»S 3525 .A773 S8 1921 Copy 1 BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR WINNING SOULS THE CHRISTMAN PROF. SLAGG OF LONDON THE CHURCH AND HER PROPHETS HOW TO EXCEL COMMON-SENSE PARENTS THE HARKSBOROUGH COMMITEE CURIOSITIES IN PROVERBS FIRESIDE PRAYERS Sunset Thoughts By DWIGHT E. MARVIN SUMMIT, N. J. 1921 ^ *$ & Copyright, 1921 By Dwight E. Marvin RUG 25 1921 ©CLA624266 Some of the verses found in this book have been printed in the columns of religious period- icals. Others have been added in the hope that the collection may be a message of cheer and hope to many. CONTENTS Sunset Thoughts Lichens ■ * Sometimes I Walk 14 Called 15 The Soul's Rest 17 Life's Forest ' o A Present God 20 Come Quickly 21 The Breaking of the Morning 22 Waiting 24 God's Love 25 The Martyred Son of Calvary 26 The World Goes Forth to Meet Her King. . 28 Come Unto Me 29 Eternal Love 31 Jerusalem Above 32 Christmas Bells 34 All Conquering Love 36 Going Home 37 Consecration 38 The Dying Christian 39 Cloud Shadows 40 The Prayer of Moses 41 The Doxology of the Sea 43 Memory 44 By Faith and Not By Sight 46 Holy Calvary 48 Redeemed 50 Brave and Still 51 Thou Art Calling 53 Lullaby 54 Sunset Thoughts SUNSET THOUGHTS Twas evening and the fleecy clouds Were tipped with fire and bright; Their airy forms like angel' s wings Were circled round with light. The sinking sun had left behind A radiant afterglow, That capped with golden diadems Banks of celestial snow. Eternal seas of azure blue Lay peacefully in the West, While mountains reared their tapering peaks And glory crowned each crest. Through cloud-built masses, rift and riven, The rays of silver light Flashed forth as if to keep the gates, The golden gates of night. It may have been at even time The chariot rolled in space, Swept down from snowy battlements, Enlightening all the place. 11 It may have been on radiant clouds, Up through the gates of gold, The prophet sped to meet his God, By heavenly powers controlled. I know not when he passed from earth, At eve, or noon or morn, I only know the mighty seer Was by his Lord upborne. 12 LICHENS As lichens cling to rocky steep Through winter's frost and snow, So sins within my being deep, My soul in helpless bondage keep Where'er I chance to go. They will not yield by force of will, Nor be torn out by human skill, But every crack and crevice fill, And daily, hourly grow. While lichens on the rocky steep Through winter's frost and snow, Beneath the avalanches deep Their clinging hold with firmness keep, And will not part nor go. There is one great resistless will Moved by a holy, heavenly skill, That doth my heart with courage fill, Causing new hope to grow. Though lichens cling to rocky steep Through winter's frost and snow, There is no sin so strong or deep That can my soul in thraldom keep When Christ doth with me go. His is the great resistless will That moves with holy, heavenly skill, And doth my heart with courage fill, Causing new hope to grow. 13 SOMETIMES I WALK Sometimes I walk in the valley, Sometimes on mountain top, But whether on low or high land The Lord forsakes me not. Sometimes I walk in the shadow, Sometimes in sunlight clear, But whether in gloom or brightness The Lord is very near. Sometimes I walk in the desert, Sometimes by waters cold, But whether by sands or streamlets The Lord doth me enfold. Sometimes I walk in green pastures, Sometimes on rocky cliffs, But whether in peace or danger The Lord my soul uplifts. 14 CALLED "Called," the word is full of power, Ringing as from belfry tower, Echoing in this heart of mine Like some holy advent chime. Called to patient be and still, Resting in the Masters will, Or to climb with weary feet Up some rugged mountain steep. Called, though wavering my sight On through shadows dark as night, Up the straight and narrow way Till all fear shall pass away. Silver bells, keep up your swinging, Gladsome music ever bringing, Oft I wait your sweet refrain, Yielding to your wondrous claim. Called to lean on Jesus' breast When sore burdened and oppressed, Called to trust and silent be, Knowing that love holdeth me. Called to watch the stars come out, One by one, in skies of doubt; Called to wait the gleam of day In the morning twilight gray. 15 Called to weep with those who weep And to watch while others sleep, Called to cheer some fainting heart, Bidding doubt and fear depart. Ring, O bells, your great request, Jesus lives within my breast; Let the music of your peal Move me with a holy zeal. 16 THE SOUL'S REST As streamlets speed to ocean deep, Thy presence, Lord, my soul doth seek, To find a certain resting place Within the fulness of Thy grace. As winding waters reach the sea, The restless heart finds rest in Thee; Thou are the wounded world's great quest Thou are my soul's abiding rest. I could not live without Thy care, For Thou dost all my burdens bear; When shadows of the evening fall, I find in Thee mine all in all. So as the streamlets downward flow, And one by one the moments go, I seek a certain resting place Within the ocean of Thy grace. 17 LIFE'S FOREST Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet Through the forest, dark and deep; Hidden pitfalls mark the way, Shadows hide the light of day; Close beside Thee let me keep, Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet. When the heavy pall of night Throws its darkness o'er my sight, Warning figures past me glide, Luring voices tempt aside; Thou canst every danger meet, Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet. Oh, how dark the path and drear, Yet with Thee I need not fear; Trusting where I cannot see, Hope becomes reality; Naught can hinder, naught defeat; Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet. Should the darkness of the night Hide Thee from my longing sight, And Thy form I fail to see, May Thy voice my comfort be; In Thee let me succor meet; Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet. 18 When the evening stars go out And my heart begins to doubt, When sore troubles come and go, Portents of some threatening woe, When the shadows darkness greet, Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet. When I reach the swollen tide, Do Thou then with me abide; Hold Thou tight my trembling hand Till I reach the golden strand; Then may I the Father meet; Jesus, Saviour, guide my feet. 19 A PRESENT GOD God of starlight and of moonlight, God of sunlit day, In the chariot of the cloudbanks Thou dost go Thy way. Thou are throbbing, Thou art speaking In the human breast; Thou are calling, Thou art crying, Come to me and rest. Thou are circling, Thou art holding Me, Thy little one, As the light constrains the daybreak And the rising sun. 20 COME QUICKLY Waiting for the daybreak, Watching for the King; Praying for His coming, Loud hosannas bring. Working for the Master, Serving God on high, Making glad the moments As they quickly fly. Soon will break the morning, Christ is drawing near, Shadows are departing, He will soon appear. Speed Thee, Lord and Saviour, Haste the golden hour, Tarry not the advent, And Thy reign in power. 21 THE BREAKING OF THE MORNING In the lingering hours of darkness, Just before the morning's light, When the heavy gloom of blackness Falls upon the somber night; Just before the breaking glory Of another golden day, Then each star with added beauty Sends to earth a bright new ray. When the sun at morning's twilight, Wrapped within the rending shrouds, Sends a promise of her coming Up among the sleepy clouds, Then the heavy hovering masses, Standing out in robes of gray, Bid good morning to the starlight As it gently fades away. So when trials sore oppress us And dark night enwraps the way, Let us not forget the lesson That the stars and clouds convey. In the hours of deepest sorrow There's new beauty in the night, For the blackness of the darkness Gives the promise of the light. 22 When the clouds of life seem heavy And the outlines grow distinct, Its the coming of the morning, Light and darkness then are linked. 23 WAITING The book awaits the turning, The turning of the leaves; The grain awaits the binding, The binding of the sheaves; The spring awaits the coming, The coming of the showers; The earth awaits the beauty, The beauty of the flowers; My heart awaits the breaking, The breaking of the day When I shall see my Saviour And Him all honor pay. 24 GOD'S LOVE When passing storms in twilight's fading gray Are backward driven, from off the golden day, Sometimes we see a star with trembling light Gleaming within the shadows of the night, Or hanging low upon a dripping cloud Like some lone jewel on a somber shroud. 'Tis then, dear Lord, I turn in prayer to Thee, E'en though my path in life I cannot see, And Thou dost speak to me in accents clear, Dispelling every doubt and every fear. As waits a child its mother's tender call, Fearing no danger that may it befall, So wait I Thy word and trust, e'en though I cannot see. And as the shadows grow Apace I look, and lo, the heavenly light Of love glows forth to sanctify the night. 25 THE MARTYRED SON OF CALVARY The truths He brought from God on high, As pure and boundless as the sky, The words He spoke by Jacob's well, On mountain side, in mossy dell, Within the Temples open space, The court, the street and market place, By these His glory thou canst see The martyred Son of Calvary. As dawn drives back the shades of night, And bathes the earth in silver white, So came He to the weak and worn, The stricken poor and anguish torn, The halt and blind He healed and blessed, The sleeping dead He called from rest, By these His glory thou canst see The martyred Son of Calvary. By covenant and sacred tryst, He blessed the Holy Eucharist, And through the ages, He thy Lord, Sat with His people at the board, The bruised grain, the bleeding vine, The broken bread, the crimson wine, By these His glory thou canst see The martyred Son of Calvary. 26 As dew on blades of bending grass, And dripping rain on window glass, So fell the night mists on His brow, And witnessed to His solemn vow, In agony and bloody sweat, The world' s great need He fully met, By this His glory thou canst see The martyred Son of Calvary. Beneath the trees where olives grow, And Kedron's shallow waters flow, With broken heart He wept and prayed, And all His Father's will obeyed, While stars above sent down their light And marked with gold the darksome night, By this His glory thou canst see The martyred Son of Calvary. With heart subdued look back afar, Across the ages gleaming bar, Where neath the arching heavens there stood A sacrificial cross of wood, Stay thou thy soul upon that scene 'Till faith is lost in love supreme, By this His glory thou canst see The martyred Son of Calvary. 27 THE WORLD GOES FORTH TO MEET HER KING Out of the clouds in flight, Out from the stars at night, Out from the groping sight Of finished time. Into the broad clear day, Into the sunlight's play, Into the brighter ray Of years sublime. The world goes forth to meet her King, Let every creature praises bring. Out from the gloomy fears, Out from the shadowy years, Out from the vale of tears, Of all the past. Into the hours unrolled, Into the time foretold, Into the age of gold We come at last. The world goes forth to meet her King, Let every creature praises bring. 28 COME UNTO ME Is they weary spirit broken? Come unto Me. List thee to the message spoken, Come unto Me. As the sparrows find a rest In the criclet of its nest, So when clouds of darkness roll O'er thy faint and trembling soul, Come unto Me. Art thou weak thy cares to carry? Come unto Me. Do not linger, do not tarry, Come unto Me. As the lark spreads forth its wings, Soaring upward as it sings, So if thou wouldst find delight Walking daily in the light, Come unto Me. Wouldst thou have thy life grow sweeter? Come unto Me. And thy lagging footsteps fleeter, Come unto Me. 29 I will speed thee on the way, As the shadows flee away, Haste thee to My wounded side, Thou may'st in My love abide. Come unto Me. Dost thou want thy vision clearer? Come unto Me. As immortal life draws nearer, Come unto Me. I will lead thee by the hand, With Me thou canst understand, Thou canst all thy hopes translate, When within the golden gate, Come unto Me. 30 ETERNAL LOVE When morning stars were singing, And worlds kept up their swinging, In realms of distant space, God's wondrous love went winging, O'er seas of ether bringing The promise of His grace. 31 JERUSALEM ABOVE Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Fair city of my King, I long to walk thy golden streets And glad hosannas sing; I long to climb thy towers and walls, Clear as transparent glass, And view the wondrous jasper zone Through which the angels pass. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Above the din of earth, Thy stones are set with fairest gems, Thy gates are filled with mirth; Thou hast no temple court nor dome, No sun doth on thee shine, For Christ Himself abides with thee, In radiant light divine. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Bathed in celestial light, Where saints before the crystal throne, In garments pure and white, Sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, Great is Thy majesty, Thou who didst bear the cruel cross In pain and misery." 32 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, When shall I see thy towers, When shall my weary spirit rest Beneath thy verdant bowers? Welcome, blessed day when I shall cross The dark and swollen ford And rise triumphantly to be Forever with my Lord. This hymn has been set to music. 33 CHRISTMAS BELLS Christmas bells, keep up your swinging, Swinging, swinging, Cease not swinging. Christmas joys and welcome ringing, Ringing, ringing, Sweetly ringing. Notes of gladness, notes of peace, Let your dulcet tones increase; Jesus born in Bethlehem, 'Neath the night star's diadem. Silver bells keep up your swinging, Christmas joys and welcome bringing, Christ is born today. Though we see not angels winging, Winging, winging, Downward winging, Yet the good news God is bringing, Bringing, bringing, Always bringing. News of blessing, news of grace, Sounding forth in every place, Good will to men and peace on earth Through a Saviour's wondrous birth. Though we see not angels winging, Yet the good news God is bringing. Christ is born today. 34 Sound aloud the glad thanksgiving, Giving, giving, Freely giving, Christmas tokens to the living, Living, living, 'Round us living. List thee to thy neighbor's need, And the hungry suppliant feed, Jesus forth from glory sped, Laid Him in a manger bed. Sound aloud the glad thanksgiving, Christmas tokens to the living, Christ is born today. Let us then keep up our singing, Singing, singing, Gladly singing, To the glorious promise clinging, Clinging, clinging, Strongly clinging. Looking for the blessed dawn, And the bright celestial morn, When our Lord shall come again, Come eternally to reign. Let us then keep up our singing, To the glorious promise clinging, Christ is born today. 35 ALL CONQUERING LOVE You ask me how I came to trust The Man of Galilee; I turned my troubled heart to Him, With love He conquered me. I reached for His strong hand and prayed And soon an answer found; He held me in constraining power, And I was captive bound. He called me and I followed Him, His voice was soft and low; I could not help but do His will, And my devotion show. I never can return His love, The love of His great heart; But I can yield myself to Him, And never from Him part. 36 GOING HOME I cannot tell what God hath planned For me in days to come, But this I'm sure, He holds my hand And I am going home. It is enough, His way is best, I know I cannot roam; For when He guides naught can molest, And I am going home. While shadows fall to veil the night Beneath the heavenly dome, I'm hastening on to see the light, And I am going home. 37 CONSECRATION Dear Saviour, I am Thine, And pray that Thou wouldst be to me A Master to refine My character by grace. In grief, or joy, or rest, or strife Or cumbering cares that fret this life Till Thine own image Thou canst see As in some holy place. 38 THE DYING CHRISTIAN Over the line of the hilltops, Up through the mountain mist, My soul climbs the golden pathway, While angel forms assist; All the shadows and the storm clouds That filled my heart with fear, Are breaking, as falls the sunlight, And Salem's towers appear. They call this death, I know not why, The daybreak is not night; The path of glory can but end In rapture and delight; So I'm climbing over the mountain, Up through the path of gold, Soon the gates of pearl will open To heavenly joys untold. O the glory of the city, The light from out the throne, Is shining brightly 'round me And I am going home; So up through the golden pathway That saints have always trod, Over the hills and the mountain I'm going home to God. 39 CLOUD SHADOWS Whirling about with many a shift, The twigs on moving waters drift, Thus shadows from the clouds that fall On valleys deep and mountains tall, Tint spots of green with darkest hue, Spread out beneath the arch of blue, And passing leave the landscape bright With rays from distant sun-lit height; So when the clouds of dark despair Tempt me to doubt the Fathers care, I'll stand and take a broader view, My covenant faith again renew, And covered by the heavens above Declare with joy that "God is love." 40 THE PRAYER OF MOSES Above the host on Horeb's height, Along some rugged way, He climbed the rocky mountain side, To meet his God and pray. No mortal knew the secret place Enwrapped in wondrous light, Behind those bleak and beetling crags, Concealed from human sight. While there he stood with upturned brow, The light fell on his face, Heaven's peace rolled in upon his soul And glory filled the place. Then to those sacred battlements The king immortal came, A blaze of light broke forth and stayed, God stood within the flame. The prophet bowed his head and prayed Before the glowing fire; His moving lips alone revealed The depth of his desire. He stayed his heart in holy trust, And pled for Israel's race. While beams of light flashed forth and fell Upon his heaven-lit face. 41 Drawing his mantle quickly round His strong and stalwart frame, He prostrate fell and waited there The answering of the flame. At last it came from out the fire, A voice soft, low and clear, Assuring him his plea was heard, Deliverance was near. None but the seer has ever known The message of the hour, That came upon the quivering air In majesty and power. 42 THE DOXOLOGY OF THE SEA The rolling billows of the sea That sweep the rocky main Bring forth their greatest melody In wind and storm and rain. Then, as from some grand organ floor, Concealed in cloud and spray, The music of the mighty roar Seems o'er and o'er to say: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, From age to age the same. "Praise Him all creatures here below" And spread abroad his fame. "Praise Him above, ye heavenly host," Angels and saints on high. "Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost," The echoing rocks reply. So raging winds and pouring rain That wake the storm-tossed sea, And breakers thrown on rocky main Praise the great Trinity. 43 MEMORY Sometimes I sit in silence When evening shadows lower, And hear the low, clear knocking Of memory at the door. Whene'er I bid her enter She takes me by the hand And leads me o'er the mountain Into the mystic land. The land of showers and sunshine, The land of long ago, Where clouds were wrapped in beauty And lined with golden glow, Where tears dimmed not the vision And hearts were filled with song, Where hope filled each tomorrow And I was young and strong. Into that land she takes me That I may live again Amid the scenes that stirred me With mingled joy and pain; The plans that then seemed needful, How vain they now appear, As coming days grow shorter And heaven draws strangely near. 44 Let memory then constrain me To climb the mountain height, And enter the mystic land, The land of fadeless light; Then shall I know I'm living As in the olden day, With life immortal gleaming Before me on the way. 45 BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT Sometimes in darkness, Lord, I grope for Thee, Yet Thou art near; Thou art a great unseen reality, Keep me from fear. Whene'er I look for Thee, vain is my quest, But though I see Thee not, in Thee is rest. Beneath Thy sheltering care I bow and pray, And wait Thy will ; Then Thou dost speak to my wild heart and say: "Peace, peace be still. Be still, my child, and take my unseen hand; Be still and wait, some day thou'lt understand." The leaves that tremble when the night winds rise, Cling to the vine, So, Lord, I turn to Thee with sightless eyes, For I am Thine, And Thou'lt be mine, as passing years unroll And swinging worlds through circling ages troll. Of Thy great fulness I in faith partake, Though it be night, Assured that by and by the morn will break With perfect sight. Earth's shadows then will all be swept away And dimness will give place to endless day. 46 When death's dark drapery is drawn, I'll know As I am known. And perfect love, with its effulgent glow From out the throne, Will flood my soul, and I shall rise to see Thee, Lord, and dwell with Thee eternally. Then I, with vision bright, shall see Thy face, Clear as the moon, And learn in rapture of Thy wondrous grace, It may be soon, It may be ere the twilight draws its fold About this day, with beams of shining gold. It may be even now some angel bright From realms above Is near me, though his form is hid from sight And waits in love, To spread his trembling wings and bear away My spirit to the land of endless day. 47 HOLY CALVARY O'er this world of pain and weeping Angel forms are vigil keeping, And the Christ with love immortal Stands within the golden portal, Calling: "Turn thou back to Me, Back to holy Calvary." Stands and calls for strong decision, With a turning of the vision, Toward the hill of loves enthronement, Where He made a full atonement, Calling: "Turn thou back to Me, Back to holy Calvary." He would have thee with contrition Enter on some holy mission, Ever working, ever giving, All thy powers in daily living, Calling: "Turn thou back to Me, Back to holy Calvary." Rise and standing in the splendor Of His presence, seek to render Service, as thine offertory To thy Lord who speaks in glory, Calling: "Turn thou back to Me, Back to holy Calvary." 48 "Back to Me in faith believing Heavenly grace from Me receiving, Back to Me in consecration And a new. emancipation, Turn, thou Christian, back to Me, Back to holy Calvary." 49 REDEEMED Redeemed, the word is full of power, Redeemed and saved this very hour, Redeemed with Christ my Lord to be, Forever through eternity. Redeemed, O wonder of His grace, Redeemed to see Him face to face, Redeemed to dwell with Him above And learn the greatness of His love. Redeemed to walk with Him in light, Redeemed to work with heavenly might, Redeemed and free to tread the way That leads from darkness into day. 50 BRAVE AND STILL Is thy soul with sorrow rending? Christ v/ill thee infold. Art thou 'neath some burden bending? He will thee uphold. Let thy heart be brave and still, Rest thee in the Master's will. Is thy life both dark and dreary? Christ knows what is best. Art thou laden, worn and weary? He will give thee rest. Let thy heart be brave and still, Rest thee in the Master's will. Do the cares of life keep growing? Christ will be thy weal. Art thou oft to Marah going? He the spring will heal. Let thy heart be brave and still, Rest thee in the Master's will. Is thy trouble hard to carry? Christ will strength bestow. Art thou tempted oft to tarry? He will with thee go. Let thy heart be brave and still, Rest thee in the Master's will. 51 Is thy yoke both hard and galling? Christ will be thy stay. Art thou often stumbling, falling? He's not far away. Let thy heart be brave and still, Rest thee in the Master's will. Wouldst thou make thy life resplendent? Christ will be thy light. Wouldst thou find a joy transcendent? He's the soul's delight. Let thy heart be brave and still, Rest thee in the Master's will. 52 THOU ART CALLING Thou art calling, calling me apart, In Thy whispered accents telling Of immortal love's compelling, By Thy breaking, breaking wounded heart. Thou art pleading, pleading soft and low, And the voice is like the surging Of the salt waves, that are urging In their ceaseless, ceaseless ebb and flow. Thou art praying, praying in the night, In the olive garden kneeling And Thy consecration sealing, Only waiting, waiting for the light. Thou are dying, dying on the tree, And Thine arms in love extending Art the great wild world befriending, In Thy wondrous, wondrous agony. 53 LULLABY Bye O, bye O, bye O bye, Sing I this sweet lullaby; Bye O, bye O, bonny boy, Baby's dreams are full of joy; Close your eyelids now and rest As you lie on mother's breast. Bye O, bye O, bye O bye, Sing I this sweet lullaby; Bye O, bye O, little son, Sleep you till the night is done; Stars their heavenly vigils keep, God is watching as you sleep. Bye O, bye O, bye O bye, Sing I this sweet lullaby; Bye O, bye O, baby dear, Mother's near you, do not fear; He who slept in manger bed Guards you now from overhead. Bye O, bye O, bye O bye, Sing I this sweet lullaby; Bye O, bye O, child of love, Jesus sees you from above; He looks down on you tonight, He will bring you to the light. 54 THE ABBEY PRINTSHOP, EAST ORANGE, N. J.