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Poetical Meditations and Thoughtful Paragraphs 
 

Poetical Meditations 
 
 and 
 
 Thoughtful Paragraphs 
 
 By Simon P. Yoder 
 
 Let the words of my mouth and the medita- 
 tions of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O 
 Lord, my strength and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:14. 
 
 # 
 
 Published by the Author 
 DENBIGH, VIRGINIA 
 

 Copyright 1916 
 By S. P. Yoder. 
 
 ^^| 
 
 crj 
 
 APR 14 1917 
 
 kl.A457991 
 
To the Rising Generation, 
 
 Our bright-minded and warm-hearted 
 
 Boys and Girls 
 
 The Hope of the Church and Nation, 
 
 This Book is Hopefully Dedicated 
 
 By the Author 
 
WORDS PREFATORY 
 
 About three thousand years ago a wise man, 
 who himself wrote books, said "Of the making of 
 many 'books there is no end." iWhat the indulgent 
 reader finds in this little book was however not 
 written for the purpose of "making a book." Some 
 of these poems were composed nearly half a cen- 
 tury ago; others were written in recent years. 
 
 In old age man is inclined to take a retro- 
 spective view. In looking over the pa.^t of his 
 checkered life the author finds many of life's ex- 
 periences and lessons as they came to him from 
 time to time, portrayed in his "Poetical Medita- 
 tions," which are now for the first time gathered 
 together. 
 
 The varied experiences that come to us all in 
 this life leave impressions either for good or evil 
 according as our attitude may be towards Him 
 who holds our destiny in His hands and overrules 
 all the events and circumstances we meet for good 
 to those who love Him. 
 
 The author gratefully acknowledges his indebt- 
 edness to his friend and Christian brother, J. A. 
 Ressler, editor of the Words of Cheer, for his 
 editorial work on the manuscript of this book, and 
 
10 WORDS PREFATORY 
 
 for the ^benefit of his judgment in undecided anu 
 questionable points. 
 
 While the writer does not claim any special 
 poetical merit for his verses, he trusts that they 
 may be the means of directing the thoughtful read- 
 er's attention to some homely, old-fashioned truths 
 dressed in language easy to be understood and re- 
 membered. 
 
 SIMON P. YODER. 
 
 Denbigh, Va., Sept. 20, 1916. 
 
SYNOPSIS OF THE AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY 
 
 By His Daughter. 
 
 Simon P. Yoder was born on a farm in the 
 Tuscarora Valley, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, 
 August 6, 1847. His parents, Jacob Yoder* and 
 Anna Yoderf were both direct descendants of that 
 sturdy Mennonite stock who emigrated to this land 
 of religious liberty from Switzerland, Europe, early 
 in the eighteenth century to escape military serv- 
 ice, which they conscientiously believed to be con- 
 trary to the teachings of the New Testament. 
 
 In 1854 he moved with his parents to Mahon- 
 ing County, Ohio, and nine years later (1863) from 
 there to Barker Street, St. Joseph County, Michi- 
 gan. 
 
 His advantages for obtaining an education in 
 the district schools of his time could not advance 
 him fceyond the three "Rs," "reading, 'riting and 
 "rithmetic." Being a great reader from his boy- 
 hood, he passed much of his time while in the 
 school of affliction as a "shut-in" invalid, in study- 
 ing the Bible and other good books. It was at this 
 
 *His mother's maiden name was King. 
 fHer mother's maiden name was Hertzler. 
 
12 SYNOPSIS OF THE AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY 
 
 time, from 1872 to 1875, that his meditations first 
 found expression in verse. 
 
 Having partly regained his health he followed 
 the commercial job printing ibusiness for several 
 years, doing business mostly through the mails. 
 
 In 1880 he was united in marriage with Mary 
 'Metzler of Mahoning County, Ohio. 
 
 In 1883 they moved to that County on an 
 eleven acre farm near East Lewistown, where he 
 made a specialty of bees and pure-bred poultry. 
 In 1902 he removed with his family, consisting of 
 his wife and five children, to Warwick County, 
 Virginia, where he resides at the time of this 
 writing. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Part I. Poetical Meditations 
 
 1. Religious 
 
 2. Miscellaneous 
 
 Part II. Thoughtful Paragraphs 
 
PARTI 
 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
RELIGIOUS 
 
 THE BIBLE 
 
 'Mong all the books this world contains 
 
 The Bible stands alone; 
 For here authority Divine 
 
 On every page is shown. 
 The value of this wondrous Book 
 
 No one can estimate ; 
 Without it all mankind would lapse 
 
 Into the savage state. 
 
 A fount of knowledge and of truth, 
 
 Which none can e'er exhaust; 
 A mine of pure, God-given wealth, 
 
 Yet offered without cost. 
 And all who search its pages well 
 
 Great golden truths may see; 
 And all who will may draw therefrom 
 
 Life-giving waters free. 
 
 The organ of God's kingdom here. 
 Its words make all things new 
 
 To those who love its precious truths 
 And live its precepts too. 
 
l6 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 For by its glorious light we see 
 Where wisdom would begin 
 
 There first must "be removed the vile 
 And loathsome seeds of sin. 
 
 It is the student's Book of 'books; 
 
 In its exhaustless store 
 He finds the best of histories, 
 
 And deepest ancient lore. 
 Biographies and prophecies 
 
 His admiration claim; 
 Though varied they may be in style, 
 
 In spirit still the same. 
 
 A Book of wisest laws and rules, 
 
 A Book of sermons rare; 
 A Book of proverbs and of psalms, 
 
 Of praises and of prayer: 
 The modern writer draws therefrom 
 
 His poetry and prose, 
 ' And all his works of merit true 
 
 Its principles disclose. 
 
 Dictated by Omnipotence, 
 
 To show redemption's plan, 
 The Bible is a priceless gift 
 
 Of love from God to man : 
 It warns, insti^ucts and kindly pleads 
 
 To lift our fallen race; 
 Then shows the meek, repentant soul 
 
 How he is saved by Grace. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 17 
 
 It is the Christian's traveling guide, 
 
 On which is marked the way 
 That leads him to his home above 
 
 Where reigns eternal day. 
 The faithful by its teachings find 
 
 The city of their King, 
 Where joys supernal never cease 
 
 And glad hosannas ring. 
 
 It is the banner of reform 
 
 Which rouses men of soul 
 To fight 'gainst Satan's sway where'er 
 
 The human tide may roll: — 
 To teach their fellowmen to live 
 
 A purer, nobler life, 
 Above the vain and fickle ways 
 
 Of ignorance and strife. 
 
 The treasures of this blessed Book 
 
 Are found by those who read 
 Its pages as the Word of God, 
 
 Written for their own need: 
 In spirit pray to know and do 
 
 Whate'er it may require ; 
 For such its truths are traced as with 
 
 A pen of living fire. 
 
 Its value true consists not in 
 
 Mere words and sentences, 
 But in the God-inspired power 
 
 That still behind them lies. 
 
i8 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 'Tis this that gives immortal life 
 
 Unto the sacred page 
 'And feeds a throng of hungry souls 
 
 In each succeeding age. 
 
 TRUTH AND PEACE 
 
 The voice of Truth must be allowed 
 
 To speak in tones of thunder, — 
 Its lightnings pierce old Error's cloud' 
 
 And break its folds asunder. 
 Ere gentle Peace in whispers mild 
 
 Will speak its welcome greetings. 
 And by its presence, pure and sweety 
 
 Subdue the heart's wild beatings. 
 
 The sword of all-prevailing Truth 
 
 Must slay dark superstition; 
 Dispel the doubts that would enslave 
 
 And blind man's moral vision, 
 lEre white-robed Peace can comfort bring 
 
 To calm the waves of sorrow. 
 And by its radiant light proclaim 
 
 A fairer, brighter morrow. 
 
 The Word of Truth must rule instead 
 Of man-made, vain tradition; — 
 
 Eternal verities displace 
 Mere human supposition, 
 
 Ere Hope can have foundation sure 
 To build for future ages, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 19 
 
 And Peace abide, serene and pure, 
 While life's brief conflict rages. 
 
 The fire of Cod's eternal Truth 
 
 Must flash from Sinai's mountain 
 Until the trembling sinner flees 
 
 To Mercy's open fountain. — 
 To Christ, whose righteousness alone 
 
 Averts the wrath of heaven ; 
 For through the merits of His blood 
 
 Is Peace and pardon given. 
 
 Tlie Spirit of eternal Truth 
 
 Must guide the pilgrim weary. 
 That he may walk and stumble not 
 
 Along life's pathway dreary. 
 Then perfect Peace descends to bless 
 
 His soul with heavenly treasures, 
 And by its warm, life-giving rays 
 
 Affords celestial pleasures. 
 
 SALVATION 
 
 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved. — ^Acts 16:31. 
 
 I^ng I wandered, lone and weary, 
 Seeking for the better way; 
 
 Kg^pt's gloom and darkness dreary 
 Hiding still the light of day. 
 
 Sinai's peaks, obscuring heaven. 
 Issued forth Law's thunder peal, 
 
20 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 While on earth no balm was given 
 My despairing soul to heal. 
 
 Oft I sought in deepest anguish 
 
 To perceive the path of right, — 
 Still my soul was doomed to languish 
 
 For the want of heaven's light. 
 Though I strove with firm endeavor 
 
 Written precepts to obey, 
 Vile confusions reigned and ever 
 
 Darker grew my weary way. 
 
 Broken down with imperfections, 
 
 Having naught but husks to eat, 
 And mistrusting men's directions, 
 
 Now I fell at Jesus' feet; 
 Soon the threatening clouds were riven. 
 
 And I heard my Savior say, 
 "Thou shalt be an heir of heaven, 
 
 I have washed thy sins away!" 
 
 O the bliss of free salvation 
 
 Never human tongue can tell! 
 Not by works of high laudation 
 
 Are we freed from fears of hell: 
 'Tis the priceless gift of heaven, 
 
 Which by grace — When we believe. 
 And our sins are all forgiven. 
 
 Without merit we receive. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS ai 
 
 Saved from sin, how can I tender 
 
 Praises meet my love to prove 
 Heart and soul I nov^ surrender 
 
 In the arms of Sovereign Love. 
 Though my ransomed soul can never 
 
 Duly praise my Savior's name, 
 By His help my life shall ever 
 
 Free salvation's way proclaim. 
 
 Many souls in darkness slumber 
 
 Wrapped in cold and gravelike shrouds; 
 False professors without number 
 
 Blind the way with formal clouds, 
 But a brighter, purer morrow 
 
 Slowly dawns with cheering ray; 
 This alone can banish sorrow; 
 
 "Jesus washed my sins away." 
 
 'God be praised for a salvation 
 
 That supplieth all our needs; 
 Not attained through rank or station, 
 
 Neither bought by hollow deeds. 
 Jesus grants a clear permission, 
 
 All may have salvation free 
 On Love's only safe condition: 
 
 Heed His words, — "Believe on Me." 
 
 Praise and gratitude shall ever 
 
 So my heart to action move 
 While I live, that naught can sever 
 
 That which God hath sealed in love. 
 
22 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Holy Spirit guide me daily 
 
 That my life, my words and pen 
 
 May proclaim how full salvation 
 Bringeth joy to sinful men. 
 
 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT 
 
 The fool hath said in his heart, There is 
 no God, — Ps. 14:1. 
 
 In time of plenty and of peace, 
 
 When friends abound and every plan 
 
 For worldly gain seems to increase 
 
 The joys of man: 
 
 Seeing 'but nature's smiling face, — 
 All things existing as they should, 
 Man soon forgets the throne of grace — 
 The Source of good. 
 
 Frail being, now he lifts his head. 
 
 And on his own vain strength relies; 
 By wisdom he will not 'be led, 
 But truth denies! 
 
 With haughty look and lofty brow. 
 
 His self-sufficiency he claims ; 
 Feeling no need of help he now 
 In pride exclaims, 
 
 "There is no higher power than mine; 
 Why should I fear a chast'ning rod? 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 23 
 
 Man is himself the all-divine — 
 There is no God!" 
 
 Misguided one, where standest thou? 
 
 By whom were all thy blessings given? 
 Look up and see the heavens now — 
 By thunders riven — 
 
 Declare thy guilty soul to be 
 
 Doomed to affliction, shame and grief, 
 'Till thou in thy distress canst see 
 Thine unbelief! 
 
 Prosperity now hides her face; 
 
 Grim want disperses pleasing wealth; 
 Loathsome disease next takes the place 
 Of blooming health. 
 
 False summer friends in scorn depart; 
 
 Vile slander shows its forked tongue; — 
 Who can console his bleeding heart. 
 By conscience stung? 
 
 His fondest hopes lie blasted all ; 
 Frustrated are his dearest aims; 
 Deadly remose, bitter as gall, 
 His life-blood claims! 
 
 Despair consumes his vitals quite; 
 And fear corrodes his heart of stone; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 He gropes his way in darkest night, 
 Alone, alone! 
 
 No one to love, no one to trust ; 
 
 No helping hand, no word of cheer, 
 He feels himself as naught but dust, — 
 Will heaven hear? 
 
 Ah, awful fate, "There is no God!" 
 
 Yet now he knows the need of one, — 
 Hold — shall he "kiss the chastening rod" — 
 Bid dou'bts begone? 
 
 Angels attend, the sinner seeks 
 Salvation for his sinsick soul 
 The Savior in compassion speaks, 
 "Be thou made whole." 
 
 Rejoice, O pardoned one, rejoice. 
 
 See! heavenly rays dispel the night. 
 As through the gloom there breaks a Voice, 
 "Let there be light!" 
 
 Celestial streams of mercy roll 
 
 Across the meek repentant breast; 
 Peace like a river fills the soul. 
 And Love brings rest. 
 
 Behold the change — ^he calmly bides 
 His time in peace, for well he knows, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 25 
 
 Whatever evil now betides, 
 God heals his woes. 
 
 The new-^born soul in meekness aims 
 
 To spread the tidings all abroad, 
 And by a holy life proclaims, 
 "There is a God!" 
 
 BELONGING TO JESUS 
 
 If we've found salvation 
 
 Let the truth be known; 
 We belong to Jesus, 
 
 And are not our own. 
 Burdened one in sorrow, 
 
 Asking what to do, 
 Know you not that Jesus 
 
 Gave Himself for you? 
 
 Would you know the secret 
 
 Of sweet hope and joy, 
 And be freed from burdens 
 
 That your soul annoy? 
 Give yourself to Jesus, 
 
 To the Lord most just. 
 In His tender mercy 
 
 He'll accept the trust; 
 
 Then, tliough grief and sorrow 
 In their darkest form 
 
26 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Threaten to envelop, 
 
 In their gloom and storm, 
 
 All the joy and brightness 
 Of your daily life, 
 
 You can rest securely. 
 Freed from inward strife. 
 
 In the arms of Jesus 
 
 As the Shepherd true 
 Who in loving kindness 
 
 Ever cares for you ; 
 And your soul in gladness 
 
 Will repeat His praise, — 
 Joining in this chorus 
 
 All your future days: 
 
 I belong to Jesus, 
 
 He belongs to me. 
 Precious life eternal 
 
 Now by faith I see. 
 Yes, iny Savior daily 
 
 All my wants supplies, 
 And my future safely 
 
 In His keeping lies. 
 
 INVITATION 
 
 Many blossoms full of promise ' 
 Have been blighted w^ith the cold; 
 
 There are also lambs whoVe perished, 
 'Cause they've wandered from the fold. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 27 
 
 But a shelter is provided — 
 
 Trust in Jesus' love and care; 
 'Neath his sheltering wings take refuge 
 
 Calm, sweet peace, and rest are there. 
 
 Come, O sinner, leave your idols ! 
 
 Stray no farther from the fold; 
 For the world is full of danger. 
 
 And its frowns are bitter cold. 
 Trust in him who yearns to shelter 
 
 All the helpless here below; 
 He will lead you through green pastures, 
 
 Where the living waters flow. 
 
 Jesus came to save his people 
 
 From all sin and from all woe; 
 Though our sky be sometimes clouded, 
 
 Still it cannot long be so; 
 For our Lord we know is mighty; 
 
 All who trust in His high name, 
 They shall never be forsaken — 
 
 Never come to grief and shame. 
 
 Ye who follow worldly pathways, 
 
 Come, no longer now delay; 
 Trust not in your worldly wisdom, 
 
 Jesus is the only way. 
 "Empty forms," they have no virtue : 
 
 Let the Savior have thine heart! 
 By so doing, then like Mary, 
 
 You have chosen that "good part." 
 1872 
 
28 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 A SOUL IN DANGER 
 
 Before m lies a written sheet, 
 
 A letter neatly penned; 
 What is the message it conveys 
 
 From my far-distant friend? 
 A painful one, hard to relate, — 
 
 You cannot guess, I know. 
 What news this silent missive brings 
 
 That grieves and pains me so. 
 
 You ask, "Has sickness made your friend 
 
 A victim of its power? 
 Or has the dreaded monster Death 
 
 Struck down some lovely flower?" 
 No; none of these, more dreadful far 
 
 The state in which I find 
 My young and gifted friend is placed, 
 
 For, poisoned is his mind! 
 
 The ndble gifts his Maker gave 
 
 He uses to disprove 
 The truth of Cod's inspired Word, 
 
 And Christ's great work of love: — 
 To show that God Himself's a myth — 
 
 His word a fa'ble too, — 
 All Christians a deluded set. 
 
 While he*s sincere and true! 
 
 O God of love, have mercy now 
 On this misguided youth ! 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 99 
 
 What answer shall I send to him 
 
 That he may see the truth? 
 Thy name is stamped on all thy works, 
 
 Yet hidden from his sight; 
 O quickly then, to this poor soul, 
 
 Dear Lord, reveal the light! 
 
 LIFE 
 
 Life, human life, — what mysteries 
 
 The life of man enfolds; — 
 What god-like possi'bilities 
 
 The humblest life-germ holds! 
 
 Yea, who can rightly comprehend 
 And solve life's problems great: 
 
 Life's origin — foretell its end — 
 Its value estimate? 
 
 In boyihood's days, when first I sought 
 Deep things to comprehend, 
 
 I wept sad tears because I thought 
 That life in death must end. 
 
 Existence cease and every spark 
 
 Of life be swept away: 
 Annihilation deep and dark 
 
 Hold universal sway! 
 
30 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Existence cease, and death in 'black 
 
 Oblivion reign supreme? 
 I shudder as the thought rolls back 
 
 Like some soul-haunting dream! 
 
 Existence cease ? Ah no ! the breath 
 
 Of life remains for aye 
 A never-dying soul, and death 
 
 Must seek a weaker prey. 
 
 Cod gave His Son that man might have 
 
 Life more abundantly ; — 
 To quicken into growth and save 
 
 The soul from sin set free. 
 
 Hence it is not *'by bread alone,'' 
 
 Or food that doth sustain 
 The outer man — mere flesh and iDone 
 
 That we our lives maintain. 
 
 God's Holy Spirit and His Word^ 
 That bread from heav'n above, 
 
 Sustains the children of the Lord 
 In life, and peace, and love. 
 
 Then why corrode our minds with cares^ 
 
 And labor all our days 
 For this poor dying world's affairs. 
 
 And its delusive ways? 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 So let us here life's mission fill, — 
 
 Our talents all employ 
 In sweet accordance with God's will, — 
 
 His service make our joy. 
 
 •Death's hideousness then quickly dies, 
 For love will banish fear: — 
 
 We sink in death that we may rise 
 Into a higher sphere. 
 
 PREPARE TO LIVE 
 
 For I have no pleasure in the death of 
 him that dieth, saith the Lord God; 
 wherefore turn yourselves and live ye. — 
 Ezek. 18:32. 
 
 Prepare to live ! all earthly things 
 
 Must surely pass away; 
 All that the world now holds so dear 
 
 Is doomed to swift decay; 
 And only that which God restores 
 
 To Eden's holy state 
 Can live for aye in peace and joy 
 
 Beyond the heav'nly gate. 
 
 Surely the Lord no pleasure has 
 That wicked men should be 
 
 Xrcft to receive the just reward 
 Of their iniquity; 
 
 But loudly calls to every one, — 
 O sinner why despise 
 
32 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 The day of grace — ^why will ye die 
 The death that never dies? 
 
 The wages of your sin is death, 
 
 But O, you may receive 
 The gift of God— eternal life, 
 
 If you will but 'believe 
 The word of God and pardon seek 
 
 While pardon may be found ; 
 While Jesus for you intercedes, 
 
 And mercy doth abound. 
 
 Why will you die? O sinner turn 
 
 While yet 'tis called today. 
 That you may live when earthly scenes 
 
 Forever pass away. 
 Why follow Satan's leadings here 
 
 Until your closing breath 
 To share with him the burning lake, 
 
 Which is the second death? 
 
 Prepare to live that life beyond 
 
 AH earthly pain and fear. 
 By true repentance, followed iby 
 
 A holy life while here: 
 For only that which God restores 
 
 To Eden's holy state 
 Can live for aye in peace and joy 
 
 Beyond the heav'nly gate. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 33 
 
 CHRISTIAN LIVING 
 
 Romans 12:9-21. 
 
 Let love without hypocrisy 
 
 Be seen and understood, 
 Abhor the things that evil be — 
 
 Hold fast to all that's good. 
 
 Fraternal love each Christian soul 
 Would e'er do wrell to seek; 
 
 Thy brother's honor then prefer, 
 And show a spirit meek. 
 
 Not slothful be, but earnestly 
 Thy gracious Master serve: 
 
 Rejoice in hope, and patient be — 
 Through trials never swerve. 
 
 Cease not to pray for help Divine, 
 
 Then freely, kindly share 
 Thy blessings with the brethren poor,- 
 
 And strangers need thy care. 
 
 When persecuted bless thy foes, — 
 No thoughts of cursing keep. 
 
 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, 
 And weep with them that weep. 
 
 Be of one mind, and shun all vain 
 Conceits of wisdom great. 
 
34 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Mind not things high, but condescend 
 To men of low estate. 
 
 To no man evil recompense 
 
 ■Whatever he may do; 
 Provide things honest in the sight 
 
 Of all where'er you go. 
 
 If possible, O seek to he 
 So filled with love refined, 
 
 That you may now and ever live 
 In peace with all mankind. 
 
 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, 
 But unto wrath give way; 
 
 For vengeance truly is the Lord's, — 
 He saith, "I will repay." 
 
 Give food unto thine enemy, 
 And drink when he hath need ; 
 
 For 'by such acts he may perceive 
 That thou art Christ's indeed. 
 
 Be not of evil overcome. 
 
 But overcome with good 
 The evil that opposeth thee. 
 
 As every Christian should. 
 
 Aug., 1874. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 LIFE'S WARFARE 
 
 35 
 
 With the dawning of existence, 
 
 In this world of ceaseless strife, 
 Comes the need of stern resistance 
 
 To the things that menace life. 
 Life and death here strive together 
 
 From the cradle to the tomb; 
 And the conflict rages ever 
 
 Wheresoe'er our feet may roam. 
 
 Deadly microbes live and flourish 
 
 In the water and the air; 
 And the things our bodies nourish 
 
 Also germs of sickness bear. 
 Insects threaten devastation 
 
 Unto choicest plants and trees; 
 Every form of vegetation 
 
 Has its mortal enemies. 
 
 Where the finest wheat is planted. 
 
 Or the fairest flowers bloom, 
 There likewise to tares is granted 
 
 Ample germinating room. 
 Not enough a careful seeding. 
 
 Then with folded hands to stop ; 
 There must he a strenuous weeding. 
 
 Else a failure in the crop. 
 
 There's no progress without action, — 
 Growth retarded means decay; 
 
36 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 All expansion meets contraction 
 Darkness stands opposed to day. 
 
 If, to better man's condition, 
 Heaven's call you would obey, 
 
 Prejudice and superstition 
 
 Rise at once to block the way. 
 
 Where the germs of truth eternal 
 
 Find a lodgment in the heart, 
 There are present fiends infernal 
 
 To pervert the better part. 
 Would you fit your soul for heaven, 
 
 There in perfect peace to dwell? 
 Then beware lest ^Error's leaven, 
 
 'Germs impart that fit for hell. 
 
 •Courage, brother, Good and Evil 
 
 Find on earth their battle ground ; 
 Chl'ist is stronger than the devil, 
 
 And through Him is vict'ry found. 
 His true soldiers shall have power. 
 
 Marching 'neath His banner bright; 
 Strength for every place and hour. 
 
 In the battle for the right. 
 
 Wrong may triumph for a season, 
 AH our eflorts seem in vain ; 
 
 Though the earth be filled with treason, 
 Truth crushed down will rise again. 
 
 And the final charge of heaven 
 Satan's hosts will all subdue ; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 37 
 
 Then the victor's crown is given 
 To the faithful and the true. 
 1913. 
 
 ETERNAL LIFE 
 
 The changing scenes of life on earth 
 
 Remind us day by day, 
 How all that now our eyes behold 
 
 Must surely pass away. 
 What we perceive by human sense 
 
 Of high or low degree, 
 When marked by Time's rel^nt|es§, jtouj^j^ 
 
 Obeys this stern decree. .^.vIjbdCI 319 }j 
 
 The stoutest oak upon the hill, ^jj-o^^^^^r y. 
 
 Frail flow'rs of fairest bloon^Jo ^^,^^^t ^^-^^ 
 All living creatures, great and,,sn|ajl,.,^'n 
 
 Bow to th^^se,lf-same dpoA». ^.^ >|^£v/ oT 
 They flourish for a season^ .^ut^] f['..!iiW 
 
 To perish and decay; 
 Though others rise to take their place, 
 
 They, too, must pass awa^.-'i^'- '^^od liiH. 
 
 And what is man? Tfotig-h''h^op>^^sM€^''^- 
 As monarch, lord, and king; inl oflV-' 
 
 That he may lower formS'idf iM^-'^q s'^'''' 
 To his subjection bring. " ' v/oVI 
 
 Clothed with mortality, his life ~'^ 
 
 A vapor for a day; 
 
 ^-^Ig^-v 
 
38 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 He breathes, he acts, he dies, and then 
 He, too, must pass away. 
 
 Are all things transitory then? 
 
 The grave the only goal? 
 No power a'bove frail, mortal man 
 
 His dest'ny to control? 
 If such the case 'twere better far 
 
 To be a brute and die 
 Without a thought of nobler things, 
 
 Or aspirations high. 
 
 The Source of life forever lives. 
 
 Here Death's dominion ends. 
 From man, the image of that Source, 
 
 A longing e'er ascends 
 For love and peace and purity, — 
 
 Freed from earth's sin and strife 
 To walk in harmony with Cod, 
 
 Which is eternal life. 
 
 But how can feeble, sin-cursed man 
 
 This blessed state attain? 
 Alone through Christ, the sinless One, 
 
 Who for man's sin was slain. 
 Sin's penalty He paid in full, 
 
 Now prays, "Father forgive — " 
 Thus reconciling us to God, — 
 
 He died that we might live. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 39 
 
 Christ died? Our Lord, the Prince of life, 
 
 He buried in the tom>b? 
 He rose again, dispelling thus 
 
 Corruption's dreadful gloom. 
 To all the world, Oh quickly now 
 
 The wond'rous story tell; 
 How Christ arose to live and reign, 
 
 Victor o'er Death and Hell. 
 
 O blessed hope ! Immortal truth ! 
 
 Because our Savior lives, 
 To those whose lives are hid with Him, 
 
 Eternal life He gives. 
 The soul, of origin divine. 
 
 Freed from this mortal clay, 
 Shall live with Him eternally 
 
 In brightest realms of day. 
 
 LIFE'S MYSTERIES 
 
 Men in their wisdom long have sought 
 
 To know the primal source of things; 
 By scientific rules explain 
 
 Life's origin — from whence it springs 
 To analyze and demonstrate 
 
 Life's mysteries, and thereby prove 
 Man's power and self-sufficiency 
 
 Without assistance from above. 
 
 Yea, by their worldly wisdom great 
 They've found that God-created man 
 
40 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Is but a well-developed ape, 
 
 Whose ancestry (they say) began 
 
 A million centuries before 
 
 The Bible writers wrote the tale, 
 
 That we in ignorance esteem 
 As truth divine that cannot fail. 
 
 Thus evolutionists evolve 
 
 A theory that places man 
 Among the beasts that have no need 
 
 Of knowing revelation's plan. 
 And being competent to know 
 
 The secret true, from whence we came, 
 Why have a Book ("quite out of date") 
 
 To tell us of a higher Name? 
 
 And yet, in tracing to their source 
 
 E'en common things we daily see — 
 The luscious frviit, the blossom sweet, 
 
 The bud and then the growing tree — 
 We fail to find within the soil 
 
 That feeds the root, how life began, 
 Or whence the power that causes growth, 
 
 Or who devised the wond'rous plan. 
 
 'Tis plain some self-existing Power, 
 Some wise Designer did design 
 
 That things should be just as they are; 
 Hence mortal man cannot define 
 
 I 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 41 
 
 The hidden mysteries of life, 
 
 Or hy profoundest learning show 
 
 When stars above 'began their course, 
 Or how earth-life first learned to grow. 
 
 When men of highest culture spurn 
 
 God's Holy Word, from heav'n revealed. 
 They cast themselves adrift upon 
 
 A sea of doubt, where faith must yield 
 To waves of vague uncertainty, 
 
 'Neath clouds of dark and hopeless gloom, 
 Where life with all its mysteries 
 
 Is swept into a Christless tomb. 
 
 The worldly wise may scoff and sneer, 
 
 God's blessed Bible firmly stands. 
 Proclaiming still salvation's way. 
 
 Good for all ages and all lands. 
 Life's mysteries we'll leave with Him, 
 
 Who holds our every life and breath; 
 We'll trust and serve Him while we live, 
 
 Nor fear the change that men call death. 
 
 GOD BLESS THE TRUE LIFE! 
 
 For Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous. 
 — Psalm 5:12. 
 
 God bless the heart that's filled with love — 
 Unselfish love from heaven's store; 
 
 That's gentle as the harmless dove, 
 God bless and keep it evermore! 
 
42 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 God 'bless the tongue that speaks no ill, 
 To wound a single fellow-man; 
 
 Speaks only truth in sweet, good will, 
 And cheering words where'er it can. 
 
 God ibless the lips that never mould 
 
 Sarcastic words through hate expressed; 
 
 That ne'er repeat a slander told, 
 Or frame a sinful, thoughtless jest. 
 
 God bless the eye that's quick to see 
 The good where'er it may abide, 
 
 Yet drops a tear of sympathy 
 For suffering ones by evils tried. 
 
 God bless the face that daily wears 
 A smile that's born of faith and love; 
 
 On which no angry scowl appears. 
 When basest wrong its owner prove. 
 
 God bless the hands that never shirk 
 A needful task that they can do, 
 
 By friendly aid and Christian work. 
 
 Sweet comforts spread where'er they go. 
 
 God bless the feet that nObly shun 
 The pathways that to sin allure, 
 
 "Walk in the light," and quickly run 
 At mercy's bid to aid the poor. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 43 
 
 Ah ! iblest indeed that soul must be 
 In whom these things are all combined! 
 
 The good and bad, all love to see 
 A Christian life, true and refined. 
 
 Pure, holy thoughts produce no frowns, 
 Kind words will live forevermore, 
 
 Kind hearts are more than golden crowns, 
 And simple faith than deepest lore. 
 
 And where these noble virtues bloom. 
 Which I in feeble rhymes have dressed, 
 
 Thou'lt find a child of God in whom 
 Eternal joys and blessings rest. 
 
 LIFE'S BEAUTIFIER 
 
 (Love.) 
 
 Christian graces leave their traces 
 
 On the deeds we do; 
 Skies grow brighter, burdens lighter 
 
 W'hen our hearts art true. 
 
 Hearts grow weary; things look dreary; 
 
 Songs are turned to whines; 
 Irksome duty mars life's beauty 
 
 Where no love-light shines. 
 
 Love and duty, strength and beauty, 
 Joining heart and hand. 
 
44 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 La'bors lighten, prospects brighten 
 Over sea and land. 
 
 Self denials in Life's trials 
 
 Last but for a day; 
 Heaping measures of Love's treasures 
 
 Follow soon to stay. 
 
 As the show^ers freshen flowers 
 
 In the heat of day, 
 Kindness given makes a heaven 
 
 All along the way. 
 
 Light keeps shining where no whining 
 
 Spreads its pall of night; 
 Life is sweetest and completest 
 
 When the heart is right. 
 
 GOD KNOWS US AS WE ARE 
 
 Our highest aspirations 
 And strivings for the right 
 
 Are known alone in Heaven, 
 In God's eternal light. 
 
 We cannot give expression 
 For human eyes and ears 
 
 To things our hearts hold sacred- 
 God only sees and hears. 
 
 Our purest, best intentions 
 Are hid from human eyes : 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 45 
 
 Unable to accomplish 
 
 The good we highly prize. 
 Men pass unrighteous judgment 
 
 Because they fail to see 
 Beneath works superficial 
 
 The spirit's victory. 
 
 Good works alone can never 
 
 A place in heaven gain, 
 But hearts with heavenly longings 
 
 Need never long in vain. 
 God looks upon the motive 
 
 That prompts our every deed, 
 Our weak and faulty actions 
 
 The world alone can read. 
 
 To hear each other's burdens, 
 
 The law of Christ fulfil, 
 Means more than duty-doing — 
 
 It means the inward will. 
 To have the mind of Jesus, — 
 
 Moved by His Spirit true, 
 Reflects the smile of heaven 
 
 On hum'blest deeds we do. 
 
 Words may be loudly spoken 
 That mean not what they say; 
 
 A look, when lips are silent. 
 Love's message can convey. 
 
 The heart's unspoken promptings 
 Our words and actions prove : 
 
46 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 How sweet and grand the lesson- 
 The law of Christ is love. 
 
 Men know us and remember 
 
 By deeds which we have done 
 To gain the praise or censure 
 
 Of mortals 'neath the sun : 
 Cod sees with eyes all-seeing 
 
 All things both near and far; 
 He judges righteous judgment, — 
 
 He knows us as we are. 
 
 UNION OF BELIEVERS 
 
 Christ prayed for 'his followers : ''That t^hey 
 •all may (be one ; as thou, Father, art in me, and I 
 in thee, that they also may be one in us : that the 
 world may believe that thou hast sent me," John 
 17:20, 21. 
 
 O, methinks if all those believers, 
 
 W(ho look upon Christ as their head, 
 Were firmly and truly united, 
 Even as the Savior has said, 
 
 Then Satan, the author of evil, 
 Could find little room for a seat; 
 
 But, with his own weakness disgusted, 
 He would make a hasty retreat. 
 
 Little chance could he have to devour, 
 E'en the weakest believing soul 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 47 
 
 Were believers in love so united — 
 All into one beautiful whole. 
 
 Forbearance and charity ever 
 
 With sunshine illumine eadh day; 
 
 Uplifting the weak and the weary, 
 E'er pointing to Christ as the Way. 
 
 Many members of the same body, 
 None be left to struggle alone, — 
 
 In harmony working together 
 
 To build on the Chief corner stone. 
 
 God grant that we may have that spirit; 
 
 Which leadeth to harmony here; — 
 None seeking his ov/n selfish pleasure, 
 
 But holding all others as dear. 
 
 O ! then spiritual feasts would be given, 
 Such as never this world hath known; 
 
 Since the day when the Spirit from heaven. 
 Like as tongues of fire was shown! 
 
 But, Brethren; say, are we united, 
 Unto Christ our Savior and Lord; 
 
 If among ourselves we're divided 
 By envyings, strife and discord? 
 
 Nay, nay, for a sign hath been given, 
 By Jesus our Lord from above: 
 
 *'By this ye'll be known as disciples. 
 If ye one another do love." 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY 
 
 "A new commandment I give unto you, 
 That ye love one another; as I have 
 loved you that ye also love one another. 
 By this shall all men know that ye are 
 my disciples, if ye have love one to an- 
 other."— John 13:34,35. 
 
 On this subject long I've pondered, 
 
 Through my mind these texts still ring: 
 Is the ''New Command" I wondered 
 
 But a lifeless, legal thing? 
 Through it we see indications 
 
 Of the workings of the soul 
 That has changed its inclinations — 
 
 Given all to Christ's control. 
 
 Oh that men had always hearkened 
 
 To sweet counsel from above; 
 Precious homes would not be darkened 
 
 For the want of Christian love. 
 Now kind feelings oft lie dormant, 
 
 Anguish dwells where love should reign; 
 And amidst such things discordant 
 
 Hearts are crushed for selfish gain. 
 
 Listen then while I am pleading, 
 
 Since in truth it must be said. 
 All around us hearts are bleeding 
 
 For the want of friendly aid ; — 
 In the light by heav'n begotten 
 
 Shall such things forever be? 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 49 
 
 Have all men then quite forgotten 
 Christian love and sympathy? 
 
 Some are bound 'by worldly fashions 
 
 Till they loathe a Christian life; 
 Others yield to angry passions, 
 
 And engage in envious strife. 
 While 'mongst those v^rho stand professing 
 
 Pious, non-resistant w^ays, 
 Ofttimes see we most distressing 
 
 Symptoms of declining grace. 
 
 By what sign shall true believers 
 
 Be distinguished everywhere. 
 From pretenders and deceivers? 
 
 By the Christian love they bear 
 To each other, said our Savior. 
 
 From this holy love will grow 
 Humble, true and right behavior, 
 
 That all men their faith may know. 
 
 Fellow man, whatever thy nation, 
 
 Trustest thou in Jesus* word? 
 Hast thou found that great salvation 
 
 Which is given iby our Lord? 
 Let us pray, my Christian brother, 
 
 For a deeper work of grace. 
 That may cleanse us from all error, 
 
 And discordant things efface. 
 
 Sympathetic feelings, brother. 
 We should cherish day by day; 
 
50 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 But if harsh towards each other 
 How can we for blessings pray? 
 
 All true hearts have inward longings 
 For a higher, nobler life; — 
 
 Why not cease from bitter wrongings, 
 Live in love and banish strife? 
 
 Henceforth let us aid each other, 
 
 It will make our burdens light 
 If we kindly walk together 
 
 In the path of truth and right. 
 Since we now confess Christ Jesus 
 
 As our Savior and our guide, 
 Let not Satan's wiles deceive us 
 
 Till we yield to hate or pride. 
 
 We are called to love each other — 
 
 Oh for faith and love that we 
 May our selfish feelings smother 
 
 And increase in sympathy! 
 While on earth, Oh may we ever 
 
 Walk together hand in hand; 
 Jesus will forsake us never. 
 
 If we heed his "new command." 
 
 We are pilgrims bound for heaven 
 Where the holy ones abide; — 
 
 Where true happiness is given, 
 And no evil can betide: 
 
 And by faith we look to Jesus 
 As the only way to God, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 51 
 
 For from guilt he did release us 
 By the shedding of his blood. 
 
 Wherefore then, my Christian brother, 
 
 Should we be estranged so long? 
 Can we not stand up together 
 
 In our warfare 'gainst the wrong? 
 Let no man-made gods deceive us; 
 
 Hope would all be wretchedness 
 If we could not trust in Jesus, 
 
 Who is all our righteousness. 
 
 Let us now provoke each other 
 
 Unto love and righteous deeds, 
 And assist our weaker brother — 
 
 Thus we'll scatter precious seeds, 
 Which perchance may grow and flourish 
 
 In what else were barren land, 
 And ourselves and others nourish 
 
 Through the Savior's new command. 
 
 This would be a world of beauties 
 
 Like unto the world above, 
 If all men would do their duties 
 
 From the motive of true love. 
 Peaceful glories, pure and holy. 
 
 Would descend our homes to bless, 
 If all men, both high and lowly, 
 
 Were but freed from selfishness. 
 
52 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 E'en the peaceful homes in glory — 
 
 Homes of angel hosts above, 
 Would be filled with battles gory 
 
 If they were not filled with love. 
 God is love, and he abideth 
 
 Only with the pure in heart, 
 Where no party strife divideth 
 
 Anxious souls with cruel art. 
 
 While we pray the Lord of heaven 
 
 For the thing of highest worth — 
 That his kingdom may be given, 
 
 And his will be done on earth, 
 Let us not forget, dear brother. 
 
 That pure charity so rare. 
 And in love now walk together 
 
 Lest we strive against our prayer. 
 
 We should zealous be to labor 
 
 For the good of all mankind; 
 By our actions lead our neighbor 
 
 To the fount of love refined: 
 By our "walk and conversation*' — 
 
 By the fruit the tree is known. 
 Hence without dissimulation 
 
 Must true Christian love be shown. 
 
 Many wrongs would soon be righted. 
 Many errors truth remove. 
 
 Were the hearts of men united 
 In the bonds of Christian love. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 53 
 
 For the wicked world's salvation 
 
 Let us labor then and pray : — 
 May Christ's fold in every nation 
 
 Gain in num'ber day by day. 
 
 ';■""■ "■ i 
 
 First I'd say to every brother, 
 
 Let us do the Master's will; 
 And as Christians, love each other — 
 
 Thus at once Christ's law fulfill! 
 From the throne of grace above us 
 
 Then rich blessings will descend, 
 Hosts celestial then will love us, 
 
 And our holy cause defend. 
 
 RELIGION IN THE HEART 
 
 Oh were the heart's sweet beauty known 
 That lives each day for God alone, 
 Then more would rise with me to say — 
 Whilst seeking full salvation's way — 
 May Christ possess my heart alone, 
 And every idol god dethrone! 
 
 Religion in the heart 
 
 Alone can peace impart; 
 Then cling to him who deigns to give 
 
 Religion in the heart ! 
 
 Draw nigh to God, O heart of mine, 
 And open wide to love divine. 
 
54 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 heav'nly Guest a'bide with me ; 
 All evils from thy presence flee. 
 This is the power that conquers sin — 
 The hope of glory — ^Christ within! 
 
 Religion in the heart 
 Alone can strength impart: 
 All "moral works" are dead without 
 Religion in the heart ! 
 
 As from the seed the plant doth grow, 
 And from the fount the brooklet flow, 
 So from the power of Christ within 
 A holy life alone can spring. 
 Then let all those who wish for fruit 
 New cherish well this precious root, 
 Religion in the heart; — 
 Let all things else depart: 
 A fleeting show is life without 
 Religion in the heart! 
 
 While many seek in outward things 
 The blessing which religion brings; 
 And build their hope on sects and creeds, 
 Or e'en perhaps on their own deeds, 
 
 1 ask but this : — May Christ abide 
 With me, and be my daily guide. 
 
 Religion in the heart, 
 What joys it doth impart; 
 No blessings can compare with this — 
 Religion in the heart! 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 55 
 
 OUR THOUGHTS 
 
 Our thoughts, ah who can count them all? 
 
 Who may reveal their source? 
 Their influence, whether good or bad, 
 
 Their past, their future course? 
 
 Methinks like hidden springs among 
 
 The rocks and wooded hills. 
 Quite noiseless and unnoticed first, 
 
 They form the little rills. 
 
 That trickle slowly down the slopes, 
 
 Uniting as they flow. 
 Thus forming brooks of impulse which 
 
 Meander to and fro. 
 
 And these, the turbid and the clear 
 
 Together borne along, 
 Fill up that noisy rushing stream, — 
 
 The stream of action strong. 
 
 A little thing yet of life's whole 
 
 Each thought is still a part; 
 For as thou thinkest in thy mind 
 
 So in thy life thou art. 
 
 The casual thought that seems to fade 
 
 Like dew-drops in the sun, 
 An impress leaves upon the mind 
 
 Which ne'er can be undone. 
 
50 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 The source, from whence our thoug^hts arise, 
 
 Must first be purified, 
 Ere crystal streams of waters sweet 
 
 Can fill life's flowing tide. 
 
 Our Christian warfare endeth not 
 
 While evil thoughts arise 
 Within our hearts to mar our peace, 
 
 And sinful acts devise. 
 
 The Christian Spirit, pure and true, 
 
 Must captivate each thought. 
 Then truly we to Christ may be 
 
 In sweet obedience brought. 
 
 ALL FOR OUR GOOD 
 
 "And we know that all things work to- 
 gether for good to them that love God." 
 —Rom. 8:28. 
 
 How Strange it ofttimes doth appear. 
 
 That we who strive to do God's will, 
 With upright heart and conscience clear, 
 
 Should have such fiery trials still ; 
 Yes, daily do we feel our need 
 
 Of grace to safely overcome 
 Those things that mar the Christian life 
 
 And drag the sinner to his doom. 
 
 And what we in our present state 
 Seek to avoid and greatly dread, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 57 
 
 God in his wondrous wisdom great 
 Hath sent for good, and if we're led 
 
 By His pure Spirit, walk in love, 
 
 Then naught can harm us here below, 
 
 Since He o'errules all things for good, 
 
 Though now this truth we may not know. 
 
 Though cherished hopes may blasted be. 
 
 And failures crush our dearest aims, 
 God knoweth what is best, and He 
 
 Would oft remind us of His claims. 
 Should sickness come, or sorrow pierce 
 
 The heart overcome by want or woe, 
 God's purpose is the same in all. 
 
 We'll trust Him now, sometime we'll know. 
 
 "All things" — how wonderful, how strange! 
 
 What perfect love God manifests; 
 Naught can befall us here to change 
 
 Our heavenly Father's wise behests. 
 He wisely orders what we need. 
 
 And sendeth blessings in disguise; 
 The greatest trial rightly borne 
 
 Therein the richest blessing lies, 
 
 O, let us then no more repine. 
 
 But love Him more and sweetly rest 
 
 Our hand in His when trials come. 
 He sendeth only what is best; 
 
 He careth for us day by day, 
 And asketh only for our love, 
 
58 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 That He may draw us near to Him 
 And fit us for our home above. 
 
 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS 
 
 Seasons come and seasons go- 
 Summer's heat and winter's snow, 
 Zephyrs mild from southern lands, 
 Chilling winds from ice-bound strands 
 Daylight, flushed with sunshine bright, 
 Followed by the sombre night. 
 Damp and gloomy days of rain; 
 Cloudless skies break forth again, — 
 Lights and shadows, "ups and downs," 
 Friendly smiles and angry frowns : 
 Changing seasons, shifting scenes : 
 Every variation means 
 Something yet to be attained, 
 Greater victories to be gained : 
 Some deep lesson yet unlearned; 
 Crowns, by crosses yet unearned. 
 Seasons come and seasons go, 
 All for good to those who know, 
 And can see, the Power above 
 Overruling all in love. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 59 
 
 TRUST 
 
 How sweet, O Lord, to come to Thee 
 
 When every other refuge fails; — 
 In perfect confidence to flee, 
 
 When fierce affliction's storm assails, 
 To One who understandeth all 
 
 Our inmost wants and deepest woes; 
 Who heareth every trustful call, 
 
 And who can quell each blast that blows. 
 
 Teach me, my Savior, more and more 
 
 To look to thee for strength and light, 
 And how when weak, despised, and poor. 
 
 To find in thee my sole delight. 
 Vain is the help of man, I know, 
 
 Small solace can his words impart, 
 But thou canst vanquish every foe, 
 
 And fill with peace the trusting heart. 
 
 I'll consecrate my life to Thee, 
 
 Confiding in Thy boundless love; 
 Thy mighty arm shall strengthen me 
 
 When trials dark my faith would prove. 
 My path is oft beset with snares. 
 
 But Thou canst make my steps secure, — 
 No flattering words nor worldly cares 
 
 Shall him who trusts in Thee allure. 
 
 Increase my faith, that I may be 
 More humble, trustful and resigned; 
 
6o POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 And never cease to look to Thee 
 
 For strength of soul and peace of mind, 
 
 rd place no limit to Thy power, 
 But trust Thee wholly day iby day; 
 
 Thy gracious smile can light each hour. 
 And drive the darkest clouds away. 
 
 CONSIDER THE LILIES 
 
 Consider the lilies in glory arrayed, 
 Consider by whom they were fashioned and made; 
 Then think how the Savior in wisdom did speak 
 Of the beauty that rests on the lily's pale cheek. 
 
 He who all the glory of heaven had seen; 
 Whose home with bright angels and seraphs had 
 
 been, 
 Where all is perfection untainted by aught 
 That marreth the beauty of earth's fairest spot, 
 
 He with His disciples did walk through the fields, 
 And notice quite closely the fruit each plant yields ; 
 Then kindly discoursed of such earthly afifairs 
 As bring to poor mortals their burdensome cares: 
 
 ) 
 "Consider the lilies, how grandly they grow. 
 They toil not, they spin not, — who clotheth them 
 
 so, — 
 Surpassing in glory the proudest designs 
 Of monarchs who ravish the richest of mines?" 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 6i 
 
 He pointeth with uplifted hand to the skies, 
 Where many a bird so exultingly flies 
 With songs of pure gladness unburdened by care, 
 Then speaketh, "Behold all the fowls of the air! 
 
 Who feedeth the sparrows, whence cometh their 
 
 food? 
 Your Father in heaven, the Source of all good, 
 In kindness supplieth them every day : — 
 Are beings with souls not much better than they? 
 
 'Consider the lilies in beauty arrayed, 
 Behold, too, the birds all so bounteously fed, 
 And be not so faithless but only believe — 
 Whatever thou needest Cod surely will give." 
 
 Then why should we harbor forebodings of want? 
 No shadows of evil our courage should daunt; 
 For whilst we are seeking God's kingdom indeed. 
 His bounty supplieth all things that we need. 
 
 / 
 No more let us trust in a strength of our own. 
 Or tremble with fear when our weakness is shown; 
 But let us sincerely Cod's righteousness seek 
 For He will be mighty in them that are weak. 
 
 Consider the lilies so grandly arrayed, 
 Consider by whom they were fashioned and made; 
 Consider who feedeth each innocent bird 
 And rest all securely in Cod and His Word. 
 
62 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 SOWING AND REAPING 
 
 Gal. 6:7-9. 
 We are sowing", ever sowing 
 
 Seeds of truth and seeds of faith; 
 Or else sowing seeds of evil, 
 
 Seeds that end in pain and death. 
 To the flesh or to the spirit 
 
 All are sowing seeds today : — 
 Seeds that multiply corruption 
 
 Or enrich life's upward way. 
 
 By our thoughts and *by our actions. 
 
 Are we sowing unawares, 
 Countless seeds which in due season 
 
 Yield good fruit or hurtful tares. 
 By each word and look we scatter 
 
 Many seeds on life's great plain; 
 O may gracious dews from heaven 
 
 Nourish every righteous grain! 
 
 Let us not forget the maxim, 
 
 "What we sow we'll also reap;" 
 Let us watch lest Satan scatter 
 
 Seeds of evil while we sleep. 
 Let us now not grow aweary 
 
 While the seed-time yet doth last, 
 Lest we then should be found fruitless. 
 
 When the harveSt-time is past. 
 
 All around us storms are blowing, 
 O Lord, give us strength and light; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 63 
 
 Help us now while we are sowing 
 
 That we sow the seeds aright. 
 Father, guide us, daily guide us, 
 
 That we sow on gospel ground, 
 So that when the ear is growing, 
 
 Holy fruit may there be found. 
 
 Now we're sowing, soon the reapers 
 
 Will go forth to reap the ground; 
 O! may fruit of life eternal 
 
 Then in all our fields be found ! 
 Till the harvest trump is sounded, 
 
 Help each one, Lord, who believes, 
 Then with joy we'll homeward hasten, 
 
 Bringing with us our own sheaves. 
 
 'PROVOKE UNTO LOVE' 
 
 Let us consider one another to provoke 
 unto love and good works. — Heb. 10:24. 
 
 "Provoke unto love," — ah, well may we say 
 'Tis something we know little of; 
 
 Provoking to wrath we see every day 
 But what means provoking to love? 
 
 Our faculties all were given to use 
 As gifts from a kind Father's hand; 
 
 Their exercise true and not their abuse 
 Will make us just what He has planned. 
 
 We reap as we sow, e'en here in this life, — 
 We get as we give, love or hate ; 
 
64 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Our actions will yield sweet peace or dark strife:: 
 
 A just recompense we await. 
 
 A mirror reflects all things in the light 
 
 In which they before it appear: 
 A face wreathed in smiles, e'er cheerful and bright,, 
 
 Ne'er finds there reflected a tear. 
 
 The mirror of life throws back to us all 
 
 An image of all our own deeds ; 
 Give love or give hate, what will thee befall 
 
 But that which from thy life proceeds? 
 
 An answer that's soft, a look that is kind, 
 What seeds do they plant in men's hearts? 
 
 An angry reply, grim looks quite unkind 
 What are they but poisonous darts? 
 
 How pleasant to see an innocent child. 
 
 Its soul yet so fresh from above, 
 With sweet winning ways and actions so mild 
 
 Provoking its playmates to love. 
 
 The contrary, then, how grievous to see 
 
 'Mong Christians; — O what shall they reap?" 
 
 Provoking to wrath — it surely must <be 
 A sight to cause angels to weep. 
 
 Provoke unto love and wofks that are good^. 
 
 By loveliest words, looks and deeds; 
 What thy life imparts such spiritual food 
 
 Returns to supply thy own needs. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 65 
 
 THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD 
 
 God's Word relates 
 That in the early morn of earth's existence 
 When chaos yielded to the Voice creative, 
 And into life sprang all things as commanded, 
 Six times, as each grand work was ended. 
 The Maker paused and saw how truly perfect 
 And good it was. When all completed. 
 The seventh time He looked, lo, "everything 
 That He had made * * was very good." 
 
 Ah, surely then, 
 Well might the morning stars all sing together, 
 And every creature that had found existence 
 Praise God, the Perfect One ! What loveliness 
 And sweet perfection must then have graced all 
 
 nature, 
 When naught was seen or heard to sadden 
 The new made earth, — no elements discordant 
 Throughout the boundless universe! 
 
 How strange and sad 
 That man, the crowning work of all creation, 
 Made but a little lower than the angels, 
 And placed in Eden with his Maker's blessing, 
 That even he, with ibut a single statute 
 To break or keep — one chance for disobedience, 
 Should idly pluck and eat the fruit fort>idden. 
 Thereby accepting from his wicked tempter 
 An evil nature prone to actions sinful; 
 
66 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Thus calling down from high and holy heaven 
 A curse on earth and all that dwell therein! 
 
 Yet stranger still, 
 In mystery hid past finding out, 
 The plan divine wherdby full, free redemption 
 Could come to fallen man. Great truth sublime. 
 Beyond man's power of comprehension, 
 God gave His Son, His only and beloved. 
 Who e'en before the dawning of creation 
 Was with the Father in bright realms of 'bliss. 
 
 This Son of God 'became 
 A ransom for the sin-cursed race of beings 
 Who had rebelled 'gainst heaven's decree. He took 
 
 upon 
 Himself the curse; upon His head the sword of 
 
 Justice 
 Full vengeance took, that man from treason's 
 
 penalties 
 Could pardoned be: the sinner in dark dungeons 
 
 chained. 
 Enjoy the light of perfect liberty. 
 
 O gracious work of God! 
 Yea, all His works and words o'erflow with mercy 
 To those who have accepted as their Savior 
 The Lam'b of God for sinners slain. Christ cruci- 
 fied 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS ^ 
 
 Brings peace; yea more, His rising from the dead 
 
 again 
 Brings joy to all whose lives are hid with Him. 
 
 But from all those 
 Who thrust aside this work of grace and love, — 
 Refuse to Usten to God's holy Word of Truths 
 Deny the Son, — God's own existence doubt, — 
 Heaven veils its smiling face : for how can they^ 
 Who scorn the Almighty Giver's agency 
 His wondrous gifts of love appreciate? 
 Could those who reckon the Creator as a myth 
 The beauties of creation comprehend? 
 
 Look thou upon a convict doomed 
 For long and weary years to drag away 
 His life in chains behind grim prison bars 
 In some dark dungeon's gloomiest cell, far, far re- 
 moved 
 From every ray of sunlight fair. The songs of 
 
 birds 
 Ne'er penetrate the mouldy walls to break 
 The silence so oppressive grown. No breeze per- 
 fumed 
 With blooming plants; no joy inspiring breath of 
 
 Spring 
 E'er drives the dampness from his brow; the tini« 
 
 est floweret 
 Earth sustains unveils not there its modest face 
 To cheer the eye with hopelessness bedimmed. 
 
68 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Take now a pardon in thine hand. 
 Unlock the door that for a score of years was 
 
 closed, 
 And break the chains from ofif the lim'bs benumbed 
 And crippled by their cruel weig^ht. Then lead 
 
 him forth 
 From that vile crime-polluted place; — let him ex- 
 change 
 His filthy rags for garments that an honor are 
 To freedom's nc^blest sons; in tones subdued 
 By love, speak words of heartfelt sympathy, 
 And bid him be forever free! 
 
 With rapture now 
 He feasts his eyes on all the wonderful 
 And glorious works of God. His heart expands 
 With new-'found joy; and words are quite inade- 
 quate 
 To give expression to the thoughts of praise 
 That fill his mind. His soul can now appreciate 
 As ne'er before the 'beauty that by right belongs 
 To everything that God has made. 
 
 A picture this, 
 
 Thoug^h faintly drawn, of a glad, grateful soul re- 
 leased 
 
 From Satan's chains of sin and shame : — A par- 
 doned one. 
 
 At peace with God, cleansed from his former sin- 
 ful state , 
 
 And walking in the perfect light and joy 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 69 
 
 Which none but new-born souls may know. Such, 
 
 only such 
 Can rightly understand how very good indeed 
 Is everything that God has made; for they alone 
 
 may truly "look 
 Through nature up to nature's God;" and looking 
 
 thus 
 With eyes undimmed 'by sin may see 
 How wonderful are all the works of God. 
 
 WHAT DO WE SEEK? 
 
 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and 
 his righteousness, — Matt. 6:33. 
 
 Go ask the busy, bustling crowds 
 
 That throng our streets from morn till night. 
 What seek ye mostly for today? 
 
 And if they answer thee aright 
 They'll say, "The riches of this world 
 
 We reckon as our chiefest aim; — 
 Our time is fully occupied 
 
 In seeking wealth, and power and fame." 
 
 How sad,— immortal souls are bent 
 
 On gaining that which proves a loss ; 
 See how they toil both night and day 
 
 For treasures that are naught but dross. 
 The fleeting vanities of life 
 
 Are sought with eager, burning haste. 
 Whilst heaven-born, gifts and faculties 
 
 Through sad neglect have gone to waste. 
 
70 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 What do we seek? Whom do we serve? 
 
 What treasures do we strive to win? 
 What is our chief est aim in life? 
 
 What purpose rules our life within? 
 O let us make our calling sure, 
 
 Life's golden moments quickly fly, 
 And none can be prepared to live 
 
 Until they are prepared to die. 
 
 Friend, hast thou gained thy heart's desire? 
 
 Hast been successful in the race 
 For riches, or perhaps the world 
 
 Has granted thee a lofty place; 
 And by the world admired and praised, 
 
 Thou heedest not the gospel call? 
 One thing thou lackest yet, my friend. 
 
 And lacking this thou lackest all! 
 
 All, all is lacking when the soul 
 
 From earthly scenes must take its flight, 
 Still steeped in gin and unprepared 
 
 To meet a God of truth and right. 
 All good is gained, all foes are slain, 
 
 All tribulation overcosme, 
 When, saved from sin, at peace with God, 
 
 The soul departs for hesTcn's pure home. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 71 
 
 SELF-EXAMINATION 
 
 Gathering to the fold of Christ 
 
 Or scattering far away 
 From heavenly rest and peace with God,- 
 
 Where do we stand today? 
 Hearkening to the voice of God, — 
 
 Obedient to His will, 
 Or yielding to the tempter's wiles, 
 
 The lusts of sin to fill? 
 
 Walking with the saints of God 
 
 Who sing Redemption's song? 
 Or following the thoughtless crowd 
 
 Who to the world belong? 
 Traveling on the narrow way 
 
 That leads us home to God, 
 Or rushing heedlessly along 
 
 The broad and downward road? 
 
 Laying up real treasures that 
 
 Will prove a heavenly gain, 
 Or toiling to accumulate 
 
 Mere worldly riches, vain? 
 Striving now to win the crown 
 
 'Whose glory is for aye? 
 Or caring only for the things 
 
 That quickly pass away? 
 
 Trusting in the spotless Lamb 
 Of God, for sinners slain? 
 
^2 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Or trying by self-righteous works 
 
 Salvation's gift to gain? 
 Following peace with all men here — 
 
 A 'blameless, holy life? 
 Or seeking 'but our selfish good 
 
 In envious deeds of strife? 
 
 Rejoicing that the Book of Life 
 
 Contains our humble name, 
 Or craving for the world's, applause- 
 
 The fleeting bauble, fame? 
 Knowing that our Savior has 
 
 Prepared for us a home? 
 Or, doubting all His promises,— 
 
 What is our final doom? 
 
 WISDOM 
 
 Come, let us follow wisdom's ways; 
 In her right hand is length of days ; 
 Her ways alone are pleasant ways, 
 "And all her paths are peace." 
 
 Who will direct an erring soul 
 To find true wisdom's blissful goal. 
 Where righteousness may sin control, 
 And unbelief shall cease? 
 
 To God, whose wisdom can discern 
 The thoughts of men, let sinners turn 
 Their hearts and minds, that they may learn 
 To heed whate'er He says, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 73 
 
 The truly wise will fear the Lord, 
 The Holy One, to be adored, 
 And learn in meekness, by His Word, 
 To follow wisdom's ways. 
 
 The source of all that's good and true. 
 He is the Fount of wisdom too 
 Whence freely cometh life anew 
 To save a fallen race. 
 
 Mere human wisdom but deceives. 
 While he who truly Christ receives, 
 A trusting heart to Jesus gives, 
 That he may live by grace. 
 
 True wisdom cometh from above, 
 First pure, then gentle, filled with love; 
 Its all-pervading power will prove 
 From whence it had its rise. 
 
 Base things, which men have laughed to scorn, 
 Yea, foolish things, in weakness born, 
 God's saving grace can so adorn 
 As to confound the wise. 
 
 Should e'en the humblest mortal find, 
 By faith, the Savior of mankind, 
 He'll soon outstrip and leave behind 
 The sage who Christ denies. 
 
 An eye of faith will oft perceive 
 Deep mysteries, which would deceive 
 
74 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Philosophers, v/ho disbelieve 
 The truth that never dies. 
 
 Where shall we find a being wise, 
 Infallible, beyond surmise? 
 The Lord, whom many now despise — 
 He only merits praise. 
 
 If kings and rulers now would stand, 
 They, too, must heed His guiding hand : 
 Prosperity will crown their land 
 That follows wisdom's ways. 
 
 A BIBLE LESSON 
 
 The Lord with his disciples twelve, 
 
 Upon a mountain high 
 Was seated, and great multitudes 
 
 Of people gathered nigh. 
 The people came because they saw 
 
 Christ's miracles were great; 
 Far from their homes they followed him, 
 
 Until the eve grew late. 
 
 The Savior with compassion looked 
 
 Upon the multitude, 
 Then unto his disciples said 
 
 That they should give them food. 
 Now all the food that was near by 
 
 Was carried by a lad : 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 75 
 
 Five barley loaves, — two fishes small — 
 And this was all they had. 
 
 Yet 'twas enough ; for Jesus, filled 
 
 With power from above, 
 First bade the men be seated all, 
 
 Then taking up each loaf. 
 He blessed and break, and gave to all 
 
 From His unfailing store; — 
 Five thousand men he fed therewith — 
 
 Twelve baskets full left o'er! 
 
 And thus we see, the little which 
 
 An humble lad had brought, 
 Was by Christ glorious might into 
 
 Good food for thousands wrought ! 
 Dear children, you who this may read, 
 
 Hereby you all may see, 
 How even in His wondrous work 
 
 "A lad" could useful be. 
 
 'Tis ever thus; the Lord has work 
 
 For every one to do; 
 Think not because you may be young 
 
 He has no need of you. 
 You may not always understand, 
 
 Still patiently obey; — 
 nris sweet to labor for the Lord, 
 
 We know he will repay. 
 
'^(y POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 THE LOVE OF GOD 
 
 As manifested in Nature 
 
 All Nature declares there reigneth above 
 A Maker all-wise who ruleth in love. 
 His love is expressed in ev'ry wise plan 
 That tends to promote the welfare of man. 
 Man's evident place in the world, designed 
 In wisdom supreme, by infinite Mind, 
 In love to preside, a God-given soul. 
 All creatures beneath his station control. 
 
 As taught in the Bible 
 
 We read of God's love in the Book that He gave. 
 
 How Jesus was sent the sinner to save; 
 
 To die in our stead — sin's penalty pay — 
 
 Lost souls to redeem and open the way 
 
 That man could again to Him be restored 
 
 And live evermore in the joy of his Lord. 
 
 \ 
 
 As Experienced by the Christian ^ 
 
 Oh happy estate ! now fully restored | 
 
 To fellowship and communion with God; | 
 
 From the power of sin and Satan set free, ''I 
 
 Constrained by thy love we labor for thee. j, 
 
 Rejoicing in thee, our Savior and King, | 
 
 With grateful hosannas thy praises we sing. 
 Though life in this world still has its alloys, 
 Earth's trials prepare for heavenly joys. 
 1905. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS tj 
 
 GOD SO LOVED 
 
 John 3:16 
 
 God so loved His own creation 
 
 That He laid Salvation's plan 
 Even from the world's foundation, 
 
 Ere the earth was formed for man: 
 Knowing how the tempter, Satan, 
 
 Here His crowning work would mar, 
 And through sin and condemnation 
 
 From His holy presence bar. 
 
 God so loved the world of sinners 
 
 That He gave His only Son 
 To redeem and save from judgment, — 
 
 He can save and He alone. 
 He can save the vilest sinner 
 
 That accepts His work of love : 
 Bless his soul with life eternal, 
 
 And his guilty stains remove. 
 
 God so loved that He permitted 
 
 Wicked men to crucify 
 His own Son for sin's atonement — 
 
 For the guilty sinner die. 
 As a gift Salvation's given 
 
 To the poor, sin-burdened soul 
 Who repents and seeks forgiveness 
 
 That his heart may be made whole. 
 
fS POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Cod so loved, — ^His goodness leadeth 
 
 To repentance, faith and love; 
 And by willing, humble service 
 
 We our faith and love may prove. 
 Love divine, and deep compassion 
 
 Moved the heart of God to give 
 Unto us a loving Savior 
 
 That we might repent and live. 
 
 'God so loved that He established 
 
 And prepared a home for all 
 Who have found His great salvation 
 
 And obey the Gospel call: — 
 Mansions in celestial glory 
 
 Where no evil thing can come, 
 Where with holy saints and angels 
 
 We may dwell in peace at home. 
 
 God so loved and made provision 
 
 That His love might be made known 
 So that we in turn could love him, 
 And become His very own. 
 ( He through Jesus manifested 
 I All the wonders of His love; 
 
 'We in Jesus safe abiding, 
 Now await that home above. 
 
 God so loved and keeps on loving 
 
 While eternity endures. 
 He has saved and He will keep us, 
 i And His Word for us assures 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 7g 
 
 Joy in all its precious fulness; 
 Peace that like a river flows; 
 Everlasting streams of gladness; 
 Rest that no disturbance knows. 
 1916. 
 
 LOOK UP 
 
 Look up, my weary brother, 
 
 Away from sin and strife; 
 Let not your heart's affections 
 
 Rest in this fleeting life. 
 All earthly things must perish, 
 
 Life's treasures pass away: 
 Look up ! the Master calls thee 
 
 To realms of endless day. 
 
 Look up beyond the glitter 
 
 Of this false world's affairs; 
 Beyond life's dark confusion, 
 
 And self's deceitful snares. 
 This world may reel and totter. 
 
 There's rest and peace above: 
 God's own eternal heaven. 
 
 Of never-dying love. 
 
 Look up ! life's rugged ladder, 
 So steep and hard to climb, 
 
 Will bring you to the borders 
 Of Beulah land sublime. 
 
8o POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Beneath you loathsome demons 
 Are tempting you to fall; 
 
 Above you holy angels 
 In tones of pity call. 
 
 Look up, be not discouraged: 
 
 The bow of promise bright 
 Appears against a background 
 
 Of clouds as dark as night. 
 'But if with downcast vision 
 
 'We grope for earthly things, 
 The bow that spans the heavens 
 
 For us no comfort brings. 
 
 Look up, a silvery lining 
 
 Adorns the darkest clouds; 
 Beyond the mist of doubting 
 
 That now your life enshrouds : 
 The star of hope is shining, 
 
 And cloudless are the skies: 
 Look up ! and then press onward 
 
 To win the glorious prize. 
 
 Wealth, fame, grief, joy and sorrow,- 
 
 All transient things of earth, 
 Shall be exchanged for treasures 
 
 Of more enduring worth. 
 Look up, my Christian brother, 
 
 Soon we shall cease to roam; 
 Christ waiting stands to welcome 
 
 The weary wanderer home. 
 1885. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 8i 
 
 LOOK UP AND LIVE 
 
 How many things around us here, 
 Amid life's ever changing scenes; 
 
 Things that we see and that we hear, 
 That fill our minds and are the means 
 
 Of lifting into higher light, 
 
 Or dark'ning more with Error's blight. 
 
 -False views of life distort the mind, 
 Subvert the powers of the soul. 
 
 And men, to their 'best interests blind, 
 Lose life's appointed heavenly goal. 
 
 Through misdirected energy 
 
 Men lose their highest destiny. 
 
 Mere worldly pleasures oft allure, 
 
 Or gold's false glitter blinds our eyes. 
 
 Until we fail to see the pure 
 
 And nobler things in higher skies; 
 
 Thus vain and sordid things of earth 
 
 Engulf a life of heavenly birth. 
 
 Shall we with muck-rake in our hands 
 Note all the filth and trash below? 
 
 Or shall we, heeding heaven's demands. 
 Seek food whereby our souls may grow? 
 
 To what shall we attention give — 
 
 Look down and die? Look up and live? 
 
82 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Oh, may our eyes the good and true 
 And beautiful in life behold, 
 
 And daily gain a fairer view 
 
 Of things more precious far then gold; 
 
 Absorbing virtue from above, 
 
 Increase in Faith and Hope and Love. 
 
 LIFE'S PURPOSE 
 
 "I live for those who love me," 
 
 For those who hate me too; 
 For the smiles and frowns that greet me 
 
 Because I dare to do 
 The right as God reveals it 
 
 Unto my soul each day, 
 While striving still to follow 
 
 The Savior all the way. 
 
 To live without a purpose 
 
 Would be a living death, — 
 Dishonoring my Savior 
 
 With each life-giving breath. 
 The grandest, noblest purpose — 
 
 To heed the heavenly call, 
 And follow only Jesus 
 
 'Who gave His life for all. 
 
 He left the joys of heaven 
 
 His enemies to save; 
 His blood He shed to purchase 
 
 What we by grace may have; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 83 
 
 To point the way to heaven 
 
 His mission was to live : 
 His death brought life immortal 
 
 To all who will believe. 
 
 To follow in His footsteps 
 
 And heed no other guide; 
 To live by His example, 
 
 Whatever may betide, 
 Means to possess His spirit 
 
 And tender love, and then, 
 In humble self-denial 
 
 To serve our fellow-men. 
 
 Lord, for the good of others 
 
 My life to thee I'd give, 
 Since even here 'tis better 
 
 To give than to receive. 
 Then help us to be faithful, 
 
 Constrained by love alone, 
 Whate'er our work, be ready 
 
 For thy sweet words, "Well done." 
 
 TO EVERY MAN HIS WORK 
 
 Luke 13:34. 
 Lo, by the wise 'behest of heaven 
 To every man his work is given. 
 A work assigned to every one 
 To be fulfilled, or left undone— 
 To every man his work. 
 
84 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 A sacred trust hath every heart; 
 Each in life's drama acts a part; 
 A work for every one to do — 
 Some worthy object to pursue — 
 To every man his work. 
 
 The work that God points out to me 
 I may not shirk and leave for thee. 
 Thy work God knoweth ; from thy hand 
 Account thereof He will demand, — 
 To every man his work. 
 
 However humble be thy lot; 
 Wealthy or poor, it matters not; 
 Whate'er thy name, where'er thou art, 
 God calls to thee, "Act well thy part" — 
 To every man his work. 
 
 In Church or State; at home, abroad, 
 All are accountable to God. 
 He placed us here to help fulfill 
 His grand design, — obey His will, — 
 To every man his work. 
 
 So every one account must give 
 Of his own deeds. We all receive 
 A talent which we may improve 
 While on life's busy stage we move — 
 To every man his work. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 85 
 
 To each the call, "Take up thy cross," — 
 A great reward, — a fearful loss ; 
 Which shall it be at that great day 
 When earthly scenes have passed away? 
 To every man his pay! 
 
 CHRISTIAN PERSEVERANCE 
 
 To confess our Lord and Savior 
 
 Is a step upon the road 
 That will lead to heav'nly mansions 
 
 In the city of our God. 
 But that happy destination 
 
 Lies not at the entrance here, — 
 It is found by faithful pilgrims — 
 
 Those who daily persevere. 
 
 Christian zeal and perseverance 
 
 Must be welded into one 
 By the love which God the Father 
 
 Sheds upon us through His Son: 
 Thus we may endure in patience, 
 
 And our joy may be complete. 
 While we learn life's needful lessons 
 
 At the blessed Savior's feet. 
 
 Taking up the cross which Jesus 
 Tells us now in love to bear, 
 
86 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Means a life of self-denial 
 Every day and everywhere: 
 
 Seeking first the heavenly kingdom, 
 Faithful, steadfast, ever true, 
 
 Knowing that our Lord is able 
 To protect and keep us, too. 
 
 To profess to live for Jesus 
 
 Means to live for Him each day: 
 Means a life that's consecrated 
 
 In whate'er we do or say: — 
 Step ;by step to walk with Jesus, 
 
 Never faltering by the way. 
 Till we reach the heavenly city 
 
 In the light of endless day. 
 1903. 
 
 WORK AND WAIT 
 
 The sower when 'his seed is sown 
 
 Must wait full many a night and day 
 Ere he can reap the golden sheaves. 
 
 And for his toil receive his pay. 
 With hopeful heart he scatters first 
 
 The precious seed upon his fields, 
 Then waits, — and after many days 
 
 A rich reward his labor yields. 
 
 'What if the sower's faith should fail? 
 By giving way to doubts and fears. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 87 
 
 Should greedily withhold the seed 
 Because no quick result appears? 
 
 Or having sown, refuse to wait 
 The gradual growths from day to day, 
 
 Until the gladsome harvest time, 
 
 But reap his fields in 'blooming May? 
 
 Oh, what a folly, do you say? 
 
 And yet how oft are we inclined 
 To yield to silly doubts and fears, 
 
 And cease to work with willing mind. 
 Or, having done our Master's work, 
 
 Because no quick result appears. 
 Our faithless hearts refuse to wait. — 
 
 We murmur and repine in tears. 
 
 The noblest work that we can do 
 
 Earns not for us a home above ; 
 They also serve who stand and wait, — 
 
 Whose hearts repose in faith and love. 
 A restful faith at Jesus' feet 
 
 His smile of sweet approval finds, 
 Whilst self-imposed and toilsome care 
 
 The soul to earth's corruption binds. 
 
 But 'tis a glorious privilege 
 
 To labor for our Master here 
 Whilst waiting for the promises 
 
 Of rest beyond this earthly sphere; — 
 A land of love, that better land — 
 
 A never-ceasing blissful state; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Then faint not, O ye weary ones, 
 But learn to labor and to wait. 
 
 GOD OWNS ALL THINGS 
 
 How prone we are to call the many things our 
 own 
 Which God has kindly lent us for our use: 
 Forgetting that we're wholly on His bounty 
 thrown, 
 We oft His higher claims and rights abuse. 
 God owns all things, and as He spreads His gifts 
 around 
 Each crowds and struggles for the largest sliare, 
 Unmindful that the weaker ones are trodden down. 
 Or that the poor are robbed beyond repair. 
 
 I 
 To God in truth belongs the wealth of land and 
 
 sea; 
 He causes all ,'Earth's fields to yield their store. 
 The treasures of the mine and deep are His, while 
 we 
 As suppliants for a pittance must implore. 
 God owns all things. Yea, man is but a tenant 
 here. 
 And cannot truly own a rood of soil. 
 The pauper's portion with the millionaire 
 Is food and clothing gained by care or toil. 
 
 Earth's riches are but ours to hold in trust 
 Until the Master calleth for the same: 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 89 
 
 To use 'but not to heap where moth and rust 
 
 Will witness 'gainst the faithless steward's name. 
 God owns all things and none are rich but those 
 who know 
 The goodness, peace, and mercy of our Lord: 
 Who've cast their cares on Him from whom all 
 blessings flow, 
 And live obedient to His Holy Word. 
 
 Vain man ! When wilt thou cease to boast thyself 
 as though 
 
 Thy wealth were sure and thy possessions great? 
 Thou dost not even own a breath of air, and lo. 
 
 In one short hour may vanish thy estate. 
 God owns all things. 'Tis folly then for mortal 
 man 
 
 To place his trust in things that pass away; 
 Far better yield obedience to Jehovah's plan, 
 
 And recognize the rightful Owner's sway. 
 
 O tyrant man! Why still thy fellow man enslave. 
 
 Usurping powers that are not thine to hold.^ 
 God will require of thee the precious soul He gave, 
 
 How sad if then that soul for power was sold! 
 God owns all things. — O civil magistrates refrain 
 
 From causing needless suffering in your land; 
 Nor prostitute your lawful power for selfis'h gain 
 
 If you before the throne of God would stand. 
 
90 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Self-righteous man, when wilt thou cease to cramp 
 and bind 
 The conscience of thy humble fellow man? 
 Czars, popes, and priests who'd rule the souls of 
 men will find 
 That faith in God survives a human ban. 
 God owns all things. — Each child of God belongs 
 to Him 
 Who gave it life and guides it on t'he way: 
 Though they may flee before their persecutors 
 grim 
 God will sustain and keep them safe alway. 
 
 The talent that has been entrusted to our care 
 
 Do we improve the same from day to day? 
 Or murmur we because perhaps a larger share 
 
 Was given to a friend across the way? 
 God owns all things. — This truth should be more 
 widely known, 
 
 And for His gifts more grateful should we be: 
 Be faithful stewards that when He calleth for His 
 own 
 
 It then may be returned with usury. 
 1875. 
 
 I Cor. 3:21,22. 
 
 Accepted as the Bride of Christ, God's Son, we see 
 All things through Him to us are given too: 
 
 The Present and the Future — all eternity — 
 Belongs to those who are God's children true. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 91 
 
 Joint-heirs with Christ, yes, members of God*s 
 family ! 
 How wonderful, how strange, and yet how true: 
 All things are ours: for while our Father's love 
 abides 
 His bounty will supply us day by day ; 
 And mansions in His glorious kingdom Christ pro- 
 vides 
 When transitory things have passed away. 
 1916. 
 
 'BY FAITH YE STAND" 
 
 (H Cor. 1 :24.) 
 
 The just shall live 
 By faith ; and without faith no man can ever 
 Please Him who holdeth in His hands the issues 
 Of Life and Death. Who measures out the present 
 And the future, not in reward for actions 
 Transient, but as an Allwise Judge who seeth 
 And comprehendcth all the inner motives 
 That rule the outer life. 
 
 By faith they stand 
 
 Who throug^h the cleansing 'blood of Christ their 
 Savior 
 
 Hay€ fouttd their souli' salvation, full and com- 
 plete. 
 
 No longer have they need of glittering armor; 
 
 No more do they rely on human prowess; 
 
92 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 No vile and bloody engine of destruction 
 Is worthy of their trust. 
 
 They now detest 
 All heathen means and low barbarous customs 
 Descended through the darkened lapse of ages, 
 And even yet accepted by all nations, 
 Which cause vain man to place his trust in armies, 
 In ranks of mortals trained for human slaughter; 
 In ships of war, in frowning walls and cannon; 
 In many fearful engines of destruction 
 As though they were his gods! 
 
 Shall we be found 
 'Mong those who trust in human power, 
 Setting aside the claims of Him who sayeth, 
 ''Vengeance is mine; I will repay," — as rebels 
 Refuse to listen to the will of heaven ; 
 E'en trample under foot the words of Jesus, 
 And close our hearts against His Holy Spirit, 
 And stain our hands with human blood? 
 Not such, O Lord, have been thy wise instructions 
 To those who seek to follow in thy footsteps. 
 Then lift your eyes, O faithless generation. 
 And mark the words of ancient holy prophets 
 Is not earth's peaceful age of which they've spoken 
 Well nigh at hand? Was jt in vain Christ suffered 
 Man to redeem that here might be accomplished 
 The will of God e'en as 'tis done in. heaven? 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 93 
 
 < 
 Kind reader search 
 
 And ponder well the many pure ensamples 
 Recorded by Christ's own devout apostles, 
 And tell me then what is the Christian's refuge 
 When foes arise and fearful dangers threaten? 
 Can he repose his confidence in armies, 
 Or place his trust in skillful men's devices, 
 Ignore God's will and all that's pure and lovely, 
 'Giving full scope to all his baser passions. 
 That he may slay his enemies in battle 
 E'en as the God-less heathen do? 
 
 'Tis founded not — 
 This doctrine pure of Christ-like non-resistance, 
 On cold indifference to the claims of justice, 
 But on the fact that there is One above us, 
 A righteous Judge, Divine, All-wise, All-knowing, 
 Whose honor's pledged to see that perfect justice 
 In His own time is meted out to every one. 
 God's children here are not left unprotected 
 Since heaven itself stands ready to defend them. 
 No more can they depend on carnal weapons, 
 Nor have they need of warlike preparations. 
 For mightier are the weapons of their warfare 
 Throug^h God, their sole and never-failing refuge: 
 Demolishing the strongholds of all evil. 
 And bringing to subjection every passion 
 Till every thought shall render due obedience 
 To Christ the Holy One. 
 
94 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES PEACE*^ 
 
 God's Holy prophets long foretold 
 
 That cruel wars must cease — 
 That Christ the Shep'herd for his fold, 
 
 'Would bring a reign of peace : 
 When men would walk in the light of the Lord, 
 And no more desire to life up the sword : 
 When none need quake at the fierce battle's roar, 
 For nations should not learn war any more, 
 
 But follow the paths of peace. 
 
 List to the song of Bethlehem, 
 
 The joyful sound prolong; 
 Lo! "On earth peace, good will toward men,'' 
 
 This was the angel's song. 
 When the Prince of Peace, our Savior was 'born,. 
 To proclaim that peaceable kingdom's morn. 
 
 The gospel of peace He freely revealed, 
 
 Yea, with His own blood His Testament sealed. 
 
 To redeem the world from wrong. 
 
 What were the doctrines He did preach? 
 What saith His holy Word? 
 
 ♦This poem was written while the author was a "shut- 
 in" invalid. He was unable even to sit up in his bed* 
 while writing, and for three years unable to walk: 
 across his room. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 95 
 
 Did Jesus His disciples teach 
 
 To wield the hloady sword? 
 O no; but he said they should bless and love 
 Their enemies, and be harmless as doves. 
 Christ, lowly in heart, meek, merciful, kind. 
 Left none but gracious examples behind: — 
 
 So we should follow the Lord. 
 
 No law of peace you'll find so good, 
 
 Seardhing the wide world through, 
 As, Do to others as you would 
 
 That they should do to you. 
 All those who will search the Scriptures can see, 
 That true disciples we never can be, 
 Unless we possess Christ's Spirit which leads 
 Us now to repay men's evil deeds, 
 
 With deeds that are good and true. 
 
 He came to save the lives of men, 
 
 Then why should we destroy? 
 When men accept Christ's Spirit, then 
 
 They'll find true peace and joy. 
 He told His disciples to "Put up the sword," 
 He taught by his deeds as well as his word. 
 The Author of peace — he taught us to pray 
 For our enemies too, but not to slay, — 
 
 To forgive and not destroy. 
 
 Mow can men be so blind in this 
 Clear peaceful gospel light. 
 
96 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 As to believe and say, It is 
 
 The Christian's legal right 
 To forge the instruments of carnal strife, 
 And learn the fiendish art of taking life! 
 With sword and gun join in the mad aff ray- 
 To kill his fellow men in every way — 
 
 May God save us from this sight! 
 
 Come, blessed time, seen from afar 
 
 By holy seers of old, 
 When none shall sanction deeds of war 
 
 Within the Christian fold. 
 Oh, When shall appear the glorious day, 
 When carnage and strife shall have passed away?' 
 When all men on earth love the Prince of peace,.. 
 And obey his Gospel — then wars will cease, 
 
 'Tis the hope we firmly hold. 
 
 Lord, cleanse us now from every thought 
 
 Of violence and strife; 
 Help us to serve thee as we ought, 
 
 And live a peaceful life. 
 We pray t'hee to cause all rulers and kings 
 To humble themselves, and follow the things 
 That cherish sweet peace :^to obey thy word;: 
 Forever to stay the murderous sword. 
 
 And cease from carnal strife. 
 
 1874. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 97 
 
 "SWEAR NOT AT ALL" 
 
 ''Swear not at all." Thus taught the Son 
 Of God, the pure and holy One, 
 Whose words with truth are ever rife; 
 Who for a ransom gave His life — 
 Man to restore from Adam's fall — 
 Yes, Jesus said, "Swear not at all." 
 
 "Swear not at all." In times of old 
 Before Christ came truth to unfold. 
 Oaths were allowed, and men would bind 
 Themselves with solemn vows to find 
 Their perjured souls could not o'bey, 
 But Jesus taught a better way : 
 
 Swear not at all, whate'er you do, 
 Oaths cannot make your words more true. 
 Speak words of promise with a "y^^>" 
 And when denying answer, "nay;" 
 But keep your lips from words profane, 
 They come of evil and are vain. 
 
 "Swear not at all," said Christ, and James, 
 
 His true disciple, too, proclaims 
 
 The same divine command, for, see, 
 
 "Above all things swear not," said he. — 
 
 And are not here forbidden both 
 
 The statesman's and t'he ruffian's oath? 
 
98 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 "Swear not at all" includes all kinds 
 Of oaths, and how the swearer finds 
 A way to reconcile his word 
 With these plain teachings of our Lord 
 I know not, for to great and small 
 Comes ttiis command, "Swear not at all." 
 
 ''Swear not at all." Then while we live 
 O let us due obedience give 
 To this command, so firm and plain. 
 No "legal oaths" or words profane 
 From Christian lips should ever fall 
 Since Jesus said, "Swear not at all." 
 
 COUNT THE BLESSINGS 
 
 Count the blessings, count the 'blessings 
 
 That are sent thee from above ; 
 Pass not lightly o'er thy comforts ; 
 
 Notice every gift of love. 
 Mark each lovely, green oasis 
 
 Strewn along life's desert way; 
 Do not 'borrow future sorrow: 
 
 Count the blessings of today. 
 
 See t'he many scenes of beauty 
 Spread around thee everywhere: 
 
 Fruitful plains, majestic mountains, 
 All do show the Master's care. 
 
 Luscious fruits and cooling fountains 
 Ready for the wants of man: 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 9^ 
 
 Count the blessings all around fhee, — 
 Canst thou all their numbers scan: 
 
 Think of all the untold blessings 
 
 Clustered round our homes today; 
 Think of friends and precious kindred 
 
 Sent to cheer us on our way. 
 And though earthly ties be broken, .••-j 
 
 And our fondest hopes decay, ♦ •-' 
 
 Count them blessings, hearts to soften^ 
 
 Leading us from earth away. 
 
 'Tis the humble Christian's duty J 
 
 To proclaim the gifts of God; 
 And to thank the blessed Giver 
 
 Though He send the chastening rod : 
 For our trials, too, are blessings — 
 
 Richest blessings in disguise — 
 Then cheer up, my weary brother, 
 
 And no longer droop thine eyes ! 
 
 Let us note each daily blessing; 
 
 Thus we may each other cheer 
 While upon our upward journey, 
 
 Until Caanan's shores appear. 
 Count the blessings, count the blessings; 
 
 Garner up the precious store. 
 And we'll find we have good reasons 
 
 To rejoice for evermore! 
 1873. 
 
100 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 FEET WASHING* 
 
 (Spiritual Signification of the Ordinance) 
 
 All ordinances have their place, 
 
 Yet outward form alone 
 Can never bring true happiness, 
 
 Nor for mistakes atone. 
 The substance we must truly first discern 
 Ere we can fully from the shadow turn, — 
 The meaning of Christ's solemn question learn : 
 
 "Know ye what I have done?" 
 
 What does it mean to us today? 
 
 What do we find therein? 
 A foot-sore brother needs our help — 
 
 Where should our work begin? 
 The outward washing deeper things implieth, — 
 Truth sanctifies and he that truth denieth 
 Can have no part with Him whose blood supplieth 
 
 The remedy for sin. 
 
 See how the Highest One could stoop 
 The lowliest task to do ; 
 
 *The writer believes that every religious ordinance has a 
 spiritual signification. The disciples certainly knew 
 that their Lord and Master had washed their feet, 
 (literally), yet He questioned their understanding of 
 the meaning of that washing: "Know ye what I 
 have done to you?" And in concluding His explana- 
 tions and instructions, He said, "If ye know these 
 things" (the things I have taught you) "happy are 
 ye if ye do them." 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS loi 
 
 The Master fill the servant's place 
 
 To teach a lesson true: 
 No useful work nor hum'ble service can 
 Degrade the life of any Christian man; 
 Caste has no place in heaven's perfect plan, — 
 
 Where Love makes all things new^. 
 
 Our Lord and Master said that we 
 
 Should wash each other's feet. 
 The "natural man" may not perceive 
 
 Herein the truth complete. 
 Yet Jesus' words with truth are overflowing, 
 And lessons pure and warm therein are glowing — 
 *^Go cultivate the seeds I have been sowing — 
 
 Wash one another's feet." 
 
 The sinful soul must first be washed 
 
 In Jesus' precious blood 
 Ere he can claim the Christian's name — 
 
 Be reconciled with God. 
 He that is washed is clean then altogether, 
 And needeth but to wash his feet which, gather, 
 While trav'ling here, impurities which smother 
 
 That which is pure and good. 
 
 The fields that lie along our path 
 
 Grow tares as well as wheat. 
 And traces of the evil one 
 
 At every step we meet ; 
 *Mong pits and snares our journey oft requires 
 Stern vigilance, and oft the pilgrim tires 
 
102 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 By reason of the many rocks and briars 
 That wound his way-worn feet. 
 
 The Lord hath washed my sins away 
 
 And cleansed my heart, I know; 
 Should I deny this truth, I must 
 
 Deny my Savior too; 
 Yet while I try to shun the paths of evil 
 My feet are liable to slip ; the devil 
 At times doth cause me to be rude, uncivil — 
 
 What, brother, shall I do? 
 
 I would not travel here alone, 
 
 For fellowship is sweet; 
 The roads are roug^h and oft I find 
 
 My steps are indiscreet ; 
 But if I stumble in thy sight, — O brother, 
 Go not straightway and tell it to another, 
 But come to me and be in truth a brother; 
 
 O come and wash my feet! 
 
 Our blessed Savior said that we 
 
 Should wash each other's feet. 
 Thus we should help each other here 
 
 To do that which is meet. 
 None faultless are, but wliile we seek perfection, 
 Let none secrete their ways from truth's inspection, 
 Nor e'er despise a brother's mild correction. 
 
 But wash each other's feet. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 103 
 
 CHRISTMAS TIME 
 
 Time in its unceasing rounds 
 Brings again the sights and sounds 
 To our minds, which long ago 
 Filled men's hearts with joy or woe; 
 And as every season brings 
 To our mem'ry former things, 
 Holiest thoughts — themes most sublime 
 Are reserved for Christmas time. 
 
 ^'Merry Christmas," now we hear 
 Spoken from the heart to cheer 
 Every heart th-at gladly sings 
 W'hat the old, old story brings : 
 How the angel voices sweet 
 Filled the air with joy complete 
 When the Holy Child was given 
 To prepare our souls for heaven. 
 
 More than eighteen hundred years 
 With their streams of bitter tears 
 Fail to dim the truth which then 
 Brought sweet peace, — good will to men. 
 *'Peace on earth;" God willed it so; 
 Peace to all the world below: 
 Unto us His Son was given, 
 Bringing peace and joy from heaven. 
 
104 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Holy prop'hets who of old 
 The advent of Christ foretold 
 
 Bade mankind with joy to sing 
 Praises to the coming King. 
 How much more should we today ,- 
 Walking in Salvation's way — 
 Bid all nations, every clime, 
 To rejoice in "Christmas time." 
 
 ^te ftof)ltd)e ^otfdjnfh 
 
 „Srreben aiif ©rbcn!" iDoI)I moditen bie @ngel 
 ©i(f) freuen unb ftngen aU btcfe.§ gcfrf^a^; 
 
 ©ie froI)Ii(^fle 33otf(^aft bie je tear gef^rod)en 
 SSar eilenb berfiinbigt mit §alleliij[a! 
 
 ,,Srieben auf ©rbert!" — o! felige ©tunben: 
 
 ^alb fatten bie §trten ha§> ^inblein gefitnben 
 Sn SKinbeIn getDidtelt — in ^ernut befletbet, 
 Sm ^ri^^elein liegen, mit ©ottl^eit Berettet. 
 
 ^grteben auf ©rbenl" — ber ^etlanb gefommen 
 ©etn 3SoIf gu erlofen bon ©iinb' unb bom %ob; 
 
 3u reintgen aUe bie red^t gu il^n fommen, 
 Unb fie 3u befreien bon ©djmeraen unb 92ot. 
 
 „Srxeben auf ©rben!" ©ein teuereS Seben, 
 
 S)ie SBelt gu eriofen, l^at S^fuS gegeBen: — 
 Um un§> 3u betoal^ren, mit ©atan geftritten, — 
 Hm un§ au erf^aren, am ^reuge gelitten! 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 105 
 
 „Sneben Quf ©rben^" — er ift ^lufcrftanben, 
 ©etn Seiben ift iiber, fcin SSerf ift geton; 
 
 S)er giirft alter giirften, cr !)at iibertDunben; 
 Sa er Ifiat gebffnet bte I)immlti(^e 33a!)n. 
 
 „grteben ouf ©rben!" nun laffet un§ fingen, 
 
 2)ie frof)Iic^e SSorte, laffet fie flingen 
 Sn aEe SSelt Orten, bei ^ag unb bet dladjt, 
 ®enn ©^riftu§ fein gndbigeg SSer! 1:)at tioEbrac^t! 
 
 „Srieben auf ©rben!" — er ift ^tufgefaliren, 
 
 Hnb fi^et aU ^onig auf'm f)imntlifd)en X^von; 
 
 @ott ^at if)m gegeben ben l^errlidjften 9^amen, 
 S)enn er ift fein treuer unb eingiger ©ol^n. 
 
 „Srieben auf ©rben!" fein SSort ift gefd^rteben, 
 
 Unb felig biejen'ige ibie fidt) barin iilben. 
 3ule^t f)at ber §err and} ben Crofter gefenbet - 
 3u trbften ein jeber ber'§ ^erg gu xi)m tvexxbtt. 
 
 SSir toeifen fein 3SilIen, — ber SSeg ift bereit, 
 
 ^omnxt lafet un§ S&ttt folgen gur etoigen greub! 
 
 NEW YEAR REFLECTIONS 
 
 Another year is left behind; 
 
 Another twelve-month ended; 
 Entrusted to our care a while 
 
 But it was only lended. 
 Did we with care the past improve, 
 
 Or did we mar its beauty? 
 
io6 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 'Say, did we shirk the Master's work, 
 Or did we do our duty? 
 
 Our actions in the Book of time 
 
 Indelibly are recorded ; 
 What the result, — our works, should they 
 
 Be punished or rewarded? 
 The past can no more be recalled ; — 
 
 Each in the present liveth ; 
 The Future's in the hands of Him 
 
 Who justest verdict giveth. 
 
 The lesson of the Past is this: 
 
 Here we have tribulation 
 If we would stand then we must wear 
 
 The helmet of salvation. 
 Waste not our precious days and years 
 
 Merely in things external, 
 But heed the words of faithful Paul, 
 
 "Lay hold on life eternal." 
 
 Then we can praise our Savior still, — 
 
 Be joyful e'en in sorrow; 
 Not fearing what the Future brings, — 
 
 God careth for the morrow: 
 Forget those things that are behind, 
 
 The present Heaven sendeth; 
 Press on until we reach the goal, — 
 
 A year that never endeth. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 107 
 
 OUR HEAVENLY HOME 
 
 Our earthly life how incomplete ! 
 We daily part no more to meet 
 
 Our nearest, dearest friends below; 
 We form sweet friendships; then, alas, 
 To other scenes we quickly pass. 
 
 And other faces learn to know. 
 
 What joy to meet true friends of yore; 
 But soon we part to meet no more 
 
 In this our weary pilgrimage. 
 Companionships we deemed most true 
 Dissolve and quickly fade from view, — 
 
 Alone the wars of life we wage. 
 
 Dear ones whose hearts are knit to ours, 
 Who've stood by us in darkest hours, 
 
 Who've shared our ev'ry joy and pain, 
 By death are rudely snatched away — 
 Vain all our tears — they cannot stay, 
 
 Where are they now? we seek in vain. 
 
 A few more days or years at most 
 Then all the good of w'hich we boast 
 
 In earth-life's strange uncertain race. 
 Is left behind, — we pass away 
 Like grass that withers in a day. 
 
 While others haste to take our place. 
 
io8 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 And is this all of life there is? 
 Is man's grand destiny in this 
 
 Chaotic term of broken parts? 
 Must pure affection's sweetest ties 
 A spectre prove to tantalize 
 
 And blast the hopes of trusting hearts? S 
 
 Ah no; thank God, that blissful shore, 
 Where loved ones meet to part no more, 
 
 Is not a poet's idle dream! — 
 Beyond this life of sighs and tears 
 A home of endless joy appears — 
 
 Life's source itself, a crystal stream. 
 
 i 
 
 There endless joy and bliss complete 
 Are realized by those who meet 
 
 Around God's throne to sing His praise; 
 There all whom Christ has cleansed and freed 
 From every sinful thought and deed 
 
 Will meet and happy be always. 
 
 Then shall life's mysteries be revealed, 
 And many things to us now sealed 
 
 Made plain in heav'n's eternal day. 
 With thankful hearts we then shall know 
 Our sorest trials here below 
 
 Were sent to teach God's perfect way. 
 
 True saints in glory there shall reign, 
 And friends long parted meet again 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS lo? 
 
 To live in love and rest in peace. 
 There none shall feel or see a tear; 
 There every thought of grief or fear 
 
 Is lost in joys that never cease. 
 
 O ! blessed hope — Christ's loved ones all 
 Shall meet in peace — no party v^all 
 
 Can be erected on that shore. 
 With Jesus there v^^e'll be at home 
 Where pain and sickness never come, 
 
 And death is banished evermore. 
 
 Sv^eet heavenly home, prepared for all 
 Who now accept the Savior's call, 
 
 And live c^bedient to God's v^ord. 
 O glorious thought, from death to rise 
 On angel v^ings to mount the skies 
 
 And be forever with the Lord! 
 
 PASSING ON 
 
 Upon Life's stage we enter one by one, 
 
 To take the place of others who've passed on 
 
 To other fields of labor, or to find 
 
 Things hidden from the finite human mind, 
 
 Beyond the veil that hides the Future's face, 
 
 From whence no traveler may his steps retrace. 
 
 The Past was theirs, the Present is our own; 
 
 We live, but not unto ourselves alone, 
 
no POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 For others all around us come and go 
 Whose lives we ever touch for weal or woe; 
 We meet, we act, and then we, too, pass on — 
 We meet and then pass on. 
 
 In memory's secret chambers, held in store, 
 Are treasures rare o'er which our minds oft pore; 
 Remembrances of those our hearts hold dear, 
 Whose forms no more before our eyes appear, 
 Since they've passed on to that vast unknown 
 
 bourne 
 From whence no traveler ever may return. 
 Brief was their stay, their earthly race is run; 
 Bequeathed to us the work Which they've begun; 
 The burdens they have laid aside are ours ; 
 We take their place a few short days or hours 
 To labor in the Present time — ^the Past is gone — 
 And then we, too, pass on. 
 
 Pass on to where? What is our destiny? 
 And what our portion in eternity? 
 Is life a dream, and may we never know 
 .From whence we came and whither we shall go? 
 lS[o, Life is real, and faith in things divine 
 Heav'ns light reveals — d. radiant light to shine 
 -Along our way, (dispelling doubts and fears,) 
 Which brighter grows with passing days and years. 
 Until with joy we yield to those who come 
 To take our place, since now we know at home, 
 In heaven we'll meet beloved ones passed on, 
 j\nd nevermore pass on. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 MISUNDERSTOOD 
 
 Misunderstood? Your actions misconstrued? 
 Your plainest words fail to convey 
 Just what you mean and try to say? 
 
 Discouraged quite, you now almost conclude 
 To 'hold your peace and go your way? 
 
 Misunderstood? Consider, friend; can you 
 Always perceive what other men 
 Would say to you by voice or pen? 
 
 And when you would their sentiments review,. 
 Rightly repeat the "same again ? 
 
 Misunderstood? Earth's only perfect Man^. 
 
 Who taught by words and actions too. 
 
 Was crucified because so few 
 Could understand : men failed to see the plarr 
 
 And purpose that He had in view. 
 
 i 
 How true it is, we only "know in part." 
 
 But what we know of truth and rig^t 
 
 We must declare as in God's sight, 
 Let come w'hat will ; the honest, upright heart 
 
 Dare not conceal its highest light. 
 1915. 
 
112 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 OPPOSED TO EDUCATION 
 
 Opposed to education? 
 
 You know not what you say. 
 You call t'hat education 
 
 Which leads some minds astray 
 Where skepticism welcomes 
 
 The "higher critic's" blight, 
 And men seek ease of conscience 
 
 By shutting out the light ! 
 
 A puffing up with knowledge 
 
 Is not to educate: 
 An empty bag looks bigger 
 
 If wind its folds inflate. 
 No, education proper 
 
 Is not a filling in, 
 'Much more a growth and training 
 
 Of faculties within. 
 
 To educate the muscles 
 
 Develops working power 
 And skillful manual laborers 
 
 Are needed every hour. 
 The physical unguided 
 
 By mental powers trained 
 Is but a brutal menace 
 
 Of evil unrestrained. 
 
 And mental education. 
 Legitimate and real. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS iij 
 
 Must likewise still be subject 
 
 To heaven's higher ideal : 
 The lower to the higher 
 
 Must ever yield control 
 To gain true peace and order 
 
 'Tween body, mind, and soul. 
 
 Thus harmony established 
 
 The faculties of man 
 Can work in sweet accordance 
 
 With heaven's perfect plan. 
 Hence education proper 
 
 Can only be complete 
 When all our gifts and talents 
 
 Creation's purpose meet. 
 
 Opposed to education? 
 
 Ah, no; but you may be 
 Opposed to your conception — 
 
 To what your mind can see. 
 Then educate your talents, 
 
 And gain a 'broader view, — 
 Be able to distinguish 
 
 Between the false and true. 
 
 S^tember 2, 1915. 
 
114 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 WAR 
 
 War; who can tell in language plain 
 Just what it is and does and how 
 Those who engage therein can prove 
 Themselves as fully justified; 
 Or reasons give that satisfy 
 The logical, unbiased mind, 
 When all the evidence is giv'n, 
 Both pro and con? 
 
 The school hoy sees 
 How veterans of former wars 
 Are praised and lauded to the skies. 
 And in the hooks that help to mold 
 His plastic mind for good or ill. 
 He reads how men in former days 
 Won great renown on bloody fields 
 Of war by slaying fellow men; 
 Yea, history's pages honoring those 
 Whose hands were stained with human blood 
 Far more than godly men who lived 
 To bless and save their fellow men 
 From sin and all its miseries. 
 
 The young man sees 
 A gorgeous picture on the wall 
 With glowing and seductive words 
 Portraying army life: A life of ease. 
 Freed from restraints and cares of home; 
 With rations fine and steady pay; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 115 
 
 Tfomotion sure with 'honors great. 
 Encamped with jolly comrades now, 
 Then roving over lands and seas 
 To see the world without expense 
 Clad in fine raiment that commands 
 Respect from all he meets. 
 
 Perchance he sees 
 A grand procession on the street 
 With silken banners waving high 
 .And glittering weapons proudly borne 
 By stalwart soldiers keeping step 
 To martial music's siren call — 
 To piercing fife and rattling drum 
 That fill the air, and thrill the soul; 
 Deluding" youthful eyes and ears 
 With wild appeals to honors great 
 Of valor and renown. 
 
 These things serve as a mask 
 To hide the hideous face of war : 
 As artful snares or subtle schemes 
 To blind the noble and the brave 
 Until they yield themselves as slaves 
 To serve the god of war; as willing slaves 
 To serve the cruel god of war. 
 
 From whence come wars? 
 From evil passions in the heart; 
 From lust of power; from greed of gain; 
 .From pride that will not brook restraint; 
 
ii6 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 From jealousy; from hatred vile 
 That seeks revenge for fancied wrongs^ 
 And scorns submission to a just 
 And righteous Judge. 
 
 Where national life is honey-combed 
 
 And weakened by these germs of death, 
 
 A tiny spark will quickly spread 
 
 Into a roaring holocaust. 
 
 War's fever strikes officials high 
 
 And courses through the nation's veins; 
 
 Crowned rulers lightly cast aside 
 
 The solemn treaties they have made 
 
 To honor and respect the rights 
 
 Of other nations everywhere. 
 
 Yea, sacred pledges now are but 
 
 As "paper scraps" flung to the wind. 
 
 A call goes forth, 'To arms ! to arms ! 
 
 Arise, defend the fatherland!" 
 
 A change comes o'er the soldier's dreams; 
 
 No more his life a dress parade; 
 
 His manhood sold — war's dupes and slaves 
 
 A million strong are hurled against 
 
 Another nation's millions who 
 
 Likewise, defend their fatherland. 
 
 All fight to save their fatherland ! 
 
 Now heaven's command, *Thou shalt not kill,**' 
 Becomes a "scrap of paper" too; 
 All Christian virtues must be crushed; 
 The sense of right and wrong ignored, 
 And Love replaced by Hate. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 117 
 
 With such conditions, how 
 Shall mortal man describe the scene 
 Or pen portray the hellish work 
 On battle fields where cannons pour 
 A metal hail that mows the ranks 
 Of thousands in a moment's time; 
 Where bursting shells rend earth and sky 
 And fast repeating rifles hurl 
 Death-dealing missiles everywhere, 
 Until the ground is thickly strewn 
 With mangled human forms ; Yea heaps on heaps 
 The dead and wounded mingled lie, 
 While shrieks and groans of dying men 
 Find echo in their far-off homes 
 In widow's moans and orphans' wails 
 With none to comfort or console. 
 
 O horrid monster War ! 
 In vain would we enumerate 
 The crimes committed in thy name. 
 Satan himself could scarcely boast 
 Infernal schemes of wider range: 
 Thy dreadful dreadnaughts threaten all 
 Who dare oppose them on the seas; 
 'Neath ocean waves and in the air 
 As well as on the fruitful land 
 Thy instruments of death combine 
 To ruin and destroy the works 
 Of peace and smiling industry. 
 Cathedrals built to worship God 
 Cannot escape thy wrath. The homes 
 
ii8 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Of poverty and wealth alike 
 With fire and sword ithou dost assail. 
 Disease and death thy handmaids are, 
 And famine follows in thy wake. 
 
 Whate'er the ravages of war, 
 Or whence the victor's shouts may rise, 
 How diverse the effect must be 
 In spiritual realms w'here all the powers 
 Of good and evil stand unmixed, 
 Each by itself eternally; 
 While heaven's holy angels weep 
 Hell's demons dance in ghoulish glee! 
 From war, Lord, save us evermore! 
 Jan., 1915. 
 
 RIGHT TRIUMPHANT* 
 
 "This world is growing worse," you say; 
 
 "It's wickedness hath frightful grown; 
 The good old days have passed away, 
 The evil days are coming on." 
 
 Some say 'tis worse than e'er before! 
 For man a curse must be in store! 
 
 Please hold, my friends, your words mislead. 
 Reflect a moment — for 'tis plain, 
 
 *The writer does not claim to understand all "unfulfilled 
 prophecy;" and he does not pretend to be able to 
 explain just how and when the "Millennium" will be 
 brought about; but he does believe that all the 
 promises in God's Word will some time and in some 
 way be literally fulfilled. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 119 
 
 If what you say is true indeed 
 
 Then Christ our Savior died in vain : 
 Man to reclaim and save from sin 
 Christ Jesus came — can He not win? 
 
 God loved the world and gave His Son 
 
 To save mankind from sin and death; 
 The work of grace long since begun 
 Progresses still at every hreath. 
 
 In God's own time earth shall be freed 
 From every crime and sinful deed. 
 
 You say the world increases more 
 In wickedness and fearful crimes; 
 Look back, my friends, to days of yore, 
 Compare our own with former times : 
 Read hist'ry's page, for there 'tis shown 
 No brighter age was ever known. 
 
 Would you exchange our present days 
 
 For those in which brave Stephen died? 
 At once conform to Jewish ways 
 Or else be stoned or crucified? 
 Would you prefer old Jewish laws 
 To modern courts with all their flaws? 
 
 Would you give up your books and schools 
 
 And live in ignorance as slaves? — 
 Submit to bloody Nero's rules 
 
 Or find in beasts of prey your graves? 
 
120 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Which would you choose, Rome's ancient 
 
 power 
 Or freedom of the present hour? 
 
 Again, would you go back to live 
 
 In days when inquisitions throve, 
 And at the stake be tburned alive 
 
 Because the Christian faith you love? 
 Or if to die you courage lack 
 Your faith deny upon the rack? 
 
 Or tell me, please, would you prefer * 
 
 The "good old days" of feudal power 
 When trials by fire "good customs" were, 
 And every homestead reared its tower? 
 When lands and laws were held by lords 
 Who plead their cause with spears and 
 swords ? 
 
 And yet again, would you exchange 
 
 Our present times for others when 
 Dark superstitions — witchcraft strange — 
 Formed the belief of many men? — 
 
 When women were both hung and drown'd 
 Although no crime in them was found? 
 
 True, there are evils in our age 
 
 Which all true Christians must deplore, 
 
 'Gainst which good men are called to wage 
 A Christian warfare as of yore; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS I2i 
 
 But truth is strong and must prevail, — 
 God's righteous purpose cannot fail. 
 
 Immortal light is breaking throug'h 
 
 Since Jesus' resurrection hour; 
 Improved conditions here are due 
 
 To our Redeemer's wondrous power. 
 Whoever then denies the same 
 His words defame the Savior's name. 
 
 Not Evolution's utmost height 
 Nor Culture's brightest aim 
 Can Earth restore from Satan's blight 
 Or man from sin reclaim. 
 The Judge of all the Earth alone 
 Knows when and how His work is done. 
 
 Thoug'h Evil may predominate, 
 
 Or for a time prevail, 
 Good can await the ultimate. — 
 God's triumph cannot fail : 
 His over-ruling power can 
 Bring praise e'en through the wrath of man. 
 
 And truly grateful should we be 
 
 That we are living in a time 
 When men to worship God are free, 
 
 Which proves the Gospel's march sublime: 
 And onward still the ages run 
 Till God's own will on earth is done. 
 
122 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 As we look back to ages past, 
 
 And shudder at man's darkened days 
 So men in future times will cast 
 A look on our "enlightened ways," — 
 Surprised indeed that Christians could 
 In battle shed each other's blood! 
 
 Each changing season nearer brings 
 
 The blissful time which shall restore 
 Our race from all its wanderings, 
 
 Wihen feuds and wars shall be no more,- 
 When Satan and his hosts are slain 
 And Love sublime alone shall reign. 
 
 Sectarian strife must be o'erthrown, — 
 
 Religious controversies cease. 
 One Shepherd and one flock alone 
 Shall dwell upon the earth in peace. 
 All nations fall before God's throne ; 
 Earth's kingdoms all become His own ! 
 
 WHAT IS TRUE GREATNESS? 
 
 The world has pointed to her heartless conquerors, 
 To those who ruined States themselves to ele- 
 vate. 
 Whose life-work formed a long and bloody list of 
 wars, 
 And praised their wicked deeds and called then? 
 great. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 123 
 
 And shall we now, \Vho love the Blessed Prince of 
 
 Peace, 
 
 Look with indifference on this shameful wrone? 
 
 Nor raise our voices 'till such misplaced praise 
 
 shall cease, 
 
 And deeds of blood be placed where they belong? 
 
 'Shall we bestow high honors on the sons of Mars 
 Who plunge the world in anarchy and crime? 
 
 The pure whose actions teach the world to cease 
 from wars, 
 They shall be honored to the end of time. 
 
 No Alexander shall our hearty praises win, 
 Nor do we covet bloody Caesar's fame; 
 
 But those whose noble aim shall be to conquer sin, 
 They only shall receive a glorious name. 
 
 True greatness lieth not in killing fellow men; 
 
 No ! let the world her verdict now unsay : 
 The greatest One this world has ever seen — 
 
 His mission was to save and not to slay. 
 
 The truly great are those whose faith ne'er waxeth 
 dim 
 
 When trials come and Satan's wiles molest; 
 Who murmur not but faithfully abide in Him, 
 
 Who leads them on to victory and rest. 
 
124 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 The humble soul that can his brother's wrongs for- 
 give, 
 And follow still his Master's footsteps when 
 Scorned and despised by those who for vainglory 
 live, 
 Deserves a name among the greatest men. 
 
 i 
 And no more shall we call that human being great 
 
 'Wthose glory is in 'battle men to slay. 
 But holy men, whose hearts are free from sinful 
 hate, 
 Will find a name that cannot pass away. 
 
 THE QUAKER MAIDEN'S LAMENT; 
 
 or, 
 
 THE CRUEL WORK OF WAR 
 
 Founded on an incident that occurred in North 
 Carolina during the American Civil War. 
 
 The cruel work of War 
 
 'I never can forget, 
 For life was bright and full of light 
 
 'Before my sun had set. 
 
 But now I'm all alone. 
 
 My life is full of fears, 
 For I have here no mother dear 
 
 To kiss away my tears. 
 
 My father too is gone. 
 He was so good and kind; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 125 
 
 He taught me to be kind and true, — 
 
 God's holy Book to mind. 
 
 And often he would read 
 
 What Christ has said and done, — 
 "Twas not His will that we should kill 
 
 Or injure any one. 
 
 But cruel soldiers came 
 
 And bound my father dear 
 They took him from our happy home, — 
 
 Then all was dark and drear. 
 
 When mother's sickness came 
 
 The doctor could not save; 
 The sexton said that she was laid 
 
 Within a pauper's grave. 
 
 The war is over now 
 
 But father has not come ; 
 The soldiers said that he was laid 
 
 Within a coward's tomb. 
 
 They say this wrong because 
 
 Dear father would not fight : 
 "Twas not his will at all to kill, — 
 
 He meant to do the right. 
 
 O have the soldiers then 
 No holy Book to read, 
 To teach them to be kind and true, 
 And shun each cruel deed? 
 You say they have the Book, — 
 It can not toe the same ; 
 
126 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 They could not do war's deeds I knovr 
 In Jesus' holy name! 
 
 Dear Savior, take my hand; 
 
 Keep, guide and comfort me. 
 I know I am thy little lamb; 
 
 O take me home to thee. 
 
 And then no more alone 
 
 An orphan sad I'll roam; 
 With parents dear and angels fair 
 
 I'll find a peaceful home. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S ONLY FOE; 
 A Reply to Ernst Lissauer's "Hymn of Hate** 
 
 (While the poem here referred to is generally known- 
 as "Germany's Hymn of Hate," it would evidently be 
 unjust to judge the whole German nation by the hasty 
 expression of one individual, especially since we are 
 told that the author himself now regrets that he wrote 
 it. On the other hand, while we may not all be able to- 
 make the sentiments embodied in "The Christians' Only 
 Foe" our own, no one will deny that the ideal Church 
 of Christ, judging by the teachings of the New Testa- 
 ment and the example of the primitvie Christians, caoii 
 never accept a lower standard.) 
 
 Whatever your race or country may be 
 We never shall act as your enemy. 
 You may treat us well, you may treat us ill,. 
 As your fellow men, we will love you still. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 127 
 
 War's cannon and swords we use them not — 
 ■*^A kiss for a blow/* but never a shot ! 
 As citizens of a heavenly state, 
 We have but one and only hate. 
 We love all men, we hate but one; 
 
 We have one foe, and one alone. 
 
 I 
 ) 
 
 "He's known to you all ; yes, known to you all ; 
 
 Full of envy and rage, of craft and gall. 
 
 Arch enemy of the whole human race, 
 
 IHe is doomed to stand at God's judgment place. 
 Come hear the word, repeat the word. 
 Throughout the world let it be heard : 
 We're pledged to fight our only foe. 
 Author of sin, of strife and of woe. 
 We love all men, we hate but one, 
 We have one foe and one alone — Satan! 
 
 'His aim is the good and the pure to slay 
 And capture the souls of men for his prey. 
 'Then listen, O people, wherever you stand, 
 'Whatever your language, nation or land : 
 
 All men must fig'ht our common foe 
 
 Or share his doom — eternal woe! 
 
 Then figlit not men with bronze and steel — 
 
 Let Cod His love in you reveal. 
 
 ^We love all men, we hate but one; 
 
 'We have one foe and one alone — ^Satan ! 
 
128 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 O mortals of earth, by Satan betrayed 
 Men rise against men, for 'battle arrayed. 
 As murderous foes, regarding not sin, 
 Forgetting the foe they harbor within ! 
 The only foe we're called to fight 
 Knows naught of Love, regards not Rig'ht. 
 We fight not men with bronze and steel, 
 But come with love your wounds to heal. 
 We love all men, we hate but one ; 
 We have one foe and one alone — Satan? 
 
 V 
 
 Our God will avenge the wrongs we endure 
 While faithful we labor and pray for the poor 
 Weak mortals who think themselves mighty and 
 
 strong, 
 And able to judge and avenge every wrong. 
 
 For vengeance or for worldly gain 
 
 No 'human blood our hands shall stain. 
 
 We kill not men in carnal strife, 
 
 But wish for all eternal life. 
 
 We love all men, we hate but one ; 
 
 We have one foe and one alone — Satan I 
 
 World-patriots we, one Sovereign Divine 
 
 Reigns over us all, no boundary line 
 
 With fortifications is needed to show 
 
 Whom to greet as a friend or to fight as a foe. 
 
 We sympathize with one and all, 
 
 In humblest cot or regal hall. 
 
 We fight not men to maim and kill. 
 
 But wish for all peace and good will. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 129 
 
 We love all men, we hate but one; 
 
 We have one foe and one alone — Satan ! 
 
 Dec, 1915. 
 
 Written at the time of the great .European War. 
 
 BE KIND TO THE LIVING 
 
 Be kind to the living-, be kind to the living, 
 
 Ere the cold clods of earth o'er their coffins are 
 spread, — 
 To those that are near thee be mild and forgiving 
 
 But waste not thy flattering words on the dead. 
 Be kind to the living. Why heap with abuse 
 
 Poor, sensitive, suffering mortals, I pray, — 
 And then load them with praise as soon as they 
 lose 
 
 The power of hearing a word that you say! 
 
 Be kind to the living; let wrongs be forgiven 
 
 While those who have injured thee stand by thy 
 side: 
 Sweet words of forgiveness, oh let them be given 
 
 Ere the penitent soul has crossed the dark tide. 
 Be kind to the living; high tombstones can ne'er 
 
 Make amends for harsh treatment bestowed in 
 the past; 
 Nor eulogies grandest atone for the sneer, 
 
 Or word of derision in mem'ry held fast. 
 
 Be kind to the living. Earth's flowers v^^ere given 
 To comfort and brighten our pilgrimage here; 
 
I30 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 'When earth-life's exchanged for hades or heaven 
 
 Too late then to deck with flowers the bier. 
 Sweet flowers of kindness earth's burdens will 
 lighten 
 If daily their fragrance is breathed in the air; 
 Then leave not unspoken the word that may- 
 brighten 
 A life that is clouded with gloom and despair 
 
 No matter v^hat others are doing or saying, 
 
 'Be kind while thy friends yet around thee are 
 seen ; 
 When life has departed and forms are decaying 
 
 They'll give thee no thanks for thy sorrow, I 
 ween. 
 Be kind to the living wherever you go, 
 
 Death to thee then will lose one-half of its dread; 
 For no tears of remorse in bitterness flow 
 
 Where love is the motive by which men are led. 
 
 OUR COUNTRY'S SHAME 
 
 An evil great abideth here, 
 
 In this God-favored nation ; 
 A baneful thing ; both far and near 
 
 It spreadeth devastation : 
 A tyrant reigns, and thousands bow 
 
 In 'slavish subjugation 
 While chains are forged whereby they're dragged 
 
 To vilest degradation. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 131 
 
 With shameless face he stalks abroad, 
 
 A mocker by profession; 
 Defying God's most sacred laws, 
 
 A foe to man's progression. 
 He robs the poor, deludes and bribes 
 
 The highest functionary, — 
 His works declare he is in truth 
 
 The Devil's emissary. 
 
 This tyrant ruleth not alone, 
 
 He hath a willing ally 
 Who shareth his Satanic throne: 
 
 Together forth they sally. 
 A train of woes lies hard behind. 
 
 They give the kiss of treason. 
 Then pounce upon the sons of men 
 
 In an unguarded season. 
 
 King Alcohol, this tyrant's name, 
 
 Prince Nicotine, -his ally; . 
 
 Their work the same, their every aim 
 
 And tendency must tally, 
 They slowly lead their victims first 
 
 To bondage and submission, 
 Then hold them on the downward grade 
 
 That tendeth to perdition. 
 
 They blind the weak and stupefy 
 The brightest sons of learning; 
 
132 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 And at their shrine behold the wealth 
 And lives of millions burning! 
 
 The one supplieth fuel dry, 
 The other addeth fire, 
 
 Together then they feed the flames 
 And build the horrid pyre! 
 
 Hark! hearest thou the orphan's cry, 
 
 The widow's wail of sorrow. 
 As fathers, sons and husbands fall. 
 
 Pierced by Rum's fatal arrow? 
 Where is our boasted freedom now, 
 
 The hope of former ages? 
 While drunkard makers ply their trade 
 
 And share with us their wages ! 
 
 Arise ! O Church of God ! arise ; 
 
 With Christian weapons rally; 
 Dethrone the monster Alcohol 
 
 Nor spare his subtle ally. 
 And let your battle cry be heard 
 
 Resounding through the nation : 
 True Holiness unto the Lord, — 
 
 Man's real emancipation! 
 
 Pass customs old, scorn bribes of gold, 
 
 Spurn compromising offers ; 
 Let not immortal souls be sold 
 
 To fill the nation's coffers. 
 Not through the skill or power of man 
 
 Is vict'ry fully given, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 133 
 
 But by the Spirit of the Lord,- 
 Man in accord with Heaven. 
 1914. 
 
 THE LITTLE BROOKES SONG 
 
 "Tinkle-te-tinkle." What is it I hear? 
 
 A laughing wee brooklet, so sparkling and clear; 
 
 In sunshine and shadow it dances along 
 
 And ever keeps singing its cold-water song. 
 
 "Tinkle-te-tinkle," from the mountain it glides, 
 While ever and anon in a cavern it hides. 
 'Though rocks rise before it still onward right on 
 It ever keeps singing its cold water song. 
 
 Soon down in the meadow more softly it flows, 
 Where cowslips are blooming and green pasture 
 
 grows, 
 It pauses a while then again hurries on 
 To the tune of its merriest cold-water song. 
 
 "Tinkle-te-tinkle" to the ro'bin it sings 
 
 He hears its sweet voice, now he closes his wings ; 
 
 He stoops for a drink, again he is gone 
 
 But I hear his voice join in the cold-water song: 
 
 "Come drink all ye birdies 'tween the earth and 
 
 skies, 
 And man I invite to the fount where I rise, 
 
134 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Drink only pure water, 'be healthy and strong, 
 Then thank me you will for my cold-water song." 
 1872. 
 
 DEFY LIFE'S STORMS 
 
 Blow, winds, blow! 
 Bend ye the leafless trees. 
 Yea whistle through the tender twigs, 
 And cause the sap to freeze ! 
 
 Blow, winds, blow! 
 And sweep adown the street; 
 Blockade my path and fill my eyes, 
 With cruel snow and sleet ! 
 
 Howl, winds, howl ! 
 Howl 'round me as you will; 
 Though storms assail on every side, 
 I'll find true comfort still. 
 
 Roll, waves, roll ! 
 'Waves of affliction roll; 
 Ye may engulf my "earthly house," 
 Ye cannot quench my soul. 
 
 Rage, storms, rage! 
 And wear my frame to dust; 
 Despise me all ye "summer friends," 
 I have a higher trust. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 135 
 
 Fear not life's storms 
 But only do 'God's will; 
 'Storms lose their dread when Christ is near 
 To whisper ''peace be still." 
 Foes may arise, 
 And howling storms assail, 
 The star of hope breaks through the clouds, 
 See, truth and right prevail! 
 1875. 
 
 LIVING 
 
 Life spontaneous, full and free, 
 Rests not on the things we see. 
 What we gain and what we hold, 
 Purchased in earth's mart with gold. 
 Can not life's real worth enhance 
 Or its highest claims advance. 
 
 Springs of action hidden quite. 
 And unknown to human sight, 
 Wheels of daily living move 
 And for good or evil prove 
 Deeds that openly ap'pear 
 On life's Hial plain and clear. 
 
 Cares of life that fill the day 
 Leave no time to watch and pray. 
 'Great possessions heaping high 
 Selfish lusts to gratify — 
 
136 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 This is but a living death — 
 And a waste of life and breath. 
 
 Plants by growing life express ; 
 Men by doing faith confess. 
 By our faith we live or die 
 As life's days are going by. 
 By our actions, right or wrong, 
 Life we shorten or prolong. 
 
 As the sun by shining gives 
 Lig^ht to everything that lives, 
 If the life within is right, 
 We may be as rays of light 
 Unto others near and far 
 Just by livin'g what we are. 
 
 Li'fe is giving and we live 
 In proportion as we give 
 Unto others of our best — 
 Blessing others, we are blest: 
 Life abundant, full and free — 
 Living for eternity. 
 
 THE SIMPLE LIFE 
 
 We talk about the simple life, 
 And think we're very plain. 
 
 But if some simple little child 
 Should ask us to explain — 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 137 
 
 Tell how that simple life in us 
 
 By others may be seen — 
 We'd hesitate — and hardly know 
 
 Just what we really mean. 
 
 The Pharisee makes rigid rules 
 
 To keep himself "in line," 
 He substitutes for inward truth 
 
 Mere outward form — in fine, 
 He complicates the simplest things — 
 
 Does some "good work," and then 
 A trumpet sounds in order that 
 
 He may be seen of men. 
 
 By "putting on" we may appear 
 
 To be what we pretend; 
 Men may deceive and be deceived, 
 
 But God foresees the end. 
 'Tis plain we cannot live a life 
 
 That we do not possess ; 
 God sees and knows us as we are. 
 
 And not as we profess. 
 
 We read of One, despised of men, 
 
 A lowly Nazarene, 
 Who throug'h the common things of life 
 
 Made known the things unseen. 
 Along the shores of Galilee, 
 
 O'er hills, through verdant fields, 
 He walked and called attention to 
 
 The lessons nature yields. 
 
138 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 He points us do the lilies fair, 
 
 How they in beauty grow, 
 How e'en the 'birds, so free from care, 
 
 God's love and wisdom show: 
 No vain display or false pretense, 
 
 Just filling 'God's design 
 As sun and moon and twinkling stars 
 
 Exist and simply shine. 
 
 As little children we must be 
 
 In order that we may 
 Learn from our heavenly Teacher how 
 
 To walk the narrow way. 
 As little children, free from guile, 
 
 Seeking our Father's will, 
 Then, guided by His loving hand. 
 
 Creation's purpose fill. 
 
 The simple life t'hat Jesus lived 
 ' Was Truth personified. 
 
 Where real simplicity exists 
 
 Truth cannot be denied. 
 To talk of one's humility 
 
 Denotes the rankest pride ; 
 The plain and simple life has naught 
 '- To boast of or to hide. 
 
 Beyond compare, divinely fair. 
 The Truth, the Life, the Way; 
 
 The only Life that ever lived 
 Pure, open as the day. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 139 
 
 He spoke the words of life because 
 
 He was Himself the Word, 
 And with authority He taug'ht 
 
 Truths men had never heard. 
 
 How beautiful the simple life, 
 
 That Jesus lived and taught; ^ 
 
 Spontaneous doing of the right, 
 Without Law's must or ought. 
 
 His meat and drink to do God's will — 
 
 And only thus may we, 
 Partakers of the Christ-life — live 
 
 In true simplicity. 
 
 SEEING THE BEAUTIFUL 
 
 Have you seen the soft wind playing 
 
 O'er a field of growing grain ? 
 Have you seen the zigzag lightning 
 
 'Mong the clouds so dark with rain? 
 Have you seen the summer showers 
 
 Falling on the thirsty earth? 
 Have you seen the happy household 
 
 Gathered round the peaceful hearth? 
 
 Have you seen the spring birds flitting 
 'Mong the blooming apple trees? 
 
 Have you seen a field of clover 
 Full of honey-seeking bees? 
 
 Have you seen the opening roses 
 In the fragrant month of June? 
 
140 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Have you seen the smiling infant 
 Pointing toward the placid moon? 
 
 Have you seen the gentle maiden 
 
 With blue eyes and v^avy hair? 
 Have you seen her plucking flowers 
 
 For another one as fair? 
 Have you seen a group of children 
 
 Picking berries on the hill? 
 Have you seen the starry heavens 
 
 When the midnight air was still? 
 
 Have you seen the buoyant vessel 
 
 Riding on the silvery waves? 
 Have you seen the towering mountain 
 
 Whose green foot the river laves? 
 Have you seen the rainbow's colors 
 
 When the evening storm passed by? 
 Have you seen the quivering oak-leaves 
 
 Pictured 'gainst the sunset sky? 
 
 Have you seen a field of tender, 
 
 Tasseling maize, with silken ears? 
 Have you seen a friend that's faithful 
 
 When adversity appears? 
 Have you seen a strong and true man 
 
 Who loved God with all his heart? 
 And beheld 'him loving woman 
 
 With a love devoid of art? 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 141 
 
 Have you seen a congregation 
 
 Of true Christians, full of love — 
 All harmoniously united 
 
 To obey their King above? 
 If you have seen one or many 
 
 Of these things, and given heed, 
 You have seen that which is very, 
 
 Very beautiful indeed. 
 
 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 "Ye are my friends." — Jesus. 
 
 O tell me not that friendship's ties 
 Are frail and doomed to sever; 
 
 True friendship every storm defies 
 And lives and blooms forever. 
 
 False friends, like fickle butterflies. 
 Are near in sunny weather; 
 
 Their sickly friendship quickly dies 
 When storms around us gather. 
 
 When trials come true friendship's ties 
 
 Increase in loving power: 
 United hearts e'er ways devise 
 
 To light the darkest hour. 
 
 Kind reader, did'st thou ever taste 
 The bitter fruits that follow 
 
142 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 When confidence has been misplaced, 
 And friends prove false and hollow? 
 
 'Grieve not for such, the sacred name 
 
 Of Friend belongeth never 
 To one so heartless — void of shame, 
 
 Affection's bonds to sever. 
 
 *Mong friends deserving of the name 
 
 Affection ever bideth ; 
 Sunshine or storm, they're still the same, 
 
 Nor death the bond divideth. 
 
 May Friends'hip true life's joys combine 
 Our burdens here to lighten ; 
 
 That Faith may grow and Love divine 
 Our pathway ever brighten. 
 
 THE KING'S ROSE 
 
 In France and Prussia's cruel war 
 
 An incident took place. 
 Which I'll relate because it yields 
 
 A purer, lovelier grace 
 Than incidents are wont to show 
 
 When men to brutes are turned. 
 Or where their finer feelings on 
 
 Mars' altar must be burned. 
 
 One bloody day a soldier fell, — 
 A German soldier brave ; 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 143 
 
 His comrades fled and left him thus 
 
 Fast sinking to the grave. 
 But when that day's dread work was done 
 
 French peasants found him there 
 Who kindly 'bore him from the field, 
 
 And dressed his wounds with care. 
 
 Early next morn to his bedside 
 
 An opening rose was brought; 
 Its fragrant beauty cheered him so, 
 
 His wounds he quite forgot. 
 Though he was greatly pleased thereby 
 
 He kept it not alone 
 But straiglitway sent it to his king, — 
 
 And thus his love was shown. 
 
 You say this was a ''trifling gift." — 
 
 A Rose for Prussia's king! 
 But mark, the king accepts it as 
 
 A royal offering: 
 He wore .this rose upon his breast -^ 
 
 Where'er his kingship went, 
 And many heard him proudly tell 
 
 By whom it had been sent. ^ 
 
 Meantime the soldier's nurses kind 
 
 Had labored not in vain, 
 For soon their generous work of love 
 
 Brought back his strength again. 
 Now, Berlin was his native place. 
 
 When thither he returned, 
 
144 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Lo ! roses fair bedecked his home — 
 A lesson thus he learned. 
 
 This story true to us likewise 
 
 A fitting lesson brings : — 
 We 'have a heavenly King v^'ho sees, 
 
 And marks the little things. 
 *'A cup of water" in his name 
 
 Rightly bestowed, we see 
 Has promise of a sure reward 
 
 Through all eternity. 
 
 O ! men despise not little things. 
 
 Let each do what he can ; — 
 The widow who had but *'two mites" 
 
 Cave more than any man ! 
 A little deed of love dropped here, 
 
 A little kind word there. 
 When we are called before our King 
 
 Will count as jewels rare. 
 
 ODE TO THE ROSE 
 
 Rose, Queen of the Flowers, a song now to thee 
 My heart with true gladness would sing! 
 
 For, in spite of the thorns, thou bringest to me 
 Perfumes that no other can bring. 
 
 Whether cultured hy man with the tenderest care, 
 Or blooming in Nature's own grove, 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 145 
 
 Still in beauty arrayed so modest and fair, 
 An emblem of Peace and of Love. 
 
 When the hand of affection hath sent me a Rose, 
 
 Like a missive of tenderest things, 
 It doth the sure token of friendship disclose. 
 
 And toucheth the heart's secret springs. 
 
 Whether dressed in the red, the yellow or pink. 
 
 Or in white, so pure and so fair, 
 The Roses beloved, to myself I oft think, 
 
 A smile from lost Eden do wear. 
 
 Bloom on, dearest Rose, let thy beautiful smile 
 
 Be freely bestowed upon all : — 
 Both the rich and the poor thou teachest the while 
 
 To follow sweet purity's call. 
 
 Stern Autumn may snatch all thy blossoms away, 
 And scatter thy leaves too, I ween, — 
 
 -Soon Springtime returns with the robin's sweet lay 
 And calls thee to reign as the Queen. 
 
 FASTENINGS 
 
 We live in an age of wires and strings, , 
 
 And other devices for fastening things. 
 
 High fences and strong are built as a line 
 
 Or boundary mark, to bar or confine. 
 
 Yet often we see men looking for gaps 
 
 Or flaws in a fence, still hoping, per'haps. 
 
 Some scheme to invent whereby they might gain 
 
 The vict'ry over all things that restrain. 
 
146 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Some things that we think are fastened to stay 
 
 Are often unfastened the very same day. 
 
 And things that were better not fastened at all,. 
 
 United remain like a concreted wall. 
 
 Fair promises often are left unredeemed, 
 
 And written agreements but lightly esteemed;. 
 
 While habits that dwarf, corrupt and congeal. 
 
 Are binding as fetters of brass and of steel. 
 
 E'en conjugal knots are often untied; 
 Things fastened with oaths asunder divide. 
 But customs of old, though good in their day^ 
 Now quite out of date, are anchored to stay. 
 Dame Fashion enslaves, bewitches and binds 
 With shackles that 'hold the hearts and the minds- 
 Of millions who bow her bidding to do, — 
 Preferring the false to that which is true. 
 
 Unequally yoked are many today; 
 Entangling alliances lead them away 
 From principles true and ways that are right. 
 While worldly pursuits becloud heaven's liglit^ 
 More grievous the yoke false leaders oft bind 
 On consciences weak once truly inclined 
 To follow God's hig'hest spiritual liglit, 
 Unclouded by human perversions of right. 
 
 The man who will do what he knows to be right,. 
 Without being bound by the Law's legal might. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 147 
 
 Is always preferred to one who must know 
 How much is allowed — ^how far he dare go : 
 Like the cow at the end of a rope or a chain 
 That's tied to a stake in a field or a lane. 
 Will try first how far she is able to go, 
 And whether restrictions must hold her just so. 
 
 A mule may not go till the lash is applied, 
 Nor stand where he's placed unless he is tied, 
 But halters and whips are not for the man 
 Whose aim is to do the 'best that he can. 
 You know where to find the man that is true, 
 Though fences are down and the landmarks are 
 
 few; 
 He's always the same Wherever he's tried — 
 "The man that will stand without being tied ! 
 
 SNOWFLAKES AND FLOWERS 
 
 O'er hill and plain wherever I look 
 
 Snow's beautiful flakes deck ev'ry nook; 
 'See! how they flit and hove around, then softly, 
 softly settle down. 
 
 Why do they descend — these flakes of snow. 
 
 And whiten every object so? 
 To shield the many tender plants and clothe the 
 
 earth now frozen brown. 
 Jack Frost sealed many a flower's doom : 
 
 The rootlets now are hid; 
 
148 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 They*!! spring forth again with leaf and bloom. 
 Soon, at their Malcer's bid. 
 
 Boreas sways tlie leafless trees 
 
 And whirls the snow o'er lands and seas! 
 Our gardens and our fields are white, no growing" 
 plants are to be seen. 
 
 But winter's reign will soon be o'er; 
 
 Sweet, smiling spring will come once more, 
 And with its breath break icy bands and clothe the 
 
 earth in living green. 
 Our daisies and our violets now 
 
 All sleep beneath the snow; 
 They're sleeping — but to wake again 
 
 When balmy spring-winds blow. 
 
 f 
 
 And many a precious little seed 
 
 Down in its snowy tomb is hid; 
 It sleepeth only — 'tis not dead — from it will spring 
 the future tree. 
 
 True, now they're hidden from our eyes ; 
 
 The future comes, time onward hies. 
 And soon we'll know how true it is, things are not 
 
 as they seem to be. 
 Though now the earth be wrapped in white. 
 
 Stern winter reigns supreme today — 
 Another scene will greet our sight 
 
 When spring time brings permissive May. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 149 
 
 SPRING 
 
 Spring has come! Spring has come! 
 
 Welcome bright and 'happy day! 
 Glittering ice-fields are no more ; 
 
 Snow-clad scenes have passed away. 
 
 Spring 'has come, Spring has come ! 
 
 See the glorious sunbeams play 
 O'er the landscape fresh and warm, 
 
 Just released from Winter's sway. 
 
 Spring has come, Spring has come ! 
 
 Natures heart now throbs with glee; 
 Hark! the blue bird's merry song 
 
 Fills the air with ecstasy. 
 
 Spring has come, 'Spring has come! 
 
 Now revives the dormant earth; 
 Soon the flowers' sweet perfume 
 
 Will announce their happy birth. 
 
 Spring has come. Spring has come! 
 
 Now let gloomy thoughts depart. 
 Lambkins skip and birdies sing. 
 
 Joyous raptures thrill each heart. 
 
 Spring has come. Spring 'has come! 
 
 Balmy breezes bring good cheer; 
 For a long cold Winter's gone 
 
 And the happy Spring is here! 
 
 1875. 
 
I50 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 THE BLESSINGS OF TODAY 
 
 How oft we miss the blessings 
 
 The present has in store 
 Because with hearts ungrateful 
 
 We look and long for more; 
 The good in our possession 
 
 Can scant enjoyment bring 
 While selfishly we covet 
 
 Some far-off better thing. 
 The sweetest heavenly manna, 
 
 Sent for our use today, 
 When hoarded for tomorrow 
 
 Turns bitter with decay. 
 
 'Tis not in idle dreaming 
 
 'While sitting hy the way 
 Of things 'beyond our vision — 
 
 Some far-off future day, 
 That we can find enjoyment 
 
 That's true, and lasting, too: 
 We'll find the future richest 
 
 If to the present true. 
 'Tis in the living present 
 
 That we must truly live, 
 And to the task before us 
 
 Our best endeavors give. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 151 
 
 If we would be a blessing 
 
 To friends around us here, 
 And share with them the sunshine 
 
 Of gladness and good cheer, 
 We must in sweet contentment 
 
 Enjoy our little store 
 Of treasures or possessions; 
 
 Nor always wish for more; 
 Regard the good of others 
 
 We meet along the way, 
 And use with true thanksgiving 
 
 The blessings of today. 
 
 The vale of good intentions 
 
 'Tween hills of purpose true 
 Is not the place to loiter 
 
 Though pleasant be the view; 
 When we have gained the hilltops, 
 
 With tasks well done below, 
 The view will be still grander. 
 
 And pleasures sweeter grow. 
 Providing we now notice 
 
 The flowers 'long the way, — 
 Are thankful for the comforts 
 
 And blessings of today. 
 
1 
 
 152 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 ( 
 
 LEARN A LITTLE EVERY DAY 
 
 Would you hold the key to knowledge, 
 
 And unlock its treasures rare? 
 Are you thirsting for true wisdom 
 
 With its wealth of truth so fair? 
 You may win the prize you're seeking 
 
 In a safe and honest way, — 
 You must conquer if you simply 
 
 Learn a little every day! 
 
 Starting first from small 'beginnings, 
 
 'Tis the steady growth that wins 
 In life's battles here, no matter 
 
 Where our "step hy step" begins. 
 If we yield our hearts to Satan, 
 
 Step by step we're led astray; — 
 All while here, in good or evil. 
 
 Learn a little every day. 
 
 Not enough one day in seven 
 
 To devote to heavenly things, 
 For our tempter worketh daily ; 
 
 Every day its trials brings. 
 And to counteract his teachings 
 
 'We must active be alway; 
 And in all things good and noble 
 
 Learn a little every day. 
 
 Every day is fraught with lessons. 
 Youthful minds find daily food 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 153 
 
 In the teachings of surroundings — 
 Parents, are those teachings good? 
 
 "There's no royal road to learning," 
 But there is a better way — 
 
 Simply this — In truth and goodness 
 Learn a little every day. 
 
 NIL DESPERANDUM 
 
 ("Despair Not.") 
 
 Nil Desperandum ! Though clouds thick and dark 
 Are hovering o'er thy wave troubled bark — 
 Though dangers seem countless on life's stormy 
 
 sea, 
 Let Nil Desperandum ! thy motto still be. 
 
 Nil Desperandum ! Calamities may 
 Sweep down like a deluge, sweet hope to allay, 
 Stand up and be firm for the truth evermore, 
 Bear bravely thy cross till life's battles are o'er. 
 
 Nil Desperandum ! Misfortune and pain 
 
 Can over thy spirit no victory gain 
 
 If thou art united to him that is true, — 
 
 No dangers so great but he'll carry thee through. 
 
 Nil Desperandum ! Temptations most sore 
 
 Are conquered through Jesus, then fear them no 
 
 more; 
 If thou art impelled by a love for the right, 
 Be calm for true faith will put 'Satan to flight. 
 
154 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Nil Desperandum ! Though friendship may lose 
 Its fragrance and die; though loved ones refuse 
 To cheer thee and aid thee thy burdens to bear, 
 Let Christ be thy comfort — yield not to despair. 
 
 Nil Desperandum! Oh, why shouldst thou fear, 
 Since Jesus has promised to be ever near? 
 Invite His pure spirit to dwell in thy heart. 
 Despair then and sorrow must quickly depart. 
 
 THE HOSPITAL NURSE* 
 
 Tripping up and down the hall, 
 
 Pray, what does it mean, 
 While I lie so helpless here 
 
 'Snowy sheets between? 
 
 Tripping up and down the hall. 
 
 Stopping here and there 
 To relieve the suffering ones 
 
 In her special care. 
 
 Tripping up and down the hall, 
 Stepping through my door, 
 
 Asking, "How're you feeling now?" 
 As she looks me o'er. 
 
 Taking pulse and temperature. 
 Noting symptoms all. 
 
 ♦These lines came to my mind while lying in a hospital, 
 shortly after undergoing a serious surgical operation. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS I5S 
 
 Skilled for needed services, 
 Be they great or small. 
 
 Out she passes through my door, 
 
 Off she trips again 
 Looking up another case 
 
 In distress or pain. 
 
 How noble is thy calling, nurse, 
 
 May God for service give thee grace; 
 No hospitals could be maintained 
 
 If thou should'st fail to fill thy place! 
 Then may thy ministrations all 
 
 In Jesus' precious name be given ; 
 While serving thus Earth's suffering ones 
 
 Thou servest too the Lord of Heaven; 
 •And shalt, for good now done to me, 
 
 As done to Him, rewarded be. 
 Jan. 17, 1915. 
 
 THE SWEETEST NAME 
 
 In memory's chambers safely stored, 
 
 And hid from eyes profane, 
 A treasure lies that naught of Time's 
 
 Corroding hand can stain. 
 'Twas in the closing hours of day, 
 
 When evening light grows dim, 
 Our aged parent made request 
 
 To hear his favorite hymn: 
 
156 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 
 
 In a believer's ears;" 
 And as we sang these precious words 
 
 Our eyes were filled with tears, 
 For well we knew our father's days 
 
 On earth were numbered quite; 
 Scarce comprehending how that Name 
 
 Could be his soul's delight. 
 
 While memory lasts that scene remains 
 
 Impressed upon our minds. 
 Time hastens on and severed soon 
 
 Is every tie that binds 
 To things of earth ; — how sad that some 
 
 Must shed the bitterest tears 
 Because they never knew the Name 
 
 That "drives away our fears." 
 
 Our family circle's scattered far; 
 
 Some have departed too 
 To be forever with the Lord, 
 
 Whose blessed Name they knew. 
 And all have learned to love that Name, 
 
 The sweetest and the best, 
 As "manna to the hungry soul. 
 
 And to the weary rest." 
 
 Oct. 10, 1916. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS 157 
 
 IN MEMORY 
 
 Of our daughter Ella Elizabeth Yoder, who was 
 called from our family circle Feb. 28, 1904, at the age of 
 14 years, 11 months and i day. 
 
 What a treasure heaven gave us 
 
 When our daughter Ella came, 
 As a sacred trust to cherish 
 
 For a season in His name, — 
 In the name of Him who giveth 
 
 All that's beautiful and good; 
 Though we never comprehended — 
 
 Never fully understood ! 
 
 For we meant to keep her with us, 
 
 And enjoy her presence here 
 While her helpful disposition 
 
 Our declining days might cheer; 
 And with intellect so vigorous, 
 
 Quick to see and understand, 
 She would labor for her Savior 
 
 With a glad and willing hand. 
 
 Like a blossom full of promise, 
 
 Withered by the chilling frost, 
 So the body God had given 
 
 All its youthful vigor lost. 
 And her soul could find no pleasure 
 
 In the things of time and space; 
 Hence the Lord in mercy called her 
 
 To a happier dwelling place. 
 
158 POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 Though our hearts are sorely wounded 
 
 And the parting made us sad, 
 Yet we know in heavenly mansions 
 
 Holy angels make her glad. 
 And we would not now recall her 
 
 To a life of grief and pain, 
 But rejoice to know up yonder 
 
 Soon we all ^hall meet again. 
 
 Brothers, sisters, and her parents. 
 
 Six in number here remain; 
 In our sorrow, blessed comfort. 
 
 Broken ties unite again: 
 Jesus is the resurrection, 
 
 Those who die in Him will meet,. 
 Ne'er to part, in Iheavenly mansions 
 
 Where alone is life complete. 
 
 LITTLE MABEL* 
 
 Little Mabel, heavenly blossom, 
 Sent to bloom a little while, 
 
 Now returned to Him who gave her. 
 How we miss 'her lovely smile! 
 
 *In memory of our granddaughter, Mabel Rebecca^ 
 daughter of Levi J. and Amanda M. Shenk, whose 
 body perished in the flames of her burning home, 
 near Denbigh, Va., Nov. 26, 1912; aged 3 years,, 
 I month and 13 days. 
 
POETICAL MEDITATIONS IS9 
 
 Stilled the voice that like sweet music 
 
 Helped to cheer us on our way ; 
 And the little feet that pattered 
 
 In our presence day by day. 
 
 Mild and loving disposition, 
 
 Showing sympathy for all ; 
 Pure emotions, sweet affection — 
 
 Ah, we miss these most of all. 
 
 Why, O why? now comes the question, 
 Why, O Lord, must these things be? 
 
 To our bleeding 'hearts He answers, 
 "Only be resigned to Me." 
 
 ^Fiercest elements of nature 
 
 Heavenly things can not destroy 
 
 So for lis life's fiery trials 
 
 Naught consume but base alloy. 
 
 When our testing time is over — 
 
 Faithful to the Cod of love — 
 Xoss on earth brings gain eternal 
 
 In the realms of joy above. 
 
i6o POETICAL MEDITATIONS 
 
 WHEN I AM GONE 
 
 When I am gone 
 Will aught that I have said or done 
 Still linger in the memory 
 
 Of any one? 
 
 What then will 'be 
 The thoughts of those who think of me 
 W'hile yet they breast the waves of life's 
 
 Tempestuous sea? 
 
 Honor or shame — 
 'Soft words of praise, harsh words of blame. 
 What then will move the lips of those 
 
 Who speak my name? 
 
 May then be seen 
 Some sweet memento, ever green. 
 To cheer and strengthen those who walk 
 
 Where I have been? 
 
 Life's labors done, 
 The conflict o'er, the vict'ry won 
 What influence will I leave behind 
 
 When I am gone? 
 
PART II 
 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 Most of these "Thoughtful Paragraphs" were 
 first published in The Herald of Truth under the 
 heading of "Notes and Comments <by Cephas." 
 These notes were jotted down from time to time 
 while the writer was engaged in the every day 
 duties on his little farm, while driving to market, 
 or while seated at tjhe home fireside on stormy 
 winter days and quiet evening ihours. Thoughts 
 copied from other writers are given credit as far 
 as possible. As a certain writer says, "No think- 
 ing is entirely original. We all absorb ideas from 
 what we hear and read as well as from w'hat we 
 see." 
 
 May every reader of these paragraphs absorb 
 only that which is edifying and helpful is the sin- 
 cere desire of THE AUTHOR. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 True Record 
 
 Four things a man must learn to do, 
 If he would make his record true : 
 To think without confusion, clearly; 
 To love his fellow-men sincerely ; 
 To act from honest motives purely; 
 To trust in God and heaven securely. — 
 
 Henry Van Dyke. 
 * * * 
 Charity 
 
 In all disputed questions, where different opin- 
 ions are honestly held, what others may think, or 
 what the writer of these 'Taragrapihs" may think, 
 is not of as much importance as what the Word of 
 God (taken as a whole,) has to say on the subject 
 under consideration. 
 
 Pleasing God 
 
 We study the Bible in order that we may be- 
 come better acquainted with its Author, and thus 
 put ourselves in a better position to learn w'hat He 
 wants us to know, and also to understand what He 
 wants us to do. But let us not make the mistake 
 of ''trying to please God by doing wfhat we would 
 like God to want us to do." We may even make 
 
i66 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 up our minds as to What the Bible ought to teach, 
 
 and then quote isolated passages to prove that we 
 
 are right. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Proving 
 
 'Trove all things; hold fast that which is 
 good." There are many things in life that I can- 
 not consistently prove or judge because they are 
 quite ibeyond my comprdhension ; and as others 
 no doubt must admit the same, would it not be 
 wiser for us oftener to say, *'I do not know," and 
 not so often to condemn as *'no good," or denounce 
 as "foolish" what we do not understand or are 
 unable to explain? 
 
 * * * 
 Holding Fast 
 
 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is 
 good." If we use our judgment in discerning be- 
 tween the good and the evil, and then give our 
 attention mostly to that Which is evil, perhaps 
 fastening our minds on the flaws in a good sermon 
 we hear, we are apt to forget that w'hich is good, 
 and pervert Paul's good advice by holding fast to 
 that which is not good. 
 
 Love 
 
 In this new century many wonderful dis- 
 coveries and inventions will no doubt he made, but 
 a greater "motive power" than Love will never be 
 discovered. Love always prompts to action. If 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 167 
 
 that promising young man who asked the question, 
 "What good tlhing shall I do that I may have eter- 
 nal life?" had loved God with all ihis heart, mind, 
 soul and strength, his greatest joy would have 
 been in following Jesus, and in doing w'hatever 
 God wanted him to do. But since he loved his 
 "great possessions" more than he loved God, the 
 "motive power" within him prompted him to go 
 away from Christ and to do those things which 
 would keep him very near to the object of his love. 
 What we love most we serve best. 
 
 Faith 
 
 "Ask and ye shall receive." That rich young 
 man asked for something whidh he was not pre- 
 pared to receive. Many still ask and receive not 
 'because instead of stretching out open and empty 
 hands to receive what God is ready to give for the 
 asking, their hands are closed, being already so full 
 of earthly things which they are unwilling to let 
 go of, that they cannot grasp or hold heavenly 
 gifts at the same time. Others ask and receive not 
 because 'God knows that they would not make 
 proper use of that for v^hic'h they ask; and as a 
 merciful Father He kindly withholds such things 
 as would work to the injury of His children. 
 
 * * * 
 Giving 
 
 "Give and it shall be given unto you." Shine 
 
 that others may 'have light and you shall have 
 
i68 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 more lig'ht yourself. Make proper use of your 
 gifts and God will give you greater gifts. Comfort 
 and encourage others and your own heart shall be 
 strengthened and encouraged. Take up your cross 
 on earth and receive a crown in heaven. That 
 young ruler ihad an idea that he migfht have eter- 
 nal life by doing some great g'ood deed, but when 
 he learned that a sacrifice was required, — a giving 
 up of the love of riches before the love of God (the 
 main spring of all good deeds) could find room in 
 his heart, and that he must dispose of his earthly 
 treasures, which absorbed his (heart's affections, be- 
 fore he could have treasures in iheaven, he went 
 away sorrowful. 
 
 Truth 
 
 Truth is truth wherever found, 
 In fruitful fields, or barren ground ; 
 But he that would this treasure find 
 Must seek with an unbiased mind. 
 
 * * ♦ 
 True Life 
 
 The best exposition of Gospel truth is a life 
 that lives "by the faitli of the Son of God." 
 
 He « 4: 
 
 Dotibt 
 
 Wlhen in dbubt as to what course to pursue 
 the best way is to "stand still" until all doubt is 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 169 
 
 removed, and we can "walk in the light." "What- 
 soever is not of faith is sin." 
 
 « ♦ ♦ 
 Infinity 
 
 My eyes can take in hut a very insignificant 
 part (comparatively speaking) of the material uni- 
 verse, but my finite mind can grasp or comprehend 
 even a smaller proportion of God's infinite truth. 
 
 Propriety 
 
 Many perplexing questions confront us as in- 
 dividuals which every individual must decide for 
 himself, with the help of God. A thing may -be 
 right for me to do at a certain time and place 
 vvHhich would not be right for you to do on that oc- 
 casion, or for me to do at some other time. "Let 
 every one be fully persuaded in his own mind." 
 
 * * * 
 Truth 
 
 "What is truth?" This question was asked by 
 a heathen nearly two thousand years ago who evi- 
 dently did not wait for a reply. Many Christians 
 in our time would receive a fuller reply to this 
 question, and be able to comprehend more of God's 
 eternal truth, if they would stop long enough to 
 hear what God wants to tell them, and not be so 
 anxious to hear the verdict of the people, nor spend 
 so much time in finding out what others think is 
 the truth. 
 
170 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Common Sense 
 
 No man of good common sense would make it 
 his business to pick up and turn over every board 
 he sees on other people's premises, neither are we, 
 as Christians, under obligations to listen to the 
 "other side" on all subjects. To read infidel books 
 for t>he purpose of seeing Christianity from the 
 infidel's standpoint, would be as unwise as it would 
 be to swallow strychnine in order to find out 
 whether it is poisonous. "No man is bound to 
 listen to the devil's arguments against God, or 
 against the Church of God.'* 
 
 * * * 
 Both Sides 
 
 But, — did you ever see a board that had only 
 one side? If you can give an intelligent descrip- 
 tion of such a board, we may be prepared to con- 
 sider a question on which Christians differ that 
 has only one side, or that can be seen only the 
 way you and I see it. The "whole truth" can not 
 be seen by any one who takes only a partial or 
 one-sided view. 
 
 H: H: ^ 
 
 Point of View 
 
 Returning to the "board parable :" We see 
 that boards are used for different purposes. A 
 board that is part o'f a fence has two sides visible, 
 but I can see only one side at a time, and I must 
 change my position and look in the opposite direc- 
 tion before I can see the other side. The sun may 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 171 
 
 s'hine on my neighbor's side of the fence when my 
 side is in the shade, or vice versa, and it would be 
 very foolish in me to quarrel with my neighbor 
 •because we cannot look at other things as well as 
 fence boards from the same point of view. 
 
 The Under Side 
 
 I once saw a broad board lying on the ground 
 in my field partly hidden by grass and weeds 
 growing up all around it. Only one side of the 
 board was visi'ble to 'human eyes. Of course I 
 knew there was another side to be seen by turning 
 it over, but I did not know just how that other 
 side looked until I went to the trouble of raising 
 the board and letting the sunlight under it. Then 
 I found the lower side partly rotten, and the 
 worms and bugs and other "creeping things" under 
 the board squirmed around very much as if fhey 
 wanted me to let them alone. The raising of the 
 'board was the "agitation" which the "subject" 
 needed in order to get at the "truth." Agitation 
 and investigation are apt to cause a disturbance 
 which for the time being may not be very pleasant, 
 since some men "love darkness rather than light 
 because their deeds are evil. 
 
 * * * 
 Let in the Light 
 
 We should not ibe so "one-sided" that we can- 
 not conceive of the possibility of any one seeing 
 things that we cannot see from our stand point, 
 
172 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 and we should always be willing to change our 
 position, or, if necessary, stop to "turn the board 
 over" in order that we may see what is on the 
 other side. But if we want to settle the matter by 
 saying ''there is only one side," and ask others to 
 let us alone, it looks very much as if there might 
 be "rottenness" somewhere, or perhaps some 
 "creeping things" 'hidden under the "board" that 
 we would rather not have uncovered. "For every 
 one that doeth evil hatet'h the light, neither cometh 
 to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. 
 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that 
 his deeds may be made manifest that they are 
 wrought in God." (Jno. 3:20,21.) 
 
 * * * 
 Appearances 
 
 "Beneath apparent zeal for truth, may be hid- 
 den a judging spirit or a subtle leaning to our own 
 understanding. Beneath apparent Christian faith- 
 fulness may be 'hidden an absence of Christian 
 love. — Hannah Whitall Smith. 
 
 Purity 
 
 God is love, and He abideth 
 
 Only with the pure in heart, 
 Where no carnal strife divideth 
 
 Anxious souls with cruel art. 
 To the pure the pathway brightens 
 
 As they grow in Christian grace, 
 And the word of God enlightens 
 
 Till they see His smiling face. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 173 
 
 Purity 
 
 "Blessed are the pure in "heart. " The unre- 
 generated heart is deceitful above all things and 
 desperately wicked," and no one can make his own 
 heart pure by trying to think pure thoughts and 
 speak pure words any more than he could cleanse 
 a stream of water as long as its source is filthy. 
 "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth 
 speaketh." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Purity 
 
 "Create in me a clean heart, O Cod," was 
 David's prayer, and this must be the prayer of 
 every one who would have a pure heart. The new 
 creature in Christ Jesus, "created unto good works" 
 alone can 'bring forth out of a good heart pure 
 thoughts and right purposes. "As a man thiriketh 
 in his heart so is he." 
 
 * * * 
 Inner Life 
 
 "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance 
 of the things which he possesseth," but it does 
 consist very largely in the thoughts and purposes 
 that possess 'his heart and mind. What we seek 
 with all our heart and mind becomes photo- 
 graphed, so to speak, on our inner self, and we 
 grow more and more like unto that which we most 
 ardently desire. 
 
174 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Food and Exercise 
 
 Food and exercise are essential to the growth 
 and strength of our bodies. 'We grow intellectual- 
 ly and spiritually 'by what we think, say and do. 
 Our highest faculties must have food and exercise 
 or they die and become a source of pestilence to 
 our souls. There is no standing still. We must 
 either go foward or backward in our spiritual life. 
 
 * * * 
 Heart Motives 
 
 "A really great mind always sees the reflection 
 of its own greatness everywhere, just as a really 
 good heart sees some of its own goodness reflected 
 from the lives of all those with whom it comes in 
 contact. Little minds despise little people and 
 consider little things unworthy of their attention, 
 ^nd hearts that are altogether bad see only badness 
 in other hearts." — ^J. D. Dougall. We might even 
 have our attention so constantly fixed on the bad- 
 ness of the devil that we would fail to perceive the 
 goodness of God. 
 
 Vision 
 
 "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall 
 see Cod." That which is spiritual must be spirit- 
 ually discerned. The scribes and Pharisees could 
 not see the divinity of Christ because their hearts 
 were "full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Their 
 spiritual vision was so blurred and distorted, look- 
 ing for evil, that they saw only evil where there 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 175 
 
 was no evil, because their eyes were evil. "But if 
 thine eye be evil thy w'hole body (life) shall be 
 full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in 
 thee (thy vision) 'be darkness, hov^ great is that 
 darkness." 
 
 * * * 
 Thoughts 
 
 Those who have their affections set on heav- 
 enly things must hov^ever keep their hearts **v^ith 
 all diligence;" remem'bering what it is that "de- 
 files the man," and ever exercise their minds in 
 things that are edifying and uplifting, even as 
 Paul exhorted the Philippian brethren: "Whatso- 
 ever things are true, Whatsoever things are honest, 
 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are 
 pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever 
 things are of good report; if there he any virtue,, 
 and if there be any praise, think on these things."' 
 
 Seeing God 
 
 Those whose hearts are right in the sight of 
 God; who live with an eye single to the glory of 
 God, can see Him in all the visible works of na- 
 ture, — looking "through nature up to nature's God" 
 — and with an eye of faith they behold Him in all 
 His providences, and after tlie veil of flesh is re- 
 moved they shall "see Him as He is." 
 
176 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Lights and Shadows 
 
 Lights and shadows, ups and downs; 
 Friendly smiles and angry frowns. 
 Changing seasons, shifting scenes; 
 Every variation means 
 Something yet to be attained; 
 Greater vict'ries to be gained: 
 Some deep lesson yet unlearned, 
 Crowns by crosses yet unearned. 
 
 * * * 
 Contrasts 
 
 Life is made up of light and darkness, of sun- 
 shine and shadow; of fair and cloudy weather. 
 Uninterrupted sunshine would soon cause all vege- 
 tation to wither and die. Great faith is born of 
 great trials, and strength of character is found only 
 in those who have endured hardness as good 
 soldiers. 
 
 Trials 
 
 If God's children are required to pass through 
 severe trials and afflictions it is only that they may 
 be made better therd)y. We may pray to have 
 the cup of suffering removed providing we can 
 also say, "nevertheless not my will but thy will be 
 done," and our heavenly Father will answer our 
 prayer as will be ibest for us, either hy removing 
 the trial or giving us strength to hold out faithful 
 to the end. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 177 
 
 Pcaring Reproach 
 
 If it is my lot to suffer reproach because my 
 convictions of right go counter to the wishes or 
 opinions of some others, I must be very careful to 
 live my convictions in the spirit of meekness and 
 love, and not in a haughty and self-righteous way. 
 
 Trials 
 
 If we are faithful children of God, He will 
 surely not require us to pass throug^h any ex- 
 perience that will not "work together" for our 
 good; and if we suffer for Christ's sake, or be- 
 cause we dare to live up to the best light that we 
 have, while seeking for more light, what we thui 
 endure with patience ^becomes for us but a stepping 
 stone to a higher, a more glorious and blessed ex- 
 perience. 
 
 * * * 
 Tested Friends 
 
 "Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries 
 them." When we repeat this old saying we are 
 apt to think only of others who have not stood the 
 test when we were overtaken by adversity. How 
 -about our friends'hip for those who were sorely in 
 need of the encouragement that we could give? 
 Have we been only "miserable comforters?" 
 
 * * * 
 Afflictions 
 
 It is not safe to regard worldly prosperity as a 
 special mark of God's favor; neither should ex- 
 
178 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 emption from sickness and suffering in all cases be 
 looked upon as a reward for uprightness. ''Whom 
 the Lord loveth He c'hasteneth." Because there 
 was none found like Job, "perfect and upright, 
 fearing Cod and eschewing evil," only the severest 
 affliction could be a real test of his faithfulness. 
 
 Tests 
 
 "The trying of your faith worketh patience."* 
 Abraham was called the "friend of God," yet even- 
 he was subjected to the severest test, and since he 
 endured the trial and "obtained a good report 
 through faith," he will always be known as "the 
 father of the faithful." 
 
 * * * 
 Life's Lesson 
 
 Our trials and troubles are no doubt often al- 
 lowed to come upon us to teach us patience with, 
 and sympathy for others ; but when we allow our 
 troubles to make us selfisb and moi^bid, and we be- 
 come impatient because others do not keep their 
 troubles hid from us, or do not consider them of 
 little account compared with ours, the afflictions- 
 w'hich were intended for our good only harden and 
 contract us, and we lose their true meaning and 
 the lesson which God meant to teach us. "Alt 
 things work together for good (not to all, but) to 
 them that love the Lord." "For our light afflictionr 
 which is but for a moment (compared with eter- 
 nity) worketh for us a far more exceeding an(fi 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 179 
 
 eternal weig'ht of glory, (only) while we look not 
 at the things which are seen hut at the things 
 •which are not seen.'* 
 
 Charity 
 
 "'Charity, heaven-iborn charity! 
 Essence of all that is sweetest in time. 
 Foretaste of ibliss in eternity. 
 The sum and substance of Christian life, 
 Which finds expression in deeds of love — 
 Merciful deeds, though done to the least 
 Of the poor on earth, to be received 
 And find reward as done unto Him 
 Who in heaven is crowned the greatest." 
 
 Charity 
 
 Charity does not require us to call evil good 
 <ir wrong right, but it does inspire us to return 
 g'ood for evil, and to labor and suffer, if necessary, 
 to right that Which is wrong. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Charity 
 
 Charity does not cause any one to ignore the 
 ^written Word, but it does teach us not to judge or 
 condemn others when they do not get the same 
 lessons out of the Word that we do. 
 
i8o THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Charity 
 
 W'hat a monotonous world this would be if all 
 its inhabitants looked exactly alike! There is as 
 much difference in minds as there is in faces. If 
 God had intended that the ''many men of many 
 minds" in this world should think alike on all sub- 
 jects His Word would not teach us to have charity 
 and forbearance, since there would then be no 
 room for the exercise of these virtues. 
 
 Charity 
 
 It is possible for me to be so ''worked up" over 
 the uncharitable words and actions of others that 
 my feelings towards the uncharitable will be any- 
 thing but charitable. 
 
 Charity 
 
 I know an old man who says he has read the 
 Bible through two hundred times, and yet now in 
 his old age his want of charity for the mistakes 
 and weaknesses of others, deprives him of a church 
 home. 
 
 * * * 
 Charity 
 
 Charity never retaliates. It does not take 
 vengeance on enemies nor pronounce a curse on. 
 persecuters, but instead prays, ''Father, forgive 
 them for they know not what they do/' 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS i8i 
 
 Charity 
 
 The disciple's sense of justice may sometimes 
 make it appear right for him to call down fire from 
 heaven to consume the enemies of God, but Char- 
 ity says, '*Ye know not what manner of spirit ye 
 are of; for the 'Son of man is not come to destroy 
 men's lives but to save them." 
 
 Charity 
 
 While Charity never despises or belittles the 
 law of God, yet because it "suf^ereth long and is 
 kind," it is not in haste to inflict the severest 
 penalty of the Law. Law says, "Cut down the 
 unfruitful tree, why cumbereth it the ground?" 
 Charity says, "Spare it yet another season ; give it 
 another chance after I have improved its general 
 condition and given it more favorable environ- 
 ments." 
 
 * * * 
 Charity 
 
 If a pie is cut in the usual way there is a 
 place in the centre of the plate where all the pieces 
 meet ; and if the pieces are all drawn back and 
 away from this common centre, they also become 
 separated from each other, and the "'gap" between 
 the pieces widens as they are drawn farther away 
 from their common centre. In all church diffi- 
 culties, where a 'cold and uncharitable feeling is 
 driving the members farther apart, and there is 
 danger of a division, the first step necessary to an 
 
i82 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 adjustment of the difficulty is for all the members 
 to "draw nigih to Cod," and the nearer they come 
 to God, their Common Centre, the nearer they will 
 come to each other. Love for God can not be 
 separated from love of our neighbor. All true Chil- 
 dren of God, who are really in touch with Him are 
 also in touch with one another. 
 
 Trust 
 
 >Do thy duty, that is best; 
 Leave unto thy Lord the rest. 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 * * * 
 Consecration 
 
 We cannot serve God with what we have 
 
 wbile we reserve anything that we are. 
 
 Pretense 
 
 A little boy was standing on the scales to be 
 weighed. He stretched to his utmost height and 
 puffed out his cheeks. "Why, Johnny," said his 
 companion, "you cannot make yourself heavier. 
 You weigh just what you are." Very true. God, 
 our Weigh Master, knows what we are, and even 
 our fellow men will find it out w'hen we pretend to 
 be what we are not. 
 
 * * * 
 Reputation 
 
 Whenever we become o^er-anxious about our 
 reputation and think we must defend our good 
 
-THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 183 
 
 name, or make some special effort to "show off" 
 or ''puff up" in- order that people may think well 
 of us, we are thinking more highly of ourselves 
 than we ought to think; and in trying to appear 
 **'big," like the little hoy on the scales, we belittle 
 ourselves in the eyes of all rig^ht-thinking, sober- 
 minded people. 
 
 * * * 
 Motive 
 
 If we have done anything worthy of praise or 
 commendation, God knows it, and we can safely 
 leave the matter with Him. To seek the praise of 
 men rather than the praise of God, proves that our 
 motive for doing what we think is worthy of 
 praise was not good, then how could the deed 
 itself be good? 
 
 Character and Reputation 
 
 It has been said that "reputation is what 
 people think we are while character is what God 
 knows us to be." When that Pharisee stood in 
 the temple and "prayed with himself," it was not 
 that God might know about his good deeds; but 
 as he was praying to be seen of men, his object no 
 doubt was to let the people about him know what 
 a good man he was. This shows ns how very 
 foolish and inconsistent it is for a Christian pro- 
 fessor to sound his ^wn praises. "The moment we 
 begin to speak of our humility there is none there." 
 
i84 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Reputation 
 
 We are sometimes very much concerned as to 
 what others may think or say about us. We are 
 afraid of toeing misunderstood or misrepresented, 
 or perhaps not ''duly honored." Let us seek the 
 honor that comes from 'God only, knowing that 
 He understands us, and so long as He finds us 
 faithful in 'that which He has entrusted unto us, it 
 matters little what men may think or say about us, 
 we can still look up for His approving smile and 
 say, "God knows." 
 
 Slander 
 
 "But," says one, "people have been talking so 
 shamefully about me, I just cannot stand it any 
 longer. Something must be done." What did 
 Jesus do about it when people talked all manner 
 of evil about Him, and even accused Him of hav- 
 ing a devil and of casting out devils through the 
 prince of devils? Imagine the Apostle Paul stop- 
 ping his work of preaching the gospel and building 
 up churches in order that he might prove that 
 people had lied about him, — establish his own 
 righteousness, or make himself of some reputation 
 by tracing up the evil reports! 
 
 * * * 
 Shining 
 
 A friend once came to D. L. Moody and told 
 him of how certain persons weres peaking all 
 manner of evil against him and his work. He 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 185 
 
 argued that the matter had now gone far enough 
 and that it was time Moody took a hand in it in 
 order to vindicate himself. Moody listened in 
 silence for some time, then, with a gleam of 
 humor in his eyes said in effect, ''Did you ever 
 hear of the dog that used to bark at the moon 
 when it was shining its brightest? That dog used 
 to bark and bark and bark, disturbing everybody 
 in the neighborhood and making a nuisance of 
 itself generally with its incessant noise. At last, 
 what do you think it did? ''Who, the dog?" "No, 
 the moon. Why, the moon kept right on shin- 
 ing." — 'Sel. 
 
 * * * 
 Humility 
 
 Jesus of Nazareth "made himself of no reputa- 
 tion" but suffered everything that envious and 
 wicked men could heap upon Him, even dying the 
 most ignominious death at the hands of His ene- 
 mies, yet God gave him a NAME that is a;bove 
 every other name. 
 
 Life's Light 
 
 Your life is your light, and tlie flame it is fed 
 By pure thoughts, gentle words, kindly deeds; 
 
 And you bear it aloft as you live day by day 
 As the Spirit within you e'er leads. 
 
 7ftA&ie M. Cook. 
 
i86 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Growth 
 
 Life without growth and activity soon ends in 
 death and decay. 
 
 * * * 
 Room 
 
 Large-hearted and 'broad-minded people are 
 
 not cramped for want of room on the narrow way 
 
 that leads to life everlasting. 
 
 * * * 
 True Pleasure 
 
 If our 'hearts are rigiht in the sight of God, we 
 cannot take pleasure in anything that is displeas- 
 ing to Him. 
 
 * * * 
 Profession 
 
 "Profession may be a lamp but the life lights 
 it.'* The empty, unlighted lamp may satisfy those 
 who prefer darkness to light ; and practice iniquity 
 while they profess piety. 
 
 * ♦ * 
 Sons of God 
 
 If we are living Christians, (having wifhin us 
 the Life that is the light of men, we are sons and 
 daughters of Cod in a hig'her sense than we are the 
 sons and daughters of our earthly parents. 
 
 Opportiuiities 
 
 Only by making proper use. of our present 
 limited opportunities and by feeing faithful in the 
 little things fhat claim our attention and service 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 187 
 
 now, can we develop our lives and prepare our- 
 selves for the future with its enlarged opportuni- 
 ties, greater privileges, and sweeter enjoyments. 
 
 * * * 
 Food and Poison 
 
 If we take any food into our stomaclis that 
 cannot be assimilated and used to build up our 
 bodies, such food becomes a poison to us, and we 
 lose our bodily health and vigor. ' The same is true 
 in a spiritual sense. If we fill our minds with im- 
 pure thoughts or desires, and evil imaginations; 
 if we brood over wrongs, real or imaginary, and 
 indulge in evil thinking, we are feeding on things 
 that cannot build up the Christian life but instead 
 will surely poison our souls and weaken us spirit- 
 ually. 
 
 * * * 
 Inner Life 
 
 If on a cold, frosty winter morning we should 
 see a man with pen-knife in hand trying to scratch 
 the ice from the lights or panes of his window, 
 with the temperature of his room at zero, and no 
 fire in his stove, we would think him very foolisli 
 indeed. Would we not say "Start a roaring fire in 
 your stove, raise the temperature of your room to 
 the proper point, and the frost will disappear while 
 you are engaged in more profitable work." Are 
 not many trying to remove the frosty excresences 
 from that part of their lives which is seen from the 
 outside without paying proper attention to the life 
 
i88 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 within? To such we would say, "Get the life of 
 Christ in the soul; let the love of God and man 
 burn in your heart, until its warmth permeates 
 your whole 'being, and is felt by those who come 
 in contact with you, then the evil traits and bad 
 habits that now cling to you like frost to the 
 window-pane, will melt away while you give ex- 
 pression to that love within you by serving your 
 fellowmen in humility and self-forgetfulness, and 
 your final reward may be with those to whom the 
 Judge will say: "Inasmuch as ye have done it 
 unto the least of these ye have done it unto me." 
 
 Trust 
 
 We bow, O Lord, submissively, 
 
 Because Thou knowest what is best; 
 
 The soul that fully trusts in Thee 
 Finds perfect peace and joy and rest. 
 
 Thankfulness 
 
 To be ungrateful is to be unhappy. Only 
 those who "in everything give thanks," ca;n "re- 
 joice evermore." 
 
 * * * 
 Subjection 
 
 Without t'he subjection of our wills to Cod, 
 and the enthronement of His love in our hearts, it 
 is impossible to live a life that is acceptable to 
 Him. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 189 
 
 Limiting God's Word 
 
 If I attempt to restrict the truth in any part of 
 God's inspired Word to the limits of my own com- 
 prehension of it, I not only deceive myself, but 
 what I say and do will have a misleading influence 
 on others. 
 
 Sacrifice 
 
 A sense of duty may impel one to give of his 
 possessions to the cause of Christ, but to offer 
 one's self to His service requires love that con- 
 strains. 
 
 Three Things 
 
 Three things are very much alike: Talent 
 without tact; ability without knowledge, and a 
 sharp axe with a broken handle. 
 
 THE FINEST EDUCATION.— That which 
 will make us wise unto salvation. 
 
 TRUE RICHES.— Things that will endure 
 throughout all eternity. 
 
 THE BEST ECONOMY.— Making the best 
 of everything that God sends us from day to day, 
 and not trying to hoard today's blessings for future 
 use, as though we could not trust our heavenly 
 Father to care for the things of tomorrow. 
 
190 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Trust 
 
 It is an easy matter for "well-to-do" Chris- 
 tians, who have a snug bank account and a fixed 
 income above their real needs, to say, ''The Lord 
 is my Shepherd, I shall not want;" but when the 
 bank fails and the income is stopped they may 
 have a chance to learn Whether they were sus- 
 tained by faith in God or whether they have been 
 trusting in "uncertain riches." 
 
 * * * 
 Trust 
 
 Silver dollars that bear the inscription "In G<^ 
 we trust," may be a consolation to us while we 
 can jingle them in our pockets, but it is necessaiy 
 to have that inscription in our hearts when dollars 
 become conspicuous by their absence. 
 
 Discouragement 
 
 While we are in the path of duty, fully realiz- 
 ing our individual responsibility to God, every- 
 thing that would discourage us and weaken our 
 faith in God as our guide and support, even 
 though it may come through our nearest and dear- 
 est friends, must be met as Christ met Peter's 
 well-meant reproof and admonition to self-pity,, 
 knowing that they "savor not the things that be 
 of God, but those that be of men." 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 191 
 
 Xife's School 
 
 Life is a scliool; and if in some departments 
 of this school harder lessons are given than in 
 others, it may be some consolation to remember 
 that lessons are usually assigned according to the 
 standing and ability of the pupil. Surely our all- 
 wise Teacher knows better What lessons we need 
 and are able to learn than we do ourselves. If He 
 expects much of us it is because He has entrusted 
 us with many talents. 
 
 4: :(: 4: 
 
 <jratitude 
 
 "We help to preach the gospel simply by be- 
 ing grateful. A cheery, sunny child of God, who 
 ^oes singing throug'h the days, is a Hving epistle 
 wherein men read the love of God. On the other 
 hand, Christians who whine and complain, look 
 g-lum and altogether appear as if life were a desert 
 w^aste. really detract from the power <yi the Gospel. 
 We do an injustice to God When we worry and 
 grumble."— Sel. 
 
 * * * 
 True Religion 
 
 It is not enough for us to console ourselves 
 with the words, '"All things work together for 
 g'ood to them that love the Lord," but it is our 
 privilege to "know for ourselves that this is the 
 case; and whatever troubles or trials have come 
 upon us, "whether they be of body, mind or es- 
 tate," they could not have come upon us unless it 
 
192 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 ih'ad 'been the will of God that we should have been 
 so tried, and therefore we are bound to believe that 
 it is good for us to bear every trial until it has 
 accomplished in us, or for us, or for others through 
 us, the object which God had in view in allowing 
 it to come upon us." If we take this view of the 
 matter, what excuse can we of¥er for murmuring 
 or complaining? And if this is not the proper 
 view of God's dealings with us, how much of our 
 religion is really worth having, or in what respect 
 are we better off than those who are ^'without God 
 in this present world?" 
 
 * * * 
 Preaching 
 
 The preachers alone who truly bless the world 
 are preachers of hope. Our mission must 'be to 
 carry to men, not grief and tidings of ill, but joy 
 and good news. One who has only questions and 
 doubts to give has no right in the Christian pulpit. 
 —J. R. Miller. 
 
 God Understands 
 
 Dearest friends sometimes misjudge us. 
 Sometimes fail to help afford 
 
 Just when all my heart is longing 
 For a helpful, cheering word. 
 
 But there's One who never, never 
 Fails to meet my heart's demands, 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 193 
 
 Thoug'h its needs 'be all unspoken. — 
 Jesus knows and understands. 
 
 — Carrie Hajrward. 
 
 * * * 
 Good Thoughts 
 
 It is better to meditate on the goodness of 
 God than to brood over the badness of men. 
 
 * ♦ * 
 Murmuring 
 
 If we "in everything give thanks," what will 
 
 there be left about which to murmur or complain? 
 
 * * * 
 Resignation 
 
 There can be no real happiness for the Chris- 
 tian who stops short of a complete resignation to 
 what he knows to be the will of God concerning 
 himself. 
 
 * * * 
 Sectarianism 
 
 To speak of others as "so-called Christians" 
 
 'because they do not "follow with us," or belong to 
 
 our religious society or denomination, shows a 
 
 narrow, Pharisaical spirit, altogether foreign to the 
 
 teachings and example of Christ. 
 
 * * * 
 Sectarianism 
 
 If we closely follow the teachings of the Bible 
 in the spirit of the Gospel, we will have no dispo- 
 sition to engage in controversy with others in re- 
 gard to certain modes, forms, or customs concern- 
 
194 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 ing Which we have no direct command in the 
 Bible. 
 
 * * * 
 JLove 
 
 Christian love is not manufactured by the 
 machinery of formal obedience to law. True 
 obedience to the will of God is the production of 
 the love of 'God which is shed abroad in our hearts 
 through the Holy Ghost. Jesus says, '"He that 
 loveth me keepeth my words." 
 
 * * * 
 Separation 
 
 "No man can serve two masters." A genuine 
 separation from the world is only the legitimate 
 result of a real spiritual connection with Christ. 
 To expect a heart separation from the world while 
 fhere is no vital union with Christ would be as 
 illogical as to look for grapes on a ibranch that has 
 no connection with the vine. 
 
 * * * 
 Endurance 
 
 Peace wifh God means war against Satan, the 
 enemy of God. The Bible does not picture the 
 Christian as a tender hot-house plant, simply 
 blooming 'here in the sunlight of God's smiles for 
 la season, and tlien to be carried to heaven on 
 "flowery beds of ease," 'but rather as a good soldier 
 v^ho endures hardness, sacrificing his own ease and 
 comfort for the good of otliers, ever ready and 
 fully equipped, with the whole armor of God, to 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 195 
 
 carry on an aggressive warfare against the powers 
 of evil under the leadership of the Captain of his 
 salvation. 
 
 Heart Religion 
 
 •-* 
 
 As from the seed the plant doth grow, ■{ 
 
 And from the fount the brooklet flow,. 
 
 So from the power of Christ within 
 
 A holy life alone can spring. 
 
 Then seek not in mere outward things- 
 
 The blessing v^hich religion brings. — 
 
 Religion of the heart \''§ 
 
 Must life and peace impart; 
 
 All "moral works" are dead without 
 
 Religion of the heart. 
 
 * * * 
 Heart-fruit 
 
 Do I hear some one say, "So you think, Tf the 
 heart is right all is rig'ht?'" Rather say. If the 
 heart is wrong all is wrong, and unless fhe heart 
 Ibecomes right in the sight of God, everything will 
 remain wrong; yea, even all your boasted right- 
 eousness will be as filthy rags before Him. "A 
 good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can 
 a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." 
 
 * * * 
 Sectarianism 
 
 No one should be a member of our church 
 
 society who does not believe that her doctrines are 
 
196 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 founded on the Bible, but it would be a mistake to 
 say that the Bible is founded on the doctrines of 
 our churc'h society or denomination ! 
 
 True Faith 
 
 Paul felt more concern about getting people to 
 have faith in Christ and confessing Him before the 
 world than he did about getting them to subscribe 
 to any particular confession of faith. "Believe on 
 the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." 
 *'With the heart man believeth unto righteousness 
 and with the mouth confession is made unto sal- 
 vation." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Positive Religion 
 
 The Christian religion is not a negative, no- 
 'harm religion; it is a positive, doing-good religion. 
 Hence in determining our course and conduct in 
 life, it is not enough to ask. Is there any harm in 
 this or that? But the real question is. Will it do 
 
 any good? Jesus went about doing good. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Finding by loving 
 
 **He that findeth *his life shall lose it, and he 
 that loseth his life for my sake s'hall find it." ''Giv- 
 ing is living." ''It is better to give than to re- 
 ceive." To receive and fail to give brings stagna- 
 tion and death, even as the Dead Sea which re- 
 ceives the waters of the river Jordan but having 
 no outlet has become a poisonous pool devoid of 
 animal and vegetable life. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 197 
 
 True Foundation 
 
 "Other foundation can no man lay than that i<^ 
 laid Which is Jesus Christ." When Christians 
 learn to look more to Christ as the real basis of 
 union in His Church, and less to minor things con- 
 cerning which Paul would say, "Let every one be 
 fully persuaded in his own mind," there will be 
 less starving on the 'husks of religion and more 
 growth in spiritual life, and better work done for 
 the advancement of His cause and kingdom. 
 
 Wheat and Chaff 
 
 The rough and cruel winds that drive 
 The light and empty chaiT away 
 
 Reveal and cleanse the solid wheat 
 
 With worth and weight enough to stay. 
 
 Trials 
 
 The most useful Christians are those who have 
 humbly and submissively passed through the 
 greatest trials. 
 
 * * * 
 Faith 
 
 It is impossible to render faithful service unto 
 the Lord without a firm and abiding faith in Him 
 whom we would serve. 
 
198 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Fruit Bearing 
 
 We should never indulge in a self-satisfied 
 feeling because we bear some **fruit." The Master 
 of the vineyard wants us to bear ''much fruit." 
 
 * * * 
 Obedience 
 
 "Love is the fulfilling of the law." We can 
 
 render real obedience to the revealed will of God 
 
 only so far as His will has become our will through 
 
 the transforming power of love. 
 
 * * * 
 Branches 
 
 Christ being the vine, without a Spiritual con- 
 nection with Him we are but as dead branches in 
 the sight of God, no matter what our standing 
 may be in the visible c'hurch. 
 
 * « * 
 Supreme Love 
 
 To be "prone to wander from the Lord we 
 love" (as the old hymn expresses it) s'hows that 
 we do not love God "with all our heart, mind, soul 
 and strength," as we are always drawn towards 
 that which we love, or has for us the geatest at- 
 traction. 
 
 Pruning 
 
 The trials of life being "God's pruning knife," 
 it is a comfort to know that the Hand that holds 
 tlie pruning knife knows best how to use it. With- 
 out submission to the pruning process there can be 
 no fruit-bearing. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 199 
 
 Persecution 
 
 Instead of murmuring or giving way to dis- 
 couragement 'because of their trials as followers of 
 Christ, the disciples rejoiced that they were count- 
 ed worthy to suffer for His sake. 
 
 * ^ ^ 
 Shadows 
 
 If it were not for the light there could be no 
 shadow; and the reason some people see only the 
 shadow is because they have turned their backs to 
 the Light. Many also walk in darkness because 
 they wilfully close their eyes to the light. 
 
 * 4: 4: 
 Adaptability 
 
 "God is the same yesterday, today and for- 
 ever;" but He does not for that reason restrict 
 himself to the same method for accomplishing His 
 work; and instead of requiring laborers in His 
 vineyard to use the same tools in harvest time that 
 they used in seed-time, He no doubt expects them 
 to act as intelligent beings under ever-changing 
 seasons and conditions. 
 
 Life's Calendar 
 
 All things of Earth must die; 
 
 And hoary Time decay; 
 But Love, immortal Love, 
 
 'Can never pass away. 
 
200 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 When Time shall be no more, 
 No more will days and years 
 
 Be written on a blotted page 
 As cause for smiles or tears. 
 
 Pure thoughts and no'ble deeds, 
 Of Faith and Hope and Love, 
 
 May then appear instead of dates 
 In life's great Book above. 
 
 * * * 
 Love 
 
 Real Christian fellowship is made possible 
 
 only by true Christian love. 
 
 * * * 
 Spires 
 
 Hig'h church spires are no indication of lofty 
 
 aspirations. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Roses and Thorns 
 
 "We sometimes complain that roses have 
 thorns, when we ought be thankful that thorns 
 have roses." — Northfield Prize Thoughts. 
 
 * ♦ * 
 Gifts 
 
 God's best gifts are for the use of those who 
 
 are willing to use them for the good of others. 
 « « « 
 
 Facts and Truth 
 
 When we have found a little pebble of fact we 
 should not imagine that we have discovered the 
 whole mountain of truth. 
 
THOGUHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 201 
 
 Prejudice 
 
 Most men are inclined to decide disputed ques- 
 tions, not according to their real merits, but ac- 
 cording to their own self-interests and prejudices. 
 
 * * ♦ 
 Faith 
 
 To be like Peter, "without silver or gold," is 
 better than to be without that faith which enabled 
 Peter to give "suc'h as he had." 
 
 * * * 
 Scorn 
 
 *'And they laughed him to scorn." To laugh 
 others to scorn does not prove that they are 
 wrong or that we are right; neither does suc'h 
 laughter prepare our respiratory organs for the en- 
 joyment of that holy atmosphere "beyond the star- 
 ry skies." 
 
 « 4c 41 
 
 God's Image 
 
 Man created in the divine image, with capa- 
 bilities of communicating with his Creator, cannot 
 •honor and glorify God as long as he is satisfied to 
 remain "a miserable worm of the dust." 
 
 * * * 
 Faith 
 
 It is better to have all our plans defeated 
 knowing that "all things work together" for our 
 good than to see our efforts crowned with success 
 and yet have no faith in the overruling power of 
 God for the good of His people. 
 
202 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 God's Purpose 
 
 Experiences that train our souls for God's 
 kingdom may count for more in His sight than the 
 failures or successes of the ''great and good caus- 
 es" for the sake of which we undergo the ex- 
 periences. The Lord may care more for the effect 
 that our work has on us than He does for the 
 effect of our efforts on the work. 
 
 Faith 
 
 Have faith in the Lord 
 
 And trust in His Word: 
 All good things 'come from above. 
 
 Then live for the right, 
 
 And walk in the light 
 Of God's unchangeable love. 
 
 * * * 
 Leadership 
 
 No one can he a Spirit-led child of God as 
 long as he wants to assume the leadership. 
 
 Controversy 
 
 'Spirited religious controversies retard spiritual 
 growth, and the silent influence of a godly life is 
 more convincing than the most learned argument. 
 
 Devotion 
 
 Those who live for Christ in their everyday 
 life, whatever their lot in life -may be, are prepared 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 203 
 
 to die for Him in the hour of death, even though 
 the stake should be their lot. 
 
 4: 4: 4: 
 Thoughts 
 
 ''For my thoughts are not your thoughts, saith 
 the Lord." No one can rise 'higher than his own 
 thoughts; and to harbor an evil thought w^ith 
 pleasure or satisfaction is to place one's self on a 
 level with that thought. 
 
 Charity 
 
 Since salvation is an individual matter, I have 
 no right to judge the weakest brother or sister in 
 anything v^hich the Word of God leaves to the 
 individual conscience. "So then every one must 
 give account of himself to God." 
 
 Service 
 
 ",'Education counts, and intellectual acuteness 
 is of value, but the Christ-like spirit, coming "not 
 to be ministered unto but to minister," will always 
 find a place where it can display itself in deeds 
 that make life noble and great." — Youths* Com- 
 psinion. 
 
 * * * 
 Warnings 
 
 If we were not in danger of going astray it 
 would not have been necessary for God to provide 
 us with a "Guide Book" to point out the right 
 way; and if it were not possible for us to do 
 
204 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 wrong there would be no virtue in doing right, and 
 we could never hear the Master's ''Well done." 
 
 * * * 
 Spiritual Discernment 
 
 Soul problems cannot ibe solved by the finest 
 mathematician, and the "constituent elements" of 
 a life that is "hid with Christ in God" are beyond 
 the sp'here of intellect. Hence the "wise and pru- 
 dent," in matters that pertain to this life only, have 
 no advantage over "babes and sucklings" in the 
 discernment of spiritual things. 
 
 * * * 
 Law of Nature 
 
 "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but 
 the Lord looketh on the heart." In the National 
 Museum in Washington, D. C, may be seen what 
 appear to be the finest specimens of fruit our 
 Country produces, and it is bard to realize that 
 such lovely apples, pears, peaches, etc., are only 
 "painted wax works." Being only representations 
 of fruit, these apparently perfect specimens can 
 never answer the purpose or take the place of the 
 genuine article. To fasten such imitations on a 
 tree would not make the tree "good" or "fruitful;" 
 neither can compulsory measures be used to make 
 the disciples of Jesus "bear fruit," since genuine 
 fruit is always the spontaneous outgrowth of life 
 within; it can never be manufactured to order 
 after a certain pattern, but comes forth in obe- 
 dience to that law of creation which has decreed 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 205 
 
 that every tree shall yield *'fruit after his kind, 
 whose seed is in itself," or which contains within 
 itself a living principle or germ calculated to re- 
 produce itself. 
 
 Seedtime and Harvest 
 
 Prepare the soil, then plant or sow 
 
 And weed and prune that crops may grow. 
 
 With faith in God, rejoice and live; — 
 
 The harvest He alone can give. 
 
 Of us God faithful work demands. 
 
 But holds results in His own hands. 
 
 * * * 
 Our Mission 
 
 The only way to find our "mission" is to fol- 
 low in the path of submission. 
 
 * * * 
 Our Example 
 
 'Tn His Steps, What would Jesus do?" We 
 can do as Jesus would do only so far as we are as 
 He was while here in the flesh. 
 
 H« ^ H' 
 
 Rewards 
 
 As talents are given to every one "according 
 to his several ability" to use the same, so the good 
 and faithful will no doubt be rewarded according 
 to their capacity to enjoy the reward. 
 
2o6 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS ^ ^^ 
 
 Our Influence 
 
 If the influence of our lives on those around 
 us is such as to make it harder for them to live as 
 Christians, we are working for the enemy of the 
 souls of men. 
 
 * * * 
 Workers 
 
 To be a Christian worker, one must work in 
 harmony with Him; which means to be a "co- 
 worker with God." Nothing can be done in His 
 name that is not done according to His will, by 
 His authority, and throug'h the co-operation of His 
 Spirit. 
 
 Work 
 
 Whenever so-called "Church work" is not 
 done in His name, but rather in the name and the 
 interest of the workers, the Master will no doubt 
 .•say of the workers, "Verily they have their re- 
 'ward." 
 
 * * * 
 IReward 
 
 We will not be rewarded according to the 
 .-amount of work that we have done, but according 
 ito our faithfulness in doing the little that we are 
 a'ble to do with the talents entrusted to our care, 
 and the opportunities placed before us. "Be thou 
 faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown 
 of life." 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 207 
 
 Work 
 
 The Christian's work in this world is to turn 
 the world ''right-side up," with its face towards 
 God, hence perverted humanity naturally accuses 
 the faithful worker of turning the world "upside 
 down." 
 
 Reward 
 
 Christ, the greatest Worker always works 
 with those who work for Him; hence all work 
 that is really done for Him (in His name), though 
 it be but the giving of a cup of cold water, is 
 great work and will receive a great reward. 
 
 * * * 
 Reward 
 
 The man who saw himself as the "chief of 
 sinners," became the chief apostle. Great things 
 are accomplished by those v^ho profit by great mis- 
 takes, and the greatest happiness comes to those 
 who have passed through great tribulation. 
 
 * * * 
 Talent 
 
 True greatness consists not so much in the 
 accomplishment of extraordinary deeds by reason 
 of exceptional gifts or unusual talents, as it does 
 in unswerving faithfulness in the ordinary every- 
 day duties of life, made possible by fhe proper use 
 and development of ordinary gifts and talents. 
 
208 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Not of Ourselves 
 
 If man could earn salvation by good works, 
 no Savior would be needed. We can "work out" 
 or give expression to our salvation only after we 
 are the saved children of Cod and have the Spirit 
 of Christ within us to prompt us to good works, 
 and enable us to "let" (not make) "our light so 
 shine that men may see our good works and glori- 
 fy" (not us but) "our Father which is in heaven." 
 
 * * * 
 Fidelity 
 
 If every preacher of the Gospel could truth- 
 fully say with Paul, "We preach not ourselves but 
 Christ Jesus the Lord," and every religious paper 
 were published only as an exponent of Gospel 
 Truth ; in short, if Christian people in every posi- 
 ition in life, were divested of the self-seeking spirit, 
 and all work together harmoniously, with an eye 
 single to the glory of 'God, the evangelization of 
 the world in the present generation would no 
 vdoubt become an accomplished fact. 
 
 Spiritual and Secular 
 
 Duty to God and duty to man can not be 
 considered separate and apart from each other; 
 neither can we draw a clear and sharp dividing 
 line between spiritual work and secular work, 
 since everything we do is to he done "to the honor 
 and glory of God." We can not serve God and 
 ignore the claims of our fellow men. When the 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 209 
 
 £nal reward for service is given, the Judge has no 
 special reward promised for service done directly 
 to Him, but His words are, "Inasmuch as ye have 
 done it to the least of these my "brethren, ye have 
 <ioxie it unto me." 
 
 4: * « 
 -For or Against 
 
 There is One who is called the Savior because 
 His work is to save, and there is one who is called 
 ithe destroyer because his work is to destroy. All 
 .mankind may be divided into two classes : Co- 
 workers with God, — working with the Savior to 
 save ; or co-workers with Satan — working with the 
 •destroyer to destroy. The Savior says ''He that 
 is not with me is against me." 
 
 * « « 
 
 Good and Evil 
 
 "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that 
 ^hic'h is good." It is necessary sometimes to look 
 at fhat which is evil, and see its hideousness, in 
 order that we may "atbhor*' it; it is just as neces- 
 sary to look at that which is good and see its 
 l)eauty and loveliness before we can have a desire 
 to "cleave to that which is good." The teacher 
 ^Tvho can awaken an ardent desire for that which is 
 good and pure, so that his pupils want to turn 
 ■away from evil and do that which is good, will 
 accomplish more than the one who continually 
 directs attention to evil things and expects his 
 ■pupils to be kept from evil by a strong fence of 
 
210 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 *'don'ts" and "must nots" While they are not at- 
 tracted towards that which is good. 
 
 4: 4: « 
 
 Joy or Sorrow 
 
 Those who truly accept Christ can do so glad- 
 ly while those who reject Him must go away sor- 
 rowfully. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Joy 
 
 It is a great mistake to expect "a real good 
 
 time" in this life without coming to the real Source 
 
 of all good. 
 
 « * * 
 
 Parental Respect 
 
 Disrespect to parents and reverence towards- 
 God cannot be found in the same person. 
 
 * * * , ,,. 
 Respect " -^ 
 
 Respect should always be shown to the aged^ 
 
 which implies that the aged should always show 
 
 themselves worthy of respect. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Humility 
 
 Where there is a desire manifested to pose be- 
 fore the world as a plain and humble people the 
 genuineness of these desirable qualities may w^ell 
 be called into question. 
 
 * * ^ 
 Man's Chief End 
 
 Since the chief end of man is to "glorify God 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 211 
 
 .and enjoy Him forever," to miss the end and pur- 
 pose of our creation and make a miserable failure 
 of life, one need only to live for self-glorification 
 and to "enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." 
 
 ♦ « ♦ 
 Xaw 
 
 If we want to measure our goodness by com- 
 paring ourselves with lawbreakers and criminals, 
 and say "We want only what the law allows, no 
 more and no less," we have not yet learned the 
 first principle of the greatest commandment in 
 •God's law. 
 
 4: ♦ 4: 
 
 Morality 
 
 Morality cannot make any one a Christian, but 
 Christianity alone can produce the highest form of 
 morality, — doing right not simply because the law 
 demands it, but because right is right, and because 
 tiie Spirit of Christ moves its possessor in the 
 light direction. 
 
 ♦ ♦ * 
 ITnity 
 
 "Be of the sa'me mind." Brother, it is im- 
 possible that you and I should see everything in 
 the same light, and have the same convictions on 
 all subjects. Nevertheless we can "be of one 
 OTiind," not only in regard to the underlying prin- 
 ciples of religion, but in this, that we sympathize 
 with each other's peculiar religious convictions. 
 If I believe that you are perfectly honest and sin- 
 
212 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 cere, and you believe the Same of me, we can cul- 
 tivate a sympathetic and charitable feeling towards 
 each other, even while each tries to instruct and 
 enlighten the other; and then instead of trying to 
 "hit" and "down" each other, we can unite our 
 fighting forces against the common enemy, the 
 devil, and direct all our hard knocks against him.. 
 
 * * * 
 Rules 
 
 Some school teachers have a long list of 
 "Don't" rules which their pupils must obey if they 
 would escape punishment. The teacher who gained 
 my highest respect and fullest confidence when I 
 was a boy placed only one rule on the blackboard, 
 namely : 
 
 DO RIGHT 
 
 To inspire with the proper incentive and desire for 
 right-doing is the gospel way for preventing^ 
 wrong-doing. 
 
 * * * 
 Legality 
 
 To the law-restricted Jews, Jesus said, "Why- 
 even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"' 
 People who think they have a right to do any- 
 thing that is not foi^bidden in the written law have 
 not yet learned to use their own judgment, en- 
 lightened 'by the Holy Spirit, who is sent to gulde- 
 ns into all truth. Such are still under the old! 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 213 
 
 covenant, not having God's law (v^ill) implanted 
 or w^ritten in their hearts and minds. 
 
 4: ^ * 
 
 First Things 
 
 To be loyal to the Church v^e must first and 
 always be loyal to the Head of the Church. True 
 loyalty to principles means more than a passive 
 obedience to certain prescribed rules of conduct, 
 even though such rules may be based on those 
 principles. "Seek first the kingdom of God and 
 His righteousness." Why first? Because that is 
 the most necessary thing to do. Everything else 
 is secondary and can be considered only in its re- 
 lation to the first things. Besides attending to that 
 which is of the highest importance prepares one 
 for all other minor duties. Do first things first; 
 secondary matters follow as a matter of course 
 where the most important things are properly at- 
 tended to; but if secondary matters have our first 
 or closest attention, we will be quite sure to miss 
 or neglect the most important things. 
 
 * * * 
 Preparation 
 
 'Trepare to meet thy God." Any "prepared- 
 'ness" that does not take God and His will into 
 consideration is not worthy of the name. Only 
 when we are prepared to meet our God in peace 
 can we be prepared to meet the events and cir- 
 cumstances of life. 
 
214 THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 Non-Resistance 
 
 What is known as the "non-resistant" doctrine 
 is not founded on "sickly sentimentalism," nor 
 even on certain texts found here and there in the 
 New Testament, but on the very life and spirit of 
 the Christian religion, and on the fact that God 
 lias pledged Himself to see that justice is done to 
 His people. Hence the Christian is out of his 
 sphere when he undertakes to render evil for evil, 
 or execute judgment on his enemies by giving 
 them what they deserve : "Vengeance is mine, I 
 will repay, saith the Lord." 
 
 Forgetting God 
 
 A noted general who had ample opportunity 
 to learn the nature of war, said, "War is hell." 
 The Bible says all the nations that forget God 
 shall be "turned into hell." It also says, "Right- 
 eousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach 
 to any people." When a nation forgets God and 
 worships the golden image of its own wealth and 
 ^military power, trusting in tihe strength of its army 
 and navy rather than in God who holds the destiny 
 of nations in His bands, such a nation will surely 
 be given an opportunity to test the saving power 
 of that which it has set up in place of the true God. 
 
THOUGHTFUL PARAGRAPHS 
 
 215 
 
 THE LORD'S INSURANCE POLICY 
 
 Conditions : 
 
 'Trust in the Lord and 
 do good 
 
 "Seeic first the king- 
 dom of God and His 
 righteousness 
 
 Benefits : 
 
 So shalt thou dwell in 
 the land and verily 
 thou shalt be fed. — 
 Psalm 37:3. 
 
 And all these things" 
 (the necessaries of 
 life) shall be added 
 unto you. — ^Matt. 6 : 
 33, 
 
 What more does the Christian want? 
 
INDEX 
 
 A 
 
 All for Our Good 56 
 
 B 
 
 Be Kind to the Living 129 
 
 Belonging to Jesus 25 
 
 Bible Lesson, A 74 
 
 Bible, The 15 
 
 Blessing of today 150 
 
 By Faith Ye Stand 91 
 
 C 
 
 Christianity Requires Peace 94 
 
 Christian Living 33 
 
 Christian Love and Sympathy 48 
 
 Christian Perseverance 85 
 
 Christian's Only Foe, The 126 
 
 Christmas Time 103 
 
 Consider the Lilies 60 
 
 Count the Blessings 98 
 
 Cruel Work of War, The 124 
 
 D 
 
 Defy Life's Storms 134 
 
 Die Froehliche Botschaft 104 
 
2i8 INDEX 
 
 £ 
 
 Eternal Life 37 
 
 F 
 
 Fastenings 145 
 
 Feet Washing icx) 
 
 Friendship 141 
 
 From Darkness to Light 22 
 
 G 
 
 God Bless the True Life 41 
 
 God Knows Us As We Are 44 
 
 God Owns All Things 88 
 
 God So Loved ^7 
 
 H 
 
 Hospital Nurse 154 
 
 I 
 
 In Memory 157 
 
 Invitation 26 
 
 K 
 
 King's Rose, The 142 
 
 L 
 
 Learn a Little Every Day 152 
 
 Life 29 
 
 Life's Beautifier 43 
 
 Life's Mysteries 39 
 
 Life's Purpose 82 
 
INDEX 219 
 
 Life's Warfare 35 
 
 Lights and Shadows 5b 
 
 Little Brook's Song, The 133 
 
 Little Mabel 158 
 
 Living 135 
 
 Look Up 79 
 
 Look Up and Live 81 
 
 Love of God, The 76 
 
 M 
 
 Misunderstood iii 
 
 N 
 
 New Year's Reflections 105 
 
 Nil Desperandum 153 
 
 O 
 
 Ode to the Rose 144 
 
 Opposed to Education 112 
 
 Our Country's Shame 130 
 
 Our Heavenly Home 107 
 
 Our Thoughts 55 
 
 P 
 
 Passing On 109 
 
 Prepare to Live 31 
 
 Provoke Unto Love 63 
 
 Q 
 
 Quaker Maiden's Lament, The 124 
 
220 INDEX 
 
 R 
 
 Religion in the Heart 53 
 
 Right Triumphant 118 
 
 S 
 
 Salvation 19 
 
 Seeing the Beautiful 139 
 
 Self Examination 71 
 
 Simple Life, The 136 
 
 Snow-Flakes and Flowers 147 
 
 Soul in Danger, A 28 
 
 Sowing and Reaping 62 
 
 Spring 149 
 
 Swear Not At All 97 
 
 Sweetest Name, The 155 
 
 T 
 
 To Every Man His Work : 83 
 
 Trust 59 
 
 Truth and Peace 18 
 
 U 
 
 Union of Believers 46 
 
 W 
 
 War 114 
 
 What Do We Seek? 69 
 
 What Is True Greatness? 122 
 
 When I Am Gone 160 
 
 Wisdom 72 
 
 Wonderful Works of God, The 65 
 
 Work and Wait 86 
 
 6 A !) 
 
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