 | Thoughts in Verse |  |
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VII. PART VII.—MISCELLANEOUS.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
Is it an easy thing to be a Christian? No.
For while we live, with Satan as our foe,
We shall have trials enough our faith to prove,
Before we reach the Christian's rest above.
For while we live, with Satan as our foe,
We shall have trials enough our faith to prove,
Before we reach the Christian's rest above.
As journeying on with weary feet we go—
Battling with sin and blindness here below,
With many a heartache, discouragement and grief
Faith almost dead while waiting for relief,—
Battling with sin and blindness here below,
With many a heartache, discouragement and grief
Faith almost dead while waiting for relief,—
Many of those we try to help along,
When trouble comes, will join the scoffing throng;
And friends with whom we long have cast our lot
Look coldly on, as if they knew us not.
When trouble comes, will join the scoffing throng;
And friends with whom we long have cast our lot
Look coldly on, as if they knew us not.
Well, be it so, if we can but be true
To God, ourselves, and those who wrong us too,—
Let us press on, though rugged be the road,—
There's rest within the city of our God!
To God, ourselves, and those who wrong us too,—
Let us press on, though rugged be the road,—
There's rest within the city of our God!
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LORD, SAVE ME.
One day while sitting and list'ning
To a learned man of God;
He told me the following story,
Of a man who in sin long trod;
To show how the Holy Spirit
Of God may be grieved away;
And men be ruined for putting off
Their duty for but one day:
To a learned man of God;
He told me the following story,
Of a man who in sin long trod;
To show how the Holy Spirit
Of God may be grieved away;
And men be ruined for putting off
Their duty for but one day:
One day with earnest striving,
I spoke to a man of sin,
And urged him to seek that fountain,
Where he could be made clean;
For a day, not far off, was coming,
When this world, so fair and bright,
Would fade from his gaze admiring,
Into never-ending night;
I spoke to a man of sin,
And urged him to seek that fountain,
Where he could be made clean;
For a day, not far off, was coming,
When this world, so fair and bright,
Would fade from his gaze admiring,
Into never-ending night;
If he anchored not on Jesus,
Who came from His home on high,
With a heart full of love for all men,
To save them from misery.
I told him how great that love was,
How sorrow, and toil and pain,
Were counted as naught by Jesus,
That sinners might live again.
Who came from His home on high,
With a heart full of love for all men,
To save them from misery.
I told him how great that love was,
How sorrow, and toil and pain,
Were counted as naught by Jesus,
That sinners might live again.
With features o'erspread with scorning,
He turned, and with coldness said:
“There's time enough for such things;
I shall not bother my head
About religion for some time;
On the day of death I'll plea
For pardon and peace, from sin and crime,
And then I'll say—‘Lord, save me!’
He turned, and with coldness said:
“There's time enough for such things;
I shall not bother my head
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On the day of death I'll plea
For pardon and peace, from sin and crime,
And then I'll say—‘Lord, save me!’
Those three words will bring salvation,
If uttered with my last breath;
So talk your religion to some one else,
I'll wait till the hour of death.”
Again and again I urged him
To delay not, lest he be lost,
For none may say what wasted time
To a living soul may cost.
If uttered with my last breath;
So talk your religion to some one else,
I'll wait till the hour of death.”
Again and again I urged him
To delay not, lest he be lost,
For none may say what wasted time
To a living soul may cost.
That in a moment when we think not,
Our Saviour may appear,
And we be summoned before our Judge
To answer for misdeeds here.
He turned away again and said—
“There's time enough, you see,—
In any time of danger
I can say—‘Lord save me!’”
Our Saviour may appear,
And we be summoned before our Judge
To answer for misdeeds here.
He turned away again and said—
“There's time enough, you see,—
In any time of danger
I can say—‘Lord save me!’”
My heart was filled with sadness,
As I thought of God's great plan
And His threatening words—‘My Spirit
Shall not always strive with man.
Few days passed when one evening—
My mind was filled with dread—
For news came that this careless one
In manhood's prime, was dead!
As I thought of God's great plan
And His threatening words—‘My Spirit
Shall not always strive with man.
Few days passed when one evening—
My mind was filled with dread—
For news came that this careless one
In manhood's prime, was dead!
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And then I asked what caused his death,
What his last word might be,—
To see if he cried with his parting breath
“Oh gracious Lord, save me!”
No, he was standing on the street,—
Death called him without delay,
To the upper world, his Judge to meet—
From thence to be sent away.
What his last word might be,—
To see if he cried with his parting breath
“Oh gracious Lord, save me!”
No, he was standing on the street,—
Death called him without delay,
To the upper world, his Judge to meet—
From thence to be sent away.
No word spoke he, for the angel Death,
Took his soul in its guilt to be
In endless remorse, in a world of woe,
For he cried not—“Lord Save Me!”
And now, my unconverted friends,
The lesson is plain to thee:
Do not delay to seek God's grace,—
But now cry—“Lord Save Me!”
Took his soul in its guilt to be
In endless remorse, in a world of woe,
For he cried not—“Lord Save Me!”
And now, my unconverted friends,
The lesson is plain to thee:
Do not delay to seek God's grace,—
But now cry—“Lord Save Me!”
January 31, 1882.
REST.
For rest, sweet rest, the human heart is longing,
As every day its care and burden brings,
Suffice to each the ill to each belonging,
And all a song of weary sadness sing:
As every day its care and burden brings,
Suffice to each the ill to each belonging,
And all a song of weary sadness sing:
Telling of work, of turmoil and endeavor,
Of strong wills bent unto a purpose true;
Rivers of energy flowing on forever,
Brightening old things, but ne'er creating new.
Of strong wills bent unto a purpose true;
Rivers of energy flowing on forever,
Brightening old things, but ne'er creating new.
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Some in the treadmill, busy doing nothing,
Seeming as fools unto the anxious throng
Who seek results, but little realizing,
Life is a treadmill for both weak and strong.
Seeming as fools unto the anxious throng
Who seek results, but little realizing,
Life is a treadmill for both weak and strong.
Oh! human heart! if for repose you hanker,
Seek it not here; but look for it above!
Where toil and care can never, never enter,
And you secure may rest in Heavenly love.
Seek it not here; but look for it above!
Where toil and care can never, never enter,
And you secure may rest in Heavenly love.
September, 1885.
REDEEM THE TIME.
The prophet stands upon the wall,
And warns the chosen race,
To turn away from folly's thrall,
And seek Jehovah's grace.
And warns the chosen race,
To turn away from folly's thrall,
And seek Jehovah's grace.
With earnestness doth he entreat
That love to God be given;
For sinful pride and self-conceit
Leadeth away from Heaven.
That love to God be given;
For sinful pride and self-conceit
Leadeth away from Heaven.
He tells them of their many sins;
Of God's enkindled wrath;
And fearful judgments unto him
Who turns from duty's path.
Of God's enkindled wrath;
And fearful judgments unto him
Who turns from duty's path.
The golden days of summer time
Have all been given in vain!
Harvest is past, with gifts divine,
Ne'er to return again.
Have all been given in vain!
Harvest is past, with gifts divine,
Ne'er to return again.
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In spite of summer's shine and rain,
Of bounteous harvest home,—
They have neglected to obtain
His life,—refused to come.
Of bounteous harvest home,—
They have neglected to obtain
His life,—refused to come.
Then, haste, oh! brethren! haste, to-day;
Stand ye no longer still!
There's death and danger in delay—
Haste, then, to do His will.
Stand ye no longer still!
There's death and danger in delay—
Haste, then, to do His will.
The cry of Jeremy of old,
Re-echoes in our ear;
Evil the time; our hearts are cold,
Unknown Jehovah's fear.
Re-echoes in our ear;
Evil the time; our hearts are cold,
Unknown Jehovah's fear.
With earnestness we would entreat,
That all the chance improve;
And ere the day of grace be past,
Be saved by mighty love.
That all the chance improve;
And ere the day of grace be past,
Be saved by mighty love.
March 26, 1885.
GO WORK.
In my vineyard while 'tis day,
Go, and scatter precious seed,
Work with vigor while you may,
Work I say; not go succeed!
Go, and scatter precious seed,
Work with vigor while you may,
Work I say; not go succeed!
Paul the seed of life may sow,
And Apollos water give,
But they cannot make it grow,—
God alone can cause to thrive.
And Apollos water give,
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God alone can cause to thrive.
Go and labor with thy might;
'Tis the path thy Saviour trod,—
Labor on until the night—
Work, and leave results with God.
'Tis the path thy Saviour trod,—
Labor on until the night—
Work, and leave results with God.
October 31, 1885.
CHANGE.
There are songs, sweet songs that we never sing,
And familiar names ne'er spoken;
Because of the memories which they bring,
Because of the heartache and suffering,—
Because of the charm that will ever cling
Round links of friendship broken.
And familiar names ne'er spoken;
Because of the memories which they bring,
Because of the heartache and suffering,—
Because of the charm that will ever cling
Round links of friendship broken.
Remembrances come with our happiest thoughts—
Which tinge them with gloom and sadness;
Of what the passing years have brought,
With their weight of joy and trial fraught,—
Of lessons by grim experience taught—
A mingling of pain and gladness.
Which tinge them with gloom and sadness;
Of what the passing years have brought,
With their weight of joy and trial fraught,—
Of lessons by grim experience taught—
A mingling of pain and gladness.
The birds sing as sweetly, the bright spring day,
In cheering and happy chorus;
As they sang in the years which are far away,
When everything seemed so bright and gay,
When we were light-hearted and free as they,—
Yet they've not the same influence o'er us.
In cheering and happy chorus;
As they sang in the years which are far away,
When everything seemed so bright and gay,
When we were light-hearted and free as they,—
Yet they've not the same influence o'er us.
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The sky is as blue as in days gone by,
The sun shines as bright as ever;
The old pine woods continue to sigh,
The rolling river has never run dry,
Yet there is change—I scarce know why—
Which will not cease—no, never!
The sun shines as bright as ever;
The old pine woods continue to sigh,
The rolling river has never run dry,
Yet there is change—I scarce know why—
Which will not cease—no, never!
And as I wonder, the thought will come—
“Is this change in us, or Nature?”
But I think the truth with force comes home
To us, as through the fields we roam,—
Though they are the same as in days agone,
We feel not the same sweet pleasure.
“Is this change in us, or Nature?”
But I think the truth with force comes home
To us, as through the fields we roam,—
Though they are the same as in days agone,
We feel not the same sweet pleasure.
And hope has not such a cheering glow
As in the days of childhood;
For as Old Time in his ceaseless flow,
Moves on, we unconsciously come to know,
That life is real, and the seeds we sow
In youth, we shall reap in manhood.
As in the days of childhood;
For as Old Time in his ceaseless flow,
Moves on, we unconsciously come to know,
That life is real, and the seeds we sow
In youth, we shall reap in manhood.
Yes, cause is followed by effect,
'Twill e'er be the same old story;
No matter what course you may select,
No matter what laws you may reject,
Change and disrelish you may expect;
Without change we can ne'er reach glory.
'Twill e'er be the same old story;
No matter what course you may select,
No matter what laws you may reject,
Change and disrelish you may expect;
Without change we can ne'er reach glory.
So let us patiently work and wait
For Him, who the world redeemeth;
Accepting with grace whatever fate
He sends, that ere it be too late
We may enter through Him the Golden Gate—
As the last and great change cometh.
For Him, who the world redeemeth;
Accepting with grace whatever fate
He sends, that ere it be too late
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As the last and great change cometh.
And when we reach that world of light
Above the Heavenly azure,
No change can come, for all is bright,
A land of beauty and delight—
No death, no falling tear, no night,
Within the walls of jasper!
Above the Heavenly azure,
No change can come, for all is bright,
A land of beauty and delight—
No death, no falling tear, no night,
Within the walls of jasper!
LE COQ ET LA PERLE.
(The Shell and the Pearl.) Translated from the French.
Unto a jeweller a shell once turned aside,
With a bright pearl of beauty, worth and pride—
Of virtues rich and rare.
I believe 'tis valuable he said,
But the least bit of grain or food
Would better my affairs.
With a bright pearl of beauty, worth and pride—
Of virtues rich and rare.
I believe 'tis valuable he said,
But the least bit of grain or food
Would better my affairs.
An ignorant heir a manuscript possessed,
And in a neighbor's library confessed
His trials and his cares.
I believe, he said, that it is fine,
But to be possessed of the smallest coin,
Would better my affairs.
And in a neighbor's library confessed
His trials and his cares.
I believe, he said, that it is fine,
But to be possessed of the smallest coin,
Would better my affairs.
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GENIUS IN RUINS.
There once on a time was a beautiful boy,
Whose purity was his mother's great joy;
His eyes were so bright, and his manners so sweet;
He was loved by all that he happened to meet.
Whose purity was his mother's great joy;
His eyes were so bright, and his manners so sweet;
He was loved by all that he happened to meet.
At length, unto manhood's estate he arrived,
Possessing all talents that are to be prized:—
He entered society, where he became
A man of repute, with a much honored name.
Possessing all talents that are to be prized:—
He entered society, where he became
A man of repute, with a much honored name.
The tempter approached him, in beauty and grace,
Like the first great temptation that came to the race,
'Twas woman who placed the dammed cup to his lip,
And with smiles and entreaties beguiled him to sip.
Like the first great temptation that came to the race,
'Twas woman who placed the dammed cup to his lip,
And with smiles and entreaties beguiled him to sip.
He sipped, and alas! by that drink he was given
A passion, and fell like a snow-flake from Heaven;
Or like a great ship, when disabled, will toss—
Well knowing the end—irrecov'rable loss.
A passion, and fell like a snow-flake from Heaven;
Or like a great ship, when disabled, will toss—
Well knowing the end—irrecov'rable loss.
The once honored man was now greatly despised;
The doom of the drunkard each one realized
Would be his—the gutter was often his bed,
One day he was found in a lonely street—dead!
The doom of the drunkard each one realized
Would be his—the gutter was often his bed,
One day he was found in a lonely street—dead!
And now, youth and maidens, I ask you to think—
Think earnestly how you may turn men from drink;
Work on with a will, and with earnestness strive,
For nobler and purer,—the highest of lives!
Think earnestly how you may turn men from drink;
Work on with a will, and with earnestness strive,
For nobler and purer,—the highest of lives!
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That when for this life, every duty is done
The race set before you is faithfully run—
Ye hear from the lips of King Jesus the word—
“Come, enter ye faithful, the joy of thy Lord!”
The race set before you is faithfully run—
Ye hear from the lips of King Jesus the word—
“Come, enter ye faithful, the joy of thy Lord!”
LIFE.
What is life? It is a vapor;
Fleeting as the noontide hour;
Full of hope, though oft delusive;
Passing, like a summer shower.
Fleeting as the noontide hour;
Full of hope, though oft delusive;
Passing, like a summer shower.
Oh! how full of sin and folly,
Oh! how full of guilt and fear!
Trials oft and triumphs seldom,—
And the tempter ever near.
Oh! how full of guilt and fear!
Trials oft and triumphs seldom,—
And the tempter ever near.
Oh! how oft we stop and listen,
To his counsels which deceive;
And alas! how oft we stumble—
Losing what we can't retrieve.
To his counsels which deceive;
And alas! how oft we stumble—
Losing what we can't retrieve.
God of mercy! wilt thou hear me?
Strengthen me with power divine.
Let not sin and guilt o'erwhelm me,
Save me, Lord, for I am thine.
Strengthen me with power divine.
Let not sin and guilt o'erwhelm me,
Save me, Lord, for I am thine.
Fill me, with thy Holy Spirit,
May I ever faithful prove,
May I always trust thy merit,
And be filled with Heavenly love.
May I ever faithful prove,
May I always trust thy merit,
And be filled with Heavenly love.
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Come, and whisper, gentle Saviour,
Sin no more—thy sin's forgiven,
Let me feel now thy deliverance,
Help me in the road to Heaven!
Sin no more—thy sin's forgiven,
Let me feel now thy deliverance,
Help me in the road to Heaven!
COMMUNION.
We now approach with holy joy,
The table of our Lord;
Here we find peace without alloy,
And feast upon His word.
The table of our Lord;
Here we find peace without alloy,
And feast upon His word.
We meditate upon His love,
That love to sinners given,
For which He left a home above,
To show the way to Heaven.
That love to sinners given,
For which He left a home above,
To show the way to Heaven.
We think upon His wondrous plan,
To save a ruined race;
By which He rescues fallen man—
Redeems them by His grace.
To save a ruined race;
By which He rescues fallen man—
Redeems them by His grace.
We sit and feast upon our Lord,
And sweetest comfort find,—
His broken body and His blood
Shed freely for mankind.
And sweetest comfort find,—
His broken body and His blood
Shed freely for mankind.
May all who thus on Jesus feed,
Walk humbly in His way,
And faithfully their steps he'll lead,
To realms of endless day.
Walk humbly in His way,
And faithfully their steps he'll lead,
To realms of endless day.
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COME.
When life's cares are pressing heavy,
And the days are dark for thee;
Listen, thou mayst hear a whisper—
“Heavy ladened, come to me.”
And the days are dark for thee;
Listen, thou mayst hear a whisper—
“Heavy ladened, come to me.”
In this world of care and trial,
Thou wilt oft discouraged be,
Work on, weary one, He whispers,—
“Heavy ladened, come to me!”
Thou wilt oft discouraged be,
Work on, weary one, He whispers,—
“Heavy ladened, come to me!”
“Come to thee?” thy tired heart asketh,
What shall coming profit me?”
Jesus Christ thy Lord repliest:
“Heavy ladened rest in me!”
What shall coming profit me?”
Jesus Christ thy Lord repliest:
“Heavy ladened rest in me!”
Keep up courage, e'er prove faithful,
He has shed His blood for thee;
And He'll say, when life is finished,—
“Come ye blessed, rest with me.”
He has shed His blood for thee;
And He'll say, when life is finished,—
“Come ye blessed, rest with me.”
THE HOUR OF DEATH.
There is a solemn hour
That to us all must come,
But Christians do not dread its power,
For they are going home.
That to us all must come,
But Christians do not dread its power,
For they are going home.
Their rest will be complete,
And sin and pain shall cease.
With Christ and loved ones they shall meet
To dwell in perfect peace.
And sin and pain shall cease.
With Christ and loved ones they shall meet
To dwell in perfect peace.
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A glorious train shall come;
The joyous, ransomed throng;
And sing their rapturous welcome home,—
And we shall join that song;
The joyous, ransomed throng;
And sing their rapturous welcome home,—
And we shall join that song;
Which all the saved shall know—
Saved from the fiery flood
Of sin, which here shall ever flow—
Redeemed by Jesus' blood.
Saved from the fiery flood
Of sin, which here shall ever flow—
Redeemed by Jesus' blood.
MY PERSUASION.
Send Thy blessing, loving Saviour;
Let my life be hid in Thee:
May I ever know Thy favor;
May I ever faithful be.
Let my life be hid in Thee:
May I ever know Thy favor;
May I ever faithful be.
For in truth I am persuaded,
That Thy love doth life impart:
Neither height nor depth nor angels
Can withdraw from Thee my heart.
That Thy love doth life impart:
Neither height nor depth nor angels
Can withdraw from Thee my heart.
Nor can present things, nor future,
Nor the earthly powers that be,—
Shake my faith in God the Father,
Or my constant trust in Thee.
Nor the earthly powers that be,—
Shake my faith in God the Father,
Or my constant trust in Thee.
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FAITH.
Is it thorny, the place where thou standest?
Are thy trials heavy to bear?
Think not that thou camest by accident
To the city of struggle and care.
Are thy trials heavy to bear?
Think not that thou camest by accident
To the city of struggle and care.
'Tis the place that thy Father designedst,
The place of all others for thee.
The brave is not he that repinest!
Nor they who from obstacles flee!
The place of all others for thee.
The brave is not he that repinest!
Nor they who from obstacles flee!
Each duty, the small and the great one,
With faithfulness ever perform;
For sure thou shalt reap in due season—
In the beautiful harvest morn.
With faithfulness ever perform;
For sure thou shalt reap in due season—
In the beautiful harvest morn.
Many things that are dark in seeming,
At evening are flooded with light!
Waste not, then, thy moments in dreaming,
But labor with all of thy might!
At evening are flooded with light!
Waste not, then, thy moments in dreaming,
But labor with all of thy might!
Till the glorious time of reaping,
And the reapers, the shining ones come
To gather that scattered with weeping,—
With joy for the harvest home!
And the reapers, the shining ones come
To gather that scattered with weeping,—
With joy for the harvest home!
And then, when thy mission is ended,
Things here—that we cannot explain—
Denied us, for which we contended,—
The reason why will be made plain!
Things here—that we cannot explain—
Denied us, for which we contended,—
The reason why will be made plain!
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THE EARTHQUAKE.
The day was done, the evening dawned
Bright, calm and beautiful!
But ere the rising morrow's sun,
Full many a life its race had run;
The earthquake's shock its work had done—
Destruction terrible!
Bright, calm and beautiful!
But ere the rising morrow's sun,
Full many a life its race had run;
The earthquake's shock its work had done—
Destruction terrible!
The people filled with fear and awe,
Before Jehovah bow.
Low in the dust the Sovereign saw
Ten thousand who had scorned his law,
Pleading deliverance from Death's jaw—
They cry for mercy now.
Before Jehovah bow.
Low in the dust the Sovereign saw
Ten thousand who had scorned his law,
Pleading deliverance from Death's jaw—
They cry for mercy now.
Another shock! the people wail
And rush forth helplessly.
But hardened wretches do not fail
To curse and ridicule, and rail,
And e'en Jehovah's power assail,
And laugh derisively.
And rush forth helplessly.
But hardened wretches do not fail
To curse and ridicule, and rail,
And e'en Jehovah's power assail,
And laugh derisively.
It was a night with terror rife;
A night of dread suspense:
In every breast a raging strife,
A conscience keener than a knife,—
Were this the terminus of life
Have we a sure defence?
A night of dread suspense:
In every breast a raging strife,
A conscience keener than a knife,—
Were this the terminus of life
Have we a sure defence?
And many made the wisest choice,
And anchored fast their soul
To Him who saves the tempest tost,
Whose mission is to seek the lost,
Who freely bore the bitter cross,
That men might be made whole.
And anchored fast their soul
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Whose mission is to seek the lost,
Who freely bore the bitter cross,
That men might be made whole.
Then sages, as in days of yore,
Were summoned forth in haste:
The cause is sought by men of lore,
Why this calamity most sore
Should visit Charleston any more
Than any other place?
Were summoned forth in haste:
The cause is sought by men of lore,
Why this calamity most sore
Should visit Charleston any more
Than any other place?
To natural causes all agree,
They trace this matter broad.
Well, natural causes there may be,
But back of all we plainly see
A power that is and e'er shall be!
It is the power of God!
They trace this matter broad.
Well, natural causes there may be,
But back of all we plainly see
A power that is and e'er shall be!
It is the power of God!
JEALOUSY.
Call it the green-eyed monster?Name most mild for such an attribute!
The half is not expressed—it is a brute!
Of all things most unreasonable;
Of all things most unseasonable;
Of all things disagreeable!
Meanness in the superlative degree!
The crowning ill of life is—jealousy.
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THE PASSING YEAR.
The year is going, pace by pace,
And memories cluster round.
He now has well-nigh run his race;
He hastens to his mound—
His grave beside the other years.
He dies; but his death brings no tears.
And memories cluster round.
He now has well-nigh run his race;
He hastens to his mound—
His grave beside the other years.
He dies; but his death brings no tears.
Cheerless and cold his life has grown;
Aged and hoar is he;
Full many a swath his scythe has mown,
In strength of full degree;
But now, the old man's work is done;
The clock strikes twelve—his race is run!
Aged and hoar is he;
Full many a swath his scythe has mown,
In strength of full degree;
But now, the old man's work is done;
The clock strikes twelve—his race is run!
Our life is like the passing year:—
It opens fair and bright,
With smile and song—then comes the tear;
And then the chill of night.
Only a span to us is given—
Cling not to earth; but live for Heaven!
It opens fair and bright,
With smile and song—then comes the tear;
And then the chill of night.
Only a span to us is given—
Cling not to earth; but live for Heaven!
For soon shall come the glad New Year
Of never ending peace;
The angel chorus! Jesus near!
And joys that never cease.
Speed on, then, years! I shall be free!
Not told by years Eternity!
Of never ending peace;
The angel chorus! Jesus near!
And joys that never cease.
Speed on, then, years! I shall be free!
Not told by years Eternity!
111
OF ONE BLOOD.
Who taught thee, man, thy brother to despise?
By nature art thou favored more, or wise
As gods? Art thou in untaught state beclothed
In strength of mind, with lofty thought endowed?
Nay, nay, like him, untaught, thou art unwise;
Like unfledged bird, which neither sees nor flies,
Thou, too, art helpless—looked upon with scorn;
Were truth withheld, for thee would break no morn.
But God has granted thee enlightenment—
Upon thee beamed His gracious countenance.
The gift bestowed, in meekness thou shouldst use;
And not with pride this priceless gift abuse;
For all these things, He doth of thee demand
That thou shalt scatter with a willing hand.
By nature art thou favored more, or wise
As gods? Art thou in untaught state beclothed
In strength of mind, with lofty thought endowed?
Nay, nay, like him, untaught, thou art unwise;
Like unfledged bird, which neither sees nor flies,
Thou, too, art helpless—looked upon with scorn;
Were truth withheld, for thee would break no morn.
But God has granted thee enlightenment—
Upon thee beamed His gracious countenance.
The gift bestowed, in meekness thou shouldst use;
And not with pride this priceless gift abuse;
For all these things, He doth of thee demand
That thou shalt scatter with a willing hand.
Thy brother lacks the opportunity,
But spite of drawbacks, thou canst plainly see
That in a score of years he well has climbed;
More favored ones has quickly left behind.
Thou sayst with scorn that he can never reach
That high enlightenment that thou wouldst teach;
In all things vie with thee, in each pursuit
To gain success; with power to touch the lute—
And sound inspiring chords from sphere to sphere,
To swell majestic down the echoing years!
Remember what thou wast in years agone,
When thou, in thy forefather's loins didst roam
In nakedness, and a barbarian trod
The wild! Then know that all men are of God!
But spite of drawbacks, thou canst plainly see
That in a score of years he well has climbed;
More favored ones has quickly left behind.
Thou sayst with scorn that he can never reach
That high enlightenment that thou wouldst teach;
In all things vie with thee, in each pursuit
To gain success; with power to touch the lute—
And sound inspiring chords from sphere to sphere,
To swell majestic down the echoing years!
Remember what thou wast in years agone,
When thou, in thy forefather's loins didst roam
In nakedness, and a barbarian trod
The wild! Then know that all men are of God!
112
CRITICISM.
With courtesy and due respect
I look on all mankind.
Whate'er of me they may expect;
Whatever seeming fault detect—
Suspicion seldom is correct,
Hence, tranquil is my mind.
I look on all mankind.
Whate'er of me they may expect;
Whatever seeming fault detect—
Suspicion seldom is correct,
Hence, tranquil is my mind.
Each his opinion may enjoy,
I question not his right.
Harsh criticism may destroy
A friendship more than half alloy,
But it shall ne'er my peace annoy
For Jesus is my light.
I question not his right.
Harsh criticism may destroy
A friendship more than half alloy,
But it shall ne'er my peace annoy
For Jesus is my light.
I labor with a purpose pure;
I work for God and man.
If faithfulness can peace assure,
Then patiently will I endure,
For all His promises are sure:
He knoweth what I am.
I work for God and man.
If faithfulness can peace assure,
Then patiently will I endure,
For all His promises are sure:
He knoweth what I am.
It may be here, it may be there,
My fortune may be cast.
I seek not honor anywhere!
I'll live and work in faith and prayer,
And constantly His love declare
As long as life shall last.
My fortune may be cast.
I seek not honor anywhere!
I'll live and work in faith and prayer,
And constantly His love declare
As long as life shall last.
113
No man can hinder, none impede
My progress, full and free!
So long as human life hath need,
And burdened ones for succor plead—
For love, for sympathy—indeed,
There is a work for me!
My progress, full and free!
So long as human life hath need,
And burdened ones for succor plead—
For love, for sympathy—indeed,
There is a work for me!
I am your brother, and admire
Your fealty and your trust;
And may the Holy One inspire
Our hearts, that with a strong desire
May burn in us a sacred fire,
Until we sleep in dust.
Your fealty and your trust;
And may the Holy One inspire
Our hearts, that with a strong desire
May burn in us a sacred fire,
Until we sleep in dust.
And then, in that blest world of light—
Where perfect rest is given;
When, having fought in faith the fight,
And finished the last anxious night,—
Then, as a victor, robed in white,
I'll greet you all in Heaven!
Where perfect rest is given;
When, having fought in faith the fight,
And finished the last anxious night,—
Then, as a victor, robed in white,
I'll greet you all in Heaven!
Charleston, May 27, 1887.
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