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GLEHNINGS OF LEISURE HOURS; 
 
 BY 
 
 GEO. WILLIAA\SON. 
 
 Gleanings of leisure hours, chips from life's stream, 
 Garnered from many a fancy and dream, 
 If from your presence one small modest ray 
 Shall comfort the mourner or brighten love's way, 
 If faith is made stronger or pleasure attained. 
 Your mission's accomplished, your object is gained. 
 
 PUKLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CO., 
 
 II JEFFERSON AVENUE, DETROIT, MICH. 
 
 1894. 
 

 DEDICATED 
 
 TO THE 
 
 ORDER OF RED CROSS AND KNIGHTS OF RED CROSS, 
 
 THE HIGHLAND ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 THE SCOTTISH ASSEMBLY OF CHICAGO, 
 
 THE ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN 
 
 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS, 
 
 KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES, 
 
 THE EASTERN STAR, 
 
 ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETIES, 
 
 "THE HOME CIRCLE," 
 
 AND ALL FRATERNAL AND PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 *HE advent of a new singer, if his notes be true 
 and tuneful, should be hailed with joy as a new 
 voice added to that choir which no man can num- 
 ber, and such I find in George Williamson. He is of the 
 quiet, domestic order of poets, possessing an almost exu- 
 berant fancy, a facile versification, and withal a pawky 
 Scottish wit that is sure to please the average reader. 
 His is a pure Castalian rill or fountain of Bandusia, where 
 one may turn for a cool, refreshing draught. Our poet 
 has that ease in versification which can arise only from 
 spontaneity, singing as freely as the birds; and while his 
 notes flow with an easy modulation the variety of his 
 meters relieves his verse of anything like monotony. He 
 has evidently a keen musical sense, which enables him to 
 melodize in perfect harmony. His sentiments are fault- 
 less, and there is nothing in the volume but what is 
 kindly, ennobling and wise. Faith in the Divine Provi- 
 dence and an ardent love for his fellow men, form a dia- 
 pason which rings through his lines, to use his own words, 
 " as some clear silvery bell." Like Abraham Lincoln, 
 he gets near the heart of the people, and is the poet of the 
 masses ra^ther than of the classes. He is easily understood, 
 and has little in common with mysticism which makes 
 such works as Browning's so difficult for the ordinary 
 
mind to interpret. The poem on "Good and Great" 
 aptly illustrates the author's philosophy of life: — 
 
 There is in every heart a void, 
 
 That worldly honors cannot fill, 
 An incompleteness oft allied 
 
 To many forms of vice and ill; 
 We may be great when far from good, 
 
 But from pure wisdom's estimate 
 That has the test of ages stood. 
 
 The truly good are always great. 
 
 Mr. Williamson is a native of Dumfriesshire, Scot- 
 land, a region redolent of song, and has his due share of 
 that ardent patriotism vv^hich ever distinguishes the natives 
 of the " land of the mountain and the flood." He has 
 traveled extensively, and filled many important positions 
 as architect, master mechanic and builder. He has always 
 taken an active interest in patriotic and fraternal organi- 
 zations, has been president of several societies, and for the 
 past ten years has been Supreme Scribe of the Order of 
 Red Cross, vv^hich office he now holds. 
 
 He is also an honorary member of the Highland Asso- 
 ciation of Illinois, of the Scottish Assembly of Chicago, 
 and a member of Detroit Lodge, No. 6, Ancient Order of 
 United Workmen. 
 
 Mr. Williamson's many friends will be pleased to 
 know that in compliance with their wishes he now pub- 
 lishes in book form his interesting poems. 
 
 Robert Matiieson. 
 
 j/j Medinah Temple, 
 
 Chicago, III. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Paoe . 
 
 Song 9 
 
 To a Rosebud lo 
 
 Doubt and Hope 12 
 
 Village Bells 14 
 
 A Dream 16 
 
 Death of a Child 17 
 
 Hark the Herald : 18 
 
 Sing at Work 21 
 
 The Spirit Dove 23 
 
 Do It Again 25 
 
 The War of the Seasons 26 
 
 To Mme Sadi Carnot 28 
 
 Good and Great 30 
 
 The Thistle and Rose 32 
 
 Hope 34 
 
 Footsteps at the Door 35 
 
 Hustle 36 
 
 To My Wife 38" 
 
 The First Kiss 40 
 
 Victor and Lenora 41 
 
 Love is Not so Blind 51 
 
 The Approach of Spring 52 
 
 Farewell 53 
 
 May 54 
 
 Love of my Life 55 
 
 To Mme. Michelena 56 
 
 Ode to Night 58 
 
 The Lilacs 61 
 
 In Memory of My Brother, Wm Wil.iamson 62 
 
 Beautiful Maiden of Waterloo 65 
 
 The Flowers in Winter are Best 66 
 
 Will You, Mary? 68 
 
 Scotia's Shore 69 
 
 Eulalie 70 
 
 Lovely Burnett 71 
 
 Lady Marjorie 72 
 
 The Despot 74 
 
 I am Far, Love, from Thee 75 
 
 In Memoriam, Thomas Mearns 76 
 
 Friends in Old Age 78 
 
Paqk. 
 
 Golden Wedding Day 80 
 
 Almost 82 
 
 A Kiss 83 
 
 June 84 
 
 The Fading Year 85 
 
 To P. D. McGregor 88 
 
 Contentment 90 
 
 Lilac Blossoms 92 
 
 July 93 
 
 The Beggar Duke 94 
 
 Good Nigh'-Morn 105 
 
 In Memoriam, W. I. Hastings 106 
 
 In Memoriam, Children of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Ruben. .. 107 
 
 How To Ask 108 
 
 Canada no 
 
 The Serenade in 
 
 The Maids of Detroit 112 
 
 Lovers' Quarrels 114 
 
 Only Leone 115 
 
 Santa Claus no 
 
 In Memoriam, F. Wickham and Sisters ng 
 
 My Own Dear Wife 120 
 
 General Russell A. Alger 121 
 
 Faith 122 
 
 Empress of My Soul 123 
 
 In Memoriam, Mrs. Noble's Father 124 
 
 Trifles 126 
 
 The First Letter 128 
 
 Herring 130 
 
 Because 132 
 
 What Are You Now 134 
 
 Happy New Year 136 
 
 Mother 138 
 
 Prayer at Sea 139 
 
 To Miss Octa E. Wise 140 
 
 Cupid 142 
 
 The New Year 143 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Durward Lely 146 
 
 Conjecture 148 
 
 The Old Way the Best 149 
 
 In Memory of Lisle Bourke 150 
 
 Help the Poor 152 
 
 Fishing 154 
 
 Leaving Spain 155 
 
 Love 1 56 
 
 What's in a Name 160 
 
 Head and Heart 161 
 
 Mind how you Wear your Hair 162 
 
Page. 
 
 Misunderstood 163 
 
 Indifference 164 
 
 Leaves 167 
 
 On the Death of a Friend 168 
 
 Lilac Blossoms Painted by Mrs. A G. Comstock 170 
 
 To Miss M. B. Neal 171 
 
 Christmas 1 72 
 
 In Memoriam, Rev. T. Tallach 174 
 
 Memento of Sermon, Rev. J. C. Tolmie 176 
 
 Perseverance 1 78 
 
 I. E 179 
 
 Cupid's Caprice 180 
 
 Sour Grapes 182 
 
 Two Jolly Friends 184 
 
 Railway Flowers 185 
 
 The Ladder of Love 186 
 
 The Heart is Ever Young 188 
 
 Forget the Past 190 
 
 Song 191 
 
 He Wears 192 
 
 Think no More of Her 1 93 
 
 Wait 194 
 
 SociETARY 195-240 
 
 Order of Red Cross and Knights of Red Cross 196 
 
 Detroit Wednesday History Class 202 
 
 Highland Association of Illinois 204 
 
 Ancient Order of United Workmen 207 
 
 St. Andrews Young People 212 
 
 Independent Order of Foresters 219 
 
 The Scottish Assembly of Chicago 220 
 
 Knights of the Maccabees 224 
 
 Eastern Star 228 
 
 The Goat 234 
 
 The Kicker 236 
 
 Financiers ' 238 
 
 Scotland Yet (St. Andrews Society) 240 
 
 Acrostics 241-253 
 
 Memento. W. H. Smith. 254 
 
 Memento Sermons by the Rev, Dr. John Gray 255-300 
 
 Parting 30^ 
 
 Au Revoir. by Robert Matheson 302 
 
SONG. 
 
 _, ER beauty's charming to behold, 
 But oh, so cold! 
 While I with love's impassioned heat 
 Could melt the rocks beneath her feet. 
 
 Her voice, though like a silvery flute. 
 
 Is sweetly mute. 
 But gently those endearing eyes 
 Effective speak between her sighs. 
 
 Her fragrant breath the flowers reveal 
 
 And often steal ; 
 Oh would that I possessed the power 
 To be as favored as a flower. 
 
 Love, beauty, voice and bi-eath combine 
 
 To wish her mine. 
 And warming modest blushes say, 
 That blessing is not far away. 
 
TO A ROSEBUD. 
 
 LORAL gem of Eden's bower, 
 Little rosebud, whence thy power 
 That so silently can start 
 Love's volcano in my heart? 
 
 Gently on my lady's breast, 
 
 Posing gracefully at rest, 
 
 Daring culprit, did'st thou steal 
 What thy charms cannot conceal? 
 
 Frugally when none were nigh 
 Hast thou hid her fragrant sigh 
 'Neath thy petal's safe retreat, 
 Thus to keep thy perfume sweet? 
 
 As thy stem her fingers kissed, 
 
 Wert thou gathering the mist 
 
 That bedim med her eyes so pure, 
 Crystal devvdrops to secure? 
 
 Leaving beauty's peerless queen 
 Fraught with treasures never seen; 
 In a language never heard 
 Brought'st thou me one little word? 
 
 By thy presence here, I see 
 
 Modest smiles, so dear to me, 
 
 And this whisper for mine ear — 
 
 "Hope! for love is verv near." 
 lo 
 
Timid rosebud, yet once more 
 
 Precious secrets I explore; 
 
 There, upon thy blushing tips, 
 Lieth nectar from her lips. 
 
 Flower so favored and caressed, 
 Rosebud that her lips have pressed. 
 While I take each envied kiss. 
 Yield thee all thy mission's bliss. 
 
 VV 
 
 elcome messensfer, resisrn 
 
 All thy gifts for memory's shrine; 
 Harbinger of blessed joy. 
 Love's enchanting stream supply. 
 
 Beauteous as her form and face, 
 Charming as my lady's grace. 
 
 Sweetly as her voice can sing, 
 In my soul eternal spring. 
 
 
 lm< 
 
 II 
 
DOUBT AND HOPE. 
 
 T may be better that we part 
 
 Since life can ne'er obtain 
 The sacred passion of thy heart,. 
 
 That were a heaven to gain. 
 Time only maketh love increase, 
 
 Our parting more severe — 
 Desti'^oying fast receding peace, 
 
 My bosom shroud with fear. 
 
 Yet, dearest one, I gaze upon 
 
 Thy beauty as a spell, 
 And while I know 'twere better so 
 
 I dread to say farewell. 
 
 Perhaps again the happy hours 
 
 Shall nevermore be mine, 
 That sweet as fragrance to the Howers- 
 
 Thy presence made divine; 
 For love seems dormant or forlorn 
 
 Within thy snowy breast, 
 As though the rosy tint of morn 
 
 Could not disturb its rest. 
 
 Yet e'en its dearth gives secret birth 
 To hope I may not tell. 
 
 Whose brightening ray shall yet delay- 
 That dreaded word farewell. 
 
 12 
 
I dare not think of what may be, 
 
 If yet love's gems shall bloom 
 Within thy bosom's core for me 
 
 To banish doubt and gloom. 
 'Twere' almost sacrilege to dream 
 
 Of such a state of bliss, 
 That brighter realms enjoy and deem 
 
 Too pure for life in this; 
 
 And yet betimes the happy chimes 
 Of some clear silvery bell, 
 
 With glorious cheer sing in my ear — 
 Hope never says farewell! 
 
 Beloved one, let me appeal 
 
 To tenderness once more. 
 That all thv loveliness can feel 
 
 When doubts no longer lower. 
 Thine eyes encourage, and that sigh 
 
 The clouds asunder roll ; 
 Now surely heaven itself is nigh 
 
 And dawning in my soul. 
 
 Oh joyful beam of love's sweet dream 
 
 In ecstasy to dwell, 
 Forever thine, forever mine. 
 
 Not Death shall say farewell. 
 
 13 
 
VILLAGE BELLS. 
 
 H chime those bells! their echoes speak 
 
 Soft music to my ear; 
 Oh chime those bells, while down my cheek 
 
 Doth roll the welcome tear: 
 Oh how they tell of days gone by, 
 
 Of sports in flowery dells, 
 Oh how they crowned my youth with joy — 
 
 Those merry village bells. 
 
 How oft have I, when summer spread 
 
 Her banquet's richest fare 
 Upon the daisies, made my bed 
 
 That bloomed so fresh and fair; 
 Or by yon brook, where ever}' tree 
 
 With love's sweet music swells. 
 To list the sound so dear to me — 
 
 Those merry village bells. 
 
 Chime yet those bells! Again I feel, 
 
 And memory will retain 
 A charm which tottering age doth steal 
 
 And makes me young again. 
 For I could join the sportive dance. 
 
 While round me creep these spells; 
 Give youth for age, keep up the trance — 
 
 Ye fond enchanting bells. 
 
 14 
 
As to the bright and better land 
 
 My life shall ebb away, 
 With loving heart and willing hand, 
 
 Their music softly play; 
 For still they'd charm though I should fly 
 
 Where glory ever dwells. 
 Oh waft my spirit to the sky — 
 
 Ye precious village bells. 
 
 15 
 
A DREAM. 
 
 N the banks of a beautiful stream 
 Slept a traveler sad and forlorn, 
 When a fair one arose in his dream, 
 Like a spirit of light 
 Sent to guide him aright 
 From the night to a bright summer morn. 
 
 While the vision was leading the way 
 With a look so enchantingly sweet, 
 He reclined m the smile of her ray. 
 Till his burden of care 
 Seemed to vanish in air 
 Or prepare a new snare at her feet. 
 
 Thus together they wandered along, 
 Both enjoying the fulness of bliss. 
 Without thought of a shadow of wrong. 
 Till affectionate sfi'own 
 All unknowing unknown 
 Love was sown when alone with a kiss. 
 
 They arose with a rhapsodic thrill 
 
 To a charming and wonderful height, — 
 Where the fair one stood suddenly' still; 
 And exclaiming. Adieu! 
 Like an arrow she flew 
 From his view, ere he knew, out of sight. 
 
 i6 
 
Just a moment he looked as though dazed, 
 
 Then a veil from his eyes was withdrawn, 
 As he murmured, Heaven be praised, 
 b'treams may fail to supplv 
 But the sea won't go dry 
 Nor men die, though they sigh, foi- hopes gone. 
 
 Then aroused from his slumber once more, 
 
 With the blessings of earth to esteem. 
 He exclaimed as he'd ne'er done before : 
 Men with foolishness teem 
 When they sigh for life's cream. 
 Love's extreme is the gleam of a dream. 
 
 DEATH OF A CHILD. 
 
 1| DIEU, sweet babe, farewell to thv dear face, 
 ^1/ That beamed so bright with everv natural "race. 
 Perhaps 'twere better now thv troubles o'er 
 Than if thou'dst lived to view thv sin the more; 
 For now midst angels in the realms above, 
 Thou'lt taste the joys of everlasting love; 
 But here, in this great complicated maze. 
 Narrow 's the path that leads to virtue's ways. 
 One single error, if thy heart passed o'er. 
 Might lead thee into sin forevermore. 
 Rest, then, in peace! free from a world of strife. 
 Thy parents' grief commemorates thy life. 
 
 17 
 
HARK THE HHRALD. 
 
 '•'•Hark I the herald a)igcls si)ig^'' 
 
 ANG a maiden in her teens 
 Midst the Christmas evergreens. 
 Chiming bells fall on the ear; 
 Carol singers drawing near: 
 Glancing at the laurel bush 
 With a slight, unconscious blush, 
 Maiden fair, that song for thee 
 Is the sweetest minstrelsy. 
 As thy lover comes with haste, 
 Clasps his hands around thy waist. 
 Fondly kissing as ye go 
 Underneath the mistletoe, 
 Whispering, as he gives a ring — 
 
 "Hark! the herald angels sing." 
 
 " Glory to the new-born King I " 
 
 Sings a mother, sweet and low, 
 Rocking baby to and fro, 
 Christ descending from his throne, 
 To become just like her own, 
 Fills her with a mystic joy ; 
 While her first-born darling boy 
 Sleeping peacefully at rest. 
 Wakes emotions in her breast — 
 Brings to view her childhood's home. 
 Where fond memory loves to roam, 
 
 i8 
 
Back upon her parent's knee 
 Chanting Christmas mclodv, 
 Till her heart in raptures sing 
 "Glory to the new-born King!' 
 
 '■'■Peace on earth and mercy niild^'^ 
 
 Soldiers of the cross have heard 
 And repeat each precious word ; 
 Wars within the bosom cease, 
 Conquered by the Prince of Peace; 
 Mercy sheds a blissful ray^ 
 Guiding the transgressor's way ; 
 Many weep, but not with grief, 
 Hallowed music brings relief — 
 Swells the heart witii hope and love. 
 Leads to happy realms above. 
 Now, while hope's bright torch shall bura 
 Let the prodigal return ; 
 Praise these glories of a child — 
 "Peace on earth and mercy mild!" 
 
 " God and sinners reconciled.'''' 
 
 Still the heavenly music rolls, 
 Speaking peace to trembling souls;. 
 Sacred truth and mercy meet 
 At the great Redeemer's feet. 
 Blessed, condescending grace ! 
 Jesus takes the sinner's place ! 
 
 19 
 
Born to die, that we may be 
 Robed with his humility; 
 Bathing feet with bitter tears, 
 Lo! the Holy One appears ! 
 Reconciling God and man. 
 As in heaven the song began, 
 Now on earth with joyful strain 
 Sing this Christmas hymn again: 
 
 '•'•Hark ! the herald angels sing 
 Glory to the new -born King ! 
 Peace on earth and mercy mild — 
 God and sitiners reconciled^ 
 
 20 
 
SING AT WORK. 
 
 '^^ IVE me the man who sings at work. 
 
 To cheer the weary hours, 
 And while the hands no duty shirk 
 
 The soul's inhaling flowers; 
 To him the sun is shining hright 
 
 As though 'twere always noon — 
 The music that makes labor light 
 
 Is life's most precious boon. 
 
 The woman that can lowly sing 
 
 Herself a serenade, 
 Createth light for love to spring, 
 
 That would not live in shade. 
 These happy rivals of the birds 
 
 Are jewels set in gold. 
 That add a charm to God's own words,. 
 
 And heaven to earth unfold. 
 
 The children that so joyful vent 
 
 Their happiness in song. 
 Partake of nature's sacrament 
 
 That guards the soul from wiong. 
 The food of angels, bloom of love 
 
 And sanctity of prayer 
 Are all supplied by hosts above 
 
 Who sing eternal there. 
 
 21 
 
Sing sweetly on, though grieved or glad, 
 
 It needs no charming voice 
 To soothe the sorrow of the sad 
 
 And make the soul rejoice. 
 There is a blessedness, unknown 
 
 Where evil passions lurk. 
 That builds contentedlv a throne 
 
 In all that sing at work. 
 
THE SPIRIT DOVE. 
 
 /^ REAT Comforter, in pity aid 
 ^^ A pilgrim needing rest; 
 
 ^ Subdue, with cliarity displayed, 
 This torture m my breast. 
 Behold a suppliant at thy feet, 
 
 With true repentant tears. 
 Is searching for that safe retreat 
 Where Calvary appears. 
 
 Oh blessed love, pure white winged dove, 
 That flies from pole to pole, 
 
 With hallowed light rest thou to-night 
 Within my troubled soul. 
 
 Pass me not by, though poor and weak. 
 
 Thy saving help I need 
 Much more than those who better speak 
 
 From laws of church or creed. 
 Let not a sinner plead in vain, 
 
 That knows no other way. 
 To change a storm}- night of pain 
 
 To calm and perfect day. 
 
 Oh sacred love, pure white winged dove. 
 That flies from pole to pole. 
 
 Rest thou to-night, and with thy light 
 Illuminate mv soul. 
 
 23 
 
Sweet peace, blest messenger divine, 
 
 With sanctity inspire, 
 And make this wayward heart of mine 
 
 Expel each wrong desire. 
 He comes — the raging storm is o'er, 
 
 The Savior enters in: 
 Oh blessed joy ! for evermore 
 
 He cleanses me from sin. 
 
 Now, white winged dove, God's perfect love, 
 
 That spreads from pole to pole 
 Thy happy light, is shining bright 
 
 Within mv raptured soul. 
 
 24 
 
DO IT AGAIN. 
 
 I RED as a three-year child could be 
 
 After a day of sportive toil, 
 Teresa lay on mamma's knee 
 
 As homeward sailing from Belle Isle; 
 While others touched the child in play, 
 
 She cried out, "don't!" as if in pain, 
 But when they stopped, would quaintly say; 
 "Do it again! — Do it agam!" 
 
 Still pleading " don't " whenever teased, 
 With laughing eyes and winning grace 
 
 The little beauty seemed so pleased, 
 'Twas gladness to behold her face 
 
 And watch the lightning change appear 
 Whenever she desired to feign, 
 
 Or still the sweet command to hear: 
 "Do it again! — Do it again!" 
 
 The little darling — unconcealed, 
 Just said what older girls would do, 
 
 If they as truthfully revealed 
 
 Their feelings and their thoughts to you. 
 
 Then never have a fear to glean 
 
 The sweets from lips that may complain. 
 
 When saying "don't," they only mean 
 "Do it again! — Do it again!" 
 
 (3) 25 
 
THE WAR OF THE SEASONS. 
 
 N army came from the tropics, 
 In battle's proud array, 
 With excessive heat and passion 
 The enemy to slay. 
 
 And, beyond the arctic region. 
 Arose in powerful might 
 
 A host of chilling warriors 
 As eager for the fight. 
 
 The southern army is passing 
 
 The equinoctial line. 
 And the north is fast advancing 
 
 To frustrate its desisfn. 
 
 The breath of the fiery furnace 
 Is met with frozen hills. 
 
 While the battle fiercely raging 
 The pulse of nature thrills. 
 
 And louder the echoes thunder, 
 Till all the sleepers 'round 
 
 Awaken, with heat perspiring, 
 Though shivering on the ground. 
 
 The conflict so long continued, 
 And gloom so widely spread, 
 
 That a flag of truce is flying 
 To carry off the dead. 
 
 26 
 
And the monarchs are arrano-ino- 
 
 To have the combat cease, 
 Each to the other dictatino- 
 
 — & 
 
 The only terms of peace. 
 
 The Northern king has a daughter, 
 The Southern king a son, 
 
 And hostilities are ended 
 By making these two one. 
 
 The marriage is consummated 
 With presents from each kino-. 
 
 And where this pair is located, 
 The country is called S-prino-. 
 
TO MME. SADI CARNOT. 
 
 On the Death of Her Husband, Late President of Prance. 
 
 s 
 
 HARP spasms throus^h the ocean dart 
 That strike in every feeHng heart 
 
 Deep sympathetic, bitter grief; 
 And all our holiest thoughts ascend 
 
 To give thy troubled soul relief, 
 And France — that's lost her dearest friends 
 
 To speak of one you better knew. 
 But strikes the madman's blow^ anew: 
 
 Accursed is the coward hand 
 And all that aided in the plot 
 
 To plunge in woe a smiling land, 
 And wreck thine own once happy lot. 
 
 Oh, Lady, if the seas went dry 
 Our tears their waters might supj^ly; 
 
 But there is nothing we possess, 
 Or we would lay it at thy feet, 
 
 To make thy deep affliction less ' 
 And smooth the bruised heart's retreat. 
 
 With Lincoln, Garfield, Carnot dies 
 As martyred Presidents that rise 
 
 Beyond the world that gave them birth. 
 Where greater scope for worth is given. 
 
 Past all the fleeting scenes of earth. 
 To grace the purer courts of Heaven. 
 
 28 
 
The blissful home at Bethany, 
 The glorious cross of Calvary, 
 
 The history of holy saints. 
 All goodness, though it overflow, 
 
 With never fading color paints 
 A target foV death's sudden blow. 
 
 But though thy sun of life be set. 
 Its golden rays are shinin"- vet: 
 
 And nevei shall the darkest night 
 Have power his brilliancy to shade. 
 
 Whose love illuminates the lio-ht 
 By virtue and by honor made. 
 
 Dear Lady, let the world, that shares 
 Thy anguish, from its fervent prayers 
 
 Some comfort to thy bosom give, 
 And soothe thy sorrow till it cease. 
 
 Where grieving can no longer live 
 Within a loving Savior's peace. 
 
 29 
 
GOOD AND GREAT. 
 
 HE hero of a hundred fights, 
 
 With decorations on his breast, 
 Has reached ambition's tottering heights^ 
 
 And can on well earned laurels rest. 
 But mark, he is not yet content, 
 
 Unconquered foes his thoughts create. 
 As conscience cries, "Repent, repent, 
 
 'Tis better to be good than great." 
 
 Philosophers may all be wise 
 
 In nature's scientific skill. 
 Astronomers may search the skies 
 
 And measure distances at will ; 
 But there is something dearer far 
 
 That love alone can demonstrate, 
 This light that shines from Bethlehem's star 
 
 'Tis better to be good than great. 
 
 The earth with all its fulness may 
 
 The transient wants of those supply, 
 Whose hope's possession for to-day 
 
 Of fame or pleasure gold can buy ; 
 But temporal joy can never save 
 
 The soul from sin's degrading state; 
 For all who look beyond the grave, 
 
 'Tis better to be good than great. 
 
 30 
 
There is in every heart a void 
 
 That worldly honors cannot fill, 
 An incompleteness oft allied 
 
 To many forms of vice and ill; 
 We may be great when far from good, 
 
 But from pure wisdom's estimate 
 That has the test of ages stood, 
 
 The truly good are always great. 
 
 Oh, for the peace that Burns could trace 
 
 So vivid in the "Cotter's Night." 
 The simple faith, the holy grace. 
 
 The firm resolve to walk upright; 
 Then come what may, though fortune frown, 
 
 It cannot mar our happy fate. 
 To gain a pure, immortal crown, 
 
 Be good, and, on that Rock, be great. 
 
 31 
 
THE THISTLE AND ROSE. 
 
 THISTLE and a lovely rose 
 Were growing side by side, 
 
 Exhibiting in mute repose 
 Dependency and pride. 
 
 From scorching heat, meridian bright, 
 And every darkening hour, 
 
 The thistle seemed to take delig-ht 
 In sheltering the flower. 
 
 When rain exhausted all its store. 
 His brawny sails were spread 
 
 For dew, to gently sprinkle o'er 
 His sweet companion's bed. 
 
 The blushing rose accepted aid 
 With most bewitching grace. 
 
 But thought the thistle well repaid 
 To see her pretty face. 
 
 Such loveliness might well beguile 
 
 His thoughts to her alone, 
 To wish the flower's entrancing smile 
 
 For evermore his own. 
 
 And time that brought them nearer still 
 
 Increased the thistle's bliss. 
 Till, with the joy of love's pure thrill 
 
 They met with mutual kiss. 
 
 32 
 
But ah, the fickle o^em beholds 
 
 A more attractive fate, 
 Whom all her hidden power unfolds 
 
 To please and fascinate. 
 
 A ready hand, with undue haste 
 The willing captive takes. 
 
 Rejoicing in new joys to taste, 
 Her thistle friend forsakes, 
 
 And soon forgets 'neath sunnv skies 
 The one that loved her well. 
 
 Till storms remorsefully arise 
 And break the magic spell. 
 
 Till fading charms delighting less 
 The one that made her roam. 
 
 Her thoughts revert to faithfulness; 
 The thistle at her home. 
 
 Then back to the old spot again 
 The hapless flower returns 
 
 And looks, alas! the looks are vain 
 For what the bosom vearns. 
 
 There lowly crouching down alone 
 
 Without a single plea. 
 The thistle had so lofty grown. 
 
 The rose he could not see. 
 
 33 
 
But at his feet she made her bed, 
 
 And, fainting, feebly cried; 
 While he unconscious towered his head» 
 
 The rose unnoticed, died. 
 
 Ah, maidens fair, when honest truth 
 Your hands and hearts desire, 
 
 Do not prefer the gilded youth 
 That melts in sight of fire. 
 
 HOPE. 
 
 qOPE, blessed Hope, thou precious, costly gem. 
 Heaven's greatest gift and earth's bright diadem, 
 Angelic visions herald forth thy fame. 
 And holy raptures laud thy sacred name. 
 Without thee. Faith and Friendship are as dead. 
 And gloomy doubt o'er every heart is spread: 
 But where thy presence sanctifies the air, 
 No longer doubts, or fear, or dark despair, 
 But blushing Love comes tripping with a bound 
 And all is joy and happiness around. 
 
 34 
 
FOOTSTEPS AT THE DOOR. 
 
 HERE'S not in all this world a heart 
 
 That can escape from pain, 
 When forced from some dear friend to part, 
 
 We ne'er may meet again ; 
 But oh! how joyful 'tis to know 
 
 The separation's o'er, 
 That when a few short moments go 
 
 The footstep's at the door. 
 
 Waiting for a sound upon the floor. 
 One that has oft been heard before, 
 
 How impulsive we unroll 
 
 AH the raptures of the soul 
 Harkening for a welcome footstep at the door. 
 
 The angels in the better land 
 
 Are waiting with delight, 
 To welcome to their golden strand 
 
 Some wanderer to-night. 
 The sweetest music to their ear, 
 
 Is sin that we deplore; 
 For every penitential tear 
 
 Make footsteps at their door. 
 
 Listening for the prayers that they adore, 
 Wafting happy greetings to their shore. 
 All the hosts of heaven rejoice 
 When they hear the blessed voice 
 Of the Savior, guiding footsteps to their door. 
 
 35 
 
HUSTLE. 
 
 WOULD not "lay me doun and dee," 
 
 Or waste my life in sighing, 
 To gain the heart so dear to me; 
 
 There is no use in dying. 
 Much rather would I live and dare 
 
 With obstacles to tussle, 
 For e'en the fairest of the fair 
 
 Wants man to "git" and hustle. 
 
 True men that love, will work the more, 
 
 For love makes labor lighter. 
 And add unto the little store 
 
 That makes the future brighter. 
 Love's pot may boil, but it lakes bread 
 
 To nourish bone and muscle, 
 And women who would wisely wed 
 
 Will look for men that hustle. 
 
 To lounge like dudes the livelong day, 
 
 Or all the night be spooning. 
 And perfumed billets doux display 
 
 While bills o'erdue need pruning. 
 May suit some pale, romantic maid, 
 
 Who knows naught of life's bustle. 
 But wisdom likes the stock-in-trade 
 
 That grows with men that hustle. 
 
 36 
 
The horny-handed sons of toil, 
 
 To shrines of beauty kneehng, 
 Have got no time to wear a smile 
 
 That's void of truth or feeHnsf. 
 They do their utmost, though they fail 
 
 To furnish silks that rustle: 
 Life's ocean girls can safely sail 
 
 With mariners that hustle. 
 
 To hustle — never mind the word. 
 
 We know to slang it's leanino-. 
 But all of great Chicago's heard 
 
 And understand its meaning:. 
 Men of that stamp their objects win, 
 
 While others fuss and fussle. 
 To fail with one means to begin 
 
 Straight for another hustle. 
 
 37 
 
TO MY WIFE. 
 
 On the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Our Marriage. 
 
 HROUGH the fragrant vale of morn, 
 
 We have wandered side by side, 
 Now in sunshine — now in storm, 
 
 SaiUng 'gainst the coming tide: 
 But with hands that feared no toil, 
 
 Hearts united firm for aye. 
 At thy ever cheering smile, 
 
 Tides would turn, clouds pass away. 
 
 Now upon this Silver dome, 
 
 We can retrospect life's scene. 
 Tracing shadows in our home. 
 
 We have wished had never been; 
 But the trials of the past 
 
 Mav be blessings — who can tell? 
 God will guide us safe at last. 
 
 For He doeth all things well. 
 
 On this high meridian hill, 
 
 Not alone the past we see — 
 Calm and tranquil, peaceful, still. 
 
 Dawns the future, yet to be; 
 Varied changes are in view. 
 
 For the evening of our life, 
 But our love remaineth true, 
 
 Mv own sweet — my precious wife. 
 
 38 
 
What though silvery hairs appear? 
 
 Monuments of jDassing time — 
 They but add from year to year 
 
 Charms, to knit my soul to thine: 
 Thy dear beauty cannot fade; 
 
 Every day renews its birth, 
 And in God's pure gems arrayed. 
 
 Thou art Heaven to me on earth. 
 
 Come then, darling, and once more 
 
 At the altar let us stand, 
 Haj^pier than in days of yore, 
 
 When you gave me first your hand ; 
 Unity of heart and mind. 
 
 Love from deep unfathomed wells, 
 Hope, with faith and bliss combined, 
 
 Ring our Silver Wedding Bells. 
 
 39 
 
THE FIRST KISS. 
 
 /^ ARDENS of roses, lovely to view, 
 ^^Visions of sunshine enthroned in blue, 
 Beautiful landscape and moonlit sea, 
 Happily, joyously laughing free; 
 
 Buoyant the heart with fulfilled desire. 
 
 Cheering the soul with poetic fire, 
 Gems of the rarest sparkle around 
 Musical fountains on fairy ground, 
 
 Statues of marble, silver and gold, 
 Mountains of jewels and wealth untold. 
 Streams in abundance as pure as truth. 
 Keeping the heart in perpetual youth; 
 
 These with a thousand treasures divine, 
 Of the bosom's hope, would all be mine, 
 If ever the key I could obtain 
 Opening the gate of this blest domain. 
 
 But in vain was every effort made. 
 Till my precious darling — half afraid — 
 With a modest blush, and coy surprise. 
 Let me take that key of paradise. 
 
 Now more than a king upon his throne 
 The greatest joy on the earth I own. 
 From a little question answered "yes," 
 And my charming, loved one's first sweet kiss. 
 
 40 
 
VICTOR AND LENORA. 
 
 PART ONE. 
 
 OW in the West the settin<r sun 
 
 Beams forth his last hright golden ray, 
 Q^ Gaily, his constant journe}' run, 
 
 He sinks to make elsewhere the day. 
 
 Behold yon mansion's stately towers. 
 That proudly stand the test of time, 
 
 Adorned with richest grounds and bowers. 
 And rarest plants from every clime. 
 
 The Baron of this charming home. 
 Now aged, retires to quiet ease, 
 
 No more in court or camp to roam, 
 A great applauding world to please. 
 
 His daughter, last of all his race. 
 
 The rest now free from earthly strife, 
 
 In sweetest womanhood and grace. 
 His only joy, his pride, his life. 
 
 In her, fair nature's gifts were seen 
 In richest, brightest, best array, 
 
 No cultured art or studied mien 
 
 Could half such glorious charms disj)lay. 
 
 (4) 41 
 
Nor form alone, the charms secure 
 
 Enrapturing voice and heaven born smile, 
 
 No crystal stream refined more pure 
 Than her dear heart from every guile. 
 
 To soothe distress her happiest lot 
 The grief of other hearts to share, 
 
 And princely hall, or peasant cot 
 Alike receive her constant care. 
 
 Anticipating each desire, 
 
 With loving hands and language mild. 
 Her dearest thought to please her sire — 
 
 No mar\el that he loved his child. 
 
 If in his heart the Baron grieved 
 
 To see his child, with kindness fraught 
 
 Attend the poor — 'twas unperceived. 
 
 Nor word nor look betraved the thought. 
 
 And as he knew her heart of love 
 Would yield its life to do his will. 
 
 Affection would not disapprove 
 
 What pride condemned in silence, still 
 
 One serious thought his life possessed, 
 One terror more than tongue can speak. 
 
 His watchful eye had seen impressed 
 A richer bloom upon her cheek, 
 
 42 
 
A greater brilliance in the eye, 
 A pensive, yet a happier mood. 
 
 Sweet smile and soft escaping sigh 
 Revealed a secret soon construed. 
 
 Dreading to lose her, causing fear 
 
 That pained him us a venomed dart — 
 
 And that some worthless knight or peer 
 Had gained his darling- Lena's heart. 
 
 Yet, oft he thought him of the day 
 Her gentle mother looked the same. 
 
 When he in gorgeous arrav, 
 
 Went forth her bridal hand to claim. 
 
 PART TIVO. 
 
 Near by the castle's postern stood 
 
 A cottage, with wild flowers o'errun, 
 
 Where dwelt in sacred solitude, 
 A widowed lady and her son. 
 
 There, from the busy world concealed. 
 Had passed a year of tranquil pain, 
 
 Since charging on the battle field. 
 Husband and father had been slain. 
 
 43 
 
Victor, her noble son, forsook 
 
 Life's pleasures to assuage her grief,. 
 
 For more than joy to him, her look 
 Of grateful peace and true relief. 
 
 His handsome form in humblest dress, 
 Seemed nobler in his mother's sight 
 
 Than all that pomp and power express^ 
 When robed in armor shining bright. 
 
 Not long the widow lived retired 
 Till Lena found the calm retreat, 
 
 With purest charity inspired. 
 To offer aid and solace meet. 
 
 The anxious mother was afraid 
 
 Such charms would bring her son regret^ 
 Hence, many visits had been made 
 
 E'er Victor and Lenora met. 
 
 But when the happy meeting came. 
 As gentle dews from Heaven descend. 
 
 Love kindled in each heart a flame 
 Not even death himself could end. 
 
 As time rolled on, love stronger grew. 
 Though they the Baron's anger fear; 
 
 Hope chased away each dismal view. 
 And made the future bright appear, 
 
 44 
 
And Victor's mother saw and blessed 
 
 And hoped and prayed, from day to day, 
 
 That He who soothed her own fad breast, 
 Would chase all obstacles away, 
 
 And help her in the hour of need 
 By giving love at his command. 
 
 To aid her son his cause to plead. 
 And gain the fair Lenora's hand. 
 
 The silvery moon proclaims the hour 
 When lovers' secrets are more sweet, 
 
 While Lena hastens to the bower. 
 The idol of her heart to meet. 
 
 Oh, sacred, holy meeting this. 
 
 Where virtuous lovers now unite 
 
 In purest thought and sweetest kiss. 
 Nor think of vice to mar delight. 
 
 PART THREE. 
 
 ^M^e banquet hall now beams with light, 
 And wit and splendor brilliant shine, 
 
 While many a courtly lord and knight 
 Is reveling in sparkling wine. 
 
 45 
 
The feast is o'er, the song is sung, 
 
 The toast goes round with boundless glee^ 
 
 And aged men again are young. 
 With tales of ancient chivalry. 
 
 One favored by the Baron's chair 
 
 Spoke out with dignity and grace — 
 
 "Come pledge anew — the fairest fair, 
 Lenora — best of woman's race." 
 
 The guests had barely drank the toast, 
 The shouts of joy had scarcely ceased, 
 
 When suddenly toward the host. 
 
 As though from some foul fiend released 
 
 A knight rushed madly through the door^ 
 Who wild with taunting spirit cried — 
 
 "Health to the noble peasant boor 
 That's won Lenora for his bride." 
 
 Like meteors flashing in the skies, 
 
 A score of glittering swords were borne^ 
 
 But brighter flashed the Baron's eyes 
 With mingled hatred, love and scorn. 
 
 "Sir Knight," he cried, in wild alarm, 
 "This moment prove thy insult true, 
 
 Or by the saints! this feebled arm 
 
 Will run thy worthless carcass through ! 
 
 46 
 
"Prove thou iny words thyself, my lord; 
 
 Step to the bower, and thou shalt see 
 Lenora and a great swineherd 
 
 Exchanging vows of constancy." 
 
 "Alas," he sighed, "for her fair fame," 
 Then shouting loud, the Baron said — 
 
 "My daughter's hand that Knight shall claim 
 Who brings to me that peasant's head!" 
 
 Now for the bride they long had sought; 
 
 Each rushed into the open air, 
 But he who had the tidings brought, 
 
 Was first to reach the loving pair. 
 
 With gladened heart to gain the prize. 
 He lifts his sword to strike the foe; 
 
 Lenora droops and faintly cries — 
 'Twas she received the erring blow. 
 
 The noble Victor sees amazed, 
 
 Her dear blood flowing from the wound, 
 Then turning to the Knight, half crazed. 
 
 He dashed him senseless to the ground. 
 
 The sword with Lena's blood now dyed, 
 
 Would soon have closed the Knight's career, 
 
 But some one shouted by his side — 
 
 "Touch naught so vile with blood so dear!" 
 
 47 
 
PART FOUR. 
 
 An aged minstrel passing by, 
 
 Was listening to the wild alarms, 
 
 And hearing Lena's painful cry 
 
 Had caught her fainting in his arms. 
 
 "Touch naught so vile," again he said, 
 "But help to stop this blood, I pray, 
 
 Or never more will this poor maid 
 Behold thee, or the light of day." 
 
 While tears bedimmed the lover's e3'es. 
 He held her in the fragrant air, 
 
 And thoughts and wox^ds and sobs and sighs, 
 Bore up to Heaven a fervent prayer. 
 
 The minstrel knew his task so well 
 That Lena sweetly smiled at rest. 
 
 And gently moved her lips to tell 
 
 The thoughts o'erflowing in her breast. 
 
 "My love, my hope, my joy, my light. 
 
 Grieve not, dear heart, for this small pain; 
 
 The minstrel says the wound is slight, 
 And we shall never part again." 
 
 48 
 
Victor was kneeling;- bv the maid, 
 His soul exulting in each word. 
 
 But suddenly became dismayed 
 
 At woeful sounds approaching heard. 
 
 "Wretch!" cried the Baron, rushing in 
 With hate and pity raging wild, 
 
 "Thou dastard knave, weep at thy sin, 
 And give me back my murdered child." 
 
 These bitter words succeeded groans, 
 As he his direful passion bore; 
 
 "Hence, baseborn churl," at last he moans, 
 "And never tread these precincts more." 
 
 "Withhold thy rage," the minstrel cried, 
 "No dastard knave in him you see, 
 
 For he who kneels at Lena's side 
 
 Is Red Cross Knight, and lord is he; 
 
 "His deeds are not unknown to fame; 
 
 His lineage honored as thine own; 
 E'en thou, thyself, knowest well the name 
 
 Of Victor, Earl of Eglinton. 
 
 "Here, free from all display of wealth, 
 To save his loving mother's life. 
 He sought these peaceful scenes for health, 
 And won thy daughter for his wife 
 
 49 
 
"With virtuous grace, and love combined, 
 
 With honor and with truthfuhiess; 
 Novv^ therefore, as their hearts are joined. 
 Join thou their hands, their lives to bless." 
 
 "Audacious minstrel, who art thou 
 That such a tale of wonder sing?" 
 
 The minstrel, boldly speaking now, 
 Said: "I, Lord Baron, am thy King." 
 
 O wondrous change! The voice is known. 
 And quick all present bend the knee; 
 
 "Forgiveness, Sire, let me atone. 
 And be it as thou dost decree." 
 
 The Baron joins the lovers' hands, 
 
 And speaks the blessing firm and clear; 
 
 The King uncovering, commands: 
 
 "Now then, my courtiers, give a cheer." 
 
 One shout that made the echoes ring; 
 
 One joyful cry from everyone: 
 "God bless and save our Sovereign King, 
 
 And Earl and Countess Eglinton." 
 
 50 
 
LOVE IS NOT SO BLIND. 
 
 HE proverb you have often heard 
 That " Love is bhnd," 
 And to defects the sight is blurred. 
 Of every kind: 
 But if this were really so 
 And men cannot see to sow^, 
 How is it that the pretty girls 
 Are always first to go ? 
 
 There never could in nature's store 
 
 A beau be found, 
 Who did not please the eyes before 
 The heart would bound: 
 If the lady's his delight 
 Before Cupid's closed the sight. 
 Then 'tis folly to be looking 
 For a wrong in a right. 
 
 But Love is not so very blind 
 As some believe; 
 The girls that live just now we find 
 You can't deceive: 
 And 'tis libelous to say 
 That we know more of a play 
 Than those that are rehearsing the 
 Old stor}' every day. 
 
 51 
 
THE APPROACH OF SPRING. 
 
 NCE more the ice cracks in the stifled brook, 
 
 How it shrinks at the sound of its enemies' cry; 
 See the trees are now budding, behold, proud man, look 
 At the chirruping birds that were nigh wont to die 
 With the winter's stern breeze. 
 How they leave the stript trees, 
 And go cheerfully warbling up to the sky. 
 
 Come on, gentle sjDring, with thy treasures so bright, 
 Add charms to all nature, iiiake joyous each scene; 
 The children grow tired of the fire's glaring light. 
 
 Inspire their young hearts; with thy soft glowing sheen 
 Give day for the night. 
 Oh, banish their fright. 
 Let their restless limbs find vent on the green. 
 
 She comes, the sweet goddess, to open the skies 
 
 As pathways of beauty ; she calls the wild flowers 
 That seclusively lie in the valleys to rise 
 
 And share in her favors as free as the bowers 
 That perfume the great. 
 Where the zephyrs sedate. 
 In harmony float round the ivy-clad towers. 
 
 52 
 
On the greensward of hope in eternity's dawn, 
 
 When the summer is past, and the harvest is near. 
 When our pillows are laid on the heavenly lawn. 
 With content for a sigh, and the dew for a tear, 
 And our spirit shall soar 
 To the ever green shore. 
 Then the spring of God's beauty shall welcome appear. 
 
 "^ ARE WELL ! may hope shine o'er thy way 
 ^And guide thee o'er the foaming spray 
 Safe to the foreign shore; 
 And, oh ! returning, may the gales 
 Be far behind the vessel's sails 
 
 And bring thee safe once more. 
 
 'to 
 
 Farewell, adieu ! 'tis sad to part, 
 Yet, still this thought within the heart 
 
 May ease full many a pain — 
 That every pang and j^arting sigh 
 Will change to happiness and joy 
 
 When next we meet again. 
 
 53 
 
MAY. 
 
 OAIL ! merry month of May, 
 Dawn of earth's hohday, 
 
 Joyfully bring 
 Faith in thy calendar, 
 Hope in thy floral car, 
 Love as our guiding star, 
 Beautiful spring ! 
 
 Gem of the passing year, 
 Quickly, while thou art near, 
 
 Fretting takes wing: 
 When the sun melts the snow 
 Rivers more cheerful flow. 
 So doth affection grow 
 
 Most in the spring. 
 
 Free from the frost and sleet 
 Free from the summer heat, 
 
 Gladlv we sing: 
 Thus when life's winter's o'er, 
 Happy our souls shall soar, 
 And love for evermore 
 
 Beautiful spring.* 
 
 54 
 
LOVE OF MY LIFE. 
 
 OVE of ni}- life, my soul could soar 
 No higher in the realms of bliss 
 Than when on angel wings it bore 
 My heart to thine in our first kiss. 
 Time has but strengthened the chain 
 
 Then forged by highest power above 
 Till now and ever thou'lt remain 
 Love of my life, Life of my love. 
 
 Love of my life, the great desire, 
 
 The hojDe of all my hopes art thou. 
 No other can create such fire 
 
 No other soothe its passion now. 
 Forever let me call thee mine. 
 
 Together let our spirits rove. 
 Make me as I am ever thine 
 
 Love of thy life. Life of thy love. 
 
 55 
 
TO MADAME MICHELENA. 
 
 (NEE MISS KATE MADDOCK) 
 
 Of the Late Emma Abbott Opera Company. 
 
 WEET singer! that inhaled so long 
 
 The fragrance of the Abbott flower, 
 Whose silvery voice in golden song 
 
 Is pregnant with fair Emma's power 
 Long may thy soul-enrapturing strain 
 
 Cheer up the lives of her bereft; 
 Be this a sovereign balm for pain — 
 
 That we have Michelena left. 
 
 Thy grace and loveliness alone 
 
 Must captivate each cultured mind, 
 That for a bright ideal would own 
 
 A perfect gem of womankind. 
 But add thy virtuous, winning ways, 
 
 The pure expression of thy eyes. 
 And Truth resolves itself in praise 
 
 To herald forth a world's surprise. 
 
 Sing on, sweet lady ! let thy voice 
 
 Create Hope's temple in the heart, 
 While memories aroused, rejoice 
 
 In thoughts that life nor death can part. 
 And may to thee such joy be given — 
 
 Such love be added to thy fame. 
 That all the bliss of earth and heaven 
 
 Shall wait upon thine honored name. 
 
 56 
 
As stars retiring from their toil 
 
 Make others brighter vigils keep, 
 God sends bereaved ones blessings, while 
 
 He giveth his beloved sleep. 
 Thus, mournfully as we bewail 
 
 Dear Emma Abbott's bitter fate — 
 Her favorite, we gladly hail — 
 
 Our own inspiring, charming Kate! 
 
 (5) 
 
 57 
 
ODE TO NIGHT. 
 
 M' 
 
 A.IL! beauteous Night, reflection's happy home, 
 
 n thy melHfluent shades how sweet to roam 
 And view, witii silver tinged, the murmuring stream 
 Warbhng its lays to melodize the scene, 
 While towering o'er the waving willows twine 
 And humbly bow to list the sound divine. 
 Who, with imagination's strongest power. 
 Can half portray thy gentle twilight hour? 
 What mimic artist, with the Mvise's might 
 Can paint thy every beauty, lovely Night! 
 Ere yet thy mantle's clothed the hill and plain, 
 Beneath some shady tree, how oft I've lain 
 And watched thy first approach; the setting sun, 
 With rays more beautiful, his labor done. 
 Like some good Christian, yielding his last breath, 
 Graceful in life, but glorious in death; 
 While through the clouds an orb of silver fire 
 Commands the feathered songsters to retire. 
 Save thee, thou prima donna of the night, 
 Thy solo heralding the heart's delight. 
 Meet home for lovers! where the tender tales 
 Of future joys the pregnant air inhales, 
 And with ambrosial dew's refreshing power 
 Find happy welcome on each parched flower. 
 While these in turn distil the favors given. 
 And yield their charms, a perfume sweet to heaven. 
 
 58 
 
Now Night draws nigh, with all her rapturous themes, 
 
 To fill the soul with sweet, enchanting dreams; 
 
 Now all is still, the lovers are away. 
 
 And now the god of silence holdeth sway ; 
 
 Now is the hour when village gossips tell 
 
 Of grimly sprites that haunt the flowery dell. 
 
 And fearing these, they all thy charms forsake. 
 
 O wake! ye ignorant, awake, awake! 
 
 Arouse ye weak ! no longer trembling tread : 
 
 Why need ye shake with superstitious dread? 
 
 Why though the spirits of the illustrious dead 
 
 At this dim hour should haunt your flowery glade. 
 
 When once ye know with them 3'e will be laid ? 
 
 O, lovely Night, thine influence doth creep 
 
 O'er all the earth and through the mighty deep; 
 
 From thy dark shades thy blessed substance flows. 
 
 And rugged nature sinks to sweet repose. 
 
 Then all are equal; then the lord or knight. 
 
 The monarch crowned, enjoys no more delight 
 
 Than those who but the verj- da}' before. 
 
 Had begged their humble lot from door to door. 
 
 Thou faithful monitor that strik'st a chord 
 
 In every heart to find a just reward. 
 
 Each to its own the conscience they possess; 
 
 The bad to punish and the good to bless; 
 
 What hour more meet to silently survey 
 
 Where'er our wandering steps have gone astray, 
 
 59 
 
Review our lives, and see what we have done 
 
 That God should send his own begotten Son 
 
 To die for us. O sacred, solemn thought. 
 
 At night more clearly to our vision brought, 
 
 Here unmolested pray, and soon perceive 
 
 'Tis better far to give than to receive. 
 
 It pleased Almighty God to give his Son; 
 
 In giving thanks, men's happiest moments come,^ 
 
 No time wherein our thoughts can run more free. 
 
 For yea "the darkness hideth not from Thee." 
 
 His ear will ever hearken to our voice, 
 
 Revive our hearts and make our souls rejoice, 
 
 And as the night is spent in prayer and praise. 
 
 In fair proportion we enjoy our days. 
 
 O gracious God, we bow to thy great name; 
 
 Thou madest the night, when all should equal reign; 
 
 Receive our thanks, and let the fragrant air 
 
 Waft up to thee each supplicating prayer; 
 
 And ye who've never felt or never seen 
 
 Earth's richest treasure, when the moon's pale sheen 
 
 Tinges the water with her silvery ray. 
 
 When the bright sun has bid adieu to day, 
 
 Hie thee alone, to mount, or meadow steal, 
 
 And taste night's charming feast, fair wisdom's meal. 
 
 60 
 
THE LILACS. 
 
 7^ 
 
 ■Cf^^ HE lilacs soon will be in bloom 
 
 The lilacs — 
 Rejoicing" earth proclaims good cheer, 
 When Hope's ambassadors are here — 
 
 The lilacs. 
 
 The lover knows their secret aid, 
 
 The lover — 
 When fragrant lilacs scent the air, 
 How soon they silently declare 
 
 The lover. 
 
 The maiden, beautiful to see, 
 
 The maiden — 
 Still listening to a low refrain, 
 Loved words with lilacs till they gain 
 
 The maiden. 
 
 The roses from bright sunshine born 
 
 The roses — 
 Are matrons of the virgin flower, 
 And they mature the lilacs' power, 
 
 The roses. 
 
 The lilacs are the soul's delight. 
 
 The lilacs — 
 Awake the tuneful birds to sing. 
 And gently usher in the Spring, 
 
 Sweet lilacs ! 
 
 6i 
 
IN MEMORY OF MY BROTHER, 
 WM. WILLIAMSON. 
 
 i^^^ HOUGH not on me thy dying look impressed, 
 41^^ Not less, my brother, do I feel, than those 
 'U^^ Who gently strewed sweet flowers o'er thy breast. 
 And weeping, laid thee to thy last repose. 
 
 In outward forms of grief I may not share, 
 Nor to the world my sad, sad loss convey, 
 
 But all alone my sacred burden bear, 
 
 Too great for tears — too solemn for display: 
 
 Save that kind Heaven my aching heart may fill 
 With comfort that no wealth can e'er control,. 
 
 And I can hold sweet converse with thee still 
 By the electric current of the soul. 
 
 Love bursts the barriers of the silent grave 
 And makes the spirit captive to its power, 
 
 And by an instinct, which God only gave, 
 I know that thou art with me here this hour. 
 
 And every secret thought and act and deed, 
 With spiritual omniscience thou canst see; 
 
 Seize truth from falsehood's all productive seed. 
 And know and feel my constant love for thee, 
 
 62 
 
Know, that when thou wast born, I eager ran 
 To clasp thee in affectionate embrace, 
 
 And how I've prayed e'er since thy hfe began, 
 That God would give thee every christian grace. 
 
 From infancy through childhood's happy days. 
 To manhood's prime, 'twas mine thy lot to share. 
 
 And to protect and guide thee through life's maze. 
 More with a parent's than a brother's care. 
 
 Though parted from thee in a foreign clime. 
 Each day renewed the ever pleasant ties 
 
 That bound me by peculiar right divine. 
 
 As those who tend the plant, the flower most prize. 
 
 The passing years brought those to share thy life 
 Whose brightest hojoes are now made dark and drear ; 
 
 God bless thine orphaned ones, thy widowed wife 
 
 And all that thou hast loved to Him be dear. 
 
 And may they all reflect thy sterling worth — 
 To them thy noble qualities descend; 
 
 For scarcely could there dwell upon the earth, 
 A better parent, husband, brother, friend. 
 
 We know not who may next be summoned hence. 
 Whose body laid to mingle with the dust; 
 
 But this we know in all its solemn sense. 
 
 That while the young may die, the aged must. 
 
 63 
 
And in at most a few short fleeting years 
 We shall be far removed from every pain, 
 
 Infinite Love dispels all doubts and fears, 
 And Faith reveals our future state so plain, 
 
 That I can see thee in a better land, 
 
 With all the dear ones that have gone before, 
 Singing glad songs in one exultant band, 
 
 To bid thee w^elcome to that peaceful shore. 
 
 And from these visions of the great unknow^n 
 That fill my mind, by faith or fancy fed. 
 
 And by fond memories to my bosom grow^n 
 I know, to me, thou never canst be dead. 
 
 Still, I must bid thy loving form adieu ; 
 
 Remembrance only adds to my great loss; 
 Hope points triumphant to a better view 
 
 And leads me to the foot of Calvary's Cross. 
 
 No granite monument — no cultured art, 
 
 The simple cross of Christ my sorrow quells, 
 
 While at thy shrine I lay, frer,h from my heart 
 For tribute — these — my soul's pure immortelles. 
 
 64 
 
BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN OF WATERLOO. 
 
 '^5— HINE eyes, love — thy deep pensive eyes — 
 2^ Are present in all my dreams; 
 ^)V Like stars in the clear cloudless skies, 
 Or light in the sun's golden beams. 
 Asleep or awake, thou art near 
 
 And guiding my intricate way, 
 From night ever lonesome and drear. 
 To cheerful, exuberant day. 
 
 For in thy gentle eyes, sincerity lies 
 Filling the earth with a glad surprise, 
 
 Bringing love's holiest visions to view. 
 Making mv soul be submissive and true— 
 Beautiful Maiden of Waterloo ! 
 
 The pure gems of thought in thy mind. 
 
 Thy womanly beauty and grace, 
 Are rareties only we find 
 
 When angels' perfection we trace. 
 We met as by chance — and though fate 
 
 Decree that we meet not again, 
 Thy spirit keeps open the gate 
 
 Of my heart's dearest hope — to remain. 
 
 For in thy piercing eyes true purity lies 
 Sending its rays from the earth to the skies; 
 Bringing love's holiest visions to view. 
 Keeping my soul ever captive to you — 
 Beautiful Maiden of Waterloo ! 
 
 65 
 
THE FLOWERS IN WINTER ARE BEST. 
 
 HE primrose and may flower appear, 
 
 When time proudly bears on its wing 
 That season so prized of the year — 
 
 The lovely florescence of Spring. 
 The heart and the earth give a bound 
 
 With beauties adorning their breast; 
 But lovers and sages have found 
 
 That flowers in winter are best. 
 
 When flowerets spontaneously rise 
 
 And midsummer roses' perfume 
 Awaken the soul with surprise 
 
 To dwell in a glorious bloom: 
 There seemeth no more to desire 
 
 For all of mankind to be blest, 
 And yet — of profusion we tire; 
 
 The flowers in the winter are best. 
 
 Rejoicing in autumn's display, 
 
 When dahlias and asters so sweet 
 
 Are cheering the shortening da}^, 
 Regardless of cold or of heat, 
 
 While charming, their presence we feel 
 In colors so gorgeously dressed, 
 
 There's something thev fail to reveal, 
 That flowers in the winter are best. 
 
 66 
 
When winter, with mantle of white 
 
 Bedecks the fair earth as a bride, 
 Oh what gives the heart more delight 
 
 Than bright blooming flowers by our side? 
 How cheering the plants that we rear, 
 
 With labor that never needs rest, 
 More precious because of our care — 
 
 The flowers in the winter are best. 
 
 Sweet Flora in winter imparts 
 
 The hope that our blessed Savior gave, 
 To fill with true gladness our hearts, 
 
 Beyond the dark shades of the grave. 
 As ledgers, dear wife, they disclose 
 
 Where most of our thoughts we invest, 
 With age larger interest grows: 
 
 Hence, flowers in the winter are best, 
 
 Spring, summer and autumn have fled. 
 
 The winter appeareth in sight, 
 Yet rays of thy purity spread 
 
 Exulting, excelling in light. 
 Thou'rt sweeter, my darling, to-day, 
 
 Though silvered thy once raven crest. 
 Than all thy bright youth could display : 
 
 For flowers in the winter are best. 
 
 67 
 
O children of Eden, bow dear, 
 
 How wisely, how truly ye speak; 
 That faith must be ever sincere 
 
 To gain any object we seek : 
 That loveliness sanctifies gloom 
 
 And consecrates joy as a guest, 
 But whether for altar or tomb, 
 
 The flowers in the winter are best. 
 
 WILL YOU, MARY? 
 
 M 
 
 E wanted a small favor, and 
 
 Said, "will you, Mary^ dear ? " 
 The maid, while giving him her hand, 
 
 Replied: "Wait till next year; 
 To marry early, it is said 
 
 May swift repentance bring." 
 He simply gazed and bowed his head 
 
 Full of imagining; 
 Then wiping his perspiring brow 
 
 Said, "be it as you say;" 
 But secretly she wonders now 
 
 What makes him call her Mav. 
 
 68 
 
SCOTIA'S SHORE. 
 
 O^AREWELL, though leaving Scotia's shore 
 Q) My thoughts with you remain, 
 While absent I shall love, and more 
 
 When next we meet again. 
 Each wave that heaves the vessel hio-h 
 
 Each breeze that skims the sea, 
 Shall fill my breast with many a sio-h 
 For Scotland and for thee. 
 
 Farewell! I go where gems abide, 
 
 Where gold's without alloy, 
 Where beams the sun in all his pride 
 
 And every scene is joy ; 
 But not the gorgeous glittering strand. 
 
 Nor all the wealth I see, 
 Nor all the beauty of the land 
 
 Can win my love from thee ! 
 
 Farewell, how solemn is that word, 
 
 How often feared and spoke. 
 While ears, with pain, exjDectant heard, 
 
 And hearts have well nigh broke. 
 But hope our parting thoughts shall cheer 
 
 That thou shalt faithful be. 
 And love that banishes all fear 
 
 Shall make me true to thee. 
 
 69 
 
EULALIE. 
 
 OLUMBIA bids thee welcome to the Fair, 
 Direct descendant of the royal pair 
 Whose aid substantial did Columbus send, 
 To find for all a refuge and a friend, 
 A land whose populace with bliss imbued 
 Give thee and thine eternal gratitude. 
 
 In this vast El Dorado of the west 
 
 We are most honored in our honored guest; 
 
 'Twas meet that Spain should send for such event 
 
 Her loveliest gem and brightest ornament, 
 
 The best exhibit of all earthly marts 
 
 To please the sight and captivate our hearts. 
 
 By this one act, this royal flag unfurled. 
 Thy country's wisdom conquers all the world 
 With such affection that we rarely find 
 Resulting from a diplomatic mind. 
 Not all in Spain could better fill thy place 
 With brilliant yet with unassuming grace. 
 
 We hailed thee first for those that sent thee here, 
 And still for these alone would'st thou be dear; 
 But now with heart and voice and open arms 
 We all adore thee for thine own great charms 
 And in this nation for thyself so famed 
 Ten thousand shall Eulalie be named. 
 
 70 
 
Thy name whose vowels musically sound 
 
 In future years shall plentiful abound 
 
 As bright mementos of these happy days, 
 
 Creating songs immortal in thy praise 
 
 And all who list their smooth mellifluent strain 
 
 Shall love the sweet Eulalie of Spain. 
 
 LOVELY BURNETT. 
 
 .^•OVELY Burnett, charming maid, 
 ^^ Bright as the golden sun, 
 
 Sweet as the flowers that deck the path 
 Where gentle streamlets run. 
 
 Emblem of innocence and truth. 
 
 To thee is due all praise; 
 Beacon of light who shinest here 
 
 To guide us through this maze. 
 
 Oh were I granted one request 
 
 Of bliss almost divine, 
 I'd gain each virtue. Beauty's queen, 
 
 And wish that thou wert mine. 
 
 But ah for me, such treasure's rare 
 
 Were never given birth; 
 Enough that I have seen and loved 
 
 The sweetest maid on earth. 
 
 71 
 
WELCOriED THE EARL. 
 
 The Clans Send Greeting— Lord and Lady Aberdeen at the Auditorium. 
 
 iScottish-Americans in Chicago enjoyed an opportunity last evening of wel- 
 coming one of the best-known and greatest of their fellow-countrymen. The 
 Earl of Aberdeen, Countess Aberdeen and their daughter, Lady Marjorie Gor- 
 don. The Countess Aberdeen was preparing to meet friends and could not be 
 presented to the delegation, but the Earl and his daughter. Lady Marjorie, who 
 is a beautiful little miss of about twelve years, were introduced personally to 
 each of the delegation. The members of the delegation who presented the 
 address were A. Gordon Murray, Dr. J. M. Brydon, Dr. J. Harvey Bates, P. D. 
 McGregor, G. S. Whyte, Robert K. Stuart, Peter Grant, James McEdward, 
 Robert Matheson, George Williamson, J. S. Hay. James Grant and DonaJd A. 
 Smith.— CA/capo Daily News, Nov. 30, 1891. 
 
 LADY MARJORIE. 
 
 £ 
 
 IKE the merry sunshine dancing 
 On the wavelets, when advancing 
 With a beauty quite entrancing 
 
 Strewing gold beads on the strand; 
 Lady Marjorie tripped singing, 
 To her noble parent clinging. 
 Yet with fairy footsteps springing 
 
 Joyful to the Scottish band. 
 
 With a hand-shake each was greeted. 
 To a smile each one was treated. 
 While her gentle voice repeated 
 
 Names — made dearer than before. 
 L/ike a searchlight o'er the ocean, 
 Her bright charms revealed emotion, 
 And created fond devotion 
 
 That will live for evermore. 
 
 72 
 
In such loveliness, each brother 
 Could discern the charming mother; 
 And we thought more of each other 
 
 Being honored as we were: 
 Though our lips could scarce address her, 
 In our hearts we still caress her. 
 And in silence breathe, God bless her, 
 
 As the soul's unuttered prayer. 
 
 Lady, not as eager lover 
 Do we rapturously discover 
 Richest blessings round thee hover. 
 
 That are hid from other eyes: 
 But we know a sweeter story, 
 For thy grace reveals a glory 
 That makes men though aged and hoary 
 
 Feel themselves in paradise. 
 
 Noble Earl, no stronger tether 
 Could unite us all together, 
 Nor our own beloved heather 
 
 Fill our hearts with greater glee; 
 When, our wishes comprehending, 
 With true friendship, beauty blending. 
 You exclaimed so condescending 
 
 "This is Lady Marjorie." 
 
 (6) 73 
 
THE DESPOT. 
 
 Dedicated to Robert Gordon Baxter, by His Grandpa. 
 
 [N this fair land of liberty 
 
 A mighty despot reigns, 
 That brooks no contradiction from 
 
 The lords of his domains; 
 He's full of whims and fancies, with 
 
 A proud, commanding form, 
 That makes the boldest scatter as 
 
 Loose straws before a storm. 
 
 He needs no wise advisers, for 
 
 He knows more in a day 
 Than all his serfs in fifty, and 
 
 His will they must obey. 
 He wastes no words in ordering 
 
 The subject that he daunts. 
 For all around are waiting to 
 
 Anticipate his wants. 
 
 Yet strange, this captious monarch is 
 
 Just idolized by all. 
 And eager eyes are watching to 
 
 Obey his slightest call ; 
 And no one would annoy him for 
 
 Ten times his weight in gold, 
 For he's the household treasure and 
 
 Our darling two months old. 
 
 74 
 
I AM FAR, LOVE, FROM THEE. 
 
 C^f AM far, love, from thee, I am far on the sea, 
 ^^ And the wave o'er the vessel is dashing. 
 The lightning darts over weather and lee. 
 And the thunder from Heaven is crashing; 
 Yet still there's a voice that is heard o'er the foam, 
 
 An image before me forever doth shine 
 That fills me with hope and with joy while I roam, 
 And thou knowest love, thou knowest that the imagfe is thine. 
 
 I am far on the sea, yet sweet dreams, love of thee 
 
 Still fill me with pleasure wherever I go. 
 While thoughts of thy constancy skim o'er the sea 
 
 And linger in all the mild zephyrs that blow; 
 And the fond voice resounding from fancy's high dome. 
 
 The image before me that ever doth shine 
 Will still breathe its hope and its joy when at home. 
 For I know, love, I know that it then will be mine. 
 
 7S 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 Stomas Mjearns. 
 
 E dread to think that thou art dead; 
 
 Our bosoms start with quickening paini 
 To feel our anxious hojoes have fled 
 And only memories remain. 
 It seems a dream — a troubled dream — 
 
 From which we vainly try to wake, 
 Or like a constant running stream 
 
 Whose currents deepening channels make. 
 
 We lay thee in the silent tomb, 
 
 And all our solemn task fulfill; 
 Yet, in the midst of darkening gloom 
 
 We feel that thou art with us still; 
 And all thy noble deeds appear 
 
 In panoramical array. 
 Dimmed only by affection's tear, 
 
 We cannot — would not — chase away. 
 
 76 
 
Oh, when you sang "The Heart Bowed Down," 
 
 Was it prophetic of our grief 
 That nothing but a Savior's crown 
 
 Can mitigate, or give rehef ? 
 As time rolls on, we miss thee more, 
 
 And fain would call thee back to life. 
 But all our mourning pales before 
 
 The sorrow of thy widowed wife. 
 
 Almighty! sanctify her woe 
 
 And consecrate the orphan's loss — 
 That it ma\'^ lead where all should go. 
 
 To seek true comfort in the cross; 
 And keep us in the narrow way 
 
 Direct to joys which never end. 
 There, basking in eternal day 
 
 To find the Husband, Father, Friend. 
 
 There is bright hope for every one, 
 
 Sweet incense permeates the breast 
 When these fond words we think upon: 
 
 "He giveth His beloved rest." 
 Oh, may that peaceful lot be thine, 
 
 And may the light that ever burns 
 Guide all with unseen power divine. 
 
 To meet in Heaven — beloved Mearns! 
 
 n 
 
FRIENDS IN OLD AGE. 
 
 Dedicated to Robt. natheson, Walter Pickens, Dr. Brydon 
 and George D. Williams. 
 
 OUR playmates in childhood are cheering 
 Reminders of innocent glee, 
 And schoolmates to all are endearing: 
 
 Recallers of pastimes so free. 
 The friends of our youth please the sight, in 
 
 The first thing our fancies engage, 
 But the friends that our hearts most delight in 
 Are those that we have in old age. 
 
 With the summer of life nearly endmg. 
 
 And winter approaching in gloom, 
 With thoughts that are frequently blending 
 
 The cradle, the altar, the tomb. 
 Each heart needs a tonic inspiring 
 
 The soul to a holier stage. 
 Which is found to its utmost desiring 
 
 In friends, the dear friends of old age. 
 
 78 
 
We've expei'ienced hope in all stages, 
 
 Are past all the visions of youth, 
 Till novv^, like philosopher sages 
 
 We search for, and want but the truth. 
 Young transient friends are diurnal 
 
 That end with life's fast setting sun, 
 But the friends of old age are eternal. 
 
 At death they have only begun. 
 
 N ow the hope that remains, each dear frater. 
 
 Is richer because getting old ; 
 While we know from the world's great Creator, 
 
 There are many things better than gold ; 
 Let our remnant of life be adorning 
 
 The pathway that others shall wend, 
 And awake in eternity's morning 
 
 Enjoying our oldest best friend. 
 
 79 
 
GOLDEN WEDDING DAY. 
 
 RING the golden harvest sheaves 
 
 That have kissed the sunset rays, 
 Till illumined memory w^eaves 
 
 Immortelles of other days; 
 Treasures registered above 
 
 With the thoughts of earth combine 
 Half a century of love 
 
 In a precious gai-land twine. 
 
 Not all bliss the years gone by, 
 
 But the conquest ever won 
 By the soul uplifted high, 
 
 Breathing soft, "Thy will be done.' 
 May, with sanctity arrayed. 
 
 Still the happy days prolong, 
 With the melody displayed 
 
 In a smoothly flbwing song. 
 
 From such consecrated soil 
 
 Fragrant incense must arise, 
 That no evil can defile 
 
 Or debar from paradise: 
 Not an army in its might 
 
 Can disturb the hope serene, 
 Nothing mar the heart's delight, 
 
 Where such unity hath been. 
 
 80 
 
He that blessed you in the past 
 
 From the odoriferous morn 
 To the silver trumpet's blast, 
 
 Shall the golden days adorn 
 And the diamonds scintillate 
 
 Till they fade in holier light, 
 When ajar the pearly gate 
 
 Of eternity's in sight. 
 
 Low the branches of the trees 
 
 Bend in homage to the ground, 
 While the foliage, with the breeze 
 
 Waft a sweet ^'Eolian sound; 
 With the buds and blossoms near, 
 
 With the harp harmonious strung, 
 Time shall come and disappear 
 
 Keeping you forever young. 
 
 Though to mansions fair you soar. 
 
 Let your love with us remain. 
 Make your prayerful lips now pour 
 
 In our hearts their welcome strain. 
 Parents grand and great and true, 
 
 Give what none can take away, 
 Bless us as we honor you — ■ 
 
 This, your Golden Wedding Day. 
 
 8i 
 
ALMOST 
 
 & 
 
 iifit LMOST on time," he cried with glee, 
 
 "I think it nice of fate 
 To be so very kind to me, 
 
 I never have to w^ait. 
 'Ahnost,' you see, is just as good 
 
 As being prompt on hand; 
 It makes one better understood 
 
 As being something grand. 
 At church or lodge room, work or play, 
 
 I like to be behind, 
 It makes the people turn and say — 
 
 'How noble, how refined.'" 
 
 A would-be lover thus began 
 
 To interest a maid. 
 Who looked with scorn upon the man, 
 
 And then indignant said : 
 "Indeed! — there's some mistake I fear, 
 
 Your views, — but never mind. 
 We now forever part, right here." 
 
 "Ah! be not so unkind. 
 To dwell not in thy heart again 
 
 Will fill me with despair." 
 "Apply your charming theory, then, 
 
 For you were '•ahnosV there." 
 
 82 
 
A KISS. 
 
 HERE'S nothing on earth so uncertain. 
 
 Producing both torture and bliss, 
 Than fruit of the garden of Eden, 
 
 So rapturously known as a kiss. 
 'Tis the key of the Bluebeard chamber. 
 
 The bright golden apple of Troy, 
 The sunrise of hope in the faithful, 
 
 The sunset of love — and its toy. 
 
 It brings either gladness or torture. 
 
 Turns wine into water or milk, 
 Transforming enjoyment to sorrow. 
 
 Or cotton to finest of silk. 
 A mark of esteem and a traitor, 
 
 Extending or closing the sight, 
 A signal of rocks under water, 
 
 A haven of purest delight. 
 
 A mother's expressive affection 
 
 Which others w^ill mimic for aye. 
 The sting of the bee and its honey. 
 
 The midnight of vice and its prey. 
 The essence of passion effulging 
 
 In fragrance excelling the rose. 
 An elliptical (lip tickle) puzzle, 
 
 And paradox hard to disclose. 
 
 83 
 
JUNE. 
 
 LUSHING matron, giving birth 
 ^|)>y^/To the precious stars of earth, 
 ^'U^y^ Fostering so tenderly 
 
 All thy sister's progeny ; 
 While upon thy breast reposes 
 Love in ambush 'neath the roses. 
 
 Orient streaks of warming- lio-ht 
 Feast upon the tears of night, 
 Kissing, with a fond embrace, 
 Unrobed chastity for grace. 
 While thy balmy sigh discloses 
 Health and wealth in morning roses. 
 
 e> 
 
 Soon the sun will be of age. 
 
 And a varied equipage 
 
 Rise obedient to command. 
 Spreading broadcast o'er the land 
 
 Wheresoever man disposes. 
 
 Here the weeds, and there the roses. 
 
 Happy, cheerful, fragrant June, 
 With thy feathered choir in tune. 
 
 Sing to me of halcyon days 
 
 That shall never cease to praise 
 Him whose glorious love transposes 
 Earth's sharp thorns to Heaven's sweet roses. 
 
 84 
 
THE FADING YEAR. 
 
 NOTHER year is drawing to a close 
 And soon will vanish in the sea of time, 
 5^ While all its deeds of good or ill repose, 
 Or wake to memory's vivid pantomime. 
 
 There is one great incentive to do good, 
 
 Not for the passing joy such good may bring. 
 
 But that the past, forever present, should 
 Within the soul a fount of sunshine spring. 
 
 Heaven is all love and peace, hell, dire remorse; 
 
 That which he labors for, man shall obtain, 
 And actions truly indicate his course 
 
 As wind's located bv the movingf vane. 
 
 We need not search for flowers in seas of ice 
 Nor look for harvest till the seed is sown; 
 
 Nor hope for blessings till we pay the price : 
 God gives no credit, even to his own. 
 
 The great Redeemer, dying on the cross, 
 Is proof that we must give ere we receive; 
 
 But every gift is solid gain, not loss, 
 And gain proportionate as we believe. 
 
 "Whate'er ye would that men should be to you 
 So be to them ! " This all can understand, 
 And when mankind that sacred path jDursue, 
 God ever helpcth with an outstretched hand. 
 
 85 
 
Methinks if we should for the future live, 
 The past and present would be only joy; 
 
 For happy consciousness alone would give 
 A life worth living — endless peace to die. 
 
 When God created Eden's charming bowers 
 Their subtle fragrance breathed exquisite bliss, 
 
 But not the thorns, the everlasting flowers 
 Were then intended for our happiness. 
 
 And why should we reject the precious gems 
 That blossom yet on every path of life, 
 
 Destroying flowers to pluck the slender stems, 
 Or sifting peace to gather grains of strife ? 
 
 This world is beautiful, and it is right 
 To glorify the Maker in His works: 
 
 Sackcloth and ashes, turning day to night, 
 
 Too oft disclose where masked pretension lurks. 
 
 Enjoy God's mercies, for to this great end 
 We ask His blessing on the things we eat; 
 
 And pray that He will ever condescend 
 To make us satisfied just at His feet. 
 
 Look back ! Yes it is wisdom to look back 
 Upon the years that quickly pass away, 
 
 And lay our follies on the chastening rack, 
 To purify us for another day; 
 
 86 
 
But not to mourn as those that have no hope, 
 Behold a problem of this wondrous earth: 
 
 A thread of will power has the strength of rope 
 When mankind test their own allotted worth. 
 
 Wherever our frail bodies live and move, 
 The breath of God will constantly sustain. 
 
 But nothing short of His infinite love, 
 
 Can give or make sweet peace with us remain. 
 
 We may be only clay, but by the power 
 Of His almighty presence we are here. 
 
 And, trusting to His mercy every hour, 
 With faith submit the records of the year. 
 
 87 
 
TO P. D. McGregor, Esa 
 
 Treasurer of the Highland Association of Illinois, on the Death of His Wife. 
 
 C9 
 
 H E clouds of life have lowered, my friend, 
 
 The shades of death have come 
 In bitterest form that fate could send 
 
 To desolate a home. 
 No words of comfort now can fill 
 
 The dear one's vacant chair, 
 But silent sympathizers will 
 
 Thy sad bereavement share. 
 
 No earthly power can reconcile, 
 
 But Heaven in mercy gave 
 A flowing well of precious oil 
 
 To soothe life's stormy wave; 
 While memory fills the mourners' urns 
 
 With sanctifying grief, 
 Blest Hope triumphantly returns 
 
 With sure and safe relief. 
 
 The sweetest flowers are first to fade, 
 
 The bliss most prized to end; 
 Why God recalls the gems he made 
 
 We cannot comprehend; 
 But He that doeth all things well 
 
 Can make a present loss 
 More powerful than tongue can tell, 
 
 To keep us near the cross. 
 
 88 
 
And "near the cross" we are secure, 
 
 For sorrow's but a name 
 To One who by a word can cure 
 
 The sick, the blind, the lame. 
 It may be hard to realize 
 
 How death can lead to life. 
 Or how the christian's hope supplies 
 
 The loss of home or wife. 
 
 Yet so it is — we constant move 
 
 As planets round the sun: 
 The objects of infinite love 
 
 And numbered one by one. 
 Sure as the night departs with day — 
 
 So all who seek will find 
 A balm for woe, when faith's bright ray 
 
 Illuminates the mind. 
 
 Then cheer, my friend, be not cast down; 
 
 Beyond the mystic tomb 
 The great white throne, the victor's crown, 
 
 The flowers eternal bloom. 
 The gates of pearl, the streets of gold. 
 
 The Answerer of prayer, 
 Your angel wife can now behold; 
 
 For Christ himself is there. 
 
 (7) 89 
 
CONTENTMENT. 
 
 ^^ET us live in sweet contentment, 
 ^^/ Struggling not for worthless fame, 
 But let honest independence 
 
 Be our great — our noblest aim; 
 Without labor, life's a burden, 
 
 When our talents we employ, 
 Every shadow has its sunbeam. 
 Every sorrow has its joy. 
 
 Let us live in sweet contentment. 
 
 Nor let envy fill our breast. 
 Nor let vain, ambitious grandeur 
 
 E'er deprive us of our rest. 
 Blest with treasure, robed in power 
 
 E'en the monarch on his throne 
 Is no happier than the peasant, 
 
 With contentment in his home. 
 
 Let us live in sweet contentment, 
 
 And be cheerful while we may; 
 Wait not for the coming morrow, 
 
 Be oiu" happiest time to-day. 
 Life is only what we make it. 
 
 Bright or cloudy, good or ill; 
 True to-day and true forever. 
 
 What we sow we reap it still. 
 
 90 
 
Let us lire in sweet contentment, 
 
 All are not endowed with wealth, 
 They enjoy the best possession, 
 
 Who are blest with strength and health. 
 All have blessings in abundance, 
 
 God's great love and God's dear Son, 
 Happy they who with contentment 
 
 Calmly say, "Thy will be done." 
 
 91 
 
LILAC BLOSSOMS. 
 
 IRGIN gems of summer days. 
 
 Sentinels of spring, 
 Heralding melodious lays 
 
 Love alone can bring : 
 Welcome to enraptured sight 
 
 Each inspiring plume, 
 Yielding for our pure delight 
 
 Sweetest of perfume. 
 
 Lovely lilac blossoms. 
 In your fragrant shade, 
 
 Truth and virtue linger. 
 
 Hearths and homes are made. 
 
 Happiness forever fills 
 
 The palace or the cot. 
 Where thy floral beauty thrills 
 
 With forget-me-not; 
 Leaves impressions on the heart 
 
 Time can ne'er destroy, 
 Bliss, that only can depart 
 
 For eternal joy. 
 
 Charming lilac blossoms. 
 In your tranquil shade, 
 
 Hope triumphant reigning 
 Heaven's foundation's laid. 
 
 92 
 
JULY. 
 
 EALTH-GIVING month, with genial smile, 
 As water round a fruitful isle, 
 
 Encompass life with clearest sky 
 Bright, warm July. 
 
 Long clay of sunshine and delight 
 Bathing in dew of tranquil night. 
 
 True pleasure reigns without alloy 
 In sweet July. 
 
 Now strangers meet that do not part. 
 Till webs are woven round the heart. 
 Dissolving feelings cold and shy 
 With love's July. 
 
 Here friendship, free from all restraint, 
 Robs recreation of her plaint. 
 Establishing an alibi 
 
 For care, — July. 
 
 How grateful, in the hours of ease. 
 We hail the foliage of the trees 
 That shelter as they beautify 
 Thy charms, July. 
 
 So shall God's blessed home of rest 
 Protect and glorify the blest. 
 
 And angels every want supply 
 In heaven's July. 
 
 93 
 
THE BEGGAR DUKE. 
 
 |N a manufacturing city, 
 
 Near the busy stock exchange, 
 Stood a man inspiring pity 
 
 In a manner somewhat strange. 
 
 As the days and weeks rolled over. 
 Early with the sun he came, 
 
 But from whence, none could discover. 
 Or his history or name. 
 
 There are many will remember 
 How he stood out all alone 
 
 From the new year to December, 
 Like a statue cut in stone. 
 
 Noble in his looks and bearing, 
 Handsome as a man could be, 
 
 Snowwhite beard his age declaring. 
 But concealed identity. 
 
 Not soliciting a living. 
 
 Yet as merchants passed that way 
 Many were from habit, giving 
 
 Something to him every day. 
 
 94 
 
All his thanks was simply bowing 
 With a captivating- smile, 
 
 Making those when him endowing 
 Pleased as resting after toil. 
 
 Joyfully, and singing gaily, 
 
 A young merchant prince passed by. 
 Whose large contributions daily 
 
 Increased the old man's supply. 
 
 Till, one day, no longer cheerful. 
 
 Passed the young man, looking grave; 
 
 Hesitating, doubting, fearful, 
 Half the usual sum he grave. 
 
 From that time, no sign of laughter 
 Did the princely merchant show. 
 And his small donations after 
 • Seemed indicative of woe. 
 
 Till, no more with sunshine beaminc 
 O'er his handsome, generous face. 
 
 He would pass by without seeming 
 To observe the old man's place. 
 
 Soon the beggar saw that sorrow 
 
 Dimmed the eye and paled the cheek. 
 
 And resolved that on the morrow 
 He would to the merchant speak. 
 
 95 
 
"Noble sir," he said, "how grieving 
 'Tis to see thee full of care. 
 
 If thy looks are not deceiving 
 
 Thy good heart has trouble there." 
 
 "I am sorry if revealing 
 
 My misfortune gives thee pain; 
 Dear old man, one troubled feeling 
 
 Is that never more again 
 
 Can I aid thee, for my losses 
 Are so many and so great; 
 
 Unto all mankind a cross is, 
 
 Mine's to lose my large estate." 
 
 "True, alas too true thy saying. 
 
 Still, the cross may bring a crown, 
 
 Often generous thoughts obeying 
 Will remove Dame Fortune's frown. 
 
 "But when bitter grief concealing. 
 We are helping life to end. 
 
 Nothing cheers us like revealing 
 All our sorrows to a friend. 
 
 "I am old, but never wear}' 
 Hearkening to tales of grief. 
 
 And though thine be ne'er so dreary, 
 Telling it may bring relief. 
 
 06 
 
^'Sometimes dark clouds hover o'er us, 
 
 Leading to a glorious light, 
 Well we know not what's before us. 
 
 Come unto my home to-night, 
 
 • 
 
 *'And I'll entertain thee gladly 
 While my history I tell." 
 Said the merchant very sadly, 
 
 "Good old man, thou meanest well. 
 
 •"But alas, in thy position » 
 
 Thou canst nothing say to me 
 
 To relieve my sad condition." 
 
 Said the old man: "Come and see." 
 
 *'Be it so, thy cares and sorrow 
 
 P'rhaps may make mine own seem small, 
 Oft from others' woe we borrow 
 
 Comfort that sustaineth all." 
 
 Soon they reached a dwelling lonely 
 Where the beggar took his guest. 
 
 Who had eyes for nothing, only 
 A sweet maiden lounged at rest. 
 
 • 
 
 Hearing voices, quick she started. 
 
 Blushing as a lovely flower. 
 But her color soon departed 
 
 And the merchant's speech lost power, 
 
 97 
 
Gazing- like as one demented 
 Until each exchanged a word, 
 
 And the old man half repented 
 Of his action, when he heard 
 
 But a name, by each one uttered 
 Simultaneous in his ear. 
 
 Paul! Selina! faintly muttered, 
 Not as strangers they appear. 
 
 These two words of recognition 
 Filled the trio with reg-ret. 
 
 Spake the maid in deep contrition, 
 "Father, Paul and I have met 
 
 "Many times, but he has never 
 Asked or my position known. 
 
 Nor my name, but constant ever 
 He has offered me his own." 
 
 Gazed the old man, strange and wildly- 
 "Speak, O Paul," the maiden cried. 
 
 Answered he, then, very mildly, 
 "Sir, oft vainly have I tried 
 
 "With my soul's best impulse moving 
 
 Me to gain this lady dear, 
 Her sweet lips confessed to loving. 
 
 But refused my suit to hear. 
 
 98 
 
"Turn not angry looks upon her, 
 
 Let them rest on me alone, 
 And if aught there is with honor 
 
 I can do, let me atone." 
 
 Soon the old man's eyes turned brighter^ 
 Hearkening to the merchant's prayer, 
 
 While his heart seemed growing lighter^ 
 Thus he spoke the loving pair: 
 
 "Dear my daughter, truly feeling 
 Falsehood ne'er thy lips can stain, 
 
 Tell me then, with naught concealing. 
 Does thy heart such thoughts contain 
 
 "As would thy old sire forsaking 
 Cling with all thy hope in life 
 
 To this lover were he making- 
 Thee his lawful wedded wife?" 
 
 "Dear my father, while I truly 
 Love with all a virgin's heart. 
 
 Never shall I be unruly 
 
 Nor till death from thee I part." 
 
 "Merchant, this affection taught her 
 Lays a burden on thy head; 
 
 Dost thou love a beggar's daughter 
 As with her to lawful wed 
 
 99 
 
Or with gold, pure love to measure, 
 Didst thou want her for a toy 
 
 To discard at thine own pleasure 
 When another gave more joy?" 
 
 "Ah, dear sir, such words thou knowest 
 Do but wrong thy noble mind ; 
 
 Well 'tis proved, where'er thou goest 
 Love can ne'er a boundary find, 
 
 •*'But may faithful be abiding 
 
 In a vassal to a Queen, 
 And in hope and heaven confiding 
 
 Live in constancy unseen ; 
 
 "Such a love though born to perish 
 When it reached a goal divine, 
 
 As the hope of heaven I cherish 
 I would make Selina mine." 
 
 "Granted that 'tis love, or rather 
 Feelings that are counted sweet, 
 
 Would'st thou have a wife, whose father 
 Stood a beggar, in the street?" 
 
 ^'Ah, dear sir, these words remind me 
 
 Of my own sad loss and lot. 
 While this sweet surprise did blind me, 
 
 Mine own sorrows were forgot. 
 
 loo 
 
"Beggars are as kings comparing 
 What to me shall soon befall, 
 
 And I am not sane when darins: 
 Now to speak of love at all. 
 
 "Glad for words that thou hast spoken^ 
 M^hich arouse me from a spell, 
 
 Honor, but with vows unbroken, 
 Forces me to say farewell. 
 
 "Sailing smooth in smiling water, 
 Prospering in fortune's tide. 
 
 All my soul yearned for thy daughter 
 To become my precious bride." 
 
 Waved the old man's hand a flourish, 
 "Hold!" he cried, then spake he mild^ 
 
 "He that would a father nourish 
 Will be faithful to his child. 
 
 "How long said'st thou, ere the failing 
 Of thy business shall be known?" 
 
 "In three days," he sighed, bewailing^ 
 "Lose I all I once did own." 
 
 "Then if thou desirest ever 
 
 My Selina to obtain. 
 It must be ere that, or never 
 
 Shall ye meet on earth again.' 
 
 lOI 
 
^'Generous sir, give me that blessing 
 I shall never fortune miss, 
 
 If thy daughter me possessing 
 
 Cometh from such cause as this." 
 
 "Good my daughter, as a token 
 That your happiness is mine, 
 
 Let your vows remain unbroken ; 
 Paul, Selina shall be thine! 
 
 <'And to prove I trust thee v^'^holly, 
 Soon ye shall be joined as one. 
 
 Actions that are pure and holy 
 Cannot be too quickly done. 
 
 *'Here no longer sadly sighing, 
 But for wedlock quick prepare. 
 
 Fortune's frowns, the world defying, 
 Each the other's burdens share. 
 
 "Now adieu, from faith we'll borrow 
 Thoughts to furnish future bliss. 
 
 And the rising sun to-morrow 
 Shall behold your happiness." 
 
 Glad for once the happy lover 
 Left his sweet Selina's side; 
 
 Glad the morning sun discover 
 A deligfhted grroom and bride. 
 
 102 
 
*'Now, my children, come, before ye 
 Yield to pleasure we must toil. 
 
 Paul, give ear unto my story 
 That I promised thee erstwhile. 
 
 "Exiled for a tyrant's reason, 
 Wealth and titles from me torn, 
 
 Accusations false of treason. 
 Honor turned to bitter scorn, 
 
 *'In a stranger land relying 
 
 On the generous of the earth, 
 
 While my darling wife lay dying 
 As she gave Selina birth. 
 
 Then for many years we wandered 
 Till we settled here, at last. 
 
 With my large estates all squandered 
 I would ne'er reveal the jDast, 
 
 "But there came to me quite latel} 
 One dear friend of happy youth, 
 
 Recognized and very greatly 
 Filled me with surprising truth. 
 
 *'Now the tyrant has been banished 
 
 To repent his sins alone. 
 While with him my foes have vanished, 
 
 But restored to me mine own. 
 
 103 
 
"As the Duke of Montefinnit 
 
 Know me; and now, Paul, away! 
 
 Here is wealth, this very minute 
 Go and all thou owest pay." 
 
 "Sir," the young man cried ; but waving 
 High his hand, the Duke replied, 
 
 "Not a word, but time be saving 
 Quicker to enjoy thy bride." 
 
 Soon with happy face returning, 
 Kneeling to the Duke he came. 
 
 Gratitude his bosom burning 
 For his loving bride and name. 
 
 "Rise, dear Paul," the Duke said smiling, 
 
 "Said I not to 'come and see,' 
 Now with love, all care beguiling. 
 
 Go to one more dear to thee." 
 
 After this, in splendor ever 
 
 Lived the Duke, no longer strange, 
 But henceforth the beggar never 
 
 More was seen near the Exchange. 
 
 104 
 
GOOD NIGH'-MORN ! 
 
 3 
 
 N the fairy dreamland 
 
 Wandering with deHght, 
 Till the lips reluctant 
 
 Softly breathe good-night: 
 Scarce the word is spoken 
 
 Till another's born, 
 Sweetly, smoothly blending 
 Into "Good Nigh'- Morn," 
 
 Like the sun of summer 
 
 In the Northern sky. 
 Thy continuous presence 
 
 Permeating joy. 
 Sleeping or awaken 
 
 Life shall still adorn, 
 Kissing one eternal 
 
 Loving Good Nigh'-Morn; 
 
 Till the happy future 
 
 With thy charms all won, 
 Shall by constant blending 
 
 Weave our souls in one; 
 Till, no longer fearing, 
 
 Doubting or forlorn, 
 We shall without parting 
 
 Whisper, Good Nigh'-Morn. 
 
 (8) 105 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 W. I. HASTINQS. 
 
 AREWELL forever, generous hearted friend, 
 How sad, how sudden, thy untimely end. 
 No kindred near to list thy fleeting breath. 
 No welcome voice to soothe the pangs of death. 
 
 The other day, how gladly did we join 
 In homely circle, singing "Auld Lang Syne," 
 Hands grasped in hands, reluctantly to part, 
 And fond emotions binding heart to heart. 
 
 Was this to be the glorious setting sun. 
 The avant courier of a life near run. 
 Whose excellence departing must appear 
 To make our precious memory doubly dear? 
 
 Esteemed, admired by all — a foe to none — 
 'Tis hard to realize that thou art gone. 
 A void, a want, possesses every mind 
 In search of somethinof we shall never find. 
 
 'to 
 
 But, oh! God pity those with nearer ties 
 Who wait all that remains of him they prize. 
 And make this storm of life a peaceful calm, 
 When He shall, with the wound, apply the balm. 
 
 And let this thought their sorrowing assuage. 
 That truest love — life's greatest heritage 
 To mourning relatives — this tribute sends 
 From all he loved as Minneapolis friends. 
 
 1 06 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 CHILDREN OF MR. AND MRS. RUDOLF RUBEN. 
 Chicago, Ills. 
 
 WO little rosebud's counterparts, 
 
 Most beautiful and brigfht. 
 As ever filled fond parents' hearts 
 
 With pleasure and delight, 
 Plucked by disease before the hue 
 
 Of health their cheeks forsake, 
 Hidden forever from our vievv^, 
 
 Ere sympathies awake. 
 
 Brother and Sister, we all feel 
 
 And share your sudden woe, 
 But to the Comforter apjDeal 
 
 For strength to bear the blow; 
 He only has the pass and sign. 
 
 The balm for bosoms riven, 
 That calls your loved ones home to join 
 
 Angelic hosts in heaven. 
 
 107 
 
HOW TO ASK. 
 
 //^Ojrlt^ORE pie, more cake, I want some more,'* 
 .^-^ML t/ The household pet repeating cried. 
 c<^C^-^ The father heard his child of four. 
 And thus instructively replied : 
 That's not the way to ask, my dear, 
 Come, try again to please Papa." 
 For answer came a bitter tear, 
 
 A sob, a shout, " More pie. Mamma." 
 
 " Now if you weep and talk like that, 
 
 You'll have to leave the table, pet," 
 He said, and firmly looking at 
 
 The daring one, their eyes had met. 
 Now more subdued, the little one 
 
 Relieved her feelings with a sigh, 
 And victory over self near won. 
 
 Submissive said she: "Pa, more pie." 
 
 " Not yet, my dear, just try again." 
 
 A pause, then sudden as a ray 
 Of happy sunshine after rain, 
 
 " Oh yes, I know now what to say; 
 Please Pa," she cried in joyful glee, 
 
 "Please Ma," with smiles and laughing eye, 
 " Will you and Papa please give me 
 
 Another piece of cake and pie?" 
 
 1 08 
 
*' Why yes, my darling, and a kiss. 
 
 Because just now you asked so sweet." 
 The child at night in slumbering bliss, 
 
 Please Pa, Please Ma, the words repeat. 
 Oh parents, think not you alone 
 
 Require fond words to give delight. 
 Before the Heavenly Father's throne 
 
 Those that receive must ask arisfht. 
 
 How often when we kneel in prayer 
 
 Petitions are more like demand. 
 Which failing to obtain a share 
 
 Of blessings, we should understand 
 That God, at least, as much requires 
 
 As parents gave this child for task. 
 For mercy, and for good desires. 
 
 Lord, kindly teach us how to ask. 
 
 109 
 
CANADA. 
 
 AIR-CALVARY. 
 
 AIL! glorious land of Canada! 
 For thee we give one grand hurrah! 
 While echoes ring from shore to shore 
 Exulting hearts will love thee more. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Oh, Canada, near and afar 
 Thou art the pilgrim's guiding star. 
 Dear Canada! where'er we roam. 
 Affection clings to thee, our home. 
 
 Thy chain of lakes like ocean's breast. 
 Hath charms to please in storm or rest; 
 As ring upon the willing bride 
 They bind true friends on either side. 
 
 Thy hills and dales and wealth untold. 
 In minerals rich more prized than gold. 
 Invite the world to penetrate 
 And enter in thy pearly gate. 
 
 Thy forest homes and maple trees 
 Delisfht the soul in search of ease; 
 Thy healthy race of men declare 
 That nature reigns all perfect there. 
 
 But dearer far than all we sing, 
 Or poet's fond imagining, 
 Thy daughters pure as driven snow» 
 Constrain our hearts to love thee so. 
 no 
 
THE SERENADE. 
 
 CAVALIER one summer nig-ht 
 
 Beside an open window strayed, 
 And with guitar, in sweet delight. 
 
 Prepared his love to serenade. 
 Her shadow charmingly was seen, 
 
 But horror came the parlor from, 
 He heard with wild dismay, his queen 
 
 Repeating say, " My own dear Tom." 
 
 With instrument dashed on the ground. 
 
 He boldly, madly rushed inside. 
 The maid, alarmed, alone he found. 
 
 Now where is your "dear Tom," he cried? 
 " Sir," said the maid, " my hands let loose, 
 
 Now go — and tell your mamma, that 
 I want no lover such a goose, 
 
 As to be jealous of a cat." 
 
 Ill 
 
THE MAIDS OF DETROIT. 
 
 THE maids of Detroit 
 Are as lovely and bright 
 As the sun on a midsummer day, 
 With a life-giving smile 
 Like the flowers on Belle Isle 
 And their breath sw^eet as newly-mown hay. 
 
 Tempting lips that disclose 
 
 Where the lily and rose 
 Are excelled in their exquisite hue, 
 
 Dainty hands, gentle mien,' 
 
 Little feet modest seen 
 As forget-me-nots bathing in dew. 
 
 Blithe as sprightly young fawns 
 
 When the gray morning dawns, 
 See them cheerily moving along. 
 
 Every footstep they take 
 
 Is enough to awake 
 All the raptui-e of poets to song. 
 
 And at noon, eve or night 
 
 Like bewildering light, 
 Or as rainbow of promise they cheer, 
 
 While the clear happy eyes 
 
 Take the heart by surprise 
 And give birth to a friendship sincere. 
 
 112 
 
Theirs a beauty and grace 
 Of the form and the face 
 
 That true lovers are captured at sight, 
 And young Cupid in arms 
 Says " the maids have such charms 
 
 That they've no use for him in Detroit." 
 
 Still he lingers around 
 For the suitors 'tis found, 
 
 And his arrows are constantly hurled 
 Till an excellent shot 
 Strikes an unguarded spot 
 
 Of the dearest and best in the world. 
 
 But the maids of the Straits 
 
 Are the pets of the fates, 
 For as matrons so much they delight, 
 
 That a man's blest for life 
 
 If he gets for a wife 
 Just the average maid of Detroit. 
 
 "3 
 
LOVERS' QUARRELS. 
 
 /^ REAT essentials of existence, 
 ^^ Little clouds jDroducing rain, 
 Cultivating from a distance 
 
 Choicest plants and richest grain; 
 What a vast storehouse of treasure, 
 
 That compounded interest brings — 
 Little busy bees — with pleasure 
 Making honey heal the stings. 
 
 What is life without commotion ? 
 
 Dull, monotonous, and stale: 
 Ships becalmed upon the ocean 
 
 Drift from ports to which they'd sail 
 Love requires impulsive feeling 
 
 To effulge its richest bloom — 
 Little storms, its depth revealing. 
 
 To exhale desired perfume. 
 
 Hills and valleys — thorns and roses, 
 
 Clouds and sunshine, smiles and tears, 
 One Creator all disposes 
 
 To their own allotted spheres. 
 Parting makes our meeting dearer. 
 
 Sorrow sanctifies love's kiss: 
 Water filtered sparkles clearer, 
 
 True forgiveness sweetens bliss. 
 
 114 
 
Thus do disagreements season, 
 
 And declare our true regard ; 
 There is little fear of treason 
 
 In the free, outspoken word. 
 This great truth the sage discovers. 
 
 On the mount o'erlookingf life: 
 Those who quarrel most as lovers 
 
 Best agree when man and wife. 
 
 ONLY LEONE. 
 
 \'^NLY Leone! but a pleasant theme 
 For an artist's brush or a poet's dream, 
 ^All that is beautiful take for its throne 
 Only Leone, Only Leone. 
 
 Only Leone in her youthful prime, 
 As rich ripe fruit of a tropical clime, 
 Sweet, luscious, and tempting for all to own. 
 Only Leone, Only Leone. 
 
 Only Leone, as a world to me, 
 Companion in time and eternity. 
 No other desire possessing alone, 
 Only Leone, Only Leone. 
 
 "5 
 
SANTA GLAUS. 
 
 ) 
 
 •i^^HREE children had one dollar each 
 4||^7 To spend for Christmas day, 
 '^^V And met in joint committee to 
 Consider its outlay. 
 
 " I'll buy," said one, " some toys for Babe, 
 
 A handkerchief for Ma, 
 Some building blocks for Brother, and 
 
 I don't know what for Pa; 
 A story book for Sister, and 
 
 A lovely scrap book, too. 
 And all the rest I'll keep till I 
 
 Decide just what to do." 
 
 Another said : " I'm going to buy 
 
 Some trinkets for my hair. 
 Some cards, a case, some sweet perfume. 
 
 And gloves, a pretty pair. 
 And then I'd like to buy a muff — 
 
 And whisper, girls — you know 
 I want to get a pair of those 
 
 We hung up long ago." 
 
 ii6 
 
The third one said, " with a few cent&^ 
 
 I'll buy some mistletoe 
 And make it into small bouquets 
 
 To leave where I shall go, 
 When visiting- poor little girls 
 
 That live within our ward. 
 And as I don't need money now 
 
 I'll lend mine to the Lord." 
 
 At this the others were amazed, 
 And looked it with their eyes, 
 
 Yet wishing to investigate 
 
 They questioned with surprise. 
 
 " How can you lend unto the Lord, 
 
 By Him alone we live?" 
 " Yes, but you know we lend to Him- 
 
 When to the poor we give. 
 
 "And as God gave so much to us 
 On the first Christmas day. 
 
 He will be pleased to know that we 
 Give our good things away. 
 
 "And many would be warmed and filled 
 
 By even girls and boys. 
 If more were spent in this good way 
 
 And less on sweets and toys.'' 
 
 117 
 
From infant lips to thought's high throne 
 
 Doth wisdom penetrate. 
 Which of these children do you think 
 
 Is best to imitate? 
 
 The first one buys for friends, the next 
 Herself to please and dress, 
 
 The third relieves and cheers the poor; 
 Which gets most happiness? 
 
 From sacred writ an answer comes 
 
 That "inasmuch as ye 
 The hungry feed, the weak sustain, 
 
 Ye do it unto Me." 
 
 Then let us try as this sweet child 
 
 To merit the reward 
 By succoring the needy ones 
 
 By lending to the Lord, 
 On this the great birthday of peace, 
 
 The best to Christians given. 
 On which God's precious love bestows 
 
 Inheritance to heaven. 
 
 ii8 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 F. Wickham and Sisters, on the Death of their Sister Louise. 
 
 HROUGH the valley— o'er the river, 
 
 To the land of blissful rest, 
 Jesus calls your loving sister 
 
 Home to sleep upon his breast. 
 Then be not as hopeless mourners, 
 
 There is comfort for all grief 
 When the one that wills the sorrow 
 Is the same that gives relief. 
 
 Freely from His tender bosom 
 
 Streams of deep compassion flow, 
 And his gentle soothing pity 
 
 Only prayerful sufferers know. 
 All the weary, heavy laden, 
 
 He upholdeth with his might; 
 As he chasteneth with the left hand, 
 
 He sustaineth with the rig-ht. 
 
 Now, Louise is with the angels, 
 
 Far removed from pain or care, 
 With the sanctified, rejoicing; 
 
 May your thoughts her glory share. 
 And may God from heaven's high temple, 
 
 Send you holy manna down. 
 Peace while living — grace when dying. 
 
 And the saint's immortal crown. 
 
 119 
 
MY OWN DEAR WIFE. 
 
 Written for Hacfarline Neilson, Jackson, Hich. 
 
 CY own dear wife! as time rolls by, 
 Each year seems shorter than the last; 
 aCsi And present bliss or future joy 
 Is only equaled by the past. 
 The sunshine of thy cheerful heart 
 Dissolves each iceberg of despair, 
 Makes winter from my thoughts depart 
 And brings eternal summer there. 
 
 My own dear wife ! Let others boast 
 
 The vast attractions gold can bring; 
 The charms of earth that please me most 
 
 Are compassed with a little ring. 
 Afflictions great have served to prove 
 
 Affection only gains when tried — 
 That more to me, thy precious love. 
 
 Than all that's in this world beside. 
 
 My own dear wife! My better self ! 
 
 Best treasure thou to mortal given ! 
 Possessor of the only wealth 
 
 That opes the pearly gates of heaven. 
 Again I dedicate to thee 
 
 All that can bind my soul to life, 
 And hail this Anniversary 
 
 Of God's great gift to me — my wife. 
 
 120 
 
GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER. 
 
 LGER the general, noble and brave, 
 Foremost in fight when the battle flags wave, 
 Fast by his comrade's side 
 Bravely he would have died 
 Out in the field his loved country to save. 
 
 Alger the governor, upright, sedate. 
 Statesman and orator, humble though great. 
 
 Seeking to suit the hour 
 
 Aid from a higher power 
 True to his Maker, and true to his State. 
 
 Alger the lumberman, active in trade. 
 Faithful and honest a millionaire made. 
 
 Himself a toiler then 
 
 Would have for workingmen 
 Value for labor that ought to be paid. 
 
 Alger the bountiful, friend to the poor, 
 List to his words that should ever endure, 
 
 " The greatest good we find 
 
 Is to relieve mankind." 
 Oh what great good for himself is secure. 
 
 Alger the model, whose excellent worth, 
 Causeth the Nation to honor his birth, 
 And make his name be heard 
 As a dear household word 
 Filling the highest position on earth. 
 
 (9) 121 
 
m 
 
 FAITH. 
 
 Y papa says yes, so you see I am right, 
 Though everyone said I was wrong; 
 You'll see I shall go to my grandma's to-night 
 With Dolly, but not to stay long; 
 For all little girls should go early to bed, 
 
 If they want to be good like mamma, 
 But I must get ready to go where I said, 
 I'm going to-night.. Ain't I, Pa? 
 
 In all contradictions 'tis ever the same, 
 
 Though many are made but to tease. 
 She asks of her father the truth to proclaim 
 
 And say which is right, "Papa, please." 
 One word from the parent will settle debate, 
 
 Yea, even a look or a kiss 
 Will reverse all the no's that her playmates state 
 
 If she feels that her papa means yes. 
 
 From this four-year-old child a lesson we learn, 
 
 That all might with earnestness heed: 
 If childlike to God all disputes we should turn. 
 
 What matters our doctrine or creed? 
 If our Father says yes, let the world say no. 
 
 Rely on the Word from above; 
 Lay hold of the Rock, let the quicksands go. 
 
 And strengthen true faith by His love. 
 
 122 
 
EMPRESS OF MY SOUL. 
 
 EAR Empress of my soul, 
 I fondly turn to thee, 
 
 As sunflowers to the sun 
 
 As blossoms to the bee. 
 
 Thy beauteous form, thine eye's soft dart, 
 Createth bliss, makes grief depart. 
 True as the needle to the pole 
 
 Thou art the magnet of my heart 
 
 And Empress of my soul 
 
 Loved Empress of my soul. 
 
 Bright Empress of my soul, 
 
 If love there be on earth 
 Thou art the purest one 
 To give to all its birth. 
 
 None can resist thy charmingr grace: 
 One look upon thy angel face 
 Will bring all hearts 'neath thy control. 
 
 But thou art mine, thy reigning place 
 Is Empress of my soul — 
 Sw^eet Empress of my soul. 
 
 123 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 To W. A. Noble and Family, on the Death of Hrs Noble's Fathen- 
 
 HEN the golden bowl is broken, 
 
 And the silver cord is loosed, 
 When the last farewell is spoken. 
 
 Even Hope becomes confused. 
 Till the Lily of the Valley 
 
 And the Rose of Sharon shed, 
 As our comforter and ally, 
 
 Sweetest fragrance o'er the dead. 
 
 Though the tree no more may flourish,. 
 
 And the crystal stream be dry, 
 When no mortal aid can nourish 
 
 Or our smallest want supply; 
 Then the heart involuntary 
 
 Turns to glorious things above,^ 
 And the winds that seem contrary,. 
 
 Waft us to the source of love^ 
 
 124 
 
Welcome refuge, never failing, 
 
 Anchorage of rest and peace. 
 In the Ark of safety sailing. 
 
 Storms abate and trouble cease. 
 Jesus, by the calm still waters 
 
 And the pastures of thy grace, 
 ""Midst thy consecrated daughters 
 
 Give our burdened ones a place. 
 
 In our families and meetinsfs. 
 
 In our bosoms we shall feel 
 Sympathetic loving greetings 
 
 That mere words cannot reveal. 
 But how helpless is our grieving. 
 
 All that we can do or say, 
 Is, almighty powers believing, 
 
 For your happiness to pray. 
 
 Bless our sister and our brother, 
 
 Lift their heavy load of care; 
 Make them solace one another 
 
 In the sanctity of prayer. 
 And though earthly parent never 
 
 More shall dry the falling tear, 
 May the Heavenly One forever 
 
 Be their Father near and dear. 
 
 125 
 
TRIFLES. 
 
 F we can to the troubled soul convey 
 
 A little balm for pain, 
 Or for a moment chase some gloom away 
 
 We have not lived in vain. 
 All gentle acts of kindness illustrate 
 
 Nobility of mind, 
 As morning gray and blue sky indicate 
 
 A glorious sun behind. 
 
 The widow's mite, thank God, is powerful yet 
 
 A better love to teach 
 Than strictest moralists can ever get. 
 
 Or parsimony preach. 
 A drop of water or a crust of bread. 
 
 Or soothing comfort given, 
 When pain or hunger droop the weary head 
 
 Are good passports to heaven. 
 
 Such little trifles are as overflow 
 
 Of rivers, lakes and seas. 
 Or perfume that escapes where flowers grow 
 
 And scent the passing breeze. 
 The more they yield the more their treasures are ; 
 
 Hence easily believe 
 That fruits of charity are better far 
 
 To give, than to receive. 
 
 126 
 
But if not so, the thought of doing good 
 
 More streams and flowers would raise, 
 Than wise philosophy has understood; 
 
 And God receive the praise, 
 For all good works ascend the throne of grace, 
 
 Though silent be our prayer. 
 And he who makes the heart delights to trace 
 
 His own example there. 
 
 When gathering in the harvest of the soil, 
 
 Like Boaz, let trifles fall. 
 The gleaners may not have Ruth's grateful smile. 
 
 But One beholdeth all; 
 And those that freely give, the flock to feed 
 
 Of God's anointed Son, 
 Shall be preserved in every time of need 
 
 And hear the blest "Well done ! " 
 
 127 
 
THE FIRST LETTER. 
 
 tow the clouds of life are lighter, 
 All the world is growing brighter 
 ^-^^ Since I got a charming letter, 
 From the one I prize so dear; 
 With its beautiful expressions 
 That enrich all my possessions, 
 A beloved name is written 
 'Neath the words, " your friend sincere." 
 
 Magic talisman of gladness, 
 Banisher of care and sadness, 
 
 Pouring incense on the altar. 
 
 That is consecrate to thee ; 
 Sing, my soul, in joyful chorus, 
 Peace and happiness are o'er us, 
 
 Now the one so fondly cherished, 
 
 Is a friend sincere to me. 
 
 Harbinger, my bosom cheering. 
 Friend in modest grace appearing, 
 
 Hope's safe anchor, I salute thee, 
 
 Eldorado of desire! 
 Friend to share my true devotion. 
 Friend to change life's troubled ocean 
 
 To a sea of blest emotion. 
 
 That thy purity inspire. 
 
 128 
 
Sunbeams dance in merry radiance, 
 
 Flowers burst forth with bloom and fragfrance. 
 Rolling waters warble music, 
 That those precious words impart, 
 
 Bless, kind heaven, our sweet communion, 
 
 Ratify the sacred union. 
 
 Friends, true friends, forever bind us, 
 Thought to thought, and heart to heart. 
 
 129 
 
HERRING. 
 
 ^T^AT MURPHY was a weaver, and 
 
 ^-.i^As good as any in the land, 
 
 Who traveHng the country o'er 
 To earn his board and something more. 
 Had just got work from Mickey Queer; 
 His board, and eight pounds ten a year. 
 So casting anchor he began 
 To prove himself a first-class man. 
 From early morn till late at night, 
 His shuttle went from left to right; 
 But Pat had one unchanging creed — 
 The board should regulate its speed. 
 'Twas Lent, and herring salt and dry. 
 His master's table did sujDply. 
 Pat liked the fish, but felt quite blue 
 To see the herring cut in two, 
 His shuttle seemed to say, despairing: 
 " Half-a-her-ring-half-a-her-ring." 
 His master noting this, took care 
 That Pat should have a better share. 
 The fish were served out whole next day, 
 Which changed the shuttle's speed to say: 
 (Rejoicing at his better faring) 
 "Herring, herring, herring, herring." 
 Now his emjDloyer was not slow 
 To learn what made the shuttle go, 
 Next day Pat got a half one more, 
 Which made an increase as before. 
 
 130 
 
The shuttleyf^^^^ seemed to laugh: 
 "A herring and a half, half, half, 
 
 A herring and a half " — From that 
 
 No victuals were too good for Pat. 
 His master sent him to the town 
 Delivering goods to Brown & Brown, 
 
 Who looking at the cloth, had seen 
 
 Two holes where holes should not have been. 
 "We must," said they, "a lesson teach. 
 
 And charge for these a sixpence each." 
 "Musha! " cries Pat, " Sure you don't say 
 
 For h'U/e holes like those we'd pay." 
 "Why yes!" says Brown, and looking wise, 
 " We charge for numders, not for size." 
 " For numbers is it? Then look here; 
 
 Let me examine them for Queer; 
 
 Why, jintlemen, upon my life. 
 
 These holes are close as man and wife. 
 
 And would you charge" — "Yes, yes," says Brown* 
 
 With flushing face and angry frown, 
 
 While quick as lightning, bent on fun, 
 
 Pat tore the two holes into one. 
 "Now ' By the Hill o' Howth,'" says he, 
 " I've saved one sixpence, d'ye see." 
 
 Then tramping liome, in secret joy 
 
 He muttered this soliloquy: 
 "Och! When ould Mickey hears my tale, 
 
 Pll get izvo herring ivery male." 
 
 131 
 
BECAUSE. 
 
 HE stars were shining bright and clear; 
 
 As stars quite frequent do, 
 About the harvest time of j^ear 
 
 When lovers love to woo. 
 The maiden hearkened as he plead 
 
 His suit without a pause, 
 And answering his question, said: 
 
 " Oh, no, — not now — because. — " 
 
 "Because for what, do tell me why, 
 
 I know that I am poor. 
 But then, my darling, I would try 
 
 To make you happy, sure." 
 ■" Oh, no, it is not that, I mean, 
 
 I see no faults or flaws:" 
 -"Then tell me what it is, my queen." 
 
 " Because, oh just — because." 
 
 The youth went home that night to sleep, 
 
 That is to stretch in bed 
 And ponder o'er the subject deep 
 
 Why Jenny would not wed : 
 "I have it now," he cried with glee 
 
 And self-bestowed applause; 
 ■" Next time I ask sweet Jennie, she 
 
 Will have me, just — because. 
 
 132 
 
Soon afterward the maiden heard 
 
 Her mother with surprise 
 Say, "Jenny darHng, how absurd 
 
 Your conduct's in my eyes. 
 John's uncle's willed him all he had 
 
 Without another clause, 
 And if you're not entirely bad, 
 
 You'll marry him — because. — " 
 
 John, hearing not of sudden wealth, 
 
 Had bought a plain gold ring 
 And slipped it on the girl with stealth 
 
 As happy as a king: 
 " There now," he cried, " I claim my bride- 
 
 In spite of fate or laws." 
 The maiden blushing by his side. 
 
 Said not a word, — because. — 
 
 They're married now, he thinks he gained. 
 
 The maid by being bold; 
 Dame rumor says 'twas all explained 
 
 By what her mother told: 
 But both are pleased, so we conclude. 
 
 No matter what the cause. 
 To watch them longer would be ruda 
 
 Because, — well just — because. 
 
 133 
 
WHAT ARE YOU KOW? 
 
 NCE I had wealth abundantly, 
 
 Was rich in gold and land; 
 And servants robed in livery 
 
 Awaited my command. 
 Ah! life was bright and beautiful, 
 
 No sorrow furred mv brow — " 
 But halt, a voice says sneeringly. 
 
 Pray tell us what you're now! 
 
 For you must know, where'er you go, 
 
 Tis all the same I vow, 
 The world don't care what once you were, 
 
 But just what are you now? 
 
 *' My youth was passed in poverty; 
 
 So little was my store, 
 That oft with all its misery 
 
 The wolf was at the door. 
 Then fortune smiling plentiful 
 
 Mv manhood did endow," 
 Ah, well," this time approvingly, 
 
 " Consider what you're now." 
 
 Full well you know where'er you go 
 
 The people smile and bow. 
 For all your ways there's naught but praise 
 
 To be what you are now. 
 
 134 
 
Some have been poor and made quite rich, 
 
 And some quite rich turn poor, 
 Some always stumble in the ditch 
 
 That others pass secure. 
 It little matters what we've seen, 
 
 Or what we may, somehow 
 The all-important question is 
 
 What are you now, just now. 
 
 Then this I say, whatever may 
 
 Blind fortune disallow, 
 Your head keep high, make others sigh 
 
 To find out what you're now. 
 
 Though some that once were happy, may 
 
 Bewail their present state. 
 While others that were wretched once 
 
 May now be rich and great: 
 Upon life's ocean let good deeds 
 
 Direct the vessel's prow,' 
 To where contentment reigns supreme 
 
 And all be happy now. 
 
 To strong and weak, let conscience speak, 
 
 And all its claims allow. 
 Then rich and poor, you may be sure. 
 
 Will all be happy now. 
 
 135 
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR. 
 
 IGH no moi-e drearily, 
 
 Trembling with fear, 
 Joyously, cheerily, 
 
 Faithful, sincere; 
 As to a loving bride 
 Look at life's brightest side, 
 Hope in the great untried — 
 Happy new year! 
 
 If fortune spitefully 
 
 Check our career. 
 Courage will rightfully. 
 
 Gracefully veer 
 Round to a smoother course, 
 Energy will endorse 
 
 With all thy aid and force 
 Happy new year! 
 
 Bountiful charity 
 
 Shining so clear, 
 Brings to a parity 
 
 Every one here. 
 Praised be His holy name, 
 God loveth each the same. 
 And would have all exclaim 
 Happy new year! 
 
 136 
 
Starboard watch, steadily 
 
 Onwardly steer, 
 Larboard watch, readily 
 
 On deck appear: 
 So shall life's vessel move, 
 Watched by infinite love. 
 Bringing thy treasure-trove, 
 Happy new year! 
 
 As the heart youthfully 
 
 Hopes for good cheer, 
 Heaven will truthfully 
 Dry sorrow's tear. 
 Blessings so freely thrown, 
 Waiting for all to own, 
 
 Herald the loved unknown — 
 Happy new year! 
 
 Gratefully, thankfully. 
 
 Promises hear, 
 Trustfull}', tranquilly, 
 
 God's words revere: 
 "With you I am alway," 
 
 Near thee. Lord, make us stay 
 And to thy creatures say: 
 Happy new year! 
 
 (lo) 137 
 
MOTHER. 
 
 sni 
 
 OTHER, farewell! Though we must ever part, 
 Your love the same, will always fill my heart, 
 As when a child I fondled on your knee, 
 Or when life's steps, in youth's simplicity 
 Were guided sweet by thee. Oh, where art thou? 
 I cannot hear thy prayers around me now; 
 Listless to me the grief that others moan; 
 My light, my life, my joy from earth has flown. 
 Oh, with what rapture would my soul rejoice 
 To hear thy blessing and thy warning voice 
 In unity again. But thou art dead! 
 The life blood from thy loving heart has fled. 
 In vain I look; in vain I list to hear 
 The music of thy voice, the accents clear 
 That but so late, so sweetly warbled round 
 In harmony divine, their blissful sound. 
 Mother, my loss how faintly words express; 
 My heart is like a barren wilderness 
 O'er which the sun refuses more to shine; 
 Yet, all its thoughts are sacred, they are thine. 
 At morn, and noon, and night will fancy paint 
 Tlie blessed image of my mother saint. 
 At morn, I see thee in the rosy sky. 
 And in the lark that soars the heavens high: 
 I see thee mirrored when the orb of day 
 Sheds light and heat with one refulgent ray. 
 
 138 
 
And when the dewdrops spangle on the flowers, 
 And when the moon displays her potent powers, 
 And in my dreams at night, thy form I see— 
 For all that's sweet on earth resembles thee. 
 
 PRAYER AT SEA. 
 
 ^ REAT King of Heaven, be thou our guide, 
 While o'er the deep blue sea we ride; 
 Plowe'er the breeze inconstant veer, 
 Thy guiding hand our vessel steer. 
 Fill with bright hope each fearing heart. 
 And let thy spirit soft impart 
 That thou supreme o'er all doth reio-n. 
 That thou art everywhere the same. 
 In climes where mortals seldom roam 
 As in the blissful shades of home. 
 Protect us, Lord, while now we rove 
 And haste us back to all we love. 
 
 139 
 
TO MISS OCTA E. WISE. 
 
 On Her Piano Solo of " Thoughts." 
 
 WEET maid, when I the " Thoughts" surmise 
 
 That can produce such sounds of bHss, 
 I see thee first in paradise 
 
 Surrounded by all happiness, 
 And next I watch thy form descend 
 
 And rest midway 'twixt heaven and earth. 
 Where angels list for prayers, and blend 
 
 Their voices with celestial mirth. 
 
 Now rising as a spirit dove 
 
 I see thee at the great white throne, 
 While notes of pure unchanging love 
 
 Resound and mingle with thine own; 
 The mansions fair thou dost behold 
 
 Where mortal footsteps never trod. 
 Seraphic choirs with harps of gold 
 
 That sing eternal praise to God. 
 
 Then laden with such precious freight 
 
 As never dwelt in "thoughts" before, 
 Thou dost return to permeate 
 
 The earth with perfume from thy store. 
 The moonlit lake, the landscape view, 
 
 The couch of suffering, faith and prayer. 
 Young budding love and friendship true, 
 
 But Hope's the strongest passion there! 
 140 
 
If Hope can then create such strains, 
 
 Oh visit her each day and hour, 
 That we may seize the sweet refrains 
 
 As fragrance from the choicest flower, 
 And may the holy one inspire 
 
 Thy soul with heavenly music fraught; 
 Fulfill in life each pure desire 
 
 And grant at death thy every "thought." 
 
 141 
 
CUPID. 
 
 HE young god of Love's complaining- 
 That his how's untrue, 
 And for one whose aim's unerring 
 That will never do: 
 So to keep alive the trade 
 Tiny arrows he has made 
 Which to every flower's conveyed 
 By the sparkling dew. 
 
 These missiles are effective 
 As his former dart, 
 And in each new floral favor 
 
 We can feel them smart. 
 Then to grasp Sir Cupid's power. 
 Give your chosen one a flower. 
 And from that propitious hour 
 You may gain the heart. 
 
 142 
 
THE NEW YEAR. 
 
 iAIL! great Unknown! whate'er thy mission be, 
 We look upon thee as a coming dream; 
 
 Though all thy pages are a mystery 
 The volume for the Author we esteem. 
 
 The seedtime and the harvest thou shalt bring-. 
 For these are promised by unfailing word: 
 
 But none may know what good or ill shall spring, 
 What notes of joy, what sounds of woe be heard. 
 
 How wisely things are hidden from the sight, 
 Lest man's great equipoise should be o'erthrown 
 
 While grasping that which gives the most delight, 
 Or trembling for the sorrow he may own. 
 
 Launched in a sea he never sailed before, 
 The skillful mariner will the more resort 
 
 To chart and compass that direct him o'er 
 The trackless ocean to his destined port. 
 
 And on the borderland of days to come 
 
 'Tis well to study an unerring guide. 
 To take us safely to that better home 
 
 Where love and bliss shall evermore abide. 
 
 For this resolve anew, again begin 
 
 The new born year as thou wouldst have it end: 
 He that hath borne our sorrow and our sin 
 
 Remains the same safe counselor and friend. 
 
 143 
 
Faint not that former resolutions made 
 Have failed to realize the heart's desire, 
 
 Try, try again, and never be afraid 
 To let the soul to noble deeds aspire. 
 
 Nor let thy thoughts reflect upon the past, 
 Save to improve and profit by its frown; 
 
 When climbing up the high and giddy mast. 
 The sailor must look up but seldom down. 
 
 With head erect enter the narrow gate 
 That guideth true believers on the way 
 
 To where the heart, no longer desolate, 
 Rejoiceth in the light of perfect day. 
 
 Though we exist a century on earth. 
 
 Supported by the christian's sturdy staff. 
 
 And every day of life declare its worth, 
 
 The first score years is still the longest half. 
 
 The aged live in thought of days gone by, 
 
 The young anticipating future bliss; 
 Thus time is measured, best by grief or joy 
 
 And subject to life's metamorphosis. 
 
 But things of time all end; itself shall cease. 
 
 When New Year days shall dawn for us no more; 
 
 Hence, mankmd all should zealously increase 
 Their preparations for the eternal shore. 
 
 144 
 
There's something strangely sad — a solemn spell 
 Creeps o'er the soul when those that love must part; 
 
 As with the same soft breath we say "farewell," 
 We welcome others gladly to the heart. 
 
 A mother, dying as she brings to life 
 
 Her only child, the mourning ones to cheer, 
 
 Is fitting emblem of the bosom's strife. 
 
 To leave the passing — hail the coming year. 
 
 With all that's beautiful the earth surprise 
 
 With wisdom, strength and true progressive grace, 
 
 Excelling what our fondest hopes surmise; 
 Come forth, beloved one, and take thy place. 
 
 Raise up the portals of the glorious world! 
 
 Let joy in all its holiest forms appear! 
 Be all the banners of our love unfurled 
 
 And welcome to our hearts the glad new 3'ear! 
 
 
 145 
 
TO MR. AND MRS. DURWARD LELY. 
 
 (Patti'5 Great Tenor.) 
 
 'W 
 
 HEN Lely's sing the " auld Scotch songs 
 
 We turn with fond forget-me-not, 
 To where the harp of memory hangs 
 
 In some far distant cherished spot. 
 The eyes are dimmed, but not with grief, 
 
 The heart is glad, but not with joy ; 
 The bosom, bursting for rehef, 
 
 Is spellbound 'twixt a laugh and cry. 
 
 Yet this is but the overture. 
 
 The introduction to the play. 
 The mesmerism to allure 
 
 The subtle senses far away. 
 We see no Lely, hear no voice. 
 
 But some pure influence divine 
 Compels the mind without a choice 
 
 To live again the auld lang syne. 
 
 More than mere words could ever speak, 
 
 More than they ever sang before. 
 From mother's love, to blushing cheek 
 
 Of maiden in the days of yore: 
 From peaceful glen to war's alarms, 
 
 From foreign land returning home. 
 From dreary scenes to brightest charms, 
 
 Or earth's vast plain to heaven's dome. 
 
 146 
 
Oh man, where lieth all the power 
 
 By which we present ties forget, 
 That makes within a little hour 
 
 The friends long dead be living yet? 
 It cannot be thy song alone 
 
 That brings such vivid scenes to life,- 
 The potent power behind the throne 
 
 Must be in thy accomplished wife. 
 
 Was it thy flute-like tones that gained 
 
 The sweetest lady ever born, 
 Or was her loveliness ordained 
 
 To perfect sounds, that both adorn? 
 Her fingers as they kiss the keys 
 
 Create expression to the voice. 
 Whose music, borne upon the breeze, 
 
 Would make the barren rocks rejoice. 
 
 Together, fan the sacred fire 
 
 That burns without revealing light. 
 And all our dearest thoughts inspire 
 
 To chase the shadows born of night. 
 God grant your lives may ever bloom 
 
 Delightful as the flowers in spring, 
 To permeate with rare perfume 
 
 The souls of all that hear you sing. 
 
 147 
 
Great minstrels, for each other made, 
 
 Whose chords in imison impart 
 Love's sweet enchanting serenade. 
 
 That swiftly flies from heart to heart: 
 Wi' bonnie gems frae o'er the sea. 
 
 An' heather beauties a' yer ain, 
 Anither lease o' life to gie, 
 
 Oh "will 3'^e no come back again?" 
 
 CONJECTURE. 
 
 •iCOYTT'^' dearest Mary" 
 
 ^y P V^ So he wrote, 
 
 Inditing to his wife a note 
 Brim full of love and constancy 
 And words no other eyes should see. 
 Imagine then his great surprise. 
 When, she indignantly replies : 
 "Your dearest Mary" — Oh my heart; 
 What visions those three words impart. 
 Do other Mary's charm your sight, 
 That I am dearest when you write? 
 Or do you, in another sense. 
 Just think me dearest in expense? 
 If you would keep your wife a friend 
 Your grammar, or your morals mend. 
 
 148 
 
THE OLD WAY THE BEST. 
 
 ES, it's only the old, old story, 
 
 But told in a modernized way, 
 Devoid of rhetorical glory 
 Or any rhapsodic display. 
 I don't live in visions of beauty, 
 
 Or dwell in the light of thine eye,. 
 Or feel, if rejected, my duty 
 
 Will be just to lie down and die. 
 
 Please pardon my prosaic greeting 
 
 Whenever w^e meet or we part; 
 I hate to be always repeating 
 
 That you are the queen of my heart. 
 If you'll wed, 'twill be my endeavor 
 
 To climb hand in hand up life's hill. 
 Together, I mean, for I never 
 
 Would follow a woman's sweet will."^ 
 
 With looks patronizingly smiling. 
 
 He gazed at the maid by his side, 
 Who inwardly seemed to be boiling 
 
 With rage or with patience hard tried. 
 "If you'll wed," she mimicked, like weighing; 
 
 His words with another's she knew, 
 " Yes, I'll wed — but pardon my saying, 
 
 I'm sure, sir, it won't be with you." 
 
 149 
 
IN MEMORY 
 
 Of Lisle, Son of T. A. Bourke. 
 
 ARLING little Lisle! 
 
 We will miss thy cheerful smile, 
 
 And the ever welcome patter of thy feet; 
 And no more we'll hear thee say 
 In thy quaint old fashioned way, 
 "Ah, gi' long," then run to play 
 
 Laughing sweet. 
 
 Glad and joyous Lisle, 
 Fond refresher after toil, 
 All a father's pride and mother's dearest joy. 
 They have felt thy last embrace. 
 Full of 'cute and cunning grace. 
 Oh! 'tis hard to fill the place 
 
 • Of their boy. 
 
 Pure, departed Lisle! 
 Thou wilt never more beguile 
 From sorrow, grief and care thy parents here, 
 Rut their memory, I ween 
 Will be kept forever green. 
 Of their treasure here unseen — 
 
 But more dear. 
 
 150 
 
^^PPy» blessed Lisle! 
 Free from every sin and guile, 
 Thou hast left us for a better world than this; 
 And the angels now above 
 Are rejoicing in thy love, 
 And thou never more shalt rove 
 
 From their bliss. 
 
 Farewell, earthly Lisle! 
 In a very little while 
 We will also tread the path that thou hast trod, 
 And again we hope to greet 
 The dear patter of thy feet, 
 In the bright and golden street 
 
 Of our Gcd. 
 
 151 
 
HELP THE POOR. 
 
 s 
 
 EARCHER for the best enjoyment 
 
 Health and wealth can ever bring, 
 Doth thy conscience at its leisure 
 
 Probe thee with a little sting? 
 Hast thou something left unfinished 
 
 That thy better thoughts allure 
 To an undecided conflict? 
 
 Try this duty — help the poor. 
 
 Fellow sinner, art thou weary, 
 
 Burdened with perplexing care. 
 Vacillating almost daily 
 
 Between pleasure and despair? 
 Wouldst thou have one steady object 
 
 That will peaceful rest secure? 
 In proportion to thy blessings, 
 
 Go to-day and help the poor. 
 
 Traveler on the road to Zion, 
 
 Dost thou halt upon the way. 
 Wondering when beside its portals 
 
 What the Holy One will say? 
 Hast thou yet at times a feeling 
 
 That salvation's insecure? 
 Pause and ere thou soarest higher. 
 
 Backward turn and help the poor. 
 
 152 
 
Wouldst thou have sustaining comfort, 
 
 Hope that's free from all alloy, 
 Infinite to bless the finite 
 
 With religion's sacred joy, 
 Arjnor that from shafts protecting. 
 
 Patience crosses to endure; 
 Herein lies the open sesame, 
 
 Try its virtue, help the poor. 
 
 Oh the happiness of knowing 
 
 Hearts and lips in grateful prayer. 
 Render thanks for food and raiment 
 
 Which in secrec}'^ we spare. 
 Angels roimd the throne rejoicing 
 
 Cannot have delight more pure, 
 At a prodigal returning 
 
 Than we have to help the poor. 
 
 Well we know the loving Savior 
 
 This as holy precept gave, 
 One thing lackest thou in doing 
 
 Thy immortal soul to save; 
 Take the substance thou hast cherished 
 
 With a miser's grasp impure, 
 All thy land and all thou ownest 
 
 Freely give to help the poor. 
 
 (II) 153 
 
This, O Father, is the glory 
 
 That so radiantly shines 
 In Thy children, as their bosom 
 
 Yieldeth grapes from sacred vines. 
 We but lend Thee our donations, 
 
 Make security more sure. 
 When we follow Thy instruction. 
 
 When we quickly help the p6or. 
 
 M 
 
 E had been fishing, and a string 
 Of beauties home he brought, 
 
 His wife espied him lingering 
 Where he those fishes bougflit. 
 
 *&' 
 
 But prudently she praised her lord 
 In terms would grace a sonnet: 
 
 She angled well — and for reward 
 Received a fine new bonnet. 
 
 Though unsuccessful hubbies go 
 To fish with rod and rye — hme. 
 
 Their wives a flattering net can throw 
 And land them every time. 
 
 154 
 
LEAVING SPAIN. 
 
 /^ ENTLE twilight, softly linger, 
 ^^ Let me on her beauty gaze, 
 ^ Till my heart joins with the singer 
 
 One short j^arting hymn of praise; 
 Till reflectively I listen 
 
 To the pure Castilian strain. 
 Watch the bright eyes brighter glisten, 
 As sweet music's low refrain 
 Wafts a fond farewell to Spain. 
 
 Land enchantingly uniting 
 
 All the charms of earth and sky, 
 Ever pleasantly delighting 
 
 Poet's mind and painter's eye; 
 Rich as wine thy vineyards growing 
 
 Streams the warm blood through each vein. 
 Friendship's fountain freely flowing 
 
 In thy zeal to entertain : 
 
 Hosj^itable, generous Spain. 
 
 Maids, the heart's best retrospection. 
 
 Men of honor, faithful, true. 
 Sunny home of sweet affection, 
 
 Though we bid thee now adieu. 
 Gems of thought, earth's richest treasure, 
 
 Monarchs of the soul shall reign, 
 As love's harp recalls the pleasure 
 
 Dearest memories retain 
 
 Of thy blessings, favored Spain. 
 
 IS5 
 
LOVE. 
 
 gyi^YSTERIOUS Love, so misapplied, 
 ^-j7y§ 1^ How strangely thou'rt identified ; 
 c<^^Qy^^^ As blind yet see, as deaf yet hear, 
 
 Or calm when raging storms appear: 
 No barriers stem thy torrent's force. 
 Nor human knowledge change thy course. 
 
 Within thy universal home 
 Unlicensed passions reckless roam, 
 Drift with the tide and enter free 
 The hearts of high and low degree. 
 Treat with contempt stern law's demands- 
 And burst all silk or £:olden bands. 
 
 to 
 
 Thy sacred name of hallowed bliss. 
 Polluted often with a kiss 
 
 And prostituted in the mire 
 
 Of filthy lust and foul desire. 
 Supplies the smooth deceiver's tongue 
 Excuse for crime in old or young. 
 
 The power of evil and of good 
 
 Is very rarely understood; 
 
 In rasfins: wars for weal or woe 
 Where few distinguish friend from foe. 
 
 How faintly men discriminate 
 
 Between the fruits of love and hate. 
 
 156 
 
Fanaticism cannot be 
 
 The offspring of true charity, 
 
 To gain an object some will lie — 
 Deprave their souls — yea dare to die, 
 And innocently as a dove 
 Declare their vice was all for love. 
 
 See yon inebriate's rude glare 
 
 And ask him what he would not dare 
 
 To give impurity relief, 
 
 And plunge that lovely maid in grief: 
 His flushing, not his blushing, face 
 Will give his answer and disgrace. 
 
 Love's holiest attributes that spread 
 A virtuous halo round her head. 
 
 By ruthless hands are shameless torn 
 By villainy, as masks are worn 
 To hide the blackest crimes of night. 
 Beneath the holiest rays of light. 
 
 And what is sexual love but joy 
 
 Descending, pure of all alloy, 
 
 , From the great King, mankind to bless 
 
 As earnests of true happiness? 
 The object cannot give the power, 
 God lends the fragrance to the flower. 
 
 157 
 
As grain is food until distilled 
 
 To lakes of fire, whose breath is filled 
 With all that evil can conjure 
 To make the whitest soul impure; 
 
 So love must cease if it begin 
 
 Distilling chastity to sin. 
 
 "Let there be light," God's first command 
 For every clime in every land ; 
 
 Nature inanimate obeys, 
 
 Dispels the dark with glorious rays, 
 Resounding echoes fill the air, 
 Creation breathes instinctive j^rayer. 
 
 But man the last commandment hears 
 "Love one another," and appears 
 
 To question what is really meant. 
 
 And enters into argument 
 Extending love's true boundary line, 
 To suit the evils he'll design. 
 
 No other language can convey 
 
 What these three words so clearly say. 
 No sermon mortal man can preach 
 Could moral duty better teach: 
 
 Love one another is the goal 
 
 That leads to Christ and saves the soul. 
 
 158 
 
Thus love to God and love to man 
 Fulfills the great Redeemer's plan; 
 But ah! let every heart beware 
 The power of evil lurking there, 
 The hostile forces still contend 
 To rob the sinner of his Friend. 
 
 Conflicting passions, Darkness, Light, 
 Each morn renew their bitter fight. 
 And conscience is the battle ground 
 That tells upon which side we're found; 
 For this the Savior teaching said : 
 "Give us this day our daily bread." 
 
 There's no midway 'tween right and wrong, 
 
 To one or other we belonsr; 
 
 If Love's to be our constant guide. 
 The shafts of sin are turned aside; 
 
 Yea e'en should human weakness yield. 
 
 Love binds our wounds upon the field. 
 
 Oh blessed love that can bestow 
 
 Forgiveness to a bitter foe! 
 
 Oh sweet embodiment of peace 
 That combats but to make war cease. 
 
 These great beatitudes of thine, 
 
 Proclaim thine origin divine. 
 
 159 
 
WHAT'S IN A NAME. 
 
 a 
 
 ROSE, admitting Shakespeare's claim, 
 
 Would smell as sweet with any name, 
 
 But it don't follow, by the by. 
 
 That this to all things will apply. 
 
 Eternal fitness often suits 
 
 And gives to names their attributes. 
 
 The Devil for an instant take 
 
 And see what words that name will make: 
 
 From Devil take away the D, 
 
 And Evil you w^ill plainly see; 
 
 Transpose the E, and it is Vile; 
 
 Remove the V and look for He, 
 
 Which visibly a Lie contains; 
 
 Remove the E, and II remains. 
 
 Lie, evil, oil, vile, lived, ill, 
 
 And one more transformation still: 
 
 Remove the I, there left to tell. 
 
 My English friend says, "no'wt but Hell" (L). 
 
 // O^F I was an Irishman, Paddy, I'd die, 
 Ol By jumping right into the Tweed." 
 
 " 'Tis a pity you wasn't thin, Sandy, me boy, 
 For it's nothin' but drownin' ye need." 
 1 60 
 
HEAD AND HEART. 
 
 ^^^^HE head rules the body, phrenologists say, 
 
 4,|l^/ Or indicates how one's inclined, 
 
 ^^V While our bumps, like a key-board, their deft fingers play 
 
 And our secret propensities find. 
 In this you'll succeed, and in that you will fail 
 
 With each j^assion performing its part; 
 What they know from the head is so much "like a whale" 
 
 That we'd rather depend on the heart: 
 
 For the head and the heart are like husband and wife, 
 
 Let us grant that the husband's the head. 
 And directing the intricate journey of life 
 
 Over paths that his forefathers tread: 
 But then who directs him? nearly all will allow 
 
 Every pulse in his being will start. 
 When a hand fondly cherished is laid on his brow 
 
 And a kiss on his lips from the heart. 
 
 When a man loveth one of the opposite sex. 
 
 His whole nature is changed right away, 
 Though the bumps may be level, concave or convex, 
 
 He is molded like soft wax or clay. 
 Just a word, or a look, or a sigh from the breast, 
 
 Makes the strength of a Samson depart. 
 For 'tis wisely decreed by the One who knows best, 
 
 That the head shall be led by the heart. 
 
 i6i 
 
MIND HOW YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR. 
 
 HILE sitting in the ballroom, we 
 
 Take notes upon the sly 
 Of all the charming ladies, as 
 
 They waltz divinely by. 
 Miss A looks bright and beautiful, 
 
 Au fait and debonair; 
 But, my companion whispers, 'tis 
 
 The way she wears her hair. 
 
 Miss B seems calm and motionless. 
 
 As Pallas cut in stone; 
 Miss C has got a far off look 
 
 That's surely not her own; 
 Miss D, Miss E, appear quite strange 
 
 Yet make a pretty pair; 
 For which they have to thank, I'm told, 
 
 The way they wear their hair. 
 
 Observe Miss F, and yes. Miss G. 
 
 That's usually so sweet, 
 They look the plainest girls to-night 
 
 Of any that we meet. 
 Miss H looks dark, who should be hailed 
 
 The fairest of the fair, 
 There's still one cause for all effects, 
 
 " The way they wear their hair." 
 
 162 
 
Oh ladies, this great paradox, 
 
 Is past my finding out, 
 But if 'tis true, then all of you 
 
 Should know what you're about; 
 To make your charms attractive, and 
 
 To force men to declare, 
 Midst all the countless things you do — 
 
 Mind how you wear your hair. 
 
 MISUNDERSTOOD. 
 
 ^(.^^ l70UR biscuits hot, remind me, dear, 
 ,.^/|/ Of caterpillars crawling by." 
 
 ^ "Indeed!" she said, "you smile and sneer 
 At everything I do or try; 
 
 You better bring your mother here " 
 
 "Now don't commence to pout and cry 
 You really have misunderstood. 
 I only meant they are so good. 
 That just whenever they appear. 
 Both start to make the butter flv!" 
 
 163 
 
INDIFFERENCE. 
 
 I/OU remember well the brooklet 
 
 Where the water cresses grew 
 So abundant as to cover 
 
 The fast current from the view, 
 And how often we stood lauofhino- 
 
 When we heard the sudden scream 
 Of a playmate who had fallen 
 
 In the deep, cool hidden stream. 
 
 And you know how oft and vainly 
 
 When we tried its course to turn, 
 It would dash aside the barriers 
 
 And our pun}- efforts spurn ; 
 Till with powerful aid from others. 
 
 And a mound of new made clay, 
 We had forced the water backward 
 
 Till it ran another wav. 
 
 And when afterwards we wandered 
 
 By the well remembered scene, 
 We beheld the wild weeds growing 
 
 Where the channel first had been, 
 And the pool in search of outlets 
 
 By so many pathways run 
 That we scarcely could discern them 
 
 Till again they joined in one. 
 
 164 
 
Then together we united 
 
 As we did in days of yore, 
 But this time to cleanse the passage 
 
 Where the brooklet ran before. 
 Oh, how soon we were successful, 
 
 And the water bounding free 
 Seemed to laugh a joyful ripple 
 
 As it danced toward the sea. 
 
 Ah, that stream my life portraying. 
 
 Which with love's untrammeled force 
 Would for thee have flowed forever 
 
 In its pure unsullied course; 
 But indifferent to feeling 
 
 Thou hast checked its free career 
 Till the bosom's sweet emotions 
 
 Driven backward, disappear. 
 
 Little objects make a shadow. 
 
 Stagnant pools, though clear, turn sour. 
 Weeds of discord grow and flourish 
 
 By some hidden evil power. 
 Showers at zero, though the sun shine, 
 
 Freeze as fast as they can fall, 
 But indifference chills affection 
 
 With a force exceedingr all. 
 
 165 
 
If true joy is worth possessing 
 
 And our hearts are leal and true, 
 Is it weakness to acknowledge 
 
 You love me, or I love you? 
 Let us not our thoughts deceiving 
 
 Drift from where we fain would roam, 
 But the rivulet keep open 
 
 That brings happiness to home. 
 
 Wilt thou not, then, oh, my darling, 
 
 Helj) the stone away to roll, 
 And to clear away obstructions 
 
 From the channel of the soul, 
 Till the waters of affection 
 
 Shall submerge the seeds of strife 
 And the sport of happy childhood 
 
 Be a lesson for our life. 
 
 1 66 
 
91 
 
 LEAVES. 
 
 OW the autumn leaves are falling 
 
 And the nights grow long and chill, 
 Ripened grain and fruit seem calling, 
 
 Come, your barn and storehouse fill. 
 Nature lavishly bestowing 
 
 Robes that spring and summer weave, 
 And the trees so tired of growing 
 
 All their sapless foliage leave. 
 
 In the autumn of life's travel 
 
 Shall we from God's sun and rain. 
 Life's great mystery unravel, 
 
 Ripe with fruit and golden grain. 
 Or bereft of grace and beauty — 
 
 That the Holy spirit grieves? 
 Shall we void of love and duty 
 
 Fall as useless as the leaves? 
 
 Things of eartli have all an ending, 
 
 But the gifts of heaven so free 
 In the soul harmonious blending 
 
 Live to all eternity ; 
 And the treasures in the bosom 
 
 Of the christian that believes 
 Only change at death to blossom ; 
 
 Not decay as autumn leaves. 
 
 167 
 
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. 
 
 ND art thou gone, thy youth, thy beauty, all? 
 
 Dost thou inhabit death's oblivious shade? 
 Ah yes, and soon beneath the funeral pall 
 
 And soon beneath the tomb wilt thou be laid. 
 
 How still thy form that once so gracefully moved. 
 The roses now from off thy cheek have fled; 
 
 How mute the voice that all so fondly loved, 
 How dull the ear to all who mourn thee dead. 
 
 If grief could wake thee from the silent tomb. 
 
 Or sorrow animate thy stifled brain, 
 Or tears recall thy irrevocable doom. 
 
 Soon, would'st thou join us in this world again. 
 
 But, oh, alas, to grief how silent death; 
 
 Though hundreds mourn and o'er thy corse may weep, 
 T'hey cannot bring thee back thy valued breath. 
 
 They cannot wake thee from thy last long sleep. 
 
 i68 
 
How like the rose thy life on earth was passed 
 That scatters perfume 'neath a summer's sun, 
 
 But oh, thou fell'st beneath stern winter's blast. 
 And Death the tyrant claimed thee for his own. 
 
 Still like the rose, again to life thou'lt spring 
 And bloom in heaven with unmolested joy, 
 
 For grief can never harm nor Death can sting 
 The rewarded happy inmates of the sky. 
 
 Rest then in peace, thou moldering heap of clay, 
 Though loved by all, the earth must claim her own: 
 
 We all the debt of nature once must pay 
 
 We live but here to wait our well known doom. 
 
 (12) 
 
 169 
 
LINES 
 
 On Receiving a Painting of Lilac Blossoms from Mrs. A. G. Comstock. 
 
 HARMING blossoms, let me trace 
 From your unassuming grace, 
 Treasures of the artist mind 
 That has loveliness defined 
 So enchantingly complete: 
 Ye are so sweet. 
 
 Resting cosily at ease, 
 Nestling careless as-you-please, 
 Yet arranged with magic skill 
 That allures instinctive will 
 To inhale the fragrance, meet 
 For gems so sweet. 
 
 Doth all beauty so deceive, 
 Or possession make us grieve 
 That no matter what our store 
 Still we sigh for something more? 
 Yet what better could we greet 
 Than you so sweet. 
 
 Ah! methinks the perfume lies 
 In the love that bid you rise. 
 And the drops of dew appear 
 In each happv grateful tear 
 Bursting from the soul's retreat 
 Of one more sweet. 
 
 170 
 
Mirrors of the mind's pure throne, 
 
 Your perfections are her own; 
 
 Which, may heaven preserve and bless. 
 Give on earth true happiness. 
 
 And beside the Savior's feet 
 Rest, Oh! so sweet. 
 
 TO MISS M. B. NEAL, 
 
 With Present of Lace Curtains, on her Marriage with Mr. Will Pagot. 
 
 CCEPT these curtains, charming May, 
 On this your happy bridal day. 
 From friends who hope that you will trace 
 Appropriate emblems in the lace. 
 The flowers and figures here you see, 
 Are the result of unity. 
 So be your lives harmonious joined 
 To have one thought, one Will, one mind. 
 
 171 
 
CHRISTMAS. 
 
 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.— Luke 2: 29. 
 
 Sermon by Rev. T. Tallach, St. Andrews Church, 
 
 Windsor, Ont., Dec. 23d, 1889. 
 
 OW realizing all that seers foretold 
 Since Israel's consolation I behold, 
 Let now thy servant, Lord, depart in peace 
 My sorrows end and holy joys increase. 
 
 The greatest men have one great end in view 
 To which their thoughts are ever firm and true, 
 No obstacle prevents their busy brain 
 Conceiving plans that object to attain. 
 
 Columbus bent his mind upon the west 
 And found this land in which we are so blest, 
 Watts made the steam submissive to his power, 
 And Havelock's triumph was his dying hour. 
 
 Patience and virtue always find reward; 
 As Simeon's eyes beheld the long sought Lord, 
 So we some day can see Heaven's brightest gem 
 Who came the humblest babe of Bethlehem. 
 
 172 
 
Thus spake the minister last Sabbath morn 
 
 Appropriate for the season Christ was born, 
 
 And now the evening of the blessed day 
 
 Melodious songs our blissful hearts portray; 
 
 But mingling with our joy, o'er memory dawns 
 
 The lowly manger and the crown of thorns 
 
 O King of kings, thy precious gift of love 
 
 Should tune our thoughts and all our actions move 
 
 In humble adoration of thv name, 
 
 To hail this day on which the Savior came. 
 
 And make our one great object ever be 
 
 To do thy will and render thanks to thee. 
 
 But not confined to prayers and praise alone. 
 
 Seek those with lives less favored than our own, 
 
 And imitate the great example given 
 
 To feed the poor with things of earth and heaven. 
 
 Let us with money and with hearts unite 
 
 To give to those in need a gift to-night, 
 
 Relying on the ever truthful word 
 
 That those who give are lending to the Lord; 
 
 So will we reap the joys of good intent 
 
 A Happy Christmas and a night well spent. 
 
 The foregoing was read by Rev. John Gray at Christmas 
 entertainment, 1889. 
 
 173 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 REV. T. TALLACH, OF DRESDEN, ONT. 
 
 Lord, now lettest thoa thy Servant depart in peace.— Lake 2:29. Text of ser- 
 mon delivered by him a few weeks before hit death. 
 
 ^TN^AWING near the end of time; 
 l^J Deeply solemn and sublime 
 
 Is the brief mysterious pause 'tween 
 
 Life and death. 
 As the darkening shadows lower 
 We can feel an unseen power, 
 And the boldest in that hour 
 Hold their breath, 
 
 At the fearful precipice, 
 
 And the terrible abyss 
 
 Bridged by Christ, to lead where living 
 
 Waters flow ; 
 There our faith we estimate. 
 While the summons we await. 
 And behold our future state 
 
 Ere we go. 
 
 Near the closing of the year. 
 Near the close of thy career. 
 Thus old Simeon's prayer became as 
 
 'Twere thine own, 
 And each deep prophetic word 
 By the King of Kings was heard. 
 And thy raptured soul transferred 
 
 To his throne. 
 
 174 
 
Oh, the blessedness of those 
 Who with labor near a close, 
 Confidently lay the well worn 
 
 Harness down; 
 Knowing that when life is flown. 
 They will reap from good seed sown, 
 And exchange the cross they've borne 
 
 For a crown. 
 
 In the autumn of thy years. 
 Just as ripened fruit appears. 
 It is sad to lose the tree so 
 
 Richly fraught, 
 But the Holy One ordains, 
 And excessive grieving wanes, 
 While there still with us remains 
 
 Truths thou taught. 
 
 As thy body rests in peace, 
 May thy precepts never cease 
 Leading others to the bright and 
 
 Happy shore. 
 And the sacred words be blest. 
 Till upon the Savior's breast 
 All shall find a peaceful rest 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 175 
 
MEMENTO OF SERMON 
 
 BY REV. J. C. TOLHIE. 
 
 The Parable of the Ten Virgins— Matt. 25: 1-13. 
 
 C^T^HIS pai-able surpasses all in beauty, 
 ^Sy Its sweet simplicity portraying clear 
 
 The loss or gain, by christian love or duty 
 Of endings bright or drear. 
 
 Though five were wise, they with the foolish slumbered, 
 And none watched for the bridegroom they must meet; 
 The church asleep is thus with sinners numbered 
 As being indiscreet. 
 
 They were not hypocrites, each foolish maiden 
 
 As fondly hoped for entrance as the wise: 
 By sad neglect alone they were not laden 
 With all that "oil" implies. 
 
 In charity, each other's burden bearing, 
 
 Why did they not the precious oil divide? 
 Because, with nothing else of love comparing, 
 They could not, if they tried. 
 
 The oil that constitutes the hallowed leaven ^ 
 
 Is only given by the sinner's Friend; 
 The key that opens wide the gate of heaven 
 We may not give or lend. 
 
 176 
 
Yet builtl not on a false imagination, 
 
 That any time this oil's obtained by prayer 
 The foolish perish by procrastination, 
 The wise will not defer. 
 
 To-day salvation's sweeter than to-morrow, 
 
 There is no time can equal present bliss: 
 One day shall bring eternal joy or sorrow, 
 Why may it not be this? 
 
 In vain shall man to holy wife be clingiiig, 
 
 Or woman lean on husband or on son; 
 They only with the oil, from Jesus bringing, 
 Shall hear the blest " well done." 
 
 We may inhale the perfume of the roses, 
 
 And in their beauty spend the happy hours; 
 But till the God of nature so disposes 
 We never can be flowers. 
 
 The bridegroom comes without a moment's warning. 
 
 There is no time for doubting or delay; 
 Oh shall He change our happiness to mourning, 
 Or turn our night to day ? 
 
 May all now hearken to the Savior pleading: 
 
 "Come unto me and I will give you rest." 
 Obtain the sacred oil that each is needinsr. 
 And join the wise and blest. 
 
 177 
 
PERSEVERANCE. 
 
 HOUGH thou chidest me for boldness 
 
 How can I true love disclaim, 
 While thy beauty, e'en in coldness, 
 
 Fans unconsciously the flame? 
 Once to see thee is a blessing 
 
 Years may cherish as a friend. 
 But to love thee is possessing 
 
 Treasure that can never end. 
 
 Well I know thou art above me 
 
 Far as good from bad's removed. 
 Yet with hope I dare to love thee 
 
 Though a thousand times reproved. 
 Chilling words make many perish. 
 
 Cold with heat may rarely blend 
 But thy very scorn I cherish 
 
 With a love that cannot end. 
 
 Oft thy power my soul elating 
 
 Leadeth me to dangerous ground, 
 Hungry, patiently awaiting 
 
 Crumbs thou scatterest around; 
 These in memory every dwelling 
 
 Beauty's banquets far transcend; 
 Thy bright charms, so sweet excelling, 
 
 Like my love, can never end. 
 
 178 
 
Time with constant evolution 
 
 Shall reveal, as future fate — 
 This, the soul's true elocution; 
 
 Silently I love and wait; 
 Faithful with affection growing, 
 
 Still to heaven my prayers ascend 
 For thy welfare, hoping, knowing 
 
 Love will triumph in the end. 
 
 I. E. 
 
 ^^ ^T AY, Jack! I hear you are well learned 
 ^__/ And know in reading all you see. 
 Pray, tell me now the meaning of 
 These letters often seen — I. E." 
 
 " That is," cried Jack, — resumed his pipe 
 Pursued his studies seeming more; 
 
 "Is what?" cried Jim, with listening ears 
 "That is," says Jack, calm as before. 
 
 " Is what?" cried Jim, with towering rage, 
 " I thought you would oblige, but see — " 
 
 "And so I have," cool Jack replies, 
 "It is 'that is' that is I. E." 
 
 179 
 
CUPID'S CAPRICB. 
 
 C ORTGAGED hearts her own forecloses, 
 While it quiescent reposes 
 In a labyrinth of roses 
 
 That is hard to penetrate. 
 As with caution persevering 
 To the goal, her beaux are nearing, 
 Greater obstacles appearing 
 
 Turn them backwards desolate. 
 
 Yet another pathway trying, 
 Hope inspiring some to flying, 
 Far above a world of sighing 
 
 To love's temple straightway steer: 
 Boldly one, with wildness rushes, 
 Flowers and thorns alike he crushes. 
 Till her face with angry blushes 
 
 Checks his wild and mad career. 
 
 All that love suggests in daring. 
 All that words could do declaring, 
 Men have tried, until despairing 
 
 They have vanquished left the race. 
 Still her subtle charm allureth. 
 For as long as life endureth 
 Beauty unassigned secureth 
 
 Willing captives to its grace. 
 
 180 
 
But her reign is transitory; 
 All her fascinating glory 
 Gives material for a story 
 
 Many dreaded to surmise. 
 Like a spoiled and foolish daughter, 
 Or a fish that leaps from water, 
 One has gained, that never sought her 
 
 Or deserved so rich a prize. 
 
 Strange, to turn without reflection, 
 From the purest of affection, 
 To a little interjection 
 
 Of a man she scarcely knew: 
 Cupid's caprice may seem witty. 
 But it changes love to pity. 
 When from one so sweet and pretty 
 
 Hearts are forced to bid adieu. 
 
 1^1 
 
SOUR GRAPES. 
 
 a 
 
 BEWITCHING little maid, 
 Who some lovers to evade, 
 Sat in contemplative study 
 
 'Neath a charming shady tree. 
 One she loved was drawing near. 
 Soothing every trembling fear, 
 Sweeter than the fragrant blossoms 
 
 By the smooth Carribean sea. 
 
 Her stern parent, to obtain 
 
 Merely mercenary gain. 
 
 Had decreed that she must marry 
 
 An old noble the next day; 
 But the witty girl began, 
 And matured a well-laid plan 
 To secure her favored lover 
 
 And rehearse this little play. 
 
 Hark, a voice in pleading tone. 
 Sings, "Beloved, be mine own, 
 And together let us wander 
 
 Far across the ocean wide." 
 But the maiden said, "Not so, 
 Take this ring and quickly go: 
 Who restores that gem to-morrow 
 
 He shall claim me for his bride." 
 
 182 
 
Swiftly homeward did she fly 
 
 To her father, with a cry, 
 
 That her mother's ring was missing 
 
 Which would ruin all her life: 
 With apparent grief, sobbed she, 
 "Find and bring my ring to me, 
 By my honor he who finds it 
 
 I shall surely be his wife." 
 
 Hundreds searched, of course in vain. 
 
 But the happy favored swain 
 
 Brought the ring and claimed the promise 
 
 Which was honorably paid; 
 While the others said, unkind, 
 " Those who hide know where to find. 
 We would rather go unmarried 
 
 Than be trapped by any maid." 
 
 183 
 
TWO JOLLY FRIEMDS. 
 
 wo jolly friends, in happy vein, 
 
 That made the most of life, 
 Had sat for hours upon a train 
 
 Beside each other's wife; 
 But entering a tunnel dark. 
 
 As previously arranged, 
 They stealthily, w^ithout remark. 
 
 Their places soon exchanged. 
 
 Then quicker than the cars could run 
 
 The tunnel's long abyss. 
 Each grasped his own wife just for fun, 
 
 And snatched a hasty kiss. 
 One lady screamed with all her might; 
 
 The other simply sighed 
 And kept quite still, but which did right 
 
 I leave you to decide. 
 
 184 
 
RAILWAY FLOWERS. 
 
 HROUGH the tunnel of the mountain, 
 
 Over river, hill and plain. 
 Darting past the silvery fountain 
 
 Fast as flying clouds of rain; 
 Onward steady, ever rushing 
 
 To some distant far off end, 
 Leaving on the wayside blushing. 
 
 What we pray for to descend. 
 
 Little flowers along the railway 
 
 Decked in robes of every hue. 
 That we seldom think to hail, yea 
 
 Pass unnoticed to the view; 
 If, transplanted, ye were growing 
 
 In some cultivated soil. 
 Oh what hearts would now be glowing 
 
 At the meaning of your smile. 
 
 In the race of love and duty 
 
 Do we not pass listless by 
 Gems of purest grace and beauty 
 
 That are let regardless lie? 
 If mankind but knew the treasure 
 
 That they trample 'neath their feet, 
 Life would be a round of pleasure, 
 
 Death a welcome friend to greet. 
 
 (13) 185 
 
THE LADDER OF LOVE. 
 
 IHEN first I beheld thee, my heart took a flight 
 
 Far away to the regions above; 
 'Where thy charms filled my soul with purest delight 
 While incensing the ocean of love; 
 For I dwelt in the clouds of desire alone, 
 
 And I sighed for affection in vain. 
 Existing on thoughts that were only mine own, 
 They returned to the cold earth again. 
 
 But waiting and loving as truly, yea more. 
 
 With a calmness surpassing surprise, 
 I beheld what had never been noticed before. 
 
 An encouraging look in thine eyes. 
 Then I dreamt of a ladder, like Jacob's of old, 
 
 That was hung from the sky to the ground, 
 And thy angelic smile made me feel so bold 
 
 That I ventured upon the first round. 
 
 Gazing up and then down, now dreading to climb 
 
 To delusions that falsely inspire. 
 Thy beautiful face beaming more than sublime 
 
 Led me cautiously higher and higher. 
 Then you gave me your hand, while a sweet little flower 
 
 You had kissed was held over my head. 
 And together we rose by invisible power 
 
 To the place where my first love had sped. 
 
 1 86 
 
But the scene was so changed and pleasant to view, 
 
 That I woke from a prospect so fair 
 To learn from a dream when affection is true, 
 
 It may suffer, but need not despair. 
 Not all from the ark that so hastily fly 
 
 Can return with a leaf like the dove, 
 But fewer will fail if they patiently try 
 
 To ascend b}- the ladder of love. 
 
 187 
 
THE HEART IS EVER YOUNG. 
 
 HE heart is ever young; old Time, 
 
 Who wrinkles brows and silvers hair, 
 The bosom's mountain cannot climb 
 
 To leave an aged impression there. 
 We may regret, be sad or frail, 
 
 But to the music of some tongue, 
 When hope unfurls her flowing sail. 
 
 The heart is young — is ever young. 
 
 As billows bound, streams constant flow. 
 
 And sun and moon, or planets shine; 
 As tender tales of long ago 
 
 Are treasured up in memory's shrine; 
 As perfect instruments we tune, 
 
 The soul's responsive chords are strung; 
 When barriers from its joys are hewn 
 
 The heart is young — is ever young. 
 
 A few prized words — a gentle smile — 
 
 The revelations of the eyes — 
 From sickness, care or age beguile. 
 
 And blissful thoughts spontaneous rise. 
 To list again the minstrel's lay 
 
 That centuries have sweetly sung, 
 With love and chivalry, display 
 
 The heart is young — is ever young. 
 
 1 88 
 
Sing not to me what some would do 
 
 Possessing youth's bright diadem; 
 The holiest feelings we renew, 
 
 The casket fades, but not the gem. 
 Love is enriched by age, like wine, 
 
 And in the soul's pure censer swung, 
 Proves with its incense so divine, 
 
 The heart is young — is ever young. 
 
 189 
 
FORGET THE PAST. 
 
 ORGET the past! The clouds may lower 
 
 Till earth seem dark and drear, 
 Yet beaming rays the sun will pour 
 
 And all creation cheer. 
 How oft, alas! do hearts decay, 
 
 When pondering in the breast 
 Words, which forgot would pass away 
 
 And all be bright and blest. 
 
 Forget the past! The summer flowers 
 
 Still fresh with fragrance bloom, 
 Though winter oft in chilling hours 
 
 Hath ravished their perfume. 
 Let not past deeds the bosom sting 
 
 With deep remorseful pain, 
 But oh! forget the past, and cling 
 
 To hope and bliss again. 
 
 Forget the past! Except when peace 
 
 And good thoughts fill the mind; 
 That make true happiness increase 
 
 And friendship firmer bind. 
 The precepts that are sweetly pure, 
 
 For ever more hold fast. 
 Do all things well, make love secure. 
 
 Then, don't forget the past. 
 
 IQO 
 
9 • 
 
 SONG. 
 
 ^^\ Q jE think not of distance or seas that divide, 
 J^/\/ We care not for pain as the billows we ride, 
 
 We heed not the dangers that lie on our way, 
 For hope is our anchor. Though leaving behind 
 Fond scenes that are blest with remembrances kind — 
 We dash them aside, and each long, anxious day 
 Look westward at morning, at noon and at night, 
 And fancy anticipates purest delight 
 As the fair land of promise gladdens the sight. 
 
 Bright thought of our life that induced us to roam 
 
 To this thrice happy shore — the stranger's sweet home. 
 
 Where all are as free as the sunbeams in ^lay; 
 
 Yet ever we'll thmk of the days that are past 
 
 When struggling with penury's bitterest blast. 
 
 The wolf at our doorstep that would not away. 
 
 But here all united as brothers we stand. 
 
 Obeying love's message and heaven's command 
 
 On Columbia's cheerful and ever blessed strand. 
 
 IQI 
 
• • 
 
 HE WEARS. 
 
 // V^^HE best is the cheapest," we often hear said 
 \^^ When selecting the goods we require, 
 
 And the world so expressively shakes its head 
 
 At the thing that it does not desire; 
 But choice is so varied, regardless of price. 
 
 That the merchant quite frequent declares 
 " The foolish look only for something that's nice 
 But the knowing ones something that wears." 
 
 The same may be said, in a general way, 
 
 When selecting companions for life: 
 Looks frequently lead the best judgment astray 
 
 When a man is in search of a wife. 
 It's all very well to have talents and grace, 
 
 And the needful to better our fares. 
 But nothing in wealth or a beautiful face 
 
 Can compare with the woman that wears. 
 
 Don't trust to appearance when choosing a friend. 
 
 But investigate right to the heart; 
 If truthful and honest, hold on to the end. 
 
 For such qualities rarely depart. 
 There is such a one who is always on call 
 
 To relieve and to carry our cares. 
 The Friend of the righteous, the sinner and all, 
 
 Is the best to obtain, and He wears. 
 
 192 
 
THINK NO MORE OF HER. 
 
 O^HINK no more of her I love! 
 ^^ Go tell the orb of day 
 
 To stop his rays and shine no more, 
 
 And see if he'll obey. 
 Go tell the birds no more to sing, 
 
 The moon to light the grove. 
 Forbid the lovely flow^ers to spring. 
 Then tell me not to love! 
 
 Think no more of her whose smile 
 
 Pours gladness in my breast, 
 Whose image haunts me night and day 
 
 And makes me more than blest! 
 Go stop the lightning in its course, 
 
 Forbid the winds to roar. 
 And when they all obey thy voice, 
 
 Then bid me love no more! 
 
 '93 
 
s 
 
 WAIT. 
 
 EEK not to learn what I conceal 
 
 And cherish in my heart, 
 Lest mine own sorrow may reveal 
 
 A cause for us to part. 
 Thy tender words my soul explore 
 
 And make me this confess: 
 That while I may not love thee more, 
 
 I would not love thee less. 
 
 Then let hope's star that seemeth far 
 Thy constancy draw near, 
 
 No more entice, let this suffice; 
 To me thou'rt ever dear. 
 
 Forbear, but calmly linger yet. 
 
 Perhaps another day 
 May kindly help us to forget 
 
 Or bring a warmer ray. 
 We know^ that heaven is sweet and bright, 
 
 Yet trustfully we wait 
 For Love to open with delight 
 
 The everlasting gate. 
 
 Thy faith thus prove, and let thy love, 
 
 Continuing sincere, 
 With patience wait our destined fate. 
 
 And Hope shall banish fear. 
 
 194 
 
societaRy, 
 
OMNIA PRO CARITATE. (red cross motto.) 
 
 MNIA PRO CARITATE. This our motto and our aim, 
 Is to practice what we promise in its pure and holy name; 
 To be bound in happy union, to relieve each other's care. 
 And the sunshine and the shadow of life's changing lot to share. 
 
 Omnia Pro Caritate. Are you hungry? Come and eat; 
 We will never see our loved ones want for raiment or for meat. 
 Are you sick? Then we will nurse you: Are you weary ?Come and rest: 
 Or, if downcast, we will cheer you and pour gladness in your breast. 
 
 Omnia Pro Caritate. Come, the worthy, good and true, 
 And what we have for each other, we w^ill gladly share with you — 
 When you join the Red Cross order, and espouse the noble cause — 
 For, to do as we'd be done by, is the nucleus of our laws. 
 
 Omnia Pro Caritate. When our course through life is run, 
 There are thousands who will carry on the work that we've begun. 
 And our dear ones be protected, and our bread on waters cast, 
 Yield the choicest fruit, in blessings which return to us at last. 
 
 Omnia Pro Caritate. As a bright, fraternal band, 
 We would proudly wave our banner over all this glorious land. 
 Omnia Pro Caritate. Dearest grace to mortal given, 
 'Tis the substance of our Order, and a stepping-stone to heaven. 
 
 ig6 
 
ERE WE PART. 
 
 RE we part in this fair Island grove, 
 
 Let us join in a tribute of sonsr. 
 To our great high Commander above, 
 
 Who has favored and blessed us so long; 
 God of heaven, — Thee we praise, 
 
 For our principles. Faith, Hope and Love. 
 God of heaven, — Thee we praise, 
 
 For our principles, Faith, Hope and Love. 
 
 'Tis Thy precepts that make us unite. 
 
 All our joys and our sorrows to share. 
 And we feel that our union is right. 
 
 While the Cross of each other we bear-; 
 And we trust, — in Thy aid. 
 
 Freely given in answer to prayer; 
 And we trust, — in Thy aid, 
 
 Freely given in answer to prayer. 
 
 Though we meet on this Isle never more, 
 
 May we ever remember the day, 
 'Till we meet when life's journey is o'er. 
 
 At the Savior's secure Put-in-Bay. 
 Guide us. Lord, — safely home. 
 
 All to " meet on that beautiful shore; 
 In the sweet by and by. 
 
 All to meet on that beautiful shore." 
 
 197 
 
RED CROSS SONG. 
 
 (Air— Roy's Wife of Aldivalloch.) 
 
 'SIV 
 
 HERE the Red Cross banner's streaming 
 Wisdom's Star is brightly beaming, 
 Thoughts divine all hearts incline 
 To noble deeds — distress redeeming. 
 
 ■&• 
 
 Shall worthy ones to us apply 
 
 And vainly seek for aid? — no, never! 
 
 On sacred pledges we rely — 
 
 The many help the few forever. 
 Where the Red Cross, etc. 
 
 Delightful music to the ear 
 
 For love — yes — "All for love" combining 
 To give desponding ones good cheer — 
 
 Obeying laws of heaven's designing. 
 Where the Red Cross, etc. 
 
 When leaving earth and friends most dear, 
 With sweeter 7iotes than come from Patti, 
 
 Still may we this blest summons hear — 
 " Come," Omnia pro Caritate. 
 Where the Red Cross, etc. 
 
 198 
 
TO MRS. GEO. WILLIAMSON, 
 
 First Lady Hember of the Order of Red Cross. 
 
 ISTER, we bid thee welcome to unite 
 J Your lot with ours in solemn pledge this night, 
 ^To bear each other's burdens, and fulfil 
 His laws, who could the raging tempest still, 
 The water turn to wine— the hills remove 
 By power from a triunity of Love. 
 So we by unity of heart and mind, 
 Can soothe the troubles that afflict our kind. 
 Mourn with the mourner, and the weak sustain, 
 And share, when we cannot relieve their pain. 
 Greater than Faith or Hope, our Motto see, 
 Is, All for Love— is, All for Charity! 
 No purer motive can direct our ways. 
 Impel our lives to deeds of worthier praise, 
 Than casting bread on waters from our view. 
 And doing as we would be done unto. 
 This, then, our aim, before your presence here. 
 Shall it be less with you to help and cheer? 
 Ah! no, we feel that with your valued aid. 
 The Red Cross now in bridal robes arraved. 
 
 199 
 
Her lamps, new trimmed, burn bright as midday sun: 
 
 Her wisest legislation has begun. 
 
 Not all can think alike — but such our view; 
 
 And feeling thus, we therefore welcome you, 
 
 And hail this law from which we comprehend 
 
 A great beginning that will never end. 
 
 Let us be frank and tell you, some will say, 
 
 You cannot keep the secrets we convey. 
 
 Unworthy thought! a blot on history's page, 
 
 And too absurd for this enlightened age; 
 
 We trust you with our heart, our home, our life, 
 
 And he who cannot should not have a wife. 
 
 Then why should doubts for smaller things arise? 
 
 Will you seize blanks, and throw away the prize? 
 
 Not likely, and less likely to reveal 
 
 What you sincerely promise to conceal. 
 
 'Tis well established since the world began, 
 
 That woman is as trustworthy as man; 
 
 Her secrets safe. In anger, perhaps, alone — 
 
 She may hint ours — but never tells her own; 
 
 Here ours are hers, and therefore quite secure 
 
 As lonsr as life or reason shall endure. 
 
 200 
 
Some murmuring say the risk is more than men ; 
 
 Oh! selfishness declared! And yet again, 
 
 A thought as much in error as before, — 
 
 Man's occupation makes his risk much more, 
 
 Nor that alone — his own immoral ways 
 
 Have shortened many a man one-half his days: 
 
 The risk is less, but were it even true. 
 
 That it were more — still would we welcome you, 
 
 Still hold to you the hands we now extend 
 
 In greeting to our sister and our friend; 
 
 And feel such honor w^ith you by our side, 
 
 That our frail language never can describe. 
 
 While we march onward in our noble cause 
 
 Helping each other — God's — and Red Cross laws. 
 
 Together join harmonious as a song — 
 
 Conserving right — reforming all the wrong. 
 
 Your aid will cheer our work, and Heaven will bless 
 
 Our great united efforts with success. 
 
 We hail you then again, with three times three, 
 
 Again assure you you will ever be, 
 
 Whate'er your lot, wherever you may roam. 
 
 Welcome to Home Commanderv as to home. 
 
 (14) 201 
 
DETROIT WEDNESDAY HISTORY CLASS. 
 
 <^V^ OME, with all thy glorious history, 
 0]ri|/ We must bid thee now farewell; 
 QJ(y^ Each to solve the hidden mystery 
 That the future has to tell. 
 Parting fills our heart with grieving, 
 
 Not so much for love of Rome, 
 As for dear ones we are leaving 
 In our own beloved home. 
 
 Manv problems we've unraveled. 
 
 With our charming Huyett's aid, 
 While together we have traveled 
 
 History's sunshine and its shade. 
 We have learned from many a story. 
 
 Lessons that will live for aye: 
 That the earth and all its glory 
 
 Shall in season pass away; 
 
 That the histories of nations 
 
 Pass before us like a dream. 
 Illustrating life's donations 
 
 To the great eternal stream. 
 And in time, so fast and fleeting 
 
 Though to noblest themes we soar. 
 We are only just repeating 
 
 What the world has done before. 
 
 202 
 
Yet how gladly did we ponder 
 
 O'er some hero's noble deeds, 
 Or with faith, in safety wander 
 
 Through a labyrinth of creeds; 
 Till impressed with every feelino- 
 
 That could elevate mankind, 
 Heaven a brilliant light revealing. 
 
 Made the darkness fall behind. 
 
 Many part, and oh ! how often 
 
 Part to never meet again: 
 Yet the heart will melt and soften 
 
 Over memories that remain: 
 Then may all our happy unions 
 
 Be directed from above, 
 And our pure and sweet communions 
 
 Make a Historv of Love. 
 
 203 
 
TO THE 
 
 HIGHLAND ASSOCIATION 
 
 OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 OAIL! this grand association, that enfolds unto its breast 
 And provides for worthy countrymen, a refuge and a rest- 
 A home for weary wanderers, elysium's safe retreat, 
 Where strangers and companions on a social level meet. 
 Not a thought to mar its harmony, not one dissenting voice 
 To prevent its many members at reunions to rejoice. 
 Or to change a sea of trouble to a calm enchanted spot, 
 Where the trials and the sorrows of the world are all forgot. 
 Here a ray of blissful sunshine makes the clouds of life depart, 
 And the milk of human kindness feeds and nourishes the heart. 
 Permeating our whole being with exhilarating breath, 
 And creating precious memories that stay with us till death. 
 
 204 
 
Pipers, sound the pibroch, loudly! As the happy time returns 
 To honor Scotland's gifted son — the immortal poet, Burns — 
 Make every blast a countless throng to see our loved ones bring 
 When the nations are assembling and the "Clans are oratherinsr" 
 Sweet as lilies and moss roses — pure as dew^s from heaven distilled- 
 While our bosoms with enrapturing and tranquil joys are filled 
 By these matrons of the future, these, the hope of days to come, 
 Making pleasure at our meetings, and true happiness at home; 
 Aiding with magnetic influence, and such free bewitching grace. 
 That this great association now, like continents, embrace 
 Sturdy yoemen, skilled mechanics, men inured to honest toil. 
 Men of every learned profession, mustering in rank and file. 
 
 Men to trust as worthy counselors, men of noblest birth and fame. 
 Crowning with historic laurels and embellishing our name. 
 On the roll of members — authors, statesmen, orators, are seen; 
 And upon our roll of honor is the Earl of Aberdeen, 
 With his ever charming countess 
 
 And sweet Lady Marjorie, 
 Thy loveliness and winning ways won every heart to thee! 
 And soon beside Lake Michigan, though millions may be there, 
 Chicago will proclaim thee ^zieen, and fairest of the Fair. 
 
 205 
 
With such patrons and such members, that a king might boast to own — 
 Men and women that bring glory to a nation or a throne; 
 Meeting with a hearty handshake, parting with unuttered prayer, 
 Doing as they would be done by, spreading comfort everywhere; 
 Building up bright days for dull ones with an architect divine. 
 Making charity the corner stone of every design — 
 Who can marvel that they prosper, and know no such word a.^J'ear 
 Of success to build mementos of a name that all revere; 
 A Burns Memorial Hospital, beneath their magic wand, 
 Will meet with "well done" plaudits from the good of every land. 
 And the funds will be forthcoming, as rich privileges given — 
 Blessing, honoring the donors — from, and leading unto heaven. 
 
 Freely ask for contributions then from over sea and lake 
 
 For the most immortal monument that mortal man can make — 
 
 With consolidated purpose all your eftorts concentrate 
 
 To erect an institution worthy of yo?i and the state. 
 
 And in the pleasant days to come, when an astonished world 
 
 In this progressive wonderland their banners have unfurled, 
 
 May our Association to a welcome people prove 
 
 That works of art can be excelled by works of Christian love. 
 
 206 
 
TO THE ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED 
 
 WORKMEN AND DETROIT 
 
 LODGE No. 6. 
 
 ^ REAT pioneer of mutual love and aid, 
 
 When first thy precious promises were made, 
 The sceptic laughed thy noble scheme to scorn 
 And ridiculed thee as of madness born. 
 Prophetic scoffers never ceased to rave 
 That in thy cradle thou shouldst find a o-rave. 
 But he who had conceived and made the plan 
 Of man's relief to be his fellow man, 
 Stood by the helm his gallant ship to steer. 
 Direct the crew and banish every fear. 
 
 As One who near the coast of Galilee 
 Rebuked the waves and walked upon the sea, 
 Restoring confidence to trembling men, 
 Implanting in their souls strong faith again. 
 So Father Upchurch led his little crew 
 From stormy winds to where mild zephyrs blew: 
 Thus weeks and months and years rolled dimly on. 
 Till swaddling clothes and infancy had gone, 
 Then robust youth grown larger than his years, 
 And manhood in its noblest form appears. 
 
 207 
 
Where now the scoffers? Let them backward gaze 
 
 Upon thy work in all its varied ways, 
 
 The lessons learned, the souls that now rejoice 
 
 With victory of virtue over vice. 
 
 The couch of suffering, the substantial prayer 
 
 That gives, not asks from God, help they can spare, 
 
 The social hours enjoyed by prudent rules 
 
 That turns the lodge room into pleasant schools, 
 
 The young men trained to honorable ends, 
 
 The old men adding to their wisdom, friends. 
 
 Protection stops not when departed breath. 
 Enfolds a member in the arms of death, 
 Two thousand dollars is not all that's paid, 
 When in the grave a brother has been laid: 
 The widow is a sister to respect. 
 The fatherless are loved ones to protect. 
 These all are succored, as thy cheerful ray 
 Of sunshine drives the dismal clouds away 
 To make homes happy that would otherwise 
 Be dens of woe and all that want implies. 
 
 208 
 
But if direct thy works resplendent shine 
 
 Then indirect what attributes are thine? 
 
 Since Father Upchurch's babe of sterling worth 
 
 How many others have been given birth? 
 
 Societies by thousands now abound 
 
 And all have trod A. O. U. W. ground 
 
 But with true magnanimity of soul 
 
 Thou bid'st Godspeed and welcome to the whole 
 
 Whose mission's to the golden rule confined, 
 
 Whose object is protection to mankind. 
 
 Yet all their mighty deeds reflect on thee 
 
 As the big brother of the family, 
 
 To fight their battles and their footsteps guide, 
 
 To turn the shafts of enemies aside, 
 
 To suck the venom of the " old line " sting: 
 
 And shelter all 'neath thy protecting wing. 
 
 The many streams that now meandering rove 
 
 Give tribute to the ocean of thv love, 
 
 While all in modesty thy power concede 
 
 And hail thee as a friend in time of need. 
 
 20Q 
 
Of thy large progeny thy greatest star 
 
 Beloved near and marveled at afar, 
 
 Detroit Lodge number six, with flag unfurled, 
 
 Outrivals all and challengres the world. 
 
 An army in itself and thousands strong 
 
 That moves harmonious as selected song-, 
 
 A living monument of perfect aid, 
 
 A model of fraternity displayed. 
 
 That graceful tribute gives, with rising fame, 
 
 To venerate old Father Upchurch's name. 
 
 But not that patriarchal name alone, 
 Some scores of others favorablv known, 
 That have extended thy protective rays 
 Deservedly receive their meed of praise; 
 Thus Warne Wilson in thy charter wove, 
 As orator and champion of thy love; 
 Far as thy power and usefulness extend 
 Receiveth honor as a bosom friend; 
 Nor to a local lodge or State confined, 
 The world has not a boundarv for his mind. 
 
 210 
 
The great, the only Geiger shall be hailed 
 
 As wonderful! whose word has never failed. 
 
 How vividly he brings again to view 
 
 Scott's noted Chief, the famous Roderick Dhu, 
 
 One blast upon his horn, o'er hill or glen, 
 
 Was worth, at any time, a thousand men; 
 
 So, with strategic or magnetic shock 
 
 Great Geiger speaks, and in new members flock. 
 
 Thus many noble men we yet could name 
 
 Whose efforts have established thv fame. 
 
 Hail, Emperor of all societies, 
 
 Thou worthy giant of fraternities. 
 
 The world can never know all thou hast done, 
 
 Dispelling grief, or combats thou hast won. 
 
 Long may thy dear protecting banner wave 
 
 Above the sod of every member's grave, 
 
 May God, whose laws forever guide thine own. 
 
 Bring every brother to the great white throne, 
 
 May grace and peace on earth be freely given. 
 
 To every member love, and rest in heaven. 
 
 21 I 
 
ST. ANDREWS YOUNG PEOPLE. 
 
 ^ 
 
 OVV winter, evenings close, new joys appear 
 At this exhilarating time of year, 
 And buoyant hearts look forward to the day 
 When flowers shall bloom in beautiful array, 
 When trees shall bud, and birds delightful sing 
 To herald in the advent of the spring: 
 When pleasures shall on every side abound 
 And all the air with music sweet resound; 
 But in the midst of happiness we find 
 Affection casts its dearest thoughts behind, 
 As brides departing from the parent home 
 To new born bliss, — wherever they may roam 
 Their minds revert to pleasures that are past 
 And take impressions that forever last. 
 
 So we, upon the sands of hope's bright shore, 
 
 Anticipating happy days in store. 
 
 While memory makes the pastimes we have known 
 
 As though choice flowers around our feet were strewn. 
 
 Whose rare perfume we never fully knew, 
 
 Till for a season now, we say adieu! 
 
 2i: 
 
There's something sad in parting, — even when 
 
 We feel assured that all will meet again. 
 
 Our thoughts look back to many a pleasing theme 
 
 That listless ears have heard, as in a dream, 
 
 Till musing on we see with glad surprise 
 
 A visionary panorama rise 
 
 Of mountains, dells, peninsulas and straits 
 
 Of lectures, essays, poems and debates, 
 
 Histories, mysteries, puzzling problems solved, 
 
 With all the 'ologies that are involved 
 
 In science and the labyrinths of lore 
 
 That wise philosophers have studied o'er. 
 
 Music and charming song delight the ear. 
 
 And such a host of pleasantries appear 
 
 That we, amazed, in admiration stand 
 
 At the great knowledge of this social band, 
 
 Whose intellectual feasts like seeds will spring 
 
 And to the young resplendent harvests bring. 
 
 Doubtless in future years our hopeful boys 
 (Oft innocently blamed for all the noise) 
 Will yet be heard in legislative halls 
 Wherever patriotic duty calls — 
 As noble statesmen, eloquent, sedate 
 Or learned professors equally as great; 
 And so our girls, with intercourse so good 
 Will bloom as gems of perfect womanhood, 
 And each the origin of greatness trace 
 To social, happy meetings in this place. 
 
 213 
 
The aged also pass sweet moments here 
 
 To share a laugh, or shed, unseen, a tear 
 
 Not born of grief, — or aught that we can state, 
 
 The cause we will not dare to penetrate 
 
 For when emotion's silent dewdrops shine 
 
 The thoughts are bordering on things divine. 
 
 We are indebted, then, both young and aged, 
 
 To those who have been worthily engaged 
 
 Procuring talent such as we have seen 
 
 To make these meetings all that they have been. 
 
 To the fair secretary much we owe, 
 
 And the result of all her efforts show 
 
 'Tis wise to keep such J^ilies in the field. 
 
 For when the Campbells come — we needs must yield. 
 
 To ladies who have charmed us with sweet song 
 
 The names of Sutherland and Gow belong; 
 
 Montgomery, Cundiff, Thompson and perhaps more 
 
 Which, while enchanted, we forgot to score; 
 
 While Misses Grahams, Williamsons and Gray 
 
 Piano music most delightful play, 
 
 The w^elcome reading of Miss Gracie Jones, 
 
 Joined with the melody and silvery tones 
 
 Of Mesdames Campbell, Bartlet, Butterworth 
 
 In essays, gave us knowledge, interest, mirth. 
 
 Four ladies here deserve repeated mention — 
 Miss Gray, the Misses Bartlet and Miss Thompson, 
 Who, with much cheerfulness and pleasing grace. 
 Have often filled some absent fair one's place. 
 
 214 
 
Our president — branch of a stalwart tree 
 
 Has swayed his scepter most effectually, 
 
 And choicest fruit springs from the honored chair, 
 
 Good sequels of the Noble Bartlet pair. 
 
 It seems quite paradoxical to say. 
 
 Not wishing age, we like to be near Gray, 
 
 With Campbells, Pattersons and Flemings near. 
 
 And never weary listening to Weir, 
 
 While Watson Wigles either Goult or Black, 
 
 A Bushel of good things we never lack 
 
 For we have one who always brings success, 
 
 And all the managers when in distress 
 
 Call in McDonald, who is aye on deck. 
 
 To trim the sails and guard the ship from wreck. 
 
 We have another aid which all admire. 
 
 Our ever ready and obliging choir. 
 
 Sacred or secular 'tis all the same, 
 
 Each piece but adds fresh laurels to their fame, 
 
 But they excel when singing one sweet line. 
 
 Which reads, "For love I sigh, for love I pine." 
 
 The dear expression strikes right to the core. 
 
 And takes us back some thirty years or more 
 
 When we have sighed and pined and pined and sighed, 
 
 And all the stages of the passion tried 
 
 For some one far away or by our side. 
 
 Such teazing, pleasing and bewitching pain, 
 
 We'd like the feeling always to remain 
 
 And know 'tis better, be it ere so small. 
 
 To love and lose, than not to love at all. 
 
 215 
 
Some time ago, our young men failed to show 
 That marriage was a faihire, as you know, 
 Their own bright thoughts on matrimony bent 
 Arose indignant at the base intent, 
 Which left them scarce an argument to rest on. 
 And caused them wisely to avoid the question, 
 Or, let the subject lie upon the table 
 Till they consider subjects in the cradle. 
 
 Pure wedlock has no better advocate 
 
 Than he who would its secrets penetrate, 
 
 For when man seriously begins to think, 
 
 He voluntary stands upon the brink 
 
 Of a great prominence and his views expand 
 
 Till he beholds the beauties of a land 
 
 He never saw before. For some one's sake 
 
 He sighs, and thinks the drug's not bad to take, 
 
 And hurries on as rapid as he can 
 
 To state his case to Windsor's grand old man ; 
 
 Then counts his hours of bondage till released. 
 
 And our good pastor's bank account's increased. 
 
 The moral is to wed ere you bewail or 
 
 Try to prove that marriage is a failure. 
 
 Those who are dwelling in a smiling land 
 With health and wealth abundant to command 
 Know nothing of a semi-barren soil 
 Whose scanty produce gives the greatest toil. 
 Men must be weary to enjoy their bed 
 And hungry to appreciate good bread, 
 
 216 
 
And, short of money, o'er the country roam 
 Before they feel the blessedness of home; 
 And see the maids of many a beauteous land 
 Ere they will know or rightly understand 
 That in this very center of our mirth. 
 Fair Windsor has the sweetest girls on earth, 
 Whose loveliness of form and face declare 
 That nature never made a failure there. 
 
 And this, all those who travel, know is true 
 No wonder Uncle Sam comes here to woo. 
 
 Our pastor purposes to cross the sea 
 
 To taste dear Scotia's hospitality, 
 
 We'd like to watch his beaming face look 'roun 
 
 "Within a mile o' Edinboro toun," 
 
 Or as in pensive retrospective mood 
 
 He enters into ancient Holyrood, 
 
 Or when to auld Dumfries he southward turns 
 
 Beside the resting place of Robert Burns, 
 
 Or Ecclefechan's ever honored soil. 
 
 The humble birthplace of the great Carlyle. 
 
 Or by Lochmabeu Castle musing stray, 
 
 Where Robert Bruce first saw the light of day, 
 
 Whose lochs, waves without winds, fish without fins, 
 
 And islands floating as huge terrapins, 
 
 Awaken strange and weird imaginings. 
 
 To view the land where Knox was born and bred 
 
 Will knock some new ideas in his head; 
 
 True he has now a very goodly store 
 
 But every well-filled mind has room for more, 
 
 (15) 217 
 
And when, on his return, we meet together. 
 Expect bright lectures garnished round with heatlier. 
 
 Our liandsome town grows finer every day, 
 Now those who visit oft decide to stay, 
 Detroit's electric lights add to its beauty, 
 Which, by the way, we import free of duty; 
 Contrary to what many think not right, 
 Because the tariff should be always light; 
 Not being so makes many a mind perplexed. 
 We do not advocate to be annexed 
 But, in the future, do not think it strange 
 The customs — or the costumes have to change. 
 
 One true coincidence we plainly see 
 That Windsor dates its great prosperity 
 From this Society's inauguration. 
 And has improved with every convocation. 
 
 Long may both prosper then and when we part 
 With rich mementos clinging round the heart, 
 May all like bees disperse to summer bowers 
 And srather honey from selected flowers. 
 Then in the fall each favored one contrive 
 To come back laden to the social hive. 
 
 While in the closing exei-cise to-night 
 May every heart with gratitude unite, 
 To the great author of all happiness. 
 And every tongue in secret prayer express 
 This, while the curtain falls upon the scene, 
 God bless our home, our country, and our queen. 
 
 218 
 
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS. 
 
 In our dear Forest home, we have pleasures our own, 
 
 Neath the ravs of Benevolent ligfht, 
 
 Down the pure, cr\'stal stream, by our pastures so green. 
 
 Enjoying the truth and the right. 
 
 Perhaps our outskirts are rough, but our woodwards are tough, 
 
 Enduring and willing to gfuide 
 
 Noble men past the Fort to our Chief Ranger's Court 
 
 Down the valley of Concord — our pride — 
 
 Emblematical we, of brave TelVs liberty. 
 
 Not a serf in our forest can roam — 
 
 True brothers combined to do good to mankind, 
 
 Or provide for our loved ones a home. 
 Recurrent we part with fresh love in our heart, 
 Devoutly espousing our cause. 
 Enroll then your name in the page of true fame. 
 Renowned bv its precepts and laws. 
 
 Oh! we kindly invite all the pure and upright, 
 From the wide world our blessings to share. 
 
 For our great " Robin Hood" to the merry greenwood 
 
 On the altar will welcome you there; 
 
 Reinforce then our host, and the ones you love most 
 
 Enter into fraternity's fold, 
 
 Securelv from want or an unfeeling taunt 
 
 That is bitter as hunger or cold. 
 
 Every seed that is sown for affection alone 
 
 Receives as reward a "well done" from the Lord 
 
 3weet as honey, more precious than gold. 
 
 219 
 
TO THE SCOTTISH ASSEMBLY 
 OF CHICAGO, ILL 
 
 HILD of a storm, whose fury gave thee life 
 To foster peace and end all party strife, 
 Though many prophesied thy limbs so frail 
 Would tottering sink before the raging gale; 
 
 Forcing thy way beneath oppression's yoke 
 
 The acorn has become a sturdy oak. 
 
 Bereft of nutriment from parent's breast, 
 
 No gentle lullaby rocked thee to rest; 
 
 But men, brave men, thy every want supplied. 
 
 And midst the fray stood nobly by thy side. 
 
 No marvel then that thou shouldst live and grow, 
 
 Though rough thy sponsors, for they loved thee so. 
 
 When men like Murray, Brydon, Matheson, 
 
 McKenzie, Goudie, Handford, helped thee on, 
 
 Bates, Pringle, Spicer, Gibbs and many more, 
 
 Firm as the granite hills thy troubles bore; 
 
 Shand and McGregor, and the efforts made 
 
 By an unfailing help, the Ladies' Aid; 
 
 The wonder would be if thou didst not live, 
 
 A sweet reward to all thy nurses give. 
 
 220 
 
All honor be to those that memories wake, 
 And nurture thee for dear auld Scotland's sake, 
 To bring unto love's vision youthful days, 
 When wandering o'er our native banks and braes. 
 To kindle in the soul true friendship's fire, 
 And every thought with charity inspire, 
 To help each other o'er life's troubled sea. 
 And make all kindred, as we ought to be. 
 
 The piper chanting out a lively tune 
 
 Till hair stands up on end, and very soon 
 
 The pulse beats high, and oft against the will 
 
 The now enchanted feet will not keep still. 
 
 Till spite of self or what staid people feel. 
 
 They dance a fling or have a good Scotch reel, 
 
 Some grand oration, or a comic tale, 
 
 A recitation or a sons: to hail. 
 
 Thy bard extolling with a flowing pen. 
 
 Makes young friends happy, old friends young again, 
 
 Extracting bliss from all of life that's sweet, 
 
 Feel ten times younger every time you meet. 
 
 God bless the dear Assembly, and God bless 
 
 The staunch promoters of such happiness. 
 
 221 
 
When wisdom throws aside the barrier gates, 
 
 And Canada and the United States 
 
 Become betrothed, upon the scroll of fame, 
 
 Let bride and bridegroom take another name. 
 
 And two great continents be joined for aye. 
 
 Baptized and married as — Columbia. 
 
 That name from North to South, from East to West, 
 
 For Annexationists will prove the best; 
 
 Remove all controversy, and will aid 
 
 To make a union thousands wish were made. 
 
 So thou great giant of the Scottish race. 
 For thee, Chicago, is too small a place; 
 Extend your limits, and when next installed, 
 Columbia Scotch Assembly be thou called ; 
 And may your branches with fruit laden down. 
 Spring up in every city, every town. 
 Till Scotland's bairns on this great continent 
 Shall all enjoy the sweets of your intent. 
 
 The Red Cross sends thee greeting, sister dear. 
 And in this great auspicious World's Fair Year, 
 We realize the honor when you send 
 An invitation as from friend to friend. 
 
 222 
 
Such kindness wakes the indolence of our muse, 
 
 And makes it worse than madness to refuse 
 
 A welcome to your city, and to shake 
 
 The hands of all that such an interest take 
 
 In our enjoyment. While our bosoms yearn 
 
 To offer you some kindness in return, 
 
 Our dearest wishes lie in one short line: 
 
 That all your members would the Red Cross join. 
 
 We know that you have pleasure, know full well 
 You have amusement more than tongue can tell; 
 But in substantial benefits we feel 
 That we excel, and therefore now appeal 
 To your good judgment to provide for those 
 You leave behind when life's career shall close. 
 We prize our Order, and we love it so 
 That we invite you to the best we know; 
 Ourselves made happ}', safe from many a care, 
 We would such noble friends our blessings share. 
 With thanks, your kindness we accept, and pray 
 Your great Assembly at no distant day. 
 Filling your own, and our hearts with delight, 
 Shall with the Red Cross Order all unite. 
 
 223 
 
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES. 
 
 MAJOR N. S. BOYNTON. SUPREME RECORD KEEPER. 
 
 ^ 
 
 E is the best friend to his race 
 Who dries the tear from sorrow's face, 
 
 Strengthens the weak, relieves the poor. 
 
 And furnishes a ready cure 
 For every ill mankind can know, 
 In summer's heat or winter's snow. 
 
 IMiose blest with happiness and health 
 
 Are shown the safest way to wealth, 
 And for enjoyment furnished food 
 To feast the earth's vast multitude 
 
 With wisdom from choice fruitful trees 
 
 That benefit as well as please. 
 Attracting with the power of love 
 The soul to brighter things above. 
 
When torturing care the thoughts assail, 
 Or sickness droops her trembHng sail, 
 When joybells cease as comforts wane 
 And remedies increase the pain, 
 When darker clouds each day descend. 
 Then doubly precious is the friend 
 Who strives unceasing to allay 
 The fevered pulse by night and day, 
 Soothes piercing anguish with a balm 
 That makes the raging tempest calm. 
 Fraternal love's magnetic power 
 Cheers up the very darkest hour, 
 Relieves the body and the mind: 
 Oh blessed be the " ties that bind." 
 
 There comes to some the saddest fate, 
 That none can overestimate, 
 When total disability 
 Invokes the purest charity. 
 That death in life, whose chilling blast 
 Would test the warmest zeal to last. 
 The journals of the lodge but show. 
 That members are paid so and so. 
 But ah! between each treasured line, 
 We see a powerful hand divine 
 Kindle each morn the sacred fires 
 With patient love that never tires. 
 Filling the soul with hallowed peace 
 While making temjjoral joys increase. 
 
 225 
 
When tottering age with feeble breath 
 Seems waiting anxiously for death, 
 
 When limbs that would no duty shirk 
 Have helpless bade adieu to work, 
 The seed from liberal sowing grows. 
 And blossoms sweetly as the rose. 
 Friends gathered in a mystic ring 
 Substantial bliss and comfort bring. 
 The wheat is winnowed from the chaff, 
 And frailty leans upon a staff 
 
 That never yet has failed to bear 
 The weight of every human care, 
 While blessings all so freely given 
 Prepare the soul to enter heaven. 
 
 When death shall ring life's curtain down 
 
 Insurance brokers wear a frown, 
 Contest at law each valid claim 
 Nor pay till forced to do the same! 
 
 But members of the Maccabees, 
 
 Disclaim all technicalities. 
 
 Surround the family with aid 
 While benefits are promptly paid. 
 
 Nor that alone, — beyond the grave, 
 
 Fraternity delights to save, 
 
 With counsel and with right goodwill, 
 The widow and the orphan still. 
 
 In memory of the member past, 
 
 Remaining guardians to the last. 
 
 226 
 
If then such love as this is found, 
 Upon fraternal fallow ground, 
 God bless the tillers of the soil. 
 That pour on storms the peaceful oil, 
 Promote their interest, and devote 
 Their lives to man the gallant boat; 
 And in the temple of their fame. 
 Shall ever live one honored name; 
 Where memory consecrates her throne. 
 There N. S. Boynton shall be known. 
 And myriads sing his praises o'er 
 Till Maccabees shall be no more; 
 They make the laws that millions please, 
 But Boynton made the Maccabees, 
 
 227 
 
EASTERN STAR BANQUET 
 
 OF FERN LEAF CHAPTER, JACKSON, MICH. 
 
 Address of Secretary Before Reading Minutes. 
 
 (^i>ERN leaves all flourish best in shade 
 
 Nor wish to have their charms displayed ; 
 So w^ould we modestly conceal 
 Some acts statistics will reveal, 
 For many rays of love are shed 
 That are not on our journals spread. 
 
 In one short year we little know 
 
 What we shall have of weal or woe; 
 
 The Eastern Star no more shall shine 
 To those who dwell in light divine; 
 
 For sisters that have passed away 
 
 Our tears a silent tribute pay. 
 
 228 
 
The records of the year gone by 
 Are not one constant stream of joy, 
 
 The clouds of life spontaneous rise 
 But from our rays much sorrow flies, 
 And many just from what we are 
 Have cause to bless the Eastern Star, 
 
 One thing our minutes may not tell. 
 
 And one we cannot mention well, 
 
 But want makes all our pride succumb 
 And laborers should not be dumb; 
 
 When master builders come to cheer. 
 
 We want a good piano here. 
 
 There it is spoken past recall. 
 
 Now shall our project stand or fall? 
 We know that music will inspire 
 Our hearts to do what you desire, 
 
 And feel that every generous friend 
 
 Will help us to attain this end. 
 
 Unlike the singing of the birds 
 Our works speak better than our words. 
 That they are honest, good and true 
 We now submit for your review, 
 And trust they will our aim sustain 
 The Banner Chapter to remain. 
 
 22g 
 
EASTERN STAR BANQUET. 
 
 ADDRESS AFTER READING MINUTES. 
 
 HUS we submit the records of the year 
 
 With happy consciousness of duty done; 
 Although to mortal sight may not appear 
 
 The conquests we have fought, the victory won. 
 
 Oh bless the Eastern Star, whose mellow light 
 Is ever pointing to life's brightest goal: 
 
 That crowns us more than conquerors to-night, 
 Within the fadeless records of the soul. 
 
 And bless the rays that oh! so sweetly blend 
 To make the sorrows of mankind decrease; 
 
 Till Fern Leaf Chapter joins the sinner's Friend, 
 And brighter shines in God's eternal peace. 
 
 230 
 
FERN LEAF CHAPTER. 
 
 ADDRESS TO MEMBERS. 
 
 OW golden keys of love unbar 
 The Eastern Star, 
 Its constant rays of light shall cheer 
 What our great Architect holds dear. 
 
 Meek Adah, aye to duty true, 
 
 With ray of blue, 
 In loveliness of fragrant morn. 
 Or sweet moss rose without a thorn. 
 
 Ruth, as the golden orb of day 
 
 With yellow ray. 
 Whose sheaves of wheat and sunny joy 
 Like richest blessings multiply. 
 
 Pale Esther, as the soft moonlio-ht 
 
 In silvery white, 
 Pure emblem of life's highest goal 
 Truth, honor, virtue in the soul. 
 
 Sweet Martha, robed as earth's fair queen 
 
 In charming green. 
 All nature knows the power to please 
 That decks the meadows, clothes the trees. 
 
 231 
 
Electa, let thy blessings spread 
 
 Their brightest red, 
 That which the Savior freely gave 
 From holy veins, mankind to save. 
 
 These blended colors sweetly shine 
 
 With power divine. 
 And every generous heart persuade 
 To freely give substantial aid. 
 
 Let all who bow the knee in prayer 
 
 And use the square. 
 Know that the Architect above 
 Requires cement for rocks of love. 
 
 From the foundation to the dome 
 
 Of every home, 
 Where angles are most plumb and straight 
 Love is the builder's willing mate; 
 
 And every wisdom-loving man 
 
 Doth all he can 
 To give his helpmate all that's due 
 To make both heart and temple true. 
 
 232 
 
As in the shade your own fern leaf, 
 
 So you in grief 
 Arise in might. The task he ours 
 To water well such fragrant flowers. 
 
 The trowel shall not ring in vain, 
 
 Sweet music's strain 
 Shall soon assist your work to bless 
 And crown you all with happiness. 
 
 O glorious emblematic rays, 
 
 Receive our praise. 
 In acts of good forever grow 
 As Eastern Stars with love's bright glow. 
 
 (16) 
 
 233 
 
THE GOAT. 
 
 GAVE my name in, and was told 
 
 To hastily prepare 
 For things that made the blood run cold, 
 
 When Avitnessed anywhere. 
 My heart filled up with misery 
 
 And base balls filled my throat, 
 A thousand nightmares rode on me 
 
 Before I rode the goat. 
 
 The previous night while thinking o'er 
 
 The Welshman I should ride, 
 Quick hands had bound me to the floor 
 
 And all my threats defied. 
 A host of phantoms rose to view 
 
 That seemed in air to float, 
 And screeched "that boiling lead will do, 
 
 Now then bring in the goat." 
 
 They dipped me in the boiling lead, 
 
 Then stretched me out on ice. 
 While one great mogul smiling said — 
 
 "Now skin him quick and nice." 
 This done, they put me in salt brine. 
 
 Then placed me in a boat 
 To cross the equinoctial line. 
 
 Rowed by a frisky goat. 
 
 ^34 
 
His goatship winked and squeezed my hand, 
 
 Then spilt me in the sea, 
 But when I reached McGinty's land 
 
 I struggled and got free. 
 ' The chain and spell at once were broke, 
 
 And to my aching head 
 I quickly raised my hand and woke 
 
 To find myself in bed. 
 
 The horror of that dream next day 
 
 Still filled me with affright, 
 Yet bravely finishing the play 
 
 I rode the goat that night, 
 But whether he was tired or weak 
 
 There was no chance to note. 
 Before I'd time to think or speak 
 
 We finished with the goat. 
 
 Then up came many a smiling friend, 
 
 Who grasped me by the hand 
 And made me quickly comprehend 
 
 Their aid I could command. 
 And now, while sailing down life's stream 
 
 My barque of fortune floats, 
 To gain such friendship and esteem 
 
 Td ride ten thousand goats. 
 
 235 
 
THE KICKER. 
 
 ^c 
 
 E is easily discovered, 
 
 For he's present everywhere; 
 From the lov^^est haunt of evil 
 
 To the solemn house of prayer; 
 From the halls of legislation 
 
 To the humblest village school ; 
 In the club room, in the council. 
 
 Finding fault with every rule, 
 Till his asinine orations 
 
 Burst like bubbles as they fall, 
 But the kicker in the lodge room 
 
 Is the toughest of them all. 
 
 Mean, disloyal, autocratic. 
 
 And omniscient in his way; 
 Problems we require to study, 
 
 He can fathom right away ; 
 Tears in strips the constitution, 
 
 And blindfolded from it draws. 
 (Being blindf old's our advantage.) 
 
 One to guide all rules and laws. 
 He w^ants separate jurisdictions. 
 
 And with egotistic gall, 
 Hoodoo Jonah, rule or ruin. 
 
 He would like to govern all. 
 
 236 
 
He can torture all his children, 
 
 He can terrify his wife, 
 Make his home a perfect bedlam, 
 
 And a breeding den of strife. 
 He can bust up schools and churches. 
 
 And no matter what he joins. 
 He will sow the seed of discord. 
 
 Check the bearing of the vines: 
 Planting thorns among the roses. 
 
 Stop the rolling of the ball; 
 Oh, the kicker in the lodge room 
 
 Is a nuisance to us all! 
 
 It is true he may be useful 
 
 In some way we cannot tell. 
 For if he should make an effort. 
 
 He would surely bust up — Well — 
 There's no saying what he cannot 
 
 Succeed breaking when he tries. 
 Every lodge he enters into, 
 
 If they heed him, weakens, dies. 
 Sound a requiem to his protests, 
 
 " Turn his picture to the wall," 
 For the kicker in the lodge room 
 
 Should be bounced and trounced by all. 
 
 237 
 
FINANCIERS. 
 
 gF 
 
 INANCIERS for their services, 
 
 Each month receive as pay 
 A blank, sometimes a double blank, 
 
 Just as the by-laws say. 
 But by-laws would be volumes large 
 
 If they would only tell 
 All that financiers do receive, 
 
 That do their duty well. 
 
 To keep the books, or send a note 
 
 For money that is due. 
 To go to lodge quite regular, 
 
 Be honest, good and true. 
 Be here and there and everywhere. 
 
 At morning, noon and night. 
 Is only pleasant pastime, and 
 
 Must give as much delight. 
 
 As when they hear such words as these: 
 
 "I've paid you that before." 
 "What, here again? Well, call again 
 
 Dear brother." — (horrid bore.) 
 "Why bless me. Brother So-and-so, 
 
 I am quite out of change. 
 Send my assessments on for me. 
 
 And next week I'll arrange." 
 
 238 
 
"Well, really I can't understand 
 
 Where all the money goes, 
 Or how in all the blankey blank 
 
 You always wear good clothes. 
 It's good to be financier of 
 
 A thriving, prosperous lodge; 
 They all seem to have money, and 
 
 They're up to every dodge." 
 
 But why should we enumerate 
 
 The perquisites so great 
 That make these officers receive 
 
 More than we estimate. 
 It's well known that financiers are 
 
 Just like a well stocked bank; 
 By-laws should mark their salaries 
 
 Blank blank, blank blank, blank blank. 
 
 239 
 
SCOTLAND YET. 
 
 (ST. ANDREWS BANQUET.) 
 
 GOTLAND yet! from o'er the ocean 
 
 Thy inspiring charms appear; 
 As thy children with devotion 
 
 Greet the good Saint Andrew here. 
 Oh, what bhssful recreation, 
 
 Picture words can never jDaint; 
 Friends in one grand celebration 
 
 Honoring our patron saint. 
 
 Scotland yet! in all the glory 
 
 That can unto earth belong; 
 Whose bright annals grace history, 
 
 And enrich melodious song. 
 What though pens surcharged have blotted 
 
 Stains upon thy poet's name, 
 Robert Burns still shines unspotted 
 
 In the splendor of his fame. 
 
 Scotland yet! where'er we wander. 
 
 Or cast anchor from thy strand, 
 Happy memories make us fonder 
 
 Of our own, our native land. 
 And though many from thee sever. 
 
 Whose bright hope dispels regret, 
 Heart and voice cry out forever, 
 
 Scotland yet! Auld Scotland yet! 
 
 240 
 
ACROSTICS. 
 
There is "je ne sais quoi" in love, 
 O'er which our hearts have no control, 
 
 Melodious meetings of the soul 
 In vain that scienced men would solve, 
 Spontaneous rise, yet ne'er will be 
 Subservient to our decree. 
 
 A look, a glance, hath gained a heart, 
 Gained it unknowing and unknown; 
 Nor years, nor life, nor death could part. 
 Excelsior powers proclaimed them one. 
 So strange, so like, so false, so true. 
 
 Come as it will, come as it may, 
 Love moves in a mysterious way 
 Alike what fancy never knew. 
 Rendering the heart as potter's clay. 
 Know then, sweet maid, its secret — ours, 
 Solemnious explanation. 
 One that directs life's fleeting hours 
 Nor changes — ordination. 
 
 242 
 
Tenderest treasure-trove, 
 Empress of parents' love, 
 Rosebud of beauty, 
 Exquisite divine. 
 Sweet as unsullied glee 
 In childhood's purity, 
 Tranquil felicity 
 Always be thine. 
 
 Music, true love and flowers, 
 Impressing higher powers. 
 Caressing fleeting hours. 
 Hopefully, — cheerfully 
 Excel in making thy 
 Life as one long fond kiss 
 Extracting happiness — 
 Nearer each day to bliss 
 And perfect joy. 
 
 243 
 
MARRIED. 
 
 Live from doubts and anger free. 
 Illustrate true harmony. 
 Zephyr winds with angels' breath 
 Zealous guard you until death, 
 Immortelles of sunshine roam 
 Ever in your future home. 
 
 With parental blessings go 
 
 Into unseen weal or woe, 
 
 Let your everv action prove 
 
 Life's best heritage is love. 
 
 If a cloud should ever rise, 
 
 And hard words need soft replies. 
 
 May the meekness you possess 
 
 Soon restore to happiness. 
 
 Often blest are those who live 
 
 Near the voice which says — forgive. 
 
 244 
 
To each others' heart reveal 
 Only all you know and feel; 
 
 Come what may, if once possessed, 
 
 Have no secrets unconfessed; 
 
 As the seaman — careful steer; 
 
 Rocks concealed are most to fear. 
 
 Let your thoughts without alloy, 
 
 Enter into sacred joy; 
 
 Search the truths that God has given, 
 
 Seek and find the path to heaven. 
 
 Be fond lovers all your days. 
 Anchoring in virtue's ways, 
 'Xcelling in graces pure; 
 Till earth's happiness is sure. 
 Effulging when life shall cease, 
 Resting in eternal peace. 
 
 245 
 
Thine beameth as a fond endearins: face 
 Of bygone days, whose captivating grace 
 
 My heart has mirrored, till, familiar grown, 
 I think of thee as though thou wert mine own; 
 Some strange magnetic influential fire 
 Seems to create the features we desire, 
 
 Joins form to faith, as thoughts in fervent prayer 
 Embrace the soul, and leaves impressions there. 
 Strange thou ait not, for in the silent night 
 Sweet dreams of thee have filled me with delisrht: 
 In morning solitude by fragrant mead 
 Each flower portrayed thee, by some 2:)Ower decreed. 
 
 Gave shape to loveliness they typed so well. 
 
 Left only charms for closer sight to tell : 
 All these are thine, and may bright happy days 
 Ne'er cease to bless thee, and the Savior's ways 
 Direct our intercourse with purest rays: 
 Improving as the flowers with sun and rain. 
 So may our friendship prove a mutual gain. 
 
 246 
 
Every time this page you view, 
 Let memory bri:-:g to her throne 
 Loving friends whose thoughts for you 
 Are ever faithful as thine own. 
 
 Friends who in life's sunny vale 
 
 Perhaps you never more may see 
 Rejoice in thy dear company. 
 If their fond prayers can aught avail, 
 No harm shall ever thee assail 
 Could their wish make thy destiny, 
 Ella thy life will happy be. 
 
 Leave me your name, this book will tell 
 Each friend that I have loved so well. 
 Now in my life's dear early prime. 
 And may recall this Christmas time. 
 
 247 
 
Buoyant and joyous 
 Enchanting each heart, 
 Light as a fairy, 
 Loquacious and smart. 
 Average beauty, 
 
 Honest the face, 
 Union of gladness. 
 Goodness and grace- 
 Happiest blessings, 
 Enduring all time, 
 Seal thy life's history 
 Sweetly sublime. 
 
 Might I alter your sweet little name 
 
 1 would yet make it something more dear, 
 
 Not to add but reduce it one-third. 
 
 Now take "N" and then "I" from the same. 
 
 It will leave you my meaning quite clear, 
 
 Expressing a much better word. 
 
 248 
 
riay thy life be long and cheerful 
 As a northern summer's day; 
 Reveling in happy sunshine, 
 Yet where tempering breezes play. 
 
 All our life is but a journey 
 
 To a permanent abode; 
 
 Keep the end in view, dear Mary, 
 
 It will help you on the road. 
 
 Night shades give the stars their beauty, 
 
 Sorrow sanctifies all bliss; 
 
 Oh may thine but serve to bring thee 
 
 Nearer heaven and happiness. 
 
 ('7) 249 
 
EXCHANGING FLOWERS. 
 
 The garden of my heart contains 
 One precious little gem, 
 
 More prized than any that remains 
 
 In memory's diadem ; 
 
 Sings to my soul continuously 
 
 Sweet praise — and sweeter thoughts of thee. 
 
 Gifts are the echoes of the mind — 
 Unwritten volumes — undefined; 
 Simply a flower in life's brief dream, 
 Secures forever our esteem. 
 In language nothing else imparts. 
 Exchanging flowers joins kindred hearts. 
 
 Oh, may such unity be ours, 
 
 Live flourishing in friendship's bowers, 
 
 Safe in bright hope's retreat; 
 
 Only to spend the blissful hours 
 
 Near to the Savior's feet. 
 
 250 
 
Matchless beauty's richest dower 
 Yields to thy more potent power 
 
 Orient gems of brilliant light 
 
 Wilt before thine eyes more bright. 
 
 Never could a maid for me 
 
 Smile so sweet and charmingly 
 Warbling, fond enchanting voice, 
 Endless music of my choice. 
 Echo makes my every vein 
 Thrill with rapture at, the strain. 
 
 Lovely form with fairy grace. 
 In thy sweet entrancing face 
 Nature all her wealth can trace; 
 Dearest heart to mortal given 
 All thy gifts are types of heaven. 
 
 251 
 
Hope cheers the heart when other causes fail, 
 And makes a calm where else would be a gale. 
 No wealth can purchase half the joy it brings, 
 Nor sorrow steal its bright imaginings. 
 A priceless gem and yet to all how free, 
 Hopes realized in my fond hope for thee. 
 
 riaggie, if in some future year 
 
 A thought of these bright happy days 
 
 Gladdens thy heart with sunny rays 
 
 Gilding life's path as they appear, 
 
 In such fond scroll of love's pure fame, 
 
 Enroll as friend my humble name. 
 
 252 
 
TO 
 
 THE DAY BEFORE HER MARRIAGE. 
 
 riay thy path be free from sorrow 
 As thy mind is free from guile. 
 Richly may the coming morrow- 
 Yield for thee its brisfhtest smile. 
 
 ')5 ' 
 
 Be the one whom thou may'st cherish 
 Ever in thy bosom's core, 
 Loved, and until life \vill perish 
 Live thy fondest wishes o'er; 
 
 Not a cloud to mar thy pleasure, 
 Endless joys thy life enshrine, 
 And at death a richer treasure, 
 Love and peace, and heaven be thine. 
 
 Leave me your name, in future years, 
 In grief or joy, in smiles or tears. 
 Zealous I'll guard the gift, although 
 Zephyrs or stormy winds may blow. 
 In life's great book, and you will be 
 Endearing as the name I see. 
 
 253 
 
BE EXHORTED. 
 
 nEMENTO REV. W. H. SMITH. 
 
 E exhorted, be exhorted 
 ^^U^y In the holy fear of God; 
 "T(£)o To His throne approach, and tremble 
 At the sin-avenging rod. 
 Ah, vile hearts too oft delighted 
 
 Do we dwell on pleasures vain, 
 
 And forsake that happy dwelling 
 
 Where true bliss must ever reign. 
 
 '&' 
 
 Be exhorted, heed not riches. 
 
 Heed not penury's sad cry, 
 Jesus calls from heaven. Behold me! 
 
 Come and join me in the sky. 
 Lay your sensual hearts before Him 
 
 And repent each bygone crime; 
 Ask His pardon, ask His blessing, 
 
 Seek eternity in time. 
 
 Be exhorted, freely ask Him, 
 
 He will just as freely give. 
 From the fulness of His glory. 
 
 Bread enough to eat and live. 
 Without money. Heaven's treasure. 
 
 Without price, oh fond delight. 
 Boundless love beyond all measure, 
 
 Give to all, O God, to-night. 
 
 254 
 
EMENTO OF SERMONS 
 
 DELIVERED BY THE 
 
 REV, DR, JOHN GRAY, 
 
 OF KALP^MPyZOO, MICH, 
 
MEETING. 
 
 AKE a walk into God's garden 
 On this holy Christmas day, 
 
 And select from its rich treasures 
 A most beautiful bouquet. 
 
 See! the bright flowers are inviting, 
 With no frosts to mar their bloom 
 
 Come, enjoy their lovely freshness. 
 
 And inhale their sweet perfume. 
 
 Here's the Lily of the Valley, 
 
 There is Sharon's dewy Rose; 
 Place them in the best position, 
 
 Their great beauty to disclose. 
 This small blossom, called Obedience, 
 
 Gives to other flowers a grace 
 That enhances all their value. 
 
 And not one can fill its place. 
 
 See! meek Charity is hiding. 
 
 Bashful as a timid bride; 
 These will make a pretty trio, 
 
 Hope and Faith upon each side. 
 Here, too. Meekness, Temperance, Patience, 
 
 Lovingkindness, Peace and Joy, 
 Mercy, Gentleness and Goodness, 
 
 All that love, — not gold, — can buy. 
 
 iS6 
 
"Therefore, let us not sleep."— isx Thess., 5:6. 
 
 ^\7 EATH the surface of the Ocean 
 ^y \/ There are currents swift, unseen, 
 Rolling in perpetual motion 
 
 As a rapid mountain stream ; 
 And the Church is ofttimes movino- 
 
 Like the currents of the deep, 
 When to casual observers 
 It may seem to be asleep. 
 
 But while this is true, 'tis also 
 
 True, that many sleep awav 
 Precious moments that are flying. 
 
 And for which they hope and pray. 
 Slumber is not very distant — 
 
 Faith is tottering to a fall — 
 When the Church is not responsive 
 
 To God's earnest, anxious call. 
 
 Sleep gives no realization 
 
 Of the visions that we dream; 
 Oft our purest, holiest fancies 
 
 Vanish with the morninof beam ; 
 But let us be ever movinsf 
 
 As the currents of the deep, 
 Realizing every blessing, 
 
 And on duty never sleep. 
 
 257 
 
" His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He 
 saith unto you, do it."— St. John, 2:5. 
 
 ^^^^HE fundamental principle 
 4.|I^V Of science is to know 
 "^^v The laws that govern earth and sea, 
 The heavens, and all below ; 
 And though at times their edicts stern 
 
 May fill our minds with awe, 
 The surest way to freedom is 
 Obedience to the law. 
 
 Obedience makes the bondsman free 
 
 And cheers the heart bowed down; 
 It turns the water into wine, 
 
 It makes the cross a crown. 
 Behold the best example given. 
 
 The greatest victory won. 
 On Calvary, when Christ exclaimed: 
 
 " Thy will, not mine, be done." 
 
 He saith — Be sure 'tis He indeed 
 
 Directs ere we obey — 
 God gives us wisdom to discern 
 
 The pure and holy Way; 
 And faith still sees the Spirit dove, 
 
 And hears for souls diseased: 
 "Lo, this is my beloved Son 
 
 In whom I am well pleased." 
 
 2s8 
 
By one great sin our parents fell; 
 
 Then let us watch and pray 
 For grace, to guard our weakest part, 
 
 Lest we should go astray. 
 And whatsoever that He saith, 
 
 The sacred precepts given, 
 Be ours the glorious part to do; 
 
 Obedience leads to Heaven. 
 
 259 
 
" For the Lord God is a sun." — Psalms 84: i i. 
 
 ^^Cl'^HE Lord God is a sun" 
 
 \^J To give us heat and light, 
 To cheer us on our pilgrimage 
 
 And make the dismal bright. 
 Without his glorious beams 
 
 Our race would soon be run ; 
 But, blessed be his holy name, 
 "The Lord God is a sun." 
 
 "The Lord God is a sun" — 
 
 Yet if we choose to stay 
 In darkened cells of guilt and sin 
 
 We lose his powerful ray. 
 Still, still the welcome cry 
 
 To all who will is, " Come!" 
 Repentant tears are dew and rain — 
 
 "The Lord God is a sun." 
 
 "The Lord God is a sun" 
 
 That shineth every hour, 
 The source of everlasting love, 
 
 And all life-giving power. 
 O I may we all absorb 
 
 That love so easy won, 
 And feel with all significance. 
 
 Thou, Lord God, art a sun. 
 
 260 
 
'■ The Son of Man came eating and drinking." — Matthew ii: ig. 
 
 ^^JATING and drinking the Son of ]Man came — 
 |Ly Human in feeling, in nature, and name; 
 '^'^ Hungry and thirsty, acquainted with grief, 
 Poor and despised — to bring sinners reHef. 
 
 Eatinsf to live: but thev said -in their scorn: 
 " Living- to eat; He is gluttonous born." 
 Mark His forbearance; wherever he trod. 
 Teaching in all things to glorify God. 
 
 Eating and drinking, Himself, wine and bread; 
 Gave us His own blood and body instead. 
 Savior, Redeemer, the cup drained by Thee 
 Opened the door of salvation for me. 
 
 261 
 
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my 
 daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." — Mat- 
 thew, 15:22-28. 
 
 ^ Ct /^AVE mercy upon me, O Lord!" 
 O/ ^ The mother's prayer was heard, 
 Although at first the Savior stood 
 And answered not a word. 
 " Send her away," they Him besought; 
 
 "Why hear her call and weep?" 
 He, answering, said "I am not sent 
 But to Israel's lost sheep." 
 
 She worshiped while He pitied, yet 
 
 To test her faith He said: 
 "It is not meet to cast to dogs 
 
 Or waste the children's bread." 
 Mark her reply: "Truth, Lord," she cried 
 
 "Yet even dogs may eat 
 The crumbs, that from the table fall, 
 
 Around their master's feet." 
 
 Such faith the Christ cannot resist, 
 
 He grants the woman's prayer; 
 Nor lame, nor blind, nor dumb, nor maimed 
 
 Need ever more despair. 
 If to the heathen stranger He 
 
 Such loving kindness give, 
 The vilest sinner in the world 
 
 May come to him and live. 
 
 262 
 
This woman knew she needed aid, 
 
 Let us just know the same; 
 Then cling to Him with faith as strong — 
 
 We shall not cling in vain. 
 At first the answer may not come; 
 
 Still plead we on, and say: 
 I will not leave thee till thou bless 
 
 And take my sins away." 
 
 Pure thoughts and acts are more than words, 
 
 Yet each perform their part; 
 " We walk by faith and not by sight," 
 
 God looks into the heart. 
 O Father, strengthen our weak faith 
 
 And make us come to thee. 
 Believing, knowing, at thy word 
 
 All evil spirits flee. 
 
 .'.^^ 
 
 263 
 
" For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of 
 man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth 
 no man, but the Spirit of God."— IST CoR ,2:11. 
 
 ^^^^^^IS said that once an eastern prince 
 \^J A curious gem possessed; 
 
 Whenever there was danger near, 
 
 A ring his finger pressed. 
 The ring's a myth, but we have all 
 
 A monitor more true — 
 A conscience that would safely guide 
 In everything we do. 
 
 Conscience plays a threefold part 
 
 In every human breast, 
 Discriminates 'tween right and wrong, 
 
 Impels to do the best, 
 And punishes or else rewards, 
 
 According to our ways; 
 It makes oiar pathway bright and clear, 
 
 Or leaves us in a maze. 
 
 Whene'er we sin and go astray, 
 
 Bv false delusions snared: 
 When self-denial loses power, 
 
 Our conscience is impaired. 
 To close our ears or shut our eyes 
 
 Prevents not sound or light — 
 We need the great physician's care 
 
 To make our conscience right. 
 
 264 
 
For all the faculties we have 
 
 Were given to improve, 
 And he who gives provides the way, 
 
 In mercy and in love. 
 Oh hear His voice, to all who are 
 
 With conscious guilt oj^pressed : 
 " My yoke is easy, come to me 
 
 And I will give you rest." 
 
 We ofttimes wish, but wish in vain, 
 
 That we could hut recall 
 Some evil hour in which we sinned, 
 
 Not heeding conscience call. 
 We can't prevent the evil done, 
 
 But we can think it o'er. 
 And bring it to the mercy seat. 
 
 Be cleansed and sin no more. 
 
 Then let us hear our conscience cry — 
 
 It never leads astray — 
 But brings us out of darkest night 
 
 To pure and perfect day. 
 It is a valued instrument, 
 
 Which holy angels kiss. 
 An inward voice to guide, to save 
 
 The soul for endless bliss. 
 
 (18) 265 
 
"Thou shall not wear a g^arment of divers sorts, as of woolen 
 and linen together." — Deut., 22: 11. 
 
 EEN with the might of gospel hght 
 
 Old laws appear as new. 
 If law conceals, the light reveals 
 
 What sinners have to do. 
 The varied seeds of flowers and weeds 
 
 Together cannot thrive ; 
 The plants grow strange, their natures change 
 
 And do not long survive. 
 
 'Tis well to dress in comeliness. 
 
 With woolen or with lint; 
 But not unite the wrong and right. 
 
 As good and bad intent. 
 Select the clean from the obscene, 
 
 The pure from the impure — 
 And separate all love from hate. 
 
 The clear from the obscure. 
 
 And when we wear the garments fair 
 
 That Christ will only know. 
 Make sin depart, and leave the heart 
 
 As spotless as the snow. 
 We may be least at Jesus feast, 
 
 But He remains the same, 
 And still requires the pure desires 
 
 Of all who bear his name. 
 
 266 
 
" Where there is no vision, the people perish." — ^Prov. 29: 18. 
 
 ^^G^ISIONS, blessed visions, telling a glad story 
 T^A Sent to cheer our souls, O God, from all despondency; 
 ^-^^</vy l^eautiful their missions, shadowing thy glory, 
 Revealing joys for all who trust in thee. 
 
 Ever welcome vision! Jesus from the manger 
 
 Marching onward on his course to dark Gethsemane. 
 
 Full of intuition, warning him of danger — 
 That love he bore us would not let him flee. 
 
 Sad, but dearest vision! God, to scenes so dreary. 
 Sending his beloved Son to die so cruelly 
 
 For our sin's remission. Let us never weary 
 Looking at Jesus upon Calvary. 
 
 Bright and hopeful vision! Jesus now in Heaven, 
 
 Standing at the throne of God in love and majesty- 
 Making intercession that we may be forgiven, 
 And dwell with him in bliss eternallv. 
 
 Savior, make our vision everv morning clearer — 
 Looking through the golden gate of blest futurity ; 
 
 And at death's transition — sweeter, nearer, dearer — 
 Bright shadows turn, a great reality. 
 
 267 
 
"And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!"— St. John, 19:5. 
 
 HRIST'S doctrine gets the blame 
 
 For every ill in life, 
 Although before the Savior came 
 
 Dw^elt sin and strife. 
 Dark clouds were o'er the earth 
 
 When Bethlehem's tidings ran — 
 Come, worship at Messiah's birth — 
 
 "Behold the Man!" 
 
 The King of Kings is born. 
 
 While countless angels smile. 
 And all His life, from that blest morn, 
 
 Was free from guile. 
 Now, grown in strength and grace, 
 
 His mission well began. 
 The brisfhtness of His Father's face: 
 
 "Behold the Man!" 
 
 The light of Heaven grows dim, 
 
 As howling rabbles cry: 
 "Away with him ! Away with him ! 
 
 To crucify !" 
 And Pilate's answer stands 
 
 An everlasting ban: 
 " I find no fault, I wash my hands. 
 
 Behold the man!" 
 
 268 
 
Behold! while they deride, 
 
 Behold! His work complete; • 
 Behold the blood stream from his side, 
 
 His hands, his feet. 
 Behold his dying breath, 
 
 Behold God's only ^^lan 
 To save our guilty souls from death; 
 
 " Behold the Man ! " 
 
 260 
 
'God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in 
 spirit and in truth." — St, John, 4: 24. 
 
 OT only on the mountain, 
 
 The valley or the plain, 
 God's sacred cleansing fountain 
 
 Springs everywhere the same; 
 It has no local limit. 
 
 But boundless, full and free. 
 At any hour or minute 
 
 It flows for you and me. 
 
 No matter what our nation, 
 
 Or how we speak or sing. 
 Each earnest supplication 
 
 Will its own answer bring. 
 If pure from all deceiving 
 
 We give to God our heart. 
 And ask of him, believing, 
 
 He will perform his part. 
 
 God is a Spirit holy, 
 
 And if we worship in 
 A spirit truthful, lowly. 
 
 Confessing all our sin. 
 He will bestow a blessing 
 
 And graciously supply 
 That Water, which possessing. 
 
 Secures eternal joy. 
 
 270 
 
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew 
 the Lord's death till he come."— i CoR., 11:26. 
 
 SOLEMN feast divine, 
 With hallowed bread and wine, 
 
 At Thy dear feet, 
 Grant me, Lord, and reveal 
 All thou would'st have me feel ; 
 And with these symbols, seal 
 Thy love complete. 
 
 Now from my thoughts efface 
 All but thy pleading face, 
 
 Near thy last breath; 
 Do this for love of Thee.'' 
 Yea, Lord, 'tis love to me — 
 Thy dying agony, 
 
 Thy bitter death. 
 
 Softly ! my beating heart. 
 No longer fear or start, 
 
 Tranquilly rest. 
 Jesus, Redeemer, mine — 
 Blest with such love as thine. 
 Here let my soul recline, 
 
 Safe on thy breast. 
 
 Heed not these blinding tears; 
 While thy loved form appears, 
 
 Blessing, they come. 
 Grateful thy cup 1 kiss, 
 Tasting life's greatest bliss. 
 Goal of all happiness, 
 
 Heaven, my home. 
 271 
 
" Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."- 
 RoMANS, 12:21. 
 
 ET us grieve not the Spirit, but try 
 
 To resist all temptation. We should, 
 As peculiar people, rely 
 
 On our faith in the Savior's shed blood. 
 And then prove, 
 From his love. 
 We can overcome evil with good. 
 
 As the farmer enriching the soil 
 
 That he fallows and sows with pure seeds, 
 Is rewarded for all extra toil 
 
 By the grain leaving no room for weeds; 
 So the mind 
 Grows refined 
 As we overcome bad with good deeds. 
 
 We may often be tempted and tried 
 
 And deluded by some subtle snare. 
 But the glitter of evil avoid. 
 
 Though it promises ever so fair; 
 There is death 
 In the path, 
 And our only safe refuge is prayer. 
 
 272 
 
Though our pathway and journey through Hfe 
 
 May seem harder than others have trod; 
 Though surrounded by trouble and strife, 
 Let us bow to the chastenins: rod : 
 Live in peace, 
 And increase 
 In the nurture and knowledo^e of God. 
 
 While we love those who hate us, and give 
 
 To our enemies blessinsfs and food; 
 While we show, by example, we live 
 In a light the}^ have not understood ; 
 Let us pra}- 
 That they may 
 Also overcome evil with grood. 
 
 273 
 
" Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his 
 own blood." — Acts, 20: 28. 
 
 H 
 
 F we feel saved ourselves, that feeling ought 
 
 To produce good 
 Toward the Church of God that He hath bought 
 
 "With his own blood." 
 Christ loves the Church, and loves that those thereia 
 Should all be pure and separate from sin. 
 
 The Church is God's own people, called unto 
 
 A glorious task ; 
 Obtaining freely grace and strength to do 
 
 All he will ask. 
 Thus, while we feed the hungry with good things, 
 Our souls are fed by the great King of Kings. 
 
 God knows that we must mingle with the world — 
 
 Christ did the same; 
 Yet when his sacred banners were unfurled 
 
 Salvation came. 
 We may not, cannot, give the love He gave — 
 But we can always show his power to save. 
 
 Our bodies are but caskets to enshrine 
 
 The soul on earth; 
 Yet they are temples of the power divine 
 
 That gave them birth. 
 And God's own temples emblems should display, 
 That Christ may love to entei^ there, and stay. 
 
 274 
 
" They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, say- 
 ing, 'Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual 
 covenant that shall not be forgotten.' " — Jeremiah 50: 5. 
 
 S 
 
 HALL we in sorrow live, ever repining? 
 
 Rich love is offered us, why stay we poor? 
 Come, let us bind ourselves to the Lord, joining 
 Li a new covenant that shall endure. 
 
 How can we sing the songs of Zion, living 
 Still in the bondage of sin we conceal? 
 
 Turn and confess it all, God is forgiving, 
 And ever ready our pardon to seal. 
 
 We do not have the power to make him willing; 
 
 He, of his own accord, shows the way clear — 
 Points to the Savior, his promise fulfilling; 
 
 Though we are unstable. He is sincere. 
 
 We are taught to forgive, seventy times seven; 
 
 Jesus will not do less — He will do more; 
 While he is calling us to him in heaven, 
 
 Angels are waiting to open the door. 
 
 Come, then, and turn to him, fervently praying 
 For a new covenant, making us whole; 
 
 Answer the greatest of questions, by saying, 
 " Yes, it is well ; it is well with m}' soul." 
 
 275 
 
And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel.' 
 
 1C ■ T-f, 
 
 —Genesis, 
 
 35:1-6 
 
 E should be warriors — 
 
 Conquerors brave — 
 Wrestlers with God until 
 He bless and save. 
 
 Banish all sin and pride, 
 Cast idols all aside, 
 Trust in the love well tried 
 That Jesus gave. 
 
 There is a Bethel near 
 
 Where we can go. 
 Where lovely rivers of 
 Purity flow, 
 
 In their free crystal sheen 
 Lord, with a power unseen, 
 Make, thou, our raiment clean, 
 " Whiter than snow." 
 
 Then, with our garments changed. 
 
 Lead thou the way; 
 Be thou our constant guide 
 Lest we should stray. 
 
 Trembling, alone we stand, 
 Firm, when we hold thy hand, 
 Safely we reach the land, 
 Brighter than day. 
 
 276 
 
No longer wanderers, 
 
 Straying alone; 
 Secure in Bethel now, 
 Evil clays gone; 
 
 Basking in God's pure rays, 
 Here let us end our days, 
 Here let us ever praise 
 Jesus, our own. 
 
 277 
 
" But new wine must be put into new bottles and 
 both are preserved."— St. Luke, 5:38. 
 
 /^^^ HRIST taught in parables, that we 
 Might better comprehend 
 Each thing's adaptability, 
 For its good use and end. 
 If we to fitness limit time and space 
 Then all but sin is right in proper place. 
 
 In fifty years, this world has made 
 
 A change so great and vast, 
 That little we see now displayed 
 Reminds us of the past; 
 And now the Church must prove its potent power, 
 And change its plans to suit the passing hour. 
 
 God leaves no room to deviate 
 From his unchanging laws; 
 " Thou shalt," decides at once the fate 
 Of all who own His cause; 
 But in this age, the Church requires much less 
 To educate, and more need to impress. 
 
 278 
 
The rich have got much richer, and 
 
 The poor have poorer grown, 
 'Till now the church should take a hand 
 Of each, within its own, 
 And, in a way which Jesus understood. 
 Unite them in a nobler brotherhood. 
 
 The church should strenuously oppose 
 
 Attractions, oft abused. 
 That tend to make the young suppose 
 They come to be amused. 
 Where Christ delights to dwell upon this earth, 
 Is no fit place for levity or mirth. 
 
 The one great object, hope and aim 
 
 For which we live or die. 
 Should influence us all the same — 
 Our God, to glorify; 
 And let the homage of each grateful heart, 
 With praise of angels be a glorious part. 
 
 !79 
 
"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment 
 to come, Felix trembled, and answered, ' Go thy way for this 
 time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.'" 
 — Acts, 24:25. 
 
 ELIX trembles, for a mirror, 
 
 Held bv Paul, reflects his heart ; 
 It recalls his evil doings. 
 
 And the picture makes him start; 
 Now, the captive seems accuser 
 
 As he hears his listener say, 
 " Go thv way, and I will call thee, 
 
 At a more convenient day." 
 
 Oh! this sad procrastination, 
 
 Kills fair Hope, and fills its grave; 
 Ruins lives, and robs the Savior 
 
 Of the souls He died to save. 
 Felix should have had the courage, 
 
 Even though so far depraved. 
 To have cried out, "Help me! Tell me! 
 
 What must I do to be saved ? " 
 
 Few may be so bad as Felix, 
 
 But there's none that can survey 
 Their own actions in a mirror 
 
 Without feeling some dismay. 
 At that moment, call on Jesus, 
 
 He will cleanse from every crime; 
 Don't defer such great salvation ; 
 
 " Now is the accepted time." 
 280 
 
" Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with 
 me where I am; that they may behold my glory."— John 
 17:24. 
 
 m) 
 
 HEN we talk of others, what we say and feel 
 Will, to good observers, our own hearts reveal. 
 This great law of nature is well understood; 
 Evil speaks of evil — good delights in good. 
 
 Those who sweetly mention virtues in mankind. 
 Veiling little blunders, are, by God designed 
 To make others happy, and themselves to be 
 Joyful christian soldiers, near to victory, 
 
 Christ our God-man, leader, loved his fellow men. 
 And would frailties pity rather than condemn; 
 Even when they scoffed him, all his nature true 
 Prayed, Forgive them, for they know not what they do. 
 
 Now the cross is near him, but the crown is there, 
 And its holy beauty fills his soul with prayer 
 For his dear companions, pleading that they may 
 Live, and see his glory shine in endless day. 
 
 Prayer is weakness looking unto strength for aid, 
 And by its true feeling all our sins are weighed: 
 If our faith is stronger than the evil done, 
 God in mercy pardons, and the battle's won. 
 
 If we, like the Savior, pray that all our friends 
 May with us be living when earth's journey ends, 
 Then let us be certain we are on the road 
 Leading up to heaven, taking us to God. 
 (19) 281 
 
Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone." — Exodus, 
 34:29-30. 
 
 O! from Sinai's mount returning, 
 Moses filled with heavenly grace — 
 
 Like a beacon brightly burning, 
 Lighting every dismal place. 
 With the beauty 
 Of God's glory on his face. 
 
 When with God we hold communion 
 We absorb his love divine, 
 
 'Till the ever blessed union 
 
 Makes the light within us shine. 
 
 Which, beholding. 
 Others with our praises join. 
 
 What a privilege, extending 
 Unto us such liberty ; 
 
 God himself, so condescending. 
 Teaches us humility — 
 
 Best of graces, 
 Incense to the Deity. 
 
 282 
 
As we rise in God's great favor, 
 In our self esteem we fall, 
 
 'Till we know, without a Savior, 
 We are lost and ruined all ; 
 Then be lowly, 
 Well filled grain will not grow tall. 
 
 Yes, be humble — and like Moses, 
 Though the trembling people fear. 
 
 Wist not what our face discloses, 
 Know not how we may appear; 
 
 Feeling only 
 That our God is near and dear. 
 
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 283 
 
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that 
 hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine 
 and milk without money and without price."— Isaiah, 55: i. 
 
 HE king hath provided a palace of beauty, 
 For all that are wearied and anxious to rest; 
 Its windows are agates, its walls are carbuncles. 
 Foundation of sapphires, the brightest and best. 
 
 The tables are spread with selected refreshment. 
 Wine to exhilarate and milk to sustain, 
 
 And pure flowing waters, from purest of fountains, 
 From which if we drink, we will ne'er thirst again. 
 
 And now sends his messengers, cheerily calling, 
 
 To all that will hearken: "Come! drink, rest and eat; 
 
 The gates are wide open; no money is needed; 
 The passport is Thirst, and the waters are sweet; 
 
 The feast is inviting, and freely 'tis offered; 
 
 O! come then, rejoicing, and freely receive; 
 The Master will clothe you in proper apparel, 
 
 You need nothing more than to thirSt and believe. 
 
 O God, in thy greatness, how tender, how mindful, 
 How loving, how gentle, how good and how free; 
 
 Not only inviting, persuading, entreating 
 Such sinners, to sit at the table with thee. 
 
 284 
 
Whenever we think of thy majestic glory 
 
 Our souls fill with awe, and we tremble, dismayed, 
 
 Till hearing the sweet voice of Jesus, exclaiming 
 " Behold! I am here with you; be not afraid!" 
 
 Kind comforting words of a great Mediator; 
 
 When led by thy hand, we have nothing to fear; 
 With thy lovely presence, and blessed forgiveness, 
 
 Our courage returns as our sins disappear. 
 
 Lord, here we present thee our bodies forever, 
 And " come " at the call of the spirit and bride; 
 
 Then evermore give us that wonderful water 
 That flows so abundant and free, from thy side. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 285 
 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, 
 always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye 
 know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." — i Corin- 
 thians, 15:58. 
 
 J*^ OD'S loving kindness has no end, 
 He is our best, our dearest friend 
 
 From infancy to age; 
 By him, when newdy born, we share. 
 Our parent's tender love and care, 
 
 A holy heritage. 
 
 And as we grow from year to year. 
 Our love and gratitude appear 
 
 Like early flowers in bloom. 
 Love is the purest joy on earth, 
 It consecrates all christian worth — 
 
 True love is God's perfume. 
 
 And love makes labor happiness; 
 
 God worked six days for love — to bless 
 
 The creatures he then made. 
 The laborer is worth his hire. 
 And we should all with praise, aspire 
 
 To see God's wages paid. 
 
 'Tis wisdom to have understood 
 Established laws for our own good. 
 
 And then those laws obey ; 
 Some steady motive to induce 
 Our brain, our muscle, to produce 
 
 A little every day. 
 
 286 
 
According to good rules for health, 
 We labor not alone for wealth, 
 
 But that we may obtain 
 Enjoyment, hope, and daily bread, 
 A place to rest the wearied head, 
 
 And not to work in vain. 
 
 God's blessings everywhere abound, 
 But must be sought ere they are found; 
 
 First ask, and then receive. 
 Work while 'tis day, the night draws near 
 In which we cannot labor here. 
 
 Nor ill-spent time retrieve. 
 
 If for this world 'tis worth our while 
 To labor hard, how should we toil 
 
 And struggle to attain 
 That happy spirit land above, 
 Since well we know that God's great love 
 
 Lets no one work in vain. 
 
 Oh! let us then be steadfast, true, 
 In all he gives us here to do. 
 
 And merit the reward. 
 This hope before us, cheers the way; 
 We work to live in perfect day. 
 
 Forever with the Lord. 
 
 287 
 
"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting 
 desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven." — 
 Matthew, i6: i. 
 
 *HEY ask from heaven a sign 
 
 To prove our Lord divine, 
 But Jesus knew their object and refused; 
 If he would bow to all, 
 Who thus deceitful call. 
 How soon his sovereign power would be abused. 
 
 God's blessings some near lose, 
 
 Because his ways confuse 
 The preconceived ideas of their own; 
 
 They think they know the best, 
 
 How to be saved and blest. 
 And thus would steal the glory from God's throne. 
 
 Like Naaman, when he came 
 
 To test Elisha's fame, 
 Was told "to wash seven times in Jordan's stream;" 
 
 He could not understand 
 
 How such a plain command 
 Could ever heal disease and make him clean. 
 
 288 
 
So raged — till servants plead, 
 And urge the leper's need 
 Of trying such a very simple cure; 
 
 " If it were something great 
 
 Thou wouldst not hesitate." 
 Their w^ords prevailed — he dipped and was made pure. 
 
 The problem solved is this, 
 
 To gain eternal bliss, 
 Or anything we want on earth, from heaven — 
 
 That while God doth provide, 
 
 We must get rid of pride. 
 And humbly take the path that he has given. 
 
 Let us, vvhile mercies last, 
 Like saved ones of the past. 
 
 The present, or the future — fall in line 
 
 To God's own terms, and pray 
 For blessings every day. 
 
 Christ died for us. We need no better sign. 
 
 289 
 
"The Lord hath done jjreat things for us; whereof we are 
 glad."— Psalms, 126:3. 
 
 The Bi-Centenary of the Revolution of 1688. 
 
 ((,^^7^ HE Lord hath done g^reat things for us" 
 \^) In bitter days gone by, 
 
 When holy martyrs gave their lives 
 
 Their faith to testify. 
 The love our fathers sowed in tears 
 We reap, to-day, in joy. 
 
 Two hundred years ago our sires 
 
 Were tortured everywhere, 
 Because they would not let King James 
 
 Their sacred rites prepare; 
 Because they offered up to heaven 
 
 A conscientious prayer. 
 
 For this, the noblest, calmest mind 
 
 With indignation thrills, 
 And all our Christianity, 
 
 With holy horror fills. 
 To think for this, their precious blood 
 
 Should stain our heather hills. 
 
 But God was ever near their side, 
 
 In every secret den; 
 In pass or covert, — bush or barn; 
 
 In mountain or in glen; 
 And unto every prayer they gave 
 
 The angels cried. Amen! 
 
 290 
 
Till God in his own season said 
 
 "Amen; so let it bel" 
 And now to-day, we are on earth 
 
 The freest of the free, 
 Since we enjoy that priceless boon, 
 
 Religious liberty! 
 
 Then let us use that freedom well. 
 
 And in these brighter days 
 Remember those who bled and died 
 
 On Scotia's banks and braes; 
 That we in our own way might give 
 
 To God our prayers and praise. 
 
 And also think of Him who died — 
 The Prince, and "King of kings" — 
 
 Whose blameless life, whose glorious death, 
 A better freedom brinsfs; 
 
 Who, pleading now at God's right hand. 
 Still does for us great things. 
 
 291 
 
" Man shall not live by bread alone." — Matthew, 4: 4. 
 
 eHRIST all the pangs of hunger bore 
 When Satan tempthig said, 
 "If thou hast power, why suffer more? 
 Turn all these stones to bread!" 
 
 Then came the answer, now well known, 
 "Man shall not live by bread alone." 
 
 O precious text, what comfort here 
 
 The Savior doth imfold, 
 That God's pure words are far more dear 
 Than bread, or wine, or gold; 
 
 That God's great laws have plainly shown, 
 " Man shall not live by bread alone." 
 
 Bread cannot change an evil course. 
 Nor hush the "still small voice;" 
 Nor calm the tempest of remorse, 
 To make the heart rejoice. 
 
 Like him who makes our grief his own — 
 We dare not " live by bread alone." 
 
Bread will not help us to control 
 
 A tendency to sin ; 
 It does not feed the hungry soul 
 When good desn-es begin ; 
 
 It cannot bring us near God's throne — 
 We must not "live by bread alone." 
 
 They live the best who give the most 
 
 Obedience to God's laws; 
 Who make our Savior all their boast 
 And hunger in his cause; 
 
 Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, 
 He would not " live by bread alone." 
 
 Then let us also cast aside 
 
 The tempter's every snare; 
 God will not let us e'er be tried 
 With more than we can bear. 
 
 His grace has Satan's power o'erthrown- 
 We do not "live bv bread alone." 
 
 293 
 
"The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for bright- 
 ness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall 
 be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."— 
 Isaiah, 6o: 19. 
 
 % 
 
 OD'S ancient people learned, 
 
 By symbols and by signs, 
 Which sometimes brought idolatry 
 
 Within their sacred lines. 
 Their idols, feasts and fasts 
 
 Their whole attention caught, 
 As little children often are 
 
 By object lessons taught. 
 
 Thus God spake words to teach. 
 
 Well suited to their way, 
 " The moon shall light no more by night, 
 
 Nor yet the sun by day; 
 The Lord shall be thy Hght, 
 
 Thy captives shall be free ; 
 Thy walls, salvation; praise, thy gates, 
 
 And God thy glory be." 
 
 They understood the sign 
 
 Of having no more night. 
 But when our blessed Savior came 
 
 They would not see the Light. 
 The shadows still were prized, 
 
 The substance cast aside; 
 The Savior's great simplicity 
 
 Was humbling to their pride. 
 294 
 
Some think God far away, 
 
 And only can be reached 
 By ceremonial rites and priests 
 
 And puzzling doctrines preached; 
 But He is always near, 
 
 And teaches every one 
 That we can go direct to him 
 
 Throuofh his illustrious son. 
 
 Christ is our sun by day — 
 
 He is our moon by night — 
 Our great high priest, our sovereign lord. 
 
 Our everlasting light; 
 Our brother and our friend, 
 
 Our shepherd and our guide; 
 O Savior and, Redeemer, keep 
 
 Us ever by thy side. 
 
 295 
 
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when 
 thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in 
 secret." — Matthew, 6:6. 
 
 LONE with God; at dawn of day, 
 He kindly teaches us to pray 
 For guidance in the narrow way 
 
 That leads to heaven above. 
 Alone with God; at busy noon, 
 The passing moments fly too soon. 
 But oh! they are a valued boon. 
 
 Those precious crumbs of love. 
 
 Alone with God ; at silent eve. 
 His promised blessings to receive; 
 Such bliss the world cannot conceive, 
 
 Nor give, nor take away. 
 Alone with God; in silent night, 
 The darkness aids the soul's keen sight 
 To find in Him a better light 
 
 Than sunshine in the day. 
 
 296 
 
Alone with God; at midnight hour 
 
 Wliile sinful unl)elievers cower, 
 
 The Christian contemplates the power 
 
 That triumphs o'er the grave. 
 Alone with God; at any time, 
 At any place, his glories shine 
 And fill us with a joy divine 
 
 That helps the soul to save. 
 
 Alone with God; no matter where, 
 He hears our penitential prayer. 
 And lifts us out of every snare 
 
 To priceless liberty. 
 Alone with God; on land or sea, 
 At home, abroad ; the bond, the free. 
 The rich, the poor, can always be 
 
 Alone, O God! with thee. 
 
 Alone with God ; the boldest fear 
 To falsely speak in His pure car; 
 Just as we are we then appear 
 
 Before His searching eye. 
 Alone with God; there, face to face. 
 We best reveal and find His orrace — 
 Not shouting in the market place 
 
 With wild fanatic cry. 
 
 (20) 297 
 
Alone with God ; there all to gain — 
 Our thoughts unuttered are as plain 
 As when we ask in loudest strain 
 
 His blessings to increase. 
 Alone with God; a quiet psalm, 
 Or gentle tears of holy balm, 
 Like oil that stormy waters calm, 
 
 Will give the supi^liant peace. 
 
 Alone with God; instructions sweet; 
 
 He teaches us to love to meet 
 
 At church and school at Jesus' feet, 
 
 To help us o'er life's road. 
 Alone with Him, we learn to do 
 Just as we would be done unto, 
 And all who that good rule pursue 
 
 Have been alone with God. 
 
 298 
 
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." — Mat- 
 thew, 6: 12. 
 
 / I (ji" ORGIVE as we forgive" — O! let us pause 
 Oj To think of what forgiveness we have shown; 
 And when we pray, remember that small clause, 
 For God to gauge his pardon by our own. 
 
 "As we forgive." How very many say 
 To some repentant one, "Yes, I forgive, 
 
 But never shall forget you went astray. 
 
 Henceforth we can no more together live." 
 
 Or some will hesitate; — they do not know; 
 
 Will see — will think it over; "you're to blame; 
 'Tis very hard for you to treat m.e so, 
 
 I do not think that I can be the same." 
 
 And thus we might, in many ways, disclose 
 Forgiveness on a selfish human plan; 
 
 But God forbid that any one of those 
 
 Should be the kind that He designed for man. 
 
 Forgiveness such as Jesus consecrates; 
 
 Forgiveness such as we wish to obtain — 
 Our Savior plainly shows, where He relates 
 
 The Prodigal's great welcome home again. 
 
 Our reconciliation with our friends 
 
 Should be of such a character as this — 
 
 Full, free, forgiving love that never ends. 
 But daily adds some new found happiness. 
 299 
 
True charity forgets the sinful past. 
 
 The battle o''er, we crown the victor's brow; 
 The spring remembers not the winter's blast, 
 
 Thinks not of what has been but what is now. 
 
 They are the victors who forgive the best, 
 No matter what may be the cause of strife; 
 
 The Savioi"'s signature and words attest 
 Those who forgive obtain eternal life. 
 
 The trials we encounter day b}- day 
 
 Are only tests, our faithfulness to prove. 
 
 "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way;" 
 Forgiveness is that gate, the way is Love, 
 
 Which angels guard, rejoicing at the toll: 
 
 Repentance, Faith, Hope, Charity and Prayer; 
 
 And when we can forgive with all our soul 
 The gate will open, and we enter there; 
 
 And safeh' through, all sin is left behind. 
 
 Then is "our calling and election sure;" 
 No bitter memories of words unkind. 
 
 Our jo}' for earth complete, and heaven secure. 
 
 O let us then that sacred grace impart. 
 
 In fullness such as we desire from heaven; 
 
 No half-way measure, but with our whole heart, 
 " Forgfive as we would like to be forsfiven." 
 
PARTING. 
 
 OU have now your bouquet finished, 
 
 But as yet we have not seen 
 Many of the marvelous beauties 
 
 Tliat surround this lovely scene; 
 Here are mountains of true pleasure, 
 
 There are rivers of delight, 
 Streets of gold and walls of jasper. 
 
 Gates of pearl and jewels bright. 
 
 And away beyond that river 
 
 There still greater wonders dwell 
 Than have yet been seen by mortal. 
 
 Or that living tongue can tell; 
 Still, we get a slight conception 
 
 Of the glories that abound. 
 For the halo of their splendor 
 
 Lights the garden allaround. 
 
 I do hope you'll like the flowers 
 
 That jou've gathered by the way, 
 As we've wandered in God's sfarden 
 
 On this holy Christmas day. 
 And will often feel their frag-rance 
 
 Creeping o'er you as a spell, 
 'Till we meet beyond the river 
 
 Where the greater wonders dwell. 
 
 301 
 
>% 
 
 AU REVOIR. 
 
 Oh wondrous gift of poesy, 
 That as a gentle aura 
 From the inner reahii 
 Falls like a benediction 
 On the hearts of men. 
 
 Old Friend, may this thy volume done 
 Prelude a life work well begun, 
 And all who view its pages o'er 
 Find that which makes desire for more 
 Breathe fondly, sweetly, Azi revoir. 
 
 -Robert Mathesoii. 
 
 
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