 | Songs Old and New |  |
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Hymns.
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THE PROMISE OF THE PRESENCE.
“Lo, I am with you alway, [all the days,] even unto the end of the world.”
The elder days, the morning days,
With thousand promises have rung:
They sparkled o'er the dewy ways
When Earth, and Time, and Man were young.
With thousand promises have rung:
They sparkled o'er the dewy ways
When Earth, and Time, and Man were young.
To us the promise is but one,
One light-point gathers all the rays:
To us He speaketh through the Son,
“Lo! I am with you all the days.”
One light-point gathers all the rays:
To us He speaketh through the Son,
“Lo! I am with you all the days.”
Health, peace, and ample heritage,
Homes full of life, and life of bliss,
Long life with silver crowns of age,—
To us is promised none of this.
Homes full of life, and life of bliss,
Long life with silver crowns of age,—
To us is promised none of this.
Yet we are richer far than they;
Their thousand were but stars at night,
But “I am with you every day,”
Is Day itself, is life and light.
Their thousand were but stars at night,
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Is Day itself, is life and light.
No promise what the days shall bring,—
Some must be dark with storm and haze,
To each its measured load will cling;
But “I am with you all the days.”
Some must be dark with storm and haze,
To each its measured load will cling;
But “I am with you all the days.”
No promise what the days shall be;
They led Thee through no easy ways,
And our true path is following Thee;
But “Thou art with us all the days.”
They led Thee through no easy ways,
And our true path is following Thee;
But “Thou art with us all the days.”
Not “As thy day thy strength shall be,”—
Still deeper hopes to us belong;
We may be blind, but Thou canst see;
We may be weak, but Thou art strong!
Still deeper hopes to us belong;
We may be blind, but Thou canst see;
We may be weak, but Thou art strong!
To-day, to-morrow, on and on;
No day shall come and not bring Thee;
No night shall come and find Thee gone,—
Thou Who hast taught in Galilee;—
No day shall come and not bring Thee;
No night shall come and find Thee gone,—
Thou Who hast taught in Galilee;—
Thou Who hast healed in Galilee,
And prayed upon the lone hillside:
Thou Who hast known Gethsemane,
And on the cross for us hast died;
And prayed upon the lone hillside:
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And on the cross for us hast died;
Not only the life's History;
Thou Who hast lived it, even Thou!
Not only the great Memory;
The living Presence, here and now!
Thou Who hast lived it, even Thou!
Not only the great Memory;
The living Presence, here and now!
Not only rules, though of Thy choice,
Or principles, though all Divine;
The Master Hand, the living Voice;
Thyself: not only what is Thine!
Or principles, though all Divine;
The Master Hand, the living Voice;
Thyself: not only what is Thine!
With us, our Light, from morn to night;
With us, our Strength, from youth to age;
Oh, Just and True! oh, Love and Might!
Our Sovereign and our Heritage!
With us, our Strength, from youth to age;
Oh, Just and True! oh, Love and Might!
Our Sovereign and our Heritage!
No cistern, emptied, late or soon;—
The fulness of the living Source!
No lighted lamp, no mirror moon;—
The Sun, the Fount of life and force!
The fulness of the living Source!
No lighted lamp, no mirror moon;—
The Sun, the Fount of life and force!
With us at morning to inspire
Fresh work, with ever-freshened zest;
At noon-tide, that we may not tire;
At evening, to restore and rest.
Fresh work, with ever-freshened zest;
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At evening, to restore and rest.
With us, our Master, to command,
Making it well worth while to live
With daily tasks fresh from Thy hand;—
With us our Saviour, to forgive!
Making it well worth while to live
With daily tasks fresh from Thy hand;—
With us our Saviour, to forgive!
Yes, all the days, and all the day,
To guide, restrain, correct, inspire;
Moulding our wills, Thy willing clay,
Kindling our hearts, Thy kindred fire.
To guide, restrain, correct, inspire;
Moulding our wills, Thy willing clay,
Kindling our hearts, Thy kindred fire.
Days of fulfilment; raising these
To types and seeds of higher things:
Dark days of loss; Thy touch but frees
The shattered seed to spread its wings.
To types and seeds of higher things:
Dark days of loss; Thy touch but frees
The shattered seed to spread its wings.
The day when Thou Who hast the key
Openest to our beloved Thy door;—
They enter to Thy joy with Thee;
And we are left, bereft and poor,
Openest to our beloved Thy door;—
They enter to Thy joy with Thee;
And we are left, bereft and poor,
Outside; yet still Thou hast the keys!
A living touch our spirit stays:
Thou sufferest not the heart to freeze;
For “Thou art with us all the days.”
A living touch our spirit stays:
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For “Thou art with us all the days.”
The day which like the rest begins,
With “Fear not; I am still with thee;”
And ends, beyond the clouds and sins,
With “Evermore His Face they see.”
With “Fear not; I am still with thee;”
And ends, beyond the clouds and sins,
With “Evermore His Face they see.”
With us through each bewildering maze,
Each step of the untrodden way;
With us all day, and all the days,
Till days and nights dawn to Thy Day!
Each step of the untrodden way;
With us all day, and all the days,
Till days and nights dawn to Thy Day!
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VEILED ANGELS.
Unnumbered blessings, rich and free,
Have come to us, our God, from Thee.
Have come to us, our God, from Thee.
Some came with open faces bright
Aglow with heaven's own living light.
Aglow with heaven's own living light.
And some were veiled, trod soft and slow
And spoke in voices grave and low.
And spoke in voices grave and low.
Veiled angels, pardon! if with fears
We met you first, and many tears.
We met you first, and many tears.
We take you to our hearts no less;
We know ye come to teach and bless.
We know ye come to teach and bless.
We know the Love from which ye come;
We trace you to our Father's Home.
We trace you to our Father's Home.
We know how radiant and how kind
Your faces are, those veils behind.
Your faces are, those veils behind.
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We know those veils, one happy day,
In earth, or heaven shall drop away;
In earth, or heaven shall drop away;
And we shall see you as ye are,
And learn why thus ye sped from far.
And learn why thus ye sped from far.
But what the joy that day shall be
We know not yet; we wait to see.
We know not yet; we wait to see.
For this, O angels, well we know,
The way ye came, our souls shall go;
The way ye came, our souls shall go;
Up to the Love from which ye come;
Back to our Father's blessed Home.
Back to our Father's blessed Home.
And bright each face unveiled shall shine,
Lord! when the veil is rent from Thine!
Lord! when the veil is rent from Thine!
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THE CRUSE THAT FAILETH NOT.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Is thy cruse of comfort failing? haste its scanty drops to share,
And through all the years of famine, thou shalt still have drops to spare.
And through all the years of famine, thou shalt still have drops to spare.
Love Divine will fill thy storehouse, or thy handful still renew;
Scanty fare for one will often make a royal feast for two!
Scanty fare for one will often make a royal feast for two!
For the heart grows rich in giving; all its wealth is living grain,
Seeds which mildew in the garner, scattered, fill with gold the plain.
Seeds which mildew in the garner, scattered, fill with gold the plain.
Is thy burden hard and heavy? do thy steps drag wearily?
Help to bear thy brother's burden; God will bear both it and thee.
Help to bear thy brother's burden; God will bear both it and thee.
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Numb and weary on the mountains, wouldst thou sleep amidst the snow?
Chafe that frozen form beside thee, and, together, both shall glow.
Chafe that frozen form beside thee, and, together, both shall glow.
Art thou stricken in life's battle? Many wounded round thee moan;
Lavish on their wounds thy balsams, and that balm shall heal thine own.
Lavish on their wounds thy balsams, and that balm shall heal thine own.
Is the heart a well left empty? None but God its void can fill;
Nothing but a ceaseless fountain can its ceaseless longings still.
Nothing but a ceaseless fountain can its ceaseless longings still.
Is the heart a living power? Self-entwined, its strength sinks low;
It can only live in loving, and by serving love will grow.
It can only live in loving, and by serving love will grow.
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GETHSEMANE.
“Now is my soul exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.”
“The Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.”
“The Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.”
Sin
hardens, all the heart with ice encrusting,
And narrowing its current evermore;
Therefore, O Saviour, loving, pitying, trusting,
Thy heart no ice of sin had crusted o'er,
And narrowing its current evermore;
Therefore, O Saviour, loving, pitying, trusting,
Thy heart no ice of sin had crusted o'er,
Was tenderer to feel each pang that tried Thee
Than any heart that ever broke or bled;
The timid love that followed yet denied Thee,
The selfish fear that kept far off, or fled.
Than any heart that ever broke or bled;
The timid love that followed yet denied Thee,
The selfish fear that kept far off, or fled.
But sin must ever weaken while it hardens,—
Enfeebling to endure, or act, or dare;
Till nothing save the balm of heavenly pardons
Can nerve the heart again to do or bear.
Enfeebling to endure, or act, or dare;
Till nothing save the balm of heavenly pardons
Can nerve the heart again to do or bear.
Then must Thy heart be stronger far to suffer
Than any sinful heart that ever beat;
And if Thy path than any path be rougher,
Yet hast Thou tenfold strength its woes to meet.
Than any sinful heart that ever beat;
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Yet hast Thou tenfold strength its woes to meet.
What tide of grief, then, Mightiest! o'er Thee rushes,
Thus tasking all Thy patience and Thy trust?
What woe beyond all woe Thy spirit crushes,
Bowing Thee, sinless, spotless, to the dust?
Thus tasking all Thy patience and Thy trust?
What woe beyond all woe Thy spirit crushes,
Bowing Thee, sinless, spotless, to the dust?
Martyrs for Thee have gone to meet their anguish
Singing glad psalms still with their dying breath;
Not all their tortures causing once to languish
The hope that led them forth for Thee to death.
Singing glad psalms still with their dying breath;
Not all their tortures causing once to languish
The hope that led them forth for Thee to death.
Thy Stephen's face shone like a happy angel's,
Uplifted, 'midst the stones, towards Thy skies,
Beaming from radiant brows Thine own evangels,
And glowing with the welcome in Thine eyes.
Uplifted, 'midst the stones, towards Thy skies,
Beaming from radiant brows Thine own evangels,
And glowing with the welcome in Thine eyes.
Yet Thou, Lord, liftest not Thy face to heaven,
But bowest prostrate on the dewy sod,
Thy soul exceeding sorrowful, death-riven,
Thy sweat of anguish as great drops of blood.
But bowest prostrate on the dewy sod,
Thy soul exceeding sorrowful, death-riven,
Thy sweat of anguish as great drops of blood.
What storm is this in which Thou all but sinkest,
Whose arm has borne so many through the flood?
What bitter cup is this from which Thou shrinkest,
Strength of all martyrs, patient Lamb of God?
Whose arm has borne so many through the flood?
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Strength of all martyrs, patient Lamb of God?
The sin of all the world whose throne Thou claimest,
Hadst made so fair; so fallen, loved and sought:
The sin of all Thine own to whom Thou camest;
Thou camest and Thine own received Thee not.
Hadst made so fair; so fallen, loved and sought:
The sin of all Thine own to whom Thou camest;
Thou camest and Thine own received Thee not.
The sin of all the saved, who dying blessed Thee,
Who from the sting of death hadst set them free;
The sin of all Thy martyrs who confessed Thee,
And died rejoicing that they went to Thee.
Who from the sting of death hadst set them free;
The sin of all Thy martyrs who confessed Thee,
And died rejoicing that they went to Thee.
This is the weight of agony unspoken
Which Thee, O Highest, thus so low hath laid!
The curse of all the law mankind had broken,
The sin of all the world which Thou hadst made.
Which Thee, O Highest, thus so low hath laid!
The curse of all the law mankind had broken,
The sin of all the world which Thou hadst made.
Earth's serried woes and crimes in one compressing
Thou buriest all within Thy single breast;
And changest thus our every curse to blessing,
Giving us life through death,—in labour Rest.
Thou buriest all within Thy single breast;
And changest thus our every curse to blessing,
Giving us life through death,—in labour Rest.
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LAST TOUCHES, LAST STEPS, LAST WORDS.
St. Luke xxiv. 39, 40.
Oh, torn and nailëd hands,
Yet by no nails held fast;
Only by force of dear, Divine commands,
And love, on to the last!
Yet by no nails held fast;
Only by force of dear, Divine commands,
And love, on to the last!
Oh, healing hands and strong,
By love and pain held fast!
Ere to this torture yielded up so long,
What was it they did last?
By love and pain held fast!
Ere to this torture yielded up so long,
What was it they did last?
They took the festal cup,
Gave it to drink to all,
And with the wine of God they filled it up—
Drops from Thy heart that fall.
Gave it to drink to all,
And with the wine of God they filled it up—
Drops from Thy heart that fall.
They took the Paschal bread,
But common bread before;
And one High Feast for all the ages spread,
Which faileth never more.
But common bread before;
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Which faileth never more.
They washed the way-worn feet,
(Master in ministry!)
Washed off the common dust of path and street
From feet which followed Thee!
(Master in ministry!)
Washed off the common dust of path and street
From feet which followed Thee!
They healed the wounded foe,
(One touch, as in the past,)
Healing the foe, though friends had struck the blow;
'Twas this those hands did last.
(One touch, as in the past,)
Healing the foe, though friends had struck the blow;
'Twas this those hands did last.
Oh, blessed feet, to tread
No more for us Earth's round!
What were the latest willing steps they sped
Ere piercëd thus, and bound?
No more for us Earth's round!
What were the latest willing steps they sped
Ere piercëd thus, and bound?
Three times they went one way
In dark Gethsemane;
Thou badest Thy beloved watch and pray,—
Watch but one hour with Thee!
In dark Gethsemane;
Thou badest Thy beloved watch and pray,—
Watch but one hour with Thee!
Three journeys, all in vain,
To see what watch they keep;
Craving one touch of sympathetic pain,
And finding all asleep!
To see what watch they keep;
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And finding all asleep!
Oh, lips now parched and white
In death, what said they last?
Ere on them, through the tumult of that night,
Majestic silence passed.
In death, what said they last?
Ere on them, through the tumult of that night,
Majestic silence passed.
For the disciples' sake,
What was the last they said?
“Let not your heart be troubled,” (Thine must break!)
“Nor let it be afraid.”
What was the last they said?
“Let not your heart be troubled,” (Thine must break!)
“Nor let it be afraid.”
Shepherd! in mortal pain,
Still caring for the sheep!
We know no word nor touch of Thine were vain:
All in our depths sink deep.
Still caring for the sheep!
We know no word nor touch of Thine were vain:
All in our depths sink deep.
E'er since that dread night's strain
Some fail not watch to keep;
Oh, come and see, and try us once again,
And find us not asleep!
Some fail not watch to keep;
Oh, come and see, and try us once again,
And find us not asleep!
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NOLI ME TANGERE.
“Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended.”
Not touch Thee! Are they over, then, for ever,
Those human ministries so sweet of old?
Further than starry distances can sever,
Severed by these Thy words, so starlike cold:
Thy “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
Those human ministries so sweet of old?
Further than starry distances can sever,
Severed by these Thy words, so starlike cold:
Thy “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
Once, owned and welcomed 'mid the scoffs and scorning,
The tears and kisses fell upon Thy feet;
Now, on Thy rapturous Resurrection morning,
May no adoring touch Thy triumph greet?
Nay, “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
The tears and kisses fell upon Thy feet;
Now, on Thy rapturous Resurrection morning,
May no adoring touch Thy triumph greet?
Nay, “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
Thy lips the old familiar name have spoken,
Are the old needs of earth for ever fled?
Is the last vase of alabaster broken?
Were the last balms outpoured upon Thee dead?
Yet “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
Are the old needs of earth for ever fled?
Is the last vase of alabaster broken?
Were the last balms outpoured upon Thee dead?
Yet “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
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Not touch Thee now, while earth may still detain Thee,
Thy feet still linger by the well-known ways?
How, when the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee,
High o'er the narrow light of our dim days,
Still “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
Thy feet still linger by the well-known ways?
How, when the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee,
High o'er the narrow light of our dim days,
Still “Touch Me not; I am not yet ascended.”
Yet, on her heart that Easter joy first tasting,
Those grave words struck no discord of surprise;
Glad from Thy Presence on Thine errands hasting,
What strange sweet secret read she in Thine eyes,
Solving Thy “Touch Me not; not yet ascended.”
Those grave words struck no discord of surprise;
Glad from Thy Presence on Thine errands hasting,
What strange sweet secret read she in Thine eyes,
Solving Thy “Touch Me not; not yet ascended.”
Ascended to My Father and your Father,
The highest heavens, the lowly heart to fill;
Earth's “Blest” transfiguring to Heaven's “Blest rather;”—
She touched Thee when she left to do Thy will:
We touch Thee ever; for Thou art ascended!
The highest heavens, the lowly heart to fill;
Earth's “Blest” transfiguring to Heaven's “Blest rather;”—
She touched Thee when she left to do Thy will:
We touch Thee ever; for Thou art ascended!
“My and your Father,” “brother, sister, mother,”
“Ye did it unto Me in these My least;”
Henceforth we touch Thee, serve Thee in each other,
Receive, adoring in each Eucharist:
We touch Thee ever; for Thou art ascended.
“Ye did it unto Me in these My least;”
Henceforth we touch Thee, serve Thee in each other,
Receive, adoring in each Eucharist:
We touch Thee ever; for Thou art ascended.
We touch Thee when the gospel of Thy pardons
Heals and revives the heart from sin to cease;
Melting the doubt that chills, the fear that hardens,
In the great calm and sunshine of Thy peace:
We touch Thee ever; for Thou art ascended.
Heals and revives the heart from sin to cease;
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In the great calm and sunshine of Thy peace:
We touch Thee ever; for Thou art ascended.
We touch Thee in each service we can render,
Feel in each sacrifice Thine “Unto Me;”
Thy heavens to us are no dim far-off splendour;
Thy heavens enfold us, centering in Thee,
Who fillest all, high over all ascended,
Feel in each sacrifice Thine “Unto Me;”
Thy heavens to us are no dim far-off splendour;
Thy heavens enfold us, centering in Thee,
Who fillest all, high over all ascended,
Embracing earth, because to Heaven ascended;
Death of our death, since we with Thee have died;
Life of our life, spirit with spirit blended,
Thy Spirit breathing ever through Thy Bride.
Thy works she works, because Thou art ascended,
Death of our death, since we with Thee have died;
Life of our life, spirit with spirit blended,
Thy Spirit breathing ever through Thy Bride.
Thy works she works, because Thou art ascended,
Still stretching out, through Thee, pierced hands of healing,
Filled with the fulness of the Incarnate Son;
From age to age Thee through the Night revealing,
Until the Day reveals that we are one,
And from the heavens the spotless Bride descendeth.
Filled with the fulness of the Incarnate Son;
From age to age Thee through the Night revealing,
Until the Day reveals that we are one,
And from the heavens the spotless Bride descendeth.
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THE WINTER SOLSTICE.
(ST. THOMAS' DAY.)
The long descent is o'er,
The stair of light is won;
Earth sunward climbs once more,—
We turn to Thee, our Sun!
The stair of light is won;
Earth sunward climbs once more,—
We turn to Thee, our Sun!
From downward steeps of doubt
Saints once in anguish trod,
Darkness within, without,
To Thee, our Lord, our God!
Saints once in anguish trod,
Darkness within, without,
To Thee, our Lord, our God!
Earth's darkest day is o'er;
Love conquers on Thy Cross,
And there and evermore
Wins all by willing loss;
Love conquers on Thy Cross,
And there and evermore
Wins all by willing loss;
No honours owns, or craves,
Save scars of saving pain;
Her crown the lives she saves,
To love and save again.
Save scars of saving pain;
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To love and save again.
The victory is won;
Light has an open field,
And slowly, one by one,
The gates of hell shall yield.
Light has an open field,
And slowly, one by one,
The gates of hell shall yield.
Light in Thy light we see,
Self's shadow falls behind;
Turning from all to Thee,
All, all, with Thee we find.
Self's shadow falls behind;
Turning from all to Thee,
All, all, with Thee we find.
Slow, slow, the upward way
Where step by step we press;
Yet longer grows each day,
And every night is less;
Where step by step we press;
Yet longer grows each day,
And every night is less;
Till Eve embraces Morn,
Glowing from shore to shore,
And Day of Night is born,
And night shall be no more.
Glowing from shore to shore,
And Day of Night is born,
And night shall be no more.
Slow, slow, the upward way,
Yet shall the heights be won;
For summer dawns the day
Earth turns towards the Sun.
Yet shall the heights be won;
For summer dawns the day
Earth turns towards the Sun.
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HOLIEST NIGHT!
Holiest night! happiest night!
Midnight is bright as with noon-day light;
Angels find their heaven on earth,
Hailing with hymns the marvellous birth,
The Babe, the Redeemer is near.
Midnight is bright as with noon-day light;
Angels find their heaven on earth,
Hailing with hymns the marvellous birth,
The Babe, the Redeemer is near.
Stormy night! perilous night!
Winds and waves with the frail bark fight;
Over the waves walks a human form,
Human accents arrest the storm—
The Saviour, the Master is here.
Winds and waves with the frail bark fight;
Over the waves walks a human form,
Human accents arrest the storm—
The Saviour, the Master is here.
Radiant night! glorious night!
Shrined in the cloud on the mountain height,
His raiment as sunshine, his face as the sun,
Prophets adoring, and glory begun—
Jesus transfigured is here!
Shrined in the cloud on the mountain height,
His raiment as sunshine, his face as the sun,
Prophets adoring, and glory begun—
Jesus transfigured is here!
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Dreariest night! deadliest night!
Midnight falls on the noon-day light;
Night on the noon, and earthquake, and strife,
Death on the heart whence the worlds draw life—
Jesus in anguish is here!
Midnight falls on the noon-day light;
Night on the noon, and earthquake, and strife,
Death on the heart whence the worlds draw life—
Jesus in anguish is here!
Lingering night! vanishing night!
Watch and pray till the morn dawns bright;
Singing and shining, in vigil stand—
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand”—
Jesus the Day-star is near!
Watch and pray till the morn dawns bright;
Singing and shining, in vigil stand—
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand”—
Jesus the Day-star is near!
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MARRIAGE HYMN.
PRELUDE.
Thy types are no mere pictured forms;
The sun which witnesses of Thee,
A world itself, gives life and warms,
Is what it figures Thee to be;
No lifeless glass Thy mirrors are,—
The living stream, the luminous star.
The sun which witnesses of Thee,
A world itself, gives life and warms,
Is what it figures Thee to be;
No lifeless glass Thy mirrors are,—
The living stream, the luminous star.
Thou livest in Thy Sacraments,
And thus,—through them we live in Thee;
Each what it pictures still presents,
And this great marriage-mystery,
This sacred one of man and wife,
Brings Christ the Life into our life.
And thus,—through them we live in Thee;
Each what it pictures still presents,
And this great marriage-mystery,
This sacred one of man and wife,
Brings Christ the Life into our life.
MARRIAGE HYMN.
From henceforth no more twain but one,
Yet ever one through being twain,
As self is ever lost and won
Through love's own ceaseless loss and gain,—
And both their full perfection reach,
Each growing the true self through each.
Yet ever one through being twain,
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Through love's own ceaseless loss and gain,—
And both their full perfection reach,
Each growing the true self through each.
Two in all worship glad and high,
All promises to praise and prayer,
“Where two are gathered, there am I.”
Gone half the weight from all ye bear,
Gained twice the force for all ye do,
The sacred, ceaseless Church of two.
All promises to praise and prayer,
“Where two are gathered, there am I.”
Gone half the weight from all ye bear,
Gained twice the force for all ye do,
The sacred, ceaseless Church of two.
One in all lowly ministry,
One in all priestly sacrifice,
Through love which makes all service free,
And finds or makes all gifts of price;
All love that made life rich before,
Through this great central love grown more.
One in all priestly sacrifice,
Through love which makes all service free,
And finds or makes all gifts of price;
All love that made life rich before,
Through this great central love grown more.
And so together journeying on
To the Great Bridal of the Christ,
When all the life His love has won
To perfect Love is sacrificed,
And the New Song, beyond the sun,
Peals “Henceforth no more Twain but One.”
To the Great Bridal of the Christ,
When all the life His love has won
To perfect Love is sacrificed,
And the New Song, beyond the sun,
Peals “Henceforth no more Twain but One.”
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And in that perfect Marriage-day
All earth's lost love shall live once more,
All lack and loss shall pass away,
And all find all not found before,—
Till all the worlds shall live and glow
In that great Love's great overflow.
All earth's lost love shall live once more,
All lack and loss shall pass away,
And all find all not found before,—
Till all the worlds shall live and glow
In that great Love's great overflow.
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ON A BAPTISM.
“The waves of this troublesome world.”
Near the shore the bark lay floating, by the sunny waves caressed,
With the darling we were watching cradled in a dreamy rest.
With the darling we were watching cradled in a dreamy rest.
But, borne o'er that heaving ocean, wilder sounds our gladness check,
Stormy winds and human wailings; ah! that sea bears many a wreck.
Stormy winds and human wailings; ah! that sea bears many a wreck.
Fear not! hopes no strength could warrant to the feeblest faith are given;
Looking forward strains the eyesight; looking upward opens heaven.
Looking forward strains the eyesight; looking upward opens heaven.
Deeper than that Ocean's tempests, softer than its murmurs be,
Breathes a Voice, a Voice thou knowest,—“Trust thy little one to Me.”
Breathes a Voice, a Voice thou knowest,—“Trust thy little one to Me.”
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Thou hast brought thy babe to Jesus; He hath seen her, He hath blest;
In His arms thy faith hath laid her, and He bears her on His breast.
In His arms thy faith hath laid her, and He bears her on His breast.
Gently on thy sleeping darling, eyes, the light of heaven, shine;
Mother, by the love thou knowest, measure His,—it passeth thine!
Mother, by the love thou knowest, measure His,—it passeth thine!
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ORDINATION OF PRIESTS.
“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.” “A royal priesthood.”
Whose are the Hands in consecration laid
To-day, upon each bowed and reverent brow?
They are the Father's Hands. The Hands that made
Are consecrating evermore and now.
Ever life-giving as they consecrate,
He only consecrates Who can create.
To-day, upon each bowed and reverent brow?
They are the Father's Hands. The Hands that made
Are consecrating evermore and now.
Ever life-giving as they consecrate,
He only consecrates Who can create.
The Saviour's Hands, which seal and which reveal,
Which healed the leper, woke blind eyes to sight;
Touches which ever, as they hallow, heal;—
The Hands which washed the faithful feet that night,
And then hung pierced and helpless on the Cross,
And pierced and helpless saved the world from loss.
Which healed the leper, woke blind eyes to sight;
Touches which ever, as they hallow, heal;—
The Hands which washed the faithful feet that night,
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And pierced and helpless saved the world from loss.
Those Hands which measuring still by love's own price,
Lead, as He went, through service to the Cross;
Sweet service first, then costly sacrifice;
First gifts, then burdens which may seem but loss.
Love but to deeper love can consecrate;
The Priesthood follows the Diaconate.
Lead, as He went, through service to the Cross;
Sweet service first, then costly sacrifice;
First gifts, then burdens which may seem but loss.
Love but to deeper love can consecrate;
The Priesthood follows the Diaconate.
Whose are the Holy Hands that consecrate?
The Hands which shall receive the soul at last,
Mighty to save, patient to train and wait,
Tender to welcome, when the Floods are past,
And stretched across the waters, through the dark
They fold the weary dove within the Ark.
The Hands which shall receive the soul at last,
Mighty to save, patient to train and wait,
Tender to welcome, when the Floods are past,
And stretched across the waters, through the dark
They fold the weary dove within the Ark.
St. Paul's Cathedral, Trinity Sunday, 1880.
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THE GOSPEL IN THE EUCHARIST.
No Gospel like this Feast
Spread for Thy Church by Thee;
Nor prophet nor evangelist
Preach the glad news so free.
Spread for Thy Church by Thee;
Nor prophet nor evangelist
Preach the glad news so free.
Picture and Parable!
All Truth and Love Divine,
In one bright point made visible,
Hence on the heart they shine.
All Truth and Love Divine,
In one bright point made visible,
Hence on the heart they shine.
All our Redemption cost,
All our Redemption won;
All it has won for us, the lost,
All it cost Thee, the Son.
All our Redemption won;
All it has won for us, the lost,
All it cost Thee, the Son.
Thine was the bitter price,—
Ours is the free gift given;
Thine was the blood of sacrifice,—
Ours is the wine of heaven.
Ours is the free gift given;
Thine was the blood of sacrifice,—
Ours is the wine of heaven.
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For Thee the burning thirst,
The shame, the mortal strife,
The broken heart, the side transpierced;—
To us the Bread of Life.
The shame, the mortal strife,
The broken heart, the side transpierced;—
To us the Bread of Life.
To Thee our curse and doom,
Wrapped round Thee with our sin,
The horror of that midday gloom,
The deeper night within;—
Wrapped round Thee with our sin,
The horror of that midday gloom,
The deeper night within;—
To us Thy Home in light,
Thy “Come, ye blessed, come!”
Thy bridal raiment, pure and white,
Thy Father's welcome home.
Thy “Come, ye blessed, come!”
Thy bridal raiment, pure and white,
Thy Father's welcome home.
Here we would rest midway,
As on a sacred height,
That darkest and that brightest Day
Meeting before our sight;
As on a sacred height,
That darkest and that brightest Day
Meeting before our sight;
From that dark depth of woes
Thy love for us hath trod,
Up to the heights of bless'd repose
Thy love prepares with God;
Thy love for us hath trod,
Up to the heights of bless'd repose
Thy love prepares with God;
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Till, from self's chains released,
One sight alone we see,
Still at the Cross as at the Feast,
Behold Thee, only Thee!
One sight alone we see,
Still at the Cross as at the Feast,
Behold Thee, only Thee!
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AROUND A TABLE, NOT A TOMB.
Around a Table, not a Tomb,
He willed our gathering-place to be;
When, going to prepare our home,
Our Saviour said, “Remember Me.”
He willed our gathering-place to be;
When, going to prepare our home,
Our Saviour said, “Remember Me.”
We kneel around no sculptured stone,
Marking the place where Jesus lay;—
Empty the tomb, the angels gone,
The stone for ever rolled away.
Marking the place where Jesus lay;—
Empty the tomb, the angels gone,
The stone for ever rolled away.
Nay! sculptured stones are for the dead!
Thy three dark days of death are o'er;
Thou art the Life, our living Head,
Our living Light for evermore!
Thy three dark days of death are o'er;
Thou art the Life, our living Head,
Our living Light for evermore!
Of no fond relics, sadly dear,
Oh, Master! are Thine own possest;
The crown of thorns, the cross, the spear,
The purple robe, the seamless vest.
Oh, Master! are Thine own possest;
The crown of thorns, the cross, the spear,
The purple robe, the seamless vest.
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Nay! relics are for those who mourn
The memory of an absent friend;
Not absent Thou, nor we forlorn!—
“With you each day until the end!”
The memory of an absent friend;
Not absent Thou, nor we forlorn!—
“With you each day until the end!”
Thus round Thy Table, not Thy Tomb,
We keep Thy sacred Feast with Thee;
Until within the Father's Home
Our endless gathering-place shall be.
We keep Thy sacred Feast with Thee;
Until within the Father's Home
Our endless gathering-place shall be.
October 1862.
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NEVER FURTHER THAN THY CROSS.
Never further than Thy Cross!
Never higher than Thy feet!
Here earth's precious things grow dross;
Here earth's bitter things grow sweet.
Never higher than Thy feet!
Here earth's precious things grow dross;
Here earth's bitter things grow sweet.
Gazing thus, our sin we see;
Learn Thy love while gazing thus!
Sin which laid the Cross on Thee,
Love which bore the Cross for us.
Learn Thy love while gazing thus!
Sin which laid the Cross on Thee,
Love which bore the Cross for us.
Here we learn to serve and give,
And rejoicing self deny;
Here we gather love to live,
Here we gather faith to die.
And rejoicing self deny;
Here we gather love to live,
Here we gather faith to die.
Symbols of our liberty
And our service here unite;
Captives by Thy Cross set free,
Soldiers of Thy Cross we fight.
And our service here unite;
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Soldiers of Thy Cross we fight.
Pressing onward as we can,
Still to this our hearts shall tend;
Where our earliest hopes began,
There our last aspirings end;
Still to this our hearts shall tend;
Where our earliest hopes began,
There our last aspirings end;
Till amidst the hosts of light,
We, in Thee redeemed, complete,
Through Thy Cross made pure and white,
Cast our crowns before Thy feet.
We, in Thee redeemed, complete,
Through Thy Cross made pure and white,
Cast our crowns before Thy feet.
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THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.
Thou art the Way!
All ways are thorny mazes without Thee;
Where hearts are pierced, and thoughts all aimless stray:
In Thee the heart stands firm, the life moves free;
Thou art our Way.
All ways are thorny mazes without Thee;
Where hearts are pierced, and thoughts all aimless stray:
In Thee the heart stands firm, the life moves free;
Thou art our Way.
Thou art the Truth!
Questions the ages break against in vain
Confront the spirit in its untried youth;
It starves, while sifting poison from the grain:
Thou art the Truth!
Questions the ages break against in vain
Confront the spirit in its untried youth;
It starves, while sifting poison from the grain:
Thou art the Truth!
Thou art the Light!
Earth beyond earth no faintest ray can give;
Heaven's shadeless noontide blinds our mortal sight;
In Thee we look on God, and love, and live:
Thou art our Light!
Earth beyond earth no faintest ray can give;
Heaven's shadeless noontide blinds our mortal sight;
In Thee we look on God, and love, and live:
Thou art our Light!
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Thou art the Rock!
Doubts none can solve heave wild on every side,
Wave meeting wave of thought in ceaseless shock;
On Thee the soul rests calm amidst the tide:
Thou art our Rock!
Doubts none can solve heave wild on every side,
Wave meeting wave of thought in ceaseless shock;
On Thee the soul rests calm amidst the tide:
Thou art our Rock!
Thou art the Life!
All ways without Thee paths that end in death;
All life without Thee with death's harvest rife;
All truths dry bones, disjoined, and void of breath:
Thou art our Life!
All ways without Thee paths that end in death;
All life without Thee with death's harvest rife;
All truths dry bones, disjoined, and void of breath:
Thou art our Life!
For Thou art Love!
Our Way and End! the way is rest with Thee!
O living Truth, the truth is life in Thee!
O Life essential, life is bliss with Thee!
For Thou art Love!
Our Way and End! the way is rest with Thee!
O living Truth, the truth is life in Thee!
O Life essential, life is bliss with Thee!
For Thou art Love!
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THE FOLD AND THE PALACE.
THE FOLD.
There is a fold, once dearly bought,
But opened now to all,
Reaching from regions high as thought,
Low as our race can fall:
But opened now to all,
Reaching from regions high as thought,
Low as our race can fall:
Far up among the sunny hills,
Where breaks the earliest day;
Down where the deepest shadow chills
The wanderer's downward way.
Where breaks the earliest day;
Down where the deepest shadow chills
The wanderer's downward way.
There some have seen a Shepherd stand,
Who guards it day and night;
Mightier than all, His gentle hand,
His eyes the source of light.
Who guards it day and night;
Mightier than all, His gentle hand,
His eyes the source of light.
I know, the feeblest that have e'er
Entered those precincts blest
Find everlasting safety there,
Freedom and life and rest.
Entered those precincts blest
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Freedom and life and rest.
But I have wandered far astray,
Blinded and wearied sore;
How can I find the plainest way,
Or reach the nearest door?
Blinded and wearied sore;
How can I find the plainest way,
Or reach the nearest door?
The silence with a voice is fraught—
When did I hear that tone?—
Awful as thunder, soft as thought,
Familiar as mine own.
When did I hear that tone?—
Awful as thunder, soft as thought,
Familiar as mine own.
“I am the Door,” those words begin;
I press towards that voice,
And, ere I know it, am within,
And all within rejoice.
I press towards that voice,
And, ere I know it, am within,
And all within rejoice.
THE PALACE.
There is a Palace vast and bright;
Athwart the night's cold gloom
Stream its soft music and warm light,—
A Palace, yet a Home.
Athwart the night's cold gloom
Stream its soft music and warm light,—
A Palace, yet a Home.
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The guests who are invited there
Are called therein to dwell;—
“Laden with sin, oppressed with care,”
The calling suits me well.
Are called therein to dwell;—
“Laden with sin, oppressed with care,”
The calling suits me well.
They say none ever knocked in vain,
Yet I have often tried,
And scarce have strength to try again,
Will one, then, be denied?
Yet I have often tried,
And scarce have strength to try again,
Will one, then, be denied?
Again that voice my spirit thrills,
So strange, yet so well known;
Divine, as when it rent the hills,
Yet human as my own.
So strange, yet so well known;
Divine, as when it rent the hills,
Yet human as my own.
The golden portals softly melt,
Like clouds around the sun,
And where they stood, and where I knelt,
Behold that matchless One!
Like clouds around the sun,
And where they stood, and where I knelt,
Behold that matchless One!
He pleads for me, He pleads with me,
He hears ere I can call;
Jesus! my first step is to Thee,
And Thy first gift is all!
He hears ere I can call;
Jesus! my first step is to Thee,
And Thy first gift is all!
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ONCE AND FOR EVER.
Jesus! what once Thou wast,
For evermore Thou art:
Each moment of the sacred past
Lives in the sacred Heart.
For evermore Thou art:
Each moment of the sacred past
Lives in the sacred Heart.
Thy “yesterday” on earth,
And Thy “to-day” above,
Thy Godhead, manhood, death, and birth,
One through eternal love.
And Thy “to-day” above,
Thy Godhead, manhood, death, and birth,
One through eternal love.
Babe that a mother bore,
Child on the mother's knee;
Child for the children evermore,
Only the childlike see.
Child on the mother's knee;
Child for the children evermore,
Only the childlike see.
The Lamb of God below,
Mute 'neath the mortal pain,
Still on the throne the Lamb we know,
Still “as it had been slain.”
Mute 'neath the mortal pain,
Still on the throne the Lamb we know,
Still “as it had been slain.”
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Nailed to the cross of old,
We still Thy wounds may greet;
Hear Thy “Come hither, and behold”
The piercëd hands and feet.
We still Thy wounds may greet;
Hear Thy “Come hither, and behold”
The piercëd hands and feet.
Yes, all Thou ever wast,
For evermore Thou art:
Each moment of the living past
Lives in the loving Heart.
For evermore Thou art:
Each moment of the living past
Lives in the loving Heart.
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FIRST AND LAST.
Thy “little lamb” once more,
My Lord, my Life, my Rest!
Borne in Thine arms the wide world o'er—
A lamb upon Thy breast.
My Lord, my Life, my Rest!
Borne in Thine arms the wide world o'er—
A lamb upon Thy breast.
Thy sheep across the waste
Were wandering far and wide,
And after them my heart would haste,
To bring them to Thy side.
Were wandering far and wide,
And after them my heart would haste,
To bring them to Thy side.
Thy lambs were weak and faint;
I could but give my best:
Feebly I sought to still the plaint,
And bear them on my breast.
I could but give my best:
Feebly I sought to still the plaint,
And bear them on my breast.
Great Shepherd of the sheep!
The sheep are Thine, not mine:
Thou Thy great flock wilt surely keep,
And each one lamb of Thine.
The sheep are Thine, not mine:
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And each one lamb of Thine.
Ever the wide waste o'er,
A lamb upon Thy breast;
Thy lost Thou seekest evermore:
I seek, with Thee, and rest.
A lamb upon Thy breast;
Thy lost Thou seekest evermore:
I seek, with Thee, and rest.
A lamb upon Thy breast,
Still learning what Thou art—
Our Lord, our Life, our Strength, our Rest!—
Borne on Thy changeless Heart.
Still learning what Thou art—
Our Lord, our Life, our Strength, our Rest!—
Borne on Thy changeless Heart.
Thy “little lamb” once more,
My Lord, my Life, my Rest!
Borne in Thine arms the dark flood o'er—
A lamb upon Thy breast!
My Lord, my Life, my Rest!
Borne in Thine arms the dark flood o'er—
A lamb upon Thy breast!
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REST FOR THE HEAVY-LADEN.
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
—St. Matt. xi. 28.
Silence in heaven and earth!
The hush of love or fear!
His voice the Highest sendeth forth,
The still small voice is here.
The world's hoarse murmurs under,
Its loudest din above,
It speaketh not in thunder,
But in words, and the tone is love.
It calls, and a gift it offers;
To whom are those words addressed?
“Come, ye that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
The hush of love or fear!
His voice the Highest sendeth forth,
The still small voice is here.
The world's hoarse murmurs under,
Its loudest din above,
It speaketh not in thunder,
But in words, and the tone is love.
It calls, and a gift it offers;
To whom are those words addressed?
“Come, ye that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
Ye that have toiled in vain
Till strength and hope have fled,
And lavished the years that come not again
For that which is not bread;
Ye who are toiling now,
Weary in heart and limb,
With a strength each day more low,
And a hope each day more dim;
Weary in soul and spirit,
Toiling with hearts oppressed;
“Come to Me all that labour,
And I will give you rest.”
Till strength and hope have fled,
And lavished the years that come not again
For that which is not bread;
255
Weary in heart and limb,
With a strength each day more low,
And a hope each day more dim;
Weary in soul and spirit,
Toiling with hearts oppressed;
“Come to Me all that labour,
And I will give you rest.”
Is guilt unpardoned there
With heavy hand and strong,
The weight in the air of measureless fear,
Or of hope deferrëd long?
The sorrow which freezeth tears
With the force of a sudden blow,
The long, dull pressure of weary years
Bowing you silently low?
Many the burdens and hard
Wherewith the heart is pressed:
“Come all that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
With heavy hand and strong,
The weight in the air of measureless fear,
Or of hope deferrëd long?
The sorrow which freezeth tears
With the force of a sudden blow,
The long, dull pressure of weary years
Bowing you silently low?
Many the burdens and hard
Wherewith the heart is pressed:
“Come all that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
The world has many a promise
To beguile the blithe and young;
But to you the world is honest,
It has ceased to promise, long.
Wealth, pleasures, fame, successes,
The world has store of these,—
For you it no cure professes,
It offers you no ease.
But Christ has an arm almighty
And a balm for the faintest breast:
“Come, ye that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
To beguile the blithe and young;
But to you the world is honest,
It has ceased to promise, long.
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The world has store of these,—
For you it no cure professes,
It offers you no ease.
But Christ has an arm almighty
And a balm for the faintest breast:
“Come, ye that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
Would ye fain among the sleepers,
In dust your tired heads bow?
The rest He gives is deeper,
And He will give it now.
No dull oblivious pain
In the lull of pain repressed,
But all your hearts to steep
In perfect and conscious rest,—
Rest that shall make you strong
To serve among the blest:
“Come, all that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
In dust your tired heads bow?
The rest He gives is deeper,
And He will give it now.
No dull oblivious pain
In the lull of pain repressed,
But all your hearts to steep
In perfect and conscious rest,—
Rest that shall make you strong
To serve among the blest:
“Come, all that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
The rest of a happy child
Led by the Father on,
Feeling His smile, and reconciled
To all that He has done;
Of one who can meekly bend
'Neath the yoke of the Lord who died;
Of a soldier who knows how the fight will end
With a Leader true and tried;
The rest of a subject heart,
Of its best desires possessed:
“Come, ye that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
Led by the Father on,
Feeling His smile, and reconciled
To all that He has done;
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'Neath the yoke of the Lord who died;
Of a soldier who knows how the fight will end
With a Leader true and tried;
The rest of a subject heart,
Of its best desires possessed:
“Come, ye that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
Rest from sin's crushing debt
In the blood which Christ has shed;
From the pang of vain regret
In the thought that He has led.
Rest in His perfect love,
Rest in His tender care;
Rest in His presence for you above,
In His presence with you here.
Rest in Him, slain and risen,
The Lamb, and the Royal Priest:
“Come all that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
In the blood which Christ has shed;
From the pang of vain regret
In the thought that He has led.
Rest in His perfect love,
Rest in His tender care;
Rest in His presence for you above,
In His presence with you here.
Rest in Him, slain and risen,
The Lamb, and the Royal Priest:
“Come all that are heavy-laden,
And I will give you rest.”
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“HITHER TO ME!”
O King of men, when thousands thronging,
Gathered to Thee;
The thousand streams in one stream meeting—
The thousand hearts with one throb beating,
Hanging on Thee, hanging on Thee;
Gathered to Thee;
The thousand streams in one stream meeting—
The thousand hearts with one throb beating,
Hanging on Thee, hanging on Thee;
No pomp of state that crowd repelling,
All pressed to Thee!
Thou royally the throng addressing,
Divinely calledst each to blessing,
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!
All pressed to Thee!
Thou royally the throng addressing,
Divinely calledst each to blessing,
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!
“With labour worn and heavy laden,
Hither to Me!
The hardest yoke is easy near Me,
With Me is rest for all the weary,
Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
Hither to Me!
The hardest yoke is easy near Me,
With Me is rest for all the weary,
Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
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Royal command and God-like promise—
“Hither to Me!”
O words whose links death cannot sever!
O balm for all life's ills for ever!—
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
“Hither to Me!”
O words whose links death cannot sever!
O balm for all life's ills for ever!—
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
Through nights of sorrow falling softly—
“Hither to Me!”
Earth's thousand noises piercing keenly,
O'er wildest storms they float serenely—
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
“Hither to Me!”
Earth's thousand noises piercing keenly,
O'er wildest storms they float serenely—
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
We hear them still, we hear them ever—
“Hither to Me!”
We hear them daily clearer, dearer,
Drawing us ever higher, nearer—
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
“Hither to Me!”
We hear them daily clearer, dearer,
Drawing us ever higher, nearer—
“Hither to Me! hither to Me!”
March 1863.
260
THE TWO ACCUSATIONS.
Across stands black against the last pale glow
Of that dread day that twice was veiled in night;
The form that quivered there when noon was high
Rests low amidst the shrouds and spices now,
And reverent hands have wiped the thorn-crowned brow.
But where it bowed at noon, death-dewed and white,
The Roman's accusation meets my sight,
Earth's homage rendered in her own despite,
Proclaiming in three tongues thy Right Divine!
Of that dread day that twice was veiled in night;
The form that quivered there when noon was high
Rests low amidst the shrouds and spices now,
And reverent hands have wiped the thorn-crowned brow.
But where it bowed at noon, death-dewed and white,
The Roman's accusation meets my sight,
Earth's homage rendered in her own despite,
Proclaiming in three tongues thy Right Divine!
Yet as I gaze my heart discovers there
Another accusation black and clear;
These were the crimes that slew Thee!—They are mine!
But it is torn, and stained with sacred blood;
No more a sentence, but a pardon sealed by God.
Another accusation black and clear;
These were the crimes that slew Thee!—They are mine!
But it is torn, and stained with sacred blood;
No more a sentence, but a pardon sealed by God.
July 1862.
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THE TWO REPROACHES.
Thy voice made rocks Thy fountains; ocean wavesA wall around Thy chosen; desert caves
Their temples; flames their car of victory.
Thy touch made lepers pure as infancy.
Thy word lulls storms to sleep, like babes at play;
Or, as they rage, bids them white chrisoms lay
For flowers. Thy smile makes tears of sinful men
The joy of angels. Shall we wonder, then,
That blinded hate, and envy masked in scorn,
Twining for Thee the crown of sharpest thorn,
But wove a wreath of glory for Thy brow?
And broken hearts, which sins and sorrows bow,
Scanning through all the heaven of Thy Word
Some special guiding-star of hope to see;
And angels, searching tributes for their Lord,
Finding these words of those that hated Thee,
“This Man receiveth sinners,” and again
(Written in blood earth's darkest record o'er),
“He savëd others,” pause and search no more;—
Both finding all they sought, gaze and adore.
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“HE SAVED OTHERS.”
When scorn, and hate, and bitter envious pride
Hurled all their darts against the Crucified,
Found they no fault but this in Him so tried?
“He saved others!”
Hurled all their darts against the Crucified,
Found they no fault but this in Him so tried?
“He saved others!”
Those hands, thousands their healing touches knew;
On withered limbs they fell like heavenly dew;
The dead have felt them, and have lived anew:
“He saved others.”
On withered limbs they fell like heavenly dew;
The dead have felt them, and have lived anew:
“He saved others.”
The blood is dropping slowly from them now;
Thou canst not raise them to Thy thorn-crown'd brow,
Nor on them Thy parched lips and forehead bow:
“He saved others!”
Thou canst not raise them to Thy thorn-crown'd brow,
Nor on them Thy parched lips and forehead bow:
“He saved others!”
That Voice from out their graves the dead hath stirred;
Crushed, outcast hearts, grew joyful as they heard;
For every woe it had a healing word:
“He saved others!”
Crushed, outcast hearts, grew joyful as they heard;
For every woe it had a healing word:
“He saved others!”
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For all Thou hadst deep tones of sympathy—
Hast Thou no word for this Thine agony?
Thou pitiedst all; doth no man pity Thee?
“He saved others!”
Hast Thou no word for this Thine agony?
Thou pitiedst all; doth no man pity Thee?
“He saved others!”
So many fettered hearts Thy touch hath freed,
Physician! and Thy wounds unstanched must bleed;
Hast Thou no balm for this Thy sorest need?
“He saved others!”
Physician! and Thy wounds unstanched must bleed;
Hast Thou no balm for this Thy sorest need?
“He saved others!”
Lord! and one sign from Thee could rend the sky,
One word from Thee, and low those mockers lie;
Thou mak'st no movement, utterest no cry,
And savest us.
One word from Thee, and low those mockers lie;
Thou mak'st no movement, utterest no cry,
And savest us.
264
HAGAR'S WELL.
“And God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.”
Wronged Hagar, on the desert sands low lying,
Broken at last the spirit once so high,
From thine own child in maddening anguish flying;
Thy only prayer, “Let me not see him die!”
Broken at last the spirit once so high,
From thine own child in maddening anguish flying;
Thy only prayer, “Let me not see him die!”
Once, weeping by the desert well, the angel
Came, and such joyful promise brought to thee,
Thy lips new named it, thenceforth, an Evangel,
“The well of Him who lives and seeth me.”
Came, and such joyful promise brought to thee,
Thy lips new named it, thenceforth, an Evangel,
“The well of Him who lives and seeth me.”
Did anything of that glad promise fail thee?
Thirsting, ay dying! still the son is there!
And hark! by name, once more, from heav'n they hail thee,
Calling thee back, through duty, from despair.
Thirsting, ay dying! still the son is there!
And hark! by name, once more, from heav'n they hail thee,
Calling thee back, through duty, from despair.
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Back to thy child the loving angel sends thee:
“Lift up the lad and hold him in thy hand.
What ails thee? God hath heard.” All heaven befriends thee,
Folding love's promise in love's sweet command.
“Lift up the lad and hold him in thy hand.
What ails thee? God hath heard.” All heaven befriends thee,
Folding love's promise in love's sweet command.
Slave and forsaken! of their Heavenly City,
The angels (always serving) make thee free;
They see, (or how could Heaven bear the pity?)
They know, they see the Fountain hid from thee.
The angels (always serving) make thee free;
They see, (or how could Heaven bear the pity?)
They know, they see the Fountain hid from thee.
Yet not the angels can reveal the fountains,
However close beside our paths they be;
Wells in all deserts, springs upon all mountains,
But only God can open eyes to see.
However close beside our paths they be;
Wells in all deserts, springs upon all mountains,
But only God can open eyes to see.
Oh, lonely heart, with helpless anguish bursting,
The water in the cup man filled “all spent;”
The well is there, the well for which we're thirsting,
For every need some well, foreseen, and meant.
The water in the cup man filled “all spent;”
The well is there, the well for which we're thirsting,
For every need some well, foreseen, and meant.
Oh, blinded heart, in lonely anguish bursting,
The well is there, the child is by its brink;
We find the well in lifting up the thirsting,
Our thirst is quenched in giving them to drink.
The well is there, the child is by its brink;
We find the well in lifting up the thirsting,
Our thirst is quenched in giving them to drink.
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For no new wells we ask, no new revealing:
The well is there (for all, for thee, for me);
Only, O God, Thy touch our eyes unsealing,
The old wells, day by day, afresh to see!
The well is there (for all, for thee, for me);
Only, O God, Thy touch our eyes unsealing,
The old wells, day by day, afresh to see!
Wells in all deserts, springs on every mountain,
Our deepest thirst is still for Thee, for Thee!
Light of all eyes, and Fount of all our fountains,
Open our eyes, each day, Thyself to see!
Our deepest thirst is still for Thee, for Thee!
Light of all eyes, and Fount of all our fountains,
Open our eyes, each day, Thyself to see!
St. Michael and All Angels', 1885.
267
MARAH AND ELIM.
Three long days of desert sunshine, toiling 'neath those scorching beams;
Three long nights of heavy silence, gladdened by no sound of streams.
Three long nights of heavy silence, gladdened by no sound of streams.
Hear the waters now around us! see them sparkling in the sun!
Surely now our trial ceaseth! surely now our goal is won!
Surely now our trial ceaseth! surely now our goal is won!
Lips long parched and sealed in silence press the joyous waves to kiss;
Eyes whose tears were dried by anguish overflow with tears of bliss.
Eyes whose tears were dried by anguish overflow with tears of bliss.
Toil-worn men, themselves untasting, lift to dearer lips the prize,
Drinking draughts of deeper pleasure from the smile of grateful eyes.
Drinking draughts of deeper pleasure from the smile of grateful eyes.
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But a moment! but a moment may the rapturous dream remain;
But a moment! from the nation bursts a sob of wildest pain.
But a moment! from the nation bursts a sob of wildest pain.
Children dash the bitter waters from them with a moaning cry;
Mothers by the mocking fountains lay their little ones to die.
Mothers by the mocking fountains lay their little ones to die.
Hearts which bore the trial bravely with this shattered hope have burst;
Streams for which we prayed and waited, bitter streams, but mock our thirst.
Streams for which we prayed and waited, bitter streams, but mock our thirst.
Was it but for this the ocean, parting, bent our feet to kiss,
Fiercely then our foes o'erwhelming? Were our first-born spared for this?
Fiercely then our foes o'erwhelming? Were our first-born spared for this?
Better to be slaves in Egypt! better to have perished there!
Better ne'er a hope have tasted than to sink in this despair!
Better ne'er a hope have tasted than to sink in this despair!
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Israel! Israel! hush thy murmurs, hide thy guilty head in dust!
He Who is the joy of heaven feeleth grief in thy distrust.
He Who is the joy of heaven feeleth grief in thy distrust.
Gently to thy wails He answers, “I am He that healeth thee;”
E'en to-day the streams thou loathest shall thy best refreshment be.
E'en to-day the streams thou loathest shall thy best refreshment be.
And to-morrow, but to-morrow, He thy sins so often grieve,
Trains thee for, and storeth for thee, joys thy heart can scarce conceive.
Trains thee for, and storeth for thee, joys thy heart can scarce conceive.
Coolest waters leaping, gushing, 'neath the shade of many a palm!
Let no memory of murmurs mar for thee that blessed calm.
Let no memory of murmurs mar for thee that blessed calm.
So thy Marah shall be Elim, and thy Elim know no fears;
For the fount of deepest gladness springeth near the place of tears.
For the fount of deepest gladness springeth near the place of tears.
270
MY STRENGTH AND MY HEART FAILETH.
In weakness at Thy feet I lie,
Thine eye each pang hath seen;
Scarce can I lift my heart on high,
Yet, Lord, on Thee I lean;
Thine eye each pang hath seen;
Scarce can I lift my heart on high,
Yet, Lord, on Thee I lean;
Lean on Thy sure, unfailing word,
Thy gentle, “It is I:”
For Thou, my ever-living Lord,
Knowest what it is to die.
Thy gentle, “It is I:”
For Thou, my ever-living Lord,
Knowest what it is to die.
Thou wilt be with me where I go,—
Thy life my life in death;
For in the lowest depths, I know
Thine arms are underneath.
Thy life my life in death;
For in the lowest depths, I know
Thine arms are underneath.
'Tis not the infant's feeble grasp
Which holds the mother fast;
It is the mother's gentle clasp
Around her darling cast.
Which holds the mother fast;
It is the mother's gentle clasp
Around her darling cast.
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Just so Thy child would cling to Thee,
Knowing Thy pity, long;
For feeble as my faith may be,
The hand I clasp is strong.
Knowing Thy pity, long;
For feeble as my faith may be,
The hand I clasp is strong.
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“COME AND SEE.”
“Rabbi, where dwellest thou? Come and see.”
Master! where abidest Thou?
Lamb of God, 'tis Thee we seek;
For the wants which press us now
Other aid is all too weak.
Canst Thou take our sins away?
May we find repose in Thee?
From the gracious lips to-day
As of old, breathes “Come and see.”
Lamb of God, 'tis Thee we seek;
For the wants which press us now
Other aid is all too weak.
Canst Thou take our sins away?
May we find repose in Thee?
From the gracious lips to-day
As of old, breathes “Come and see.”
Master! where abidest Thou?
We would leave the past behind;
We would scale the mountain's brow,
Learning more Thy heavenly mind.
Still, a look is all our lore,
The transforming look to Thee;
From the Living Truth once more
Breathes the answer, “Come and see.”
We would leave the past behind;
We would scale the mountain's brow,
Learning more Thy heavenly mind.
Still, a look is all our lore,
The transforming look to Thee;
From the Living Truth once more
Breathes the answer, “Come and see.”
273
Master! where abidest Thou?
How shall we Thine image best
Stamp in light upon our brow,
Bear in love upon our breast?
Still a look is all our might;
Looking draws the heart to Thee,
Sends us from the absorbing sight
With the message, “Come and see.”
How shall we Thine image best
Stamp in light upon our brow,
Bear in love upon our breast?
Still a look is all our might;
Looking draws the heart to Thee,
Sends us from the absorbing sight
With the message, “Come and see.”
Master! where abidest Thou?
All the springs of life are low;
Sin and grief our spirits bow,
And we wait Thy call to go.
From the depths of happy rest
Where the just abide with Thee,
From the Voice which makes them blest
Falls the summons, “Come and see.”
All the springs of life are low;
Sin and grief our spirits bow,
And we wait Thy call to go.
From the depths of happy rest
Where the just abide with Thee,
From the Voice which makes them blest
Falls the summons, “Come and see.”
Christian! tell it to thy brother
From life's dawning to its end;
Every hand may clasp another,
And the loneliest find a friend;
Till the veil is drawn aside,
And from where her home shall be
Bursts upon the enfranchised Bride
The triumphant “Come and see.”
From life's dawning to its end;
Every hand may clasp another,
And the loneliest find a friend;
Till the veil is drawn aside,
And from where her home shall be
Bursts upon the enfranchised Bride
The triumphant “Come and see.”
274
“IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.”
Tossed with rough winds, and faint with fear,
Above the tempest, soft and clear
What still small accents greet mine ear?—
'Tis I; be not afraid.
Above the tempest, soft and clear
What still small accents greet mine ear?—
'Tis I; be not afraid.
'Tis I, who washed thy spirit white;
'Tis I, who gave thy blind eyes sight;
'Tis I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
'Tis I, who gave thy blind eyes sight;
'Tis I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
These raging winds, this surging sea,
Have spent their deadly force on Me;
They bear no breath of wrath to thee;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
Have spent their deadly force on Me;
They bear no breath of wrath to thee;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
This bitter cup, I drank it first;
To thee it is no draught accurst,
The hand that gives it thee is pierced;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
To thee it is no draught accurst,
The hand that gives it thee is pierced;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
275
Mine eyes are watching by thy bed,
Mine arms are underneath thee spread,
My blessing is around thee shed;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
Mine arms are underneath thee spread,
My blessing is around thee shed;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
When on the other side thy feet
Shall rest, 'mid thousand welcomes sweet,
One well-known Voice thy heart shall greet;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
Shall rest, 'mid thousand welcomes sweet,
One well-known Voice thy heart shall greet;
'Tis I; be not afraid.
276
EUREKA.
Come and rejoice with me!
For once my heart was poor,
And I have found a treasury
Of love, a boundless store.
For once my heart was poor,
And I have found a treasury
Of love, a boundless store.
Come and rejoice with me!
I was so sick at heart,
Have met with One Who knows my case,
And knows the healing art.
I was so sick at heart,
Have met with One Who knows my case,
And knows the healing art.
Come and rejoice with me!
For I was wearied sore,
And I have found a mighty arm
Which holds me evermore.
For I was wearied sore,
And I have found a mighty arm
Which holds me evermore.
Come and rejoice with me!
My feet so wide did roam,
And One has sought me from afar,
And beareth me safe home.
My feet so wide did roam,
And One has sought me from afar,
And beareth me safe home.
277
Come and rejoice with me!
For I have found a Friend
Who knows my heart's most secret depths,
Yet loves me without end.
For I have found a Friend
Who knows my heart's most secret depths,
Yet loves me without end.
I knew not of His love,
And He had loved so long,
With love so faithful and so deep,
So tender and so strong.
And He had loved so long,
With love so faithful and so deep,
So tender and so strong.
And now I know it all,
Have heard and known His Voice,
And hear it still from day to day,—
Can I enough rejoice?
Have heard and known His Voice,
And hear it still from day to day,—
Can I enough rejoice?
278
“SUMMER IN THE SOUL.”
Autumn was on the earth
When Summer came to me,
The “Summer in the soul,”
And set the life-springs free.
When Summer came to me,
The “Summer in the soul,”
And set the life-springs free.
Darkness was on my life,
A heavy weight of night,
When the Sun arose within,
And filled my heart with light.
A heavy weight of night,
When the Sun arose within,
And filled my heart with light.
Ice lay upon my heart,
Ice-fetters still and strong,
When the living spring gushed forth,
And filled my soul with song.
Ice-fetters still and strong,
When the living spring gushed forth,
And filled my soul with song.
That Summer shall not fade,
That Sun, it setteth never;
The Fountain in my heart
Springs full and fresh for ever.
That Sun, it setteth never;
The Fountain in my heart
Springs full and fresh for ever.
279
Since I have learned Thy love,
My Summer, Lord, Thou art;
Summer to me, and Day,
And life-springs in my heart.
My Summer, Lord, Thou art;
Summer to me, and Day,
And life-springs in my heart.
Since I have learned Thou Art,
Thou livest, and art Love,
Art Love, and lovest me,—
Fearless I look above!
Thou livest, and art Love,
Art Love, and lovest me,—
Fearless I look above!
Thy blood can cleanse from sin,
Thy love casts out my fear;
Heaven is no longer far,
Since Thou, its Sun, art near.
Thy love casts out my fear;
Heaven is no longer far,
Since Thou, its Sun, art near.
280
NEW YEAR'S HYMN.
What marks the dawning of the year
From any other morn?
No festal garb doth Nature wear
Because a Year is born.
From any other morn?
No festal garb doth Nature wear
Because a Year is born.
The sky is not more full of light,
The air more full of song,
And silent from the caves of night
Glide the gray hours along.
The air more full of song,
And silent from the caves of night
Glide the gray hours along.
And I, to whose awakened eyes
So fair this morn appears,—
How know I where to-morrow lies?
God grants not life by years.
So fair this morn appears,—
How know I where to-morrow lies?
God grants not life by years.
Father! to-day upon my head
Thy hand in blessing lay;
Give us this day our daily bread,
Renew our hearts to-day.
Thy hand in blessing lay;
Give us this day our daily bread,
Renew our hearts to-day.
281
Our Lord and Saviour! all we ask
Is that, through Thee, forgiven,
To us each day our daily task,
Our daily strength be given:
Is that, through Thee, forgiven,
To us each day our daily task,
Our daily strength be given:
That when at last Thy morning, come,
Floods its full light abroad,
We, glad within Thy heavenly home,
May keep the Day of God.
Floods its full light abroad,
We, glad within Thy heavenly home,
May keep the Day of God.
282
SUNDAY EVENING HYMN.
Another day of heavenly rest
And angels' work is ended,
And to the chorus of the Blest
The last hymn has ascended.
Tranquil as an infant's sleep
Shadows eve the meadow;
Let Thy peace with calm as deep
The wearied spirit shadow.
And angels' work is ended,
And to the chorus of the Blest
The last hymn has ascended.
Tranquil as an infant's sleep
Shadows eve the meadow;
Let Thy peace with calm as deep
The wearied spirit shadow.
As of old the Apostle Band
All their labours bore Thee,
Lowly at Thy feet we stand,
Lay our work before Thee.
Pardon Thou the imperfect deed,
Crown the weak endeavour;
Prosper Thou the heavenly seed,
Work Thou with us ever.
All their labours bore Thee,
Lowly at Thy feet we stand,
Lay our work before Thee.
Pardon Thou the imperfect deed,
Crown the weak endeavour;
Prosper Thou the heavenly seed,
Work Thou with us ever.
283
Thou know'st how sin and error e'er
In all our efforts mingle;
How seldom mortal eye is clear,
Or human purpose single.
Let Thy blood, O dying Lord,
Blot out all our evil;
Let Thy touch, O Living Word,
All our errors shrivel.
In all our efforts mingle;
How seldom mortal eye is clear,
Or human purpose single.
Let Thy blood, O dying Lord,
Blot out all our evil;
Let Thy touch, O Living Word,
All our errors shrivel.
Let Thy lambs we sought to feed
By Thy hand be nourished;
Let them be Thy lambs indeed,
In thy bosom cherished.
To the griefs we cannot reach
Breathe Thou consolation;
To the hearts we cannot teach
Bring Thou Thy salvation.
By Thy hand be nourished;
Let them be Thy lambs indeed,
In thy bosom cherished.
To the griefs we cannot reach
Breathe Thou consolation;
To the hearts we cannot teach
Bring Thou Thy salvation.
May the tone of this day's prayers
Vibrate through the seven,—
Sabbaths, work-days, pleasures, tears,
Mould us, all, for heaven.
That taking thus each joy and woe
As Thy gifts parental,
To us life's daily bread may grow
Viands sacramental.
Vibrate through the seven,—
Sabbaths, work-days, pleasures, tears,
Mould us, all, for heaven.
That taking thus each joy and woe
As Thy gifts parental,
To us life's daily bread may grow
Viands sacramental.
284
EARLY RISING HYMN.
Wake! the costly hours are fleeting;
Wake, arise!
Wake, and let thy joyous greeting
Pierce the skies!
God to thee an angel sendeth,
From the azure heavens descendeth
Fresh as May
The new-born Day.
Wake, arise!
Wake, and let thy joyous greeting
Pierce the skies!
God to thee an angel sendeth,
From the azure heavens descendeth
Fresh as May
The new-born Day.
On her head a crown she weareth,
With blessings rife;
In her hand a cup she beareth,
A cup of life.
Every drop of its full measure
Is a pearl of heavenly treasure:
Haste; arise!
Claim the prize!
With blessings rife;
In her hand a cup she beareth,
A cup of life.
Every drop of its full measure
Is a pearl of heavenly treasure:
Haste; arise!
Claim the prize!
285
Let some drops in free libation
First be poured,
Poured in lowly adoration
To thy Lord!
To Him who bore such anguish for thee,
Him who, risen, watcheth o'er thee,
Wake and raise
Songs of praise!
First be poured,
Poured in lowly adoration
To thy Lord!
To Him who bore such anguish for thee,
Him who, risen, watcheth o'er thee,
Wake and raise
Songs of praise!
Where the watch thou should'st be keeping?
Child of Day,
Saints are weeping, sinners sleeping,
Rise and pray!
Think what Night is deepening o'er thee,
Think what Morning lies before thee,
Child of Day,
Rise and pray!
Child of Day,
Saints are weeping, sinners sleeping,
Rise and pray!
Think what Night is deepening o'er thee,
Think what Morning lies before thee,
Child of Day,
Rise and pray!
Saviour, rouse me, nerve me, bless me
With strength divine;
Wholly let Thy love possess me,—
Me and mine.
Let each moment soar above
Laden with some work of love,
Till we rise
To Thy skies.
With strength divine;
Wholly let Thy love possess me,—
Me and mine.
Let each moment soar above
Laden with some work of love,
Till we rise
To Thy skies.
286
That, thus knit in blessed union,
Lord, to Thee!
Every act may be communion,
Lord, with Thee!
And Thy presence ever near us
May o'er each temptation cheer us
Thus to rise—
Thus to rise!
Lord, to Thee!
Every act may be communion,
Lord, with Thee!
And Thy presence ever near us
May o'er each temptation cheer us
Thus to rise—
Thus to rise!
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