Chapter 3

But did no dark forebodings come? Was all at peace within? Did prompt obedience' sure reward e'en with the toil begin? Ah no! for nature's fond appeal would in that hour be heard; Maternity's deep spring of love within the heart was stirred. Perhaps some little cherub form, that it was joy to see, Would climb no more, with sunny smile, its happy parent's knee; Perhaps some gentle household voice, that sighed "farewell" with pain, Might never welcome their return to that loved home again; Then came the thought of glistening eyes, which long had done with tears, Eyes that had kept an anxious watch o'er childhood's reckless years; While mem'ry dwelt upon that last and earnest gaze of love, Which shows the heart withholds its seal from what the lips approve. They feared those silvery locks, that told 'twas almost "close of day," Would to the grave go down, and they, their children, far away! A moment nature shrank--the thought was too, too full of pain-- But ah! their Master's strength was made in weakness perfect then; The voice that lulls the billowy deep soon bade the storm be still, Bade them rejoice that they were called to do his perfect will; To execute with fearless trust the holy high command,-- "Go, and glad gospel tidings spread, over a distant land, And beams of heavenly peace around your guarded path shall play, Peace that the world can never give, nor ever take away." But has the fearful sacrifice at last been made in vain? And shall no trace within our hearts, no deathless trace remain? Bright record, that with us awhile their dwelling place has been, Preparing temples for their Lord's high service to begin. Oh yes, I trust, a fount of light and life they have unsealed To many a thirsting, fainting soul, a Saviour's love revealed; Have taught "that in his service there is perfect freedom" still, That 'tis the highest bliss of Heaven to do his sovereign will, And if a humble suppliant may bow before Thy throne, My Father! and a blessing ask on hearts to her unknown, Oh! grant for them "the lines may fall in pleasant places" here, "Beside still waters" bid them rest, and feel that Thou art near. Thou hast Thyself declared, that great their recompense shall be, Who have "forsaken all" to love and follow only Thee; And they have left the "near and dear," the parent, child, and friend; Then in Thy holy name may all these sweet affections blend! And should the world desert them, Lord, oh, be the world to them, The song of their rejoicing here, in Heaven the crowning gem; Thy sacred guidance grant, I pray, o'er life's tempestuous sea, Awhile a gentle course, and then,--a sheltering port in Thee.

3d mo., 1831. E. P. K.

THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT;

OR, GOD'S PROVIDENCE MAGNIFIED IN THE CARE OF HIS CHOSEN.

When darkness over Egypt reigned, A darkness to be felt, Light sweetly shone round Goshen still, The tents where Israel dwelt.

Awestruck, the Egyptians silent lay, They rose not from their place; God's finger had been o'er their land, And left a fearful trace.

The very idols which they served A gloom around them threw, The stream they worshipped turned to blood, The sun his light withdrew.

But Pharaoh's heart was hardened still, He let not Israel go Until Jehovah, King of kings, Struck the last fearful blow.

The first-born on the kingly throne, The first-born in the hall,-- God sent his awful mandate forth, And death passed over all.

No house remained in this proud land Which mourned not for its dead, And every street was filled with gloom, And every heart with dread.

At midnight was the message sent-- It was an awful hour, Proclaiming man's impotency And God's eternal power.

The mighty monarch, struck with awe, Dismissed the people then; Contending with Omnipotence He felt indeed was vain.

And how were Israel employed When light around them shone? They then prepared the paschal lamb, And stood with sandals on;

Staves in their hands, loins girded too, They waited the command To throw their loosened shackles off, And seek the promised land.

But first they ate the passover, And freely sprinkled round The blood of an unblemished lamb, In whom no spot was found.

And the destroying angel passed Harmless o'er every door Whose side-posts and whose lintels, too, Faith's striking symbol bore.

Now let us pause and ask our hearts If we have aught to learn, If very many teaching things We cannot here discern?

Is there not "darkness to be _felt_" In Egypt at this hour? And does she not refuse to bow Before Jehovah's power?

And oh! when God's own Israel Would break the oppressor's chain, Does she approach His sacred throne And supplicate in vain?

Ah, no! upon the captive still Is poured a flood of light, While he prepares for better worlds To take his joyous flight.

His bonds are burst, he only waits The omnipotent command To journey forth,--his armor's on, His staff within his hand.

Not settled down in carnal ease, This world is not his home, A pilgrim and a stranger here, He seeks for one to come.

Christ is his holy passover, He has a part in Him; For he applies his blood, in faith, To purify from sin.

But oh! with very bitter herbs It must be eaten still; Suffering is yet the lot of those Who do their Master's will.

And let the Christian not forget, Israel was bid to stay Within the shelter of the tent Until the opening day.

And God is now his people's tent, In Him may we abide; Then though the faith will oft be proved, The patience oft be tried,

An hour of sweet release will come, And all the pilgrim band, By flame and cloud alternate led, Attain the promised land;

And wearing there the crown of joy, And carrying, too, the palm, Eternally ascribe the praise To God and to the Lamb.

6th mo., 1836. E. P. K.

The last look is taken, the last word is said-- Haste away o'er the waves, then, glad tidings to spread; Thy Master has called thee, no longer delay, His work it is glorious, haste, haste thee away. Come, set the sails, mariner, now we're off shore, Then weep for the loved ones thou leavest no more; He is faithful who promised, thou heard'st Him declare That all thou intrusts to his fatherly care He will keep in the sheltering fold of his love, Where nothing shall harm them and nothing shall move. He will suffer no plague nigh thy dwelling to come, And His angels shall guard thee wherever thou roam; No weapon shall prosper that's formed against thee, For the truth thou hast loved, shield and buckler shall be. This the heritage is of the child of the Lord, Of him who confides in his covenant word, And freely forsakes, when his Saviour commands, His brethren, and sisters, and children, and lands. Though the ocean may roar, and earth shake with the swell, His home is in Jesus, and all will be well; Though the mountains depart, and the hills may remove, He quietly rests 'neath the wing of His love. He knows that the work of the righteous is peace, That the blessed effect thereof never shall cease; A gracious assurance of quietude here, And bliss without end in a holier sphere. So, Christian, God speed thee, and should the storm lower, Cast firmly thine anchor, and trust in His power. His voice than the billows is mightier far, And His mercy is o'er thee a safe guiding star. But oh! when the clouds have all vanished away, And life smiles around thee, a bright summer's day, When the breeze wafts thee onward, and no rocks appear, Then, Christian, thine hour of peril is near; The world may frown on thee, but oh! should it smile, Come apart to the desert, and rest thee awhile.

1837. E. P. K.

TO A FRIEND.

Ah! be not sad, though adverse winds may blow, Thy patience and thy fortitude to prove; Thy Saviour wears no frown upon his brow,-- "'Tis but the graver countenance of love."

Though clouds and darkness round about him roll, In righteousness and truth He sits enthroned; And precious in His sight the immortal soul, For whose deep stain of guilt His love atoned.

He makes our dearest earthly comforts flee, Or, e'en when clustering round us, bids them pall, That thus the "altogether lovely,"--He,-- "Chief of ten thousand," may be all in all.

And hast thou not some blissful moments known, Even while bowed beneath the chast'ning rod, When to thy humble spirit it was shown That glorious is the "City of thy God?"

Hast thou not seen the King in beauty there, And has He not assured thy fainting heart, That from His reconciled, His child and heir, The covenant of His peace would ne'er depart?

Has He not fully satisfied thy soul With the pure river of His joy and love, Subdued each murmuring thought to his control, And stayed thy mind on changeless things above?

When He, thou callest "Abba, Father," placed The earnest of adoption in thine heart, Thou wast engraven, ne'er to be effaced,[A] Upon His holy hands, and His thou art.

Then doubt no more, for the omniscient God, All whose mysterious ways are just and true, In life will comfort with his staff and rod, Be near in death, and guide thee safely through.

And when the race is run, the victory given, How sweet with the redeemed to bear the palm, Ten thousand times ten thousand saints in Heaven, Who hymn eternal praises to the Lamb!

1837. E. P. K.

[A] John 10:28.

FAREWELL.

Fare thee well, we've no wish to detain thee, For the loved ones are bidding thee come, And, we know, a bright welcome awaits thee In the smiles and the sunshine of home, Thou art safe on the crest of the billow, And safe in the depths of the sea; For the God we have worshipped together Is Almighty, and careth for _thee_.

And when, in the home of thy fathers, Thy fervent petition shall rise For the loved who are circling around thee, The joy and delight of thine eyes, Oh, then, for the weak and the faltering, Should a prayer, as sweet incense, ascend To the God we have worshipped together, Remember thy far-distant friend.

We miss the calm light of thy spirit, We miss thy encouraging smile; But we bless the unslumbering Shepherd Who sent thee to cheer us awhile. The light, which burned brightly among us, We rejoiced for a season to see, For the God we have worshipped together Gave a halo of glory to thee.

But didst thou not point to another, A brighter, an _unsetting_ sun? For thou preached not thyself to us, brother, But Jesus, the Crucified One. May He be thy rock and thy refuge, In Him thy "strong confidence" be; For the God we have worshipped together Still loveth and careth for thee.

Oh! mayst thou abide 'neath the shadow Of Immanuel's sheltering wing, And continue proclaiming the goodness Of Zion's all-glorious King, Till the sun shall be turned into darkness, The moon in obscurity be; And the God we have worshipped together, Be a "light everlasting" to thee.

9th mo. 10th, 1840. E. P. K.

THE LAST DAY.

The God of glory thundereth! who hath not heard His voice, Bidding the sinner tremble, and the pure in heart rejoice?

Yes, yes, the sinner trembleth, for the Judge is on His throne, Rendering to all a recompense for the deeds which they have done, For the mercies they have slighted, and the time they have destroyed, For the idols they have worshipped, and the talents misemployed.

But the pure in heart rejoiceth, because for him doth blend, In the Judge of all the universe, a Saviour and a Friend; He looketh up confidingly, with unpresumptuous eye, And smiling says, "My Father, on Thy mercy I rely!"

The God of glory thundereth! How awful is His voice, Bidding the sinner tremble, and the pure in heart rejoice?

Yes, yes, the sinner trembleth, for his robes are still defiled, To the God of love and purity he is not reconciled; Yet He is seated on His throne in fearful, dread array, Before whose face both heaven and earth shall swiftly flee away.

But the pure in heart rejoiceth, for his robes are free from stain, And not one dark, defiling spot shall cleave to them again; Made white beneath the fountain which flowed from Jesus' side, So as "no fuller on the earth could whiten them" beside.

The God of glory thundereth! still louder is His voice, Bidding the sinner tremble, and the pure in heart rejoice.

Yes, yes, the sinner trembleth, for his day of grace is o'er, The Bridegroom hath arisen, and closed is mercy's door; That grace he long resisted, how did it plead in vain! And now its sweet persuasive strains will ne'er be heard again.

But the pure in heart rejoiceth, his lamp is burning bright, And welcome is the cry to him, though heard at dead of night, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!" Oh, what joy to enter in Where the nations that are saved, their Sabbath shall begin.

The God of glory thundereth! yet louder is His voice, Bidding the sinner tremble, and the pure in heart rejoice.

Well may the sinner tremble, and quake with fear and dread, For the last trump is sounding and the sea gives up her dead. The Books, the Books are opened! awestruck his eyes behold That in the unfolded Book of Life his name is not enrolled.

But the pure in heart rejoiceth, he hath heard a welcome home; With songs of joy and gladness unto Zion he is come; "Well done, thou faithful servant! to _thee_ it shall be given To see thy Saviour as He is, and reign with Him in Heaven."

But the great men and the captains and the chief men, where are they? And the sellers of the souls of men upon this fearful day? They are calling on the mountains and on the rocks to fall, And hide them from the wrath of Him who died to save them all.

1845. E. P. G.

THE REUNION OF SIR T. F. BUXTON AND ELIZABETH FRY.

They have met, they have met! now their pinions unfurl In that city whose pavement is gold, Whose every gate is of one liquid pearl, And her beauty and glory untold;

That city, which needeth no light from the sun, Where the moon sheds her lustre no more, But where, in the smile of the Crucified One, Countless myriads bow down and adore.

One by one are the loved ones all gathering there, In white robes they encircle the throne; Oh! what bliss to unite where sin cannot blight, And where parting and death are unknown.

They are come to Mount Zion, the city of God; They are joined to the glorified throng; One pathway of sorrow by all has been trod, All sing one harmonious song.

Omnipotent Lord, just and true are Thy ways! Thy works great and marvellous are! Oh! who shall not fear Thee and echo Thy praise, And Thy glory and honor declare.

1845. E. P. G.

ON THE DEATH OF ELIZABETH FRY AND SIR T. F. BUXTON.

Ye have met, ye have met, disencumbered of pain, Of sorrow, and sickness, and care; And the slave and the prisoner, now freed from their chain, Have rejoicingly welcomed you there.

The true light now shines and the darkness is past, For that which is perfect is come, And your pure loving spirits are gathered at last, In their only congenial home.

May the balm of your memory steal through the soul, Like a gale from Arabia the blest, Exert o'er the feelings a sacred control, And hush every murmur to rest!

In the world we shall seek your resemblance in vain, Your places shall know you no more; Yet who by a wish would recall you again? For the days of your mourning are o'er.

The King in His beauty your eyes now behold, He has sweetly dispelled all your fears; To the well-spring of waters the Lamb leads His fold, And God wipes away all their tears.

Great grace was upon you, and oh! unto us May a manifold portion be given, That through pardoning love we may mingle above. A circle unbroken in Heaven!

1845. E. P. G.

EPHESIANS 4:32.

"The accuser of the brethren!" How fitting is the name! Since the creation of the world His business is the same;

Bringing false accusations, Sowing the seeds of strife, Watching the halting of the saints, And striking at the life.

If with the aspersed one he should fail, The asperser's sure to fall; For, losing Christian charity, Have we not lost our all?

Ye know not, vain contenders, What spirit ye are of; Alas! ye are weak "defenders" Of "the faith that works by love,"

Which purifies the feelings, And makes all sweet within, Tenders the heart before the Lord, And keeps the spirit clean.

Go and adorn the doctrine Ye are feigning to approve, And seek for strength to follow Him Whose first, best name is Love.

But cease from defamation; The poet says 'tis worse To steal his _reputation_ Than rob him of his _purse_.

Look home, look home, defamers, There's business there for _you_; Weed well your own deceitful hearts, You'll find enough to do.

Perhaps _that_ God, before whose glance Each soul unveiled appears, Sees that thy brother's work is done, While thine is in arrears.

Then leave, ah! leave the little mote Which thou, and thou alone, Mark'st in his eye, and take away The beam that blinds thine own.

_Thou_ hast had much, yea _much_ forgiven; Then is it just and right, From him, who is thy fellow worm, To exact the utmost mite?

"Judge not," the blessed Jesus said, "Judgment is mine alone; He only who has never sinned Should dare to cast a stone.

"But love thy neighbor as thyself, His friend, his helper be, And show _that_ mercy unto him Which God has shown to thee."

1845. E. P. G.

AT A TIME OF DEEP PROVING.

Poor throbbing heart! the battle wave of life Beats strong against thee, yet thou strugglest on, Breasting the mighty billows, though no kind, well-known voice, When the great mountain wave threatens to o'erwhelm, Whispers the soul-reviving words, "Be of good cheer, The port is nearing fast!" Instead of this Is heard the mournful moan of the discourager, Portending peril, shipwreck, loss of all. But ah! poor struggling heart! An eye is over thee, a Father's eye, Of tender love and pity. There is ONE Whose voice is mightier than the noise Of many waters, who sitteth on the flood And reigneth King forever. He sees thee breast the wave, upheld alone By childlike trust and confidence in Him, And through the storm is heard His gentle tone, "Daughter, be comforted,--thy faith hath saved thee."

12th mo., 1850. E. P. G.

The Lord's portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness. He led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.--DEUT. 32: 9-12.

_T. E.'s Sermon._

When the eagle finds her brood is fledged, She stirreth up the nest; Gently she fluttereth over it, And breaketh up their rest.

She taketh them, she beareth them, She spreadeth abroad her wings, Then soars aloft to a purer air Above terrestrial things.

Thus, when the heart with the cares of time Is burdened and oppressed, 'Tis only the parent hand of love That is stirring up the nest.

He found us in the wilderness When no strange god was nigh, He instructed us, He kept us As "the apple of His eye."

Now His wing is fluttering over us And stirring up the nest, For the Lord alone is leading us To His bright and glorious rest.

The shining host of ransomed ones _There_ worship and adore; Fulness of joy their portion is, Pleasure forever more.

Then be glad when the Father teaches us That this is not our rest, And bless the hand of sparing love That stirreth up the nest.

For those who know no chastisement Are not the sons of God; He chooseth His adopted ones Beneath the chastening rod.

Thus, when the fond heart reareth up A little ark of rest, How soon the fluttering wing is heard That stirreth up the nest!

But ah! He spreadeth it abroad, And teacheth us to soar To the realms of cloudless blessedness, Where change is known no more.

1850. E. P. G.

WILLIAM FORSTER.

Ah! know ye not in Israel A prince is fallen to-day, A just man, from the ills to come, In mercy called away!

The Church is clothed in mourning, Who shall supply her loss? A standard bearer's quit the field, A soldier of the cross.

On mission high and holy He braved the watery main, And many a faithful heart rejoiced To welcome him again.

Thrice had the veteran warrior Nobly forsaken all, And trod our western wilderness Obedient to His call,

Whose voice he knew from childhood, And followed where it led, For perfect love reigned over him, And banished fear and dread.

Meekly he journeyed onward, Unmoved by praise or blame; The mark was always kept in view, And steady was his aim.

Unfaltering trust in Jesus Had ever nerved his arm; He knew His shield of love was near, Protecting him from harm.

Like Paul, he "went from house to house," And boldly preached the word, And many souls, accepting it, Were gathered to the Lord;

While from his heart and from his lips, As onward he would pass, Fell gentle benedictions, As showers upon the grass.

Nor from the galling chains of sin Alone he sought to free; However named, the bondsman claimed His whole-souled sympathy.

Bending beneath a weight of care, A pilgrimage of years, Before the rulers of the land Behold him plead with tears!

For poor down-trodden Africa He lifts his latest breath, And, with her name upon his lips, Sinks in the arms of death.

Thoughts of the distant and the loved Came thronging to his heart; He felt 'twere sweet to be with them, Yet sweeter to depart.

"Better to go and be with Christ," Were the blest words he said; Then, in the midst of bonds and chains, The enfranchised spirit fled;

And in a far-off stranger land, Near Holston's billowy wave, A voice is calling silently From that lone martyr's grave.

Oppressor, list its meaning! It is to _thee_ it calls; Ah! heed the solemn warning voice Before the judgment falls.

It tells thee that a martyr's prayers Are heard in highest Heaven, That soon the shackles of the slave In mercy shall be riven.

God will avenge his own elect Who are groaning to be free; His promises are sure: "He will Avenge them speedily."

But where will be the oppressor In that soul-searching day, When perfect truth and equity Have undivided sway?

Quailing before the majesty Of the Omniscient One, Dealers in slaves and souls of men Will feel their work is done;

And, bowed beneath that word of God Which pierces like a sword, Call on the rocks to hide them From the presence of the Lord.