HORTFOEMS -?..^;, < by- IW EDITION "kl THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES i'^^-^ ffNW*l ^«- '%^ 9 Not unto us, not utito zis, O Lord ! But be the glory to Thy 7iame alojte ! For huvibly, gladly, gratefully I own No 77icrit can be 77ime ! If any word Herei7i be good, to Thee I now accord The praise ! No winged thojight had flozm From 77iy poor zvave-wor7i ark had I 710 1 k7iown Thy Word a7id Church ! It was Thy spirit poured The rai7is that made a spri7ig well tip i7i 7ne ! A7id, now, if a7iy wanderer shotUd see This little brooklet as it flows alo7ig ; If at its simple stream S7ich weary 07ie Should drink a7id be refreshed ; my wish is won ; "' No7i 7iobis Domi7ie'' for ever be 7ny so7ig ! 4 ^^' ■ -^ 4 From a Photograph by Mr. *>7an(('j/ Johnstone. Hamstead Mount. Handsworth, Birmingham ^.«*_ ^^M .-J, (Ivy Edition) ^onnefs and ^Iiorf J^oerqs i' }ok ^\(^m- 1894. ^aad^. ^ 5%*- —

- 9 -^^ CONTENTS Absence . , . . A Child's Sweet Kiss A Christmas Card and its Sequel Acknowledgment of Divine Mercy Adieu . . . , Adieu and Revoir . A Dream .... A Grateful Heart. All Degrees of Man's Life good if in due " All Religion has relation to Life " A. M. O. . An Ideal (No. i) An Ideal (No. 2) A Riddle . A Sketch . Aspiration Autumn A Word in Season Baptism of Young Adults Bereavement and Consolation Business Hurry-Worry Celestial Gain Changes Christmas Card Verses, 1884 Christmas Card Verses, 1885 Order PAGE. 74 99 130 50 78 138 154 54 65 2 104 76 77 167 73 59 72 158 53 147 80 42 159 125 126 4 ^ viii. PAGE. Christmas Card Verses, 1886 .... 127 Christmas Card Verses written for 1887 128 Christmas Card Verses, 1888 129 Church Stretton . 166 Daily Bread 23 Dedication of Second Volume 88 " Deliver us from Evil " . 26 " Deliver us from Evil " . 27 Encouragement 34 " Evening and Morning " . 10 " For if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neithei will your heavenly Father forgive you " 24 Grandmama's Snowdrops, 1886 . 117 Grandmama's Snowdrops, 1887 . 119 Grandmama's Snowdrops, 1889 . 120 Growing Old 6 " Hallowed be Thy Name " 19 Harvest Thanksgiving 122 " He that shall endure to the end shall b e saved > 1 9 Hymn for Sunday Schools 51 Inconstancy 160 In Doubt and Difficulty . 60 In Memoriam .... 40 In Memoriam (Rev. Jonathan Bayley) 92 In Memoriam (W. B.) . no Introductory I Invitation ..... 165 Isaac Pitman 83 " Judge me, Lord " 14 " Lead us not into Temptation " 25 Leafless Trees 68 Life .... 95 Life— not Creed— essential 15 " Lux in Tenebris" 90 Manna ..... 150 Memory . ... 143 ^^f ^ ■yf ^*^> 4> ix. PAGE. Mine 115 Morning 3 Musing 135 Nature and Revelation 16 Non Nobis Domine 123 " Non Nobis Domine " 36 On Awaking 56 On Coming of Age 98 " Other sheep I have, which are r ot of t lis folc : them also I must bring " . 8 " Our Father " 18 O, write it, Lord, in mine 35 Pansies 85 Passed Away 97 Perfection .... 38 Precious Time 94 Remonstrance and Appeal 17 Repaying the Lord "3 Resignation 31 " Rest at Last " . 39 Reverie 105 Richard and George Tangye 82 Rivers and Lives . 146 Shadow 67 Similitudes 49 Sleep 140 Spring 69 Summer 71 Temptation and Triumph III The Artist's Soliloquy 163 The first smell of Sweet-Briar 70 The Fourth Anniversary . 157 The Heart 121 The Heavenly Gem 89 The Old Wedding-Ring . 41 " There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed " 13 \x A 9 X. '"%? " There shall be one Fold and one Shepherd " "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that heareth say, Come " The Temple ..... The Thought of Death .... The Whole Heart .... " Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down " Thought ...... Thoughts in Trouble .... "Thy Faith hath made thee whole " " Thy Kingdom come " . " Thy Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom " "Thy will be done, as in the heavens, so upon th earth Trial and Triumph Trust . Trust in the Lord . Unbroken Love ! . Wedding Rings We know not now Wheat and Tares . Who am I ? can you tell ? , Who shall be next ? Willows . . . " Without God in the World PAGE. 12 7 II 91 33 5 62 log 156 20 48 22 44 43 46 149 100 4 29 167 124 75 30 # ^%<> ^ "^W 3ntrobuctor^, Is^OT unto us, not unto us, O Lord ! ^ But be the glory to Thy name alone ! For humbly, gladly, gratefully I own No merit can be mine ! If any word Herein be good, to Thee I now accord The praise ! No winged thought had flown From my poor wave-worn ark had I not known Thy Word and Church ! It was Thy Spirit poured The rains that made a spring well up in me ! And, now, if any wanderer should see This little brooklet as it flows along ; If at its simple stream such weary one Should drink and be refreshed ; my wish is won ; " Non nobis Domine " for ever be my song ! ^^ 4)f. -^ ^f* lO * ft JBvcnirxQ anb fll^orning/' " And darkness was upon the face of the deep. . . . And the evening and the morning were the first day." — Gen. i, 2, 5. ICNARK night! thou first-named season of the infant world ! Beginning, thou, and integral of each whole day — Type of one part of every life ; — the first unfurled ; Though dark, yet beauteous with full many a reflect ray, Dim promises of morning beams, which, strengthen- ing soon Mid changeful shadows, clouds, and colors, grow to noon ! So infancy develops into youth ; So ignorance, when seeking, soon finds truth ; And mental darkness giving place to light. The blind eyes open with an inner sight ! And such is each one's change in whom the Spirit Dove Broods o'er the formless void and moves his thought and will To higher aims — to purer, nobler ends, until The new life hails its eve and morn of heavenly love ! ^« *. ^ ^^ 9 II f * tTbe temple* "Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, in Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." — 2 Chron. iii. i. Q"0 Thee, O Lord, a temple I would raise On Mount Moriah, in the city where The holy pathways lead to lives so fair That every act becomes a song of praise. So let the inner temple I would build With grace and truth of all degrees be filled, Like Solomon's, with precious things untold, Rich gems and sculpture, broidery and gold. Reared on Araunah's goodly threshing floor. Its mystic pillar'd porch and triune court, Like threefold heavens that Thine own arms support. Thou wilt establish firm for evermore ! So on the rock of Thy great name confessed In loving faith shall this Thy temple rest ! 4 ^<^ _ ^ ^tx<^- '^-gfll ^5^ ^<,^fz 9 12 ^V 4^ a Zbcvc 0baU be one jTolt) anb one Sbepber^" (yo/iM X. i6.) ^WEET promise of the glorious day, e'en now begun, When Thy new earth and heaven, O lyord, shall be but one — One loving flock, all following Thy gracious lead; One loving Shepherd, Thou, whose voice alone they heed ! One flock, one fold, not only to Thy central sight, But manifest to fellowship of love and light. O come, thou blessed noon of sevenfold brighter Sun! O that the sands of time could far more quickly run ! Yet, lyOrd, in humble trust Thine own good time I wait, For, why should I desire to know to-morrow's state ? It is not for the sheep to doubt the Shepherd's care ; Enough that, looking up, I see Thee ever there — Be it in pleasant pastures or in gloomy shade — And hear Thee say, "One fold!" I will not be afraid. "^^ ifM »* ^ "3? "ZTbere i6 notbino covcrc^ tbat eball not be rcvcalct)." (Matt. X, 26.) T^E cannot hide ourselves ! We must reveal By mental leanings — tokens manifest To others, — even though we try our best Within the soul to mask it and conceal, The ruling love, the driving passion deep ! No lamb-like covering so fair but tells Of wolf within. We need no guiding bells When footprints of the straying flock do show Their whence and whither o'er the virgin snow. No pressing wish can long its secret keep ! The streamlet by its flow betrays its source ; The beaten tree tops show the storm wind's course ; And we write our own characters, — each line a deed ! And every line again in judgment we must read. ^^3 >A ^ .^ . _ ^ ^ ^ 9 H ^r ''3n^QC me, ® Xor^*' {Psalm vii, 8.) " TUDGE me, O Lord ! " It seems a fearful prayer ! To call upon Divine omniscient eyes To search our heart and lives, to scrutinize Our inmost ends and motives, laying bare Our myriad secret faults, as in the glare Of noonday beam those countless motes arise. Yet such was often one of David's cries ! My soul, be not too rash ! How can'st thou dare To utter it ! Yet, Lord, I joy to know And gratefully believe such is Thy love. Thine infinite compassion, such the glow Of tenderness in Thy sweet face, above All human thought, that I would rather bear Thy judgment, Lord, than man's ! So this shall be my prayer, 4 ^ V r 15 Xife— not (Treeb— eseentiaL r\ WHEN will nations and their rulers learn That truth and righteousness in life — not creed — Is God's appointed way : is all we need To make this world a paradise and turn Our cities, workshops, homes, with glad surprise, To scenes of peace and comfort under any skies ! Ring out these better thoughts, ye teaching powers ! Let all the preachers in the earth combine To spread the knowledge of this truth divine, And so make musical the coming hours With true religious concord — best of creeds, — The strife for excellence, for truth in deeds ! How precious then the lessons of each passing year, By which the one succeeding grows more bright and clear ! (-, ..^fi i>- i6 IRatnrc anb IRevelatton. Kr I. Nature. T\TOT one of all Thy wondrous works, O lyOrd, ^ So small but doth within itself enfold A world of hidden wisdom, — but doth hold. However poor its outward form, the gold Of Good Divine for man, — but doth afford Some silver veins of Truth, if sought aright ! Not life were long enough to all indite The wonders woven in one beam of light, Or trace the laws, and tell the lessons deep That grains of sand or dew-drops secret keep ! Just as the Milky Way defies the glass, So atoms all our knowledge overpass ; For dust and leaves and stones beneath our feet Are points where miracles of use and wisdom meet ! II. REVEIvATION. TaUT when with heart and mind in sweet accord And praj^er for inward light to Thee, O Lord, We turn from Nature to Thy living Word, And open with the key* which Thou has given Thy gate of parables, — lo ! fields of heaven Before us spread — the clouds away all driven ! Behold here trees and flowers of healing virtue grow, And streams of living water from their fountains flow, And shining firmaments of starry beauties show Not merely " inspiration " deep to be In Pentateuch and darkest prophecy. But in each word a true Divinity ! So that what erewhile seemed but lifeless bones Now live with love and speak with Wisdom's tones ! _.' 'The Science of Correspondences. ^ ^« ^ — — ^ts IRemonstrancc anb appeal. I. Remonstrance. QHALIy men build mansions for themselves, and deck With richest floral beauties all their grounds, Spend in adornments many a thousand pounds, Boast of their wealth and treasures, have at beck Their liveried servants, and like princes live, And yet the House of God be poor and mean, — Its missions and its ministers suffering keen Through hidden sorrows, mutely crying "Give?" Shall these who in their luxury appear To neither know nor care, nor see, nor hear. Go unreproved, unpunished — feel no check ? It cannot be ! The Lord must set some bounds To selfish ease ! Lo ! sudden judgment sounds ! Pale ruin overthrows them, trampling on their neck ! II. Appeai,. T? EPENT, ye sous of Dives, whilst the power Is yours ! Repent, and tithe yourselves to dower With beauty and with wealth the Temple where Both rich and poor are equal in their prayer ! Repent ! and let your new-born actions say, " See, Lord ! I do remember me this day Of my great fault ; O Lord, I render back By this my all to Thee." Thou canst not lack Whilst using it as steward in His name ! He will accept thy gift, though hid from fame. And to thy bosom in sweet peace repay Eternally a thousandfold in His own way ! ' ^v Yet give not merely for the sake of this reward, ^ V>^ But say, " It is not mine, but all is Thine, O Lord ! " ^ g^^ik ^> ■ 19 ■V *'1baUowc^ be ^b\> IRame." 'TxTALIvOW'D be Thy name!" O that I should need Oft reminding thus to heed Such a loving claim ! All Thy names in all Thy Word I would hallow, gracious L,ord ! " Hallow'd be Thy name " Written on my heart ! In the home, the church, the mart, Let it be my aim This, and this alone, to prove That Thy " name " is Light and Love ! " Hallow'd be Thy name ! " As Thy priests of old Eve and morn in lamps of gold Fed the holy flame. Even so, O Lord, let me Hallow all my life to Thee ! c 2 y. 20 ^ ''ZTb^ IkinoDom come." TV lyAS ! how often do these hallow'd words, " Thy kingdom come," Fall from my lips at church or home Unheeded, as may be the flight of birds ! For fifty times that I repeat this prayer Not once, I fear. Do I with heart and mind sincere Arrest my thought, the solemn charge to bear. And yet, Eternal Father, King of kings, Who rulest all. Thou know'st my need to suppliant fall And ask "Thy kingdom come " above all things. I am beset with dangers all around And foes within ; My rebel heart, so prone to sin. Must traitor fall, unless Thy grace abound. Defenceless too, unless Thou dost provide Both sword and shield, — Unless my heart obedience yield To Thee and with Thine armies I abide. 'Tis only for my peace and joy that Thou Dost bid me be Thy subject, in sweet liberty, A citizen of Zion even now ; i^ 21 Vr ^ It is to strengthen, build me up, and lead To angel growth Thou bid'st me wake, arise from sloth And march to Thy command, though feet may bleed. Lord, so let Thy law be my control ; And from this day Let thoughts and deeds all own Thy sway And turn to Thee like needles to the pole. So shall "Thy kingdom come" within my heart ! O blessed state ! E'en now, with joyful hope elate, 1 taste the whole, possessing only part. i> 22 f "ITb^^ will be bone, as in tbe beavens, 60 npon tbe eartb/' " TY S in the heavens !" Oh, height and depth pro- found ! What human thought can measure it? What mind can rise So far above this lower life ? What mortal eyes Could bear the glory ? Who can catch a sound Of that angelic language which reveals Alone to those who speak it how Thy will is done In heaven ? Yet, O L,ord, how oft the humblest one Of Thy disciples, pressing heavenward, feels Deep, earnest longings after better things. And often sees by far a purer heaven within Than his best deeds display, and hears above the din Thy voice of Truth, that upward wooing sings ! Are not all these " Thy Will" within his soul begun That must in outer " earth" as in that " heaven " be done ? 23 " Give us this day our daily bread." TxT OW blest his simple, childlike state Who asks but "daily bread,'' Who fears no future, but can wait His Father's time ; for soon or late He knows he will be fed ! ' I am the living bread that cometh down from heaven." — yohn vi. 15. II. Such trust will ripen till he prays Alone for "living bread," And, heeding little earthly days. Heeds much to grow by wisdom's ways Like Thee, the Living Head. Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." — Luke xiv. 15. III. When death shall close his mortal eyes, And his last prayer be said, Oh joy ! to find with sweet surprise That heavenly bliss so greatly lies In Heaven's own daily bread ! jy. "for If K forgive not men tbeir ttcs^ passes, neither will i^our beavenl^ jfatber forgive i^ou/' AA OST easy and most often-heard petition, "Forgive us, Lord, our trespasses." And, when Sincerely uttered, O how good ! But then Is added this most difl&cult condition, " As we forgive who trespass against us ! " Is then Thy pardon something we can earn ? Is this the price at which Heaven's gate will turn ? Why this tremendous " IF" that doth so truss And curb the willing flight of mercy's dove, And bar the blessed current of Thy Love ! Dear Lord, it seemeth so ; for Thou by mine dost measure Thine own forgiveness ! Yet, O Lord, I know Mine is the channel where Thy love can flow, — Its depth and breadth the only limits of the treasure ! ,-1 t. ^ -^i fr^ ^%- 32 Should pox'^erty o'ertake me, In Thee will I find store ; Though dark bereavements cloud my path, I'll lean on Thee the more ! If blindness shut the sun out, Thy Spirit shall give light ; If hearing fail, or tongue be dumb. Thy Voice shall cheer the night. And when the pain has vanished, And when the grief is o'er, I'll thank Thee, I.ord, for all, if all Hath made me love Thee more ! ■^Y <* *%f 33 Zbc Mbole Ibeart. "I will praise Thee with my whole heart." — Psalm cxxxviii. i. r\ THAT I could so praise ! For my best praise hath only half my heart ; The other half obeys The call of self, the flesh, the world, the mart ! And so it is in prayer ; My vagrant thoughts will not be upward led ! My poor petitions bear But half my wants ; and then my prayer is dead ! But ah ! my daily deeds That each one ought to bear the Spirit's fruit ; Instead of that, like seeds How many perish, wanting heavenly root ! Lord, so unite my soul That praise and prayer alike to Thee may rise Henceforth complete and whole An offering free, a perfect sacrifice ! D i^ 34 ^ JEncouragement. pOOR soul, desponding and so full of fears, Thy days all spent in sighs, thy nights in tears ! Ne'er may'st thou see an end to this thy woe While looking still on thy demerits so ; Thy gaze all downward, selfward, sinward bent ! Too long, too long hast thou thy life thus spent ! Take courage, soul, and hope and pray for light, A rosy dawn shall then succeed thy night ; So change thine attitude ; lift up thine eyes ; See One who beckons thee from self to rise ; He smiles, and earnestly with open arms Bids welcome to the wanderer,— gently calms All fears,— will kiss and fold thee to His breast And feed and clothe and take thee to His rest, 4^ 4*? i^ 35 ©, write it, Xor&, in mine. " I will write My law in their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." — Jeremiah xxxi. 33. Q, WRITE it, Lord, in mine, In letters bright, With Thine own light. That through my life may shine. By truthful words and loving deeds And tender care for others' needs. The beauty and the glory of the life divine ! And thus, O Lord, be Thou My God, my Guide ! If Thou Shalt chide, I will obedient bow And cast the dearest idol down That would divide with Thee the crown And bury it for ever, trampling o'er its brow! So, of Thy people, Lord, Let me be one ! A friend, a son. That serves without reward ; — One of Thy people — spirit born, — One of Thy Church, in this new morn. Of those whose hearts and lives praise Thee with _ii^ one accord. ^ «*'^ »^ D 2 !»K •^■> J> V 36 Not unto us, O Lord. — Psalm cxv. i. I TRIUMPH, Lord, in Thee ! Who hast redemption wrought ; Who all my life hast been with me To help, if help were sought. Then daily let it be My joyful task to raise The song, " Non nobis Domine," And give to Thee the praise ! I triumph, Lord, in Thee ! For thought, and will, and power, To cease from sin Thou givest me, Like sunshine to the flower. Then daily let it be My joyful task to raise The song, " Non nobis Domine," And give to Thee the praise ! I triumph, Lord, in Thee ! For all the strength is Thine That makes the baffled tempter flee, And prayer alone is mine ! So daily let it be My deepest joy to raise The song, " Non nobis Domine," ■^^^ And give to Thee the praise ! 'h n %i>~ -^T rAys, . Jt' I triumph, lyOrd, in Thee ! For hell hath not a foe That may assault or threaten me But Thou shalt bring him low ; That daily it may be My inmost joy to raise The song, " Non nobis Domine," And give to Thee the praise ! I triumph. Lord, in Thee ! Oh, breathe a warmer love ! Oh, send a true humility. Thy gracious work to prove ! That daily it may be My deepest joy to raise The song, " Non nobis Domine," And give to Thee the praise ! I triumph, Lord, in Thee ! And to Thy holy name The glory, thanks, and praise shall be Eternally the same ! Thus daily let it be, While here, my joy to raise The song, " Non nobis Domine," Till heaven completes the praise. 4 4- perfection, " Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect." — Matt. v. 48. CT'REMENDOUS precept, summing up the whole Of Law and Prophets in one brief command ! The Christian's utmost aim, — his promised land; The mountain-top of his transfigured soul ! We are not bid be pure as falling snow Or dewdrop's sheen, nor sweet as early spring Or lily, but be God-like. Everything On earth compared with this is poor and low. Nor are we sent to highest angelhood For fit examples of our noblest aim : The very heaven of heavens would most disclaim The thought thus perfect to be understood. Ours is a mark be5^ond the world and time, — A model in all truth and good complete ; The One where all degrees eternal meet, — The Human glorified, — God-man sublime ! Thou, Jesus Lord, my God, Thou art before Thy church, sole pattern of its perfectness ; Thy mercy, love, and wisdom — nothing less — Am I to follow now and evermore ! % <> ■ "-« ^ ^ ;>. -^ ^^ ^ 39 <{- "1Rc0t at Xast." The news of her death was conveyed in these words, " Rest at last ! eight o'clock Wednesday evening." " It shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light." — Zech. xiv. 7. I I 8?« P? EST at last ! poor weary one ! Racked with pain for many a year ; Rest at last ; thy toil is done ; Now the mystery is clear ! Rest at last for heavy eyes, Aching heart and drooping limb ; Rest at last, O sweet surprise ; Day dawns ere the eve grows dim ! Rest at last from hidden grief, Hope delayed and tempting doubt ; Rest at last, — complete relief; Love now breathes its fulness out. Rest at last ; O happy soul. Who can grieve at thy release ? Rest eternal, perfect, whole ; Thou hast " entered into peace." .A ^ jS f^- ^ : . ^ ^„ 1> 40 ^i' 3n riDenioriain, TT NOTHER angel-flower, so pure and sweet, The Lord transplants to-day From this side of His garden, cold and grey, To where no storms can beat. No shadows stay ; To that love-lighted side where those so blest As she perennial bloom And flourish in a clime that knows no gloom, By rivers of sweet rest Beyond the tomb. The Heavenly Gardener knows each plant so well, And loves so tenderly. And watches every want of flower and tree. That He alone can tell Where each should be ! To bear more fruit of blessed use to all — To make the fragrant air More rich, — the sheen of glory yet more rare, She had the Master's call To go up There. «*.- . v>^ ^ ^^a.^^—- ^ — ^ .. g^. ^ A TRUE OCCURRENCE. Q~'HE loving Father sent his angel, Death, To bid her leave this lower place, where she Some time at table sat, to " come up higher." With humble mien and brief adieus she rose, Leaving her poor and faded garment /icre, For, in that chamber, other robes are worn. A gold ring, old and thin, she also left. The which, to keep for her dear sake, I took And drew it o'er my finger lovingly ! Was it a talisman, — a charm, — I touched ? The moment it was on my finger placed I felt her hand within my own again, And like a dream came back all happy times That we had spent together, our best states. No memories of ill, but all of good Returned to me ! And I possess them now ; For, when I feel this golden circlet, she Is with me still, with me in prayer and praise. With me in every scene of life's sweet joy, From youth right on to time of silvery age ! Is not this mystic presence promise true Of the reunion hoped for, and a proof That though unseen she is not far away ? I take it so ! Dear Lord, I will believe She is not gone, but in an upper room ^ Of the same mansion waits for me to come ! ^"fl "^M 42 * (Tclcstial ©ain. ^NLY the flowers were seen ! Although beneath was nought but solemn grey, They seemed to change it by their silvery sheen From night to day ! Only sweet flowers were seen ! Twined by affection — wreaths of fragrant bloom — Like memories sweet of her ; for love had been And banished gloom ! Only fair flowers were seen While lay the coffin on the funeral bier ; Their open lips, though dumb, yet seemed to mean "Shed not a tear!" Only fresh flowers were seen. As in the deep, dark grave we laid her down ! Her cross was buried ! Spring's suggestive green Spoke of her crown ! But when no flowers were seen Came thoughts of loss for us who here remain ; For her — of living flowers and fruitage, e'en Celestial gain ! 4 ^\<^ . «^ t^Hl m. « i? -^^l^ " They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." — Psahn cxxv. i. Q FOR that triumphant faith, Broad and deep as mountain base, Solid as the primal rock, Bold, yet full of gentle grace ! Guarding me at every turn, Succour of my deepest need, Strong in life and calm in death ; Such as this is faith indeed ! If my heart be fixed and true. Living only in Thy love. Building only on Thy strength, What can my foundation move ? Firm, like Zion's sacred hill (Templed glory of all lands). Though the city shall decay. Yet the mountain ever stands ! what comfort then were mine. Rest and joy in Thee, O Lord ! If by loving faith I dare Claim this promise of Thy Word ! Promise that can never fail ! 1 will trust it night and day ; For, though heav'n and earth should pass, Thy Word passeth not away ! 4 -&1^ 9 44 ',v " Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." — Job. v. 7. TT ND must the Christian's life be A vale of trouble here ? Must every day bring sadness And every hour a tear ? And is there then no comfort But hope of early death ? Shall strife and inward conflict Cease but with latest breath ? Away, ye doubts, alluring To gloomy dark despair ! Begone ! and let my strife be To lift mine eyes in prayer. I cry to Thee, my Saviour, My God, I trust Thy grace ; Roll back the clouds that hide Thee, O Lord, and show Thy face ! lyO ! now angelic visions I^ight up my midnight sky. And songs of peace descending From white robed choirs on high ! The fearsome darkness passes And soon the hopeful morn With tender faith illumined And cheering love is born. Those frowning hills I dreaded a« Now bright and radiant grow. a-- 45 '"" And clearer is my pathway. And streams and valleys glow ! O, wondrous change of prospect, My cross, before in view. Is now so far behind me And crown' d with glory too ! The heavenly Sun has risen With healing in His wings, — From ashes see what "beauty," What "joy " from mourning springs ! The joy of sweet reposing And trust in Thee, O I^ord ! The beauty of the glory And Spirit of Thy Word ! Ah, now I'm sure my Father Appoints me what is best ; I know His arm so loving Will guard me from the rest ! An everlasting blessing For me His care He makes ; While every earth-born feeling And snare He gently breaks. O then, my soul, take courage. Maintain awhile the fight. And wait for Him in patience, — For Him who is thy I^ight ; I He will be Thy salvation And make the strife to cease The moment thou art ready ^ To take His gift of peace ! ^ 9 46 ZviXBt in the Xor^ " Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him ; and He shall bring it to pass." — Psalm xxxvii. 5. 5.> (T'OMMIT my way to Thee ! Ah ! Lord, I must, ^ Or 1 shall fall. Oh that I could so trust And to Thy guidance gladly give up all ! How oft, forgetting Thee, O Lord, my way Appears so plain I think I cannot stray ! And wilful heart leads captive foolish brain. Then darkness, doubt, and troubled fears arise. And very soon I stumble ; for mine eyes Are useless, having neither sun nor moon ; But Thou dost lift me up and soothe my pain ; And then I see If I would peace attain In all my ways I must acknowledge Thee, Nor trust to self alone in anything ; But, like a child. Hold fast Thy hand, and bring ^^ My will to Thine, to check its impulse wild. ^ ^^■ ^%^- ^ ^ir ^ i^ 47 I w And as I thus look up into Thy face Mine ears shall hear The voice, so full of grace, " This is the way, walk in it without fear." So would I walk, O Lord, through all my life,- Thy Word my guide Alike in calm or strife, Till Thou dost give me peace that shall abide. 4V 0^ ^ '"^ ^' ^ K^i>^ -K^^U **^b^ IfdnG^om ie an evedasting Iking^om/' (Psalm cxlv. 13.) r^K Thou, then, Jesus Christ, my King ! To Thee, Omnipotent, I bring The multitude of powers that cling Around my central life, — A strange, a wondrous gathering, — An army — yea, a world — to serve and sing Alike in peace or strife. Poor though they be, accept, I pray. The retinue I lead to-day To swear allegiance to Thy sway And worship at Thy throne ! O King ! Thy service will repay A thousandfold more blessedness than they Could ever else have known. No want to those who thus serve Thee Unsatisfied can ever be, — Thy kingdom theirs, eternally ! Come, Holy Truth ! and then Come, lyove ! I^et both henceforth have free And welcome reign of perfect use in me ! Amen, and yet Amen ! jx^ ^^ > .-— — - ., t^ 49 5imilitubc0. "To whom then will ye liken God, or what likeness will ye compare unto Him ?" — Isaiah xl. i8. T^7hAT image in this world, O I,ord, can be Likeness express of Thy Divinity? Is it the wind, that no one knoweth Whence it cometh or whither goeth ? Is it the moving, deep, mysterious sea. Whose surges circle earth continually ? Is it thy quenchless heat, O sun ? Is it thy light, thou glorious One ? Is it the calm and solemn mountain-range. The everlasting hills, that know no change ? Or rather, is it not, if pondered right. An atom, or a self-sphered dewdrop, bright ? For nought is small to Thy Divinity, And nothing vast to Thine Infinity ! Yet none of these, however seeming grand Or small, though countless as the ocean sand, Are more than symbols, apt for poet's line, Are more than shadows from the lyight Divine ! Although their uses point to things above, Not one can likeness bear to boundless love ; These have no ray of reason — no immortal glow ; For where true life begins, all these are left below. Only in man we find the mystic trine Of elements that heaven and earth combine ! ' 1 " The measure of a man — that is, an angel "* — shows The Godlike nature faith and love compose, I And only man, regenerate, can be i ^v That image likeness, Holy Lord, of Thee ! a, ^^, Rev. xxi. 17. ^ ^J^<, _____ ^ ^ iv 50 V Hcknowlcbgmcnt of Divine (IDcrc^. r\ LORD, I bless Thee for Thy tender care, Thy love towards me, since my life began — Unworthy all — a rebel, child and man ; Yet larger and more rich has been my share Of blessing, and forbearing mercy than An angel could deserve ! Thy love outran My waywardness ! Thy guardian arms were there To save from dangers I would rashly dare ! Thy voice, behind me, whispered in my ear, When wilfully to right or left I turned, " Not so, but onward, straight ! " I then discerned That Thou wast leading me, and lost all fear. So let me ever in Thy sleepless Love confide And gladly take Thy Wisdom's counsels for my guide ! ^, n^^' -«* 5, » iy Ibi^mn for Sun^a^ Scboole. (Written about the yeav 1865 to suit the melody knowti as "Festal.") '• I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."— /o/iw xiv. 6. Cr HOU who art " The Way ! " While now our youthful hearts are tender, lyest our footsteps stray, Be Thou our Guide and our Defender ! Thou hast trod and pointed out the heavenly road ; May we walk therein, Pure and without sin, Trusting, as we follow to Thy bright abode, We shall surely enter in. Thou who art " The Way," etc. Thou who art " The Truth ! " Our eager minds are now awaking. Strong and fresh with youth ; The golden morn of life is breaking ! Precious be to us Thy holy Word of light ; May its sacred page Our best thoughts engage ; Mystic pillar, cloud by day and fire by night. Guiding, cheering youth and age. Thou who art " The Way," etc. 4 ~ IVE me, O Lord, a grateful heart. So full of silent praise That every comfort, every joy. To Thee my soul may raise, And sweetly link with thoughts of Thee All my remaining days. How much more precious are Thy gifts From ocean, sky, or land. By night or day, when thus we feel They all are from Thy hand ! Yea, all and always, be they great Or small as grains of sand. All beauteous sights that greet the eye^ And lovely sounds the ear. The bounties of each varied clime And season of the year, All are but mirrors of Thy love That make Thy presence clear. The infant's smile, the maiden's love. The faithfulness of friends, All gentle deeds that bless the world — A stream that never ends, — This ceaseless stream, O gracious Lord, j^^ From heaven Thy mercy sends. ^ S^^ %? « ^ — o ^ 55 ♦ Each kindly thought, each glimpse of truth, Bach secret prayer that flies, Each impulse of the higher life That bids me heavenward rise : O, LrOrd, Thou givest me all these, And this sweet thought I'll prize. X^ 56 ■- — — ^^SjI^ 65 BII WCQVCCB Of flDan*6 Xife Q00t> if in ^ue orber. "^OT all the day unceasing ^ Can thought be heavenward sent ; Nor all the weary night-time Can knees in prayer be bent. Man's lower life and powers Claim food in their due course ; lyet this be well provided, The higher life gains force. As gently rising mountains Form intervening vales, As morning gave the manna And evening brought the quails, So thoughts of things celestial With those of earth and sense Should alternate in freedom. Nor cause the least offence. The angels on the ladder That reached from earth to sky Ascended and descended With blessings from on high ; i^ 66 t So science, art and commerce, And inoffensive mirth, Are messengers from heaven To hless our life on earth. 'Tis ignorance refuses To each of these its due ; As only murky darkness Shows Nature of one hue. Not pious life ascetic, Nor utter creedless doubt Can bring the perfect Eden, — Can work life's problem out. But all degrees of being In body, mind and heart. Which God hath joined together, L,et no man dare to part. The outward and the inward, The lowest and the high, Combined in active duty Make perfect harmony ! i VK ^^.. ^ 1> 67 * Sbabow. A/TYSTERIOUS shadow, grave companion of the light, Twin sister and co-artist of such worth, That in his pictures of the sky and earth No tint is found from earliest dawn to night But thou with him dost blend it. Fiercest might Of noonday sun but deepens thy soft grace ; The storm-cloud and the tender azure space, The greys of winter time, the verdure bright Of spring, and autumn's rich embroidery. We owe to playfulness of light with thee. Thy fingers branch the moonbeams on the floor ; Thy robe to glistening ocean gives its hues ; And everywhere thy gentle power subdues The brightness that would blind, wert thou no more. 4 ^ F 2 S^s.. K 68 ^ Ueaflces ^reee. Y E outlines dark of glorious Summer forms, Ye skeletons, whose leafy flesh is dead, Your weird and crooked branches overhead Stretch forth a myriad strings for winter storms To play wild music on with unseen hand. Ye are the harps and viols in the mighty band, When fitful winds, the gabled roofs among, Their hautboy notes of wailing tenor blend With whistling treble quivering casements lend, And alto from the pine trees as they bend, While thunder rolls its deep-toned bass along ! lyike actors, changing tune and dress with play. Ye every winter sing of glories passed away. Yet every spring grow young and change both garb and lay. ^^^ . ^^ Spring. " lyrBLT and flow, Cold white snow ; Sunshine, bid the buds unfold." So whispers in a south wind Spring's sweet voice ! She comes — fair Queen, Pale-robed in green, Spangled all with white and gold, To mount her mossy throne ; Nor Cometh she alone, — Attendant choirs of amorous birds rejoice ! Blue skies, red-blossomed trees and lengthening hours. Sweet-briar fragrance and the warm soft showers Say " Winter's reign is over, — He is dead, And buried in the swollen river bed ! " f/^ 70 i^ ZTbe first smell of Sweet:*Briar. May 1st, 1879. r\ PRECIOUS promise of the ripening Summer- spring ! Sweet breath of that new life which wakes the earth To bud and bloom in richest floral worth, And teem with myriad forms around and on the wing ! I welcome thy delicious odour, modest thorn ; My heart leaps forth to meet it, passing by Thy hidden bush, as from thy leaflets fly Such aromatic greetings on this May-day morn ! Sweet smells like these tempt humming bees from hive, And, like the first faint notes of distant band, Lead on to harmonies of perfumes grand, When balsam poplars, limes, and hawthorns strive With redolent chorus of all summer flowers to sing In fragrant eloquence the praises of their King ! A'5 ^%^^ •'# - - f 71 * Summer* T^9HAT a glorious season of warmth and of light Is this Midsummer festival, banishing night ! See, the earth wears her holiday garment of bloom, Rejoicing in life, with no shadow of gloom. Now the flower-loving bees in the clover and hay And in blossoming trees murmur music all day ; Now orchards are heavy with still swelling loads ; Now toilers leave cities for cool, shady roads, Where the fragrance of golden-spray lime fills the air, And swift wheeling swallows find bountiful fare. The thrush and the lark sing till eve from the morn. And the nightingale keeps up the concert till dawn. Oh, Summer in England ! rich Summer so bright, Say, where in the world is so lovely a sight ? \r^^- ^ 72 ^ autumn. TxJOW stealthily o'er hill and vale ripe Autumn throws Her russet robe and amber colored hood ! Ere yet the eye, so fresh from Spring, accustomed grows To summer meadows green and deep rich wood, See hues of citron touch the leaves ; With orange crimson interweaves, And purpling heather veils the moor Where tender verdure lay before ! This beauteous, world-wide, living-dying screen, O God, reveals Thy work ! Thyself unseen ! May not Thy changeful pictures show As Spring succeeds to Winter's snow — May not dead leaves and Autumn tints be rife With this sweet thought, " Death is the Gate of Life ? " ^ -^^ 73 ♦ a Sketcb, ^ULTRY heat, with yellow glare ; Distant murmur of approaching thunder ; Not a bird seen in the air ; Tree tops motionless, as if in wonder ! Dull grey clouds with eyes of greenish blue, White and orange flecks behind peep through ; Far-oif voices — clear as close at hand ; Miles away I hear the marching band. Hotter and darker ! Now big drops descend ; Rush of a tempest ! Elm and poplar bend. All in an instant — lightnings, flash on flash ; Terrific thunders break and rain floods dash. Moments seem ages. Filled with helpless fear ; (Be kind ye sages ! Pity terror's tear !) It will not last — E'en now it dies upon the ear. The storm has passed ; The air refreshed — birds sing and skies are clear ! 4 i> <> ^^> 9 74 & i»l iV Hbscnce. A/T USING and dreaming of one far away ? Open eyes — seeing not ! Open ears — hearing not ! Inwardly communing sadly all day? No, lassie ; rue not so ! Think how much worse a woe Might have befallen thy lover and thee ! Is he not in God's care Every hour — everywhere ? Trust Him ! and let your trust practical be ! Some daily labor find Blessing both heart and mind ; Work gives a power to dismiss anxious fear ; Usefulness always brings angels more near ! He, thy belov'd one, is weaving with yours His life in union that ever endures ! :<^- 75 ^ Millows. "PALE willow ! emblem of a sadden'd life ! Thy drooping leaf Yielding to every wind — too weak for strife Is like a hopeless grief Bereft of power for upward look ! Yet, mirrowed in the tarn or brook Beneath thy downcast eyes, Are there not oft blue skies By day and stars by night ? So, willow, thou may'st show The mourner there is light Even below. Pointing to that above ! And he that seeks shall find its source is Love ! ^ 4 ^ m^^' 9 76 ,^ an 3beaL (No. I.) •^HOU of the angel-face and guileless eye, lyips where a smile is throned constantly, And voice of gentlest tone, When he appears whose life shall blend with thine, When thou in marriage vow shalt call him " mine," And ye shall dwell alone, Say, shall he always find When he from cares shall come, These proofs of placid mind — Unruffled brow and happy face. Sweet looks and words to bless and grace, And welcome him to home ? Then were the true ideal in your lives expressed That love makes home, and home is peace and rest ! =%? V ■liA 77 '^' Bn 3^caL (No. 2.) /^ NOBLE looking youth, whose manly frame Is rife with early vigour, dauntless aim, And brightest hope and trust ! In golden dreams a beauteous form appears ; — Thy dream to-day ; thy wife in few short years ! If e'er the fitful gust Of anger sway her breast, Be thine the gentle art To keep thine own repressed ! Bear patiently her hasty word. That the first quarrel be deferred By thy forbearing part. Till ripened love and wisdom on each side Make all your days in sweet communion glide ! 4 ^' vv >/■ Hi: 78 ^ HMcu. "XJ^HAT mighty magic fills that word "Adieu," That it should move the soul's foundation, In every clime and every nation, Hard hearts or tender, king and peasant too ; Not one but must obey Its universal sway. 'Sp ^ ?P Vp I stood beside a vessel near the sea, And crowds of men and youths and women there Were uttering this little word — this prayer — By signs and sounds as myriad as could be. Some laughed aloud, Vainly pretending thus to hide their grief ! Some with heads bowed And covered face in sobbing found relief. With fixed gaze And lips compressed, Some struggled with the pain ; But briny haze And heaving breast Soon showed the struggle vain ! Some faces wore a beaming, radiant smile ; But glistening tears bedewed the eyes the while ! 1 ^ 83 ^ 36aac Pitman, Inventor of Phonography and Phonotypy. fk -J' A/T Y thoughts are floating down the stream of Time; My fancy seems to listen to the chime Of bells, yet voiceless, but whose music may Charm myriad ears in some far distant day. And so I offer my prophetic rhyme To one whose name will then, in every clime. Among earth's benefactors be confessed If not the greatest, yet among the best ! As yet not half a century has flown Since Isaac Pitman, young and all unknown, Saw truths that, practised well, would speed the pen And save whole years of dull school life to men. He saw — and from the first his eagle eye Swept through the ages — sure as prophecy ! He knew that i/ie?t and so through him was given For all mankind a blessed gift from heaven. With steady purpose now his life he laid Upon the altar of this strange new trade ! To perfect and to spread it, at God's call He gave his time, his strength, his income — all ! ^ Til ^^- ^ 1^ G 2 ^v 84 -v No labour too severe, no task too hard, Of every pleasure but his work debarred ; No strain too long, no sacrifice too great, With faith undimmed he practised " work and wait." With lion's courage, yet with lamb-like mien, He bore the ridicule, the wrongs, the spleen That such forerunners in the glorious race Have ever suffered and must ever face. Now, after " forty years " of pilgrimage. His locks grown grey, his visage like a sage, He sees from mountain top (words scarcely strained) The old world conquered and the new world gained. He sees new generations round him crowd, And hears their grateful plaudits, growing loud And louder as the millions of our youth Find out the blessings of phonetic truth. But when their children's sons have grown to men, I And onward in the ages after then, ! Amongst those written on the scroll of fame . In golden letters shall be Pitman's name. ^%^ ■'^- ^ 85 ♦ Ipanetes, pRETTY, lowly pansy, Blooming near the ground, Bordering with beauty All my garden round ; With thy wealth of colours. Rosy tinted blues — Purple, white and golden — Dappled of all hues. And thy modest fragrance Unperceived till sought, Just like humble merit, Often counted nought. Well do I remember. Though long years have flown, Wandering in the garden, She and I alone, — She and I together Walking hand in hand. In the summer evening Earth seemed fairy-land ! Softest skies above us. Beauty all around. While another heaven Seemed the very ground. i^ -""^ 1> 86 Shone its spangled flowers Starlike at our feet, Gems in sky of verdure Stretching out to meet Clouds of upper glories Blending in one whole, Softly and all dreamlike To my youthful soul. Thus we wandered, wooing, Full of lovers' bliss ; Love that has but deepen'd From that hour to this ! As we commun'd sweetly In that far-off hour, Whispered she the message Of her chosen flower ; How it asks iox pensccs — Pensecs night and day ; Thoughts of true affection For the one away, — Thoughts all bright though varied, lyike its varied hues, — Thoughts perfumed with fragrance Such as love endues. n-^'- .^tl^ 87 ^ There beneath the gloaming Our first vows were laid On a floral altar Of sweet pansies made. Just a little handful, Held by hers in mine, Was our pledge and token, Was our simple shrine ; And while life continues Here, or there above. Ever and for ever I will " think " and " love. Oft when I am mu.sing Of the life to come, Of our sweet re-union In the heavenly home, Pansies fringe my vision, Glowing, living, bright ; Such as only flourish In the land of light. And I will not doubt it. On that angel ground 'Mong its fadeless flowers Pansies will be found. i-M- 'r ^ 88 S)cMcattou of Second IDolumc. TV H ! deem it not presuniptous that I Thus dedicate the book to one most dear, Who, years ago, by death upraised from here, Is now invisible to mortal eye ! Can I forget that inward tender tie ? No ! for she lives, she loves — is ever near As thought to thought, or love to love is clear ; An active presence that can never die ! Therefore, to thee, my Wife, I give these lines (Or serious or gay, for child* or sage) ; The good they purpose, though it feebly shines, Is seen by thee, and will thine aid engage ! lyCt friends accept the thought, and dwell within its sphere ; To me 'tis truth itself, — a blessed faith sincere ! *The first edition contained a number of " Riddle Rhymes " for * children, omitted here. ^' 9 ,« * ^ '^ X 89 * ^be Ibeavenli^ (5cm. (HORACE, aged Six Months, died suddenly.) T HE wliite-winged messenger of heaven was sent To carry back a gem the lyORD had lent. (O that we had but earlier, wiselj- known The darling boy was His, and not our own ; E'en though the thought had been to us alloy Commingling with the golden six months' joy ! He found him on a summer's afternoon. So beautiful, so passing fair, that soon Each, looking in the other's smiling face, Sprang lovingly to mutual soft embrace. One moment ere the downy pinions rose — One look, one kiss — and now his eyelids close. Like sculptured ivory the lovely body lay, But Horace, with the gentle angel, passed away. 1« ^ ^TSrO' • -<^ g.^ is.- . ^ ^^ Kit* 9 90 iff **Xuy in ZTenebris/' (A Picture by Sir Noel Paton, R.S.A., LL.D.) This wonderful picture suggests to me rather difTerent ideas of the painter's meaning from any I have heard expressed. The fear of death is universal. It is natural to humanity, and only the Lord, by spiritual considerations, can free us from it. Nor is it overcome by any one at once. The brightest trust in the Lord is tried by many deep doubts, even until the last. The painter has chosen the moment when this dread fear is beginning to pass away for ever. The tried soul, just entering into the vale " which us from life doth sever,'' is represented with the lips open, and the next moment the whole aspect will be changed into joyful exultation. Q DEATH ! Thy terrors fill ray passing soul With agony of fear ! What is my goal ? How shall I tread the valley all alone ? But see ! One beckons me and says, "Be not afraid; " 'Tis the Good Shepherd ! Oh that I had known ! Yet, shall I — dare I — trust Him through the shade ? With infinite compassion, drawing near And closer still, He takes my trembling hand ; Now, clasping His with new-born faith I stand ; He looks into my face ; — my way is clear ! His loving presence and His touch Divine Are life eternal, and that life is mine ! My Lord, my Saviour ! Now all fear is flown ; I Thou art my light in darkness ; — Thou alone ! ^. v^ ^<^- •if 91 t Zbc ^bougbt of 2)catb, TxT OW often does the thought of death arise, And, spectre-like, our troubled steps attend, As 't were a foe ! But, when perceived as friend And welcomed so, ah, then with glad surprise His aspect changes into such sweet guise As those may wear who greet us when we wake From his dark slumber, where the light shall break In pure angelic visions on our eyes. If we could care enough for heavenly things. The thought of death we need not fear nor shun ; But just as sleep invites the weary one, — As calm, the sailor tossed by tempest wings, — So bright the view of death to him should be Who sees beyond its shadow life's reality. ^ik<^ ^ S^a ^^^ ■^w.^' 9 92 3n nDcmoriam. i?£F. JONATHAN BAY LEY. M.A., Ph.D. Died May 12th, 1886; Aged 76. TV H ! how shall mortal fitly sing his praise, Or shadow forth the greatness of his soul ? He who has passed away, so full of days, — No longer answering to our muster-roll ! He, the lov'd pastor, preacher, faithful friend. The lamb-like champion with a lion's heart. Who with the wisest, gentlest touch could bend And win men over to the " better part." With pen or voice, sweet smile and earnest tone, With tear of sympathy, or guiding counsel wise, He cheered the drooping, urged the wavering on, Confirmed the weak, and bade the fallen rise. His words distilled the morning dew of peace, Or shed refreshing showers on thirsty ground ; His radiant presence caused despair to cease. Like sunshine bursting through the gloom profound. A child with children ; sage among the sage ; A hero — almost idol — to the young ; A confidant, who kept the secret page For ever hidden, — master of his tongue ! -a.. : .,^ ji ^ 93 '^^ He was a tower of strength to all around ; Nor did lie draw that strength from human source; No ! in the IvORD alone supplies he found By constant prayer, — his first and last resource ! Did he but hear the Master's inward call, " Go seek that sheep ! " though flesh might crave for rest, He rose at once, triumphant over all ; Nor storm, nor weariness delayed the quest. The armoury Divine right well he knew, — Each weapon with its proper use and place, — And daily entering there, came out anew Equipped, and fully armed by heavenly grace. The WOKD was " very nigh to him ; yea, in His mouth and in his heart " a constant joy ! His life — one ceaseless effort against sin — Was pure as precious gold without alloy. And as he lived, just so he calmly died ! Heaven rolled the clouds away, and to his sight Unveiled its glories, bidding him abide Close to his Saviour, ever in His light ! A, ^,3 >^ -*>'