MOTHER AND SON. 
 
MOTHER AND BD 
 
 BY ANNIE M. CUMMINGS 
 
 Apxd his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 
 
 Luke it. K\> 
 

 Copyright by 
 ANNIE M. CUMMINGS 
 
|HEN on the first glad Christmas morning 
 Mary's new-born babe was laid 
 In his Bethlehem manger-cradle, 
 
 As the Holy Book hath said ; 
 When they brought the angel's tidings, 
 
 ''Peace on earth, good-will toward men," 
 Did she see the Christ reflected 
 
 In her baby's features then? 
 
 HEN the shepherds came to worship, 
 And the wise men from afar, 
 Treasure-laden, brought the story 
 Of the wondrous guiding star; 
 As they bowed in adoration, 
 
 And with gifts their homage sealed, 
 Was the Saviour of all people 
 To his mother's soul revealed? 
 
ytXHEN, beside the temple's portal, 
 
 Simeon, by the Spirit taught, 
 Half in prayer and half in promise, 
 
 Blessed the little child she brought. 
 Did she, in her rapt amazement, 
 
 Understand the import full 
 Of his strange, prophetic message : 
 
 ''Yea, a sword shall pierce thy soul"? 
 
 |HEN, into the land of Egypt, 
 Hastily they took their flight, 
 At the bidding of the angel, 
 
 Under cover of the night ; 
 While she hastened to secure him 
 
 From the cruel king's behest. 
 Did she know the world's Redeemer 
 
 Sweetly slept upon her breast? 
 
X'vHEN she found him in the temple 
 With the doctors of the law ; 
 Heard his questions and his answers, 
 
 Strangely moved by what she saw; 
 Do you think she then bethought her 
 
 Of the work he had to do ; 
 Of his great, mysterious mission, 
 Do you think his mother knew? 
 
 |HEN at Cana's wedding supper, 
 Lo ! the wine had given out, 
 Did she see his higher Sonship 
 
 In the miracle he wrought? 
 Did she know his God-like power, 
 
 Thus the elements to sway, 
 When she whispered to the servants, 
 
 Whatsoe'er he bids, obey? 
 
HEN he sent to her this message, 
 "He that doth my Father's will, 
 Is my mother, sister, brother," 
 
 Did the sword her being thrill? 
 Did she feel that round about him. 
 
 Drawing with a stronger cord 
 Than the love of son for mother, 
 
 Was his Father's work and word? 
 
 TlTHEN she saw him, by the soldiers, 
 
 To the cross of Calvary led. 
 Scourged and smitten, robed in purple, 
 
 Crown of thorns upon his head ; 
 Heard hini, in his deepest anguish. 
 
 Say to her, " Behold thy son," 
 And to John, "Behold thy mother," 
 
 Could she say, "Thy will be done"? 
 
TITHEN, within the upper chamber, 
 
 On the day of Pentecost, 
 Through her soul she felt the power 
 
 Of the promised Holy Ghost, 
 Do you think she comprehended, 
 
 Even then, the wondrous plan, 
 God the Father, Son, and Spirit 
 
 Wrought to rescue fallen man? 
 
 .C^ITTLE in the Book is written 
 
 Of the things she said and did ; 
 Only in her heart she pondered 
 
 All she heard, and kept it hid. 
 But at last, when she had entered 
 
 Through the door he opened wide, 
 To the presence of the Father, 
 
 She was fully satisfied. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 015 775 569 9 • 
 
 'i