' PS '''/.v y\"^7,..' V/ t^ ^- ? t ne Ju^mon^ "^^ BUENA VISTA WINDOWS BV JANE LIPPITT PATTERSON /^,<^^^ ^'^"-^^^ JAMES H. WEST CO., PUB- LISHERS, BOSTON, MASS. . Press of James H. West Co., Boston 1899 By trj»nsf«»r The White House C V t < c TO THE LIVING FAITH AND SERVING LOVE OF THE THESE VERSES THE GROWTHS OF FAMILIAR ATMOSPHERE ARE GRATEFULLY DEDICATED CONTENTS PAGE BuENA Vista Windows 9 The Old Roxbury Church 25 The Corner-Stone 33 Hymn 41 Roxbury Church 45 Saint Mary's Message , . 55 Buena Vista Windows Buena Vista Windows THE restful shadows of a church I sought. Built on a hill — for my heart's need was great. The harvester with sickle keen had sat Close by my door, and ripened sheaves he claimed From my rich field, leaving my hunger nought On which to feed, of all youth's seasons brought. Or home's first love in childish accents named. Buena Vista Windows The hills give strength. Great kingly words so prove. And looking tov\^ard their sunlit slopes, some power To gird may steal into the life, before All weak, irresolute. And better still If a Christian temple lift its spire above The firm, strong crest. What waiting hands of love To bind, to feed, on this fair Zion's Hill ? And so I sought the shadows ; sat me down With other hungry spuls, and bowed my head To ask what I came seeking. Then, in- stead Of shadows, lo ! a tremulous light stole through lO Buena Vista Windows The church, and, pendent like a waiting crown. Above the altar all its glow made known. And held my lifted eyes in transport new. Was it light, or thought, or heart-beat, holding so My gazing eyes ? Transfiguration, or the voice Once heard o'er Jordan's waters ? To rejoice Seemed the right atmosphere. Yes, thought, love, Hght, Like arrows, pierced the mask of brooding woe. Commanding it depart — as long ago The demons heard and hastened out of sight. II Buena Vista Windows Like one new-shriven of sins not yet so named. But felt in weights, unrest and weariness, I tarried a whole hour in this high stress ; Then turned to view what earthly Paradise In light and color round my being flamed And all the passing congregation framed, — And Buena Vista Windows met mv eves. jf Rich grapes of Eschol, symbol and fore- taste Of meanings larger than the Prophet dreamed. In tempting clusters where the sunHght streamed, 12 Buena Vista Windows Spoke with the Prophet's accents once again : ** Ho ! ye, among life's desen sands who waste The pregnant years, to living waters haste ; Oh, come and be refreshed, ye sons ot men!" Soft, tremulous light my eager vision meets ; When, lo ! a courier irom the King ot kings. Heaven's wondrous promise borne on siiow>- wings. Pauses a maiden's throbbing heart anear. With emphasis divine the word repeats. Buena Vista Windows While blushing beauty angel grace entreats. And countless worlds that promise list to hear. ^ Revealing faces every thought uplift. Madonna and the babe, in orient glow. O'er fields of light their matchless beauty show. And kingdoms pale where Love is born the King. The silver stars bend near, and through the rift Made ample by the Virgin's heaven-sent gift. Angels descending tune their harps and sing. 14 Buena Vista Windows And now a vision of wondrous majesty — Doctor and mitred Priest stern-faced and wise ; Before them, questioning with innocent eyes, A lad his anxious mother missed and sought. Who answers — though in Law and History Master of all his nation's learning he — The lad's uplifted brow and luminous thought ? ^ With face compassionate, caressing arms. Stands the Good Shepherd. On his heart at rest, A lamb the wolves have chased in murder- ous quest, IS Buena Vista Windows And fright of wilderness to shelter driven. Man, weak, and wounded by uncounted harms. Trembling and doubting from the world's alarms. In this clear symbol sees his sins forgiven. jT Faith's horoscope ! Twelve men in radiant guise. With faces resolute and serious mien, Jesus the Christ standing midway between. As though to hold his own by love's strong band. Far-reaching prophecies are in his eyes. And on his lips his mission's great apprise, '* Go preach my truth to all, in every land!" i6 Buena Vista Windows What glory hides earth's deepest shadow now ! The tomb - door folding Calvary's pain swings wide. And Christ the Lord, on Friday crucified. Stands in transfigured life on Sunday morn. Mary, love's token 'neath her radiant brow. And John belov'd, bear hence the witness- vow. Men listen and abate their doubt . and scorn. ^ Onward the tidings fly. Whole kingdoms ^ kneel And pay their homage to the risen Lord. 17 Buena Vista Windows Even Rome the imperial sheathes her blood-red sword. And blind Judea listens. Her great son. The persecutor, with his fiery zeal. Sees light above the noon, hears Christ's appeal. Wins victories for his Lord none else has won. ^ Promise and prophecy come crowding here ! The Comforter, with dove-wings raying Hght, The rose, the passion-flower, the Hly white Wreathing the cross ; Peace hastening to all lands ; r8 Buena Vista Windows While Faith, in symbol anchor starry clear. And witnessing angels robed in gold, ap- pear. And all the house a mount transfigured stands. 1^ I seek the door, my soul a censer fine Aflame with incense. But, arrest once more ! And I am chained beside the outer door. The crowning glory for the heart bereft In the vestibule upHfts its purple shrine. And the sure Comforter in words divine Illumes the hour when Joseph's tomb he left. 19 Buena Vista Windows On Patmos' Isle His Revelator stands. With face upturned, with attitude in- tent. The seer's clear vision on the heavens bent. While one hand clasps the book that 'scape no word Of the God-sent message. People of all lands ^ Hush while he listens ! Behold the happy bands Unveiled by prophet-pen, — the Spirit's sword ! — ** I heard a voice from heaven saying, ' Write, Blessed are they who henceforth in the Lord, 20 Buena Vista Windows Illumined by his resurrection word. Shall die. Hunger no more, nor thirst, nor sun With scorching heat, nor deluge rains, shall blight ; But He who found life's throne beyond death's night Shall lead and feed, while endless ages run.' " ^ The hill, so grandly crowned, its help had given, — No hurt, nor doubt, to cloud the onward tread Of living love to green tents of the dead : 21 Buena Vista Windows For, lo ! Immortal Life had been un- sealed ! And reverent souls, following these signs, faith-riven. The glory of color caught from dreams of heaven. In Buena Vista Windows see God's Love revealed. 22 The Old Roxhury Church The Old Roxbury Church Burned January zj, i8g4 **|T lived the years oi a man," one I said. Yes, the years of a man, and more ; The silver shimmer about its head Was the halo of seventy-four. Those men of faith, did they ever dream When brace and pillar they hewed. 25 Thf Old Rcxhury Church Wnen thev shaped the rzrter 2z:i .iiz : beam Ari :J:e n-ame at ihe lemple vievred,- WheD ihev cJosed it in wiA tgk£ and i _-iv.w tkraH Ani "e kizi^;iy ^xiit's ^oest, — if.; t:::- iz.- --:rtr^r " "-^ev wroaglit. And. it :z;_t~ iver :j:e frid Jiooae song Bv ir £r~ 1 1 1 idw - ''.~ r z*e tanffh" r 26 The Old Roxbury Church Through the even flow of the happy years Thar measured this hoar\- pile. No drip of a vengefiil prophet's tears Reaches the ear meanwhile. The brave and noble of vanished davs To the ampfe shelter throng. And the voices bearing ihe -^I heart's praise Are tuned to an ^ t strong. Sages crowned with the snows of time On its throne of thought have stood ; Youth, with the zeal of its hopefid prime. Has wrought with the great and good. And they who followed, and they who led To the waters heavenlv clear. The Old Roxbury Church On love's immortal manna fed With never a thought of fear. It came as the avi^ful crash of doom j And our hearts beat sad and low As the blackened walls of our Zion loom O'er the white of the winter snow. In many a city and hamlet far Where the bitter tidings fly. The guiding rays of the vanished star Have lighted the morning sky Of men of faith and women strong Who the world's best thinking mould. And their true lives make a triumph-song As Miriam did of old. 28 The Old Roxbury Church O shrine of a countless multitude On earth and in heavenly ways. For righteousness thy walls have stood ; Thy gates were gates of praise ! And these shall live ! For souls have caught The everlasting flame Kept burning on thy throne of thought In Christ's immortal name. 29 The Corner- Stone The Corner -Stone THE Church of God in every zone. By all the tongues of men con- fessed. Upon the living Corner -Stone — The Christ of Nazareth — firmly rests. Yet men who build their living faith In temples for Jehovah's praise. Lay symbol corner-stones beneath The lofty towers which they upraise. 33 'The Corner-Stone Here, sealed for ages yet to be. Are records of the time, the thought. When boundless faith's heroic plea With love's desire in grandeur wrought. ^ ***Come, show me the place Where the corner-stone shall be laid Of the church to fill, by its matchless grace. The void which the fire-fiend made ! ** The street I do not know. Named for a Mexic town. Where the fruitfiil apple-orchards grow Which the builders must cut down." * Mrs. William Curtis. 34 'The Corner-Stone So we rode along the way. Busy and danger-sown. Seeking the spot where our faith shall lay Its symbol, the corner-stone. And, lo ! waist-deep in earth. His hand upon the spade, A man who had his mortal birth Ere the old church stones were laid ! ^ We hailed him standing there. The spade in his good right hand ; He answered with the reverent air Of a doer of God's command. * Joseph Hastings. 35 I^he Corner-Stone *^I watched," said he, '* for this hour. For I wished to dig, alone. The spot where the church shall build its tower Over the corner-stone. *' Child, and youth, and man. Until now I am nigh four-score, I went where my soul's true life began. To the old church's open door. ** Now, each day, I shall come. Watching the workmen here. Till I make of the good new house my home, Tamiliar and heavenly dear. 36 The Corner-Stone ** So I plant in the earth my gift. The gift on this hopeful day Of the love and faith which my heart uplift. As I dig where the stone shall lay." ^ The street which bears the Mexic name. And even the prostrate orchard-tree. Faith, kindled to heroic flame. In this man's living works can see. And our dear church, in ages hoar. The honored name and deed shall own Of him whose valor at four-score Made room to lay its corner-stone. 17 Hymn G Hymn Laying the Corner Stone OD of our fathers ! whom to know Is life eternal, come, we pray. And by thy love's transfiguring glow Baptize our symbol rites to-day. Thy guidance in the past we see. Thy changeless truth, thy pitying grace. And Faith would bring her gift to thee Whose glory fills all time, all space. 41 Hymn. Oh, may the walls which here shall rise Cemented close from base to dome. The strength and union symbolize Of those who make thy house their home. So shall thy Spirit's quickening power Here, as a central light, be known. And men and angels bless the hour We laid in faith our corner-stone. 42 Roxbury Church Roxbury Church Read at the Seventy- Fifth Anniversary T HE Prophets of our sacred past In swift succession come and go ; Their words the flying years outlast. Borne on by life's resistless flow. On Zion's towers we see the light Revealing love's eternal sway. And where were shadows of the night The dawn of faith's triumphant day. 45 Roxbury Church In countless hearts their praise is sung Whom God has. made his messengers,- The sandaled i^^ty the flaming tongue. The names enrolled among the stars. But who like Miriam shall stand Beside old wrong's divided flood. And speak for the enfranchised band Who once in night of bondage stood ? The grand procession of the years That thronged the Temple's shining ways. And built, with reverent prayers and tears. The Prophet's words in lives of praise ? 46 Roxbury Church Strong men of truth no bribe could reach. No sophist's tinsel breath could move. Brave to endure, in patience teach The victory of Immortal Love ? Their unsealed eyes new worlds beheld. The Palestine of hopes untold ; And, as in wondrous days of eld. They drank its streams and mined its gold. They reaped, and passed its harvests on. Increased, as faithful servants may. From year to year, from sire to son. And filled our granaries to-day. 47 Roxbury Church Beside these men of stalwart truth Fair women wrought in countless ways They gleaned the harvest-fields like Ruth, Like Miriam sang Jehovah's praise. And never, where the curtains hung O'er Hebrew tent or round its door. Or tinkling bells in concert swung When mitred Priest his ephod wore. Was finer needlework displayed Or incense costlier outpoured 'Than these true hearts in reverence laid Upon the altar of the Lord. 48 Roxbury Church They filled the treasury o'er and o'er When days were drear and lights burned low. Home's prudent ways their only store Love's flame in grateful deeds to show. And by the altar-fire, apart From the cold world's distracting gaze. Unfailing strength for hand and heart They found, in all life's toilsome ways. They prayed and wrought in full accord With the soul-currents deep and high Which fed our Temple of the Lord Through five-and-seventy years gone by.^ 49 Roxbury Church And when in smouldering ruin lay The sacred shrine our fathers blest. With tearful eyes they looked away In search of fairer hills of rest. Their names in fadeless glory blaze ; And while our house of God endures Its radiant walls shall speak their praise Whose work this crown of hope ensures. The church whose stones with jewels shine No tide of time can e'er remove. Built from the soul's exhaustless mine Of living faith and serving love. 50 Roxbury Church Then, hail ! and crown the coming days With glory greater than the past ! Your lives a hymn of noblest praise Inspired by words the years outlast ! Saint Mary's Message Saint Mary's Message Read at the Church Reunion in l8gj THE dawn with wavering shadows gray O'er Hebron's height and Zion's towers Led silently the promised day Whose bells should strike immortal hours : When softly, from her sleepless room. Saint Mary sped in tearful guise. Her sisters following, in the gloom ^ Of hearts bereft and blinded eyes. 55 Saint Mary's Message Their feet the springing grasses pressed. Their robes the Hly's fragrance stirred. The eaves where hung the swallows' nest Low-bending sorrow's breathings heard. The swallows chirped, and dreamed again ; Not yet the hour for matin hymn : 'Tis they who watch in grief and pain The night-dews kiss in shadows dim. Saint Mary knew the rocky pass Beneath the olive's gratefiil shade ; Over against its gloom, alas ! She had watched while safe the tomb was made. 56 Saint Mary's Message This tomb the matchless form concealed Of him whose daily walk and word So nobly love's true life revealed That men in gladness called him Lord. To lay the emblems of love's gain About his sacred feet once more. Saint Mary, over leagues of pain. Through drifts of gloom, her treasure bore. And when she neared the olive's shade. All bowed with sorrow's crushing fears, A blinding light her anguish stayed, A ray of hope shot through her tears. -* 57 Saint Mary's Message ** Fear not!" she heard the angel say, — Her listening spirit caught the word, — ** Fear not ! new light breaks on the way Of him who seeks the risen Lord. ** Go quickly, tell his fleeing friends The living Christ goes on before. Through time, to earth's remotest ends. Through death to life's immortal shore." She ran, — this woman, — joy -impelled. Her sisters following swiftly on. When, lo ! her happy eyes beheld The Lord's face lighting all the dawn I He spoke again the fearless word Saint Mary bore embalmed in myrrh. 58 Saint Mary s Message As round his feet the grasses stirred Where knelt his waiting messenger. Then on from prayer she sped, upborne By hopes which earthly shadows flee. And preached the resurrection -morn To all the twelve in Galilee. Saint Mary's message, angel-given. Baptized anew by Christ's own word. Comes down the centuries sorrow-riven. Earth's wailing hearts with hope to gird. Prophets and leaders come and go. Lover and friend death's shadows chill. But never change his word can know Who in his church abideth still. 59 Saint Mary's Message The dawn is past, the matin sung ; High noon comes o'er the hills apace ; And, nestling airs of Spring among. The Easter lilies find their grace. And fed by dews Christ's love distils. The Marys live to speak his word. To bear the light from heavenly hills. And run on errands for the Lord. 60 ;\^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 165 414^