Memorials of Theophilus Trinal, Student :: :: University of Virginia Library

“Bells,” said a child, “I want to go,
Sir, to a church with bells.”
And whether high, or broad, or low,
With hope my spirit swells,
When such a church as this I find,
And hear the heavenly chime;
Oh, then I have a holy mind,
Oh, then a happy time.
And though my hours are weak and sad,
I feel my life sublime;
Of Love the first, and Love the last,
If any service tells,
All my anxiety is past,
I've found a church with bells.

253

I to an ancient abbey went,
And sat beside a tomb;
'Twas on a showery day in Lent,
But near the Day of Bloom.
Along with me a blind man knelt,
No glories could he see;
But, oh! the music how he felt—
“Have mercy, Lord!” sang we;
And angels from the window smiled
Upon both him and me.
Said I, “Antiquity and grace
Blend here their holy spells;
In truth this is a noble place,
This is a church with bells.”

Whitewash'd, upon a windy hill,
There stood a building square;
I enter'd gently, hoping still
That bells there might be there.
“Come, weary folks,” an old man said,
“You have come—come again,
'Tis every night you need your bed,
Not only now and then.
Lord, give us better, safer rest.”
The people said, “Amen.”
And when the kindly talk I heard,
That angry sorrow quells,
“Here sounds,” said I, “the inviting word,
This is a church with bells.”

I went the silent Friends to see,
And there no bells could ring;
For how can any music be
Where nobody will sing?

254

But as we all were sitting hush'd,
Up rose a sister grey,
And said with face a little flush'd,
“This is a sunny day,
And Jesus is our inward light
To guide us on our way.”
“Ah, yes,” said I, “this Sister pure
The old glad tidings tells;
And here, too, I am very sure
I've found a church with bells.”

Then by a door I heard men say,
“He is not ‘sound,’ we fear.”
Thought I, before I turn away
I'll try if bells are here.
“Quit you like men,” a strong voice cried,
“Not hang the bulrush head;
Our fathers' God is by our side,
For truth our fathers bled.
Let no man sell his liberty,
For butter or for bread.”
Said I, “That's no unholy note,
How loud and clear it swells;
St. Paul's a stirring man to quote,—
This, too 's, a church with bells.”

Oh, I have got of sweet bells eight,
And you may have the same;
I ring them early, ring them late,
And know them each by name:—
There's Faith, and Hope, and Love, and Peace,
And Joy, and Liberty,
And then, before the chime can cease,
Patience and Victory;

255

Come, neighbour, listen to the bells
That ring for you and me.
When windy skies are all aflame,
Of rest their chiming tells;
We've never been since Jesus came,
In want of Heavenly Bells.