i 4 c- Lyi^i-i -r-— ^ (Christian il'nvits : CHii'i'LV si;ij:ctkd from modkrx authors. " Such songs have power to quiet Tlie restless pulse of care ; And come hke the benediction That follows after prayer ! " Fno>r Trir iffizi PAT.Arr.. WITH UPWARDS OF ONE HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS. SCRIBNER, W EL FORD. AND CO. iS68. ll V R !•: !• A C E. ( N this little volume we have endeavoured to string together such Christian Lyrics as seem to us s])ecially adapted to be the expression of home thoughts, and \-^i^ the companions of every-day life. Mingled with many lyrics hitherto unpublished, or but little known, will be found some, the words of which have long been familiar to us all. If an excuse for this be needed, it must be found in the feeling, which we trust others will share, that — even were it not for their intrinsic beauty — they are enshrined in so many hearts, and consecrated by so many long-cherished and hallowed associations, that no collection of sacred poetry would be complete without them. We have endeavoured, as far as possible, to print these lyrics in their original form : except in one or two instances, we have not knowingly omitted any of the verses ; but should occasional incom- pleteness, or deviation from the true reading, be detected, it must be accounted for by the difficulty of trac-ing some of these ])ieces to their source, and to the consecpient necessity of trusting to M5i64C>Ji3 PREFACE. collections, the editors of which have not felt themselves bound to be equally scrupulous.'"' To those authors who ha\ e so willingly permitted us to insert their poems, and to Messrs. Longman and Co., who have allowed us to transfer some pieces from Lyra Gcrmanica, we beg here to offer our deserved acknowledgments. Should our little collection be of any service in suggesting sacred thoughts, or exciting holy feelings, we shall not regret that we have brought together, for the cheering of others' hearts, what has been such a source of joy and refreshing to our own. * Since the publication of the second edition, our attention has been called to an error of the kind above referred to. The two verses of the poem beginning "Still nigh me, O my Saviour, stand," page io8, are taken from hymns by different authors ; the first is by Charles Wesley, and the second is part of a hymn translated from the German by John Wesley. The hymn in its present form was borrowed from a collection where it had grown dear and familiar to us, and as the pieces alluded to are too long to insert entire, we prefer retaining it as it is, hoping that its beautv will excuse this deviation from our rule. CONTENTS. The Sleep 11. />. Brcnviiinq . •5 The Peace of God /. ./. Procter 17 Prayer A'. C. Trciicli 19 The Cloud Excelsior . . 20 The Ivy C. Mackay 22 Onward L. R. 24 Never hasting, never resting 25 Enoch C. F. Alexander . 27 For Ever 29 Buds and Blossoms . . L 29 The Suppliant R. C. Trench 30 Strive, Wait, and Pray . . . . . . A. A. Procter 32 Thou maintainest my lot . . A. L. Warhig . 32 Lord, and what shall this man do ? . . . . Christian Year 2>2> Suspiria Longfellow . . 35 It shall he returned to thee again E. B. Bi'oioning . 35 Mortality Poems, by the Author of ' John Halifax 36 My Times are in Thy hands A. L. Waring 37 Milton on his Blindness . . E. Lloyd . . 39 Trust Gerhardt . . 41 A Valediction E. B. Pro-wning . 42 Abide with me I/. F. Lyte. . 43 To a Waterfowl Bryant . . 45 Omnipresence Bowring . . 46 The Alpine Gentian . . LLxcclsior . . 47 The Golden Rule . . V. A. Storrs 48 Strength, Love, and Rest L. R. 50 Speak Gently 5' Faith, Hope, and Charily Montgomery 52 Judge not -/.-•/. Procter 53 viii CONTENTS. PAGE Think Gently of the Erring 54 Life's Lesson . . Excelsior . . 55 The Streamlet's Song L. R. 56 Hymn of the City Bryant 58 The Brooklet . . Sir R. Grant 59 A Morning Prayer . . Lyra Gernianica . 61 Heavenward Ibid. 62 The Second Day . . Whytchcad . . 64 Resignation Steele 66 The Bright and Morning Star 67 The Building of the House C. Maekay . . 68 How old art thou ? 70 Thy way, not mine . . Bonar . . 71 Commit thy way to God Paul Gerhardt . 71 He doeth all things well . . Anne Bronte ^3 Love to God I. A. E. . . 74 Undertake for me 76 The Promised One . . Hankinson . . 77 Lord, that I might receive my sight . . . . Afilinan . . 78 Christmas-day . . Christian Year 79 A Christmas Carol E. H. Sears 8( Robins and their Songs . . Excelsior . . 83 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant . . Toplady . . 85 Cast me not away from Thy presence . . Ileher 85 Looking rmto Jesus . . Christian Exam. . 86 Let us pray R. C. Trench 87 Pray without ceasing . . Lord Morpetli 88 Just as I am Elliott 89 Nearer Home . . Carey . . 90 A Death-bed Hymn 91 The Sleep of Death . . Ileinans . . 92 Heaven 92 At Home in Heaven . . JMontiioinery 94 She is not dead, but sleepeth Hinds 96 His Servants shall serve Him L. R. 96 And they shall see His face . . Staaiu . . 98 Who shall ascend to the holy place ? . . . . Hankinson 99 The City of our God . . Newton . . 100 Bought with a price . . Doddridge . . lOI He had not where to lay His head . . J. S. Monsell 102 CONTEXTS. The Rijjlitcous Advocate . . As many as touched were made perfectly wliole Create in me a clean heart Renew a rij^ht spirit within me Lovest thou Me ? . . Hide me under the shadow of Tl The House of God . . Paraphrase on Psalm Ixxxiv. The Exile's Vision . . Sabbath Morning . . Communion with God . . In suffering . . . . . , Clear shining after rain . . Songs of Praise The Angel of Patience . . Incompleteness Nearer to Thee Tribulation worketh Patience . . . . Voic Clinging to Thee . . Cast down, but not destroyed Thankfulness Contentment Midnight Hymn Morning Hymn Pray without ceasing . . Thy face, Lord, will I seek When heart and flesh fail . . Joseph, a type of Christ . . Glory to God in the highest An Advent Hymn . . For Christ's sake . . Light shining out of darkness Love Cowper's Grave The Death of the Sagamore The Lord is mindful of His own Forgiven Unto us a Son is born . . Walk in the light . . Adoration . . E. Binrll . . L. R. Wesley Lynch . . Montgomery I.. R. II. F. Lytc. . Sunday at Home Lyra Germanica C. Wilkin s Lyra Germanica AIontgome7y M. S. M. . . A. A. I^rocter S. F. Adams of Christian Life in Sonj^ F. F. A. A. Procter R. C. Trench Lyra Germanica L. R. Bonar . . Ilcmans . . C. F. Alexander C. E. C. F. Alexander L. R. Cowper . . L. R. E. B. Brc^vnins: A. A. Procter Alontgomery Truman . . AGE 103 105 106 106 108 108 109 [II 112 [14 115 116 17 [i8 [18 [19 120 [21 124 [25 126 127 129 129 '30 32 52 '34 55 55 136 138 141 141 142 143 143 God in everything . . Freely ye have received, freely give Redeemed . . Here and There . . A Voice from Heaven God's Acre . . The Dream . . Bless us to-night . . Sleep A Psalm of Life The Hours . . Silence Open Thou our eyes Discouraged because of the way When I am weak, then am I strong Rock of Ages Faith in Christ Look to Jesus Jesus A City that hath Foundations Sabbath Quiet from God Beyond Living Poems, For ever with tlie I^ord Morning Evening Moore Hymns from the Land of Luther Longfelloiu . . S. S. Treasury F. Broderip Longfello^cV . . C. P. C ranch T. T. Lynch L. R. Toplady Franzen F. W. A. A. Procter by the Author of ' John Halifax Hymns from the L^and of Luthe Christian Year Ibid. 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 152 153 154 155 156 157 157 159 160 160 161 161 162 163 166 168 169 171 173 175 ARRANGED AND ENGRAVED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF MR. J. D. COOPER. SUBJKCT. AKTIST. Frontispiece . . . . . . . . . . S. J. Crispin Angel from the Uffizi Palace . . . . . . ,, Heading, List of Illustrations . . . . . . T. Kennedy Finial . . . . . . . . . . . . ,, " And round my bier ye come to weep" . . Wilfred Lawson "Through storm to light and guide us on " . . T. Kennedy " Flowers from their stalks divided" .... ,, " It deepened on the mountain" . . . . . . E. M. Wimi'Eris " The lovely star" . . . . . . . . . . ,, "The iN-y in a dungeon grew" . . . . . . T. Kennedy "The mating birds became its guests" . . . . ,, "The light-enshrouded sun" . . . . . . K. M. \Vi.\irEKis " Slowly grows the forest king" . . . . . . ,, Acorn finial. . . . . . . . . . . . T. Kennedy "Break of day" E. M. Wi.mperis " Where children climb the parent's knee" . . R. B.vrnes Buds and Blossoms . . . . . . . . T. Kennedy " Beside his bed his sorrowing angel stood " . . Ch.\s. Murr.vy " When the shore is won at last" . . . . W. J. Allen TU/e 15 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 34 LIST OF ILL US TR ALIO NS. SUBJECT. " A child-kiss" Finial — Dead Leaves " And wipe the weeping eyes" . . " Briars besetting every path" . . Milton " From angel lips I seem to hear the flow of soft and holy song" Safely to harbour . . "Fast falls the eventide" . . " Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes The wild duck " The ice mountains vast" . . " Speak gently to the little child" " The rainbow passes with the storm" " Go, and sin no more" . . " Speak gently to the erring" . . " Under the bowering honeysuckle" " A little brook went singing" . . " The heaving ocean" "The vast and helpless city while it sleeps" The Brooklet " In my parent ocean's breast I haste away" "The golden morn flames up the eastern sky" The second day The Bright and Morning Star The Dial "In thy right hand to-morrow thy God shall place the palms" Patience in affliction " Thou roU'st the orbs of light" . . " And much have been forgiven" " As those that watch for the day" "Wrapped in his swaddling bands" " Angels bending near the earth" " Robin to the bare bough clinging" ARTIST. R. B.^RNES T. Kennedy R. Barnes T. Kennedy T. D. ScoiT S. J. Crispin E. M. WiMPERIS S. J. Crispin R. Moore . . E. M. Wimperis R. Barnes T. Kennedy S. J. Crispin Wilfred Lawson T. Kennedy E. M. Wimperis T. Kennedy E. M. Wimperis S. J. Crispin E. M. Wimperis T. Kennedy S. J. Crispin A. W. Bayes T. Kennedy S. J. Crispin R. Barnes S. J. Crispin )> R. Moore . . 35 36 37 3« 39 40 41 43 44 45 47 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 64 67 70 72 73 74 75 76 79 81 8^^, LIST OF U.IASTRAIIOXS. xiii SIBJKCT. ARTIST. i'A(;ii " Beam, like the bow of promise, tliioui;li tin. cloud" . . K. M. WlMI'KRIS . 87 "Go when the moon is bright" Wilfred Lawsun 88 " Thou bid'st me come to Thee" . . S. J. Crispin 89 Nearer home )> 90 " Fair spirit, rest thee now" W. J. Allkn 92 " Like Noah's dove, I flit between rougli seas ant stormy skies" . . S. J. Crispin 94 Finial ?> 95 " All in one worship bending" . . ,> 97 " And wave my palm, and wear my crown" ») 98 " Have served the Lord as their Master here" . ,, 99 Jerusalem E. M. WiMPERIS . 100 " The wild deer hath its lair" R. Moore. . 102 " He had not where to lay His head" . . S. J. Crispin 103 "As many as touched were made perfectl} T whole" W. J. Allen 105 " Shut my heart up like a flower" . . T. Kennedy 107 Jacob's dream \V. J. Allen 109 Finial T. Kennedy no Patmos E. M. Wimperis . 112 " Deign to fill this temple lowly" . . A. W. Bayes . 114 " Cometh sunshine after rain" E. M. Wimperis . 117 "Angels to beckon me" S. J. Crispin 120 " Nor fear to cross e'en Jordan's wave" . . ,, 122 " In the mid silence of the voiceless night" ,, 125 " 'Tis morning" W. Bkough 126 The importunate widow . . S. J. Crispin 128 " Sold by them that should have loved thee" . W. J. Allen 130 "The Gothic window-frame" S. J. Crispin 131 " The dark clouds bring the pleasant rain" E. M. Wimperis . m " And dim cathedral aisle" A. W^ Bayes 134 " He plants His footsteps in the sea" . . E. M. Wimperis. 135 " Like a sick child that knoweth not his mother' Wilfred La\vson 136 " The servant of God is on his way" . . W. J. Allen . 138 SI' EJECT. " To the lonely tent where the chief reclines" . " Like a weary bird to her downy nest" " Pour out thy love like the rush of a river" God's Acre . . " When in the silvery moonlight" . . " The hours are viewless angels" . . " The silent frost with mighty hand" . . " In meditative walk" ' ' As through a clouded sky the moonbeams stray" . . " 'Ere the glorious sun be born" . . " The last faint pulse of quivering light" "Watch by the sick" All the Floral Initials are designed by T. Kennedy. AKTIST. W. J. Allen R. Moore. . E. M. WiMPERlS R. P. Leitch S. J. Crispin E. M. WiMPERIS A. W. Bayes E. M. WiMPERIS R. P. Lfitch A. W. Bayes 139 140 146 149 153 155 156 163 171 173 175 176 What would we give to our beloved ? The hero's heart, to be unmoved, The poet's star-tuned harp, to sweep, The patriot's voice, to teach and rouse. The monarch's crown, to light the brows ? He giveth His beloved, sleep. What do we give to our beloved ? A little faith all undisproved, A little dust to overweep. And bitter memories, to make The whole earth blasted for our sake : He giveth His beloved, sleep. " Sleep soft, beloved," we sometimes say, But have no, tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep But never doleful dream again Shall break the heavy slumber when He giveth His beloved, sleep. O earth, so full of dreary noises ! O men, with wailing in your voices I O delved gold, the wallers heap ! strife, O curse, that o'er it fall I God strikes a silence through you all. And giveth His beloved, sleep. His dews drop mutely on the hill. His cloud above it saileth still. Though on its slope men sow and reap : More softly than the dew is shed. Or cloud is floated overhead. He giveth His beloved, sleep. Ay, men may wonder while they scan A living, thinking, feeling man Confirmed in such a rest to keep ; But angels say, and through the word, 1 think their happy smile is heard — " He giveth His beloved, sleep." CJ/K/S /J.l.y L VRICS. '7 For nic, my lieari that (.rst did t;o Most like a tired child at a show, That sees through tears the mummers leap, Would now its wearied vision close, Would childlike on His love repose Who giveth His belovC;d, sleep. And friends, dear friends, when it shall he That this low breath is gone from me, And round my bier ye come to weep, Let one, most loving of you all, Say " Not a tear o'er her must fall I 'He giveth His beloved, sleep.'" f l]i |taa of %^. E ask for peace, O Lord ! Thy children ask Thy peace ; Not what the world calls rest, That care and toil should cease, That through bright sunny hours Calm life should fleet away, And tranquil night should end In smiling day ; — It is not for such peace that we should pray. We ask for peace, () Lord I Yet not to stand secure, Ciirt round with iron pride, Contented to endure : Crushing the gentle strings That human hearts should know, Untouched by others' joy Or others' woe; — Thou, O dear Lord, wilt never teach us so. We ask Thy peace, O Lord I Through storm, and fear, and strife, To Hght and guide us on. Through a long strugghng hfe : While no success or gain Shall cheer the desperate fight, (^r nerve, what the world calls, Our wasted might : — Yet passing through the darkness to the liglit. It is Thine own, O Lord, Who toil while others sleep ; Who sow with loving care What other hands shall reap : They lean on Thee entranced, In calm and perfect rest ; Give us that peace, O Lord, Divine and blest, Thou keepest for those hearts who love Thee best. C//A'/S/7.l \ I. VRICS. 19 |)r;incr. IIICN prayer delights thee least, then learn to say, Soul, now is greatest need that thou should'st pray. Crooked and \var|)cd 1 am, and I would fain Straighten myself by tliy riglil line again. (^h come, warm sun, and ripen my late fruits ; Pierce, genial showers, down to my parched roots. My well is bitter ; cast tiicrcin tlie tree. That sweet hencefortli its brackish waxes may ])e. Say what is prayer, when it is prayer indeed.' The miglity utterance of a miglity need. The man is prajing, who doth press with might Out of his darkness into God's own light. White heat the iron in the furnace won, Witlidrawn from thence, 'twas cold and hard anon. Flowers from their stalks divided, presently Droop, fail, and wither in the gazer's eye. The greenest leaf divided from its stem, To speedy withering doth itself condemn. The largest river from its fountain head Cut off, leaves soon a parched and dusty Ix-d. All things tliat li\e from (iod their sustenance wait. And sun and moon arc beggars at His gate. All skirts extended of thy mantle hold. When angel hands from heaven are scattering gold. ^1)C (ilou^. LITTLE cloud was fashioned In a summer hour, By the love impassioned Of the sun and shower. All day it basked in sunlight, On the heaven's warm blue, Round lilies through the dun night, It hung in dew. Once when dawn was leading In the hot young day, This little cloud, speeding Through the ether gray. Seemed to float and sail On the bright sky's bosom. Like a dew-drop pale On a blue-bell blossom. So close under heaven Did it glide and fleet, That I thought it riven By some angel's feet. When the breezes parted Its veiling screen, And blue glimpses darted Into sight between. As I gazed came breathings On a zephyr's wings. As of wild-wind wreathings Round yEolian strings ; 'Twas a lark far hidden In the little cloud, " Singing songs unbidden," Full, and free, and loud. Oh, it came down-streaming The clear air along. Like rills roused from dreaming. Like a shower of song. It made me glad and bright. Brighter every minute, Till I blest the cloudlet white, And the spirit in it. Then the sun's noon-splendour Filled the cloud with light. Though a soft and tender Yet intensest white ; And the wanderer weary Joyed that it was made, For it gave to him a cheery And a grateful shade. CI/R/S7I.I X I. V RlLS. Did the semblance of a sliadow On the wide sky pass ? It dusked the quiet meadow, And the gHsteninjj ^ijrass ; It dimmed the forest fountain, And the clover lea ; It deepened on the mountain, Darkened on the sea. Still thouL;h earth w.is shaded, And a gloom was there, Never dulled or faded Was the cloudlet fair ; For it ever sailed Up so close to heaven, That nothing could have failed Of tlie beauty given. Now a lustre glowing In the silent west. From the sun was flowing As he turned to rest ; And the cloud borne sunward. Ever nearer, nigher, Ever floated onward Towards the sunset fire ; All its being belted With a glory bright, While into heaven it melted In a dream of light. Ne\er more glance crossed it 1 n the sky-heart far. But where I had lost it Shone the evening star. Like the clouil, keep union With the pure and high, He thy communion Beyond the sky ; So all love and graces, And a light divine. Shall have pleasant places In that heart of thine. And from thee will shower, Upon all around, A most precious dower. Like, the shade and sound. Like the music blessing Of lark's ziralcet. Like the shadow's refreshing In the summer heat. If trouble and sadness Be around, above, Thou wilt drink deep gladness From thy heaven of love ; As when earth was covered With a twilight shroud. Richer radiance hovered Round the little cloud. And when life is ending. Oh, how dear to die, Like the cloudlet, blending With the glorious sky ! And when unbeholden As its beauties are. To have memories, golden As the lovely star I C HRISl 7 AN /. ] Vv' / C" S. ®|e 1% HE ivy in a dungeon grew, Unfed by rain, uncheered by dew ; Its pallid leaflets only drank Cave moistures foul and odours dank. But through the dungeon grating high, There fell a sunbeam from the sky : It slept upon the grateful floor In silent gladness evermore. The ivy felt a tremor shoot Through all its fibres to the root ; It felt the light, it saw the ray. It strove to issue into day. It grew, it crept, it pushed, it clomb. Long had the darkness been its home ; But well it knew, though veiled in night. The goodness and the joy of light. Its clinging roots grew deep and strong ; Its stem expanded firm and long ; And in the currents of the air Its tender branches flourished fair. It reached the beam — it thrilled, it curled, It blessed the warmth that cheers the world It rose towards the dungeon bars — It looked upon the sun and stars. It felt the life of bursting spring. It heard the happy skylark sing ; It caught the breath of morns and eves. And woo'd the swallow to its leaves. c/fRisri.ix I. viacs. 23 By rains, and tlews, and sunshine ted. Over the outer wall it spread; .\nd in the day-beam waving free, It grew into a stedtast tree. Upon that solitary place Its verdure threw adorning grace, The mating birds became its guests, And sang its praises from their nests. Would'st know the moral of this rliynie? Behold the heavenly light and climb 1 Look up, O tenant of the cell, Where man, the prisoner, must dwell. In every dungeon comes a ray Of God's interminable day, On every heart a sunbeam falls, To cheer its lonely prison walls. The ray is Truth. O soul, aspire To bask in its celestial fire ; So shalt thou quit the glooms of clay, So shalt thou flourish into day. So shalt thou reach the dungeon grate. No longer dark and desolate ; And look around thee, and above, Upon a world of light and love. -A. - ;. -„ 24 CHRIS riA X L ) 'RICS. (Ontoitr^. N WARD ! the goal thou seekest Is worthy the quest of a Hfe, And love can give to the weakest Courage and strength for the strife. High is the prize above thee, In the light of that golden sky ; The ladder 's not all of sunshine, Whereon thou must climb so high. Earth's shadows and griefs have darkened. Earth's sorrows have shaded its light, But rays from the sunshine of heaven Each upward step make bright. Sometimes the glory paleth. And its brightness disappears ; 'Tis only thine eye that faileth, Or is dimmed by earthborn tears. Onward I our cry for ever, Till our glorious goal be won, Mid the brightness fading never Of the light-enshrouded sun. "I^lcbcr Ijasting, ucbtr rcstiug.' EVER hasting, never resting, With a firm and joyous heart. Ever onward slowly tending. Acting, aye, a brave man's part. With a high and holy purpose, Doing all thoii hast to do ; Seeking ever man's upraising, With the highest end in view. Undepressed by seeming failure, Unelated by success ; Heights attained, revealing higher, Onward, upward, e\er press. Slowly moves the march of ages. Slowly grows the forest king. Slowly to perfection cometh Every great and glorious thing. Broadest streams from narrowest sources, Noblest trees from meanest seeds, Mighty ends from small beginnings, From lowly promise, lofty deeds. Acorns which the winds have scattered, Future navies may provide ; Thoughts at midnight whispered lowly. Prove a people's future guide. Such the law enforced by nature Since the earth her course began ; Such to thee she teacheth daily, Eager, ardent, restless man. " Never hasting, never resting," Glad in peace, and calm in strife : Quietly thyself preparing To perform thy part in life. Earnest, hopeful, and unswerving. Weary though thou art, and faint, Ne'er despair, there's One above thee. Listing ever to thy plaint. Stumbleth he who runneth fast, Dieth he who standeth still ; Not by haste nor rest can ever Man his destiny fulfil. " Never hasting, never resting," Legend fine, and quaint, and olden, In our thinking, in our acting. Should be writ in letters golden. d-notl). VST thou not seen at break of day, One only star the east adorning, That never set or paled its ray, But seemed to sink at once away Into the light of morning? From it the sage no portent drew. It came to light no meteor fires, But silver shone the whole night through, On hawthorn hedges steeped in dew. And quiet village spires. :^ Like him of old who dwelt beneath The tents of patriarchal story. Who passed without the touch of death. Without dim eye or failing breath, At once into God's glory — The Patriarch of one simple spot. The sire of sons and daughters lowly, And this the record of his lot, '"He walked with God and he was not," For the Lord took him wholiv. Like a child's voice in sacred song That trembhng rises higher and higher. Till, lost at last, it peals along, Swelling the anthem sweet and strong Of great cathedral choir : — So year by year, and day by day, In pastoral care and household duty — He walked with God — nor knew decay, But faded gently, rapt away. Into His glorious beauty. There's many a household fair to see. By woodland nook or running river, Where children climb the parent's knee — Oh, that those homes like his might be. Filled with God's presence ever ! Oh, that our thoughts so heavenly were. Our hearts to Christ so fully given. That all our loves, and toils, and care, Might only lead us nearer there, Where He is set in heaven. Sls.^'^«I^^ViA>. V- CJlRfST/.l X L VRICS. 29 /or cL-bcr. HEY came, they went ; of pleasures passed away. How often this is all that we can say ; They came, like dew-drops in the morning lioiir. They went, like dew-drops "neath the noontide's power Came like the cistiis with its purple eye. Went like the cistus, blooming but to die ; Unheeded in their flight tliey glided past. We sighed not, for we knew not 'twas the last I There' s no last time in heaven ! the angels pour A still new song, though chanted evermore, There's no night following on their daylight hours, No fading time for amaranthine flowers ; No change, no death, no harp that lies unstrung, No vacant place those hallowed hills among I ^.ui)s aub glossoms. OUGHT see we here as yet in full perfection. Nought reaching yet unto its true ideal ; Lost to our careless sight is that connection Which knitted once the perfect to the real. Each form of loveliness, each fair creation Hath yet a type more true and brighter far. And we must trace in all the dim relation. And what they might be, learn from what they are. Thus every character, vvhate'er its sweetness, Is but a fruit all blighted and unripe. Still ever striving towards its own completeness Still ever yearning towards its highest type. And only as we know and love them duly, As buds and promise of a fairer growth. Shall we learn how to weigh and prize them truly. And trace the true unto the highest truth. Though lost and fallen is our perfect being. Its beauty 'mid its ruins we may see. And strive we still, the far completeness seeing. To reach once more the highest we can be. And strive we, following in our love and duty Him who doth noblest, truest, purest shine. Who raised our human to its highest beauty, By blending with it His own bright divine. %hj Suppliant. LL night the lonely suppliant prayed. All night his earnest crying made, Till standing by his side at morn, The tempter said, in bitter scorn, " O peace : what profit do you gain, From empty words and babblings vain ? ' Come, Lord — O come ! ' you cry alway. You pour your heart out night and day ; Yet still no murmur of reply — No voice that answers, 'Here am 1.'" Then sank that stricken heart in dust. That word had withered all its trust ; No strength retained it now to pray, While faith and hope had fled away ; And ill that mourner now had fared, Thus by the tempter's art ensnared. CJ/K/S J7.1 \ /. ]R/CS. V IJiit that at length beside his bed His sorrowing angel stood, and said — " Doth it repent thee of thy love, That never now is heard above Thy prayer ; that never any more It knocks at heaven's gate as before?" " 1 am cast out — I Imd no place, No hearing at the throne of grace ; 'Come, Lord — O come!' I cry alway, I pour my heart out night and day. Yet never until now have won The answer — ' Here am 1, my son.'" "Oh, dull of heart — enclosed doth lie In each ' Come, Lord ! ' a ' Here am I, ' Thy love, thy longing, are not thine — Reflections of a love divine ! Thy very prayer to thee was given. Itself a messenger from heaven." 32 CHRIS TIA X L YRICS. Strik, Mail, anlj |nm. TRIVE ; yet I do not promise The prize you dream of to-day Will not fade when you think to grasp it, And melt in your hand away ; But another and holier treasure, You would not perchance disdain, Will come when your toil is over. And pay you for all your pain. Wait ; yet I do not tell you The hour you long for now, Will not come with its radiance vanished. And a shadow upon its brow ; Yet, far through the misty future, With a crown of starry light. An hour of joy you know not, Is winging her silent flight. Pray ; though the gift you ask for May never comfort your fears, May never repay your pleading. Yet pray, and with hopeful tears ; An answer, not that you long for. But diviner, will come one day ; Your eyes are too dim to see it. Yet strive, and wait, and pray. %\)U luaintaincst mir lot." OURCE of my life's refreshing springs, Whose presence in my heart sustains me, Thy love appoints me pleasant things, Thy mercy orders all that pains me. If loving hearts were never lonely, If all they wished might always be, Accepting what they look for only. They might be glad, — but not in Thee. C/IK/S /J.l X L VRICS. 33 \\ (.11 may 'lliy own bcloxcd, who sec In all their lot their Father's pleasure, Bear loss of all they love save Thee, Their livin;^, everlasting treasure. Well may Thy happy children cease From re.stlcss wishes, prone to sin, And, in Thine own exceeding peace. Yield to Thy daily discipline. We need as much the cross we bear. As air we breathe, as light we see ! It draws us to Thy side in prayer, It binds us to our strength in Thee. ** %s^x\, anly iu(]at sljall IMs man bo /" ORU, and what shall this man do? Ask'st thou, Christian, for thy friend . If his love for Christ be true, Christ hath told thee of his end : This is he whom God approves. This is he whom Jesus loves. Ask not of him more than this. Leave it in his Saviour's breast, Whether early called to bliss. He in youth shall find his rest, Or arm^d in his station wait Till his Lord be at the gate : Whether in his lonely course (Lonely, not forlorn) he stay, Or with Love's supporting force Cheat the toil and cheer the way : Leave it all in His high hand, Who doth hearts as streams command. Gales from heaven, if so He will, Sweeter melodies can wake On the lonely mountain rill, Than the meeting waters make. Who hath the Father and the Son, May be left, but not alone. Sick or healthful, slave or free, Wealthy, or despised and poor — What is that to him or thee. So his love to Christ endure ? When the shore is won at last. Who will count the billows past ? Only, since our souls will shrink At the touch of natural grief, When our earthly loved ones sink, Lend us. Lord, Thy sure relief ; Patient hearts their pain to see. And Thv eracc to follow Thee. C//K/S I/.l \ I. VRICS. 35 AKE tliom, O death I and bear away Whatever thou canst call thine own I '^ Thine image, stampt upon this clay, Doth give thee that, but that alone I Take them, O grave I and let them lie Folded upon thy narrow shelves, Ab garments by the soul laid by, And precious only to ourselves I Take them, O great Eternity I Our little life is but a gust, That bends the branches of thy tree. And trails its blossoms in the dust ; " M ,sl);ill l)c rclurnci) to tlicc again." Thy io\e Shall chant itself its own beatitudes. After its own life working. A child-kiss, Set on thy sighing lips, shall make thee glad ; A poor man, served by thee, shall make thee rich ; A sick man, helped by thee, shall make thee strong Thou shalt be served thyself by every sense Of service which thou renderest. J " And -Mc shall be changed.'' E dainty mosses, lichens grey, Pressed each to each in tender fold, And peacefully thus day by day, Returning to your mould ; — Brown leaves that with aerial grace Slip from your branch like birds a-wing, Each leaving in the appointed place Its bud of future spring ; — If we, God's conscious creatures, knew But half your faith in our decay. We should not tremble as we do When summoned clay to clay. But with an equal patience sweet. We should put off this mortal gear. In whatsoe'er new form is meet, Content to re-appear. Knowing each germ of life He gives Must have in Him its source and rise. Being that of His being lives May change, but never dies. Ye dead leaves, dropping soft and slow, Ye mosses green and lichens fair, (io to your graves as I will go, For God is also there. ''Pn^ii^^fs arnit flm \mh," ^/ ATHER, I know that all my life, L^S Is portioned out for mc, p And the changes that arc sure to come '^ I do not fear to sec ; But I ask Thee for a patient mind, Intent on pleasing Thee. I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles, And wipe the weeping eyes ; And a heart at leisure from itself. To soothe and sympathize. I would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro. Seeking for some great thing to do, Or secret thing to know ; I would be treated as a child. And iriiided where I Jold. And soon the whole. As a parchM scroll. Shall to my amazed si, ,du uproll ; And without a screen At one burst be seen, The presence in which I have ever been. 66 CHRIS TIA N L YRICS. Oh ! who shall bear The blinding glare Of the majesty that shall meet us there ? What eye can gaze On the unveiled blaze On the light-gilded throne of the Ancient of Days ? Christ us aid ! Himself be our shade. That in that dread day we be not dismayed. Ilcsicinatioii:. ATHER ! whate'er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies, Accepted at Thy throne of grace, Let this petition rise : " Give me a calm, a thankful heart, From every murmur free ; The blessings of Thy grace impart. And make me live to Thee. " Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine, My life and death attend ; Thy presence through my journey shine, And crown my journey's end !" f 1)C ^U'iiiM anb Mmm _^tar, HE last sand from time's hour- glasb Shall soon disappear, And like vapour shall vanish This old rolling sphere. On the floor like the chaff-stream In the dark wintry' day, From the fan of destruction Shall suns drift away. From its lustre immortal My soul caught the spark, Which shall beam on und\- ing When sunshine is dark. So transforming its radiance. Its strength so benign. Dull clay burns a ruby, And man grows divine. And the meteors of glory. To the zenith ascended. Which wilder the wise, From Joseph's dark tomb, Only gleam till we open Star of Jesse ! so rivet In true worlds our eyes. i\'Iy gaze through the gloom. But aloft, in God's heaven. That Thy beauty imbibing. There blazeth a star, My dross may refine. And I live while Fm watching Till in splendour reflected Its light from afar. I burn and I shine. fl]e lUiilMug of tk Jouse. HAVE a wondrous house to build, A dwelling humble yet divine ; A lowly cottage to be filled With all the jewels of the mine. How shall I build it strong and fair. This noble house, this lodging rare, So small and modest, yet so great ? How shall I fill its chambers bare, With use, with ornament, with state ? My God hath given the stone and clay 'Tis I must fashion them aright ; 'Tis I must mould them day by day, And make my labour my delight ! This cot, this palace, this fair home, This pleasure house, this holy dome. Must be in all proportions fit, That heavenly messengers may come To lodge with him who tenants it. No fairy bower this house must be. To totter at each gale that starts, But of substantial masonry, Symmetrical in all its parts ; Fit in its strength to stand sublime For seventy years of mortal time, Defiant of the storm and rain, And well attempered to the clime. In every cranny, nook, and pane. ril build it so that if the blast Around it whistle loud and long. The tempest, when its rage has passed, Shall leave its rafters doubly strong. I'll build it so, that travellers by Shall view it with admiring eye. For its commodiousness and grace : Firm on the ground — straight to the sky, A meek, but godly dwelling place. CHRISTIAN LYRICS. 69 Thus noble in its outward form, Within I'll build it clean and white. Not cheerless cold, but happy warm, .And ever open to the light. No tortuous passages or stair. No chamber foul or dungeon lair. No gloomy attic shall there be, But wide apartments ordered fair, And redolent of purity. With three compartments furnished well, The house shall be a home complete ; Wherein, should circumstance rebel. The humble tenant may retreat. The first a room wherein to deal With men for human nature's weal, A room where he may work or pla\-, And all his social life reveal In its pure texture day by day. The second, for his wisdom sought, Where, with his chosen book or friend. He may employ his active thought To virtuous and exalted end. A chamber lofty and serene, With a door-window to the green Smooth-shaven sward, and arching bowers. Where lore or talk, or song between, May gild his intellectual hours. The third an oratory dim. But beautiful : where he may raise, Unheard of men, his daily hymn Of love and gratitude and praise. Where he may revel in the light Of things unseen and infinite. And learn how little he may be, And yet how awful in thy sight. Ineffable eternity. Such is the house that I must build, This is the cottage — this the dome — And this the palace, treasure-filled For an immortal's earthly home. Oh, noble work of toil and care ! Oh, task most difficult and rare ! Oh, simple but most arduous plan ! To raise a dwelling-place so fair — The sanctuary of a man. "|oto olij art tlioit?" OL'NT not the days that have idly flown, The years that were vainly spent ; Xor speak of the hours thou must blush to own, When thy spirit stands before the throne. To account for the talents lent. But number the hours redeemed from sin, The moments employed for heaven ; Oh ! few and evil thy days have been, Thy life, a toilsome but worthless scene, For a nobler purpose given. Will the shade go back on thy dial-plate ? Will thy sun stand still on his way ? Both hasten on ; and thy spirit's fate Rests on the point of life's little date : Then live while "tis called to-day. Life's waning hours, like the Sybil's page. As they lessen, in value rise : Oh ! rouse thee and live ! nor deem man's age Stands in the length of his pilgrimage, But in davs that are trulv wise. C//A'/S/7.l.\' /. ]'AWC.s\ 7' f I)ir iDiiii, not mine. HY way, not mine, O Lord, However dark it be ! •ad nic by Thine own hand. Choose out the path for me. Smooth let it be or rough, It will be still the best. Winding or straight, it leads Right onward to Thy rest. I dare not choose my lot : I would not if I might ; Choose Thou for me, my God, So shall I walk aright. The kingdom that I seek Is Thine ; so let the way That leads to it be Thine, Else I must surely stray. Take Thou my cup, and it With joy or sorrow fill As best to Thee may seem ; Choose Thou my good and ill. Choose Thou for me my friends, My sickness or my health ; Choose Thou my cares for me, My poverty or wealth. Not mine, not mine the choice. In things or great or small ; Be Thou my guide, my strength, Mv wisdom and mv all. Commit tliir \m ta 6oiJ. >0MM1T thy way to God, The weight which makes thee faint; 'Worlds are to Him no load. To Him breathe thy complaint. He who for winds and clouds Maketh a pathway free, Through wastes, or hostile crowds, Can make a wav for thee. Thou must in Him be blest. Ere bliss can be secure ; On His work must thou rest If thy work shall endure. To anxious, prying thought, And weary, fretting care. The Highest yieldeth nought He giveth all to prayer ! 72 CHRIS TIA N L YRICS. Father ! Thy faithful love, Thy mercy, wise and mild. Sees what will blessing prove, Or what will hurt Thy child. And what Thy wise foreseeing. Doth for Thy children choose. Thou bringest into being, Nor suff'rest them to lose. All means always possessing, Invincible in might ; Thy doings are all blessing. Thy goings are all light. Nothing Thy work suspending. No foe can make Thee pause, When Thou, Thine own defending. Dost undertake their cause. Hope then, though woes be doubled, Hope and be undismayed ; Let not thine heart be troubled, Nor let it be afraid. This prison where thou art. Thy God will break it soon, And ilood with light thy heart In His own blessed noon. Up, up ! the day is breaking. Say to thy cares, good night ! Thy troubles from thee shaking. Like dreams in day's fresh light. Thou wearest not the crown, Nor the best course canst tell ; God sitteth on the throne. And guideth all things well. Trust Him to govern, then ! No king can rule like Him : How wilt thou wonder when Thine eyes no more are dim ; To see those paths which vex thee. How wise they were and meet ; The works which now perplex thee. How beautiful, complete ! Faithful the love thou sharest. All, all is well with thee ! The crown from hence thou bearest With shouts of victory. In thy right hand to-morrow, Thy God shall place the palms ; To Him who chased thy sorrow How glad will be thy psalms. fu botti] all Wmp iucll. HOPED that with the brave and strong My portioned task might he ; To toil amid the busy throng With purpose pure and high : But God has fixed another part, And he has fixed it well ; I said so with my breaking heart, When first this anguish fell. These weary hours will not be lost. These days of misery, Tlicsc nights of darkness, temptcst-tost — Can I but turn to Thee ; With secret labour to sustain In patience every blow, To gather fortitude from pain, And holiness from woe. If Thou shouldst bring me back to life, More humble I should be. More wise, more strengthened for the strife, More apt to lean on Thee ; Should death be standing at the gate, Thus should I keep my vow, IJut Lord I whatever be my fate, Oh, let n-i.e serve Thee now ! f ok k 60^. E love Thee, Lord, yet not alone Because Thy bounteous hand Showers down its rich and ceaseless gifts On ocean and on land : Because Thou bidst the Sun go forth Rejoicing in his might, And kindle earth to glowing life And beauty with his light. Because Thou roU'st the orbs of light Through trackless fields of space, And giv'st to each low creeping flower Its fragrance and its grace : Because in sunshine and in storm Alike we see Thee near ; In summer gale and rushing wind. Alike Thy voice we hear ; 'Tis not alone because Thy names Of Wisdom, Power, and Love, Are written on the earth beneath, The glorious skies above : For these. Thy gifts, we praise Thee, Lord Yet not for these alone The incense of Thy children's love Arises to Thv throne. CHRIS TIA X L \ 'RICS. Wc love Thcc, Lord, because when \vc Had erred and gone astray, Thou didst recall our wandering souls Into the heavenward way ; When helpless, hopeless, wc were lost In sin and sorrow's night, Thou didst send forth a guiding ray Of Thy benignant light. Because, when wc forsook Thy ways. Nor kept Thy holy will, Thou wert not the avenging Judge, But gracious Father still ; Because we have forgot Thee, Lord, Yet thou hast not forgot ; Because we have forsaken Thee, Yet Thou forsakest not : — Because, O Lord, Thou lovedst us With everlasting love : Because Thy Son came down to die, That wc might live above ; Because when we were heirs of wrath, Thou gavest hopes of heaven : Yes ; much we love, who much have sinned, And much have been forgiven. (Lliikilalic for int. those that watch for the day, Through the restless night of pain, When the first fair streaks of grey Bring rest and ease again — As they turn their sleepless eyes The eastern sky to see, Long hours before sunrise — So waiteth my soul for Thee. As those that watch for the day. Through the long, long night of grief, When the soul can only pray That the day may bring relief, — • When the eyes, with weeping spent, No dawn of hope can see, But the heart keeps watch intent, — So waiteth my soul for Thee. As those that watch for the day. Through that deepest night of all. When trembling and sin have sway, And the shades of Thy absence fall : As they search, through clouds of fear. That Morning Star to sec, And the Light of Life appear — So waitcth my soul for Thee I As those that watch for the day, And know that the day will rise. Through the weary hours delay. As they pass under midnight skies, Though the Sun of Righteousness Only faith's eye can see, Because Thou hast promised to bless, Lord Jesus, I wait for Thee. ~f