Part 4

The light of this great world And of the world to come; With rays of glory pearled, The light of this great world, Love’s banner fair unfurled Mid labor’s busy hum, The light of this great world And of the world to come.

FEAR NOT.

Fear not though dangers dread assail thee Stand ever as a hero mid the fray; Well may the skill of eye and arm avail thee To keep the foe at bay. Fear not, though dark the way and dreary, The legions of the enemy shall flee; When thou art sore oppressed and worn and weary, Thy Lord takes thought of thee.

THE LAW OF THE PRESENT, OBEY.

The law of the present obey, To-morrow every one knows Before we can catch it goes; Nothing compares with to-day, Strive as we may.

Be hopeful, and happy and brave, Whatever the moments may bring; When given to sighing, sing, Wait not for life boat to save, Walk on the wave.

CHRISTMAS EVE.

Only a tiny stocking hung in the fire light warm, Only a weary pilgrim breasting the tide of the storm; Only an anxious watcher piercing the heart of the gloom; Only a prayerful whisper breaking the calm of the room.

Time creeps slowly forward while the swirling snow flakes fall Upon field, and hill, and highway, and night enfolds them all; But hark! a voice is shouting, then a welcome step draws near, And the angel:--Joy, has banished the ghosts of doubt, of fear.

Only a sleepy fairy who trembles to behold A host of precious trophies with a wonderment untold, But the treasure highest valued, the pure, the perfect prize Is love, the true love beaming from her own dear father’s eyes.

IN THE MIRROR.

In the mirror what do I see? Velvety brown eyes peeping at me. Long silken tresses glinting like gold, Cheeks like the roses ere they unfold.

Hush! but a moment, do not say no; Look at the elf that is charming me so. Just a wee darling who to me flies Saying: “Oh, tate me! tate or me ties.”

LIVING FOR OTHERS.

Living for others, living for self, Good of the few or worldly pelf, Giving to all with lavish hand Of the humble gifts at our command; Which is the best to save or share Whether the day be dark or fair:--

To save or share the little we get, Though storms prevail and foes beset? Though kingdoms fall and wars increase, The heart is filled with joy and peace, Willing to strive with word and deed To help some fainting soul succeed.

THE BOOK OF TIME.

The Book-of-Time, each page a year, With every word a hope or fear, Thereon impressed in lines of light Would bid us read its truths aright,

The Book-of-Time a volume vast, The royal record of a past Wherein a century ’s a day, Before eternity’s broad sway.

The Book-of-Time ’tis bound in gold, This mammoth book no man can hold; And angel fingers wield the pen That writeth of the deeds of men.

The Book-of-Time transcribed shall lie As open as the fair blue sky; Many a loving heart shall find How wise it was in being kind.

WHO IS THIS SO LOVED OF YORE?

Who is this so loved of yore Shyly tapping at the door? Striking off the icy chain That the earth may thrive again. Wooing violets in the dale To their faces fair unveil; Bidding all the world rejoice In the music of her voice.

See the farmer grasp the plough, ’Tis the day of sowing now; Hark the robin’s happy call Keeping house by yon gray wall; Hear the brooklet’s note of glee Dancing to the eager sea Read the message of the King In the hand of Lovely Spring.

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS.

Christmas thoughts how pure and sweet, Christmas joys how fair! Oh, the mysteries, we meet, Smiles are everywhere. Gifts are found in cosy nooks Never sought before, Precious gems in toys and books Hide behind the door.

Pleasant wishes finely wrought In the simplest way, Into trophies Santa brought In his magic sleigh; Bid the tender heart expand At a treasure found, Fashioned by affection’s hand And by mercy crowned.

Christmas thoughts they give delight While with care we cope, Brightening the darkest night With the star of hope. Oh, when earth friends are so dear, Earthly joys so sweet, Then indeed is heaven near, Life itself complete.

Christmas thoughts what jewels rare, On the soul’s white shrine; Beautiful beyond compare, Sent by Love Divine. But the greatest gift of all Comes that happy day When we hear the Saviour call:-- “Trust me and obey.”

BEAUTY OF THE SOUL.

Beauty offers every day, Gifts to cheer us on our way; Blessed treasures from above Free as heaven, fair as love. Cast in beauty’s purest mold All things great and good behold, Which eternally will bide, Earthly stay, Jehovah’s pride.

Watch the wise bird, mark the nest, Builded slow, and sure and best; Builded low or builded high, Winds will vainly whistle by. See the wayward without care How they fickle fortune dare, Shattered homes and blighted hopes Hurl them down life’s rugged slopes.

Seek the promise of the hour, Nurture to its fullest flower; As we train the vine of youth So will bloom the bud of truth. Note the lily in the shade Pining for the sunny glade; What in all hereafter years Will avail the too late tears?

BRIGHTER HOURS.

Heavy though the rain drops fall And the claps ring long and loud. Brighter hours will come to all As the sunlight gilds the cloud.

WILLING TO SERVE.

Willing to serve if serve I may, Willing to serve mid twilight gray; Willing to serve with heart and hand Obeying the Divine command. Willing to serve with weary feet, Willing to serve, to serve is sweet, Willing to serve for well I know The prize my Master will bestow.

BANNERS WAVING.

Flags a-waving, trumpets blowing Tides of feeling, ebbing, flowing. “On to battle! on to glory!” Tell again the wondrous story. Patriotism brightly burning, Tempered by a wise discerning. Town and State together crying:-- “On to Richmond! time is flying!” Fateful summons, who could falter? Laying all on Freedom’s altar, “Forward! March!” proclaimed the nation, Why, the words were an ovation.

Bugles tarnished, banners tattered, Bullet scarred and bruised and battered. Home they came with martial bearing, Home to cheer the hearts despairing; Home to children, wives and mothers, Home the living. (But the others.) On they came and eyes were tearful, Many eager, many fearful; Banners waving, drums a-beating, Happy hearts, a happy meeting. And hearts “too sad to be alive;” Oh, thus it was in sixty-five.

Flags a-waving, bugles blowing, Honor’s meed to worth bestowing. Laurel wreathes and roses blending, With the lily’s breath ascending; Offer tribute true and tender, Tribute to each brave defender For his country’s future caring, Firm! heroic! noble! daring! Soldiers, sailors, freemen listen Till thy cheeks with feeling glisten; By the banner waving o’er thee, Must Columbia adore thee.

CAN YOU SEE A LITTLE FACE?

Can you see a little face, Just the type of witching grace, As a darling clasps your knee With a gesture honey sweet, Lisping love in dimpled glee Till the sum of life’s complete?

Is she happy as a lark From the rosy dawn till dark? And when twilight folds the world Close within her calm embrace, Is the night with gladness pearled By the light of that dear face?

Does she whisper, as her eyes Bid the drowsy curtains rise: “Wake me sure, to Santa see” And; [a shy aside is this,] “I’ll be truly dood, if he, Lets me give him just a kiss.”

Do the dimpled fingers cling, Close and closer while you sing Praises to the Savior’s name? Telling of the happy hour When a precious gift he came, Prince of love, and peace and power.

THE BABY’S PALM.

A work of art is the baby’s arm And fairer yet is the shell-pink palm; But beautiful truth no honest toil, Can ever that dainty surface soil: Each cross it carries, each blow for right, Will serve to make it, and keep it, white.

NO BLESSING EVER COMES BY CHANCE.

No blessing ever comes by chance, No work is ever quite in vain; The keenest effort must enhance The value of the prize we gain. A kindly act more than we think May serve to brighten trouble’s brink; A gentle word in sorrow’s ear, Is strong the fainting heart to cheer.

THE MAYFLOWER.

[1620.]

Happy, thrice happy, the Puritan maid Leaving the fort and the grim palisade; Leaving the bay where the good ship was fast To find, her head bending low to the blast, Just a pink and white hood In the wind-driven wood. Then smiling and blushing With eagerness flushing, So swiftly she hurried Young Robin was flurried And as he his pinions to Boreas tossed, The dear little pink-hooded stranger was lost.

Sadder but wiser our Puritan maid Quickly her footsteps, impetuous, staid Scarce had she lost it, another was seen Looking its best in a garment of green, With a pink and white hood; For a moment she stood With heart lighter beating, At such a sweet meeting. As kneeling she found it Where Nature had gowned it What visions of promise marched up the bleak slope, To crown that May blossom, the blossom of hope.

THE BEST WE CAN.

When things don’t go to please us Is it wisdom to despair? With a friend at hand who sees us, And will make the shadows fair? Shall we let our courage falter, Fail to sympathize with man? Fortune’s ways are bound to alter If we do the best we can.

The light is often hidden Yet our feet are safely shod, While we do as we are bidden Putting perfect trust in God. He will lead His children ever, As he has since time began, And will strengthen each endeavor, When we do the best we can.

The rugged way, but certain, Is a blissful way to tread; Care is ready like a curtain, To obstruct the path ahead. Clouds will come, no use repining, Yonder trial, joy outran, Brightly still the sun is shining, We must do the best we can.

If things don’t go to please us There is little need to fret, Shall a trifle more to tease us, Make us gratitude forget? Needless then to stand debating; Love will any chasm span; Winning is a way of stating:-- “We have done the best we can.”

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

Something to look forward to, the healthful soul demands, The world stands ready to provide good work for willing hands, Not only is there room for those most competent to climb, But ev’ry man to-day may claim some gift from busy Time.

Something to look forward to, some duty nobly done, Some little helpful deed to mark the path from sun to sun; We cannot fear to freely face each mile stone that we meet, When loving actions daily tend to make our lives complete.

Something to look forward to, our dearest claims allowed, Though trouble frowns upon the way, we look beyond the cloud; As rainbow brightness has the power to darker shades subdue, The light shall surely shine for those who will the right pursue.

CHRISTMAS.

Christmas is here and joy is ours, Christmas, the time of songs and flowers, Flowers of kindness, songs of cheer, The gala season of all the year.

Christmas is here and eyes are bright. Homes are happy, and hearts are light, Hands are open and man is blest, This golden season of sweet unrest.

Christmas is here and “peace--good will!” Echoes along from hill to hill; Gifts are ready and hope is strong, This grateful season of joy and song.

THE BRIGHTNESS WE HAVE LEARNED TO SHARE.

Divide a blessing and behold Its worth increased a hundred fold. A kindly deed, a word of cheer, Will scatter sunshine far and near. By telling only what is good, Truth cannot be misunderstood; The brightness we have learned to share May make the darkest pathway fair.

Glad tidings of whatever kind The closer human friendships bind; An echo of a joyful song A hundred eager lips prolong. Intent to honor’s rights maintain, No upward effort is in vain; It is not sacrifice to give The happiness that helps men live.

RING BUSY BELLS.

Ring busy bells, across the night, Ring in the tender morning light; Let merry measures wake the noon And sunset echo back the tune.

Ambitious who shall lead the van Of quick rejoicing, boy and man, And maid and matron mingle tears With joyful chimes and ringing cheers.

Remember Concord, Bunker Hill, They bid the pulses leap and thrill And still athwart the storied past The present has new meaning cast.

’Tis midnight and the solemn hush Is shattered by a sudden gush, A swaying turbulence of sound That on the startled ear rebounds.

Ring, happy bells, for as you ring Sweet memories about you cling; Again we independent stand, Deliverers of this dear land.

The signal boom triumphant comes ’Mid clashing bells and throbbing drums, As eager bon-fires flaming high Imprint their glory on the sky.

We hear the words of Washington, We praise his work and cry “Well done!” And when we closer look we see Our pride, the father of the free.

While briefly glancing down the years Behold a host of grand careers. They gave us knowledge, virtue, land And arts which every year expand.

We honor Lincoln, steadfast, true, Type of what one good man can do; He loosed the shackels of the slave: Preserve the liberty he gave.

The grim destruction of the Maine Was not a source of grief in vain, The sadness of her loss was meant To bring to Cuba’s heart content.

O’er restless miles of ocean vast Columbia’s brave sons have passed, Till other nations love to view Our flag, the red, the white, the blue.

Philippines, to patriot eyes, A trust, but never more a prize; McKinley’s noble work shall live: We fight, we conquer, we forgive.

To crown a stricken race’s release, Welcome the blessed boon of peace. Whatever gifts our homes may bless, May we no distant homes oppress.

THE RIVER-OF-LIFE.

The river-of-life must smoothly flow, By the hills of hope, its breast aglow With the cheering light that softly streams, From golden heights in the land of dreams.

The river-of-life will gently glide On its ceaseless mission far and wide, Its forceful current so true and deep It will not pause at the vale-of-sleep.

The river-of-life runs gaily down By the shining gates of pleasure-town And carries our truant thoughts away On the moment-freighted boat:--To-day.

The river-of-life, how fair it lies, On the soul’s white map before our eyes; It ripples on from the land we see Into the beautiful land To-Be.

Singing Songs for Jesus.

Singing songs for Jesus, singing while we may; Singing in the darkness, singing in the day.

Singing songs for Jesus, singing with delight; Never yet was singing, could His love requite.

ANCHOR ME SAFE.

Anchor me safe, though by danger oppressed; Safe in the haven where motion is rest. Safe with the waves rushing up on the shore, Leaving my heart undisturbed by their roar.

Anchor me yonder, the beacon in sight, Never to wander away from its light; Type of security, brighten my way, Turning the darkness of evening to day.

Anchor me safe, lest the surges resound With the death note of a vessel aground. Straight is the course the Good Pilot must take, I may be weary but he is awake.

Worried and weary the tempest unchecked, No one who trusted Him ever was wrecked! Breasting the waters, wind driven and high Perfect the power on which I rely.

Mortal may waver, with Him is the skill Vanquishing evil; Omnipotent will. Saviour from trouble, a shelter in storm, Bidding the world to His wisdom conform.

SHINE OUT.

Shine out, happy soul, let the spiritual brightness be seen, How much that clear shining is needed when clouds intervene; Ever the light of the Master illumeth the way, Changing the gloom of the valley to beautiful day.

WHATEVER CHANGES TIME MAY BRING.

Whatever changes time may bring The promise cannot fail, The closer to the Word we cling We struggle, we prevail.

The Rock-of-Ages cleft for us We cannot yield to care, We cannot stop to fret or fuss, Nor stoop to court despair.

We live, to patiently fulfill, God’s purposes, and find That what was once against our will Was meant to be most kind.

The Christ who claims us for His own Now listens while we pray:-- “Dear Lord, we seek to make Thee known, Be near us day by day.

Give kindly heed the while we plead, We hunger, hear our cry, Give us the living bread we need; Yea, manna from on high.

Deliver us from evil, bless And keep us, make us wise, Give us more perfect happiness For every hope that dies.

Oh, leave us not to walk alone, Our failing strength renew, Make each believing heart a throne And sinful thoughts subdue.

Though earthly troubles oft betide To self-blind eyes give sight; A little cloud will surely hide A thousand rays of light.

A thousand rays of light divine Are streaming from above, Oh, teach us as the stars to shine With light of Heav’nly Love.”

LOOKING TO JESUS.

Looking to Jesus is my joy, Looking to Him when foes annoy; Looking to Him, the Father sent, Looking to Him, I am content.

Looking to Jesus, courage, soul! He will the troubled waves control; Looking to Him to ease my care, Looking to Him, my cross I bear.

Looking to Jesus, peace is mine; Looking to Jesus, friend divine, Looking to Jesus, all is bright, Looking to Him, my life, my light.

I NEITHER FAINT NOR FEAR.

I neither faint nor fear, Whatever is, is best; The page of conscience clear, My feet have onward pressed,

I neither faint nor fear When in the tempest’s track, A storm cloud’s brief career Can never turn me back.

I neither faint nor fear, Nor would my steps retrace; The way indeed were drear, Could I desert my place. I neither faint nor fear, But trust Omnipotence; The Master I revere, My shield and sure defence.

I neither faint nor fear, With Him am I content; To Christ would I adhere, For Him would I be spent. I neither faint nor fear For He sustains my soul; He bids me persevere; He leads me to the goal.

I neither faint nor fear, Although these hands are weak; Although the night is drear, A gracious dawn I seek. I neither faint nor fear, Whatever is, is best; May I one heart but cheer, To God I leave the rest.

EASTER-TIDE.

Brightest sunshine, sweetest flowers, Welcome in the Easter-tide; What a blessed work is ours Lifting up The Crucified: Pointing to the rock fresh riven, To the grave-clothes cast aside, Grand the proof that Christ has given, He is living though He died.

Brightest sunshine, sweetest flowers, Gracious gifts of Easter-tide What a joyful work is ours Lifting up The Crucified; Showing Him as in a vision, Stand triumphant o’er the grave: From the sepulchre’s cold prison He is risen, He will save.

HOWEVER HIGH THE AIM.

I cannot do the half that I desire However high the aim the hands will tire; However long the journey, do my best, Though eager still to climb, the feet must rest. Perhaps when hope is baffled it is meant To teach the fuller meaning of content; Countless are the blessings I must miss Unless I keep the path to endless bliss.

HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP.

He giveth his beloved sleep And sweetly shall they rest. Oh, we must ceaseless vigil keep If we would bear the test. To-day is ours for good or ill And if we now obey, His promises he will fulfill And wipe our tears away.

AS WE ARE.

God knows us as we are, and as we fain would be; How great, how grand our work, if we the end could see; We feel within the soul the strength to rise above The pressing cares of earth, upborne, upheld by love.

God knows us as we are, whatever we may do The strivings of the heart lie open to His view; He sees our present place, the height we may attain, He bids us persevere, nor hope, nor live in vain.

God knows us as we are, He listens when we speak And blesses ev’ry plan to help the poor, the weak; Is quick to cheer the faint, the willing feet direct, Goes with us all the way to comfort, to protect.

God knows us as we are; His loving kindness gave A conqueror to snatch sweet victory from the grave. In Him alone we stand triumphant, evermore, For He will lead us home, through Christ, the Living Door.

CAN THE WILLING HANDS BE WEARY?

Can the willing hands be weary? When they carry sweetest cheer, Into lives too dark and dreary Lives too oft beset by fear; Lives whose only glimpse of pleasure It is blessed to bestow. There are gifts we may not measure, Gifts that only love may know.

Can our hurried footsteps falter When we do a kindly deed? Can a trifle serve to alter What would save a soul in need? Can we pause to weigh the chances, Or refuse to heed each call? Lo, a pleasant word enhances Just the treasure gift of all.

In the gift, behold the giver Deeds perpetuate a thought, Let us hasten to deliver What can never be forgot. Offer “oil of joy” for sadness, Speed a brother on his way, Fill some fainting heart with gladness; Scatter sunshine while we may.

Hear the songs of praise ascending! Breathe the music laden air! Grateful melodies are blending, With the heav’nward winging prayer; Deaf the ear that will not harken To the tale they sweetly tell, “What though earthly skies may darken, God is doing all things well.”

THE MESSAGE SO SWEET.

There is nothing can be half so precious to me, When my spirit by care is oppressed; As the message so sweet, it is bliss to repeat:-- “Come, come unto me, and rest.”

Jesus leads me aright, turneth darkness to light, Sheds the halo of peace o’er my breast Oh, the message so sweet, it is bliss to repeat;-- “Come, come unto me, and rest.”

He is calling to me, His salvation is free, Shall I linger, weak, sinful, distressed? Oh, the message so sweet, it is bliss to repeat:-- “Come, come unto me, and rest.”

He is calling me now, in His presence I bow, All His love and His goodness confessed Oh, the message so sweet, it is bliss to repeat:-- “Come, come unto me, and rest.”

I will work, I will sing, for my Saviour, my King; And of gifts I will bring Him the best; Oh, the message so sweet, it is bliss to repeat:-- “Come, come unto me, and rest.”