
 And loudly shout and sing. 
 While o'er my foes the billows roar. 
 And me their treasures bring." 
 
 "TAKING HOLD OF GOD'S STRENGTH/ 
 Is. 27:5. 
 
 "God's strength is limitless as space, 
 And just as free as air; 
 And all who seek His throne of grace. 
 Shall of His fullness share. 
 
 *^A11 nature throbs with His great strength. 
 
 Which thousands utilize; 
 
 And greater forces will, at length. 
 
 The human race surprise. 
 
 -171- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 ^^So in the field of business, 
 
 God's help is near at hand; 
 
 And those who meet with great distress, 
 
 May have His strength as planned. 
 
 "In trouble, too, of ev'ry kind, 
 His strength will be our stay; 
 And in Him we shall comfort find 
 Throughout ^the cloudy day.' 
 
 "0 let us, then, by faith and prayer, 
 
 Take hold of strength divine; 
 
 For God is present ev'rywhere, 
 
 And through His Word and works doth Shine.'^ 
 
 "He is sufficient for all time. 
 And through eternity; 
 In ev'ry place and ev'ry clime. 
 He'll give us victory." 
 
 Sylvanus, in his study, falls 
 into a meditative mood tefore 
 he retires at night, and writes 
 the following little poem. 
 
 ''AN EVENING MEDITATION/ 
 
 "W^ien the bright refulgent sun 
 Sinks below the golden West, 
 'i'hen I think of races run, 
 
 —172— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And of weary souls at rest — 
 Nevermore to be distressed. 
 Nevermore to be depressed. 
 
 ^^Wlien the ev'ning stars combine 
 To illuminate the sky. 
 Then I think of those who shine 
 Where they ne'er again shall die — 
 Ne'er again shall weep or cry, 
 Ne'er again shall ever sigh. 
 
 ''When I wake from my repose. 
 And my daily work resume, 
 Then I think, how blest are those 
 Who have passed beyond the tomb — 
 There to meet the Great Bridegroom, 
 There to wear the victor's plume." 
 
 Ruth, at a Sunday-school 
 Rally, sings two songs 
 for the children. 
 
 ''LET THE CHILDREN COME/' 
 
 "Jesus loves you, little children, 
 And delights with you to meet; 
 He also wants you in His kingdom. 
 There to play around his feet. 
 
 -173— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "You are like the blooming flowers, 
 Early in the lovely spring; 
 And He loves to have you near Him, 
 And to hear you gladly sing. 
 
 "You are wanted in His vineyard, 
 As there's work that you can do 
 While the juicy grapes are growing. 
 And at time of vintage, too. 
 
 "0 then come, dear little children. 
 Hearken to His pleading voice; 
 Come, accept Him as your Savior — 
 Make this wise and holy choice.'^ 
 
 "A CHILD'S DELIGHT IN THE SUNDAY- 
 SCHOOL/' 
 
 "I love to go to Sunday-school, 
 And meet my playmates there, 
 And talk about the Golden Eule 
 With which our lives to square. 
 
 "I love to go where I can learn 
 Of Jesus' love for me. 
 And how He does for children yearn, 
 And with them loves to be. 
 
 —174— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "I love to take my seat in class, 
 With Bible in my hand, 
 And answer questions as they pass 
 Along our little band. 
 
 "I love to go where I can hear 
 The little children sing, 
 And mingle with them without fear 
 In praising our great King." 
 
 Sylvanus at a literary 
 gathering, recites an 
 original poem on, 
 
 ''THE RACE OF DAY AND NIGHT/ 
 
 "Around the world with equal pace, 
 Two athletes run a daily race. 
 And have for ages now gone by, 
 And will till time itself shall die; 
 Each follows in the other's wake. 
 Yet neither one can overtake 
 The other in his tireless flight. 
 As one is Day, the other Night. 
 
 "One keeps his eyes upon the sun. 
 And in its light doth always run; 
 The other gazes on the stars, 
 And sometimes on the god of wars; 
 They both discover this world's strife, 
 
 -175- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And all the woes of human life, 
 But they do not delight in these, 
 Since each one's object is to please. 
 
 ''The sunlit athlete runs along, 
 And fills the world with work and song, 
 And never fails to bear in mind 
 That Night is coming just behind; 
 He spreads the blue sky overhead, 
 And radiates the paths we tread. 
 And tries to beat his comrade Night 
 In that which gives to earth delight. 
 
 "The dark-robed athlete next appears 
 To close our eyes and seal our ears, 
 Eenew our strength by sleep and rest. 
 And give to us the blessings best; 
 He first reveals the starry sky. 
 Where countless orbs in splendor fly 
 To teach us through astronomy. 
 The greatness of immensity. 
 
 "They both are friends to beast and man, 
 And both reveal their Maker's plan. 
 But while each one remains our guest. 
 We're apt to think that he is best; 
 The fact, however, still remains. 
 That each one takes especial pains 
 
 -176- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To do the very best he can 
 To satisfy the needs of man. 
 
 '^They also serve to illustrate 
 Conditions in our moral state, 
 And also in the social realm 
 Where each in turn is at the helm; 
 In these realms, though, we dislike Night, 
 And always wish to run with Light, 
 But Wisdom hath this way decreed. 
 And in this way till death will lead. 
 
 "The Days of Vigor and of Health, 
 Of Social gladness and of Wealth; 
 The Days of Friendship and of Peace, 
 Do often meet with sad decease; 
 Then come along the Night of Care, 
 Of Sickness, Sorrow and Despair, 
 Of Discord, Want and Poverty, 
 And fill the world with misery. 
 
 "But as the Day of Life speeds by, 
 He puts much sunlight in the eye. 
 Clears mental skies from gloomy clouds. 
 And hides from sight our waiting shrouds 
 Puts vigor into heart and brain, 
 And fresh red blood in ev'ry vein — 
 His kingdom is a reign of light. 
 And all his laws are just and right. 
 
 -177- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "The Night of Death with seeming haste. 
 Then comes along with want and waste, 
 And fills our skies with clouds of gloom, 
 And opens np the ghastly tomb; 
 The rich and poor and well and strong, 
 Are saddened by his doleful song — 
 His kingdom is a reign of woe, 
 As all his subjects right well know. 
 
 "But yet, as Solar Night reveals 
 Unnumbered stars which Day conceals. 
 So when we bid Life's Day adieu, 
 The Night of Death will bring to view 
 A grander universe of light 
 Where Day reigns always without Night, 
 And where we shall for ever dwell, 
 And hear no more the curfew bell." 
 
 Ruth, at the golden 
 wedding of a pious 
 and respected couple, 
 recites an original 
 poem entitled — 
 
 ''THE GOLDEN WEDDING/' 
 
 "For fifty years you've walked together. 
 Through sunny days and cloudy weather. 
 Through pleasant springs and summers warm. 
 Through autumn's frost and winter's storm, 
 
 —178— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Through flowery realms of Joy and gladness. 
 Through vales of somber shades and sadness, 
 Through difficulties to success. 
 And on to old-age happiness. 
 
 "To-day, with joyful retrospection, 
 By means of clearest recollection, 
 You can with pleasure now review 
 Your married life when it was new — 
 When you in springtime were united. 
 And with the fire of youth were lighted; 
 And also when your honeymoon 
 Glowed like the summer sun at noon. 
 
 "Oh ! those days were superbly golden, 
 And in some ways may now seem olden. 
 Since all the cares and ills of age. 
 Have driven youthtime from the stage; 
 But that glad youth which you still cherish, 
 Shall not in its forced absence perish. 
 But shall some day come back again. 
 And age shall leave for ever then. 
 
 "And even now those youthful voices. 
 In which your lonely age rejoices. 
 May still be heard in under-tone 
 When you are by yourselves alone; 
 And often, too, those youthful feelings 
 Return to you with glad revealings, 
 
 -179- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Which cause you to renew your youth 
 According to the Word of Truth. 
 
 '^But on the resurrection morning, 
 Your youth, with heaven's rich adorning, 
 Shall then assume complete control 
 In both your body and your soul; 
 And then, with age and childhood blended, 
 Without their ills and wrongs appended. 
 You shall for ever walk along 
 In realms of gladness and of song. 
 
 "Then earthly age shall pass for ever. 
 But this will not your soul-ties sever, 
 For youth immortal then shall come. 
 And welcome you with gladness home; 
 With all the good of age and childhood 
 Eeclaimed from all their earthly wildwood, 
 You will, in some way now unknown. 
 Each claim the other as your own. 
 
 "And now, on this your golden wedding. 
 As all your wings of thought are spreading. 
 We come to celebrate with you 
 This day that brings the past to view; 
 We come as children, friends, relations, 
 Erom all our varied avocations, 
 And pray that you may long remain 
 Without a trouble or a pain." 
 
 —180— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Sylvanus and Ruth at a 
 religious service in 
 Pleasant Vale, sing, ty 
 request, a responsive song. 
 
 ''THE PATHS OF GOB, AND THE RIVER 
 
 OF LIFE/' 
 Ps. 16 :11 ; 65 :11 ; 36 :8 ; 46 :4 ; Ezek. 47 :l-9 ; Rev, 
 22:.l. 
 
 Ruth :— 
 
 "The paths of God with fatness drop, 
 
 As He walks to and fro; 
 
 And never shall His blessings stop, 
 
 While ages come and go." 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "There is a river that makes glad 
 
 The City of our King, 
 
 And to the weary and the sad. 
 
 The truest pleasures bring." 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "Along the pathways of our God, 
 
 Are dropped a million mines. 
 
 And ev'rywhere His feet have trod, 
 
 A treasure brightly shines." 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "The joyful river flows along 
 
 With streamlets branching out, 
 
 —181— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And fills the world with health and song, 
 And makes all nature shout." 
 
 Euth:— 
 
 "The paths of God pass by the wells 
 
 From which salvation springs, 
 
 And then along through lovely dells, 
 
 Where nature sweetly sings." 
 
 Sylvanus : — • 
 
 "The Eiver of God's Pleasures flows 
 
 Within the reach of all; 
 
 And on its banks the Life-tree grows, 
 
 All sickness to forestall." 
 
 Euth:— 
 
 "The paths of God are paths of life. 
 
 And ways of righteousness; 
 
 Within them there is found no strife. 
 
 But only what will bless." 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 '^Vherever this great river flows, 
 There ev'rything shall live; 
 And as it ever wider grows, 
 It has more joys to give." 
 
 —182— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "God's paths lead up to His right hand 
 
 Where death shall be no more; 
 
 And there within that goodly land, 
 
 We'll find the richest ore/' 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "This river flows down from on high 
 To quench the thirst of earth, 
 Then back again beyond the sky 
 To where there is no dearth." 
 
 Both Together:— 
 
 "Thy paths, God, drop fatness here. 
 
 And in the world to come; 
 
 Thy river brings thy Heaven near — 
 
 Our own dear future home." 
 
 -183- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 SECTION XII. 
 
 THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE OKLAHOMA 
 CONSTITUTION, 
 
 After their schools closed, Sylva- 
 nus and Ruth, "by urgent solicita- 
 tion, entered the campaign for the 
 Oklahoma Constitution, which was 
 to te voted on Beptemter 11th, A. D. 
 1907. Sylvanus was to speak, and 
 Ruth to sing. They were to 
 give special attention to the Pro- 
 hibitory section of the Constitu- 
 tion. One of Sylvanus' speeches 
 and one of Ruth's original songs, 
 are given in this section. Those 
 delivered in Pleasant Vale at a 
 great rally in the month of July, 
 are selected. 
 
 ''THE UPAS TREE OF RUM." 
 
 "Eum may be likened to the Upas Tree, 
 With poison in its foliage and fruit. 
 And poison in the atmosphere around, 
 So that whoever ventures near enough 
 To pluck and eat its fascinating fruit. 
 Will either die or else will suffer loss 
 In health, finance or in domestic peace. 
 
 "This tree is found along on either side 
 Of that great Eiver called Depravity, 
 
 —184— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Whose putrid water readily ascends 
 
 Into its boughs by capillary law. 
 
 The soil in which it grows is always moist, 
 
 And well adapted to its rapid growth. 
 
 It cannot grow in righteous soil, and is 
 
 Not found upon Life's Elver's banks. 
 
 By Death's dark Eiver it can only grow, 
 
 And in a soil that's fertilized by sin. 
 
 In such a soil, its growth is very rank. 
 
 It spreads its fruitful branches far around. 
 
 And rises up, sometimes, to lofty heights. 
 
 Its heavy foliage is always green. 
 
 And ev'ry day it yields its deadly fruit; 
 
 And thus continues through the entire year. 
 
 "Though old in years, it still is young in life. 
 
 And filled with all the vigor of its youth, 
 
 And all the strength of its maturity. 
 
 It has withstood the storms the ages through; 
 
 And while some branches have been broken off, 
 
 And others bruised and damaged, more or less. 
 
 Yet its recuperative powers have. 
 
 With magic skill, repaired the damage soon. 
 
 And while the tempests of the present day 
 
 Are making it look ragged and forlorn 
 
 In many sections of our goodly land. 
 
 It still in secret bears its poison fruit. 
 
 And sends its deadly exhalations round 
 
 —185— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 In airships laden with bacteria. 
 
 It seems to have a thousand lives in one ; 
 
 For when we think we have it killed, at times, 
 
 It sends up other shoots from hidden roots, 
 
 Which soon develop into spreading trees. 
 
 Its jointed roots extend throughout our land, 
 
 And from them new and lusty stocks shoot up 
 
 Wherever soil is found adapted to 
 
 Their nature; and such soil is found in great 
 
 Abundance almost ev'rywhere, but more 
 
 Especially in cities and in towns. 
 
 They also grow in groves, both large and small, 
 
 And many times in forests, here and there. 
 
 As Death's obnoxious Eiver winds about 
 
 Wherever wicked men are found to dwell. 
 
 The cleared-out farms within these forests great, 
 
 Are hard to keep free from the noxious plant 
 
 Because of hostile borders round about. 
 
 Which wage a constant war against the fields 
 
 Where goodly plants and crops attempt to gi'ow. 
 
 Where righteous people sow the best of seed. 
 
 Unrighteous people sow the worst of tares. 
 
 If we permit ourselves to go to sleep. 
 
 Or even careless grow in daily work. 
 
 Eternal viligance, as well as toil, 
 
 Is necessary to protect ourselves 
 
 From all the hostile borders round our fields. 
 
 —186- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Its Fruit 
 
 "The fruit upon this Upas Tree attracts, 
 Allures, deceives and then, at last, destroys 
 Its victims without mercy or respect. 
 Its process of destruction oft is slow. 
 It often tortures first before it kills, 
 By bringing on them many kinds of woes; 
 And also on their friends and families, too. 
 And even on the Commonwealth at large. 
 It causes sorrow, pain, and blood-shot eyes; 
 Disease, contention, wounds, disorders, crimes. 
 Complaining, babbling, mocking, poverty; 
 And then, at last, from out the sparkling cup 
 In which the poison juice has been distilled, 
 The serpent and the stinging-adder dart 
 Like fiery arrows shot by skillful hands; 
 x\nd soon the victims lie in drunkard^s graves. 
 Sometimes it also has a strange effect 
 Upon the moral sentiments of men — • 
 Eeversing them in such a way that right 
 Seems wrong and wrong seems right — that eyes 
 
 and ears 
 And tastes no longer make a true report. 
 It was in view of this the prophet said : — 
 
 '^Woe unto them that call evil good, and good 
 evil; that put darkness for light, and light 
 for darkness; that put hitter for sweet, and 
 sweet for Utter." — Is. 5:20. 
 
 —187— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 '^How awful is the sad effect upon 
 
 The victims of this fascinating fruit! 
 
 The eyes and tastes and ears are all deranged. 
 
 And nothing seems to be just what it is. 
 
 It so degrades a man that he, at length, 
 
 Becomes swine-like in action and in taste, 
 
 As once it did Ulysses^ friends upon 
 
 Calypto's Magic Isle, as Homer has 
 
 So well described; or like the charmed cup 
 
 That Circe gave to her deluded throng. 
 
 As Milton in his Comus doth relate. 
 
 ''The Noah-Legend," 
 
 "In close connection with these frightful tales 
 Of noble men descended into swine 
 By drinking Circe's and Calypto's cups, 
 The Noah-legend may be told also. 
 
 "T\Tien he came forth from out the ark, 'tis said. 
 He pitched his tent upon a lovely spot, 
 And planted him a vineyard near at hand. 
 The Devil soon appeared upon the scene, 
 And killed a lamb, a lion, ape and hog; 
 And with their mingled-blood he watered all 
 The vines. When Noah asked him what he meant. 
 He said: ^He who at first shall drink the wine 
 That shall be made from this delicious fruit, 
 Shall be a lamb, and later on he shall 
 
 -188- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Become a lion, then an ape, and last 
 Of all, a hog in ways and appetites/ 
 
 ''Death's Prime Minister/* 
 
 ^^Another legend says that Death, the King 
 Of Terrors, summoned, once upon a time. 
 His retinue of courtiers to his court, 
 And there informed them that he was about 
 To choose a chief adviser to his throne, 
 And that the courtier who could show that he 
 Or she had done the most destructive work, 
 Should be his prime or chiefest minister. 
 Tuberculosis, Fever, Ague, Gout, 
 Contagion, Palsy, Asthma, Eheumatism, 
 Bronchitis, Jaundice, Cancer, Leprosy 
 And many other ghastly-looking imps. 
 Appeared before him with their strongest claims. 
 Each one proclaimed the multitude of woes 
 That he had brought upon the human race; 
 And each, in turn, was complimented much. 
 The king declared, however, that the choice 
 Could not be made until Intemperance 
 Arrived and he could hear her tale of woe. 
 Ere long they heard the sound of revelry, 
 And, looking up, they saw approaching fast, 
 A Bacchanalian throng with noisy tread. 
 A ^ woman clothed in costume, rich and gay, 
 
 —189— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Was in the center of this motley crowd, 
 Borne like a goddess by four courtiers strong 
 Within a fine palanquin that was made 
 Eor this occasion to impress the king. 
 She entered bravely through the royal door. 
 And bade the other courtiers stand aside; 
 And then with great authority, she said: — 
 'Give way, ye sickly, inefficient crew; 
 How dare you try to vie with one like me ! 
 How weak your claims will seem when mine are 
 
 told! 
 Go, stand off yonder, while I tell the woes 
 That I have brought upon the human race; 
 And then you'll slink away when I am through 
 And never act so foolish anymore 
 As to compete with me in such a claim.' 
 
 "With skill she then presented all the woes 
 In panoramic view that she had brought 
 Upon the world, and told what she proposed 
 To do in years and ages yet to come. 
 The king sat smiling as he saw the woes 
 In almost countless numbers pass before 
 Him in their ghostly uniforms of black. 
 And armed with all the deadly weapons known 
 To their peculiar and distinctive realm. 
 When she was through, the other courtiers fled, 
 And Death, with satisfaction in his voice. 
 Proclaimed her Chief Adviser to his court. 
 
 —190— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 ''The Axe of God is at its Root/' 
 
 "This great intoxicating Upas Tree 
 
 Is under sentence of eternal death. 
 
 The Axe of God is laid unto its root, 
 
 And some day it shall be cut down and cast 
 
 Into the fire, and burned up root and branch. 
 
 "The Axe of Education/' 
 
 '^Before this upas tree can be destroyed, 
 The errors growing in the human mind 
 Must be removed, and truth implanted there 
 Instead; but first, its soil, must be reclaimed 
 From nature's wild, uncultivated state. 
 This axe is primal, and must go before 
 All other axes plied against this tree; 
 For just as long as public sentiment 
 Indorses this obnoxious tree, that long 
 The other axes cannot cut it down. 
 You cannot make nor execute a law, 
 'N'or do effective work of any kind 
 In any worthy cause, until you get 
 The Public Mind with you to some extent. 
 There may be some exceptions to this rule, 
 But these exceptions cannot change the fact. 
 The more support you get from other minds. 
 The more you can accomplish in your sphere. 
 
 —191— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "The Public Mind is soil to cultivate, 
 
 And then to sow and plant with precious seed; 
 
 But first, it must be rescued from the wild. 
 
 Like any native soil; for in its vast 
 
 Domain large forests, here and there, are found; 
 
 And wild, uncultivated prairies spread 
 
 In all directions like the lakes and seas. 
 
 While snow-capped mountains pierce the passing 
 
 clouds, 
 And many creeks and rivers must be bridged. 
 The buffalo, the antelope, the deer, 
 The rabbit, panther, bear and prairie-dog. 
 Are found in great abundance everywhere; 
 And savage Indians may be found within 
 Its hutning-grounds rejoicing in its game. 
 Such was the East, and such the North and South, 
 And such has also been the golden West; 
 But after years of hardships and of toils, 
 The wilds have been transformed to civil states. 
 And well improved and cultivated farms 
 Supply both man and beast with choicest food. 
 And fill the coffers of the world with wealth. 
 The erstwhile deserts blossom as the rose. 
 While towns and cities deck their bosoms like 
 The brightest jewels do the queens of earth; 
 And railroads make them look like checker-boards. 
 On which the people play or move their crops 
 To both enrich themselves, and others, too. 
 
 —192— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And yet some weeds and evil plants abound, 
 Which show us that our work is not yet done — 
 That wildness still remains in many parts. 
 And may be found in many fruitful fields. 
 
 ^^The Public Mind, like nature's verdant wilds. 
 
 Must be transformed into a civil land. 
 
 The evil plants must all be rooted up. 
 
 The prairie soil turned over to the sun. 
 
 The subsoil broken up and pulverized; 
 
 And then the good seed must be sown aright. 
 
 And cultivated in the proper way, 
 
 Before it can produce the best results, 
 
 And flourish like its Maker planned it should. 
 
 Its mines of gold and silver, lead and zinc. 
 
 Its coal-fields, copper-mines and diamond-beds. 
 
 Its hidden lakes of water, oil and gas. 
 
 Must all be opened up and utilized 
 
 Before its wild-lands are reclaimed in full. 
 
 And when we thus possess the human mind. 
 
 We shall possess the means also with which 
 
 To turn our world into a Paradise. 
 
 Success, with rosy cro^vn, will be our prize, 
 
 And she will lead us on to greater deeds. 
 
 "Thus in our conflict with the upas tree. 
 We must enlist the public mind or fail. 
 We must clear out its landscapes growing wild. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And sow therein the precious seeds of truth. 
 
 Its native forces must be trained aright, 
 
 Which will require much patience and much toil. 
 
 When this is fully done, the upas tree 
 
 Will soon be rooted up and cast into 
 
 The fire of wrath, where all such trees belong. 
 
 Then let us go to work with might and main, 
 
 And utilize the power near at hand 
 
 To rid our country of this cursed tree. 
 
 And fill it with the tree of life instead. 
 
 The fabled Atlas, it is said, could stalk 
 
 About with this big world upon his back, 
 
 But if a hostile world's opinion had 
 
 Alighted on his back, he would have sunk 
 
 As quickly as a mill-stone in the Deep: 
 
 No Atlas can support this mighty weight. 
 
 No legislative body can withstand 
 
 The pressure of a hostile sentiment; 
 
 And no collossal evil can endure 
 
 Against the mandates of the public mind. 
 
 "The way to create public sentiment 
 
 Or to reclaim the wild-lands of the mind. 
 
 And make them blossom with eternal truth 
 
 And righteousness, will now be pointed out. 
 
 We have already shown the urgent need 
 
 Of education in the mental field; 
 
 And now we'll show the way to educate. 
 
 And name the means by which it may be done. 
 
 —194— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The Axe of Home Education, 
 
 "The home, if it is what it ought to be, 
 Can always do the most efficient work 
 In cultivating public sentiment; 
 For if the childish mind is rightly trained 
 By wise and righteous parents in the home, 
 It shapes its mental and its moral trend 
 Almost as well, and lasting, too, as molds 
 Give shape to molten iron, lead and gold. 
 True wisdom long ago proclaimed this fact: — 
 
 ''Train up a child in the way he should go, 
 and even when he is old he will not depart 
 from it" Prov. 22:6. 
 
 This rule holds good, with few exceptions, in 
 
 Eeligion, and in politics, as well. 
 
 So if the training in the home is right. 
 
 And all its moral atmosphere is pure. 
 
 The men and women who go forth from thence 
 
 "Will take that training with them into all 
 
 Their future life, and it will show itself 
 
 In all the wide relationships of life. 
 
 Such home-trained men and w^omen, like the salt 
 
 Which that great Sermon on the Mount proclaims, 
 
 Arrest the process of the world's deca}^. 
 
 As well as they preserve that which is pure. 
 
 Like leaven in the meal, they permeate. 
 
 At length, the entire lump or neighborhood, 
 
 —195— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Until the whole is leavened or transformed. 
 As is the bush so also is the tree; 
 So as the boy the man is apt to be. 
 'As twigs are bent they're always so inclined;' 
 So as the child is raised and trained at home, 
 It will, most likely, so remain through life. 
 Unless some greater power overrules 
 The kindergarten culture of the home. 
 Which sometimes is the case, as all well know. 
 Both as to right, as well as to the wrong. 
 But yet, the close observer is convinced 
 That wise and careful training in the home 
 Will have a good effect throughout the life, 
 And through that life upon the world at large, 
 As far as its expansive power goes. 
 
 "You parents, then, should feel the mighty weight 
 
 Of such a great responsibility. 
 
 Get right yourselves if you are wrong 
 
 On this important issue of our times. 
 
 And teach your children civic righteousness 
 
 So they will be a blessing to the world. 
 
 Instead of cursing it with ruined lives. 
 
 If you are right yourselves in your belief 
 
 Concerning this great hydra-headed curse. 
 
 Then fight it with your voice and with your vote, 
 
 And teach your children to oppose it, too; 
 
 And then, when they shall reach maturity, 
 
 —196- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 They'll carry forward your unfinished work; 
 But if you do not train them right, the good 
 That now is being done may be annulled. 
 
 "A mother took her daughter, who was six 
 
 Years old, to see trained animals perform. 
 
 The little girl was much delighted with 
 
 Their feats. As she was sometimes slow to mind, 
 
 Her Mamma took occasion to impress 
 
 Upon her mind a lesson that would do 
 
 Her good, and hence she said: *Dear Josephine, 
 
 If monkeys, dogs and ponies can be taught 
 
 To do so well, a little girl like you, 
 
 Wlio knows much more than they can ever know. 
 
 Should mind your Mamma better than they do 
 
 Their Master.' Josephine at once replied : 
 
 'I would dear Mamma, if I only had 
 
 Been trained as well as they have — yes I would/ 
 
 ''The Axe of the Public School^ 
 
 "The supplemental training of the schools 
 Is also needed to reclaim the mind. 
 And turn its forces all against the tree 
 Whose poison fruit is causing so much woe. 
 They cannot take the place of goodly homes. 
 But they can supplement the work done there, 
 And lead the mind to higher altitudes 
 
 —197— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of thought concerning all its duties in 
 The moral and the civic fields of life. 
 
 "The Public Schools, we know, are doing much 
 
 To show the evils of the upas tree 
 
 On both the body and the intellect, 
 
 And also on the moral nature, too; 
 
 And in addition yet to this, they sow 
 
 The mind with wholesome and ennobling truths. 
 
 And train it for the noblest kind of work. 
 
 And yet, we feel that they could do still more. 
 
 If all the teachers would ally themselves 
 
 With those who stand for prohibition in 
 
 The constitution of our youthful state, 
 
 And do their best to fortify the minds 
 
 Of all the children under their control 
 
 Against the bold, deceptive pow'rs of rum. 
 
 And get them fully set against its use. 
 
 And also trained to fight it to the death. 
 
 teachers, do your duty on this line. 
 
 And you will then assist the teaching-homes, 
 
 Advance the cause of civic righteousness. 
 
 And crown yourselves with honor that will last. 
 
 "The University Axe." 
 
 "The training given in the common schools, 
 With all its conquests of the human mind, 
 Needs supplementing by the higher schools 
 
 —198— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Called Universities, These schools are set 
 Against the use of all intoxicants, 
 With only few exceptions, now and then. 
 They weed the mind of errors that the homes 
 And public schools have failed to do, and plant, 
 Instead, still higher truths to bear good fruit. 
 Their conquests reach beyond the other's bounds; 
 And from the distant landscapes of the mind, 
 Bring re-inforcements for the cause of truth — 
 Tremendous forces, which they have reclaimed 
 From wild, uncultivated states beyond. 
 Those coming from such schools are well equipped 
 To grapple with the higher problems of 
 The world which drive so many to despair. 
 The graduates that they are sending out, 
 With some exceptions, constitute a force 
 That makes this world a better place to live. 
 And yet, these graduates should do still more. 
 Because they are so highly qualified. 
 Where much is given there is much required. 
 
 "The Axe of Business" 
 
 "Another axe that's doing splendid work 
 
 Upon this deadly upas tree, is that 
 
 Or Business. The economics of 
 
 The world, to-day, demand, not merely men, 
 
 But sober-minded men, in all the great 
 
 Departments of the complex social state. 
 
 —199— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The men who drink are being crowded out 
 
 Of all important places in the state, 
 
 The schools, professions, trades and even shows. 
 
 The trainers and the acrobats must all 
 
 Keep sober, as dizzy-headed actors could 
 
 Not do the stunts assigned to them. The same 
 
 Is true upon the railroads of the world. 
 
 And thus throughout the whole commercial world, 
 
 The man who drinks is rightly losing out. 
 
 No matter what his education is. 
 
 Nor what his skill, he must give up his job. 
 
 If he continues in his downward course. 
 
 "Thus while commercialism is much abused, 
 And rightly criticised for grievous faults. 
 Yet we must not denounce it as a whole. 
 Since it is doing much effective work 
 To check the progress of intemperance. 
 It has its own peculiar faults, of course. 
 Like other movements carried on by men, 
 But yet, it is a forward movement of 
 The world peculiar to the present age; 
 And, like some others, it will run its course, 
 At length, and scatter blessings all along 
 Its pathway for the good of all the world. 
 The Guiding Hand is at the helm, and hence 
 "We shall not fail to reach the happy goal 
 When rum shall all be banished from the earth. 
 
 —200— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "In view of this, 3^e men of wealth, bestir 
 
 Yourselves. Your axe is sharp, and will not fail 
 
 To do efficient work along this line, 
 
 If it is used aright against this tree; 
 
 For love of money curbs the love of rum 
 
 When it gets in between a man and true 
 
 Success. So if you thus convince the young 
 
 That drinking is a bar to getting wealth, 
 
 And to success in any sphere of life, 
 
 You then have dealt a most destructive blow 
 
 Against this evil tree; for it will die 
 
 If men refuse to eat its poison fruit 
 
 And drink its deadly wine. Dont' be afraid 
 
 That it will hurt your trade in any way; 
 
 For many tests have shown that it will not; 
 
 But on the other hand, it has been shown 
 
 That great financial gains have come instead. 
 
 When rum is banished, cities grow, and trade 
 
 Increases all along the line, while all 
 
 The country round enjoys prosperity. 
 
 But even if it should decrease your trade, 
 
 As we are sure that it will not, you still 
 
 Should stand for prohibition any way, 
 
 As you, I think, would not desire to sell 
 
 The moral welfare of your goodly state, 
 
 The happiness of thousands of her homes. 
 
 And send a multitude of men to hell 
 
 For all the extra money you might make, 
 
 —201— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And all the towns and cities you might build 
 With human blood and groans of dying men. 
 And cries of children for their daily bread, 
 And bitter wails of weeping motherhood. 
 Heed, then, Habakkuk's warning to the world: 
 
 "Woe to Mm that buildeth a town with blood, 
 and establisheth a city hy iniquity. Hah. 2:12. 
 
 The Axe of Civil Government. 
 
 '^Another mighty axe that should be plied 
 Against this tree is Civil Government. 
 With this tremendous axe at our command. 
 We can, if we but will to do it, strike 
 It with such deadly blows that it will fall; 
 But just as long as civil law protects 
 It, it will flourish like the stately Palm, 
 And like the Cedars of Mount Lebanon. 
 
 "Saloons, if evil in their nature and 
 Effects, as few, I think, will dare deny, 
 Should not be licensed by the government, 
 As states have no right to license wrong. 
 No legislative act can make wrong right 
 No more than it could make right wrong, or 
 
 change 
 A virtue into vice, a vice into 
 A virtue, or a truth into a lie. 
 Or make a lie a truth. No might or force 
 
 —202— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Can raise twice two to five. Twice two are four. 
 According to eternal law. The word, 
 Eternal, means without beginning and 
 Without an ending. Hence it cannot change. 
 So, then, the fact that two times two are four. 
 Is old as God, and it will live as long. 
 Like God, this truth is omnipresent, too. 
 Throughout the universe and boundless space. 
 It is complete and whole at ev'ry point — 
 Where I am standing, where the singer sits. 
 And where, also, each one before me sits — 
 Not partly here with me, nor partly there 
 With you, but perfect and complete with me. 
 And perfect and complete with each of you. 
 And so on through a never-ending space; 
 And yet, ^tis one, and not a billion truths 
 Or more, as those who stop to think will know. 
 It is an attribute of God, and hence 
 Must be coeval with Him as to time. 
 And co-extensive with Him as to space. 
 This being true, you see, it cannot change 
 No more than God, Himself, could change. 
 Eternal truths are changeless truths, and hence 
 The fact must be believed that tven God. 
 With all His wondrous power, could not change 
 Or even modify them in the least 
 Without converting them into a lie; 
 And this. He would not, and He could not do. 
 
 -203- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 *He cannot lie.' His nature, then, is fixed, 
 
 And changeless as an axiomatic truth; 
 
 And were it not, we could not trust in Him, 
 
 Nor love Him as we do; for I am sure 
 
 We could not trust a vacillating God 
 
 No more than we could trust in such a man. 
 
 Unstable men are not trustworthy m.en. 
 
 And liars cannot be depended on. 
 
 And so a God, unstable in His ways. 
 
 And who would try to make a truth a lie, 
 
 Could never win the confidence of man; 
 
 And if He ever should. He could not hold it long; 
 
 And neither could He win and hold the love 
 
 And confidence of angels near His throne. 
 
 If He could be a holy God to-day. 
 
 And then to-morrow be a devil; who. 
 
 We ask, could trust in such a fickle God? 
 
 But since His nature is forever fixed 
 
 And changeless as eternal truth, because 
 
 He is the truth, it follows, then, that we 
 
 Can always trust Him and believe His word. 
 
 In dealing with eternal right and wrong, 
 
 We know just what we can depend upon. 
 
 The same is true of all of nature's laws. 
 
 If God should change His ways in nature or 
 
 In moral government, we then should have 
 
 A world of chance instead of changeless laws. 
 
 The order of the universe would be 
 
 —204— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Destroyed and anarchy would then prevail 
 
 In heaven and on earth instead of law. 
 
 We could not trust in water nor in fire. 
 
 In gravitation nor cohesive law, 
 
 In the succession of the day and night, 
 
 Nor in the seasons' regularity, 
 
 As all of these great laws would often change. 
 
 So, then, there must be fixedness to law, 
 
 To truth, to right, to virtue and to vice. 
 
 If perfect order is to be maintained 
 
 In nature and the unseen universe. 
 
 Right must forever be the same, and wrong 
 
 Must always be itself. The gulf between 
 
 Them is as deep and wide as boundless space. 
 
 Of course, free agents on probation here. 
 
 May travel back and forth from gulf to gulf; 
 
 But truth and virtue never can, no more 
 
 Than light and darkness can become the same. 
 
 Or dwell together in true fellowship. 
 
 Their close proximity in space does 
 
 Not change this great and fundamental law. 
 
 While right and wrong may meet in argument. 
 
 And long may struggle for supremacy. 
 
 Yet they can never harmonize nor be 
 
 The same. Their distance is in nature — not 
 
 In time nor space. They are as far apart 
 
 In likeness as the day is from the night. 
 
 And as the poles of never-ending space. 
 
 —205— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 This being true, it follows without doubt, 
 That civil states can never change a wrong. 
 Or make it right by legislative act. 
 If God can't do it, it is foolish for 
 The State to try it. And if God does not, 
 And cannot license evil, how can man? 
 He bears with evil sometimes for awhile. 
 But never sanctions it. While dealing with 
 The Jewish Nation in its childhood days, 
 He did permit some evils to exist. 
 And regulated them by righteous laws; 
 But when the kindergarten age was past, 
 And that peculiar nation was full grown. 
 It was expected, then, to put away 
 Its childish things and be a full-grown state. 
 In time, therefore, those evils passed away — 
 Polygamy and slavery. Both of 
 Them were abolished by the Jewish state. 
 Intoxicants, in time, were also placed 
 Within forbidden lists, and thus outlawed. 
 To lead it out of all its childhood ways. 
 And up to man's estate, required severe 
 Processes — judgments of the sorest kinds — 
 To supplement the teaching of its code. 
 
 "But why should people of the present day 
 Go back to that defunct and ancient code 
 To gather up the trash it left behind 
 
 — 20&- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And build it into modern civil states? 
 Why should we follow in a nation^s path 
 As it moves forward toward its perfect goal, 
 And gather up the evils that it left behind, 
 Incorporate them into civil law. 
 And try to justify ourselves because 
 They were permitted once within a State 
 When all the world was in its pinafores ? 
 It would be wiser for us now to look 
 For all the truths and virtues it possessed. 
 Enact them into all our modern laws. 
 And hold them sacred in our polities; 
 For in this way, alone, can we advance 
 Beyond the nations of the hoary past. 
 'Tis better, far, to imitate the good 
 That we can see in others than the bad. 
 Those who assimilate the bad, alone. 
 Grow worse instead of better, and, at last. 
 Their lamp of life will flicker out, 
 And they will soon be numbered with the dead. 
 While those who copy all the good, alone. 
 Will make improvements in the civil state, 
 And with increasing light shine on and on 
 Until the glad and perfect day arrives. 
 Permission was not license. Neither was 
 It sanction. It was only what we call, 
 A Father's charity tow'rd children young. 
 Then let us, as a modern state, review 
 
 -207- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The hoary past, as well as recent dates, 
 And gather out the good that we may find. 
 And build it in our goodly commonwealth. 
 Let's start out right, and not assume that we 
 Are children in a kindergarten school. 
 The most of us have come from older states. 
 Which long have passed the kindergarten age, 
 And hence should start out on a higher plain. 
 Though statehood may, itself, be young, yet we 
 Are not. We have the wisdom of the old. 
 The strength of manhood and the fire of youth; 
 And therefore we should press on toward the goal 
 To which the Guiding Hand is pointing us. 
 The other states all failed to start this way. 
 Excepting North Dakota, which was first 
 To start out sober as a commonwealth. 
 They chose to imitate preceding ones. 
 Assuming that they, too, must follow on 
 The way the others all had gone, and thus 
 Pass through the kindergarten stage, themselves, 
 When they were full grcwn men. How foolish 
 Such a course ! Shall we, in this enlightened age. 
 Hold on to antiquated laws? Or shall 
 We leave them out and be a modern state? 
 Shall we be children, fossils and the like? 
 Or shall we, one and all, proclaim the fact 
 That we are men, and men of modern typ( 
 Progressive men — men who are up-to-date? 
 
 —208— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 I'm sure that you desire to be such men. 
 Then rise to j^our great opportunit3^ 
 Let old defunct and worn-out precedents 
 Be kicked aside as so much worthless trash. 
 And let us now inaugurate some new 
 And better precedents for coming states, 
 As well as show the older states what they 
 Neglected, and to help them now to rise 
 Up in their might and rectify their old 
 Mistakes and join the movements of to-day. 
 Don't try to justify the wrong or make 
 It right by legislative acts, for this 
 You cannot do, as we have fully shown. 
 Don't try to imitate the ancient States, 
 Nor copy after Israel's Primer-school ; 
 But take the New Economy as your 
 Unerring guide, and then you will not fail, 
 As it is well adapted to the world 
 Through all its latest stages to the end. 
 Its laws are all prohibitory. Not 
 A single wrong is licensed by its code. 
 A perfect standard is set up, and we 
 Are bidden to live up to it as states. 
 As well as each of us in private life. 
 The fact, of course, is recognized that we 
 Will sometimes miss the mark or fall below 
 The Standard; but we have no license to. 
 
 —209— 
 
THE (JUIDING HAND. 
 
 'Thou slinlL Tiol,/ or 'Tlioii siiiill,/ is (UnVn com- 
 mand. 
 Ho nlioiild it l)(; willi Jill our (-ivil Htatcs. 
 All evil Hlioiild 1)0 outlawed and condemned, 
 And not ;i1I()W(m1 to walk our HireiilH or live 
 In j)ublic anywiiere. It luiB no riglit 
 At all to ev(!n any secret place 
 Within tluj worhl that God has m',u\r. J'or man. 
 All evil pInritK n,i-(^ r()r(!i<;ri io thin world, 
 And lience muHt all be rooted up bcsforc 
 The world can be just what it oufjjiit to be, 
 And what it was before tlu! fnll of man. 
 W(m*(Ih luive no ri^lit in fields of growing grain. 
 They nvc. iritruders th(!i-e ,}in(l luince should be 
 Exterminated root and branch. The grain 
 Demands it. So the evils of the world 
 Have not a single right to our respect. 
 A weedy grniri field shows ncgUict, if not 
 An in(lol('n("(» tluit tuhmIs S(!V(M'e reproof. 
 Ho if a state nllows iJu^ weeds to grow 
 "Within its borders, and protects them there. 
 It will, nt h^ngth, become just like the farm 
 Belonging to IIk; slothful nuin of old: — 
 
 •7 went hy the field of the sluf/gard. 
 
 And hy the vineyard of the man void of understands 
 
 ing; 
 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, 
 The face thereof was covered with nettles. 
 And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 
 Then I beheld, and considered well; 
 
 —210— 
 
THK (JIIII)IN(; HANI). 
 
 1 saw, and received instruction: 
 
 Yet a little sleep, a little slumher, 
 
 A little foldino of the hands to sleep; 
 
 >S'o shall thy poverty come as a robber, 
 
 And thy v>ant as an armed man." Prov. 2/f:S0-3/t. 
 
 "Such HloUil'iiIncHH in hIii witlioiil; (!Xf;iiflo, 
 Wiilioiil !i ri/^lil, wiiliouL r(iHf)(!(;t niiiori/^ 
 The good. TlicM Id iiH k('(!|) our (•ivi(; fields 
 As clour oT vvccdn uh careful fiiriiKirH do 
 Their ficldH of growing grain. Allow ihcrri not 
 A right to glow. Let all Ix; rootcid up. 
 Among them gi'owH the upas tree of rurn, 
 Wiiich is among the worst of evil plaritH, 
 And which ho m;uiy HtateH allow to grow 
 And flourish und(;r statutory law. 
 ]iut let hrav(; Oldahorrui root it up, 
 And rel(!gate it to the fires of wrath. 
 Don't l<;t this evil wnlk your stnsets 
 Protected h.y the statutes of your state, 
 r>ut kill it, oi- ('JHe di'ive it out of sight. 
 If m(;n will sell^ ;uid men will huy Jind drirdc, 
 Tliey should he imidc to do it in llic dark, 
 As there is where all evil doth helong. 
 It is a work of darkness, and as such, 
 It has no ff^llowshif) with light, nor light 
 With it. So drive it hack wh(!re it helongs, 
 And keep it there until the time shall come 
 Wh(jn it shall he aholished from the earth. 
 If it is til us removed heyond the sight 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of all our children and our youth, we then, 
 Ere long, shall have a race that never saw 
 A joint, saloon or public drinking-place. 
 In Kansas this is now the case to some 
 Extent, and is becoming more and more 
 The case as time is passing by. That state 
 Has long enjoyed prohibitory law; 
 And it is growing stronger year by year 
 In keeping down the upas tree of rum. 
 The same is true of Maine. And later, still. 
 Three other states have fallen into line. 
 And others are about to do the same. 
 While local option has control of large 
 Areas of a score of other states. 
 ^Tis plain the time is drawing near when rum 
 Shall be outlawed by all our sister states. 
 Then let us, as a new-born state, begin 
 Our civic life with prohibtion law. 
 And we will be the second thus to start. 
 And when we hav^ saloons all driven from 
 Our streets, we will pursue the traffic in 
 The dark and not allow it even there. 
 
 ''The Axe of the Printing Press." 
 
 "The Printing Press must also have a place 
 Among the axes plied against this tree. 
 I'm glad so many papers are against 
 
 —212— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The upas tree, and with a fiery zeal 
 Support the Constitution, if they do 
 Object to some few minor points which it 
 Contains. We must not let our statehood die 
 Because we differ on some minor points. 
 
 "The Printing Press is like a dynamo, 
 
 From which electric currents flow in all 
 
 Directions to illuminate our towns 
 
 And cities, and to send the trolley-cars 
 
 Along our streets, and through the country round. 
 
 Exhaustless force is in the dynamo. 
 
 And never-failing power from it flows. 
 
 A hundred of these power-houses, more 
 
 Or less, are doing much to help reclaim 
 
 The civic wild-lands of our youthful state. 
 
 They reach the rulers, high and low, and hold 
 
 Them back or urge them on, as they desire. 
 
 The rich, the poor, the scholar and the sage, 
 
 All feel the power of the printing press. 
 
 And shape their conduct largely to its mold. 
 
 It sets on fire the patriotic mind. 
 
 And wages war when it is so inclined, 
 
 And bids it cease when it is satisfied. 
 
 "It does not only create sentiment, 
 But gives expression to the public mind. 
 It keeps its finger on the people's pulse, 
 
 —213— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And when the fever of desire for change, 
 
 For revolution or for foreign war, 
 
 Has risen high enough to justify, 
 
 It sends its vital sparks into the great 
 
 Explosives lying deep within the heart; 
 
 And soon an earthquake shakes the country round, 
 
 Volcanoes break forth from the mountain tops, 
 
 And mighty changes are thus brought about. 
 
 The rulers tremble on their thrones with fear; 
 
 Our legislative bodies are dismayed. 
 
 And, like intimidated children, do 
 
 The things the people through the Press demand 
 
 Of them, or else they are removed for cause. 
 
 No matter what their own belief may be, 
 
 They are compelled to do the people's will, 
 
 Which is expressed so strongly through the Press, 
 
 Or else resign their jobs to other men. 
 
 "Such is the power of the printing press 
 
 When it supports the evil or the good. 
 
 In molding public sentiment, it ranks 
 
 Among the greatest factors in the world; 
 
 And in reflecting public sentiment. 
 
 It holds a foremost place among the great. 
 
 It is a mighty Megaphone through which 
 
 The people issue orders to the King, 
 
 The President, the Senate and the House. 
 
 Their voices sound throughout the country round 
 
 -214- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Like thunder coming forth from distant clouds. 
 'Tis here they bring their raw products to get 
 Them manufactured into vital force. 
 Here public sentiment increases strength, 
 And breaks forth into cumulative pow'r 
 Like gold and silver, lead, and zinc, and tin, 
 When taken from their native mines and ores. 
 And passed through smelters and their proper 
 
 molds. 
 And sent abroad to bless or curse the world. 
 As presses may decide. But God forbid 
 That any printing press should thus 
 Abuse its power or betray its trust ! 
 Let those who do so base a thing as this 
 Become ashamed, and if they still persist 
 In such a reckless and unworthy course. 
 Then let them all be ostracized at once ; 
 But let all those who try to utilize 
 Aright the latent forces brought to them. 
 Be praised, encouraged and assisted in 
 The noble work in which they are engaged. 
 
 "0 all ye Printing Presses of the state. 
 Allow me to exhort you, one and all. 
 To use your mighty power for the right. 
 Let those upon the evil side reform. 
 And help the cause of prohibition now 
 While Opportunity is passing by. 
 
 —215— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Come^ join the Constitution's loyal friends, 
 And with them concentrate your mighty force 
 Against the upas tree within our state. 
 Take up your axe, go forth with flaming zeal. 
 And lay this evil forest to the ground; 
 Pile all the brush, roll all the logs in heaps, 
 And then set fire to them and burn them up. 
 When this is done, then build your fences strong; 
 Break up the soil and plant your goodly trees; 
 Sow wheat; plant corn and cultivate it well; 
 And then prosperity will come to stay, 
 True happiness will everywhere abound. 
 And we, at once, will take our place among 
 The Sisterhood of States with shining crown. 
 
 The Axe of the Church, or Christianity. 
 
 "There yet remains another axe which must 
 
 Be plied against this upas tree before 
 
 We can exterminate it root and branch. 
 
 This axe is Christianity; and it 
 
 Belongs to all the factors we have named. 
 
 The Home, the Public School, the Printing Press, 
 
 The Church, the State — may all apply this axe 
 
 To this destructive Upas Tree of Eum. 
 
 The church, of course, is most expert with this 
 
 Tremendous axe, as it is both the ground 
 
 And pillar of the truth — the reservoir 
 
 — 21&- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of moral force which flows do^vn from above. 
 
 It is God's kingdom in organic form, 
 
 So far as it can be expressed in such 
 
 A way; and through it moral forces best 
 
 Can operate upon the world; but yet, 
 
 The church cannot monopolize the truth, 
 
 Nor hold the sum of Christianity. 
 
 The system of eternal truth is too 
 
 Extensive for organic forms on earth, 
 
 Or in the heavens. It is as large as space, 
 
 And hence it overflows all finite bounds. 
 
 You cannot put the ocean in a cup. 
 
 Nor crowd all space into a single world. 
 
 Nor even into all the universe. 
 
 And neither can you put all truth into 
 
 A university, nor crowd the whole 
 
 Of Christianity into a church. 
 
 The river keeps the city standpipe full, 
 
 And through it satisfies the city homes 
 
 Connected with the fount or reservoir ; 
 
 And yet it flows sublimely on its way, 
 
 Supplying other cities just the same 
 
 Without apparent loss of quantity. 
 
 So Christ is free to all who come in touch 
 
 With Him by faith. He is the Standpipe for 
 
 The human race. He stands between us and 
 
 The Father, filled with His infinitude; 
 
 ^For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of 
 
 —217— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The Godhead bodily.' Our faith, like pipes, 
 Connects us with this never-failing Fount, 
 And through it with the great exhaustless Source 
 Of God's infinity. The Standpipe or 
 The Keservoir, therefore, can never fail 
 Because it is supplied from such a source. 
 
 "In ancient times, so it is said, the gods 
 Came down and placed a golden goblet on 
 An upright golden rod and filled it full 
 Of water. Then they offered it to him 
 Who first would drink it dry. A stalwart man 
 Stepped up and drank his fill, but left the cup 
 Completely full. Another tried, and then 
 Another, until scores had tried in vain. 
 The cup remained as full as at the first. 
 Then it was given up that all the world 
 Could not exliaust the water in the cup. 
 At length, investigation was begun 
 To ascertain the secret of the cup's 
 Supply. The rod was found to be a tube 
 That was connected with the mighty sea. 
 No wonder, then, they could not drink it dry! 
 
 "Our Mediator, like that goblet, stands 
 Between the Father and this fallen world. 
 For ever filled with all the fullness of 
 The Infinite, and hence can never fail 
 
 —218— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Throughout the ages of eternity. 
 Well did the prophet, in his matchless style. 
 Set this inspiring fact sublimely forth 
 When he foresaw the Standpipe built on earth. 
 The mighty Reservoir completely made. 
 The Golden Cup placed on the golden rod. 
 And all connected with INFINITY:— 
 
 *'Trust ye in Jehovah FOR EVER; for in Jehovah, 
 even Jehovah, is an EVERLA8TING Rock. * * * For 
 unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and 
 the government shall fte upon His shoulders; and his 
 name shall 6e called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty 
 God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the 
 increase of his government and of peace there shall 
 "be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his 
 kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with jus- 
 tice and with righteousness from henceforth even for 
 ever. * * * He will not FAIL nor be discouraged, till 
 he have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall 
 wait for his law. * * * There Jehovah will be with us in 
 majesty, a place of broad rivers and streams. * * * 
 There is a river, the streams whereof make glad 
 the city of God. * * * And everything shall live 
 withersoever the river cometh." Is. 26:4; 9:6, 1; 
 42:4; 33:21; Ps. 46:4; Ezek. 47:9. 
 
 The river cometh from the throne of God — 
 The boundless Ocean of Infinity — 
 And flows by ev^ry city in the world; 
 And then through one unfailing main is raised 
 Into the Standpipe or the Eeservoir, 
 From whence, through smaller tubes of living 
 faith, 
 
 —219— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 It is conducted into all the hearts 
 
 And homes connected with it, bringing joy 
 
 And blessedness that never can be told. 
 
 As cities of this world are thus made glad 
 
 By earthly rivers flowing by, so they 
 
 Are made a thousand times more joyful by 
 
 The Eiver of Salvation flowing by, 
 
 And sending up to them its living streams 
 
 Through each man's faith to each man's heart or 
 
 home. 
 Its healing waters flowing through the streets 
 Will wash out all uncleanness, purify 
 The hearts of all, restore the sick to health, 
 Make all the lame to walk, the blind to see, 
 The deaf to hear, the dumb to speak and all 
 The weary and the troubled to rejoice. 
 So if we bring this river up in streams 
 Through tubes of faith or irrigating rills, 
 A new and holy life will come to us 
 With holy thirsts and holy appetites 
 That will not drink from putrid moral streams, 
 Nor eat the fruit of any evil trees ; 
 And hence when this shall fully come to pass, 
 Saloons and joints will quickly disappear. 
 And all the upas trees will soon be killed. 
 Both root and branch, and cast into the fire 
 Of holy wrath where they will be consumed. 
 hasten on, thou glad and happy day, 
 
 —220- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 When Rum shall be completely overthrown. 
 And fully banished from this weeping world — 
 When righteousness and peace shall come to reign, 
 And Trees of Life, instead of Trees of Death, 
 Shall grow in groves and in our city streets. 
 
 "0 churches of the living God, 'Awake, 
 
 Put on the garments of salvation,^ and 
 
 With greater zeal attack this Tree of Rum 
 
 With this great Axe of Christianity; 
 
 For it must go before or supplement 
 
 The other methods of attack, ere we 
 
 Can fully overthrow the reign of Rum. 
 
 Through all your pulpits, 'Cry aloud; spare not; 
 
 Lift up your voices and proclaim aloud' 
 
 The virtues of the Prohibition Cause, 
 
 Until the Constitution wins the fight, 
 
 And licensed rum is banished from our state." 
 
 When Sylvanus finished his address, which 
 won many votes for the Constitution, Ruth 
 sang an original solo that was loudly ap- 
 plauded, after which, she led the great 
 crowd in one of the regular campaign songs. 
 
 ''THE CALL OF PROHIBITION/' 
 
 ^^ A wake, awake, people great; 
 
 Consider Prohibition — 
 
 What it will do for our loved state, 
 
 —221— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 If it has your permission; 
 'Twill make an earthly Paradise 
 For women and for children, 
 By driving out that awful vice, 
 That ruins by the million. 
 
 "Awake, awake, men of worth; 
 Believe in Prohibition, 
 As it is of supernal birth. 
 And fraught with great fruition; 
 Accept it as an Heavenly gift — 
 A precious prize to cherish — 
 And it will furnish help so swift, 
 That no more men shall perish. 
 
 "Arise, arise, loyal men. 
 
 And talk up Prohibition; 
 
 Proclaim it with both voice and pen, 
 
 And work for this fruition; 
 
 Make all your neighborhoods resound 
 
 With gallant proclamations, 
 
 Which will the friends of Eum astound. 
 
 And cause them consternation. 
 
 "Arise, arise, manhood strong, 
 And vote for Prohibition; 
 Declare you will not license wrong, 
 Nor give it recognition; 
 
 —222— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Eesolve that you will win the fight — 
 Press forward in the battle — 
 And yon will put saloons to flight, 
 And stop their foolish prattle. 
 
 '^lest Oklahoma! Infant state! 
 But yet a full-grown people; 
 Lift up thy head among the great, 
 And build the highest steeple — 
 A steeple that shall reach the sky, 
 And point the way to Heaven, 
 And show to ages passing by. 
 The work of Nineteen-Seven/^ 
 
 SECTION XIII. 
 
 A Change of Occupation. 
 
 From that great meeting in the grove, 
 
 Where truth with mighty errors strove 
 
 And won a splendid victory, 
 
 Sylvanus, soon as he was free. 
 
 Went home with Euth, with heart astir. 
 
 To have a solemn talk with her 
 
 About a matter in his heart. 
 
 Which seemed to throw itself athwart 
 
 His present pathway with such force, 
 
 That he would have to change his course. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The next day — Sunday afternoon — 
 
 The circumstances were in tune. 
 
 They both were seated side by side, 
 
 Where months before, in autumn-tide, 
 
 They pledged themselves to be as one. 
 
 And through this life together run 
 
 The race that was laid out for them. 
 
 And all its difficulties stem. 
 
 The little booth had been repaired, 
 
 And with the country round it shared 
 
 The clothing of the summer-time. 
 
 And with its beauty made a rhyme. 
 
 There they had often sat before, 
 
 And talked their school-work o'er and o'er, 
 
 While now and then they talked of love, 
 
 And of their blessings from above; 
 
 But now a crisis was at hand. 
 
 And matters had to be well-planned 
 
 To meet a new emergency 
 
 That would affect their destiny. 
 
 So after they had talked awhile. 
 
 Evoking now and then a smile, 
 
 Sylvanus, with a solemn tone, 
 
 Made his new purpose fully known. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 ^*^My dearest, if you will allow. 
 
 There's something I will tell you now, 
 
 — 224r- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Which may, perchance, disturb your mind, 
 
 Unless to it you feel inclined. 
 
 While I most dearly love to teach. 
 
 Yet I am more inclined to preach 
 
 The gospel of the Son of God, 
 
 And wield the undershepherd's rod. 
 
 While still in school, I felt this way. 
 
 And since that time, from day to day, 
 
 The feeling has been taking root. 
 
 And striving to put forth its fruit; 
 
 And while it would, at times, crop out, 
 
 Though indirectly round about, 
 
 I tried my best to keep it hid. 
 
 And oftentimes I think I did. 
 
 A number of the best of saints 
 
 Have urged me to throw off restraints. 
 
 Acknowledge that I have been called 
 
 And show a mind to be installed 
 
 Sometime in this important work. 
 
 That I so long have tried to shirk." 
 
 Euth's eyes with tears became suffused, 
 For which Sylvanus felt accused. 
 She laid her head upon her arm. 
 Which added much to his alarm, 
 And sobbed awhile before she spoke, 
 And that disturbing silence broke. 
 At length, she slowly raised her head, 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 While Walden looked with fear and dread. 
 And with her eyes still moist with tears. 
 Though unlike one who evil hears. 
 She looked him squarely in the face 
 With such a sweet complacent grace. 
 That all his fears at once took flight, 
 And he was filled with great delight. 
 As when the sun breaks through the cloudy 
 Where once the thunder spoke aloud. 
 And shines down through the gentle rain 
 That carries sunshine in its train, 
 So Euth's delight, through face and eyes. 
 Shone down from out her mental skies. 
 And made her tears like tiny stars 
 Or like descending golden bars. 
 
 Assuming, now, her self-control. 
 She opened up her inmost soul 
 In such a way that Walden cried. 
 As she in touching strains, replied. 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "Sylvanus, dear, I am so glad, 
 
 I feel I never can be sad. 
 
 Kow can I, when so near me lies 
 
 A precious and a longed-for prize — 
 
 A calling that delights my heart — 
 
 And in which I shall have a part? 
 
 —226— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 I weep for joy and not for grief, 
 
 As it has long been my belief, 
 
 That yon would sometime tell me this, 
 
 And add a million to my bliss. 
 
 I vowed to be a help to you, 
 
 In any work you chose to do. 
 
 My lot with yours is fully cast, 
 
 And to this vow I shall hold fast. 
 
 Within the store, or in the shop. 
 
 Or on the farm with growing crop, 
 
 Or in the school-room where weVe been, 
 
 I would go forth with you to win. 
 
 As much as I delight to teach, 
 
 I much prefer that you should preach; 
 
 And with you in that happy sphere. 
 
 Which I with all my heart revere, 
 
 I shall delight to pass my days 
 
 In loving labor, song and praise." 
 
 Impulsively he kissed her cheek. 
 And then began again to speak. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "My darling, you deserve a kiss — 
 Yea, millions o'er and o'er for this — 
 This sweet expression of your love. 
 Which breaks like sunlight from above 
 When clouds are parted right and left 
 
 —227— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 To let the light pour through the cleft, 
 And radiate the country round, 
 And bless the dry and thirsty ground. 
 I vow, as long as we shall live, 
 I will these kisses freely give. 
 No marks of age nor of disease 
 Can ever my affection freeze. 
 When youth gives way to hoary age. 
 And she stands forth upon the stage 
 With snowy crown upon her head, 
 With eyes that may be dim or red. 
 With wrinkled face and trembling limbs 
 And broken voice to sing her hjTnns, 
 I will, with pleasure, hear her sing. 
 And to her loving kisses fling; 
 And then, when she completes a song, 
 Which never will to me seem long, 
 I will embrace her bended form. 
 And let her feel my heart beat warm. 
 I still will see behind her age 
 The pretty girl upon the stage. 
 And hear that youthful voice again 
 Which once entranced the ears of men; 
 For youth, I'm sure, will never die. 
 Nor lose the sparkle of her eye.. 
 The roses from her blushing cheeks 
 Which her enamored lover seeks. 
 The glory of her lovely crown. 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The straying ringlets hanging down, 
 The music of her charming voice 
 That makes the weary world rejoice, 
 The symmetry of her physique 
 Which so entranced the ancient Greek, 
 The lightness of her agile steps 
 And sturdy strength of her biceps. 
 Thus happy youth cannot be lost, 
 Nor killed by any winter frost. 
 It will with beauty always bloom, 
 And fill the ages with perfume. 
 Youth is the normal state of man 
 According to God's primal plan. 
 Disease, and age, and sallow skin. 
 Are brought upon us all by sin. 
 Together with all other ills 
 That flow in rivers or in rills. 
 They represent abnormal states, 
 And as such, as the Book relates. 
 Will disappear on that glad day 
 When Christ shall drive all death away. 
 And take us to His blest abode 
 Where nothing ever can corrode. 
 No signs of age will there be seen; 
 Its landscapes always will be green; 
 And there in glad, immortal youth. 
 We'll walk in ways of love and truth; 
 For this is what redemption means, 
 
 -229- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 When at the last it contravenes 
 
 The evil forces of the world, 
 
 And one and all has strongly hurled 
 
 Into the lake of burning wrath, 
 
 From which returns no road or path. 
 
 Corruption, then, will pass away. 
 
 And there will be no more decay. 
 
 So when corruption all is gone. 
 
 We must our youthful vigor don. 
 
 Then happy youth by age enriched. 
 
 And by its ripened knowledge fitched — 
 
 With all its childhod joys revived. 
 
 And of its childish whims deprived — 
 
 Will in composite being meet. 
 
 And in this union be complete. 
 
 The good of childhood and of age 
 
 Will meet with youth upon the stage. 
 
 With all their evils left behind, 
 
 And all their goodness more refined. 
 
 The soul, itself, cannot grow old, 
 
 Nor ever feel the winter's cold; 
 
 But like the God who made it so. 
 
 Senility it shall not know, 
 
 If it has been redeemed from sin, 
 
 And by the new birth entered in 
 
 To that great Kingdom from on high, 
 
 Where none the second death shall die. 
 
 While in the body it may feel 
 
 —230- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 The common woe and common weal; 
 But when it leaves this house of clay, 
 It will be young as endless day; 
 And then, when it returns to earth 
 For its glad resurrection birth. 
 The body, then, shall rise, foresooth. 
 And both shall have immortal youth." 
 
 Ruth:— 
 
 "The picture you so plainly drew 
 Revealed some things I never knew — 
 At least, I never understood 
 So well the future of the good. 
 If it is true, as it must be. 
 Oh, what a sweet felicity 
 Awaits us in our future state 
 Where all the good shall congregate ! 
 Who can describe the lovely scene 
 That lies beyond our earthly screen ! 
 No eye hath seen nor ear hath heard 
 What to the dead hath now appeared. 
 The grandest picture ever drawn 
 Can only show it in its dawn. 
 The fullness of the blessed day 
 Exceeds the artist's best display 
 As much as noonday doth outshine 
 The twilight in its eastern shrine. 
 
 -231- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 "When you described me growing old, 
 I felt a bit of winter's cold, 
 But your devotion to me then 
 Brought warmness to my heart again; 
 And then when I beheld my youth 
 Like one within a dried-up booth, 
 And saw that it was kept intact. 
 The contemplation of the fact. 
 Together with its glad return. 
 Caused all my soul within to burn 
 Like that blest bush that Moses saw 
 That filled him with such holy awe. 
 It burned and yet did not consume. 
 But only was with God abloom. 
 So was it with my happy soul. 
 When I beheld upon the scroll 
 That you with splendid skill unwound. 
 And then explained with words profound 
 The picture of immortal youth 
 All radiant with love and truth. 
 The holy fire consumed me not. 
 But only increased gladness brought. 
 The flowers of the choicest kind 
 Sprang up within my heart and mind. 
 The summer breezes fanned my cheeks, 
 And summer rains filled all my creeks. 
 While summer's sun sublimely shone 
 With beauty hitherto unknown. 
 
 —232— 
 
THE GUIDINa HAND. 
 
 In fact, 'twas God within my heart 
 
 Who did this blessedness impart. 
 
 'Twas He who set my soul on fire, 
 
 And led its psychologic choir. 
 
 While yon was first the instrument 
 
 Through which the holy fire was sent, 
 
 Yet God was Sun and Summer-showers 
 
 That quickened all my psychic pow'rs. 
 
 He always is so good to me 
 
 That I would ever like Him be. 
 
 I so delight in serving Him 
 
 That joy overflows expression's brim. 
 
 And now, the vision that I see. 
 
 Presents the opportunity 
 
 To give my time and all my life 
 
 To serve Him as a preacher's wife. 
 
 But while this thought delights me so, 
 
 There is another side, I know, 
 
 That gives me great solicitude — 
 
 To which I will in brief allude. 
 
 The great responsibility — 
 
 More deep and wide than any sea — 
 
 Depresses me to some extent. 
 
 And wakens in me some dissent; 
 
 But yet, in view of help divine 
 
 And that your light will round me shine, 
 
 I will with pleasure undertake 
 
 A true helpmate for you to make.'' 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "My precious jewel ! You're so good 
 
 That if you were not flesli and blood, 
 
 Fd think an angel had come down 
 
 In human form and human go^vn 
 
 With heaven's gladness to dispense 
 
 In rivers of benevolence. 
 
 With such a helpmate as you'll be, 
 
 I can the brightest visions see. 
 
 Your splendid virtues will eclipse 
 
 The faults of both my life and lips. 
 
 Nay more, they will my defects prune, 
 
 And keep me in the best of tune, 
 
 And help sustain my equipoise 
 
 When anything my mind annoys. 
 
 With such a wise and tactful wife 
 
 To cheer my heart and bless my life. 
 
 And one that's so efficient, too, 
 
 In all the work I'm called to do. 
 
 My future path seems clear and bright. 
 
 And radiated with delight. 
 
 "But now, another matter stands 
 
 Before me with extended hands. 
 
 And beckons me to come its way. 
 
 And with it for awhile to stay. 
 
 It is a Seminary Course 
 
 That draws me now with mighty force; 
 
 —234— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And having counted up the cost 
 
 Before the Eubicon was crossed, 
 
 And having seen the die was cast, 
 
 And heard the solemn trumpet's blast. 
 
 Which bade me cross the fateful stream 
 
 To realize my fondest dream, 
 
 I then determined to cross o'er 
 
 And Theologic Eealms explore. 
 
 So now I'm on the other side 
 
 Of that great Stream of Purpose, wide; 
 
 And yet another stream appears, 
 
 Of which I have no doubt or fears 
 
 That we will cross it in due time. 
 
 When circumstances all are prime. 
 
 The opportunity invites, 
 
 My precious Euth with me unites; 
 
 And hence with faith and courage strong 
 
 We shall together move along. 
 
 And cross the great Financial Stream 
 
 With rapid strokes, and eyes agleam 
 
 With aspiration and with hope. 
 
 Which will with all its billows cope. 
 
 *^y plan is this, if you'll agree 
 To what seems plainly best to me: 
 We are to teach another year; 
 And then I'm sure the way will clear 
 For us to wed thereafter soon — 
 
 -235- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Say, early in the coming June — 
 And then, when autumn rolls around, 
 Within Chicago we'll be found. 
 Where I the preacher's course will take 
 In that great city by the lake. 
 And you will reign as queen at home 
 Where I at noon and night will come, 
 And you will meet me at the door. 
 When, arm in arm, we'll walk the floor; 
 And as our hearts with gladness beat, 
 We'll talk awhile before we eat. 
 
 We're asked to teach our schools again. 
 And I would say at once, Amen — 
 So be it — let it be so now. 
 As they an increase will allow 
 Of that which we shall stand in need, 
 And which will help us to succeed. 
 What say you to this plan of mine? 
 Can you, my darling, make it thine? 
 Or would you modify the plan 
 And put some phases under ban ?" 
 
 Euth :— 
 
 "With all I heartily agree. 
 
 Excepting what you've planned for me 
 
 When you take up theology 
 
 In that great University. 
 
 -236— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 It would be very nice, indeed, 
 
 If I did not some teaching need 
 
 To reign, as you suggest, at home 
 
 Within our little cottage dome; 
 
 For I could then, which is your due, 
 
 Make such a pleasant place for you 
 
 That when you came home bleak or tired, 
 
 You would with gladness be inspired. 
 
 And strengthened for your next day's toil 
 
 In digging deep in Scripture soil; 
 
 But we are young and in good health. 
 
 Which far exceeds all money-wealth. 
 
 And hence we can with patience wait 
 
 For such a time to celebrate. 
 
 The present is our time to work. 
 
 And I have no desire to shirk, 
 
 And will not pass my time away 
 
 In either idleness or play. 
 
 Our future work demands our best. 
 
 And I shall not with duty jest. 
 
 But shall with you myself prepare 
 
 To help you in the wear and tear 
 
 Of that intensely active life 
 
 That combats sin and worldly strife. 
 
 True life is not an idle tale, 
 
 That when once told becometh stale; 
 
 But it is like a living book. 
 
 Or like the never-failing brook, 
 
 —237— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Which from exhaustless fountain flows, 
 
 Or which is fed by mountain snows. 
 
 Enlarging as it flows along 
 
 And sings its everlasting song, 
 
 Till it becomes a river wide, 
 
 And seeks the mighty ocean tide. 
 
 A river like this would I be 
 
 So I could be a help to thee. 
 
 And then a blessing to mankind, 
 
 As rivers always are inclined; 
 
 Or, like the book that grows not old. 
 
 Whose worth exceeds the wealth of gold, 
 
 I would unceasing blessings give 
 
 To those with whom I^m called to live. 
 
 "There is a Training School, you know, 
 
 Near where we now intend to go — 
 
 A school where Christian girls are trained. 
 
 Who are to mission work constrained. 
 
 There I shall take a course, while you. 
 
 Your seminary course pursue. 
 
 My missionary training there 
 
 Will fit me for the yoke we'll wear 
 
 When we go forth into the field 
 
 Where Christian faith shall be our shield. 
 
 And truth the girdle of our loins. 
 
 As well as one of heaven's coins; 
 
 Where righteousness protects the breast, 
 
 —238— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And guards the treasures there possessed; 
 Where helmets of salvation, too, 
 Will never let the arrows through; 
 Where feet with gospel peace are shod 
 To walk the path our Savior trod, 
 And with the Spirit's sword in hand 
 To drive the evil from our land — 
 I know you will agree to this. 
 And give me this much more of bliss." 
 
 Sylvanus : — 
 
 "Yes, it shall be as you desire; 
 And in this course we will not tire, 
 But shall press on without delay 
 Until the graduation day. 
 When we shall take a pastorate 
 In some good town or city great. 
 Then on together we will go 
 Throughout our journey here below. 
 And help to drive away the night, 
 And fill this world with gospel light. 
 Oh, what a blessed work is this, 
 And how it will increase our bliss. 
 As well as bless the human race, 
 And glorify the God of grace! 
 
 "I'm glad our plans at last are laid, 
 And future prospects partly weighed, 
 
 —239- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Which, prophesy a future bright. 
 As far as goes our human sight; 
 But should grave Disappointment come 
 With weU-armed soldiers, fife and drum. 
 And in a heartless manner slay 
 These prospects in an hour or day, 
 l^m sure that Love will take her stand 
 And bid defiance to the band. 
 And o'er their lifeless bodies tread 
 To other prospects yet ahead. 
 
 "As you have said, we still are young. 
 And with ambition highly strung. 
 I'm little less than twenty-four. 
 And you are one above a score. 
 Thus twenty-four and twenty-one. 
 Will both together nicely run; 
 And if our health continues thus, 
 There's nothing that can hinder us 
 From passing through the outside gate 
 When I am only twenty-eight, 
 And you are only twenty-five — 
 Our youthful vigor still alive. 
 
 "This summer we will help along, 
 Myself by speech and you by song. 
 The Constitutional Campaign, 
 That righteousness may win and reign; 
 
 —240— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And then when early fall arrives, 
 And summer with the autumn strives, 
 Our school-work we'll again resume. 
 And all our teaching-zeal exhume. 
 The time will quickly pass away, 
 And both our schools will close in May; 
 And then my heart with joy will leap. 
 When I can bring you home to keep. 
 Then through the summer we will rest. 
 And in the autumn, at our best. 
 Up to Chicago we will go 
 "WTiere tides of people ebb and flow. 
 Meanwhile, this winter while we teach, 
 I will, at times, attempt to preach. 
 And you, I'm sure, at leisure times. 
 Will still compose your charming rhymes; 
 And we will both, as heretofore. 
 Be found at Duty's open door 
 Prepared to help in church or state 
 Among the lowly or the great — 
 The sick, as well as those in health — 
 The poor, as well as those of wealth. 
 
 "But now, as ev'ning shades draw near, 
 I must take leave of you, my dear; 
 But I will often come to you. 
 And our delightful talks renew." 
 
 -241— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Euth:— 
 
 "Farewell, Sylvanus, go in peace •- 
 
 My prayers for you shall never cease; 
 
 My love for you shall not grow cold 
 
 Amidst my duties manifold, 
 
 But shall remain like lovely June, 
 
 Or like it is this afternoon. 
 
 All things shall be as you have said, 
 
 And early in next June we'll wed." 
 
 When they had each the other kissed. 
 This happy meeting was disimssed; 
 And as they left that sacred spot 
 With each a sweet forget-me-not. 
 The angels, then, began to sing. 
 Which caused a near, yet distant ring. 
 To echo through their happy souls. 
 And compass their magnetic poles. 
 They sang a joyful song of praise. 
 Which caused the zephyrs all to raise. 
 And carry it on wings afar 
 To human ears that were ajar. 
 
 ''LET EV'BYTHING REJOICE/' 
 
 ^TDrop down ye heavens from above. 
 And skies pour down 3^our righteousness; 
 For mercy, truth, and peace and love, 
 Have come this fallen world to bless! 
 
 —242— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 let the heavens gladly sing, 
 And let the earth with hope rejoice, 
 Because these servants of the King 
 Have made His work their special choice. 
 
 "Let all the trees now clap their hands, 
 And all the mountains shout for joy. 
 And let the song-birds in all lands 
 Their highest music-gifts employ; 
 Let little hillocks skip like lambs, 
 And rivers all their banks o'erflow, 
 And let the trade-winds bring their balms 
 From where the nard and spices grow. 
 
 "0 church of God, rejoice to-day. 
 And sing your gladdest songs of praise, 
 And with your mighty orchestra 
 Set all the earth with joy ablaze; 
 For this decision and event 
 Will strengthen stakes and lengthen cords. 
 And help to stretch the gospel tent 
 O'er distant nations and their wards. 
 
 "Then sing, heavens, and earth. 
 Break forth in praises loud and long. 
 As thousands weak from moral dearth, 
 Ere long shall sing Eedemption's song; 
 
 -243- 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Rejoice with us that these two youths. 
 Committed to our watchful care, 
 Shall help extend the gospel's truths 
 To needy regions everywhere." 
 
 SECTION XIV. 
 
 The Wedding. 
 
 The Summer with her glowing smile, 
 
 Departed slowly for awhile, 
 
 With perfumed robes and fragrant mouth. 
 
 Far down into the sunny South; 
 
 But ere she went she left behind 
 
 Eich blessings of a varied kind. 
 
 The farewell gift she handed out. 
 
 Made Oklahomans gladly shout. 
 
 The Mother Country sing for joy 
 
 As she embraced her new-born boy. 
 
 Whose rosy cheeks and stalwart frame. 
 
 Predicted for him future fame. 
 
 She named him long before his birth. 
 
 And settled on his proper girth. 
 
 His name was Oklahoma State — 
 
 A name that from the first was great. 
 
 Thus Summer to that people brought 
 
 The blessing which they long had sought. 
 
 And left it as she said 'Farewell,' 
 
 To go down south awhile to dwell. 
 
 —244— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 She gave them splendid victory 
 O'er Rum^s destructive Upas Tree, 
 And, in their final voting act, 
 The sov'reingty they long had lacked. 
 
 Then Autumn, with his golden fruit. 
 And nicely fitting yellow suit, 
 Stepped out of his abiding-place. 
 And took the ]^orth in his embrace. 
 Filled all her barns with ripened grain. 
 And then with joy went home again. 
 
 Next, Winter came with snow and rain, 
 And much fine weather in his train, 
 And spread his blessings o'er the land 
 With open and with lavish hand — 
 Together with some want and grief 
 For charity to find relief — 
 And then, with praises and some blame. 
 Returned again from whence he came. 
 
 A Maid then came from warmer climes 
 With music and enchanting chimes. 
 And waked the cold and sleeping earth. 
 And called it to a vernal birth. 
 Thus lovely Spring, with rosy crown. 
 And green and white and reddish gown. 
 With wreaths ^i flowers wrapped around, 
 
 —245— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Stepped out upon the barren ground 
 
 From her ambrosial palace hall 
 
 Where Winter never comes at all, 
 
 And spread her mantle o'er the earth, 
 
 And with her rains drowned all its dearth. 
 
 And made it looks like Paradise 
 
 Before the birth of human vice. 
 
 She seemed to take some special pains 
 
 With her already gorgeous trains, 
 
 To make the coming month of June 
 
 From ev'ry single ill immune. 
 
 And clothe her in her best array 
 
 For this important wedding day; 
 
 For she delights to do her best 
 
 In North or South or East or West 
 
 For those who seize time opportune 
 
 To wed in either May or June. 
 
 « « He « He 
 
 While seasons thus were passing by. 
 
 And with each other seemed to vie, 
 
 Sylvanus and Euth Caldwell were 
 
 With school and church-work all astir. 
 
 As they had worked the past year through. 
 
 So they continued still to do. 
 
 Their fame went out through all the land, 
 
 And they were always in demand 
 
 In everything that would sustain 
 
 Their country in its rapid gain. 
 
 —246— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Sylvanus often ably preached, 
 And many wayward people reached. 
 And turned them in the better way, 
 From which he urged them not to stray. 
 The Christian people all felt proud. 
 And sounded forth his praises loud. 
 
 At length their busy school-year closed 
 With all the duties it imposed. 
 And each Commencement Day was grand, 
 As it had been so wisely planned. 
 Not only by themselves, alone. 
 By contact or by telephone; 
 But pupils, patrons — all joined in. 
 Determined that they both shrould win 
 The praises that were well their due 
 For faithful work the two years through: 
 And since they knew their plans full well. 
 And could their future greatness teU, 
 They did their best to honor them. 
 And crown them with Love's diadem. 
 And then, at last, with tenderness. 
 Each gave a last farewell address. 
 Which brought the tears to many eyes, 
 And called forth many warm replies. 
 
 *n •!• •»• ^ T* 
 
 The wedding day soon rolled around, 
 And there was heard the joyful sound 
 
 —247— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 Of happy voices in the trees, 
 
 And happy voices in the breeze, 
 
 And fast approaching buggy wheels 
 
 Almost upon the horses heels, 
 
 And automobiles breathing loud. 
 
 Which added prestige to the crowd. 
 
 Thus came their friends from far and near 
 
 With anxious ears attuned to hear 
 
 The verdict of the suit at court. 
 
 Which Hymen was to soon report. 
 
 The happy couple, now inside — 
 Sylvanus and his coming bride — 
 Were ready for the welcome hour 
 To hear the voice of legal pow'r 
 Approve what Heaven had decreed, 
 And they themselves had long agreed. 
 As soon as all their friends were in, 
 The happy verdict did begin. 
 Which all agreed was just and right, 
 That this young couple should unite 
 As husband true and faithful wife 
 Throughout their earthly term of life. 
 The verdict, being now complete. 
 And with the best advice replete. 
 The pastor offered up a prayer 
 Per their success and their welfare, 
 Which stirred most deeply ev'ry heart, 
 
 —248— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And caused the tears to rise and start 
 From eyes that laughed a while before, 
 But now were looking toward the floor. 
 When he was through, the heart aniens 
 From parents, relatives and friends, 
 Were, some of them, expressed aloud 
 With heads most reverently bowed. 
 The bride and groom with modest grace. 
 Sat down at the appointed place 
 Beneath an arch of flowers gay. 
 And looked as happy as the day. 
 Congratulations were profuse, 
 With presents for their future use; 
 And all were happy as the spring. 
 And made the cozy farm-house ring 
 With instrumental music rare. 
 And vocal music to compare. 
 The Guard'an Angels were on hand 
 To carry out what they had planned. 
 And with ecstatic voices sang, 
 Which to the arch of heaven rang :— . 
 
 "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! 
 Praise Him for His Holy Word — 
 For its great Eedemption Story, 
 Which points out man's way to glory; 
 Praise Him for His Guiding Hand 
 Which hath all our movements planned^ 
 
 —249— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And hath given us the pleasure 
 These two lives awhile to treasure. 
 
 "Hallelujah! God is good! 
 
 By His word He's ever stood; 
 
 He has guarded them from dangers 
 
 While among both friends and strangers; 
 
 Praise Him that we've had some share 
 
 In this loving, watchful care, 
 
 And in giving them direction 
 
 How to walk with circumspection. 
 
 "Hallelujah ! Oh, the joy 
 That we've had in God's employ ! 
 And in this, our present station, 
 We can sing with jubilation; 
 For these valiant friends of truth 
 Are among the choicest youth. 
 Whom to us the Lord hath given 
 To direct from earth to heaven. 
 
 "Hallelujah! God be praised 
 That our boy and girl are raised. 
 And are now for life united. 
 And with Christian work delighted; 
 Onward, still, they both shall press 
 Through a life of usefulness, 
 
 —250— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 And in all their blest endeavor, 
 "We will guide them still, as ever. 
 
 ''And when they have run their race. 
 We will lead them to the place 
 Prepared for them by their dear Savior, 
 To reward their good behavior; 
 Then again we'll come to earth. 
 Take two others from their birth, 
 And, with glad anticipation, 
 Lead them on through life's probation." 
 
 -251— 
 
THE GUIDING HAND. 
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 Dear reader, I am loth with you, 
 
 To bid these noble youths adieu; 
 
 But since the Muses bid me close, 
 
 I now shall do as they propose; 
 
 And if they come again sometime, 
 
 I will again resume my rhyme, 
 
 And from those lives that grow not dull, 
 
 I will attempt once more to cull 
 
 Some flowers of the choicest kind. 
 
 Which will delight your heart and mind; 
 
 But if my life shall be too short 
 
 To any further news report; 
 
 Or if the Muses come no more. 
 
 Or you should give me no encore. 
 
 You can, yourself, their future guess. 
 
 And feel assured of their success. 
 
iim 23 1809