THE WOMAN'S 
 
 ; ROUND LAKE IMPROVEMENT 1 
 
 i SOCIETY. 
 
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 RULES AND REGULATIONS. 
 
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WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 BY 
 
 MRS. ELLEN T. H. HARVEY, 
 
 AUTHOR OF SEVERAL ANONYMOUS BOOKS. 
 
 " Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He had 
 appointed." ACTS vii. 44. 
 
 " And, after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, 
 and bringelh them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before 
 them ; and his face did s.hine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the 
 light" MATT. xvii. i, 2. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 JOHN BENT, PUBLISHER, 
 
 OFFICE OF "THE ADVOCATE OF CHRISTIAN HOLINESS," 
 
 NO. 3, CORNHILL. 
 
 1872. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, 
 
 BY MRS. ELLEN T. H. HARVEY, 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY RAND, AVERY, & CO. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 PRELUDE 5 
 
 MIDSUMMER MORNING IN THE TOWN .... 7 
 
 THE NATIONAL CAMP-MEETING 14 
 
 THE SERMON . . . . . . .27 
 
 THE PRATER 36 
 
 MORNING IN THE TABERNACLE. EVENING UNDER 
 
 THE ROOF 42 
 
 CONFESSION . -65 
 
 SONGS IN THE NIGHT 77 
 
 THE SISTERS 93 
 
 THE LORD'S DAY 102 
 
 QUID PRO Quo 113 
 
 THE LOST WAYFARER FOUND 121 
 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION 134 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 THE FOUNTAIN 17 
 
 THE TABERNACLE 21 
 
 REV. ALFRED COOKMAN . . . . . . 39 
 
 REV. J. S. INSKIP ........ 65 
 
 Ml 91953 
 
PRELUDE. 
 
 A CENTRAL truth there is, 
 Which should our souls environ, 
 As with strong chains of iron ; 
 There are diversities 
 Of gifts ; not less, 'tis true, 
 Of operations : all, 
 Whate'er the name we call, 
 One Spirit worketh through, 
 Even the Christ, our Lord, 
 Revealed in His own Word. 
 
 He is our pattern ; only He : 
 Not any man, however wise, 
 Nor system in its grand emprise, 
 Should substitution be. 
 Nor let there be one given mold 
 In which all types of mind are run ; 
 As well attempt to melt the sun 
 In model shapes of gold. 
 
PRELUDE. 
 
 The soul is the eternal breath; 
 The voices cognate unto it 
 Are trending to the infinite; 
 Before and after what's called Death. 
 
 Results by numbers never count : 
 All souls do not receive the grace 
 Some seem to have in certain trace 
 From wilderness unto the mount. 
 Yet others many, not less good, 
 Receive, perchance, in different way ; 
 And so 'tis not for men to say 
 What only One has understood. 
 
 There's nothing greater than pure Love, 
 Which sees in every man a part 
 Of the all-bountiful God-heart ! 
 Stars differ in their light above. 
 Be honor unto whom 'tis due, 
 E'en though he sees not as we see, 
 Or is not what we'd have him be. 
 The ideal mount is gained by few : 
 Let honest rights to all be given. 
 Time settles most things on its lees : 
 No man can all men always please. 
 There is no wilderness in heaven. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 I. 
 
 MIDSUMMER MORNING IN THE TOWN. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 I'M weary of this world of strife, 
 The cark and toil unhinge my brain ; 
 I hunger for some higher life, 
 
 The deep, still rest which follows pain. 
 My idols all have dropped to dust ; 
 
 High hopes of earthly good have flown ; 
 Men are untrue ; I cannot trust : 
 
 Alas ! my spirit stands alone. 
 The meed of praise for honors won 
 
 Is but a hollow, selfish strain : 
 In all that I have ever done, 
 
 I look for happiness in vain. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 " In vain" my bird in echo sharp, 
 
 Derisive cries, imp of degrees ! 
 Oh, were it that ^Eolian harp 
 
 I hung of old between the trees, 
 When all was peaceful, and I dreamed 
 
 The gentle music told me truth, 
 And things were better than they seemed, 
 
 Blest visions of my sunny youth ! 
 Oh, fool was I ! 
 
 Now wise the bird 
 
 To call me what forsooth is true. 
 Strange that I never heard that word 
 
 When standing in the morning dew, 
 And hunting for the four-leaved clover ! 
 All that is passed : my luck is over. 
 Now, when I dream, I see black crosses 
 On the head-piece of pale horses : 
 No marvel, since I've borne such losses ! 
 
 JOHN HOPEFUL. 
 
 Ah, grace be unto you ! there's joy 
 
 The circle of this life within. 
 One came, through death he might destroy 
 
 The power of death, and strength of sin. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Thank God ! 'twas not angelic mold 
 
 He took upon himself, but ours, 
 That he sublimest place might hold 
 
 Of merciful High Priest, in powers 
 Pertaining to the Father, while 
 
 He suffered, thus to reconcile 
 Our God to us, and us to God. 
 
 Hast prayed this morn until the smile 
 Shone in Christ's eyes of tend'rest fire, 
 
 And warmed to blooming all the rod 
 That lies across thy broken lyre ? 
 
 There's a provision, grandly wide, 
 To cover life, whate'er the loss, 
 
 With lustre from the brighter side, 
 The side where shines the crowned cross. 
 
 They who accept, go ever on 
 The conflicts and temptations through, 
 
 Rejoicing more than at the dawn 
 Of life's illusions fair and new. 
 
 Remember, Christophe, that famed wife 
 Who backward looked with longing eyes ! 
 
 The strange procession of thy life 
 Leave to the Father, good, all-wise. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 I know ; I've read ; I long have thought, 
 
 Till my tired brain is overfull : 
 And yet my wisdom has not bought 
 
 One comfort strong or beautiful. 
 'Twas in my youth I gave my heart 
 
 In covenant with God's free grace : 
 I chose what's called the better part, 
 
 And started on the Christian race. 
 I well remember that blest day, 
 
 When I had been God's word to hear. 
 Behind our shed I knelt to pray, 
 
 ('Twas near the close of my twelfth year.) 
 I had a little altar there, 
 
 Where I had prayed upon my knees : 
 Oh ! 'twas a precious spot, and rare 
 
 In beauty, 'neath the cherry-trees ! 
 Just then I heard the old church-bell : 
 
 Its music made me shiver through ; 
 For unto me it seemed to tell 
 
 What God the Lord called me to do. 
 I must give him my heart, and be 
 
 His true disciple through all change ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 11 
 
 Must suffer, what, I could not see ; 
 
 That seemed to lie along the range 
 Of a prospective vision dim. 
 
 Oh, had I known what I know now ! 
 But there I yielded unto Him 
 
 Who wore the thorns upon his brow. 
 Since then, the doctrines of the Church 
 
 Are ever precious in my plan : 
 But I've unrest, a conflict, search, 
 
 For that which makes a truer man ; 
 My spirit is unreconciled 
 
 To what I'm called to see and bear. 
 Would that I were a simple child, 
 
 Unknowing pain or woe or care ; 
 Or, better still, an angel free, 
 
 Divested of this earthly clod, 
 To roam throughout immensity 
 
 Within the glorious light of God ! 
 
 JOHN HOPEFUL. 
 
 Dear friend, there's light and love for you 
 Within this earthly, sinful sphere. 
 
 Arise ! thy light has come anew ; 
 There is a life devoid of fear. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Tis true as truth, a living fact : 
 
 There's love divine, complete and pure, 
 
 Which will redeem each sinful act, 
 And make your peace perpetual, sure. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 I've pondered many wondrous things, 
 
 The patent cures in books abound : 
 But life ne'er mends its broken strings ; 
 
 The chord, once lost, is never found. 
 My mind and manner are not free 
 
 To follow every rushing tide : 
 No, no ! I am what I must be 
 
 Until my spirit's glorified. 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 Say, rather, sanctified, made free 
 
 In Christ's redeeming blood, by faith. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 Nay, friend : that state will never be 
 Until the moment of my death. 
 
. WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 13 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 Far off across the hills and streams 
 
 There is a consecrated grove, 
 Where heaven's bright light in glory streams, 
 
 Till all the place is filled with love. 
 They're meeting now, those holy hearts, 
 
 To worship God : let us away 
 Beyond the city's crowded marts, 
 
 And with them sweetly praise and pray. 
 
n. 
 
 THE NATIONAL CAMP-MEETING. 
 
 JOHN 
 
 THIS is the place, the temple Nature made ; 
 High heaven its dome, its roof the bounteous 
 
 shade 
 
 Of kingly oaks, and beeches in a royal line, 
 Among the hemlocks and the fragrant pine. 
 Here are the paths of graceful curve, which 
 
 lead 
 Far in beyond our view. Let us proceed. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 These tents on every hand are most, to me, 
 Like argosies full-freighted on the sea. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 15 
 
 Each hath a voyage, a mission every soul : 
 How many, think you, will attain the goal ? 
 And here are cottages which hem the way : 
 Some give us glimpses of interiors gay ; 
 And some of dear old times in truth remind, 
 Ere fashion came our utmost life to grind ; 
 When all rose early, ate good milk and bread, 
 Wore homespun coats, and gowns of blue and red ; 
 Had prayers upon their knees, and sang high 
 
 strains 
 
 Of heaven and hell, with lively fugue refrains ; 
 In honest, simple plans, took up their task 
 By that full grace which limit does not ask, 
 And followed goodness all the livelong day ; 
 Met round the hearth at night in kindly way, 
 To loving blend each part in happy whole. 
 Oh, there was wisdom ! Bless the honest soul ! 
 Of this I've heard my aged grandsire tell, 
 Until my heart with fervors wild did swell. 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 And here is wisdom. See ! encircled near, 
 A fountain, with its waters cold and clear ; 
 
16 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 A type of that eternal fount, where erst, 
 Said Christ, the soul may drink, and never thirst. 
 The shadows on the marbles fall aslant, 
 While all the day the cups are resonant 
 With music of their use. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE (drinking). 
 
 Oh, from this cup 
 
 Might I but surely drink my misery up ! 
 Where'er I go, though beautiful the scene, 
 The saddened past comes up to contravene 
 Repose of soul. 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 Dear friend, rest in the Lord ! 
 Your confidence shall have a great reward. 
 Now would that from the fullness of my heart, 
 I could one consolation true impart ! 
 But no : God only gives a lasting peace, 
 And brings the fettered soul to its release. 
 
 (After an interval of silence.) 
 
 Go forth with me from off this living street ; 
 Let us escape the sound of busy feet. 
 
THE FOUNTAIN. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 19 
 
 Here is the field : the insects in the grass 
 Sing praise as by their little tents we pass. 
 They are in harmony with all God's move : 
 Ah ! why can man do any less than love ? 
 Turn back the gaze : how vast and grand the 
 
 wood, 
 
 The august diction of the noblest mood !. 
 The branches wave in gentle tune their praise, 
 In paean of escape from silent days. 
 And how the squirrels whisk within and out 
 The mossy stones, astonied at the rout ! 
 While with bright eyes they whisper to the 
 
 leaves, 
 
 " He who gives pleasure, thrice the gift re- 
 ceives." 
 
 These rocky battlements extend their arms 
 To reach the plains and cultivated farms. 
 Behold ! across the tree-tops, sleeps the lake ; 
 Beyond, perpetual hills ! which rounding make 
 In broad symmetric zone of emerald hue, 
 Whose shadows softly blend upon the blue, 
 O'er which the boats skim lightly here and there 
 With freight of youth and love, untouched with 
 care ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And in this foreground, on the country road, 
 Regard the wagons with their pilgrim load ; 
 And there, beneath the bounteous apple-trees, 
 Are horses fastened, sleeping in the breeze, 
 To dream of clover, save when sounds aloud 
 Break on their ears from off yon human crowd. 
 These, with the varied aspects of the farm, 
 This rural picture grace with added charm. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 But what is that immense pavilion white, 
 That now looms yonder on my curious sight ? 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 The tabernacle : therein I've often seen 
 A work of power more heavenly than terrene, 
 While met the peoples at the early morn, 
 Revived with fragrant freshness of the dawn, 
 To lift their hearts in praise and prayer, and 
 
 talk 
 
 Of Christ, the dearest friend, and of their walk 
 With him, along life's devious, shadowed way, 
 To the eternal realms of golden day ; 
 
THE TABERNACLE. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 23 
 
 Until I criecl, " How excellent, O Lord, 
 
 Thy loving-kindness ! hence I trust thy word, 
 
 And underneath the shadow of thy wings 
 
 My soul finds blessedness, and glory sings." 
 
 There, likewise, children with their guides repair, 
 
 To learn of Him who gave their earliest prayer ; 
 
 Small rosy lips repeat in cherub-note 
 
 The truths of life and light in simplest rote ; 
 
 The tender lambs are raised aloft in faithful 
 
 arms, 
 
 And shown the Saviour in his matchless charms. 
 All fresh from heaven, their bounding hearts 
 
 alight 
 
 With innocence* celestial aura bright, 
 They catch the vision, while the holy grace 
 In their sweet, trustful hearts finds dwelling- 
 place. 
 
 Their angels- from the presence of the Lord, 
 Assist the faithful teachers of the Word, 
 Infix the precious truths which they have heard. 
 A fairer sight not mine has been to see 
 Than this, of children, with their ministry 
 Of loving, holy women, greatly blest 
 In leading tender lambs to Jesus' breast. 
 
24 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And there assemble at the eventide 
 
 The shepherds of the flocks. Thus, side by 
 
 side, 
 
 I've marked the bowed and white-haired vet- 
 eran 
 
 Whose earthly pilgrimage was almost done, 
 While gently neared his boat the farther shore 
 Without the motion of his faithful oar ; 
 And youthful hero in his armor bright, 
 Equipped for conquest on the mountain height, 
 With flashing eye intent the prize to reach, 
 Across the bridge of work and earnest speech. 
 Would I could catch the picture in its truth, 
 The mellow saint beside the unripe youth ! 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 Ah, well, good sir ! you'd better not attempt 
 With a free pencil works of such high art. 
 
 A tyro, from grave faults is not exempt. 
 Ours is the learner's, not the critic's, part. 
 
 Though taught in all the schools, not yet are 
 we 
 
 In truest style of Christian charity. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 25 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 Yea, in this manner I confess thou'rt wise ; 
 He who most sees in life to criticise, 
 Is least correct himself, be sure. 
 But to resume : the famed and the obscure, 
 With thought half fledged, and thought pro- 
 found, mature, 
 
 All types of preachers, at the sunset-hour, 
 Have I seen wrestling in fraternal power. 
 Ah, yes ! beneath yon whitened canvas broad 
 I've witnessed many a meeting for the Lord. 
 
 CHRISTOPHE. 
 
 Let us draw near : perchance I'll wander in. 
 I like the place where souls have lately been. 
 The spirit which has held and swayed the 
 
 crowd 
 
 Seems yet to linger like an unseen cloud, 
 As loath to leave. 
 
 JOHN (later). 
 
 Hark! there's the evening 
 bell! 
 Tis time for song and sermon. All is well. 
 
26 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 (On their way they meet a messenger. John receives a 
 letter, and, after reading, exclaims, ) 
 
 I'm summoned hence. I must be gone to-night. 
 
 I leave you, friend, and this beloved spot. 
 These things are somewhat sad ; but it is right, 
 
 Or else in this wise 'twould befall me not. 
 You'll now be left to think without your friend : 
 For this it will prove better in the end 
 To your free spirit. I'll oft pray for you, 
 O pax vobiscum, Christophe ! Now adieu ! 
 
III. 
 
 THE SERMON. 
 
 (Evening; in the grove before the preachers' stand.) 
 
 Now, in the classic Grecian lore 
 Tis written, Amphion of yore 
 Had with his voice and lyre such skill, 
 The very stones at their own will 
 Rose up, and formed a wall of song, 
 All shapely, beautiful, and strong. 
 Certes the trees did clap their hands 
 As here united happy bands 
 In singing on one surging flood, 
 " There is a foimtain filled with blood'' 
 While they sang heavenly praises thus, 
 The very air was tremulous, 
 
28 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And formed a wall of burning gold, 
 Around that waiting, numerous fold. 
 Then, 'neath the awning and the trees, 
 The people fell upon their knees, 
 What time a strong-voiced veteran 
 Did lead in prayer to God for man : 
 For man in general, and the world, 
 Was not his bannered faith unfurled ; 
 But men and women, ay, the child, 
 The youth in all life's impulse wild, 
 And those dear ones for whom was writ, 
 " Pray that an arrow sure may hit 
 My own beloved, that on this ground 
 They seek the Lord while he is found." 
 And likewise prayed this strong-souled saint, 
 The Church might fight, and never faint, 
 Fight Satan in his strongest hold, 
 The pride of life, the greed for gold. 
 Like some true warrior of old days 
 Who'd slain his thousands to God's praise, 
 He knew the Tempter's tricks by heart, 
 Each password on his lines of art. 
 O brave old man ! no idle oar 
 Can take thee to the golden shore ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 29 
 
 But thou wilt work, however late 
 Thy life, while others stand and wait. 
 
 This Christophe heard ; but still his soul 
 
 Was held in bands well-wrung and whole. 
 
 The heavens above his faith did ope 
 
 But to admit a partial hope ; 
 
 While, stumbling o'er the blocks of doubt, 
 
 His thought toward God and man went out. 
 
 " 'Tis very well," he whispered home, 
 
 " To this delightful place to come ; 
 
 One sees so much of varied life, 
 
 Quite undisturbed by outer strife : 
 
 But what can this emotion do 
 
 For one whose spirit is chilled through ? 
 
 What alchemy, howe'er divine, 
 
 Can change a nature such as mine ? 
 
 My soul amidst its famine gaunt, " 
 
 Cries out in hopeless strife, ' I want ! ' 
 
 No power in life nor yet in death, 
 
 Can bring to me the old-time-faith." 
 
 As thus he mused, the fire was laid 
 
 Upon the altar. A preacher said 
 
30 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Those royal words which make the blood 
 Stir in the heart, a Thanks to God, 
 
 "ALL THINGS ARE YOURS." 
 
 He was a man 
 
 Whose life ran even with God's plan. 
 All things were his, and, most of all, 
 The Christ who saves from sinful thrall, 
 And sets his people free in love, 
 That they his goodness e'er may prove. 
 So greatly did the glory fill 
 His soul, excluding his own will, 
 His words were power : they clove the heart, 
 Disclosing many a hidden part, 
 And holding up before the view 
 The living way in aspect new. 
 As Christophe heard, he trembled, spite 
 His utmost effort recondite. 
 " I'll ne'er," said he, " receive this word, 
 Though he should wield archangel's sword, 
 Like Boanerges, son of thunder, 
 To cleave my soul with truth asunder. 
 But I must sure my firmness brace : 
 His words strike right across my face 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 31 
 
 With such a strange, persuasive force, 
 I shall let slip my last resource." 
 " All tilings are yours'' again he cried, 
 " Since Christ for you was crucified. 
 His blood alone can cleanse from sin, 
 And bring the reign of freedom in. 
 Not any work which you have done, 
 Nor victory you have ever won, 
 Can bring your soul to a release 
 
 From sin's avenging power ; 
 
 For in the selfsame hour 
 You break the law, you lose your peace : 
 
 A struggle fierce ensues ; 
 
 And vainly you refuse 
 The parley with the conquering foe, 
 Since, at your bidding, he'll not go. 
 
 ' Oh ! whither shall I fly ? ' 
 
 Is now the spirit's cry : 
 ' On either hand, my judgment sits ; 
 No plea my guilty soul acquits ; 
 
 I long for that which gives 
 Redemption from this pain : 
 
 But, while my body lives, 
 Sin in my life must reign/ 
 
32 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 So cries the panting soul in grief, 
 Nor yet expects in life relief." 
 
 (" Yes," Christophe inly sighed, 
 
 " Would God that I had died, 
 
 The fatal year I lost 
 
 My idols at such cost ! 
 
 For, since I was distrest, 
 
 There's nothing can bring rest.") 
 As if the preacher had him in his plan 
 Christophe did seem to hear, " Thou art the 
 man ! " 
 
 And, while a prayer went up on high, 
 
 " Afflicted spirit ! " was his cry, 
 
 " All things in Christ belong to you. 
 
 And ask you now, ' What shall I do ?' " 
 
 Just here he raised his hand aloft, 
 
 A wondrous light in radiance soft 
 Shone on his brow, as though a glory fell 
 From Christ's own heart, while he stood there to 
 tell 
 
 The blessed story of the cross ; 
 
 And how was recompensed the loss 
 Of purity, the gold refined from .dross. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 33 
 
 u Is now your heart all darkly full 
 
 Of every hateful thing ? 
 Is nothing really beautiful ? 
 
 Hast thou no heart to sing, 
 1 The Lord my shepherd is ; 
 
 I know I shall not want : 
 He leadeth me in paths of bliss 
 
 To every peaceful haunt ' ? 
 Look up, beloved brother ! See 
 
 Your Saviour ! He is mine ! 
 He died to save ; he died for thee, 
 
 That all things might be thine. 
 'Tis Jesus saves us from our sins ; 
 
 Through faith in his shed blood, 
 The burdened soul its freedom wins, 
 
 And boldly pleads with God. 
 This is the power of God to bless : 
 
 Christ unto us is made 
 Our wisdom and our righteousness, 
 
 By him our debt is paid : 
 HE SANCTIFIES ! 
 
 " Give him your love ; 
 His blest commands obey. 
 
34 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Say, will you this deliv' ranee prove, 
 
 No longer in your bondage stay ? 
 Hast thou some idol out of sight, 
 
 Some ruling passion dear ? 
 O Holy Spirit ! with thy light 
 
 Shine on each spirit here ; 
 Search every heart, and bring to view 
 
 The myst'ry of each will ; 
 With thy pure cleansing make them new, 
 
 And with the Spirit fill. 
 
 As when one looks adown a crystal well, 
 Beholds his image, yet can hardly tell 
 If it be self or other, in the shade 
 Which the reflection of his presence made ; 
 So Christophe gazed upon the fountain deep 
 Within his soul, and then began to weep. 
 The longer looked, the more the image grew 
 Upon his consciousness ; and yet 'twas new. 
 But vain had been the invocation free 
 And powerful to seek for purity, 
 Had not " one like the Son of man " there come, 
 With outstretched arms, to bring the wand'rers 
 home. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 35 
 
 The man of God, by holy power endued 
 With an electric unction, thus renewed : 
 
 " Jesus, thou Lamb of God ! art thou not here ? 
 I feel thy presence : this is holy ground ! 
 
 Thy glory is too near ! 
 
 We bow e'en to the dust. 
 But hark ! what wondrous words are found ! 
 
 ' If we our sins confess, 
 
 He faithful is and just, 
 
 Trangressions to forgive, 
 And cleanse from all unrighteousness.' 
 
 Ah ! now look up, and live : 
 All things are yours" 
 
 There rose a sound, 
 As some strong wind among the trees, 
 
 Of " Glory to the Lamb ! " 
 And Christophe, falling on his knees, 
 
 Cried, " Lord, thine own I am ! 
 All that I have, or what shall be, 
 
 My future life to bless, 
 I give, dear Saviour, unto thee, 
 Thou source of happiness ! " 
 
IV. 
 
 THE PRAYER. 
 
 THE preacher ceased : there was a still, deep 
 
 . calm 
 
 Of silent prayer, unutterable psalm ! 
 'Twas well-nigh like the silence of the Heaven, 
 When opening of the seventh seal was given. 
 
 And as in heaven from off the altar, rose 
 The incense of an angel's prayer, with those 
 True prayers which reach the high, eternal 
 
 throne, 
 
 So here did intercede a sainted one. 
 Hark ! has not the angel utterance now 
 E'en in the man ? There's light upon his brow ! 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 37 
 
 Sure, prayer, in strains like these, has never 
 
 birth, 
 Save from the soul that's soon to quit the earth. 
 
 Behold, he talks with God, as face to face, 
 In purest glow ! 
 
 This is a holy place ! 
 
 What heart is here that will not melt in love ? 
 What heart would not such wondrous sweetness 
 
 prove ? 
 Who would not taste these clusters of ripe 
 
 fruit ? 
 
 Can any listen with a spirit mute ? 
 'Twas thus ; 
 
 But no ! such pearls are not reset. 
 Oh ! who that heard that prayer can e'er forget ? 
 
 And yet 'twas human word 
 That from those gracious lips, enraptured heard 
 The waiting throng, a word no brush can 
 
 paint, 
 
 More than the dazzling aura of a saint ; 
 For it was incense, fragrance unexpressed, 
 Received while leaning on the Saviour's breast, 
 
38 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Strong interfused through all his sainted life, 
 
 With choicest graces of the Spirit rife. 
 
 And though he boldly plead before the throne 
 
 As one who must be heard, his spirit grew 
 
 In heavenly union as he thus prayed on. 
 
 The Saviour, whom he greatly loved, appeared, 
 
 To take possession of his soul all through ; 
 
 Which gracious spirit him to all endeared. 
 
 The tears did tremble on their eyes, like dew 
 
 On flowers in a delicious summer eve. 
 
 And some there were who could not help but 
 
 grieve, 
 
 As though the founts of inbred sin were wide 
 Unclosed before the Lord, the Crucified. 
 
 At length he paused, a moment greatly full 
 
 Of power : then in a figure beautiful 
 
 He held the people up before the face, 
 
 As children waiting for descending grace 
 
 From God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 
 When, as in solemn fervor sweetly lost, 
 
 He said, "Dear Lord, thou hast the vic'try 
 
 won ; 
 We give thee all our faith ; thy will be done ! " 
 
REV. ALFP4E 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 39 
 
 Moved were all hearts. Christophe fell prone as 
 
 dead : 
 The human strength of the proud man had fled. 
 
 Oh ! if one there, but had the power to cast 
 The future in this scene which thus had passed, 
 And seen this holy man, an angel now, 
 In blood- washed robe, a halo round his brow, 
 Sweeping in royal chariot of fire 
 Through gates of pearl to glory higher 
 * Than eye hath seen, ear heard, or heart con- 
 ceived ; 
 
 By many shining ones old friends, received 
 And borne along before that glorious throne 
 Whence he so oft had sent, " Thy will be done ; " 
 To see the Lamb, the Christ whom he adored, 
 And hear the welcome plaudit of the Lord, 
 Had one swift radiant glance to these been 
 
 given 
 
 Of Alfred Cookman, now a saint in heaven, 
 What strange amazement would have seized the 
 
 throng ! 
 
 What words would they have joined in sacred 
 song ! 
 
40 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 What grades, the accents from his "lips, 
 As though they were a new apocalypse, 
 A late discovery of God's will to man, 
 Unfolding some supreme, mysterious plan ! 
 And yet 'tis even truth, Death lingers near 
 Our every feast of friends and kindred dear. 
 " Some one is marked," we hear the spirit cry : 
 Let us with watching pray, " Lord, is it I ? " 
 To die in Christian triumph ah ! 'tis bliss 
 Unspeakable, a holy death like this ! 
 Translation glorious from the earthly sphere, 
 Whence what we shall be does not now ap- 
 pear, 
 
 Only like Christ : we'll see him as he is, 
 And then with him, we'll fathom mysteries. 
 
 Thou sainted Cookman ! say, is it not given 
 To speak thy greatest truth well learned in 
 heaven ? 
 
 " ' Is Christ divided ? ' I may tell you all, 
 Be not of Cephas, nor be ye of Paul. 
 'Tis Christ the hope of glory, and not man. 
 The cross is only the effectual plan : 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 41 
 
 To them that perish it is foolishness ; 
 
 To us who' re saved, hath power of God to bless. 
 
 The Jews required a sign ; so do not ye. 
 
 In spirit's holy power wouldst hear from me ? 
 
 Have ye the mind of Christ? Receive his 
 
 word, 
 
 What wiser truth can ever more be heard ? 
 ' Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord' ' 
 
V. 
 
 MORNING, IN THE TABERNACLE, 
 EVENING, UNDER THE ROOF. 
 
 THE morning dawned 'mid lines of gold ; 
 And, as in Eastern tale 'tis told, 
 When struck the earliest golden rays 
 A certain tower, it sent forth praise 
 In finest, most ecstatic word, 
 Such as no mortal elsewhere heard ; 
 Likewise upon this tented ground, 
 Where many early meeting found, 
 Arose delightful notes of joy, 
 Like as the angels might employ 
 To sing the story of God's love 
 Around the sapphire throne above. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 43 
 
 This having passed, and prayer gone through, 
 
 A leader bade them to review 
 
 The way their lives were being led, 
 
 If sad, or yet new-comforted ; 
 
 " For they who love the Lord/' said he, 
 
 " Speak often, each to others, free." 
 
 Christophe sat in a farther seat, 
 
 As loath the general eye to meet ; 
 
 For, though his soul with love was full, - 
 
 The vision of his faith was dull. 
 
 He inly said, " I'll hear the rest ; ^ 
 
 For, should I ever be less blessed, 
 
 I'd wish my feelings unexpressed." 
 
 And, as he doubted Jesus' power 
 
 To keep him from that happy hour, 
 
 He dreamed himself to safely lead, 
 
 Unthinking he would not succeed. 
 
 'Twas while a sister spoke of faith, 
 Its mighty power o'er life and death 
 For which she witnessed, having known 
 This work on hearts, and in her own, 
 That in his soul temptation rose, 
 
44 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Such as the Adversary knows 
 
 How to infuse in hearts like his, 
 
 And quickly rob them of their bliss. 
 
 " I can't believe this work of love 
 
 My late experience will prove/' 
 
 He mused ; "I cannot be thus saved. 
 
 The seal of faith is not engraved 
 
 On my poor sinful heart. Alas ! 
 
 Would I were one of this dear class 
 
 Who can believe with easy will ! 
 
 I must be reasoning, questioning still." 
 
 The more he these confessions heard, 
 The more his inner soul was stirred : 
 For now, the Tempter having kept, 
 Each moment he new troubles reapt ; 
 Till, like a fiery crater pent, 
 His spirit burned in punishment. 
 For this is Satan's special joy, 
 The new-found peace to quite destroy, 
 Or lessen, as he best can do, 
 According as the soul is true 
 And strong in its peculiar mold ; 
 Well knowing it's worth more to hold 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 45 
 
 One mighty than a thousand weak 
 Who only play at hide-and-seek 
 With Truth, and all religious work 
 Perform with a good zeal to shirk. 
 But here was one who would be known 
 A power behind the very throne. 
 If he but Christophe could allure 
 From faith in God, his power to cure 
 From sin and its effects impure, 
 A triumph rare he would secure. 
 
 Permit these words in interlude : 
 Why do not leaders strong and good, 
 Seek out these doubters in their pain, 
 And win them back to peace again ? 
 Why is not more for sad hearts done 
 Who stumble ere they've well begun ? 
 Christ came to save that which was lost : 
 A priest was chosen at the cost 
 Of human make, ordained for man 
 In things pertaining to God's plan, 
 That he for sins might offer gift, 
 The ignorant teach, the fallen lift ; 
 Since he himself was compassed round 
 
46 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 With scars of many a sinful wound. 
 
 Kairon gnothi* saith the Greek, 
 
 Or know your chance, as we would speak ; 
 
 And, like these words of Pittacus 
 
 Are those divine addressed to us : 
 
 " I was a stranger : ye received 
 
 Me not." Oft strange the soul, and grieved 
 
 With painful knowledge of its lack. 
 
 O faithful Christian ! keep not back 
 
 That love which suffereth others' wrong, 
 
 And thinketh kindly, waiteth long. 
 
 Recall to mind your own estate, 
 
 When you at this same door did wait, 
 
 In doubt if you might enter in, 
 
 And be redeemed from every sin. 
 
 As Dido said in Latin old, 
 
 " Myself has suffered : so I hold 
 
 A pity for each suffering heart." 
 
 Shall heathen teach the better part ? 
 
 Likewise those golden words rehearse 
 
 In Hebrews second, eighteenth verse : 
 
 " In that himself hath suffered, he, 
 
 Not being from temptation free, 
 
 * Kaipov 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 47 
 
 Is able tempted souls to aid. 
 Wherefore, O holy brethren, made 
 Partakers of this calling ! see 
 That this example yours may be." 
 
 And now had Christophe quenched the fire 
 Which God had kindled in his soul ; 
 
 And suffered his half-armed desire 
 To falter ere it reached the goal. 
 
 He'd seen the Lord, and told it not, 
 
 As though ashamed, or had forgot. 
 
 Each clear confession, strong or mild, 
 
 But made him more unreconciled : 
 
 So, not to stay thus sorely tried, 
 
 He left the place, as if to hide 
 
 From God and man. 
 
 Up 'neath a roof 
 
 With rafters bare, he stayed aloof 
 From every call which reached his ear, 
 Unseen, alone, in silence drear. 
 Not quite alone : two there stood near, 
 Invisible, and talked with him. 
 
48 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 " Thou art a dupe to miss the vim 
 Of life," one said, " in this dull style." 
 
 Then, from the very golden rim 
 
 Of what did seem his highest thought, 
 He heard, 
 
 "Let not such speech beguile 
 Thy soul : " this his good angel taught. 
 
 But Satan quick the words did break : 
 " With all the effort you can make, 
 You don't achieve what others do. 
 Besides, this doctrine is not true : 
 You know great men in every age, 
 The scholiast, divine, and sage, 
 And honored women not a few, 
 Have taught, while man the flesh is in, 
 He must be subject unto sin. 
 'Tis time, when you shall come to die, 
 For God your soul to sanctify." 
 
 Then spoke the angel on his right, 
 " Be strong in power of Jesus' might ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 49 
 
 And with his armor true and whole, 
 The Devil's wiles withstand thy soul. 
 You wrestle not with flesh and blood 
 When evil comes in like a flood. 
 Stand, therefore, with the truth fast girt ; 
 
 Above all, take faith's mighty shield, 
 And with the Spirit's sword, 
 Which is God's holy word, 
 Watching with prayer, he shall not hurt 
 
 Thy soul, if thou dost never yield. 
 Mark well, it is not true, beside, 
 This doctrine good men all denied. 
 The list is long, the names are strong, 
 Who made this statute their chief song, 
 In house of earthly pilgrimage, 
 In every sect, in every age. 
 Within your library you can look, 
 And find there many a precious book 
 Which testifies a saving power 
 Unto the uttermost ; a dower 
 To others, in the fruits of love, 
 Which best of all a faith can prove. 
 Likewise project thy honest search : 
 Behold the women of the Church, 
 
50 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Who've thrown their influence in this scale, 
 
 And made the Adversary quail ; 
 
 Not only those with gifts endowed, 
 
 Whose powerful words have thrilled the crowd, 
 
 And through the press have had their birth 
 
 To the remotest ends of earth ; 
 
 But those sweet souls in corners still, 
 
 And by the couches of the ill, 
 
 Tried mothers, sisters, and sad wives, 
 
 Who've honored this pure faith in lives 
 
 More beauteous in their crystal sheen 
 
 Than life of most exalted queen." 
 
 Then Satan, nowise baffled yet, 
 Suggested, 
 
 " You can ne'er forget 
 The strong delusions many men 
 Have taught mankind with tongue and pen : 
 The world, in sooth, could not contain 
 The works of them who wrote for gain, 
 Or their own goodness to proclaim, 
 That they might win undying fame. 
 Admitting men do loud profess 
 Their perfect lives of happiness, 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 51 
 
 There is no Scripture to adduce 
 Save by perversion and abuse. 
 T'is written ' Each one goes his way ; ' 
 ' All we like sheep have gone astray ; ' 
 ' None is righteous, no, not one : ' 
 And, if we say that we sin none, 
 We make the Lord a liar, sure ; 
 And liars he can ne'er endure. 
 Who would not rather choose to be 
 The publican, than Pharisee ? " 
 
 The angel then did mildly speak : 
 " The Lord was made an offering meek 
 For sin. He hath been put to grief, 
 That we,. his seed, might find relief: 
 And with his stripes we may be healed. 
 While further yet it is revealed, 
 If we our sins in truth do own, 
 He will for all our sin atone. 
 And then a clear command is given, 
 ' Be perfect as the Lord in heaven ; ' 
 
52 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Which would not be laid down to mock 
 Our standard in the Christian walk. 
 This is God's will, 'tis likewise said, 
 That you be sanctified. You've read 
 Yet other sacred words which show 
 That man may gain this state below ; 
 A state of grace, I say, wherein 
 He does not yield to any sin. 
 There is no power which sanctifies 
 Above temptation till he dies. 
 But he, kept ever by God's hand, 
 Has power the evil to withstand : 
 It comes, but touches npt his soul ; 
 It leaves him still unscathed and whole. 
 Though sharp the conflict, vic'try sure 
 Will crown the struggle of the pure." 
 
 " Ay, if a pure one you can find, 
 I then might be of this same mind ; 
 But, thanks to God ! I'm not so blind 
 As to be duped by human-kind ! " 
 Thus Satan spoke to Christophe low ; 
 Then vent'ring bold, "You know 'tis so ! 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 53 
 
 There's Doctor C., who pleads this grace, 
 
 He wears a whisker round his face ; 
 
 And P., who boasts he's never moved, 
 
 Is always very finely gloved ; 
 
 So S., who has a long stride made 
 
 On this ' highway/ is sharp in trade ; 
 
 And Sister R., *vho this professes, 
 
 Has several very costly dresses." 
 
 " I've heard them say things which I thought 
 Not as consistent as they ought," 
 Mused Christophe, half ashamed to find 
 Within his heart these thoughts unkind. 
 
 "Yes," added Satan, "all the holy 
 
 Are very far from being lowly ; 
 
 And, though with gentle words they meet us, 
 
 I doubt not they'd have burnt Servetus. 
 
 Indeed, I've always boldly said it, 
 
 These people don't deserve their credit ; 
 
 For when there's war, or any stir, 
 
 You'll find their brand Excalibur. 
 
 They're so aggressive in their doing, 
 
 I've sometimes thought they'd prove my ruin." 
 
54 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 The angel thus resumed his plea : 
 " Herein our love is perfect made, 
 That we be bold, St. John has said, 
 In judgment-day ; for as is he, 
 So in this vvorld (mark that) are we. 
 If none could pure be rightly called, 
 While by mortality inthralled, 
 Wherefore these words and others plain, 
 To prove such grace, man may attain ? 
 ' Blest are the pure in heart ; for they 
 Our God shall see/ Why then, I say, 
 Is this distinction likewise given, 
 ' Abundant entrance into heaven ' ? 
 Some in great triumph pass away 
 Full in the light of shining day ; 
 While others in their doubt expire, 
 Are ' scarcely saved ' by path of fire. 
 ' One star from other differeth 
 In glory/ thus the. Scripture saith. 
 Is it not then, worth every strife, 
 To have this purity of life ? 
 For godliness is gain, we see, 
 Within this state, and that to be. 
 However now we close our eyes, 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 55 
 
 There'll come a time when all disguise 
 
 Shall fall : then will in truth appear 
 
 The worth of our existence here. 
 
 And now, behold, your courage faints 
 
 Because is writ against God's saints 
 
 These bitter things. No one contends 
 
 For even his most righteous friends, 
 
 And far less for himself, to be 
 
 The fact, that life is wholly free 
 
 From errors of the judgment, taste, 
 
 Infirmities which should be placed 
 
 Beneath the head of faults, not sins ; 
 
 As when the will a triumph wins 
 
 O'er conscience, but, the motive free 
 
 From all designed impurity, 
 
 The deed is likewise quite unstained, 
 
 A victory which Christ's blood has gained 
 
 For him who by a living faith 
 
 Ceases from self, and entereth 
 
 Upon the rest, which, it is clear, 
 
 Remaineth for God's people here. 
 
 And thus if this one dresses ill, 
 
 Or that one is more faulty still, 
 
 Who shall decide which taste is wrong ? 
 
56 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Decisions unto God belong. 
 
 We judge no man ; but by his fruit 
 
 We know him, and the motive suit ; 
 
 And yet not always in that love 
 
 Which for ourselves we claim above. 
 
 To aim at God, is better far 
 
 Than aim at man. ' Who shoots the star/ 
 
 Saith Eastern proverb, ' higher aims 
 
 Than he who but the bushes maims/ 
 
 You'll not regret, when you shall die, 
 
 That you have set your standard high/ 1 
 
 Then Christophe, with a sigh of pain, 
 
 " I do bethink me now, as plain 
 
 As though 'twere yesternight, how died 
 
 My father, who was sanctified, 
 
 According to this faith, long years, 
 
 And how at last he had no fears, 
 
 While we stood round his bed in tears ; 
 
 But, looking upward, did exclaim, 
 
 ' Behold the Lamb who once was slain ! 
 
 I come to thee, dear Christ ! I come ! 
 
 Farewell, beloved ! I'm going home/ 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 57 
 
 His cold hand in my mother's, clasped, 
 
 He sweetly fell asleep at last. 
 
 I saw the glory on his brow, 
 
 And said, ' He is an angel now ! ' 
 
 I gently touched the icy clay, 
 
 And smoothed the locks thick -sprent with 
 
 gray; 
 
 While I broke out, ' O father ! speak ; 
 Tell me the things which now I seek 
 With all my heart to certain know. 
 Oh ! what is it to die ? to go 
 Beyond the scenes of earthly view ? 
 Who are they now that talk with you ? 
 What is the " place " in glory there 
 Which Christ did promise to prepare 
 
 For those who his disciples are ? ' 
 Oh, yes ! that scene upon me fell 
 With influence, I ne'er can tell : 
 Could I but meet my death as he, 
 I'd spare no pains like him to be." 
 
 " Yea, ' mark the perfect man's release/ " 
 The angel said : " ' his end is peace/ 
 
58 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As you have heard John Wesley tell, 
 ' Praise God ! our people do die well ! ' " 
 
 Then Christophe lowly bent his head, 
 
 And murmured, " Would that I were dead ! 
 
 I cannot live in such a state ; 
 
 My soul is very desolate : " 
 
 And, proud and strong as he would be, 
 
 Repentant tears flowed fast and free. 
 
 A pocket Bible on the floor 
 
 Beside him lay : he turned it o'er, 
 
 And read by chance (which is design), 
 
 " The ten were cleansed ; but where the nine ? 
 
 They are not found for what is done 
 
 To give God glory, only one." 
 
 " That is like me," said Christophe strong : 
 
 " I see wherein I have gone wrong. 
 
 Though I was cleansed, I had not faith 
 
 To give God glory with my breath." 
 
 This spake the Holy Ghost with power, 
 
 And breathed all through his inner life ; 
 While Satan, who began to lower, 
 
 Resolved on one more bitter strife. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 59 
 
 " Turn thou to Proverbs twenty-fifth, 
 And second verse : there find the pith 
 Of honor, such as true men feel. 
 ' It is God's glory to conceal 
 A thing/ it reads ; and likewise saith 
 The Holy Scripture, ' Hast thou faith ? 
 Have it unto thyself 'fore God. 1 
 'Tis only some dull, common clod 
 Who casts his pearls before the swine ; 
 Or, mayhap, 'tis by shrewd design. 
 Come, play the man, and dry your tears ; 
 Dismiss at once these idle fears : 
 You've been a Christian many years." 
 
 Now Christophe, by the Spirit's aid, 
 Began to know who held this speech, 
 
 And in new freedom, undismayed, 
 Cried out, " Thou shalt not overreach 
 
 My soul's desires, thou Evil One ! 
 
 I will not listen. Now begone ! " 
 
 But, as this struggle sharp through hours 
 Had lasted, all his wearied powers ' 
 
60 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 No longer could their tension keep ; 
 
 And so with prayer he fell asleep. 
 
 The Devil, for a. season, left 
 
 Him undisturbed, while, as in cleft 
 
 Of some deep rock hides a spent hare 
 
 From its pursuer, slept he there ; 
 
 And angels came to him in gleams 
 
 Of purest light, and gave him dreams 
 
 Of heaven, and peaceful, holy things, 
 
 While gentle breezes fanned their wings. 
 
 It seemed his father likewise came, 
 
 All-glorious, and spoke his name, 
 
 While with his arms his form embraced. 
 
 " Dear son, life is too short to waste 
 
 In seeking any other thing," 
 
 He said, " than that which rest will bring." 
 
 When as he spoke that sweet word rest, 
 
 His soul was most serenely blest : 
 
 Before his gaze did then disclose 
 
 A waxen wreath of pure white rose. 
 
 How fair the flower and bud 'mid leaves 
 
 Of shining green ! " Pray, what are these ? " 
 
 He cried in deep amaze. " Behold," 
 
 The vision said, " the ashes hold 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 61 
 
 Within the dark and silent tomb 
 
 That which will live in fadeless bloom." 
 
 He spoke his joy, and woke anew, 
 
 While peace suffused his being through ; 
 
 And yet, so rapt he was, and still, 
 
 It seemed in God dwelt all his will. 
 
 A deep, pervading awe of bliss 
 
 Life was to him, and only this. . 
 
 Then, by love's impulse strong and calm, 
 
 He straightway rose, and wrote this psalm : 
 
 " O God of heaven and all the planets vast 
 Which circle through the universe ! 
 
 My homage let me now before thee cast, 
 My humble strains of praise rehearse. 
 
 I see thee not ; but thine almighty power, 
 Which fills the earth with living light, 
 
 I feel shed on me in this glorious hour 
 With an unspeakable delight. 
 
 Thou King of kings ! thou Sovereign of the 
 
 earth ! 
 Whose loving-kindness from thy throne 
 
62 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Preserves the smallest creature of thy birth, 
 Canst thou accept me as thine own ? 
 
 Long have I sinned, thy holy law trans- 
 gressed : 
 
 I've often mourned my earthly lot, 
 And questioned wherefore others were more 
 
 blest, 
 As though I were by thee forgot. 
 
 I dreamed not of this power to keep thy joy ; 
 
 I recked not holy peace like this, 
 Such pure, fine gold, without one base alloy, 
 
 The overcoming sense of bliss ! 
 
 I know my utter poverty of strength ; 
 
 I see my sin of all the past, 
 Once buried in my memory's distant length, 
 
 Now in clear recognition cast. 
 
 Not by one work of righteousness I've done, 
 Not one good thought or prayer or tear, 
 
 But by the blood of the incarnate Son, 
 Am I from stains of guilt washed clear. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 63 
 
 Teach me, O God ! what shall be meet, 
 
 A tribute to upraise to thee 
 For this new life, this love divinely sweet, 
 
 For all that thou hast done for me. 
 
 Thy will I'll serve by grace with meek con- 
 tent, 
 
 Thus share the truest earthly rest, 
 If I may be the humble instrument 
 
 To execute thy high behest. 
 
 I am like some small isle 'mid waters lone ; 
 
 For, where God is, all else is nought : 
 Encircled is my soul with love's strong zone, 
 
 With gratitude profoundly fraught. 
 
 I glimpse that continent beyond this sphere, 
 Where love divine fills all the air ; 
 
 Fair, radiant angels, oh ! they have no fear : 
 My blessed Saviour, thou art there ! 
 
 Low droop mine eyes : such splendrous light 
 Shines all about me from on high, 
 
 That I would borrow wings to veil my sight. 
 O Jesus ! spare me, lest I die. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Holy, holy, holy thou, dear Lord ! 
 
 Thy glories all my being fill : 
 I am too blest to speak one other word ; 
 
 Lo ! at thy feet I will be still." 
 
VI. 
 
 CONFESSION. 
 
 'TwAS evening in the purpled wood : 
 
 The rosy light had gone 
 
 Behind the shadows brown, 
 When one before the people stood 
 
 Whom Christophe's eye had caught 
 
 In public, as he taught 
 By a commission strong and good. 
 
 He was a leader in that throng ; 
 
 And such indeed was he 
 
 Where'er he chanced to be, 
 By virtue of his nature strong ; 
 
 And by a heav'nly power, 
 
 He held a freehold dower 
 To warfare wage against the wrong. 
 
66 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 His presence was more brave than fine : 
 His eye gleamed steady fire 
 From coals of zeal, not ire ; 
 
 And in it was a certain sign 
 Of latent, honest wit, 
 Adapted well to hit 
 
 Wherever he did so design. 
 
 The largest concourse was his home ; 
 
 The crowd him full inspired : 
 
 But most his fervor fired 
 When he to dangerous scenes had come. 
 
 He trod all fear beneath, 
 
 As " on his native heath," 
 Where God had sent him free to roam. 
 
 As thus when he to Mormon host 
 
 In bold decision went, 
 
 And raised the " mammoth tent ; " 
 Nor gave delay to count the cost, 
 
 His helpers by his side, 
 
 And preached Christ crucified, 
 Without whose pardon they'd be lost. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 67 
 
 And loud he cried with Pauline force 
 
 Against immoral lives, 
 
 Plurality of wives, 
 With all the sin which comes in course ; 
 
 While burdened women wept, 
 
 And elders hard look kept, 
 As they sat out his plain discourse, 
 
 (And secret wished to see his corse ! ) 
 
 E'en there the Spirit witnessed power : 
 
 Souls hung' ring, thirsting long 
 
 In a delusion strong, 
 Were led to Christ in that same hour ; 
 
 Poor wives turned willing ear, 
 
 In their unspoken fear, 
 To hope from sin's oppressive dower. 
 
 The man who could thus stand up square 
 
 Before a Brigham Young, 
 
 And use a fearless tongue 
 To shout, " Ye sinners, oh, beware ! " 
 
 Where others feared the laws, 
 
 Or gave them their applause, 
 Need he in any place despair ? 
 
63 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 (And well deserve those noble men 
 
 Who shared this duty's call 
 In labors of the tongue and pen : 
 
 God bless them, one and all ! ) 
 
 You'd know this man of unique mold, 
 Had with a two-edged sword, 
 Cleft many a hollow gourd 
 
 Which men would pass for globose gold ; 
 And now, a foe to shams, 
 He fed the sheep and lambs, 
 
 And gathered them in one large fold. 
 
 His speech was clear, astute, and straight ; 
 Perchance 'twas also smooth, 
 When he thought wise to soothe : 
 
 But oftenest like a full-barred gate, 
 Did his strong language ope 
 Before broad fields of hope, 
 
 Where pageants marched in royal state. 
 
 No idle play he made of work, 
 Nor ease for pottage sold, 
 But like reformer old, 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 69 
 
 Whom Satan sought to make his clerk, 
 
 His weapon boldly threw ; 
 
 And no man ever knew 
 This champion of the truth to shirk. 
 
 Him now our Christophe heard to cry, 
 
 " 'Tis time, dear brethren all, 
 
 And sisters you I call, 
 To stand up here and testify 
 
 What has been done for you, 
 
 In olden time or new, 
 By Him who for your sins did die/' 
 
 As with one surging, mighty voice, 
 
 The people grandly sung, 
 
 While all the forest rung, 
 " O happy day, that fixed my choice ! " 
 
 Likewise, " Salvation's free," 
 
 They sang, " for you and me : " 
 Greatly in Christ they did rejoice. 
 
 Like some strong wind which brings a shower 
 Of leaves in autumn gold, 
 Were moved both young and old, 
 
70 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As with a Pentecostal power : 
 
 Bright words were borne along 
 The interludes of song, 
 
 In lustrous drifts, that heavenly hour. 
 
 " Your gift now on the altar lay," 
 
 The leader cried aloud 
 
 Among the waiting crowd ; 
 While a sweet voice began to pray. 
 
 At first, low burned the fire ; 
 
 Anon it mounted higher, 
 Till over all it bore full sway. 
 
 Not grander in the spirit's plaint, 
 
 The Dies Irce is, 
 
 With august symphonies, 
 Than was the plea of this dear saint ; 
 
 Not solemn litany 
 
 Could more ecstatic be : 
 Sure, woman ought to pray, not faint ! 
 
 
 And, when the fire did burn white-heat, 
 Up rose a sister dark, 
 Aimed at the highest mark, 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 71 
 
 High as her Master's very feet, 
 
 Moved every heart to ruth, 
 
 Relating her life's truth, 
 In language plain, and spirit sweet. 
 
 The " old, old story " also gave, 
 
 Of full salvation found 
 
 While here upon the ground, 
 Preachers in worldly glory brave : 
 
 They said, " I praise the Lord ; 
 
 I do believe his Word ; 
 He does my heart from sinning save." 
 
 1 
 
 One said, " I've led a charmed life, 
 
 As angels were alert 
 
 To keep me from all hurt : 
 I've known but little earthly strife 
 
 Since on the mountain wild, 
 
 When I was but a child, 
 My soul with new, bright hopes was rife. 
 
 " I do remember even now 
 
 That grand, wild thunder-shower 
 Which filled me with its power 
 
72 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As I sat on the summit's brow : 
 Then thought I of the Lord, 
 The glory of his Word, 
 
 Until I made to him my vow. 
 
 " Within the pulpit I have stood, 
 As held with bands of love, 
 And sought to clearly prove 
 
 The life most worthy of the good : 
 But I have felt my need ; 
 There was a power indeed 
 
 By me in heart, not understood. 
 
 " I've passed among the friendly crowd 
 
 In paths with favors in, 
 
 As though no discipline 
 Propitious Fate had e'er allowed ; 
 
 But late I've known a cross, 
 
 And realized a loss 
 Of what pure love would have endowed. 
 
 " And here upon this sacred ground 
 I've earnest sought to prove 
 The depth of perfect love ; 
 
I 
 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 73 
 
 And here the Saviour I have found 
 
 In a salvation full ; 
 
 Though naught that's wonderful 
 Has with the work been interwound. 
 
 " It's all unlike what I had planned, 
 
 So passionless and still, 
 
 As in my Father's will 
 Alone in hallowed peace I stand. 
 
 'Tis well ; his will be done : 
 
 Enough, if I am one 
 Whose name is sealed upon His hand." 
 
 The tears did round this gracious speech ; 
 
 And solemn choral word, 
 
 Of " Glory to the Lord ! " 
 Was heard where'er the ear could reach. 
 
 Ah ! then this fervent prayer 
 
 From hearts ascended there : 
 " Give him new power henceforth to teach ! " 
 
 Meantime our Christophe sought his chance 
 To testify the grace. 
 At last he claimed a place, 
 
74 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And paused with tranquil countenance : 
 " I'll speak to-night," thought he, 
 " The Saviour helping me, 
 
 Though all the world my faith denounce." 
 
 A few unstudied words he spoke ; 
 With holy fervor filled, 
 His heart's best thought distilled 
 
 In stream free-flowing, such as broke 
 From ancient Horeb's rock, 
 When it had felt the shock 
 
 Of an electric master-stroke. 
 
 From strong temptation, he stood strong ; 
 His spirit had put on 
 That grand oblivion 
 
 To all things which to earth belong, 
 As rarest natures gain 
 From sovereign strife with pain, 
 
 And with the stony sphinx of wrong. 
 
 All in that concourse, low or high, 
 In scene sublime were massed, 
 As God alone had classed 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 75 
 
 The ranks of hell, of earth, and sky. 
 
 Pure love possessed his soul, 
 
 An undivided whole : 
 He saw alone the unseen Eye ! 
 
 His utt'rance over, angels came 
 
 In holy ministry, 
 
 And set his spirit free : 
 Ah ! never had he felt the same. 
 
 With what supernal joy, 
 
 Without one base alloy, 
 He whispered, " Jesus, dearest name ! " 
 
 And all the people felt the grace 
 
 Truth guarantees true speech, 
 
 Beyond all copied reach 
 That eloquence to pride giyes chase : 
 
 The Spirit in each word, 
 
 They with rejoicing heard ; 
 And heavenly glory filled the place. 
 
 " The way the holy prophets went, 
 The way that leads from banishment, 
 
 The King's highway of holiness," 
 
 They sang with fervid stress, 
 
76 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As though a cloud of grace were rent ; 
 
 And holy unction new 
 
 Did move them through and through, 
 While all- their spirits sweetly blent. 
 
 " Praise God ! I'm blessed ! I'm strangely 
 blest!" 
 
 Cried Christophe through his tears : 
 
 " The iron rod of years 
 Has bloomed with beauty unexprest : 
 
 Henceforth be all forgot, 
 
 The sorrow of my lot ; 
 With Christ my Lord I'll safely rest." 
 
VII. 
 
 " Who giveth songs in the night." JOB xxxv. 10. 
 ' I call to remembrance my song in the night." Ps. Ixxvii. 6. 
 
 AT midnight, wak'ning from his sleep, 
 Where angels did their watching keep, 
 Christophe heard music, as if drops 
 Of gladness fell on crystal stops, 
 And shaded off to tearful runes 
 Through arches made of Gothic tunes ; 
 And all this beauteous melody 
 Brought to his mind what used to be : 
 The things he'd loved in halcyon days, 
 Or read, or sung in roundelays, 
 All fused in one ecstatic chord 
 Whose language was, " I praise the Lord ! " 
 
78 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Then, half asleep, he rose, and wrote 
 Within his book this little note, 
 " I hear such music in my sleep, 
 My soul cannot expression keep : 
 To what can I now liken it 
 This side the heavenly infinite ? " 
 
 Not children laughing in the bowers ; 
 
 Nor singing-birds of May ; 
 Not golden bees in hearts of flowers ; 
 
 Nor ordnance on exultant day ; 
 
 Not brooks swift running silver clear, 
 And fresh beneath the leaves ; 
 
 Nor earthquake with its scroll of fear 
 Which central fire upheaves ; 
 
 Not Afric's forest bass of lions ; 
 
 Apollo with his shell ; 
 Not surf-wave in its wild defiance ; 
 
 Nor gentlest words that ever fell ; 
 
 Not softest, most exquisite lute ; 
 Not evening's sobbing rain ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 79 
 
 Nor drop of autumn's ripened fruit, 
 Or rustle of the grain ; 
 
 Not melody of falling snows ; 
 
 Or growing wool on flocks ; 
 Not blossoming of fullest rose ; 
 
 Or moss overrunning rocks, 
 
 Not all the varied sounds of earth, 
 
 Attuned to smiles or tears ; 
 Compare with these of heavenly birth, 
 
 The song of holy spheres ! 
 
 The moon looked down in its full splendor. 
 He rose, and, with emotions tender, 
 Cried out, " My soul has burst its prison ; 
 From house of bondage I've arisen ; 
 My harp anew in praise I'll string : 
 Listen, ye stars, while I shall sing : 
 
 " Glory to God ! He's broke my chains, 
 And washed away my guilty stains. 
 
 Through Jesus' blood who died for me, 
 I am from power of sin set free. 
 
8o WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 I'll magnify his holy name, 
 
 From whom my great deliv'rance came. 
 
 I've dropped my burdens at his feet : 
 There's rest in Jesus, oh, how sweet ! 
 
 I've seen his face : he smiled on me, 
 And promised all my strength to be. 
 
 No longer pain or woe I dread ; 
 For I am greatly comforted. 
 
 Such streams of love I ne'er can tell 
 Upon my soul in glory fell. 
 
 All things alike his goodness prove : 
 In life or death, my God is love ! " 
 
 That morn the sunrise wrapt the lake a-sleeping, 
 
 In aureole of carmine vapor, 
 As if red Mars his vigils there were keeping, 
 
 While Venus held her dying taper ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 81 
 
 Upon the green plateau this overcasting, 
 
 Christophe did walk in musing slowly ; 
 He said, " O God, who art from everlasting ! 
 
 Thou hast respect unto the lowly ; 
 Thou clothest those who seek thee with sal- 
 vation, 
 
 As splendor clothes this summer morning ; 
 Our dwelling-place in every generation, 
 
 Be thine own beauty our adorning. 
 How good it is to show thy loving-kindness, 
 
 Now thou hast made me to perceive it ! 
 Aforetime, when I groped about in blindness, 
 
 Dear Saviour, I would not believe it ! " 
 
 This precious name he had no sooner spoken, 
 
 When one approached his pathway nearly : 
 " I know my brother ! " said he, " by this 
 token, 
 
 That dearest name thou speakest dearly." 
 Whereat, with other words of salutation, 
 
 They slow pursued their way united. 
 The stranger said, " ' Of him my meditation 
 
 Shall be sweet,' the Psalmist hath indited. 
 
82 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 In this fair morning, rayed with beauty golden, 
 
 And all things thus harmonious moving, 
 I trust thy Saviour dear, thou hast beholden 
 
 In all the fullness of thy loving." 
 (For he was one who sowed beside all waters, 
 
 With word of mouth, and pen, did nourish 
 In divers sects and churches, sons and daugh- 
 ters, 
 
 That they in Zion's courts might flourish.) 
 Then Christophe told him with a holy boldness 
 
 The reason for the hope now in him. 
 " No longer do I mourn," he said, " my cold- 
 ness, 
 
 My slavish bondage unto sinning ; . 
 For Jesus all my wisdom is, my Saviour ! 
 
 And yet I must confess temptation : 
 I'm led to ask if all my life's behavior 
 
 Will sure comport with full salvation." 
 Then spoke the reverend man with kind com- 
 passion, 
 
 " Thou hast indeed the well-known trying ; 
 Thyself thou canst not keep in wise dispas- 
 sion 
 
 In living, or, much less, in dying. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 83 
 
 All power, my brother, unto God belongeth, 
 Whom neither life nor death hath shaken : 
 
 A trust in our poor self the Saviour wrongeth ; 
 For he our cause hath undertaken : 
 
 Thy burdens, of whatever name or nature, 
 Thou canst not carry sinless ever ; 
 
 Believe that Jesus liveth ; he will wait your 
 
 
 
 Cry for victory to deliver. 
 Give all unto his goodness ; on his bosom 
 
 Rest thee, brother, no more tasking 
 Length or strength of blessings, lest thou lose 
 them : 
 
 Grace is given by the asking." 
 
 This man loved much, like John, beloved disci- 
 ple, 
 
 And Jesus' love he told with sweetness, 
 As though its very essence he would rifle, 
 
 And hold in a divine completeness. 
 As Christophe listened, cried he, " My dear 
 Jesus, 
 
 Now I love him better than before ; 
 I see from all our burdens how he frees us : 
 
 By his grace, I'll love him evermore." 
 
84 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 "I've learned to love my Lord," pursued the 
 stranger, 
 
 " By reading with devout attention 
 The Word of God ; e'en from the holy manger 
 
 To that grand scene of the ascension, 
 Truth marks the way in every section ; 
 
 Yea, all the word of Holy Scripture 
 Is good for doctrine, for reproof, correction, 
 
 Instruction, that has power to lift your 
 Soul, if rightly treasured, to perfection ; 
 
 Yea, I would be a Bible Christian, 
 Before the choicest savant of the ages ; 
 
 For this, with a divine admixtion, 
 Can give us wisdom better than the sages, 
 
 Enstamped with God's own superscription. 
 'Twere wise indeed if all the Christian churches, 
 
 As botanists search field and garden, 
 Would study well the nature of the purchase 
 
 Which Christ has made for their full pardon. 
 Believe me, every research of this nature 
 
 Unfolds new treasures, rich surprises, 
 Revelations of the Spirit, these await your 
 
 Prayerful reading, as selectest prizes 
 In the race." 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 85 
 
 " Yes," said Christophe in their going, 
 " Throughout the Bible now, there seems a river 
 
 Pure, crystal bright, in beauty flowing, 
 E'er springing freshly from the glorious Giver, 
 
 And truth's own hidden riches showing. 
 Once all was dry as Desert of Sahara ; 
 
 I read, but did not understand ; 
 And, when I drank, 'twas from the streams of 
 Marah, 
 
 Beside the banks of burning sand. 
 I read, last even, in the moon's bright gleam- 
 ing, 
 
 And very precious was the word. 
 Pray, pardon me ; but in my latest dreaming 
 
 'Twas heavenly what I saw and heard ; 
 I cannot tell if I was clay or spirit ; 
 
 There came to me a beauteous vision 
 In song of gladness, even now I hear it : 
 
 I must have been in land elysian." 
 " Pray narrate what you heard, my brother," 
 Now spoke in gentle stress the other. 
 
 " I dreamed I was within the Bible reading, 
 And, lo ! were sheep beside a river feeding, 
 
85 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 While many lambs were round about them play- 
 ing. 
 ' How fair are these green pastures ! ' was my 
 
 saying, 
 
 It seemed, as I the pages turned to ponder, 
 A voice announced, * See thou the river yon- 
 der; 
 
 Then come with me : ' I followed as if swinging 
 In a boat ; thus were heavenly voices singing, - 
 
 " Gently row we, 
 
 Swiftly go we, 
 O'er the heavenly waters golden ; 
 
 All our moving, 
 
 All our roving, 
 Like some wondrous fable olden. 
 
 Music tender, 
 
 Crystal> slender, 
 Or refulgent in its gushing, 
 Wreathes the rowing, 
 
 Royal going 
 Through the waves around us rushing ! 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 87 
 
 Waves that crinkle, 
 
 Dip and sprinkle, 
 Or uprise in martial column ! 
 
 Grand the chorus 
 
 Rolling o'er us, 
 In a thunder deep and solemn. 
 
 Shores of granite 
 
 From lost planet, 
 Fallen in its conflagration ; 
 
 Banks of crimson, 
 
 With sweet hymns on, 
 Hymns of holy salutation. 
 
 Bordering closes 
 
 Arched with roses ; 
 Harebells tiny music ringing : 
 
 Wave the grasses, 
 
 Through the passes, 
 All the trees are softly singing. 
 
 Zephyr bracing, 
 Interlacing 
 
83 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Coolness through the summer splendor ; 
 
 O my spirit ! 
 
 As ye hear it, 
 Yield to musings eld and tender 
 
 Hark, O dreamer ! 
 
 Thy Redeemer 
 Opes the silver lock of silence ; 
 
 Speech how precious ! 
 
 Words that bless us 
 Echo all the distant islands : 
 
 ' Ransomed angels 
 
 My evangels 
 Are of love to one another ; 
 
 He who loveth, 
 
 Best it proveth 
 By compassion for his brother. 
 
 ' Who'll take passage 
 
 With my message 
 To my people ? faithful keepers 
 
 In the forest, 
 
 Where a harvest 
 Ready waiteth for the reapers/ 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 89 
 
 Beings beauteous 
 
 Answered duteous, 
 While their wings did vail their faces : 
 
 ' Holy, holy ! 
 
 Full of glory 
 Makes thy blessing all earth's places. 
 
 4 Gladly go we 
 
 With the story 
 Of the cross and full salvation, 
 
 Whatsoever 
 
 Thou, dear Saviour, 
 Shall accord their expectation.' 
 
 * Ransomed angels 
 
 My evangels 
 Breathe within the Spirit's moving : 
 
 Well ye know them, 
 
 And ye show them 
 Somewhat of the worth of loving. 
 
 ' Earth and heaven, 
 All are given 
 
90 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 To them, without any cost : 
 
 By my merit 
 
 They inherit 
 Saving to the uttermost. 
 
 ' Great the blessing 
 
 Worth possessing, 
 Passing sum of human wonder ; 
 
 Triumph glorious, 
 
 Crowns victorious, 
 In the realm of glory yonder. 
 
 ' I shall meet them, 
 
 I shall greet them, 
 When they journey o'er the river : 
 
 All that's fearful, 
 
 All that's tearful, 
 They will leave behind forever. 
 
 1 Do not lose them ; 
 
 On my bosom 
 Lay each burden now distressing ; 
 
 I'll deliver, 
 
 Be the giver 
 Of my Father's perfect blessing/ 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 91 
 
 As it dies on 
 
 The horizon, 
 Dies away the sweet expression, 
 
 All is silence, 
 
 River, islands, 
 Struck by infinite possession. 
 
 Then the favor 
 
 Of my Saviour, 
 Saw I worth life's sorest trials, 
 
 All its crosses, 
 
 All its losses, 
 Earnest labors, self-denials. 
 
 Now we enter 
 
 Love's broad center," 
 Sang the shining ones in glory ; 
 
 " Haste the rowing, 
 
 Royal going ! 
 Endeth here the wondrous story." 
 
 Such in substance was my dream : 
 Oh, how life-like it did seem ! 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 For these views of Christ and heaven 
 Half my years be freely given ; 
 Since I never reck'd before 
 Such great joys remained in store 
 To the souls who faithful prove, 
 Live a life of holy love. 
 
VIII. 
 
 THE SISTERS. 
 
 As rapidly sped on the hours, 
 New crowds appeared in frequent showers ; 
 And each steam-whistle seemed to be 
 Most like the tropic plant brownae, 
 Whose thyrsus bears five hundred flowers. 
 The grave divine in white cravat ; 
 The student with the careless hat ; 
 Young maidens like blush-roses fair ; 
 Sweet ladies old with silvered hair ; 
 And matrons in their life's rich dower, 
 Like some full blooming, fragrant flower, 
 With here and there, a little bud, 
 Just opening to disclose the rud ; 
 Fair children in their novel glee, 
 
94 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Unchecked by all the sanctity ; 
 
 And men bowed down with weight of woes, 
 
 Like ancient trees beneath the snows 
 
 Of many ruthless winters ; men 
 
 With trouble chiefly in their ken ; 
 
 And some whose eager look they wore, 
 
 Suggested they had seen before 
 
 Their journey here, a brilliant star, 
 
 Which they had followed from afar, 
 
 Till it had stood above this grove, 
 
 Sacred to rest and perfect love, 
 
 All these and many more were seen 
 
 As features in this varied scene. 
 
 In many tents, the meetings held 
 
 Were forges where the fire did weld 
 
 In holy love and union sweet, 
 
 The spirits warmed to a white-heat, 
 
 While singing olden tunes with zest, 
 
 Or praying fervently till blest, 
 
 Or yet, in testimony clear, 
 
 What harvests souls were gleaning here. 
 
 In one such tent, at wane of day, 
 Our Christophe gladly found his way. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 95 
 
 There women mostly filled the space, 
 
 With here and there, a man in place. 
 
 The sisters young, and old in deed 
 
 And thought, this meeting seemed to lead, 
 
 And carry sway in that full zeal 
 
 Which earnest women often feel. 
 
 Then Christophe chose a backward seat, 
 
 More awed than if where prelates meet, 
 
 Resolved to hold his peace, unseen, 
 
 To learn what woman's gifts can mean. 
 
 A few did his perception mark 
 
 As pupils of Joan of Arc, 
 
 With supernatural power endowed, 
 
 Attracting followers from the crowd, 
 
 And leading them with perfect ease 
 
 To heights or depths, as did them please. 
 
 A gifted woman, in the plan 
 Of nature, far exceeds a man 
 In power of execution quick 
 And practical ; but, in the thick 
 Of complicated battle long, 
 The race is proven to the strong. 
 
96 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 She is not logical, but sharp ; 
 Gives her dark sayings on the harp 
 Or yet upon the gold-stringed lute ; 
 And, least of all, can she be mute ! 
 With fewer words, but grander scope 
 Of vision, her intenser hope, 
 With her magnetic presence pure, 
 And all the charms which so allure, 
 Would slay her thousands, where before, 
 With utmost pains, she won a score. 
 Now such was but the fleeting thought 
 Which Christophe to his mind had caught 
 From books, and speech with critic men ; 
 But here he saw what tongue or pen 
 Had not to him in justice drawn, 
 Of the new day propitious dawn ! 
 A few plain women, with strong ruth 
 For souls, wrought valiantly for truth. 
 
 The fable old interpreted, 
 
 Why the white roses changed to red, 
 
 Being true to fact, is even true 
 
 In this our day, as when 'twas new : 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 97 
 
 A lovely goddess, in her speed 
 To help a suffering one in need, 
 Received a wound within her foot 
 From whitest rose ; from hence the root 
 Whereon the wound in freedom bled 
 Was changed in hue from white to red : 
 So now these sisters, as they ran 
 In holy work for fellow-man, 
 Oft gained a wound from critics* doom, 
 Which did but pass to deeper bloom, 
 The flowers of humble work for God. 
 Lo ! with red roses blooms the rod ! 
 
 " O woman ! " Christophe said in heart, 
 " Thine is indeed the envied part, 
 To teach us stronger, grosser clay 
 How much superior is thy way 
 To ours " 
 
 The thought was not complete, 
 Ere she who led, his gaze did meet. 
 " My brother," was her gentle speech, 
 " We now invite you, us to teach, 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As you've received unusual light, 
 
 We heard, praise God ! but yesternight 
 
 Impart to us a single ray 
 
 To light us in this heavenly way." 
 
 Then Christophe, thus invoked to use 
 The gift of God, durst not refuse, 
 And, rising with a humble mien, 
 His feelings spoke with words serene. 
 Likewise he urged them to pursue 
 The way in which their influence grew 
 So broad and masterful : 'twould be 
 As he had seen the zamang-tree 
 Of Guayra, whose thick branches bend 
 In pendent grace, and gently blend, 
 Until a hemisphere is made 
 Of beauteous and refreshing shade, 
 To fainting travelers welcome there, 
 To which no other trees compare ; 
 For its great blessing multiform 
 Is greatest even in the storm. 
 And what we prize is good indeed, 
 If it serves best when most we need. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 99 
 
 "O woman ! thine the labor good, 
 
 To form a Christian sisterhood 
 
 Upon a system nobly based, 
 
 With all good works in beauty graced. 
 
 Thy branches shall extend, unite, 
 
 Till they shall happily invite 
 
 The myriads fainting for relief 
 
 To find a refuge for their grief. 
 
 True charities ! how much do these 
 
 Exceed a life of pleasure, ease, 
 
 Whose central thought is self to please ! 
 
 I see beyond this day," he cried, 
 
 " The time when woman's greatest pride 
 
 Will range in what is nobly done ; 
 
 God bless such sisters every one ! 
 
 And give them grace to fully dower 
 
 This era new of woman's power. 
 
 God help us even here to prove," 
 
 Concluded he, " the power of love, 
 
 That it our souls may richly bless 
 
 With that rare grace of steadfastness, 
 
 That not alone upon this ground 
 
 In mounts of joy we may be found, 
 
 But otherwhere, with high or low, 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Where'er our footsteps need to go. 
 The angel of His presence save 
 Us from a loss of what we have, 
 But rather gain in every place 
 Some new attainment of God's grace, 
 That all, the critic and the friend, 
 May see we ever recommend 
 This gift, which we in faith profess. 
 Oh ! save us, Lord, in steadfastness ! " 
 
 " Yes/' said a sister, rising there, 
 With a refined, commanding air ; 
 " The brother teaches us a fact, 
 Whose power, I fear, we oft have lacked. 
 'Tis very well with us to-day ; 
 But shall we be in this good way 
 To-morrow, if the changing hours 
 Should bring new tax upon our powers ? 
 Or if, in this highway we're found, 
 Will nought we do or say, confound 
 Another who may pause to see 
 What sort of persons we should be 
 In every kind of work and word, 
 To well comport with what is heard 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Concerning those who live to prove 
 The power to save in perfect love ? 
 Like holy angels, it is true, 
 We cannot hope on earth to do ; 
 With diligence we'll ever strive 
 To worthy of our calling live, 
 That finally to us, be given 
 Abundant entrance into heaven." 
 
104 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And bade him speak to dying men, 
 
 As though his only chance was then. 
 
 " Who knows we meet these souls," said he, 
 
 " Again, this side eternity ? " 
 
 Thus prompted, Christophe took the stand, 
 
 With solemn mien, upraised his hand : 
 
 The things he'd lately felt he spoke, 
 
 Till all the crowd with fervor woke ; 
 
 For nothing kindles equal zeal 
 
 Like wisely telling what we feel : 
 
 When God has touched with burning coal 
 
 From off his altar our own soul, 
 
 The fire, we then communicate 
 
 To those who round us listening wait 
 
 So held were all in hallowed calm, 
 
 As by an unseen, powerful charm : 
 
 The Holy Ghost, 'twas evident, 
 
 Within that mass was being sent ; 
 
 For sinners 'neath the burning word 
 
 Did tremble greatly as they heard ; 
 
 And, when invited to come forth 
 
 To prove their own salvation's worth, 
 
 With tearful eyes they forward drew, 
 
 And cried, " We would escape from sin : 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 105 
 
 We see the peril we are in. 
 
 Oh ! show us what we ought to do." 
 
 Strong men and women there were found 
 To humbly kneel upon the ground ; 
 And others, smitten by the Power, 
 Were deep convicted in that hour. 
 Then Christophe, with his warm heart full, 
 Said, " In good sooth, 'tis wonderful 
 How God will hear his children pray t 
 I've asked for this, lo ! all this day. 
 How can we e'er forget to prove 
 The rich resources of his love ? " 
 His voice for them in fervent prayer, 
 Was heard by all the listeners there : 
 
 " Dear Lord ! weVe tried earth's fairest things, 
 
 And still for good we yearn ; 
 The flowers have thorns ; and wealth takes 
 
 wings ; 
 Bright moments ne'er return. 
 
 The dear ones that we loved have gone 
 Beyond our vain recall ; 
 
io6 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 The royal dreams of life have flown ; 
 And change must come to all. 
 
 But hark ! we hear a glorious voice, 
 
 'Tis music on the ear, 
 ' Make Me your heart's eternal choice, 
 
 And dry each falling tear. 
 
 Believe ! believe that I have paid 
 
 Thy ransom full and free : 
 I am thy Lord ; be not afraid, 
 
 Arise and follow me ! ' 
 
 O Lamb of God ! we see thee now, 
 The wounds in thy dear side, 
 
 The cruel thorns upon thy brow : 
 With thee we will abide. 
 
 Here now, we pledge ourselves to be 
 Thine own, in weal or woe ; 
 
 Through all our life we'll follow thee, 
 Wherever thou shalt go." 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 107 
 
 " Dost thou this pledge in freedom give," 
 
 Cried Christophe ? " Ye who truly do, 
 
 Arise and count thy birth anew, 
 
 As those henceforth in Christ to live. 
 
 But ye who still do hesitate, 
 
 Before this altar further wait ; 
 
 For Jesus sure is lingering near, 
 
 Ready to pardon sinners here : 
 
 Respecter of no person, he ; 
 
 But only asks sincerity, 
 
 And earnest hope in living faith, 
 
 That he does save thy soul from death." 
 
 Some straightway rose : their faces shone 
 
 With holy peace and rapture new 
 
 While telling what the Lord had done ; 
 
 And glory on their feelings grew, 
 
 As when the day has struggled clear 
 
 Of darkest night, and all the earth 
 
 Rejoices in bright atmosphere, 
 
 Emsrging from triumphant birth. 
 
 " Now praise the Lord," was Christophe' cry ; 
 
 " In joy let every tear be dry." 
 
io8 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And then they sang with one accord 
 This song of triumph the Lord : 
 
 " Now with triumph I sing ; 
 
 To the cross let me 'cling 
 Where my Saviour did suffer for me ; 
 
 I have seen his dear face ; 
 
 I have felt his free grace ; 
 And his child I'll forevermore be. 
 
 Oh ! I hope to be one, 
 
 Who will see the white throne ; 
 Having followed the Lamb where he goes, 
 
 On the mountain of light, 
 
 In the valley of night, 
 By still streams, or through rivers of woes. 
 
 There is nought of true worth 
 
 On this changeable earth, 
 But my Jesus' adorable love ; 
 
 My gold is but dross, 
 
 My gains are but loss ; 
 I will live for the home that's above. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 109 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Oh ! we'll sing glory hallelujah, 
 As we follow the dear Lord 
 All the way that's before us, 
 With his blessed hand o'er us, 
 And with the sweet comforts derived from his 
 Word." 
 
 With those who still did wait in prayer 
 Christophe thus joined with sacred air: 
 
 GOLDEN VIALS. 
 
 " What were those the prophet saw 
 
 In the vision of the book? 
 What strange picture did he draw, 
 As no artist ever took ? 
 Golden vials, 
 Prayers of saints, 
 Changed to odors all their trials 
 And complaints. 
 
 There's a burden weighs thee down : 
 It is sin, with all its pain ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Strive for pardon, win a crown : 
 It is worth thy prayers to gain. 
 
 Fill the vials 
 
 Even full ; 
 There's a crown for all our trials, 
 
 Beautiful ! 
 
 Time is passing, now be wise ; 
 
 Look to Jesus, look and live ! 
 See your image in his eyes ! 
 Hear his promise to forgive ! 
 Fill the vials, 
 Fill them up : 
 
 These blest altars are the dials 
 Of our hope. 
 
 All that's willful in your heart 
 Bury in the Saviour's love : 
 Will you with the vain things part, 
 For the treasure that's above ? 
 Golden vials 
 Fill with prayer : 
 There's reward for self-denials 
 Here and there ! " 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As all arose from strong, prevailing prayer, 
 And many triumphed in their pardon there, 
 Unto a brother now was Christophe's word : 
 " How blissful 'tis to labor in the Lord ! 
 My heart, it seems to me, would surfely rend, 
 If I could not religion recommend. 
 Life is so short, so much there is to do, 
 I almost wish to live my years anew. 
 How much I've wasted in my idle dreams, 
 While selfishly I basked beside still streams ! 
 Or yet, complaining I was not more blest, 
 While others in this work found truest rest. 
 Henceforth let me what gifts I have, improve 
 In the delightful service of pure love." 
 
 " Dear brother," said the elder in the way, 
 " Pray that thy strength may equal all thy day ; 
 Faint not when thou shalt find the souls adverse, 
 As it may seem, to all that's good ; rehearse 
 To them the old, sweet story of the cross ; 
 To save a soul from death count nothing loss. 
 Our Saviour came the righteous not to call, 
 But sinners, those who in the pathway fall ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Remember this,* and let thy love be great 
 As the nobility of thine estate. 
 Give like a prince unto the darkest soul, 
 By faith in Him who only maketh whole ; 
 And in the coming day, thy coronet 
 With many stars in glory shall be set." 
 
X. 
 
 QUID PRO QUO. 
 
 SOME have a range of faculties, 
 Where throned in power the reason is 
 In inquisition straight and stern, 
 The quid pro quo exact to learn, 
 Give not without equivalent, 
 And by emotion never bent. 
 The evidence of things unseen 
 By faith in formula, they mean. 
 To meet this want, must be supply 
 Of men who know the reason why, 
 And, not less ready, skilled to show 
 In crystal clearness what they know. 
 
114 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And so within this group of men 
 Who taught the mass by tongue and pen, 
 Was one whom God to this had called, 
 In mental movement disinthralled ; 
 Was string and clear to range the truth 
 In portions meet for age and youth. 
 
 Him Christophe heard the way expound 
 In calm and brief discourse, profound. 
 Things new and old, thereat did seem 
 With order in attractive scheme ; 
 His late emotion settling thus, 
 Beneath the movement tremulous, 
 Upon a basis strong and good, 
 Approved the more when understood. 
 
 Thereafter, this man, Christophe sought, 
 Communed with him of what he taught, 
 And found him gentle in his speech, 
 As should be all ordained to teach ; 
 Easy of access, and benign, 
 Of greatness no more certain sign ; 
 In dignity serene, removed 
 Afar from stiffness, so well loved 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 115 
 
 By men in ex cathedra state ; 
 Not less from freedom, duplicate 
 Of folly, in unseemly jest, 
 That must the soul of power divest. 
 
 This preacher seemed in mission, sent 
 
 To be the Leader's complement, 
 
 Fulfilling each the other's lack, 
 
 Abreast upon their chosen track. 
 
 Our Lord sent forth disciples two, 
 
 His holy work on earth to do. 
 
 We see the wisdom in the plan 
 
 Of fellowship with fellow-man. 
 
 Unlike in gift, unlike in gauge, 
 
 In peace they make their pilgrimage, 
 
 And work a work, as led by God, 
 
 So wise and bountiful and broad, 
 
 Their brethren bless them with their aid. 
 
 With many helps their hands are stayed ; 
 
 And many hearts with holy zeal, 
 
 Their work on either hand reveal. 
 
 Some things remained in Christophe's mind, 
 His reason had not yet defined, 
 
ii6 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 As. this : " The body which we're in, 
 As carnal, is sold under sin, 
 So that, when rightly I would do, 
 I fear the evil present too ; 
 With the apostle I shall cry 
 O wretched man indeed am- 1 ! 
 Where is the all-sufficient faith 
 That can deliver from this death ? " 
 
 " 'Tis true," this teacher said, " you're sold 
 
 To sin ; but mark, these words are told, 
 
 For ye are bought with price, and this, 
 
 Christ's blood, atoning sacrifice. 
 
 ' What ! know ye not your body is 
 
 The temple of the .Holy Ghost 
 
 In you/ provided at this cost ! 
 
 It reads, and ye are not your own, 
 
 Your life is not with self alone, 
 
 Then were it sin ; but now in you, 
 
 Dwells one who safely bears you through. 
 
 This temple of the living God, 
 
 In which the Spirit has abode, 
 
 The Scripture saith is holy ; then, 
 
 A holy life should live all men." 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 117 
 
 Said Christophe, " Ah ! the truth is great ; 
 With man God has a joint estate ! 
 Such life with us how may we know, 
 With our short vision here below ? 
 
 " Hereby we know ; " the Word imparts, 
 " If we his love have in our hearts, 
 And his commandments are obeyed; 
 To such, these promises are made : 
 ' We will with him make our abode. 
 Ye shall abide in love of God. 
 To him myself I'll manifest. 
 Come unto me, I'll give you rest. 
 This holy rest, earth's strife amid, 
 Shows forth your life with Christ is hid/ " 
 
 " The Tempter is not dead : he lives 
 With each new grace the Spirit gives.' 1 
 
 " Draw nigh to God, and he is nigh ; 
 Resist the Devil, he will fly ; 
 Touch not the unclean thing, and I 
 A Father's power will magnify." 
 
Ii8 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 " When there are conflicts all the way, 
 In blindness oft we go astray. 
 If truth were mapped out on a chart, 
 I'd follow it with all my heart." 
 
 " Good men, we read, in every age 
 Have had from God the heritage 
 Of consciousness of his own will : 
 This is the presence that can fill 
 The soul with fullness of pure joy, 
 Which sin nor death cannot destroy. 
 Enoch this testimony had 
 That he pleased God. Exceeding glad, 
 The psalmist says, he makes his own. 
 And in that day it shall be known 
 That I am he that speaks. Abide 
 In him, you will with ease decide 
 His will in all things of your life, 
 However sharp the Tempter's strife/ 1 
 
 " Why, then, do men of purest make 
 In wisest will commit mistake ? 
 Wherefore these differences of thought 
 With those from one great model taught ? " 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 119 
 
 " This treasure have we, Scriptures say, 
 In earthen vessels, forms of clay : 
 That God in us his power display, 
 And not our own. When we are weak, 
 Then are we strong his will to seek, 
 And manifest in all our way. 
 Sometimes he lets us go astray, 
 Like Peter, who denied his Lord, 
 Because he trusted his own word. 
 Oh ! let us walk with God ; be pure 
 In heart, his favor to secure. 
 Who ever failed that God did trust ! 
 ' By faith/ we read, ' shall live the just/ " 
 
 " My God ! " then Christophe witness bore, 
 " Be thou my portion evermore ! " 
 
 " Cease not, dear friend/' the teacher said, 
 To own him as your living head ; 
 In all things, wheresoe'er you go, 
 His power in you be clear to show ; 
 ' For them that honor me/ we read, 
 ' I too will honor in their need/ " 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 " And yet I would not seem to boast, 
 
 As though my modesty were lost. 
 
 I've heard them say things in bad taste, 
 
 Of sense and sensibility a waste : 
 
 At least, such did my judgment prove, 
 
 My soul not being filled with love." 
 
 " ' Not he who does himself commend 
 Approved is/ we read, my friend ; 
 ' But who's commended of the Lord, 
 By standard of the Holy Word/ 
 ' I am what is by God's free grace/ 
 The apostle puts in foremost place, 
 Where he his life shows boldly forth 
 As an example of true worth. 
 This, likewise, should our witness be, 
 When we our hearts let others see. 
 ' My soul be joyful in the Lord ! ' 
 Upon the sacred harp is heard ; 
 ' In God the Lord/ my lips exclaim, 
 4 The humble hear and praise his name/ 
 
XI. 
 
 THE LOST WAYFARER FOUND. 
 
 A LONG and dazzling summer day, 
 
 Began in coolness soft to wane. 
 Our Christophe took his chosen way 
 
 In a retired and shady lane, 
 Like one of old to meditate 
 
 At this delicious eventide. 
 He scarce had passed through rustic gate, 
 
 And reached the dusty turnpike side, 
 The lake to reach with close intent, 
 
 Whose waters shone like molten gold, 
 Than he perceived a figure bent : 
 
 A man in homely garments old, 
 Slow holding his uneven way, 
 
 As if in thought completely lost. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 " And yet I would not seem to boast, 
 
 As though my modesty were lost. 
 
 I've heard them say things in bad taste, 
 
 Of sense and sensibility a waste : 
 
 At least, such did my judgment prove, 
 
 My soul not being filled with love." 
 
 " ' Not he who does himself commend 
 Approved is/ we read, my friend ; 
 ' But who's commended of the Lord, 
 By standard of the Holy Word/ 
 ' I am what is by God's free grace/ 
 The apostle puts in foremost place, 
 Where he his life shows boldly forth 
 As an example of true worth. 
 This, likewise, should our witness be, 
 When we our hearts let others see. 
 ' My soul be joyful in the Lord ! ' 
 Upon the sacred harp is heard ; 
 ' In God the Lord/ my lips exclaim, 
 4 The humble hear and praise his name/ 
 
XI. 
 
 THE LOST WAYFARER FOUND. 
 
 A LONG and dazzling summer day, 
 
 Began in coolness soft to wane. 
 Our Christophe took his chosen way 
 
 In a retired and shady lane, 
 Like one of old to meditate 
 
 At this delicious eventide. 
 He scarce had passed through rustic gate, 
 
 And reached the dusty turnpike side, 
 The lake to reach with close intent, 
 
 Whose waters shone like molten gold, 
 Than he perceived a figure bent : 
 
 A man in homely garments old, 
 Slow holding his uneven way, 
 
 As if in thought completely lost. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 " My friend," did Christophe to him say, 
 
 " Have you yon upland lately crossed ? " 
 "Beg pardon?" 
 
 " To camp-meeting been ? " 
 " Nay," said the stranger, pausing quick, 
 
 And fixed his glance on Christophe keen, 
 While he laid down a knotty stick, 
 
 The cane he used on which to lean. 
 " If you are enemy or friend, 
 Just yet, I do not comprehend ! " 
 
 " I trust I am a friend to all," 
 
 Said Christophe, sitting on a stone, 
 
 While a projection from the wall 
 He offered to the other one ; 
 
 As if he glad would rest a while, 
 And hold a little easy speech. 
 
 The other, with a sneer and smile, 
 Said, " Now I reckon you will preach ? 
 
 Well, it is something worth a while 
 To have a worthy business each ! " 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 123 
 
 While he a brier wrung in two, 
 " Though 'twill be hard for me to hear 
 What I've not done for many a year. 
 No ! no ! that's what I will not do, 
 To go up there among that crew ! 
 I don't believe a word they say ; 
 And most I'd hate to hear them pray." 
 
 " Your candor," Christophe said, " is good ; 
 And it would please me if you would 
 Explain to me how came this state, 
 Which brought you such a will to hate." 
 
 " Oh ! wherefore should you my life know ? " 
 
 He shook his head, and rose to go. 
 
 " You're not my friend : no man is such 
 
 Who looks like you : I've seen too much. 
 
 They're all up there a selfish clan, 
 
 Who care not for a fallen man." 
 
 " Stay," Christophe gently then replied, 
 And made him linger by his side ; 
 While in a fervent, secret prayer, 
 He abked the Spirit's presence there, 
 
124 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 To manifest a mighty power . 
 In that peculiar, trying hour. 
 
 "The tale is long, the tale is old ; 
 'Twould matter not if it were told. 
 Enough : I trusted, was deceived ; 
 I asked for bread, a stone received ; 
 For fish hung bait, a mad snake caught, 
 Who stung me where I little thought. 
 Oh ! if it was to be again, 
 I'd kill myself to ease the pain ; 
 And sometimes now I'm tempted to 
 This little private action do. 
 If I were gone, who'd shed a tear ? 
 But then there's what's to come, I fear ; 
 I dread to face the great Unknown ; 
 I dread the bed of earth and stone ! " 
 
 He shook his head ; his eyelids pressed 
 Against his sleeve, while heaved his breast, 
 As though the trouble had returned, 
 A mighty crater that still burned. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 125 
 
 " Christians were they, or said to be, 
 Who brought me down to what you see ! 
 If I'd had money, I'd have stood 
 Among them yet, with credit good ; 
 That is, if I had given it 
 In freedom for their benefit/' 
 
 Then Christophe fervent asked the Lord 
 
 To give him the befitting word ; 
 
 And straightway, like an arrow sent 
 
 Across his thought, the Spirit lent, 
 
 " ' Whafs that to thee f Follow tJwu me ! ' 
 
 These words spake Jesus : let them be 
 
 To you his message, now, by me. 
 
 I, too, have sorrow deeply known ; 
 
 In this a brother you I own : 
 
 And thus it is I somewhat know 
 
 How true compassion to bestow." 
 
 " Your words are fair ; but, if you knew 
 What I had been, you'd leave me too, 
 Like all the rest of this cold world 
 At which my wrath I've freely hurled. 
 
126 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 The narrow house ought not to be 
 A thing to greatly dread, you see, 
 Since I have slept in felon's cell 
 (Why ! shrink you not at what I tell ?) 
 Long nights of years, accursed years ! 
 The truth in different light appears 
 From romance, sometimes ; does it not ? 
 Say, do you wonder that I'd blot 
 The past with an erasive deed, 
 Could I from memory but be freed ? " 
 
 Now Christophe, in a holy glow, 
 Did this poor man the myst'ry show 
 Of Christ, who came to save the lost, 
 In full salvation without cost. 
 And, though our sins should scarlet be, 
 From deepest stain they are wash'd free ; 
 " The prophet says ' as white as wool.' 
 Behold this truth, how beautiful ! " 
 He cried, with tears which freely flowed. 
 " No matter what may be your load, 
 Leave it, dear friend, at Jesus' feet. 
 The Spirit speaks in accents sweet : 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 127 
 
 ' Seek ye the Lord while he is found ; 
 Where once was sin, grace shall abound ; 
 He came to set the prisoners free, 
 And save from all iniquity." 
 
 In earnest words, well chosen, few, 
 
 He told what he had late gone through, 
 
 The great salvation he had found 
 
 On yonder consecrated ground. 
 
 Speechless his listener all had heard, 
 
 Till Christophe showed his own heart stirred 
 
 By mighty current of pure love : 
 
 This seemed his inner soul to move. 
 
 He bowed his head ; anon did say, 
 
 " O sir ! show me this glorious way ! 
 
 I am a sinner, very great ; 
 
 I do deserve my wretched fate : 
 
 But if there's One who will forgive, 
 
 And let me a new creature live, 
 
 Take me to him, and him alone, 
 
 Who will for all my guilt atone ! " 
 
 With tenderness Christophe did say, 
 
 " Dear friend, come wi|h me now, and pray." 
 
128 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And, passing in among the trees, 
 They bowed together on their knees ; 
 The prayer of faith to heaven arose 
 For that poor 'man in all his woes, 
 As souls on which full grace is poured, 
 Can only offer to the Lord. 
 
 That night in public meeting rose 
 
 A stranger unto all, but one. 
 
 Many gave words ; 'twas near the close : 
 
 To him it seemed but just begun. 
 
 " My friends," he said in trembling word, 
 
 " Can I in place like this be heard ? 
 
 I've not the wedding-garment on ; 
 
 My clothes are poor, and somewhat torn : 
 
 But bid me not depart ; I've won 
 
 The great salvation ! Praise the Lord ! " 
 
 And " Praise the Lord " was echoed there, 
 In loud rejoicing, everywhere. 
 
 Then he took courage to relate, 
 How one had stopped him by the gate 
 To speak about his soul. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 129 
 
 " At first," 
 
 Said he, " the man I cursed 
 In secret heart for such waylay ; 
 I did not mean with him to stay ; 
 I hated Christians every one, 
 For they > I thought, had me undone ; 
 I wanted not of them to hear, 
 Or what was going forward here ; 
 I wished I'd passed another road, . 
 Where I should not have found this goad." 
 Then he went on to tell the power 
 Of what he heard in that same hour ; 
 How it was given him to believe 
 That Jesus would himself receive. 
 " There seemed," he said, " to come a light 
 Which changed all things unto my sight, 
 As once it happened to the blind ; 
 So that I had another mind. 
 I love you all, and glad would do 
 Something to prove my words are true. 
 Though I'm unworthy, for me pray, 
 That I may keep in this good way." 
 
130 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 His humble words were scarcely done, 
 When rose a voice in song : 
 
 So wondrous was the perfect tone, 
 Could it to earth belong ? 
 
 The singer sweet of Israel, 
 
 Whose heart with love is fired, 
 
 Heard that poor man his story tell, 
 And straightway was inspired. 
 
 Oh, what a thrilling welcome knew 
 
 The lost wayfarer found ! 
 Now brought to home and rest anew 
 
 With healing for each wound ! 
 
 The trees did hear ; and beauty more 
 
 
 Put on the solemn wood, 
 
 Such as the earth in glory wore 
 When God pronounced it good. 
 
 Minstrel, go on, oh ! sing again 
 The matchless song of love, 
 
 Till you shall catch the golden strain 
 Of those who sing above. 
 
WILDERNESS AATD MOUNT. 131 
 
 And let your consecrated gift 
 
 With angels be possest, 
 The poor and sorrowful to lift 
 
 To scenes of glorious rest. 
 
 Satan hath many ways to work his will ; 
 He is not always resting when he's still ; 
 The open warfare, is his art to change, 
 For one within a more unguarded range : 
 Hence Christophe in his eye he clear did keep, 
 And circled near him through the maze of sleep. 
 A dream of fearful and bewildering power 
 Came with sardonic spell, at midnight hour, 
 To round a day of an assured success, 
 And bring him into bondage of distress. 
 But with temptation's most terrific shape, 
 .Bless God ! there is provided an escape. 
 The scene of evil scarce had fled his brain, 
 Ere sleep returned, and Christophe dreamed 
 
 again. 
 
 He saw the angry ocean all about him rise ; 
 The hurrying clouds upon the darkened skies ; 
 And on the billows one in grandeur near, 
 Who spoke unto his soul in accents dear: 
 
132 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 So strongly was this vision on his heart, 
 He wakened, and this record made in part 
 
 BE NOT AFRAID. 
 
 thou Redeemer of my soul, 
 Thou fountain of my love ! 
 
 When life's strong billows round me roll, 
 I will thy comfort prove. 
 
 1 see thee on the waters stand, 
 In heavenly light arrayed ; 
 
 Thou reachest forth to me thy hand ; 
 I hear, " Be not afraid." 
 
 With thee, dear Christ, I need not fear ; 
 
 From sinking, thou wilt save ; 
 Thy presence makes the dark sky clear, 
 
 And smooths the stormy wave. 
 
 Be not afraid ! No, in thy will, 
 My care of self shall cease ; 
 
 The greatness of thy love shall fill 
 My soul with perfect peace. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 133 
 
 I do believe the Holy Word, 
 With an unmeasured faith : 
 
 Since I thy voice have sweetly heard, 
 I'll fear not life nor death. 
 
136 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Perhaps those ancient meetings of the Scotch, 
 Who kept the solemn league and covenant, 
 Against e'en death itself, with woe and want ; 
 Held night conventicles among the rocks, 
 Brave men and women with their leader Knox. 
 Now, since it costs us nothing to be true, 
 We lack the strength of an heroic view. 
 The picture of the present peaceful time 
 Is simply beautiful, but not sublime," 
 Thought Christophe, as he glanced across the 
 
 crowd, 
 And then in secret intercession, bowed. 
 
 In every church are leaders set apart 
 
 To God by men, strong points upon the chart. 
 
 And so it came to pass, that here there stood 
 
 A man before that diverse multitude, 
 
 Among his compeers to the church ordained, 
 
 Who had the office of a bishop gained. 
 
 And men accorded it with a free heart, 
 
 Since he in every walk sustained his part, 
 
 Not as a lord o'er God's own heritage, 
 
 But an ensample, purer grown by age. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 137 
 
 He was a man of prayer ; and hence his power 
 To guide the church in its most freighted hour. 
 He walked with unseen ones ; his speech was 
 
 wise ; 
 
 A true, God-giv'n nobility his guise : 
 And thus when he stood up, as on this night, 
 His spirit led in majesty and might. 
 
 Those consecrating words, grown strong with 
 
 age, 
 
 From off the tree of life, the foliage, 
 Which is for healing of the nations, all 
 Who on the Lord as their Redeemer call, 
 Those words were read in fervent, solemn 
 
 prayer 
 
 By him who led among his brethren there ; 
 While all the waiting people lowly knelt, 
 And in their souls the Holy Spirit felt, 
 For their instruction in true righteousness, 
 To strengthen or reprove, to guide and bless. 
 And a fraternal union with each heart, 
 Of whatsoever creed, who claimed a part 
 In the redemption, by the precious blood 
 Of Him who once was man, but now is God, 
 
136 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 Perhaps those ancient meetings of the Scotch, 
 Who kept the solemn league and covenant, 
 Against e'en death itself, with woe and want ; 
 Held night conventicles among the rocks, 
 Brave men arid women with their leader Knox. 
 Now, since it costs us nothing to be true, 
 We lack the strength of an heroic view. 
 The picture of the present peaceful time 
 Is simply beautiful, but not sublime," 
 Thought Christophe, as he glanced across the 
 
 crowd, 
 And then in secret intercession, bowed. 
 
 In every church are leaders set apart 
 
 To God by men, strong points upon the chart. 
 
 And so it came to pass, that here there stood 
 
 A man before that diverse multitude, 
 
 Among his compeers to the church ordained, 
 
 Who had the office of a bishop gained. 
 
 And men accorded it with a free heart, 
 
 Since he in every walk sustained his part, 
 
 Not as a lord o'er God's own heritage, 
 
 But an ensample, purer grown by age. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 137 
 
 He was a man of prayer ; and hence his power 
 To guide the church in its most freighted hour. 
 He walked with unseen ones ; his speech was 
 
 wise ; 
 
 A true, God-giv'n nobility his guise : 
 And thus when he stood up, as on this night, 
 His spirit led in majesty and might. 
 
 Those consecrating words, grown strong with 
 
 age, 
 
 From off the tree of life, the foliage, 
 Which is for healing of the nations, all 
 Who on the Lord as their Redeemer call, 
 Those words were read in fervent, solemn 
 
 prayer 
 
 By him who led among his brethren there ; 
 While all the waiting people lowly knelt, 
 And in their souls the Holy Spirit felt, 
 For their instruction in true righteousness, 
 To strengthen or reprove, to guide and bless. 
 And a fraternal union with each heart, 
 Of whatsoever creed, who claimed a part 
 In the redemption, by the precious blood 
 Of Him who once was man, but now is God, 
 
138 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 And who acceded to the kindred claim 
 
 Of peace with those that bear the neighbor's 
 
 name, 
 
 Held fast their souls by the divinest power 
 Of Christian fellowship, in that blest hour. 
 
 As they received the emblems of their Lord, 
 And words of spiritual import heard, 
 In many a heart was registered a vow 
 To serve the Lord more faithfully than now. 
 
 The bishop said, " Beloved, henceforth bear 
 The shield of saving faith ; life's burdens share 
 As though ye saw God's angel standing by ; 
 As the Apostle Paul did testify, 
 And said, ' For this cause, sirs, be of good 
 
 cheer, 
 
 For I my God believe: we need not fear 
 With such a sovereign consciousness as this. 
 Whatever the cross, is not existence bliss ? 
 There is no solitude where angels are ; 
 No care, where our dear Father has the care ; 
 No strife, when He who is our peace, makes 
 
 peace ; 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 139 
 
 No bondage, when his surety is release. 
 
 So, then, with joy that's wholly unexprest, 
 
 They who believe do enter into rest. 
 
 Feed on the substance ; drink the blood once 
 
 shed, 
 In these same emblems, and be comforted." 
 
 When all had eat and drank 'mid songs of praise, 
 He likewise spoke, 
 
 " Beloved, go your ways 
 In peace ; and, from this sacramental hour, 
 Let all behold and magnify the power 
 Of Christ in you ; be as a shining light 
 In this dark world. Oh ! walk with him in 
 
 white, 
 That, when these scenes shall be for us no 
 
 more, 
 
 We all may meet upon that shining shore 
 Where we shall see our Saviour's face." 
 
 And then 
 He said, 
 
 " God's grace be with you all, Amen." 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 That beauteous summer night, when nothing 
 
 stirred, 
 
 Not e'en a leaf upon its stem ; unheard 
 A sound, save murmur of a distant brook, 
 Alone did Christophe ope the Holy Book, 
 To read his midnight lesson ere he slept, 
 While only opening flowers their vigils kept. 
 
 This was the picture, grandest of all art ! 
 
 The Saviour on a mountain, high, apart, 
 
 With Peter, James, and John. Their mortal 
 
 sight, 
 
 By miracle divine, breaks into light 
 Supernal and interior ! Thus they see 
 The power and glory of the mystery 
 Of Christ in man. 
 
 Beyond the human mold, 
 The wonders of divinity unfold, 
 In figure of a God ! 
 
 His countenance 
 
 Is as the sun's transcendent glance ; 
 His flowing raiment white as light. Behold ! 
 Appear to them two prophets, known of old, 
 
'WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 141 
 
 Spirits of the departed, once with powers 
 To sin and suffer, and o'ercome, like ours. 
 
 Our eyes are closed, 
 So that our ministry is not disclosed, 
 Save darkly as by dim presentiment, 
 Foreshadows of the heavenly substance sent. 
 We see and know in part ; but, oh ! how sweet, 
 The presence of the promised Paraclete ! 
 
 These talk with him. Ah ! could this wondrous 
 
 speech 
 
 Adown the generations to us reach ! 
 Thus answered Peter (whose interior ear 
 Was likewise touched so that he understood), 
 And said to Jesus, " Master, it is good 
 For thee, and thy disciples to be here. 
 If it accord with thine own will to be, 
 Let us now fashion tabernacles three, 
 For Thee, for Moses, and Elias, one. 
 
 Before his speech is done, 
 Behold a brilliant cloud ! whose splendor falls 
 In gold and purple shadows, whence there calls 
 
142 WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 
 
 A voice " This is my Son beloved ! Hear him ! " 
 Prone on the ground they lie, with vision dim, 
 Those rapt disciples, in great fear dismayed. 
 Then Jesus said, " Arise, be not afraid." 
 They feel a hand divine upon them laid, 
 And lift their eyes. Dissolved the heavenly 
 
 scene ! 
 Save Jesus only, no man there is seen. 
 
 While this read Christophe, and these comments 
 
 drew 
 
 From out his thought, all objects fainter grew, 
 Till consciousness did slip along the keep 
 Of the enchanting realm of healthful sleep. 
 A fleeting moment to his mem'ry seemed 
 Before the morning bell. 
 
 'Twas thus he dreamed : 
 In light incarnadine a Being fair 
 With noiseless move descended through the air. 
 An effluence of peace fell like a. dew, 
 So that his soul the finest transport knew ; 
 And thus a voice : 
 
 " Here on this ground 
 
 Thy soul the Comforter hath found. 
 
WILDERNESS AND MOUNT. 143 
 
 All things are thine, and ye are his, 
 Who in thy heart transfigured is, 
 A Saviour from all sin! Hold fast 
 Thy confidence while life shall last ; 
 And from the mount of highest hope 
 Let heavenly glories to thee ope ; 
 Then thy freed spirit in the light 
 Shall vanish out of mortal sight ! " 
 
 Now Christophers lips in rapture broke : 
 " ' Praise God from whom all blessings flow, 
 Praise him, all creatures here below/ " 
 Thus far he dreamed, and then awoke ; 
 But in his waking blissful spoke, 
 " ' Praise him above, ye heavenly host ; 
 Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ! ' " 
 
H 
 
M191953 
 
 8! 
 H 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY