Qass- 
 Book. 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 
 
po^Dl:m^'GS. 
 
 ' ma. 
 
 '1/2^0)1 a mountain laJce.^^ 
 

 -«5.^ 
 
 PONDERINGS 
 ^ POESY. ^ 
 
 EI LEWIS EARL THOMPSON. 
 
 Not from the grand old master?, 
 Not from the bards sublime. 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 Copyright 1897, by L.E.Thompson. 
 ERIE, PA. 
 
 Near Lowee Parade St. 
 18d7 
 
?«fO 
 
 / i^^/V Cj^J 
 
 FIRST COPY, 
 
 9rv fj. 
 
 iT POmyERINGS. 
 
 Preface, y 
 
 OUR LIVES, 1 
 
 A BETTER DAY, 3 
 
 THE GREAT RULER, 3 
 
 THE HEART'S REVIEW. 4 
 
 THE BEAR'S RANGE WEATHER BUREAU, 5 
 
 \ 
 
 GREETING TO EPvVORTHIANS, 
 
 7 
 
 
 HAIL EaIERSONIANS, 
 
 8 
 
 
 THE COMING REALM, 
 
 9—19 
 
 
 THE COMMON SCHOOL, 
 
 19 
 
 
 DOWN, DOWN A NARROW LANE, 
 
 21 
 
 
 DREAM Oi^ THE THRONG, 
 
 22 
 
 
 SONG OF THE ANCIENT AGES, 
 
 23-45 
 
 
 THE RESCUE, 
 
 46 
 
 
 EVENING, 
 
 47 
 
 
 THE NEW YEAR BELL. 
 
 48 
 
 
 FALSE JOYS, 
 
 49 
 
 
 Farewell, 
 
 50 
 
 o 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 These are the days when poetry is at disconnt; 
 and those who can depend upon poetry writing 
 for a livlihood are few. But poets seem to be 
 **legion" in number, notwithstanding the fact 
 that no regular paying market can be found for 
 the work of any but the most famed. 
 
 This little collection will undoubtedly be 
 better appreciated by the writer's friends than 
 by the public at large; and it is to friends and 
 acquaintances, rather than others (though any 
 other attention will be appreciated), among whom 
 these rhymes are seeking readers. Some friends 
 have already expressed themselves as being pleas- 
 ed with one or two of the poems herein, and to 
 them I would express gratitude for notice taken. 
 
 The typography is not all that could be wish- 
 ed for; but begging mercy of the critic, 1 am 
 jrour humble serrant^ 
 
-^:poi^nDEK/ii:sra-s.^" 
 
 OUR LIVES. 
 
 t^ur lives speed Jike a swift-winged boat 
 O Upon a mountain lake. 
 All seems serene while thus we float, 
 Each drowsy nook io wake. 
 
 Earth's joys, like rocks beneath the crest 
 
 Ofwhite-caps seething white, 
 May call to us to come and rest 
 
 When rest would not be right. 
 
 The days, like birds, fleet past our crafD, 
 
 But still they leave us free; 
 And oft a breeze blows strong from aft 
 
 And speeds us on in glee. 
 
POyDEBIXGS. 
 
 So on W3 sail. And heed we where? 
 
 Yes: some are sailing home- 
 But others sail and seem to care 
 
 For naught but just to roam. 
 
 V4 fancy I see, in the ages to come, 
 ^ A bright and happier world: 
 For the banner is even now carried by some, 
 And iis folds to the breeze are unfurled. 
 
 But th' monarch? of money and unrighteous pow'r 
 Must first drop their weapons of strife. 
 
 And the self-seeking heart must be changed from 
 that hoar 
 To the fount of a nobler life. 
 
 The wants of the hungry must beat their retreat 
 Before the free bounty of wealth; 
 
 And the poor and affiicted with weak, halting feet, 
 Must march to the music of health. 
 
THE GEE A T R ULER. 3 
 
 tVj-od rules the world 
 
 His children know — 
 How sweet the voice that tells them so! 
 But when from high His wrath is hurJed 
 Where can the scornful spirit go? 
 
 God rules the world, 
 
 Yet man is frail; 
 His form is weak, and visage pale; 
 But longing vision sees uuf urlad 
 Hope's banner o'er death's dim, low vale. 
 
 "God rules the world!" 
 
 And the world replies: 
 High mountain, and the boundless skies, 
 And river fair through forests curled, 
 Say surely that His love ne'er dies. 
 
 "He rules full well!" 
 
 Say voices ail. 
 Low, whispered notes, a-nd wak'ning call. 
 From forests, streams and oceans swell, 
 And on the i:aptured list'ner fall. 
 
POyDEBIXGS. 
 
 The wind swift flies 
 
 To speed the call, 
 Till it waves the pines and poplars tall; 
 Then 'round the distant hill-side shies, 
 And breathes these words so true, to all. 
 
 Then cease its sighs. 
 While its unchecked speed 
 Soars o'er the plain, where th' dainty reed 
 To raise its head erect hard tries, 
 But fainting, hopes not to succeed. 
 
 "God rules my heart!" 
 
 And the words of fire 
 Breathe from the tightened, hand-swept 
 
 wire; 
 Its quiy'ring tones new life impart, 
 And satisfy its mute desire. 
 
 TJIE PE^^^^'S REVIEW. 
 
 The joys that seem^to-day so new 
 M ay be reflections of our pasi — 
 
 Heart-pictures of deeds right and true. 
 On screens of meditation cast. 
 
THE BE A K S RA XGE WE A THEB B UREA U. 5 
 
 Bai^E^a. 
 
 Don't kno\v jest how it started. T/sright strange 
 How us old ploddin' farmers of Bear's Range 
 Could think we was that smarter ihan all Cain 
 That we could tell for certin when 'twould rain! 
 But Simon Pease kept hintin' 'round the store 
 That we, of late, was giitin' worse and more 
 Of unexpected weather than the land 
 (However meek and patient) could well stand. 
 
 He says: "The weather bureau don't half try. 
 Now, what we must be doin', mind your eye, 
 Is not to trust 'em longer. Let 'em groan — 
 We'll have a weatber bureau of our own!" 
 'Twas done. The store was centre of the work, 
 Where Simon Pease was seated weather clerk: 
 Then us conceited farmers of the Bange 
 Kept watch of earth and heavens for a change, 
 
 And what we see we told to Simon Pease; 
 And he hung out each mornm' in the breeze, 
 A board that had a sort o' summary 
 Of what we thought the day would likely be. 
 
6 POXDEBIXGS. 
 
 'Twas from dependin' oa the board one day, 
 That I, by raiu, lopt fourteen tons of hay. 
 One time the board said, ''rain without a doubt," 
 And Jones's had their cabbage plants set out. 
 
 There wa'n't a drop of rain for more'n a week; 
 And then when Jones met Pease he'd hardly speak. 
 But all the rest said: "Give it one more chance — 
 We'll share up for the hay and cabbage plants." 
 Yet, take the hul performance through and 
 
 througn, 
 There wa'n't one half the time the thing come 
 
 true — 
 It wa'nt a feather better, we found out. 
 Than Uncle Sam's concern we'd kicked about. 
 
 So, when we met one time, and Simon guessed 
 We'd better *'lei the thing go galley-west," 
 We ail agreed and saiJ 'twas jest as well, 
 For what the weathered be 'twas hard to tell. 
 And then, to set out all the sickly fun, 
 Friend Pease demanded pay for what he'd done— 
 But times sence then have met an awful change 
 Down here amongst the farmers of Bear's Range. 
 
GREETING TO EPWORTHIAXS. 
 
 u 
 
 ost dear to every Christian heart 
 Is that great brotherhood 
 And sisterhood death cannot part. 
 Ii stands as first it stood. 
 
 Epworthians, this my greeting is, 
 
 My word of fellowsliip 
 To you around whom death-darts whiz 
 
 From hell's dreaJ marksman-ship, 
 
 But strike your armor without hurt: 
 God's blessing! as you show 
 
 The light to them who pause, inert — 
 Then may your fervor glow! 
 
 Your pathway is the brightest one 
 
 That ever mankind trod; 
 For on it shines th' eternal sun, 
 
 The holy light of God! 
 
POMjL'HiyGS. 
 
 Jiaail! Emersonians, haill 
 ^C Hail I fair, progressing sail 
 Above a craft so nobly mannedl 
 Kest to the watching eye 
 That has, in time passed by, 
 For your approach the far sea scanned! 
 
 Hail! bright young mariners: 
 
 The heart- your coming stirs. 
 Step on the shores of worthy strife! 
 
 Grapple the foes of time! 
 
 Make known the truths sublime 
 That beautify the ways of life! 
 
 Come, temperance and truth! 
 
 Come, energy of youth! 
 The work is ready for you now. 
 
 Come hastily — and yet. 
 
 Let not your haste forget 
 For human weakness to allow. 
 
THE COMISG REALM. 9 
 
 THE COMING REALM. 
 
 H|^n() long and often sounds the battle's roar; 
 
 Earth's fiel.ls too freely flew wiih rivers red: 
 And still the heartless herald cries before, 
 Oi war and streams of life-blood to be shed; 
 Of noble hopes, by youthful vigor fed, 
 Yet, with the hearts that claimed their strength- 
 
 'ning joys, 
 To share oblivion of the battle's dead, 
 As if a common foe that e'er annoys — 
 As if the lives that nourished them were but 
 death's toys! 
 
 The love for power, in the iron breasts 
 Of kings and bloody conquerors of men, 
 Whose trembling subjects quail at their behests, 
 Rests not till they have conquered once again 
 And heard the death-cry in the woods or glen, 
 Or from the fields and marts the stricken foe 
 Goes faint and hopeless to the prison pen, 
 
10 Foynj^'iuyGS. 
 
 No more the cheer of day's return to know, 
 No more with shouting hundreds to the strife to go* 
 See now the cherished hope — the daj' will come 
 When men of might will not their charge abuse; 
 When, starting at the call of fife and drum, 
 No slaves of power shall with morning dews 
 Their life-blood on the battle-held diffuse. 
 So ma^' this darker hour foretell the day 
 Made glad and glorious with the gracious news 
 That war has gone its everlasting way, 
 And peace and love and happiness has come to 
 stay. 
 For shifting lines of ages past reveal 
 That foremost in a nation's heart war e'er 
 Some hope of conquest with the fatal sieel, 
 Some corner of the earth to fill with fear; 
 To spread the news of vict'ry far and near, 
 As oft were thrones extended or made small. 
 All disregarded was the mourner's tear, 
 Unheard the plea that would for mercy call, 
 The while war built a nation up or caused its fall. 
 
THE COMiyG REALM. ^^ 
 
 A country's borders were, by frequent strife, 
 Unsettled; for those neiglibois olien met 
 And played the awful game of life for life; 
 And e'en the reckless chance is taken yet: 
 Tlie causeless war stands ready to beset 
 The weak world's heart at this unguarded door. 
 Oh, could the world that fiendish art forget! 
 Oh, could the nations learn to strive no more! — 
 For love will rule the world when conflict's reign 
 is o'er. 
 
 But now on graves of mighty men of war 
 Our flowers to their fame we blindly strew, 
 Too often asking not what they strove for. 
 But thinking every warrior great and true, 
 When, had we half the sins those tierce souls 
 
 knew, 
 'Twould set us trembling with the sense of guilt., 
 So horrible would be the inner view 
 As unto God would cry life's fountains spilt. 
 It is a thought to make the boldest conscience 
 
 wilt. 
 
12 FOyBEHiyGS. 
 
 No blame to them who, wronged and sore op- 
 pressed, 
 Do struggle to escape the iron heel; 
 For so it was Columbia was distressed, 
 Compelled the weight of tyranny to feel. 
 But now, as from the heights of freedom peal 
 The shoats of them who are its patriot's sons, 
 Let not again war's passion o'er us steal, 
 Though justly down the line of ages runs 
 The fame ani name of Lincolns, Grants and 
 Wasbiugtons, 
 
 Fair land I your streams with silv'ry glancing 
 
 Course down their vales all gladly and serene, 
 As if, in dreaming of the coming day, 
 Forgotten were the battle's bloody scene — 
 As if you would our hearts from mem'ry wean. 
 Dream on, in halcyon mazes faster still, 
 Till by our waiting, watching eyes is seen 
 The sun of love's dawn rising o'er the hill. 
 To reign with boundless sway, and prophecy fulfil 1 
 
THE COJliyG REALM. 13 
 
 The voice of peaci shall iind our farthe.=;t shore, 
 To minsrle with the surges on the strand 
 And wild screams of the sea gull.^ as they soar 
 Where, scorning the rich bounties of the land, 
 And spurning the caress of friendliest hand, 
 They ride the rolliag wave and part the foam 
 Before it breaks in turmoil on the sand; 
 ^Vhere, birds of freedom, they the ocean roam, 
 Or join their wild cries with the voice of freedom's 
 home. 
 
 The whole land makes a plea for common will 
 .To rule the nations, and to rule us hera; 
 And from the purple tops of every hill, 
 From woodlands vast and green, or brown and 
 
 sear, 
 The voice implores to haste and bring it near; 
 And England, too, has felt her blood aflame 
 With passion lor the stricken brother's tear, 
 Though still she seems to love her haughty 
 name, 
 And fondly cherishes her conquests' bloody fame. 
 
14 POXDERIXGS. 
 
 Her isles, though fair and beautiful they lie, 
 Weep, in a restless slumber, lor the morn 
 In gladder light to flood the dawn-bathed sky, 
 Till peace shall all earth's somber roof adorn. 
 For that hope-strength'ning dawn they wait 
 
 forlorn, 
 Surviving on such light as times afford. 
 They pine for His great kingdom who was born 
 A Ruler who rejects the bloody sword. 
 When He shall reign supreme will Eieu be re- 
 stored. 
 
 Look, now, upon the kingdoms of the past 
 Which raised themselves above the very earth! 
 It seemed that each one in its time held fast 
 All nations that they thought to be ot worth. 
 They clasped them all within a spacious girth; 
 And, had they known the world to be a sphere, 
 To drive away the tbirsty spirit's dearth, 
 Across the deep those armies, with a cheer, 
 Had went until to them new conquests did ap- 
 pear. 
 
THE COJIISG REALM. 15 
 
 Thus wera the heads of ancient monarchies, 
 Napoleaus, Cs33afs. and the Assyrian king?:, 
 Enthroned where now no splendid palace :s, 
 And man defiance to their mem'ry flings, 
 Though to their tombs a ling'ring tribute 
 
 clings, 
 All dark and crumbling in the blasts of time. 
 But now are we receivers of such stings 
 As may distract us from the strains sublime 
 With harmony, that oft would soothe us with 
 
 their chime. 
 
 Back to the hours of Eden's perfect bliss 
 Flies heart and hope with longing for that state, 
 x4.nd all the joys that sin has made us miss 
 Are there our contemplations to elate; 
 But brightly flames the sword at Eden's gate, 
 And man can but reflect upon man's past, 
 And leave the body to exclusion's fate 
 By our first parents on their children cast: 
 For man no Eden scenes may view while sin 
 ihall last. 
 
16 POXDEFxIXOS. 
 
 Blac':^ ?ii:I how oft it marf^ the precious view! 
 How oft it leads the yielding soul astraj'! 
 For mortals ever prove more false than true 
 When left to follow out their blinded way. 
 It is the rauiling breast that spoils the day, 
 And sets a gloom upon the clearest sky. 
 Down in the darker thoughts tierce demons play; 
 Bat they are seldom known (for they are sly) 
 Until some smooth enticement of their craft they 
 
 ply. 
 
 'lis sin that makes the nations disagree. 
 Did God possess the heart of every man 
 There were no war, for strife there could not 
 
 be. 
 Let us the lingering flame begin to fan! 
 Let love the breach of discontentment span, 
 Its perfect sjstem sway the universe; 
 Let mortals give it all the speed they can, 
 Until it shall the hind'ring clans disperse, 
 And every sin-robbed soul with heaven reim- 
 burse. 
 
THE COJIISG REALM. 1 7 
 
 Consider, now, the deeds of greatest worth — 
 They ever spring from fountains sweet and 
 
 pure, 
 And are the lasting treasures of the ear'.h, 
 That, when vainglory fails, renaain secure. 
 With rich attractions they our hearts allure 
 Unto a better view of life's design, 
 And spur us on to make reward more sure. 
 Foi- lives like theirs we common spirits pine, 
 And strive to reach the heights that seem to us 
 divme. 
 
 There is a greatness all may have witiiin 
 CNot greatness like the world's great men pos- 
 sess, 
 But wealth of heart we ought to strive to win, 
 For wordly fame is infinitely less — 
 Those famous ones do often feel distress). 
 It is a greatness that may be unknown. 
 And wears no robes of state or pompous dress. 
 It springs from seed by the Creator sown, 
 And has His care until it shall have fully grown. 
 
18 POXDEBIXGS. 
 
 How happy may th3 trusting spirit be, 
 Just in ihe circle with its humble friends! 
 Though he may have no wealth that vre can 
 
 fee, 
 There is a joy within that never ends. 
 There is a wealth that sweet contentment lends 
 Which all the world would profit by to gain — 
 ThfU reciprocity of love which sends 
 Its help to o:hers struggling o"i life's main 
 Amid the raging hurricanes and blinding i-ain. 
 
 Superior are unpretentious souls 
 Who follow thus wiih joy God's giv-^^n line, 
 The plan by which the mundane planet rolls, 
 And all creation stands: the one design 
 To which He would the universe cjnfine. 
 Into the darkness of some dang'rous way 
 Tneir light of helpfulness may shine, 
 And bring to some benighted soul the day, 
 And turn the course of him whos- feet have gone 
 astray. 
 
THE COMMMOS SCHOOL. 19 
 
 Some day the very light of Love shall break 
 On all the darkened world, with splendor bright, 
 Just as the sun on hill, and vale, and lake, 
 Oft makes a scene most gorgeous to the sight. 
 So speak the songful day, the starry night, 
 And all the happy voices sweet to hear. 
 The morn so glad with Christ's own blessed 
 
 light, 
 May be just o'er tlie hilltop very near; 
 For even now some signs of coming day appear. 
 
 « 
 
 TpE ceppe^ gcpeen. 
 
 he village school-house peacefully 
 
 Looks from the little hill. 
 The villaere slumbers restfuUy, 
 
 And quietly, and still. 
 The moonlight falls in golden streams, 
 
 And gilds the window panes. 
 The scholars sleep in peaceful dreams 
 
 Of wisdom's precious gains. 
 
no FOXDERIXGS. 
 
 The kind old teacher's midnight oil 
 
 Burns in the cot below, 
 Betraying his protracted toil 
 
 Some deeper truth to know, 
 Which ne, upon the coming day, 
 
 May to the school impart, 
 In some sweet and impressive way 
 
 That never will depart. 
 
 He knows that life's ways are beset, 
 
 E'en to the best prepared, 
 With many a grief, and pain, and fret, 
 
 And hope to sorrow bared. 
 He knows the children trust his care 
 
 To guide them into truth; 
 And he could never wish or dare 
 
 To wreck the trust of youth. 
 
 Oh, let the village school-house stand! 
 
 And may it long besiow 
 The common tenets of our land 
 
 To minds that daily grow. 
 
DO WX, DO WS A NARROW LANE. 21 
 
 Let not the children that now sleep, 
 Be bound with error's chain: 
 
 Let still the midnight vigil keep 
 Their tender souls from stain! 
 
 D0WN, D0WJM n ]V^I^1^0W li^NE. 
 
 fown, down a narrow lane 
 Maiden sweet was going, 
 Smiling life back again 
 (Leaves had stopped growing). 
 
 Softly her tresses fell 
 Over shoulders hiding: 
 
 AnO — and her lover — well, 
 He was confiding 
 
 Secrets of his heart to her, 
 With hope increasing- 
 Hoping what might not occur, 
 For her love seemed ceasing. 
 
 I 
 
FOXDERIXGS. 
 
 But I was so fau away 
 lu the distant gloaming! 
 
 Hard to hear what lovers say 
 When wild winds are moaning. 
 
 D^E^P 0E ¥PE TF1^0N6. 
 
 4[rt nee, in my dream, 
 ^-^ I saw the the crowd 
 Of them who seem 
 Wrapped in a shroud, 
 But would all mirth and pleasure prove, 
 Though on, with burdened hearts, they move. 
 
 Oh, ye great throng 
 Of sad mankind! 
 Ye move along 
 With method blind, 
 To find relief from care and strife, 
 But miss the true design of life. 
 
SOSG OF THE A XCIEyT A GES. 23 
 
 SONG OF THE ANCIENT AGES. 
 
 A BIBLICAL POEM. 
 TRe vised by the author.) 
 
 TJie Creation. 
 
 2^ h, sacred word! ah, holy thought 
 ■^ By which God ail creation wrousht! 
 He spake the word, and it was done. 
 The earth, all heavens and the sun, 
 Were out of spac and nothing caught, 
 And into form and matter brought. 
 Pause, Science 1 — here thy power doth end. 
 No knife thy surgery can send 
 Into creation's infancy 
 Before the universe, set free 
 Upon the track of changeless law. 
 Was formed. No finite h'^ind cm drarw 
 
24 FOXVERIXGS. 
 
 From out this well's mysterious deep, 
 The secret there that God doth keep. 
 Before the universe was Goi — 
 Before all things His magic rod. 
 
 The suns, the satelites and stars, 
 The tints and lights and golden bars, 
 And (better still to mortals here) 
 The world, made for His children dear, 
 Were formed for us by work Divine; 
 And all their fruits are yours and mine. 
 My mind must fail in depth and force 
 To name these wonders in their course. 
 I scarcely hint— I cannot give 
 All truths that in the Scriptures live. 
 The dawn of morning's faultless light 
 Was first the vision of His sight. 
 The first note of the mocking-bird 
 Was by its own Creator heard. 
 But all things pictured heretofore 
 No image of the maker bore— 
 
S02\G OF THE A NCIENT A GES. 25 
 
 No likeness to the great Triune 
 
 Who might with Him in love commune. 
 
 Then man from out the dust was made 
 And eastward placed in Eden's shade, 
 In Eden's living peace and rest, 
 'By balmy breeze and suu caressed.. 
 There face to face with God he talked, 
 Nor fears nor demons ever mocked. 
 'Twas then that God made the decree 
 That man no more alone should be. 
 A fairer creature there was formed, 
 To smooth the labor man performed; 
 And Eve, with tender, holy love, 
 And pure as angel hosts above, 
 Was brought to Adam when he woke 
 From sleep by God's own voice that broke. 
 Thus they together then did go 
 Through Eden's beauty to and fro, 
 As sinless and as pure as light, 
 With earth and heaven's zoy in gi^ht. 
 
POXDEMIXGS. 
 
 The scene must end; for— sad to tell! — 
 Man from his eminence soon fell. 
 
 Mail's Sin and Fall. 
 
 n uffice it now for me to describe 
 -^ How Satan's guile Eve's heart did bribe; 
 How piety and innocence fell 
 Before the sly serpent's magic spell. 
 
 The words seem falling like a knell; 
 For death its \^ork of destruction began 
 With this lirst sin of primal man. 
 
 Oh, sad it was that Eve's fair ear 
 Bent low, the voice of the tempter to hear, 
 As, hid in deceit, with outstretched arms 
 He stole of Perfection her unsullied charms , 
 
 And sounded endless death's alarms! 
 Thus wails the voice of endless woe 
 In the regions of the lost, below. 
 
SOyG OF THE A SCIEST A GES. 2 . 
 
 Dark is the story and sad to relate! 
 
 'Tis from that hour our woe must date. 
 
 For the seed of destruction once planted will grow, 
 
 And the wisest of mortals no work can bestow 
 
 To slop it; for who can the secret know? 
 Tne curse is abroad, and is found in each life 
 Where the heart with sin's dark confusion is rife. 
 
 So much from the justice and power of God, 
 And the thorns that grow where our parents trod. 
 »So much for the first destroying sin, 
 And the awful hour when death crept in; 
 
 For we have seen what might have been — 
 But God a father's love bestows, 
 A full, undying mercy shows. 
 
 So the trees of the forest, and the blooming glen, 
 Rojoice for the light of that gladd'ning morn 
 
 Wiien the promise of God was left to men. 
 In the day of the saddest hour forlorn. 
 
 The song-birds glad anthems arose once more, 
 And angels still wonder stwjh love to bekoWt 
 
28 FOyDSBIXGS. 
 
 For Gocl gave a message ne'er spokeo before, 
 The promise of miilioas returned to the fold. 
 
 And that promise left wich man 
 Faster Lhaa deitrnjcioa ria 
 In the path of faithful feet. 
 'Twas salvation's music sweet. 
 Time sped on; and nations grew 
 "While its ages swiftly iiew. 
 But depravity and sin, 
 As in Eden did begin, 
 Still were masters of the ihrong 
 Who torsook the right for wrong. 
 
 Hark! the tumult of the wave! 
 Seel a world-wide, watery grave! 
 For the warning was not heard 
 When the heart of God was stirred 
 To destroy the devil's work 
 "Which in human hearts did lurk; 
 And the ark that Noah made 
 Was tiie only work that staid 
 
80 yO OF TEE A NCIENT A GES. 29 
 
 After God had sent the flood 
 To destroy, without blood, 
 All the wickedness of earth, 
 Carried on with feast and mirth. 
 
 But nevermore shall mortals see 
 Destroying flood o'er earth set free; 
 And when the arched bow is seen — 
 A promise, storm and calm between — 
 It will in every age be meant 
 A seal to that great covenant-, 
 A silence to the fears within, 
 Like mercy to the heart of sin. 
 
 Marl's Progress, ana the Dawn of Faith. 
 
 i^.vhe needs of multiplying hosts 
 
 Who tilled the broad lands far and near, 
 From northern sea to southern coasts, 
 In each endeavor did appear; 
 
FoyjjERry&s. 
 
 And ready thought and ready hand 
 
 Devised the instruments of toil. 
 Though roughly made and ruiely planned, 
 
 They helped the farmer till the soil. 
 
 And now began the hsart of man 
 
 To rise in vanity supreme; 
 And, as the heavens he would scan, 
 
 To reach them was his coa-taut dream. 
 At Babel God their zeal suppressed, 
 
 And there confusion was set rife; 
 And when eachother they addressed 
 
 Their speech did sound like wordless strife. 
 
 Ife was disorder of the mind 
 
 That brought confusion to the tongue, 
 And scattered men like creatures blind, 
 
 The varied wild^ of earth among. 
 And so they grew to n itions great, 
 
 And seldom met again in peace. 
 Their rivalry will ne'er eba'e 
 
 Till wars and jealous strivings cease. 
 
SONQ OF THE ANCIENT A QES. 81 
 
 Now tune the harp and wake the song, 
 
 And 'sweep the strings with effort strong; 
 
 For I have found again a joy 
 
 Like precious gold without alloy. 
 
 A page of history as bright 
 
 As seas of glass in midday light. 
 
 I start, and struggle to repeat 
 
 An echo of the message sweet 
 
 That falls in cadence on the ear 
 
 That bends, the voice of God to hear. 
 
 That wondrous voice, of old was heard, 
 By one who recognized the word 
 As coming from its source of Love — 
 Descending from the courts above, 
 On Abram's listening ear to fall; 
 And him from home and kindred call 
 To Canaan's splended, promised land, 
 In wait to give, with lavish hand 
 Of Providence, its bounties free 
 To Abram and his sesd to be^. 
 
Thus righteousness by faith sprang up, 
 And fills to-day salration's cup. 
 
 Of Abraham's seed nii^ions since havs been boru^ 
 
 And were prospared for hundreis of yeii'S. 
 Thus began the Ion? rei^n in the hi=?toric mora, 
 
 Of the faithful o'er trials and tears. 
 And the record of many a deed of love, 
 
 And the blessings of peace an 3 wealth. 
 Are all fruits of a trist in the Pi.var I'jjve, 
 
 Who r«gtor«3 to the spirit its health. 
 
 TJte CaDtivtty an(% DsUverancs, and Sjrq of Moses, 
 
 ff ^h© youngest son of Israel, 
 
 Victim for hate, from prison-well 
 Was sold to roTing trading men, 
 By brethren, who heard not again 
 The voice they once had heard to eooro, 
 Till, ia their land to faror born. 
 
iK>A^ OF TUM a NCIE^T A GEH. ^3 
 
 Arose r famine great and sore, 
 Whicb on the country heav^' bore. 
 Then Joseph's triumph w i.^ ompleto 
 In love and hastiness to greet 
 His brethren, who had come to buy 
 The corn that grew 'neath Egypt's -^ y. 
 The love that burned in Joseph's heart, 
 Though far from home, did not depart, 
 And had, indeed, by absence grown 
 lill by his brethren he was known. 
 
 How must th© mem'ry of the past 
 Have 'cross their aching brain.^ been cast, 
 VVith conscience making each word lame. 
 And loading every glance with shame, 
 As, when they thought of former years, 
 They would relieve themselves in tears! 
 Beware, oh selfish heart of flesh, 
 That in thy life this scene afresh 
 May not in striking lines be shown I 
 For time has not such soan^a outgrown. 
 
B4 POyDERIXGS. 
 
 Great plan of God euacted there 
 
 The seed ol: Abraham to spare. 
 
 And overruling sin to make 
 
 A great love deep expression take I 
 
 And how all things were brought to bear 
 
 In favor of this nation rare! 
 
 So Egypt's king gave his consent 
 
 That Jo33ph's kin should move their tent 
 
 To Goshen's land, and ihere reside 
 
 III peace and wealth on every side. 
 
 To Jacob's side his sons there came; 
 
 And each one answered to his name, 
 
 And heard their father's prophecy 
 
 Of days his strengthened eyes could see. 
 
 'Twas in the line of Judah's seed 
 
 That man from sin was to ba freed. 
 
 But after many years of peace, 
 A new king rose, and said, "Increase 
 Their task, lest they get strong, 
 And mingle with the hostile tarong. 
 
 ^ 
 
SONG OF THE AXCIEXT A GSS. 35 
 
 When such shall 'gainst the nation war 
 In some sore moment un-luoked-for." 
 The whip and burden never ceased, 
 But still the Israelites increased, 
 And, under the Egyptian sky, 
 Were worshipers of the Most High 
 Until a Hebrew child had grown 
 To manhood, near the very throne, 
 Who rose, when God the time bad told, 
 To lead them forth, with effort bold, 
 Wliere Pharaoh no more could curse 
 With bondage growing \\ort-e and woree. 
 Into the land their fathers kLew — 
 According to the promise true. 
 
 The Lord with sign> and wonders proved, 
 
 His power, and the Red sea moved 
 
 To let His children journey through; 
 
 But ere the heathen warriors knew, 
 
 It covered them in hopeless deep, 
 
 And closed their eyes in death's long sleep-. 
 
56 POyDERTXGS. 
 
 Then through the open temple rang 
 The song of joy which Moses sang. 
 The song that sounded on the breeze 
 Was one with words somewhat like these:— 
 
 "Unto the Lord my God I'll sing. 
 
 He forth in triumph u? did bring, 
 
 And threw the rider in the sea. 
 
 The Lord my strength and song shall be, 
 
 For He the tide of woe has stayed. 
 
 His habitation shall be made — 
 
 My father's God, of matchless worth, 
 
 Shall be exalted in the earth! 
 
 The Lord doth into battle go; 
 
 His name shall coaquer every foe; 
 
 For Pharaoh's chariots and host 
 
 Vrith corpses strewed the Red Sea coast. 
 
 His chosen captains, too, were dro^Tned, 
 
 And on the Red Sea's shore were found. 
 
 The waters over them have flown. 
 
 And they have sunken like a stone. 
 
m)NQ OF THE ANCIENT A GES, 37 
 
 **0h Lord, thy power is gloriousl 
 Thou hasi through danger carried us! 
 Thy wrath to rebels thou hast shown; 
 Thy terror is to sinners known. 
 For thou the wicked hast consumed 
 Like stubble, when their hearts presumed 
 To rise against thy righteous power, 
 And claim the victory of the hour. 
 Thy nostrils gave the gath'nng blast 
 When into heaps the floods were cast. 
 And stood upright, and were congealed, 
 While to us was a way revealed. 
 
 •' *I will pursuel' the foe declared; 
 *To take the spoil lam prepared. 
 I'll overtake! I'll draw the sword! 
 It satisfaction shall afford.* 
 With mighty wind thou then didst blow, 
 And horse and rider didst overthrow. 
 The multitude was doomed to drown. 
 They like a weight of lead w«ftt down. 
 
^ POXDERIXGS. 
 
 '*Who is like unto thee, oh Lord, 
 
 Among the great, or rebel horde? 
 
 Who is like thee so glorious 
 
 In wonders, praise, and holiness? 
 
 Thou stretchest out ihy strong ri^ht hand , 
 
 The wicked perish from the land. 
 
 Thou in thy mercy forth ha=;t brou^rht 
 
 The people whom thy love hast bought — 
 
 Hast guided them by strength and i?race> 
 
 Unto thy holy dwelling-place. 
 
 The people shall with trem')MQg fear. 
 
 And Palestina sad news hear. 
 
 The dakes of E Jom then shall be 
 
 Amazed in all their dignity; 
 
 Th« mighty Moabites snail fear, 
 
 And as an aspen leaf appear; 
 
 And all the people meJt away 
 
 ^Yho live in Canaan today. 
 
 A fear and dread shall on them fall; 
 
 Thy strength and greatness shall apalU 
 
SOyO OF THE A NCIENT A GE&. ^9 
 
 Until the people thou hast bought 
 
 Are safe from the pursuer brought. 
 
 Aud { hiuted ID thy dwelling-place. 
 
 Which thou hast founded in thy gra? i'. 
 
 The Lord A\\\\\ reign forevermore, 
 
 His kiogdoQi reach to every shore; 
 
 For, wlien between the Red Sea coasts 
 
 Were Pharaoh's chariots and hosts, 
 
 A band of cruel, heathen men, 
 
 The Lord 'ha waters turned again. 
 
 But Israel passed over free, 
 
 Upon the road within the sea." 
 
 y 
 
 1 hen went forth Miriam to bring 
 
 The daughters nil to dance and sing 
 
 1 o Him v\liO triumphed gloriously, 
 
 And threw the rider in the sea. 
 
 Entrance into Canaan, Babylonian Captivitty, 
 ana Beginning of the C?iristian Era, 
 
40 PO^'DSRT.yGS. 
 
 ^o Moses forward led the thronj? 
 
 ^-^ Wheu he had sung to God that song^ 
 And through the wilderness they went, 
 To reach the promised land intent. 
 'Twas first at Marah they complained; 
 And on the head of Moses rained 
 The grievances the people thought 
 Were by his faulty leading brought. 
 Then in the wilderness of Sin 
 Their want and hunger entered in. 
 They murmured out a vain regret 
 That they were not in Egypt yet. 
 Then God the bread from heaven sent, 
 Yet they were not for long content; 
 And still they murmured — even scoffed, — 
 For which the Lord besoujht them oft, 
 As wars and wants their hearts distres>?ed 
 While t hrough the wi] derne?s they pressed. 
 And oft their hearts by God were tried> 
 But still He lingered by their sid^. 
 
SONQ OF THE A XCIEXT A GE^, 41 
 
 Upon the moTint of Sinai 
 The Lord disclosed to Moses's eye 
 The ten commandments and the laws 
 To stand against our moral flaws; 
 But even fhey were out of place 
 Without the Lord's redeeminer grace, 
 For such the heart of sin became 
 That only in a Saviour's name 
 Could it the throne of God come nigh, 
 For darkness did the thought defy. 
 Burnt offerings and sacrifice, 
 The sins of mortals to dismiss, 
 Were but the substitutes, indeed, 
 That signiiied the vital need 
 For sacriiice man could not give 
 To God and by that service live. 
 
 'Tis scarcely worth the time 'twould take 
 To read the comments I might make 
 In telling you each small detail 
 A full description would entail, 
 
4^ FONDERINGS. 
 
 For in the Holy Word you'll find 
 
 Them given from a faultless mind. 
 
 These words of mine are bub outlines 
 
 To which my parsing thought inclines. 
 
 The wand'ring in Vie wilderness, 
 
 The oft recurrence of distress, 
 
 And, after forty years had pas=;ed, 
 
 The reraaantbroughitiriu^h safe at List, 
 
 Are facts familiar to u- all — 
 
 At least, them I may hjre recall 
 
 In naught but passing reference, 
 
 And more than that make no praLence. 
 
 But I will mention Moses's death, 
 When weakly came his ling'riug breathy 
 And mingled with moanc Nebo's air 
 While God revealed the country fair 
 To which He had His people led, 
 Giving them it, as He had said. 
 So sad it was that leader grand 
 Could but behold the promised land! 
 
SONG OF THE ANCIEXT A GES. *8 
 
 But he had done his great life's task — 
 What more of life can mortal ask? 
 The part ot Moses was to lead, 
 And suffer with the people's need; 
 To write the oracles divine, 
 To pray when others would repine; 
 To fall afe last beneath deatk's hand, 
 And reach a better promised land. 
 
 The kings and prophets grand of old 
 Who labored constant to unfold 
 The truth to minds in sin's confines, 
 Are worthy of a thousand lines, 
 If such could be to them of worth; 
 Bui their reward is not of earth. 
 
 Idolatry became so great 
 
 In favored Israel's estate 
 
 That God permitted them to bo 
 
 Again brought to captivity. 
 
 Oh, Babylon I oh, Babylon 1 
 
 Where ends the work that thoa haet do&4«? 
 
44 
 
 fONDERINGS. 
 
 For far this sinful world around 
 Thy works of darkness may be found. 
 But not too bad for God to take 
 Thy deeds to make His people wake 
 From heathen sleep devoid of rest, 
 By idol-worship dreams distressed; 
 For they, when to their land returned, 
 Xo more the idols' incense burned. 
 
 Let now the heart burn with desire 
 
 For greater wonders to inquire, 
 
 Ea.ioy the truth more blest to see 
 
 Than all earth's pleasant scenes could be; 
 
 And list to voices that would tell 
 
 Of Him who in His youth did dwell 
 
 At Nazareth of humble name, 
 
 And died for all a death of shame. 
 
 With love so deep, so free, so true, 
 
 That willingly to death he drew. 
 
 That we no more sin's power may feel, 
 
 ^,7hen through the dark temptatsons steal . 
 
SOXG OF THE A ICIEST A GES. 45 
 
 Ah, no! for He the price has paid, 
 
 Himaelf upon the altar laid. 
 
 Dark Calvary I — yet still, so dear 
 
 The scene that brings the erlad heart nearl 
 
 Biest sacriiice, so full and free, 
 
 By Love naade there for you and me! 
 
 2So skill whate'er, ot art can show 
 
 The holy, loving, lovely glow 
 
 That shone forth in that countenance, 
 
 And, e'en in death, was in His glance. 
 
 And so He died and rose, and lives 
 
 T'o-day, and to believers gives 
 
 The crown of everlasting life, 
 
 And stills the throbbing heart's sore strife : 
 
 Nor is He absent from the side 
 
 Of them who in His love abide. 
 
 Oh reader, is he in thy heart? 
 
 If not, He's waiting to impart 
 
 To thee the truest, sweetest joy 
 
 Tkat ©v«r could thy heart employ. 
 
4S POyDERTimS, 
 
 »jwas the dang'rous sea 
 
 Of Galilee, 
 And upon it there, afloat, 
 
 A company— 
 
 When suddenly 
 The seas broke o'er their boat. 
 
 The storm was dark 
 
 As it tossed the bark, 
 And the men were filled with fear; 
 
 Bat there, composed, 
 
 With eyelids closed, 
 Lay the great Lord Jesus near. 
 
 Oh why, oh why, 
 
 While the waves ran hic?h, 
 
 Did the Saviour calmly sleep? 
 Why should he cease 
 For the sake of ease 
 
 His watch of lova to keep? 
 
EVEXISG. 47 
 
 In the light so dim 
 
 They looked at Him — 
 Had He the power to save? 
 
 It seemed He cared 
 
 Not how thej' fared 
 Or struggled 'gainst the wave. 
 
 Him then they woke — 
 
 That strange rest broke — 
 And His voice the waves made still. 
 
 Those faith-tried men 
 
 Well marveled then 
 That the seas obeyed His will! 
 
 EYEjMIjYG. 
 
 fl^Khe dismal, dark, and fretful day is past, 
 
 Another night-shroud settles o'er the woo-iy 
 land: 
 One last, departing gleam of light is cast 
 From the torch of day in a tired, listless hand. 
 
48 FOm)ERTyGS. 
 
 Then be at peace, ray troubled heart — be still! 
 
 (Why should I yearn for that which cannot be?) 
 Be still, my hearti Be passive to the Will 
 
 That guides the ships upon the stormy sea! 
 
 One look toward the glory-bJazinc: sky, 
 One gaze upon the silent sun's farewell, 
 
 And care and vain contentions in me die: 
 And ecstasies and peace the bosom swell. 
 
 ¥JIK ]5EW YE^l^ BEl£l£. 
 
 ^^an^ out the bell, 
 ^^-^ "Old year, farewell! 
 
 Thy end is nigh. 
 
 Good-by! good-by!" 
 *'But leave, old year," cried I, "the joys 
 That thy first coming brought to me. 
 Alas for those long cherished toys, 
 That thou, old year, must take with thee!" 
 
 Then strove the bell 
 Glad news to tell: 
 
 nidfei 
 
FALSE JO vs. 49 
 
 *'Die, sin and painl 
 
 Hope, live again!" 
 Then, 'round its cradle I would sing 
 The New Year's innocence and mirth, 
 Forgetting disappointment's sting: 
 iS'ew joys are in the New Year's birth. 
 
 F^IigE J6Yg. 
 
 jjLike a sad note of distress 
 ^-^ Through a lonely wilderness, 
 
 Sounds the voice of sinful mirth. 
 But ah! its hollow tones confess 
 
 That it has no lasting worth. 
 
 'Tis a bitterness of soul 
 
 From the sin-tide's ceaseless roll, 
 
 And the fountain of all woe, 
 Carrying to destruction's goal, 
 
 Like th3 waves waen tempests blow. 
 
60 
 
 I 
 
 POyDERTyQS. 
 
 F^l^EWEl£l£. 
 
 are well! farewell!— but is it well 
 That friends of years should part? 
 Is there a voice that can foreteli 
 A constancy of heart? 
 
 Oh! is it right to say good-by, 
 
 And not yet still remain, 
 When parting words end with a sigh, 
 
 And parting thought is pain? 
 
 The green of distant tielJs grows dim, 
 The heart's fresh zeal grows faint: 
 
 Thetemplingscenesin tear-drops swim, 
 For love has strong restrainti 
 
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