PR . 
 9619.3 i 
 
 T378A17 
 
 1898 < 
 
 list 
 
 B
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 
 ./
 
 Severed Jinks, 
 
 BEING A COLLECTION OF 
 
 Original ^jc Fragmentary 
 
 BY 
 
 T. THOMPSON, Senr. 
 
 rCRUSADER). 
 
 W. J. Hunkin, Printer, Adelaide.
 
 mi '3 
 -rsiun 
 
 c o isr T :e IT T 
 
 Page. 
 
 Record Reign Hymn . _ _ 7 
 
 A Lay of the Barrier Strike - - 9 
 
 Barabbas - - - - 14 
 
 The Unknown Companions - - 17 
 
 Christmas Day in Holloway Goal - 21 
 
 The Brotherhood of Man - - 29 
 
 Record Breaking . . . 3^ 
 
 In Memoriam — Robert Whinham - - 38 
 
 The Beggars Rebuke . . . 40 
 
 In Memoriam — Hugh Gihiiore - - 41 
 
 In Memoriam — Agnes Neale - - 43 
 
 The Master's Return — A Christmas Reverie 45 
 
 Hope on, Hope ever - - - 51 
 
 Christmas Eve - - - - 53 
 
 Gordon Unavenged - - - 56 
 
 Social Sinners - - - - 59 
 
 Gladstone - - - - 62 
 
 In Memoriam — Dean Russell - - 65 
 
 14820 '"" 
 
 \J^\^
 
 Contennts Continued, Page. 
 
 Life's Burdens - . - - 68 
 
 Lines on the loss of the Loch Ard - 70 
 
 Chance . . . . y^ 
 
 In Memoriam — President Garfield - 75 
 
 Prologue on the occasion of the opening ) ^ 
 
 ofY.M.CA. - - ) 7» 
 
 xVn Incident at Sea ... 83 
 
 Sorrow and Death - _ _ 88 
 
 Martin Luther's Fourth Centenary - 90 
 
 A Tale of Freemasonry - - - 95 
 
 My Beautiful Home _ . _ gg 
 
 Lord, Remember ]\Ie - - - 100 
 
 Peace - - - - - 104 
 
 Christian Warfare — A Vision - - 108 
 
 ]*^Iy Uncle - - - - 112 
 
 Jubilee Ode - - - - 115 
 
 In Memoriam — General Gordon - - 118 
 
 Things that are Beautiful - - 121 
 
 Lutheran Jubilee Hymn - - 123 
 
 The Christian Battlefield - - 125 
 
 The Loving Disciple - - - 127 
 
 Charity - - - - . 129 
 
 Thoughts Fraternal - - - 131
 
 -eiseped Lmkg 
 
 "^^^ 
 
 RECORD REIGN HYMN 
 
 TO thee, the King omnipotent, 
 Whose throne Creation fills. 
 Whose limitless, eternal reign 
 Unchanged, unchanging will remain 
 
 When time its record stills. 
 To thee, O Lord, a song of joy we raise 
 A Nations joy for monarch's lengthened days. 
 
 Thy mercy. Lord, hath kept our Queen 
 
 Upon her earthly throne ; 
 The glory of her sceptred life, 
 Illumining the dark world's strife. 
 
 Be thine, and thine alone. 
 Hear us, O Lord, while we our offering bring 
 A nation's offering to creation's King.
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 For three score years thy loving hand 
 
 Her Queenly steps hath led, 
 Around her path of regal cares, 
 Of wealth and power with their snares. 
 
 Rich blessings thou hast spread ; 
 Still longer Lord our Queen, thy servant spare 
 O deign to listen to a nation's prayer. 
 
 For three score years thou hast upheld 
 
 Her might on land and sea ; 
 Unmindful of war's rude alarms, 
 Unshaken by the clash of arms, 
 
 Her strength is fixed on thee. 
 Throughout her realm may ought of discord cease, 
 And life's bright sunset close in perfect peace 
 
 Her diadem and jewelled robe 
 
 Will crumble into dust. 
 The mighty empire that she owns, 
 Will fall before Thy throne of thrones, 
 
 All earthly power must. 
 Grant her, O Lord, this changeful life when o'er 
 A fadeless crown and kingdom evermore. 
 8
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 A LAY OF THE BARRIER STRIKE. 
 
 THE pale beams of the queen of night 
 Shone o'er the silver field ; 
 Less peaceful scene that midnight fair 
 Then when of yore her treasures rare 
 Earth's bosom held concealed. 
 
 The wonted hum of busy life 
 
 Had ceased with twilight grey ; 
 But long had ceased those sounds of toil 
 Which mark the eagerness for spoil 
 Of mammon getting day. 
 
 'Twas not the shades of night alone 
 
 Or meed for duty done 
 Had silenced now the noisy beam 
 Or stayed awhile the molten stream, — 
 
 The Barrier strike was on. 
 
 The stalwart sons of sturdy toil 
 
 Were waging conflict vain, 
 For vain were e'en a giants strength 
 Against the gold-lined purses length 
 
 Long struggle to maintain. 
 9
 
 SEVERED LIXETS. 
 
 Upon the bloodless battle field 
 
 The labor leaders fell : 
 Justice, if such deserves the name, 
 Asserting her relentless claim, 
 
 Decreed a prison cell. 
 
 A prison cell in spot remote 
 
 From home and kindred ties ; 
 For justice oft makes strange demand 
 When low beneath her potent hand 
 The helpless victim lies. 
 
 On lonely couch, that midnight fair, 
 
 A wife and mother lay ; 
 They heeded not sweet Luna's beams 
 Which floated in like silver streams. 
 Her thoughts were far away. 
 
 Her thoughts were sad — they were of one 
 
 Within those [)rison walls, 
 A felon ? no it could not be ; 
 No ermined judge, from guilt more free, 
 
 E'er set in judgment halls. 
 10
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 " Then why, O why this prison dress, 
 
 And why those bolts and bars ? " 
 She murmured low — '"Tis monied might, 
 And not the sacred cause of right ; 
 Gold wins in social wars I " 
 
 But gentle sleep like Gilead's balm, 
 Soon soothed the troubled breast. 
 Before her eyes the shadows fade. 
 Like phantoms chased by doughty blade— 
 The sad heart was at rest. 
 
 And with that rest came visitant — 
 
 A being fair and bright ; 
 No ghostly form with stealthy tread 
 And message from the long since dead 
 
 To worry and affright. 
 
 But one in shining garb arrayed 
 
 Of dazzling purity ; 
 " Sister ! " — and the words rang clear 
 As music from a higher sphere — 
 
 Thy Father pities thee ! 
 11
 
 SEVEPFI) LIXKS. 
 
 " His thoughts are not as others thought, 
 
 His ways not those of man ; 
 In love He cherisheth His own, 
 And from His everlasting throne 
 Surveys creation's plan. 
 
 " ]\Ien talk of mercy, but, alas, 
 
 'Tis little that he shows ; 
 He knows it not when shining gold 
 Lies temptingly within his hold 
 
 If mercy's gate he close. 
 
 " He knows it not when passion's fires 
 
 Within him fiercly burn, 
 When proud ambition would his name 
 Inscribe upon her roll of fame 
 
 If pities cry he spurn. 
 
 " Ah yes, 'tis vam from men to seek 
 The mercy thou wouldst know, 
 
 The act of justice which would free 
 
 Thy loved one from captivity ; 
 Gold might th^ boon bestow. 
 12
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 " Thou hast it not, but better far 
 
 The good Lord's peace be thine ; 
 E'en now his banner is unfurled, 
 He soon will come to judge the world 
 In equity divine. 
 
 "Farewell !" and o'er the Barrier 
 
 Again the day dawn broke ; 
 Ere long again the sound of toil 
 Wresting from earth her hidden spoil 
 Of wiser counsels spoke." 
 
 But Christmas came, that season sweet, 
 
 Bringing to men good will ; 
 The New Years bells rang cheerily, 
 That young wife heard them wearily. 
 For she was lonely still. 
 
 13
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 FROM out thy gates, Jerusalem, 
 Pours forth a motley throng : 
 Roman and Jew, Egyptian, Greek and Turk, 
 The free born Gentile, and the slave who lurk 
 Thy mazy streets among. 
 
 Without thy walls they straightway seek 
 
 A spot of dark renown ; 
 Golgotha ! weird and gloomy though thy past, 
 Henceforth around thy future will be cast 
 
 An everlasting frown. 
 
 But why this multitude, and why 
 
 Seek they Golgotha drear ? 
 Why gleam of savage joy on hardened face, 
 Why sorrow here, and plainly there the_ trace 
 
 Of doubt, dismay, and fear ? 
 
 See yonder crosses ; on each side 
 
 Thieves draw their dying breath ; 
 Betwixt them see the victim of the cry 
 That Pilate yielded to, and sent to die 
 The Christ of Nazareth. 
 14
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 Hark ! " It is finished 1" Nature hears 
 
 And witnesses that cry ; 
 A sable garment round her form she throws, 
 She fearless owns, defiant of His foes, 
 
 The Lord they crucify. 
 
 But mark that dark browed man whose face 
 
 The outlaw indicates ; 
 A unit there, who scarcely any heed, 
 Yet strangely coupled with the tragic deed, 
 
 Golgotha contemplates. 
 
 With slow drawn step and furtive glance 
 
 He threads the living mass ; 
 Listen ! a whispered name reveals yet more, 
 Through judgment hall it sounded once before- 
 
 " Barabbas I" let him pass. 
 
 Heedless of jostled soldiers curse. 
 
 Or other hasty word. 
 He draws still nearer to that scene of death, 
 And on the cross of Him of Nazareth 
 
 A steadfast gaze conferred. 
 15
 
 SEVER EV LINKS. 
 
 Almost inaudibly he speaks — 
 
 " Can this indeed be so ? " 
 Barabbas here ! the murderer set free, 
 His place supplied on yon accursed tree 
 
 By one they will not know. 
 
 Ay, Pilate feared that Jewish howl 
 
 And set the robber free ; 
 The guiltless Nazarene he dare not spare ; 
 Truth, purity, and love, alone hang there — 
 
 He dies for me — for me. 
 
 He turns away and disappears 
 
 Amidst the multitude ; 
 Golgotha's deed of blood to him had brought 
 Remorse and shame, whilst love divine had wrought 
 
 A sweet beatitude. 
 
 Barabbas-like, we may not each 
 
 The outlawed felon be ; 
 Yet still those words of His to us apply — 
 Oh, that the world would raise aloud the cry — 
 
 For me — He died for me. 
 16
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 THE UNKNOWN COMPANIONS. 
 
 :0 : 
 
 GATHERING fast were the shades of night, 
 The bright stars proffered their gentle Hght ; 
 Silence was reigning where late was heard 
 The hum of life and the song of bird. 
 Nature was tending to calm repose, 
 And a lullaby the soft breeze blows. 
 Closing around all else as well 
 With a steady step night's shadows fell 
 On a lonely horseman's onward way, 
 Seeming to warn him 'gainst delay. 
 Onward he rode, in a thoughtful mood. 
 Scarcely observing the path pursued 
 Led through a forest where sombre gloom 
 Seemed but surpassed by the silent tomb. 
 The stranger was one of that true band 
 Who lived but to do their Lord's command 
 And who craved no nobler office than 
 The work of the good Samaritan. 
 That night, for him an unusual thing — 
 The lonely pathway but seemed to bring 
 A sense of impending danger nigh — 
 17
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 A danger he knew not where or why, 
 Vainly to banish all fear he strove, 
 He could not the darksome feehng move. 
 It seemed to whisper a warning word 
 Though nought but his horse's foot was heard. 
 While the orbs of night were hid from view 
 By natures' own leafy avenue. 
 Reining his steed by the pathway side, 
 Dismounting, he knelt the tree beside, 
 And bowing his head in fervent prayer 
 Besought the Almighty Father's care. 
 The act to his heart brought gentle peace 
 And troublesome fears their bodings cease. 
 Mounting again, he pursues his way, 
 Safely as under the glare of day. 
 That night, and the lonely forest ride. 
 From the pastors mind had almost died ; 
 For as he on mercy's errand went 
 He met with many an incident 
 Strange, passing strange— romantic often. 
 As fiction's page adroitly woven. 
 One day the prison cell attending. 
 Wherein lay one whose days were ending ; 
 18
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 One who few to-morrow's suns would see — 
 Life for life is outraged law's decree. 
 Lovingly seeking the man to guide 
 To the arms of mercy open wide, 
 Sinners to welcome, would they but come, 
 The pastor touched on his coming doom. 
 Patiently heeding the words of love, 
 The man to master his feelings strove. 
 I know you, dear Sir, I knew you well 
 When first you entered my prison cell. 
 Remember you now that forest ride 
 In the years long back, at eventide ? 
 That night I had planned your life to take : 
 
 And hidden lay in a thicket brake, 
 
 I saw you dismount and kneel in prayer, 
 
 But to raise my hand I did not dare. 
 
 And then I observed you mount again. 
 
 Attended from there by horsemen twain ; 
 
 Horses and riders of shining hue. 
 
 Tell me, who were they, those horsemen two ? 
 
 "Horses and riders myself beside, 
 
 Nothing I know of," the other cried ; 
 
 " Surely you err, for I rode alone, 
 19
 
 SEVERED LiyKS. 
 
 And glad was I at the journey done." 
 
 "Nay, nay, good Sir," the man replied, 
 
 " A horseman rode on either side. 
 
 And something about them seemed to say 
 
 Evil awaited who sought to slay." 
 
 One might have thought from their noble mien 
 
 Commissioned on high your friends had been, 
 
 Strange things around us we often see. 
 
 But somehow those horsemen puzzled me. 
 
 Do you think, good Sir, the Lord hears prayer, 
 
 And takes men under His special care ?" 
 
 "Doubtless he does !" and the speaker's tone 
 
 Betokened a faith to doubt unknown. 
 
 Then added, as slowly he rose to go, 
 
 "Trust Him, and he will his mercy show." 
 
 "Ah yes !" he mused, as he homeward trod, 
 
 " Past finding out are the ways of God !" 
 
 20
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 CHRISTMAS DAY IN HOLLOWAY GAOL. 
 
 : o : 
 
 STEALTHILY o'er the mist clad streets 
 Of modern Babylon, 
 Fearing as though a single ray 
 To some forbidden nook might stray, 
 Rose London's Christmas sun. 
 
 Rose as the Great Creator's plan 
 
 Ordained that it should rise — 
 Rose on the unjust and the just. 
 Rose upon avarice and lust, 
 
 And all life's social lies. 
 
 Rose on the palace of the peer 
 
 And on the haunts of vice ; 
 On God"s own courts the day beams fell 
 As on the wall of prison cell, 
 
 Impartially precise. 
 
 And in its rising gladness brought 
 
 Alike to rich and poor ; 
 With merry chime the air might ring. 
 With joy the toiler's heart would sing, 
 
 Though hard lot it endure. 
 21
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Ay, e'en midst prison bolts and bars 
 
 Bright visions intervene; 
 The loving heart yet softer grows, 
 The callous one a thought bestows. 
 
 On things that might have been 
 
 For on that day of days was stayed 
 
 The prison life of toil ; 
 No busy sounds the ear invade, 
 Christ's lowly birth the world had made 
 
 A landmark more than royal. 
 
 That birth angelic songs proclaimed 
 
 On that eventful eve; 
 Re-echoing through Christendom 
 As years roll by those anthems come 
 
 And cherished mem'ries leave. 
 
 All vain to check those joyous strains 
 
 The prison's dark array; 
 Christ even here has soldiers true. 
 And praise to Him is sounding through 
 
 The gaol at Holloway, 
 22
 
 SEVERBT) LINKS. 
 
 Think not because the law's stern hand 
 
 Their liberty has stayed; 
 That all within its clutches dread 
 Need let the crimson flush o'erspread 
 
 Or conscience e'en upbraid. 
 
 Think not all powerless they lay 
 
 In vice's loathsome grasp, 
 That shipwrecked lives alone are theirs 
 To be unswayed through future years 
 
 By friendship's loving clasp. 
 
 Transgressors of a nation's laws 
 Each one of them might be; 
 But these, unlike the code divine, 
 Oft' other principles enshrine 
 Than those of equity. 
 
 Stands foremost one who nobly dared 
 
 Licentiousness unvail; 
 For outraged law the penalty 
 He needs must pay; his only plea 
 
 The "Maiden Tribute" tale 
 23
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 With trumpet voice throughout the land 
 
 He dared her shame to tell; 
 But modern Babylon was shocked, 
 The tale her flimsy virtue mocked; 
 His meed — a prison cell. 
 
 And loving task his hand engaged 
 
 That still December morn — 
 
 Sweet counsel to a fallen one 
 
 Who fain the bitter path would shun 
 Of infamy and scorn. 
 
 Full well he knew what unto her 
 
 Would mean forsaken sin; 
 Life's battle ever hard to fight, 
 Would be a strugsrle where the ris^ht 
 
 Unaided scarce could win. 
 
 He knew the tempter oft would come 
 
 The right and her between ; 
 And then the world to her would be 
 A shadowy Gethsemane — 
 
 The trial and conflict scene, 
 24
 
 sevkhed L/rjcs 
 
 O, be a C^iristian,"' carntst love 
 
 Impulsively had traced ; 
 A Christian ! that was but a name ; 
 Swiftly an ins;Mration came 
 
 Which more, far more embraced. 
 
 A Christian ! Could a higher life 
 Than that on earth be led ? 
 
 Could other words yet more denote ? 
 
 With deepest reverence he wrote — 
 "O be a Christ I" instead. 
 
 A Christ ! Ah yes, for they who take 
 
 His name a cross must bear ; 
 No flowery path was that He trod 
 To bring a lost world back to (jod 
 A kingly home to share. 
 
 The broad expanse of higher thojght 
 
 Widens as time rolls by 
 Welcome each inspiration new, 
 Each ray that brings us nearer to 
 
 The Christ of Calvary. 
 25
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 But Christmas Day in HoUoway 
 The Church's office claimed ; 
 All gathered there to bend the knee, 
 And hear the Chaplin's homily 
 For such it may be named. 
 
 Few words of comfort sweet or love 
 The preacher's theme possessed : 
 'Twas plain the holy man forgot 
 He shared humanity's sad lot— 
 A sinner at the best. 
 
 He pictured home, that spot most blest- 
 
 Where love alone should reign, 
 Still brighter on that festive day 
 When earth beheld love's great display 
 From heaven's high domain. 
 
 He spoke of all the hallowed joys 
 That wait on Christmas tide — 
 Reunions sweet of old and young, 
 Of lips unsealed and hearts unstrung, 
 The blazing hearths beside. 
 23
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 But why to them need he recount 
 Those scenes of joy subdued — 
 To them who had that path ignored 
 Which only could true joy afford — 
 The path of rectitude ? 
 
 Had they not trampled on the ties 
 
 Which find in love their birth ? 
 By them the sanctity of home 
 Had been betrayed ; and had become 
 A thing of little worth. 
 
 So spake this minister of Christ 
 
 To fallen fellow men ; 
 Alas, true Christian Charity 
 In this well-meaning Pharisee 
 
 Was surely wanting then. 
 
 Because perhaps temptation sore 
 
 Or cruel want o'ercame 
 Was that alone a season why 
 Affection's fount be deemed as dry 
 
 Or manhood lost to shame ? 
 27
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 Because true love to fellow man 
 
 Or noble impulse urged : 
 Was he who scorned the law to heed 
 When virtues voice was heard to plead 
 
 To be maligned or scourged ? 
 
 More loving heals in palace royal, 
 
 Ne'er hailed that happy day — 
 Hearts freer, too, from deadly sin — 
 Than some of those which beat within 
 The gaol at Holloway. 
 
 28
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 THE BUOTHERHOOD OF MAN. 
 
 THE brotherhood of man ! How sweet 
 Upon that thought to ponder : 
 Mankind a family complete 
 
 With one great Father yonder. 
 A Father who regards us all 
 
 With equal loving kindness ; 
 His children though perversely show 
 A sort of colour blindness. 
 
 The fatherhood they perhaps allow — 
 
 It's no use that denying ; 
 But as for brotherhood, they're slow 
 
 The kinship in applying. 
 What ! wealth and poverty unite 
 
 In such a close connection 
 A brother he with skin so white 
 
 To him ot dark complexion. 
 
 Yes, brothers all, the guinea's stamp 
 
 Or colour not withstanding ; 
 The titled lord or homeless tramp 
 29
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Respect alike demanding. 
 But sure enough the wide world o'er 
 
 A chasm wide divides them ; 
 Tis hard to think affections link 
 
 Invariably guides them. 
 
 Just mark how in the race for wealth 
 
 Fraternal feeling ceases ; 
 In daylight broad or else by stealth 
 
 Each one his neigbour fleeces. 
 He does not bring himself within 
 
 The law's unseemly clutches ; 
 But m the race he seeks to win 
 
 Defilement oft he touches. 
 
 The landlord oft all sympathy 
 
 For tenant's trouble smothers ; 
 The pound of flesh he needs must see 
 
 Although it be his brothers. 
 Fraternal feeling is with him 
 
 A sentimental blunder ; 
 Of tenement to get the rent 
 
 The bailiffs straightway plunder. 
 80
 
 SEVERED ZiyjiTS. 
 
 The lawyer oft his brother gives 
 
 Advice disinterested ; 
 Apparent when before twelve men 
 
 The case in court is tested. 
 The lawyer's trifling bill of costs 
 
 Made up somehow or other 
 He has to pay right straight away 
 
 Just ruined by his brother. 
 
 The preacher from the pulpit warns 
 
 His erring brother kindly ; 
 And tells him not to follow what 
 
 Men call the world so blindly, 
 If peace, sweet peace, he would enjoy 
 
 Within the church he'll find it. 
 That is to say if he can pay 
 
 The needful sum assigned it. 
 
 The tradesman in the busy street 
 The bond scarce recognises. 
 
 Although his brother's wants to meet 
 Great bargains advertises ; 
 
 But might he not contented be 
 31
 
 SF VEll ED LIXKS. 
 
 With others' needs supplying 
 And effort spare to push some ware 
 Thy had no thought of buying ? 
 
 The landlord of the brilliant pub 
 
 The brother welcome's gladly, 
 Who brought by drink to ruins brink 
 
 His money squanders madly ; 
 Fraternal love should surely seek 
 
 The fatal chain to sever, 
 From Tempters sweep, a brother's keep 
 
 Should claim our best endeavour. 
 
 But why thus linger on the scars 
 Destroying huaian nature ; 
 
 Each selfish heart — though dark in part- 
 Has some redeeming feature, 
 
 Some latent spark of good is there, 
 If we could but discern it. 
 
 If sought and found to higher ground 
 A loving hand may turn it. 
 32
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 But out upon the hypocrite 
 
 Who brotherhood confesses, 
 Who kneels to pray, yet day by day 
 
 The law of love transgresses, 
 His heart and purse he closes when 
 
 Appealed to by another ; 
 In whining tone he whispers then 
 
 "Trust in the Lord, my brother." 
 
 Sweet counsel from the lips of one 
 Whose work his faith evinces ; 
 
 Who does His will whose mandate rules 
 
 Earth's potentates and princes. 
 
 But as a mockery it comes 
 
 From those whose lives belie it. 
 
 Each selfish act proclaims the fact 
 Though pious garb deny it. 
 
 If we men's brotherhood would own 
 
 Let Christ's example guide us. 
 Nor let the strife of worldly life 
 33
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Nor jealousy divide us. 
 If we would lovingly admit 
 
 The rights of one another, 
 The God of love who reigns above 
 
 Would bless the tie of brother. 
 
 c\ ^^m o 
 
 34
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 RECORD BREAKING. 
 
 /T\HIS is indeed an emulative age ; 
 ^ To " break the record" seems to be the rage, 
 That is to do, what ne'er was done before 
 Or cap the exploits of a hundred more, 
 Do this, and you may proudly see your name 
 In golden letters on the scroll of fame 
 There to remain, till hero, yet unknown. 
 Erases yours, aud substitutes his own 
 Inviting others, with ambitiou's aim 
 To spoil, if possible, his little game. 
 Our gracious Queen— God bless her woman heart- 
 In "record breaking " takes a noble part. 
 Her splendid reign, stands out like pyramid 
 Behind which former ones are well nigh hid. 
 
 No great discomfort on her triumph waits, 
 For why ? there were no other candidates. 
 
 The run had nought of hair breadth 'scapes to tell 
 
 All went as " merry as a marriage bell " — 
 
 To " break the record " distance to the Pole 
 
 Set up by Nansen, enterprising soul, 
 
 Andre starts off in aeronautic style 
 35
 
 SEVERED LJXKS. 
 
 To solitude amidst the icebergs pile. 
 All anxious view his now protracted stay — 
 Will he return, or failures forfeit pay ? 
 His bid for fame was high ; in any sphere 
 The daring spirit claims a tribute tear — 
 Turn where you may a *' record breaking" strife 
 Pervades the spirit of our social life. 
 The "iron horse" ambitious of the lead. 
 Puffing and snorting like a winded steed, 
 Dashes at lightening speed upon its track. 
 As though helFs legions followed at its back, 
 The "ccean greyhound" with a flying leap 
 Bounds o'er the bosom of the mighty deep, 
 A record scores at which Creation stares 
 And hints what may be seen in future years. 
 The ardent cyclist bending o'er his wheel 
 Like monkey o'er his gymnast pole, with zeal 
 Pursues unlired his "record breaking" aim 
 Risking his reason, and his neck for fame. 
 But fame alone were scarce sufficient meed 
 The golden guinea in the sportsman's creed 
 Is oft more potent in the part it plays 
 Than ringing cheer, or admirations gaze. 
 36
 
 SEVERED LISKS. 
 
 Fame may be dear, but gold is dearer far, 
 Its love will oft a noble nature mar. 
 Turn to the cricket field, and you will see 
 This self same " record breaking "' rivalry 
 The dexter weilderof the willow tries 
 To run a score, that shall the world surprise 
 Win for his team, the trophy of the game 
 And for himself— a " record breaking " fa ne. 
 Breathless the issue multitudes await 
 E'en as of yore men watched a nations fate 
 ****** 
 
 God aid the efforts of the loving heart 
 
 That seeks a better record — breaking part 
 
 That fain would lift, to high, and noble place 
 
 The lost, and fallen of the hu "nan race, 
 
 That would if possible at any price 
 
 Lower the record of a nations vice; 
 
 Send through its veins a clearer purer st-emi 
 
 And se^ its page record a nobler theme ; 
 
 See man no longer live for self alone, 
 
 But find in others' happiness his own 
 
 Ood strengthen such and may their efforts prove 
 
 The mighty p 3\ver of all — Conquer hig Lo/e. 
 
 37
 
 SEVERED LIXKS 
 IN MEMORIAM OF ROBERT WHINHAM. 
 
 Accidentaly hlled hij a fall from his horse, October 10, IS94 
 
 At morn in health and vigor in the pride of manhood's prime 
 A glad smile on his sunny cheek, as yet unmarred by time, 
 The ardent fire of youth unquenched, impelled to daring deed 
 He bounded to the saddle of his all to faithless steed. 
 'Twas thus he left his happy home, the lov'd of many hearts 
 For true and honest kindliness, a kindred love imparts; 
 Twas thus one gloomy spring time morn he unsuspectingly 
 Rode forth in joyousness, to meet his cruel destiny. 
 But ere the hidden orb of day his downward path began 
 They brought him to his father's roof an almost lifeless man. 
 Ah ! who shall soothe that mother's grief — that aged sire 
 
 console ? 
 They little thought their son, ere them would reach life's 
 
 certain goal, 
 No sad farewell was granted them, no parting words of love 
 No promise of a meeting bright, in yonder realms above. 
 He knew not of the loving forms which o'er his pillow bent 
 Nor of the prayers which breaking hearts for him had 
 
 heavenward sent. 
 Unconsciouslv around him closed the duties of a life 
 
 88
 
 SEVERED IINKS. 
 
 Which leaves its deep set mark behind though void of that 
 
 sharp strife 
 A pohtician loves — a life of usefulness to those 
 On whom a Nations future rests, to whom her weal she owes 
 In years to come ; and in these far off days will ever live 
 In many hearts the memory sweet of much 'twas his to give 
 That fitted for life's many paths youth, careless, aimless, wild 
 And many such will grateful own how he for them had toiled 
 Then to the kindly thought, and tear by love and friendship 
 
 shed 
 We fain would add a tribute to the true and worthy dead. 
 
 39
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 THE BEGGAR'S REBUKE. 
 
 A Beggar once, with hunger sorely pressed 
 A parson sought, and thereunto addressed 
 His mild petition that the latter would 
 Supply him with a modicum of food, 
 Though not with charity o'er burdened much. 
 The beggars tale was sad enough to touch 
 The parson's heart ; the hungry must be fea 
 And so he brought the man a slice of bread ; 
 Needino; no sauce the beggar would have made 
 Upon this dainty meal a speedy raid. 
 But this the holy man would not permit 
 Till he had aired a reverential fit. 
 "Surely my friend you should engage in prayer 
 And thank the Lord for His providin,^ care 
 Before you eat and pray that He will bless 
 AVhat He has sent you in your sad distress-" 
 "Well, perhaps you"reright,good ir, in what you say 
 But then, you see, I never learnt to pray, '' 
 The worthy wearer of the choker white 
 With horror paled, as well indeed he might 
 "Alas" he said, "this must no longer be, 
 40
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Repeat this short petition after me ; 
 "Our Father which in heaven art" — but here 
 Up to the parson's side the man drew near 
 And stopped him with a "Beg your pardon, Sir, 
 You mean your Father that in heaven were." 
 "Yes, truly mine, but then He's yours as well, 
 He gives us all and we His love should tell." 
 "My Father, too, then," quoth the man, " 'ts clear 
 Thai you and I are brothers — well that's queer" 
 'Yes," said the parson, " 'n His holy sight 
 All men are brothers — there you are quite right." 
 The man looked slyly at his reverend friend 
 As if to bring the parley to an end. 
 Then added as it were a parting thrust — 
 "What 1 give your brother nothing but a crust ?" 
 r^ ^.^ 
 
 IN MEMORIAM OF REV. HUGH GILMORE. 
 
 (Died October 24, 1891.) 
 
 : o : 
 
 AMr:;Hr^ o.i^ his fallen : Saldier like 
 Fighting he fell on life's broad battle field. 
 Broader for him whose love it was to strike. 
 When truth and justice to his arm appealed. 
 41
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 Too soon alas \ for those who knew his worth, 
 The bugle note has sounded his recall ; 
 
 Scarce had his noonday's sun her ray sent forth, 
 When o'er his path the dark'ning shadows falL 
 
 Rugged the road that saw him on his way, 
 And rugged too the nature which he owned ; 
 
 But warmth of heart around shed ruddy ray, 
 And well for lack of tinselry atoned, 
 
 Bound by no other creed than that which binds 
 Man to his Maker and his fellow man ; 
 
 He left the beaten track pursued by minds 
 Who fear the gulf conventional to span. 
 
 Far, far beyond the confines of a creed. 
 
 He deemed the labors of the true heart lay,. 
 
 For such he heard life's social problems plead. 
 Obeyed the call, and fearless led the way. 
 
 One theme he loved — a noble one and broad, 
 Which all creation c )mpassed in its span — 
 
 The all-embracing Fatherhood of God, 
 And universal brotherhood of man, 
 42
 
 SEVERED LEVA'S 
 
 Unlike the cynic who discerns in man, 
 
 Naught but the lapse from moral rectitude, 
 
 The brighter picture he preferred to scan, 
 And there beheld a plenitude of good. 
 
 Upon his tomb sweet floral tributes lay, 
 
 Euiblems of friendships which 'twas his to gain ;, 
 
 Their short-lived glories linger but a day. 
 The fragrance of his worth will long remain. 
 
 The Christ he served will dry the eyes that weep, 
 And comfort yield where now dark sorrow falls ; 
 
 'Tis thus 'He giveth His beloved sleep.' 
 
 Hugh Gilmore ? — rest thee, till the Master calls. 
 
 
 In Memoriam of Agnes Neale, 
 
 ( Died September 22, 1892, Aged 43. 
 
 rr\HE casket so fragile aside has been cast, 
 ^ The Master has claimed the bright jewel at last 
 No more to be dimmed by affliction below, 
 A lustre eternal the Lord will bestow, 
 
 43
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 "While earth's weary pathway in patience she trod, 
 In meekness she bowed to the will of her Ciod ; 
 And while the fair spirit was lingering here, 
 Bright visions it had of a brighter home near. 
 
 The garlands of beauty she scattered around, 
 
 Unfading and fragrant will ever be found ; 
 
 The heart-love they kindled through long years will bloom 
 
 Unlike the sweet blossom we lay on her tomb. 
 
 Unfading those garlands, the true heart protray ; 
 They, beacon-like, light up the wanderer's way. 
 They whisper of peace to the tempest tossed breast, 
 And point to the only sure haven of rest, 
 
 That rest is now her's ; here her labour of love 
 Aside has been laid for a sweeter above ; 
 And sweet though the touch of her lyre on earth's strand 
 Still sweeter her son^; at the Father's rii,^ht hand. 
 
 Z^^B
 
 SEVERED LiyXS. 
 The Master's Return—A Christmas Reverie. 
 
 : O : 
 
 THE Wheelman Time was spinning fast along life's dusty 
 road, 
 And Christendoms great festal day its looked for charm 
 
 bestowed ; 
 For then within each bosom burns if ought of truth be there, 
 Those high and holy impulses which sweetest fragrance bear. 
 
 Thoughts of the coming festival were floating through my 
 
 brain, 
 As 'neath yon starlit dome I viewed sweet Lunas peaceful 
 
 reign ; 
 Proud of their queenly mistress bright sparkled each fair 
 
 gem, 
 They sparkled thus one certain night o'er humble Bethlehem 
 
 In fancy I could almost hear the angel songs they heard, 
 In fancy shepherds with their flocks upon the plain appeared; 
 A shining one stood watching me with look of sweet concern, 
 'T bring thee welcome tidings" of the Master's quick return. 
 
 "His coming has been shortened much — it needed to be so, 
 For lengthened days would only bring to greater numbers 
 woe; 
 
 45
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 'Twere fittting on his natal day he came to claim his own — 
 Come ! thou and I in company will make his coming known ' 
 
 We stood within the whitewashed walls of widow's lonely 
 
 room, 
 It bore the trace of poverty, but nothing knew of gloom ; 
 The owner's careworn face was sad, but peace was pictured 
 
 there, 
 She knew the truth, and murmured not that she a cross 
 
 must bear. 
 
 "Sister, I bring thee tidings glad" — came from the shining 
 
 one — 
 •*' The Master will be here anon, ere his great day has gone;" 
 Estatic joy beamed from her eyes, as offered priceless l)Oon, 
 And from her lips burst forth "Thank God, I knew it must 
 
 be soon." 
 
 We passed along. A factory was next our place of call. 
 Where toiling maidens did their best to earn a pittance small, 
 jNIy fair companion here again announced the Lord's return, 
 Some clapped their hands in rapture wild, some laughed in 
 very scorn. 
 
 46
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Unequally divided were the foolish and the wise, 
 Of lighted lamps but very few that virgin throng supplies. 
 A shade of saddness came across my fair attendant's face, 
 'Twas flitting fast, 'twould soon be past, the day of proffered 
 
 AVe sought the street. A blaze of light streamed from a 
 
 pillared hall, 
 It was the witching drama's home, where subtleties enthrall 
 A mute enquiring glance I turned upon my white robed 
 
 friend — 
 Should we here enter — would they to our startling words 
 
 attend? 
 
 He shook his head, and o'er his face a shade of sadness 
 spread — 
 
 *'The world claims these: life's flowery path with thought- 
 less step they tread 
 
 Not much of joy would fill their souls when they our errand 
 learn. 
 
 They know but littk- of their Lord, care less for His return !" 
 
 47
 
 SEVERED liyXS 
 
 Not far away a stately church — the " house of Ciod '' so 
 
 named — 
 With open doors invited all to hear his word proclaimed ; 
 ;My heart beat faster — here I thought all would the glad 
 
 news hail, 
 Before the tidings which we brought all else of joy nmst 
 
 pale. 
 
 Divining what was in my mind my fair companion spoke — 
 "Alas, too many here within lie 'neath the Church's yoke; 
 Some know the truth but these are few, and these alone are 
 
 free. 
 Come, let us enter, truth proclaim — thou wilt the sequel see.'' 
 
 "The King of Glory comes again — is even at the door, 
 His natal day will see on earth the Crucified once more !" . 
 The speakers voice like music sweet resounded soft and 
 
 clear ; 
 The glance I cast around was one of mingled hope and fear- 
 
 The preacher's placid visage wore a smile incredulous. 
 His teachings en that great event w^ere somewhat fabulous ; 
 Around the lips of many more derisive doubtings played, 
 
 48
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 And some — alas, they were but few, their unfeigned joy 
 betrayed. 
 
 We turned away. My heart was pained by much that I 
 
 had seen : 
 Was this indeed the Church of Christ, where concord 
 
 should have been ? 
 Were these his children, those who claimed his love and 
 
 truth to know, 
 And yet not looking for their Lord ? Alas, 'twas even so. 
 
 And now within the splendid hall of ducal home we stood. 
 The noble owner and his dame rejoiced in Norman blood ; 
 The New Year's honors were to bring a Carter for the lord. 
 To be the brilliant ballroom belle for her was rich reward. 
 
 Both heard the tidings with dismay, "so soon — so very soon ; 
 Surely it might have been delayed till time more opportune." 
 A frown came o'er his haughty brow, she tossed her stately 
 
 head, 
 They could not brook that even Christ their path should 
 
 overtread.
 
 SEVERED LIXKS 
 
 When left the palace of the peer we sought the Army camp 
 
 Where soldiers of salvation free keep trimmed the gospel 
 
 lamp ; 
 Delighted were they at our words, and from the motley throng 
 Came shouts of "'Hallelujah 1" we will roll the news along ! 
 
 To many others we announced the Master's near approach, 
 But most discovered that it would upon their plans 
 
 encroach ; 
 Another century perchance would find them unprepared 
 For Christ's great love can never with the giddy world be 
 
 shared. 
 
 Not yet had come that happy day when righteousness shall 
 
 reign, 
 Not yet was Christ to claim his own and mans great foe 
 
 enchain ; 
 I started ! Overhead I saw full many a starry gem. 
 But gone was my angelic guide, and gone was Bethlehem. 
 
 But glorious still the thought remains that Christ's great day 
 
 is nigh, 
 All lovingly his children wait, the world stands scornful by; 
 E'en as it was in Noah's day, unbridled levity. 
 So will it at the coming of the " King of Glory be." 
 
 50
 
 SEVERED LiyXS. 
 
 "Hope on, Hope Ever." 
 
 Lines suggested by the above ivo)-ds, contained in a tetter from a friend. 
 
 THOUGH oft in life's journey the dark waves of sorrow 
 Roll onward, as though they would surely entomb 
 And sad as to-day seems, still sadder the morrow 
 
 Appears to us viewed through the compassing gloom — 
 Hope on, and for ever, 
 Let dark dispair never 
 Enshroud the bright ray which afar off may loom 
 
 Though oft is the track to a goal we are nearing — 
 A goal which ambition may lead some to seek — 
 With dangers beset, and with little that's cheering 
 To urge on the strong and to strengthen the weak — 
 Hope on, and for ever. 
 No matter whatever 
 The word* of scant kindness which many may speak 
 
 Though oft is the path of our duty encumbered 
 With much that invites us our steps to retrace ; 
 
 Before us we see nought but perils unnumbered, 
 Behind there is much we would gladly efface. 
 51
 
 S EVE BED LINKS. 
 
 Hope on, and for ever ; 
 Let honest endeavour 
 Win back in the future what seems a lost place. 
 
 How oft do we meet, as we traverse life's stages, 
 
 With those who have had to contend with life's ills ; 
 But whose names will stand out on our history's pages. 
 Depending alone on their own stubborn wills. 
 " Hope on, and for ever " 
 Their motto, and never 
 They rested till won was the place each now fills, 
 
 How oft in the past did we picture the future 
 As fondly we hoped it would fall to our lot. 
 Indulged in the wild dreams of youth's ardent nature ; 
 But long years have vanished, and left us — to what ? 
 Hope on, and for ever, 
 To sorrow yield never ; 
 What the future may bear on its wings we know not 
 
 Hope on, for a Father's fond arm is around you. 
 He bids you confide in His pitying love ; 
 52
 
 SEVERED LIJ^:KS 
 
 For oft in the past has His watchful eye found you, 
 And kind friends has sent you, His promise to prove. 
 Hope on, and for ever ; 
 For never, oh 1 never, 
 Have any in vain sought His help from above. 
 
 Then, through the dark clouds of a bleak winter morning, 
 
 Hope on, and for ever, hope on to the last ! 
 And see in the distance a brighter day dawning. 
 Unheeding the troubles and trials that are past 
 Hope on, and for ever ; 
 The Great and Good Ciiver 
 Can brighten our morrow, where'er it is cast. 
 
 
 Chri€tmfts Eve- 
 
 THE starlit dome of the Eastern land. 
 With songs of joy is ringing, 
 Aud through it a glad angelic band, 
 Earthward their way are winging ; 
 53
 
 SEVERED LISKS. 
 
 And a lustrous light, their presence bright, 
 O'er Bethlehem is flinging. 
 
 On the fertile plains that lie beneath, 
 Shepherds their flocks are keeping ; 
 
 They trembling hear through the midnight clear, 
 Those seraph harp notes sweeping. 
 
 While on the fair scene, their lids between, 
 Night's orbs are shyly peeping. 
 
 A message of love from God above, 
 
 That seraph band is bearing ; 
 A message replete with mercy sweet. 
 
 To all this fair earth sharing ; 
 To the hungry outcast in the street. 
 
 And him rich purple wearing. 
 
 And not to the high and mighty came, 
 
 Those messages from heaven, 
 Not to the hand of the great and grand. 
 
 Those tidings glad were given. 
 But the chosen ones are labour's sons 
 
 On that eventful even. 
 5i
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 No gorgeous knight in armour bright, 
 
 Heralds the King of (xlory ; 
 Nor reads aloud to an awe-struck crowd 
 
 Of high renown a story 
 Telling of fame on the battle-field 
 
 A heraldry all gory. 
 
 Sweeter by far than deeds of war 
 
 Or heraldry reciting 
 The words which bring to the world the King 
 
 Foretold by sacred writings; 
 No more to cease, goodwill,[_and peace 
 
 Are Satan's sceptre smiting. 
 
 As th- angels said, on a lowly bed 
 
 The Saviour babe is lying : 
 For was He not born to cruel scorn 
 
 While morn's redemption buying ? 
 Thence through the gloom of the silent tomb 
 
 Hells potentate defying. 
 
 Hail Christians then the hallowing thoughts, 
 To Christmas eve pertaining ; 
 55
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 Let the chiming bell of deep joy tell, 
 The mirthful mood restraining 
 
 God grant that peace and good will to all 
 Through Christendom be reigning. 
 
 
 Gordon Unavenged- 
 
 KHARTOUM and Gordon 1 England's hero's tomb 
 And he who sleeps therein I Those mystic words 
 Revive a memory sad, still veiled in gloom, 
 And all the joys a noble life affords. 
 
 And England mourns her much loved warrior son, 
 Xor they alone her island home who share ; 
 
 In distant lands his worth for him had won 
 
 More lasting fame than battle-fields could bear. 
 
 And in her earthfelt sorrow England thought. 
 
 Knew but the balm which vengeance could supply, 
 
 To learn her loved one's shrouded fate she sought, 
 And "Khartoum !" was the nation's battle cry. 
 56
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 But ah ! the rebel chieftain dared defy 
 The iron force of modern Israel's will ; 
 
 With gathered strength she sought her purpose high,. 
 But Khartoum distant lies untaken still. 
 
 Yes, still untaken though on Egypt's soil 
 England has seen her brave and noble fall ; 
 
 Still does the Mahdi all her efforts foil, 
 
 Still floats his banner over Khartoum's wall. 
 
 And England baffled, from the conflict draws, 
 Her vengeance stiffled for the guiltless slain,. 
 
 Nor vainly seeks to find a specious cause 
 For yielding up what she had failed to gain. 
 
 Was it for naught but this the proffered aid 
 Accepted was from Southern Cambrias' sons ;, 
 
 For naught but this was patriot zeal displayed, 
 And braved for this alone the rebel guns ? 
 
 It was not thus when Sepoy fury raged 
 
 Through India's realm, to outrage and to slay ; 
 
 Then retribution England's hands engaged ; 
 
 And Khartoum horrors — why unpunished they > 
 57
 
 SEVERED LIXK8. 
 
 Surely her prestige, once Old England's pride, 
 Has on her sires a first and potent claim : 
 
 True to herself, e'er firm and dignified, 
 
 Unswerved by aught from just and righteous aim. 
 
 Then does not duty stern inflexible — 
 That guiding star of her unselfish son — 
 
 And love for him who in her service fell, 
 
 Point to the purpose sought but left unwon \ 
 
 Then let old England's thunder yet be heard 
 Once more resounding o'er the Soudan plain : 
 
 And be her battle cry the thrilling word— 
 
 " Khartoum and Gordon \ Vengeance for the slain. 
 
 SOCIAL SINNERS. 
 
 (John viii., i to n.) 
 7T\HEY stood alone— the Saviour kind, 
 '*' And she, the erring one ; 
 No look of scorn His placid features wore, 
 No angry frown, no condemnation sore, 
 For her by sin undone. 
 58
 
 SEVERED LINES. 
 
 H.s look and tone of sympathy 
 
 Tender to re-assure ; 
 Per gone were they who questioned of the Lord 
 His verdict on the old Mosaic word, 
 
 Which stoned the frail impure. 
 
 His calm reply they could not meet ; 
 
 All, condemnation own 
 He said — " If there but one among you be 
 Who sinneth not, who from all guilt is free, 
 
 Let him first cast a stone." 
 
 Then questioned He in gentle tone 
 
 The shrinking, erring one — 
 ■" Thy late accusers, woman, where are they ? 
 Do any on thee condemnation lay ? 
 
 She faltered, " No, Lord, none." 
 
 Then came the soothing words of grace — 
 
 " Nor do I thee condemn. 
 Go ! sin no more." O say, ye Pharisees, 
 Do you e'er deck with kindly words like these 
 
 Sweet mercy's diadem ? 
 59
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 Alas ! the lessons of His life 
 
 For some were lived in vain ; 
 Still revels earth in bloodshed and in vice, 
 And man wrongs man at the alluring price 
 
 Of avaricious gain. 
 
 And man's dark passions ruthless rage, 
 
 As m the ages past ; 
 Still on the victim of His purpose vile. 
 Betrayed, perchance, by arts of hellish guile 
 
 Is turned the social blast. 
 
 Ah, yes ; from that now blighted life, 
 
 Peace, hope, and joy are fled ; 
 A fallen sister ! Virtue backward stands, 
 Indignant fashion lifts her jewelled hands, 
 
 And beauty turns her head. 
 
 But some, thank God — though these are few — 
 
 Their Lord's example own ; 
 Condemn her not, nor strew with thorns her ways 
 But strive the fallen one again to raise, 
 
 •Vnd for the past atone. 
 GO
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 And what of him more guilty far 
 
 Who clothed her with disgrace ? 
 
 Does virtue eye him with a scornful glance ? 
 
 Beauty and fashion, do they view askance 
 This Judas of his race ? 
 
 Oh, no ; if only wealth he his, 
 
 Or social dignity 
 With smiles they greet him and extended hand, 
 No matter though upon his soul the brand 
 
 Of dark malignity. 
 
 'Mongst men of probity he moves 
 
 In proud security. 
 He metes out justice in judicial halls. 
 And legislates within the Senate walls 
 
 On social purity. 
 
 Mark well the contrast, and behold 
 
 Our Christian charity ; 
 His victim spurned, derided, and oppressed, 
 Her base betrayer flattered and caressed — 
 
 A grim disparity ! 
 
 61
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 Then even-handed justice mele, 
 
 Nor visit her alone 
 Whom Christ would not condemn, for well He knew 
 Not hers alone the guilt. Oh which of you 
 
 Who dares first cast the stone ? 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 GLADSTONE. 
 
 A 
 
 ROUND Old Englands hearts and homes 
 (Uoom hangs like sombre pall. 
 Through the vast expanse of her wide spread real] 
 From each wave-born child to her regal helm, 
 One sorrow shadows all. 
 
 Decree as irrevocable 
 As Mede and Persian law 
 From the hand of the tyrant king has sped 
 And a nation breathes o'er its honor'd dead 
 Its last sad " au revoir." 
 62
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Gladstone 1 and with that name beloved 
 Returns our yesterday ; 
 
 The '' Grand Old Man," so lately England's pride 
 Who lived her path to counsel, oft to guide — 
 Gladstone has passed away. 
 
 The lamp goes out when Nature stays 
 The current of life's stream ; 
 Out-wearied with the long protracted race 
 He falls asleep, as in the soft embrace 
 Of some ecstatic dream. 
 
 Englands great Commoner he lived 
 And thus he went to rest ; 
 No queenly honors added to his fame 
 No tinsel title graced his ancient name 
 No glit'ring star his breast. 
 
 Far dearer in the Christian's eyes 
 The guerdon he has won ; 
 The prize no earthly potentate bestows 
 That fadeless crown which no corruption knows 
 For duty nobly done. 
 63
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 No more that silvery voice will ring 
 Through England's senate hall ; 
 
 That voice which flashed with words of keen reproach 
 When subtle wrong would on the truth encroach 
 Or liberty enthral. 
 
 The mantle of a noble life 
 Around him graceful fell, 
 He needed not to readjust its fold 
 As did the dying senator of old 
 In Rome's proud capitol. 
 
 But not alone the patriots zeal 
 His long life work engrossed 
 The Master's word, for him had urgent claim 
 Before all else he loved that Master's name, 
 His cause came uppermost. 
 
 Raise, if you will, the costly pile 
 To him you venerate ; 
 
 On England's heart, his name will e'er be found, 
 With England's page his elegy is bound, 
 (Gladstone the good and great. 
 64
 
 SE VERED LINKS. 
 
 In Memoriam, Dean Hussell, 
 
 : o : 
 
 '*' Whatsoever thy handfindeth to do, do it with thy might.' 
 
 SO did the lov'd one, whom we mourn to-day, 
 Whose summons from his Master's work away 
 "Was swift as warrior's in the conflict slain, 
 As falls the ripened corn on harvest plain. 
 Unknown to him the tearful last adieu, 
 The tender parting with th tired and true 
 Nor was vouchsafed to him what many crave. 
 Ere yielding up their lives to Him who gave — 
 A respite brief for pardon's piteous cry, 
 Delayed, alas, while pleasure floated by. 
 But this he needed not. His life had been 
 No giddy round of ever-changing scene. 
 Its pleasure finding in the world's gay throng. 
 But " real and earnest," as the poet sung. 
 That life its Author's noblest work displayed — 
 -An honest man — a man whose life was swayed 
 By one high purpose only, which began 
 
 65
 
 SLVEREI) LIXKS ' 
 
 And found its close in love to fellow-man, 
 A love that knew the limit of no creed" 
 But grasped the hand, and did the kindly deed 
 ^klindful of one great fact, and that alone — 
 In Christ one common brother-hood we own. 
 And when with alms he raised the sufterer's load 
 His left hand knew not what his right bestowed. 
 No minion he in sacerdotal garb, 
 With air complacent, and a style superb. 
 Doing the Master's work for gain alone, 
 And pointing to a life unlike his own ; 
 To this his whole example gave the lie 
 With him, indeed, •' To live was Christ ;" to die 
 Still greater uain. With humble trustin^^ faith 
 In (lod's own service he bestowed the breath 
 His Maker gave, and in that loved employ 
 Found rich reward — sweet peace, and quiet joy, 
 ^uch the pastor of a church beloved, 
 And he right well his worthiness has proved 
 To hold the sacred office which she gave, 
 xA-nd was, if such can be, her willing slave. 
 Sage were his counsels, both in church, and when 
 Grave social problems vexed his fellow-men 
 66
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 And though his views might not their own express^ 
 They knew the man, and loved him none the less ; 
 Full well they knew, that whether right or wrong, 
 He uttered naught but his convictions strong, 
 And when he fell, his sad untimely end 
 Robbed social progress of a zealous friend — 
 One who had steadfast on that platform stood 
 And strove to raise his toiling brotherhood. 
 Ht saw afar, midst changes scarce begun 
 A brighter day for labour's stalwart son, 
 A day which would restore to him his rights 
 And chase the clouds of long and dreary nights. 
 He leaves to us who yet must linger here 
 Harp notes of melody, to soothe, and cheer, 
 Sweet words of counsel, thankfulness and love. 
 Which seem to draw their cadence from above ; 
 These gems, encased in pure and earnest rhyme 
 Are but his " Footprints on the sands of time." 
 The grave is closed around the honoured dead, 
 And through its deep sepulchral silence dread 
 In memory's treasure-house we still retain 
 That look, that voice, and there they long will reign. 
 'Tis not grim death that holds him in her keep, 
 For so "He giveth His beloved sleep." 
 67
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 LIFE'S BURDENS. 
 
 :0: 
 
 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 
 
 WHAT burdens ? O cast but a glance around 
 On this world so bright and so fair, 
 And say if not all who may there be found 
 Have each one a burden to bear. 
 
 ^Tis true tbat on some the burdens of life 
 Press gently, with others compared ; 
 
 But sorrows and cares are lighter to all 
 
 When these by true friendship are shared. 
 
 What burdens ? O look at yon weeping form, 
 Convulsed with a grief deep and wild ; 
 
 "Tis that of a widow, who bends, alas, 
 O'er an only and dying child. 
 
 Is hers not a burden which lightened may be 
 
 By a friend who will sympathize, 
 Who will with the soothing words of love 
 
 Wipe the tear from her streaming eyes ? 
 68
 
 SEVERED LINKS 
 
 What burdens ? Go into yon hou ;e of woe 
 
 Where sickness and suffering stay, 
 Where death is a sadly too frequent guest 
 
 In the midst of the troubled clay ; 
 
 For there you will find too many, alas, 
 Who know not the love of a friend, 
 Who long for the care of a loving heart 
 Their last earthly moments to tend. 
 
 What burdens ? Oh think of those helpless ones 
 Who are sightless by heaven's decree, 
 
 To whom all the beauties of life are nought' — 
 Those beauties they never can see. 
 
 And those who are likewise from speech debarred. 
 
 Or hear not the voice of a friend, 
 O share the sad burdens they have to bear, 
 
 And to them a loving help lend. 
 
 A burden both heavy and hard to bear 
 
 Is likewise the lot of the poor ; 
 They claim at thy hand at least a kind word 
 
 If to give them thou hast nothing more,
 
 SEVERED LIXKS 
 
 Eut if He has blessed thee with means beyond 
 
 The measure on others bestowed, 
 O spare from thy plenty a kindly gift. 
 
 It will lighten their grievous load. 
 
 And Heaven will bless thee with larger store, 
 
 As blessed was the widow of old, 
 Whose barrel of meal and whose cruse of oil 
 
 Lacked not, as the Prophet foretold. 
 
 Lines on the Loss of the '' Loch Ard'' 
 
 1 A fHEX will thy sport be ended cruel sea? 
 ** \Vhen curbed thy wrath? 
 
 Will e're the vaunted might of puny man 
 Vexed by thy scornful laugh, essay to span. 
 
 Thy watery path ? 
 
 One hand alone that wondrous power can claim 
 
 And that Divine ! 
 He who away proud Pharaoh's army swept 
 Who on the lake's tossed bosom sweetly slept, 
 
 His will is thine. 
 70
 
 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 ■" Loch Ard !" thy fated name but further adds 
 
 To the sad hst 
 
 Of these who on our coast have found a tomb 
 
 Where home they sought, beneath the shrouding 
 gloom 
 
 Of ocean's mist. 
 
 The night that closed around thy ill-starred course 
 
 Was dark and wild 
 Upon thy bows the crested surges play 
 As if exhultingly, to show that they 
 
 Man's skill reviled. 
 
 The sunless day, and then the starless night 
 
 The driving gale 
 The hidden reef, upon the rock-bound shore 
 The shock ! the sinking ship, and all is o'er. 
 
 Such is thy tale. 
 
 And with thee sunk beneath tne briny wave, 
 
 Parent and child, 
 Husband and wife, the brother, sister, friend, 
 All share, alas, the same untimely end 
 
 In waters wild 
 
 171
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 But no I not all, a strong and youthful form 
 
 To land is borne ; 
 And by his aid, a maiden too is there 
 And those alone the angry waters bear 
 
 On that dread more. 
 
 But not the traces of thy wrath O sea ! 
 
 Didst thou conceal 
 For on the cliff-lined shore thy spoil was cast 
 As if a mocking glee, at what were past 
 
 Thou did'st but feel. 
 
 Sweet be the sleep of those thou hast entombed 
 
 Beneath thy breast ; 
 Without His aid 'gainst thee man vainly strives 
 But well we know that Sovereign Hand contrives. 
 
 All for the best. 
 
 72
 
 SEVERED LIAViS. 
 CHANCE 
 
 CHANCE 1 do you say ? was it all by chance 
 That this world of ours was made to glance 
 Through the vast unmeasured realms of space, 
 And kept by chance I in its proper place ! 
 And is it by chance yon orb of light 
 Coming and going gives day and night ? 
 The moon and stars, do they likewise own 
 No other master than chance alone ? 
 The ocean too, with its teeming life, 
 Beautiful e'en in the tempests strife — 
 The grand old rocks, which the ocean laves — 
 The sparkling gems of its many caves ! 
 These, do you say, are the work of chance, 
 Their being merely a circumstance ? 
 The beauties of Spring, with varied hues 
 Which fragrance o'er the earth diffuse. 
 The luscious fruit of the Summer's heat 
 Which furnish to man a banquet sweet ; 
 To chance, again, are these gifts all due ? 
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 A strange thing is chance I if such be true, 
 
 And man, is he too, of chance the child, 
 
 A waif cast ashore by waters wild. 
 
 From whence he comes, and whither he goes. 
 
 Unknown alike as the win i that blows. 
 
 His hfe's brief span a meteor's gleam. 
 
 His death — the close of a fitful dream. 
 
 O spurn the thought in the Christian's mind, 
 
 No figment of chance a place can find, 
 
 In Nature's wonders around him spread, 
 
 He sees the work of Creations Head; 
 
 From Nature he turns to Nature's (iod. 
 
 Unheeding the paths by sceptics trod; 
 
 He knows whence he draws the breath of life. 
 
 And the prize he seeks in this world's strife; 
 
 He knows that by chance no sparrow dies, 
 
 No raindrop falls from the leaden skies, 
 
 No genial sun-beam warms the earth, 
 
 No lovely flower can have its birth ; 
 
 He owns the might of a Hand Divine 
 
 And that Mighty Hand, O Lord is Thine! 
 
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 In Memoriam, President Garfield, 
 
 ANOTHER, yet another of the noble of her land, 
 America must now enrol amongst her martyr band; 
 Another of her chosen sons now lies by Lincoln's side. 
 And again a cry of vengenace re-echos far and wide 
 Well may a blush of deep-felt shame now mantle on 
 
 thy brow 
 Thou boasted land of liberty ! O where thy freedom now ? 
 Now mayest thou tell unto the world, that e'en thy good 
 
 and great 
 Within thy very capitol may meet a tyrant's fate. 
 'Twas on this free-born soil of thine, the Pilgrim Fathers- 
 
 trod, 
 When liberty demanding for the worship of their God ; 
 Their sons here cast aside the yoke that bound them to a 
 
 throne, 
 And freely shed their lifes best blood to make the land 
 
 their own. 
 And through the score of decades that since then have 
 
 passed away. 
 Amongst the nations of the earth thy past let history say,. 
 
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 Let history tell of deeds of fame, of statesmen wise and 
 
 good, 
 But silently pass o'er the stain of bondaged brotherhood. 
 -And when upon the page appears the murdered (iarfield's 
 
 name, 
 J.et all within the Union read, with sorrow and with 
 
 shame. 
 JNo deed of ill provoked the act which sent him to the 
 
 tomb, 
 No cruel wrong upon his head brought down the tyrants 
 
 doom. 
 Of Charlotte Corday France had need, and Switzerland 
 
 of Tell, 
 While 'neath a peoples Righteous ire a Russian ruler fell. 
 To free their homes the former sought, their aim, their 
 
 countrys weal ; 
 'The sacred cause of liberty lay on their vengeful steel. 
 But Garfield ! Linked with that loved name came no re- 
 proachful word, 
 No look of scorn upon the brow, no bitter thoughts were 
 
 stirred. 
 The breath of calumny ne'er brought a flush upon that 
 
 cheek, 
 
 76
 
 LEVERET) LIIJKS 
 
 And in that kindly glance 'twere vain for kindling ire to seek 
 He boasted not of regal birth, nor proud patrician blood, 
 But with a pure unblemished name before the world he 
 
 stood, 
 That world which far more homage pays to wealth and 
 
 titled pride 
 Than aught of good and noble by a true lived life supplied, 
 And what of home? Round that sweet spot loves circling 
 
 chain was cast, 
 And the Christian statesmen there unto the Christian 
 
 husband passed. 
 The idol of a loving wife, a son to parent dear, 
 A father fond and faithful, a true friend and sincere 
 Such (iarfield was — For such a man a nations mourning 
 
 bend, 
 While Christendom in sympathy its sorrow-greeting send 
 More lustrous than the richest gem that ere on beauty 
 
 glowed, 
 More lasting than the fading wreath by royalty bestowed 
 The name of Garfield will stand forth upon his countrys 
 
 Revered and cherished by the good through yet an un- 
 
 born age. 
 
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 Prolog^ue on the occasion of the opening of the 
 YMC.A.-July, 1884. 
 
 SYNOPSIS : 
 Words of Welcome and Thankfulness — Movements of the Day — 
 The Salvation Army -The Blua Ribbon Army— The White Cross 
 Army— The Y.M.C.A. itself, and the Divine Blessing sought. 
 
 : 
 
 T A 7ITH words of welcome, warm from heart and tongue 
 ** We greet you all to-night, both old and young, 
 And with our greeting we would fain express 
 The hearts best impulse — that of thankfulness. 
 Not thankfulness to you, good friends alone, 
 Although your gracious aid we gladly own, 
 But to that Great Disposer of events 
 Who sits enthroned in yon expanse immense, 
 Him we would thank that we are spared to see, 
 Rise from the dust in great simplicity. 
 This noble structure — nobler far in aim 
 Than in its princly magnitude of frame. 
 That we are spared to meet these walls within 
 Though yet scarce ceased the workman's busy din. 
 But while to-night congratulations flow 
 'Twere surely not amiss, if we bestow 
 A few brief moments, to a passing glance 
 
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 Beyond the flowery realms of mere romance, 
 On some of those great movements of the day 
 Which seek to lessen the ignoble sway 
 By sin and sorrow held o'er God's fair earth, 
 Those undivided shapes that veil man's birth 
 And cloud his after path in life with care — 
 And oft. alas, with ruin and despair — 
 If we can help that sombre cloud to raise 
 Each willing heart a ready hand displays. 
 
 ***** 
 Ah ! who are these ? A bannered host who wage 
 A warfare fierce, though theirs a bloodless page, 
 Whose lively airs attract the motley crowd 
 And zeal evince by hallelujahs loud 
 Who like the pillared saint that shunned lifes snares, 
 <' Batter the gates of Heaven with their prayers." 
 No unobtrusive path these warriors hold 
 Their cause is good, their bearing free and bold 
 " Salvationists," you say, and perhaps a smirk 
 Betrays your value of the Army's work. 
 Fanatics, you may deem them, and deplore, 
 They need restraint their reason to restore - 
 If this be so, O pause ere you ignore, 
 
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 And look behind their mimicry of war. 
 Are there no outcast ones by them reclaimed ? 
 No reprobates of wasted lives ashamed ? 
 No drunkard turned from his besetting sin, 
 And homes now bright which once were dark within ?■ 
 The '• Army's " subtler efforts oft prevail 
 Where Church intensely orthordox will fail, 
 And if they rescue but one burning brand, 
 Wish them "God Speed," and give a helping hand, 
 « « * * * 
 
 Another Army sweeps across our path, 
 
 Its foe a giant, mightier than of Gath, 
 
 The Demon Drinh — his work the wasted life, 
 
 The desecrated home — domestic strife. 
 
 Children in rags, neglected by the hand 
 
 Ordained to cherish. And the fearful brand 
 
 Of guilt and shame on guiltless victims cast ; 
 
 Youth, manhood, age — drink all of them would blast,. 
 
 Shall he unchecked his dark career pursue? 
 
 With heart and voice, O aid the Ribbon Blue I 
 
 Scarce yet upon our battlefield of life 
 The "White Cress " warrior mingles in the strife, 
 
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 SEVEREB LINKS. 
 
 Scarce o'er our path, the watch-word that shall band 
 
 The true and noble-hearted in our land 
 
 Against the sins that robs of her fair fame 
 
 And oft consigns to misery and shame 
 
 That gentle being destined to bestow 
 
 On life, the sweetest charm it e'er can know. 
 
 Against that deep-dyed sin raise vengeful hand, 
 
 Spare not the guilty one, although he stand 
 
 High in the social circle of our land. 
 
 But on him cast the breath of withering scorn, 
 
 As by his victim sad reproach is borne. 
 
 To save from outrage vile, the weak and pure, 
 
 And homes unsullied sanctity secure. 
 
 To chase the leprous sin from every door, 
 
 And fallen ones to rescue and restore 
 
 The "White Cross" aims. Then raise the banner high 
 
 Within our midst, and let the battle-cry 
 
 Be for our spotless fame — security. 
 
 God and our homes and social purity. 
 
 But time forbids that we should linger here, 
 These few of kindred other means appear 
 Most striking by the worthy ends they seek 
 
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 But all of them your earnest aid bespeak 
 Your patience now we crave for a brief word 
 About ourselves — for all of you have heard 
 The why and ^Yherefore of this noble pile. 
 You know its aim — to succour and beguile, 
 To greet the stranger with the hand of love 
 And point, where needful, to the bourne above 
 Here may he meet when hither-ward he roam 
 With joys akin to those of Home, sweet Home. 
 Here may our toiling youth from business freed, 
 Enjoy the respite honest labors need ; 
 And here conceive those aspirations grand 
 "Which oft to true nobility expand — 
 But we must pause. 'Tis not for mortal man 
 With curious eye, futurity scan, 
 He builds the temple, but his work were vain 
 Unless he seek and help Divine obtain. 
 To this great end we ask your earnest prayers 
 Your earnest aid, that through the coming years 
 This work may live upon Time's restless tide, 
 May God Almighty's blessing keep and guide 
 
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 An Incident at Sea- 
 
 THE good ship " Chimbarazo " sped 
 Right gallantly along, 
 The white cliffs of our English homes, 
 
 That land of art and song 
 Far, far astern had sunk from view 
 Below the broad expanse of blue. 
 
 On, on she dashed as though her home 
 
 Was on the sparkling wave 
 And heedless that i-ts bosom oft 
 
 Became a yawning grave, 
 Ah ! who of us again would see 
 Th'3 land of his nativity. 
 
 And then to many hearts there came 
 
 A sigh of fond regret 
 For loved ones and the dear old land 
 
 We never could forget. 
 But hope to each sad parting lent 
 A bright ray in Times firmament. 
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 But who on such a noble ship 
 
 Could long in sorrow be ! 
 Away with grief and let us spend 
 
 The time right merrily. 
 The Bay of Biscay safe we've passed 
 And broad Atlantic reached at last. 
 
 Among the passengers on board 
 Who sought a Southern home, 
 
 To meet the husband of her heart 
 A loving wife had come, 
 
 And with her claiming all her care 
 
 Two daughters, fragile, young, and fair. 
 
 The rude blast oft the tender plant 
 Will cause to droop and fail. 
 
 And so rough fare and Biscay waNC 
 Soon told a direful tale — 
 
 One fragile form was sinking fast, 
 
 The die of her young days was cast. 
 
 A mother's loving care could not 
 Avert the coming blow 
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 The doctor may have done his best, 
 What that was, those best know 
 IVho have been treated when at sea 
 By one who styled himself — M.D. 
 
 A few more sad and watchful hours 
 
 And all of life was o'er ; 
 The beating of that youthful heart 
 
 Was stayed for evermore. 
 And then on board our noble craft 
 A deep gloom settled fore and aft, 
 
 And now that mother's lone heart yearned 
 
 One simple thing to see, 
 And that to have her darling laid 
 
 In church yard decently, 
 A lowly grave upon the land, 
 E'en though it be a foreign strand. 
 
 It could not be. Our Captain was 
 
 A gentleman indeed, 
 Kind-hearted and urbane to all, 
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 But on he must proceed. 
 He could not listen to a whim ! 
 Madeira was no port for him. 
 
 And so her daughter's lonely grave 
 
 Must be — the deep blue sea, 
 And there she prayed that she might rest 
 
 Unharmed and peacefully 
 Nor dreamt that waiting for their prey 
 The finy monsters lurking lay. 
 
 Next morniug, in her swift career, 
 
 The ''Chimborazo" stayed, 
 And at the gang-way then we met. 
 
 Around the little maid ; 
 Our worthy Captain slowly read 
 The solemn service for the dead. 
 
 Then came the words — "We now commit 
 
 This body to the deep" 
 Until at the Great Judgement Day 
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 The sea shall yield its keep. 
 To slip to its grave was then allowed 
 The weighted form in canvass shroud, 
 
 Our Captain's feeling heart had bade 
 
 The mother stay below 
 He knew that what would follow on 
 
 Would add but to her woe. 
 The British sailor's feeling heart 
 Would not inflict another smart 
 
 Scarce had the lifeless body touched 
 
 The surface of the sea 
 Than monsters of the deep sprang forth 
 
 In wild hilarity, 
 They hailed the hapless maiden's doom 
 And dragged her to their banquet room. 
 
 We turned away. A shudder ran 
 Through many a manly breast. 
 
 The fate of this poor helpless child 
 Would perhaps befall the rest. 
 
 But the Captain's voice to duty led — 
 
 And the •'Chimborazo" steamed ahead. 
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 SORROW AND DEATH, 
 
 THY ways, O Lord, are mysteries ; Thy mighty arm 
 Sweeps from their path the useful and the good 
 While yet Thy works bestows on life its charm ; 
 But none can solve Thy purpose if he would. 
 
 We murmur that Thy chast'ng rod is used 
 As seems to us with such unsparing hand, 
 
 Forgetful that a Father's love abused 
 
 Or slighted, must a Fathers frown demand. 
 
 Nor they alone who lightly hold Thy love 
 Across lifes path dark shadows often see 
 
 The loved desciple Thou art wont to prove, 
 And by affliction draw him nearer Thee 
 
 A Father's wisdom has in love ordained 
 
 That joy unchecked on earth we none shall know, 
 
 Else would our Spirits to this world be chained 
 And we the call should dread that bids us go. 
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 A. Father's loving hand, which may not err, 
 
 Amongst earth's joys, deep sorrow has entwined 
 
 But we shall find when all around seems drear 
 Each cloud of darkness is with mercy lined. 
 
 No home is there beneath yon orb-lit sky. 
 Or spot that worthy is of that sweet name 
 
 AVhich death's still tread unheeded has passed by, 
 Nor sorrow left to damp loves quick'ning flame. 
 
 Relentless death ! unsparing is thy hand, 
 That he is past thy reach no king can boast 
 
 Thou canst enforce on us thy stern demand 
 To yield the treasures that we value most. 
 
 And thou doth leave, as though of little worth 
 
 The casket which contained the priceless gem, 
 The jewel thine, the rest is of the earth 
 When nipped the bud but worthless is the stem. 
 
 As through lifes busy whirl our path we trace, 
 Sorrow and death are hovering round our way. 
 
 The first we meet scarce yet begun the race. 
 While deaths w^ide portal leads to endless day. 
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 His lot was sorrow, who the world redeemed, 
 And to the dregs the bitter cup He drained. 
 
 Around the Cross Death's shadow'ry terrors teemed. 
 But glorious was the victory He gained. 
 
 
 Martin Luther's Fourth Centenary. 
 
 FOUR hundred years ago in bondage sore, 
 Rome held the Church of the eternal King ; 
 Not then the Rome of grandeur and of pride, 
 As when of yore her eagle far and wide 
 Spread its victorious wing. 
 
 Those days had gone. The Cesar's purple robe 
 
 No longer swayed in Senate or in war ; 
 But on the hills where once they sat enthroned 
 The so-called Apostolic Father owned 
 A mightier power far. 
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 Ay, miLhtier far than sceptre or than sword 
 
 The cursed rule that dares the mind confine 
 That claims for Mother Church's shaven priest- 
 Muttering paters by the score at least — 
 An attribute divine. 
 
 The church in those dark ages ruled the state ; 
 
 Herself benighted she befooled the crowd, 
 Practised her tricks and mummeries with a skill 
 Consummate, and to thwart her despot will 
 No obstacle allowed, 
 
 Four hundred years ago in Fatherland 
 
 Dawned on a helpless child the light of day ; 
 The cloud of penury o'erhung his birth. 
 But yet will live his deep set mark on earth 
 Till time shall pass away. 
 
 That child was Luther — destined to become 
 Of Rome the tool and then the bitter foe ; 
 A life monastic fitted for the task 
 He saw pollution 'neath her tinsel mask 
 And 'neath her garb of woe. 
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 That child was Luther — he whose voice it was 
 
 Rang Europe through, defiant, firm, and free ; 
 Who gave to Christendom new Hfe, new thought, 
 And bared the errors Rome had shameless brought 
 To aid her tyrany. 
 
 He saw her rule was that of earthly might. 
 And not the gentle sway of love alone : 
 Her richest blessings could be bought for gold ; 
 For lust unbridled vices uncontrolled 
 A penance would atone. 
 
 He saw the symbol of redeeming love, 
 A love its Author lifted and adored, 
 The wafer, touched by human hands became, 
 So Rome and all her priest-led dupes proclaim, 
 The body of the Lord. 
 
 No faith like this could e'er supply his need 
 
 Who yearned for spirit-worship pure and free ; 
 Against Rome's teachings Luther's wrath was hurled. 
 His voice of thunder which awoke the world 
 Doomed her supremacy 
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 Her star was on the wane, its feeble light 
 
 Paled 'neath the purer rays of light divine ; 
 Claiming no aid from Virgin, Pope, or priest, 
 The new Reformers, once their thraldom ceased 
 Bow at a higher shrine. 
 
 With all the deep set hatred of her faith 
 
 P'or those who dared her teachings to despise, 
 Rome on her truant son her anger laid, 
 Brought all the Church's curses to her aid, 
 And all her cruelties. 
 
 But vain were all her curses. Popes, and saints ; 
 
 And vain were excommunication too ; 
 Rome did her worst, but Luther bravely bore 
 The flame he once had lit should evermore 
 Be beacon bright and true. 
 
 And Rome now sees the mighty work l)egun 
 
 Some centuries ago by Luther's hand 
 Threaten her own false creed to overthrow, 
 And cause a sweeter, purer stream to flow 
 Through every Christian land. 
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 What Rome has done to gain her selfish ends 
 
 Let history's blood-stained page with truth reveal 
 On those who ne'er her saving power confessed 
 The inquisition did her dark behest 
 By rack, or flame, or steel. 
 
 Her own fair land beneath her baneful sway 
 
 Groaned as she strove the new-born faith to break, 
 A tale of matchless horror France can tell, 
 -And England's Mary did the chapter swell 
 With martyrs at the stake. 
 
 Those days are gone, but not Rome's cruel will. 
 
 As she has done she fain would do again ; 
 Fain would she see with an approving smile 
 The flame rekindled at the martyrs pile 
 The tortured and the slain. 
 
 Fain would she hide beneath her priestly cowl 
 
 Those grand old truths which can alone make free 
 Her rule of darkness little light revealed ; 
 "Luther and Freedom" was the cry that sealed 
 Her future destiny. 
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 Then let us cherish with the deepest love — 
 Most fitting tribute for his worth to show— 
 A name that did so grand a work on earth 
 And thank Almighty God for Luther's birth 
 Four hundred years ago. 
 
 A Tale of FreemasoDry. 
 
 THE manor-house of Doneraile— a noble Irish name. 
 Whose ancestor from Normandy with Norman William 
 came — 
 That seat of the St. Leger house in Erin's lovely isle, 
 Oft saw the honours of the craft in true Masonic style. 
 For nowhere could the Brotherhood more trusty Master 
 
 boast, 
 Or one more ardent in its cause than Doneraile's g00(5 
 
 host : 
 And e'en within his halls took place that ceremony grand 
 Which links the great fraternal chain encircling the land. 
 
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 And worthy must indeed have heen the noble Doneraile, 
 Or such a favour had b-^en sought by him without avail ; 
 For, guarded like the portals of a royal seraglio, 
 The mystic chamber of the Craft no prying eye may know ; 
 Nor may the ear of stranger catch those words of import 
 
 high 
 Which tell the aim and great behest of true Freemasonry, 
 And vainly seeks the curious those mysteries to gain, 
 Not safer sleep in ocean's keep the records of the slain. 
 How chai-kced it then one luckless day of great Masonic 
 
 state. 
 Which warrant gave Lord Doneraile the right to celebrate, 
 A romping daughter of the house, not then in womanhood ^ 
 By curiosity impelled — ^a woman's frequent mood — 
 Concealed herself within a room next to the hall of state, 
 Wherein the Brotherhood would meet to friends initiate, 
 A room the walls of which were old — in need of much 
 
 repair — 
 They crumbled "neath the trembling touch of Eve's young 
 
 daughter fair, 
 She brought her sissors to her aid — they were a friend in 
 
 need — 
 And with them, in her selfish aim, did very soon succeed ; 
 
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 A tiny aperture she made, and through it breathless saw 
 That ordeal dread which oft had filled man's sterner heart 
 
 with awe. 
 Yes, she had gazed on what before none knew excepting 
 
 those 
 Who on them take the sacred task Masonic laws impose ; 
 Yes she, a girlj had managed to their vigilance evade 
 Who guard the chamber of their Craft with password and 
 
 with blade. 
 But now, when curiosity appeased, a terror o'er her came, 
 The very thought of what she'd done brought guilty fear 
 
 and shame. 
 To flee from the enchanted spot was now hei sole desire, 
 But this to do unseen, unheard, much caution would require 
 The only outlet from the room wherein concealed she lay 
 
 \A'as through the Hall of ^lysteries — there was no other 
 
 way — 
 A very long one was the hall, and at its distant end 
 The members of the Brotherhood their solemn rites attend; 
 While half in shade that end remained o'er which she needs 
 
 must tread 
 With stealthy step to gain a door through which to safety led. 
 
 At last so thought the maiden, as with swift and ghostly 
 glide, 
 
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 She flitted through the mystic hall, and gained the outer side 
 Unnoticed, too, by those within ; she thought her troubles 
 
 o'er : 
 But lo ! a long and piercing shriek rings through the corridor 
 And fainting to the ground she falls, thatterrorstriken maid, 
 The trusty Tyler standing by, in hand his naked blade. 
 Not long alone did they remain — that shriek around them 
 
 brought 
 The startled Masons from the hall, and each its meaning 
 
 sought ; 
 But this was soon apparent, and unbounded fury burned 
 In each fraternal breast, as they the dire disclosure learned. 
 'Tis said that in their anger fierce the young offender's life 
 Had well-nigh paid the penalty ere ended were the strife. 
 But brotherly affection for a sister had to plead 
 And one condition only had prevailed to stay the deed. 
 Would she,;the frightened girl was asked, consent at once to be 
 Bound by initiation ties to the Fraternity ? 
 That course, and that alone, they knew her woman's lips 
 
 would seal ; 
 While life remained she would not dare their mystries 
 
 reveal. 
 To this the maid consented, and returning to the hall, 
 
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 Went through that ceremony dread which would her Hps 
 enthral 
 
 With palid cheek, and trembling form, but yet with fortitude 
 
 Ne'er yet in need had failed the heart St. Leger blood 
 renewed. 
 
 Within their halls they still preserve the old carved chair of 
 
 state, 
 In which the worthy Master sat her to initiate ; 
 And though perhaps some will reprehend this act of her 
 
 young life, 
 EHzabeth St. Legec lives an Aldworth's honoured wife. 
 
 ^ ^- 
 
 My Beautiful Home- 
 
 : : 
 
 HOW dearly I love it my beautiful home ; 
 No spot is there like it 'neath yon azure dome ; 
 The beauties of nature are boundless and fair, 
 But none with my beautiful home can compare. 
 
 'Tis not that my beautiful home is adorned 
 With treasures and trophies by lavish wealth earned. 
 Though all have their beauties — art, science and skill. 
 Without them my home would be beautiful still.
 
 SEVERED LIXKS. 
 
 Ah, yes, 'tis to me a most beautiful spot. 
 For there are the loved ones that brighten my lot ; 
 'Tis these are my treasures and from their lips come 
 The sweet notes that gladden my beautiful home. 
 
 But still I must leave thee my beautiful home, 
 The joys of the world to an end must all come, 
 And when snapped asunder the bonds of sweet love^ 
 More beautiful still l)e the last home above. 
 
 -^ ^ 
 
 Lord Remember Me. 
 
 SO cried, at life's eleventh hour, 
 The dying thief upon the cross 
 He owned a loving Saviour's power 
 
 When all beside was worthless dross ; 
 While darkness hung o'er Calvary 
 
 Came forth that "Lord, remember me ! 
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 'Twas not too late, altho' for him 
 
 Lifes crimson flow would shortly cease, 
 
 Though waxed his mortal vision dim 
 There beamed into his soul sweet peace. 
 
 His dying Saviour's sympathy 
 
 Had heard that " Lord, remember me." 
 
 Not shortened now. Thy mighty arm. 
 Not less Thy wondrous pow'r to save 
 
 Than in the days when Thou didst calm 
 That felon's passage to the grave, 
 
 Still heard that earnest cry by Thee 
 
 The heart-spoke "Lord remember me." 
 
 Though not a law convicted one, 
 Though not upon the cross I bleed. 
 
 Though lifes short race be not yet run, 
 Not less a Saviours love I need 
 
 Than he who urged that dying plea — 
 •'Remember, Lord remember me." 
 
 Yes, through the life by Thee bestowed, 
 Thy loving mercy. Lord, I claim, 
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 Si:VERED LIXKS 
 
 Let not the view of deaths dark road 
 Alone a love for Thee inflame, 
 
 And though forgetful oft of Thee 
 O, ever, Lord remember me ! 
 
 When through lifes busy throng I move, 
 And worldy cares my mind engage, 
 
 Let right the victor ever prove 
 
 When right and wrong a conflict wage. 
 
 If Thou, O Lord, remember me, 
 Sure will be the victory. 
 
 Should anger deep and uncontrolled 
 Within my breast unbridled sway, 
 
 The tempest ceases as of old. 
 
 If " Peace, be still," Thou wilt but say. 
 
 In passions dark ascendancy 
 Remember, O remember me. 
 
 By pleasures syren voice beguiled 
 In paths of folly should I roam 
 
 Forgetful that I am thy child, 
 
 And that the world is not my home, 
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 SEVERED LINKS. 
 
 Use not Thy rod unsparingly ; 
 But in Thy love remember me. 
 
 When as Thou knowest, oft he will — 
 The tempter of mankind assails, 
 
 With me abide, O Lord, until 
 
 The arm of flesh o'er him prevails, 
 
 When from his blandishments I flee. 
 Then, Lord, O then remember me. 
 
 When weary with the world I seek 
 Communion closer with my Lord, 
 
 Sweet words of comfort to me speak 
 As thou Lord promised in thy word. 
 
 And if my thoughts stay not on Thee, 
 Forgivingly remember me. 
 
 So would I live — my earthly race 
 
 Illumined but by love divine. 
 And in its calmness let me trace 
 
 That fond remembrance, Lord, of Thine 
 Through changeful lifes reality. 
 
 Each passing day remember me. 
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 So would I die — the dark cold tomb 
 Of all its terrors then were shorn, 
 
 For through the grave's encii cling gloom 
 A resurrection bright would dawn, 
 
 And midst it glories I would see 
 Thou ever hadst remembered me. 
 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 TVTOT yet, O Lord, o'er this fair earth of Thine 
 ^^ Have dawned those years of peace, Thy advent sign 
 And far as ever seems the promised day 
 When war's accursed trade shall pass away, 
 When shares and pruning hooks shall take the place 
 Of swords and spears amongst the human race 
 When laid aside the hero's weapons grim 
 For use no more against a brothers limb. 
 When peace alone — sweet gentle peace shall reign, 
 And from her mantle cleanse the crimson stain, 
 
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 Not yet ; O Lord, those days are distant still, 
 If from events we judge Thy mighty will, 
 When man shall feel but love towards fellow man 
 And naught arise his passions fire to fan, 
 Scarce yet a score of troubled years havt flown 
 Since discords seeds by Russias Czar were sown ; 
 And then to check aggressions baneful aim 
 Allies advanced with righteous sword and flame. 
 Alma is won, Sebastopols proud walls 
 Have fall'n a prey to Western cannon balls ; 
 The pride of Russia humbled, peace again 
 Sheds but a feeble light o'er land and main. 
 Another decade swiftly passes by 
 Revealing troubles in the Western sky ; 
 Again the sword is drawn, and we afar 
 Behold a nation plunged in civil war, 
 A parents arm is bared on many a field 
 Till to the stars and stripes her children yield — 
 Yield as the darkness fades in dawning light 
 Submissive only to the law of might. 
 Still later we on Europe's plains beheld 
 The French and Prussians to the sword impelled 
 
 105
 
 SEVERED ZiyivS. 
 
 The one its monarchs waning power to save 
 The last his country, or a heros grave. 
 O France ! could he whose name has lustre shed 
 Upon thy arms, who oft to victory led — 
 Could he have seen thee humbled and abased, 
 And from thy throne his kindred line displaced, 
 Might not a tear have dimmed that dauntless eye 
 Unmoved by aught that softer natures try ; 
 Might not his shade from 'midst its regal gloom 
 Have craved again its former island tomb ; 
 His country's glory gone, he asks no more 
 Than that sweet rest upon the graves far shore 
 Still from the dust with pride he sees her rise, 
 E'en as the eagle upward seeks the skies. 
 Ere yet with new-gained strength its ill-veiled wrath 
 Clears at a swoop its victim from its path. 
 So wouldst thou, France, blot out from historys page 
 Those days of darkness of thy later age. 
 Nor brought thee peace, e'en now the cannons roar. 
 Resounding peals along the Danube's shore ; 
 Russian and Turk in strife are met again 
 To add to history's page another stain ; 
 
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 Whilst from afar the cry, "To arms," is heard, 
 And earth's great nations hold themselves prepared. 
 Thy way, O Lord, we cannot comprehend 
 And to Thy earthly reign all this may tend, 
 E'en as in the ages back the ruthless sword 
 But cleared thj way for peace's mighty Lord, 
 And in Thy Word we have at distant view 
 Fields bloodier far than that of Waterloo. 
 Without the sword fair Canaan was not won, 
 For Thee the sword was drawn by Jesse's son ; 
 Thou wert with those who with avenging blade, 
 Low in the dust the proud oppressor laid ; 
 But when Thy Son, the Prince of Peace, arose, 
 Who came to bear, not add to, others woes, 
 He taught that God is love ; that love alone — 
 A Father's love — by Him is ever shown ; 
 That love for all should fill the human breast, 
 And they who foster peace are ever blessed ; 
 Goodwill to all on earth by Him was brought 
 And love the lesson that His own life taught, 
 But still the carnage is ; still stronger grows 
 A nations hatred of a nations foes ; 
 
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 Unbridled still man's angry passions rage 
 A.nd deeds of blood still slur Times sullied page 
 But these shall cease — so wrote the sacred pen— 
 We wondering ask, "Can'it be so, and when?" 
 
 
 Christian Warfare.— A Vision- 
 
 (A Salvation Soldiers Experiance.) 
 
 Woe to them that are at case in Zion. — Amos vi., 1, 
 
 IT was no dream, but vision fairer far 
 Than sleep e'er pictured on the restless brain ; 
 No waking moment its sweet joy to mar, 
 
 And mock the dreamer with its short-lived reign. 
 
 Brief though the vision to my raptured gaze, 
 Not so its impress on my yearning heart ; 
 
 Fresh and unfading still its mem'ry stays — 
 While linL!;ers life it never can depart. 
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 The day had closed — a day that perhaps had brought 
 To me e'en more than Hfe's accustomed care ; 
 
 I longed for rest — the rest I surely thought 
 Enjoyed by all the Master's love who share. 
 
 Within my chamber on the past I dwelt, 
 
 From sin's dark bondage Christ had set me free 
 
 It was not long since at the cross I knelt, 
 And gave myself to Him who died for me. 
 
 I pondered on the Master's promise blest, 
 Which perfect peace His loving children gave ; 
 
 That peace I knew was mine — but oh not rest ; 
 Could that be mine ere reached the silent grave ? 
 
 Longing for rest — a soldier of the cross. 
 Donning but yestermorn the armour royal, 
 
 Wearied, though yet the conflict was no worse 
 Than all encounter who to Christ are loyal. 
 
 ^^'ith thoughts like these careering through my mind 
 I cried for strength, upon my bended knee — 
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 Strength to perform the work to me assigned — 
 Strength to endure till gained the victory. 
 
 1 raised my head, for now my chamber seemed 
 Filled with a flood of li^^h: surpassing sweet ; 
 
 Before my vision, rays of glory streamed 
 As shed around when sun and ocean meet. 
 
 With awe I trembled, for my dazzled sight 
 Beheld one there in shining garb ai rayed ; 
 
 No regal robe, no crown of kingly-might 
 But yet that form all majesty displayed. 
 
 It was my Lord — none other could it be — 
 The man of sorrows crucified and slain ; 
 
 To stay the work that would the sinner free 
 
 The dark world's vengence had been wreaked in vain. 
 
 ■"Thy cross, my child, is heavy"' — thus He spake, 
 Pity and love were blended in His tone — 
 
 ^'Wilt thou not bear it for thy Saviour's sake ? 
 For thee He bore a heavier one alone." 
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 Reproof so gentle covered me with shame ; 
 
 Instinctively by impulse strong impelled, 
 With eager forward move I sought to claim 
 
 A glittering coronet my Saviour held. 
 
 The look of love and pity on me bent, 
 
 Made from my heart all else than joy take flight ; 
 
 Those thrilling words, could they for me be meant ? 
 "The crown is thine, but for it thou must fight." 
 
 Softly, as fade the glories of the west 
 
 When day's great monarch, splendour-clad retires 
 So softly from my gaze that vision passed 
 
 And left me filled with new and strange desires. 
 
 Those last few words I deeply pondered o'er ; 
 
 My Saviour's foes, they must indeed be mine. 
 Against His righteous kingdom to restore 
 
 The world, the flesh, and satan all combine. 
 
 The world, with all its boasted wealth of love, 
 Ignores the teaching of a life divine. 
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 False to those purer aims which point above, 
 Its choicest gifts are laid on Mammon's shrine. 
 
 The subtle tempter on the Temple's fane 
 Still holds a sway as potent as of yore : 
 
 Around we see the vanquished and the slain 
 Lost to the world, and lost for ever more. 
 
 " I will be with thee."' With that promise blest 
 The cross led warrior arms him for the strife, 
 
 He fights and conquers, enters into rest 
 
 And wears for aye the glorious Crown of life. 
 
 
 MY UNCLE. 
 
 WHO is that man with wrinkled face. 
 And nose by which you plainly trace 
 Connexion with the Hel^rew race ? 
 My Uncle. 
 
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 Whose shop is that o'er which you see 
 The golden balls in number three, 
 M'.'aning faith, hope and charity ? 
 Of Uncle. 
 
 It looks for all the world as though 
 'Twas full of nothing but "old clo." 
 Appearances for nothing go 
 
 With Uncle. 
 
 He's always dressed in seedy black 
 With coat and waistcoat rather slack. 
 As though they did not tit the back. 
 Of Uncle. 
 
 If round my head dark trouble flies, 
 And want of cash forbids me rise, 
 To thee at once I turn my eyes. 
 My Uncle. 
 
 For if I cannot raise my rent. 
 By whom, think you, the moneys lent ? 
 And all that's asked is "Shent per shent, 
 By Uncle. 
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 Who kindly backs my little bill 
 Just for a trifle too, until 
 My share in some relation's will, 
 Is Uncles. 
 
 My watch and chain or jewels rare, 
 My coat, or aught that I can spare 
 Are oft confided to the care 
 
 Of Uncle. 
 
 Not that he doubts me when I say 
 His kindness I will soon repay, 
 These bring me to thy mind each day, 
 Dear Uncle. 
 
 I often think what should I do. 
 And how life's journey grovel through. 
 But for the help and friendship true 
 Of Uncle. 
 
 And should we meet where true joy glow 
 Forgetful of all earthly woes, 
 Me thinks I'll ken thee by thy nose. 
 My Uncle 
 
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 JUBILEE ODE. 
 
 THROUGH Britains wide-spread happy realm 
 A joy-peal rings to day ; 
 From English homes it echoing comes 
 
 O'er oceans sparkling spray ; 
 And the jubilant chime through our sunny clime 
 
 Hies on its gladsome way 
 'Triumphant it heralds again and again 
 The jubilee year of a glorious reign. 
 
 Exultant in this southern land 
 
 Victoria's sway we^own ; 
 For love supplies the silken ties 
 
 Which bind us to her throne ; 
 But the chime and the cheer re-echoing here 
 
 Are not our Queen's alone 
 
 "Friumphant they tell of a jubilee twain, 
 
 Of Australia's fair land and Victoria's reign. 
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 To day at beauty's dazzling shrine 
 
 Our choicest gifts are lain, 
 The hopes and fears of fifty years 
 
 Have fled, but not in vain, 
 And we boldly aver that our scutcheon fair 
 
 Betrays no slothful stain 
 Triumphant a welcome, warm, world-wide, and free, 
 
 Australia rings forth to her great jubilee 
 
 We bring the first fruits of our land, 
 
 Our corn, our oil, our wine ; 
 In snowy pile, our fleeces smile 
 
 Midst treasures from the mine 
 Varied and rich are the blessings which, 
 
 Australia fair are thine 
 Resplendant they gleam in thy festive display, 
 
 Bright land of the South on thy jubilee day 
 Resplendant they gleam. 
 
 Science and art exhultingly 
 
 Their thousand trophies lend 
 The first fruits of scil, a wealth of spoil 
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 In rich profusion blend ; 
 The head and the hand, in unison grand 
 
 Their mighty powers expend. 
 Triumphant the glories of earth all combine 
 
 Australia to welcome this joy-year of thine. 
 
 All hail our sunny home, to thee 
 
 Our loyalty we vow, 
 Thy jubilee, O brighter be 
 
 Thy future e'en than now. 
 Be thou as a gem, in the diadem 
 
 On Queen Victoria's brow ; 
 God save thee, our Queen and thy sceptre defend 
 
 Australia ! be faithful and true to the end. 
 
 j:^^ 
 
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 In Memorium— General Gordon 
 
 (Died 26 Jan., 1885.) 
 
 : 
 
 TIS not the victor's fading wreath that now adorns his> 
 brow, 
 'Tis not a grateful sovereigns gifts that gHtter on him now ;-, 
 Nor his the pageantry that waits a nations favoured son ; 
 A higher commendation his for duty nobly done. 
 For when deaths firey messenger the work of Gordon stayed: 
 The shadow fell upon a life which nobleness portrayed, 
 A life which knew no higher aim as he its pathway trod 
 Than blending with his countrys weal the service of his God 
 And through the changing scenes that cast a charm around 
 
 his life 
 The Christian soldiers battlefield was one of mortal strife.. 
 While lingered yet upon his brow the flush of youth's 
 
 bright day, 
 His ardent spirit heard the call that summoned him away,, 
 For Britain and her brave allies in justice had gone forth 
 To battle for the right against the Tyrant of the North. 
 And in the glorious victories she won at Inkerman, 
 At Alma and Sebastapol, awd storming the Redan 
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 The promise of his future fame shone forth with lustre brio-hf 
 And after years but with them brought a clearer, purer light] 
 Unheedful of the clash of arms and wreathing battle smoke 
 Its ray was sweetest when his care the helpless one bespoke 
 When suffering nature urged her claim, what then to him 
 
 the gold 
 A grateful people's gift designed in memory to hold 
 The gallant deeds of one who spurned the mammon of 
 
 the earth 
 Far, far beyond her glittering pile he gauged mans honest 
 
 worth 
 For him life had a nobler and a grander purpose far 
 Than known to sordid minds of selfish mould, his guiding 
 
 star 
 Beamed bright o'er dutys rugged path, and as he onward 
 
 pressed, 
 The Christians firm unwavering faith the hero's heart 
 
 possessed, 
 This faith it was, together with a will, unbending, strong, 
 Undaunted courage, and a high resolve which made its 
 
 mark among 
 The millions of a pagan land, deep steeped in vice abhored, 
 
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 And gave him in their midst a power more potent than the 
 
 sword. 
 And later on this faith sustained when fickle fortune's smile 
 Became a frown, and Gordon, wrongly judged, renounced 
 
 awhile, 
 The sterner duties of his active life, and found a joy 
 More sweet and pure than they would yield in heaven-born 
 
 loves employ. 
 Around afiliections weary couch a cheerful ray he cast. 
 And strove the pilgrim's load to raise, or lighten as he passed 
 
 But home and all its joys were not for him — his home was 
 
 where 
 His country needed abler hands, her regal mandate bear 
 
 . \nd where the cause of truth and right for needful aid 
 
 implored — 
 Upon that field alone he drew the devastating sword. 
 Upon the Soudan's sandy plain-El Mahdi's guns before, 
 He nobly fell at duty's post ere yet his task was o'er 
 He fell, as warrior true would fall unconquered by the foe 
 
 But vengence for a loved one lost his country must bestow. 
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 Upon that desert chieftains hordes the fierce avenging stroke 
 Must fall, as does the lightnings flash upon the storm-girt 
 
 Oak, 
 While on that hapless City's walls wherein he met his doom. 
 Inscribe the gallant Gordon's name, the hero of Khartoum. 
 
 Things that are Beautiful 
 
 BEAUTIFUL things in this world below 
 Gladden the heart wherever we go. 
 Casting o'er life a radiant hue 
 Like rainbow-arch from its bed of blue. 
 If we glance above, beneath, around — 
 Nought but the beautiful there is found — 
 Gifts from a bountiful Father's hand 
 Our lot to cheer in this pilgrim land 
 Who in beauty's garb all nature clad 
 The poor to comfort and cheer the sad. 
 We gaze above on that deep blue dome 
 Of the twinkling orbs of night the hom^ 
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 Which the rays of morn but chase away 
 With the splendour of the coming day, 
 And one by one from all human view 
 They fade in the depths of that lovely blue. 
 O, who can stand on the wave-girt shore 
 And list to the mighty ocean's roar, 
 Nor own that a scene so wild and free 
 Is beautiful in its majesty, 
 Beautiful e'en in the tempest's throes 
 As in the moments of calm repose. 
 Beautiful too are the gardens gay 
 Blooming afresh with the breath of May 
 Charming the eye with their hues so rare, 
 And loading with perfume sweet the air : 
 The seasons in turn their glories bring, 
 But thine are the fairest, lovely s[)ring. 
 And art can likewise its gems display, 
 But modelled from Nature fair are they. 
 The chiselled stone and painters brush 
 To the cheek will send a raptur'd flush 
 Vainly with nature art strives to vie, 
 To dust they crumble — their destiny. 
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 SEVEREB LINKS. 
 Lutheran Jubilee Hymn- 
 
 FATHER, within the hollow of Thy hand 
 Thou hast sustained what thy great wisdom 
 planned, 
 This church of thine and of our Fatherland 
 Through years of infancy. 
 
 For fifty years upon this southern soil 
 Thy bounteous hand hath recompensed the toil, 
 By loving hearts bestowed — hearts true and loyal, 
 O, King of kings to Thee. 
 
 Loosed from the priest-wove bonds thy Church has 
 
 known 
 Claiming free access to Thy glorious throne, 
 Through one great name, thy own dear Son alone, 
 Father, we come to Thee. 
 
 With heartfelt words of gratitude and praise, 
 For light divine bestowed around our ways; 
 To-day with joyful heart and voice we raise, 
 Our song of Jubilee. 
 
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 We sound no triumph note of victory run, 
 
 No trophy claim for race successful won; 
 
 Our Father's smile and welcome words, "Well done,' 
 
 To win have been our aim. 
 
 And surely Thy approving smile was theirs 
 Who rightly spurning state dictated prayers. 
 Founded on freer soil the Church that bears 
 The great Reformers name 
 
 Long may the liberty he sought to win 
 Triumphant reign above the world's wild din, 
 Hurling defiance at the shameless sin 
 Within the churches pale. 
 
 United may the teachers of Thy word 
 Rally beneath the banner of their Lord, 
 Nor rest till o'er creations cycle broad, 
 Thy Kingdom shall prevail. 
 
 And while we humbly at Thy footstool bend, 
 As in the decades past so till the end 
 Vouchsafe thy blessings rich — Be Thou the Friend' 
 To whom our cares we bring. 
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 Ever within this tabernacle dwell, 
 
 Quench the proud heart, each angry passion quell, 
 
 And let each joyful heart, the praises swell 
 
 Of Heaven's eternal King. 
 
 
 The Christian Battlefield- 
 
 pHRISTIAN soldier, onward press, 
 ^ Christ the new-born year will bless- 
 See, for Him, alone, thou fight — 
 See, thou keep thy armour bright ; 
 Wave His banner'd cross on high. 
 Make His name, thy batde-cry. 
 Strike ? hell's legions hover round 
 Victims everywhere abound 
 Strike ! they ask a helping hand. 
 Strike ! they need thy fearless brand, 
 Christ the year will bless to thee, 
 Strike ; for Him of Calvary 
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 Christian soldier on the field 
 
 Manfully thy weapons wield, 
 
 Do not parley with the foe, 
 
 Strike ! or he may lay thee low. 
 
 Victims numberless around 
 
 Warn thee, watchful to be found, 
 
 Strong enough themselves they thought, 
 
 And no higher aid besought. 
 
 Christian soldier, see thou seek 
 
 Strength from Him, who nerves the weak. 
 
 Christian soldier, rest not till 
 Thou beholdest Zion's hill. 
 Then, and not till then, aside 
 Lay thy weapons, true and tried. 
 Then, and not till then, will be 
 Vanquished hell's dark subtlety, 
 Then, and not till then, each foe 
 That beset thy path below 
 Shall behind thee have been left 
 Of their-longed for prey bereft, 
 Sweet seraphic minstrelsy 
 Then will hail thy victory, 
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 And thy Captain, thou wilt see 
 Glorious in majesty, 
 Then, sweet rest, and peace, will be 
 Thine thro'ighout eternity. 
 
 ^ -i^ 
 
 The Loving Disciple- 
 
 : o : 
 
 T A THEN justice and truth were by Pilate ignored, 
 *^ And Calvary witnessed the crucified Lord ; 
 When rent was the veil of the temple in twain 
 \nd darkness at mid-day held brief sombre reign, 
 Who then of the twelve, to the cross was found near 
 In death not forsaking the Lord he held dear. 
 
 We read of but one— 'twas the one Christ loved best, 
 The one who at supper reclined on His br..^ast : 
 From whom He bespoke in His season of woe 
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 The love and attention, a son's to bestow 
 For Mary, His mother, who grief-stricken saw 
 The deed of that day and its wonders with awe 
 
 'Twas he, and he only, of Christ's chosen band, 
 Who fell not beneath the dark torturer's hand, 
 Though cruelty fiendish his footsteps attend 
 His crown was not won by the martyrs sad end, 
 But spared was his life to the world to unfold 
 That glorious vision, but his to behold. 
 
 Twas he, who on Patmos in banishment heard 
 
 A message to each of the churches declared, 
 
 For whom the great volume of Time was unsealed 
 
 And much of its glory eternal revealed, 
 
 And the mysteries traced by his aged hand 
 
 To a love-service life, form a sequel grand. 
 
 May we like that loving disciple be foun i 
 At Calvary's cross when the tempest howls round; 
 Like his, may our lives teach sweet lessons of love 
 Our hopes and our joys being centred above, 
 Unmindful of all but the Saviour's behest. 
 Like John, may we lovingly lean on His breast. 
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 CHARITY. 
 
 mnOUGH syllables it has but three, 
 ^ Yet by St. Paul we plainly see 
 No greater virtue there can be 
 
 Than charity. 
 
 St. Paul has been at pains to show, 
 'Tis not by alms which we bestow 
 That those 'monsst whom we live will know. 
 Our charity. 
 
 '©•^ 
 
 Both faith and hope are virtues rare 
 (These are in fact, three sisters fair), 
 But neither of them can compare 
 With charity. 
 
 Truth is a jewel bright and c ear ; 
 
 Faith wipes from sorrow's cheek the tear ; 
 
 But nought can smooth our path while here- 
 Like charity. 
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 SEri:REI) LIXKS. 
 
 Despise the words of those who seek 
 To wrong the poor and crush the meek ; 
 Your care for these will loudly speak 
 Your charity. 
 
 Think nought but good of any one ; 
 In patience be outdone by none ; 
 These qualities must ever run 
 
 With charity. 
 
 It matters not the brilliant gift 
 Which you above your friends may lift, 
 Your upward flight is far more swift 
 With charity. 
 
 Forbearance towards a fallen foe 
 (If such an one, alas, you know) 
 Will tend in him the seeds to sow 
 Of charity. 
 
 Then let us all, both young and old, 
 Value this virtue more than gold. 
 And cherish what the world so cold 
 Calls charity. 
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 We need it on life's thorny road ; 
 It aids us to j^on blest abode, 
 And much we owe for lightened load 
 To charity. 
 
 Thoughts Fraternal 
 
 o 
 
 Lines suggested hy the death of my brother, at Southampton, 
 November 16. 2895. 
 
 THEV' tell me my brother has gone to the grave, 
 That I never shall see him again ; 
 That buried he lies, o'er the blue ocean's wave 
 In the land of the Saxon and Dane. 
 
 They say that the summons which called him away, 
 On the dark wings of night had been sped; 
 
 The mandate was urgent, it brooked no delay^ 
 And his spirit, all earth-stained had fled. 
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 The sad words of parting, to him had been spared, 
 He saw not the tears that were flowing; 
 
 For bitter their grief who his loving heart shared, 
 Those hps were no blessing bestowing. 
 
 Lord! yield them the comfort which only can come, 
 
 When submissive we bow to Thy will, 
 Oh, tell them their lov'd one, has l.)Ut been called home 
 
 Though They loved — Thou dost love better still. 
 
 O speak to them Lord, in Thine own loving way, 
 To each mourner by sorrow distressed, 
 
 Confiding in Thee, may each bleeding heart say 
 'Twas His will, who does all for the best. 
 
 Dear brother ! we parted years, long years ago, 
 When brightly life's path lay before us ; 
 
 Then little we dreamt — but it was even so. 
 It was not for time to restore us. 
 
 Together the days of our childhood were spent, 
 
 Together youths glorious season ; 
 Together for honors scholastic we went. 
 
 Then parted — I scarce knew the reason : 
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 You stayed in the land that accorded us birth ; 
 
 United in wedlock at twenty ; 
 Your home soon resounded with innocent mirth,. 
 
 Love gave you her tokens in plenty. 
 
 Yes, love was more lavish than fortune was kind 
 
 For her favours were scanty and few, 
 They say the old dame has a ficklesome mind 
 
 And as oft done a strange freak or two. 
 
 Life's battle however, she left us to fight, 
 
 Nor helping hand ever extended ; 
 Ood grant, that like you, I may get safely through 
 
 By His loving kindness attended. 
 
 But time brought its changes — its partinajs and pain- 
 For childhood and youth are but fleeting ; 
 
 Unbroken love's circle can ne'er long remain 
 The roll-call to duty is beating, 
 
 And into its ranks steps the strong heart of )OUth 
 With high hope and impulses burning ; 
 
 Hope's oft to be crushed by the stern hand of truth. 
 And impulses hopelessly yearning, 
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 SE VEREJJ LINKS 
 
 How oft do our hopes prove delusive and vain, 
 Though sweet were the words they had spoken 
 
 Like the faithless mirage on Arabian plain, 
 The promises given were broken. 
 
 I once had a hope — a hope fondly cherished — 
 
 That we might in time be united : 
 But over your grave, that hope has now perished- 
 
 One taken — the other respited 
 
 And often I wonder how long it will last, 
 The tenure which I have been granted ; 
 
 But come when it may, I shall gladly obey 
 The summons, which tells me, I am wanted. 
 
 Dear brother, your one wish, I earnestly share. 
 
 For a lingering sickness I dread ; 
 Will sorrow and sadness more surely prepare 
 
 For the glory we seek on ahead. 
 
 Assuredly not ! for the good and the true 
 
 In the furnace of life are refined ; 
 Mid'st envy and strife, and where discord is rife 
 
 We shall see the pure metal enshrined. 
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 Al oving life-service the Master requires 
 
 Evinced by transgressions forsaken 
 The fear which the pale horse and rider inspires 
 
 For penitence may be mistaken. 
 
 With lips hypocritical daily we pray 
 
 That the will of the Lord may be done, 
 
 But to our petition we add this condition, 
 It must be an acceptable one. 
 
 O weak, very weak is this poor mortal frame, 
 Though the heart with affection may glow, 
 
 The Saviour Himself was unwilling to blame 
 And in peace bade the wanderer go. 
 
 But where am I now, running heedlessly on 
 
 One thought leads away to another, 
 My sermon, I think, was on times that are gone. 
 
 And you were the text, my dear brother. 
 
 Well, now that the work of your life span is o'er 
 
 And terrestial things at an end 
 That once trodden path, would you tread it once more, 
 
 And again with its troubles contend? 
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 I fancy as soon would the leper Christ healed 
 
 To his leprosy loathesome return, 
 As soon would the sinner whose pardon was sealed 
 
 For his merited punishment yearn. 
 
 'Tis little we know of the bright spirit land 
 
 With all its mysterious beauty. 
 None need go astray, Christ has shown us the way, 
 
 The narrow but strait path of duty 
 
 Farewell, my dear brother, farewell, you will find 
 
 I am but waiting the order; 
 The pale horse and rider are not far behind. 
 
 Farewell ! We shall meet o'er the border. 
 
 136
 
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