 | Thoughts in Verse |  |
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V. PART V. BETHESDA, AND OTHER POEMS.
BETHESDA.
'Tis Sabbath morn, and bright the sun is shining,
Gilding the ocean—cheering up the earth;
The Christian heart is filled with true devotion
And tender thoughts of Jesus' love have birth.
Gilding the ocean—cheering up the earth;
The Christian heart is filled with true devotion
And tender thoughts of Jesus' love have birth.
Hark! on the air the bells sweet tones are sounding
A call to prayer—the clock is striking eight;
With rapid steps the students now are coming
To join the gathering ere it be too late.
A call to prayer—the clock is striking eight;
With rapid steps the students now are coming
To join the gathering ere it be too late.
Short prayers of faith ascend to God the Father,—
Childlike the language, voice subdued and low,
Asking for pardon for a fallen brother,
And grace and strength their duty e'er to do.
Childlike the language, voice subdued and low,
Asking for pardon for a fallen brother,
And grace and strength their duty e'er to do.
And then they sing, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus,”
In harmony that lifts our minds above;
We meditate on His great plan to save us,—
His sacrificing, all-sufficient love.
In harmony that lifts our minds above;
We meditate on His great plan to save us,—
His sacrificing, all-sufficient love.
A word of trust, and then the meeting 's ended,
And they go forth, renewed in strength divine,
Better prepared to hear the sermon rendered,
To understand the Maker's great design.
And they go forth, renewed in strength divine,
Better prepared to hear the sermon rendered,
To understand the Maker's great design.
And now the bell again sends forth its warning,
Calling to Church the students one and all;
Teachers and friends, to each one it is calling—
All with one purpose seem to heed the call.
Calling to Church the students one and all;
Teachers and friends, to each one it is calling—
All with one purpose seem to heed the call.
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See them march forth, the boys all dressed as soldiers,
Marching to war, to sound of band and drum!
Followed by girls, the officers and teachers;
Friends from the Fort, Hampton, the Soldier's Home.
Marching to war, to sound of band and drum!
Followed by girls, the officers and teachers;
Friends from the Fort, Hampton, the Soldier's Home.
Hushed is that throng, within the sacred Temple—
Silently praying for God's grace and peace.
Thoughts soar aloft unto the Heavenly Temple,
Where songs of praise never, never cease.
Silently praying for God's grace and peace.
Thoughts soar aloft unto the Heavenly Temple,
Where songs of praise never, never cease.
Softly the choir chant a melodious measure;
Hearts raised to God in gratitude and love,
That through the week nor health, nor friend nor treasure
He has seen fit in wisdom to remove.
Hearts raised to God in gratitude and love,
That through the week nor health, nor friend nor treasure
He has seen fit in wisdom to remove.
Sing then—Praise God from whom all good is flowing
Into our lives, in blessings rich and free—
Praise Him on earth, His love and goodness knowing,
And praise in Heaven through endless ages be.
Into our lives, in blessings rich and free—
Praise Him on earth, His love and goodness knowing,
And praise in Heaven through endless ages be.
Bow low the head while we repeat Our Father
Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy rule and will on earth be done together
In earth as heaven, thine homage be the same.
Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy rule and will on earth be done together
In earth as heaven, thine homage be the same.
Give us each day a share of food and shelter;
Our sins forgive, as we each other love,
Save from temptation, and from ill deliver,
Thine is the power in earth and Heaven above.
Our sins forgive, as we each other love,
Save from temptation, and from ill deliver,
Thine is the power in earth and Heaven above.
Fitting indeed to thus begin God's worship,
With silent prayer, doxology and praise;
Lifting the mind from toil and strife and hardship,
To God, our Father, the Ancient of Days.
With silent prayer, doxology and praise;
Lifting the mind from toil and strife and hardship,
To God, our Father, the Ancient of Days.
Solemnly, now, the minister is pleading,—
Wrestling with God His people to forgive;
Laying before Him the blessings they are needing,
That by His grace they may as Christians live.
Wrestling with God His people to forgive;
Laying before Him the blessings they are needing,
That by His grace they may as Christians live.
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Angels are hovering as the aged God-man
Makes well his plea before the Court of Heaven;
Solemn the silence, as when is read the Koran—
And to devotion the Moslem heart is given.
Makes well his plea before the Court of Heaven;
Solemn the silence, as when is read the Koran—
And to devotion the Moslem heart is given.
Hymn follows prayer, within this house of mercy;
Reading of Scripture, then a silent prayer—
True sense of worship,—restful for the weary—
Nor seems the day to be more blest elsewhere.
Reading of Scripture, then a silent prayer—
True sense of worship,—restful for the weary—
Nor seems the day to be more blest elsewhere.
Calmly and slow the aged prophet taketh
His topic from the Sermon on the Mount:
Blest be the pure, for they the Father loveth,
God they shall see when rendered their account.
His topic from the Sermon on the Mount:
Blest be the pure, for they the Father loveth,
God they shall see when rendered their account.
With earnest tones he pleads the Father's goodness,
And His desire that every one may live;
That life is free to all who seek forgiveness,
And unto wisdom their whole attention give.
And His desire that every one may live;
That life is free to all who seek forgiveness,
And unto wisdom their whole attention give.
To guard the heart, our thoughts must in subjection
Be kept each day,—and evil thoughts crushed out,—
Then from the life will shine forth His reflection,
And Satan's legions will be put to rout.
Be kept each day,—and evil thoughts crushed out,—
Then from the life will shine forth His reflection,
And Satan's legions will be put to rout.
Seek now His grace with earnestness and fervor;
Give all to Him if followers you would be;
Do not delay,—but ask at once His favor;
To-day He saith—“There's hope and life for thee!”
Give all to Him if followers you would be;
Do not delay,—but ask at once His favor;
To-day He saith—“There's hope and life for thee!”
His pleading ceases, and with head bowed lowly,
He asks the Father's blessing on His Word;
That souls may turn aside from paths unholy,
Unto the ways of righteousness and God.
He asks the Father's blessing on His Word;
That souls may turn aside from paths unholy,
Unto the ways of righteousness and God.
The hymn is followed by the benediction—
Commending us unto a Father's love;
And we go forth in serious meditation,
Hearts full of strength, and peace,—like that above.
Commending us unto a Father's love;
And we go forth in serious meditation,
Hearts full of strength, and peace,—like that above.
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Bethesda Chapel, house of grace and mercy!
Fulfil thy task in God's appointed way!
Within thy walls, no strife, nor controversy,—
Simply Truth pointing to the realms of day.
Fulfil thy task in God's appointed way!
Within thy walls, no strife, nor controversy,—
Simply Truth pointing to the realms of day.
HOME.
It is the hour, when labor done, each one
Seeks home. Home, most restful word that lips
Of man can utter. Now to his rest,
The sun is sinking in the golden west,
And 'mid the shadowy mists of eventide
The masts of ships rise up majestically
Against the western sky.
Seeks home. Home, most restful word that lips
Of man can utter. Now to his rest,
The sun is sinking in the golden west,
And 'mid the shadowy mists of eventide
The masts of ships rise up majestically
Against the western sky.
The light and shade
Around the dome of the mansion house
Of the Soldier's Home; the dreamy haze
Of twilights' hour; and view of ocean grand,
As peacefully it sleeps—a picture makes,
Which art cannot produce.
Around the dome of the mansion house
Of the Soldier's Home; the dreamy haze
Of twilights' hour; and view of ocean grand,
As peacefully it sleeps—a picture makes,
Which art cannot produce.
The sun is set.
The sky, from whence it disappeared, is full
Of hallowed glories, not to be described.
Back of arch environing the sunset,
Gleam opaline and purple handiwork,
Which ever-changing, vividly recalls
To mind, stories oriental.
The sky, from whence it disappeared, is full
Of hallowed glories, not to be described.
Back of arch environing the sunset,
Gleam opaline and purple handiwork,
Which ever-changing, vividly recalls
To mind, stories oriental.
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A scene
Like this, of beauty, not of earth, inspires—
And questions fill the mind: Is Heaven,
The home of Christ, Our Lord, and the Redeemed
The other side? 'Tis sweet to think and feel
That this grand arch the golden gateway is,
To the celestial city which we hope
Will one day be our home.
Like this, of beauty, not of earth, inspires—
And questions fill the mind: Is Heaven,
The home of Christ, Our Lord, and the Redeemed
The other side? 'Tis sweet to think and feel
That this grand arch the golden gateway is,
To the celestial city which we hope
Will one day be our home.
The beautiful
City of the jasper walls, from which
He who nearest stood to great white throne,
Because of folly, fell, to rise no more.
'Tis the abode of the angelic host,
In midst of which there stands the Tree of Life—
Through which, in fullness evermore doth flow,
The River of God's mercy and His love.
From thence came One, the Christ, with tender heart,
Who, one with God the Father, willingly
Became a man, and suffered pain and death,
That He unto a sinful world might give,
His Life and immortality and joy.
City of the jasper walls, from which
He who nearest stood to great white throne,
Because of folly, fell, to rise no more.
'Tis the abode of the angelic host,
In midst of which there stands the Tree of Life—
Through which, in fullness evermore doth flow,
The River of God's mercy and His love.
From thence came One, the Christ, with tender heart,
Who, one with God the Father, willingly
Became a man, and suffered pain and death,
That He unto a sinful world might give,
His Life and immortality and joy.
Hast thou, my friend, desired that city fair,—
Whose builder and whose maker is the Lord?
Hast thou received the Meek and Lowly One,
Who opened wide for thee those gates of pearl,
Providing thee within His Father's House,
Of many mansions—everlasting rest?
A home of peace, where God enthroned in light
Rules over all? There thou canst meet and greet
Full many a loved one who has gone before;
Enraptured thou mayst sound a harp of gold,
And join the heavenly choir in songs of praise.
Whose builder and whose maker is the Lord?
Hast thou received the Meek and Lowly One,
Who opened wide for thee those gates of pearl,
Providing thee within His Father's House,
Of many mansions—everlasting rest?
A home of peace, where God enthroned in light
Rules over all? There thou canst meet and greet
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Enraptured thou mayst sound a harp of gold,
And join the heavenly choir in songs of praise.
The homes of earth bring gladness, joy and rest,
But ne'er afford a slight conception of
That home prepared above, by Christ, our Head.
For eye hath never caught, nor hath the ear
Of man received, the faintest glimpse or sound;
Nor hath the mind of man imagined e'er,
One tithe of grandeur, glory, beauty rare—
Or the exalted harmonies within
That place, beyond the beauteous sunset arch,
Which we call Heaven and Home.
But ne'er afford a slight conception of
That home prepared above, by Christ, our Head.
For eye hath never caught, nor hath the ear
Of man received, the faintest glimpse or sound;
Nor hath the mind of man imagined e'er,
One tithe of grandeur, glory, beauty rare—
Or the exalted harmonies within
That place, beyond the beauteous sunset arch,
Which we call Heaven and Home.
That glorious place is the spirit's home,
Where free from care and pain,
The ransomed shall forever roam,
And go not out again.
Where free from care and pain,
The ransomed shall forever roam,
And go not out again.
The River of Life in freedom flows,
There heavenly beauties shine;
There loved ones meet and happiness glows
On features all divine.
There heavenly beauties shine;
There loved ones meet and happiness glows
On features all divine.
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard,
The joys that surely come—
To those who follow His Holy Word—
In Heaven, our blessed home.
The joys that surely come—
To those who follow His Holy Word—
In Heaven, our blessed home.
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MOTHER'S 69TH BIRTHDAY.
To-night I think of you, mother,
And the happy days gone by;
When we in thoughtless childhood
Dwelt under a cloudless sky.
And the happy days gone by;
When we in thoughtless childhood
Dwelt under a cloudless sky.
We did not dream of the crosses,
Good mother's always bear—
We were so gay and happy,
Not knowing your weight of care.
Good mother's always bear—
We were so gay and happy,
Not knowing your weight of care.
You lovingly watched our young lives,
And taught us words of Truth:
“Remember, boys, thy Creator,
In the sunny days of youth.”
And taught us words of Truth:
“Remember, boys, thy Creator,
In the sunny days of youth.”
For days come which are evil,
Days which are dark as night;
If, then, on Christ thou'rt anchored,
Thy soul shall be full of light.
Days which are dark as night;
If, then, on Christ thou'rt anchored,
Thy soul shall be full of light.
How true were those words then spoken,
From a heart that was warm and true;
How much of the joy of maturer life,
Dear mother, is due to you!
From a heart that was warm and true;
How much of the joy of maturer life,
Dear mother, is due to you!
Thy life has known much of shadow,
Of sorrow, and gloom and night,
Yet we thank God that the eventide,
Is blessed with a golden light.
Of sorrow, and gloom and night,
Yet we thank God that the eventide,
Is blessed with a golden light.
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How fit that a life so earnest,
In thy Saviour's service given,
Should be blest ere its close with joy and peace;
Foretaste of rest in Heaven!
In thy Saviour's service given,
Should be blest ere its close with joy and peace;
Foretaste of rest in Heaven!
July 5, 1882.
RETROSPECT.
As shadows of twilight are falling,
And hushed is the voice of the sea,—
The chirp of the blue-bird is calling
His mate to the airy home tree;
When nature seems resting from labor,
Then joyous, sweet memories come:
My mind wanders back to my childhood,
I think of the loved ones at home.
And hushed is the voice of the sea,—
The chirp of the blue-bird is calling
His mate to the airy home tree;
When nature seems resting from labor,
Then joyous, sweet memories come:
My mind wanders back to my childhood,
I think of the loved ones at home.
I think of those days full of brightness,—
The fields and the meadows so green;
The brook with its ripple of gladness,
Where minnows and trout could be seen
Darting blithely from cover to cover
Of the banks, where the lazy cows come
To drink 'ere the long day is over,
And the cow-boy should hurry them home.
The fields and the meadows so green;
The brook with its ripple of gladness,
Where minnows and trout could be seen
Darting blithely from cover to cover
Of the banks, where the lazy cows come
To drink 'ere the long day is over,
And the cow-boy should hurry them home.
Of picnics enjoyed in the wildwood,
By the side of the “Big” Bantam Lake;
The glad, happy voices of childhood
Which ever such sweet music make.
I think of the rides on the hay-load,
From the meadow down through the big gate,
The shrill, piping note of the tree-toad
That warned us 'twas growing quite late.
By the side of the “Big” Bantam Lake;
The glad, happy voices of childhood
Which ever such sweet music make.
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From the meadow down through the big gate,
The shrill, piping note of the tree-toad
That warned us 'twas growing quite late.
I think of the nightingale singing
In the apple-tree over the way,
At evening, with notes clear and ringing;
And how he was frightened away
By Tabby, the solemn old mouser,
Who always was ready to dine,
(Except when he caught sight of Towser,)
On a bird be he ever so fine.
In the apple-tree over the way,
At evening, with notes clear and ringing;
And how he was frightened away
By Tabby, the solemn old mouser,
Who always was ready to dine,
(Except when he caught sight of Towser,)
On a bird be he ever so fine.
I think of the slow-footed turtle
That lived by the brook in the vale,
Where delicate violets and myrtle,
And arbutus their fragrance exhale.
How he clumsily fell in the water,
As the feet of the school-boy approach,
Fright'ning the chub and the sucker,
And startling the shy little roach.
That lived by the brook in the vale,
Where delicate violets and myrtle,
And arbutus their fragrance exhale.
How he clumsily fell in the water,
As the feet of the school-boy approach,
Fright'ning the chub and the sucker,
And startling the shy little roach.
I think of the hole of the ground hog,
By the tree on the side of the hill,
And how it was watched by old “Spring-dog,”
Who ever was ready to kill.
He never considered it sinful
To take life of a poor fellow beast,
But always was ready and waiting,
And did not repent in the least.
By the tree on the side of the hill,
And how it was watched by old “Spring-dog,”
Who ever was ready to kill.
He never considered it sinful
To take life of a poor fellow beast,
But always was ready and waiting,
And did not repent in the least.
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I think of the home of the wood-thrush.
By the side of the Indian cave—
Old “Benvenough,” where the firebush,
Like a beacon its fiery leaves wave.
The shelter and haunt of the robin,
The woodpecker's nest in the tree,
The song of the cat-bird at evening—
All life seemed so happy and free!
By the side of the Indian cave—
Old “Benvenough,” where the firebush,
Like a beacon its fiery leaves wave.
The shelter and haunt of the robin,
The woodpecker's nest in the tree,
The song of the cat-bird at evening—
All life seemed so happy and free!
I think of the hills and the mountains,
Where many glad hours have been passed
In hunting, and reading, and thinking,
And watching the dark clouds, that cast
A gloom over beautiful nature,
Oft filling our bosoms with dread;
The thunder that pealed forth in grandeur
The gleam of the lightning so red.
Where many glad hours have been passed
In hunting, and reading, and thinking,
And watching the dark clouds, that cast
A gloom over beautiful nature,
Oft filling our bosoms with dread;
The thunder that pealed forth in grandeur
The gleam of the lightning so red.
And then, too, I think of the sunset,
As seen from the old Prospect Hill,
How he gradually sunk in the far West,
With his light other countries to fill.
And thoughts that are brought by the sunset
And fleece-clouds by gentle winds driven;
Oh! the glory and beauty resplendent!
It seemed like a vision of Heaven!
As seen from the old Prospect Hill,
How he gradually sunk in the far West,
With his light other countries to fill.
And thoughts that are brought by the sunset
And fleece-clouds by gentle winds driven;
Oh! the glory and beauty resplendent!
It seemed like a vision of Heaven!
I think of those days without shadow,
Each one was a separate gem;
Those walks to the brook in the meadow,
Conversing with dear Cousin Em,
Who long since has gone from earth's shadow,
To the land where the weary may rest,—
No fear of the coming to-morrow
Disturbs the repose of the blest.
Each one was a separate gem;
Those walks to the brook in the meadow,
Conversing with dear Cousin Em,
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To the land where the weary may rest,—
No fear of the coming to-morrow
Disturbs the repose of the blest.
I think of the faces of playmates,
Which long ago vanished away
From earth, now with many a loved one,
In the land of continual day.
Of teachers who taught on the Sabbath
The truths which by Jesus were given,—
To come, thou must suffer the children,
For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Which long ago vanished away
From earth, now with many a loved one,
In the land of continual day.
Of teachers who taught on the Sabbath
The truths which by Jesus were given,—
To come, thou must suffer the children,
For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
I think of the rides on the railroad,
The slow-going, winding Shepang,
Running down through the hills and the valleys,
The snow, and the rain and the fog,—
To hear the great speeches of Phillips,
Of Boudinot, Holland and Gough,—
Which filled us with longings for greatness,
In the science of letters and thought.
The slow-going, winding Shepang,
Running down through the hills and the valleys,
The snow, and the rain and the fog,—
To hear the great speeches of Phillips,
Of Boudinot, Holland and Gough,—
Which filled us with longings for greatness,
In the science of letters and thought.
And, as my mind wanders this evening,
To the far-away scenes of the past—
The hopes and the fears and repinings,
And pleasures too intense to last,
My heart is cast down, full of sadness,
As I think of the hours yet to come,
Of trial, and struggle,—once gladness,—
So changed from the old days at home.
To the far-away scenes of the past—
The hopes and the fears and repinings,
And pleasures too intense to last,
My heart is cast down, full of sadness,
As I think of the hours yet to come,
Of trial, and struggle,—once gladness,—
So changed from the old days at home.
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The bright days of childhood have vanished,
And with them, full many a dream,
Of wealth, and of greatness have perished—
This old world is not what it seems.
And, as I arouse from my rev'rie,
Confronting the cares which have come,
With manhood's full day to perplex me,—
I long for the old days at home.
And with them, full many a dream,
Of wealth, and of greatness have perished—
This old world is not what it seems.
And, as I arouse from my rev'rie,
Confronting the cares which have come,
With manhood's full day to perplex me,—
I long for the old days at home.
BURNING OF ACADEMIC HALL.
The Sabbath, day of holy thought and rest,
Is ending; and the waters of the creek,
Calm and placid 'neath the setting sun,
Suggest the rest prepared for saints above.
The Day of God with duties manifold,
And searchings of His Holy Word for light,
Has been devoutly spent in work for Him—
Performing deeds well-pleasing in His sight.
Is ending; and the waters of the creek,
Calm and placid 'neath the setting sun,
Suggest the rest prepared for saints above.
The Day of God with duties manifold,
And searchings of His Holy Word for light,
Has been devoutly spent in work for Him—
Performing deeds well-pleasing in His sight.
The hymn of praise and meek devotion, has
Been sung in harmony by many a voice;
And raising up, in faith, of heart and soul,
Unto the God whose name is Love, has brought
Its own reward in rest and peace.
Been sung in harmony by many a voice;
And raising up, in faith, of heart and soul,
Unto the God whose name is Love, has brought
Its own reward in rest and peace.
And o'er
The gray old town of Hampton, picturesque
And sombre, with its wealth of memories
Historic and heroic, there now reigns
A dreamy silence and an hour of peace.
The sunset-tinted bosom of the bay
With boats and other crafts bestuded is,
Which gently sway and rock in restful mood,
Upon the sighing, swelling current.
The gray old town of Hampton, picturesque
And sombre, with its wealth of memories
Historic and heroic, there now reigns
A dreamy silence and an hour of peace.
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With boats and other crafts bestuded is,
Which gently sway and rock in restful mood,
Upon the sighing, swelling current.
List!
Soft on the air of eve, are borne sweet strains
Of music: 'tis the evening melody,
Which, day by day, comes sweetly stealing o'er
The intervening water from the Home:—
Retreat most beautiful, where now in peace,
Secure from battle din and strife of war,
There rest a thousand war-worn veterans.
Soft on the air of eve, are borne sweet strains
Of music: 'tis the evening melody,
Which, day by day, comes sweetly stealing o'er
The intervening water from the Home:—
Retreat most beautiful, where now in peace,
Secure from battle din and strife of war,
There rest a thousand war-worn veterans.
Upon the breath of evening now we hear
The tones of bells—calling to prayer and praise
And worship—students of the Normal School;
Most fitting close of every earthly Sabbath—
An emblem, too, of the eternal Day
Of rest. That congregation vast arise
To sing the opening hymn in harmony
Which only they who in the rugged school
Of unrequited toil have served their day,
And felt the sweet relief—the pride and joy
Which perfect freedom gives—can sing; a strain
That thrills with joy the soul!
The tones of bells—calling to prayer and praise
And worship—students of the Normal School;
Most fitting close of every earthly Sabbath—
An emblem, too, of the eternal Day
Of rest. That congregation vast arise
To sing the opening hymn in harmony
Which only they who in the rugged school
Of unrequited toil have served their day,
And felt the sweet relief—the pride and joy
Which perfect freedom gives—can sing; a strain
That thrills with joy the soul!
With rapid strides
A student enters; a mysterious look
Upon his countenance, as if possessed
Of knowledge of importance all unknown
Unto his fellows; and hastily imparts
That knowledge to his chief; and instantly
A hand is lifted and a silence reigns—
Full of suspense—a silence filled with dread!
Sure, in a moment so intense as this,
The mind, in seeming, lives for many years.
Then come the words which startle every one:
“Let girls remain, and men to duty pass—
On fire is Academic Hall!”
A student enters; a mysterious look
Upon his countenance, as if possessed
Of knowledge of importance all unknown
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That knowledge to his chief; and instantly
A hand is lifted and a silence reigns—
Full of suspense—a silence filled with dread!
Sure, in a moment so intense as this,
The mind, in seeming, lives for many years.
Then come the words which startle every one:
“Let girls remain, and men to duty pass—
On fire is Academic Hall!”
Now fierce and thrilling on the Sabbath peace
Rings out in fear the wild alarnm bell!
The night is dark; and rushing figures, wierd
In the lurid glare, appear like spectres—
Goblins grim and ghostly, on mischief bent,
Holding high carnival, with shout and dance,
In very truth a panorama grand!
A passing scene—bewildering, dazzling dream!
Rings out in fear the wild alarnm bell!
The night is dark; and rushing figures, wierd
In the lurid glare, appear like spectres—
Goblins grim and ghostly, on mischief bent,
Holding high carnival, with shout and dance,
In very truth a panorama grand!
A passing scene—bewildering, dazzling dream!
The engine whistle, shrill and piercing;
The fireman's shout; the startling spiteful hiss,
As stream in quick succession follows stream;
The crash of falling beams of giant size,
Bechill and curdle blood within the veins,
And cause to throb with pain the beating heart.
Phantastic colors brightly blazing forth
From bursting chemicals add brilliancy
Unto a scene of dazzling awfulness.
The fireman's shout; the startling spiteful hiss,
As stream in quick succession follows stream;
The crash of falling beams of giant size,
Bechill and curdle blood within the veins,
And cause to throb with pain the beating heart.
Phantastic colors brightly blazing forth
From bursting chemicals add brilliancy
Unto a scene of dazzling awfulness.
The hungry flames in grim defiance of
The efforts made for their extinguishment
Leap high in pride and fury—laugh with scorn
At the exertions small and puny, which
Man with all his learning, art and wisdom,
Can now put forth, as grappling hand to hand
In battle stern with the dread Fire King,
He fights with all his might.
The efforts made for their extinguishment
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At the exertions small and puny, which
Man with all his learning, art and wisdom,
Can now put forth, as grappling hand to hand
In battle stern with the dread Fire King,
He fights with all his might.
An hour is gone;
And in its train, the work of busy years.
A pensive sadness overhangs the scene;
For Academic Hall which yesternight,
The scene of joyous, active life had been,
Has vanished, and in place thereof, outlined
Against the southern sky, now towers
A skeleton, in hideous grimness.
That structure, grand and noble, is no more;
Yet, mem'ry of the work accomplished here
Within its walls, shall live for years to come,
In the unfolding power and manhood of
A struggling race!
And in its train, the work of busy years.
A pensive sadness overhangs the scene;
For Academic Hall which yesternight,
The scene of joyous, active life had been,
Has vanished, and in place thereof, outlined
Against the southern sky, now towers
A skeleton, in hideous grimness.
That structure, grand and noble, is no more;
Yet, mem'ry of the work accomplished here
Within its walls, shall live for years to come,
In the unfolding power and manhood of
A struggling race!
SISTERS OF PLYMOUTH.
To you belongs a meed of praise—
For in the dark and stormy days,
Your faith in God was bright.
When faith, in others, almost fled;
When clouds most dismal overspread;
And skies of brass were o'er your head,
You looked and prayed for light.
For in the dark and stormy days,
Your faith in God was bright.
When faith, in others, almost fled;
When clouds most dismal overspread;
And skies of brass were o'er your head,
You looked and prayed for light.
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Yes, looked and prayed, but worked as well,
How faithfully, but He can tell
Who sees the sparrow's fall.
Discouraged much, but not cast down;
In spite of jeer, and taunt and frown
You labored on to win a crown,—
And constant was your call,
How faithfully, but He can tell
Who sees the sparrow's fall.
Discouraged much, but not cast down;
In spite of jeer, and taunt and frown
You labored on to win a crown,—
And constant was your call,
Unto Our Father for a shower
Of blessings on His withering flower,
The church you dearly love.
Revive thy work, send harmony,—
That spirit which must come from Thee!
United workers may we be,
Like the great host above.
Of blessings on His withering flower,
The church you dearly love.
Revive thy work, send harmony,—
That spirit which must come from Thee!
United workers may we be,
Like the great host above.
But in succession years passed on—
A dreary, painful race they run.
Father canst Thou not hear?
Oh send a blessing on thy fold
A blessing as thou didst of old!
A blessing richer far than gold,
Thy love which casts out fear!
A dreary, painful race they run.
Father canst Thou not hear?
Oh send a blessing on thy fold
A blessing as thou didst of old!
A blessing richer far than gold,
Thy love which casts out fear!
Look! suddenly there is a gleam,
A ray of light—an answering beam
The glorious break of day.
Your work and prayers were not in vain:
Peace, harmony, and love again,
With many blessings in their train—
The clouds have rolled away.
A ray of light—an answering beam
The glorious break of day.
Your work and prayers were not in vain:
Peace, harmony, and love again,
With many blessings in their train—
The clouds have rolled away.
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The Father heard—the answer came—
“To those who call upon my name
My promise is to save;
Behold salvation at your door,
The blessing shall depart no more,
But constantly my grace I'll pour,
So long as faith ye have.”
“To those who call upon my name
My promise is to save;
Behold salvation at your door,
The blessing shall depart no more,
But constantly my grace I'll pour,
So long as faith ye have.”
Then with one heart and voice, let all
With earnestness on sinners call,
To flee the wrath to come.
Consistently let each one strive
To work, to worship, to forgive,
And evermore as Christians live,
That Heaven may be your Home.
With earnestness on sinners call,
To flee the wrath to come.
Consistently let each one strive
To work, to worship, to forgive,
And evermore as Christians live,
That Heaven may be your Home.
PLYMOUTH CHOIR.
Softly the choir is singing,
Singing their evening hymn;
Sweet as the breath of morning,
Ascends the strain to Him:
Day in the west is dying,
Heaven touches earth with rest,—
Now are His people waiting,
Waiting to be blest.
Singing their evening hymn;
Sweet as the breath of morning,
Ascends the strain to Him:
Day in the west is dying,
Heaven touches earth with rest,—
Now are His people waiting,
Waiting to be blest.
List to that sweet soprano
Voice, like a bird of June,
Pure are the tones and mellow,
Lovely are words and tune.
Lord, 'neath the dome of Heaven,
Thy providence we trace,
And with our sins forgiven,
We seek thy lovely face.
Voice, like a bird of June,
Pure are the tones and mellow,
Lovely are words and tune.
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Thy providence we trace,
And with our sins forgiven,
We seek thy lovely face.
Thus in His holy Temple,
Gathered for praise and prayer,
Blessed indeed, His people,—
Neither more blest elsewhere.
With joy sing holy, holy,
Unto our God and king;
Yes, unto our gracious Saviour,
Our Lord, most holy, sing.
Gathered for praise and prayer,
Blessed indeed, His people,—
Neither more blest elsewhere.
With joy sing holy, holy,
Unto our God and king;
Yes, unto our gracious Saviour,
Our Lord, most holy, sing.
So shall His earthly temple,
Be type of that above,
Where gather every people,
To sing Redeeming Love,—
And, with their voices blending
In one triumphant strain,
They sing through years unending,
The lamb for us was slain!
Be type of that above,
Where gather every people,
To sing Redeeming Love,—
And, with their voices blending
In one triumphant strain,
They sing through years unending,
The lamb for us was slain!
THE SONG OF MOSES.
EXODUS XV, 2–19.
I will sing unto God, for great is His triumph,
The horse and his rider He hath overthrown!
The Lord is my song, my strength and my fortress,
With joy and thanksgiving His greatness I own.
The horse and his rider He hath overthrown!
The Lord is my song, my strength and my fortress,
With joy and thanksgiving His greatness I own.
The Lord is my God, and I will prepare Him
A place, that beside me He ever may dwell;
The God of my father, and I will exalt Him;
He leadeth His people, and doth all things well.
A place, that beside me He ever may dwell;
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He leadeth His people, and doth all things well.
A warrior is He, as He marches to battle;
The Lord is His name; and a great God is He:
The chariots of Pharaoh—his pride and his glory,
With all his vast army are drowned in the sea.
The Lord is His name; and a great God is He:
The chariots of Pharaoh—his pride and his glory,
With all his vast army are drowned in the sea.
The depths overwhelmed them, they sank to the bottom,
As lead in the waters they vanish from sight;
Thy right hand, O Lord, is in power become glorious,
Thy right hand, O Lord, hath destroyed them with might.
As lead in the waters they vanish from sight;
Thy right hand, O Lord, is in power become glorious,
Thy right hand, O Lord, hath destroyed them with might.
Thou sentest Thy wrath, as fire it consumed them;
The blast of Thy nostrils the waters divide;
As a heap stood the flood—Thy presence congealed them,—
A way of salvation Thy power didst provide.
The blast of Thy nostrils the waters divide;
As a heap stood the flood—Thy presence congealed them,—
A way of salvation Thy power didst provide.
The enemy shouted—come let us persue them!
With swift-footed coursers those aliens o'ertake,
My will and my lust shall be satisfied on them!
My sword I will draw and grim vengeance I'll take.
With swift-footed coursers those aliens o'ertake,
My will and my lust shall be satisfied on them!
My sword I will draw and grim vengeance I'll take.
Thou didst blow with Thy wind, and the sea in obedience,
In fullness of strength to its channel returned;
They sank as a stone in the midst of the waters,
With grief and confusion Thy power they learned.
In fullness of strength to its channel returned;
They sank as a stone in the midst of the waters,
With grief and confusion Thy power they learned.
Who is like unto Thee in holiness glorious?
Who like unto Thee in Thy wisdom and power?
Thy praises are fearful, o'er all thou'rt victorious,
Thy wonders are manifest to us each hour.
Who like unto Thee in Thy wisdom and power?
Thy praises are fearful, o'er all thou'rt victorious,
Thy wonders are manifest to us each hour.
Thou stretchedst thine hand and the earth owns allegiance
And quickly doth swallow the foes of the Lord.
Thine enemies perish when met by Thy vengeance,
They tremble in awe at the power of Thy word.
And quickly doth swallow the foes of the Lord.
Thine enemies perish when met by Thy vengeance,
They tremble in awe at the power of Thy word.
Thou hast led forth Thy people in wisdom and mercy—
The people whom Thou in Thy love hast redeemed.
Thou hast sent them deliverance, and guided them safely
To the place of Thy dwelling—most beautiful scene!
The people whom Thou in Thy love hast redeemed.
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To the place of Thy dwelling—most beautiful scene!
The people shall hear, and Thy fear shall possess them,
Each one shall be filled with amazement and awe;
Those of Palestina in deep lamentation
And sorrow, shall bow 'neath the ban of Thy law.
Each one shall be filled with amazement and awe;
Those of Palestina in deep lamentation
And sorrow, shall bow 'neath the ban of Thy law.
The rulers of Edom; the warriors of Moab,
Shall tremble and fear as Thy might they behold,—
And Canaan shall melt like the night mist before Thee;
The strength of Thy right arm no mortal has told!
Shall tremble and fear as Thy might they behold,—
And Canaan shall melt like the night mist before Thee;
The strength of Thy right arm no mortal has told!
The way Thou did'st make, and Thy people passed over;
The people which Thou in Thy mercy hast bought.
Thou shalt bring them in joy to Thy mountain most holy,
We shout in our gladness—Great things hath God wrought!
The people which Thou in Thy mercy hast bought.
Thou shalt bring them in joy to Thy mountain most holy,
We shout in our gladness—Great things hath God wrought!
Thou shalt bring all Thy chosen, in peace to Thy temple,
And there with thanksgiving we'll praise Thee again.
The Lord is our King, our God, and our Saviour,—
The Lord shall reign o'er us forever, Amen.
And there with thanksgiving we'll praise Thee again.
The Lord is our King, our God, and our Saviour,—
The Lord shall reign o'er us forever, Amen.
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