^> - <- « ''b. ^ A^ o 0^ , V I « e 1 \ \^ ^^^. <^b^r^T^ ^' ^- * .0 N O ^ %. * .-> ^ *^'^^ 9' . o ^<:.- v^^ ^ ' " ♦ V %'' ^■-.::/ .^•^^ GOLDEN GRAINS, OTHER POEMS. REV. FV C. PEARSON, AUTHOR OF 'SPARKS AMONG THE ASHES." . DLL 23 ih87 sS) PHILADELPHIA: COLLINS PRINTING HOUSE, 1887. r^ Copyright, 18S7, By F. C. PEARSON. All rights reserved. "THE BOOK OF GOD." " Men's books with heaps of chaff are stored, God's book doth golden grains afford ; Then leave the chaff, and spend thy pains In gathering up the golden grains." Selected by Mrs. Elizabeth Pe.\rson. Philadelphia, February 26th, 1854. DEDICATION. To her, the dear companion of my life, For forty years and more my faithful wife ; Who trod the paths of duty by my side, An inspiration fair, a joy and pride; The mother of my children, six in all, Four sons, two daughters, stately, tall, To her who, from my side, went up on high. To dwell with Him who reigns o'er earth and sky, In immortality and beauty fair, At his right hand, to dwell forever there. Bessie, dear name, to thee above, I dedicate this book, these lines in love ; And to thy dear Amelia — mine and thine — Who went before thee to the home divine. May heavenly benedictions from God's throne Follow these leaflets, and their precepts own. As far as His pure law approves their breath, And what He cannot sanction doom to death ! (V) PREFACE. Without any pretension to classic lore, or exalted taste, these lines of varied numbers are offered as a small contribu- tion to the fund of literary leaflets so abundant in this great harvest of the world's manifold and multiform books. They are golden messages of peace and goodwill, and are pub- lished by request of many friends, who have thought that they will be the means of increasing the happiness of those who may read them. It is hoped that my readers may find something to please and profit them when more vigorous thoughts and words may be laid aside for a season, and a lighter literary diet may be enjoyed for a leisure hour. If the volume should incline the minds and hearts of those who read it to a keener sense of gratitude to God, and a greater interest in the ways of God to man, the author's most sanguine wishes will find their fulfilment. r. c. P. (vii) CONTENTS. FACE Beautiful Feet upon the Mountains 1 Pentecost ........... 9 ••Evangel" 15 Voices . . . . . . . . . . .21 Quakers ........... 22 Faith 23 Abraham's Offering ........ .28 Fraternal Faith . . . . . . . . . . 31 Treasures of Hope 32 Definition, 32 ; Constancy, 33 ; Foundation, 34 ; Triumphs, 35 ; Childhood, Youth, and early Manhood's Hopes uncertain, 42 ; Hope of Temperance, 43 ; Women's Christian Temperance Union, 46 ; License of the Lawless Demons, 47 ; Glory in fruition succeeds Hope, 48. Agap^, or Love 49 Gentleness of Love, 50; Patience of Love, 50; Long-suffering of Love, 50; Source of Love, 51 ; An Attribute of Divinity, 52 ; Supe- rior to all other Graces, 53 ; Perfect Love from the Infinite Heart, 53. (ix) CONTENTS. Carnival on Wesley Lake, Ocean Grove, N. J Description of the Lake and Scene, 55 ; Moral of Scene, 56. Baptism in Fletcher Lake Numbers Converted, Revived and Sanctified during the Camp meeting, 61. * Immortality . Death of our Dear Ones A Dream of Flowers Christ's Tenderness The Rose The Brightest Gem The Fairest Flower Fruits, a Threefold Blessing The Philadelphia Park Schuylkill, George's Hill, 85; Historic Mansions and Characters Peters, Morris, Penn, Bonaparte, Samuel Breck, Moore, Jeffer son, Washington, Steuben, Mifflin, Williams, Shippen, Arnold, 88 Fairmount, from Old Basin, 94; Baltimore and Ohio R. R., East em and Western View, 95 ; On the Evening of Independence Day, 96; View of Western Side at Sunset, 97 ; Birds of the Park, 99. Wissahickon Kelpius and Dr. Witt, the learned mystics, " Woman of the Wil- derness" (Hermits), 104; Lover's Leap, Mom Rinkle (a myth, a witch), 105. Only a Step The Stigma Removed Patience FAGB 55 60 62 68 71 74 75 76 79 81 85 106 107 no CONTENTS. xi PAGE It IS I Ill Mother 112 Thoughts ON Autumn - 114 Zephyr 116 The Beauty OF Holiness (from the womb of the morning) . -117 Beautiful Sunsets 1 19 A Rainy Day 122 Sunset 123 Sweet Violets 124 Christian Armor 125 The Divine Faithfulness 127 Apostles' Creed 12S Good Friday 130 Where ARE THE Dead ? 133 A Beautiful Day 135 Journey to Emmaus 136 Adoration 140 Faith, an Acrostic 143 Evening Light 144 Ode to Creation 147 Beauty and Abundance 148 The Divine Law of Harmony 150 " He Careth For You" 152 An Evening Hymn of Praise 153 The Moon i^- xu CONTENTS. PAGE Ode to J. G. Whittier I57 Ode to Edgar A. Poe iS9 Ode to William Cowper i6o Saint Patrick's Day, 1886 162 Ode to New England 164 Poetry, a Divine Creation 166 Eloquence and Elocution 171 Divine Sufficiency i74 Your Mission 176 Six Years in Heaven 178 Odes to May 184 Lost Eden Restored 185 Free will made sin possible, 185 ; Doubt the first sin, God's angry voice, the first promise, 186. Ocean Treasures Wrecks and merchandise. Ocean empires of death, 187; Wealth in many forms, wonders of the deep, 188 ; greater wonders of God's love, voices of the waves subject to the voice divine, 189; Ocean's heaving like the wicked, 191. Day Beams Gettysburg, written impromptu ....... Strife among brothers ; Slavery the cause, entailed by our mother country, 193; The awful carnage, the noble sacrifice of both offi- cers and privates, 194; Meade, Lawrence, Webb, and all immor- talized, 195. Religion 187 192 193 196 CONTENTS. Xiii PAGE To George W. Childs on the Erection of the Monumental Foun- tain TO Shakespeare 197 Childs, prince of editors — Shakespeare, prince of poets, — 198 ; World- renowned shall live forever, 199. Heaven 200 No Time in Heaven 201 Prayer at Close of Day 202 Alphabetical Acrostic 203 Charity . 204 Sweets 205 Charms of Winter 206 What I Love 208 " Dies Cinerum" 209 Lines on Novels • . . .211 Sonnet on the Dying Year, 1874 213 Ode to the Dying Year, 1885 214 Ode to the Dying Year, 1886 215 Hymn to the Helpless 216 Sonnet to Henry KiRKE White ....... 217 Twin Sisters 218 Dying Words OF A. E. P. . . 2x9 " Yes, I AM Happy" 222 On a Wintry Morning 224 The Lord's Prayer 227 Liberty's Altar 228 xiv CONTENTS. PAGE Our Country and its Resources 230 Fourth of July 232 A Golden Good-morning 234 The Last Day of Summer 236 Ode to the late William Purves 239 Ode to Gustavus S. Benson 240 " Lines on Little Things" ........ 241 Ode to Canon Wilberforce 247 Dead Flies 249 On THE Death OF Mrs. Evans 251 To A Sorrowing Friend 252 Centennial Celebration, Sept. 17, 1887 253 A Trip to Fort Wayne 255 Stanley and Livingston • . . 258 Sonnet and Acrostic 260 Home 261 On the Death of Jerome Lindemuth 263 To Mrs. H. A. R— 265 Lines on the Death of Mrs. Crothers 267 BORROWED GEMS (with Original Addenda). Our Treasures 269 " This is not our Rest" 273 Dandelion 275 The Limpet or Little Dish 276 Great and Small 279 GOLDEN GRAINS, OTHER POEMS. BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS." I. Behold the heralds of goodwill to all ! Their feet are clothed in beauty, on the hills, With eager haste, on all the world they call, Their message every heart with rapture fills. Glad tidings sweetly on the mountains rang, The most enchanting music ever heard ; The watchman's voice with charming beauty sang In notes of promise from the holy word. " Break forth with joy, together sing," ye saints, News of salvation to all nations bring ; Proclaim a peace, and silence woe's complaints — Let heaven and earth unite, and praises ring. I I BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Messiah comes to reign in love and power, Among his people over land and sea ; Hail him with gladness ! hail this happy hour! The world's Sabbatic, glorious jubilee ! Beautiful feet of seers and sages. Crowd the mounts of holy song, Publishing along the ages Notes to cheer the inquiring throng. Prophets, with enraptured vision. Saw the coming Saviour's light ! . In their high and holy mission. Shed a dazzling beauty bright ! On the mount of benedictions. Where the matchless sermon rang, Mourners pressed with sad afflictions Jesus' praise with gladness sang! Pentecostal mount of glory. Thronged by feet, and tongues of fire. Shine like hallowed flames before me, Glowing, shining, broader, higher. • BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Beautiful feet, from every nation, To all lands, the earth around, Went forth to proclaim salvation, Matchless word ! — Enchanting sound ! Beautiful feet, on " Mount Ascension," / Feet divine ! with glory shod, Arose (while hundreds gave attention), And ascended up to God ! Beautiful feet of those who saw him. Feet now swift to run the race. Went forth everywhere proclaiming, Jesus' name, who saves by grace. Beautiful feet of heralds crying, Glory to Messiah's name ! With angelic cohorts vying, In the sweet, sublime refrain. Feet that gladly run to carry Bread to hungry children, dear ; Haste in love, and do not tarry. Seeking saddened hearts to cheer ! BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Feet as fleet as hinds or reindeer, Swift to run from danger nigh ; But when duty calls to suffer, Into death or danger fly ! Beautiful feet upon the mountains ! Heralds of the king of kings ! Bearing news of flowing fountains, From the healing water springs. Feet of Moses on the mountain, With Jehovah, where the law Of the Lord to us was given, With sublime and solemn awe ! Law divine ! Love's moral sanction ; Love to God, and love to man; Flaming law of moral action. Law revealing Mercy's plan. Holy law and just and righteous ; ' Teacher of the scheme sublime ! Which by grace points us to Jesus' Saving sacrifice — Divine ! BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Oh what beauty shines around him ! And around his heralds' feet ; On the mountain tops before him, Their approach with joy we greet. Hear the angel chorus sounding, Glory to God ! above ! below ! " Peace and goodwill," by grace abounding. Go and tell it, quickly go ! Prophetic chorus, sing the story : " Lo ! the Desire of Nations" comes. See the heavenly, matchless glory. O'er the hills and temple-domes ! Beautiful feet of eastern magi, With their gifts of shining gold. Come and adore the infant Eloi, With honors that had been foretold. Beautiful feet of holy women. First at Jesus' hallowed tomb, To salute the rising Saviour, Bursting from the sombre gloom. BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Hear the joyous exclamation Of the angels, as they stand At the open grave, awaiting Jesus' resurrection grand ! "Jesus, whom ye seek is risen !" Death could not his body hold He has left the monster's prison, Life eternal to unfold ! Forty days his feet still tarried, In this vale of death and gloom. Then ascended up to heaven, From the dark and dismal tomb. Oh the blessed, risen Saviour ! Now enthroned on Zion's hill ! In the glory of his Father, Where the angels do his will. Oh what glory shines around him. On his throne of love and power ! Where the Cherubim adore him. On his high and lofty tower. BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Crying Holy! Holy! Holy! Flying as they sing and shine; Veil their faces with the lowly, . While they praise the King Divine ! Feet that run from evil tidings, And from dangers flee apace, Find their surest, safest hidings In the smiles of Jesus' face. Beautiful feet, that bear the banners Of the cross, when foes combine ; By their meek and lowly manners, Conquering by their love sublime. Beautiful feet on mount of mercy, Higher than all human hate, Bearing water to the thirsty ; Such as these are truly great. See the feet of her advancing From the wilderness of woe; By her beauty, hearts entrancing. In this desert world below. BEAUTIFUL FEET UPON THE MOUNTAINS. Leaning on the arm of Jesus, Her beloved — clothed in white; Who so lovely and so precious, Sheds on her his glory bright, Clothed in sunlight, clear as whiteness; On the moon, her beauteous feet; On her head a crown of brightness, Glowing stars its charms complete. " Like an army," with her banners, Waving over hills and plains ; See the beauteous feet advancing, Hear the holy, heavenly strains ! Shod with gospel truth and beauty. See her grandly marching on ; Conquering by love and duty, Many battles she has won ! O the sweetness of her music ! Peace and love are on her tongue ; And salvation sounds triumphant, Goodness is their battle-song. II. PENTECOST. The prophet had foretold the glowing flood Of purifying fire which was to come Upon the servants and handmaiden-hood Of the Messiah. — And now the hum Of mighty wind fills all the place around Where they assembled, at their Lord's command, To wait the coming of the gospel sound, Bidding them bear the news to every land. " In the last days," said he, " my Spirit I will pour" On all my people, in the world all o'er ; "And they shall prophesy by visions and by dreams," And all the nations shall behold salvation's streams 9 lo PENTECOST. Flooding the world with cleansing power and grace, Light, life, and beauty to the fallen race. Here men of all lands were gathered in a band, To hear the word of God, and go at his command To preach salvation all the world around, And to all nations bring the gospel sound. "Filled with the Holy Ghost," these heralds spoke, And life and light from moral midnight broke O'er all these lands, whence these believers came, They went forth to proclaim his hallowed name. This baptism of fire, by prophets long foretold, Glowed in their hearts, and onward rolled ; Cleansing, and saving, by its power divine. Consuming dross, and causing light to shine. Amazed and dazzled, many could not see What this could mean ; — what could it be ? Peter, the ardent and impulsive man, Glowing with Spirit light, at once began To tell, with the inspired eleven. That this was that which was to Joel given. PENTECOST. . n " Your sons and daughters shall receive the power To prophesy ;" and the Spirit's shower Shall pour upon his servants everywhere ; And handmaids of the Lord in it shall share. " Day of the Law," on Sinai's mountain given, Day of the Gospel Flood ! sent down from heaven, Day of the promise, left by Christ the Lord, Fulfilled to all that meet in love's accord. In this we see the law and gospel light, Shining in cloven tongues of glory bright ; And hear from every mouth the matchless sound, Salvation's offer to the world, all 'round ! Behold the light on every mortal brow ! Descending, like fire, upon the assembly now ! Hark ! Medes and Parthians join the news to tell. And those who in old Mesopotamia dwell ; Elam, Judea, Cappadocia — all — Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, hear the call ; Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, and Cyrene, Jews, Romans, Proselytes, all join the theme. 12 . PENTECOST. Cretes and Arabians unite to tell, God's wonders, and his praise to swell ! Now flaming tongues, and an intense desire, Kindle in glowing hearts a hallowing fire ; And love, which comes from heaven, a glory sheds, Wherever loving feet the nation treads. " Go preach my gospel !" and baptize, and lo, " I will go with you, whereso'er you go !" " My word shall not return fruitless, and void ;" Not one essential truth can be destroyed; The gospel of goodwill and peace to men, Will surely to its source return again With fruits of joy and peace a hundredfold. And teeming stores of blessedness untold. From hearts all filled with loving flame, And lips aglow with Jesus' name. Like floods of purifying light. Dispelling all the gloom of night ; Till sin and ignorance shall hide, And Jesus clothes his' spotless bride. PENTECOST. ' 1 3 Oh happy messenger of gospel light ! Thy matchless voice makes every thought so bright ; The world unsaved, in sadness and in woe. To thee presents a picture all aglow ! The sky which seems all hung in sable night, Under the eye of faith is morning light. Behold the heathen in their darkness cry For light ! and lo ! the heavenly light is nigh ! Heralds of mercy, bring the " Precious Word !" And nations own that Jesus is the Lord ! Let all the people bring their offerings now, To Jesus Christ let all the nations bow ! Send to the world the light of life Divine ! " The truth, the way," which make the darkness shine. Hail, hallowed name ! that every name excels ; " In whom all wisdom, in perfection dwells !" Sing his abounding grace from shore to shore, Go tell his love to all whose sins he bore ; The tongue of fire has lit the flame abroad. And the dark regions have been led to God ! 14 PENTECOST. Behold the sable lands illumed with light, Where thousands lately dwelt in moral night. See idols fall before the rising Sun ! And many nations shout the victory won ! One God revealed in Jesus' shining face ! And sinners saved by his abounding grace ! One Priest ! one Prophet ! and one reigning King ! All worshippers to him their offerings bring ! Before his throne all men and angels bow, Jesus, high over all, in glory now ! Our only mediator pleads our cause, And bears the stroke of violated laws. " He bore our sins" on Calvary's tragic tree ! And lives forever our high priest to be ! A priest forever ! who for sin atones ! A king ! who all believing subjects owns ! III. "EVANGEL." Evangel of glory, fly swiftly and tell — Let anthems of praises in harmony swell — ■ The tidings of gladness, descending from heaven. Proclaim with the breath by authority given. Let the voice of free grace sound sweetly to men, And the multitudes echo amen ! and amen ! Salvation is purchased, and offered to all. Who repent and believe, and accept the blest call. Ye angels, repeat the sweet anthem again; Let the multitudes join in the precious refrain ! Give glory and honor to God and the Lamb ! Peace on earth is proclaimed by "Jehovah, I Am !" Go tell to all nations that Christ, the Anointed, The Saviour, Redeemer, the heaven-appointed, Has come to deliver from death our last race, And save his believers by riches of grace ! 15 V 1 6 EVANGEL. The King in his beauty from glory descending, Behold ! how his light and his loveliness blending, Fill all the wild wastes with a beauty supernal, Which shines from the face of the Father eternal. Hearken first to the prophets, inspired by the Lord, As they speak of Messiah in God's Holy Word ! Proclaiming the coming of " Shiloh," the King, Their voices in heavenly harmony ring ! Then hearken when Bethlehem's star in its glory, Shines over the wise men and shepherds around ;' Hear the soul-thrilling anthem ! the heavenly story! The matchless, enchanting, enrapturing sound ! Evangel, go forth ! to all rulers and realms ! Till the tide of salvation the world overwhelms ! And the glory, transcendent, descends from above. Eclipsing all others — the triuniph of love ! E VANG EL. 1 7 O lovely woman ! worthy of heroic fame, Thy virtues ever and all times the same ; To know thy graces is to know a prize, Bright as a diadem in a monarch's eyes. Thou art the gem of all thy sex most fair, A paragon among thy sisters everywhere; . Thy tender sympathies with all who mourn, Thy pitying heart for all whose hearts are torn. Make all who come within thy sphere of love Feel the all-conquering Spirit from above ; Moving their souls with sweet responsive glow, Turning the tide of being in a limpid flow. Sparkling and cheering by its living light The sombre soul which sits in cheerless night ; And all around thee feel the hallowing power, Uplifting into light in every gloomy hour. Shine on, thou fair Evangel ! let thy breath Inspire the hopeless, who, almost in death, Are pining under grievous burdens, where Their hopes are nearly crushed by sad despair ! E VANGEL. Tread lightly, where the sick and suffering lie, On beds of pain and anguish ; hear the sigh From agonizing bosoms, stung with grief; Then hasten quickly, and extend relief! Alas ! how sad is many a mangled heart, The victim of rum, pierced by the poison dart; Have pity on the wretched ruined sot ; How sad and sunless is his hopeless lot ! Thy heart is full of mercy, breathing balm ; Thy tender words the angry billows calm. The troubled breast the breath of prayer has heard, And hope revives at thy inspiring word. Oh how divine is thy benign employ. Which fills the stricken soul with " oil of joy." Go on, thou flaming messenger, and tell What endless treasures in religion dwell. O blest Evangel ! who art quiqk to run With nimble feet, and shining like the sun, Hearken ! and see, and fly at duty's call. Thy hands extend to raise the poor that fall. E VANCE L. Hosts of heralds now are crying, Like the Baptist in the crowd; See the thousands to him flying ; Hear the message, clear and loud — " Behold the Lamb of God !" approacheth, To take away all sin and death, Satan's power no more encroacheth, Conquered by Jehovah's breath ! Dying Lamb ! our great atonement ! Sinners reconciled to God ; Hail the long, long-looked for moment — Christ alone the wine-press trod ! In the tomb of Joseph lay him, There to sanctify the grave ; Go and tell to those who slay him, Jesus dies the world to save ! See the feet of Mary hastening. And her sister's sorrowing near ; John and Peter run to see him., But their Saviour is not here. 19 20 E VANGEL. Mary Magdalene heard him Say go tell my friends, and lo ! At the place where Jesus bid them, There they'll find him when they go. Oh the anxious bosoms swelling On that memorable day ; How delighted they are telling Of their meetings on the way ! Cleopas and his colleague now return, O'er rocky road and mountain dew, To meet the others in Jerusalem, Where Jesus said, " Peace be to you " And showed his hands and feet and side, • Pierced by the nails and soldier's spear. Whence flowed out the purple tide For sinners whom he loved so dear. O blessed Lamb ! for sinners slain ! Oh how his heart with love o'erflows ! Was ever love, was ever pain Like that which he for sinners shows ? VOICES. The earth, and all the stars of heaven, Have voices for the ears of nien ; In charming notes, in kindness given, In town and country, grove and glen. These voices o'er the earth around, How varied in their force and kind ; Pleasing with sweet melodious sound. Or grating to soul, and sense, and mind. Some sweet as angel breath, and bland. And others like the north wind's roar ; Sweeping o'er meadow, marsh, and strand. Like waves upon the ocean's shore. Flowers have their voices sweet and bright. Gems speak in dazzling lustre clear ; Stars voice the heavens, in living light, Exciting hope, and joy, and fear. QUAKERS. Ye heralds of goodwill, swift are your feet, On errands cheerful, and with joy to greet The angry elements of hate and strife, And smooth the rugged paths of human life. Hail ! blessed harbingers of peace divine ! Your steps are like the lamps that burn and shine On railroad tracks, which cross each other's ways, Turning the darkest nights to brightest days. Showing how each and all their course may steer Without colHsion, or a cause for fear ; By varied lights, which signal every train, To guide in safety on each curve and plain ; Like rainbow tints in beauty's harmony, In your peace-proclamation all agree. If love's ingenious arts were fully tried. All wars and discords would be turned aside. If all the wasted strength of human wrath Was husbanded and poured upon life's path. FAITH. 23 Like the electric flame that lights our homes, Peace would prevail in all our earthly zones. " Let your light shine," ye " Friends" of Jesus, who. As " Prince of peace," a friend both just and true. Came to this world of woe, and hate, and war. To overcome by love, and save from every jar. FAITH. First-born of all the graces, oh how fair ! Leaning upon her Lord, and resting there ; With holy confidence in his love and might, Securely trusting in the darkest night. As safe when angry billows roll and roar. As when the gentle zephyrs kiss the shore ; Reposing on the arm that holds the helm. Amid the mountain waves that overwhelm. Obedient to the voice Supreme — Divine — Though not one ray of light appears to shine ; Faith's arm-sustaining hope — her sister dear, And charity, another sister, ever near. 24 FAITH. O lovely faith ! in fellowship of love, And hope in God, all other boons above ; Oh how the canvas glows where Christ appears ! With faith, and hope, and love, devoid of fears. Did ever artist, with the pencil show. So much of beauty, with such heavenly glow ? Jesus, and faith, and hope, and love divine, Came down from heaven all beauty to outshine ! Without faith's seal, no virtue can we claim, By faith alone we live in Jesus' name ! And having faith in him, and peace with heav'n, Our souls are justified, our sins forgiven. O faith ! how mighty is thy power to save ! This is our victory o'er the gloomy grave ! Our sins, like mountains, rugged, high, and steep. By thy command are cast into the deep. Our souls, that once in death and ruin lay. Now live in hope of an eternal day ; Faith quenches fire, and stops the lion's mouth. Holds all Heaven's forces, either north or south. FAITH. 25 Says to the sun, "Stand still; to seas divide," And by its power rolls back the heaving tide ; Rebukes the raging fever and the pain. And brings the "widow's son" to life again. When famine stalks triumphant o'er the plain. The prayer of faith brings down the grateful rain ; And when the hungry raise their suppliant eyes, Faith brings the manna from the bounteous skies. When Israel's hosts are parched with burning thirst. Faith smites the rock from which the waters burst. The cruise of oil is wasted, and the meal ; And lo ! they both return at faith's appeal ! The plague of leprosy, with pain and death. Are stayed and banished by faith's magic breath. The lad asleep while Paul was preaching, fell And killed himself; how very sad to tell ! Paul raised the boy from death to life again, By faith in Jesus Christ, the lamb once slain ; O precious faith ! how wondrous ! how sublime ! Which moves the arm Omnipotent ! Divine ! 26 FAITH. Which bows the heavens, by thy august decrees, And brings our bread from mountains, vales, and seas. Faith, in the ocean palace, on the stormy tide, Launches rich cargoes on the billows wide — Trusting the hand that holds the winds and waves, And by his matchless might commands and saves. O Rock of Ages! precious, tried, and sure. From evet lasting thou shalt still endure. Our all on this eternal " ROCK" we rest. Assured that we are safe, secure, and blest. Faith, pledged and plighted in the nuptial hour. Kept sacred by both hearts, is virtue's tower. How pleasant, and how sweet is trusting love. Which in confiding friends (all price above) The heart can trust, and feel responsive rest. Flow from congenial bosoms to our breast. Faith of a father's heart in children dear. What sweet responses his fo'nd feelings cheer ; What noble pride devoted mothers feel, Sweetly they rest, their hearts as true as steel. FAITH. 27 The Son of God amid the fire and flame, When the young Hebrews in the furnace stood; The angel in the lions' den, the same, With Daniel, with the beasts intent on blood. All the slain birds, and beasts, and blood outpoured, Upon the altars of the Hebrew's shrine, Point to one altar, one great All-Adored One sacrifice for sin, the Christ, Divfine ! And thus must needs be slain, or man must die ; Hence Jesus, Son of man, on Calvary slain, Made sacrifice for sin ; and now on high He lives, and shall forever live and reign. He is our light in darkness, sin, and death ; Our prophet, priest, and king, our all in all ; Our only hope ; our life and vital breath, Our help, on whom in all our woes we call. He is our wisdom in our darkest night ; Our strength in weakness, our most faithful guide; Our ever present help, and our transcendent light, And in his bosom we may ever hide. ABRAHAM'S OFFERING. Behold the man of faith ! at God's command, His Isaac on an altar bound by his own hand ! Doth God require that Abraham shall slay His darling son ? All heaven answers nay ! But Isaac was a type of God's own son, Who could not die — the ever-living One ; Divine, eternal, and Almighty Lord ! By angels and archangels evermore adored. In glory with the Father, ere the world began. The first, the last, the God ! Jesus, the man ! The ram was caught and died, a type of him Who died on calvary's cross for every sin. Jesus, " the Son of Man," redemption's price. Opened the way from death to paradise. Christ, the anointed, by his love divine, Gave priceless value to the human shrine. 28 ABRAHAM'S OFFERING. 29 The Father saw the travail of his Son, And was well pleased with what he'd done. Now on the altar is the victim slain, And life eternal, in the Saviour's name. And every bird and beast that on God's altar died Proclaimed salvation through the crucified ; Till Jesus died on Calvary's tragic tree. And rose again for all mankind, and me. The Lamb was slain, and by this act of love, Atonement made, in mercy from above ; He died for all, that all might live again. He rose from death, and shall forever reign. He is our king, our priest and prophet he ! He was and is our Lord, and shall forever be. Hail, thou our light and life ! Hail, holy One ! Thy kingdom come on earth, thy will be done ! Let all the tribes of men and angel choirs Unite to praise his name, and tune their lyres. And join in one loud anthem in the strain. Glory to Him who died, and rose again ! 30 ABRAHAM'S OFFERING. Oh how divine the scheme of sovereign grace, Which saved by sacrifice our ruined race ; In God's own Son the price was paid in love, Exciting wonder in the hosts above. The Father gave his own, and only Son, To save our fallen race, lost and undone, A living offering, in his Son Divine— A dying Saviour ! human and sublime ! He bore our sins on Calvary's shameful tree. That we might be from sin and death set free ; He broke the bonds of Satan's hellish power. That we to him might fly in danger's hour. And by his might we conquer every foe. Daring the darts of death's relentless blow ; The monster falls before the mighty king. Who robs him of his poison darts and sting. FRATERNAL FAITH. Fraternal faith, how beautiful and grand, Brothers and sisters, a confiding band ; Teachers and pupils should in each confide, If they desire the fruit of learning's pride. Counsellors and clients must each other trust. And to each other be both true and just ; Patients and doctors mutual faith must show. Or life and healing must receive a blow." Pastors and people, in faith's bonds combined, Can save the wayward, and the lost can find. In all the ranks of social life and trade, Faith is essential ; and to it is paid The highest honors, and respect of all Who prize success, or dread ignoble fall ; Without faith's shield, wherever we may turn. Dangers and death the eyes of- all discern ; Oh for a faith both human and divine, To inspire true courage in the trying time ! 31 TREASURES OF HOPE. Hope is desire, expectant of some good, Some real or fancied thing of which we would Possess ourselves, and thus increase our joy By the possession of some prize or toy. Hope's basis may be weak, or strong and sure, It may be transient, or it may endure ; May last a month, a week, a single day, And with the short-lived toys may pass away. It may be limited by mortal breath, And never pierce the regions after death ; Alas for hope which never can descry Immortal joys beyond the stellar sky ! Hope based upon the " Rock of Ages," sure. Is ever safe, and rests in peace secure ; While other hopes must fail in sorrow's hour : A hope in Jesus is a " Great high Tower." 32 33 TREASURES OF HOPE. "An ever-present help in time of need," A heavenly antepast — V a friend indeed." O constant hope ! though not eternal, thou Art ever faithful to thy virgin vow. For weal or woe, for better or for worse, Thou art a light, a staff, a friend, a nurse ; While life remains hope still asserts her throne, And never leaves her spouse to walk alone. And when the end of earthly life is o'er, Hope crowns her victor on a fairer shore — " Dear hope ! heaven's dowry, and heaven's debt, The entity of things that are not yet." " Fair hope ! our earlier heaven, by thee, Young time is taster to eternity !" O faithful hope, when clouds o'erhang the skies, Thy hand, still near, presents the glittering prize. Some promised good attracts the longing sight. And through the mists hope sees the shining light ; Some future charms our longing hearts descry. As on the goal we fix our hopeful eye. 3 34 TREASURES OF HOPE. Hope rests on faith, and without faith must die, Despair can never come where Christ is nigh ; " To doubt is condemnation !" — Conscious dread Seizes the soul that from its God has fled. No God, no hope ; but grim despair appalls. And gloomy darkness the sad heart enthralls ; Oh precious hope in Christ, who knows our frame, And in our darkness lights the glowing flame ! My soul be this thy ever sure retreat. Rekindle hope at the bless'd mercy seat ; Come in thy dark forebodings, bow and pray. And all thy sombre gloom shall flee away. Exultant hope ! thy triumph ever near. Steadfast and sure, thou hast no ground for fear ; " Good hope through grace," grace does our hope assure. And everlasting fruits of faith and hope endure. " Distance still lends enchantment to the view," But hope brings near " the mountain's azure hue." " Hope, like an anchor," in the •' Rock" secure "Within the vale," — oh how divinely sure! TREASURES OF HOPE. 35 Though angry billows roll, and tempests roar, Hope, like the rainbow, spans the skies all o'er ; It hears the voice of promise in the cloud, When darkness all the heavens with gloom enshroud. Hope springs from Christ, and cheers the human breast, Man always is, and ever shall be blest. While steadfast hope rests on the matchless name, Which Avas, and is, forevermore the same ! The soul that hopes in God and looks to heaven, Is safe though earth may quake and rocks be riven ! A hope built on the " Rock of Ages," grand Amid the wreck of empires, firm will stand ! 'Tis hope secured ; 'tis heaven's eternal beam ! Shining amidst the mists that intervene ; Bestowed on man, while in a vale of tears, To dissipate and drive away his fears. Indulgent hope, with kindly comfort fraught, Can soothe and silence every anxious thought By expectation of divine bequest, Assured by faith to every troubled breast. 36 TREASURES OF HOPE. Hope of all passions and all graces shines Most constant when the sun of life declines ; Hope, not eternal, but of mortal friends Most faithful, most indulgent, all transcends ! All other friends may flee in danger's hour, But hope will still remain, though darkness lower ; Inspiring hope ! enlivening every grace, Cheering the saddened, sombre-clouded face ; Shedding a halo of divinest glow, Like the arched beauty of the heavenly bow ; Pledge of averted wrath and endless love From the all-gracious throne of God above ! With sevenfold beauty of reflected light Filling the whole horizon with delight ; More precious far than all the dazzling gems In all the kingly crowns or diadems ! A hope in Jesus, whose atoning blood Flowed from the cross in an all-cleansing flood; Uplifting hope ! Almighty in God's might, To raise the fallen to perfection's height. TREASURES OF HOPE. Above despair, and gloom, and grief, and woe, Where no stern mandate can inflict a blow ; Above the angry voice of broken law, Where from the font of life our hope we draw ; Where clouds and mists no more obscure the sun, Since Christ has died to save a world undone ; Here hope's attraction draws by power divine. And grace and sunlight in effulgence shine. Now glorious hope, in undimmed heavenly glow! Over our darkness doth a radiance throw. In which are seen the light and life of man, In him who first conceived redemption's plan. " Hope mounts exultant on triumphant wings," And soars above the mists of mortal things ; And with expectant wish and strong desires. She breathes the purest air, and still aspires, And on her silvery plumes soaring away. Anticipates the bliss of cloudless day ; Each peak and summit, as she rests awhile. Glows with a charm like angel breath and smile. 37 38 TREASURES OF HOPE. From mountain peak she lifts her longing gaze, And sees the heavenly glory all ablaze ; Enraptured hope ! expands her pinions fair, Gazes with undimmed vision through celestial air. Claims heirship with the hosts arrayed in white, Then plumes her wings again for higher flight, Aspires to claim unfading glory's crown. And with the angel choir the throne surround ! There, in eternal life, to join the strain Of " glory to the Lamb who once was slain !" When all things earthly wear a sombre hue, When worldly joys are small, and friends are few, When health is feeble, and our strength is gone, And there seems nothing left to lean upon, Then feeble hope still lifts an upward gaze. And gracious heaven sheds down propitious rays. When home and native land are drenched in gore. And rifles rattle, and loud cannon ro^r ; When sons and sires are called to meet the foe, Hope nerves their arms to deal the conquering blow. TREASURES OF HOPE. 39 When pestilence and famine over hill and plain, Sweep in their deadly march, ten thousand slain ; Hope tills the field, and brings the healing^ balm, Matures the crop, and waves the hero's palm. When fire or floods lay all our temples low, Hope builds our altars, and inspires a glow Of heavenly zeal for more exalted grace, And crowns of glory in that heavenly place. Descend, thou heavenly muse, and touch with sacred fire My heart and soul with hope intense, and strong desire. Glowing with expectation's loftiest look sublime, Beyond the narrow circles of both sense and time. My wishes, aims, and all my aspirations move To sound the depths, and scale the heights of love ; Eternal love ! immeasurable ! transcending far The attributes of earth, or glittering sun or star. Eclipsing all the orbs of borrowed light That shine by day, or dazzle in the night ; Hope is a constant guest, while life or being last, Faith gives our hopes assurance, until life is past. 40 TREASURES OF HOPE. But faith and hope are mortal, and must die, While love immortal reigns above both earth and sky; O love ! thou ocean ever full and wide, Flowing in boundless and all cleansing tide, Embracing all creatures in thine arms divine, Making all worlds in endless glory shine ! Thy name, thy nature, like thy Author's works, declare His glory throughout all his empire, everywhere. And thus the "Written" and "Unwritten Word" proclaim That love, the divinest essence, is Elohim's name ! O Matchless ! Immaculate ! supremely good ! Love to our God, and all the human brotherhood. Both tablets of Mosaic, Moral Law, Agree with nature's book, from which the truth we draw ; And thus in reason's light, illumed from heaven above. We all may read the law, " fulfilled by love." Once more, O matchless muse! of birth divine. Show reason's feeble sight, that both combine In harmony of faith, and hope, and love, To give all glory to one God above ! TREASURES OF HOPE. 41 » And sons of God, and morning stars agree, That " God is love," Supreme, through all eternity ! Then love thy neighbor with a brother's love, And love thy God, all other things above. When all the oil is wasted, and thy bread Is all exhausted, and thy clothing shred By shred, worn and in tatters, and thy bed Is like the dear Anointed's in a humbled shed. With beasts of burden, lowly, poor, and vile, Hope still in God, and he will on thee smile ; Cast thy hope's anchor, trust his constant grace, And clouds will vanish, and his shining face Will scatter all the mists and fogs away. And all thy darkness turn to perfect day. O hope divine ! hope mighty! ever bless'd ! Be thou my constant friend when I'm distressed. Let me not doubt, but trust in boundless grace, When reason's dim vision fails the cause to trace ; Cheer my dull moments, raise my heart on high, Let heavenly constellations light the sky. 42 TREASURES OF HOPE. Auspicious! constant! faithful! heaven-born friend! Let all thy tints of beauty in one magnet blend! Fond childhood's hope ! the expectation dear, Of early manhood fills the heart with cheer. With glowing, fond, extatic, warm desires To be a man, his heart with hope aspires ; The days seem long, the weeks and months like years Tardy each circle of the sun appears. The lad or lass impatient, hopes for youth, And sighs for teens to come, in deed and truth ; Then, soon as youth has perched upon the child, The hope of manhood is more strong and wild. And when young manhood reaches twenty-one, Hope for a life of brightness is begun ; Ambitious hope now soars to mountain peaks ; And wealth, or fame, or power desires and seeks. And if ambition hope's meek seat assumes. Or gilded fame the path of hope illumes ; Alas for hope ! she soars to dizzy heights. Where all her visions are exposed to blights. TREASURES OF I/OPE. Reason gives place to fancy's wild career, Ends in uncertain myths, and hopeless fear ; Mistake not low ambition for hope's aims, Angelic hope has no ambitious claims. But in her pure desires expects to find Food for the soul, and solace for the mind ; Ever on tiptoe, rising to descry Some distant prize appearing to her eye. And with the ken of sage or angel bright Pierces with eye of faith the darkest night ; Let faith in God be ever thy hope's guide, When woes o'erwhelm, and adverse winds betide. Let not thy anchor break or loose its hold ; Let faith's strong cable make thy courage bold ; The " Rock" once riven holds thee ever sure. And faith and hope will make the goal secure. Hope, now triumphant, spreads her pinions fair, And soars above the mists of grim despair ! One monster evil threatens every home, Menacing all our hopes, where'er we roam ; 43 44 TREASURES OF HOPE. Laying his slaught'ring hands on all mankind, Aiming his deadly darts at soul and mind ; And thousands fall by his destroying power, In every Christian land, in every hour. Mothers, and sons, and sires his power appalls, Husbands and wives his dreadful might enthralls; Sisters and lovers fall before his blow, And who can stay his terrors ? none can know. One only power — one arm alone can slay This monster tyrant, and his progress stay ; The arm of God ! by faith, and hope, and love. Three angel sisters sent from heaven above. Faith not in man, whose feet incline to death, But in the name Almighty, by whose breath We live and move and conquer every foe ; In faith, and hope, and love, we onward go ; And sure as God is life, this power must fall. This " man of sin," this giant alcohol ! Hope on, ye heralds, let your' voices ring ; Stand to your arms, ye veterans of our King ! TREASURES OF HOPE. 45 Your hope can never fail which rests upon The God of truth, "who still is marching on." We hope in God, that prohibition's laws May conquer rum and ruin's evil cause. And in the places where they stalk abroad, May temples rise, in which to worship God; If truth is power, and we beheve and hope, We need no longer in the darkness grope. And if we love our race, faith, hope, and love Will raise our vision every doubt above ; Hope, then, in God, and do and dare for him ! And in his name great victories you'll win. Hope, in the cause of temperance inspires Our hearts with noble aims and pure desires ; Hope in our statesmen fills us with a glow That some pure spirit may inflict death's blow Upon this murd'rous spirit and his clan Who have such fatal havoc made on man ! Hail all the armies of the temperance host, Who lead the armies, in whose name we boast! 46 TREASURES OF HOPE. All hail the women's matchless mighty band, Which breasts the tide of ruin in our land ! God send them victory in their holy war Against the onward rolling murd'rous car, Which prostrates more beneath its pond'rous wheels Than all earth's tyrants crush beneath their heels ; Oh may they in their heaven-born war destroy The mammoth monster, and fill earth with joy! O thou majestic queen, assert thy power, And slay the monster monarch of the hour ; Whose heel has trod the millions of our race Into the dust, in sadness and disgrace ! Angels of mercy, in your Christ-led band, Go in the might Almighty to command ! May heaven's own heart be moved by your appeal, And statesmen, all, the nation's anguish feel ! O " Woman's Temperance Union" rise, And lead the hosts till you have gained the prize ; The prize of freedom from the tyrant rum. Beneath whose heel our nation has become TREASURES OF HOPE. 47 A foul misnomer, in its name and laws, And a reproach to freedom's noble cause. What statesman does not blush with manly shame, To think how we disgrace fair freedom's name ? By license of a lawless demon, dread. Which has such doleful desolation spread "* From state to state, from house to house, alas ! Our kindred have been slain by him en masse. O cruel, murd'rous monster, how long, how long. Will thy relentless hand destroy both weak and strong ? Art thou the king of all earth's kings, the bitter foe. With blighting breath to lay all beauty low ? Nay ! thou art doomed to death, and soon must fall Before the power of truth, which conquers all. O God of battles slay this giant power, Speed on the day, bring near the happy hour, Seal thou his fate, and sign his sentence — death ! Subdue his power by thy all-conquering breath ! Enduring hope ! " when yonder spheres sublime Pealed the first notes to sound the march of time, 48 TREASURES OF HOPE. Thy joyous youth began, but not to fade When all the sister planets have decayed ; When wrapped in fire the realms of ether glow, And heaven's last trumpet shakes the world below. Thou undismayed shalt o'er the ruins smile," And seize thy crown " at nature's funeral pile ;" Then hope and faith, and all desire shall end. And life eternal with love's essence blend. Of every good possessed, now crowned above, All other orbs eclipsed by light and love, Nor suns, nor moons, nor mortal lights remain ; "The Lord God, and the Lamb," that once was slain. In light and life transcending every sun. Now shines eternal — God, the Holy One ! In Christ, in whom was life, the light of man, By faith and hope secured by mercy's plan. " AGAPyE." Fair is thy face, and fair thy form, Thou seraph of the ages past; I've heard of thee since I was born, And wondered where thy mould was cast. 'Tis said thou art of peerless price, More to be valued far than gold ; Stronger than faith, and hope, and life ; Thy virtues never can be told. Omnipotent and godlike, thou Canst break the heart of granite down ; By love alone make mountains bow. And melt and mould without a frown. As in a fable we are told, The sun and north wind tried their skill On a lone traveller, young or old. Who — wrapped his coat around him still. 4 49 50 ^ GAP^. The gentle means more potent proved Than Boreas' boisterous, blustering blast ; Like love's mild might has mountains moved, So caused this man his cloak to cast. Soft answers conquer wrath and hate, As Solomon has somewhere said; While grievous words stir up debate And anger, which to strife have led. Love never tires of doing good. And " never faileth" in its aims ; But serves the human brotherhood In all that humane feeling claims. Love makes a ploughshare of the sword. The spear a pruning-hook becomes ; At love's majestic gentle word, A paradise in beauty blooms. Long-suffering Agapae, how fair, How kind and gentle are thy tones ; Hail, beauteous angel- virtue rare, Spread thy white wings o'er all the zones! AGAFyE. O Agapae ! supernal grace ! Fairer than faith, or hope, or might ; In thy angelic, heavenly face Is seen Jehovah's glory bright ! An ocean full of pure delight, A bottomless and shoreless sea ; Where teeming tribes of beauty bright Are bathed in bliss eternally. Bless'd fountain of the life divine, Whence every stream of peace and joy Flows down from Christ, the Living Vine, In purest sweets, that never cloy. The precious, never-failing flood Has watered many a parched land; Has sprinkled many a withering bud, And made the flowers of hope expand. When hope has almost swooned in night, The breath of love has sweetly blown The dying embers into light. And the dark bird of night has flown. 51 52 AGAPyE. Love is an attribute of God, our king ! A law of being which all souls would bring Into his favor, by the price he paid ; By which he seeks to bless all things he made. Love paid the price ! Love, perfect and divine ! Herein is love — here love and mercy shine ! The Father's love in Christ, who died for me ! Jesus, who bore our sins upon the tree ! O matchless love ! the Saviour dying cries, " They know not." — This is love's great sacrifice ! " Father, forgive . . . they know not what they do !' Love's promise sealed in blood, forever true ! Without this seal, no sin could be forgiven ; This tragic seal, which was approved in heaven ! Love's most exalted, most propitious prize, Sinners may live, because the Saviour dies ! To him who once was dead, but rose again. Be glory, honor, praise — Amen ! Amen ! When guilt and shame have rent the heart, The power of love has healed the smart. AGAPM. 53 Love cheers the poor man's humble cot, Though scanty be his daily fare ; Love, even in darkness, faileth not, Earth never raised a flower so fair ; Love, of all passions, strongest proves, In times of danger it most does and dares — Through fires and floods it towards its object moves, Heedless alike of pitfalls and of snares — With eyes intent, of strong desire possessed. The object loved, above all others prized, The leaping heart is never truly bless'd Without its own ; and all else are despised ; In competition with the one most dear, Nothing can to the loving soul give cheer ; Of all the virtues, human and divine, Love is the most exalted and sublime ; Most godlike of all graces ever known, It shines unequalled — perfect in God alone ; In human character, it comes from God, His spirit in the heart is shed abroad 54 And in proportion as it fills the soul, God's image shines, and sanctifies the whole ; The human vessel filled, is perfect love, Descending from the heart of God above ; Perfect in kind, restricted in degree, Filling the finite heart out of a boundless sea ! The fountain ever full, and ever pure. The guilty soul to purify and cure. O blessed words, from heaven to sinful man ! " For God is love !" and love conceived the plan To save a rebel race, lost and undone. By gift unspeakable — God's only Son ! I. CARNIVAL AT OCEAN GROVE. Beautiful lake, with bosom gemmed with charms, Thy sacred banks, where Zion fair extends her arms ; Thy name a synonym of worth and wondrous grace, Clasping all human souls in love's divine embrace. On thy fair bosom float the magic barks in line. While glowing hghts, transparent in their beauty shine; And cottages illumed, along thy banks, with flame, Glow like the immortal Wesley's deathless name. A few dark clouds hang o'er the lake and shade the night, But stars shine out and sparkle, clear and bright, And fireworks flash, in varied colors, all around. Shedding a halo on the thousands that bestrew the ground. Men of all nations in this scene appear, and share, And twice as many of their angel sisters fair ; The rising generation, sprightly girls and boys. Were there to see and hear, and swell the joyful noise. 55 56 CARNIVAL AT OCEAN GROVE. And twice ten thousand all around the crystal lake, Of many minds as varied as the words they spake ; From lips of babes and mothers, saints and sages wise, And on the sparkling carnival were turned all eyes. The varied lights above, reflected in the wave. Like grand Corinthian columns, in some temple's nave ; The whole appeared like submarine cathedral grand, Excelling every terriple in our widespread land. The tints and shimmer of the fairy scene, all o'er. Defy description ; and the classic torch-lit shore And lake are like the moral sea, and system fair. Arising to our mental vision everywhere. A wonder in the world — a sea of beacon light. Shedding along life's rolling ocean, clear and bright, The burning, shining, hallowing gospel power. By flaming heralds in this " Ocean Grove" and bower ! One of these shining lights, a hallelujah rang,* Another of the "Transfiguration" mountain sang, A third, from Jesus' matchless mountain sermon drew A glimpse of what to " ask, and seek, and knock" will do. * Preached on Hallelujah. CARNIVAL AT OCEAN GROVE. 57 A fourth of powers and forces spake sublime, And showed how Jesus' saving power divine UpHfts, refines, exalts from sin, and grief, and death, And gives his saints eternal life by his own breath ! One spoke of rocks ; " One Rock !" excelling all, On which whoever builds his temple cannot fall ! O blessed Rock ! O blessed lakes and ocean grand ! O blessed gospel ! let thy cleansing floods expand ! Let all the tribes of Israel join to swell the strain Of praise to him, the Lamb that once was slain ! Supernal name ! who gave the gospel's matchless sound ! And sent his heralds to proclaim it 'round and 'round ! A glorious host of "voices in the wilderness !" Shine on, ye sons of light! the world to save and bless ! Blow yet the trumpet ! let the nations hear ! Bring in the grand Sabbatic Jubal year ! The glitter, glow, and flash around this crystal lake, In which the boat-boys such an interest take. Are a most brilliant illustration fair Of what the world can witness everywhere. 58 CARNIVAL AT OCEAN GROVE. The whole exciting scene lasts but an hour ; Then vanishes in mists, from lake and bower ; While stars above have shone from age to age, Shedding their halo on the world's wide stage. Oh ! what a contrast here attracts the eyes, Between the earth's dim glory and the skies ; But all earth's tapers and the stars must fade In his eternal light, whose power has made The myriad worlds that roll and shine above. Dispensing floods of glory from a font of love ; And when his new creation shall appear at last, And time shall be no more, and death is past, Then sun, and moon, and stars no more will shine, But light and life eternal from the Heart Divine ; Oh for the grace to see, and feel and know. That all our lights and pleasures from him flow ; Whose blood has bought our ransom on the tree, Whose boundless love flows like the rolling sea ; Yea, whose unequalled power, and matchless grace Transcend all oceans, and fill every p lace CARNIVAL AT OCEAN GROVE. 59 Where human, fallen, feeble, frailty reigns, Or any creature feels the tyrant's chains. thou Almighty, all-atoning Lamb ! Life of the world ! thou great adored " I AM !" 1 see, in all my little lights, thy face, Thy glory bright, by riches of thy grace. My Way, my Life, my all, my " Alpha" thou. My " Omega," to thee alone I bow ! O Thou whose love conceived the matchless scheme, Be thy transcendent grace my constant theme ; " The things unseen, eternal ^ and sublime, Raise my fond heart above the heights of time. Absorb my soul with never-dying life. Slay the fell monster death, and end the strife ! II. BAPTISM IN FLETCHER LAKE. At " Fletcher Lake," hallowed with saintly name, Some primitive disciples gathered day by day ; Not cultivated like the man of kingly, matchless fame, Who for the " King Eternal, made straight the king's high- way." But in their simple faith in Christ, a buried Saviour, They went down in the flood to rise into his favor ; And from the liquid grave they came with shouts of glory, And went forth to the tents around to tell salvation's story. And others on and near this consecrated shore. Rose from the lowly land of doubts, to doubt no more. Here some have slept in Jesus, and crossed the sea of time, To join the hosts on Canaan's heights, the land sublime ! 6o BAPTISM IN FLETCHER LAKE. 6 1 Five hundred new-born heirs of God Upon these shores have been forgiven ; Five hundred more, who feared the Lord, Have found a brighter hope of heaven. And twenty thousand souls and more Have felt the hallowing fire of love ; Glow brighter in their bosom's core, These ten days' feasts at " Ocean Grove." Like boundless surging seas that lave These ocean shores from year to year ; So grace abounding comes to save, Many who come and gather here. O wondrous ocean ! deep and wide, How vast thy stores of life and treasure! But oh how far the flowing tide Of boundless grace exceeds thy measure ! IMMORTALITY. O MAN ! with all thy reason and thy might, Thy passions, sympathies, and hopes so bright, Thy grand conceptions so sublime and high, Are all th\- attributes to fade and die ? Why, then, when all these conscious powers of mind Are in full vigor, but in flesh enshrined, Why does the reasoning soul such powers display, In the last moments of life's closing day ? Does instinct point the fowls to distant climes, And mock the reasoning hopes that thrill our minds? Do worms prepare tlieir tombs, and live again, In beauty and in brightness over hill and plain? And reasoning man live not beyond the tomb. But sleep forever in oblivion's gloom ? Oh no ! all nature echoes with immortal sound. Ten thousand voices speak forth from the ground ! 62 IMMORTALITY. 63 Instinctive, every creature shrinks from death, And man immortal lives by God's own breath ; Jesus, as man, for man, did surely die, Then rose to live and reign o'er earth and sky. All nature feels in death the stern decree, All nature shouts o'er death the victory ! In Adam all must die, in Christ all live ; He is our life, and he will surely give To all who in his grace devoutly trust, Eternal life; from sin, and death, and dust! Seas, oceans, mountains, rivers, lakes and rills. In solemn voices sound from valleys and from hills Of life in every region, rising from the ground ; And every seed and every weed echoes the welcome sound. Each bud and germ on every vine and tree Speaks of the universal law of immortality. There is in every tiny seed, and simple flower, The pledge of life from death through Jesus' power. "The earthly house dissolves," but life remains. And in his death, the man of God, eternal life regains. 64 IMMORTALITY. " For me to live is Christ, to die is gain ;" To leave the body, is with Christ to reign ; "Absent from the body, present with the Lord," Are precepts written in God's holy word. Sweet spring, most charming season of the four, The time of birds has come to us once more ; Now trees, and plants, and vines begin to show That life and force along their branches flow. The germs of grass and grain now burst the tomb. And soon the sombre shades of death will bloom ; Behold ! where late, all o'er the vale and hill, The myriad germs were motionless and still. Through all the long, long months (cold and severe), There seemed no signs of life, and all was drear ; But sun, and light, and warmth, in nature's time Bring forth the teeming hosts in ranks sublime. Now, at the bidding of a silent voice, In rising embryo, vales and hills rejoice ; And tiny seeds, that in their beds have lain, At the All-Father's whisper wake again ! IMMORTALITY. 65 Seasons and cycles, roll through day and year, Millions of puny mortals on the stage appear, Fulfil their mission, and lie down in death. Yielding to him who gave their vital breath. They slumber in his arms, and rest awhile. Till at his word they wake to meet his smile ; As mothers lay their babes in downy bed. And then withdraw, with soft and careful tread, So our all-gracious, kind, and watchful Friend, Our couch, our pillow safely doth attend ; And when the waking morn returns again. He will reveal to us his loving ken. Is sleep a dark, unconscious state of death ? Does nature have no dreams, when slumbering breath Suspends the action of this mortal frame ? Such immortality is but a name! A state of sleep is conscious rest, and life. Free from the toils and cares of busy strife ; In the angelic guardianship divine, Till soul and body shall again combine. 5 66 IMMORTALITY. " History repeats itself," from age to age, And everywhere along this world's wide stage, " Where all are parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body nature is, and God the soul." Man dies, but lives again — immortal he, Through Christ, who lives through all eternity ; See all the teeming tenants of his will. His laws obey, his high behests fulfil. Except where creatures (moral agents made). Have dared the terrors of Jehovah's blade ! " Angels who left their first and grand estate," And fell from heaven (alas their awful fate !) '' In chains of darkness!" till that dreadful day, " When like a scroll, the heavens pass away !" Eternal bliss suspended on man's choice. Hark ! the Divine decree, from mercy's voice ! " Whoever will, may freely drink, and live !" Free grace to man, without man's works will give Pardon and peace, by faith alone in him, Who made all things, angels and seraphim. IMMORTALITY. 67 " He who was dead, and is alive again," And ever lives above, to intercede for men ; He is our risen Lord, our Life, and Power ! Our Shield and Buckler, and our great high Tower I God of the quick, not of the dead is he ; Where he resides, his own must also be ; Not in unconscious sleep, but spirit Hfe, Beyond the powers of sin and mortal strife. " In Abraham's bosom," fellowship of love. Comforted, like Lazarus, with the saints above ; In sweet communion with our Living Head, No more among the sorrowing and the dead. Are all the sleeping saints (since Abel died). Unconscious in the dust, or seas, or tide ? Nay, nay, this cannot be ; " to die is gain ;" And Abel lives, though by his brother slain ! Lives with the Lamb who died for dying man. The sacrifice for sin, symboled by Abel's lamb. All the believing saints, who sleep in hope. Are with the Lord, who death's strong bands he broke. 68 DEATH OF OUR DEAR ONES, Yea, all who die in faith, in life arise, To be with Jesus Christ in Paradise, Where the repentant thief by mercy lives The fellowship of faith which Jesus gives. DEATH OF OUR DEAR ONES. Oh that some healing power Would bind the arm of death ! And stay the fatal hour That stops the vital breath ! Is there no power in science To ward this tyrant's blow, To hurl at death defiance, • And let the captive go ? Can art retain a shadow, And not the substance save ? Must all material beauty Go down into the grave ? DEATH OF OUR DEAR ONES. 69 The shadows of our loved ones Are photographed to show, The images of bless'd ones, Once sufferers here below. Those shadows only tell us Of beauty more divine ; In everlasting pleasures, Which stars and suns outshine. Those forms, once full of promise. Have gone to bloom on high ; Their shadows still remind us That we are born to die. This is a world of shadows ; The substance cannot stay ; .Heaven is the state eternal. And Jesus is the way ! There is a healing power That breaks the arm of death. And stays the fatal hour That stops the vital breath ! 70 DEATH OF OUR DEAR ONES. That power is faith in Jesus, He breaks the tyrant's blow ; His hand from death releases, And lets the prisoner go. ' Death is no more a conqueror, Since Jesus died to save ; And rose to show the monster His victory o'er the grave ! Our dear ones in " God's Acre" Sleep sweetly, like the corn ; And at the trumpet's sounding, They '11 rise to meet the morn. The fairest forms that slumber Beneath the mortal clod Will put on robes of glory In the image of our God. All those who sleep in Jesus Shall rise in beauty fair, And in immortal splendor A crown of glory wear ! A DREAM, They'll sing the song, supernal, And praise our conquering KING, Who died, and rose to save us, And robbed death of his sting ! We'll wave the palm in triumph, And shout the conflict o'er. And cast our crowns before him Who lives to die no more. 71 A DREAM.* I DREAMED of flowers of varied hue, In clusters rich, white, red, and blue ; And blending shades of richest dye, Azure and gold, like gilded sky. A matchless garden, and all o'er Were beauteous buds unseen before ; And while ten thousand blossoms bright Appeared in view, the most were white. * By F. C. Pearson, Jan, 8, 1875. A few months after the death of a lovely daughter of 21 years. -J 2 A DREAM. It seemed a paradise so sweet, Where life and beauty love to meet ; My eyes were feasted, and my soul Was filled with joy, beyond control. Of all the gardens I had seen. None ever were so fair and green ; The varied beauty of the place Was fully spread before my face. Wlien to my gaze a lovely form Appeared amidst tliose beauties rare ; And in that garden home I saw My dear Amelia, bright and fair ! And some sweet voice tlien seemed to say, " This is thy daughter's home above ;" And here, amid eternal day. She dwells in everlasting love. No more tlie cold and pinching blast Can ever blight the blooming flower ; No cloud or shadow can o'ercast That Eden home, tliat heavenly bower. A DREAM. There shines among the white-robed throng Our lovely one, in heaven's own grace ; And in the sweet redemption song, Sings Jesus' praise before his face. O lovely land of life and light. Where fruits and flowers divinely fair. In ever blooming beauty throw Their fragrance on the balmy air. How sweet to dwell in such a place. Where bliss immortal fills the soul, Where, in the light of Jesus' face, She lives while endless ages roll. 73 CHRIST'S TENDERNESS. How tender are the Saviour's words To all who need his grace ; He speaks to every saddened heart Of all our ruined race ! To those who are by sin cast down, The mourning and the poor ; " Blessed are tliey that mourn," he said, Your comfort shall be sure. " Let not your hearts be troubled" here, Believe in God, and he Will first prepare for thee a place, And then he'll come for thee. And in his many-mansioned house. Which he went to prepare, A place of everlasting joy Thou shalt forever shclre ! There, where no sickness, sighs, or pains Afflict the ransomed throng, In heaven, where Christ forever reigns, You'll sing the new, new song ! 74 THE ROSE. How sweet the rose, And yet how frail ; How lasting its perfume ! Its sweets disclose And scent the gale, When it has ceased to bloom ! So like the rose. How frail am I ! How transient is my breath ! Then may my life Some good supply To cheer the vale of death ! And may my end Be like the rose, That leaves a long perfume ; Or like rose oil Poured on the air. When it has ceased to bloom. 75 THE BRIGHTEST GEM. 'Tis not the diamond of first water, Glittering and flashing in the diadem ; Nor the bright star of dazzling beauty, Which is the richest, purest, brightest gem. 'Tis not the rose whose beauty has been sung By old Anacreon in his classic Greek ; Nor lily fairest of all flowers among The gardens, whereso'er we seek. 'Tis not the pearl of ocean's gems the queen, Nor is it the bright jasper, like sunlit air ; 'Tis not the emerald of matchless green, Nor yet the turquoise, which is blue and rare. But it is this, the tear of love divine On Jesus' cheek from heart of pity wrung; Above all gems this will forever shine, And its supernal beauty evermore be sung. 76 THE BRIGHTEST GEM. 'Tis not the tear on beauty's cheek, Nor is it found in ocean's bed ; Nor on the mountain's lofty peak, Nor in the paths where heroes tread, 'Tis not of earthly mould or form. Nor found in all the realms of art ; It may be found in calm or storm. Its throne is ever in the heart. 'Tis not the glittering diamond That in the conqueror's crown may flash; Nor the uncertain, sordid bond Of human love or worldly trash. It is the spark of love divine, In human souls on earth forgiven ; The gem that all earth's pearls outshine, The agapae that comes from heaven. 'Tis Christ's undimmed, undying love, That bought redemption's peerless prize ; Immortal gem ! from heaven above, The brightest gift from all the skies. 77 78 THE BRIGHTEST GEM. 'Tis fairer than ten tliousand fairs, Its value none can ever tell ; No eartlily gem with it compares, Its beauties all the gems excel. More bright, more rich, and fairer far Than all the beauties eartli can boast ; More glorious than the brightest star That shines among the stellar host. 'Tis love ! the essence of God's name, Love the supernal fount of bliss ; Love now, and evermore the same ; No gem can be compared to this ! The tear on Jesus' loving face. From his fond heart of pity w'rung, More potent is our tears to chase, Than all tlie pearls that e'er were sung. Go tell tlie mother, who has kept Sad vigils o'er her dying babe; Go tell her that her " Saviour wept," When Lazarus in tlie grave was laid. THE FAIREST I'LOWER. He weeps no more, but still he feels A sympathy with sorrowing hearts ; And by his soothing balm he heals Their wounds, and all their painful smarts. Go tell the widow in her woe, Heart-broken at the sable bier ; Go tell her "Jesus wept," and lo ! He'll wipe the sad and falling tear. 79 THE FAIREST FLOWER. 'Tis not the rose of which the poets sing so oft, And plume the muses with extatic wings; To soar and sail on beauty's breath aloft. Above the glitter and the pride of kings. 'Tis not the lily, fair and fragrant though it be, Sung by the bards in most exalted lays ; Sweet in its rich perfume and purity, Breathing a silent song of purest praise. 8o THE FAIREST FLOWER. 'Tis not the woodbine nor the violet sweet Which fills the air with such exquisite smell ; A benediction which our senses greet, Where'er it grows, in garden, glade, or dell. 'Tis Virtue ! heavenly flower ! more pure and sweet Than all the flowers of orchards, trees, or vines ; Fair as the face in which all untold beauties meet, The face of him who every flower outshines. Hail, conscious Virtue, ever dauntless maid ! Wherever thy abode in light or shade; No fear of wrath, no slave of constant dread, No gloomy cloud of vengeance o'er thy head ! " Void of offence," thy conscience always clear, Sweet is thy peaceful rest from slavish fear; Wrath all averted, bosom reconciled. Thy Father's bow salutes his loving child ! Angelic Virtue ! messenger divine ; In thy fair face all heavenly graces shine ; The pearly gem that sparkles in thy eye Charms into silence every groan and sigh. FRUITS, A THREEFOLD BLESSING. 8i O matchless Virtue ! child of heavenly mould, Thy name and nature scarcely can be told ; The fairest flower that blooms on earth below, Fairer than lily white or virgin snow. FRUITS, A THREEFOLD BLESSING. What charming beauties lie in fragrant fruits, A dainty charm that every palate suits ; A triple luxury of matchless grace, In these delightful gifts of God we trace. They please the sight and taste and smell, And cause the heart with joy to swell ; And thus a threefold blessing bring To page and peasant, sage and king. Some in their tints of green and gold, Exquisite charms to us unfold ; And others like the azure blue, Present an almost heavenly hue ; While others still, in white and red, A mingled glow of beauty shed ; And still again the crimson dye. And scarlet blush to please the eye ; S3 FHUITS, A THREEFOLD BLESSING. Thus Father, Son and Spirit, Triune God, These threefold blessings to our senses gave ; That we his children scattered all abroad, Should have delights in what our senses crave. How beautiful the clustering grapes appear, When autumn teems with fruits of every clime ! How grateful to the taste of mortals here, These fruits abundant from the hand Divine ! The melon, growing on the sandy soil, A fount of water to the toiler brings; And thus, with but a little patient toil, The thirsty find abundant water springs. Not from the rock, but from the tender vine. Comes forth tlie life stream in the wilderness, The living water better far than wine. The weary traveller to refresh and bless ; Both rocks and vines, as well as trees and ores, At God's command produce abundant stores; Our Fatlier's wisdom and his goodness shine In all his works and ways, oh how Divine ! FRUITS, A THREEFOLD BLESSING. 83 Behold the produce of a thousand lands All creatures feed, from his benignant hands ! And with our food our eyes a feast enjoy, More precious tlian a human tinseled toy ; Threefold each fruit in beauty, taste, and smell, From his kind hand that " doeth all things well." How matchless are his mercies and his love. Who showers his blessings from his hand above. On all his creatures, wheresoe'er they roam. Under the starlit skies or heavenly dome ! To beasts' and birds, insects, and creeping things, He gives their food, their feet, their hands, their wings ; By him they creep or walk, or run or soar. And when they lack or need, he gives them more; To all that have desires for goodly things. His hand he opens and the treasures brings. O Thou ! who hast such beauteous treasures made, Teach me to choose the joys that never fade; Give me the wisdom to admire and love All thy creation, round me, and above; 84 FI^riTS, A THREEFOLD BLESSING. And give me skill to see and taste alone The fruits not interdicted by thy throne; Fair fruits of Virtue springing from thy grace, That shine by the reflections of thy face ; Fruits of thy Spirit in my soul and mind, That lead my heart to love all human kind ; And fruits of industry in peace and health, Better than all the stores of idle wealth. And while I travel through this mortal vale. And tliese thy gifts my senses thus regale. Exciting wonder while I taste and see These blessings, from thy hand, a trinity. My soul adore and bless the Holy ONE, Who gave/^;- all his Well Beloved SON ! THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. Behold the modest river, Sparkling in the sun; And all along its classic banks, For many miles the hum Of busy boys and girls, In playful glee around ; While turnouts gay, where'er you stray, And prancing steeds abound ; And walks, and drives, and hills, and glens, In beauty everywhere, Invite the lover and the sage. Their varied bliss to share. The weary, after long, long strolls, May here on moss recline ; The hungry spread the sumptuous board. And sit them down to dine. 85 86 THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. The artist here with pencil paints The picturesque design ; Where, in one city garden, spreads A scene almost divine. Here trees and plants from every clime Excite the wondering eye; And here, o'er miles of crystal streams, The graceful oarsmen ply. And while the thronging thousands here May roam, or ride, or sail ; Vast cities of the dead appear. O'er hill, and glen, and vale. A million sleepers throng these shades. And wait the trumpet's sound ; A million human living souls Share title to the ground . Here springs of purest waters flow, From hillside and from dell ; Of all the fountains earth can boast. These nothinsr can excel. THE PARK AND ITS BE A UTIES. 8/ At George's Hill, on a clear day, A well-skilled eye may see A wealth of beauty, quiet worth, And comfort, hope, and glee. Some cities larger, grander are In some things than our own ; But none can boast a park so grand Except the " Yellowstone." Thank Heaven for such a noble gift! To bless both rich and poor ; Let all who share the blessings strive To make the gift secure. Guard well the treasure ; let it be To healthful past-times given ; And let the monster alcohol Be from its portals driven ! From Hermit's Rock to Fairmount Dam, And all along these sacred hills, Stand many monuments of pride Among these classic brooks and rills. 88 THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. Historic mansions, old and grand, Speak of the names to memory dear ; Peters and Morris graced this land, These men of noble name lived here. And here John Penn, in •' Solitude," A poet, and a gentleman. The great-grandson of William Penn, Who owned this city, and who drew its plan. And Landsdowne mansion burned by boys In eighteen hundred fifty-four. Between Sweetbrier and George's Hill, On two hundred acres, less or more. Here Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain, Held title till Ashburton came. From whom our city bought the claim, And it is now our own domain. And Samuel Breck of Sweetbrier Farm, A name which has a special charm ; Born in that city where the tea was drowned, A famous place, for liberty renowned. THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIE6. 89 Taught in " Sorenze-Grand Military School," Alike accomplished to adorn and rule ; In all the graces of his times he shone, Equalled by few, he was excelled by none. The peer of nobles in Sardinia's land. Of gentle mould, a model statesman grand, He gave his state the service of his mind. And showed a heart to love the deaf and bhnd. He drew the bill for Pennsylvania schools, And for our State improvements made the rules ; The final freedom of our slaves at home Was gained (in Pennsylvania) by him alone. His farm at Sweetbrier showed what he could do, To improve his own domain, and others too ; He cultivated here science and arts sublime. And in his leisure hours both music and design ; His courteous manners and his noble soul, Gave him an influence and a strong control Among the men of state, and high degree. And none were more beloved and prized than he. 90 THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. His life of ninety and one years and more, Compassed all interests from shore to shore ; He knew all changes and chief magistrates, From Washington to Lincoln, in all our States ; He, when a child, and in his nurse's arms, Witnessed the smoke of " Bunker Hill's" alarms ! And when " Fort Sumpter's" ruins lit the flames Of civil war, by which were broken slavery's chains, This man received and welcomed " Abraham," Whose voice proclaimed emancipation's plan ! Through many long, long years of noble name, This patriotic prince of matchless fame, Changeless in his devotion to his country stood, The friend of freedom, noble, just, and good ! And his last words in those dark days of strife, " What of my country ?" thus he closed his life. Play children ! play ! remembering who lived here, A man of peerless, priceless life, sincere ; Who by his generous deeds and legislative rules, Gave to our State and City all our common schools ; THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. 9 1 Who wrote the laws by which our State was freed From slavery's foul and fulsom acts and creed ; Remember Samuel Breck, your friend, lived here, Beloved of men and children far and near ! His name as ointment poured upon the air, Makes fragrant Sweetbrier Farm and everywhere ; He lives in all his acts and godlike ways ; — His institutions on our home a light displays. What glory shines in lives of moral light ! Like flaming stars they deck the moral night ! Shedding a lustre dazzling, clear, and fair. And every nation may this halo share. Among the immortal names renowned in story, A bard of Erin sang of birds, and trees, and flowers, Along the Schuylkill banks, where names of glory Adorned the glens, and hills, and shady bowers. A cottage near the river bank stands lonely Upon the western side near Belmont Glen, Here Moore, the bard, for a brief period only. Shed his poetic lustre 'mid immortal men. 92 THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. 'Twas in this lowly cot he sang so sweetly Of curling smoke above the verdant elms ; " If peace on earth is to be found (completely) 'Tis here" (when grief and woe the soul o'erwhelms). Not far from this famed cot, another " Solitude," Where Penn, the poet, wrote his classic lays, And in the cosey home, where none intrude, He spent his studious and inspiring days. He was the offspring of our broadbrim friend Who founded our fair city, and our Keystone State ; In glory's annals with our sires to blend, A synonym of peace, the foe of wrong and hate. In sight of this far-famed enchanting river, Morris and Jefferson, Breck and Washington Have left their names as benedictions ever Entailed upon us by the deeds they've done. And many more, whose wisdom shone in brightness, Dwelt in this land, along these banks serene ; Shedding their rays with more than silvery whiteness. O'er all the elite along the purling stream. THE PARK AND ITS BEAUTIES. ■ Names such as Peters, Steuben, and a host Of revolutionary fame, this region grace ; And here a Mifflin and a Williams boast Alliance with a grand and valorous race. A peerless constellation of heroic fame. With bright escutcheon and untarnished name; But here, where dwelt the noblest, grandest men, A venomed serpent traitor (Arnold) had his den. Alas for classic Fairmount Park ! One figure, demon-like and dark, Haunts beautiful Mount Pleasant fair, A name repudiated eveiywhere. •« A druggist, soldier, trader in the West, And now a General" (in armor dress'd). Handsome, extravagant, involved in debt, A brigadier, a brave ambitious pet," Here sought and gained a fair young bride. Who was with all her friends a joy and pride. Alas ! she knew him not ! A traitor knave ! More vile than any crouching coward slave ! 93 94 FAIRMOUNT. " Always in trouble," now court-martialed, he Conceived a plot that sealed his destiny ! Betrayed his country in its gloomy hour, And suddenly he fell from rank and power. Of high ambition, with a ruined name, Arnold the traitor, lost to honest fame ; — The fair Miss Shippen doomed to grief untold, Deserted by him who had his country sold. FAIRMOUNT. From the old basin through the twilight gray, Where Schuylkill and its banks a view display Of beauty to the eye in blending hues Of clouds and sunshine through the mists and dews ; As in the evening twilight, Phoebus' rays Flash o'er the hills at close of summer days ; Shedding a halo on the woods and stream, While in the waters sparkling beauties gleam ; FAIR MOUNT. 95 Here on the western side the railroad lines Bestrew their tracks with varied lights that shine ; And moon and stars, and bright electric lights Reflected in the flood, make days of nights. And on the eastern side the B. & O., By day with sunlight, and by night aglow, With bright electric flame turn night to day, While busy toiling men construct the way For railroad lines along our fairy stream. To improve our commerce by a skilful scheme. Now turn your gaze, my readers, fair and wise. Eastward and westward,- and behold the land ! Northward and southward in its bosom lies, A rich inheritance most nobly grand ! Thirty-two hundred acres yours and mine ! Ten miles along these life streams spread ; Where day and night, nature and art combine, A dazzling beauty on these haunts to shed ; 96 FAIR.VOUXT. The sun by day, the moon and stars by night ! The varied hghts, all colors, and all kinds, Reflected in these limpid waters bright, Feast and o'erwhelm all meditative minds. Millions of shrubs, and plants, and trees, and flowers, In varied beauty in this park are found. And in the streams, and fields, and lawns, and bowers, Fish, fowls, and insects everywhere abound ; From tliis refreshing stream one million drink The limpid life-flood, and along its brink As many sleep as live and move around. In search of pleasure o'er this classic ground. At Fairmount basin, on a festive eve, When Sol had sunk behind the western hills, I sat and gazed upon the moon's pale face, And thought of Schuj-lkill's brooks and rills ; As through the valleys, many miles away, Its bosom by the little springs and brooks Is often cheered and fed, as day by day, The little rivulets spring from their nooks. FAIR MOUNT. rjj And in the silvery light of Cynthia fair This sparkling river ^33.-AtA like the gems That deck the robes that monarchs wear, Or like the diamonds in their diadems ; The stars were mirrored in the stream below. And rockets rose from boat-piers near the dam, And Lemon Hill's great chandelier aglow, While all along these classic banks sweet music rang. The western side, with miles of railroad lines. Like grand kaleidoscope in beauty shines ; On both sides of the river far away. The varied verdure and the forest iay. Blending their beauty in the twilight hue * Of blushing sunset, golden, green, and blue ; And rays of glory from the King of day. Expanding far in grand supreme display. Here in the cool, sweet zephyr, side by side, Sat many lovers in their youthful pride. Telling their oft- repeated lower notes o'er, In fond embraces on this classic shore. 7 98 FAIRMOUNT. These arbors, slopes, and seats, could they but speak What thrilling secrets would their voices break ! \\'hat sweet ecstatic bliss, what untold charms, Have crowned these moments in each other's arms ! O Love ! thou exquisite, delightful thing ! What tender meshes 'round thy captives cling ! Thy power a prisoner holds each willing heart, That hails with raptures thy bewitching dart ! And willing captives in thy arms they lie Who from thy bow receive the shafts that fly, Transported with the arrows from thy quiver. Delighted in captivity forever . O " sweet captivity !" O Love sublime ! Raise our affections to thy throne divine. BIRDS OF THE PARK. " The red-tailed hawk and sparrow-hawk are rare, The mottled screech-owl, bird of night, is there; The downy woodpecker, red-headed bird ; Golden-winged flicker here is seen and heard ; King-fisher, robin, and the blue bird, all Seen in the summer, and sometimes in fall ; The cedar-bird, brown-creeper, and the wren. White-bellied nuthatch, black-cap, titmouse, then The meadow-lark, and thistle-finch, and thrush, Song-sparrow, cardinal red-bird in the bush ; Crow, cuckoo, rain-crow, and the chimney swallow; The night-hawk, king-bird, and the common swallow, The yellow warbler, yellow throat, and dove, Pewee and humming-bird, here nimbly move; Pine finch, white-throated sparrow, and cat-bird. Some beautiful to see, some to be heard; And many more unnamed, our park contains. And some, I cannot tell what are their names." LOFC. 99 WISSAHICKON. » Of " Wissahickon, Fairy Land," I sing: Where bubbling springs and rippling streamlets flow ; Enchanting by their merry magic ring, Between vast rocks their limpid waters flow. Here the tall pines and poplars grow sublime, And ivy green clings to these stately trees : And trailing-sweet-arbutus creeping vine Its fragrance pours upon the balmy breeze. Here the majestic hills invite the strong, To explore their nooks, and seek tlieir verdant shades ; And here, in classic thought, romance, and song. Artists and sages seek these woods and glades. And when the wearj^ climber pants and thirsts, After long, tedious, toilsome strides and strolls, The cr}-stal spring out of the mountain bursts. To cool the parching thirst, then onward rolls. lOO WISSAIHCKON. 1 01 Refreshing as it tumbles, leaps, and sings, — Cheering the shrubs, and plants, and trees, and vines ; Then, to the " Fairy Stream," its offering brings. And mingling in its waters brightly shines. Here Indian Rock and Hermit's Well, renowned In story, thrill the minds and hearts of men. Who seek these sylvan shades and haunts profound, Teeming with romance, every glade and glen. But more than romance in this stream is seen. And more than myth or legend here is heard; The eye of wisdom sees with vision keen; The ear of wisdom hears the " Unwritten Word." These trees have eyes, these rocks have voice and power ! These springs and streams and vines and hills proclaim God is a Rock ! a Spring ! a Tree ! a Tower ! And these, his creatures, glorify his name ! There is a voice in every rock and rill, In every tree and vine, and plant and flowe^^ In every zephyr, over vale and hill, In every bud that bursts, in field or bower. I02 WISSAHICKON. Here once the Red men roved, in days of yore, Seeking for finny food along this fairy shore ; And in these wild and most romantic hills They slaked their thirst from limpid crystal rills, Where trout and catfish in abundance swam, Near to the present site of Wissahickon Dam ; These hills and caves and rocks they hunted o'er ; But here the red-faced race is seen no more. And now these picturesque and heaven-built towers, These stalwart trees and streams and shady bowers, Are the possessions of one million souls, From all the tribes and lands between the poles. A garden exquisitely grand and fair ; Flowers, plants, and vines, in beauty rich and rare ; Hills, vales, and river lawns and gurgling springs To every visitant delightful pastime brings. Oh what a boon! these healthful, happy haunts are found, To weary tradesmen, and all ranks and people 'round Where high and low may sweet refreshment find, To bless the weary body, and improve the mind. WISSAHICKON. 103 Here all the families of our city can repair, And find relief from heat, and breathe untainted air ; Enjoy a summer's day in varied happy glee Under the outspread boughs of some majestic tree. Here many happy groups around a full-spread board Enjoy the dear delights which rest and peace afford ; And happy children romp upon the open lawn, From many narrow nooks, from morning's early dawn, Until the sun begins to sink behind the western hills, And on the city park so fair the heavenly dew distills. Once men of large and loving hearts, and honest wealth, Poured out their treasures to improve their city's health. By free excursions for the city's sick and poor. Seeking the babes and mothers, and from door to door ; Sending evangels forth to lead thousands each day, Here in our matchless park to eat, and drink, and play. Six years were gathered from the lowly cots and rooms. All over our fair city with its many homes ; And Rockland in the park, rang out with happy glee, Ten thousand children, like a surging, rolling sea ! 104 WISSAHICKON. Awake, my muse, and sing again a song Of wonder, and of gratitude and praise, To him who decks the hills and streams along. With such majestic exhibitions of his ways ! Here in these lonely haunts in days of yore, Kelpius and Dr. Witt, his favorite friend, " Scholars and mystics," men of classic lore, Their souls' devotions with each other blend. " In pensive longings in the Wilderness," Here these profound and pious hermits dwelt ; In prayerful expectations of the coming rest, Here in their caves at morn and eve they knelt. *' The woman clad in sunlight" coming forth, With moonshine fables, under foot they stand ; Crowned with twelve stars ; the world of little worth. They wait their coming Lord's appearance grand. Some of the members of this mystic play Fell from their faith and " Hermits of the Ridge" Became, but " Kelpius wore his life away," A hermit near the Wissahickon Bridge. WISSAHICKON. At Lover's Leap 'tis said that Kelpius wrote, In Latin, on Rock tablet vast and high ; — " Mom Rinkle's Rock," we also see and note. From which she fell " who had an evil eye." This rock is grander than all others here, Excepting Indian Rock, which riseth near ; This legendary witch and wondrous tale. With some of those who read may be quite stale. 'Tis said " she drank the dew from acorn cup," And floated down the stream far to the sea ; We cannot find a witness, and we give it up. And think it likely this a myth may be. Adventurous boys this rock do often climb. And loudly shout her name to hills around; While echo still repeats the hoary chime, "Mom Rinkle's Rock!" the vocal hills resound. This monarch rock deserves a better name. And may some sage the hallowed spot reclaim. 105 ONLY A STEP. It seems but a step to the portals of glory, Where Jesus has gone to prepare me a home ; In the mansions of bliss he has opened before me, I hear his sweet voice, as it bids me to come. Hail, blessed Messiah ! my conquering Saviour, Thou art worthy the praises of heaven and earth ; Hail, spotless Anointed ! thy merciful favor Gives hope, joy, and gladness by heavenly birth. Now born of thy Spirit, my life is eternal, And death and the grave are stripped of their gloom ; I shall live in his light, in glory supernal. Beyond the dark portals of death and the tomb. He has vanquished forever the monster of darkness, And opened the gates to the Father's bright home ; And again he will come to receive all that love him, And gather the wanderers where'er they roam, 1 06 THE STIGMA REMOVED. Alas ! for those whom human law, In dungeon cells and prisons drear, Consign to stigma's dreadful awe. Never again love's voice to hear ! The scar can never be removed From human hand or human soul ; But mercy's power has mighty proved To make the wounded spirit whole. Let Charity, supernal grace. Hide from the eyes of all mankind. The scars of sin by love efface. The stains which vice has left behind. The gracious Lord, by love divine, Casts all our sins behind his back; And in his eyes our garments shine Which once were tarnished, soiled, and black. 107 I08 THE STIGMA REMOVED. The soul that sues for saving grace, And pleads for mercy, in the name Of him who died for Adam's race. To save from sin, and death, and shame, By faith is justified and blest, With peace and pardon through the Lamb, Once slain for sinners, lost, distressed, The captive prisoner free and calm. • The stigma of the prison gone. The Spirit's voice, in tones of love, Whispers in mercy from God's throne. And peace descendeth like a dove. And heaven resounds with holy joy Over the captive soul set free ; When life in Christ, without alloy. Flows like a boundless, rolling sea. O love divine ! how can it be That captive slaves can share thy grace ? And in thy kingdom reign with thee, In love's eternal fond embrace ? THE STIGMA REMOVED. IO9 An heir of God ! with him to share, In all his vast unbounded realms ; To swell his praise forever there, Where love's omnipotence o'erwhelms ! How wondrous is thy grace, O Lord ! Thy peerless majesty divine ; Be thou in earth and heaven adored ; The praise of all thy hosts be thine ! Let fields and floods and mountains sing, Let men and angels join the strain ; All empires, all their treasures bring. And sound his praise in sweet refrain. PATIENCE. Oh ! thou much-needed guest, how oft Th\- sturd}- attributes are tried, By captious, carping, courtiers soft. Who swell with nauseous, petty pride. Thou art a noble friend, indeed, In ever\- hour of AN^ant or woe ; A trust}* staff in time of need, Enduring many a bitter blow. An honest friend who seldom fails, A steady toiler, day and night ; A giant grace, whose might prevails, In darkness as in morning light. Oh patient, fair, and faitliful friend, How true and constant in thy toil ; Enduring to the bitter end. Thou shalt possess the fertile soil. "IT IS I." When clouds and fogs the sun obscure, And wakeful nights of weary' woe, False shadows and delusive dreams Athwart thy path their spectres throw. Hearken, and hear the voice divine. Amid the shades of deepest gloom ; Fear not, " 'Tis I," and thou art mine, Though thou shouldst find an ocean tomb. See on the rolling billows high The form of him whose word commands ; Hear him, " Fear not, for it is I," And thou art safe on seas and lands. Obey his voice when waves and tides Threaten and wake thy doubts and fears ; O'er boisterous seas he still presides; Thy prayers and cries he heeds and hears. Ill MOTHER. Angelic muse ! from lofty height subhme, Descend and fan my fondest flame ; While I attempt to sing in peerless rhyme The most beloved gem of earthly name. Mother ! O matchless word ! of all most sweet, How shall I tell thy untold treasures rare ? Thou angel of my home ! let me repeat The virtues of thy saintly name so fair. Thy w^ords, which sounded in my infant ears With more than music's thrilling charms ; Which dissipated all my childish fears, And drew me to thy fondly clasping arms. O mother, how divine and fair art thou ! Only excelled by him who gave the prize ; His name I'll praise, and lowly bow With every morning's early sacrifice. 112 MOTHER. 113 How charming is the sound of mother's voice, How deathly is the silence since she slept ; ' Alas ! that ever I caused her a pang, Or gave occasion for the tears she wept. Her feet were swift to run to my relief, Her heart was full of tender sympathy ; When I was sick, her soul was torn with grief, When I was well, she sweetly smiled on me. O darling mother ! heaven is dearer now, Since thou hast gone to join the angel choir ; , And sing and worship, and before him bow, And swell the song, and tune the heavenly lyre. Glory to him, who gave thee to my heart, And gave me being by thy pangs and pains ; Glory and honor to his name, who art Worthy the most exalted heavenly strains. THOUGHTS ON AUTUMN. Now early autumn, symbol of decay, Appears in fading, changing leaves around ; Soon will the myriads doomed to death a prc}- All fall, and slumber in the earth profound, Except the pine and cedar, and a few Immortal emblems of eternal life ; Which brave the frosts and blasts all winter through, Amidst the elements of mortal strife. How grand the laws of the omniscient mind ! How the Almighty glorifies his might ! His wondrous wa}-s leave all our thoughts behind In clouds and darkness and in flaming light. Around him, and above the vast expanse, His name in living letters brightly shines ; And in the hght of his omniscient glance, All beauty is transparent in all mines. 114 THOUGHTS ON A UTUMN. 1 1.5 He sees in every tiny seed a germ Of his own handiwork ; a little thing In which is life at rest, in nature's urn ; And when he please, the germ his praise will sing. He shines in carbon, and in angel bright, He speaks in pebbles on the ocean's shore ; In floods of sunshine, in the morning light, And in the awful sounds of ocean's roar. Spring, summer, autumn, winter all agree. With every creature in this world all o'er, To sound his praises in the harmony Of all his empire, now and evermore. In him alone is immortality, • By him alone eternal life is giv'n ; To him alone eternal glory be. By all on earth below, and all in heav'n. ZEPHYR. Sweet gentle zephyr, kiss my languid brow, And cool my fevered face with magic breath. If in tlie sultry summer's heat I bow In pain and weakness at tlie door of death. Let thy sweet v-oice in tender tones of love, Sing in my ears a soothing song of cheer ; Whispering from lofty loveliness above The charming love notes of my Father dear. Let beauteous beams of morning mildly shine Around my couch, where I in weakness lie; Like smiles of heaven from face of love divine. To cheer my soul when I am called to die. Let fragrant flowers tlieir odors sweetly shed Upon the gentle winds and hallowed light. To soothe my senses on my dying bed. And make my passage to the skies more bright. ii6 THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. Psa, no. — " From the womb of the morning." "Beauty of holiness," like the morning sun. Sheds a mild halo, sweet on every one ; Dazzling in dew-drops over hill and vale, Breathing a balmy sweetness on the gale. " Beauty of holiness," full of gentleness, Coming at early morn the world to bless ; From shades of night, from sleep's restoring arms, Laden with stores of life-reviving charms. " Beauty of holiness," like angel smiles, The rising race of sleeping eyes beguiles ; Flooding the opening vision with a sea of light. In glorious contrast with the shades of night. " Beauty of holiness," excelling all Of earthly loveliness on this shining ball ; Eclipsing suns and systems far and near. In beauty to our Father's eye more dear. 117 SPRING. Se.\sox of all seasons most delightful, Exciting hopes in even,- mortal mind ; Hopes of beauteous forms and fancies, Suited to ever}- age and kind. The young heart leaps witli joyous expectation To see tlie signals of returning spring ; While more mature ones see witli exultation, The signs of life which buds and blossoms bring. The aged, also, in tlie opening blossoms. See life renewed, a token of that time, When past life's winter man shall rise immortal, To live forever in a heavenly clime. The ver\^ air is balmy with tlie breatlimgs Of life and love from him who made us men ; Sun, rain, and dew, all in tlieir wondrous workings, Conspire to ^^-ake tlie slumbering life again. Young plants, young birds, young beasts, and insects, all Repeat their race, as histon,* returns ; And transmigration of undoubted souls Appears, reviv-ifying dust from mouldering urns. iiS A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET. I. Behold the beauty of the setting sun ! See mellow tints of green and gold Shine on the clouds when day is done In beauty that can ne'er be told. Azure and jet, and crimson dyes, Alternate fling their magic hues ; Then mix and mingle on the skies, Amid the mountain mists and dews. How grand old Sol, at eve of day. Displays his shining robes of light, As down his brilliant golden way He says to all his friends " good night." And when his glowing gleam declines. And stars bedeck the azure blue. While he on other patrons shines, The heavens reflect a dazzling view ! 119 120 ^ BEAUTIFUL SUXSET. And when the tints of morn appear, And Sol in rising lustre glows, Again o'er landscape, far and near, His gfolden hair a halo throws ! II Dark clouds o'ercast the sky, and Sol retires. Bright streaks begin to glow like kindling fires ; Soon tlie whole west in beautj- shines again. And light and splendor spread o'er hill and plain. The eye that lately dwelt on sable gloom, Now feasts on light resplendent, and tlie moon Breaks forth upon the vision, pale and pure. Like modest maiden^ meek, and yet demure. The Hngering rays of the bright king of day, Shed mellow sweetness on the stellar way ; And dimly one, and then anotlier star Bedecked the canopy of heaven afar. A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET. 121 I gazed, and thought upon the hand divine. That made the sun to set, and stars to shine ; Who out of darkness called the beauteous light. And daily ever since has brought the night. Himself the " Morning Star," the glorious " Sun," Shedding his precious light on every one ; And in the eve of life, when light declines To failing vision, still his beauty shines. And faith's strong lens beholds the world above, Where light and glory are absorbed in love ; Then let day dawn, and night succeed in turn, Till earth, and all therein, en masse shall burn. Let me behold the Lamb, the light of all. And at his throne forever prostrate fall ! Him to adore, day without night or gloom, In Paradise restored, ever to bloom. 'Mid Eden's bowers to dwell in beauty fair, Led by the Lamb to living fountains there ; Where millions join to swell his matchless praise. Who reigns o'er all through everlasting days. A RAINY DAY. As the rains on earth are falling, Fertilizing hills and plains, May my soul on him be calling, Who my feeble life sustains. On his bounty I am leaning. All my wants he can supply ; He can order all my gleaning, He will guide me with his eye. When the cruise of oil is waning, He can still renew the store; Scanty loaves and fish remaining, He can increase more and more. In the wilderness a table He can spread, though foes combine ; He will feed, for he is able. Thousands by his word divine. SUNSHINE— A SONNET. In the morning on the east The hallowing beams of Sol appear, Rising, glowing, spreading gladness, Over hills and deserts drear. Causing birds and buds in beauty To appear in vales and woodlands ; Calling forth to daily duty Sons and sires with busy hands. Oh how sweet the smiling sunbeams Burst upon the waking soul! Dissipating sable night-dreams, Making wounded spirits whole. Shine on me, thou fair creation. While I work out my probation ! 123 SWEET VIOLETS. Varied and gay, a garden fair, With flowers and plants abounding ; Enchanting beauty everywhere My eager steps surrounding. My eyes beheld, my soul was charmed ; My ears the bird-songs thrilled so sweetly ; But over and above them all Sweet fragrance filled the air completely. I wondered whence the sweetness came, I ran from one flower to another ; When lo ! sweet violets explain Amidst the vines, all covered over. These meek and modest little flowers. Were almost hid from human vision ; But here beneath the lowly bowers. Their sweets disclose a bright elysian. 124 CHRISTIAN ARMOR. Truth is the girdle of the Christian saint, The circHng band around his heart and reins ; Protecting by its constant pure constraint, By which in labors he his strength sustains. The breast-plate righteousness in Christ alone. Imputed and imparted by his grace ; The gift of God to man, and not man's own, But given freely to our fallen race. Shoes of the Gospel, peace with earth and heaven. To walk in love with God, and all mankind ; At holy war with sin, by grace forgiven, A warrior clothed with charity divine. Faith is the Christian's shield ; protecting every part, And turning every way, for sure defence ; Working by love, repelling every dart, Resisting all the arts of hate, prepense. Salvation's hope, a helmet for the head, Protecting reason, will, and mental power; Like a grand covering divinely spread. Over our mental might in danger's hour. 125 126 CffRISTIAX AKMOK. "Sword of tlie Spirit!" precious " Word of God," Offensive and defensive ; — mighty Word ! From foes witliin, and enemies abroad, Teach us to conquer by " Thus saith the Lord !" The soldier tlius equipped need fear no ioe^ Wliile head, and heart, and loins are all secure ; No power can deal on him a deadly blow, While faitli's broad shield makes every promise sure. Onward let all tliy powers in conflict press, Slay every foe by might}'^ truth and love ; This '• Two-edged sword" and soldier's glittering dress, Will more than conqueror in tliis conflict prove ! How beautiful the feet of those who come Witli shoes of gospel peace, and matchless grace, Upon the mountains gathering rebels home. To share with angels in divine embrace ! O wondrous grace ! O love of God to man ! How vast tliy boundless ever-flowing tide ; How overwhelming tlie supernal plan, Love's boundless ocean, fatliomless and wide ! THE DIVINE FAITHFULNESS. How wondrous, O Lord, are thy ways, Thy mercies forever endure ! Accept our mean offerings of praise, Thy promises ever are sure ! On thee how secure is our trust. On the Rock our salvation depends ; We are feeble as worms of the dust. Thy might all our weakness transcends. No evil can injure thine own, Who are hid in thy merciful breast ; Thou never wilt leave him alone. Who dost lean upon Jesus for rest. No storms ever founder our bark. While out on liTe's ocean we sail ; We are safe in the heaven-built ark, While our anchor is safe in the vale. It may seem as if Jesus " asleep," Cares not though we perish below, But he wakes on the watery deep. And the winds at his word cease to blow. .127 THE APOSTLES' CREED. (A Paraphrase.) Ix God the Father I believe, Almighty maker of all things, In heaven and earth, and underneath, Wliose praise his whole creation sings. In Jesus Christ, his only Son, Begotten by the Holy Ghost ; Born to redeem a race undone, To save a fallen rebel host. Born of a virgin sanctified To be the mother of our Lord, That he might save his spotless bride, And be by all his hosts adored. The Holy Ghost, and Holy Church, The universal brotherhood ; Composed of all washed in his blood, And born again in Christ and God. 128 THE APOSTLES' CREED. 1 29 That Jesus suffered on the cross, And died a ransom for the lost ! Descended into death's domain, And rose from death to life again. Ascended up to God's right hand. To intercede for guilty man ; Whence he will come to judge all men, Both quick and dead, Amen ! Amen ! To God the Father and the Son, And Holy Spirit, three in One ; All glory and all honor be. In time and in eternity ! Let men and angels say Amen ! And sing the story o'er again ; My soul repeat the glad refrain. And praise the Lamb, that once was slain. To him all praise and worship be, Ever-adored — Tri-unity ! 9 GOOD FRIDAY. The Son of God, the light of Heaven ! Hung between thieves, and dying cried, "Father forgive them !" and the veil was riven, " 'Tis finished !" and the Immortal died ! O wondrous deed of cruel hate ! To kill the Father's Holy Son ! O matchless love ! divinely great ! Salvation for a race undone. O serpent vile ! thou bitter foe ! Thou only canst afflict his heel. Whose conquering power will deal the blow, Thy head to bruise, thy doom to seal ! O grave ! how feeble is thy arm, O death ! how harmless is thy sting ; Thy raging malice cannot harm \\'hom God from death to life can bring ! GOOD FRIDAY. The cross cannot prevent the crown ! The nails, the hammer, and the tree Can only mock the great first-bom. Who bled and died for you and me. The cross cannot prevent the crown ! Jesus ! Almighty ! First and Last ! At his command, let all bow down ; His throne forever will stand fast ! His angels are around his tomb. His sleeping body marr'd and pale, Lies in the shades of mortal gloom, Among the dead within the vale. But hark ! the voice of angels say, " He is not here !" He's risen again ! The portals of the tomb gave way ; And Heaven exclaims. Amen ! Amen ! Go tell his dear disciples now, And make their hearts with rapture glow ; Their Lord, before whose throne they bow — Go tell the story — quickly go ! 131 132 GOOD FRIDAY. Say to his sighing saints, rejoice, Jesus, your Lord, forever reigns ; Proclaim the news with cheerful voice O'er hills and vales, o'er seas and plains. Unfurl the banner dipped in blood, Ye whom the Lamb has called and sent. Proclaim aloud the cleansing flood. Your great commission now present. Salvation in the conqueror's name ! To all who now repent their sins ; In love and charity proclaim. And " at Jerusalem begin." WHERE ARE THE DEAD ? The fairest forms of earthly mould Must fade and die, or soon grow old; The fruits and flowers, the plants and trees, And all the tribes o'er lands or seas Are short-lived in their varied spheres, And soon each creature disappears. To-day we're active strong and bold. To-morrow in the grave lie cold ; A day, a week, a few brief years, In this low vale of sighs and tears, Then in the arms of death we lie. And all our race must fade and die. But mind or soul can never be Confined in earth or flood or sea ; " Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell." Believers must in glory dwell Forever with our risen Lord, According to his holy word ! ^33 1 34 WHERE ARE THE DEAD ? And in his risen likeness be In heavenly bliss eternally. The body in the dust will sleep, But Christ our conscious souls will keep Till he shall come to raise the dead From earth and seas where'er their bed. He is not dead who once was slain, He died for sin, but rose again ! And as in Adam all have died, All live in Christ, the Crucified ! And as the dead is risen again, We're risen in him who once was slain ! As sure as " Jesus ever lives," So sure eternal life he gives. Without suspension, without loss. Believers live through Jesus' cross; — Abel and Abraham, and . . . Paul, With Peter, James, and John, and all Who died in faith, have endless life, Without deduction doubt or strife. From that blessed day when Stephen saw At God's right hand (in solemn awe) A BEAUTIFUL DAY. Jesus, his Lord, alive in heaven, Stephen had Hfe eternal given. " Receive my spirit, Lord," he cried, "Gave up the ghost," and thus he died ! Died to be with his living Head, Beyond the regions of the dead ! Enoch and Elijah live beyond the tomb, Where trees immortal never cease to bloom ; Changed from a transient to immortal life, Above dissolving powers of deadly strife. 135 A BEAUTIFUL DAY. Like the face of an angel, all glowing with light, Like the breath of a cherub, from morning till night. Like the voice of the Lord, all around and above. This beautiful day speaks in accents of love. Like the smile of a father, it beams on his son ; Like the halo that gathers when daylight is done ; Like the love of a mother that tenderly glows O'er the child of her bosom its sweetness it throws. A symbol of that day where nights never come, A day more enchanting I never have known ! THE JOURNEY TO EMMAUS. I. Cleopas and his friend are seen Eight miles from where our SaN-iour died ; O'er rocky road and mountain scene, From where the Lord was crucified. WTiat pangs of soul, how sharp and keen, About this tragic sad event, Now filled their hearts \nth woe extreme, As on tlieir homeward way they went I The risen Saviour opened to tlieir view The things of God as in tlie Scriptures taught Things beautiful, both old and new, With heavenly benedictions fi:aught. The promise of the woman's seed to Eve Was given in the earl}* dawn of time ; The promise of a Son (she did receive). To reign on David's throne, a King sublime ! 1 36 THE JOURNEY TO EMMA US. 1 37 A child, a counsellor, a priest, a lamb, " A man of sorrows," and of grief and woe. Who before Abraham was the great " I Am," Who made all worlds, all creatures high and low. A priest forever like Melchizedec, Without beginning, and without end ; Eternal with the Father on the throne, With God in glorious attributes to blend ! II. Burning words from lips of living Lord, arisen From the tomb in Joseph's garden-grave ; Who died on Calvary's cross that we might be forgiven, And rose again to show his power to save. Cleopas and his friend, while homeward walking From the lone spot where Jesus late had lain. Suddenly appeared to them as they were talking • A stranger, who inquired what caused their pain. 1 3 8 THE yO URXE \ ' TO EMMA US. They sadly answered, art thou here a stranger ? And hast not heard of Jesus crucified ? Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, Three days ago between two thieves he died. We thought it had been he who came to save our nation From tyrants' power, and Israel to redeem ; Alas ! our hopes and expectations of salvation Are scattered like a visionary dream ! " Our harps are hung in silence on the willows," Our enemies rejoice, our loving Lord is slain ! And waves of woe, like angry ocean billows, O'erwhelm our hearts ; our hopes seem all in vain ! " The stranger opened to them in the Scriptures" The things predicted by the men of God ; The promises and symbols and historic pictures, Pointing to him who bore the vengeful rod ; — The Lamb of God on Abel's early altar, The type of him whom John the Baptist saw, Coming amid the crowd at Jordan's water. Thus to fulfil God's holy righteous law. THE JOURNEY TO EMMA US. 1 39 The Passover was slain when Jesus died, The great atonement made for guilty man ; The sun in darkness chose his face to hide, The moon now turned to blood; O wondrous plan! But death could not the Son of God confine In the dominion of a tomb of stone ; Vainly the powers of death and hell combine To keep the King-Eternal from his throne. Herod and Pilot, and the murderous throng, Knew not the strength of Judah's Lion slain ; Almighty Lord Jehovah, great and strong, From death's dark shade he rose to live and reign! ADORATION. Oh how divine to raise the soul on high, And gaze with wonder on the star-decked sky; To scan the glories of the circling spheres, Dazzling in splendor through the rolling years ; To adore the great Creator in his might, Who spoke the omnific words, "Let there be light!" How charming thus to turn the eyes abroad, *< And look through nature up to nature's God !" Explore the depths, and scale the heights sublime. Where science delves, or hand of art can climb ; From mountain summit view the varied scene, Farms, hills, and valleys clothed in varied green ; Majestic rivers, lakes, and oceans grand. Rolling and heaving through the wide-spread land ; Or more minutely view the smallest things. Compassed in all these oceans, lakes, and springs ; 140 ADORATION. I4I From tiny coral insect to the whale, In ocean waters heaved by many a gale. Oh how transcendent all the works of God, In air or ocean, mountain, field, or flood ! How beautiful the sun, and all the lights That flood the brightest days, and deck the nights ! How grand the scale of universal skill Displayed in all the systems at his will ! Where he commands let empires all obey ; He is the Lord ! all kingdoms own his sway ; In heaven his hosts unite in glory's song. In hell the doleful dirge lost souls prolong ! Wherever man or angel, worm or insect hides. The same All-wise, All-mighty one presides ! And where rebellious creatures dare his blow. He can with easy breath lay rebels low ! As when the hosts of Egypt madly rushed Into the sea, whose floods their voices hushed ! Let not a helpless worm his power contemn. Lest he in sovereign wrath that worm condemn. 142 ADORATION. Let not his reasoning creatures slight his grace, Lest he arise, and spurn them from his face ; But let his children glory in his skill, And be submissive to his holy will. Delight in all the wonders of his love, Transcending all the heights in heaven above ; Let mortal man in self-abasement fall, Exalt his Maker, and his name extol. Oh how majestic ! how transcendent, Lord, Worthy to be by all thy hosts adored ! Archangel, cherub, seraph all agree, To give all glory and all praise to thee ! The sun and moon and stars are beautiful indeed, But far above my powers to know, or search, or tell; The mountains, valleys, oceans, lakes, and mead. All demonstrate the skill of Him who doeth all things well. The trees and shrubs and plants are wondrous fair, And flowers and fruits speak forth our Maker's praise ; Gems sparkle midst the beauty of creation everywhere. And myriad voices sweetly swell the precious lays. FAITH. The birds and bees, the cascades and the showers. All sing in chorus their Creator's name, While brooks and springs and rills and bowers. In sweet refreshing harmony his praises loud proclaim. Myriads of worlds around ten thousand suns, Show forth his august glory night and day, Each planet 'round its centre yearly runs. And never tires, nor stops, nor loiters on its way. The largest orbs and systems all his words obey ; " He spake and it was done," where all was night. And all the gloom and darkness fled away. At his omnific word, in whom was life and light. 143 FAITH. An Acrostic. Firm evidence of things unseen thou art. Amiable sister to fair charity. Imperial virtue, purifier of heart That works by love, in thy fair face we see Hope, thy fair sister, perfected in thee. EVENING LIGHT. More beautiful than morning light, And brighter than the noonday sun, Jesus dispels the shades of night When life's eventful day is done. The morn may be by clouds o'ercast. But as the rising orb of day Rides in his car o'er tree and mast. He sheds his light o'er all the way. Sometimes the mists may last till noon, And even beyond the evening hour ; Then, as the sun salutes the moon. Obscuring clouds no longer lower. The darkness now, by grace dispelled. Gives place to light's refulgent ray ; And at the evening hour of life, My pathway shines like perfect day. 144 EVENING LIGHT. Long sin's dark gloom hung o'er my head, And darkness thick as Egypt's night, But now my feet the pathway tread Which leads to everlasting light. A poor wayfaring man I've been, And weary walked in ways of gloom ; But now the light of life I've seen, And hope in Jesus lights the tomb ! I hail the eve, as if the sun Was rising in the eastern sky ; And see, beyond the sable gloom, A light more clear above the sky. I smile when darkness broods around, Because a fairer day will shine, — A glory at the trumpet's sound, — And look for heavenly light divine ! Let storms arise and tempests roar ; Behind the clouds the shining sun Still sheds his beams, the landscape o'er, And gilds the sky when day is done. lO 145 146 EVENING LIGHT. So those who suffer sore and long, And bear the cross till life is past, Come forth with joy and victor's song, To wear a crown in heaven at last ! And at the eve of time's last day, When Gabriel stands on sea and land. And swears that time has passed away. They'll shine among the blood-washed band. Then darkness, sin, and grief no more Shall cast their gloom on Eden's bloom ; But life and light in heaven all o'er. Shine bright beyond the sable tomb. AN ODE TO CREATION. "When morning stars" sang nature's birth, "And sons of God" aloud expressed their joy; O'er this our rising, newly moulded earth, Pure from the hand that made, and can destroy. Light, life, sun, moon, and stars appeared around. And beauty bathed the new-made world all o'er ; All creatures good, and in their spheres profound, Praise their Creator, and his name adore. One creature, above all, most like his Lord, Pure in the image of his Maker shone, And other creatures ruled in sweet accord, And God was pleased with all that he had done. Then, last of all, to show his glory bright, A woman fair was made from Adam's side, To be a helpmate, and a pure delight, A loving partner, and a spotless bride. The crowning act of God's creative plan Gave the best earthly gift that comes to man ! 147 BEAUTY AND ABUNDANCE. June 21, I8S7. Cool and charming are the breezes, On tliis long, long summer's day ; Ever}-\vhere the prospect pleases, Hills and valleys all look gay. Fields are green, and grain is waving, Farmer's hopes are high and clear ; Floods of joy our shores are laving; Plent\- crowns the rolling year. Rich and poor, and proud and lowly. Seek and find some cool retreat ; From God's hand — the High and Holy- Blessings are showered at our feet. Surely "the lines to us are falling In pleasant places," grand and fair ; Goodness and mercy kindly calling On us his glory to declare. 14S BEAUTY AND ABUNDANCE. 149 From heaven the rains and sunshine fall. And every pleasure we enjoy Comes from his hand, the Lord of all ; " He can create, and he destroy !" For all the blessings he has given, Our bodies and our souls to cheer. We '11 sound his praise through earth and heaven, And tell his glory far and near. He made all worlds, and all their hosts. Angels and men to him bow down ; No creature any merit boasts. Our God alone must wear the crown. When we were lost in sin and shame, He sent his Son to seek and save ; From heaven the blessed Saviour came To conquer death and spoil the grave ! He died — he rose — he ever reigns. He led death captive by his hand ; The monster now he binds in chains, And death obeys his stern command. DIVINE LAW OF HARMONY. I SEE in air, and earth, and floods, In rocks and rills, in germs and buds, A law of harmony rev^ealed. In nature's realm in grove and field. Each plant, and vine, and flower, and tree, Presents a form in harmony With breeze and shower, and sun and dew. To God's decrees forever true. I hear the zephyr sweetly sing, As o'er the sick its silken wing Fans the parched brow with gentle breath. To cheer tlie vestibule of death. I see the shadows gently fall At close of day on one and all. To give to God's beloved sleep, While holy angels vigils keep. I see the limpid crystal spring Out of the ground its treasures bring; 150 DIVINE LA W OF HARMONY. i 5 i To quench the thirst of sick and faint, And soothe and silence woe's complaint I hear the voice of turtle dove, In notes of sympathy and love ; A symbol of the charm divine. Which in the Saviour's image shine. I taste the fruits that round us grow. And drink the crystal streams which flow ; And think of heavenly fruits so fair, And hope ere long these fruits to share. The beauty of this vale below. When flowers bloom, and breezes blow. Is a fair antepast of heaven, From Jesus' hand so kindly given. I now by faith rejoice in hope, No longer in the darkness grope ; E'en now my Lord his beauty shows. My pathway with his presence glows ! In him no darkness is at all. He is my love, my life, my all ; His shining rainbow spans my sky. In love " he guides me with his eye." " HE CARETH FOR YOU." As you cast off a cloak, that is needless to wear, As you cast off a burden too heavy to bear ; As you cast off all care about what you shall eat ; As you cast off all sorrow as dust from your feet, Cast sin, care, and carking, and trouble away. And rest on the arm that is near night and day. As you cast away shoes that are worn to the ground, Cast your rags and your rubbish, that burden you down. Self-righteousness, pride, and ambition, and care. Cast them all at the cross, and bury them there. Cast your eyes on the Saviour who calls you away From the darkness of sin to the rising of day. Cast your souls on his mercy, and trust in his grace. He will lift up upon you the smiles of his face. Cast yourself at his feet, and look up and believe, And into his favor he'll gladly receive. Cast your burdens of guilt on the Lamb that was slain, Who died for our sins, but has risen again. 152 A HYMN OF PRAISE. As the evening shades are gathering, And the day is nearly done ; Let my heart be turned to praises, As my race is nearly run. For the blessings God has given, And the grace his love supplies. Let my treasures be in heaven, Where he '11 guide me with his eyes. This is not my home or dwelling, I am but a pilgrim here ; Let my life be ever telling, That I have a home more dear. There, where friends have gone before me. And where Jesus reigns above, He will bring me home to glory. In eternal life and love. 153 154 A HYMN OF PRAISE. O my soul ! let love inspire thee For the love that Christ hath shown ; He has spread his banner o'er thee, He has claimed thee for his own. Let thy heart and all thy passions Be to him an offering whole ; All thy powers, and all thy fashions. Give to his entire control. He must reign without a rival. Worship all belongs to him ; Every angel, saint, and seraph. Morning stars and seraphim, Fall before him, and adore him. Only God can homage claim ; He is worthy of thy praises. Give all glory to his name. THE MOON. Pale orb of beauty, in thy silver rays I see sometimes more glory than the brightest days ! The orb of day so dazzles my dim sight, I need the mellow sheen of thy reflected light. And in thy milder lustre lights appear Which I could never see in solar rays ; But with thy modest halo shining clear, A thousand worlds are seen, as if ablaze. And when thy face behind a cloud doth hide, More stars are seen in borrowed light and pride ; So nights and moons are not a needless thing, But to the wise and good may blessings bring. Night is the student's time to read the skies, •When moon and stars attract the sage's eyes ; Fair Cynthia, let thy face reflect the sun. And show how light and life proceed from One. 155 156 THE MOON. Like John, who said the hght is not my own, " I am a voice" that comes to make it known. Moonhght is beautiful, but borrowed hght, The sun that lends this beauty is more bright. The church in sunlight dressed is fair and, white, Without the sun all would be moonless night ; The orbs reflecting show His light divine. Who made them thus to dazzle and to shine. By His own light, in whom were life and light Upheld and made by unmade power and might ; Opaque without the shining orb Supreme ! Not one effulgent ray or heavenly gleam ! All moral beauty, all that 's pure and good. Comes from this fountain, this transcendent flood ; " Father of lights," unchanging, and All-wise, Who from his heart and hand all good supplies. His creature man, filled with the light of love, Shines by reflection from this orb above ! " In whom ['tis said] no darkness is at all" ! Before whose throne both men and angels fall. ODE TO J. G. WHITTIER. Bard of Freedom ! foe of slavery's chains, Thy sweet majestic words in song subHme Have soothed the sorrows, and assuaged the pains Of many a heart, in many a gloomy clime ! Thou hast, by inspiration of poetic fires, Shed light and halo over many minds ; And when the hallowed muse thy soul inspires, Thy sympathizing notes the broken spirit binds. Thou hast through many years of patient toil The cause of liberty espoused and sung ; Like angel voices o'er oppression's soil. Thy harp of freedom has been sweetly rung. And many ears have heard amid the sighs. The pleading of thy plaintive accents sweet ; While millions of our fellows raised their cries For help to save them from the oppressor's feet. 157 158 ODE TO J. G. IVHITTIER. Their prayers were heard on high, and Heaven came down, And human manacles were rent in twain ; And slaves were saved from haughty tyrants' frown, But in the conflict many hosts were slain. And thou hast lived to see, from shore to shore. Freedom her banner spread o'er all our land ; And slaver}''s dark blot is known no more. Banished forever by Jehovah's HAND ! Hail to thy name ! Hail to thy muse's voice ! Hail to the hand that did thy gifts bestow ! Long mayest thou live, and in the boon rejoice. Of freedom founded by the Almighty's blow ! Thousands of sable sons of servitude Will bless thy name, thou noble, just, and good ; And while thy peerless songs immortal ring, Freemen of every hue thy praise will sing. And children yet unborn will rise and bless The bard of freedom, who, to soothe distress, Sang for the dumb, and felt for others' woes. Till Abraham, the great emancipator, rose! ODE TO EDGAR ALLEN POE. Alas, poor waif! a tarnished gem, Which might have decked a diadem ; Beauty his theme, by pampering spoiled, Dimmed in thick mists, by dissipation soiled ; His pleasures marred by fickle fancy's dreams, His life a tissue of Utopian schemes ; His mystic lines of sombre, sable lore, Like the dark raven perched above his door. To read his thoughts, and on their shadows dwell, Saddens the soul with sorrow's gloomy spell. No ray of hope, no rainbow in his sphere ! All his horizon lacks both light and cheer. In his dark world, one star and nothing more, The bright beloved, but the lost Lenore ! Was this the cause of all his whims and groans ? His caprice, his unhappy sighs and moans ? If thus it be, and all his gloom and woe Came from love's loss, then pity Edgar Poe ! Alas ! the smart that stings his lonely soul. How can a broken spirit be made whole ? Love is alone when the twin-heart is gone — Nothing remains to rest the soul upon. »59 ODE TO COWPER. Angelic bard ! with soul sublime, Above the vanities of time ; Thy words of sweetness soar on high, Above the stars that deck the sky. Thy heart of sympathy and love Moves with the fire of heaven above ; And stoops to lowly hearts sincere, With them to shed the kindly tear. Oppression drew thy pitying heart. To feel for all whose bosoms smart Under the cruel tyrant's chains, And where the haughty lordling reigns. The worm that crawls, the bird that soars. The meanest things on seas or shores ; Thy tender nature would not crush The tiny warbler in the bush. 1 60 ODE TO COVVPER. l6l The reptile in the public path, Thy heart for it a feeling hath, And would not with a heedless tread Injure a helpless creature's head ; But turn aside, and let it live. Unless some venom it may give ; No right has man to do it harm. Only where there is just alarm. While any creature does no wrong That spoils our peace, or hope, or song ; No right has man to crush a snail, Or any insect's rights assail. Thy tenderness and pity keen Have moved at many a painful scene ; And many a wounded spirit bless'd, With " oil of joy," when sore distressed. A plaintive moan, or humble sigh. Would fill with tears thy pitying eye ; And grief or pain, or angry scorn, Would wound thy soul from night till morn. II SAINT PATRICK'S DAY, March 17, 1886. A beautiful day. Mild and sunny as a morn in May, No cloud the sky obscures to-day ; Like angel smiles, the heavens shine, Like breath of Eden ; so divine ! A day on which a saint might fling Some odors frpm his heavenly wing. As on his natal day he comes To bless the homes of Erin's sons. His magic name they all revere ; His power o'er serpents brings good cheer. Sometimes on storms and clouds he rides. Which heave old ocean's waves and tides; But this is an exception fair, And calm bright beauty everywhere Proclaims the coming of a saint, Which common artists cannot paint. 162 SAINT PA TRICK' S DAY. 163 His reputation soars sublime On wings of weather most divine ! Long has it been a proverb here, That he will bring a storm severe ; The scene is changed ! and oh how sweet It is to meet the pleasant saint, and greet Him on his birthday, clear and mild, Like symbol of the undefiled. Perhaps our stormy ancient friend Has brought his anger to an end ; And now intends to try the charms Of love, instead of wrath's alarms. Hail, blessed saint ! Hail, man of God ! Hail, smiles, instead of angry rod ! Welcome, thou faithful, stern old sire ! Thy change of temper we admire. Thy frowns the reptiles drive away. As storms improve the air, — " they say." So now I'll close, and make my bow To him whose smile is on his brow ; — But, above all, I will adore God over all, forevermore ! ODE TO NEW ENGLAND. New England ! land of the pilgrim band, A noble race from o'er the seas, Led by the kind, Almighty hand Which holds the storm, and calm, and breeze. Sailed from the lands where tyrants reign. And in their Maker's name came o'er The waters wide, the mighty main. To find a home, and God adore. Here, in this rock-bound realm, they found A refuge and a sure retreat. Where sturdy hands might till the ground, Far from the vile oppressor's feet. And by their industry and toil The wilderness was made to bloom. And from a sterile, stony soil. And by the magic of the loom, 164 ODE TO NEW ENGLAND. 165 This land a Paradise now shines, Teeming with stores of honest wealth ; And rivers, lakes, and seas, and mines Abound in riches and in health. And here are cities grand and fair. And schools of learning well endowed ; Boston renowned, known everywhere, Harvard, of which we may be proud. Yale, with its literary lights. Sparkling with brightness o'er our land. Like stars that deck our sable nights. And shed their sheen o'er every strand. New England, fruitful land, I sing Thy praise with ardent breath and love ; Fruitful in noble men, of honest ring, In poets, statesmen, editors, above The common walks of ordinary life. Like Whittier, the angelic bard. Who was the foe of wrong and strife. And won from every land a high regard. LINES ON POETRY. Creative fancy, lowly or sublime, In measured numbers, or in graceful rhyme ; Original conception, born of genius rare. Thoughts all aglow with inspiration fair ; Clothed in the drapery of classic skill. To captivate and charm the reasoning will ; *' Words fitly spoken" — set in wheels of light. To make each flaming thought appear more bright. Moving in majesty, with stately tread. In harmony and beauty, through both heart and head ; Created by the hand whose laws divine No discords know, and all in order shine. Not born of Helicon, or Aonian maids. Nor of the muses in the Grecian shades ; But born of heaven ! by inspiration given, Logos divine 1 the word that came from heaven, 1 66 L INKS ON POE TR Y. 1 6/ All divine truth, and thought inspired of God Are poetry sublime ! Go tell it all abroad. Nothing is true poetry from this aside, All else is doggerel, born of human pride. Let heavenly truth, arrayed in heavenly song. Speak forth God's glory, and his praise prolong ! No theme of earth or human birth can claim Poetic title, or assume the name. Like truth divine from one creative cause. Poetry is truth adorned by beauty's laws ; Created in the mind, conceived alone, To adorn and beautify fair reason's throne. An angel with a pen of heavenly mould. That writes the truth with diamond or gold ! Pluming the wings of thought to soar above, And dip the pencil in the fount of love. Then on the canvas paint the image pure Of thoughts immortal, ever to endure ! And thus, like truth, and love, and virtue fair, Poetic genius is a gift most rare — 1 68 LINES ON FOE TR Y. Which lives forever in the pictures wrought, And captivates the soul with magic thought. Shakespeare and Dante in their classic lines Glow with a lustre which the sun outshines. Creation of the mind, angehc, fair, A breath divine, an inspiration rare ; Above the common thought of human ken, SubUmer than the words of ordinary men. Whispered in zephyrs to the ear sublime, Or thundered in the soul from mount divine ! God's law of love ! and love in holy lays Is poetry, the creature which his love displays. In all the captivating charms and grace Of speech, enrobed in more than tinselled lace ; Not misty vapor, in a wreath of clouds, Nor dazzling foam which emptiness enshrouds ; But truth and beauty, clear as dazzling gems. Transparent as the light, fairer than diadems ! Eloquence is poetry, the car of light divine ! Poetry is eloquence, words and thoughts that shine. LINES ON FOE TR Y. 1 69 Truth is eternal, evermore the same; Poetry, truth's chariot, from heaven came. Her words are woven into cloth of gold, Or built in temple's towers of finest mould. " A thing of beauty," and " eternal joy," Filled with ecstatic sweets that never cloy. O lovely maid ! dressed in such rich attire Of glowing drapery, how I admire Thy tones of moving melody and song, Which in my soul such blissful notes prolong ; Sweet messenger divine ! sing on, and tell What untold treasures in thy bosom dwell. Speak in enchanting numbers, sweet and clear, To charm the reasoning soul, and dry the tear ; In all the magic charms of harmony divine, Let gems of purest thought forever shine ! Poetry is pencilled on the soul and brain In pictured thought, like musical refrain ; Or set like gems, in clock or watch of gold, By hand of artist, of a heavenly mould. I/O L IXES OX POETRY '. This watch (unlike all human make and form, Which run as well in case of brass or horn, As in the finest and most perfect case, Adorned with everything which art can grace) Runs best in brains and bodies pure and free From adverse agents, whatsoe'er they be ; The more refined and pure the blood and bone. The nobler the soul-monarch on the throne. Reason, and will, and judgment all agree, When interest and duty incline to purit5\ A mind adorned with gems and plants divine, Poetic, picturesque (like riches in a mine). Can never yield its best and brightest stores, Till vigorous forces blast the precious ores ; Or lapidary's skill has set the gem To dazzle in the monarch's diadem. ELOQUENCE AND ELOCUTION. Lips all aglow with thoughts divine, Tongues touched with hallowed flame ; Making the vocal face to shine With nature's musical acclaim. Each feature speaks from heart of love, Or from the breast of withering scorn ; Like cooing notes of turtle dove, Or like the low'ring cloud or storm. Like humming bee or zephyr sweet, Or howling wind or thunder's roar, Or bow-strings' twanging, thrilling shriek. The cultured voice its treasures pour. And brow and eye, and mouth and nose, In harmony of forces grand ; And head and feet in concord pose, To sign and seal the tongue's demand. 1/2 ELOQUENCE AND ELOCUTION. All things in earth, or air, or floods. By human speech are called in play ; Mountains and seas, and germs and buds, To eloquence their tributes pay. All nature at her shrine bows down, And owns her vocal charms and skill ; She speaks through every region 'round. And makes all force obey her will. She bridles every restive steed. And leads the wayward wandering feet Of kings and seers her voice to heed, And in their madness to retreat. As Balaam, by his little beast, Was turned from cursing Israel, And made to bless both king and priest, And with God's people still to dwell. So eloquence speaks by the dumb. And puts a voice in every breeze ; No particle or thing is mum. But speaks in ocean air and seas. ODE TO WISDOM. " Her ways are ways of pleasantness." What is her name ? Where dwells she ? say ; What makes her name so fair and blessed ? What are the pleasures on her way ? So often to her praise expressed. Has she the stores of wealth and fame To give those who her offers crave ? Can she confer a glorious name Upon the tyrant and the slave ? Can ignorance, and pride, and shame Her favor gain, her gifts secure ? Will she bestow on all who claim Pleasures that ever shall endure ? Her name is Wisdom ; oh how fair! She is the first-born child of light ! By her Elohim did declare Creation's order, beautiful and bright ! She shone in Gpd's own image pure, When morning stars sang nature's birth, And by her skill and word secure. She made all things in heaven and earth. 173 DIVINE SUFFICIENCY. Oh how shall man his passions safely guide In this enticing world of fashion and of pride ? Amid wealth's grandeur, glitter, and surprise, How can he keep his soul from wand'ring from the skies? " One only star can fix the wandering eye," One 07ily hand can lead to worlds on high ; That star is he that shone on Bethlehem's manger, The long-expected King, the heavenly stranger. Here let my soul its Ebenezer raise ! And give to Jesus everlasting praise ; Let him my only leader ever be. Safely through this world of danger leading me. Now I am safe in his Almighty hand, Though mighty foes my onVvard march withstand ; Almighty power, and all-sufficient grace. Make my election sure, whatever foes may face. 174 DIVINE SUFFICIENCY. 1 75 A bruised reed am I, no strength is mine ; My hope is all on high ! my help is all divine ! To will I have the power, but not to do ; But grace divine can bring me safely through. Let fires and floods oppose my willing heart, Thy love, my Saviour, all-sufficient art ; In thee my trust shall be for all I need ; My soul and body thou wilt daily feed. When human strength and vigor all are gone, Thy arm, forever near, I'll rest upon ; And though I walk in darkness without light, Trust in my Lord, in providential night. As safe when clouds and darkness him surround, As when his choicest blessings most abound, Assured that nothing can his love destroy, Amid the desert wastes or world's alloy. His help can never fail while hope abides, Safely my bark shall sail in winds and tides ; Ever secure, while Christ is at the helm. No adverse storms my vessel can o'erwhelm. YOUR MISSION. If you cannot scan the reason Why some days are dark and dull, You can wait the coming season, When the ear of corn is full ; Thus by clouds and suns that ripen By their magic, mystic power. Fruits and grain, our hopes to brighten. In the happy har\-est hour. If you cannot on the ocean See the shore for many days. You can trust the heavenly Pilot, WTio will safely guide your ways. He knows all the shoals and breakers On the ocean's bed or shore ; And can make his saints partakers With the bless'd forevermore. 176 YOUR MISSION. Not one sailing seaman ever Need be lost, for Christ is near ; And above the storms forever, He can keep our voyage clear. Neither calms nor storms can sever From his hand of power supreme ; None can separate — no, never ! Those who trust his wondrous scheme. Keep the altar-fires all burning, In the ark forever hide ; Ever to thy Pole Star turning. Thou shalt every storm outride ; Keep thy chart forever near thee, It will show where dangers lie ; Hear the voice of Jesus, saying, Fear not, fear not, " it is I ! " 177 12 SIX YEARS IN HEAVEN. Six years, where light supernal Shines from the face Divine ! Six years of hfe eternal, In heaven's unsullied clime. Six years where pain and sorrow Can never, never come ; The day that knows no morrow. The saints' eternal home. Where nothing that defileth Can blot the spotless throng ; Where Jesus ever smileth, And saints his praise prolong. All glory to the Lamb of God, The Lamb for sinners slain ; And all the hosts of angels join In musical acclaim. My loved one there has mingled In these supreme delights ; While we are in the sombre shades W^here half our hours are nights. 178 ODES TO MAY. I 87 I. The poets all may sing thy praise In softest, sweetest, loftiest lays ; Thy breath, thy beauty, all admire, And of thy charms none ever tire. Thy songs of birds, and hum of bees, Thy breezes bland among the trees. Thy sho^yers and sunshine ever mild. And even thy woods, where flowers grow wild. Have charms for all who beauty love. And all whose hearts with fancy move. " Once in each returning year," Lovely May, we meet thee here ; Thou comest with thy violet breath To wake the slumbering germs from death ; " Some from their tiny prisons peeping, And some in silent embryo sleeping;" Again thy charms, in genial bowers. Are seen in leaflets, buds, and flowers. 179 l8o ODES TO MAY. 1884. Once in each revolving year, Sweet enchanter, thou art here, With thy lovely violet breath, To wake the slumbering germs from death. Again thy charms, in genial bowers. Are seen in leaflets, buds, and flowers ; Bursting their tombs, and rising fair From sleep's refreshings everywhere. How I love thy infant smiles. How thy beauty me beguiles ! Everywhere thy face is seen. All the fields are clothed in green. Feathered songsters chant thy praise In their sweetest, loftiest lays ; Babes and youths thy presence greet In the lawns and on the street. ODES TO MAY. 1 8 1 1885. For beauty fair in blooming trees, And over hills and meadows gay, I never saw, on land or seas, A more enchanting month of May. The fields are green, the air is balm. The breezes stir the expanding leaves ; All nature smiles, as if to calm All hearts that beat, each breast that heaves. The apple-bloon^ the lilac sweet, The fragrant shrub, so exquisite, Mingle their odors at his feet. While we around his altars sit. And while we worship and adore, All nature seems to say Amen ! Praise him this day, and evermore Repeat your Maker's praise again. 1 82 ODES TO MAY. 1886. Behold his works, ye sons of men, How wondrous, how divinely grand ! Repeat his praises o'er again Who formed you with his mighty hand. And while you sing his worthy praise Who formed you to adore his name, In thankful songs, in grateful lays. Worship the Son, with loud acclaim ! The Son, whose mighty powpr has made All worlds, all things, both high and low ; Angels and men their crowns have laid Before him, and all praise bestow ! And while you worship Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, three in One, Let not one feeble child of God Despise his loving, chastening rod. ODES TO MAY. 183 1887. VITAL breath of May! how sweet Thy mellow, fragrant zephyrs blow ; 1 love thy virgin smiles to greet ; Thy face beams with a hallowed glow ! Thy virgin daughters, buds and flowers, Are breathing sweetly all around ; Revived by recent April showers. They deck with charms the fruitful ground. Oh how thy magic touch inspires All nature's living, sleeping germs ! Thy sweetness how my soul admires Wherever my frail vision turns. Dear, charming month, I hail thy birth ! And welcome thee with joyful lays ; Smile on the sleeping mounds of earth, And from the ground receive its praise. 1 84 ODES TO MA Y. Thy Maker's glory sing and tell In silent melody divine ; Let showers and sunshine, grove and dell, With harmony and beauty shine. O how transcendently sublime Are all the works and ways of God ! In Nature's book, in every clime, "Wherever beast or man has trod, Where fowls or fishes swim or fly, God's hand is seen, his voice is heard ; In air and ocean, clouds and sky, He speaks from the " Unwritten Word." All that is beautiful and grand In mountain, meadow, light or shade, Comes from his skilful, loving hand, And for his glory they were made. Praise him, ye tiny germs of life, Ye little warblers on the spray ; Sing to his praise who gave you birth. And let his love your lives display. THE LOST EDEN RESTORED. Once in a garden dwelt a happy pair Amidst the choicest beauty all around ; No home so blessed, and no spot so fair; There life and love and pleasures did abound. No pain nor sorrow, nor a sigh was there. In all the fair Adamic sinless home; All the creation every blessing rare Enjoyed, where'er they pleased to roam. One only interdicted thing was near ; And all the fruits, save that, were theirs to eat In rich abundance, without cause for fear, Enough to make their pleasures all complete. Alas ! their freedom, their volition, will Made possible the choice to disobey; Satanic doubts their bosoms fill, And thus they fell to unbelief a prey. i8s I 86 THE LOST EDEN RESTORED. O wicked doubt ! damnation is thy due ; All disobedience follows after thee ; God's " law divine was holy, just, and true," And death for disobedience was his decree ! Now Eden's bowers are hung in gloom. And sable clouds the sun that lately shone Have mantled like a solitary tomb ; — The fatal act, the interdicted deed is done! An angry voice from heaven is heard : Where art thou, Adam ? and thy partner fair ? What hast thou done to violate my word, And thus the sword of thy destruction bare ? But, hark again ! 'tis mercy's promise sure, And life again begins to dawn on man ; The Lamb of God, immaculate and pure Now sovereign love reveals redemption's plan. The Saviour now is promised ; hear the word ! The woman's seed shall slay the tempter's power ! The fallen race, go tell it all abroad. Shall come again to Eden's happy bower. OCEAN TREASURES. Vast are the treasures hid in ocean's bed, Where sands and shoals, and shells and pearls abound ; Submerged abodes no human foot can tread. No plummet line these depths can fully sound. Here ships by tempests tossed have buried deep Their gold and silver, wares and merchandise ; And here, until the trumpet's sound, shall sleep The high and low, the foolish and the wise. Here kings and subjects, in one ocean grave, Have rolled and tossed, and slumbered night and day; The ruler and the rustic, freeman, slave, All leveled in the deep, to death a prey ! No human wrath or hate, or war's alarm, The caverns of these empires ever know ; But awful monsters here in thousands swarm And feed upon the smaller fish below. 187 1 88 OCEAN TREASURES. Here hills and mountains, vales and plains abound, Thrice multiplied by all the lands wide-spread, Immense, and full of wonders most profound, All compassed in the empires of this ocean bed. From Polar Sea to Southern Pole all o'er Wealth in a thousand forms the waters hide ; The furs and fish, and coral beds explore, Riches abundant in the flowing tide. For fertilizing farms here swim the finny tribes — For food to feed the millions of our hosts — For oil and lime, and phosphates and the tides That flow to cleanse our cities and our coasts. What wondrous wealth abounds in this abyss ! What wondrous, boundless, seasoning, saving flood ! Rolling and heaving, every shore to bless. Where breathes mankind, or swells an opening bud. O awful, grand, sublime, majestic sea ! What untold wonders in thy bosom grand ; How glorious is his name, how matchless he Who holds thee in the hollow of his hand : OCEAN TREASURES. 1 89 Whose will thy waves to angry billows lash, And makes thy voice like thunders roll and roar; Then, with his word, quick as the lightning's flash, Says, " Peace, be still," and lo ! the storm is o'er ! All empires — on the land or in the seas, Marine or mineral, or floral, everywhere — He made and governs as the Maker please, And all these empires show his love and care. Poor finite skill can never comprehend his plan, Or solve the problem of his wondrous grace ; His love in Christ, which saves rebellious man. Caused even the sun itself to hide its face ! The ocean of God's love is richer, deeper far Than all the treasures of all empires are ! To sound its depths, angelic genius fails ; To scale its heights no human skill prevails. Through all the universe, above, around, God's love alone fathomed the depths profound. 190 OCEAN TREASURES. What ails thee, O thou restless, rolling sea, Heaving thy angry billows on the shore ? What power impels thy waves eternally, Or what excites thy moan forevermore ? Thou symbol of divine, exhaustless grace, Laving the lands around with endless flow, Whence are thy billows which each other chase, In mournful numbers, like a tale of woe ? Thou hast a voice for sadness or for bliss, For all the wise and the unwise of earth ; Thy boundless breast bears in its broad abyss Something of hidden value, boundless worth. Speak to my soul, thou monitor sublime, Of the omnific word which made the day! Tell me, thou great unfathomable mine. How in thy depths Elohim has " his way ;" And tell me how the tiny grains of sand Wall in thy waters on the boundless strand. OCEAN TREASURES. When o'er thy placid bosom sunshine gleams, Like smiles upon the face divine it seems ; When gentle breezes in their whispers blow, And ocean ripples sweetly ebb and flow, I hear the voice of Jesus on the wave, Saying, " It is I," who came to seek and save. When storms arise and mountain waves o'erwhelm, I know if Christ, my Lord, is at the helm. He can arise and say to waves " Be still," And storms shall cease, and winds obey his wiil ; Oh how amazing is thy ceaseless sigh ! How wondrous are thy crested billows high ! How like the wicked, who can never rest. Thy bosom heaves like troubled hearts distress'd; And like the rich in luxury and pride. With all their riches never satisfied. But tossed about by every tempest blast. Though wealth abounds in all their coffers vast. 191 DAY BEAMS. A DAY of beauty, O how fair ! So like the smiles of angels are ; Mild air and sunshine so divine, From heaven's celestial face they shine. Our Father in his love and care Sheds a bright halo everywhere. •Symbol of reconciling grace, Beaming from Jesus' lovel}- face. The "rainbow is around God's throne"! And clouds of wrath forever gone ! Now hope is ours, through Jesus' blood ; No more we dread the vengeful flood ; Praise God, who gave his only Son ! The ransom 's paid, the work is done; Christ paid the debt our souls to buy. Then rose triumphant to the sky ! And now, forever, " Lamb once slain," Our " Life" and " Light," he lives again ! 192 GETTYSBURG. Lines written impromptu after a visit to the Cyclorama. Awake, my slumbering, pensive muse ! Behold the awful blood and strife ! See brothers in their wrath abuse The sacred claims of human life ! Alas ! what evil demon reigns Over the hearts of fallen men ; What murderous hate and cruel stains Have soiled our nation o'er again ! The dark, dark demon, slavery, Has mantled every patriot's brow ; O'er all our States, by land and sea, With shame they hang their heads and bow. Until at last the cup was full. The cup of vengeance overflowed. And sable serfs from " Old John Bull"* Claimed payment of the debt we owed ! * Slavery entailed by our mother country. 13 193 194 GETTYSBURG. And now, since twice before, we bled Through vile oppression, long entailed, The lords* of sable serfdom spread • Their banner, and our life assailed ! And from the fires of Sumter, dread, There glowed a flame, broader and higher. O'er every State and humble shed, Till Gettysburg had quenched the fire. On that dread day, or days of gore, Our blood and treasures flowed amain ! Our sons and sires and brothers pour Their crimson life-streams with the slain ! Husbands, whose wives gave up their all For freedom's precious boon of love. Went forth to fight, to win or fall. For home and country — God above. And on their nation's altar laid Their lives, their honor, and their all. To live and shine when stars shall fade. And flames shall burn this earthly ball ! * The slaveholders. GETTYSBURG. Nor floods, nor fires, nor war's alarms Shall ever quench these patriot hearts ; Nor tyrants nor oppressor's arms Can slay fair freedom by their darts. . Hail, Meade and Lawrence, Webb and all, Who fought and conquered, bled or died ! Hail every private, great or small, Your country's glory and her pride ! How do your valor, strength, and skill. As on your country's altar laid, Glow in our hearts with grateful thrill, For all the sacrifice you made ! Ye who our lovely land have saved From blot of foul oppression sore, And broke the bands of the enslaved. Your names shall live forevermore ! Let sire and sage repeat your claims ; All who in peace and plenty roll ! Repeat and praise your noble names, And spread your fame from pole to pole. 195 196 RELIGION. Say, live forever, heroes grand ! Live on the altar of our hearts ; Your daring deeds in glory stand Wherever down-trod virtue smarts. RELIGION— AN ACROSTIC. Rich treasure ! full of charms sublime ! Eternal soother of the soul ! Light of man's heart, thy rays benign Infinite glories do unfold. Great heaven-born seraph ! source of love. Inspire with grace my sinful heart ; O'er my confiding spirit move. Nor let thy presence e'er depart. "TO GEORGE W. CHILDS, ON THE ERECTION OF THE MONUMENTAL STATUE AND FOUNTAIN TO THE MEMORY OF SHAKSPEARE." October 17, 1887. Name hallowed by noble deeds that shine ; Deeds that must live in hearts unborn ; Fairer than fame's fast-fading shrine, Till the last trumpet wakes the morn. Kind deeds to myriads, high and low. When all these teeming hosts shall sleep, A lustre o'er thy name will throw, Like glowing halo o'er the deep. How grand the scale of manly mind Which towers above all cliques and clans ; And sees, in all of human kind. Fraternal claims o'er seas and strands ! 197 198 TO GEORGE W. CHILDS. Hail, prince of editors ! whose press Has won for thee immortal praise ; Whose wealth and wisdom flow to bless, And humble worth to honor raise. To him whose matchless muse sublime, The prince of poets — noble — grand, Living in every land and time. This fountain shall an honor stand. This monument to learning's pride In honor of a noble name. Exalts the lowly, side by side, In annals of a worthy fame. Here nature's poet sits a king Among the princes, near and far; To him all nations offerings bring, Enlightened by his guiding star. The world-renowned Excelsior Stands out upon a peerless tower ; Rising above all men of war, Their deeds of valor and of power. TO GEORGE W. CHILDS. This monumental fountain fair Flings light and sheen o'er floods and seas ; And the great heart that placed it there Shall be extolled on every breeze. The stream and fountain, press and pen, In matchless harmony flow on ; And here the names of noble men Shine in the spray and on the lawn. Here weary men and thirsty herds Their wasted strength renew and bless ; While panting steeds, and flocks, and birds Here at this fount their wants redress. Climatic act, of classic ken, Capping the deeds already done, By Philadelphia's peerless men, The crown of royalty has won. And on fair Avon, classic river, Shakspeare and Childs shall live forever. 199 HEAVEN. Angel home, where all are happy, No impure or harmful thing Ever can those regions enter, Nothing that can sorrow bring ! Home of saints from earth ascended To the palace of the KING ; Hear their songs with angels blended, Holy ! holy ! holy ! ring. Angels who have never fallen Sing his power, to keep them pure ; Saints redeemed from death and ruin Sing his grace forever sure. All unite in love's loud chorus. Made and saved by power divine ! To the Lamb who reigneth o'er us Be all glory through all time ! NO TIME IN HEAVEN. No time, as numbered here below, In moments, hours, and days ; No weeks or months, or years they know; But everlasting songs of praise ! Here where we wait awhile below, Till death shall call us home, We count the moments as they go, And think of heaven, our own. Our own dear loved ones there are gone ! Our own dear Jesus there ! Oh that our hearts, as years roll on. May for that home prepare ! My own loved Bess, for five long years, Has tuned her harp in heaven ! Where all her pains and earthly fears Are from her bosom driven ; And now in sweetest notes she sings To him who once was slain. And with his praises heaven rings, Who died, but lives again ! 20 1 PRAYER AT CLOSE OF DAY. Another day of life is gone, And soon the last will come ; May I eternal life put on, And hear the Saviour say, Well done ! Our Heavenly Father, hear our prayer ! Thy kingdom come, on earth our home ; Thy will be done with love and care O'er all the earth where mortals roam. Give us each day our daily bread, Forgive our sins, as we forgive ; Let us not be to evil led, But save us that our souls may live. For thine, O Lord, the kingdom is, The power and glory evermore ; The praise of saints and angels thine. We bow and worship, and adore. ALPHABETICAL ACROSTIC. Almighty Father ! from thy throne, Beholding all the sons of men, Come thou and claim us as thine own, Descend, and here forever reign! Eternal are thy counsels, Lord, Forever are thy mercies sure ; God over all ! by all adored ! Hosannah to thy name so pure ! mmortal Saviour of mankind, Justice and love are thine alone ; King of all kingdoms, good and kind, Looking in mercy on thine own. May we not into ruin run ; Now, Father, thou our helper be ! Our wills control, " thy will be done," Power and dominion are with thee. 203 204 CHARITY. Quickly, O Lord ! come help us now ; Rise in thy might, and bare thy arm ! Slay every foe by mercy, thou ! Thy love our wayWard passions charm. Unveil thy face, and show thy smile, Vocal be every tongue thy praise to sing ; Wisdom and grace let every soul beguile, X-alt the Lord ! to him all glory bring. Ye blood-redeemed, join in the song, Zion, his worthy praises, still prolong. CHARITY— AN ACROSTIC. Child of celestial birth ! Highest and foremost of the " Cardinal Three !" All hail thy virgin name throughout the earth! Rich child of virtue, wave thy wings o'er me ! Infinite and eternal thy embrace ; Thy source sublime and ever true, " Yet easy, kind and modest" to the view ! SWEETS. How sweet to hear the voice of love From lips of gentleness and grace ; Like charming notes of turtle-dove, Our hearts to soothe, our fears to chase. How sweet to see the loving smile On faces fanned by truth sincere ! Our glowing souls these charms beguile On cheeks of friends to us most dear. How sweet to taste the nectar lip Of pure, unsullied, trusting friends. Whose breath and beauty sweetly sip The dew that every bliss transcends. How sweet to feel responsive glow Of mutual bliss in streams of love, Through all our nerves so sweetly flow, Like joys distilled from heaven above. How pure and precious, full and free. The love of God in mercy's arms ; The love that ransomed you and me. Surpassing all earth's fading charms. 205 CHARMS OF WINTER. Beauty has varied shades and forms, And shows its charms in calms and storms ; When howHng winds with fury blow, How beautiful the pure white snow ! The falling flakes, like crystal gems, Or diamonds in rich diadems ; Ten thousand shining in tlie air. Dazzling in frigid beauty fair. Each one a bright and shining star, Floating and falling near and far ; In heaps on heaps, all o'er the land, It spreads its lustre cold and grand. So pure, immaculate, and white, Begems the air like stars of night ; Winter has beauty quite as gay As blooming flowers in month of May ; 206 CHARMS OF WINTER. Or blossom'd tree, in charming June, Or sun's bright rays at brilhant noon; How charming is the frozen lake. As o'er its breast our way we take (Like sea of glass or crystal gold), Wrapped in our furs, amid the cold. Never is sunshine half so clear As when the frost is most severe. And this same air, so piercing cold. Makes every healthy pulse more bold. By purifying nature's breath. And crushing many germs of death. Our hearts enjoy the healthiest glow When the thermometer is low ; The green trees always are more bright When hills and vales are clothed in white. The hours more precious are when few, Like daylight hours the winter through ; And the long winter evening's leisure Gives time to gain fair wisdom's treasure. 207, WHAT I LOVE. I LOVE the spring, I love the flowers, I love the rain, I love the showers, I love the brooks, I love the rills, I love the vales, I love the hills, I love the sun, I love the dew, I love the landscape, ever new ; I love the zephyr's gentle breeze. The cooling stir among the trees ; I love the moon's pale silvery light, I love the stars that shine so bright, I love the grass, so richly green, I love the tiny insect's sheen, I love all nature, bright and fair, Showing God's glory everywhere ; His mighty hand, his matchless skill. His love, his power, his holy will ; I love my Lord ! the most and best, " With him, of every good possessed." 208 " DIES CINERUM." DAY OF ASHES. Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return." From earth I came, like grass or flower, At my All-wise Creator's voice ; And at his bidding must return, Without the liberty of choice. My days are limited and/ew, "Threescore and ten" my measured years ; Like breath, or mist, or morning dew, Which comes, and quickly disappears. The dust and ashes speak of death, And silently convey the truth That soon I must resign my breath, Though now I bloom in health and youth. 14 209 2IO ''DIES CINERUM." Where'er my roving feet may tread, Among *he living, busy crowd, Legions of voices from the dead Echo the solemn truth aloud ! Since death by sin reigns over all, Till Christ his kingdom shall restore, In Adam we must surely fall, But live in Christ forevermore ! Then let the king of terrors slay — Since Jesus died, but rose again; The night of death will turn to day. Through Christ, the Lamb, that once was slain ! O death ! thy power is broken now, And every true believer's grave Will show how every knee shall bow To him who died the world to save ! He lives, and all who in him live Shall rise again, since he is risen ; Eternal life to all he'll give, He who is Lord in earth and heaven ! LINES ON NOVELS. Bad company has been the bane Of myriads in every clime ; The sword has many millions slain, For foul ambition, stalwart crime ! Bad books of fiction, sordid trash, Made up of mean and gilded lies, Have ruined more than slavery's lash, Or all the arts that wars devise ! Falsehood can never be approved By virtue, wisdom, goodness, love ; Truth never from its aim is moved ; 'T is like its author — God above. Figures of speech may clothe the truth. And gems of eloquence adorn ; But beauty and immortal youth Shine in her face like glowing morn. She 's like the light, the flower, the dew- Personify her as you please ; But ne'er forget, she's ever true — In every sphere, on land or seas. 212 LINES ON NOVELS. Suppose things possible and pure, Things that may be, in fact and form ; And when you feel your foothold sure, Clothe the pure pearls with fitting charm. Books should be true to nature's laws, Nature is spangled o'er with gems ; But oh, alas, for virtue's cause, When tinsel drapes fair diadems! The truth must not by flowers be hid, Or subtle sophistry or lore ; The cross must not be lost amid The mists from those whose sins it bore. But if by flowers we may embalm The blessed Saviour's hallowed name, Then bring the flowers, and strew the palm, With classic, musical acclaim. Bring all the arts of speech and song To grace the king's reception grand ; Let music's charms his praise prolong, And spread his fame o'er sea and land ! SONNET ON THE DYING YEAR, 1874. Forty-one millions sleep in death Who sang and spoke one year ago ; All these have yielded up their breath, Conquered by death's resistless blow. The silence brooding over the grave Speaks louder than the thunder's roar ; The roll of time's resistless wave Sweeps onward to the final shore. The voices hushed by death's decree Echo around this mundane sphere ; Where they are now, so we may be Before we see another year. O may our names be written there, " In the Lamb's Book," all bright and fair ! 213 ODE TO THE DYING YEAR, 1885. Farewell, farewell, my dying friend ! Your race is almost at an end ; You've had your day, and who can tell Whether you spent it ill or well ? I am a witness that you saw Many infractions of God's law ; And wealth and labor much at war, Keeping the nations quite ajar. Peace to your ashes now, old sire ! One more day, and then expire; And may a fair successor rise To rule all realms beneath the skies ! May morn and noon, aijd shady night, Through all the year be a delight ; Peace from on high descend and reign. And plenty smile o'er hill and plain. 214 ODE TO THE DYING YEAR, 1886. The end is near thee, and thy breath Will soon be gone, and sombre death Will end thy days, and all thy deeds. Thy sowing, whether flowers or weeds. Thy busy hands and active feet Will sound no more in house or street; Thy name no more will head the sheet In all the letters which we greet. Thy egotistic nom de plume Will not such prominence assume ; To eighteen hundred eighty-seven, Thy proud position shall be given. Farewell, my honored friend, farewell ! Thy deeds and doings none can tell; But we will meet when time is o'er, Accept my blessing — aurevotr! 215 HYMN OF THE HELPLESS. Jesus, I am weak and weary, All my strength must come from thee ; Only thou canst help and cheer me ; Thou henceforth my help shalt be. Hear my call, and ease my anguish, Soothe my sorrow, quell my grief; Raise my soul, while here I languish, Come and bring me sweet relief. Weaker than a worm I wander From the ways of wisdom pure ; On my woes and weals I ponder. Thou alone my soul canst cure. Thou art all my strength and beauty, I am all deformity; Keep me in the paths of duty. Let me never stray from thee. 216 SONNET TO HENRY KIRKE WHITE. A YOUTHFUL bard, of genius rare, A shining star of brief career ; Whose sparkling muse, so bright and fair, Sang of the Star — that Star so dear ! His soul was fired with heavenly song ; And as he shed his brilliant rays. The notes of music rolled along. And filled the air with speechless praise. His brightness was reflected light From the " Bright Star of Bethlehem," Which shone on that magnific night From Jesus' glorious diadem 1 He sang with the angelic choir. The praise of him, " The World's Desire !" 217 TWIN SISTERS. A Sonnet. Like blossoms on some fragrant vine, So much alike in form and hue ; Around the self-same cottage twine, Clinging to trellis, strong and true. Not like the giant forest tree Which stands alone amid the shade ; But like fair fruits that pendent be Upon the vine in pleasant glade. So in their sweet unific bond, One ever-loving, gentle pair ; May each in constant love respond, And bliss attend them everywhere ! And if these blossoms ever mate, I trust they '11 live without debate. 218 DYING WORDS. LINES WRITTEN ON THE LAST WORDS OF AMELIA E. PEARSON, WHO SLEPT IN JESUS FEB. 23, I 8/4. A few hours before she fell asleep, she said to her father, " Father, can't you go and see those persons with the boat?" "Where?" said the father. She replied, "Just beyond the river. They are waiting for me." Father, go and meet the boatmen, Waiting on the river side ; Tell them I am nearly ready To pass o'er the swelling tide. Father, go and see the boatmen, Just beside the river shore ; Soon I '11 go and take my passage, They will bear me safely o'er. Father, go and tell the boatmen, Waiting for me now, to come ; I '11 not keep them waiting longer. For my Saviour calls me home. 219 220 DYING WORDS. Father, go ! the boatman saileth, And thy daughter passeth o 'er Safely to the heavenly Canaan, Where death never enters more. Father, now behold a river Flowing from the throne of God ; There thy loved one, saved forever. Bathes in life's immortal flood. Father, look again, and listen ! See the white-robed, blood- washed throng ; In the light of glory listen. Hear their sweet seraphic song. Father, there is one among them. Lately from thy household fled ; Now she 's clothed in heavenly beauty, By the hand of Jesus led. Father, thou canst not recall her. But thou canst go and meet her there, Where no pain or sickness ever Mars the bliss the saved ones share. DYING WORDS. 221 Father, now no shade of sadness Can thy daughter ever know; O'er her face a smile of gladness Shines with an immortal glow. Father, wouldst thou now recall her. From the realms so clear and bright. To a vale of gloom and danger. Full of sin, disease, and blight ? Father, thou hast one fair blossom Which can never cease to bloom ; One which knows no frost nor vapor, And shall never need a tomb. Father, now thy loved one ever In thy Saviour's presence dwells ; Now the joys of heavenly treasure All our earthly joy excels. Father, when the boatman cometh. And would bear thee to that shore, Let him find thee ever ready, Waiting for thy passage o'er. 222 y-^S, I AM HA PP Y. Father, then in that blest harbor On the shores of glory bright, Meet thy daughter, loved so dearly, Thy Amelia robed in white. "YES, I AIM HAPPY." About a week after the death of Amelia, I dreamed I saw her as she slept in her coffin, and asked her if she was happy, and she said, " Yes, I'm very happy," and I awoke, and composed the following lines. Yes, I'm happy in my Saviour, Safely in his loving arms ; Yes, I'm happy in his favor, Jesus all my fears disarms. Yes, oh yes, I'm happy, father, In my sweet and precious sleep ; Resting in the arms that gather To his fold his wandering sheep. YES, I AM HAPPY. 223 Yes, I'm happy, very happy, In my new and heavenly rest ; Where the angels dwell in glory, In my loving Saviour's breast. Then her pale sweet face grew brighter, And her eyes grew bright and clear ; Rose-tints mantled every feature, And her voice fell on my car. Sprightly, musical, and cheerful, Like the voice of angels, bright ; And her face shone with a lustre Fairer than all earthly light. ON A WINTRY MORNING. POVERTY, INTEMPERANCE, RUM, AND RUIN. This wintry morning, while the fierce winds blow, And while in fleecy flakes descends the snow. How few there are who seem to think or care How others live, or how the needy fare ! Oh that the hearts of all men could but feel A sympathy with others in their woes and weals ! Oh that the blessings from the hand divine, In rich abundance sent to every clime. Could be dispensed in love, as made for all, By wisdom, love, and goodness o 'er this ball ! Our Heavenly Father has, with liberal hand, Bestowed his bounties over sea and land. But oh, alas ! how many have no bread ! And, like the Lowly One, no pillow for his head. An enemy has done it — where and who is he That has disturbed love's bountiful decree ? 224 ON A WINTRY MORNING. 22$ O Agapae, divine, supernal grace, Has malediction's blight usurped thy place ? Has murderous hand assumed to throw a stone At others' sins, forgetful of its own ? Are there not some who live in luxury. Unworthy as the many doomed to poverty ? Does not our common Father let the showers fall On rich and poor alike, on one and all ? Does not our Lord, who is the life and light, Cause sun to shine on bad and good alike ? Why, then, should not one common brotherhood Share needed blessings with the bad and good? Where weakness, want, and woe prostrate the man». The strong, the rich, the bless'd should wisely plan Protective rules, and wholesome acts and laws. To guard the avenues of virtue's cause. If some are blind, let others be their light ; If some are lame, let others guide aright; Where some are weak, the strong should help to bear Their burdens and their labors kindly share. 15 226 ON A WINTRY MORNING, O cruel Cain, what hast thou madly said ? " Am I my brother's keeper?" Yea, thou shouldst have led Thy brother to God's altar, not to slay. But to assist him in the holy way. Alas ! how many like Cain plead excuse For murder, rapine, and the law's abuse ! Why are the gates of hell thrown open wide, Till blind, and lame, and weak can nowhere hide From rum and ruin, which, despite of law, Multiply murders, and o'erwhelm with awe ? Filling the air with bitter moans and sighs. Augmenting widows' wails and orphans' cries ! Arise, ye statesmen, in the cause sublime Of freedom from the bonds of Bacchus' shrine ; Let not the prayers and sighs of grief and woe, Extorted by the alcoholic demon's blow, Rise to the God of vengeful justice (high) Who hears and answers every mourner's cry. And has, in thunder-tones, declared that he Who sheds man's blood condemned shall be. THE LORD'S PRAYER. A Paraphrase. Our Heavenly Father, hear our prayer, "Thy kingdom come" on earth, our home; " Thy will be done," with love and care. O'er all the earth, where mortals roapi. " Give us this day our daily bread ;" Forgive our sins, as we forgive ; Let us not be to evil led. But save us, that our souls may live. For thine, O Lord, the kingdom is, The power and glory evermore, The praise of saints and angels thine, We bow and worship, and adore. Another day of life is gone, And soon the last to us will come ; May we eternal life put on. And hear the Saviour say, " Well done !" Amen, Amen ! O Lord, we cry ; Hear us, and bless us from on high. 227 LIBERTY'S ALTAR. Hail, liberty's altar ! the pride of our country, Where freemen their offerings as patriots bring ; Come, bring to your country a " sacred libation ;" For God-given liberty, let us now sing ! Our country, the pride of all lands, the world over. From tyranny's power forever made free ; All hail to the heroes, by whom we recover Our heritage fair over mountains and sea ! " To us the high boon, from the skies has been granted, To spread the glad tidings of liberty far ;" And here, where the tree of our freedom is planted, We '11 join one another in peace and in war. One God-given country, now free from oppression, " The land of the free, and the home of the brave ;" No miscreant tyrant can share our possession. No sordid oppressor, or grovelling slave ! 228 LIBERTY'S ALTAR. 229 Three millions, all told, when our fathers revolted. And signed the grand articles, Hancock and all ; The charter of freedom by which we 're exalted, The Grand Declaration, in Liberty's Hall ! Here, here on the altar, their lives and their treasures Were laid by our fathers, the glorious band ; And we by their valor and wisely-planned measures Inherit this peerless and beautiful land ! Now twenty-fold larger, our great population Has grown from a little one, feeble and frail ; Our inheritance now is a gigantic nation, And clad in an armor no foe can assail. With " Virtue and Liberty" perched on our banner, And true independence in union to stand. They conquered "a peace," like the " Immortal Tanner," United as brothers, all joined hand in hand ! OUR COUNTRY AND ITS RESOURCES. A LAND of milk and honey, rich and fair, In varied wealth and beauty now we share ; Extending grandly over hills and plains. Laved by grand oceans and enriched by rains. Teeming with treasures of the richest ore, And fruits and grains, yielding abundant store ; The mountains full of carbon, iron, and gold. Silver and lead, copper and zinc untold. Oil in abundance from our wells and springs Pours forth in ocean floods, its flaming wings Illuminating by its subtle flame. And lubricating, as its aid we claim. Maize, wheat, and rye, barley and rice supply Our own vast heritage, and none deny. But send to millions more the needed store, And still our barns and bins are running o'er. 230 OUR COUNTRY AND ITS RESOURCES. 23 I Our cotton clothes the hosts in many lands, Our wools and furs a share of trade commands ; Our manufactures and our railroad lines Astound our senses, and o'erwhelm our minds. Arts, sciences, and all the busy trades Are making progress over hills and glades ; All that our sixty millions need or crave. Within our reach, at our command we have. " The little one" is now a giant grown, Of huge proportions and majestic tone ; Among the nations of the earth all round None are more favored, none more richly crowned. Without a king or queen to rule her hosts, No greater progress any empire boasts ; From vile oppression now entirely free. We 're marching on to grand prosperity. Our only giant curse our land contains ; King alcohol, the mighty tyrant, reigns; And by his power are many thousands slain, And millions doomed to poverty and pain. FOURTH OF JULY. The Fourth of July has come and pass'd, And boys and girls and politicians, Have little thought how very fast Life steals away, despite physicians All men are free by Heaven's decree ; Life, liberty, and independence Are ours and yours on land and sea. And we endorse this noble sentence. This day our liberty was born ! In glorious " Independence Hall !" Near Sixth and Chestnut, in a storm, Which shook the nations, one and all ; Here Hancock signed the stern decree, And all the rest their names recorded, That henceforth we should all be free From tyrants who our lands had lorded. The millions of our hosts, alas, Think little of the blood and treasure ; 232 FOURTH OF JULY. 233 But most of all our people, vast, Give little thought what bought our treasure. Ask of our fathers in their graves What means this happy exultation Among the living free and slaves ? They answer, " We died for the nation !" Ask them again, why all this noise' On July Fourth, throughout our country ? They answer, thoughtless girls and boys, 'Tis freedom's day, for serfs and gentry ! Another baby boy is born, Not like the peaceful Nazarene ; But born with sword in hand to form A realm of liberty supreme ! And after many days of strife, In which our land was dyed with gore. The god of battles gave us life, As a new nation — and the storm was o'er ! But liberty, the boast of ages past. One foul, offensive blot retained, Until the days of Abraham came at last, And human bondage at an end proclaimed ! A GOLDEN GOOD-MORNING. " GooD-morning, Rev. Sir, I'm glad to see your face ;" A stalwart man, of pleasant easy grace, Clasping my hand warmly, with hearty shake, Left something soft as silk " for Jesus' sake." He did not pause one moment, but walked on, Leaving me full of wonder at what he'd done ; " What can this mean?" thought I ; "what can it be ? Why this most hearty salutation made to me ?" I felt the wrapper soft, and tore the folds away, Scarcely knew what to think, or what to say ; It seemed as if a dollar in my hand was laid, As a small token of respect thus paid For all my little acts of kindness shown Through more than thirty years which I have known This humble man, whom often I have met, Winter and summer, whether cold or wet, Attending to his duties, here and there. Among the plants and flowers, with trustful care. 234 A GOLDEN GOOD-MORNING. 235 But what was my surprise there to behold The twenty-dollar piece of shining gold ! A godsend clearly as if the hand divine Had put this needed sum of cash in mine. Precisely the amount to pay a claim, Involving my word of honor, and good name. I had no claim upon this humble friend ; So do not wonder that I say " godsend," For such it was to me, in time of need, From the same hand that doth the ravens feed. He that can pay tribute from a fish's mouth Holds all the wealth at will, from north to south. He who can multiply both fish and bread Has millions upon millions made and fed. On land and seas he walks and works at will, And to the threatening waves says, " Peace, be still !" Shall we not trust the hand that formed the skies, Our loving Father, merciful, All-wise ? THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER. 'Tis the last day of summer, Left ling'ring alone ; All its smiling companions Forever are gone. No one of her kindred Is here to behold, With a smile or a tear, Her tresses of gold. " I'll not leave thee, thou lone one," Unsung and unwept ; Since thy sisters, all silent. Have slumbered and slept. I'll sing of thy beauties, Thy sweets and perfume ; Thy faults and thy frailties Shall sleep in thy tomb. 236 THE LAST DA Y OF SUMMER. Soon, soon, I may follow, And fade and decay ; And summer and sunshine Will all flee away ; But when true hearts lie still, In earth's bosom at rest, Let me lean on my Lord, And repose on his breast. O beautiful summer ! Thy smile and thy tear. Thy buds and thy blossoms, To me were so dear ; Thy fruits, and thy breezes. Thy shades, and thy bowers, Refreshed me when weary. In life's lonely hours. Thy face, still enchanting, I view with delight ; In thy lingering beauty, So dear to my sight. ^17 238 THE LAST DA Y OF SUMMER. Thou art smiling and gay, Though thy kindred are dead ; Like the zephyrs in May, Thy sweet odors are shed. To thy charms, lovely summer, Adieu, with a tear ! Forever adieu, now. Thou fair one, so dear ; May my end be as thine. When my last day has come. In a halo divine, * Let me fly to my home ! ODE TO THE LATE WILLIAM PURVES. Mark well the perfect man, whose eyes Look toward the hills that heavenward rise ; And aims to lay up treasures there, In realms forever bright and fair. " Behold the upright" — tried and true — In every trust, life's journey through ; Faithful in every deed and word, " Fervent in spirit," — serving the Lord. Model of manly mould and grace. Benignity glowed o'er his face ; " His name as ointment poured" on air. Sheds sacred fragrance everywhere. Wherever he was seen and known His life in light and brightness shone, In business ranks, in Church or State, Among the lowly and the great. 239 ODE TO GUSTAVUS S. BENSON, Late member of the Board of City Trusts. Fragrant as balm upon the air, His name shed forth a sweet perfume ; Abroad, at home, and everywhere. His virtues shone Hke summer's bloom. In every circle, bright and bland, A peerless man of noble mould ; A synonym of worth he'll stand, While time its records shall unfold. Our city's trusts he kept, and he With wakeful vigils watched our weal, With pure supreme integrity. True as the magnet to the steel. Adoring God both night and day, And loving all his fellow-men ; He shed a light along life's way, Fairer than monarch's diadem, 240 "LINES ON LITTLE THINGS." A power for good and evil. Sweet violets, in their lowly beds, With fragrance fill the air around. The lily of the valley -sheds Its. perfume o'er the fallow ground. The humming bird, so very small. Among the blossoms and the flowers, Excites with admiration all Who see its pranks in sunny hours. The tiny songster's notes are sweet ; The caged canary's charming voice Cheers parlor, kitchen, lawn, and street, And makes both old and young rejoice. A little shining carbon gem, No larger than a grain of corn, Decks a great monarch's diadem, And crowns and robes its rays adorn. i6 241 242 LITTLE THINGS, How true the maxim often heard, " Rich goods in little bundles are ;" Thus often, in some humble word. Appears a bright, a guiding star. Let none despise the little things That seem so worthless to the sight ; It may be that the match that flings A little spark a Avorld may light ! That little kite, with humble trail. With steel or iron caught the flame ; And Franklin learned from that kite's tail Electric power and light to tame. A glow-worm, or a fire-fly, May, in a dark and dangerous hour. Reveal the path of safety nigh, When storms and clouds may darkly lower. A little boy, three summers old, Said at the noontide meal one day, " Excuse me, papa, if I'm bold ; Give thanks, dear pa, give thanks and pray." LITTLE THINGS. 243 That little angel struck the flint, And lo ! a flame of living light Flashed out ! — the father took the hint. And raised to God an altar bright. " A little leak may sink a ship," Laden with costly merchandise ; A little cup, only a sip, May be the bane of life's supplies. A little spark may light a flame To lay in ruins cities grand ; A little word has millions slain Around the earth, by sea and land. A little germ of secret vice May poison all life's purest springs. As eggs of fabled cockatrice The serpents breed with venomed stings. One little act in Eden's bowers, Amid the teeming blessings given, Brought ruin upon all our powers, And closed the open door in heaven. 244 LITTLE THINGS. A tiny seed, almost unseen By human vision, drops and grows, Then blooms in beauty, rich and green, And from its dead leaves poison throws. It fills the air of many a home With odors of a sick'ning smell; And ev'n in courts, from base to dome, Its filthy fumes our joys repel. It costs our race millions of gold, And taints the breath of rich and poor. Befouls our garments, new and old. And brings disease that knows no cure. In smoke, and dust, and cigarette, It haunts the social circle's breath ; It brings captivity and debt, And throngs the avenues of death. Two little mites a widow cast Into the treasury, long ago, Have brought to God more treasures vast Than all men's offerings high and low. LITTLE THINGS. Wherever in the world around This httle act has been proclaimed, Its power has sent a charm profound Wherever Christ, our Lord, is named. And kings and emperors bring their gold As offerings to the King of kings — Inspired by this lone act of old All earth brings forth its hidden springs. Till he shall reign from sea to sea. And all her stores are at his feet, This world shall then his kingdom be, And he shall rule in love complete. Alas, how many seeds sin sows, Unseen till it is quite too late To crush the giant plant, which grows, And blights the hopes of small and great. A feather floating on the air Contains a thistle-germ so small. That bright eyes scarcely can see where The tiny pest may float and fall. 245 246 LITTLE THINGS. The poison of malarial fogs, Borne on the breeze's subtle breath, Unseen in damps, and dews, and bogs, Brings chill and fever, pain and death. A little breeze of wind may blow Upon a tender spot, and lo. The germ of death, like flying dart May seize upon the smitten part. Pestiferous fly, with venomed tongue. In length about one barleycorn, With whirring wings, and threat'ning hum. Spoils our resorts from night till morn. Our summer homes, our dear delights, In many most enchanting bowers. The vile mosquito haunts and blights In waking and in sleeping hours. And oh the thousand tiny things That cannot by our eyes be seen ; Alas, what hidden poison stings Pierce us with painful lances keen ! ODE TO CANON WILBERFORCE. Hail, noble reverend friend of God and man ! With soul inspired by hallowed flame divine ! Thy crown of glory, like the rainbow's span, With dazzling beauty will forever shine. Decked with the gems thy hand has found, Among the motley tribes of fallen men, Where rum and ruin stain the ground, Thou hast adorned thy glorious diadem ! How many pearls thy magic touch has drawn From the deep waters of o'erwhelming floods ; How many lives of brightness from a misty dawn, Like fruits evolved from blighted germs and buds. Thy breath, in words of glowing pathos sweet. Has fanned the smouldering embers to a flame ; And many a heart has leaped thy name to greet As their deliverer from sin and shame. " How beautiful upon the mount" thy feet have been ! Thy words how charming to the stricken heart, 247 248 ODE TO CANON WILBERFORCE. Pierced by the arrows of the tempter keen, Bled by the monster demon's dart ! Oh ! may thy manly, stern appeal, To statesmen, heroes, priests, and kings, Command their judgments and their zeal Against rum's many poisoned stings, Till prohibition shall rule o'er every State, The tyrant slayer, and his host of might ; And every demon, small and great, Shall be compelled the dust to bite. , Rum makes men demons, dark and dread, And death and danger are its fruits ; Where'er his tyrant footsteps tread. He makes his victims worse than brutes. Awake, ye sleeping saints and sires ! Gird on your swords, and slay the power That now to be your king aspires, And chain in his satanic tower. Break off his bands, resist his claims, Invoke Heaven's might, and all is well ; Gird on thy sword, and break the chains, And overcome the powers of hell. DEAD FLIES. See wisdom, honor, fame, and power, On seats sublime, in royal tower, Clothed in the robes of kingly grace. To reign and rule in regal place. With mitred head and laureled brow. And thousands at his mandate bow. His word is law, his nod supreme. To rule in righteousness his theme ; Virtue, and truth, and justice he Is pledged to guard by land and sea ; The poor, and weak, and humble rise To meet the smiles of loving eyes. But oh, alas! no cheering smiles The peasant's lot or life beguiles. The rich, the cultured, and the great Are pampered, and in royal state 249 250 DEAD FLIES. Receive the honors of the crown, And honest worth to earth bows down. Princes who tarry at the wine-cup red, Who hence forget the poor, unclothed, unfed. The Pharisee, whose prayers are over-long, Who loves to stand before a gazing throng, So that he may be heard and seen of men. And hear the echo on the breeze again ; The odor of the ointment spoiled, alas ! By flies that throng the winds, that pass. And priests in sacred garments, clad in white, By little follies many virtues blight. Some by the foul and strong narcotic weed, Annul the sanctity of all the creed ; And others joke and play with things divine. While others still are lured by beer and wine. One clothes the " Word-divine" in gaudy dress, Another in his own self-righteousness." These, like dead flies in ointment's healing store, Send forth offensive odors evermore. ON THE DEATH OF MRS. EVANS. Her feet have left in Jordan's river Their angel prints while crossing o'er ; She 's crowned by grace with Christ, the giver, Where death can never enter more. She gave her heart to Jesus' keeping, And at his table loved to feed ; For years within his house she waited Upon the Lord, in breaking bread. She loved God's saints, and their communion, From which she never absent was, But once, in all her happy union, With his believers and his cause. Her dying words were full of meekness, Her faith was strong, her hope was clear ; Her sleep at last was full of sweetness, No pain, no murmur, and no fear; Among the last sweet words she uttered. To a dear brother who was near, She spoke with sisterly affection — " I love you dearly, brother dear !" 251 TO A SORROWING FRIEND. O child of sorrow and of sadness, thou, Who under a load of anguish heaves a sigh. Think of the Friend who reigns in glory now. Who once beneath thy load did faint and bow. He sees thy tears, and hears thy moans. And feels a sympathy with all thy grief; Thy aching heart, thy cries and groans, And kindly sends thee sweet relief. The only sure support in thy distress Must come from him whose love alone Can every want and woe redress, And silence every sigh and moan. His blessings come to all who mourn. And all who suffer for his sake. He binds up every heart that 's torn. If we by faith his counsel take. Cast all thy burdens on the Lord, Who knows thy every want and woe ; To his divine and blessed word In all thy sorrows quickly go. 252 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, SEPT. I/, 1 88/, One hundred years have flown Since our grandsires agreed That we, by letters of our own, Should from all foreign laws be freed. And now by constitution strong Build up a government sublime, To endure and shine the ages long, Unlimited by race or time. The articles of common law Have stood the test a centuiy. And many nations stand in awe, Beholding our prosperity. Under one banner, bathed in blood, We' ve broken slavery's awful chain ; Under our constitution, good, In one unbroken bond remain, 253 254 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. Now sixty millions share the boon Of equal rights before the law ; And in our heaven-born gift we soon Will cause all lands to stand in awe. Here, in the name of one All-wise, We- bow and worship, and adore ; And to the Lord of earth and skies We give all praise forevermore. One King alone our country sways, One Hand divine provides our bread ; To Him be everlasting praise ! Our glorious, ever-living Head. God of the nations, thee we own. Our Sovereign, rightful ruler thou ; Before thy throne, and thine alone, In humble adoration bow. A TRIP TO FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, 1886. From the city of Penn, when the moon was bright, With a pleasant companion I started from home ; And over the valleys and mountains by night, We gazed on the beautiful star-lit dome Till the midnight hour, at the house of state, My companion turned into his berth above, And I had been seeking, without debate, My sleeping and resting powers to soothe. The palace in which we dwelt for the night Rolled on o'er the rails till the morning fair; When at six A. M. we beheld the light In the city of Pitt, and breakfasted there. And after thus soothing the " inner man," By the dainties spread on the sumptuous boards, We rolled away in our palace grand. Through the lands and hills of the Buckeye hoards. Where coal, and oil, and gas, and smoke abound. And the broad acres teem with corn and kine ; 25s 256 ^ TRIP TO FORT IVAYXE. Where peace and plent}- perch on all around, And wealth and labor in one cause combine. And when our palace home, on wheels of mAgic speed, Had left our Quaker City but a single day, Moving o'er mount, and mine, and vale, and mead, We found ourselves eight hundred miles away. Near to the lakes, where towns and cities rise, Built as by magic, in a few brief years ; All trades, all nationalities, their hosts comprise Under one banner, where all men are peers. And at Fort Wayne, where Indian tribes once met The immortal Anthony, who laid them low, And by his arms compelled to pay their debt, Here in the rivers of St. IMarj^'s and St. Joe. ' Where one bold red man daily climbed a tree, And dared Wayne's arm}', with a menace dart ; Till skilful marksman's ball, by stern decree, Pierced the vile Indian through his cruel heart. Here in the Fort Wayne College," met from many States, Heralds of Him who leads all armies on, In holy combat with hell's gloomy gates, An army that has many battles won. 257 A TRIP TO FORT WAYNE. The army of Wesley's unpaid local guards, The pioneers of " Methodistic order grand ;" Who build their tents, and draw their nets or swords, To work for God, in every darkened land. Four days these men of God in concord met, In loving fellowship and mighty prayer ; And Fort Wayne students will not soon forget The Holy Spirit's power which met them there. Each day was like a Pentecost divine, A burning shining halo all around ; All hearts arose on faith and love sublime, And tongues of flame gave forth the gospel sound. As in the " mount" where Peter, James, and John, With Moses and Elias, heard the voice, And saw the glory of God's darling Son ! Here would we stay, and make this mount our choice. For it was good to be in College Hall ! And heavenly bliss came down on each and all ! 17 STANLEY AND LIVINGSTON. Eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, A telegram from Paris came, Which I could not with ease define, Address'd to my unworthy name. But when I came to know the cause Of such a generous demand, I soon appeared at short request, In France, the far-famed elite land. Here I was told, without disguise, That I was wanted for a scheme, That to some persons, somewhat wise, Was thought a wild Utopian dream. The scheme of search for Livingston, Who long had wandered o'er the land, Where Ham's ill-fated sable son Has left his race, a heathen band. Cast out by the avenging sword, Darkly in mists of doubt profound ; 258 STANLE V AND LIVINGSTON. No more to hear a father's word Till they shall hear the gospel sound. But soon that joyful day shall come When Ethiopia's dark domain Shall spread its hands to God alone, And all her sons return again. The light of Christian love supreme Shall shed its beams on Afric's shore ; And cruel tyrants, vile arid mean, Shall cease to steal her children more. Stanley now Livingston has found ! And now the aged sage is dead ; Stations are built, and all around. White Christians have no cause of dread. The gospel of the Son of God Is now proclaimed o'er land and sea ! The Ganges and the Congo flood To every Christian land are free. The dark and shadowy land of Ham, So long the home of savage men, Where grow the olive and the palm. To glory is retrieved again ! 259 SONNET AND ACROSTIC. ^Iay heavenly benedictions crown thee, And eartli's fair flowers thy hfe surround ! God's arm around thee ever>' moment, Give him thy heart, and in his grace abound. In all thy ways acknowledge him thy guide, Each hour take refuge in the crucified ; From every evil way thy steps forever turn. Pray always, and to heaven turn tliine eye Even when the clouds tliy skies obscure, Amid the darkness raise thy soul on high. Rest on his word that rules tlie storm. Safe in his care thy bark shall ever ride On ocean's billows, kept from every harm. No danger, darkness, or alarm betide. 260 HOME. I HAVE sung of all the flowers, In the gardens, fields, and bowers ; All their tints and shades enchanting, Beauties of God's right hand planting ; And their fragrant odors charming To my smell, where nature's farming Spreads the wild rose and the clover, In the country's wastes all over. Woodbine, lilac, violet breath. In the vestibules of death. In the palaces of kings, I have seen delightful things. In the floods and mountains grand, Wonders on the seas and land ; I have heard the songs of joy Swell the heart of girl and boy. I have been where kindly words, Like the singing of the birds, 261 262 HOME. Promise pleasures without pains, Joys in sweet melodious strains ; But where'er my feet may roam, There is no spot so dear as home. Beauty, riches, friends, and favor Fail us in an evil hour ; Life and fortune all will waver. When the heavens with darkness lower ; But, where'er on earth we wander. In the crowd or all alone. When on life's stern truths we ponder, We will feel the need of home. "Home, sweet home," dear spot most pleasant To the poor, the prince, or sage ; To the artist, farmer, peasant. In our childhood, youth, or age. Home on earth a little season, A probation kindly given ; (Faithlessness to home is treason). Home is the antepast of heaven. ON THE DEATH OF JEROME LINDEMUTH. • Aged 8 years. A very remarkable and lovely child. O Death ! thou ruthless, tyrant foe ! Thy hand has dealt an awful blow ! The fairest, and the youngest flower That bloomed in our paternal bower, By thy relentless, cruel breath, Our lovely boy lies cold in death ! Our hearts are torn, and oh the smart Thou hast inflicted by thy dart ! O death, thou art a conquered foe ! Our darling lives, despite thy blow ; Jesus has said, " Let children come" Unto my arms, unto my home ; Where death can never, never more Enter upon the heavenly shore. There our Jerome has joined the rest Who 've gone to Jesus' loving breast; And now we seem to hear him say, " Father and mother, look this way !" 263 264 ON THE DEATH OF JEROME LINDEMUTH. Sisters and brothers, one and all, Four voices now from glory call ! Four are on earth, and four above, Where Jesus reigns in light and love. Dear loved ones, while you weep and mourn, "Blessed are ye," though rent and torn. And soon, though now asunder, we Will meet where partings cannot be; WHiere Jesus now forever reigns. And no more death, and no more pains Can ever dim the immortal eye, Or from the heart extort a sigh. Let hope and love your home below Cheer with a blessed, heavenly glow ; Till from your earthly house you rise To meet your loved ones in the skies, And in the resurrection day, When heaven and earth shall pass away, And the new heaven and earth appear, May all our family be there ! In life eternal, blessed words, May we forever be the Lord's ! TO MRS. H. A. R- Written on the day of her burial. Her pathway, oft obscured by morning mists, And cloudy hours, for many years she trod ; But ever and anon the Hght of Jesus' face Shone through the fogs, and led her up to God. In life's young morn we met in childhood's glee, When only nine bright summers shed their light Upon her pathway, and her eyes of jet, And cheeks like roses red, and face so bright. We joined in all the gleeful plays and pranks. Like new-fledged robins on the verdant lawn ; Chirping our childish chants in happy ranks Of boys and girls, in childhood's morning dawn. Then drifted out into the sea of life awhile, And met no more for a decade of years ; When lo ! again we met upon life's drifting tide In early manhood's hopes, and joys, and fears. 265 266 TO MRS. H. A. R . To-day we met again, and she lies cold In silence on her bier, in death's embrace ; Her race is run, her hour-glass now is told, And old and young stand round her resting-place. Her form once beautiful, her lovely face, Her hands so quick to do the kindly deeds, Her feet so swift to run the Christian race, All quiet now^,— r-in sombre sable-weeds. Now by the side of him whose name she bore, She lies in slumbers till the last great day; Her pains, her sorrows, all her labors o'er, Till Gabriel's trump shall stir the silent clay. Her conscious happy spirit with her risen Lord, Now in the bosom of the faithful dwells ; In sweet communion, and in love's accord. His v^oxihy fame her voice with praises swells. LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS. CROTHERS. The face of those who sleep in Jesus Sweetly retains his image fair ; The smile of peace a halo gathers, When death has left his impress there. Thus it was with her we cherished, Not a shade of grief or pain Marred her sweetly peaceful features ; Death to her was endless gain. While sweet flowers were strown around her, And her friends were bowed with grief, She, amidst the choirs of heaven, Happy soul, found sweet relief. While the death-robes wrapped her body. And in beauty robed her clay; Garments pure, and white, and lovely. Decked her form fn endless day. 267 268 LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS. CR OTHERS. Now we '11 often think of heaven, And of our dear one safely there ; And to her Saviour, morn and evening, We '11 raise our hearts in humble prayer. And think of her sweet voice of triumph, Through his power who died to save ; And rose again our sins to pardon. And give us victory o'er the grave. She has found the heavenly mansion In our Father's house so fair ; Shall we go and join our loved one, And with her that mansion share? Hark ! methinks I hear her calling Husband, parents, sisters, all ; Come to Jesus, friends and brothers, Listen to the Saviour's call. Hear your dear one's kindly greeting, Enter now the open door ; Shall we have a blessed meeting On the happy, heavenly shore? BORROWED GEMS OUR TREASURES. Charley,' a gay and gleeful boy, And full of mischief too ; His face is fair, with sunny hair, And liquid eyes of blue ; Just turned of five, a little man. He helps his mother all he can. Then little Eddie, four years old, A gentle, winsome child. With soft dark eyes, and sweet replies, And spirit always mildi The death-angel hovered his cradle above. But left him to work out his mission of love. 269 2/0 OUR TREASURES. Leona, darling angel babe, Too beautiful and pure to stay, Her brown eyes closed in sweet repose. And angels bore her far away. He lent our treasure to us a few short months to love, Then took our darling home to Him to draw our hearts above. Then little Willie, household pet, A merry, laughing boy ; Our little dove so full of love, A constant source of joy ; There 's music in his silvery laugh, And love and joy make bright his path. Virginia, our precious babe. And little household fairy. With sweet dark eyes, and chestnut hair. And life as red as cherry ; And with a sceptre, though unseen. She rules the household like a queen. 2/1 OUR TREASURES. Now comes a little blue-eyed girl To claim our love and care, Sweet Lidie, with her golden curls, And rosy cheeks so rare ; Embodiment of infant grace, No other one could fill her place. Le Roy, the youngest of the group. But does not feel too small To wear his papa's hat and gloves, And tries to look so tall ; Affection fills his heart — and joy. O how we love our baby Roy ! Time passed, and left another elf In the shelter of our fold ; A bonny, black-eyed little man, And worth his weight in gold ; Our Harry is a lovely boy. Our pet and pride, and household joy. Amelia E. Hole. Salem, Ohio. "THIS IS NOT OUR REST." Micah ii, lo, " This is not our rest ;" 't is a region of care, A land of perplexities, dangers, and fears ; And hearts that are beating with rapture may share A moment of transport with bitterest tears ; And when we look round on life's pathway of ill, Although it may sometimes seem happy and blest. Back, back to our bosoms conviction will thrill. And everything teach us this is not our rest. This is not our rest ; the hopes of to-day, With hues of the rainbow all glowing and bright. May fade with to-morrow's sad dawning away, And leave us in sorrow, lamenting their flight ; And care may intrude on our moments of joy. Disappointment's keen arrow be lodged in the breast ; Then say, if life's cup is thus mixed with alloy. Can this darkened planet indeed be our rest ? 272 " THIS IS NOT OUR RESTP 2/3 This is not our rest ; for affliction will come, And death will deprive us of objects most dear ; All darkly may gather the clouds round our home, And the sunlight of happiness yield to a tear; Or friends whom we trusted would never betray, And hearts that we prized as the truest and best, Grow cold and forgetful, and love fade away We thought most undying ; this is not our rest. This is not our rest; youthful dreamer, awake ; Believe not that here thy best moments are given ! Oh rouse from thy slumber, and hastily take The straight narrow road that will lead thee to heaven ! The song may resound, and the festal be gay, And beauty be flattered, or idly caressed ; But soon must the pleasure of earth pass away. Awake, youthful dreamer! this is not our rest. This is not our rest ; though a voice may be near. In some tranquil hour to whisper of peace ; To promise that life shall be sunny and clear, And all the wild storms of adversity cease ; i8 274 THIS IS NOT OUR REST." That pleasure shall wait on thy steps evermore, And thou wilt be always as happy and blest ; 'Tis a voice that has cheated fond bosoms before. O trust not the syren ! this is not thy rest. This is not thy rest — thou on manhood's broad track, Thou toiling in age for life's perishing things ; From its fatal allurements in season turn back, And plume for the skies, wearied spirits, your wings. Each day brings its trials, vexations, and pains, And vainly ye dream of a future more blest ; Alas ! it but pictures the present again. Look upward, look upward ! this is not your rest. This is not our rest ; far beyond the dark tomb It rises in beauty more bright than the day ; Its sky never darkened, and fadeless the bloom That smiles in a region which knows not decay. There the river of life its pure waters will roll By the mansions of glory prepared for the blest ; And there with the Saviour, O then will the soul Enjoy an eternal, unchangeable rest ! DANDELION. A DANDELION in a meadow grew, Among the waving grass and cowslips yellow; ^ Dining on sunshine, breakfasting on dew, He was a right contented little fellow. Each morn his golden head he lifted straight, To catch the first sweet breath of coming day ; Each evening closed his sleepy eyes to wait Until the long dark night should pass away. One afternoon, in sad and quiet mood, I passed beside this tiny, bright-faced flower. And begged that he would tell me, if he could, The secret of his joy, through sun and shower ? He looked at me with open eyes and said, " I know the sun is some where shining clear ; And when I cannot see him overhead, I try to be a little sun right here !" By Willis Boyd Allen. From " The North American," June 28th, 1886. 275 THE LIMPET, OR LITTLE DISH. " In nature's all-instructive book, Where can the eye of reason look. And not some gainful lesson find To guide and fortify the mind ? The simple shell on yonder rock May seem, perchance, this book to mock. Approach it then, and learn its ways. And the bright lesson it conveys. At distance viewed, it seems to lie On its rough bed so carelessly, That 'twould an infant's hand obey, Stretched forth to seize it in its play. But let that infant's hand draw near. It shrinks with quick, instinctive fear ; And clings as close as though the stone It rests upon, and it, were one. And should the strongest arm endeavor The limpet from its rock to sever, 276 THE LIMPET, OR LITTLE DISH. 277 'Tis seen its loved support to clasp With such tenacity of grasp, We wonder that such strength can dwell In such a small and simple shell ! And is not such a lesson worth ♦ The study of the sons of earth ? Who need a rock so much as we ? Ah ! who to such a rock can flee ? A rock to strengthen, comfort, aid, To guard, to shelter, and to shade ; A rock, whence fruits celestial grow. And whence refreshing waters flow. No rock is like this " Rock" of ours ! Oh, then, if you have taught your powers By a just rule, to estimate ; If you have learned to calculate How great your need, your strength how frail, How prone your best resolves to fail ; When humble caution bids you fear A moment of temptation near. THE LIMPET, OR LITTLE DISH. Let wakeful memory recur To this your simple monitor ; And wisely shun the trial's shock, By clinging closely to the Rock." ORIGINAL ADDENDA. When dangers and when doubts alarm, Lean on the Lord's Almighty arm. And when the wolf or fox is nigh, To the Good Shepherd quickly fly. When darkness all thy paths enshroud, Let faith's clear vision pierce the cloud. The cloudy pillar may o'ershade Thy path through dangers deeply laid; The fiery pillar may be lent To guide in toilsome duties sent ; Cling to the hand that leads in love, Ever absorbed with things above. GREAT AND SMALL, WITH ORIGINAL ADDENDA. ^ A SPARROW swinging on a branch, Once caught a passing fly. " Oh let me Hve !" the insect prayed, With trembhng piteous cry. " No," cried the sparrow, " you must fall. For I am great, and you are small." The bird had scarce begun his feast. Before a hawk came by. The game was caught. " Pray let me live !" Was now the sparrow's cry. " No," said the captor, " you must fall. For I am great, and you are small." An eagle saw the rogue, and swooped Upon him from on high ; " Pray let me live ! Why should you kill So small a bird as I ?" 279 28o GREA T AND SMALL. "Oh," said the eagle, "you must fall, For I am great, and you are small." But while he ate, the hunter came ; He let his arrow fly. " Tyrant," the eagle shrieked, " you have No right to make me die !" " Ah," said the hunter, " you must fall. For I am great, and you are small." Flies, sparrows, hawks, and eagles, all, Must yield to death's decree ; And mighty hunters, too, must fall Before the powers that be. And by death's darts all men must fall, For He is great, and we are small. All empires rise, and grow, and fall Before the power Supreme ; The Arm Almighty holds them all, However great they seem. And time itself must conquer all, For truth is great, and we are small. 716 ..M A"* o, ' ., V ■* ,G