Part 3
Now in later years, the lesson Is with deeper meaning fraught; And we ask, do we the corners Of our lives, sweep as we ought?
Do we push aside whatever Shuts the evil from our view? Or do we sweep but the surface Making that seem fair and true?
While within the hidden places Of our hearts, there yet may be, Thoughts and deeds impure, unholy, That we do not care to see.
Let us one and all remember, That to us will come a day, When the outward guise and semblance, From the soul, will pass away.
When the things which now seem hidden, Cannot but, by us be seen. O, then, while the hours are flying, Let us sweep life’s corners clean!
CASTLES IN THE AIR.
How oft in our lives have we builded “Castles in air.” They were fashioned in beauty and gilded, Made costly and rare.
We thought they were firm and secure, These castles of ours, And that they would surely endure, Through life’s passing hours.
But alas! they have crumbled away; These castles of ours; Faded out like a bright summer day; Like the beautiful flowers.
Ah! well! there are mansions above, More firm and secure; That were builded by Infinite Love, And will ever endure.
SUNBEAMS.
Welcome, cheerful sunbeams! Welcome, to my room! When you come, you always Drive away the gloom.
Life would be less dreary, Did we let the beam Of the sun, more freely, O’er our pathway gleam.
While we drop the curtain To shut out its ray, Nature’s voice is saying “Bask in it alway.”
O, then let us cherish Every sunny ray! So that when there cometh, As there will, a day
When the sun is hidden, And the clouds are drear, We may from past sunbeams, Gather hope and cheer.
LIFT UP THE FALLEN.
Lift up the fallen, oh, pass them not by! No matter how low they may be, They are your brothers! and often they sigh, From the thraldom of sin to be free.
Oh, you who are strong, a duty you owe To those who are tempted and weak, Go to them in love, and in sympathy, go! And words of encouragement speak.
To the weak ones of earth the angels come down, And strive to uplift and to cheer. O, then let us never pass by with a frown, But in love to the tempted draw near!
WHY TARRY YE SPRING-TIME.
Why tarry ye spring-time, why tarry so long? We wait for your coming; we wait for the song Of the bluebird and robin to fall on our ear. O, beautiful spring-time why are ye not here?
We long for earth’s beautiful carpet of green. We watch for the flowers; but not one can be seen. For the sound of your footsteps we anxiously wait. Why tarry ye spring-time, why tarry so late;
Wake up little buds; come out from the snow Full long have ye slept, awake now and show, The beautiful colors, that bring us such cheer, And then shall we feel that the spring-time is here.
INVOCATION.
Out of the darkness, and out of the night, Into the realm of Truth and Light, Far from all things which are gross and material, Upward toward all that is pure and ethereal, Lift us, oh, Infinite Spirit!
Let no temptation or evil enthrall, Help us to exercise love toward all. Speed on the day, when of Christian charity It need not be said, Alas! for the rarity!
Help us to trust, where sight cannot reach, Knowing that soon or late unto each Shall be unfolded the deep, deep mystery That has o’er-clouded the page of life’s history. We thank thee, oh Father, that dimly is dawning The sunlight of Truth, the “Millennial morning.” And that soon o’er the earth shall re-echo the song, Of the triumph of Right, over Error and wrong.
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Transcriber’s note
Minor punctuation and format errors have been changed without notice. The following Printer errors have been changed:
CHANGED FROM TO Page 5 “Their’s is a life” “Theirs is a life” Page 19 “with out one fear” “without one fear” Page 24 “I could’nt help it” “I couldn’t help it” Page 24 “Why could’nt Santa” “Why couldn’t Santa” Page 24 “I would’nt pass” “I wouldn’t pass” Page 42 “unto souls a-weary” “unto souls aweary” Page 47 “our heroes today” “our heroes to-day” Page 47 “thrilled with sadest” “thrilled with saddest” Page 53 “will find to day” “will find to-day” Page 54 “hie them to the noons” “hie them to the noon’s” Page 63 “Rushing o’e” “Rushing o’er” Page 65 “’gainst temptations mighty” “’gainst temptation’s mighty” Page 74 “one familiar foot-step” “one familiar footstep” Page 80 “tarry ye springtime” “tarry ye spring-time” Page 81 “Millenial morning” “Millennial morning”
All other inconsistencies are as in the original.