Part 5

SERVICE.

The smallest service we can do, With seal of Love-Divine, Will oft the fainting faith renew, The heart to God incline. We are not left to work alone, We stand as servants true; Each little kindly action known, By Him we may not view.

RISEN TO-DAY.

The sepulchre stone, fit emblem of pride, Light as the thistle-down wafted aside Send the glad tidings as far as you may, Jesus, The Master, is risen to-day.

Happy the Marys, obeying His voice, Bidding His weeping disciples rejoice. Lost on the mountains, or rocked by the deep, Jesus will find us and wake us from sleep.

Hail Him, oh, Christians, the Hope of the world, Over all nations His banner unfurled Pure as the lilies, more tender than prayer, Jesus is willing our burdens to bear.

Willing our burdens to bear, may His love Keep us and lead us to mansions above. Send the glad tidings as far as you may. Jesus, The Master, is risen to-day.

ANOTHER’S PLACE.

As none can fill another’s place We must be faithful as we can, And magnify the work of grace The wisdom of the wondrous plan. We must be kind as kind can be, Or some poor pilgrim fails of bliss; And who would wilfully decree That others should a blessing miss?

We must be true, for eager eyes Are gazing on us day by day, They gladly honest worth apprize, We must be true and watch and pray. Be true, and good, and strong, and brave, However difficult the case; For there are countless souls to save And none can fill another’s place.

A thousand people come and go And thousands follow as they may, But none another’s grief may know And none his debt of love repay. Although the throng is moving fast, We quickly scan it for a face That smiled upon us in the past; Oh, who can fill another’s place?

The smallest talents rightly use; A word in season joy to speak; ’Mid want and sorrow, swift to choose The upward path, however bleak. Beyond the clouds the light is clear Whose cheering presence we would trace, In humble sphere, in proud career, Oh, who can fill another’s place?

In humble sphere, in proud career, The vital verdict is the same, And those who nobly persevere This great eternal truth proclaim:-- The true, the good, the strong, the brave, With patience run life’s little race For there are countless souls to save And none can fill another’s place.

THE WINDOW OF LIFE.

I looked from the window of life where I stood, I looked on the world and I saw it was good; I looked at myself and was sorely aggrieved, Could this be the being in whom I believed?

I looked from the window of life, and behold A record of deeds many centuries old; Such pleasures as once would have given delight No longer the heart of the nation’s invite.

I look from the window of life where I stand. The prospect unfolding before me is grand; Determined to follow where loyalty leads Must meet the reward that all others exceeds.

I look from the window of life and I find The years have been wasted because I was blind, For surely no clear sighted soul could reject Those paths which the glories of heaven reflect.

I look from the window of life and I see The sweep of the future, how broad it may be; The hills and the valleys alike will be fair, If only the leader who loves me is there.

I look from the window of life and I know Sweet joy will be with me where ever I go; How pleasant to follow where Jesus will guide, Content if I may in His shadow abide.

THOU ART MINE.

“Thou art mine!” Blessed word from the Father above, It speaks to my heart of His infinite love; When I faint ’neath my load, the message divine, Brings peace to my soul:--“Thou art mine! Thou art mine.”

“Thou art mine!” Though the tempest is raging around, In Him, and Him only, a refuge is found, No force can subdue Him, no fetters confine, And has He not said:--“Thou art mine! Thou art mine.”

“Thou art mine!” When temptations my pathway beset, His merciful kindness I cannot forget. The sun may be hidden, but soon it will shine, He calls me by name:--“Thou art mine! Thou art mine.”

“Thou art mine!” With afflictions confronting the soul, The billows of trouble are His, to control. Beside the still waters He bids me recline And lovingly says:--“Thou art mine! Thou art mine.”

“Thou art mine!” I am happy obeying His voice, I trust Him and serve Him, His glory my choice; His power, eternal, can never decline And does He not say:--“Thou art mine! Thou art mine.”

THE MERRY BELLS.

The merry bells are ringing, Good will is in the air; Our hearts are singing, singing, And joy is everywhere. There is pleasure for the lowly, There is pleasure for the high, The day so holy, holy, Now lingers in the sky.

FOLLOW JESUS.

If we try to follow Jesus He will lead our steps aright, He will lead us out of darkness into fields of living light. Little hands can work for Jesus, little feet love-errands run; Little voices speak His praises; little ears can hear “well done.”

Sweet the voice that sings for Jesus, kind the eye content to see, All the beauties of a service that will keep us pure and free. Little forms can lean on Jesus, little lives He will enfold, Little arms shall draw Him nearer and in His dear cause be bold.

Little hearts are wise in trusting, they delight in being true, Bring the little ones to Jesus and He will their strength renew. Let us aim to find Him early in the life as in the day, Never soul in seeking Jesus, ever yet was turned away.

Never prayer the Christian uttered though ’t was whispered word by word, Asking Him for help or guidance but the Ear Divine has heard. When He hears expect an answer; God’s own promise cannot fail, We must ask in faith, believing, and by faith alone prevail.

THE BRIGHT SIDE.

The bright side Is the right side, The side we seek to see. The wrong way, Is a long way, And will not make us free.

The right side, Is the light side, The side that mirror’s bliss; The wrong way, Is a long way, And one we cannot miss.

The right side Is the white side, Where nothing dark can tread; The wrong way Is a long way, Beset by foes we dread.

The bright side, Not the night side Will cheer the weary eye; By fair ways, There are stair ways To homes beyond the sky.

WE SHALL MEET AGAIN.

Blest be the tie, As we say good-bye That unites our hearts in love; With the past made plain We shall meet again, We shall meet again above.

We look away To the happy day, When we all shall walk by sight; With the past made plain, We shall meet again, In the land of life and light.

THE EMPTY LIFE.

Empty is a life without Christ. It lacks motive power.

In the press of worldly matters the soul loses its assurance. It is like a locomotive when the steam is shut off. It stops.

Assurance in the love of God, keeps a man in motion. It sends him hither and thither. Makes him a profitable servant.

He works. To work he must have strength. To work he must eat. He feeds on the bread of life. He drinks of the water of life. He has enough and to spare. Happy is he.

Doubt creeps in. Losing his hold on Christ, he loses all. Suppose death should find him now.

A LIVING LORD.

“The Lord liveth,” in Him will I trust. God is my strength. He hath given me the shield of salvation. His gentleness hath made me great. Compassed about by troubles and temptations He delivers me. The last enemy of man has been conquered by Him. Death is vanquished by the Son of God.

He makes with us an everlasting covenant. David says: “He delivered me from my strong enemy.” How many of us have a strong enemy? An enemy difficult to subdue? One we cannot subdue without help from on high?

“Come and let us return unto the Lord. He will revive us and raise us up. We shall live in His sight.”

“The wise shall understand these things. The ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them.”

“Seek good and not evil that ye may live.” Here we have a warning and a command, a threat and a promise.

Godliness is profitable unto all, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

To-day, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

“HAVE FELLOWSHIP ONE WITH ANOTHER.”

When our souls are at one with the Lord Jesus, we come into fellowship with His people. Spiritually renewed, we give ourselves to Him and are baptized. Through the church-visible opens our grandest opportunity of making Him manifest to mankind.

We can all be “pillars in the temple of our God.”

We can all pray, They that dwell in the secret place of the Most High, abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

We can all speak of the living bread which came down from Heaven. If we eat of that bread we shall live forever.

There is no true happiness apart from Christ. May we be, as lights, shining for Him, in many a darkened home.

FOLLOWING JESUS.

We have a work to do. We are Christ’s representatives. We must partake of the Christly character.

We are His witnesses. Witnesses of His power and of His saving grace. It is ours to tell of His wonderful goodness to the children of men. We tremble when we recognize the magnitude of the responsibility which rests upon us. As our day, so shall our strength be.

If we fail to show Him forth in our daily lives, we break the covenant into which we joyfully entered such a little while ago.

It is ours to be zealous in His service. Faithful unto death, we shall receive a crown of life.

We are trusting in The Word, may we lead others to see, that The Word is truth.

We are leaning on the promises. May we encourage others to do the same.

Steadfast followers of the Lord Jesus; if we work with Him and walk with Him, we shall also reign with Him.

THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE.

We as Christians, have much to gain, from faith, obedience, patience, mercy, love.

We suffer, that we may attain eternal bliss. No trusting soul shall fail of its reward.

Friends who were with us yesterday are gone to-day. We pray. We weep. At the feet of Jesus comfort comes to us.

We remember what our Saviour has done for us and look beyond the present, rejoicing in the glory which shall be revealed.

When things temporal have passed away, we go home to God, to abide forever.

COMING ONCE MORE.

The moments we give to Our Brother, Must ever be moments well spent, The riches bestowed on another Are riches the Father has lent, Be ready to tell the Old Story So potent new life to infuse, In seeking to live to His glory Go on in the paths He would choose.

The words we are leaving unspoken Might welcome a soul to the light, The bondage of Satan once broken How all the dark places grow bright. The fruitage of prayer is a blessing, It never is offered in vain, The truth we are gladly confessing Will grandly Love’s purpose maintain.

The talents devoted to Jesus Are talents the wisest improve. Imprisoned, believing, He frees us: While sin runs along in a groove. Our standard no foeman can alter, Lo, faith bears us up as on wings. None born of The Spirit may falter, For fair is the promise He brings.

Be instant in trusting and giving. Man cannot in justice withhold, Those tithes that belong to right living; Be earnest, and steadfast, and bold. In fullness of time of His kindness The Saviour is coming once more, He pities the world in its blindness And enters each wide open door.

On hearts that delight in obeying His wishes, ’tis safe to repose, The tribute we daily are paying No hand but our Lord’s shall disclose, By service He joys in expecting A blessed approval is won. The Christian succeeds when electing To strive for the final “Well done!”

THE PRESENT.

The present, only, is ours; We cannot recall the past Song’s and sunshine and flowers, Are pleasant, but do they last?

The dollar we earn to-day, Is more than a million spent; The one has vanished away, The other may bring content.

A loving word, like the dew To the rose, revives the heart. A blessing awaits the true; Feeling is higher than art.

The present improved is bliss, The bliss that fore’er abides; In a fairer world than this, Where never an ill betides.

BE FAITHFUL.

Be faithful soldiers, fearing not, What traitors may disclose; There is a purpose in our lot More powerful than foes.

If we could once peruse life’s page, [A blurred and blotted scroll,] The failures would our thought engage Though fled beyond control.

If we could once life’s page peruse, Each loss returned, a gain, Would give such wisdom as accrues From knowledge, bought of pain.

We never know what we can do; The problems none attempt Now lying open to our view, Have meanings little dreamt.

We gird our armor on to meet The enemy’s advance; But in the frenzy of retreat, Too often yield to chance,

Stand ready; boldly face the front; Press on and on: prevail. Be brave to bear the battle’s brunt; The hero cannot fail.

WHY WILL YE DIE?

Why will ye die? Why will ye die? With sin the world is rife, But there is one who draweth nigh: He brings eternal life.

Eternal life! Eternal life! How gentle is the voice, That calls thee from the toil and strife:-- “My child, repent! Rejoice!”

Repent! Rejoice! Repent! Rejoice! Oh, bid Him enter in. By making Jesus Christ our choice, Love’s fair reward we win.

THE TESTING TIME.

When Trouble frowns upon our way And still we bravely overcome, The griefs besieging us each day; Desirous as best we may, To bear the duties burdensome.

When clouds obscure the sunny sky, When Sorrow surges o’er the heart; When Pain’s dread presence hovers nigh, Faith must triumph then, or die, She conquers when we do our part!

The slowest feet were meant to climb; The humblest life can honor God. The present is the testing time Forward Soul to heights sublime! Thy work is here and not abroad.

LIGHT.

How could we work if once we knew Just what for us in store, The future holds; would we be true And better than before? Could we go forward fearing not, To life’s results disclose? Or would we tremble at a lot, Where rue displaced the rose?

Courageous to the present meet, Or woe or bliss it brings; Confront its joys, its pleasures sweet, Its hopes, its sufferings. A soul, improving moments well, Need never dread the days; The space is small wherein we dwell, But broader than our gaze.

The space is small but if we list, Its limits will expand. Each enemy of right resist And gauge the hour’s demand. To-morrow’s page we cannot read, To-day alone is bright; Each point to conscience we concede Returns to us, as light.

IF A WORK IS WORTH THE DOING.

If a work is worth the doing It is worth the doing well. When a noble aim pursuing Never have an idle spell. There is danger in delaying And a man may win his case, By attention he is paying To the language of a face.

There are records fate impresses In the lines upon a brow. Silence often times confesses More than wisdom would allow. Could we read the future’s pages We would hope’s incentive lose; The experience of ages Should ambition’s fire infuse.

Could we see the path before us See the forces we must lead, See the tempests hanging o’er us [How the willing feet must bleed.] See the trials daily coming, Coming to the patience try; In the knowledge, vast, benumbing, Happiness would pass us by.

Quick to reckon up the losses; Ready to forget our gains. It is ever little crosses, That the greatest love constrains. We who baffle mighty issues, Measure moments by their length: There are hosts of tiny tissues Most amazing in their strength.

TAKE THY STAND.

God’s voice is saying:--“Find thy place, Make haste to take thy stand. I am thy shield; My saving grace Sustains thee. Take My hand. In times of trial find thy strength, In Me. Build on the rock, Christ Jesus. Thou shalt know at length, My mercy, only knock!”

FATHER, ACCEPT OUR THANKS.

Father, accept our thanks For blessings, heaven-lent. We march with broken ranks, When joy and woe are blent. We march, as march we must, Subject to Thy command. Can we forsake our trust Upheld by Thy right hand?

Father, we turn to Thee ’Mid shadows drear and dark; Thy breath alone is free To fan the vital spark, Until its light illumes The vast arcade of years; And some fair lily blooms Where men saw only tears.

We cannot walk alone, However bright the way. A seed of kindness sown Shall gracious largess pay. Our sight is poor and weak, Apart from Sight-Divine; Direct us, for we seek No other will than Thine.

Attentive is Thy ear; Encourage when we call; The clouds shall disappear, We conquer as did Paul. Eternal rest is won, Where nothing ill betides; His race is nobly run, Who in the Lord confides.

We know we cannot do The simplest duty well; Our failing strength renew, Sweet bliss from pain compel. Be with us as we meet To study Thy desire; Come and Thy work complete, Our feeble hearts inspire.

Inspire our feeble hearts, To carry out Thy will. The fear of man departs. When we, Thy laws, fulfill. Help us, dear Lord, intent, To glorify Thy name; The Son Himself was sent, To emphasize Thy claim.