 | Love's Last Labour Not Lost |  |
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“NON OMNIS MORIAR!”
“On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires;
Ev'n from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
Ev'n in our ashes live their wonted fires.”
Gray.
Some pious drops the closing eye requires;
Ev'n from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
Ev'n in our ashes live their wonted fires.”
Gray.
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The Man of Sorrows!”—Mournful name!
To soften hearts the best appeal,
To kindle faith's undying flame,
And love's Divinest, warmest zeal.
To soften hearts the best appeal,
To kindle faith's undying flame,
And love's Divinest, warmest zeal.
No name by which the Lord is known
Can a more tender charm impart;
Or draw me nearer to His throne;
Or bind Him closer to my heart.
Can a more tender charm impart;
Or draw me nearer to His throne;
Or bind Him closer to my heart.
The desert-cave, the lonely dell,
The wild ravine's dark, solemn shade,
The mountain-summit too can tell
How there He wander'd, watch'd, and pray'd.
The wild ravine's dark, solemn shade,
The mountain-summit too can tell
How there He wander'd, watch'd, and pray'd.
For those deep solitudes sublime
His pillow and His altar were;
In every season, every clime,
His place of rest, His house of pray'r.
His pillow and His altar were;
In every season, every clime,
His place of rest, His house of pray'r.
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(Such scenes of grandeur and of awe
The pensive Hermit-prophet trod
When he on Horeb heard and saw
His guardian Angel sent by God.)
The pensive Hermit-prophet trod
When he on Horeb heard and saw
His guardian Angel sent by God.)
The purple robe, the mocking crown,
To anger ne'er His spirit moved;
No traitor Judas met His frown,
No faithless Peter stood reproved.
To anger ne'er His spirit moved;
No traitor Judas met His frown,
No faithless Peter stood reproved.
From Him was never heard complaint
In all His bitter trials here;
No bonds could make His courage faint,
No scourge could draw one human tear!
In all His bitter trials here;
No bonds could make His courage faint,
No scourge could draw one human tear!
When dawn'd Mount Calvary's dreadful day
(His Cup of Misery running o'er)
Though weak and weary on the way,
His heavy Cross He meekly bore;
(His Cup of Misery running o'er)
Though weak and weary on the way,
His heavy Cross He meekly bore;
Then while deep darkness veil'd the sun,
And earth was rent and rocks were riven,
Home to the High and Holy One
The Man of Sorrows rose to Heaven!
And earth was rent and rocks were riven,
Home to the High and Holy One
The Man of Sorrows rose to Heaven!
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When all is dark beneath the skies,
To heaven, O Pilgrim! lift thine eyes,
And soon the cloud shall melt away
In faith and hope's celestial ray.
To Calvary's Mount thy spirit borne,
Shall meekly, without murmuring, mourn,
And say, with God's devoted Son,
“My Father's will, not mine, be done.”
To heaven, O Pilgrim! lift thine eyes,
And soon the cloud shall melt away
In faith and hope's celestial ray.
To Calvary's Mount thy spirit borne,
Shall meekly, without murmuring, mourn,
And say, with God's devoted Son,
“My Father's will, not mine, be done.”
Art thou to cave and desert driven?
Hast thou no refuge under heaven?
No faithful friend to soothe or share
Thy body's pain, thy heart's despair?
In solitude the Saviour's head
Was pillow'd in the meanest shed,
And oft amid the howling blast
His nights of prayer and watching pass'd.
Hast thou no refuge under heaven?
No faithful friend to soothe or share
Thy body's pain, thy heart's despair?
In solitude the Saviour's head
Was pillow'd in the meanest shed,
And oft amid the howling blast
His nights of prayer and watching pass'd.
Dost thou for charity implore?
Do men against thee shut the door?
And is thy poverty pursued
By mockery and reproaches rude?
Cold, hunger, persecution, scorn,
For Him reserved their sharpest thorn;
Disown'd, dishonour'd, and denied
The Man of Sorrows lived and died.
Do men against thee shut the door?
And is thy poverty pursued
By mockery and reproaches rude?
Cold, hunger, persecution, scorn,
For Him reserved their sharpest thorn;
Disown'd, dishonour'd, and denied
The Man of Sorrows lived and died.
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Is love dissembling and untrue?
Has friendship turn'd a traitor too?
Were His betrayals less severe—
The kiss of Judas, Peter's tear?
Or has the grave for ever closed
On one in whom thy heart reposed?
Say was not His a heavier doom
When weeping o'er the leper's tomb?
Has friendship turn'd a traitor too?
Were His betrayals less severe—
The kiss of Judas, Peter's tear?
Or has the grave for ever closed
On one in whom thy heart reposed?
Say was not His a heavier doom
When weeping o'er the leper's tomb?
Has the arch-tempter sorely tried
To lure thee from thy heavenly guide?
Remember how from Him recoil'd
That foul, false fiend, defied and foil'd!
Is there a foe with whom has striven
Thy angry spirit, unforgiven?
To pity let thy heart incline,
And be thy Lord's example thine.
To lure thee from thy heavenly guide?
Remember how from Him recoil'd
That foul, false fiend, defied and foil'd!
Is there a foe with whom has striven
Thy angry spirit, unforgiven?
To pity let thy heart incline,
And be thy Lord's example thine.
Has death aside thy curtain drawn?
Are sense and motion all but gone?
Does feebly play thy pulse its part?
And faintly beat thy fluttering heart?
Celestial hope and perfect peace
Shall crown thy happy's soul's release,
And Faith proclaim to mourners by
How sweetly her disciples die.
Are sense and motion all but gone?
Does feebly play thy pulse its part?
And faintly beat thy fluttering heart?
Celestial hope and perfect peace
Shall crown thy happy's soul's release,
And Faith proclaim to mourners by
How sweetly her disciples die.
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Jesus wept!” Did ever grief,
In so bright a form appear?
Ever find its sweet relief
In so exquisite a tear?
Ah! what sorrow did it speak,
Rolling down the Saviour's cheek!
In so bright a form appear?
Ever find its sweet relief
In so exquisite a tear?
Ah! what sorrow did it speak,
Rolling down the Saviour's cheek!
“Jesus wept!” From age to age
This holiest of all holy tears
Has flow'd through inspiration's page,
And still shall flow for endless years,
Till dawns that everlasting day
When tears shall all be wiped away.
This holiest of all holy tears
Has flow'd through inspiration's page,
And still shall flow for endless years,
Till dawns that everlasting day
When tears shall all be wiped away.
Rock of ages! firm and sure,
Of the Godhead Essence pure!
Sun of Righteousness! to Thee
I, adoring, bend my knee.
Of the Godhead Essence pure!
Sun of Righteousness! to Thee
I, adoring, bend my knee.
Man of Sorrows! mock'd and slain;
Holy Martyr! risen again;
Lamb of God! to Thee I raise
My imperfect song of praise.
Holy Martyr! risen again;
Lamb of God! to Thee I raise
My imperfect song of praise.
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Elder Brother! Friend Divine!
(For Thy Heavenly Father's mine,)
But for Thy redeeming grace
I ne'er should see that Father's face.
(For Thy Heavenly Father's mine,)
But for Thy redeeming grace
I ne'er should see that Father's face.
Prince of Peace! whose reign began
With bringing mercy down to man;
Mighty Conqueror of the grave!
Hear Thy servant, hear! and save.
With bringing mercy down to man;
Mighty Conqueror of the grave!
Hear Thy servant, hear! and save.
When early sunbeams gild the skies
To Thy glory let me rise;
And the day in passing through
Ever keep Thy cross in view.
To Thy glory let me rise;
And the day in passing through
Ever keep Thy cross in view.
Let me, with devotion fill'd,
On Thee for my salvation build;
Not, self-righteous, vainly trust
In works which are but dross and dust.
On Thee for my salvation build;
Not, self-righteous, vainly trust
In works which are but dross and dust.
Me, good Shepherd! kindly lead,
With Thy little flock to feed,
That, in their communion sweet,
I may worship at Thy feet.
With Thy little flock to feed,
That, in their communion sweet,
I may worship at Thy feet.
When from my uplifted eyes
The day in sunset's glory dies
Let my evening hymn to Thee
Pardon'd and accepted be.
The day in sunset's glory dies
Let my evening hymn to Thee
Pardon'd and accepted be.
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When the starry lamps of night
Fill the heavens with sparkling light,
Of some happy, holy dream
Let Thy mercy be the theme.
Fill the heavens with sparkling light,
Of some happy, holy dream
Let Thy mercy be the theme.
If of my ungrateful heart
I have given Thee only part,
Pour within it love Divine,
And make it ever, wholly Thine.
I have given Thee only part,
Pour within it love Divine,
And make it ever, wholly Thine.
Darker and darker grew the veil
That night was spreading all around;
Louder and louder blew the gale
That toss'd upon the deep profound
A ship which seem'd both wind and wave
By some mysterious power to brave.
That night was spreading all around;
Louder and louder blew the gale
That toss'd upon the deep profound
A ship which seem'd both wind and wave
By some mysterious power to brave.
How wistfully that gallant bark
Did Jesus look upon! for there
Were His disciples, (sacred ark!)
As on a mountain He, in pray'r,
Pleaded before His Father's throne
For every sorrow but His own.
Did Jesus look upon! for there
Were His disciples, (sacred ark!)
As on a mountain He, in pray'r,
Pleaded before His Father's throne
For every sorrow but His own.
Alas! for that imperill'd crew.—
Is there no celestial charm
The foaming surges to subdue,
The windy tempest to disarm?
See from the mountain, prompt to save,
A Deliverer walks the wave!
Is there no celestial charm
The foaming surges to subdue,
The windy tempest to disarm?
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A Deliverer walks the wave!
“It is a spirit!” was their cry
Of supernatural awe and dread,
When they beheld, as from on high,
A radiant Form the billows tread,
Which, parting, rose their God to greet,
Then broke in silence at His feet.
Of supernatural awe and dread,
When they beheld, as from on high,
A radiant Form the billows tread,
Which, parting, rose their God to greet,
Then broke in silence at His feet.
“'Tis I, be not afraid.” The deep
Was calm, no more the vessel heaved,
But seem'd upon the waves to sleep
As she the Heavenly Guest received,
Salvation's Herald from afar
Lighted by the evening star!
Was calm, no more the vessel heaved,
But seem'd upon the waves to sleep
As she the Heavenly Guest received,
Salvation's Herald from afar
Lighted by the evening star!
Then every breeze the storm had stirr'd,
And every billow He had trod,
And every rock and mountain heard
“In truth Thou art the Son of God!”
That o'er the trembling waters peal'd
From lips by wonder now unseal'd.
And every billow He had trod,
And every rock and mountain heard
“In truth Thou art the Son of God!”
That o'er the trembling waters peal'd
From lips by wonder now unseal'd.
To us, as unto them of old,
This gracious miracle is given—
By faith we still His form behold,
And hear His gentle voice from heaven—
By faith, like His disciples, too
We smile at all the storm can do.
This gracious miracle is given—
By faith we still His form behold,
And hear His gentle voice from heaven—
By faith, like His disciples, too
We smile at all the storm can do.
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His sheep well know their Shepherd's voice
As on the ear it sweetly falls;
O how the little flock rejoice
Responsive to its sacred calls!
As on the ear it sweetly falls;
O how the little flock rejoice
Responsive to its sacred calls!
And well His sheep the Shepherd knows,
For they His watchful love and care
From early morn, to evening's close,
And during night's dark season, share.
For they His watchful love and care
From early morn, to evening's close,
And during night's dark season, share.
But there, alas! are wandering sheep
Who never the Good Shepherd knew;
Them does He in remembrance keep,
And to His flock will gather too.
Who never the Good Shepherd knew;
Them does He in remembrance keep,
And to His flock will gather too.
And there shall be one heavenly fold,
One heavenly Shepherd, Lord! in Thee;
And they who this by faith behold,
By sight, in happier worlds, shall see.
One heavenly Shepherd, Lord! in Thee;
And they who this by faith behold,
By sight, in happier worlds, shall see.
Ready
to halt!”—For shame! for shame!
Unfaithful pilgrim, is it so?
In duty's path through flood and flame
When Heaven's command is, “Forward go!”
Unfaithful pilgrim, is it so?
In duty's path through flood and flame
When Heaven's command is, “Forward go!”
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The sun and moon, they never halt,
The stars pursue their course sublime,
The seasons never are at fault,
And onward swiftly travels Time.
The stars pursue their course sublime,
The seasons never are at fault,
And onward swiftly travels Time.
No pause make ocean's ebb and flow,
Nor streams that woodland banks embow'r;
Nor changeful winds that, high or low,
Lash the loud wave, or fan the flow'r.
Nor streams that woodland banks embow'r;
Nor changeful winds that, high or low,
Lash the loud wave, or fan the flow'r.
Nor rests the sovereign hand that keeps
Creation's wondrous balance right,
The Eye all-seeing never sleeps
That watches o'er it, day or night.
Creation's wondrous balance right,
The Eye all-seeing never sleeps
That watches o'er it, day or night.
Not till redemption's work was done,
And all fulfill'd the promise given,
The Father saw His Only Son,
As Prince of Peace, return to heaven.
And all fulfill'd the promise given,
The Father saw His Only Son,
As Prince of Peace, return to heaven.
“Ready to halt!” Those words recall,
And “Forward!” let thy motto be;
And take for Him, the Lord of all!
The rugged path He took for thee.
And “Forward!” let thy motto be;
And take for Him, the Lord of all!
The rugged path He took for thee.
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Holy Spirit! to my heart
Thy supernal peace impart,
Sorrow's comforter and balm!
Doubt dispel, disquiet calm.
Thy supernal peace impart,
Sorrow's comforter and balm!
Doubt dispel, disquiet calm.
Of this darkness deep and drear
My beclouded vision clear,
And upon it light Divine,
Holy Spirit! cause to shine.
My beclouded vision clear,
And upon it light Divine,
Holy Spirit! cause to shine.
Dove celestial! on Thy wing
These good gifts benignly bring,
And let their mysterious pow'r
Sanctify this solemn hour.
These good gifts benignly bring,
And let their mysterious pow'r
Sanctify this solemn hour.
Let my faltering tongue's petition,
Let my broken heart's contrition
(If they not unworthy prove,)
Thy Divine compassion move.
Let my broken heart's contrition
(If they not unworthy prove,)
Thy Divine compassion move.
A sunset smile illumes the deep,
The waves are still, the woodlands sleep,
The sky with richest crimson glows,
And heaven and earth are in repose.
The waves are still, the woodlands sleep,
The sky with richest crimson glows,
And heaven and earth are in repose.
A sweet serenity I feel
O'er my spirit softly steal;
A sacred joy, of which no part
This weary world hath, warm my heart.
O'er my spirit softly steal;
A sacred joy, of which no part
This weary world hath, warm my heart.
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And beaming in the distance far
I see a bright and glorious star,
That clouds and darkness cannot hide,
My path to light, my steps to guide.
I see a bright and glorious star,
That clouds and darkness cannot hide,
My path to light, my steps to guide.
A seraph-voice the silence breaks,
A harp unseen sweet music wakes,
And every breath and every string
This gracious promise seems to bring:
A harp unseen sweet music wakes,
And every breath and every string
This gracious promise seems to bring:
“The heart with pure devotion fired,
The Holy Spirit (love-inspired!)
To doubt, disquiet, never leaves;
Since he who asks in faith, receives.”
The Holy Spirit (love-inspired!)
To doubt, disquiet, never leaves;
Since he who asks in faith, receives.”
When the Jews did mock and try Him,
With revilings raise the rod,
“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Cried the people—(Voice of God?)
With revilings raise the rod,
“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Cried the people—(Voice of God?)
Vox populi—that cry satanic!
Vox populi—that direful doom!—
Vox Dei—trembling Nature's panic!
Darkness, tempest, opening tomb!
Vox populi—that direful doom!—
Vox Dei—trembling Nature's panic!
Darkness, tempest, opening tomb!
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Lives there in heaven a Son of Light,
An Angel more supremely bright,
A Spirit form'd of purer fire,
Holier than the rest and higher,
Nearest to the throne above,
Deepest in the Saviour's love?
That Angel is the chosen one
By whom the Father to his Son
Sent words of comfort from on high,
When Calvary's day and hour drew nigh.
An Angel more supremely bright,
A Spirit form'd of purer fire,
Holier than the rest and higher,
Nearest to the throne above,
Deepest in the Saviour's love?
That Angel is the chosen one
By whom the Father to his Son
Sent words of comfort from on high,
When Calvary's day and hour drew nigh.
Though now before the Lord of all
Angelic hosts in worship fall,
And golden harps and tuneful choirs
His name with sacred song inspires,
The anguish of that piercing cry,
The look of that uplifted eye,
And those sweet words of grace Divine
(Entrusted to no lips but thine,)
That gave the Saviour strength in pray'r
The Mount to climb, the Cross to bear,
Good Spirit! shall remember'd be
Through all eternity by thee.
Angelic hosts in worship fall,
And golden harps and tuneful choirs
His name with sacred song inspires,
The anguish of that piercing cry,
The look of that uplifted eye,
And those sweet words of grace Divine
(Entrusted to no lips but thine,)
That gave the Saviour strength in pray'r
The Mount to climb, the Cross to bear,
Good Spirit! shall remember'd be
Through all eternity by thee.
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When they scourged, and mock'd, and bound Him,
And the blood upon His brow
Flow'd from every thorn that crown'd Him,
Christ His head did lowly bow;
And the blood upon His brow
Flow'd from every thorn that crown'd Him,
Christ His head did lowly bow;
And this dying prayer to Heaven,
Love from His compassion drew—
“Let them, Father, be forgiven,
For they know not what they do.”
Love from His compassion drew—
“Let them, Father, be forgiven,
For they know not what they do.”
When with wrath my spirit burning,
I would wrong with wrong repay;
Lord! to thy example turning,
My resentment dies away.
I would wrong with wrong repay;
Lord! to thy example turning,
My resentment dies away.
Ere for pardon I implore Thee,
Must my foe forgiven be;
Or shall I in vain before Thee
Breathe my prayer and bend my knee.
Must my foe forgiven be;
Or shall I in vain before Thee
Breathe my prayer and bend my knee.
It
is finished!” Nature darken'd,
And the sun was in eclipse,
As to these last words they hearken'd
From the dying Saviour's lips.
And the sun was in eclipse,
As to these last words they hearken'd
From the dying Saviour's lips.
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Death beheld his bondage broken,
Satan his o'er fallen man,
When the Son of God had spoken,
And His reign of peace began.
Satan his o'er fallen man,
When the Son of God had spoken,
And His reign of peace began.
“It is finished!” No exemption,
Fellow-sinner, yours and mine
Is the mystery of redemption,
Promised by those lips Divine!
Fellow-sinner, yours and mine
Is the mystery of redemption,
Promised by those lips Divine!
They who seek it shall not lose it,
If in faith sincerely sought;
Woe to them who dare refuse it!
Such a prize so dearly bought.
If in faith sincerely sought;
Woe to them who dare refuse it!
Such a prize so dearly bought.
To the Father and the Son,
And the Holy Ghost, be given
(The Eternal Three in One!
The High Mystery of heaven!)
All the glory, all the praise
That hearts can feel, and voices raise.
And the Holy Ghost, be given
(The Eternal Three in One!
The High Mystery of heaven!)
All the glory, all the praise
That hearts can feel, and voices raise.
To the Father—for He gave
Life, and all that makes it dear;
And His only son, to save
Man from Satan's bondage here.
Life, and all that makes it dear;
And His only son, to save
Man from Satan's bondage here.
To the Son—for He obey'd
What the Father had ordain'd;
With His blood the ransom paid,
And our Paradise regain'd.
What the Father had ordain'd;
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And our Paradise regain'd.
To the Holy Ghost—the Balm,
The Comforter, to whom we owe
That consoling, sacred calm
That breathes upon us in our woe!
The Comforter, to whom we owe
That consoling, sacred calm
That breathes upon us in our woe!
To the Father and the Son,
And the Holy Ghost, be given
(The Eternal Three in One!
The High Mystery of heaven!)
All the glory, all the praise
That hearts can feel, and voices raise.
And the Holy Ghost, be given
(The Eternal Three in One!
The High Mystery of heaven!)
All the glory, all the praise
That hearts can feel, and voices raise.
Him I'll trust although He slay me,
Firm my faith shall still remain;
Unbelief that would betray me,
But assaults my soul in vain.
Firm my faith shall still remain;
Unbelief that would betray me,
But assaults my soul in vain.
Clouds and darkness me surrounding,
Sorely tempted, troubled, tried,
Father! in thy love abounding,
In Thy goondess, I confide.
Sorely tempted, troubled, tried,
Father! in thy love abounding,
In Thy goondess, I confide.
Though from me Thy face be hidden,
(Soon, ah, soon! its light restore;)
In Thy mercy Thou hast chidden—
Let me suffer and adore.
(Soon, ah, soon! its light restore;)
In Thy mercy Thou hast chidden—
Let me suffer and adore.
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Thee I ask not to exempt me
From the sorrows sin must share,
Knowing well Thou wilt not tempt me
More, my God! than I can bear.
From the sorrows sin must share,
Knowing well Thou wilt not tempt me
More, my God! than I can bear.
When the wild waters o'er my head,
Their loud and angry billows roll,
Till faith and hope, in doubt and dread,
Seem all but shipwreck'd, with my soul;
Their loud and angry billows roll,
Till faith and hope, in doubt and dread,
Seem all but shipwreck'd, with my soul;
Satan, no more thy service press;
Stand not between my God and me;
From this dark ocean of distress
One, only One can set me free.
Stand not between my God and me;
From this dark ocean of distress
One, only One can set me free.
How often hast thou to ensnare
The sinking, struggling sinner striven,
When on the rock of deep despair
His little bark, like mine, was driven.
The sinking, struggling sinner striven,
When on the rock of deep despair
His little bark, like mine, was driven.
And tempted, as thou tempt'st me now,
The Lord of mercy to deny,
And with thy seal upon his brow,
The death of unbeliever die.
The Lord of mercy to deny,
And with thy seal upon his brow,
The death of unbeliever die.
Though the wild waters, tempest-toss'd,
Redouble their mad rage and roar,
I will not give up all for lost,
But only trust in Heaven the more.
Redouble their mad rage and roar,
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But only trust in Heaven the more.
The Power that hurl'd thee from on high,
For thy rebellion, fallen slave!
From these dark depths will hear my cry,
And raise me, ransom'd, from the wave.
For thy rebellion, fallen slave!
From these dark depths will hear my cry,
And raise me, ransom'd, from the wave.
Father! thus I still address Thee,
When I kneel in pray'r and praise;
By that name I learn'd to bless Thee
In my childhood's happy days.
When I kneel in pray'r and praise;
By that name I learn'd to bless Thee
In my childhood's happy days.
And my Teacher was no other,
When I said “Thy will be done,”
Than my Lord, Redeemer, Brother,
And Thy everlasting Son.
When I said “Thy will be done,”
Than my Lord, Redeemer, Brother,
And Thy everlasting Son.
Let me think (the past recalling)
What a Father Thou hast been;
How my feet were kept from falling,
As I past from scene to scene—
What a Father Thou hast been;
How my feet were kept from falling,
As I past from scene to scene—
Youth's temptations, bright, alluring!
Manhood's trials, sharp and stern!
Teaching lessons, by enduring,
Well to know, but sad to learn!
Manhood's trials, sharp and stern!
Teaching lessons, by enduring,
Well to know, but sad to learn!
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Life's rough path descending slowly,
More than ever I have need
Of Thy presence pure and holy
Down that path my steps to lead.
More than ever I have need
Of Thy presence pure and holy
Down that path my steps to lead.
One beyond, in darkness shrouded,
Still remains, and only one;
Father! let Thy lamp unclouded
Safely through it light Thy son.
Still remains, and only one;
Father! let Thy lamp unclouded
Safely through it light Thy son.
Saints in adoration bending
At the footsteps of Thy Throne;
Seraph-voices sweetly blending,
With the harp's deep, solemn tone.
At the footsteps of Thy Throne;
Seraph-voices sweetly blending,
With the harp's deep, solemn tone.
The chain'd prophet from his prison;
The pale martyr from his fire;
Faith's true soldier, conqueror risen,
Swelling the harmonious choir!
The pale martyr from his fire;
Faith's true soldier, conqueror risen,
Swelling the harmonious choir!
Such a glorious host assembling,
Great Jehovah! in Thy praise;
Pardon if, with fear and trembling,
I presume my voice to raise.
Great Jehovah! in Thy praise;
Pardon if, with fear and trembling,
I presume my voice to raise.
Yet if reverence, awe, awake it,
Have I not Thy promised word,
They, with love, shall ever make it
In Thy holy temple heard.
Have I not Thy promised word,
They, with love, shall ever make it
In Thy holy temple heard.
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Never may unseemly boldness
Prompt me in Thy presence, Sire;
Nor formality and coldness
Quench my spirit's sacred fire.
Prompt me in Thy presence, Sire;
Nor formality and coldness
Quench my spirit's sacred fire.
Freely with my soul's petition
Let me seek the Mercy-seat,
And with dutiful submission
Lay it, Father, at Thy feet.
Let me seek the Mercy-seat,
And with dutiful submission
Lay it, Father, at Thy feet.
Lord! before I turn'd to Thee,
I was bound, but now I'm free;
I was blind, but now I see.
I was bound, but now I'm free;
I was blind, but now I see.
Full of sorrow, full of care,
Wandering I knew not where,
Deep and dark was my despair.
Wandering I knew not where,
Deep and dark was my despair.
Walking now with Thee in sight,
Pleasant is my path and bright,
And my spirit, O, how light!
Pleasant is my path and bright,
And my spirit, O, how light!
Nature's beauties, ever new,
In another glass I view:
Now I know their Maker too.
In another glass I view:
Now I know their Maker too.
Since my soul on Thee relied,
Self-sufficiency and pride
In one happy moment died.
Self-sufficiency and pride
In one happy moment died.
243
Open is my heart and free,
Now (what Thou hast taught) I see,
Love to man is love to Thee.
Now (what Thou hast taught) I see,
Love to man is love to Thee.
Throned in majesty and might,
In the storm thou com'st to-night,
God omnipotent! most high!
Filling nature with affright,
Making tremble earth and sky!
In the storm thou com'st to-night,
God omnipotent! most high!
Filling nature with affright,
Making tremble earth and sky!
Peals of thunder, flood, and fire,
Herald Thee, Eternal Sire!
Moon and stars grow dim and pale,
As in darkness they retire,
At Thy voice, within the veil.
Herald Thee, Eternal Sire!
Moon and stars grow dim and pale,
As in darkness they retire,
At Thy voice, within the veil.
'Tis well the terrors of Thy word,
In the loud tempest should be heard,
To startle conscience and appal;
That stubborn scorners might be stirr'd,
And know Thou reignest Lord of all!
In the loud tempest should be heard,
To startle conscience and appal;
That stubborn scorners might be stirr'd,
And know Thou reignest Lord of all!
While with awe we kneel before Thee,
(We who live but to adore Thee!)
Fill our hearts with holy things,
And Thy mercy, we implore Thee,
O, vouchsafe us, King of kings!
(We who live but to adore Thee!)
Fill our hearts with holy things,
And Thy mercy, we implore Thee,
O, vouchsafe us, King of kings!
244
Never look'd compassion sweeter
(Too intense, alas! to chide),
Than when Jesus turn'd to Peter,
As he thrice his Lord denied—
Peace and love
From heaven above
That expressive look implied.
(Too intense, alas! to chide),
Than when Jesus turn'd to Peter,
As he thrice his Lord denied—
Peace and love
From heaven above
That expressive look implied.
False Apostle! Spirit broken!
Well mayst thou retire to weep—
He accepts thy tender token,
Flowing from repentance deep—
Every tear
(A treasure dear!)
Christ will in remembrance keep.
Well mayst thou retire to weep—
He accepts thy tender token,
Flowing from repentance deep—
Every tear
(A treasure dear!)
Christ will in remembrance keep.
Thy hot zeal, and thy denial,
Prove how weak the wisest are,
To pass through a fiery trial
Without mortal wound or scar—
Their strength, in need,
A broken reed,
And vain self-trust their ruling star.
Prove how weak the wisest are,
To pass through a fiery trial
Without mortal wound or scar—
Their strength, in need,
A broken reed,
And vain self-trust their ruling star.
Musing o'er thy mournful story,
Shall we not our faces hide,
When, like thee, the Lord of Glory
We so often have denied;
Counting nought
The truths He taught—
And spurning gifts for which He died?
Shall we not our faces hide,
When, like thee, the Lord of Glory
We so often have denied;
245
The truths He taught—
And spurning gifts for which He died?
Father of the fatherless!
Husband of the widow! we,
In this dark day of our distress,
For consolation come to Thee.
Husband of the widow! we,
In this dark day of our distress,
For consolation come to Thee.
Yet, while we say, “Thy will be done,”
Forgive the fond, the filial tear
We, broken-hearted, shed for one
Whose loss has made us mourners here.
Forgive the fond, the filial tear
We, broken-hearted, shed for one
Whose loss has made us mourners here.
To wipe the tear, to heal the smart
In mercy dealt, is Thy employ;
To bind the orphan's broken heart,
And make the widow's sing for joy.
In mercy dealt, is Thy employ;
To bind the orphan's broken heart,
And make the widow's sing for joy.
Fountain of every earthly good,
Whose providential care
Has long my path with blessings strew'd,
With mercies rich and rare,
Whose providential care
Has long my path with blessings strew'd,
With mercies rich and rare,
246
If what I feel my faltering tongue
Could only truly speak,
Thy praise should not be feebly sung;
But, ah! my words are weak.
Could only truly speak,
Thy praise should not be feebly sung;
But, ah! my words are weak.
They sink beneath the sacred theme,
They poorly play their part,
And but the faintest echoes seem
Of what inspires my heart.
They poorly play their part,
And but the faintest echoes seem
Of what inspires my heart.
Lord! for Thy refreshing rain
Pour'd upon the growing grain,
For Thy sun's warm, ripening rays,
Hear a grateful people's praise!
Pour'd upon the growing grain,
For Thy sun's warm, ripening rays,
Hear a grateful people's praise!
Fruitful harvests through the land
Wait the joyful reaper's hand;
Golden crops to Him who gave
As in worship, seem to wave!
Wait the joyful reaper's hand;
Golden crops to Him who gave
As in worship, seem to wave!
With the plenty Thou hast spread
None in vain shall ask for bread;
At Thy table, God of grace!
Rich and poor shall find a place.
None in vain shall ask for bread;
At Thy table, God of grace!
Rich and poor shall find a place.
With the bread Thy bounty show'rs,
O, let that of Life be ours!
Food celestial, Father! give,
That our souls may feed and live.
O, let that of Life be ours!
Food celestial, Father! give,
That our souls may feed and live.
247
Look down, in mercy, O! look down,
Jehovah! from Thy throne in heaven.
I cannot live beneath Thy frown,
I dare not die if unforgiven.
Jehovah! from Thy throne in heaven.
I cannot live beneath Thy frown,
I dare not die if unforgiven.
Now with faith, with doubt abiding,
By contending passions cross'd,
Hope and fear my thoughts dividing,
I, by turns, am saved and lost.
By contending passions cross'd,
Hope and fear my thoughts dividing,
I, by turns, am saved and lost.
Vouchsafe some token of Thy grace,
Some precious sign, and let me see
My Heavenly Father's smiling face
Reflect its glorious light on me.
Some precious sign, and let me see
My Heavenly Father's smiling face
Reflect its glorious light on me.
Christian brother! silent, sad,
Pinch'd with hunger, poorly clad,
Heavy laden, weary, worn,
(Faith's hard trials meekly borne!)
Pinch'd with hunger, poorly clad,
Heavy laden, weary, worn,
(Faith's hard trials meekly borne!)
Let my willing arm, I pray,
Bear your burden for to-day,
My staff support your feeble form,
My cloak protect it from the storm.
Bear your burden for to-day,
My staff support your feeble form,
My cloak protect it from the storm.
248
Christian brother! I can spare
Much of this my frugal fare;
Freely of it, for His sake,
Whom we serve and seek, partake.
Much of this my frugal fare;
Freely of it, for His sake,
Whom we serve and seek, partake.
Christian brother! the same road
Leads to my and your abode;
The same Heavenly Father, too,
Waits to welcome me and you.
Leads to my and your abode;
The same Heavenly Father, too,
Waits to welcome me and you.
Christian brother! to our rest
Forward be the journey press'd;
All the troubles we endure
Only make that rest more sure.
Forward be the journey press'd;
All the troubles we endure
Only make that rest more sure.
Christian brother! never tire;
As we toil through thorn and briar
Let our hearts, serenely gay,
Discourse sweet music by the way.
As we toil through thorn and briar
Let our hearts, serenely gay,
Discourse sweet music by the way.
Christian pilgrim! still pursue
Thy upward path, with heaven in view;
Linger not, but travel straight
On to the celestial gate.
Thy upward path, with heaven in view;
Linger not, but travel straight
On to the celestial gate.
Christian pilgrim! on the sky
Full and firmly fix thine eye,
For see already, crown'd with light,
The holy city is in sight!
Full and firmly fix thine eye,
For see already, crown'd with light,
The holy city is in sight!
249
Christian pilgrim! nearer still
Rises Zion's heavenly hill;
Hark! Hosannas! one step more—
Now is life's rough journey o'er.
Rises Zion's heavenly hill;
Hark! Hosannas! one step more—
Now is life's rough journey o'er.
Christian Pilgrim! joy and rest
Are thy portion with the blest,
Who, unto salvation wise,
Of their high calling gain'd the prize.
Are thy portion with the blest,
Who, unto salvation wise,
Of their high calling gain'd the prize.
Christian soldier! to the field;
Light thy armour, truth thy shield,
Wage a holy war with sin,
And immortal honours win.
Light thy armour, truth thy shield,
Wage a holy war with sin,
And immortal honours win.
Christian soldier! Satan's horde,
Make them feel the Spirit's sword,
Deeper wounds than carnal steel
Doth that heavenly weapon deal.
Make them feel the Spirit's sword,
Deeper wounds than carnal steel
Doth that heavenly weapon deal.
Christian soldier! Unbelief
(Of thy foes the first and chief)
Let it at thy feet expire
By that sword of living fire!
(Of thy foes the first and chief)
Let it at thy feet expire
By that sword of living fire!
Christian soldier! conqueror! rise,
Thine's the triumph! thine the prize!
Of sin and death no more the slave,
Thy last victory's o'er the grave.
Thine's the triumph! thine the prize!
Of sin and death no more the slave,
Thy last victory's o'er the grave.
250
Christian martyr! from thy cell,
Bound in chains and guarded well,
They have brought thee to expire
For thy holy faith by fire.
Bound in chains and guarded well,
They have brought thee to expire
For thy holy faith by fire.
Christian martyr! fiendish cries
Greet the flames that round thee rise,
Every hand a faggot throws,
And the furnace fiercer glows!
Greet the flames that round thee rise,
Every hand a faggot throws,
And the furnace fiercer glows!
Christian martyr! from the blaze
Sweetly sounds thy song of praise;
Well become those solemn pray'rs
Thy calm brow and silvery hairs.
Sweetly sounds thy song of praise;
Well become those solemn pray'rs
Thy calm brow and silvery hairs.
Christian martyr! raised by thee
That “unworthy hand” I see
By thy sentence meet its doom,
Scorch, and blacken, and consume!
That “unworthy hand” I see
By thy sentence meet its doom,
Scorch, and blacken, and consume!
Christian martyr! to the sky
Dost thou lift a longing eye?
Soon above yon starry pole
Jesus shall receive thy soul!
Dost thou lift a longing eye?
Soon above yon starry pole
Jesus shall receive thy soul!
Christian martyr! dying saint,
Faltering grows thy voice and faint,
And thy reverend form for aye
In smoke and darkness fades away.
Faltering grows thy voice and faint,
And thy reverend form for aye
In smoke and darkness fades away.
251
On that dreadful day of doom
When the trumpet, from the tomb
Shall the buried nations all
To the Redeemer's presence call,
That their sentence they may know,
Everlasting joy, or woe!
Shall I be prepared to meet
Jesus on His judgment seat?
When the trumpet, from the tomb
Shall the buried nations all
To the Redeemer's presence call,
That their sentence they may know,
Everlasting joy, or woe!
Shall I be prepared to meet
Jesus on His judgment seat?
Angels round the King of kings
Veil their faces with their wings,
As the Book of Life He takes
And the deep, solemn silence breaks;
Bidding sit upon His right
With the blessed sons of light
Those who fought upon His side,
And for His glory lived and died.
Veil their faces with their wings,
As the Book of Life He takes
And the deep, solemn silence breaks;
Bidding sit upon His right
With the blessed sons of light
Those who fought upon His side,
And for His glory lived and died.
Hark! 'tis the Judge's awful frown,
That calls the rolling thunder down,
And see the wicked stand aghast,
To hear their final sentence pass'd;
While hollow groans of deep despair,
Echoing from the caverns where
Hope comes never! tell the pains
Of darkness, guilt, and fiery chains.
That calls the rolling thunder down,
And see the wicked stand aghast,
To hear their final sentence pass'd;
While hollow groans of deep despair,
Echoing from the caverns where
Hope comes never! tell the pains
Of darkness, guilt, and fiery chains.
252
Blessed are the dead that die
In the Lord, for ever blest;
From their labours they on high
Soar to everlasting rest.
In the Lord, for ever blest;
From their labours they on high
Soar to everlasting rest.
Past are all their sufferings here,
Sleepless nights and toilsome days;
Wiped away is every tear,
Sighs are turn'd to songs of praise.
Sleepless nights and toilsome days;
Wiped away is every tear,
Sighs are turn'd to songs of praise.
Can we wish them to return
From their bright abode above,
Here again to toil and mourn?
No! for that would not be love.
From their bright abode above,
Here again to toil and mourn?
No! for that would not be love.
It
is too late!” These words of woe,
Of condemnation and despair,
Has guilty conscience whisper'd low
To the sinner hastening—Where?
Of condemnation and despair,
Has guilty conscience whisper'd low
To the sinner hastening—Where?
While mourners from the dying bed,
Returning to absorbing cares,
Forget how soon that whisper dread,
That awful whisper, may be theirs!
Returning to absorbing cares,
Forget how soon that whisper dread,
That awful whisper, may be theirs!
253
Time was when penitential tears
Had open'd freely mercy's gate;
But now the voice of careless years
Tells them, in turn, “It is too late!”
Had open'd freely mercy's gate;
But now the voice of careless years
Tells them, in turn, “It is too late!”
While memory, haunted by the past,
(The past, that nothing can repair!)
In a dim death-dream fades at last,
And darkness closes on despair.
(The past, that nothing can repair!)
In a dim death-dream fades at last,
And darkness closes on despair.
“It is too late!” Come pain severe,
Come the world's heaviest trials all,
Rather than on my startled ear
These words of woe should sternly fall!
Come the world's heaviest trials all,
Rather than on my startled ear
These words of woe should sternly fall!
See the stately vessel steering,
Hear her parting music, hear!
As the crew on deck appearing,
Give, responsive, cheer for cheer!
Hear her parting music, hear!
As the crew on deck appearing,
Give, responsive, cheer for cheer!
To a far, benighted nation,
Stranger to the Gospel's sound,
With glad tidings of salvation,
Bark of mercy! she is bound.
Stranger to the Gospel's sound,
With glad tidings of salvation,
Bark of mercy! she is bound.
Ah! what noble hearts within her
Home and friends have left behind
To convert the heathen sinner,
To pour light upon the blind.
Home and friends have left behind
To convert the heathen sinner,
To pour light upon the blind.
254
Cheerfully their holy mission
They pursue across the wave,
To destroy dark superstition,
Or to find a martyr's grave!
They pursue across the wave,
To destroy dark superstition,
Or to find a martyr's grave!
Vast, majestic, mighty ocean!
Spare that gallant vessel, spare!
And those hearts of true devotion
Safely on thy billows bear!
Spare that gallant vessel, spare!
And those hearts of true devotion
Safely on thy billows bear!
They have borne in ample measure
Guilt, oppression, dust, and dross,
Now they bear earth's richest treasure,
Pearl above all price!—the Cross.
Guilt, oppression, dust, and dross,
Now they bear earth's richest treasure,
Pearl above all price!—the Cross.
Symbol of the Man of Sorrow!
Far beyond the boundless sea
Thou on some auspicious morrow
Shalt in triumph planted be!
Far beyond the boundless sea
Thou on some auspicious morrow
Shalt in triumph planted be!
Idol-gods shall fall before thee,
Superstition fly the earth,
Every nation shall adore thee,
In her new, celestial birth.
Superstition fly the earth,
Every nation shall adore thee,
In her new, celestial birth.
255
Child of heaven! though poor, neglected,
Let not sorrow cast thee down;
Was not Christ despised, rejected?
Were not thorns His earthly crown?
Let not sorrow cast thee down;
Was not Christ despised, rejected?
Were not thorns His earthly crown?
Dost thou mourn that of affliction
Thine has proved so large a share?
Think upon His crucifixion,
Humbly bow, and learn to bear.
Thine has proved so large a share?
Think upon His crucifixion,
Humbly bow, and learn to bear.
Did He not for thy salvation
Suffer all without complaint?
And wilt thou, in pain, privation,
His disciple! falter, faint?
Suffer all without complaint?
And wilt thou, in pain, privation,
His disciple! falter, faint?
Soon from this thy earthly prison,
Child of heaven! to weep no more,
Thou shalt rise, as He has risen,
If thou bear the cross He bore.
Child of heaven! to weep no more,
Thou shalt rise, as He has risen,
If thou bear the cross He bore.
Hark! the war-inspiring drum,
See! the armed squadrons come
Hurrying to the battle-field,
Brother against brother steel'd,
Burning to begin the strife,
Blood for blood, and life for life!
See! the armed squadrons come
Hurrying to the battle-field,
Brother against brother steel'd,
Burning to begin the strife,
Blood for blood, and life for life!
256
God of battles! let Thy Word
At the cannon's mouth be heard.
Prince of Peace! proclaim Thy rule,
Bid the wrath of nations cool;
Foes shall then in friendship meet,
And tyrants tremble and retreat!
At the cannon's mouth be heard.
Prince of Peace! proclaim Thy rule,
Bid the wrath of nations cool;
Foes shall then in friendship meet,
And tyrants tremble and retreat!
Fruitful fields with harvests crown'd,
Floral beauty smiling round,
Busy hamlet, silent glen,
Blest abodes of peaceful men!
Homes so happy, hearts so brave
Save from the despoiler, save!
Floral beauty smiling round,
Busy hamlet, silent glen,
Blest abodes of peaceful men!
Homes so happy, hearts so brave
Save from the despoiler, save!
But if from some Divine decree,
Unknown to all, great God! but Thee,
New deeds of death must now be done,
And future battles fought and won,
Let justice make a speedy pause,
And victory crown the righteous cause.
Unknown to all, great God! but Thee,
New deeds of death must now be done,
And future battles fought and won,
Let justice make a speedy pause,
And victory crown the righteous cause.
I will love the Lord of light,
I will serve Him day and night,
All that gratitude can give
I will render while I live.
I will serve Him day and night,
All that gratitude can give
I will render while I live.
On a bed of sickness laid
I implored His healing aid,
And returning health declares
How He hearken'd to my pray'rs.
I implored His healing aid,
And returning health declares
How He hearken'd to my pray'rs.
257
I was troubled, and my sigh,
In my sorrow, was to die;
But the Holy Spirit's breath
Saved me from despair and death.
In my sorrow, was to die;
But the Holy Spirit's breath
Saved me from despair and death.
What, for good so freely given,
Shall I offer up to Heaven?
O, for Jubal's hallow'd lyre!
O, for David's lips of fire!
Shall I offer up to Heaven?
O, for Jubal's hallow'd lyre!
O, for David's lips of fire!
Come, great Physician! from above,
Come, with Thy healing powers,
In pity, tenderness, and love,
To this sad home of ours.
Come, with Thy healing powers,
In pity, tenderness, and love,
To this sad home of ours.
And let Thy heavenly voice and hand
A sufferer soothe and save,
And Thy restoring angel stand
Between her and the grave.
A sufferer soothe and save,
And Thy restoring angel stand
Between her and the grave.
Thou Who didst raise the widow's son,
O, hear our fervent prayer,
This dearly-loved, this valued one
Spare, in Thy goodness, spare!
O, hear our fervent prayer,
This dearly-loved, this valued one
Spare, in Thy goodness, spare!
Ah! think not that these sighs and tears
Reproach Thy holy will;
Though strong our too-foreboding fears,
Our faith is stronger still.
Reproach Thy holy will;
Though strong our too-foreboding fears,
Our faith is stronger still.
258
When, for some great mercy shown,
I approach my Father's throne,
In the fulness of my heart,
Only tears, to thank Him, start.
May I hope that tears will find
Favour in the Heavenly Mind?
I approach my Father's throne,
In the fulness of my heart,
Only tears, to thank Him, start.
May I hope that tears will find
Favour in the Heavenly Mind?
“Tears from penitence that flow,
From grateful joy, from sacred woe,
Well the want of words supply
When the mood's too rapt, too high.”
Thus a voice my spirit cheers
When my thanks are only tears.
From grateful joy, from sacred woe,
Well the want of words supply
When the mood's too rapt, too high.”
Thus a voice my spirit cheers
When my thanks are only tears.
Could they who bear the cross but know
The bliss for them in store,
How soon their tears would cease to flow,
And they would sigh no more;
The bliss for them in store,
How soon their tears would cease to flow,
And they would sigh no more;
Their burden would be bravely borne,
With this assurance blest,
That comfort comes to those that mourn,
And to the weary rest.
With this assurance blest,
That comfort comes to those that mourn,
And to the weary rest.
259
Away from the world I have wander'd afar,
My lamp and my pilot was Bethlehem's Star,
It lighted my path, and it pointed the road,
And led me at last to my Saviour's abode.
My lamp and my pilot was Bethlehem's Star,
It lighted my path, and it pointed the road,
And led me at last to my Saviour's abode.
His Word and His Promise I've read and believed,
His Grace and His Mercy I've ask'd and received,
I've sought Him and found Him, I've knock'd, and I wait
In faith and in love, till He open the gate.
His Grace and His Mercy I've ask'd and received,
I've sought Him and found Him, I've knock'd, and I wait
In faith and in love, till He open the gate.
Lord! help me to cast off my burden of sin,
Or ne'er at Thy portal may I enter in;
Since none but the holy, the pure, and the blest
Shall ever find place where the weary have rest.
Or ne'er at Thy portal may I enter in;
Since none but the holy, the pure, and the blest
Shall ever find place where the weary have rest.
The Sabbath-day, to man by Heaven
For rest and meditation given,
Again (O, privilege Divine!)
The Lord hath made in mercy mine.
For rest and meditation given,
Again (O, privilege Divine!)
The Lord hath made in mercy mine.
God of goodness! God of grace!
Receive me in Thy dwelling-place;
Be Thou, Eternal Spirit! there;
Accept my praise and hear my prayer.
Receive me in Thy dwelling-place;
Be Thou, Eternal Spirit! there;
Accept my praise and hear my prayer.
260
O be my thoughts from earth as far
As is from earth the morning star;
Transfigured, and from bondage free,
My Father! let them rise to Thee.
As is from earth the morning star;
Transfigured, and from bondage free,
My Father! let them rise to Thee.
With a grateful song of praise
Sweetly doth the evening close
Of another Sabbath-day's
Sacred worship and repose.
Sweetly doth the evening close
Of another Sabbath-day's
Sacred worship and repose.
Day of rest from toil and care,
Labour hath no claim on thee;
Six are its appointed share,
Thou, the holy seventh! art free.
Labour hath no claim on thee;
Six are its appointed share,
Thou, the holy seventh! art free.
Though the sordid and profane
Think thee made for them alone,
Their assaults shall prove in vain,
For the Lord will keep His own.
Think thee made for them alone,
Their assaults shall prove in vain,
For the Lord will keep His own.
For His service He design'd
Man should have one day in seven;
Leaving time and world behind
For eternity and Heaven.
Man should have one day in seven;
Leaving time and world behind
For eternity and Heaven.
261
Let us now, with one accord,
For His goodness praise the Lord,
For His loving-kindness raise
Our united hymn of praise.
For His goodness praise the Lord,
For His loving-kindness raise
Our united hymn of praise.
Praise Him for the peaceful night,
Praise Him for the morning light:
For strength by gentle sleep restored,
And social blessings, praise the Lord!
Praise Him for the morning light:
For strength by gentle sleep restored,
And social blessings, praise the Lord!
Praise Him that with hearts sincere
We meet again in worship here,
Imploring, for His mercy's sake,
A blessing on the bread we break.
We meet again in worship here,
Imploring, for His mercy's sake,
A blessing on the bread we break.
Praise Him that we live to say,
“Be with us through this busy day,
And, O, vouchsafe us, Lord, the while,
The light of Thy approving smile.”
“Be with us through this busy day,
And, O, vouchsafe us, Lord, the while,
The light of Thy approving smile.”
Praise Him for the vast amount
Of blessings that we cannot count;
Give to God, of good the Giver,
Present praise, and praise for ever!
Of blessings that we cannot count;
Give to God, of good the Giver,
Present praise, and praise for ever!
262
My harp is on the willows hung,
Untuned and hush'd is every string;
The song of joy I might have sung,
A stranger here, I may not sing.
Untuned and hush'd is every string;
The song of joy I might have sung,
A stranger here, I may not sing.
A brighter, better world than this
Its music only can inspire;
Then, till arrive that promised bliss,
Shall sadness silence every wire.
Its music only can inspire;
Then, till arrive that promised bliss,
Shall sadness silence every wire.
—“And is there nought beneath the skies,
To wake thy harp? See, pilgrim, see,
(An inward monitor replies,)
This vast creation made for thee—
To wake thy harp? See, pilgrim, see,
(An inward monitor replies,)
This vast creation made for thee—
“The smiling morn, the noonday beam,
And twilight's peaceful, pensive hour;
The freshening breeze, the murmuring stream,
And every fruit and every flower.
And twilight's peaceful, pensive hour;
The freshening breeze, the murmuring stream,
And every fruit and every flower.
“And are not social blessings thine,
(The broken spirit's surest balm;)
Endearing ties that fondly twine
Around thy heart, to soothe and calm?
(The broken spirit's surest balm;)
Endearing ties that fondly twine
Around thy heart, to soothe and calm?
“And faith, the soul's immortal prize!
That death's dark sepulchre unbars?
And hope, fair daughter of the skies!
That lifts her head above the stars?
That death's dark sepulchre unbars?
And hope, fair daughter of the skies!
That lifts her head above the stars?
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“Then let thy harp once more be strung,
Its strains to gratitude be given;
Thy song of jubilation sung,
That thou shalt sing with saints in heaven.”
Its strains to gratitude be given;
Thy song of jubilation sung,
That thou shalt sing with saints in heaven.”
Mourner! when thy heart is bleeding,
Think on this, and rest resign'd;
Saints in heaven are interceding
For the friends they left behind.
Think on this, and rest resign'd;
Saints in heaven are interceding
For the friends they left behind.
Guardian spirits never sleeping,
Ministering angels bright,
Have thee in their holy keeping
('Tis their mission) day and night.
Ministering angels bright,
Have thee in their holy keeping
('Tis their mission) day and night.
Does a hand unseen protect thee?
'Tis a father's that defends;
A mysterious voice direct thee?
'Tis a dear departed friend's.
'Tis a father's that defends;
A mysterious voice direct thee?
'Tis a dear departed friend's.
Does the evil tempter try thee,
To thy soul's eternal loss?
There's a tender mother nigh thee,
Whispering, “Jesus and His cross!”
To thy soul's eternal loss?
There's a tender mother nigh thee,
Whispering, “Jesus and His cross!”
Struggling with the foaming billow,
Wounded on the battle-plain,
Art thou looking for a pillow
With the shipwreck'd, or the slain?
Wounded on the battle-plain,
Art thou looking for a pillow
With the shipwreck'd, or the slain?
264
On the wings of duty flying,
They the Master's will perform
To the living and the dying,
In the calm and in the storm.
They the Master's will perform
To the living and the dying,
In the calm and in the storm.
The Lord His word has always kept,
And will it always keep;
His providence has never slept,
Nor will it ever sleep.
And will it always keep;
His providence has never slept,
Nor will it ever sleep.
The gracious promises of old
He to our fathers will'd;
From age to age their sons behold
To them alike fulfill'd.
He to our fathers will'd;
From age to age their sons behold
To them alike fulfill'd.
Creation's universal voice
Attests the Maker's truth,
As sun and moon and stars rejoice
In their primæval youth.
Attests the Maker's truth,
As sun and moon and stars rejoice
In their primæval youth.
They their appointed courses take
In the celestial round,
Nor once the beauteous order break
In which they all are bound.
In the celestial round,
Nor once the beauteous order break
In which they all are bound.
In every season God is seen,
His ministers they are
Of bounty, and have ever been
Since sang the Morning Star;
His ministers they are
Of bounty, and have ever been
Since sang the Morning Star;
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True to the purpose of their birth,
They realize His plan,
Adorn and fertilize the earth
His goodness made for man.
They realize His plan,
Adorn and fertilize the earth
His goodness made for man.
The Prodigal his portion took,
(His folly was to roam,)
And parents, kindred, friends forsook,
And his too happy home;
(His folly was to roam,)
And parents, kindred, friends forsook,
And his too happy home;
To a far land away he went,
With none his path to bless,
And recklessly his riches spent
In riot and excess.
With none his path to bless,
And recklessly his riches spent
In riot and excess.
There came a dearth—gaunt famine spake!
And in that season dire,
Not having daily bread to break,
He took a servant's hire.
And in that season dire,
Not having daily bread to break,
He took a servant's hire.
Sharp hunger pinch'd, till he was fain
With swine their husks to share;
Ah! then he thought of home again,
And loving kindred there.
With swine their husks to share;
Ah! then he thought of home again,
And loving kindred there.
Thus bow'd and humbled to the dust,
And full of deep remorse,
He put in Providence his trust,
And homeward bent his course.
And full of deep remorse,
He put in Providence his trust,
And homeward bent his course.
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The shelter of the meanest shed,
The hind's severest task,
A morsel of the coarsest bread,
He'll only dare to ask.
The hind's severest task,
A morsel of the coarsest bread,
He'll only dare to ask.
But ere the broken-hearted man
Could his repentance speak,
His father saw him, and he ran
In haste to kiss his cheek!
Could his repentance speak,
His father saw him, and he ran
In haste to kiss his cheek!
To greet the dead to life restored,
The wanderer's steps to stay,
And welcome to his festive board
The contrite castaway.
The wanderer's steps to stay,
And welcome to his festive board
The contrite castaway.
He bade his ready servants bring,
For garments so unmeet,
A robe of honour, and a ring,
And sandals for his feet.
For garments so unmeet,
A robe of honour, and a ring,
And sandals for his feet.
And then the fatted calf was kill'd,
The song and dance went round,
And every heart, with gladness fill'd,
Did hail the lost one found.
The song and dance went round,
And every heart, with gladness fill'd,
Did hail the lost one found.
And joy there shall be seen in heaven,
Upon salvation's morn,
O'er some poor penitent forgiven,
Some sinner newly born.
Upon salvation's morn,
O'er some poor penitent forgiven,
Some sinner newly born.
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Oh, how passing sweet is prayer!
The breath of Paradise is there!
When, for what he daily needs,
Man to his Creator pleads.
The breath of Paradise is there!
When, for what he daily needs,
Man to his Creator pleads.
When earth no longer hope can give,
It bids him look to Heaven, and live;
For an abundant entrance there
Was never yet denied to prayer.
It bids him look to Heaven, and live;
For an abundant entrance there
Was never yet denied to prayer.
When I ask some earthly blessing
Of the gracious God of heaven,
Am I sure 'tis worth possessing?
Am I sure it will be given?
Of the gracious God of heaven,
Am I sure 'tis worth possessing?
Am I sure it will be given?
But when daily I implore Him
For a promised gift Divine,
As, in faith, I kneel before Him,
He, I know, will make it mine.
For a promised gift Divine,
As, in faith, I kneel before Him,
He, I know, will make it mine.
Gifts of sense, as I might use them,
God will grant me or deny;
Merciful, if He refuse them;
Bountiful, if He comply.
God will grant me or deny;
Merciful, if He refuse them;
Bountiful, if He comply.
What I ask in erring blindness
Only His compassion moves:
Gently, and with loving-kindness,
By withholding, He reproves.
Only His compassion moves:
Gently, and with loving-kindness,
By withholding, He reproves.
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The busy day has seen its close,
With evening comes the heart's repose,
For then my thoughts, so apt to roam,
Return for rest and quiet home.
With evening comes the heart's repose,
For then my thoughts, so apt to roam,
Return for rest and quiet home.
With every sordid care dispell'd,
With every evil passion quell'd,
They charm away my saddest mood,
Remembering only what is good.
With every evil passion quell'd,
They charm away my saddest mood,
Remembering only what is good.
They bring from amaranthine bowers
Garlands of Fancy's fairest flowers,
And chaplets where in beauty blows,
Beside the lily, Sharon's rose!
Garlands of Fancy's fairest flowers,
And chaplets where in beauty blows,
Beside the lily, Sharon's rose!
From fairy-land comes Fiction dress'd
In many a parti-colour'd vest,
And Truth, from heaven, a vestal bright!
In pure and radiant robes of light!
In many a parti-colour'd vest,
And Truth, from heaven, a vestal bright!
In pure and radiant robes of light!
They lead me to some classic stream
Where bards of old were wont to dream,
And bear me to the waters still
That flow from Zion's heavenly hill.
Where bards of old were wont to dream,
And bear me to the waters still
That flow from Zion's heavenly hill.
For suffering virtue's sorrows here,
They draw my tributary tear,
But when the cross I stand before,
For human woe I weep no more!
They draw my tributary tear,
But when the cross I stand before,
For human woe I weep no more!
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With this last solemn scene impress'd,
My thoughts in peace retire to rest,
Too happy if a morning dream
Reflect them back, the sacred theme.
My thoughts in peace retire to rest,
Too happy if a morning dream
Reflect them back, the sacred theme.
Not only when in concert sweet
The hymn of praise is heard,
And Christians on the Sabbath meet,
Be my devotion stirr'd;
The hymn of praise is heard,
And Christians on the Sabbath meet,
Be my devotion stirr'd;
But let me through the busy day
When tempted most and tried,
Walk with my God, and humbly pray
That He will be my guide.
When tempted most and tried,
Walk with my God, and humbly pray
That He will be my guide.
His holy presence is no bar
To honest, right pursuits,
But a Divine directing star
To industry's fair fruits.
To honest, right pursuits,
But a Divine directing star
To industry's fair fruits.
For fraud, oppression, greed, and guile,
He has a withering frown;
But for integrity a smile
That brings a blessing down.
He has a withering frown;
But for integrity a smile
That brings a blessing down.
The ready hand, the willing heart,
In duty's path be mine;
And if I act the better part,
The glory, Lord, be Thine.
In duty's path be mine;
And if I act the better part,
The glory, Lord, be Thine.
270
Happy the man whose path is laid
Among the gentle, wise, and good;
Whose virtues, nourish'd in the shade,
Make a heaven of solitude.
Among the gentle, wise, and good;
Whose virtues, nourish'd in the shade,
Make a heaven of solitude.
Whom neither Fortune's frown or smile
Unduly can depress or raise;
To whom a conscience void of guile,
Approving, whispers honest praise.
Unduly can depress or raise;
To whom a conscience void of guile,
Approving, whispers honest praise.
Foe to man, unsparing foe!
Insidious source of all his woe,
Ever watching souls to win,
Satan's sleepless servant, Sin,
Take whatever form thou wilt,
Well I know thee, guile and guilt!
Insidious source of all his woe,
Ever watching souls to win,
Satan's sleepless servant, Sin,
Take whatever form thou wilt,
Well I know thee, guile and guilt!
When plays ingratitude its part,
How hideous looks thy naked heart!
In a dishonest thirst for gold,
Thee, wicked tempter! I behold.
When scornful pride inflicts a pang,
The venom's thine, for thine's the fang!
How hideous looks thy naked heart!
In a dishonest thirst for gold,
Thee, wicked tempter! I behold.
When scornful pride inflicts a pang,
The venom's thine, for thine's the fang!
In falsehood's tale thy voice I hear;
Thy smile is in the sceptic's sneer;
When fiercely burns impure desire,
'Tis thy foul breath that fans the fire;
And I, in disobedience, see
Thy first, worst form to man and me.
Thy smile is in the sceptic's sneer;
271
'Tis thy foul breath that fans the fire;
And I, in disobedience, see
Thy first, worst form to man and me.
With the bread of life eternal
Feed my flock when I am gone;
By clear streams, through pastures vernal
To fair Zion lead them on.
Feed my flock when I am gone;
By clear streams, through pastures vernal
To fair Zion lead them on.
They are in a land of strangers,
Sorely tempted and oppress'd;
In their path lie many dangers:
This is not their place of rest.
Sorely tempted and oppress'd;
In their path lie many dangers:
This is not their place of rest.
Be their Shepherd; watch them kindly;
Guide the young; support the old;
Bring the wanderer back who blindly,
Led by folly, leaves the fold;
Guide the young; support the old;
Bring the wanderer back who blindly,
Led by folly, leaves the fold;
Lest the wolf, in ambush lying
For some lost one gone astray,
Weary, faint, deserted, dying,
Seize the unresisting prey.
For some lost one gone astray,
Weary, faint, deserted, dying,
Seize the unresisting prey.
Take my crook—for them I bore it—
And in no wise lay it down,
'Till I call thee to restore it,
And receive thy heavenly crown.
And in no wise lay it down,
'Till I call thee to restore it,
And receive thy heavenly crown.
272
Sweet is praise when heart and voice
In the King of Heaven rejoice,
When their hallelujahs rise
To His temple in the skies.
In the King of Heaven rejoice,
When their hallelujahs rise
To His temple in the skies.
With melody the stars of morn
Hail'd creation newly born,
And softly sang the seraphim
The infant Saviour's advent hymn.
Hail'd creation newly born,
And softly sang the seraphim
The infant Saviour's advent hymn.
The Psalmist tuned his lyre and lays
To the great God of Jacob's praise,
And Jubal's harp's harmonious strings
Gave glory to the King of kings!
To the great God of Jacob's praise,
And Jubal's harp's harmonious strings
Gave glory to the King of kings!
In prison walls, on every cell
Thanksgiving's sacred music fell,
As, by the Holy Spirit fired
Sang Paul and Silas, praise-inspired.
Thanksgiving's sacred music fell,
As, by the Holy Spirit fired
Sang Paul and Silas, praise-inspired.
And did not, with His cross in view,
The Saviour and His faithful few,
To their Heavenly Father raise
An everlasting song of praise?
The Saviour and His faithful few,
To their Heavenly Father raise
An everlasting song of praise?
When grateful hearts with praise o'erflow,
'Tis all but perfect bliss below;
For what is perfect bliss above
But endless praise and boundless love?
'Tis all but perfect bliss below;
For what is perfect bliss above
But endless praise and boundless love?
273
What is man, that from His throne
God should His frail creature own?
And in mercy condescend
Still to be His Heavenly Friend?
God should His frail creature own?
And in mercy condescend
Still to be His Heavenly Friend?
Him in Paradise He placed,
Undefiled and undefaced;
Set upon his noble brow
Godhead's seal!—What is he now?
Undefiled and undefaced;
Set upon his noble brow
Godhead's seal!—What is he now?
By despair's wild waters toss'd;
But for the Rock of Ages, lost;
Which shall his only refuge be
From the dark depths of that dread sea!
But for the Rock of Ages, lost;
Which shall his only refuge be
From the dark depths of that dread sea!
If he sink, no more to rise,
By his own free will he dies—
Then grasp that Rock, look out for shore,
And, sinner, rise to sink no more.
By his own free will he dies—
Then grasp that Rock, look out for shore,
And, sinner, rise to sink no more.
If works alone can save the soul,
And make it fit for heaven,
What Pharisee shall reach the goal,
Self-justified, forgiven?
And make it fit for heaven,
What Pharisee shall reach the goal,
Self-justified, forgiven?
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Yet still a holy life and pure
The God of heaven commands;
His sight will nothing less endure
Than what His law demands—
The God of heaven commands;
His sight will nothing less endure
Than what His law demands—
But, with obedience, we must bring
(To reach the throne above)
Its self-denial, and its spring,
Humility and love.
(To reach the throne above)
Its self-denial, and its spring,
Humility and love.
Love illumes the path of duty,
Making all before it bright;
As the sun's meridian beauty
Gives to nature warmth and light
Making all before it bright;
As the sun's meridian beauty
Gives to nature warmth and light
To obey the Lord and fear Him
Duty prompts; yet holier still
Is the love that draws me near Him,
Heart and soul, to do His will.
Duty prompts; yet holier still
Is the love that draws me near Him,
Heart and soul, to do His will.
Duty, like a faithful servant,
Leads me to the Master's throne;
Love, confiding, filial, fervent,
Makes the Father all my own!
Leads me to the Master's throne;
Love, confiding, filial, fervent,
Makes the Father all my own!
May, united, love and duty
In my bosom be enshrined,
And reflect each other's beauty
In the mirror of my mind.
In my bosom be enshrined,
And reflect each other's beauty
In the mirror of my mind.
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Guard me through distress and danger,
Make the earthly race I ran,
(A poor pilgrim and a stranger!)
True to God and just to man.
Make the earthly race I ran,
(A poor pilgrim and a stranger!)
True to God and just to man.
There is still a higher glory
Than belongs to martial story:
Soldiers are not heroes all,
Though in battle-field they fall.
Than belongs to martial story:
Soldiers are not heroes all,
Though in battle-field they fall.
There's a gallant battle fought
In warring with a wicked thought;
And a glorious victory gain'd
In a besetting sin restrain'd.
In warring with a wicked thought;
And a glorious victory gain'd
In a besetting sin restrain'd.
His shall be the conqueror's crown
Who nothing cares for fortune's frown;
Who nobly scorns to be her wooer,
And has the courage to be poor!
Who nothing cares for fortune's frown;
Who nobly scorns to be her wooer,
And has the courage to be poor!
Behold that humble Christian there,
Shall he no crown of glory wear?
Yes! one for him remains in store
Brighter than warrior ever wore!
Shall he no crown of glory wear?
Yes! one for him remains in store
Brighter than warrior ever wore!
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Pilgrim! to celestial bowers
Does thy longing heart incline?
Weary steps and watchful hours,
Pain and sorrow, shall be thine.
Does thy longing heart incline?
Weary steps and watchful hours,
Pain and sorrow, shall be thine.
Holy martyrs (mournful days!)
Suffer'd famine, sword, and fire,
Ere triumphantly, in praise,
They possess'd their soul's desire.
Suffer'd famine, sword, and fire,
Ere triumphantly, in praise,
They possess'd their soul's desire.
Wouldst thou gather Sharon's Rose?
Thee its beauty shall reward
If thou seek'st it where it grows,
In the garden of the Lord.
Thee its beauty shall reward
If thou seek'st it where it grows,
In the garden of the Lord.
Cast the sinful world aside,
Give no evil passion room;
Ne'er impurity and pride
Breathed its fragrance, saw its bloom.
Give no evil passion room;
Ne'er impurity and pride
Breathed its fragrance, saw its bloom.
Lively faith and perfect love
(Lamps of an etherial fire,
Sent to light thee from above!)
Never falter, never tire.—
(Lamps of an etherial fire,
Sent to light thee from above!)
Never falter, never tire.—
They shall keep thy courage up,
Through this dark and dreary waste,
And make sweet the bitter cup
Every pilgrim's born to taste.
Through this dark and dreary waste,
And make sweet the bitter cup
Every pilgrim's born to taste.
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And (thy guardian angels still)
They shall with thy spirit soar
To its rest on Zion's hill,
To wander, watch, and weep no more.
They shall with thy spirit soar
To its rest on Zion's hill,
To wander, watch, and weep no more.
The day's far spent, the night's at hand,
And by the evening beam
I see, beyond Time's narrow strand,
Eternity's wide stream.
And by the evening beam
I see, beyond Time's narrow strand,
Eternity's wide stream.
Soon launch'd on its mysterious wave
My fragile bark will be;
Ah! what shall it from sinking save
In crossing that dread sea?
My fragile bark will be;
Ah! what shall it from sinking save
In crossing that dread sea?
One bright and solitary Star
Shoots forth its glorious ray,
And, like a pilot, from afar
Would seem to guide my way.
Shoots forth its glorious ray,
And, like a pilot, from afar
Would seem to guide my way.
That Star upon salvation's morn
First in the heavens appear'd,
And never bark sank, tempest-torn,
That by its light was steer'd.
First in the heavens appear'd,
And never bark sank, tempest-torn,
That by its light was steer'd.
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The Hall of Memory! 'Tis a hall
That Death has trod with solemn pace,
And hung with many a funeral pall,
And many a fond familiar face;
That Death has trod with solemn pace,
And hung with many a funeral pall,
And many a fond familiar face;
And in its echoes I can hear
(For Fancy haunts this loved retreat),
Of kindred, and of friendship dear
The well-known sound of voices sweet.
(For Fancy haunts this loved retreat),
Of kindred, and of friendship dear
The well-known sound of voices sweet.
One, early lost, is whispering low,
“I thought it sad so soon to part;
Yet longer life had been but woe,
A blighted hope, a broken heart!
“I thought it sad so soon to part;
Yet longer life had been but woe,
A blighted hope, a broken heart!
“And never more the parting tear
Would sorrow, for the dying shed,
If they and I who slumber here
Might tell what bliss awaits the dead.”
Would sorrow, for the dying shed,
If they and I who slumber here
Might tell what bliss awaits the dead.”
Then breathes another gentle one!
“Let me, ah! let me speak for all;
Thy happiest day beneath the sun
Shall wrap thee in thy funeral pall.”
“Let me, ah! let me speak for all;
Thy happiest day beneath the sun
Shall wrap thee in thy funeral pall.”
279
Think not, mourner, pain and sorrow
Solely sent as sin's reward;
But sweet consolation borrow
From these chastenings of the Lord.
Solely sent as sin's reward;
But sweet consolation borrow
From these chastenings of the Lord.
Look upon affliction rather
As a trial from above,
Sent thee, by thy Heavenly Father,
Not in anger, but in love.
As a trial from above,
Sent thee, by thy Heavenly Father,
Not in anger, but in love.
O! for that entire devotion
To see His wisdom in His ways;
O! for that Divine emotion
To pour forth heart and soul in praise.
To see His wisdom in His ways;
O! for that Divine emotion
To pour forth heart and soul in praise.
For spiritual strength, in weakness;
For purity, from sin to fly;
For patience, to endure with meekness;
For hope, to cheer us when we die.
For purity, from sin to fly;
For patience, to endure with meekness;
For hope, to cheer us when we die.
If careless, unreflecting man,
Trembling upon the narrow brink
Of vast eternity, a span!
Would with his heart commune, and think
Trembling upon the narrow brink
Of vast eternity, a span!
Would with his heart commune, and think
280
How imperceptibly retreats
His fleeting life with every breath,
And how each fluttering pulse that beats
Is but the muffled drum of death;
His fleeting life with every breath,
And how each fluttering pulse that beats
Is but the muffled drum of death;
Then would he learn to count the cost
(Sad reckoning!) with a miser's care,
Of precious moments idly lost,
And find he has not one to spare;
(Sad reckoning!) with a miser's care,
Of precious moments idly lost,
And find he has not one to spare;
And, lest a moonless night should fall
Upon his duties left undone,
Arise, though late, at Wisdom's call,
While yet 'tis day, and shines the sun.
Upon his duties left undone,
Arise, though late, at Wisdom's call,
While yet 'tis day, and shines the sun.
Satan! with dark doubts and fears
You've assail'd my soul for years,
Not one art to sin allied
Have you, Tempter! left untried.
You've assail'd my soul for years,
Not one art to sin allied
Have you, Tempter! left untried.
You against what truth had taught
Unbelief's artillery brought;
Pour'd by you, its shot and shell
On my faith's weak fortress fell.
Unbelief's artillery brought;
Pour'd by you, its shot and shell
On my faith's weak fortress fell.
When you ask'd why much, by Heaven,
Is to the unworthy given?
And why should fall to virtue fair
Of fortune's gifts so poor a share?
Is to the unworthy given?
And why should fall to virtue fair
Of fortune's gifts so poor a share?
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Could you not the truth have told,
That virtue is not paid in gold;
Adding to it one truth more,
That Heaven has better things in store?
That virtue is not paid in gold;
Adding to it one truth more,
That Heaven has better things in store?
When you ask'd the question, why
Man was only born to die?
Why the answer fail to give?
Born to die that he might live!
Man was only born to die?
Why the answer fail to give?
Born to die that he might live!
You with rash, rebellious pride
The great God of heaven defied,
And 'twill your torment ever be
The Christian's rest that heaven to see!
The great God of heaven defied,
And 'twill your torment ever be
The Christian's rest that heaven to see!
Compensation's work is doing
In the shade and in the sun;
Justice is her course pursuing,
Trying all and sparing none.
In the shade and in the sun;
Justice is her course pursuing,
Trying all and sparing none.
Never varying, never veering,
Shining forth with steady ray,
Truth, the star by which she's steering,
Lights her steps and leads the way!
Shining forth with steady ray,
Truth, the star by which she's steering,
Lights her steps and leads the way!
Justice is her course pursuing,
And shall reign beneath the sky
Till, to finish what is doing,
She and Mercy meet on high.
And shall reign beneath the sky
Till, to finish what is doing,
She and Mercy meet on high.
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Not too anxious for to-morrow,
Not too careless of to-day,
Temperate in joy and sorrow,
Not so often grave, as gay;
Not too careless of to-day,
Temperate in joy and sorrow,
Not so often grave, as gay;
By no evil passions driven;
Envy, malice, bearing none;
On unkindness unforgiven
Never letting set the sun;
Envy, malice, bearing none;
On unkindness unforgiven
Never letting set the sun;
Grateful for whatever blessing,
In its bounty Heaven has sent;
Ever happy in possessing
Quiet, competence, content;
In its bounty Heaven has sent;
Ever happy in possessing
Quiet, competence, content;
Not, for pride, profusely giving;
Not to Mammon meanly sold;
Less for self, than others, living;
Prizing friendship more than gold;
Not to Mammon meanly sold;
Less for self, than others, living;
Prizing friendship more than gold;
Let me pass through life's probation—
And then let me, when I die,
Full of hope and resignation,
Give to earth my long, last sigh.
And then let me, when I die,
Full of hope and resignation,
Give to earth my long, last sigh.
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While the blood is fast retreating
Homeward to its trembling seat;
While the last low pulse is beating,
Ere it, Father! cease to beat,
Homeward to its trembling seat;
While the last low pulse is beating,
Ere it, Father! cease to beat,
On the pillow of the dying
Pour one bright and heavenly ray,
Then, upon Thy grace relying,
Shall the spirit pass away.
Pour one bright and heavenly ray,
Then, upon Thy grace relying,
Shall the spirit pass away.
Peace be with us!—Hoping, fearing,
Watching, weeping, are no more—
In his gentlest form appearing
Death proclaims the conflict o'er.
Watching, weeping, are no more—
In his gentlest form appearing
Death proclaims the conflict o'er.
Grave! in Jesus sweetly sleeping,
Frail mortality is thine;
Father! to Thy holy keeping
Soars the ransom'd spark Divine!
Frail mortality is thine;
Father! to Thy holy keeping
Soars the ransom'd spark Divine!
Poor
and proud!—Can fancy, fiction,
Show a greater contradiction?—
Cloth of gold and linsey-woolsey
Did we on some motley fool see,
The ridiculous alliance
Would bid gravity defiance.
“You surely are yourself beside
To wear my robe,” says mocking Pride.
Now what is Poverty's reply
To Pride's sarcastic tongue and eye?
“Most haughty Don, your taunts restrain,
Up with your quizzing-glass again!
Survey your robe, so stiff and fine,
And then this modest cloak of mine,
And own, upon a second view,
It is for me to lecture you!
The robe in which you vainly strut
Is of a very common cut;
It was not only made for you,
But every brother upstart too!
Its buckram will not let you bend
To recognize an humble friend.
In spite of all the airs you ape
Out from it peeps the vulgar shape
That marks you for the mushroom breed
Of mounted beggars run to seed!
My cloak, of quite another fashion,
Keeps me from your cold compassion,
'Tis proof against the sharpest thorn
Of patronizing, pitying scorn!
From it recoil on fortune's fool
His venom'd darts of ridicule,
While frigid homage now and then
It will enforce from better men.
This cloak, in which I walk erect,
Is not of pride, but self-respect.
Show a greater contradiction?—
Cloth of gold and linsey-woolsey
Did we on some motley fool see,
The ridiculous alliance
Would bid gravity defiance.
284
To wear my robe,” says mocking Pride.
Now what is Poverty's reply
To Pride's sarcastic tongue and eye?
“Most haughty Don, your taunts restrain,
Up with your quizzing-glass again!
Survey your robe, so stiff and fine,
And then this modest cloak of mine,
And own, upon a second view,
It is for me to lecture you!
The robe in which you vainly strut
Is of a very common cut;
It was not only made for you,
But every brother upstart too!
Its buckram will not let you bend
To recognize an humble friend.
In spite of all the airs you ape
Out from it peeps the vulgar shape
That marks you for the mushroom breed
Of mounted beggars run to seed!
My cloak, of quite another fashion,
Keeps me from your cold compassion,
'Tis proof against the sharpest thorn
Of patronizing, pitying scorn!
From it recoil on fortune's fool
His venom'd darts of ridicule,
While frigid homage now and then
It will enforce from better men.
This cloak, in which I walk erect,
Is not of pride, but self-respect.
285
“
Money's
the root of evil,” says
The proverb of our school-boy days.
But Money thus, in self-defence,
From ancient saw appeals to sense.
“Of evil, tell me, why the root?
I bear both sweet and bitter fruit.
As is the soil, behold in me
The Olive, or the Upas tree.
Imprison'd in the miser's hoard,
His golden god to be ador'd!
Or flying from the spendthrift's purse,
What wonder if I prove a curse?
By fraud or folly won or lost;
The tool of him to whom I'm toss'd;
Without a choice, without a will,
A passive slave for good, or ill,
As he in his pocket shakes me,
I am only what he makes me.”
The proverb of our school-boy days.
But Money thus, in self-defence,
From ancient saw appeals to sense.
“Of evil, tell me, why the root?
I bear both sweet and bitter fruit.
As is the soil, behold in me
The Olive, or the Upas tree.
Imprison'd in the miser's hoard,
His golden god to be ador'd!
Or flying from the spendthrift's purse,
What wonder if I prove a curse?
By fraud or folly won or lost;
The tool of him to whom I'm toss'd;
Without a choice, without a will,
A passive slave for good, or ill,
As he in his pocket shakes me,
I am only what he makes me.”
Thou hast perform'd thy mission
Like an obedient son;
Having no condition
Of Mammon left undone.
Like an obedient son;
Having no condition
Of Mammon left undone.
286
Where'er was laid his golden snare,
To thee, upon the prowl,
The path seem'd straight, and light, and fair,
Though crooked, dark, and foul!
To thee, upon the prowl,
The path seem'd straight, and light, and fair,
Though crooked, dark, and foul!
Never holy anchorite
Press'd to his lips the cross
With more devotional delight
Than thou didst hug thy dross.
Press'd to his lips the cross
With more devotional delight
Than thou didst hug thy dross.
Remorse did ne'er upbraid thee,
Conscience held her breath,
Nothing ever stay'd thee
In thy course, but death!
Conscience held her breath,
Nothing ever stay'd thee
In thy course, but death!
Thou, to the very letter,
Hast Mammon's law obey'd;
None ever served him better,
None will be better paid.
Hast Mammon's law obey'd;
None ever served him better,
None will be better paid.
She never was her father's friend,
She never kindly interposed
His cause, in duty, to defend,
But sat with lips in silence closed.
She never kindly interposed
His cause, in duty, to defend,
But sat with lips in silence closed.
She saw his cheek with flushes speak
The anguish of a wounded heart;
She coldly heard the wrongful word,
But never took the rightful part.
The anguish of a wounded heart;
She coldly heard the wrongful word,
But never took the rightful part.
287
The sharpest thorn that can be borne
She might have gently turn'd aside;
And soften'd down the angry frown;
But this her lukewarm love denied.
She might have gently turn'd aside;
And soften'd down the angry frown;
But this her lukewarm love denied.
From Reason's proud presuming page,
And sophistry's false creed,
I turn, with holy seer and sage,
Creation's book to read.
And sophistry's false creed,
I turn, with holy seer and sage,
Creation's book to read.
And while my dazzled eyes grow dim
As they admiring gaze,
God's works I worship not, but Him,
And join with them in praise.
As they admiring gaze,
God's works I worship not, but Him,
And join with them in praise.
The heavens declare His glory. They,
And all beneath the sun,
Earth and ocean, night and day
No duty leave undone.
And all beneath the sun,
Earth and ocean, night and day
No duty leave undone.
The winds attentive silence keep,
And not a wave is stirr'd;
The thunder and the lightning sleep
Till He has given the word.
And not a wave is stirr'd;
The thunder and the lightning sleep
Till He has given the word.
Obedient to His high behest
Fall Spring's refreshing showers;
And Summer comes by Flora dress'd,
All fragrance and all flowers;
Fall Spring's refreshing showers;
And Summer comes by Flora dress'd,
All fragrance and all flowers;
288
Rich Autumn yields its golden grain,
And barren Winter throws
Its icy robe o'er earth again,
And binds her in repose.
And barren Winter throws
Its icy robe o'er earth again,
And binds her in repose.
The nightingale at evening sings
Her song, to sadness given;
The lark soars high on joyful wings
With morning hymns to heaven.
Her song, to sadness given;
The lark soars high on joyful wings
With morning hymns to heaven.
Of vast Creation every part
Obeys its Maker's will,—
Man! thou alone a rebel art;
Wilt be a rebel still?
Obeys its Maker's will,—
Man! thou alone a rebel art;
Wilt be a rebel still?
289
TO THE COMET OF JULY, 1861.
“Ominous, mysterious stranger!
Flaming fiercely from the skies,
Art thou come to herald danger
With a terrible surprise?
Is thy mission one of ire?
Jehovah's judgments, flood, or fire?”
Flaming fiercely from the skies,
Art thou come to herald danger
With a terrible surprise?
Is thy mission one of ire?
Jehovah's judgments, flood, or fire?”
Such would have been in ages past,
(Bound in Superstition's chain,)
The cry of multitudes, aghast,
Had they, from yonder starry plain,
Beheld thee thus intensely glow
On this our world of sin and woe.
(Bound in Superstition's chain,)
The cry of multitudes, aghast,
Had they, from yonder starry plain,
Beheld thee thus intensely glow
On this our world of sin and woe.
To us, in these enlightened days,
Thou no herald art of danger;
Still we behold thee with amaze,
Unexpected, heavenly stranger!
Through illimitable space
Running thy eccentric race.
Thou no herald art of danger;
Still we behold thee with amaze,
Unexpected, heavenly stranger!
Through illimitable space
Running thy eccentric race.
For eternity thy history
May afford a theme sublime—
As thou cam'st, depart, a mystery,
Never to be solved by time;
Yet in thy coming we once more
See cause to wonder and adore.
May afford a theme sublime—
As thou cam'st, depart, a mystery,
Never to be solved by time;
Yet in thy coming we once more
See cause to wonder and adore.
290
THE SILENT HARP.
Part I.
Oh, for a gentle sleep! a pleasant dream
To bear me to the mansions of the blest!
O, but to bask one moment in the beam
That circles the Saint's Everlasting Rest!
Was my last prayer to heaven, when I my pillow press'd.
To bear me to the mansions of the blest!
O, but to bask one moment in the beam
That circles the Saint's Everlasting Rest!
Was my last prayer to heaven, when I my pillow press'd.
And presently came over me a calm,
A sweet forgetfulness of earthly things,
As if I had imbibed some soothing balm,
Some balm celestial such as angel brings,
The Messenger of Peace with healing on his wings.
A sweet forgetfulness of earthly things,
As if I had imbibed some soothing balm,
Some balm celestial such as angel brings,
The Messenger of Peace with healing on his wings.
And I beheld a solitary star
In the cerulean firmament, that led
The Magi, from their orient hills afar,
To Bethlehem's thrice hallow'd, humble shed,
At the Messiah's feet their royal gifts to spread.
In the cerulean firmament, that led
The Magi, from their orient hills afar,
To Bethlehem's thrice hallow'd, humble shed,
At the Messiah's feet their royal gifts to spread.
291
Methought, dissolved in this delightful dream,
The fragrant breath of Sharon's Rose I drew;
That, water'd by fair Zion's crystal stream,
Of Palestine the golden Lily's hue
The Garden of the Lord unfolded to my view.
The fragrant breath of Sharon's Rose I drew;
That, water'd by fair Zion's crystal stream,
Of Palestine the golden Lily's hue
The Garden of the Lord unfolded to my view.
Nor heat nor cold were there, nor sun nor moon,
Nor morning star nor evening, day or night;
But in the blaze of an eternal noon
Walk'd forth in majesty the Sons of Light,
Their crowns of glittering gold, their robes of purest white.
Nor morning star nor evening, day or night;
But in the blaze of an eternal noon
Walk'd forth in majesty the Sons of Light,
Their crowns of glittering gold, their robes of purest white.
And then I listen'd to the thunder's roar,
And saw the mountains shake, and, opening wide,
The graves their pale, affrighted dead restore;
The blood-red sun Cimmerian darkness hide,
And the veil rent in twain when the Redeemer died!
And saw the mountains shake, and, opening wide,
The graves their pale, affrighted dead restore;
The blood-red sun Cimmerian darkness hide,
And the veil rent in twain when the Redeemer died!
No tongue can tell the agony I felt,
The awe sublime that o'er my spirit came
As I before Salvation's Symbol knelt,
And silently adored His Holy Name—
For reverence seal'd my lips, and tremors shook my frame.
The awe sublime that o'er my spirit came
As I before Salvation's Symbol knelt,
And silently adored His Holy Name—
For reverence seal'd my lips, and tremors shook my frame.
Encircled by a rainbow rose a seat
On which sat One before whom myriads bow'd;
Lamps of bright incense burning at His feet,
While joyful hallelujahs peal'd aloud
From the angelic hosts, of witnesses a cloud.
On which sat One before whom myriads bow'd;
Lamps of bright incense burning at His feet,
While joyful hallelujahs peal'd aloud
From the angelic hosts, of witnesses a cloud.
292
So glorious was the vision, so august;
So thrilling its solemnity and sound;
Could I look on and live? Poor sinful dust!
My senses all were paralysed, and drown'd
In a bewildering trance, dark, death-like, and profound.
So thrilling its solemnity and sound;
Could I look on and live? Poor sinful dust!
My senses all were paralysed, and drown'd
In a bewildering trance, dark, death-like, and profound.
“O, for a gentle sleep! a pleasant dream
To bear me to the mansions of the blest!”
A spirit whisper'd, “Was your wish supreme,
Your fervent prayer when you retired to rest—
You've seen a glimpse of heaven, a shadowy glimpse at best.
To bear me to the mansions of the blest!”
A spirit whisper'd, “Was your wish supreme,
Your fervent prayer when you retired to rest—
You've seen a glimpse of heaven, a shadowy glimpse at best.
“But ere the birds awake you with their songs,
And the bright morning star begins to pale,
Another vision which to earth belongs,
To sin reproved and pardon'd, woe and wail,
Shall meet your startled gaze.—Behold! I lift the veil.”
And the bright morning star begins to pale,
Another vision which to earth belongs,
To sin reproved and pardon'd, woe and wail,
Shall meet your startled gaze.—Behold! I lift the veil.”
Part II.
A new enchantment wakes my wonder now!
I see, as in a magic mirror clear,
A pictured Image with its heavenly brow,
A tuneful harp, to memory ever dear,
My cherish'd household gods for many a happy year.
I see, as in a magic mirror clear,
A pictured Image with its heavenly brow,
A tuneful harp, to memory ever dear,
My cherish'd household gods for many a happy year.
293
Mournful remembrances of trials past!
What would ye? The dark, desolating day
Of anguish that I look'd upon ye last
Has left me not a sigh or tear to pay.
My homeless heart is dead, or only lives to pray!
What would ye? The dark, desolating day
Of anguish that I look'd upon ye last
Has left me not a sigh or tear to pay.
My homeless heart is dead, or only lives to pray!
What supernatural, mysterious power
Gives life and motion to that Image there?
Like a vex'd spirit at the midnight hour
From yonder tapestried wall it treads the air,
Its hands devoutly cross'd, its pale lips whispering prayer.
Gives life and motion to that Image there?
Like a vex'd spirit at the midnight hour
From yonder tapestried wall it treads the air,
Its hands devoutly cross'd, its pale lips whispering prayer.
Slowly and solemnly it steals along
To touch those silent harp-strings. Will they speak
In some sad melody, some sacred song?
Hark! their response is an unearthly shriek,
Which makes more deadly wan that pallid, spectral cheek!
To touch those silent harp-strings. Will they speak
In some sad melody, some sacred song?
Hark! their response is an unearthly shriek,
Which makes more deadly wan that pallid, spectral cheek!
And now I hear a hollow, stifled groan
Burst through the hot and suffocating air,
Such as belongs to broken hearts alone,
And see the tears of passionate despair
Flow from the streaming eyes of that frail Image fair.
Burst through the hot and suffocating air,
Such as belongs to broken hearts alone,
And see the tears of passionate despair
Flow from the streaming eyes of that frail Image fair.
Such bitter sobs ne'er fell on mortal ears
Since Mary knelt in penitence and prayer,
And wash'd the feet of Jesus with her tears,
And kiss'd, and wiped them with her golden hair—
Jesus, who came in peace to pity and to spare!
Since Mary knelt in penitence and prayer,
And wash'd the feet of Jesus with her tears,
294
Jesus, who came in peace to pity and to spare!
When suddenly a light ethereal shone,
And their high Sanctus Seraphim did sing,
“Glory to Him who sits upon the throne?”
And see, transfigured, with an angel's wing
That Image robed in white, a pure, a holy thing!
And their high Sanctus Seraphim did sing,
“Glory to Him who sits upon the throne?”
And see, transfigured, with an angel's wing
That Image robed in white, a pure, a holy thing!
“I know that my Redeemer liveth! Yes!
And that His Cross I have not borne in vain.”
This was her song of triumph—nothing less
Awoke her silent harp, and voice again—
The glorious Lamb of God for poor lost sinners slain!
And that His Cross I have not borne in vain.”
This was her song of triumph—nothing less
Awoke her silent harp, and voice again—
The glorious Lamb of God for poor lost sinners slain!
And now the music ceased, the vision closed;
And village bells to hail the Sabbath peal'd—
I left my pillow with a mind composed,
Assured my dream some sacred truth conceal'd,
Before the Throne of Light one day to be reveal'd.
And village bells to hail the Sabbath peal'd—
I left my pillow with a mind composed,
Assured my dream some sacred truth conceal'd,
Before the Throne of Light one day to be reveal'd.
295
THE EXILE.
The Exile, from his rock, looks o'er
With wistful eye the boundless deep,
Which parts him from that distant shore,
His early home—and looks to weep!
O! but to see that home once more,
And in its bosom die, and sleep.
With wistful eye the boundless deep,
Which parts him from that distant shore,
His early home—and looks to weep!
O! but to see that home once more,
And in its bosom die, and sleep.
The weary Pilgrim who has striven
With perils on the land and sea,
Sighs for the harbour (tempest-driven)
That shall his rest and refuge be—
Then let me, Father! be forgiven,
For longing after Heaven and Thee.
With perils on the land and sea,
Sighs for the harbour (tempest-driven)
That shall his rest and refuge be—
Then let me, Father! be forgiven,
For longing after Heaven and Thee.
FINIS.
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