.U >.T. I opened your little hook of Poetns without much expectation of pleasure or profit, but I found both. I do i ot know when I have been more surprised than I was in finding in a man whom I had identified wi'.h works of practical benevolence, one who, as he passed wearily over the dusty highways of life, had been all along singing to himself songs that were indeed a refreshment to his soul. If you have more songs like those you have already sung, I am sure there are those who would like to hear them. Ji.v. Thos. C. Pitkin, D D., Detroit. The deep devotional tone and the sweet melody of its rythm render your book both attractive and religiously mstructive. I think it will afford the members of any household an evening's entertainment, to read it aloud to the family circle Rev. yphn IV. Broiuyi, D.D., Rector of Trinity Church, Cleveland. The Year of Christ I N SONG: Easter and Ascension-tide, BY THE SAME AUTHOR, Uniform with this volume, and the comp.tnion and complement of the same, the Publisher e.xpetfls to issue early ne.xt season 4®" These volumes mailed to any address for Ji.oo each, by either Publisher or Author. The Year of Christ IN SONG ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS-TIDE. REV. OSGOOD E. FULLER, A. M., YPSILANTl, MICH. '7, '' The King in His beauly.^'' DETROIT: E M I L S C H O \\ R R , 7 Fort Street West. . 1878./^ 7X -r-. /^ ^ ♦■ Copyright, 1877, by OSGOOD E. FULLER EMIL SCHOBEK, PRINTER AND BINDER. ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS-TIDE. Dear Heart, let these abide And set thy life aflame : The Thought of Christ who claims His Bride And gives her foes to shame ; The Thought of Him who came To suffer and to die, That all mankind athrough His Name Might climb to yonder sky ; The Deed which filled His life And made it beautiful, With Godhood and with Manhood rife, Until His days were full ; The Cross on Calvary That stands no more in gloom, From which He passed to death for thee And glorified the tomb. CONTENTS ADVENT. Page The Mountains 3 Eureka '5 The Beautifui. Maiden -•• 26 The Kingdom of God 32 Into His Chambers 35 The Beautiful Plant 3S Reward and Rest 42 The Eternal Song 45 The Day of God 52 Love for Love 53 A Great Death 56 O Daughter of Zion 62 The Troubled Heart 64 A Legend of Saint Thomas 65 Longing 69 What the Watchman Said r. 70 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE NATIVITY. Page The Shepherds 73 Christmas Morn 76 The Beautiful Child 77 The Christmas Rose 78 The Five Names: 80 Wonderful 81 Counsellor 82 The Mighty God 83 The Everlasting Father 84 The Prince of Peace 85 Saint Stephen 86 A Legend of Saint John 89 The Holy Innocents 96 The Sure Foundation 102 The End of the Year 103 The Circumcision 104 The Traveller 105 The New Year m CONTENTS, THE EPIPHANY. Page Great Light 115 The Three Kings 118 The Lamb t )F God 128 Obedience , 130 Songs of Deliverance 131 Silence 141 Saint Paul: 142 L Conquered through Stephen 143 n. In Arabia, and Fifteen Days with Peter at Jerusalem 149 III. The Apostle to the Gentiles 156 The Presentation 164 Love's Remembrance 166 THE TEMPTATION AND PASSION. Thalla riA ! Thallatta ! 169 The Forty Days 177 The Angel of Prayer 179 Gn.EAD 180 SwEi'T AND Garnished 181 Songs of Resi' 1*82 viii THE YEAR OF CHRIbT. Page The Annunciation 187 El Dorado 190 The Mother of Us All 192 Palm Sunday 193 Lord, Is It I? 194 Gethsemane 195 Calvary 198 Goon Friday 201 Easter Even 209 ADyE^JT 'MY SONG SHALL BE OF MERCY AND JUDGMENT. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. The Manger and the Judgment- Seat Are both within my heart, Twin elements of God which meet And will not stay apart: Great words that teach me all I know Of human history, The cloud and sun which form the bow Of heavenly mystery. And in the beauty of the arch That in my soul they form, Steadfast 1 keep upon the march All through life's sun and storm, Strong in the loyalty of soul Hope half fulfilled creates, And certain of the happy goal Where full fruition waits. The Year of Christ. THE MOUNTAINS. ' How beautiful upon the mountains. How fair upon the mountains Wliere beauty sliall not cease, The feet that bring good tidings, The Hps that pubHsh peace ! In all the dreams of boyhood That beauty had control, And now those years have vanished. It has not left my soul. For when I hear the Gospel From some great heart out told, Whose melody eternal It can no more withhold. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. The beauty on the mountains, Whose vision shall not cease, Within my heart upflashes With all the olden peace. The peace that knows no slumber. The peace that hath no rest. Whose source is on the mountains. Whose ocean is my breast ! Her presence is refreshment And very strength of soul. And all my life is music, So sweet is her control. And all my life is action, O blessed Prince of Peace, For in the soul that finds Thee, The joy shall never cease — The joy that is forever To one dear purpose born, As morning unto evening And evening unto morn. Along the march to heaven, Whose glory bends to earth, THE MOUNTAINS. I seek, as unto sunshine, To erow to higher worth : The morning dawns with beauty, Peace comes with even -song, And in the swift procession The joy that maketh strong. And I am each to - morrow Advanced beyond to - day. So be my heart is open The while I work and pray ; For God upon the mountains, Whose vision cannot cloy, Shines down through all the darkness In beauty, peace and joy. God ! God ! upon the mountains. Sun of the Advent Day, When will He shine in fulness, And darkness pass away ? For I am grown impatient. So much there is above. The height on height unmeasured, Of God's eternal love. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. God ! God ! upon the mountains, Sun of the Advent Day, When will He shine in fulness, And darkness pass away ? Be still, my soul, and trust Him, Whose fulness is in Christ ; The darkness His pavilion. He hath the more sufficed. 1 I. Not all of earth is earthy. Nor all beyond sublime : Eternity hath sorrow, And joy is found in time. And joy is everlasting, A thinof heroic, born Of doing and pursuing In regions of the morn, Whate'er the Spirit willeth. Which hath of souls the cure, Whate'er a soul becometh That must for aye endure : THE MOUNTAINS. Through evil fame and happy, Until the settino- sun Pioclaims in dying beauty The race of earth is run. And what if darkness gathers, Which is not darkness all ? And what if sorrows thicken. Which cannot hold in thrall ? Oh think ye not of darkness Where blessed light abides. Oh think ye not of sorrow Where deathless joy resides. The days so few and evil. That dawn on mortal eyes. Reveal, the blessed mountains Which touch the happy skies ; The dear and blessed mountains Which longing eyes behold, Begirt with all that lureth The eager heart and bold. Oh who would not ascend them And cool the fever heat, THE YEAR OF CHRIST. The burning pain and ceaseless Which in his being- meet, And all the sweet pulsation Of manly triumph feel, As ever upward pressing With pilgrim faith and zeal ? In grand and twilight glory Like hoary priests they stand And drop their benedictions Upon a toiling land ; What time they seem to beckon To those who dwell below, Revealing and concealing What mortals pine to know : Concealing what of knowledge Might quench and satisfy The mighty thirst and hunger Which bridge the earth and sky Revealing as in mercy A prospect here and there, Majestically real And infinitely fair ; THE MOUNTAINS. And flaming down the watchword Of all the good to be, On those who look above them With eager eyes to see, Which, writ upon their banner In characters of fire, Out shines the blaze of passion And every low desire ; Until, like him who scenteth Some far off golden shore, And girdeth for the journey, Not counting dangers o'er. New- purposed, bold and eager. They put their armor on. Intent those heights in reaching From whence the lisfht has shone While ever, as ascending, They feed the flame of life And nurse a nobler purpose And nerve for bolder strife, Till on the blessed mountains They raise the . victor's cry, THE YEAR OI- CHRIST. And rest, begirt with glory Which cannot fade or die. And rest ? There is no resting, No one abiding place For mortals or immortals In life 's unending race : The grave it doth not limit The stronof heroic will : Fair fields and everlasting Invite endeavor still. For joy goes on, forever To one dear purpose born. As morning unto evening And evening unto morn. And mountains rise on mountains Which touch remoter skies. And bless with larger blessing The soul that never dies. Oh who would not ascend them, The table lands of God, By earth and heaven's heroes Victoriously trod ; , THE MOUNTAINS. Where rest is found in action, And joy in ceaseless love, Which hath below bep-innino- And waxeth strongf above ! 1 1 1. What time an eager pilgrim For many a year was I, The beauty on the mountains Did fill my wistful eye ; For all within the circle Of each new year of Christ, I tracked His life undying And felt a joy unpriced. Sometimes a form of beauty, Sometimes a hidden law, One vision went before me And held the mind in awe. And oh I could not linger. Though sunk in half despair; For what I ever followed, Did ever grow more fair. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Forever some new g^lory, Behind the clouds in part, Did wrap the soul in wonder And feed the hungry heart. The light relieved the darkness, The darkness dimmed the light, And half in light and shadow I went from height to height. Sometimes I rose in falling, Sometimes in rising fell, And all the sweet and bitter I cannot pause to tell. But conquest came forever, As gladness after pain ; And who would scorn the anguish, To follow in her train ? For all within the circle Of many a year of Christ, I tracked His life undying And felt a joy unpriced, — The joy that is forever To one dear purpose born. THE MOUNTAINS. 13 As morning unto evening And evening unto morn. And all I gained and gathered I hid within my heart, Where year by year it groweth Of this poor life a part ; Till now my only purpose Is how I best may guide Some weary, toiling brother Far up the mountain side. For Love must ever publish The wonders of the way Where light comes out of darkness And night is turned to day, And find another glory Upon life's pathway burst, Out shining all the splendour That dawned therein at first. And if I aught have garnered Of life's bright, golden grain. It is my dear ambition To sow it all again. 14 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. And God I know will help me And give me inward peace, And thus for all my sowing My litde store increase. And God I know will bless me And more and more suffice With what cannot be uttered, His own dear Son the price, Until upon the mountains My heart is all sufficed, In knowing the eternal And perfect Year of Christ. EUREKA. " He first findeth his own l)iothei' Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias." I. St. Andrew and ten thousand others Have told my secret to their brothers ; Yet there may be some little gain, If now I tell it o'er again. Though all my telling will not make The hearer of the love partake, Which is the sunshine of my story, Its chief and everlasting glory. It comes through strong, courageous years. And hopes victorious over fears. Through ceaseless toil by day and night, Until the flashes of the light i6 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Drive from the yearning soul afar The things that of the creature are, And fill its waitingf chambers full Of God, the one thing beautiful. This secret of the world of spirit God does not give for any merit Which in His children He discovers. He hails the truest of His lovers, And unto them vouchsafes the grace His truth eternal to embrace. And clasp within an eager soul, The secret which they aye control. Eureka ! cries Archimedes, What time his secret fair he sees ; And forth he runs to publish it, His face with glorious triumph lit. Copernicus for many years Sought for the secret of the spheres Through forty circles of the earth Was it in coming to its birth. EUREKA. 17 And when at last the old man died At anchor in the Crucified, The fruit of all his toil became The glory of a deathless name. Newton and Kepler both baptized In prayer the truths which they so prized: Thanksgiving unto God arose, Who His arcana did disclose. Oh, with what joy they told abroad The long sought secrets of the Lord, Apostles of science. Christian men. Using the gifts of tongue and pen ! And shall the greater secret far Than any truths of science are, Remain a hidden, untold thing With never wafting power of wing ? How did Saint Andrew finding Christ The secret of his joy unpriced. Straightway rehearse unto another. Sharing his gladness with his brother ! i8 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. How did Aposdes tell it forth Unto the East and West, the North And South, wherever souls were found, And clouds and darkness did abound ! Christ ! Christ ! did they alone rehearse, The centre of the universe, Round which ^humanity revolves. What time it climbs in high resolves. Christ ! Christ ! and Him once crucified. Who for a world of sinners died. Christ ! Christ ! who tasted death for all Whom sin and evil here enthrall. Henceforth all men to me are brothers. I must tell Christ in me to others. The fruit of all my long, long search I must tell forth unto the Church. And not the Church alone. The world Must never see my banner furled. One love, one work, until I die ; One only prize to fill mine eye. EUREKA.- 19 O One exceedinor crreat Reward ! Help me my secret tell abroad ; Help me one purpose to fulfill What time on earth I do Thy will. Through good report and evil 1 Pursue whate'er in Christ is high, And with the blessed Gospel shod Rano^e through the world wide Church of God. One only lofty vision I Through all the earth and heavens descry : One only fair ideal hold Before my eager heart and bold. One only song and prayer is mine That I may show what is divine Unto some yearning hearts of men Groping for Paradise again. And as the sovereign way for this Return to paradisal bliss, What is there, things of earth amono- Like breath of God upon the young ? THE YEAR OF XHRIST. Until they come at length to see The beauty of the Deity, Alike in Nature as in Grace, Flashing- from every form and place, A guide to lead them on and on. As love led the Apostle John, Till they begin to tell abroad God, their exceeding great reward. Dear Christ ! all men to me are brothers. Henceforth my secret is for others : One only prize to hold mine eye. One love, one work, until I die. 1 1, Yes, I have found the work at last. Which Providence alone forecast ; And nevermore for me is rest, Save when I labor at my best. EUREKA. 21 Dear younger brother, would'st thou know The way the Master loves to show His will and wish ? The search is vain, Unless it be through toil and pain. There is no easy lesson here Where wisdom lingers many a year. Most their vocation never know, Since wisdom comes so slow, so slow ! Discerning not the will of God, They walk the way the fathers trod, And He who marks the sparrow's fall. Observes His lowly children all. But thou of hunger hast the smart Pent up within a conscious heart. God's providence is speaking there, Telling what thou shouldst do and dare. Be bold to heed the silent voice And crucify each meaner choice ; Or else forever lose the place Assigned thee in the realm of Grace. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. God speaks not many times to those To whom His will He would disclose. Have they, alas, no ears to hear. No more, no more He draweth near. He needs thee not against thy will. Thy little place His hand can fill. From stones can He, of old I AM, Raise children unto Abraham. So thou, thy work to know and do, Must unto Providence be true, And heed the signals and the signs, Although the light but dimly shines. What though the signs are not so plain As to shut out all doubt and pain ? The doubt and pain will not grow less. While thou remain'st in idleness. What if the signals be but faint And in thy heart there is complaint ? Ah, they will all the fainter be During thine inactivity EUREKA. 23 When once the signal voice is heard, And the unfathomed heart is stirred To action, we have found the way Where Hfe is greater than to-day, (However vast its treasures be) And boldly claims eternity. Henceforth we no more reckon worth By the arithmetic of earth. The great is small, the small is great. Often in after estimate, And nobler aims and visions rise What time we see with other eyes. Hast thou despised the little things ? Know thou the smallest duty brings A prophecy of coming time. For thee ignoble or sublime. The gifts of God thou dost not use, Little or great, thou dost abuse. What if — the forfeit comes at last — From thee be taken what thou hast ? 24 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Thy sacred trusts each day increase : Evening- shall bring a psalm of peace, And in a broader circle shine The lantern of the Word Divine. The blessed thinors of God no more Shall be like shadow, as before, But real, precious and sublime, To grow more fair by use and time Stand still, the darkness on thy track Pushes no more its column back. Halt not, the light gleams wide and far, And thine is an unsetting star. There always will be clouds. Thy mark May sometimes vanish in the dark. What then ? Wilt thou at this despair ? It is thy trial — oh, beware ! Renew thy faltering zeal and trust The Lord, O creature of the dust. Young faith will perish in the night, If thou dost only walk by sight. EUREKA, Without the sun, the air, the earth, The seed comes not unto its birth: Its hidden power of Hfe will die, Or dormant in its prison lie. Without the word and deed, the thought Is to no blessed uses brought, But quickly withers from the soul, Evanishing beyond control. Act to the purpose of thy heart, And Providence, with wondrous art. Shall fashion it to beauty there. Transmuting all thy work and prayer, Till it shall come to be thy life Grown strong in every manly strife. And, when the time is ripe, approve Thee for the Master's work of love. 26 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN; OR, PURSUIT OF THE IDEAL. "Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.' Maiden, beautiful as sunrise ! I adore her night and day : Night and day where'er I wander, She is ever on my way. Tender maiden, watchful maiden, Friend to me she is alway. And with countenance angehc All my baser thoughts doth fray. Now she chides me and she guides me, If by chance I go astray: Then she scorns me and she warns me. If to rest my head I lay. THE BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN. 27 Purer than the virgin dew-drops, And more beautiful than they, Clothed she is in lily -meekness And a youth forever May. Who would not rejoice to woo her, Who is clad in such array? Who would not rejoice to win her. Who may never know decay ? Fairer maiden, rarer maiden, Poet never may portray ; Purer maiden, truer maiden. Never dwelt in mortal clay. And such charms she always weareth. And so modest to display ! Oh my airy, fairy maiden Over me hath perfect sway ! Should King- Oberon, the Fairy, Haply from his kingdom stray, And be questioned if he love her, He could never answer nay ; 28 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Such his eager heart to woo her, And her to his reahn convey, Where her beauty would enthrone her Queen of every elf and fay. Oh, her smile to me is better Than the vintage of Tokay ; Better hours when I behold her Than are ages of Cathay. But, ah me ! she e'er so coy is — And I always hate delay — Oft my heart grows dark within me. Void of hope's celestial ray. For when I would fain embrace her, Blushingly she flits away, Darting, glancing like a sunbeam. As if mocking my dismay ; Leaving me, and then returning. Like the sunlight in the spray ; And my soul is half distracted With such Tantalus - survey. THE BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN. 29 Why will not the cruel maiden Once my beauty - thirst allay ? Doth she stoop at last to vengeance, Dooming- me a castaway ? Airy maiden, fairy maiden, Do not keep me thus at bay; Linger yet a little, maiden ; Maiden, yet a little stay. Ah, she will not deign to listen. Though I sue and I inveigh ; Ah, she will not deign to listen. Doth she then my love repay ? If I ask her if she love me. Blushing she will nothing say. Nothing answer to convince me. Nothing, neither nay nor yea. But retreating, softly fleeting, Like a rainbow, heavenly gay. She doth call me, she doth call me, And I cannot but obey. 30 THE ^"E\R OF CHRIST. And as bold and eager- hearted As a school - boy who at play, Brig-ht-hued butterflies in chasinof O'er the fragrant, new mown hay. Vexed, successless, yet determined On the capture of his prey, Which allures him and eludes him. Follow softly as he may ; I pursue my airy maiden From the morning twilight grey. Till the mists of evening gather. And no conquest doth defray All my yearnings and my heart - beats, For she every art doth slay. Yet with new and light endeavor. To allure her I essay. Purposing no base inaction And no sluggard's welaway. Till I touch the happy altar. Crowned on with the fadeless bay. THK BRAUriFUL MAIDEN'. 31 And I think my heart grows better, And I count not what I pay For the airy chase and earthly, Where she seemeth to betray ; For I feel if here I never Win my maiden, as I pray, I shall in yon sphere eternal Fold her in my arms for aye ; Where the splendour of the virgin Satisfies the heart straightway, And the rhyme that never changes, Fringes the Celestial Lay. 32 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I. Awake, O dreamers, rejoice, rejoice ! For the Kingdom of God is at hand, And the call of the beautiful maiden's voice Is blending with manhood's command. The vision of fair and holy things Will never conquer the world. Without the faith which to heaven flings The banner too brave to be furled. In the shadowy field, where the battle is set. Put on the armour of light, And know ye the foes, who with valour are met. Shall vanish with the night. THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 33 The day is at hand, and the wilderness Echoes, Repent ! repent ! And show ye the beauty of hoHness In doinor the Lord's intent. fc> And the manly voice of the hermit John, Is the voice of Christ in the land : Repent! — all ages shall bear it on — For the Kingdom of God is at hand. 1 1 . The years are big with the things of fate. The ages are piled with gold — For the gold of God is it too late. The world is so very old ? And men are starving, though bountiful store Is offered through all the land. Not heeding the cry for evermore, The Kingdom of God is at hand. 3+ THE YEAR OF CHRIST. The bread of God is just as sweet As it was in the olden time, And the hungry hearts, that freely eat, Shall grow to a life sublime. Alas, that Famine and Hate are abroad And Wrong is a king with men, When day and night are prayers to the Lord For Mercy and Right again ! But men must suffer, and men must pray, And the valiant saints strike home, Until the cry of the Advent Day, The Kingdom of God is come. INTO HIS CHAMBERS. "Thy love is better than wine." I APPROACHED the lordly chambers, Which arose at God's command, More majestic than all temples, Poets find in fairy land. I approached the lofty chambers, Which for man are filled with eood, And with awe and fear upon me At the sacred threshold stood. " Oh for strength ! and oh for courage ! Was my spirit's silent prayer. While the shifting light and darkness Saw me standing lonely there ; 36 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Saw me standing, saw me waiting, In the awful shadow there. Till, as clouds, my fears departing, Faded in the viewless air. Then it was no longer doubting. That I sealed the happy choice ; And a coward tongue unloosing. Echoed then a fearless voice : I will pass the golden portals And explore each secret part. For I long to find a solace For my yearning, aching heart. Then I issued from the darkness, I so long a plodding fool, And the King in mercy led me Through the open vestibule ; And I passed the golden portals Which I ne'er had passed before, Entered then the lofty chambers Where is love forever more. INTO HIS CHAMBERS. 37 And the music of low voices, Floating cheerily to me, Added knowledge unto knowledge Touching immortality. And I felt my spirit glowing, Joyous in its new-born power, As a bud which in its blowing^ Feels itself at last a flower. Lord, defend Thou me, Thy servant, With Thine everlasting- orace, Till I in Thy chambers yonder, Hail the brightness of Thy face. Thine be all the praise and glory Which throucrh Christ I bring- to men Mine be but to tell His story, Till I breathe my last Amen ! 38 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE BEAUTIFUL PLANT. "The rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley." Of all the wonderful plants that grow On mountain, in forest and field, There are verily none of which I know Whose generous blossoms yield One - half the fragrance, one - half so sweet, As the Beautiful Plant that I daily meet. It blooms the first in the vernal time, And gay at the coming of June ; It ever outlives the Summer's prime : And when the Autumn - winds tune Their organs to play the dirge of death. It scorneth and 'shunneth their blasting breath. When Nature at length is in burial array, Her children all gone to the tomb, Will it ever know that wickedest day THE BEAUTIFUL PLANT. 39 When it shall be out of its bloom ? Oh, no ; for every to - morrow doth bring To my Beautiful Plant the return of Spring. It drinketh the wine from the cup of morn, And trembles with rare delight ; And the loving stars at even born Look down from their homes of light, And unto my heart forever say. Thou hast the beauty that lives for aye. And when I go forth to the strife of the world. And join the hurry and din. With banners of light in my soul unfurled, I forget not that men are kin. Throughout the one great household of God, Awake on earth or asleep in the sod. The present, the past, and the future are mine. And I am no longer my own : All things I behold in the light divine. Where nothing is ever alone, And beauty flows forth unto eager eyes Surveying the earth or piercing the skies. 40 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Ill the world's isolation I cannot move, When I catch the glory of all That is meant by Universal Love, To push from the heart the wall Which is builded of hate and fear and doubt. And fences immortal companions out. My Beautiful Plant, athrough my heart Diffuses such glory and cheer, I would never more from the garden depart Where it blossoms through all the year. And daily, I think, becomes more fair, Receiving the kisses of purer air. Oh who does not nourish so holy a thing Is the poorest and vilest of all ! Though he live unchallenged a very king, And a world respond to his call. Ah, such, I fear, when the earth is behind. The garden immortal will never find ; For this plant is akin to the Tree of Life, Blossoming under its shade. And serving to sweeten the toil and strife THE BEAUTIFUL PLANT. 41 Which the Tempter for us has made, Until at last we climb by its power So high as to pluck the heavenly dower. And then in truth of such wondrous worth, Its roots so deep in the soul. That when we are weary and done with the earth. It will go with us over the goal ; And there at length, in its native clime. It will reach with its kindred a growth sublime. 42 THE YE\R OF CHRIST. REWARD AND REST. " I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward." "There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God.'' Year by year the world grows older, Year by year the end draws nigh. Will the hearts of men be colder When the Lord descends the sky ? Soon the days will fill their number, Soon be here the time for rest ; Rouse ye, rouse ye from your slumber, Do the work that is the best: Ever as with meek behaviour. Looking for the Lord and Saviour, In the brightness of His favour Finding Him reward and rest. Year by year the day approaches When the Saviour will return. See ye that no sin encroaches. Ye that for His coming yearn. REWARD AND REST. 43 Have ye aught to do for neighbour, Do it ere the time for rest ; Going forth to toil and labour, Do the work that is the best: Ever as with meek behaviour, Looking for the Lord and Saviour, In the brightness of His favour Finding Him reward and rest. Help ye, help ye one another. If ye seek the Golden Year ; Greet in every man a brother. Oh, how soon will it be here ! Journeying a little longer. Doing that which is the best, We shall all be growing stronger Till we enter into rest: Ever as with meek behaviour, Looking for the Lord and Saviour, In the brightness of His favour Findinor Him reward and rest. What! and will ye idly linger In this strange and hostile land? 44 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. At the road - side see the Fino-er Pointing to the Golden Strand Rich in all eternal treasures, Purest, fairest, and the best. Radiant with those endless pleasures Which are joy, reward and rest: Ever as with meek behaviour, Looking for the Lord and Saviour, In the brightness of His favour Findino- Him reward and rest. t> Death will seek us in the valley, Darkness there will gather fast ; But angelic hosts will rally Till the shadows all are past. Death will take but our defilement. Only that which breaketh rest ; Turning from the world's beguilement. Seek we then what is the best: Ever as with meek behaviour. Looking for the Lord and Saviour, In the brightness of His favour Finding Him reward and rest. THE ETERNAL SONG. " And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Cometh soon the day desired long, Cometh soon the triumph over wrong, When we sing the one eternal song. Lo ! when heaven and earth shall both remove, Cometh then Jerusalem above Where the banner over all is love. Oh the heiohts to which the saints shall climb ! Oh the wonders of that coming time. Wonders for our telling too sublime ! Heaven and earth renewed, from crowns as bright As is God's all - flaming, endless light, Flash their beauty in the face of Night, 46 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Till she from the universe away Hastes to hide herself in that decay Which shall have no resurrection day. Soul ! arise and see the splendour come ! For the painting of that fadeless home, Voice and heart without the Lord are dumb. John in Patmos saw the blessed sight, An immortal and divine delight, For unhallowed eyes too pure and bright. New Jerusalem, a coming down, City matchless in her fair renown. Bringing for each valiant saint a crown. What is that great voice which followed then ? Lo ! God's tabernacle is with men. Former things shall be no more again; No more weeping — pain and death are done, Who hath overcome hath all things won. And shall ever be to God a son. O my soul, hear thou that other voice, And remember what hath been thy choice. Ere thou lift a heart that may rejoice ! THE ETERNAL SONG. 47 Lo ! the fearful, unbelievers all, Liars, they who down to idols fall. Know the death whence there is no recall ! — Know the second death, which is the fire Of a vanished season to aspire, Burning, burning, in a vain desire. Oh the terrors, when they vainly call On the mountains and the rocks to fall On them as annihilation's pall ! Help me, God, to shun that second death ! Help me while on earth I draw my breath ! Help me learn and do what Jesu saith ! Hast thou chosen that eternal part. Then at length is thine, O valiant heart, Joy that shall not ever more depart. Lift thine eyes and feast them on the grace Honour, riches in that radiant place, Thine, when thou hast ended here thy race. Get thee to a mountain great and high. Get thee, O my soul, where best thine eye Tracks the glory flaming down the sky. 48 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. City after an eternal plan ; City which the Lord's dear mercies span, Bow, my heart, before this love to man ! Gates look North and South and East and West, All unfolding- what is fairest, best, Liorht and truth and everlastino- rest. Jasper walls are there, and golden pave. Of the sun and moon no need they have ; All the Lamb and God with glory lave. Hark ! hark ! hear that mighty rush of song. From all souls that love has made so strong ; Hark, and learn the notes which they prolong ! Song of Moses and the Lamb they raise. Pouring forth to God eternal praise, Who is just and true in all His ways. Moses and the Lamb with never taints ! Theirs the chant they lift without complaints : Just and true Thy ways are. King of saints. Moses ! servant unto God below, Mercies in His judgments thou did'st know, Fountain whence eternal praises flow. THE ETERNAL SONG. 49 Lamb ! who suffered'st here upon the cross, And did'st purge away our sin and dross, God in Thee did show die gain of loss. Hear their voices who His Kingdom trod, With the preparation of the Gospel shod: Great and marvellous Thy works, O God ! See them cast their crowns before the Throne, Service which by them on earth was shown, There at length unto perfection grown ! Looking back from new Jerusalem, Know they with the Lord their diadem, Tribulation was but love to them. Oh the beauty love In mercy paints When she chants the death of all complaints : Just and true Thy ways are. King of saints! Soul ! arise and gird thine armour on. Has the light of God within thee shone, Linger not the rugged ways upon. Thorns and crags and dangers, what are they But prophetic of the fadeless bay, Which the eager brow would wear for aye i 3 50 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. God throuo^h love shall make the mountains low ; God through love shall cause the depths to grow Heights which everlasting sunshine know. Hast thou gained some triumph in the Lord, Thinking more of coveted reward Than of faithfulness unto His Word? Hast thou ever drunk the cup of bitterness, Flowing with the gall of deep distress, When thou seemd'st to sink from less to less ? Tell me, thou with Christ within thy heart. What thou thinkest of that olden smart, And the triumph where thou hadst a part? Rose I in my joy, and rising fell. From my grief I rose too high to tell ! God be praised who doeth all things well. Oh the beauty love in mercy paints, When she chants the death of all complaints : Just and true thy ways are, King of saints ! Girded in the armour of His light, Take, my soul, thy rank amid the fight. Counting on the triumph of the right. THE ETERNAL SONG. 51 What though clouds shall clasp thee in their bath ? What though night shall gloom along the path, Where the Lord's the only guide one hath ? Fling thy splendour on the darkness here, Till the ways of God becoming clear, Banish from thy bosom every fear. What though cruel things upon thee press. Resting as a burden of distress. Till thou cry, alas ! for righteousness ? Recognize the long extended hand. Moulding thee as for a purpose grand ; Fail not thou to do the Lord's command, Knowing as thou lookest forth afar, Life and death and all things glory are, God's and His who flames the Morninor Star. Oh the beauty love in mercy paints, When she chants the death of all complaints: Just and true Tiiv ways are, King of saints ! 52 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE DAY OF GOD. Are ye with the preparation Of the Gospel shod. Fear ye not the tribulation Of the day of God ! He will come in all the glory Of a smiling face, And rehearse the happy story Of a day of grace. Are ye with no preparation Of the Gospel shod, Then, alas ! the tribulation Of the day of God ! He will come, but in the glory Of a frowning face, • And recall the fearful story Of His wasted grace. LOVE FOR LOVE. " Freely ye have received, freely give." I. Mv Saviour, when I think of Thee. And all thou didst for love of me, I cry for grace that I may know How I Thy love may others show. For this, O Lord, is mine to do, And to my work I would be true, lo lead Thine erring ones to see Thou lovest them as well as me. Do Thou in this my efforts aid. And with Thy love my soul pervade, Until a guiding flame it burn And wandering ones to Thee return. Do Thou in this my labour bless, And many unto righteousness Shall I at length, O Lord, incline. And as the stars forever shine. 54 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. II. O ye that have received so long The tidings of great joy, Will ye do naught to make them strong Who are in God's employ ? When Joshua's hands were held on high, How Israel's host prevailed ! When at his side they fell, the cry. Defeat ! all hearts assailed. Ye are the children of the Word, And will ye weakness be ? Cheer ye the fathers in the Lord, And cheer them manfully ! Freely through them ye have received From the dear Lord of all : Their costliest treasures are indeed Forever at your call. Give back the strength of your new hearts, Their weary hands uphold ; And look ! the gloom of night departs. Faint souls once more are bold. LOVE FOR LOVE. 55 I I I. Pastors with Christ's own sandals shod, To make the world more fair, Like Abraham, the Friend of God, Go forth, not knowing- where. Workers together with the Lord They labour at their best, Forever faithful to His Word, And that alone is rest. Like Judah's Lion tirm they stand In their appointed place, And like the Lamb through all the land They carry grace for grace. O all ye people, pray for them Who choose a servant's part. And ye shall be their diadem And God shall be their heart. 56 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. A GREAT DEATH. " Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man ; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, as I trust shall never be put out." The words of Latimer al the stake. I . Men, it is said, when peaceful death approaches, Sometimes look forth as with illumined eyes: The conscience is at rest, with no reproaches, And blessedness drops from the opened skies. And it is true ; I cease thereat to wonder ; For when I think upon the chariot- flame Which is triumphantly to bear us yonder, I have experience I cannot name. As looking forward to His sure returning. Whom 1 have served for many and many a year, To satisfy unutterable yearning. To see Him as He is, I have no fear ; A GREAT DEATH. 57 So, looking back upon a life of sorrow And joy, in which all contradictions met, So ignorant and vexed about the morrow, Ridley, I have no feeling of regret. The view is beautiful in each direction ; On either hand the beauty is divine. The bright and unmistakable reflection Of Him who was, and is, and will be mine. Amid my prayers there is a rush of voices From out the silence of the coming years. God ! God ! how this uplifted heart rejoices What time the music falls upon my ears ! Have I not prayed, have I not toiled and waited For some true glimmer of the better day ? Have I not yearned for holiness, and hated Whatever seemed to push that time away ? Now is the travail of my soul rewarded ! Some vision of the blessed day is mine : The triumphs of the Church are all recorded Upon the tablets of the Will Divine. 58 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. No longer into warring hosts dividing, In Zion all the saints shall find one home, For judgment in the living God confiding, With prayer as from one heart, Thy Kingdom Come ! Come ! Come ! that is the end of all my praying, Which has no echo of the world's complaints. Lord Jesus, come ! and, with no more delaying. Uplift me to my place among the saints. Death is not death ! I catch the inspiration Of life — a life that is not wholly new — And hear that blessed song's reverberation Which in the silence of the world I knew. O song of rest! — earth -notes it has no longer — Where God is both beginning and the end. Where love of Him is ever growing stronger. And praise and service always interblend ! That is enough while here to know of Heaven, Enough, enough for me to know when there ; Of what God gave account shall now be given. And long ago I heard the voice, Prepare ! A GRKAT t)EATM. 59 One moment more of earth and all is over. Ridley, companion of my later years, Play thou the man, and let the world discover Thou hast no kindred in ienoble fears. 'fc>' Lonof has it been our new-born life to handle God's Word, and put the hosts of hell to rout ; And now triumphant death shall light a candle. The glory of whose fiame shall not go out. II. Behold with prophet -eyes a battle raging In yonder sky from morning until night, The sun, the clouds, a serried host, engaging, That old, old strife of darkness and the light. Servant of God, the sun, he never pauses. Although the phalanx of the clouds obscure His face to eyes below, unharmed his cause is. His glory beams above all bright and pure. 6o THE YEAR OF CHRIST. He shines, shines on, and through the darkness burning, Forces his way to the expectant earth ; Lo, as it bursts, his triumph of returning, . Nature the more rejoices in his worth. And when the heart- beats of the day are over, How does the monarch at the battle's close, With all the glory of his triumph cover The clouds, and sink to beautiful repose! So fought with evil here, so entered The most heroic soul that England knows, The realm of rest to which his thoughts all centred ; So on the world his splendour still he throws. Let it burn on, forever on, the candle Of that brave death and strong heroic life. To cheer unnumbered souls, what time they handle Their weapons, girded for the world's great strife ! How it has shone through years more than three hundred, What time so many storms have swept. the sky. And cannon of the world have flashed and thundered. Whom it has cheered and blest, is known on high. A GREAT DEATH. 6| Above the light of earth, fed by the Morning Star with the faith of Paul, the love of John, Cheerful, imperishable, all -adorning. To God's great triumphs may it still lead on, Until the Learnino- that is new forever, Whose fountain is the precious blood of Christ, Shall knit the nations in one g-rand endeavour, All witli the knowledge of the Lord sufficed. Forever be it kept alight, the candle Of that brave death and strong heroic life, To cheer, when we are gone, the souls that handle Their weapons, girded for the world's great strife. 62 THE YEAR OK CHRIST. O DAUGHTER OF ZION. O Daughter of Zion, When proudly Orion Illumines the East, Then one that is least Of the children of God Who His Kingdom have trod, Is thinking of thee, And what is to be In that beautiful time When the world grows sublime. O Daughter of Zion, When proudly Orion Illumines the West, Then One I love best Of the children of God Who His Kingdom have trod. Is a light in my heart That has found the good part O DAUGHTER OF ZION. 63 Which shall not for aye Be taken away. O Daughter of Zion, Through strength of the Lion That from Judah once came, With the sio^n of His name, Lift His children below, In Thy love all aglow, To the Kingdom of God, Which by all shall be trod. In the beautiful time When the world erows sublime. O Daughter of Zion ! The Strength of the Lion Who from Judah arose. To eternal repose In the Kingdom above Shall upraise us through love, A numberless throng For triumph of song, On mountains of liefht Where never is night. 64 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE TROUBLED HEART. Great Searcher of the troubled heart, I bow before Thy Throne, And pray Thee make my doubts depart, Till I am all Thine own. Shine through the sky of my dark soul, Bring from the night the day, Until the clouds and darkness roll Forevermore away. O Thou, in whom I trust, believe, Who am of sinners chief. My heart's strong, wrestling prayer receive, And help my unbelief. The blindness which for Thomas' sake. Thou didst of old remove, Do Thou from me in mercy take. And melt my heart with love. A LEGEND OF SAINT THOMAS. Saint Thomas the day of his Festival, The briefest of the year, Was looking down from Paradise Through the frosty air and clear. His eye, the eye of heaven that morn, Was of worshippers in quest, And travelled afar through all the North And South and East and West. At length his ear he bended low. To catch the sounds that came From a beautiful and lofty church Which bore his very name. 66 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. It was no organ - peal he heard, No voice of praise or prayer; Nor was it the blessed Word of God Which rung- through the arches there. £> There was no low-bowed priest within, There was no reverence; And the holy angels there had said "Arise, let us q:o hence." t> The hearts of the angels who came to see What honour Saint Thomas had, And gather the odours of prayer and praise. Were heavy, that day, and sad. They only beheld a noisy throng Who were binding wreaths to grace The house of God for Christmas-tide, At a sacred time and place : As if they honoured the Holy Child By what was another's loss ! As if it absolved from irreverence, The making of garland and cross ! A I.EGENU OF SAINT THOMAS. 67 Then quickly the Saint from Paradise Came down the wintry sky, And his form which in the window stood Was a glory to every eye. His face was a heavenly beauty there Of which the artist dreamed, That never before until that day Had more than mortal seemed. The gazers ceased their nimble work, The hum of voices died ; All wondered what was shinin^ there Which the place so glorified. And more and more the wonder grew, Until Saint Thomas saw Fast creeping on from face to face A shadow of breathless awe. They knew not the Saint was looking in Through the beautiful window there ; But something whispered from heart to heart, " My house is a house of prayer." 68 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. And something guided many a hand Until from the church they bore All that unhallowed the sacred place, And order reigned once more. And lo ! the angels all came back, And their hearts at length were glad, When they gathered the odours of prayer and saw What honour Saint Thomas had. LONGING Who, who does not long for the Kingdom of God, The realm which the wise of all ages have trod, When striving with sin and combatting with sense, Jehovah their helmet and shield of defense. O, who does not long for the Kingdom of God, The realm which the meek of all ages have trod, Where Christ, the Good Shepherd, so true to His charge. Keeps watch on the weary, their strength to enlarge. O, who does not long for the Kingdom of God, The realm where the brave of all ages have trod. And labored in faith, and been victors in love Through the might of their heirship to glory above. Who, who does not long for the Kingdom of God, The realm which the Saints of all ages have trod, Who now in their triumph are crowned with their Lord, And rest in the truth of His glorious Word. 70 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. WHAT THE WATCHMAN SAID. " Watchman, what of the night ? Watchman, what of the night ? The Watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night." " Morning cometh, also night." Watchman, which shall I expect ? " Faithful and heroic, light Will reveal thee God's elect." " Morning cometh, also .night." Watchman, which is it to be ? " Love and labour with thy might, All good things will dawn for thee." " Morning cometh, also night." Watchman, can I my desire ? " Unto neighbour do the right, Thou canst to the best aspire." " Morning cometh, also night." Watchman, what shall be my part ? " Truth and Mercy thy delight, Christ shall cradle in thy heart." THE NATIVITY. "THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS; FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS." 72 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. The banners of light are unfurled, The darkness is sovereign no more, And tidings of joy to the world Are speeding from shore unto shore. For Bethlehem's plains have beheld A wonderful, beautiful sight, Which prophets foreshadowed of eld, A new and eternal delight. The Babe in a manger is laid. For such was Thy cradle, dear Lord, And shepherds, their charge now obeyed. Are spreading the wonder abroad. O spread it abroad till the day The Christ shall be born in all hearts. And humility rise to the sway Where pride with its folly departs. THE SHEPHERDS. O SHEPHERDS watcliing flocks by night, How bursts upon your startled sight, The glory of the heavenly light! Ye see the splendour of the sky Down streaming into mortal eye, And every heart doth wonder why. But hark ! what voice is that ye hear. Than mortal accents far more clear, Like strange, sweet music to the ear? Fear not! It is an anofd's voice: He speaks to make the world rejoice, And ye of heralds are his choice. Good tidings of great joy brings he. Which shall unto all people be Till they from sin and death be free ; 4 74 THE YEAR OF ClIRtST. For unto you this winter morn A Saviour, Christ the Lord, is born, Who Satan of his realm hath shorn. And Bethlehem doth now behold The Babe the prophets saw of old Before the a^es were unrolled. And lo ! His angels throng the sky Where voice to voice doth make reply, " Be glory now to God on high." And dearer words than tongue or pen May ever speak or write again, " Peace ! peace on earth, good will to -men." As soon as e'er the sky is grey With tokens of the coming day. The wondering shepherds go their way In silence and with one accord, To seek their Saviour and their Lord, According to the Angel's word. Behold, all in the lowly place They find the more than mortal Grace And look upon His radiant iace. THE SHEPHERDS. 75 The tribute of meek hearts they bring, The first to fall aworshipping The long-desired, the new-born King. And finding such divine reward, The wonder of the infant Lord They carry hence and spread abroad. O hearts that beat in latter days And lift no voice of prayer or praise. Heed ye what now God's angel says. He bringeth every lowly heart Good tidings of the better part. Oh, straightway from your sins depart! Approach, approach the lowly shrine Where more than mortal glories shine, And henceforth know the lieht divine. t> And when your gratviful souls are full Of all that is most beautiful, How quick will they grow dutiful. And in among the ranks of men In burning words of tongue or pen, Sow all their harvest store again ! THE YEAR OF CIIRI5T. CHRISTMAS MORN. Awake ! and prepare for the sight Of more than a mortal delight; For Bethlehem's plains are aglow With what we may nevermore know, God's angels are filling the sky, Their voices are sounding on high; And shepherds in wonderment there Are hearing the message they bear. And lo ! the good tidings of joy Are destined all hearts to employ, Till in them the Saviour is born, As erst on the beautiful morn. Remembering morning is here When Christ in the heart would appear, Arise, and behold the delight. And gird thee with garments of light ! THE BEAUTIFUL CHILD. The Beautiful Child of the Highest At length on the earth has appeared ; And they who to Him are the nighest The most by His beauty are cheered. Come near, O ye sorrowful mortals, And put your deformity off; For He is the way to the portals Where we our mortality doff. Behold Him now low in the Manger, The marvellous Brother of all ! Adown in this Valley of Danger He lifteth us up from our fall. Adow^n in this Valley of Sorrow His beauty illumines the strife. Oh what for to-day and to-morrow ? A beautiful infinite life ! 78 . THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE CHRISTMAS ROSE. It is the helebore Which blooms forevermore On merry Christmas Day, Reminding us of One Then born a Virgin's Son, To take our sins away. The death its leaves within Is but the death of sin ; Which death to die, was born The pure and guiltless Child Who Justice reconciled And oped the gates of morn, THE CHRISTMAS ROSE. What time a crimson flame Throughout a world of shame, Did purge away the dross, And leave the blood-red gold Whose worth cannot be told, He purchased on the cross! And thus a prophecy Of Him on Calvary, Who took our sins away, Is that fair purple flower Which hath of death the power And blooms on Christmas Day. 79 8o THE YEAR OI- CHRIST. THE FIVE NAMES. " His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ' Five names, known ere the earth Was hallowed by His birth, As heralds of His great renown, Flash from the Saviour's crown. Who knows what they contain Has risen to life again, And built his house upon the Rock, No more to suffer shock. For he has found the fruit Which grows from David's root ; Its taste is wisdom unto him, His eyes no more are dim: He sees through life and death, He breaths Celestial breath ; And in the Master's service here He greets the Golden Year. THE FIVE NAMES. 8i WONDERFUL. One with the Good and True and Fair, The soul of all their mysteries, Lord of the land and sea and air, Yime and eternity were His. Before the earth and heavens were made For men and angels' dwelling-place. His was the Sceptre that was swayed Through the infinitude of space. But lo ! the chiefest wonder lies Fathomless in th' Incarnate Word. Though His great heart outspanned the skies, A Manger held the Infant Lord. And when the Child to manhood grew And stood for us in Adam's stead, He all our grief and sorrow knew And had not where to lay His head! 82 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. I I, COUNSELLOR. O WEARY heavy laden ones, He bids you come to Him for rest. And through all time His counsel runs And points to that which is the best. Eternal Truth ! Eternal Life ! To these He is the only Way. All other paths bring fruitless strife, Return and go no more astray. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come ! All things are ready for the feast. He welcomes every wanderer home, He gives His bounty to the least. Yea, from His place in yonder House In which the many mansions are, He bids His children here arouse And for the waiting feast prepare. THE FIVE NAMES, I I I THE MIGHTY GOD. Of old He came unto His own ; His own, His own, received Him not. When all the wealth of heaven was shown. How did they cry, 'Tis naught, 'tis naught The Ligrht amid the darkness shone. Children of darkness did not see. Then He for blindness did atone, The sin that curses you and me. Behold, He put with wondrous love The Godhead's radiant crown aside ; Lord of the shining realm above For you and me and all He died. His children here He loved so well He showed the Mighty God was He, And burst the very gates of hell To gain for them the victory. 84 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. I V. THE EVERLASTING FATHER. He is the Everlasting One, The Father of the fatherless, Known in the Well- Beloved Son Who doth the world forever bless. The heaven of heavens cannot contain The crreatness of Eternal Love. While stars shall shine, moons wax and wane, He sends His angels from above, To find His sorrowing children out In their low dwellings of despair. From all their hearts to banish doubt. And make them brave and true and fair. When suns shall cease to rise and set. When earth and sea shall be no more, He will remain our Father yet, To greet us on the nightless shore. THE FIVE NAMES. 85 V. THE PRINCE OF PEACE. The tenderest and sweetest Name Whose fragrance will for aye increase, Is His who to my bosom came And bade the strife and tumult cease. Prophets beheld His far-off reign, And in the sight did they rejoice. Apostles on the stormy main Marvelled at His peace -bringing voice. Prince of Peace ! when Thou art near. The troubles of the world depart, 1 have no other friend so dear, And Thou alone must keep my heart! Keep it, oh keep it though the power And sweetness of Thine Advent psalm, And when earth's storms and tempests lower I still shall know abiding calm. 86 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. SAINT STEPHEN. Praise God for that dear Martyr, The first of all the host Who earth for heaven barter, To love the Master most ; And chief of sons and daughters Triumphant over pain, Who cast upon the waters The bread that comes again. The nearest to the Saviour Who poured his blood for all, And like Him in behaviour. We keep his festival, In love of his devotion To Him who went before, Through Whom we seek the portion For all the saints in store. S A I N T b T E P H E N . 87 We all in joy remember The valour of his life, Which kindling every ember, Gives ardour to the strife, In which ot old the Master Dropped victory on one Who through the world's disaster Now shineth as the sun. There was not one divining, When Stephen's face so fair Was like an angel's shining, Whom he saw standing there In that high place of glory. All at the father's side, Above heroic story, In that for foes he died. O strong young man, and burning For slaughter of the saints, To that brave martyr turning Thou didst not hear complaints ; But grace to him was given To gain thy pardon there, What time he went to heaven Upon the wings of prayer. 88 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. O Paul once filled with loathing At that bold Nazarene, When at thy feet the clothing Was laid, what did that mean ?- But that on thee his spirit Would like a mantle fall, Who through the Saviour's merit Wast soon the chief of all ? The saint is yet a mountain Against the wrath of foes ; His heart is still a fountain From whence devotion flows. His blood has many a harvest In all the ages brought. O foolish one that starvest, He did not live for naught. Thank God for that dear Martyr, The first of all the host Who earth for heaven barter, To love the Saviour most; And chief of sons and daugrhters Triumphant over pain, Who cast upon the waters The bread that comes again. A LEGEND OF SAINT JOHN. There Is a beautiful leg^end Come down from ancient time, Of John, the beloved disciple, With the marks of his life sublime. Eusebius has the story On his quaint, suggestive page ; And God in the hearts of His people Has preserved it from age to age. It was after the vision in Patmos, After the sanctified love Which flowed to the Seven Churches, Glowing with light from above : When his years had outrun the measure Allotted to men at the best, And Peter and James and the others Had followed the Master to rest : 90 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. At Ephesus came a message Where he . was still at his post, Which unto the aged Apostle Was the voice of the Holy Ghost. Into the country he hastened With all the ardour of youth, Shod with the preparation Of the Gospel of peace and truth. His mission was one of mercy To the sheep that were scattered abroad, And abundant consolation, Which flowed through him from the Lord. Oh, would my art could paint him. The venerable man of God, So lovingly showing and treading The way the Master had trod. At length when the service was ended, His eye on a young man fell, Of beautiful form and feature And grace we love so well. A LEGEND OF SAINT JOHN. 91 At once he turned to the bishop. And said with a love unpriced, "To thee, to thee I commit him Before the Church and Christ." He then returned to the city, The beloved disciple, John, Where the strong unceasing current Of his deathless love flowed on. The bishop discharged his duty To the youth so graceful and fair ; With restraining hand he held him. And trained him with loving care. At last when his preparation Was made for the holy rite, He was cleansed in the sanctified water And pronounced a child of light. For a time he adorned the doctrine Which Christ in the Church has set. But, alas, for a passionate nature When Satan has spread his net ! 92 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Through comrades base and abandoned He was lured from day to day, Until, like a steed unbridled, He struck from the rightful way: And a wild consuming passion Raised him unto the head Of a mighty band of robbers, Of all the country the dread. Time passed. Again a message Unto the Apostle was sent, To set their affairs in order And tell them the Lord's intent. And when he had come and attended To all that needed his care, He turned him and said, " Come, Bishop, Give back my deposit so rare." "What deposit?" was the answer Which could not confusion hide. " I demand the soul of a brother," Plainly the Apostle replied, A LEGEND OF SAINT JOHN. 93 " Which Christ and I committed Before the Church to thee." Trembling and even weeping, " The young man is dead," groaned he. " How dead ? what death ? " John demanded. " He the way of the tempter trod, Forgetting the Master's weapon, And now he is dead unto God. " Yonder he roves a robber." •' A fine keeper," said John, " indeed. Of a brother's soul. Get ready A guide and a saddled steed." And all as he was the Apostle Into the region rode Where the robber youth and captain Had fixed his strong abode. When hardly over the border, He a prisoner was made, And into their leader's presence. Demanded to be conveyed. 94 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. And he who could brave a thousand When each was an enemy, Beholding John approaching, Turned him in shame to flee. But John of his age forgetful, Pursued him with all his mi^ht. " Why from thy defenceless father," He cried, "dost thou turn in flight?" " F"ear not : there is hope and a refuge, And life shall yet be thine. I will intercede with the Master And task His love divine." Subdued by love that is stronger Than was ever an armed band, He became once more to the Father A child to feel for His hand. Subdued by love that is stronger Than a world full of terrors and fears, He returned to the House of the Father Athrough the baptism of tears, A LEGEND OF SAINt JOHN. 95 Such is the beautiful legend Come down from ancient days, Of love that is young forever, And is he not blind who says. That charity ever faileth, Or doth for a moment despair, Or that there is any danger Too great for her to dare ; When John, the beloved disciple, With the faith of the Gospel shod, Went forth in pursuit of the robber And brought him back to God? O Church whose strength is the doctrine Of the blessed Evangelist, This doctrine of love undying Which the world cannot resist, Be thy life forever girded With works that are loving and grand, To remain for the generations The praises of God in the land! 96 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE HOLY INNOCENTS. " Rachel, weeping for her children and would not be comforted, because ihey were not." I HAVE heard the voice in Ramah, And with sorrow we are not done ; For thine is the bitterest mourning, Mourning for an only son ! And what shall I utter to comfort The heart that is dearest of all? Too young for the losses and crosses? Too young for the rise and the fall ? Oh, yes ; we own it, we own it ; But not too young for the grace That was so nameless and blameless, For the yearning and tender embrace ! THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 97 He hung, he hung on thy bosom In that happiest weariest hour, A dear httle Dearest, it seems but a minute, Though winter has twice spread the snow, Meek purity's mantle to cover The one that is resting below. In the acre of God, that is yonder. And unto the west his head, He sleepeth the sleep untroubled, With one to watch at his bed. For the bright and guardian angel Who beholdeth the Father's face, Doth stand as a sentinel watching O'er the dear one's resting place ; Doth stand as a sentinel guarding The dust of the precious dead. Till at length the trumpet soundeth. When the years of the world are sped; THE YEAR OF CHRIST. And the throng which cannot be numbered Put on their garments of white, And gird themselves for the glory Of a realm that hath no night. And so he is gone, the darling, And the dream so fair and vain. Whose light has faded to darkness, We shall never dream again ! Never ? Is the earth the limit To bright and be;iutiful hope ? If the world brings not fruition, Must we in darkness grope ? Oh no ! There is expectation Which the grave cannot control ; There is boundless infinite promise For the living and deathless soul. And the darling who left us early. May yonder grow a man ; In deeds of the great Hereafter He may take his place in the van. THE HOLY INNOCENTS. Oh, if thine is the bitterest mourning, Mourning for an only son, Beheve that in God, the Giver, Thy darHng his course begun ; Beheve that in God, the Taker, His course forever will be ; For this is the blessed comfort. The comfort for thee and me. THE YFAR OF CHRIST. THE SURE FOUNDATION. A SURE foundation I have found, That will not yield to any shock : O God, Ihy grace doth so abound My house is built upon a rock. Thoup-h rains descend with rushing- sound Like steeds, and fountains all unlock, All 's well ! for grace doth so abound My house is built upon a rock. Though floods lift up their hands around. And at my door in anger knock. All 's well ! for grace doth so abound My house is built upon a rock. Though winds their many trumpets sound. Their mighty fierceness I can mock : O God, Thy grace doth so abound My house is built upon a rock. THE END OF THE YEAR. "Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become v." Old things have passed away ! Tell me, my soul, to-day, Along the way the Master trod If thou art nearer God ! Old things have passed away ! Tell me, my soul, to day. What new things thou rememberest, That give thee joy and rest ! Old things have passed away ! Tell me, my soul, to-day. What things eternal thou hast done. What triumphs thou hast won ! Old things have passed away ! Tell me, my soul, to-day, What from the endless Year of Christ Has more than erst sufficed ! I04 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE CIRCUMCISION. Depart, O vileness of the flesh, My soul must not be mangled. Depart, ye sins that are a mesh, Where life is oft entangled. Be gone, O grossest things of earth, God wills your circumcision. Be gone, what keeps me from the birth Unto the joys Elysian. Approach, and make me pure and fair, O thou divinest Angel, Down sweeping from celestial air To be the Lord's Evangel ! Come ! Come and do your work for me. Ye seven refining spirits, Till I the waiting Mansion see, Clothed with my Saviour's merits. THE TRAVELLER. A ballad for the Circumcision and New -Year Day. Oh, did you not see him that over the snow Came on with a pace so cautious and slow ? — That measured his step to a pendulum -tick, Arriving in town when the darkness was thick ? I saw him last night, with locks so gray, A little way off, as the light died away. And I knew him at once, so often before Had he silently, mournfully passed at my door. He must be cold and weary, I said, ^ Coming so far, with that measured tread. I will urge him to linger awhile with me Till his withering chill and weariness flee. I06 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. A Story — who knows ? — he may deign to rehearse, And when he is gone I will put it in verse. I turned to prepare for the coming guest, Vv^ith curious troublous thoughts oppressed. The window I cheered with the taper's glow Which glimmered afar o'er the spectral snow. My anxious care the hearth -stone knew, And the red flames leaped and beckoned anew. But chiefly myself, with singular care, Did I for the hoary presence prepare. Yet with little success, as I paced the room. Did I labour to banish a sense of gloom. My thoughts were going and coming like bees, With store from the year's wide -stretching leas, Some laden with honey, some laden with gall, And into my heart they dropped it all ! O miserable heart! at once overrun With the honey and gall thou can'st not shun. Tini; TRAVELLER. 107 wretched heart ! in sadness I cried, Where is thy trust in the Crucified ? And in wrestHng prayer did I labour long That the Mighty One would make me strong. That prayer was more than a useless breath : It brought to my soul God's saving health. When the hours went by on their sluggish flight, And came the middle watch of the night ; In part unmanned in spite of my care, 1 beheld my guest in the taper's glare, A wall of darkness around him thick, As onward he came to a pendulum -tick. Then quickly I opened wide the door. And bade him pass my threshold o'er, And linger awhile away from the cold. And repeat some story or ballad old, — His weary limbs to strengthen with rest. For his course to the ever receding west. io8 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Through the vacant door in wonder I glanced And stood — was it long? — as one entranced. Silence so awful did fill the room, That the tick of the clock was a cannon's boom. And my heart it sank to its lowest retreat, And in whelming awe did muffle its beat. For now I beheld, as never before, And heard to forget, ah, nevermore ! For with outstretched hand, with scythe and glass, With naught of a pause did the traveller pass. And with upturned face he the silence broke. And thus, as he went, he measu redly spoke: My journey is long, but my limbs are strong: And I stay not for rest, for story, or song. It is only a dirge, that ever I sing ; It is only of death, the tale that I bring: Of death that is life, as it cometh to pass,- Of death that is death, alas ! alas ! THE TRAVELLER. 109 And these I chant, as I go on my way, As I go on my way forever and aye. Call not thyself wretched, though bitter and sweet In thy cup at this hour intermingle and meet. Some cloud with the sunshine must ever appear, And darkness prevails till morning is near. But who doth remember the gloom of the night. When the sky is aglow with the beautiful light ? Oh alas ! if thou drinkest the bitter alone, * Nor heaven nor earth may stifle thy moan ! Thy moan! — and the echo died away. Thy moan ! thy moan forever and aye ! His measured voice I heard no more, ~ But not till I stand on eternity's shore, And the things of time be forgotten all, Shall I cease that traveller's words to recall. As onward he moved to a pendulum -tick. The gloom and darkness around him thick, THE YEAR OF CHRIST. I fell on my knees and breathed a prayer ; And it rose, I ween, through the midnight air To a God who knoweth the wants and all The evil and good of this earthly thrall : To One who suffered as on this day, And began our sins to purge away: To Him who hath promised to heed our cry, And a troubled heart to purify. And I feel that the gall will ever grow less. Till I see His face in righteousness. And now my soul is filled with cheer For the march of a bright and Happy New Year. As years roll on, whether sun doth shine Or clouds overcast, I will never repine ; For I know, when the rat:e of time is run, I shall enter a realm of Eternal Sun. THE NEW YEAR. Time is hastening on ! Another mile -stone on the way to heaven ; Another march before the fight is won, The crown of glory given. Lead me on, dear Lord ! Oh, Thou hast been my Guide so many years, Thy goodness makes me bold ! and with Thy Word There is no room for fears. Love has cast them out, And to their place exalted confidence. And such a sweet repose as hath no doubt Of Thy good Providence. What Thou hast in store This coming year, I do not stop to ask ; Enough, if day by day there dawns before Me my appointed task. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Task in which Thou art ! — However mean, as in the eyes of men, Yet will I do it with a thankful heart That always saith. Amen ! I seek not great things, For I have learned how vain such seeking is ; But let me seek Thy will, O King of kings. And find therein my bliss. Thy approval is The greatest triumph that may ever be : My utmost wishes bound themselves in this, That Thou wilt smile on me. For Thy smile is peace. And peace is strength through all the years of earth, Until the days of our probation cease In the eternal birth. Lead me to my work ! Give grace, as I may need it day by day ; And in a humble heart no fear will lurk To take my peace away. THE EPIPHANY. "I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, AND THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR." 114 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. All hail to Thee, Supernal Light, That Magi saw afar, The death of darkness and of night, The bright and Morning Star. For now between the tribes of earth There is no frowning bar ; Thou shin'st on all of humart birth, O bright and Morning Star. Now when with all the hosts of sin. Thou goest forth to war, Thine army be my lot within, O bright and Morning Star. And when Thou comest once again In Thy triumphal car, Oh, be with Thee my portion then. Thou bright and Morning Star. GREAT LIGHT. " The people which sat in darkness, saw great Light." Great Light, too great for Heaven to hold, People in darkness saw of old, As erst the prophet had foretold. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace, Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. Great Light, whose beams cannot expire, Hearts of the Twelve once flowed with fire, A flame above earth-born desire. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace, Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. ii6 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Great Light, unto Apostles power, Illumined them through Earth's dark hour, Until they burst in Heaven's flower. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace, Great Light for you is shining; Arise, the glory trace. Great Light, supply of lowly needs, And source of all heroic deeds, From earth to heaven forever leads. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace. Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. Great Light, that every soul must know. Or else the joys of Heaven forgo, All things most beautiful doth show. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace, Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. GREAT LIGHT. 117 Great Light, that finds the sinner oyt, Dispenses beams within, without, Until there is no room for doubt. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace, Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. Great Light the sinner's every taint Can take away, and make a saint Whose beauty love alone can paint. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace. Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. Great Light, that hath so long sufficed, Whose deathless glory is unpriced, Will bring the perfect Year of Christ. People that sit in darkness These last short days of grace, Great Light for you is shining ; Arise, the glory trace. n8 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE THREE KINGS. •'Kings shall come to the brightness of Thy rising." Caspar, a king and shepherd, Alone at the door of his tent, Thus mused, his eyes upHfted And fixed on the firmament: " Is it a dream, this vision That haunts me day and night, This beautifijl manifestation Of an eternal delight ? " God set me to watching and waiting Long years and years ago, Waiting and watching for something My heart could not forgo. " I caught the hope of the nations. The desire of the common heart, Which grew to an expectation That would not from me depart. THE THREE KINGS. %ig " My soul was filled with hunger Deeper than I can tell, The while I watched for the shining Of the Star in Israel. " O Star to arise in Jacob ! I cried as my heart grew bold, O Star to arise in Jacob, By prophecy seen of old, " For the sight of Thee I am dying, For the joy of Thy Beautiful Face! Of Thy coming give me a token, Grant me this favour and grace ! " At length there came an answer Flaming the desolate year, A revelation of beauty, A more than mortal cheer ; " For afar in the kindly heaven The blessed token I saw. And now my life is transfigured, And lost in a nameless awe. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. " In a nameless awe I wander, As one with a joy untold, Too great for his own defining, Too ereat for him to withhold. i=> " But deep in my heart is the secret, And in yonder beckoning Star ; And I must wait for the telling Until I can hasten afar, — " Until I can find in travel A heart akin to mine, That day and night is adoring And imploring beauty divine." Hardly had Caspar ended The musing he loved so well, When he heard the tintilation Of a distant camel -bell. He set his tent in order, He brought forth of ^ his best. After the Arab custom. To welcome the comine euest. THE THREE KINGS. Who was that eager stranger Dismounted so soon at the door ? A king from another kingdom, Who had tracked the desert o'er, In search of the same communion That Caspar was longing for. And before of food he tasted, Thus spoke King Melchior: " O Caspar, Cod hath sent me In the Hght of a peaceful Star, To tell thee, my royal brother. What my strange communings are. " My life has been hid with Nature For many a quiet year, And in the hearts of my people Whose love hath cast out fear. " And I have been a dweller With Cod, who is everywhere, On earth, in the stars, the Spirit Sublimest, calmest, most fair. ,6 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. "Among His mediators And messengers of rest, Which fill the earth and the heavens, The stars I reckoned the best. " To the stars I gave my study, I watched them rise and set. And heard the music of silence My soul cannot forget ; — " The music that seemed prophetic Of the reign of peace to come, When men shall live as lovers In the quiet of one dear home, " But contemplation only My heart could not satisfy : I longed for the very presence The stars did prophesy, " And eagerly looked for a token Of heaven descended to earth, A manifestation to tell me The Prince had come to His birth — THE THREE KINGS. 123 " The Prince to rule the nations, The blessed Prince of Peace, Through the sceptre of whose kingdom Confusion and war shall cease. " And God to me has been gracious, Though one of His children the least, For I have seen His token All glorious in the east." The kings sat down together. Communed in the breaking of bread, And each the heart of the other As an open volume read. They felt the new force within them Through fellowship increase : The one he called it beauty, The other named it peace. All through the silent night -tide Their thoughts one burden bore : There was a joy eternal Their longing souls before. 124 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. But Still they waited, waited, They hardly knew what for. "What lack we yet, O Caspar?" At length asked Melchior. " Three lights in yonder heaven Wait on the polar star ; But we are two " said Caspar, " Not two, but three we are," Belthazzar said, dismounting, Another kinor from far ; "And we whom Cod hath chosen Follow a greater Star. " Oh what are peace and beauty. Except they stir the soul And make the man a hero. To gain some happier goal ? " Oh what are peace and beauty That stop this side of God, Though infinite the distance Remaining to be trod ? " THE THREE KINGS. 125 In haste, in haste they mounted, The kings in God's employ, And quickly peace and beauty Began to change to joy. They left behind their kingdoms Whose lure was far too small, To keep them apart from the Kingdom Of Him who is all in all. They left behind their people, Of loving and loved a host, The first of the Gentile nations To love the Redeemer most. They left behind possessions, Their flocks in all their prime, In haste to greet the Shepherd Whose charge is the most sublime. They passed through hostile regions, For fear they halted not ; And weariness and hunger Were less than things forgot. 126 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. So on and on they hastened Where they never before had trod, And the flaming Guide that led them, Was ever the Glory of God ; By night in yonder heavens, Within their hearts by day, As of old the blessed Shekinah Along the Red -Sea way. And they have troubled Herod And left Jerusalem, The joy-giving Star before them. The Star of Bethlehem. And they have seen and worshipped The Everlasting Child, In Whom Divine Justice and Mercy Met and were reconciled. They have kissed the Beauty of Heaven, Incarnate on the Earth, The Babe in the lap of the Virgin Of whom He came to His birth. THE THREE KINGS. 127 Their gifts of love they have rendered Unto the new-born King, Their gold and myrrh and frankincense The best that they could bringr. They could not return to Herod, And cast before that swine The pearls which they had gathered Out of the Sea Divine ! O Vision of the Redeemer, In which faith has struggled to sight ! They carried it back to their country And published it day and night. They carried it back to their country. The vision since Eden's fall. Which seen afar off has sweetened The wormwood and the gall. And it has become the story Of every triumphant soul. That in seeking the Eternal Reaches the happy goal. 128 THE YEAR OP CHRIST. THE LAMB OF GOD. Dost thou in solitude Ask who will show thee good, . And for thee weary and forlorn Ring- in the happy morn ? Behold the Lamb of God ! He at the Father's nod Came down to cheer the waiting earth. A Child of Virgin -birth. Art thou with sin opprest, Thy soul unshrined, unblest? And hast thou sought, and sought in vain, A balm to heal thy pain ? Behold the Lamb of God ! He with the Gospel shod Went forth the Truth, the Life, the Way, To take thy sins away. Are sorrow, grief and care A weight thou canst not bear. THE LAMB OF GOD. 129 And still have ecu rage for the strife Which fills thy daily life? Behold the Lamb of God ! He bowed beneath the rod And all thy grief and sorrow bore, To win thee joy once more. Does Justice still cry out? Art thou, O heart, in doubt? Does sense of thine averted doom Within thee find no room ? Behold the Lamb of God ! He here on earth once trod The wine -press of the wrath divine, For thee, strange heart of mine ! Do fear and chilling gloom Linger about the tomb ? And does there shine for thee no light To cheer the long, long night? Behold the Lamb of God ! He slept beneath the clod. Then burst the bars of death for thee And triumphed gloriously ! I30 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. OBEDIENCE. " Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.*' Thy Servant, Lord, am I, Whate'er Thou dost command : For water ask for wine's supply, ■ Lo, here it is hand. I know Thy power divine Can work Thy sovereign will. Can change the water into wine And all Thy Word fulfill. And shall my faith be weak When Thou dost bid me turn And in Thy Holy presence seek For what my soul doth yearn ? Greater than I can paint Are wonders of Thy Word. Change Thou a sinner to a saint. And keep me Thine, dear Lord SONGS OF DELIVERANCE. Thou shall compass me about with songs of deliverance. There is a time when saints become prophetic, Grown rich in wisdom of the vanished days, And Hke the olden seers in psalms pathetic, Bid troubled Zion on her future gaze. There is no woe that can our songs imprison. Though Judah in captivity was mute ; — They had not heard the note. The Star has risen. That triumph had not burst from harp or lute. Disaster palsies now the tongue no longer, When life and immorrality are found ; Yet palsied tongues and hearts that should be stronger, In all the courts of Zion still abound. 132 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. How long, O Lord ! Thy Church in darkness shrouded, UpHfts her voice and cries again, How long ! Her lamp burns low, the once bright flame is clouded, Where is Thine arm that was of old so strong? From darkness comes the light, and strength from weakness, Look forth, O Church, and rest thy weary eyes. Dost know the Lord who came of old in meekness ? Behold, behold His ensign in the skies ! II. The justice of our God remains forever, Forever lingers in the earth His love : His smile as sunshine rests on true endeavour, On fraud, a blackness as of clouds above. Like priest, like people. As of old the order, So, also, now is this false hearted day. Look Thou, O Lord, upon our foul disorder. And take our name, or take our shame away! Day follows day. The foolish see no danger ; , They multiply deceits and add to lies. Ah ! they believe in God there is no anger, Such tenderness forsooth in yonder skies. SONGS OF DELIVERANCE. 133 There is no secret which can long be hidden, There is no he that shall not come to Hght, Thou, Lord, hast all hypocrisies forbidden, And will not Thy right hand defend the right ? Oh bitter woe for those who here dissemble p Alas, for age that is not true to youth ! Before the Judge shall they at length assemble. The Judge who brings forth judgment unto truth. 1 1 1. Thy feet, O Peace, have from the Church departed, And they that dwell therein are desolate. The new wine mourns, and sigh the merry hearted ; The harvest -joy has left our fallen state. To other lords have we ascribed dominion. And judgments of our God are in the land. The angel of His love, with folded pinion, Doth mourning, weeping on our threshold stand. The city that was full is solitary ! Jerusalem the beauty of the earth. Unto her enemies is tributary, And merchandise are they she erst gave birth. 134 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. But harkj a voice is on the mountain lifted : The bitterness of woe shall pass away, The clouds shall by the fire of heaven be rifted, And mourning fields of Sharon greet the day. The sun shall be ashamed, the moon confounded, When Thou, O Lord, shalt make Thy judgments plain, And Zion, where of old Thy love abounded. Shall hail the brightness of Thy face again. IV. God's purpose runs through all our grief and evil. And compensation is not long afar: A bitter woe was on the age primeval. And in the sky was hung the Morning Star. The Man of Sorrows and with grief acquainted, Who wore the thorns upon a blameless brow ! His triumphs on the dome of heaven are painted, Where man's new heart forever reads them now. Neglected one, that dost not know the reason. And murmerest to God in faith's eclipse. But once believe that He will give in season, Thy heart shall glow with an apocalypse. t SONGS OF DELIVERANCE. 135 But for a moment is thy cause forsaken, O thou afflicted and not comforted ; The victory shall from thy foes be taken, And by an unknown way shalt thou be led. The mountains shall depart from their foundation. The everlasting- hills at length remove ; The troubled Church of God in her probation, Shall never miss the sunshine of His love. O wayward children of our mourning Mother God's tender love will not forbear to smite. He will not give His glory to another. And your iniquities will He requite. His changeless love in tenderest devices Invites the weary to the quiet home, Where ceaseless care for every need suffices. And wanderers no more desire to roam. But time for grace continues not forever, There is an end to all things here below : The day comes surely on when no endeavour Can take the offers of the long-ago. 136 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. God is a jud^e, when clouds and darkness cover The scorners of His unaccepted Hght, And they who here refused Him as Lover, Are left in that interminable night ! O weeping children of our mourning Mother ! Ye well may weep and in your tears rejoice : God will not give His glory to another, And tender mercy still uplifts her voice. VI. Gird on your armour, children of the Highest, Go forth to battle, win the deathless name. Alas, O soul, if from the fight thou fliest. The lot for thee is everlasting shame ! The world is but the field of your probation. There is no joy for him who is not tried ; There is no blessed triumph for the nation That is not in some trouble sanctified. The "Jubilate" chant, when weak and weary, And magnify His name who led the way, And showed beyond the mists and darkness dreary. The fadeless light of an eternal day. SONGS OF DELIVERANCE. 137 Fight on ! fight on ! and gain the hidden manna, Knowing- all thing-s together work for good ; And when at Christ's return, ye shout Hosanna ! The things of thine shall all be understood. Gird on your armour, children of the Highest! Before you for the winning is renown. Shame! shame! O soul, if from the fiofht thou fliest. There is for thee no everlasting crown, VI I, Break up your fallow ground, O Sons of Aaron, And make your fruitless hearts a garden fair ; Again therein shall bloom the Rose of Sharon, And pour its sweetness with your matin -prayer. Behold, the Lord provideth for the raven. And giveth understanding to the heart; But when His children thankless grow and craven, He bids the angels of His grace depart. Oh, would ye bring them back? Be up and telling The love of God, the beauty of the cross, Unto immortal souls in darkness dwelling. Giving them precious gold who have but dross ! 138 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Give Others what the Lord to you has given, Whose Hves are ever hid with Christ in God, Oh guides, exemplars on the path to Heaven, And flowers shall spring where'er your feet have trod! Break up your fallow ground, O House of Aaron, And make the fields of Zion fertile grow ; Again therein shall bloom the Rose of Sharon, Till all the hearts of men its fragrance know. VIII. Awake ! Awake ! Put on thy strength, O Zion, Look forth and catch the glory in the sky : A light beyond the brightness of Orion, Forevermore comrnands the watching eye. How does the prophecy of Christ's advancing, Throb on the earth and pulsate in the air. Smite the strong soul with gladness and with trancing. And nerve thee for the wrestling of thy prayer ! Long has it been, thine agony of trial. But time is on the march when it shall cease : God's finger points the end upon the dial, Angels and men uplift the song of peace. SONGS OF DELIVERANCE. 139 There is no more an unavailing sorrow ; A Child is born to take all sins away. The darkness of thy grief may pass to-morrow, Pray for the triumph of the morning, pray. Awake ! Awake ! Put on thy strength, O Zion, Look forth and catch the glory in the east ; Within thy walls no more shall rage the lion, No more thy children fail to keep the feast. IX. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the Golden, City of rest where saints abide with God, That wast by John in Patmos once beholden. Soon will thy happy streets by us be trod. Jerusalem, a quiet habitation. Men may not always know beneath the skies ; Sin works its trouble here and desolation, And yonder must we rest our weary eyes. For care and sorrow are not everlasting ; Eternal good shall from our trouble grow: Forever some new joy for us forecasting, God leads us by a way we do not know. I40 - THE YEAR OF CHRIST. A few more days for waiting and for toiling, A few more nights in which to cry, How long And there shall be an end of sin and soiling, An end of matin -prayer and even -song. Jerusalem, ferusalem the Golden, Whose gates look North and South, and East and West, At length no longer as by faith beholden. Shall welcome us to her eternal rest. SILENCE Vanished are all the wild ghosts of the air, Echo sends back not a wail of despair ; Even the forests their moanings forbear. Peacefully slumbers the sorrowful world, Like a tired Angel whose pinions are furled, All in the shadowy glory impearled. Out of the deep of ethereal eyes Wherein a fathomless mystery lies, Beautiful Silence descendeth the skies. Whispers she into the ears of the earth Dreams of which mortals perceive not the worth, Calmly fortelling eternity's birth. Silence ! My soul doth the Deity greet. Silence ! Now Time and Eternity meet. Silence! I marvel not Death is so sweet. 142 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. SAINT PAUL. " I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have l' My soul, my soul what said The beautiful meek Maid, When Gabriel such message brought. Higher than human thought Can ever hope to reach. Much less our feeble speech? Behold tJic handmaid of the Lord, Let me fidfill Thy Word. That greeting unto Love, God's Angel from above. How did it lift the Virgin up To drink of Heaven's cup? How up the stairs of woe Through twilight did she go. THE ANNUNCIATION. Until she hailed Eternal Light Where shadows pass from sight ! My soul, my soul, do thou In every meekness bow, To take the Kiss of Love Divine, And make His wishes thine. Whate'er those wishes be. This spirit be in thee : Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Let me fulfill Thy Word. My soul ! my soul ! oh then Shalt thou be born again. The Saviour, Christ the Lord, in thee Be born eternally ! While up the stairs of woe In twilight shalt thou go, Till thou art fitted for the Lig-ht Too pure for mortal sight. I90 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. 1 EL DORADO. Tell not my restful heart of El Dorado, For which men seek in regions of the West: I have, while here I sin and wrong discard, oh, A prophecy of what is fairest, best : Beautiful El Dorado of love. Beautiful El Dorado waiting above. fc. The Church of Jesus is my El Dorado, His blessed service here my highest joy ; All evil from His servants He doth ward, oh. And show to every one in His employ, Beautiful El Dorado of love. Beautiful El Dorado waiting above. The blessed angels throng my El Dorado, I feel the breath from waving wings of peace ; EL DORADO 191 No care have I in all the world's bravado ; I seek afar, what time the night shall cease, Beautiful El Dorado of love, Beautiful El Dorado waiting above. t» O ye who day and night seek El Dorado, That dear, deluding fable of the West, What boot your toils and things that are so hard, oh, If ye o'erlook the fairest and the best ? Beautiful El Dorado of love. Beautiful El Dorado waiting above ? O comrades all who seek for El Dorado, And find it not on earth in wealth or fame, Seek ye in God the substance, leave the shadow. That dearest prize ye all at last may claim : Beautiful El Dorado of love, Beautiful El Dorado waiting above. 192 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. THE MOTHER OF US ALL. Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the Mother of us all." Aweary here, we go to prove, Where shadows never fall, The dear Jerusalem above. The Mother of us all. Bright is yon everlasting home, Therein nor pain nor thrall ; Sweet day ! when unto her we come, The Mother of us all. Earth is ot sin and trouble full, Her pleasures mixed with gall ; But yonder is the beautiful Dear Mother of us all. Clothed on with everlasting love. We soon shall hear her call. The calm Jerusalem above, The Mother of us all. PALM SUNDAY. Who is this in triumph riding, 'Mid the branches of the palm, While on either side dividing, Lifts the throng their greeting psalm ? Prophet, Priest, and King and Saviour, He who left the throne on high. Now, by His divine behaviour, Drawing forth the people's cry. He it is who comes in meekness, Though the Chief and Lord of all ; He it is who, strona in weakness, F"reeG His people from their thrall. O my soul ! go forth to meet Him Coming on his weary way ; Open wide thy gates and greet Him Sovereign of thy courts for aye. 9 194 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. LORD, IS IT I? Full many a time since the day Thou, Saviour, wast here in the flesh Have men from the truth turned away And wickedly sold Thee afresh. And Lord, Is it I ? Is it I ? That e'er have this wickedness done ? Have I to the covetous cry Betrayed Thee, O holiest One ? I know not, I know not if such Is reckoned, dear Saviour, my sin ; I know not, I know not how much Of wrong- in my life there has been. But this thing I know that in Thee A fountain is opened for men. And I in the waters so free May find my lost pureness again. GETHSEMANE. My Lord and God is everywhere In majesty beyond compare ; But for the joy of seeing Him, Mine eyes ofttimes are far too dim. My Saviour, who came out from God, Through all the vales of sorrow trod, To glorify for me the way To realms of everlasting day. And even He upon the road Was bowed with such oppressive load, And to such gloom the darkness grew, That God was almost lost to view. Gethsemane, Gethsemane, That saw my Saviour's agony ! — Such is the place where God abides And all His wondrous beauty hides. 196 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. My Saviour, O my Saviour dear, I caused Thine agony and fear. My guilt drew fordi diose drops of blood In that dark midnight solitude. My doom was gloom to Thy. great Soul Whose grief was there beyond control, All trembling, at the gates of hell. For me whom Thou didst love so well. With sin and death before Thee there. How couldst Thou see what is so fair. The beauty in the face of God Who still in that dark garden trod ? God left not Thee. Didst Thou leave Him ? The while Thine eyes were very dim, And only for that troublous hour, Was that strange hiding of His power. Thou drank'st the gall and wormwood up Which flowed in that appointed cup. And didst the ends of love fulfill, Which were alone the Father's will ; G E T H S E M A N E . 197 And lo ! the blessedness divine Which from the face of God doth shine, An ancrel- comforter, came back And drove the darkness from Thy track. So didst Thou pubHsh to the world, The wings of love are never furled. Not even in the darkest night Which shuts them out from mortal sight. Wherefore my God, who is so dear, I know He is forever near; And when for joy of seeing Him Deep sorrow makes mine eyes too dim, I think of dark Gethsemane That saw my Saviour's agony ; For in such darkness God abides And all His wondrous beauty hides, Only till we to do His will Go forth, or, if He please, stand still, — Then angels come with strength and cheer, Revealins: Him o-rown still more dear. 198 THK YEAR OF CHRlsT. CALVARY For three almost unending hours Before Redemption's birth, Satan and all his marshalled powers Held carnival on earth. O Calvary, O Calvary, Where is the darkness now ? The blessed light of victory Shines from the Saviour's brow. Earth in her deep emotion quaked, God's angels held their breath, The saints from their long sleeping waked. So terrible was death. O Calvary, O Calvary, Where is the anguish now ? The blessed joy of victory Shines from the Saviour's brow. CALVARY. 199 At length unconquerable Love With heart too large for doubt, Came swiftly flying from above And put all foes to rout. Calvary, O Calvary, Suspense where is it now? Old things have passed, and victory Shines from the Saviour's brow. My life was once so lone and dark And such confusion knew, 1 hardly thought my little bark The storm could weather through. Calvary, O Calvary, Where is the darkness now ? 1 saw the light of victory Shine from my Saviour's brow. The most triumphant life at last Must yield the transient breath. It all my human powers surpassed, To tell if death was death. O Calvary, O Calvary, Where is the anguish now ! THE YEAR OF CHRIST. I saw the joy of victory Shine from my Saviour's brow. At length unconquerable Love, With heart for doubt too large, Came swiftly flying from above And took me in His charo-e. O Calvary, O Calvary, How can I falter now ? All things are new, and victory Shines from my Saviour's brow. GOOD FRIDAY: THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS. Great words of love He spoke, And each an impulse woke Which through successive ages runs And broadens with the suns. Great words of love were heard, Which many a bosom stirred, And more and more each circling year Have bowed the heart to hear. Cxreat words of love come down Through ages of renown ! The blessed burden that they bear Hath nothing here more fair. Such words of love to men May never be again. Help me, as with their spirit shod, To do Thy work, O God. THE YEAR OF CHRIST. " Father, forgive them; tor they know not what they do." O SINFUL heart of mine, To melt thee, Love Divine Spoke from the Cross the grandest word The world has ever heard. It was the soul of Love Outspanning Heaven above, Divine elixir of the world. In Jesus' heart impearled. From Jesus' heart it flowed To seek a new abode In many a sinful heart, like • mine, Which it would make divine. Dost know this word. Forgive Through which true life to live ? If not, then Heaven will be too bright For thine unhallowed sight ! G O O D F R I D A Y . 203 I I, " Woman, behold thy son ! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother ! " Great, great was Mary's dole, A sword had pierced her soul ! But lo, a word of tenderness Illumined her distress. Out of the heart of Christ, The word, that has sufficed Ten thousand times to soften loss. Was spoken from the Cross. My soul ! the sympathy That crowns humanity, Flows ever from the Saviour's heart; And though all hope depart Of other help and cheer, Still through the darkness here There shines a more than earthly light To glorify the night. 204 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Ill, "To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." Out of the depth of woe Which He Himself did know, Compassion for the thief arose. What love did it disclose ! It was Almighty Love Descended from above, That sometimes reacheth down, down, down, And lifteth to a crown ! My Saviour crucified ! No penitence e'er cried To Him, but some assuring voice Did make the heart rejoice. Down, down, all earthly pride, Before the Crucified ! To be with Him in Paradise, Meek heart, arise ! arise ! G O O D F R I D A Y . 205 IV. I thirst." - I THIRST, the Saviour cried, Before He bowed and died. That thirst went quivering through the whole Of the Eternal Soul. He thirsted for the day When sin shall pass away, The day that endeth human thrall When God is all in all. This more than earthly word Unnumbered souls hath stirred. What is the thirst that filleth mine ? Is it the thirst divine ? Oh, had we all the thirst In which the Christ was first, How soon the world would know the full Of what is beautiful ! 2o6 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. " My God ! My God ! why hast Thou forsaken Me ? '' Oh darkness as of death Where none deHvereth ! Oh wine -press of the wrath of God In that great darkness trod ! Oh grief too great to paint ! Oh troubled, burdened Saint On whom the sins of all the world Are as a mountain hurled ! His sioht has o^rown so dim God has forsaken. Him ! Forsakes He God ? My God ! His cry. All hope is in that My. He clings to God through all The wormwood and the gall, He clings through all the strife of blood, Triumphant Lamb of God ! GOOD FRIDAY 207 VI. It is finished." Finished, what prophets told Concerning- Thee of old, The beautiful in word and deed Almighty God decreed ! Finished, O King of kings, Unutterable things Thy loving kindness deigns to show Thy servants here below ! Finished, the Sacrifice Which opens Paradise, And to the wanderer makes plain How to return again ! Finished, O Christ, the strife Of Thy victorious life. Which Is forever Truth's one way Unto Eternal Day ! 2o8 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. VII, "Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit." Glory to Christ I give, Who taught me how to Hve. With grateful heart to Him I cry. Who tauofht me how to die. Through Thee, dear Lord of Life, All girded for the strife, I know that over every sin A triumph 1 can win. Through Thee, dear Lord of Death, Who with Thy latest breath Thy soul commendedst unto God Whose kingdom Thou hadst trod, I know, I know that I Shall gain the victory Over the last defiant foe Whom I shall meet below. EASTER EVEN. " We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel." Oh the mourninor for the fair! Oh the sorrow and despair ! Resting, resting, everywhere ; On the face of man and beast, In the west and in the east. From the greatest to the least; On angehc countenance, Where the shadow's swift advance Veils ethereal radiance ; On whate'er we can rehearse Of the better or the worse In the boundless universe. Oh the wonders and the siorns ! Lo ! the sun no longer shines When the Christ His life resigns ; 210 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. And the darkness over all, Gathered as a mourning pall, Deepest in the heart doth fall — In the hearts of us His choice, Where His all -controllings voice Was the signal to rejoice. Dead ! dead ! O Eternal One ! Why forsaken was Thy Son ? Why that deed of horror done ? Ever strong to save from harm. Where was Thine almighty arm In that day of dread alarm ? Oh the prison of the tomb ! Oh the low and silent room ! Oh the mystery and gloom ! With the Master gone the hope With the enemy to cope, And we in the midnight grope. With the sweet, inspiring grace Of a more than human face. Banished thought of nobler place. EASTER EVEN. 2ii Perished Israel's strength and stay, And the dream of that bright day Which should take our shame away. In the ashes doth expire That celestial, holy fire Which did flame in Judah's lyre ; And the prophet -tongue of might, Which was fearless for the right. Silent, silent is as night. God who once His arm made bare, In the hour of our despair Hath withdrawn His loving care ; And destruction looketh down With a sad and sullen frown. On a soiled and trampled crown. Oh the mourning for the fair ! Oh the shadow everywhere ! Oh the burden of despair! In the country of our birth Nothing now remains of worth — Hide us, Oh thou Mother Earth! THE YEAR OF CHRIST. Hide US from the scorners' scorn, In the night that knows no morn Make us as if never born ! 1 1. One swift year has passed away Since the dark despairing day In the tomb the Master lay. Fools were we, and slow of heart. God from man doth stand apart When He would great truths impart. Out of darkness brings He light, Out of weakness cometh might. Out of sorrow springs delight. From the prison of the tomb Cometh life, as from the womb, And we dread no more its gloom. Christ the Lord, who as to-day. In the gloom and darkness lay. As to-morrow, took His way E A S T E R E V E >J . 213 In among the ranks of men, And we saw the mortal ken Him who with us once had been ; And the brightness of His face Beaming with immortal grace, All our sorrows did efface. Oh the glory of the Cross ! Gold is that we reckoned dross. Gain is that we counted loss. Now the kingdom of our sires, Built on holiest desires, Lighted with undying fires. To a sovereign place aspires. And with Christ upon its throne, All its glories shall be known Till the world its sway shall own. Thus He turneth wrath to praise. And the mourners' hearts doth raise And appoint them joyful days. 214 THE YEAR OF CHRIST. 1 By a way we do not know Doth He lead us here below, And His wondrous treasures show. True and everlasting Guide, For His own He doth provide, And the deepest gloom divide, Leading on the way He went Till our lives on earth are spent, And we pass the firmament. 018 597 300 1