PS 
 
f- 
 
THE REDEMPTION 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER POEMS 
 
 ^ 
 
 By L M. W. /■ 
 
 V, 
 
 ^' 
 
 I DEC ig lby^u ^ 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 EATON & MAINS PRESS 
 
 1896 
 
PS3 2?7 
 
 Copyright, 1896, by 
 LOUISA MARY WOOKEY. 
 
THE REDEMPTION, 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE REDEMPTION. 
 
 r^HERE dwells a King, a mighty King, 
 
 •^ Beyond the regions of the sun ; 
 From chaos he a world did bring, 
 And rested when his work was done. 
 
 At his dread voice the darkness fled, 
 
 And light stole o'er the wond'ring deep, 
 
 And Nature rose from out her bed. 
 Where she had Iain so long asleep. 
 
 The lofty sky he brought to view. 
 Behind the sunlight's golden bars ; 
 
 He draped it in ethereal blue. 
 
 And then bespangled it with stars. 
 3 
 
A carpet rich of living green 
 
 He made to grow upon the earth. 
 
 So fair a land was never seen ; 
 
 The trees and flowers sprang into birth, 
 
 The hills in rugged beauty stood, 
 The valleys lay in smiling peace. 
 
 The voice of God pronounced it good, 
 Yet from his work he did not cease. 
 
 The beasts and birds he did create, 
 To dwell upon that fertile land ; 
 
 And fishes too, both small and great. 
 Enjoyed the bounty of his hand. 
 
 Then said the King, Now let us make 
 Man in our image, and the power 
 
 To govern all things animate 
 Shall issue forth from Eden's bower. 
 
 A garden beautiful to see 
 
 That gracious King did then prepare, 
 And there, to dwell so happily, 
 
 He placed a form divinely fair, 
 4 
 
And made him lord o'er all the land, 
 Supreme where'er his footsteps trod ; 
 
 All things were subject to his hand, 
 The man was made a lesser God. 
 
 But no companion yet was given 
 To make his home akin to heaven-, 
 
 So woman, by a marvelous plan, 
 Was made a helpmeet fit for man. 
 
 In beauty clad, she came along ; 
 
 As her light footstep touched the ground, 
 The birds burst into sweetest song, 
 
 The flowers shed perfume all around. 
 
 They held with God communion sweet, 
 Who o'er them, as to heaven he passed, 
 
 Through that brief time of joy complete 
 The brightness of his presence cast. 
 
 But there was one who looked upon 
 Their happiness, and in his soul 
 
 A wave of hatred flowed along. 
 Portentous as the thunder roll. 
 5 
 
He once had served that mighty King, 
 And dwelt with him in realms of Hght ; 
 
 But pride and envy entered him, 
 
 And brought him down to darkest night. 
 
 To plan revenge he then began. 
 In serpent form first tempted Eve, 
 
 Who in her turn beguiled the man 
 The path of happiness to leave. 
 
 And when the shades of evening fell. 
 They hid themselves in trembling fear, 
 
 Hearing that voice they knew so well ; 
 The King himself was drawing near. 
 
 How different from those happier days, 
 When it had been their chief reward 
 
 Calmly to meet his searching gaze, 
 
 And hold sweet converse with their Lord. 
 
 Forth from the bower of Eden sent, 
 
 Where care and pain now came to dwell, 
 
 In grief and shame those exiles went. 
 For happiness had tolled its knell. 
 6 
 
For Adam's sake the ground was curst, 
 And thorns and thistles grew apace ; 
 
 The powers of evil did their worst, 
 And gloom fell o'er the human race, 
 
 And Murder came, a horrid guest, 
 Cain killed his brother Abel there. 
 
 And misery destroyed their rest, 
 And Death now hovered in the air. 
 
 Bowed down with anguish and with pain, 
 
 For suffering had told its tale. 
 Eve mourns her son, and tears like rain 
 
 Stream down her cheeks, now wan and pale. 
 
 The great heart of the King was stirred 
 With pity for those children there, 
 
 And when their cry for help he heard, 
 He beckoned to an angel fair, 
 
 Whose name was Joy, and bade her go 
 To comfort them in their distress. 
 
 And with the lamp of faith to show 
 How to regain their happiness. 
 7 
 
And as she entered their abode, 
 
 A ray of heaven's own light streamed in. 
 Forgiveness like a river flowed 
 
 Across that threshold stained with sin. 
 
 Joy gave her message, and by faith 
 Adown the ages bade them look : 
 
 They saw the victory over death, 
 
 When she unsealed to them life's book. 
 
 A perfect life was to begin, 
 
 A Babe so heavenly fair they see, 
 
 This wondrous antidote for sin 
 
 Lay smiling on his mother's knee. 
 
 A substitute for them prepared. 
 In perfect human form they see, 
 
 God's attributes to man declared. 
 Truth, perfect love, and purity. 
 
 Joy brought her sister Peace to stay 
 Within their home, a welcome guest ; 
 
 And as she lingered day by day. 
 
 She soothed their weary hearts to rest. 
 8 
 
As time went on, the Evil One 
 
 Caused wickedness to spread abroad ; 
 
 From morning light to set of sun, 
 Envy and malice, hate and fraud, 
 
 Prevailed throughout that goodly land, 
 And grieved its Maker more and more, 
 
 Until in wrath he raised his hand. 
 And made an awful flood to pour 
 
 Its waters down upon the earth. 
 Destroying all things breathing life 
 
 That flourished since creation's birth, 
 Excepting Noah and his wife. 
 
 They with their children entered in 
 The ark of refuge he prepared. 
 
 With two of every living thing 
 
 The King commanded should be spared. 
 
 And after that the flood was o'er, 
 They led the living creatures forth. 
 
 And placed them on dry land once more, 
 To multiply upon the earth. 
 9 
 
An altar Noah did prepare, 
 
 His wife and children gathered round, 
 He offered his thanksgiving there, 
 
 Upon that consecrated ground. 
 
 And when God saw the incense rise, 
 He set the rainbow, like a span, 
 
 Accepting Noah's sacrifice. 
 
 He sealed his covenant with man. 
 
 Years passed away, men multiplied, 
 
 And some through faith the victory won, 
 
 While others unrepenting died. 
 
 Having no faith through evil done. 
 
 Oft grieving sore that gracious King, 
 
 Yet, though sometimes his wrath prevailed, 
 
 And on them punishment did bring. 
 His love and mercy never failed. 
 
 At length the promised time drew near, 
 Foretold by prophet, and by seer ; 
 A brilliant star rose in the sky, 
 Proclaiming that the hour was nigh. 
 
*Twas night, the earth had sunk to rest 
 In peaceful sleep on Nature's breast ; 
 The stars gleamed forth in brilliant hue, 
 Encircled by the depths of blue. 
 
 Some humble shepherds stood around. 
 Watching their flocks upon the ground, 
 When suddenly a light they saw, 
 Which filled their wondering souls with awe, 
 
 And as they looked in sore amaze. 
 They met an angel's steadfast gaze. 
 '' Fear not," said he, with gentle voice ; 
 *' I come to bid your hearts rejoice." 
 
 Then from the starlit heavens rang out. 
 From angel choir, that joyous shout, 
 ** Glory to God, good will to men ! " 
 Eternal love sends peace to them. 
 
 That was the grandest serenade 
 Earth ever heard ; its notes have made 
 Sweet echoes down the ages past, 
 'Twill echo still while time shall last. 
 II 
 
The shepherds reached ere break of day 
 The place where God incarnate lay ; 
 They found him, as the angel said, 
 Laid in a lowly manger bed. 
 
 They gazed upon that lovely face, 
 So full of innocence and grace ; 
 The angel song still filled the air, 
 But naught of earthly pomp was there. 
 
 That lovely babe to manhood grew, 
 Perfect in form and stature too ; 
 His every act showed forth the love 
 Which brought him from his home above. 
 
 For more than thirty years he stayed, 
 Then with his life the ransom paid, 
 Purging away the sin and dross 
 By virtue of the mighty cross. 
 
 Calm o'er the earth that morning rose 
 When Jesus triumphed o'er his foes; 
 He won the victory o'er the grave, 
 And proved his mighty power to save. 
 
Never again will earth behold 
 Such mystery of love untold ; 
 No language ever can define 
 Scenes in a drama so divine. 
 
 And though He has gone up on high, 
 He marks the pathway to the sky ; 
 His blessed words are lingering still, 
 For those who choose to do his will. 
 
 And many choose his will to do. 
 Ah, yes, earth has its angels too ; 
 Where sin and suffering abound. 
 There is their cheering presence found, 
 
 Like rays of sunlight breaking through 
 The darkness of our spirits' view. 
 The white-winged messengers of peace, 
 Bringing to burdened hearts release. 
 
 Man to his Maker stands akin, 
 Bound by the bond of suffering ; 
 Dearer than all the angelic host. 
 Children of earth can love him most. 
 13 
 
When looking on a landscape fair, 
 And sweetest music fills the air, 
 What is it makes the tear-drop start, 
 And leaves that ache within the heart ? 
 
 Man feels the something he has lost. 
 Knows that his soul is tempest-tossed ; 
 He hungers for the perfect life, 
 To be away from care and strife. 
 
 He cannot reach perfection here, 
 Held back by chains of doubt and fear ; 
 But when he lays his burden down, 
 He'll find it in the Great Unknown. 
 
 When his enraptured eyes behold 
 Heaven's glories to his gaze unfold, 
 Life's hidden mystery he will solve. 
 And find the grand solution, love. 
 
 What if earth's discipline is hard ? 
 What if its joy by pain is marred ? 
 Within the highest heaven, see 
 He wears the crown of victory. 
 14 
 
The time will swiftly roll along 
 When right shall triumph over wrong; 
 Though fires of tribulation rage, 
 'Twill usher in a brighter age. 
 
 That mighty King will come again, 
 In power and majesty to reign. 
 The curse from earth to take away, — 
 Sing welcome to that blessed day ! — 
 
 To cleanse the now polluted air, 
 Make earth again as Eden fair. 
 To be, with his bright presence given, 
 The antechamber into heaven. 
 
 Redeemed from sin, redeemed from pain, 
 Our suffering is made our gain ; 
 Angels still chant the heavenly theme, 
 While over all reigns Love supreme. 
 
 15 
 
A DREAM OF HEAVEN. 
 
 riNE iiiglit I dreamed an angel came, 
 
 And smiling called me by my name. 
 '' Arise," said he, " if thou wouldst know 
 Aught of Heaven's glories here below." 
 And rising from my bed, I found 
 My feet ascending from the ground ; 
 And as we rose toward the skies, 
 I felt no fear within me rise. 
 A sense of strange security 
 And quiet strength stole over me ; 
 It seemed as if no care or pain 
 Could ever touch my soul again ; 
 And as we neared the sun's bright rays 
 A beauteous landscape met my gaze, 
 The hills and vales with verdure clad. 
 In all my life I never had 
 Such scenes of beauty looked upon. 
 Then, lo ! I found my guide had gone: 
 But presently returning placed 
 Some flowers within my hand ; they graced 
 The lovely dell through which we passed. 
 I looked at them and held them fast ; 
 i6 
 
" I've seen those flowers on earth," I cried. 
 ''They are part of heaven," said my guide, 
 *' Placed there to cheer the sons of men, 
 Bringing them joy and hope again. 
 Heaven sheds its tears upon the earth. 
 And then the lovely flowers spring forth, 
 Breaking their way with glad surprise, 
 An answering echo to the skies. 
 This is their native atmosphere. 
 There's naught to mar their beauty here." 
 And as I listened to his words 
 The singing of celestial birds. 
 Like some sweet, unknown language, fell 
 Upon my ears. I ne'er could tell 
 How rich the music which they made 
 To echo through that lovely glade. 
 We traveled on and on until 
 We reached the summit of a hill 
 On which a city stood, so grand 
 It shed a glory o'er the land 
 For miles and miles around. My sight 
 Was almost blinded by its light ; 
 Its walls with precious stones ablaze, 
 17 
 
More brilliant than the sun's clear rays. 
 "■ What are those palaces? " I cried. 
 *' Eternal mansions," said my guide, 
 *' Prepared for those who turn aside 
 From all earth's follies, lust, and pride." 
 But how shall my weak pen portray 
 The glory which around me lay ? 
 *' Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard," 
 Is written in the holy word. 
 Nor mortal heart can e'er conceive 
 The joys for those who still believe ; 
 Though for a time the veil is drawn 
 Before their eyes, the radiant morn 
 Awaits their waking. Glorified and free. 
 Mortal shall put on immortality. 
 
 I watched the people as they passed 
 Before me in that city vast ; 
 And on each brow there seemed to shine 
 Unearthly radiance divine. 
 One there I saw who while on earth 
 Had naught but trouble from his birth — 
 A struggling artist, in life's race. 
 Trying to paint a perfect face. 
 i8 
 
Again and again he tried, but failed 
 To grasp his ideal ; his spirit quailed 
 At the scoffs and jeers of the noisy crowd 
 Till crushed and heartbroken, at last he bowed 
 His head in the agony of despair; 
 But the Lord looked down, and took him where 
 He forgot all the insults, the scorn and dis- 
 aster ; 
 He found his ideal in the face of the Master. 
 
 I have heard music here on earth ; 
 But, ah ! those sounds of heavenly birth 
 Which filled the air around me seemed 
 Like songs of joy from the redeemed, 
 Such utter gladness, and the peace 
 Which nothing but a soul's release 
 From pain and sorrow could inspire, — 
 Those notes, touched with seraphic fire. 
 I saw a man amidst the throng 
 Who, between every burst of song. 
 Made rich the air with music rare. 
 And naught beside it could compare. 
 Once before I had seen him a cottage within, 
 With little on earth save his old violin. 
 19 
 
There, were chords in his soul that would never 
 
 respond 
 To the touch of his instrument ; always beyond 
 His reach was perfection, and vainly he strove 
 To put power in its tone ; but when Divine Love 
 Filled his heart, then his whole being thrilled 
 With a purpose so new, and a fire that instilled 
 Fresh vigor and strength, and he brought forth such 
 
 sounds 
 That made angels wonder ; the limitless bounds 
 Of that ocean of love had inspired him at last, 
 And his struggles and failures and pain were all 
 
 past. 
 
 As I mused upon this happy fate 
 A beauteous form passed through the gate, 
 Wending her way toward the earth. 
 The Master had called her at the birth 
 Of her little child ; and sickness lay 
 Her hand upon him ; and that day, 
 She, swifter than an eagle's wing, 
 Had sought permission from the king 
 To watch beside his little cot. 
 To see that sickness harmed him not, 
 
Placing bright visions of life before him, 
 And he smiled as he dreamed that his mother bent 
 o'er him. 
 
 Myriads of others, too, I saw 
 Who, in obedience to the law 
 Divine within them, had pursued 
 The upward path, oft dark and rude. 
 Failure and pain had been their lot, 
 But through it all they ne'er forgot 
 The Master suffered, too, and trod 
 That upward path which leads to God. 
 Sowing in tears, they struggled here. 
 But found the full fruition there. 
 And as the gates were open wide, 
 As I stood there, I asked my guide 
 If I might pass within the portal. 
 He answered : ^' Not while thou art mortal. 
 Go back to earth, take up its strife, 
 Work out the pattern of thy life, — 
 The foundation pure white, the threads all of gold, 
 It never will perish and never grow old. 
 And others may see it glisten and gleam, 
 'Twill help them with theirs." So ended my dream. 
 
When I awoke the Christmas bells 
 Were ringing in the joy that tells 
 Of peace on earth, good will to men. 
 I think I knew its meaning then, — 
 A little pain, a little strife. 
 And then the promised Crown of Life ! 
 December 28, 1895. 
 
 LINKS TO THE UNKNOWN. 
 
 O AY what this is in our human nature, 
 '^^ Longings unsatisfied, dreams unfulfilled, 
 Cravings for something beyond the creature. 
 While, strive as we may, they cannot be killed. 
 
 Soon of the pleasures of earth we grow weary. 
 Children with bubbles, — they break and are past. 
 
 Then discontent comes, and life looks so dreary, 
 O tell us of something beyond that will last ! 
 
 Germs of divinity, crying for sunlight. 
 
 Which none but the Author of life can impart, 
 
 Striving to reach their Creator, but hindered 
 By thick walls of doubt built up in the heart. 
 22 
 
Streamlets that struggle to reach the great ocean, 
 But man builds his earth banks and keeps them 
 apart, 
 Forgetting, one day, they will break that weak 
 barrier, 
 And carry him forth without rudder or chart. 
 
 Then, Soul, drop thine anchor while yet there's 
 security, 
 For what is thy life? 'Tis naught but a breath. 
 Then live that life in honor and purity, 
 
 'Twill carry thee safe through the quicksands of 
 death. 
 
 God's angels will bear thee above the blue ether. 
 Beyond the bright stars, to that beautiful land, 
 
 Where all thy cherished ideals are perfected, 
 Sanctioned, and blessed by the Master's hand. 
 
 Worlds of rare beauty will open before thee, 
 Faith will be lost in the fullness of sight, 
 
 Christ's gracious presence forever around thee, 
 In the full blaze of eternal hVht. 
 
 23 
 
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS. 
 
 3r jHWAS a dreary land I was traveling through, 
 
 ■^ And thorns about my path that grew 
 So thick I scarce could tread my way ; 
 The glaring sun threw scorching rays 
 About my head, and all my days 
 With toil and pain were weary, till at length 
 Despairingly I cried : '' Is there no road 
 Out of this wilderness? No one to care 
 For human souls tortured with doubt and fear?" 
 When lo ! a shadow o'er my pathway fell, 
 And looking up I saw a cross ; and when 
 I met the look of Love Divine which shone 
 Upon the face of him who hung thereon, 
 I cried, *' Lord, take me, all unworthy as I am ! *' 
 And as I knelt low at his blessed feet 
 The thorns all disappeared, and in their place 
 Rare flowers were growing. Then I heard a voice 
 " Keep near the cross, and do not fear 
 Because the way looks long and drear. 
 On from the cradle to the tomb. 
 Sweet flowers within its shade will bloom." 
 
 24 
 
EASTER. 
 
 BLESSED Easter, brightest day of all the 
 Christian year ! 
 Earth, sing loud alleluias ; let thy song rise high 
 
 and clear, 
 And echo through the skies; let shouts of joyful 
 
 praise 
 From every heart ascend, to greet this day of days. 
 
 Ye mourners, dry your tears ! The King's own Son 
 
 hath passed 
 Through the dark vale of death, and robbed the 
 
 grave at last 
 Of all its terrors dire, and lighted up the way 
 Through which we all may enter into the realms of 
 
 day. 
 
 Herald the glorious tidings until they shall resound 
 From hill to hill and vale to vale the universe 
 
 around ; 
 For through that mighty Sacrifice his followers may 
 
 sing: 
 '' O grave, where is thy victory ? O death, where is 
 
 thy sting?" 
 
 25 
 
LIFE'S RECOMPENSE. 
 
 SORROW and joy come hand in hand, 
 Twin sisters from the shadow land ; 
 Sunlight and shade must surely be 
 To make a perfect harmony, 
 But it must have the Master's skill 
 To make the picture beautiful. 
 
 Black skies and blue make ocean's view 
 The lovelier to our wondering eyes ; 
 We ne'er would know the false and true 
 Had sin not entered Paradise, 
 And earth would lack its choicest flowers 
 If bounteous heaven withheld its showers. 
 
 Sometimes from o'er the distant hills 
 A strain of heavenly music thrills 
 My heart with rapture ; then again 
 The touch of earth brings discord ; yet 
 The memory of that chord divine 
 Still lingers in this soul of mine. 
 
 For every sorrow there's a balm ; 
 For every storm there comes a calm ; 
 26 
 
And could we pierce within the veil, 
 Never a doubt would us assail 
 That God, who orders all our way, 
 Will lead us into perfect day. 
 
 TO THE BIBLE. 
 
 fT^ BIBLE, grand old book! Thou art a castle 
 
 ^^ strong, 
 
 Into which shipwrecked mariners may enter ; as 
 
 along 
 The shores of time they wrestle with the stormy 
 
 waves of life, 
 And find a pleasant refuge there, safe sheltered 
 
 from the strife. 
 
 And while the powers of earth and hell, with all 
 
 their strength, combine 
 To rend thy walls asunder, built by a hand divine, 
 Firm and secure thou standest, calm amid every 
 
 shock, 
 Because thy sure foundation is on the Eternal Rock. 
 
 27 
 
Never had any book such enemies as thou, 
 
 Mahgnity and hate subHme is printed on their brow ; 
 
 But utterly their efforts fail. O living book super- 
 nal, 
 
 The everlasting record thou of the great King eter- 
 nal ! 
 
 And long as time itself shall last, thy mighty walls 
 
 shall stand, 
 To shed abroad the beacon light along life's shifting 
 
 sand. 
 And guiding safely past the rocks, which all around 
 
 us lie, 
 Thou wilt bring us safe to harbor in worlds beyond 
 
 the sky. 
 
 28 
 
A STRANGER AND A PILGRIM. 
 
 AM a daily pensioner on the bounty of my King, 
 And because he's always faithful his mercies I 
 will sing. 
 I never called to him in vain, for he has always 
 
 heard, 
 And sent me down assistance, according to his 
 word. 
 
 Sometimes my heart grows weary, but then I hear 
 
 him say : 
 ** Courage, despairing one, strength equal to thy 
 
 day 
 Shall still be sent to thee. Rest on my promise 
 
 sure 
 That I will never leave thee ! so to the end endure. 
 
 " Immortal life awaits thee, and pleasures all untold, 
 Joys that defy description, better a thousandfold 
 Than those which earth can offer. Keep bravely on 
 
 thy way, 
 And soon this transient darkness shall end in 
 
 brightest day." 
 
 29 
 
The voyage may be stormy, the journey long and 
 
 rough, 
 But soon my Lord will say, " My child, it is 
 
 enough ; " 
 So patiently I'm waiting until he bids me come, 
 And takes me to the glory of my eternal home. 
 
 THE CYNIC 
 
 J WATCHED him along the lone path he was 
 •^ treading. 
 
 Absorbed in himself, and no sunlight was shedding 
 Its warmth through his soul ; he had barred the 
 
 door fast 
 And shut in the darkness, which over him cast 
 Naught but gloom and despair, while outside the 
 
 bright sun 
 Kissed the world into beauty ; the clouds one by one 
 Dispersed at its brightness, the whole earth was 
 
 glad, 
 And rejoiced in its radiance ; and ah ! it was sad 
 That God's noblest creation was marred by distrust 
 Of his own fellow-creatures; that canker and rust 
 
 30 
 
Had grown over his heart, and hidden the gem 
 Of divine love and pity God placed there for them, 
 So much sorrow to soothe, so much pain to relieve, 
 And always " more blessed to give than receive." 
 Ah ! how can a soul be so wrapped in itself, 
 With no aim but its own petty pleasures and pelf, 
 That sees no good in others, lets its chances slip by 
 Of reaping a golden harvest on high? 
 Rare jewels shine bright in the darkest night. 
 And sweet acts of mercy put misery to flight. 
 Here in this world, with so much to distress you, 
 What must it be then without a '' God bless you ? " 
 
 31 
 
I 
 
 I DREAMED OF HER. 
 
 WRITTEN FOR A FRIEND ON THE DEATH OF HIS MOTHER. 
 
 DREAMED of her last night; my mother dear 
 Came to my side, and on my listening ear 
 Her gentle voice in words of blessing fell 
 Upon the boy she used to love so well. 
 
 I dreamed of her, I dreamed of her! 
 
 The old sad look of pain had passed away, 
 And on her face was perfect rest and peace ; 
 
 I could not think that in the grave she lay, 
 But only of her bright, pure soul's release. 
 I dreamed of her, I dreamed of her! 
 
 I dreamed of her, and o'er my aching heart 
 
 This sweet assurance steals, e'en though the 
 night 
 Of death divides us now, we are not far apart, 
 'Tis but one step into the infinite. 
 
 I dreamed of her, I dreamed of her! 
 
 32 
 
SEASIDE THOUGHTS. 
 
 AS I stood on the shore of the mighty ocean, 
 Watching the billows as they rise, 
 So wondrously kept in perpetual motion 
 By the Great Ruler of earth and skies, 
 I thought : Why, O why is man ever so blinded 
 
 To deny there's a God, and ascribe it to chance. 
 By the beauty and grandeur of nature surrounded ? 
 If his eyes v/ere but open, 'twould need but a 
 glance 
 To convince him the God who hath made earth and 
 heaven 
 Is also his Father, his Saviour, his King ; 
 He would render at once his oath of allegiance, 
 
 And out of pure gladness of heart he would sing, 
 And his song would resound through the arches of 
 heaven 
 Till angels and seraphs reechoed the strain, 
 While joy from his heart would flow forth as a 
 river, 
 And God's love, like the ocean, would roll in 
 
 33 
 
RETROSPECT. 
 
 ANOTHER year has passed and gone 
 Into the future, carrying on 
 The record of our toil and cares, 
 Progress, backsHdings hopes and fears; 
 Duties omitted, duties done, 
 Joys, sorrows, losses, gains, — each one 
 With its own story to unfold. 
 By the Recording Angel told. 
 How oft we strove to do the right, 
 Walking by faith and not by sight, 
 Still trusting in His power and care 
 Who all our sins for us did bear, 
 That we eternal life might gain, 
 And be forever free from pain, 
 Sheltered by his redeeming love 
 Within the realms of light above. 
 Then, bravely struggling lest we fall, 
 
 Let us do battle with our foes, 
 Strong in his strength ; for it is all 
 
 Summed up in this — Our Father knows. 
 
 34 
 
ON A YOUNG FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY. 
 
 3 1' THIS seventeen summers since thine eyes 
 -^ First saw the light of earth, 
 
 And now another year has dawned 
 With Easter's joyous mirth. 
 
 I know not what the coming year 
 
 May have in store for thee ; 
 It may be sorrow, may be joy, 
 
 But it will surely be 
 
 Just as our Father wills ; he sees 
 
 The future, and he knows 
 The trials that beset our path 
 
 From life's dawn to its close. 
 
 May Easter joys still follow thee 
 
 'Mid all earth's care and strife, 
 And on the resurrection morn 
 
 Rise to eternal life ! 
 
 35 
 
THE ANGELS' SONG, 
 jrir AIL, crystal morn ! A Prince is born 
 -^1 In lowly garb to-day. 
 Bring richest offerings to his shrine, 
 And own his gentle sway. 
 
 While wondering shepherds stand amazed 
 
 On Bethlehem's starlit plain, 
 That glorious melody bursts forth 
 
 From all the angel train. 
 
 Earth marvels as the song divine 
 
 Falls like a freshening dew ; 
 Glory to God ! Good will to men, 
 
 And peace on earth to you ! 
 
 Amid earth's discord, care, and strife, 
 That song comes rich and clear, 
 
 Bidding us live a nobler life 
 Throughout the coming year. 
 
 Hail, crystal morn ! A Prince is born. 
 
 In lowly garb to-day. 
 Bring richest offerings to his shrine, 
 
 And own his royal sway. 
 
 36 
 
LINES 
 
 SUGGESTED ON HEARING OF AN EX-CONVICT AFRAID TO ENTER A 
 CHURCH. 
 
 TT was on a Sabbath morning, 
 
 -^ The sun shone bright and clear, 
 
 Church bells were giving warning 
 
 To Christians to draw near 
 And offer up their worship 
 
 To God, their heavenly King, 
 To thank him for their sonship ; 
 
 All nature seemed to sing. 
 
 Out in the busy city 
 
 The mighty streams of life 
 Were rushing ever onward 
 
 Turbid with noise and strife, 
 Save here and there a brooklet 
 
 Which turned its course aside. 
 To rest upon the journey. 
 
 And to consult the Guide. 
 
 To seek for hidden treasures, 
 
 And the narrow path to find. 
 'Twas some such thoughts as these 
 
 Were passing through my mind, 
 37 
 
When I saw a man draw near 
 To the doors of the house of God ; 
 
 His face was full of fear, 
 So timidly he trod. 
 
 One glance he took through the open door, 
 
 Then started back awhile ; 
 Said he, " This is no place for me, 
 
 I am too poor and vile." 
 Methought I saw the Saviour 
 
 Watching him from above, 
 To see if one of his followers 
 
 Would take that soul in love; 
 
 But, alas ! I saw no kindly arm 
 
 Stretched out to draw him in ; 
 And down he came from the doors again 
 
 To darkness and to sin. 
 And I said, " This, too, is a son of God, 
 
 Whom Jesus died to save. 
 Though wandered far from the Shepherd's fold. 
 
 For such his life he gave." 
 3S 
 
Honor the noble heroes 
 
 Who go forth into the slums 
 To reclaim those wandering children ; 
 
 For when the Master comes 
 They shall hear his voice, ** Well done, 
 
 Sit down within my throne ! " 
 They shall see those jewels sparkle 
 
 In their Redeemer's crown. 
 
 39 
 
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