THE UNSEEN 
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL 
 
 i^ 
 
 JOHN M. BAMFGRD. 
 
 ^^
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 i 
 
 bL^. 
 
 BOOKSELLER 
 MACHINE PRINTER
 
 !l^«^ 

 
 THE UNSEEN 
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL.
 
 THE UNSEEN, 
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL 
 
 JOHN M. BAMFORD, 
 
 AUTiiOK OP "the disciple amonq the poor. 
 
 IT n b n : 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, AT THE 
 
 WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 
 
 2, CASTLE-STREET, CITT-EOAD; 
 
 SOLD AT 66, PATEKNOSTER-ROW.
 
 LON DON ; 
 
 PRINTED BY HAYMAN BROTHERS AND LILLY, 
 
 19. CROSS ST., HATTON 3ARDEN. E.C.
 
 
 TO HONOURED FRIENDS, 
 
 WHOSE CHEEE AND AID WERE GIVEX 
 
 TO THE WEITEB AND HIS FAMILY 
 
 IN DATS OF TEIAL. 

 
 PREFACE. 
 
 o>a<c 
 
 It is a fine morning in October, and the writer has 
 taken his seat on a tomb-stone in the churchyard of St. 
 Tudno, situated on the Great Orme's Head, Llandudno. 
 It seemed to him that the realm of " The Unseen," and 
 the thoughts which are set forth in these " Songs in 
 Trial," might find a few suitable words of introduction 
 in this lonely and romantic spot. The stone on which 
 he is seated is in memory of the daughter of a brother 
 Minister, Avho, in the spring of her life, passed to her 
 home in the house of her Heavenly Father ; and on 
 whose memorial stone it is written, " No night there.'' 
 Close by is the old church, among whose graves thousands 
 of visitors gathered on the fine Sunday evenings of last 
 summer, when the service of the Church of England 
 was conducted in the open air. But the summer is 
 gone, and the old church is now left in its loneliness. 
 In the winter time its solitary courts are untrodden, save 
 by the bereaved, as they attend to bury their dead ; a 
 solemn testimony how " the fashion of this life passeth 
 away." 
 
 The extensive view is filled in by the sea. A few 
 small schooners are beating outside the bay ; the light
 
 vi PREFACE. 
 
 glinting on their saUs, and presenting an emblem of 
 man's voyage on the changing sea of human life. 
 
 For this little book the writer has to say that its 
 contents were written during the period in which he was 
 laid aside from active ministerial work. A vein of poetic 
 thought was then opened in his mind, providentially, as 
 he thinks, to save him from dwelling unlaappUy on an 
 afflicted state. 
 
 Most of the pieces were composed as the writer 
 paced the shore and rocks of Hojdake, on the Cheshire 
 coast. He publishes them, not to earn the reputation 
 of a poet, but for two reasons. First, in the hope that 
 they may be a consolation to other troubled hearts, as 
 they were to his own : and furtlier, as a testimony of 
 gratitude to esteemed friends, whose sjTnpathy and 
 succour were generously given in a time of need. 
 
 J. M. B. 
 
 Llandudno, 
 
 October, 1875.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Unseen 1 
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 The Disabled Labourer's Dream . . . G5 
 
 My Cross G7 
 
 The Child's Prayer and the Father's Answer . 67 
 
 Sunset at Sea G9 
 
 Listen to Me 71 
 
 Active and Passive Duty 72 
 
 Trust in Christ .75 
 
 The Dying Child 76 
 
 Bells 83 
 
 Bless Me 84 
 
 Devotion 85 
 
 Devotion 86 
 
 Covenant 87 
 
 "Mors Janua Yitm ;" or, "Death the Gate of 
 
 Life" 88 
 
 A Morning Hymn 93 
 
 An Evening Hyrin 95 
 
 A Great Sorrow 96 
 
 0, Light is Sweet 101 
 
 The Disappointed Sower 105 
 
 The Physician's Waiting Eoom .... 109 
 On the Smithfield Martyrs . . . .111 
 
 A Song . . 114
 
 viii CONTENTS. 
 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Lord's Song 115 
 
 My Father's Grave . 
 
 
 
 . 117 
 
 Battle 
 
 
 
 119 
 
 The Pilgrim's Night Song . 
 
 
 
 122 
 
 The Angel of Hope . 
 
 
 
 123 
 
 When I Feel that Life is Lonely 
 
 
 
 125 
 
 The Wounded Soldier's Outlook 
 
 
 
 . 126 
 
 Our Mother's Birthday 
 
 
 
 128 
 
 EocK of Ages .... 
 
 
 
 130 
 
 My Father, Bless ]\Ie 
 
 
 
 132 
 
 A Family Song .... 
 
 
 
 133 
 
 A Morning Song .... 
 
 
 
 . 135 
 
 Lord, Is it I ? 
 
 
 
 136 
 
 Written for a Bereaved Mother 
 
 
 
 137 
 
 Work 
 
 
 
 139
 
 THE UNSEEN.
 
 I^HE j^NSEEN 
 
 •m/ 
 
 LEAVE me all alone, 
 
 And let me wing my mind 
 Nearer the great unknown, 
 
 That I some light may find 
 Into the better land which lies unseen. 
 The land in which we hope 
 
 To make our final home. 
 Though in this world we grope 
 
 For gain, and often roam 
 For joy, as if on earth our rest had been. 
 
 Tis true I love the earth, 
 
 And have no wish to leave 
 The rich land of my birth, 
 Until I shall receive 
 The message of my Lord to mansions higher. 
 And if Thy message come 
 
 Sooner or later Lord, 
 May I be fit for home. 
 And ready for the word 
 Which bids me to Thy royal throne draw nigher. 
 
 B
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 yes! the earth I love, 
 Its cahn majestic hills 
 
 Far towering above 
 
 The clouds^ while crystal rills 
 Glide down with gentle music to the vale, 
 And melt into the lake 
 
 Which glistens in the sun. 
 Leaving a rippling wake 
 Of wavelets as they run, 
 Where flocks and lowing herds their thirst regale. 
 
 1 love to see the trees 
 
 Clad in their changing robes, 
 And hear them in the breeze 
 Waving applause to God, 
 As though they one and all did clap their hands. 
 I love to see the flowers 
 
 Tinted with beauty rare. 
 And filling nature's bowers 
 With fragrance everywhere. 
 Until the earthly vie with heav'nly lands. 
 
 I love the mighty sea 
 
 When it lies smooth and calm, 
 As though it ne'er could be 
 So angry as to harm 
 The hardy mariners who islough its breast. 
 I love the mighty sea 
 
 When it rolls deep and high. 
 Its waves unbound and free, 
 And flinging to the sky 
 Its frothy suds as though it ne'er would I'est. 
 
 I love the grand sunrise, 
 The beams of early dawn
 
 THE UNSEEN. \ 
 
 Glowing in smiling skies 
 And briglitening the morn, 
 While song-birds in sweet carols hail the day. 
 I love the calm sunset, 
 
 When the sun-loving earth 
 With tears of dew is wet. 
 And hushes all its mirth 
 As beams the Western orb a parting ray. 
 
 I love the early spring 
 
 When nature bursts her chains, 
 And feathered warblers sing, 
 
 In sweet and joyous strains. 
 Filling the Avoodlaud with their melody. 
 The varied tints of grace 
 
 Surpassing artists' skill, 
 Adorning earth's old face 
 
 With vu'gin beauty still, 
 While she renews her youthful energy. 
 
 I love the summer time. 
 
 And yearn again to see 
 Nature in all her prime 
 
 Of strength ; brimful of glee. 
 Glowing in ev'ry vein with buoyant health. 
 Beneath bright golden skies 
 
 From well-tilled fruitful soil 
 Abundant harvests rise. 
 
 Rewarding farmers' toil 
 With welcome promise of her gen'rous wealth. 
 
 I love Autumnal scenes ; 
 
 The sweat of harvest tide ; 
 The thrifty cotter gleans. 
 
 And with no little pride 
 
 b2
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Binds up her swelling- slieaf and bears it home. 
 Along the rural lanes, 
 
 Between the close hedge-row 
 EoU on the laden wains, 
 And festoon as they go 
 The overhanging branches with the corn. 
 
 I love the winter too ; 
 
 Its downy flakes of snow 
 Sport gaily in my view, 
 
 And robing all below 
 In mantle pure such as no art could weave. 
 But by the hand of God 
 
 The precious fleece is given, 
 To wrap the frozen clod 
 
 In the kind warmth of heaven, 
 Till earth a fresh vitality receive. 
 
 yes I love the earth, 
 
 'Tis a land dear to me. 
 For who can tell the worth, 
 
 Though broken they may be, 
 Of the home circles which our hearts embrace ? 
 Where tender germs of love 
 
 Unfold in sweetest flower, 
 As in the courts above, 
 
 More fragrant every hour. 
 We thus though mortal taste immortal grace. 
 
 I would give earth its due ; 
 
 'Tis not a wilderness 
 Of bleak and barren hue, 
 Nor clad in shattered dress 
 Of piercing thorns as weary pilgrims say.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 5 
 
 'Tis not a howling waste 
 
 Of melancholy sound, 
 To be passed through with haste, 
 
 In which no joy is found. 
 They libel God's great work who talk this way. 
 
 It is the siuful heart 
 
 Which is a desert drear, 
 Wliieh has in Clnist no part, 
 
 No reverential fear 
 Of God or true submission to His will ; 
 Perversely fumes and frets 
 
 At every trifling pain, 
 And its affection sets 
 
 On things it cannot gain, 
 And if it could it would be craving still. 
 
 It is the carnal mind, 
 
 Mean, covetous, and vain, 
 Which to the ligjit is bliud, 
 Swollen with greed of gain 
 And seeks no w^ealth save perishable gold ; 
 Heeds not the widow's tear 
 Or lonely orphan's prayer. 
 And when their need is near 
 Goes by without a care. 
 And leaves them in their hunger and their cold. 
 
 Selfish it hugs its wealth 
 
 And fain would in it trust, 
 Yet buys not peace or health 
 
 But stores its gold to rust. 
 It would be rich but would not ever spend. 
 It labours hard to get, 
 
 But nothing has to spare,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Till caught in its own net 
 And hopeless in the snare 
 Is claimed by Mammon, and thus comes the end, 
 
 Such minds are deserts dark, 
 
 And joyless as the night 
 In which no true landmark, 
 No cheerful welcome light 
 Meets the tired pilgrim on his weary way ; 
 He reaches for a stafE 
 
 But grasps a piercing thorn, 
 And with a wanton laugh 
 Finds all his garments torn, 
 And nought but rags to wear when dawns the 
 day. 
 
 But when the heart is pure 
 
 And cleansed from all its sin. 
 Of heaven's favour sure. 
 
 Resolved its prize to win, 
 The promised prize Avhich never fades away ; 
 When mind and strength and soul 
 
 With Love Divine are fired. 
 And grace is in the whole. 
 
 Then man by God inspired 
 Enjoys true bliss, for which, Lord, I pray. 
 
 Truly I pray for this 
 
 And do not pray in vain. 
 But mingled with tlie bliss 
 
 Is often chast'ning pain, 
 For God our Father thus doth teach His will. 
 He takes the rod in hand 
 
 But always smites in love,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 7 
 
 That we may understand, 
 As angels do above, 
 Ilis pure and holy service to fulfil. 
 
 The way to future rest 
 
 Oft lies through worldly loss, 
 And deeply pants tlie breast 
 Beneath the heavy cross, 
 But God says " As thy days thy strength shall 
 be." 
 And if the cross I bear 
 
 With fii-mness till I die, 
 I then a crown shall wear 
 Bright as the noonday sky, 
 Or as the stars which heaven loves to see. 
 
 'Tis true my heart doth ache 
 
 Sometimes beneath the load. 
 But then for Jesu's sake 
 I bear up on the road. 
 And He is touched with my infirmity. 
 The keener is the pain 
 
 The sweeter is the balm, 
 I suffer but to reign, 
 The storm brings near the calm. 
 Time's sorrows work a blest eternity. 
 
 We look at the unseen 
 
 But with a vision dim, 
 A veil doth hang between, 
 
 And yet its awful brim 
 Doth seem so near to earth we may look o'ei*. 
 The lamp of truth let down 
 
 And gaze without dismay,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Heaven will never frown 
 To frighten us away, 
 For we are heirs in Christ to all its store. 
 
 The lamp doth freely burn 
 
 And sheds immortal light, 
 The pure celestial urn 
 
 Our vision doth invite 
 Into the realm by human eye unseen ; 
 Not through the "gates ajar " 
 
 Presuming glimpse to steal. 
 For they wide open are 
 
 Its glory to reveal. 
 And are not shut through all its day serene. 
 
 The precious lamp I hold 
 
 In faith's confiding hand, 
 And thus Divinely bold 
 
 Draw near the promised land. 
 Approach in solemn thought its outer bound 
 With naked rev'rent feet 
 
 The pearly gates I pass, 
 Along the golden street 
 
 And o'er the sea of glass. 
 And feel my tread to be on holy ground. 
 
 My Father's house is there. 
 
 There burns His gracious throne, 
 And Jesus doth prepare 
 
 Bright mansions for His own, 
 And buys the freehold with His precious blood ; 
 That their eternal right 
 
 May be witliout dispute 
 To dwell within His sight, 
 And even hell is mute 
 And dares not to deny the claim is good.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Lord I worship Tliee, 
 For the exceeding price 
 
 Whicli Tliou didst pay to free 
 My home in Paradise, 
 And give me title to it as Thine heir. 
 Thank God 'tis not a lease 
 
 Which one day may expire, 
 It is eternal peace, 
 
 My soul's supreme desire. 
 And God by oath my title doth declare. 
 
 1 lift the lamp on high. 
 And love the blessed ray 
 
 Which reaches the pure sky 
 Of never waning day : 
 Thus while it gives me light may I receive 
 From heaven's Holy One, 
 
 The unction of His grace, 
 To help a finite son 
 To look upon the face 
 Of God, and saints, and further joys perceive, 
 
 have I dared to ask 
 
 Jehovah's face to see ? 
 When even tliose who bask 
 In immortality 
 Their persons veil, and Holy, Holy, cry. 
 If I have asked too much 
 
 My sovereign Lord forgive, 
 And let Thy gracious touch 
 Now bid my spirit live, 
 While in Thy royal presence I draw nigh. 
 
 Still, Lord, Thine ear incline, 
 Veil with another fold,
 
 10 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Thy glory doth outshine, 
 Thy smile I now behold, 
 Love is of all Thine attributes the sum. 
 Uphold me while I gaze. 
 
 Or my weak heart will inelt 
 In Deity's bright blaze, 
 For I Thy love have felt 
 To be " the power of the world to come." 
 
 The sum ! Who can it count ? 
 
 What fathom line can sound 
 The great Eternal Fount ? 
 It is a deep profound 
 Which neither men nor angels can explore. 
 Infinite in the past 
 
 Before the birth of time, 
 And shall for ever last 
 In its primeval clime 
 Without decay when time shall be no more. 
 
 It flows without a shore 
 
 And yet I sail its sea, 
 
 No tongue can tell its store 
 
 Yet it belongs to me ; 
 
 I am unworthy e'en to wet my lip 
 
 At such a spring as this, 
 
 And yet may drink until 
 My heart o'erflows with bliss. 
 And thus my joy may fill 
 At the pure stream which I've no right to sip. 
 
 And yet I have a right 
 
 Which in Love's bosom lies, 
 Beams of Eternal light 
 Now print it in the skies, 
 For tis no secret, God doth make it known.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 11 
 
 He graves my filial name 
 
 Upon His royal hand, 
 That heav'n may see my claim 
 True as Himself to stand, 
 And firm as the foundations of His throne. 
 
 Emboldened by the grace 
 
 Which is so freely given, 
 I look into the face 
 
 Of Christ my Lord in heaven, 
 And there I mirrored see Love's glory shine. 
 So strong and full and bright, 
 
 The medium of the cross 
 Is needful to my sight. 
 
 That in its pain and loss 
 1 may both see and feel the Love Divine. 
 
 what a lense of light 
 The cross supplies to me, 
 
 1 look into the might 
 Of Christ's divinity : 
 
 In grateful meditation I adore. 
 My vision seems to swell 
 
 Heav'n's vast expanse to take, 
 As if a pebble fell 
 Into a calm deep lake 
 And rolls its central ripples to the shore- 
 Full in my mental view 
 
 I see a temple fair, 
 Immortal light shines through. 
 And God Himself is there 
 Robed in the grandeur of eternity. 
 Behold ! a burning throne ! 
 And seven lamps of fire
 
 12 TEE UNSEEN. 
 
 Brighter than sun e'er shone, 
 
 Glow witli intense desire, 
 
 For tliey are Spirits of the Deity. 
 
 The temple vast is filled 
 
 With God's majestic train, 
 Its radiance doth gild 
 
 The temple o'er again, 
 And sheds its glory to the lofty dome. 
 The Bwift-wiuged lightnings flash 
 
 From the Almighty's seat, 
 The deep-toned thunders crash 
 
 Beneath His sovereign feet. 
 And echo downwards where lost spirits roam. 
 
 But the dread throne is spanned 
 
 As by the em'rald bow 
 Streaming from God's right hand, 
 
 His attributes to show 
 In perfect harmony with Love Divine : 
 Within its warm embrace 
 
 Mercy and Truth unite. 
 And Justice crowned with Grace 
 
 Shines forth in purest light. 
 To heav'n and earth a holy cov"nant sign. 
 
 I come to Zion's mount 
 
 By faith, and see the crowd 
 Of angels at the Fount 
 Of Life, who crj^ aloud 
 The praise of God, and veiling, lowly bend : 
 The church of the first-born ; 
 
 The spirits of the just. 
 Clad as the sons of morn. 
 And Jesus whom they trust, 
 And I trust too, my Saviour and my Friend.
 
 THE UN SEE X. 13 
 
 Around the lofty seat 
 
 Of High Divinity, 
 Father, Son, and Spirit, 
 
 The Holy Trinity, 
 The white-robed elders in their crowns of gold 
 Partake of regal state. 
 
 As minor priests and kings ; 
 How glorious and great 
 
 The countless gatherings 
 From every part of Heaven's eternal fold. 
 
 Abraham tried and sad 
 
 When toiling up Moriah, 
 To offer the loved lad 
 
 With sacrificial fire, 
 Who well enquired, "Where is the chosen lamb ? "' 
 The altar firmly piled. 
 
 And hushed the heartfelt strife, 
 The father took his child 
 
 And stretched aloft the knife. 
 But God said " Loose thy son and slay the ram.' 
 
 Thus tried and proved he won 
 Distinction which remained 
 In his beloved son. 
 
 And his son's son retained ; 
 God doth their royal heritage ordain. 
 Their names like links of gold 
 
 In patriarchal line. 
 Their memories enrolled 
 Within the Church Divine, 
 And never shall die out while God doth reign. 
 
 Near to the central throne 
 My faith beholds with awe,
 
 14 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Ilim who from God alone 
 Keceived the moral law, 
 And gazed upon Jehovah from the clift : 
 From Sinai's rugged brow 
 
 He bore the tables down : 
 Honour and glory now 
 
 Shine in the splendid crown 
 He took on Pisgah's top as God's free gift. 
 
 I trace a burnished track 
 
 Eight through the gates of pearl ; 
 It throws my vision back 
 
 To see the chariot whirl 
 Which bore Elijah to his Master's throne : 
 The royal charioteer 
 
 Reined in his steeds of fire, 
 Out stepped the faithful seer. 
 
 Who proving Baal a liar, 
 Cried, " If the Lord be God serve Him alone. 
 
 Unharnessed, the swift steeds 
 
 Rest in the royal stud. 
 Ready for other deeds 
 
 Of transport, if it should 
 Be God's great will to send them forth again. 
 If He but speak the word 
 
 The fire steeds take the yoke, 
 Obey Jehovah's curb 
 
 As when of old He spoke ; 
 The signal given, it shall be now as then. 
 
 David whose harp is fired 
 
 With perfect harmony, 
 Whose skilful hand inspired 
 
 With sweeter melody 
 Than ever charmed the evil heart of Saul :
 
 THE UNSEEN. 15 
 
 His fingers on the string, 
 
 Heady to swell the strain 
 In honour of the King 
 
 Who over all doth reign, 
 And his rare art engage at heaven's call. 
 
 Isaiah, too, is there, 
 
 Intense with hallowed flame, 
 To take seraphic share 
 In homage o£ the name 
 Which cheruhim continually praise. 
 Full of poetic thought 
 
 As living waters roll ; 
 To tell what Grod hath wrought 
 The Spirit moves his soul, 
 Until it flows as a pure stream of grace. 
 
 The gifted Jeremiah, 
 
 The anguish of whose mind 
 Was like a pent-up fire ; 
 So earnestly he pined 
 To make men hear what God had bade him say. 
 No wail of human pain 
 
 Breaks from his spirit now ; 
 His tears which fell like rain 
 Ne'er soil his noble brow, 
 For God's own hand hath wiped them all away. 
 
 Daniel the brave and true, 
 
 Who feared the lions less, 
 Or what fierce men could do 
 
 Who hard decrees would press, 
 Than to disown his Lord, the King of kings. 
 If he had shunned the den 
 
 And thus dishonoured God,
 
 16 TEE UNSEEN. 
 
 The scorn of mocking men, 
 Jehovah's angry rod, 
 And couscienc(% would have lashed him with 
 their stings. 
 
 A long and noble line 
 
 Of Prophets, Priests and Kings, 
 Illustrious they shine, 
 
 Enriched witli heav'nly things 
 Beyond all monarchies of human pride. 
 With royalty adorned 
 
 Than God's alone less dim, 
 Now sanctified and formed 
 
 In glory like to Him 
 The Lord of all, and seated by His side. 
 
 The apostolic saints 
 
 In close communion, 
 No jealousy attaints 
 Their bond of union, 
 Oa twelve high thrones they sit near to their 
 Lord : 
 Their lives not counted dear, 
 
 ■But poured out for the sake . 
 Of Him whom they revere. 
 By axe, or cross, or stake 
 They sealed with their own blood the precious 
 word. 
 
 The mother of our Lord 
 
 Moves in the holy scene, 
 Not there to be adored 
 
 As an immortal queen. 
 But blessed for her love to Him she bore. 
 She loved Him as a child. 
 
 She loved Him as a man,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 17 
 
 She loved Him when reviled, 
 And when His life blood ran, 
 The spikes which pierced the Son the mother tore. 
 
 Strong in her mother's might 
 
 But stronger in her Son's, 
 Her faith obtained a right 
 
 Among His precious ones, 
 And her heart to her Son's did closely bind. 
 Thus filled with Love's true pow'r 
 
 She sat beneath His cross 
 In Calvary's dread hour, 
 
 Unconscious that her loss 
 Was the redeeming gain of all mankind. 
 
 Type of a mother true, 
 
 And virtuous and wise, 
 Good women not a few 
 
 Have sought a kindred prize 
 In Jesu's love, and have not sought in vain. 
 High in the temple throng 
 
 They radiantly shine, 
 With grace they move among 
 Thei saints, and still entwine 
 Their holy virtues round their loved again. 
 
 But what are these I see. 
 Who in the temple wait 
 So lovingly and free 
 Amid the regal state. 
 And rev'rend gravity of elders round ? 
 what are these so bright 
 And beautiful and fair. 
 Glancing like beams of light 
 And sweeter than the rare 
 Perfumes of earthly fragrance ever found ? 
 
 c
 
 18 TEE UNSEEN. 
 
 Has the Almighty King 
 
 Preserved and choicer lands, 
 From which He thus doth bring 
 
 The culture of His hands 
 To bud His people's pleasures with His own ? 
 Are these the plants of prize, 
 
 Which angels love to rear 
 In bow'rs of Paradise, 
 
 And by all heav'n held dear. 
 From the great Lord to each before His throne ? 
 
 Nay these more precious are 
 Than plants of finest hue, 
 Of greater value far 
 
 Than flow'rs we ever knew, 
 These are the children of Eternity : 
 Permitted now to gaze 
 
 Into their Father's face, 
 And happy in the blaze 
 
 Of the pure throne of grace, 
 They win the loving smiles of Deity. 
 
 When doting mothers brought 
 
 The cliildren to their Lord, 
 And in affection sought 
 
 For them a gracious word, 
 He took them in His arms and kindly blest : 
 And now on Zion's hill 
 
 His heart is just the same, 
 He loves the children still 
 
 Revealing His great name 
 To their expanding minds in saintly rest. 
 
 What tongue can tell the charm 
 These little ones of love
 
 THE UNSEEN. 19 
 
 Spread o'er the sacred calm 
 Of the dear home above? 
 Tlioy're ev'rywhere, and ev'rywhero they scent 
 Like a bright fringe of gold 
 To the great witness cloud, 
 Among the saints of old 
 Their voices sound aloud, 
 As the sweet rippling of a silver stream. 
 
 They to the temple come 
 
 And vast their numbers be. 
 But God hath made them room 
 
 In His large family, 
 Nor sufEers them to rauge in ranks obscure : 
 lie bids them with delight 
 
 Their holy freedom take. 
 And in His nearer sight 
 
 Enjoy for Jesu's sake • 
 
 Their full capacity among the pure. 
 
 As in the midst of ocean 
 
 Far out of sight of land, 
 The vast congregation 
 Extends on ev'ry hand. 
 Or like a bright and star-lit firmament. 
 Who can survey its range 
 
 Or who its numbers tell ? 
 And yet it is not strauge 
 For many I love well 
 Are there with whom I've oft held covenant. 
 
 Hear now the ceaseless cry 
 Of flaming seraphim, 
 '• Jehovah, Lord Most High, 
 
 For ever unto Him, 
 The Holy, Holy, Holy be all praise."
 
 20 TEE UNSEEN. 
 
 Clearly their A-oiccs blend 
 
 The temple vast to fill, 
 The worshippers attend 
 
 With one harmonious will, 
 And not a thought in their pure homage strnys. 
 
 No other voice is heard, 
 
 One voice proclaims "The Holy," 
 No other sound is stirred, 
 
 All sounds proclaim His glory : 
 The cry lloats in an awful silence still. 
 The universe seems hushed 
 
 To listen to His name, 
 And even heaven is flushed 
 
 To realize its gain 
 In the fruition of so pure a will. 
 
 The heavens can't contain 
 
 The holiness of God, 
 The virtue of His name 
 
 And mandate of His rod 
 No hmit have, but without bound extend 
 From heaven to the earth. 
 
 From angels unto men ; 
 May grace bring to the birth 
 
 More saintly sons, and then 
 Help them to keep the faith unto the end. 
 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy," 
 
 The white robed elders all 
 Responsively and lowly 
 Before Jehovah fall. 
 Who liveth in eternity sublime. 
 Each elder casteth down 
 Before the royal throne
 
 THE UNSEEN. 21 
 
 His priceless golden crown, 
 Crying, "0 God alone 
 " Thou art unreckoned by tlie note of time. " 
 
 " Worthy God Thou art. 
 
 Honour is due to Thee, 
 
 Let every creature part 
 
 With all its vanity, 
 
 Aud know it lives by Thine almighty vnW. 
 
 Thou dost all life create, 
 
 Thou dost all things sustain, 
 On Thee all creatures wait, 
 And never wait in vain, 
 All need in heaven and earth Thou dost fulfil." 
 
 A silent interlude 
 
 Of still solemnity. 
 And now the multitude 
 With loud immensity 
 Of voice ; — yet all melodidus, exclaim, 
 ''Salvation to our God, 
 Salvation to the Lamb 
 Who washed us in His blood, 
 And sealed us with His name. 
 Redeemed us from our sin, its curse and shame. 
 
 " From ev'ry land we came 
 But all united here, 
 All sealed with one great name. 
 All by the Lamb held dear ; 
 One Head : one home, one family we are. 
 No discord spoils our peace. 
 
 No jealousy we feel ; 
 In love we all increase. 
 Nor foe shall ever steal 
 Our holy charity, our oneness mar.
 
 22 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 " We look into the heart 
 Of Deity supreme, 
 But there we fiiul no part 
 
 With those wlio would redeem 
 A few elect, and leave out all the rest. 
 Jehovah's heart is great. 
 
 All tribes and tongues takes in, 
 And there they learn to mate 
 As brethren of one kin, 
 For love blends all distinctions in its breasL 
 
 " We were condemned and lost, 
 But He our ransom paid, 
 Ilis precious life it cost. 
 On Him our help was laid. 
 And in omnipotence He bore it all ; 
 Death smote Him with his dart 
 
 And Satan bruised His heel, 
 And in His stricken heart 
 An agony did feel ; 
 So great our wilful sin, so deep our fall. 
 
 " To slaughter He was led 
 
 Though innocent and pure, 
 He bowed His holy head 
 The deatli blow to endure, 
 And gave His soul an offering for sin. 
 It pleased the great I AM 
 
 To save His sheep astray. 
 By wounding the loved Lamb 
 Which in His bosom lay, 
 And thus provide a fold to take tlicm in. 
 
 " They gave Him gall to drink 
 Upon a soldier's reed.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 23 
 
 They mocked His great life sink 
 And gloried in the deed : 
 But in redeeming mercy thus He prayed, 
 ' Father forgive them all, 
 
 They know not what thej- do, 
 hear My dying call, 
 
 For though with scorn they view 
 The travail of My soul ; for them it's paid.' 
 
 " Now save Thyself they cried 
 
 And come down from the tree ; 
 His agony replied, 
 ' Hast Thou forsaken Me ? 
 My God, My God, why leave !Me thus alone ? ' 
 saints and angels all 
 
 How wonderful His grace, 
 Our tears of love still fall 
 While we behold His face, 
 For yet He bears the scars upon His throne. 
 
 " They laid Him in the rock 
 
 And sealed the massive stone, 
 They fain His strength would lock 
 In the dark grave alone. 
 But never key was found the bolt to roll. 
 They set the bravest guard 
 
 And charged them have a care. 
 The task was very hard 
 
 Almighty power was there ; 
 They slew His body, but touched not His soul. 
 
 " The powers of hell He spoiled, 
 Disarmed death of his sting, 
 The tempter's craft He foiled 
 And crippled his dark wing ; 
 He fought the dreadful battle and He won.
 
 24 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Upon the dragon's head 
 
 He planted His bruised heel, 
 Our foe a captive led 
 
 And bound him with His seal, 
 And to His feet all enemies shall come. 
 
 " Salvation to our God, 
 
 Who gave His precious Son, 
 He suffered not the clod 
 Defile His Holy One ; 
 Corruption craved its prey, but craved in vain. 
 The resurrection life 
 
 Of His redeeming plan 
 Dispelled the mortal strife. 
 And now the Son of Man 
 Holds the strong keys of Death and Hell' 
 domain. 
 
 " death where is thy sting ? 
 
 Thy victory grave ? 
 
 The Conqueror doth bring 
 
 Tiirough thee His power to save ; 
 death, grave, thy work will soon be o'er : 
 Thy strength He will destroy. 
 
 Thy prey He will unclose. 
 His own shall rise with joy, 
 And over all His foes 
 His triumph shall maintain for evermore. 
 
 " In mediatorial care 
 
 He rose from Bethany, 
 The regal throne to share 
 In filial Deity ; 
 Ascending to His royal Father's side. 
 Sound of His princely tread 
 Called heaven forth to greet
 
 THE UNSEEN. 25 
 
 The first fruits of the dead, 
 Aud escort to the seat, 
 Of sov'reign love this sheaf of harvest-tide. 
 
 " Triumphant legions cried, 
 
 Lift up your heads, gates, 
 Droop not for Him that died. 
 The King of Glory waits 
 Admission in the fulness of His power. 
 Wiio is this mighty King 
 
 In robes of crimson hue, 
 Who doth such honour bring 
 And claim such homage due, 
 Demanding His i^ure Bride and her rich dower? 
 
 " He is the Lord of Hosts, 
 Who hath on Calvary 
 Paid man's redemption costs, 
 And crowned with victory, 
 He captive leads in His triumphant train 
 The last of all His foes, 
 
 Death staggers on to die 
 While his great Conqueror goes 
 To Majesty on Higli, 
 In everlasting monarchy to reign. 
 
 " gates ! your portals raise 
 
 A fruitful sheaf we bring, 
 With universal praise 
 
 To our Creator King, 
 Than gold or pearls a sheaf of richer grain. 
 gates ! your breadth expand. 
 
 The reapers will bring more 
 Sheaves to tlie King's right hand, 
 
 Until the royal store 
 A wealth of immortality contain.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 " We look on death's domain 
 Which in corruption lies, 
 But quick with hfe again 
 The mortal seed shall rise, 
 Broadcast 'tis sown, and broadcast it shall spring. 
 In every lonesome grave, 
 And in the deepest sea 
 Beneath the rolling wave 
 All vital it shall be. 
 When the last trump of the great day shall ring. 
 
 " In weakness it is sown, 
 
 It shall be raised in power, 
 The earth receives its own 
 But for time's fleeting hour. 
 The incorruptible must be put on. 
 From every Christian tomb 
 
 Held by our Lord in trust. 
 Immortal life shall bloom 
 Out of the mortal dust, 
 Tn the pure glory of the Holy One. 
 
 '* The harvest draweth near 
 And angel-reapers stand, 
 Waiting tlie word to shear 
 With sickles in their hand, 
 The Sheaf of Promise hath already come. 
 Bereaved weep o'er their graves 
 
 And linger mourning still, 
 But see ! the harvest waves, 
 And soon on Zion's hill 
 Heaven shall be merry in its harvest home. 
 
 " that our joyful song 
 
 May reach our friends below,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 27 
 
 Who think of us and long 
 More perfectly to know 
 The everlasting blessedness we feel. 
 'Tis theirs, the dead to weep, 
 'Tis ours, their life to sing. 
 All who in Jesus sleep 
 He will most surely bring 
 To rest where mortal wounds shall sweetly heal. 
 
 " 'Tis theirs, with friends to part, 
 'Tis ours, with them to meet, 
 Bereavement fills their heart. 
 Ours, with warm welcome greet. 
 They see them leave, but we do take them in. 
 'Tis theirs, to see the wave 
 
 Of swelling Jordan's storm, 
 'Tis theirs, to close the grave 
 Upon the mortal form, 
 They see the strife, but we the crown they win, 
 
 " Tliey see the human brain. 
 Yielding its feeble powers 
 Beneath the mortal strain 
 In time's swift ebbing hours. 
 As if the soul itself was weak and dim. 
 We see the human mind 
 Expanding in the sun 
 Of Christ's pure love, and find 
 The greatness He hath won 
 For them in nearer fellowship with Him. 
 
 " They say, ' Thy will be done ' 
 With many bitter tears, 
 They, too, adore the Son, 
 
 But oft with doubts and fears ; 
 We know the way of trial that they come ;
 
 28 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 For we have paced it too 
 
 With bruised and tire-worn feet, 
 
 But God hath brought us through 
 To His eternal seat, 
 Where siglis and sorrows are for ever done. 
 
 " coidd our brethren hear 
 Tlie beating of our wing, 
 Wliile ministering near 
 
 To guard them while the ." cling 
 To the great Rock of Ages cleft in twain. 
 The heart Divine is filled 
 
 With kindred sympathy, 
 And on His love they build 
 In their infirmity 
 A friendly refuge, and a shelter gain. 
 
 '• may His grace sustain 
 Our brethren in the way. 
 Help them to bear the pain 
 Until the break of day. 
 When the long night of weeping shall be o'er. 
 Fain would we drop the balm 
 
 Into their wounded breast. 
 But the almighty arm 
 
 Shall bear them on to rest 
 ) a tlie safe haven of this peaceful shore. 
 
 " We the hard fight have won, 
 And they shall win it too, 
 Wc have received our crown. 
 And theirs is now in view. 
 The righteous Judge hath laid it \\\) in store. 
 Ere long we shall embrace 
 Our friends who toil below,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 29 
 
 With Jesus face to face 
 No pain or parting know ; 
 Sin shall not soil or sever any more. 
 
 " Now let the chorus ring 
 Like a clear clarion blast, 
 Till unbelief shall bring 
 Its evidence at last, 
 And fools who have denied with shame confess. 
 Sweet may the chorus sound 
 
 To all who now believe. 
 And as on holy ground 
 Its harmony receive, 
 while they listen may Jehovah bless. 
 
 " Loud let the chorus swell 
 And fill the universe, 
 Until the powers of hell 
 In terror shall disperse 
 Behind the rocking gates of their stronghohi. 
 Angels and saints unite. 
 And seraphim still cry 
 "With melody and might 
 Until all worlds reply, 
 And chaos wakes to hear the anthem rolled. 
 
 " Our voice shall reach the lost 
 In their deep, dark despair. 
 That they may know the cost 
 Of Christ's redeeming cure, 
 Which they, alas ! so wilfully despised. 
 Justice hath shut the door 
 
 With Mercy's full consent. 
 No hope for evermore 
 That Jesus will relent. 
 His acts are true and ne'er can be revised.
 
 30 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 " Beelzebub shall know 
 That all are loyal here, 
 Now let our ancient foe 
 Hearken to us with fear, 
 His chain is forged and soon he shall be bound. 
 Behold the angel stand 
 
 With the great key of hell. 
 And in his mighty hand 
 The fetters welded well, 
 Waiting God's will to bind the foe aground. 
 
 " The bottomless is deep, 
 
 The dragon fierce and bold, 
 But down the fearful steep 
 He shortly shall be rolled, 
 And in its lowest depths shall be enchained. 
 He shall deceive no more. 
 
 But writhe beneath the seal 
 Which chafes his spirit sore. 
 And curbs his evil zeal. 
 Forbidding him the kingdom he hath gained. 
 
 " Sound ! ye angelic choirs. 
 
 Lift up your harps on high, 
 Sound ! for the Lord inspires, 
 And holy seraphs cry, 
 Sound! ye His saints the song of the redeemed. 
 Sound ! in the Church below, 
 
 Let earth combine with heaven 
 In harmony to show 
 
 The grace which God hath given, 
 Sound all ! our theme is by the King esteencd." 
 «sscsoee 
 
 Hark ! hark ! the chorus swells 
 In a grand minstrelsy,
 
 TEE UNSEEN. 31 
 
 Its triumph boldly tells 
 Like the deep booming sea, 
 As waves on waves gather their awful sound ; 
 Till the whole ocean roars 
 
 With all its might aud main 
 Upon its trembling shores, 
 But dies away again, 
 And whispers faintly in the vast profound. 
 
 Or as a thunder peal 
 
 Crashes among the hills. 
 And shakes them to the keel : 
 Their throbbing bosom fills 
 With throes of travail which asunder tear, 
 Till hoary rocks are riven ; 
 Yet soon it floats away 
 Into the vault of heaven, 
 But lingers in its play 
 While smitten nature soothes its tempest care. 
 
 It comes ! with startling roll, 
 
 As if a mighty world 
 Were split from pole to pole. 
 
 And its huge fragments hurled 
 In chaos depths which echo back the fall ; 
 Now melts in sweetest strains 
 
 Of music soft and clear. 
 That e'en Jehovah deigns 
 
 To bend a list'ningear. 
 Delighting in the Lamb as all in all. 
 
 The harps are sounding now, 
 
 And harpers sweetly sing. 
 With light upon their brow 
 
 And life in ev'ry string, 
 A countless host of lyres and all inspired ;
 
 32 TEE UNSEEN. 
 
 Full of the breath Divine 
 
 And played with finest skill : 
 May one of these be mine 
 To praise my Father's will, 
 Tuned by the love with which all heaven is fired. 
 
 Hath melody its strings 
 
 Vocal in every sphere ? 
 Do all created things 
 
 The Lamb of God revere, 
 And take appointed part to bless His name ? 
 God's omnipresent hand 
 
 Touches all springs of life, 
 And at His just command 
 E'en hell in its deep strife, 
 A base of harmony adds in its shame. 
 
 The heaven of heavens is filled. 
 
 And earth and air and seas, 
 And ev'ry creature thrilled 
 With the harmonious breeze 
 Which stirs the immeasurable imiverse ; 
 Bearing the honour due 
 
 To Him, amidst the throne. 
 And in His royal view 
 To Him, and Him alone. 
 Yea everj' knee doth bow and tongue confess. 
 
 Eternity's vast shore, 
 
 Lined with ten thousand times 
 
 Ten thousand saints and more, 
 Rings out its joyful chimes, 
 And the grand chorus rises in full tone. 
 
 hear its mighty voice, 
 Tlie theme it doth declare.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 33 
 
 Rejoice f my heart rejoice ! 
 Thou hast a humble share 
 In the pure joy which swells uji to tlie throne. 
 
 " worthy is the Lamb 
 
 That was ou Calv'ry slain, 
 The pure eternal Lamb 
 Who died but lives again, 
 No more the Father's bosom shall He leave. 
 His glory we proclaim. 
 
 His kingdom shall increase, 
 magnify His name. 
 
 He is the Prince of peace : 
 And worthy, ever worthy to receive 
 
 " All power, 
 For He shall reign and homage gain : 
 
 All riches, 
 For He bestows on friends and foes ; 
 
 All wisdom. 
 For His just mind shall judge mankind ; 
 
 All strength. 
 For His good will He shall fulfil ; 
 
 All honour. 
 For in His sight God hath delight ; 
 
 All glory. 
 For He doth shine in truth Divine ; 
 
 All blessing. 
 For as He gives all being lives ; 
 
 Alleluiah ! 
 
 " Why do the heathen rage, 
 
 Imagine a vain thing, 
 And earthly kings engage. 
 
 And rulers counsel bring 
 Against the Lord and His Anointed too ? 
 
 D
 
 34 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Why Avoiiltl they break their baiuls 
 
 And cast away their cords '? 
 Weak arc tlieir wilful hands, 
 
 And weaker still their words, 
 For all they plot and i)lan, they fail to do. 
 
 " The Lord of Hosts shall laugh 
 And hold them in derision, 
 He speaks to them in wrath 
 And flings them in collision, 
 Yet hath lie set a King on Zion's hill, 
 Who all His foes shall break 
 
 As with an iron rod ; 
 Be wise kings, and make 
 Submission unto God, 
 And learn ere 'tis too late to do His will. 
 
 " kiss the royal Son 
 
 And heartfelt homage i)ay ; 
 If His love be not won 
 Ye perish from the way, 
 kiss the Son while yet His grace is free. 
 But blessed are they all 
 
 Who put their trust in Him, 
 Though earthly kingdoms fall 
 And mortal sight grow dim 
 His warm embrace new life and health will be. 
 
 " The marriage day is come. 
 The Jubilee of heaven, 
 Of God's great wealth the sum \ 
 
 Unto the Lamb is given, 
 Behold the crown upon His holy brow. 
 He takes His royal bride. 
 Adorned in robes of grace,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 35 
 
 And seats her by His side, 
 In her long promised place, 
 And with His own vast wealth He doth endow. 
 
 " The church of His true love 
 Though oft despised by men, 
 Yet ever raised above 
 
 The reach of scorn again, 
 Her heritage is in the Bridegroom's breast ; 
 His love, His life, His throne 
 
 The faithful Church doth share, 
 And heaven's polished stone 
 Of whiteness shall she wear, 
 With her new name therein, ' My Lord's my rest.' 
 
 " Yea heaven and earth anew 
 Are fashioned by His hand, 
 And in His sovereign view 
 Spreads out a fairer land 
 Than any Eden seen in earth or heaven. 
 Whate'er hath been before 
 
 This work surpasseth all, 
 His presence evermore 
 Doth into being call 
 Y''et fuller joys, to saints and seraphs given. 
 
 " Alleluiah ! 
 Blessing, 
 And honour. 
 And glory. 
 And power. 
 Be unto Him that sits enthroned. 
 Whose kingdom ceaseth never ! 
 And to the Lamb who hath atoned. 
 For ever and for ever ! " 
 
 d2
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Again tlie ciders fall 
 In beantifnl array, 
 Before tlie Lord of all, 
 And as they worship, say 
 " Amen ! 
 Allelniah ! " 
 The throne ntters its voice, 
 " Let all unite to praise 
 And in our God rejoice, 
 
 Both small and great now raise 
 One deep response of universal joy. 
 For the Lord God omnipotent doth reign, 
 His everlasting sceptre shall maintain ; 
 He is the Lord of lords, and King of kings, 
 Plis royal word hath made and rules all things." 
 
 Though joyful be the song 
 Which swells in melody 
 From all the white-robed throng. 
 The holy ecstacy 
 Of heaven flows from a deeper fountain still. 
 If harmony alone 
 Of lip and hand were here. 
 
 The pleasures of God's throne 
 Were little more we fear 
 Than finer treats of earthly art. and skill. 
 
 Heaven drinks at Jacob's well 
 
 Where living fountains rise. 
 And springs of sweetness tell 
 
 How fertile Eden lies 
 Bound the great well of life which ne'er is drj' 
 Here is the harper's skill. 
 
 Here the redeeming song.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 37 
 
 Here is the source to fill 
 The bliss of all the throng, 
 They draw from Jacob's well and find supply. 
 
 The pure Eternal mind 
 
 Which in its wondrous thought, 
 Creation's works designed, 
 
 And man's perfection wrought, 
 Assigned the province of the human brain ; 
 And fi'om its own deep fount 
 
 Kindled the mental fires 
 Which in our being mount, 
 
 That man to God aspires. 
 And by His grace an empire doth obtain. 
 
 In fellowship sublime, 
 Finite with infinite. 
 The pilgrimage of time 
 
 Hath found its goal in sight 
 Of supreme Deity's approving face. 
 God with His saints communes, 
 
 And speaks their birthright part 
 Not in the minstrel tunes 
 Alone, but in the heart 
 Of Heaven, and in His eternal grace. 
 
 The life of tlie unseen. 
 
 Is not a splendid court. 
 Where fashions intervene, 
 And dignities resort. 
 And ceremonies all affections bind : 
 No presentation da}^. 
 
 To kiss the Monarch's hand, 
 One look and then away. 
 
 To dream how great and grand 
 The sov'reign's state : 'Tis nothing of the kind.
 
 38 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 how men covet this, 
 
 Tlie royal cup to sip, 
 And call it real bliss, 
 
 To wet their parched lip 
 At the same stream where earthly princes drink 
 They round the fountain press 
 
 Impatient for their turn, 
 And though they get much less 
 
 Than they had hoped to earn, 
 'Tis something e'en to be upon the brink. 
 
 The roj'al goblet's small, 
 
 And large the monarch's share, 
 And if enough for all 
 Be not provided there, 
 Beneath its blight the heart begins to sore. 
 And jealousies to brood. 
 
 And disappointments fret, 
 The goblet to have viewed 
 
 And touched and sipped, and yet 
 The palate is more parched than 'twas before. 
 
 Alas ! such is all joy 
 
 Which comes from earth alone, 
 Like the deep-veined alloy 
 That mars the precious stone ; 
 'Tis vain and never satisfies at best. 
 Or as the miser's gold. 
 
 It tempts men more and more, 
 They like it in their hold. 
 And still increase their store, 
 Their greed, their selfishness, and their unrest. 
 
 While earthly prospects wither, 
 And earthly fountains dry,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 39 
 
 bretliren come hither, 
 Let meditation fly 
 On wings of faith, and roam this unseen shore. 
 How blest to turn aside 
 
 Into the realms of peace ; 
 If earthly joys have died, 
 Here heavenly ones increase 
 In their sweet fulness, and for evermore. 
 
 Do we not daily pray 
 
 Father which art in heaven ? 
 Forgetting what we say 
 
 His grace may not be given ; 
 He list'neth to the heart's simplicity. 
 But Avhen we humbly come 
 
 In a true childlike trust, 
 God's presence then is home ; 
 
 We find His promise just. 
 And His love our supreme felicity. 
 
 God hath a Father's heart. 
 
 He doth not in mere name 
 Profess a father's part, 
 
 His heart feels just the same 
 As mine, and thine if thou art j^arent too. 
 Yea His paternal ties 
 
 Make ours look only small, 
 In His deep heart there lies 
 
 A love surpassing all ; 
 He loves as even mothers ne'er can do. 
 
 Yet herein we delight. 
 
 Of all the symbols shown, 
 The fairest in His sight 
 
 To make His mercy known 
 Was found in our parental love alone.
 
 40 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Like as a father cares, 
 
 Like as a mother tends, 
 So our great Father wears 
 
 Our dearest names, and blends 
 Father's and motlier's heart into His own. 
 
 Doth not love's tender grace 
 
 Make home what home should be ? 
 So that v.-e find no place 
 
 In all the lands we see, 
 Where such a pure and holy fountain flows. 
 This is the only leaven, 
 
 Which makes our homes a type 
 Of what we seek in heaven. 
 
 Where every joy is ripe 
 In the i^aternal love that God bestows. 
 
 Perhaps we rarely pause 
 
 In the hard run of life. 
 
 To ponder the pure laws 
 
 Which rule our toil and strife, 
 But the grand law of home we ever feel. 
 Insensibly it holds 
 
 Our spirits near the shrine 
 Of virtue, and it moulds 
 Them for the home Divine, 
 Of which a glimpse at least it doth reveal. 
 
 blessed home of earth. 
 
 How often hath our breast 
 Been filled with childlike mirth, 
 
 And found refreshing rest 
 In the sweet refuge of thy constant love ? 
 So surely dost thou hive 
 
 Pure honey in thy strength,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 41 
 
 That Avithercd hearts revive, 
 And venture forth at length 
 To battle for the better home above. 
 
 Do we e'er feel afraid 
 
 To knock at our own door ? 
 Or after death's dark shade 
 
 We gain the unseen shore 
 Shall we approach our Father's house with fear ? 
 no, where'er we roam, 
 
 Or what our anxious care, 
 We always turn to home. 
 
 Sure of a welcome there, 
 We cannot doubt that heaven is less sincere. 
 
 Pity the stricken heart 
 
 Which desolate and lone. 
 Hath none to heal its smart, 
 
 By sad bereavement thrown 
 Into a homeless solitude of grief. 
 The busy hum of life 
 
 Unceasing all around, 
 But heedless of the strife 
 
 The homeless heart hath found, 
 Nor pausing to administer relief. 
 
 let him taste the balm 
 
 Of sympathy and love. 
 And point him to the calm 
 
 Abiding home above, 
 Say as our Saviour diil — Do not despair. 
 Let not thy heart sink down, 
 
 Or count thy troubles more. 
 Than they who Avear the crown 
 
 Have undergone before, 
 In Jesus seek thy rest ; thou'lt find it there.
 
 42 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Bereaved have sorrowed o'er 
 
 The death of valued friends, 
 As if they must deplore 
 
 The message Jesus sends, 
 To bid His faithful servants come up higher ; 
 Oft, too, the troubled thought 
 
 Hath much perplexed the heart. 
 Whether the Christian ought 
 
 To cherish friends as part 
 Of the good hope God's promises inspire. 
 
 As if when we unloosed 
 
 Our bark of love from earth, 
 A tempest was produced 
 
 Which shattered all our mirth, 
 Constraining us to fling o'erboard the cheer 
 Of our great Captain's grace, 
 
 And lighten ship to sail 
 Where mortal currents race. 
 
 And human prospects pale 
 In the absorbing sense that" heaven is near. 
 
 Nay heaven-bound saints arrive 
 
 Not as dismantled wrecks. 
 Which scarce the gale survive, 
 Their bare and storm-swept decks 
 Showing hard passage of the mortal sea ; 
 Not thus the Pilot brings 
 
 His vessels into port, 
 Or thus the King of kings 
 Calls His beloved to court, 
 Putting higli cost on all their dignity. 
 
 Do e'en the lost espy 
 Poor Lazarus above,
 
 THE UNSEEN. ■ 43 
 
 And in the distant sky 
 Of ever beaming love, 
 Behold a beggar bosomed with a saint ? 
 is theiF vision keen 
 
 To trace heaven's shining ranks, 
 Although there lies between. 
 
 The gulf whose bridgeless banks 
 Fling back the echo of their fearful plaint ? 
 
 So surely shall the ties 
 
 Which death would rive in twain, 
 In these immortal skies 
 By Christ be bound again, 
 Of the old earthly love no spark is lost ; 
 It burns as strong and true 
 
 In this congenial clime. 
 As it had used to do 
 
 "When kindled first in time, 
 A heartfelt joy, but felt in heaven most. 
 
 Not as mere kith and kin 
 
 Do friends in heaven unite, 
 But all embraced within 
 
 Bonds of supreme delight ; 
 All kinship hallowed by a love so pure, 
 That not a thought can give 
 
 Embarrassment or pain, 
 The dearest friendships live, 
 
 And in their life obtain 
 Eternity to increase and endure. 
 
 hath the mother's heart 
 
 Oifered her child to heaven. 
 And was it hard to part 
 
 Though in submission given ? 
 The child's place cooled not in the mother's breast ;
 
 44 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Still warm e'en after death 
 Her offspring to embrace, 
 The loss of mortal breath 
 Dimmed not the mother's face, 
 Christ read her looks of love and gave her rest. 
 
 Death may the body kill, 
 
 But cannot hurt the soul, 
 He makes the heart stand still. 
 But then hath spent the whole 
 Of his great jiower ; and while he claims the 
 right 
 To bury in the grave 
 
 The spoils of mortal strife, 
 All heaven bends to save 
 
 The precious blood-bought life 
 Which springs uninjured from the fearful fight. 
 
 True many mansions here 
 
 Uplift their towers on high, 
 And palaces appear 
 
 All radiant as the sky. 
 Yet every mansion hath an open door ; 
 And every portal shines 
 
 With welcome from within. 
 And every heart inclines 
 
 Unto its sacred kin. 
 To interchange affection more and more. 
 
 Here is a wealth untold, 
 
 A wealth exceeding all 
 The silver and the gold, 
 
 That mortals riches call ; 
 Here are distinctions, but distinctions blend 
 In one deep central heart, 
 
 Which in its hate of pride,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 45 
 
 Givetli the luiml)lest ]iart 
 With princes side by side, 
 And every beaming face proclaims a friend. 
 
 No selfishness is here, 
 
 It thriveth but in hell ; 
 Not in this holy sphere, 
 
 Such evil tempers dwell ; 
 But love from the great Father's fountain-breast 
 Strikes its Divine roots down, 
 
 And spreads them forth, until 
 The hosts beneath His crown 
 
 Move only by His will, 
 And drinking at His heart find filial rest. 
 
 Love, Paradise sustains. 
 
 Or heaven itself would sink. 
 Love healeth all the pains. 
 
 Love is the meat and drink. 
 The toil and recreation of the saints ; 
 Love is in their pursuits 
 
 Adorneth Zion's bowers. 
 Love ripeneth the fruits, 
 
 Is fragrant in the flowers, 
 Wipes away tears, and hushes all complaints. 
 
 blessed, blessed balm. 
 
 Distilled beneath the throne, 
 Proceeding in a calm 
 
 Deep flood from God alone ; 
 It floweth nearer ! yea it flows to me ! 
 In this stream let me dip 
 
 My robes, and make them pure, 
 These waters let me sip. 
 Yea drink, and thus ensure 
 A heavenly grace, meet, Lord, to be with Thee.
 
 4G THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Of all Thy saints, the least 
 
 In such a home as this, 
 Enjoys a royal feast 
 
 Of. everlasting bliss ; 
 But it is " Home, sweet home," which is so dear. 
 The love, the warmth, the feel 
 
 That neither care nor foe 
 Can e'er disturb its weal. 
 
 As in the home below, 
 The sense of oneness and the Father near. 
 
 No separations part 
 
 The family of heaven. 
 No changes blight the heart 
 
 With saddening leaven. 
 The Father never fears that " one is not ; " 
 For each child is a part 
 
 Of His infinite soul, 
 And in His mighty heart 
 
 He doth embrace the whole. 
 And by His own life guarantees their lot. 
 
 The Heavenly Vine extends 
 
 Its branches far and wide, 
 
 With luscious fruit it bends. 
 
 Though once it drooped and died ; 
 But by its death gives immortality 
 To tender branches graft, 
 
 Which, pruned with patient care. 
 Outgrow the spoiler's craft. 
 And richer produce bear. 
 To swell the vintage of eternity. 
 
 But above all, the thought 
 Most precious here is this,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 47 
 
 That He whose grace liath l)ouglit 
 Such heiitage of bliss, 
 Is in Himself its true eternal joy. 
 The heavenward way hath beamed 
 From Jesu's blood-stained breast, 
 The family redeemed 
 Find everlasting rest 
 In Him, and for Him all their powers employ. 
 
 Clirist o'er His people reigns, 
 
 To Him they lowly bend, 
 But He in mercy deigns 
 
 To call them each His friend, 
 To own their kinship and embrace them all ; 
 Not as a King apart. 
 
 Displays His royal grace. 
 But with them heart to heart 
 And mingling face to face. 
 Has kindly words of love for great and small. 
 
 To feel the loving hand 
 
 Of Jesus in their own, 
 And traverse all the land 
 
 Tliat spreads around the throne, 
 Where living fountains of delight arise; 
 To hear His friendly voice 
 
 The Father's will expound, 
 Makes every heart rejoice. 
 
 And happiness abound. 
 And heaven more and more a Paradise, 
 
 Not one of all the vast 
 
 Array of mansions here, 
 From first unto the last 
 
 Bilt Jesus oft is there, 
 Within the range of His omniscient view,
 
 48 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 There is no hallowed spot, 
 
 No sphere of heavenly rest, 
 No recompense or lot, 
 
 But He prepared and blest, 
 hath my Lord prepared a place for you? 
 
 He is no stranger where 
 
 Each threshold knows His foot, 
 His sonship He doth share, 
 
 And all His glorj- }iut 
 So freely in the presence of His own ; 
 That they are blent with Him, 
 
 In His true likeness shine. 
 No garment soiled or dim. 
 
 But every robe Divine, 
 Fit in its warp and weft to grace a throne. 
 
 Jesus is so near 
 
 So intimate and free. 
 His converse doth endear 
 
 His heaven-born family. 
 In each celestial house He sitteth down ; 
 As though He were again 
 
 At Bethany of old, 
 But not as there in pain. 
 
 Death's havoc to behold. 
 Yet with a tender heart beneath His crown. 
 
 The uncreated Sun 
 
 Drives every cloud away, 
 And life is now begun 
 
 In bright eternal day : 
 Truly the light is sweet, for many shades 
 Made earthly vision dim, 
 
 God's dispensations dull,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 49 
 
 That Christian joy in Him 
 Was rarely at the full, 
 But here it lives, and never, never fades. 
 
 He sheds upon the mind 
 
 A clear, immortal light, 
 He breaks the seals that bind 
 
 The rang-e of mortal sight, 
 And bids it penetrate the deep profound 
 Of mysteries, unseen, 
 
 Save Deity alone. 
 Because the veil between, 
 
 Suspended from the throne, 
 Hid in its awful folds the holy ground. 
 
 The providential scrolls 
 
 Which in His archives lie, 
 He graciously unrolls 
 
 Before His people's eye. 
 Revealing secrets of their histor}\ 
 As with a key of gold 
 
 He openeth the mind. 
 Its native powers unfold. 
 
 And in their new birth find, 
 A wondrous kinship to infinity. 
 
 The trials and the tears 
 
 Which they endured on earth, 
 Starting so many fears 
 Of unbelieving birth. 
 He shows them woven in His sacred loom 
 So wisely and so well 
 
 That they admire them now ; 
 Though once 'twas hard to tell, 
 When anguish wrung the brow, 
 Were they thechildren's good, or children's doom ? 
 
 E
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 The deeply heart-dyed thread 
 
 Inlaid with chafing pain, 
 When the affections bled 
 
 And left their crimson stain, 
 Is now most beautiful in all the robe ; 
 It with a pureness shines 
 
 Which angels love to see. 
 And as they trace its lines, 
 
 They solve the mystery 
 Of suffering, and the great Healer's probe. 
 
 Though rough the path they trod. 
 
 It was the King's highway. 
 The sympathy of God 
 
 Watched every step that lay 
 On life's hard road, for He had paced it too 
 With bruised and bleeding feet, 
 
 And tempted as we are ; 
 how His heart doth beat 
 For pilgrims still afar, 
 And min'st'ring spirits sends to bear them 
 through. 
 
 The hot refining fire 
 
 A purer grace supplied, 
 As it burned higher and higher. 
 
 The faith thus keenly tried 
 Lost all its dross, and sevenfold value gained. 
 Behold it glitter now 
 
 Clear as a brilliant star, 
 Upon the sacred brow 
 
 Which once the thorns did scar. 
 And drops of mortal anguish deeply stained. 
 
 The sufferings of time 
 
 By stricken saints endured.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 51 
 
 Here shed a liglit sublime 
 
 Oa things Avhich they obscured ; 
 And God's Ahnighty love is mirrored most 
 In trials that they thought 
 
 Were hard for them to bear, 
 And precious gems were wrought 
 In sorrow, wliich they wear 
 In crowns of joy, and of which crowns may boast. 
 
 The dignity of man 
 
 Lay in his own free will, 
 Though oft athwart the plan 
 
 God taught him to fulfil. 
 Yet Godlike in his liberty was made ; 
 A liberty abused 
 
 To follow evil ways, 
 And daringly refused 
 
 To render God the praise 
 riis righteousness demanded should be paid. 
 
 He would not be a King 
 
 O'er men whom He constrained 
 Allegiance to bring ; 
 
 If thus Jehovah reigned, 
 The glory of His kingdom would be gone, 
 Its lustre sullied down 
 
 By such a rule of fate ; 
 'Twould blemish e'en His crown. 
 If men must love and hate. 
 By law which granted liberty to none. 
 
 If in His royal grace 
 
 The King would not allow 
 Man's moral freedom place, 
 But made His servants bow 
 Without capacity to disobey: 
 
 e2
 
 52 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Could that be moral law. 
 
 Or honour in such rule? 
 Nay, Deity must abhor 
 
 To fashion man a fool, 
 And rather not create than own such sway. 
 
 No doubt He well foreknew 
 
 That such high moral good 
 Would involve evil too. 
 
 And that the precious blood 
 Of His own Son for sinners must be shed ; 
 Yet choosing not to stint 
 
 The bounty of His plan, 
 His own hand did imprint 
 
 The penalty of man 
 On Christ, who bore it to the cross and bled. 
 
 Thus suffering was made 
 
 A priming knife of keen 
 And well-attempered blade, 
 
 That it hath ever been 
 The husbandman's best means to train the vine. 
 Hence all before the throne 
 
 Have felt its bitter smart, 
 But sympathy was shown 
 
 By Jesu's tender heart. 
 For He hath trod tlie press and gives the wine. 
 
 " My saints with me have died," 
 He cries, " but now ye live, 
 Ye shall be gloiiiied 
 
 With me, and I will give 
 Eight to the banquet of my Father's grace. 
 With me ye suffered, and 
 With me ye all shall reign,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 53 
 
 Henceforth ye take your stand 
 The foremost of my train, 
 And at my banquet fill a royal place. 
 
 " In battle we have foni^ht, 
 And felt one common pain, 
 In labour we have wrought 
 To build God's house again, 
 Which sin had ruined, though a house Divine. 
 One kin, one grief, one strife, 
 One wrestling with the foe, 
 One death, one grave, one life 
 Doth bind us, and ye know 
 The bond omnipotent is miue and thine. 
 
 " No foe the tie shall rend. 
 Unless he rend my heart. 
 Our heritage doth blend 
 In one eternal part. 
 And whoso spoileth you must first destroy 
 My everlasting strength ; 
 
 My sceptre break, 
 Yea, traverse the whole length 
 Of heaven, and o'ertake 
 Eternity, ere he can bar your joy." 
 
 what a wealth of mind 
 
 In these high courts is found. 
 To fellowship inclined. 
 
 Open to all, unbound ; 
 Not as in finite spheres of gifted men. 
 Where thought too oft is stored 
 
 In realms so few can gain, 
 That feeble wings have soared, 
 
 But fluttered down in pain. 
 With hardly courage left to try again.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 The hindrances wliieh cramp 
 
 Mind in its earthly mould, 
 And fix their brazen stamp 
 
 On rich and well-wrous^ht gold, 
 Have no allowance in this holy sphere. 
 No bigotry survives, 
 
 Although by no means rare, 
 In heaven it never thrives 
 
 For lack of native air, 
 However rank on earth, it grows not here. 
 
 So sadly hath it spoiled 
 
 A mind of noble thought, 
 So deeply hath it soiled 
 
 The beauty God hath wrought, 
 That heaven disowns it with instinct disdain. 
 'Tis plucked up by the roots 
 
 Like as an evil weed ; 
 So perish all its fruits, 
 Nor ever shall its seed 
 In Eden find a soil to life regain. 
 
 How truly great and grand 
 
 The intellect of man. 
 The touch of God's right hand 
 
 Gives it a strength to span 
 With firmest tread where oft it slipped before ; 
 To burst the narrow ties 
 
 Which held in leading strings ; 
 And fills with sweet surprise 
 
 That here eternal things 
 Can be defamed by bigotry no more. 
 
 On every glowing brow 
 The Lamb imprints Ilis seal,
 
 THE UNSEEN. lb 
 
 His Father's name is now 
 Sufficient to reveal 
 The Churcli to wliieh His followers belong. 
 Nor is their saintsliip scared 
 To see so near the throne, 
 Brethren they never dared 
 While yet on earth to own ; 
 But heaven puts right all that the earth h ad wrong. 
 
 The Father's name is Love, 
 
 And written on a scale 
 That every saint above 
 Is held within its pale, 
 High church, or Low, or ought the sect he bore. 
 Heaven's charity is wide, 
 
 And like the great deep sea 
 Receives in its flood tide 
 All streams, nor can there be 
 An ebb, to bare what love hath covered o'er. 
 
 'Tis true that no dissent 
 
 Doth vex the peace of heaven, 
 But high church zeal intent 
 
 On purging out such leaven 
 As a defilement of the Bread of Life ; 
 Will find e'en heaven bare, 
 
 If it would only feed 
 On apostolic fare, 
 
 And its succession seed : 
 Heaven will not starve on apostolic strife. 
 
 Though 'tis a dainty meat, 
 
 Luxuriously shared 
 By those that cannot eat 
 
 Of what their Lord prepared. 
 So curious alas is their depression.
 
 66 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 That they begin to waste 
 
 The wliolesome food of truth, 
 And so to suit their taste 
 The tempter's slvill forsooth 
 Must dress them " Apostolical succession." 
 
 But at the heavenly feast, 
 
 Where countless thousands sup. 
 The greatest and the least 
 
 Hand round the friendly cup 
 Which bears the royal arms of Charity ; 
 And as they freely drink 
 
 All truly have one heart, 
 And wonderingly they think 
 
 How strangely earth did part 
 Them once with notions of disparity. 
 
 A brotherhood at length 
 Of real Godlike men, 
 Grand in their moral strength, 
 Not as in ages when 
 They could not o'er the gospel rules agree : 
 Though so Divinely taught. 
 
 Yet failing oft to see 
 That man's immortal thought 
 Was not, and ne'er could be 
 Kneaded like infants learning A, B, 0. 
 
 The empire of the mind 
 
 Is varied in its view ; 
 Heaven will never bind, 
 
 As bigots fain would do, 
 
 Man's noble intellect to flatter o'er 
 
 The ground with little grace ; 
 
 Nay, God doth give him wing
 
 TEE UNSEEN. 57 
 
 To sweep the realms of space, 
 Not like the crippled lhinj2^ 
 Which bigots would send limping through 
 heaven's door. 
 
 Here is in mind a grip, 
 
 A conscious power to deal 
 With things which earth let slip, 
 As under lock and seal. 
 Nor doth the reverence of heav'n disdain 
 To take an infant's hand, 
 And teach it to explore 
 The glories of the land, 
 Or cull from Eden's store 
 A richer dower than earthly sages gain. 
 
 The feeblest mental eye 
 
 Is focussed in a light, 
 Which helps it to descry 
 
 Worlds passing mortal sight. 
 Or glimmered but in telescopes below. 
 Great realms of life are near 
 
 Which earth has never known. 
 To heaven's vision clear, 
 
 Mere suburbs of the throne, 
 With min'st'ring spirits passing to and fro. 
 
 Bright worlds distinctly seen 
 
 Shine forth in beauty rare, 
 Where sin hath never been 
 
 To spoil God's creatures there, 
 They had their trial but they stood the test ; 
 Retained primeval grace. 
 
 No gift of heaven lost. 
 And in the Father's face, 
 
 They live without the cost 
 Which bought our heavenly heritage and rest.
 
 53 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 No sin, or fecar, or shame, 
 
 No disobedient fall. 
 No suffering or pain, 
 
 No death to spread its pall, 
 No graves to dig, no epitaphs to write. 
 No homes rent into gaps^ 
 
 No loved ones dead and gone. 
 No separation saps 
 
 The hopes thej' build upon. 
 No cloud to dim their everlasting light. 
 
 They hold their birthright still, 
 
 As rich as it was given. 
 And hence Jehovah's will 
 
 Hath made their birthright heaven. 
 But holiness knits all in kindred bonds. 
 They never knew our loss. 
 
 They never felt our fears, 
 Nor ever at the cross 
 
 Shed penitential tears. 
 Yet to our filial joy their joy responds. 
 
 United in the same 
 
 Inheritance of grace. 
 In whicli through Jesu's name 
 We hold a pardoned place ; 
 Forgiven now they love us, and they yearn 
 To hear how 'twas we fell, 
 How Mercy raised us up, 
 And shut the gate of hell, 
 So that salvation's cup 
 No subtle tempter should again o'erturn. 
 
 Heaven's godliness is true, 
 Its sympathy in play.
 
 THE UNSEEN. 62 
 
 And it has work to do, 
 
 Nor tires through all the day 
 Which never darkens with the setting sun ; 
 The example of its God 
 
 Marks all its duties down, 
 And earnest paths are trod 
 In rev'rence to the crown ; 
 His will is active, and His will is done. 
 
 God forbid that I, 
 
 Foster a foolish thought, 
 But to my mental ej-e 
 
 Vast worlds which Thou hast wrouglit, 
 Thronged with intelligence spread far and near, 
 Our native earih but seems 
 
 An atom in Thy sight, 
 And space unmeasured teems 
 
 With realms of life and light, 
 Creations of Thy power and love appear. 
 
 Thy royalty demands 
 
 With a right kingly will, 
 And Thy almighty hands 
 
 Are equal to fulfil 
 All Thy benevolence and grace design. 
 is it not Thy voice 
 
 Still crying " Let there be? " 
 Do not new worlds rejoice 
 
 In Thy great sovereignty, 
 And witness to their origin Divine ? 
 
 Didst Thou in six days spend 
 
 Thy everlasting strengtli ? 
 Six days bring to an end 
 
 Thy works, and all the length 
 Of Thy eternity run into seven ?
 
 60 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 Six days could ne'er despoil 
 So deep and rich a mine ; 
 Nor days' or ages' toil 
 To passive rest incline 
 The industry which founded earth and heaven. 
 
 Doth not life flow from Thee 
 
 Which knows no count of days, 
 The living y^i to be 
 
 Heard in eternal praise 
 Of unexhausted Majesty Divine? 
 Dotii not the fountain spring, 
 
 And do not streamlets flow, 
 Tliat worlds on worlds may bring 
 
 Tiie harvest which we know 
 Must lipen where Tiiy royal face doth shine? 
 
 The paradise of rest 
 
 Is not for idle men, 
 Who think the saints are blest 
 
 With service now and then. 
 But in their leisure most, with nought to do : 
 All easy on the wing, 
 
 Or bowered in repose. 
 Or it may be, a sing. 
 
 That mortal wants and woes 
 Have passed for ever from their troubled view. 
 
 Could earnest souls desire 
 
 A paradise like this? 
 Or such a hope inspire 
 
 The men whose real bliss 
 Has been to honour Christ and ne'er deny; 
 Who spend their latest breath 
 
 Rejoicing with their Lord,
 
 THE UNSEEN. CI 
 
 That both in life and death 
 They have fulfilled the word 
 Of Him whose presence welcomes them on high ? 
 Nay, if there be at ease 
 
 In Zion's courts on earth 
 Those that themselves would please, 
 And care not for the dearth 
 Which their own selfishness hath spread around ; 
 Whose best idea of heaveu 
 Is just to fill their breast 
 With such high-sweetened leaven, 
 That they may ever rest ; 
 Not in the Father's house will such be found. 
 
 let us rather grasp 
 
 The i^i-ecious living seed, 
 With sickle in our clasp, 
 And ripe in faith and deed, 
 Yea bowed with sheaves may we in heaven 
 appear ; 
 All harnessed for fresh toil 
 
 With God's eternal Son, 
 And strong to bear new spoil 
 To Him, whose kind " Well done ! " 
 Makes every labour rest and duty dear. 
 
 Jesus I fain would stand 
 
 In presence of Thy throne. 
 Still cleaving in my hand 
 
 The sword which hath o'erthrown 
 Thy enemies and mine : with beaten shield, 
 And stains of earnest fight ; 
 
 Than bring an unscarred face 
 Into my Captain's sight. 
 
 On which He cannot trace 
 A soldier's service in the battle-field.
 
 G2 THE UNSEEN. 
 
 God as we draw niglier, 
 
 We feel Thy presence burn 
 With an intenser fire, 
 
 And glow with grand concern 
 Of plans benevolent ; a motive power 
 Proceeding from Thy throne, 
 
 Which moves the life of all, 
 And bidding every drone 
 
 With talents great or small, 
 Shake off his sloth, and waste no precious hour. 
 
 what a mighty force 
 
 In heavenly energy, 
 The central ruling source 
 
 Of all activity ; 
 Keeping its inner life so fresh and pure, 
 Eternity flows on, 
 
 But not a mark of age 
 Allowed to rest upon 
 
 The infant or the sage ; 
 Their powers increase, tlieir energies endure. 
 
 Ten thousand ages past, 
 
 Or twice ten thousand more, 
 All reckoning at last 
 
 Must surely give it o'er, 
 Heav'n's earnest face still fronts eternity ; 
 Developing its mind 
 
 And widening its range, 
 So clear and unconfined, 
 
 Tliat perfect pleasures change 
 In endless glories of infinity. 
 
 Heaven's hosts are on the wing 
 Full of Divine intent,
 
 THE UNSEEN. 03 
 
 The bounty of the King 
 Is generously spent, 
 Tliat saints and angels are like flames of fire; 
 Burning with hallowed zeal 
 
 To bear the royal grace, 
 And longing to reveal 
 The pleasure of His face, 
 They minister His will, and never tire. 
 
 heaven ! thou'rt richer far 
 
 Than these weak thoughts have told ; 
 There shineth not a star. 
 
 There glittereth not iu gold, 
 There flasheth not in jewelry of kings ; 
 ^riiere speaketh not a tongue. 
 
 There painteth not iu art, 
 There singeth not in song, 
 Conceiveth not a heart 
 To represent the half of heavenly things. 
 
 Yet heaven must begin 
 
 Where beats the human heart. 
 The kingdom is within ; 
 Jesus ! grant me part. 
 And by Thy cross lielp me to hold my crown : 
 may Thy grace increase 
 The hope already given, 
 Till ripened in the peace 
 And perfect bliss of heav'n, 
 I see Thy face, and by Thy side sit down.
 
 ^ONGS IN ^^RIAL. 
 
 3>©iO 
 
 THE DISABLED LABOURER'S DREAM. 
 
 Full in my sight, 
 
 The fields were white, 
 Already in harvest-tide, 
 
 The sun was high 
 
 In Autumn sky, 
 As reapers their sickles plied. 
 
 The Master's voice 
 
 Made all rejoice. 
 As He cheered His willing men ; 
 
 The sickles bright 
 
 Glanced in the light 
 As the stroke swept round again. 
 
 The* busy throng. 
 
 With cheerful song. 
 Toiled on in the broiling sun ; 
 
 But at the gates 
 
 A labourer waits, 
 As if the day's work were done. 
 
 His head was bent. 
 His look intent, 
 On the busy reapers all :
 
 G3 . SOXGS AV TRIAL. 
 
 His eye was sad, 
 I thought he had 
 A fresh tear ready to fall. 
 
 Upon Ins breast 
 
 His weak arm prcss'd, 
 
 It strengthless and helpless lay ; 
 And then I thought 
 That arm had wrought 
 
 On many a harvest day. 
 
 A tear it cost, 
 
 That he had lost 
 The strength of active workers. 
 
 It might have been 
 
 That he had seen 
 The harvest wait for reapers. 
 
 The tear was dry, 
 
 And bright Ijis eye, 
 As the work was surely done ; 
 " Though I'm not there. 
 
 Lord, hear my prayer 
 For the toilers in the sun." 
 
 And as he knelt, 
 
 A thrill he felt 
 Of strength came with the prayer. 
 
 Perhaps, ere long. 
 
 He may wax strong. 
 And reap with the workers there. 
 
 " Lord, strong or weak, 
 
 Thy will I seek, 
 I adore Thy will alone.
 
 SOXGS IX TRIAL. 67 
 
 Lord, I believe 
 I shall receive 
 My due ia the Harvest Home." 
 
 Matlock, 
 
 July nth, 1872. 
 
 MY CROSS. 
 
 Oft it was a cross to me, 
 
 Lord, to speak the truth for Thee ; 
 
 But the cross is greater now, 
 
 That I must in silence bow 
 
 To the teaching of Thy will, 
 
 While I hear Thy voice, " Be still.' 
 
 The cross Thou bidd'st me to bear, 
 Thy love hath promised to share, 
 Though it be heavy to me, 
 'Twill lighten when cast on Thee ; 
 I fail, if in self I try, 
 I gain, if self 1 deny. 
 
 SOUTHPORT, 1872. 
 
 THE CHILD'S PRAYER AND THE FATHER'S 
 ^ ANSWER. 
 
 Composed to the music, in " American Soxgster," ot 
 " Father, take my hand." 
 
 The stonn is fierce, my Father ; the waves roll 
 Deep and high, and the swell alarms my soul. 
 
 F 2
 
 G8 SONGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 The winds beat roughly down and overwhelm 
 ;My feeble bark. 0, Father ! take the hehn, 
 
 And through the storm my Pilot be, 
 Pilot be, Pilot be. 
 
 Pilot Thy trembling child. 
 
 Fear not, I am thy Father. I will save 
 My anxious child from the treacherous wave. 
 The storm beats o'er thee, but it shall not harm, 
 And thou shalt surely prove how sweet the calm. 
 
 Hear now thy Father s voice, " Be still," 
 " Peace, be still ; peace, be still ; 
 
 Thy fears be still, my child." 
 
 The conflict's close, my Father, and the foe 
 Presses his great strength hard to lay me low ; 
 He lifts his giant head and proudly boasts 
 Defiance against Thee, Lord of Hosts. 
 
 If thus to Thee, what then to me. 
 Then to me, then to me, 
 
 Thy weak and helpless child ? 
 
 Be strong and trust thy Father. In the fight 
 I will shed on thee heaven's holy light. 
 And the great cloud of witnesses shall see 
 How thou canst battle and o'ercome for Me. 
 
 Take now thy shield, and quench his darts, 
 Fi'ry darts, fi'ry darts, 
 
 Quench all his darts. My child. 
 
 My ties are breaking. Father, and my heart 
 Is well nigh broken too, as friends depart 
 And leave me in my sorrow all alone ; 
 Fain would I be with them before Thy throne, 
 
 And gladlj^ join to worship Thee, 
 Only Thee, only Thee, 
 
 No more alone Thy child.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 69 
 
 Alone ! and with thj' Fatlier ! I will lill 
 Thy heart with sweetest company, nntil 
 Thy tears are dried, and thy earth-broken ties 
 Are golden bonds to link thee to the skies. 
 
 My sacred oath, I will not leave, 
 Never leave, never leave 
 
 My lone yet loving child. 
 
 Heaven is my home, Father. For its sake 
 And for Thine I now patiently partake 
 Of pain and loss, I bend my will to Thine 
 For heaven and all in heaven are mine. 
 
 I am joint-heir with Chiist the King, 
 Christ the King, Christ tlie King, 
 
 With Christ sliall reign Thy child. 
 
 My child thou'rt near thy Father, and thy home 
 Is not far from thee while thou still dost roam * 
 
 On earth. The path is short which lies between 
 The temporal and the eternal scene. 
 
 Thy Father's hand will lift the veil. 
 Lift the veil, lift the veil, 
 
 And God will crown His child. 
 
 HOTLAKE, 
 
 November, 1872. 
 
 SUNSET AT SEA. 
 
 I PACED worn rocks and in the west 
 The sun sank grandly to his rest, 
 In robes of honour richly drest. 
 Crimson, silver, and gold ;
 
 SONGS JX TRIAL. 
 
 Right royal K'xus; in monarch's state, 
 Bright cloTiils as humble courtiers wait, 
 In willing homage round the great ; 
 Wondering, I behold ! 
 
 While gazing on the sunset scene, 
 A low'ring cloud was roll'd between, 
 As full of envy it had been, 
 
 I shivered in its shade. 
 Yet cheerful beams burst through and through. 
 And cast their radiance in view, 
 Beyond the dark'ning cloud which threw 
 
 A frown to make it fade. 
 
 The gloomy cloud they did infold. 
 Burnished its sullen edge with gold. 
 Till by deep contrast as it rolled, 
 
 Illumed by light behind, 
 The sun appeared to shine yet more 
 Brightly than he had done before. 
 And as I lingered on the shore 
 
 I pondered in my mind. 
 
 I mused on moral clouds, and felt 
 
 That darkest shades could weave no belt 
 
 To bind the light which God hath dealt 
 
 To the believing soul. 
 Temptation's edge the light will gild, 
 Trial with blessing shall be filled, 
 And heav'n-born grace shall be instilled 
 
 To harmonise the whole. 
 
 Darkness intensifies the light, 
 And shadows blend with sunbeams briglit, 
 Contrasts are pleasant to the sight, 
 And fondly gazed upon.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 71 
 
 So faith in trial doth outshine 
 All radiant with light Divine, 
 may this precious faith be mine, 
 Throuii'h God's eternal Sou. 
 
 IIOYLAKE, 
 
 November, 1872. 
 
 LISTEN TO ME. 
 
 Listen to me, my Father, while I pray. 
 Turn not Thy holy loving heart away, 
 Incline Thiue ear while I bow down to Thee ; 
 In tender mercy, — listen to me. 
 
 Listen to me ; — for in Thy yoke I serve, 
 The yoke make easy, and my soul preserve 
 In sacred peace and true humility ; 
 Thus would I learn ; — Lord, listen to me. 
 
 Listen to me : — beneath the cross I bend, 
 Lest it too heavy prove, Thy succour send 
 To hold my spirit up, and keep it free 
 From sinful murm'ring ; — listen to me. 
 
 Listen to me : — if in Thy holy love 
 The bitter cup may possibly remove ; 
 If to Thy servant thus it cannot be. 
 Help me to drink it ; — Lord, listen to me. 
 
 Listen to me, while I walk through the vale. 
 Which is so near to death that mortals quail, 
 Because they see its shadow, yet with Thee 
 No evil will I fear ; — listen to me.
 
 72 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Listen to me : — I'm but a pilgrim here, 
 And to my Father's house am getting near ; 
 save me from all sin that I may see 
 My Saviour's glory ; — Lord, listen to me. 
 
 HOTLAKE, 
 
 Kovemher, 1872. 
 
 ACTIVE AND PASSIVE DUTY. 
 
 Dark thoughts had thrown 
 
 A midnight gloom 
 Upon the path I trod ; 
 
 And fierce despair 
 
 Was seeking where 
 To tempt my heart from God. 
 
 My faith was tried, 
 
 And feebly cried 
 How long ! Lord, how long ? 
 
 So faint my hope, 
 
 I blindly grope. 
 And nearly hushed my song. 
 
 Why am I here 
 
 While work is there, 
 And labourers are few ? 
 
 Why doth Thy will 
 
 Command " Be still," 
 Whj^ not command " To do ? " 
 o e * e e o 
 
 Hark ! The alarm 
 
 Disturbs the calm 
 Of the still village round :
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 73 
 
 The life-boat's call 
 To seamen all, 
 And well they know the sound. 
 
 The gun ! The gun ! 
 
 In haste we run 
 To the sea-beach hard by, 
 
 And on the wave 
 
 Gallant and brave, 
 The life-boat we descry. 
 
 The night is dark, 
 
 A tiny spark 
 Of starlight here and there. 
 " Bend to the oar. 
 
 The ship's ashore 
 On the sunk rocks ! Beware ! " 
 
 For boat and men, 
 
 Again, again, 
 Give a right hearty cheer, 
 
 Both long and loud 
 
 From all the crowd. 
 Till the wrecked sailors hear. 
 
 Who does not crave 
 
 To reach and save 
 Yon weather-beaten crew ? 
 
 Who does not pray. 
 
 Lord speed the way 
 Of the brave men to you ? 
 
 Ah ! this I thought 
 Is what I ought 
 To do as work for God :
 
 SONGS IX TlilAL. 
 
 Pull through the wave, 
 
 And lost ones save 
 From sin's deceitful fiood. 
 
 o o o e o a 
 
 But look ashore, 
 
 How more and more 
 The light-house sheds its beam : 
 
 Quiet it etands 
 
 On lonely lands. 
 Yet lights the tidal stream. 
 
 Both wreck and boat 
 
 And all atloat, 
 On active duty bound. 
 
 Have for a guide 
 
 Upon the tide 
 The liglit it shines around. 
 
 In darkened night, 
 
 Amid the fight 
 Of waves, the watch looked out : 
 
 " Thank God " his prayer, 
 
 " The light is there, 
 Put the ship's helm about." 
 
 The dreadful fear. 
 
 Which made him steer 
 In anxious doubt, was gone, 
 
 He blessed the beam 
 
 Wliich he had seen, 
 His ship went safely on. 
 
 Now Lord I see. 
 That I may be 
 Silent yet full of light ;
 
 SOXGS IN TRIAL. 75 
 
 A beam to shine 
 From time to time 
 On toilers in the night. 
 
 If I may not 
 
 Pull in the boat 
 To reach the shiv'ring wreck, 
 
 If Thou forbidd'st 
 
 Me in the midst 
 Of seamen on the deck, 
 
 Then be it mine, 
 
 To brightly shine 
 Out on the gloomy sea, 
 
 Their blessing gain 
 
 Upon the main. 
 And recompense from Thee, 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 November, 1872. 
 
 TRUST IN CHRIST. 
 
 Jesu, listen to my cry, 
 
 While I lift my heart to Thee, 
 For Thy tender love I sigh. 
 
 Cast Thy gracious smile on me. 
 I adore Thy right Divine 
 
 To my confidence and love, 
 Sanctify this heart of mine. 
 
 Lead me to the land above. 
 
 I have seen Thee on the cross, 
 I have wept beneath Thy feet,
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 I liave counti'il all things loss 
 That I may with Jesus meet. 
 
 As the branch is in the vine, 
 As it cloaveth to the tree, 
 
 Fully knit my heart to Thine, 
 Lord, I would abide in Thee. 
 
 Thou art true when others fail. 
 
 Thou art love when others hate, 
 Thou art nigh when foes assail, 
 
 Thou dost rule my whole estate. 
 Fain I would Thy witness be 
 
 Among those who love Thee not. 
 That Thine enemies may see 
 
 Priceless treasure I have got. 
 
 Often I have vowed before 
 
 To confess Thee unto men. 
 But my vows were scarcely o'er 
 
 Ere I broke them all again. 
 Lord I would more watchful be, 
 
 Taking warning from the past. 
 Seeking greater strength from Thee, 
 
 Provins: faithful at the last. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 Becembsr, 1872. 
 
 THE DYING CHILD. 
 
 Mother tell me of my home. 
 Which you say is in the sky, 
 
 Where the good delight to roam, 
 And the holy angels fly.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 77 
 
 It will soothe my pain, 
 To hear j'ou again 
 Speak of the rest I hope to attain. 
 
 Child it is a lovely place, 
 
 More adorned than I can tell, 
 Beautiful in ev'ry grace, 
 Where God and His people dwell, 
 No palace so fair 
 As the mansions there, 
 And one for thee our Lord will prepare. 
 
 Its walls are of jasper built, 
 
 Its foundations precious stone, 
 And the whole city is gilt 
 
 With glory from Jesu's throne : 
 The city is bright 
 With a burning light 
 Which never goes out in day or night. 
 
 Each gate of a pearl is made, 
 
 And beams like a silv'ry star, 
 
 Its street with fine gold is laid, 
 
 Which glitters as glass afar. 
 
 No lamp ever shone 
 
 Like that on the throne. 
 
 Burning undimmed as a crystal stone. 
 
 And Jesus Himself is there, 
 
 Exalted at God's right hand. 
 And the saints His conquest share, 
 As they all around Him stand. 
 An emerald bow, 
 In radiant glow, 
 The seat of the King doth brightly show. 
 
 Their robes are white as the moon, 
 Their crowns are bright as the sun,
 
 SOXGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 Tlieir harps in melod'oiis tune, 
 And they sing of vict'iies won : 
 Through trouhle they came 
 Confessing the name, 
 Bearing the sign of the bleeding LainU. 
 o o o « o o c o 
 
 Motlier dear, when I liave seen 
 
 All the wonders you have told, 
 The rainbow's emerald green, 
 
 And the pearls and gems and gold ; 
 I shall look for more 
 In my Saviour's store. 
 As I tread tliat calm and peaceful shore. 
 
 Tell me what then I shall do, 
 
 And who there will be to love; 
 Shall I be parted from you 
 In that grand city above ? 
 It would pierce my heart 
 Like a cruel dart 
 If from my loving mother I part. 
 
 I want very much to know 
 
 What my duty there will be, 
 And ere to that home I go. 
 Shall I my dear mother see? 
 If I leave thee now. 
 In heaven wilt thou 
 Imprint thy kiss on my beaming brow ? 
 
 My child, when in you bright land. 
 Thy mother thou wilt not need, 
 
 For Jesus will take thine hand, 
 And to living fountains lead,
 
 SONGS IN TBIAL. 79 
 
 Which flow from the throne 
 In pure streams unknown 
 Bv all who neglect their Lord to own. 
 
 Sorrow there thou canst not feel, 
 
 God shall wipe all tears fronn thee, 
 And thy youthful brow will seal 
 With the stamp of royalty. 
 The hand of the King 
 With His signet ring, 
 Shall mark thee an heir beneath His wing. 
 
 Mother, if in heaven above 
 
 I need not thy care as now, 
 Happy in my Saviour's love 
 
 While before His throne I bow. 
 If His holy will 
 My affections fill, 
 A place there will be for mother still. 
 
 If I serve with all my heart, 
 
 More God does not ask of me ; 
 Never will He let me part 
 With the love I bear to thee. 
 Our love is Divine, 
 My mother's and mine, 
 And love like that can never decline. 
 
 Thou hast taught me how to pray, 
 And to sing of yon bright baud, 
 Thou hast led me in the way 
 To that holy happy land ; 
 The land of delight, 
 Where there is no night 
 To cast its dark shadows on the sight.
 
 80 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 I am near the city now, 
 
 Angels fair are on the wing', 
 Light is shining on my brow. 
 Listen ! — I can hear them sing. 
 So sweetly they sound 
 Their harps all around, 
 mother this must be heav'nly ground. 
 
 When I stand within the gate. 
 Free from ev'ry stain of sin, 
 At the portals I shall wait 
 Till my mother enter in ; 
 And there I will sing 
 All praise to the King, 
 For mother to heav'n Jesus will bring. 
 
 Or my Lord may let me be 
 
 A bright guardian-angel near, 
 Ministering unto thee 
 
 Strength to aid in times of fear^ 
 When I hear thy cry, 
 swiftly I'll fly 
 To dry the tear in thy glistening eye. 
 
 But my dear one it may be, 
 
 That we meet not as we part. 
 When thou dost thy mother see. 
 Heaven may absorb thine heart ; 
 God's child thou wilt be, 
 Not a child to me. 
 But more than mother's His love to thee. 
 
 Mother dearest, I am thine, 
 Part of thy undying life,
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 81 
 
 And God tells me, thou art mine, 
 Nor shall death's last mortal strife 
 E'er sever us twain ; 
 We shall meet again 
 Mother and child on the holy plain. 
 
 I shall know my mother's face, 
 I shall feel my mother's love, 
 When Ave mutually embrace 
 In our blessed home above. 
 If thee I caress 
 Still Jesus will bless, 
 He will be sure I love Him no less. 
 
 I shall see thee sitting down 
 
 On the right hand of the throne, 
 And behold thee wear thy crown, 
 For thou wilt not be alone. 
 We all shall be there 
 Thy triumph to share. 
 And a true welcome sweetly declare. 
 
 Hosts of angels will be near, 
 
 Jesus will be nearer still. 
 
 If thou lookest, mother dear. 
 
 By thy side on Zion's hill 
 
 Thou wilt find me, too, 
 
 As thou'rt used to do 
 
 In these days of love so tried and true. 
 
 Death's stream ripples on my feet, 
 " Jesus help Thy little one, 
 Jordan's swell is cold and deep, 
 Blessed Lord, I come, I come !
 
 82 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 I pant for Thy breast, 
 
 And there I would rest, 
 
 A lamb in Thy fold for ever blest." 
 
 Fain the mother's longing eye 
 
 Now would pierce the closing veil, 
 See her darling in the sky, 
 But the earthly light is pale ; 
 The curtain is drawn 
 Till the day shall dawn. 
 The night must pass ere the coming morn. 
 
 Dark'ning shadows intervene, 
 
 Closing round the youthful saint, 
 Dimly gazing on the scene 
 Till her mother's heart is faint, 
 Her deep stricken cry 
 Goes up through the sky. 
 And God looks down with pitpng eye. 
 
 Ling'ring, weeping, sad and lone, 
 
 Life with keen bereavement wrung, 
 Suddenly a light is thrown 
 
 Through heav'n's gate wide open flung 
 A beam full of love ■ 
 From the throne above, 
 And hov'ring round like a gentle dove, 
 
 Sweetly on her spirit falls 
 
 Like dew on with'ring flowers ; 
 While a voice from heaven calls 
 To the celestial bowers, 
 " Thy child is at rest 
 In the Saviour's breast. 
 Follow ! and thou shalt be ever blest." 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 December, 1872.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 83 
 
 BELLS. 
 
 Midnight bells ring merril}-, 
 
 Let me listen quietly, 
 
 If inclined to listen, too, 
 
 I will tell my thoughts to you. 
 
 Precious moments fleeting go. 
 Precious, for I love them so, 
 Precious memories remain. 
 Precious resolutions gain. 
 
 Precious year, 'tis at an end. 
 We are parting with a friend ; 
 Real friends are very few. 
 Shall we gain one in the new? 
 
 While I hear the merr}^ bell, 
 I regret to say farewell. 
 But a weakness at my heart 
 Tells me dearest friends must part. 
 
 Let us, therefoi'e, part in peace. 
 Fretful thoughts for ever cease. 
 Precious gifts are yet in store, 
 Christ is mine for evermore. 
 
 Precious year, though well begun, 
 Stained with sin ere it was done, 
 Precious Saviour, pardon me, 
 Daily make me more like Thee. 
 
 Precious vows I make anew. 
 Grant me grace to keep them too, 
 Print on me Thy seal Divine, 
 And preserve me ever Tliine. 
 
 Precious trials in the past, — 
 Trials do not ever last, — 
 
 g2
 
 84 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Precious lessons we may learn, 
 Precious heritages earn. 
 
 Precious joys have fled away, 
 Joys are not for ev'ry'day, 
 While I do Thy holy will, 
 Precious peace abidetli still. 
 
 Precious light on holy mount, 
 Many sunny scenes I count, 
 Precious rest in soothing shade, 
 When in lowly vale I laid. 
 
 Precious years may bud and fade, 
 God still sends both light and shade, 
 " God is light," and to the end, 
 Light or shade, will be my Friend. 
 
 Merry bells the new year ring, 
 Joys and sorrows it will bring. 
 On my God I cast my care, 
 He will bless me everywhere. 
 
 Precious faith my heart within. 
 Old year out and new year in : 
 Merry bells ring loud and long, 
 God shall have my grateful song. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 December Slst, 1872. 
 
 " BLESS ME." 
 
 God, my Father, hear my prayer. 
 And let me with Thy children share 
 Thy sacred gifts both rich and free, 
 Bless me, Father, even me.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 85 
 
 If trial weigh my spirit down, 
 And I provoke my Father's frowii, 
 Yet all unworthy let me see, 
 Thou wilt in love bless even me. 
 
 If Satan tempt me to repi&e. 
 And mm-mur at the will Divine, 
 
 Lord my great Redeemer be, 
 And bless with vict'ry even me. 
 
 If hope deferred excite my fears, 
 And stain my cheek with bitter tears. 
 Still let my will with Thine agree, 
 And wait assured Thou %\41t bless me. 
 
 Not as the world giveth I desire, 
 Of worldly gifts my heart would tire, 
 Speak as of old, Lord, speak to me, 
 " My peace thy sacred blessing be." 
 
 If my faith tremble in its hold. 
 Thy deeper truth to me unfold. 
 Faint yet pursuing after Thee, 
 
 1 feel Thou dost bless even me. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 December, 1872. 
 
 DEVOTIOX. 
 
 Jesus, what may I do for Thee 
 How can I best Thy witness be? 
 Fill my whole soul with light Divine, 
 In all my daily life outshine. 
 
 Incline me now Thy touch to feel, 
 Press deeply in my heart Thy seal.
 
 8G SONGS 2N TRIAL. 
 
 Dwell ill me as Thy j^iire abode, 
 And wrap me in Thy royal robe. 
 
 A liviug temple I would be. 
 With all my powers worship Thee, 
 Filled with the incense of Thy love, 
 And fragrant as the courts above. 
 
 Breathe in my heart tlie quenchless iire, 
 My soul with living faith inspire, 
 Faith which shall pierce the veil between. 
 And gaze into the things unseen. 
 
 Shall I on Thy great Throne sit down? 
 Am I Thine heir to wear a crown ? 
 O maj^ its lustre even now, 
 Shine in true glory on my brow. 
 
 HOYLAKK, 
 
 January, 1873. 
 
 DEVOTION. 
 
 God ! with Thee I humbly jDlead 
 For grace to help in time of need, 
 Let mercy now Thy succour bear, 
 And bless me while I bend in prayer. 
 
 Eevive the life of grace within, 
 Cleanse me from all the seeds of sin, 
 Let nothing root or bud in me, 
 But what is planted, Lord, by Thee. 
 
 Help me to daily bear the cross. 
 No matter what my worldly loss. 
 From Thee I shall have richer gain, 
 And with Thee shall for ever reign.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 87 
 
 I follow Thee, and self deny, 
 For Jesus I would live and die, 
 Let nie Thy holy strength partake, 
 And witness for my Master's sake. 
 
 let me closely cleave to Thee, 
 That the dull world may truly see, 
 How Christ doth fill the human soul, 
 How grace doth sanctify the whole. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 January, 1873. 
 
 COVENANT. 
 
 God ! wilt Thou regard my cry, 
 While humbly at Thy feet I lie ? 
 Awed by the light of Thy pure throne 
 
 1 mourn my sins to Thee alone. 
 
 With heartfelt grief I ponder now 
 
 My oft-repeated broken vow. 
 
 My vows unpaid, how shall I dare 
 
 To hope that Thou wilt hear my prayer ? 
 
 I do not come in my own name. 
 No right have I to make a claim, 
 Jesus, my Advocate, doth plead, 
 Jesus, to the Father lead. 
 
 Again I knock at mercy's door, 
 Again I crave at mercy's store, 
 Canst Thou still give Thy grace to me. 
 Though I have been untrue to Thee ? 
 
 My dead works on my conscience lie, 
 O'er broken bonds with tears I sigh,
 
 88 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 may the blood of Christ atone, 
 And cleanse my heart for Thee alone, 
 
 Though I have grieved Thee in the past, 
 Though my vows were too weak to last, 
 Yet rather than my Lord deny, 
 
 1 feel I would for Jesus die. 
 
 What shall I render, Lord, to Thee 
 
 For all Tliy benefits to me ? 
 
 help me on this holy day. 
 
 Fresh vows to make, and old ones pay. 
 
 Thy mercies now my heart constrain 
 To cov'nant with my Lord again; 
 may tliis newest cov'nant be 
 Enduring as eternity. 
 
 Seal Thou my heart with love Divine, 
 Take all I have for ever Tliine, 
 And let my daily life reveal 
 The imprint of Thy royal seal. 
 
 HOTLAKE, 
 
 First Sundmj, 1873. 
 
 " MOES JANUA YIT.E." 
 
 OR, 
 
 " DEATH THE GATE OF LIFE." 
 
 Composed after seeing the celebrated painting by Sir J. 
 Noel Paton. 
 
 With vision rapt I saw 
 
 A soldier of the cross. 
 And full of sacred awe 
 Beheld him count the loss 
 Of the hard fight, and reckon all the spoil.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 89 
 
 " If tlie greiat world I gaiu, 
 
 E'en though it be the whole, 
 The bargain were in vain, 
 I lose my priceless soul 
 And die a bankrupt after all my toil. 
 
 " Pleasant to carnal lust 
 
 Sin's worldly gain may be. 
 But shall I dare to trust 
 
 Its subtle llattery, 
 And crave its wares though valuable they seem? 
 I win a tempting prize, 
 
 But lose it ere 'tis drawn, 
 'Twill vanish from my eyes. 
 
 And, my lost soul in pawn, 
 No price can then the fearful pledge redeem. 
 
 " Christ bids me to deny 
 
 Myself from day to day, 
 And on His grace rely. 
 
 Though rough the heavenward way ; 
 Fight the good fight of faith and thus lay hold 
 Upon eternal life. 
 
 And win the victor's crown, 
 Pass from the heated strife. 
 And on His throne sit down, 
 His everlasting glory to behold. 
 oooooooo 
 " Welcome the cross, I take 
 
 It up, and humbly bear 
 It for my Master's sake ; 
 He bore a larger share 
 Of pain, — His cross was heavier than mine. 
 With Him I suffer now, 
 
 AVith Him I soon shall reign,
 
 90 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 To Ilim my lieart I bow; 
 " ' Lord cleanse it fi'oin all stain 
 Of wilful sin, and make it pure like Thine.' ' 
 
 Look in the hottest front 
 
 Of buttle, where the brave 
 Bear manfully the brunt, 
 
 And the tempest'ous wave 
 Of warfare rolls like the fierce surging sea ; 
 Gath'ring its crimson tide, 
 
 Advancing more and more, 
 Till in full swell of pride 
 
 It breaks upon the shore. 
 And s^iends its life-flood in eternity. 
 
 With helm and sword and shield. 
 
 Well clad in suit of mail, 
 His weapons he doth wield 
 
 With valour to prevail, 
 As though his single arm a host had been. 
 The struggle is severe, 
 
 And e'en his well-scarred face 
 Which knows no craven fear, 
 
 Ennobled by the grace 
 Of bravery, blanched in the strife is seen. 
 
 The favour of his God 
 
 He strongly seeks to win, 
 " Eesisting unto blood 
 
 And striving against sin," 
 All honour gives where it alone is due. 
 He royally maintains 
 
 God to be all in all. 
 Daily he conquest gains, 
 
 Daily his foes do fall, 
 And his free heart to God is ever true.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 91 
 
 Fainting yet linn he rests 
 
 Upon his trusty blade, 
 Wlien in his armoured breast 
 
 He sees an awful shade, 
 Eeflected from the low'ring outspread wing 
 Of the last foe of all, 
 
 The angel-dread of death ; 
 Chilled by the herald's pall, 
 
 The brave man pants for breath, 
 But boldly cries, " death, where is thy sting ? " 
 
 The angel leads him through 
 
 A valley dark and lone, — 
 Earth vanishes from view, 
 
 He hears the hopeless moan, 
 Yet steadfastly he paces Death's domain ; 
 Sees Death in terrors robed. 
 
 Hears tempters threaten still 
 Ere he pass Death's abode 
 
 His precious life to spill, 
 And swear by hell no refuge he shall gain. 
 
 Feeble, he follows now 
 
 With barely room to tread, 
 And on his stricken brow 
 As he moves near the dead. 
 Appears the latest passion of his soul. 
 Death spreading his dark wing 
 
 In dissolution's hour, 
 Unslieaths his fatal sting, 
 And in one stroke of power 
 Puts all his strength, and makes him feel the 
 whole. 
 
 Touched by the angel-guide, 
 As thouiih a cruel dart
 
 92 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 By skilful archer plied 
 
 Shot through his quiv'ring heart, 
 Stirring tlie pangs of mortal agony. 
 Hard by an open grave 
 
 His strength begins to sink, 
 No human fi-iend can save, 
 He yields upon the brink, 
 But gasps, " grave, where is tliy victory? " 
 
 Dropping liis bruised helm, 
 
 His sword and beaten shield, 
 Closed in by Death's dark realm, 
 No light as yet revealed 
 To show the way beyond the yawning grave. 
 Hush ! listen to his plea, 
 " For me the Saviour died, 
 My Lord I look to Thee, 
 No other trust beside, 
 I rest upon Thy grace alono to save." 
 
 Wliile thus he bows in prayer. 
 
 With outstretched pleading hands ; 
 Clad in a beauty rare 
 
 The noble angel stands. 
 Transformed into a herald radiant. 
 He turns a veil aside, 
 
 Eeveals the " Gate of Life," 
 Now robed as royal guide 
 
 To lead from mortal strife. 
 And beams with pity on the suppliant. 
 
 Tlie colours of the bow 
 
 In pure transparent rays. 
 Melt in harmonious glow, 
 
 And shed immortal grace 
 Upon the warrior's rapt countenance.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 1)3 
 
 The flood of liquid light 
 
 Shows the brave man death-strick'n, 
 But kindling his dim sight 
 
 With the deep bliss of heav'n 
 Blends with dying anguish joy triumphant. 
 
 for a seraph's wing 
 
 To veil our feeble eyes 
 In presence of the King, 
 
 And see the glorious prize 
 Bestowed upon the saint, and see him crowned ; 
 Crowned, for the strife is done, 
 
 Crowned in his Captain's name, 
 Crowned for the conquest 's won, 
 
 Crowned with his Lord to reign. 
 
 The veil is down. — Within the harpers sound. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 January, 1873. 
 
 A MOENINQ HYMN. 
 
 My God, my Father, while I raise 
 My heart in early songs of praise. 
 Lift up Thy holy face in light 
 And scatter all the shades of night. 
 
 Sun of Eternal Life now shine 
 And fill my soul with beams Divine, 
 Let nothing in my mind remain 
 That is untrue, or dark, or vain. 
 
 In holy fellowship with Thee 
 No cloud of darkness can there be, 
 Light in the trusting heart shall spring, 
 And pure abiding joy shall bring.
 
 94 SONGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 Thy smile shall be my break of day, 
 Thy hand shall lead me on my way, 
 Thj' favour shall enrieh my heart, 
 And daily be my better part. 
 
 Thy AYord shall be my constant law. 
 Thy iMTsenee my affections draw, 
 So shall my limnble love be Thine, 
 And Thy unchanging love l)e mine. 
 
 Save me from all perplexing care, 
 And for my duties Lord, prepare, 
 Gird me with strength that I may prove 
 While in the world my faith and love. 
 
 Engaged amidst its toil and strife. 
 Fain would I earn the " Bread of Life," 
 And thus secure a lasting store 
 When I can work on earth no more. 
 
 If busy for this life I be, 
 
 May I have perfect peace in Thee, 
 
 Hold forth Thy Word that men may know 
 
 My service is not all below. 
 
 Though I have earthly work to do, 
 I would fulfil the heavenly, too, 
 O sulfer not my thought to swerve. 
 That Thee, and Thee alone, I serve. 
 
 There is another world than this, 
 A world of endless life and bliss, 
 A daily meetness may I gain 
 In that pure world with Thee to reign, 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 March, 1873.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 95 
 
 AN EVENING HYMN. 
 
 God, my thankful heart woukl bring 
 Its loving homage while I sing ; 
 
 1 bless Thee that tliroughout the day, 
 Thou hast sustained me on my way. 
 
 I thank Thee for the light I've seen. 
 And for the comfort Thou hast been ; 
 As all my days have passed before, 
 So this is crowned with mercy's store. 
 
 I thank Thee for my daily bread, 
 Thou hast in peace my spirit fed, 
 
 grant in calm of eventide 
 To me the shelter of Thy side. 
 
 1 thank Thee for my life and strength. 
 My hope of reaching heav'n at length. 
 That each day brings me nearer still 
 The mansions of Thy holy hill. 
 
 Help me to prove myself with care, 
 If I be fit to enter there ; 
 If not, Lord, now grant to me 
 Moi'e grace and heartfelt purity. 
 
 If I have grieved Thee, Lord, to day, 
 If negligence has marked mj- way, 
 If secret wrong hath entered in. 
 For Jesu's sake forgive my sin. 
 
 make me simple as a child, 
 Happy because my Father smiled ; 
 Finding a heaven in Thy love, 
 And meetness for the home above.
 
 96 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Let Thy love like a magnet be, 
 To draw my spii'it near to Thee, 
 And when my daj's on earth shall end 
 Be Thou my everlasting Friend. 
 
 Wateh o'er me in the hours of night, 
 Secure I lie beneath Thy sight ; 
 soothe me that I calmly rest 
 As infants on a mother's breast. 
 
 Bless me again, Lord, bless me now. 
 Deepen Thy seal upon my brow, 
 And let the bright and royal sign 
 Declare to all that I am Thine . 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 March, 1873. 
 
 A GREAT SORROW. 
 
 FIRST PART. 
 THE WAIL. 
 
 ! my heart, art thou not broken. 
 Since thy sorrows are so sore ? 
 
 Sorrows which no tongue hath spoken. 
 Sorrows I ne'er felt before. 
 
 ! my heart thou canst not find 
 Treasure such as thou hast lost ; 
 
 O'er thy loss my stricken mind 
 Is in wild confusion tossed. 
 
 ! my heart, thy springing life 
 Is all withered in thy pain ; 
 
 Nor in thy tumult'ous strife 
 Can it ever grow again.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 97 
 
 ! my heart, canst thou survive, 
 
 Now thy roots are torn away ? 
 Is it worth for life to strive 
 
 Now dark night spreads o'er thy day ? 
 
 ! my heart is worn and weary, 
 
 For its load is great to bear, 
 And the path I tread is dreary, 
 
 Nought to comfort anywhere. 
 
 ! my heart, I feel thee bleed, 
 Anguish tears thee with its throbs, 
 
 All thy life faints in its need, 
 All thy voice hushed in its sobs. 
 
 ! my heart, I look in vain 
 
 For a balm to heal thy grief ; 
 Comfort fleeth from thy pain. 
 
 Earth can give thee no relief. 
 
 ! my heart, thy depths are filled 
 
 With a bitter portion now ; 
 Every joy thou hadst is spilled. 
 
 And thy anguish wrings my brow. 
 
 ! my heart, thou helpless thing. 
 
 Sinking in my troubled breast, 
 Nothing near where thou canst cling, 
 
 Nothing near where thou canst rest. 
 
 ! my heart, the deep'ning gloom 
 
 Gathers round thee like a pall. 
 And I seem to tread the tomb, 
 
 Shiv'ring at my own footfall.
 
 98 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 ! my heart, thy bitter wail 
 Moves the pity of my God ; 
 His Divine help cannot fail, 
 Tliough He smite thee with Ilis rod. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 THE PRAYEK. 
 
 ! MY God, no hope have I 
 
 Til] Thou bring it to my heart ; 
 
 All my hope is drained and dry, 
 My soul to the quick doth smart. 
 
 ! my God, a feeble spark 
 Flickers in my clouded soul ; 
 
 Wilt Thou fan it ere the dark 
 Shadows quench it as they roll ? 
 
 ! my God, this heart of mine 
 Is a weak and sliattered thing ; 
 
 Wilt Tliou draw it. Lord, to Thine, 
 Heal its wounds beneath Thy wing ? 
 
 ! my God, the storm is wild. 
 Thy great love must feel for me ; 
 
 Save Thy wrecked and sinking child, 
 Let me now some shelter see. 
 
 ! my God, if Thou canst give 
 Life back to the buried dead ; 
 
 Then a dying one may live. 
 
 And a heart may heal that bled. 
 
 ! my God, Thou seest me lie 
 Restless on an awful brink ; 
 
 If Thou leave me I sliall die. 
 If Thou loose me I shall sink.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 99 
 
 O ! ray God, this fierce despair 
 
 Flings me on a barren waste, 
 Wilt Thou see me perish there ? 
 
 Father, to my rescue haste ! 
 
 O ! my God, if hope be gone. 
 
 If tiiere shine no star for me, 
 Then, a lost and lonely one, 
 
 Let me perish near to Thee. 
 
 O ! my God, my heart is cold. 
 
 Draw me closer to Thy breast ; 
 Let me in Thy love behold 
 
 For my restless soul a rest. 
 
 O ! my God, yet will I hope 
 
 Mercy hath not gone from Thee ; 
 
 Though in darkness still I grope 
 For Thine hand outstretched to me. 
 
 O ! my God, forsake me not. 
 
 Though my life Thou dost bereave. 
 
 Thou shalt still control my lot, 
 Thou wilt ne'er Thy servant leave. 
 
 THIRD PART. 
 THE REST. 
 
 Rest, my soul, the shadows flee ; 
 
 Welcome, welcome, is the dawn ! 
 Weeping through the night may be. 
 
 But joy Cometh with the morn. 
 
 Rest, my soul, may richer fruit 
 Be the harvest of thy pain, 
 
 H 2
 
 100 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Though the i^runing was acute, 
 Sweeter produce shall remain. 
 
 Rest, my soul, thy portion now 
 
 Is in the eternal King ; 
 To His blessed will I bow, 
 
 To His constant love I cling. 
 
 Rest, my soul, be not afraid, 
 
 God will shield thee from all harm ; 
 
 None thy refuge shall invade, 
 None disturb thy sacred calm. 
 
 Rest, my soul, thou'st borne the cross, 
 Jesus smiles upon thee now, 
 
 He doth recompense thy loss 
 With the sunlight of His brow. 
 
 Rest, my soul, a richer prize 
 
 Than the world can give to thee, 
 
 Glitters in the brighter skies 
 Of a pure eternity. 
 
 Rest, my soul, if thou hast given 
 Dearer sacrifice than life, 
 
 "When, at length, I enter heaven, 
 God will not forget thy strife. 
 
 Rest, my soul, the vale of tears 
 Leads me to my home above, 
 
 Hushed for ever be my fears. 
 In the depths of Jesu's love. 
 
 Rest, my soul, thine ark is sure, 
 Though on raging billows cast, 
 
 It shall ev'ry storm endure. 
 And the haven reach at last.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 101 
 
 Rest, my soul, I can not tell 
 
 Wheat m}' Father may intend. 
 But He hath done all things well, 
 And He \vill do to the end. 
 London, 
 
 April, 1873. 
 
 0, LIGHT IS SWEET ! 
 
 0, LIGHT is sweet ! 
 
 At early dawn, 
 
 With joy we greet 
 
 The bright'ning morn ; 
 When lonesome night hath wove its shadows dense, 
 
 And drawn them round us like a gloomy veil, 
 Leaving us helpless in our own defence 
 
 Till merry sunbeams midnight shadows scale. 
 With nimble feet 
 And laughing eye 
 Skip o'er the sky; 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 When darkness frowned, 
 And fierce storms beat 
 The cringing ground. 
 And lurid lightnings like bright burnished darts, 
 
 Cleft the wild tempest with a giant's might. 
 His fi'ry anger glancing to our hearts, 
 Hath made us tremble at the awful sight. 
 But gentle feet 
 Behind his back.
 
 102 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Have smootlied his track ; 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 When shiuing hours 
 With radiance meet 
 The oi)'niug flowers, 
 And bid the prince of beauties not to shrink 
 
 But with a fragrant modesty disclose, 
 While pearly dew-drops melt upon its brink, 
 The native splendours of the blushing rose. 
 " 0, light is sweet ! " 
 " In nature's bovvers ; " 
 So sing the flowers, 
 " 0, light is sweet ! " 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 When in the cell 
 With fettered feet 
 As though in hell, 
 The captive chafes and frets in midnight gloon) , 
 
 Nursing a vengeance in his angry soul, 
 Like a lost si^irit in its hopeless doom ; 
 
 But e'en in his dark heart the morning stole 
 Where passions beat, 
 And seemed to say, 
 " Kneel down to i^ray." 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 When on the raft 
 Wild billows beat 
 The hapless craft 
 Which weary mariners, from sinking wreck, 
 Have lashed together to outride the sea,
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 103 
 
 Their eager watches eastern sunbeams beck, 
 In hope that help may come to set them free ; 
 Help! Help be fleet, 
 If thou canst save 
 From wat'ry grave ; 
 0, Hglit is sweet ! 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 On trackless waste ; 
 With blistered feet 
 The trav'Uer's haste 
 Carries him further in the wilds astray, 
 
 Until the dreadful feeling comes, lost, lost ! 
 With all his heart he looks and prays for day, 
 And could he buy it, would give any cost ; 
 His cries repeat 
 Yet more and more 
 Than e'er before, 
 " 0, light is sweet ! " 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 When on his bed 
 With fev'rish heat 
 And aching head 
 The sufE'rer lies racked in his sleepless pain, 
 
 And anxiously full oft he gasps for morn ; 
 Even to him fresh slumber comes again 
 
 In the mild moments of the springing dawn. 
 0, it is meet 
 To let him sleep, 
 And though we weep, 
 The light is sweet ! 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 When sinners bend
 
 104 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 At Mercy's seat, 
 And seek a friend 
 To case their guilty conscience of its pain ; 
 
 Like as a wounded deer pants for the stream, 
 When mortal anguish doth its life-hlood drain ; 
 what a blessed refuge it doth seem 
 At Jesu's feet. 
 Where love Divine 
 Begins to shine ; 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 Unto the heart. 
 Whose piteous bleat 
 And pungent smart 
 Bespeak the presence of an inward grief, 
 
 Which cast out peace and in its room hath 
 dwelt ; 
 The mourner seeks but fiudeth no relief, 
 
 With hope so long deferred, heart-sick he felt. 
 But, when complete, 
 God's chast'ning plan, 
 The stricken man 
 
 Sings, " Light is sweet ! " 
 
 0, light is sweet ! 
 To dying saint 
 For heaven meet. 
 But weak and faint 
 In final conflict with the mortal foe ; 
 
 Death aims full well his penetrating dart. 
 And casting all his strength into the blow 
 Drives it into his victim's quiv'riug heart.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 105 
 
 In winding sheet 
 
 The body lies, 
 The spirit cries 
 
 " 0, light is sweet ! " 
 
 London, 
 
 May, 1873. 
 
 THE DISAPPOINTED SOWER. 
 
 The fallow gi-ound 
 
 Spread far around. 
 And lab'rers here and there 
 
 Went forth to sow, 
 
 And broadcast throw 
 The seed with tears and prayer. 
 
 Tlie master sent 
 
 His men who spent 
 Their strength upon the field, 
 
 But precious seed 
 
 Was choked with weed 
 And barren in the yield. 
 
 Bad was the soil. 
 
 And great the toil 
 The furrows to prepare, 
 
 The lab'rers few, 
 
 And feeble too. 
 To do much culture there. 
 
 The stubborn clod 
 So hard was trod. 
 The ploughshare bright and keen
 
 100 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Was ronghl}^ spurned, 
 And liardly turned 
 A furrow on the scene. 
 
 The rock was there 
 
 To spoil the care 
 With wliicli the seed was sown ; 
 
 It sprung full soon 
 
 But lieat of noon 
 The blade scorched to the stone. 
 
 But plots were found 
 
 Of better ground 
 In which the soil was deep ; 
 
 So workman heed, 
 
 Bring here your seed 
 If you desire to reap. 
 
 Yet even here. 
 
 Where ground was clear 
 And good in Avorkmen's eyes, 
 
 The seed oft lay, 
 
 Many a day, 
 As thougli it ne'er would rise. 
 
 A sower cast 
 
 The good seed fast. 
 The sweat broke on his brow, 
 
 His busy hand 
 
 Bestrewed the land 
 With harvest to endow. 
 
 When he had done 
 He watched the sun 
 And sliow'rs refresh the ground ;
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 107 
 
 As if he thought 
 The sowing ought 
 At once to spring around. 
 
 He quite forgot 
 
 It was the lot 
 Of seed to lie unseen 
 
 Through months of time, 
 
 Before the prime 
 Of harvest life was green. 
 
 The sower fain 
 
 Would look again 
 Into the earth to see 
 
 If seed did spring. 
 
 And promise bring 
 Of ripe maturity. 
 
 He waited long 
 
 Amid the throng 
 Of workers in the field, 
 
 With drooping mind 
 
 He sat and pined 
 Because it did not yield. 
 
 One troubled day, 
 
 On king's highway, 
 He mourned the lack of sheaves, 
 
 His care and cost 
 
 Were labour lost, 
 He thought, and so he grieves. 
 
 His bitter tears 
 And deeper fears 
 For hope left little room,
 
 108 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 'Twas sad to seo 
 One such as he 
 Thus yearn for harvest bloom. 
 
 O O O ft 
 
 But now it seems 
 
 That sweating teams 
 Are toiling up this way, 
 
 Filling the roads 
 
 With harvest loads, 
 And storing all the day. 
 
 " Whence comes the wain 
 
 With all this grain ? " 
 The drooping sower asked ; 
 " Tis from thy land 
 And of thy hand," 
 The reaper said and passed. 
 
 : He asked once more, 
 
 " Whence comes this store ? 
 Are these sheaves thine or mine ? ' 
 " What thou hast sown. 
 
 That I have mown. 
 So 'tis both mine and thine." 
 
 Yet others came 
 Who said the same, 
 " Fruit of thy seed Ave bring ; 
 Give us thine hand 
 And join our band 
 While harvest home we sing." 
 
 They all agreed 
 Without his seed 
 No harvest could have been ;
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 109 
 
 While he had wept 
 The seed which slept 
 So long, was duly seen. 
 
 With joy they met 
 The man who set 
 The harvest in the ground ; 
 " Lift up thy voice," 
 They cried, " Rejoice," 
 " What thou hadst lost we found." 
 
 " Give God the praise, 
 
 For He doth raise 
 The seed with large increase ; 
 
 Though long it lay, 
 
 We reap to day, 
 And garner it in peace." 
 
 HOYf^AKE, 
 
 March, 1873. 
 
 THE PHYSICIAN'S WAITING ROOM. 
 
 Calmly we wait around. 
 
 Yet in some hearts are found 
 Secrets of anxious thought, which lie unknown, 
 
 Save in the owner's breast. 
 
 Where they too deeply rest, 
 And to Divine Omniscience on the throne. 
 
 Hard by is human skill, 
 Whose touch on mortal ill 
 We crave, and yet for power more potent call ;
 
 110 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Though not expressed in word 
 The silent prayer is heard, 
 And moves the Great Physician above alL 
 
 Swift as a beam of light, 
 
 Or e'en electric flight, 
 Answers of peace are given to the soul ; 
 
 And ministries Divine 
 
 Our anxious hearts incline 
 To cast all care on lliiu that bears the whole. 
 
 If then the skill we seek, 
 
 Though great, alas ! be weak. 
 To meet the needs of our infirmity ; 
 
 Yet One there doth remain 
 
 To ease our heartfelt pain, 
 Who ever liveth in eternity. 
 
 Teach me to do Thy Avill, 
 So I may best fultil 
 
 Lord the duty Thou hast laid on me ; 
 
 Whate'er I seek in means. 
 If Thy will intervenes, 
 
 1 would deny myself to honour Thee. 
 
 London, 
 
 May, 1873.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. Ill 
 
 The following lines were suggested as the writer stood by the 
 Martyrs' Memorial Stone in Smithfield, London. The inscrip- 
 tion is copied from the stone. 
 
 " Within a few feet of this spot 
 
 JOHN ROGERS, 
 
 JOHN BRADFORD, 
 
 JOHN PHILPOT, 
 
 And other servants of God, 
 
 suffered death by fire for the 
 
 faith of Christ, 
 In the years 1555, 1556, 1557." 
 
 Do I now gaze upon the etain 
 
 Where faithful martyrs have been slain ? 
 
 And was it here they braved the stake 
 
 As witnesses for Jesu's sake ? 
 
 Here they were bound iu red-hot chains, 
 
 Here that they sufEered mortal pains, 
 
 Here they endured the bigot's fire 
 
 Rather than take the traitor's hire 
 
 Their Lord and Saviour to disown, 
 
 And bring dishonour to His throne? 
 
 Here that with life they freely sealed 
 
 The truth Jehovah hath revealed ? 
 
 Accounting it an honour given 
 
 To testify and die for heaven, 
 
 Holding the truth a greater prize 
 
 Than any of their earthly ties, 
 
 Wives, children, friends, forsaking all 
 
 In answer to their Master's call ; 
 
 Not with fanatic haste, but well 
 
 And wisely counted cost to tell. 
 
 The Word of God could ne'er be bound. 
 
 Nor ought could shake the holy ground, —
 
 112 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Priests, Kings, and Councils, or the Pope — 
 In which the anchor of their hope 
 Was stroug, and sure williiu the veil 
 Where persecution's fiercest gale 
 Could never loosen its firm hold, 
 Never ! though angry billows rolled. 
 And deep cried hoarsely unto deep. 
 And angry passions would not sleep ; 
 Unfathomable depths were shown 
 And beaten wrecks on rocks were thrown. 
 Never, e'en then, coidd they be moved 
 From Him whom they believed and loved. 
 
 God, we bless Thee for the grand, 
 
 Faithful, triumphant, martyred band ; 
 
 Their ashes 'neath Thine altar lie. 
 
 Aloud their awful voices cry, 
 
 How long, holy Lord ! how long 
 
 Shall men dispute the right with wrong? 
 
 Deny, with unbelief and lies, 
 
 That which alone can make them wise, 
 
 And i3ure, and good, and fit to be 
 
 In happy company with Thee ? 
 
 Alone, uproot and cast away 
 
 The sins which stain them ev'ry day, 
 
 And make their hearts a temple bright 
 
 Wliere nothing shall ofiEend Thy sight, 
 
 But radiant with Thy glory shine. 
 
 And burning with Thy love Divine ? 
 
 Thankful that Smithfield fires are spent. 
 
 We bless Thee peaceful times arc sent ; 
 
 But never let us in this land 
 
 Shrink to maintain a Christian stand ; 
 
 Never disown in ease or pride 
 
 The truth for which the martyrs died.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 11- 
 
 Shall we esteem God's word the less, 
 
 In heart believe and not confess ; 
 
 Our conscience telling us it's true, 
 
 Our practice hiding it from view ; 
 
 Strive to be all things to all men, 
 
 Pray with the Church of Christ, and then 
 
 Go out into the busy world 
 
 Bearing the gospel banner furled. 
 
 Or leave it secretly at home, 
 
 That none may trace us as we roam 
 
 A little just on mammon's side, 
 
 The breach not maldng very wide? 
 
 Just near enough the gospel door 
 
 An extra stretch will bridge it o'er ; 
 
 Dropping into our Master's cup, 
 
 Of mammon's draught a little sup, 
 
 Only a drop or two to taste : 
 
 A pity worldly bliss to waste 
 
 By being scrupulous or nice. 
 
 When offered at so low a price. 
 
 When such a bargain why not buy ? 
 
 To make ends meet may we not try 
 
 And serve both masters if we can ? 
 
 Alas ! Is this a Christian man ? 
 
 heaven let the martyr's cry 
 
 Pdng loudly from the open sky. 
 
 Hypocrisy shall fear and quake ; 
 
 And all who name Thy name shall wake 
 
 And brace themselves, with purpose strong. 
 
 To spread the cry, — Lord ! how long ? 
 
 With sworn and everlasting vow 
 
 Their energy to Thee shall bow. 
 
 And men shall be firm as the cross. 
 
 Nor fearing earthly scorn or loss.
 
 114 SOXGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 Devils may tempt, and fools may sneer, 
 But perfect love shall cast out fear, 
 And though the world seduce and smile, 
 Its arts shall ne'er again beguile. 
 Mammon shall henceforth bribe in vain, 
 Its gold may glitter, but its gain 
 Shall leave behind no guilty brand 
 To stain the consecrated hand, 
 Xor ought TI13' witnesses shall shame 
 To hide again Tliy royal name. 
 London, 
 
 May, 1873. 
 
 A SOXG. 
 
 Awake, awake, my weary heart, 
 Thou shalt not droop and die. 
 
 For thou hast now a royal part 
 With multitudes on high. 
 
 wake ! and sing a grateful song, 
 
 Arise above thy cares, 
 Thy sorrows may have lasted long. 
 
 But God thy burden bears. 
 
 If rough the path which thou hast trod, 
 
 If rougher still before. 
 And strength thou ueedest from Thy God, 
 
 He now will give thee more. 
 
 Rugged and steep may be the way, 
 But iirace Divine is free.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 115 
 
 Siifiicient ixnto ev'ry day, 
 Sufficient unto thee. 
 
 Jehovali's everlasting arm 
 
 Is all around thee still, 
 And thou shalt feel a holy cahu 
 
 While bending to His will. 
 
 On Him thou mayest daily lean. 
 
 Yea, lean with all thy load. 
 For His omnipotence hath been 
 
 Thy staff upon the road. 
 
 No foe that mighty staff can break, 
 
 ! rest on it anew ; 
 God's strength is pledged for Jesu's sake 
 
 Till heaven appear in view. 
 
 Nor will He leave thee at its gate. 
 
 To gaze without, alone. 
 But share with thee His rich estate, 
 
 And place thee on His throne. 
 
 HOTLAKE, 
 
 August, 1873. 
 
 THE LOED'S SONG, 
 
 How shall I sing Jehovah's song 
 
 Lone in a foreign land ? 
 My exiled harp unstrung, hath long 
 
 Been silent in my hand. 
 
 Fain would I brace its feeble strings, 
 And tune it o'er again, 
 
 l2
 
 IIG SOXGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 But in so strange a land it rings 
 Alas ! of heartfelt pain. 
 
 Yet Avill I touch my harp and try 
 
 The old inspiring tiieuie, 
 It may be God will hear on high, 
 
 Though played by Bal)'lon's stream. 
 
 God ! the touch is somewhat strange, 
 Yet does it sound like home, 
 
 Nor would I murmur at the change, 
 If for Thy sake I roam. 
 
 Thy presence can, in ev'ry land, 
 
 Provide a rest for me. 
 Give power and freedom to my hand 
 
 To play a song for Thee. 
 
 grant me now Tliy Israel's skill 
 
 A harmony to sound, 
 With hallowed inspiration fill. 
 
 Let faith and love abound. 
 
 Then shall I tread the tempter down. 
 Then shall my heart be free. 
 
 Then shall I win the fadeless crown 
 Thou boldest forth to me. 
 
 Yea, now a greater strength I gain. 
 Yea, now a sweeter cheer. 
 
 Thy song I do not sing in vain, 
 For Thou art truly near. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 August, 1873.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 117 
 
 MY FATHER'S GRAVE. 
 
 Rural it lies before my eyes, 
 
 Marked by a marble stone, 
 The spot is fair, but is it there 
 
 My Father lies alone ? 
 
 I see it now, beneath the bough 
 
 Of an o'erspreading tree ; 
 And as I gaze, the former days 
 
 Rise up in memory. 
 
 The buoyant life which in the strife 
 
 Of earthly duties done, 
 Yet sought the light of God's pure sight, 
 
 And blest the rising sun. 
 
 Depressing shade was rarely laid 
 
 Across the path he trod. 
 Though trial came it brought no shame. 
 
 For he had peace with God. 
 
 The spirit mild, which, like a child, 
 
 Found joy in simple things. 
 And revelled where no carnal care 
 
 Dissatisfaction brings. 
 
 The cheerful voice which would rejoice 
 
 The hearts of those around, 
 And e'er incite a pure delight 
 
 The world ne'er sought or found. 
 
 The father's heart, in ev'ry part. 
 So tender wise and true,
 
 1 1 8 SONGS IX TBI A L. 
 
 Parental care was ever there, 
 And guile it never knew. 
 
 Tlie earnest soul, wliore used to roll 
 The fount of Christian love. 
 
 The gushing stream would often seem 
 Replenished from above. 
 
 The manly grace, the open face, 
 The frank and beaming eye, 
 
 The hoary head, the solid tread, 
 These mem'ries never die. 
 
 They live and last until the past 
 
 Seems present o'er again, 
 And we forget he slumbers yet. 
 
 Unseen by mortal men. 
 
 Yea, higher rise, beyond the skies 
 
 To the immortal just. 
 For earthly mould doth merely hold 
 
 Its kin the mortal dust. 
 
 And e'en his dust is in the trust 
 
 Of Christ, until the hour 
 When it shall rise, the honoured prize 
 
 Of His redeeming power. 
 
 Then shall we pause and weep because 
 
 The grave hath his remains ? 
 Nay on its brink we rather think 
 That he with Jesus reigns. 
 Shardlow, 
 
 July, 1873. *
 
 SONGS ly TRIAL. 119 
 
 BATTLE. 
 
 Wild is the storm, the tempest raves 
 
 And roars in madd'ning winds and waves ; 
 
 Its utmost fury is let loose, 
 
 Xo interval of calm or truce, 
 
 But fierce and stern determined battle : 
 
 The arrows in its quiver rattle. 
 
 Its bow is held with giant strength. 
 
 And ev'ry dart drawn to its length ; 
 
 Hissing they cleave the quiv'ring sky, 
 
 Unswei'ving to their goal they fly, 
 
 Shaft after shaft is buried deep, 
 
 And life is changed for death's hard sleep. 
 
 Yet no remorse the tempest knows, 
 
 Nor pities nature in her woes ; 
 
 Heedless of weather-beaten men 
 
 Who shelter in the dripping den, 
 
 All hoping, till they all despair, 
 
 In misery they linger there. 
 
 The passions of the storm increase, 
 
 Eejecting ev'ry plea for peace. 
 
 The forest trees of hoary age 
 
 Are scathed and riven in its rage, 
 
 Uprooted by the cruel blast, 
 
 Their glor}' is for ever past; 
 
 Upon the ground they prostrate lie. 
 
 Where once they towered to the sky; 
 
 Their massive trunks are basely torn. 
 
 Their graceful branches rudely shorn, 
 
 And all the chaste and silken life 
 
 Of foliage withered in the strife, — 
 
 The precious growth of many j^ears 
 
 The tempest, in a moment, shears.
 
 120 SOXGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 Its cry is, havoc ! havoc still I 
 
 Its fury now will have its fill ; 
 
 Heaving the ocean to its deeps, 
 
 And casting into fearful steeps 
 
 Its waters, seething more and more, 
 
 Like a huge cauldron boiling o'er ; 
 
 Flinging afar its angry Hakes, 
 
 Till e'en the bravest mariner quakes. 
 
 His vessel shivers to the keel, 
 
 And staggers with a drunken reel 
 
 As though besotted in the strife, 
 
 And mocking at both death and life. 
 
 Its stately masts so strong and tall 
 
 Come crashing with an awful fall. 
 
 Its ragged rigging chokes the deck, 
 
 Until a shattered helpless wreck 
 
 It drifts upon the rock-bound coast. 
 
 And ev'ry soul on board is lost. 
 
 The greedy tempest claims its prey. 
 
 And death acknowledges its sway. 
 
 Fierce in its rage, but fiercer still. 
 
 The storm which lashes human will. 
 
 Rouses in the immortal soul 
 
 "Wild billows, deeper in their roll. 
 
 Strong passions beat with surging swell. 
 
 As furiously stirred by hell. 
 
 A dart is rankling in the breast. 
 
 And conscience in its guilt can't rest. 
 
 Anger and unbelief are there, 
 
 And self-will stilles ev'ry prayer. 
 
 Pride true obedience disdaius. 
 
 And dark temptation only reigns. 
 
 'Tis Belial's malignant hour. 
 
 The tempter triumphs iu his power ;
 
 SONGS IX TRIAL. 121 
 
 Fain would lio end the strife, and kill 
 Body and soul to glut his will. 
 ! minist'ring angels, where are ye ? 
 This mental conflict haste to see, 
 And if ye may, some heav'nly balm 
 Drop from your wings and bring a calm. 
 Befriend the agitated heart, 
 And in its trouble take its part; 
 Cherish its feeble languid vows, 
 Its better principles arouse, 
 Impart new strength to keep at bay, 
 Yea, drive its enemies away. 
 Breathe sympathy into the soul, 
 'Till heaven hath well inspired the whole, 
 Immanuel supreme proclaim. 
 And plant the banner in His name. 
 Jesus, Master, in this hour 
 Of battle, let Thy voice of power 
 Si^eak as the Prince of truth and peace, 
 And bid this hard fought conflict cease. 
 Cast down the tempter's evil throne. 
 And magnify Thy right alone 
 To rule, with royalty Divine, 
 And make the human heart like Thine ; 
 No pride, or discord, or self-will, 
 But all within so pure and still, 
 That God may be distinctly heard, 
 Nor ought oppose His ruling word. 
 Its homage to Jehovah bound, 
 Its pleasure in His favour found. 
 Its duty learned from God the Son, 
 " Father not my will, Thine be done." 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 Aufjust, 1873.
 
 122 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 TiiH piL(ii;nrs night soxg. 
 
 The suiiliL;-lit is fading, 
 Tlie road is so dreary, 
 Tlic darkness is shading 
 ]\Iy patli, and I'm weary ; 
 licavenly Guide, wilt Thou give me Tliine hand ? 
 Tliou only shalt lead me while in this strange land. 
 
 I wait for the morning, 
 
 But I'm sometimes afi-aid 
 That ere it is dawning 
 I shall sink in the shade, 
 T5ut if I do fail still my Lord is with me, 
 And a merciful Judge I know He will be. 
 
 Though faint, I'm pursuing, 
 
 For my goal is before, 
 In weakness enduring. 
 But a rest is in store; 
 Each step of my travel brings nearer the close, 
 Then after the journey how sweet the repose. 
 
 I am often perplexed 
 
 But I never despair. 
 Though temptation hath vexed 
 IMe, I cast all my care 
 Where I know there is power my load to sustain, 
 And love to refresh me whatever my pain. 
 
 In Tliy miglity guiding 
 
 How can danger befall ? 
 In Thee I'm confiding, 
 
 For no evil at all
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 123 
 
 Can hide the bright beaming whicli flows from Thy 
 
 face, 
 With Thee ever shining I trust if not trace. 
 
 All my doubts drive away, 
 
 My feeble heart strengthen, 
 Lead by night and by day, 
 Then shadows may lengthen, 
 And every step of the road be unknown, 
 Still in faith I sliall walk with Thee to Thy throne. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 August, 1873. 
 
 THE AXGEL OF HOPE. 
 
 Hail ! holy Angel, 
 
 Spread Thy pinions briglit, 
 May Thine evangel 
 Bring me purer light ; 
 wing Thy welcome way into my breast, 
 And soothe my ruffled spirit into rest. 
 
 Break the hard fetter 
 
 Which enchains my heart, 
 And give me better 
 
 Thoughts, to heal the smart 
 Of my bruised soul, now on temptation's brink. 
 Which, but for Thee, in its dark depths would sink. 
 
 The tempter hath flung 
 Himself in my waj',
 
 124 SOXGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 And conflict hath wrung 
 My spirit to pray : 
 Blest Anfjel now smite him, and backward roll 
 His legions, whose arrows have scathed my soul. 
 
 Thou seest his snare 
 
 With subtlety planned, 
 But with Thee I dare 
 Defy hi« bold hand; 
 Thy glittering shield shall cover me well, 
 And drive all my enemies back into hell. 
 
 Angel Divine, 
 
 Direct from above, 
 No merit of mine 
 
 Hath won Thy great love. 
 Yet in Thy free gift there's something to spare ; 
 To strengthen my heart when burdened with care. 
 
 My spirit upraise, 
 
 'Tis soiled in the dust, 
 teach me to praise, 
 And help me to trust ; 
 For though I have oft been nigh to despair. 
 Thou never could'st leave me to jjerish there. 
 
 When no other friend 
 Is near to my side, 
 Thou succour dost send. 
 And with me abide ; 
 Through ev'ry dark cloud Thy smile I behold 
 Eegilding the sky more richly than gold. 
 
 In dead of the night 
 There's ever Thy star,
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 125 
 
 To shed its clear light 
 And guide mo afar, 
 Its beautiful shining seemeth to say, 
 Fear not the darkness it soon will be day. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 August, 1873. 
 
 WHEN I FEEL THAT LIFE IS LONELY. 
 
 When I feel that life is lonely, 
 When I think that it is sad, 
 
 When, of all my friends, One only 
 Can make my dull spirit glad. 
 
 When I feel that hope is waning, 
 When I fear that it is gone. 
 
 When, in all my prospects, gaining 
 Guiding light from only One. 
 
 When the storm is wildly beating, 
 When I hear it sigh and moan, 
 
 Wlien, of all my helpers meeting, 
 Eefuge is in One alone. 
 
 When my harassed soul is fretting 
 O'er the tempter's subtle snare, 
 
 When I seek relief, but getting 
 Not a comfort anywhere. 
 
 Then the mighty One revealing 
 
 Tender sympathy with me. 
 And though yet escape concealing, 
 
 Surely makes my spirit free.
 
 12G SOXGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Blessed be the One abiding, 
 Blessed be His open door, 
 
 111 His goodness still confiding. 
 Lot nie learn to love Him more. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 August, 1873. 
 
 THE WOUNDED SOLDIER'S OUT-LOOK. 
 
 HEAVEN ! a wounded soldier prays, 
 
 Wilt Thou his pleading heed ? 
 heaven, bless the tender heart, 
 The hands wliieh take the healing part, 
 Of the Samaritan's deed. 
 
 bless the love which sought me out 
 
 Like the great Friend of friends ; 
 The healing oil is sweeter still, 
 Because it comes with such free will, 
 And true compassion blends. 
 
 My wounds are easier to bear 
 
 While sympathj- is near ; 
 And if I sicken or I die. 
 Great Captain let Thy servant lie 
 
 Where he the fight may hear. 
 
 Next to the glory of the strife, 
 
 'Tis glorious to be 
 Wounded upon the battle field, 
 And see and hear my comrades wield 
 
 Their strength and life for Thee.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 127 
 
 comrades, stand ye all like men, 
 
 And make the foeman fly ; 
 How little should I think of pain, 
 While many valiant still remain 
 
 Eeady to dare and die. 
 
 If unbelievers truth deny 
 
 And some weak spirits fail. 
 No matter who may stand or fall, 
 'Tis not a doubtful fight at all. 
 
 Truth does and shall prevail. 
 
 The issues of the conflict leave, 
 
 Heaven will avenge its loss, 
 And let your steady purpose aim 
 To do God's will, as He who came 
 
 To do it on the cross. 
 
 Let not a selfish thought of praise 
 
 Your strong arm paralyse, 
 For if in human strength ye trust. 
 Your banner shall be trailed in dust 
 
 From which it cannot rise. 
 
 Let not a mere desire to win 
 
 Be in your battle cry ; 
 Let ev'ry one be at his post, 
 Thougli devils threaten all the host. 
 
 And many brave men lie 
 
 Disabled on their battered shields, 
 
 And bearing mortal scars ; 
 Yet e'en while life is ebbing fast, 
 They watch ye to the very last. 
 
 Till borne in vict'ry's cars
 
 128 SONGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 To hear their noble Captain say 
 
 " Ye have your duty done : 
 Let each receive his promised crown, 
 And, full of holy zeal, look down 
 Till tlie grand conquest's won. 
 
 " The foe is bound — I liold liis chain, 
 Satan and liell shall see 
 That all who have My glory souglit, 
 I glory for them, too, liAve bought. 
 Eternal life with Me." 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 August, 1873. 
 
 OUK MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY. 
 
 Dear mother, 'tis thy natal day. 
 How many years art thou ? 
 
 Dost tire of life's uneven way, 
 Or art thou weary now ? 
 
 Dost feel the weight of coming age, 
 Dost think thy life is spun, 
 
 That short is now thy pilgrimage. 
 Thy mother's duty done ? 
 
 Dost think that there is little left 
 To keep tliee ling'ring here. 
 
 Already of so mucli bereft. 
 
 That nouglit remains to cheer ? 
 
 Nay, thou hast loving children still, 
 And children's children too,
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 129 
 
 And if thou canst not now fulfil 
 What thou hast used to do, 
 
 Thy children do not love thee less 
 
 Than they have done before, 
 But all with true affection bless 
 
 And cherish thee the more. 
 
 The silver of thy glist'ning hair 
 
 Is to thy children dear, 
 And easier lies their load of care 
 
 "Whilst their good mother 's near. 
 
 Thy precious Ufe is more to them 
 
 Than any earthly gold, 
 And years are but a diadem 
 
 To crown tliee when thou'rt old. 
 
 Thy presence, like a loom of power, 
 
 Weaves all thy children's love. 
 And the warm robe shall be thy dower, 
 
 Till thou art robed above. 
 
 They gather dignity from thee. 
 
 They warm their love by thine. 
 And daily shall their purpose be. 
 
 To honour thy decline. 
 
 They love the outbeam of thine age, 
 
 They love the soul within, 
 And noble purposes engage. 
 
 An earnestness to win 
 
 A place in thy true mother's heart. 
 
 That what they lose or gain, 
 Whate'er may gather or depart. 
 
 Thy blessing may remain.
 
 130 SONGS IX TRIAL. 
 
 daily may thy children's love 
 Be more like love Divine, 
 
 Supremely pledged to God above, 
 And then for ever thine. 
 
 But sweeter than our love can be 
 Is that for which we call, 
 
 May God a Husband be to thee, 
 A Father to us all. 
 
 HOTLAKE, 
 
 September 1st, 1873. 
 
 KOCK OF AGES. 
 
 EocK of Ages ! still I cling 
 With a trusting heart to Thee, 
 
 And amid the storm I sing 
 " Ever shall my refuge be. 
 
 In tbe cleft above the waves, 
 
 In the love wliicli fully saves." 
 
 Though I hear the rising swell 
 Of the tempest at Thy feet, 
 
 And the blasphemies of hell 
 In their angry passions beat. 
 
 Casting unbelief and pride 
 
 On Thy sacred riven side : 
 
 Though I see with heartfelt pain 
 Many wrecks around Thee lie. 
 
 And the sinking souls disdain 
 All the succour which is nigh.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 131 
 
 Heedless in their dying day, 
 Drifting ho^^elessly away : 
 
 Rock of Ages ! still I cling 
 With a trusting heart to Thee, 
 
 And in gratitude I bring 
 
 Now the oft-repeated plea, 
 ' Let me all my life abide 
 
 In the refuge of Thy side." 
 
 Rock of Ages ! let no foe 
 
 Ever tempt me to depart, 
 Whither, whither can I go 
 
 To repose my weary heart ? 
 To Thy fount which doth alone 
 For my sinfulness atone. 
 
 Rock of Ages ! let my hand 
 
 Cleave to Thee with stronger hold, 
 
 Let my feet more firmly stand. 
 Let my heart become more bold, 
 
 Let me reckon gain and loss 
 
 By the value of Thy cross. 
 
 Rock of Ages ! let Thy peace 
 
 Be the secret of my soul, 
 And though earthly cares increase, 
 
 Tliou can'st ev'ry one control, 
 How, beneath Thy tranquil shade, 
 Can I ever be afraid? 
 
 Rock of Ages ! when I die 
 
 Let my pillow be on Thee, 
 When a sufferer I lie. 
 
 Let me on Thy summit see 
 
 k2
 
 132 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Glory blending with Tliy liglit, 
 Heaven coming into sight. 
 
 Rock of Ages ! still I cling 
 With a trusting heart to Thee, 
 
 Life may fail, and death may sting, 
 But in all my hope shall be — 
 
 Evil cannot reach me here, 
 
 Faith hath conquest over fear. 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 October, 1873. 
 
 MY FATHER, BLESS ME. 
 
 My Father bless me, though sinful I be, 
 Let me the light of Thy countenance see. 
 Let Thy favour be mine, my portion Divine, 
 My heart be Thy Idngdom, and rule it as Thine. 
 
 My Father, I cry, help me to rely 
 On Thy changeless love which always is nigh. 
 By temptation distrest, I fly to Thy breast, 
 And there, like an innocent child, let me rest. 
 
 M}^ Father, Thy hand leads me through a land, 
 'Tis toilsome to walk, and danger to stand. 
 But if Thou dost reveal, and impress Thy seal 
 On my weak trembling heart, what fear can I feel ? 
 
 My Father, Tliy will may be myst'ry still. 
 Yet what Thou bidd'st me I fain would fulfil.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 133 
 
 If Thou dost not explain the cause of my pain, 
 I know that I never can trust Thee in vain. 
 
 My Father, in Thee my refuge shall be. 
 Though dark be my path yet light is in Thee, 
 For Thy goodness doth shine on me and on mine, 
 And whatever Thou dost I ought not repine. 
 
 My Father, I claim in Jesus's name. 
 Thy grace to preserve from sin and from shame. 
 Do Thou make my heart pure and strong to endure. 
 And daily may Jesus and heaven be sure. 
 
 My Father, I know Thou lov'st to bestow 
 Thy succour to save, for now it doth flow ; 
 Help me ever to live the truth I believe. 
 Till, as joint-heir with Christ, a crown I receive. 
 
 LiSCARD, 
 
 Febrtiary, 1874. 
 
 A FAMILY SONG. 
 
 " Father which art in heaven," 
 Enthroned in power above. 
 Thou hast to us Thy mercies given, 
 And blest us with Thy love. 
 
 A family we meet 
 
 In thankfulness to sing, 
 
 And as we gather at Thy feet, 
 Our cheerful homag-e brinsr.
 
 134 SOXGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Our earthly home we love, 
 For Thou hast made it dear ; 
 
 The promise of a home above, 
 A little heaven here. 
 
 Thou hast from day to day 
 Our constant need supplied, 
 
 Thou never liast sent us away 
 Of any good denied. 
 
 Thou ft'iv'st us living- bread, 
 And water from the spring. 
 
 At whose eternal Fountain Head, 
 Afresh in faith we cling. 
 
 Unite us in that name 
 Which is our guarantee, 
 
 That we shall ever prove the same 
 Kind Fatherhood in Thee. 
 
 May each keep near the cross. 
 May each Thy witness be, 
 
 And grant, whatever be our loss, 
 Lord we ne'er lose Thee. 
 
 Jesus ! may Thy care 
 So rule our life and heart, 
 
 That in our Father's house we share 
 An everlasting part. 
 
 LiSCARD, 
 
 Februanj, 1874.
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 135 
 
 A MOENING SONCt. 
 
 God ! I own Thy kingly sway, 
 And bless Thee for the light of day ; 
 Thy power hath made the sun to shine, 
 Thy love enkindles light Divine. 
 
 'Tis sweet at morn to see the sun, 
 'Tis pleasant when the day is done, 
 But to the soul it 's sweeter still 
 To catch the light from Zion's hill. 
 
 God ! Thou art the Fount of light, 
 Thy presence banishes the night, 
 Though shadows on my spirit fall. 
 No darkness is in Thee at all. 
 
 And Thou hast said that I may be 
 God, my Father, like to Thee, 
 Foretasting of the joys above. 
 The spring of sacred light and love. 
 
 Lord, I look up ; Father, shine — 
 Let me now see Thy smile Divine ; 
 Let me now feel I have a part, 
 Deep in my heavenly Father's heart. 
 
 Strong I begin the work of day. 
 
 Afresh pursue my pilgrim way, 
 
 A promise in Thj'' love I see 
 
 That as my days my strength sliall be. 
 
 LiSCARD, 
 
 March, 1874.
 
 13G SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 LORD, IS IT I? 
 
 Care, care, dark care 
 Lieth everyAvhere, 
 "Who casteth its great load 
 Of hard stones on the road ? 
 
 Lord, is it I ? 
 
 why, why ? 
 
 Pain, pain, keen pain 
 Cometh again. 
 
 Who thrusteth the sharp steel 
 Which in my heart I feel ? 
 
 Lord, is it I ? 
 
 why, why ? 
 
 Fear, fear, weak fear 
 Seemeth so near, 
 Who letteth the foe in ? 
 is it my own sin ? 
 
 Lord, is it I ? 
 
 O why, why ? 
 
 Dust, dust, in dust 
 Droopeth my trust, 
 Who planteth the sly snare, 
 And entangleth me there ? 
 
 Lord, is it I ? 
 
 why, why ? 
 
 Down, down, cast down 
 Under God's frown. 
 Who hath my Father grieved 
 And chastisement received ?
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 137 
 
 Lorfl, is it I ? 
 why, why ? 
 
 Hope ! hope ! yet hope, 
 
 Lost heart look up ! 
 
 Who is it in this hour 
 
 Speaks with such love and power ? 
 
 Lord, is it Thee ? 
 
 'Tis Thee, 'tis Thee. 
 
 Egremont, 
 1874. 
 
 WKITTEN FOR A BEREAVED MOTHER. 
 
 A MOTHER had a flow'ret rare, 
 
 'Twas precious in its birth, 
 She tended it with loving care, 
 
 And could not tell its worth. 
 
 She placed the young bud in her heart, 
 
 That it might nourished be. 
 And there fulfilled a mother's part 
 
 With true fidelity. 
 
 The mother passed her garden through, 
 And all her plants looked o'er ; 
 
 The bud was choicest in her view, 
 And richest of her store. 
 
 She watched its tender leaves unfold, 
 So silken was their hue.
 
 138 SONGS IN TRIAL. 
 
 Ill her Avai-iii lovo afresh she rolled 
 The lluw'ret. as it grew. 
 
 It struck its roots into lier breast, 
 Her life in its was bound, 
 
 And closer still the mother prest 
 The treasure she had found. 
 
 The fragrance of the flow'ret filled 
 The mother's inmost soul, 
 
 And, in return, her love instilled 
 Itself into the whole. 
 
 But the great Husbandman on high, 
 Loved the young flow'ret, too ; 
 
 He saw it in her bosom lie 
 And bore it from her view. 
 
 The mother's heart did nearly break. 
 When the young bud was gone, 
 " Lord, alone, for Thy dear sake, 
 Could I give up this one." 
 
 The royal Husbandman looked down, 
 And to the mother said, 
 " Thy bud is i^lanted in ]\Iy crown. 
 The flow'ret is not dead. 
 
 " It liveth now ; it is My will 
 To rear the bud on high, 
 But it shall be thy flow'ret still. 
 Though nourished in the sky." 
 
 " Let hope of heaven heal thy i^ain. 
 My flow'rets thou slialt see,
 
 SONGS IN TRIAL. 130 
 
 And thou slialt have tliy bud again 
 When thou art come to Me." 
 
 HOYLAKE, 
 
 Janua)\i/, 1873. 
 
 WOKK. 
 
 LET me take hold of the plough, 
 let me grip it again, 
 
 1 woukl put my strength to it now, 
 
 As I toil with working men. 
 
 Do I hold with a trembling hand 
 And open furrow with care ? 
 
 I joy in the smell of the land 
 
 Which yields to the keen i^loughshare. 
 
 give me the hopper of seed, 
 And a broadcast let me throw. 
 
 With an earnest heart in the deed, 
 God loveth to have it so. 
 
 It springs ! it springs in the blade ! 
 
 And the blade into the ear, 
 Heaven hath a ripe harvest made. 
 
 And calleth its sons to shear. 
 
 give me the sickle of love. 
 The sickle so bright and keen, 
 
 1 reap for my Master above. 
 
 And angels garner it in.
 
 140 SONGS IN TRIAL 
 
 God, I am working for Thee, 
 I clieer mj'^ labour witli song. 
 
 For richer my wages will be 
 And rest is coming ere long. 
 
 Have I mingled sowing with tears. 
 
 And waited long for the sheaves ? 
 Now I saj^, " Begone," to my fears, 
 The reaper his due receives. 
 Egremont, 
 
 August, 1874. 
 
 (\ 
 
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