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Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mOthodo. 1 2 3 4 5 6 MICROCOTY RBOIUTION TBT CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 12^ 12^ u IS I& 13.6 1*0 12.0 ■ 2.2 I 1.8 III 1.6 ^ r^lPPUED IIVMGE 1653 East Main Street mewV; ''•" ^°'''' '♦609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288 -5989 -Fox Ir THE NEW HEAVEN LETTERS EDITORIALS POEMS cKs BY WILLIAM STRONG Hamilton^ Ontario, Canada. ** A " are but parts of one itupendoui whole, Whose body Nature it, and God the Soul." — Pope. REFACE. This little book has been written and published under the inspiration and guidance of the spirit world. For the last six months or over, the experience of the writer has been most remarkable. He has been in almost constant com- munication with the angels, having talked with scores of individual spirits across the boundary-line which separates the material and spiritual planes. Sometimes the communi- cations have been in his own room in the second storey of his residence, No. 61, Victoria Avenue South, Hamilton, Ontario. Sometimes he has spoken with the Heavenly messengers at stances held by trumpet, test, clairvoyant, and materializing mediums. The knowledge gained through said communications relates chiefly to life and destiny. Be- lieving this to be the most important truth which can posf bly engage the thought of man, the author has, with the utmost candor and conscientious conviction, written and published these letters, editorials, and poems, many of w h have already appeared in the daily Press, but the - jC important, having been received lately, appear now for tho first time. No reader can possibly be more surprised thaa the author at the marvellous I'evelations made to Hm. The beautiful teaching received by him from the spirit worid has changed his whole life and t>'ought, and has brought Heaven down to earth in his experience. He, therefore, dedicates this little work to the cause of truth and righteousness, fully convinced that the truth herein outlined vill supersede the present creed-bound system and will, as quickly as accepted, bring in the long-prophesied brotherhood of aan. 4* ye will Rot come Unto iRc/' When God the future doth reveal, He makM it clear that it's for weal, And then His promises doth seal. His purposes are all of love, All knowledge cometh from above. His symbol is the peaceful dove. A marvellous light He doth bestow To guide the path of men below. As through a world of grief they go. Men will not hear the voice Divine, Nor see the lights that round them shine ; Their pleasures are in gold and wine. They spend their days in raking straws ; He calls, but they refuse to pau^e, Yet good and right are all His laws. Still He doth call, "Come unto Me," From sorrow and from death be free ; My love it hath redeemkl thee. No, never will I give thee up j Receive Me and with thee I'll sup. And then to joy I'll lift thee up. Beyond My love ye cannot go, (Though some have said this is not so). "This truth I want the world to know. Ye wayward, wandering sons of men, Cottrt to your Father's House again. .' ' »w you will — but when ? but when 1 Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Ont. March oth, 1902. TJNTRODUCTION. tiK incoitiind €ra« ALL thinking men believe that the world is entering a new era. By what name the new condition of things shall be known has not yet appeared. Some believe it to be the Second Coming of Christ or the Redisco.ery of the Nazarene. One thing is certain, the present manifestations are stirring up the same old feelings of strife which charac- terized the Galilean's first appearance. The old Jew was not more bitter against the Babe of Bethlehem than the orthodox party of the present day is against what is known as Spiritualism. At the same time, the thoughtful men and women of to-day have either turned away from the orthodox teaching of the churches or are dissatisfied with the hollow sham and materialistic tendencies of the creed-bound teachings of our time. Our boasted civilization, which is the outgrowth of the teachings of the creeds, has utterly failed to bring in the reign of peace and good will amongst men. Social evils, commercial selfishness, bloody wars, all go to prove that there never was an age when spiritual truth had less hold upon the hearts of men than at the present THE NEW HEAVEN. 7 day. In greed for gain, men have practically lost sight of the Golden Bule. Brotherly love is so rare that it fails to govern, alike in Church and State. The name of Christ is heard, but as we listen we remember His words, " Not every one that sayeth Lord ! Lord ! shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven." It is not the name of Christ we need, nor His pierced feet touching Mount Olivet ; what we need is that the principles taught by Him be so understood and practised that men on the earth shall form a great brotherhood and come into harmony with God and the Angel World. It is an established fact known in the experience of many that the spirits of our departed friends, with the great and good of the centuries gone by, are touching us from a higher sphere, anxious to hush us into quiet receptivity long enough to make us hear again the Bethlehem song, " Peace on earth and good will to men," while priestcraft, with its vested interests, stands opposed to the light of truth which must strike a death blow to their selfish greed. I see men engaged, as by prophet foretold. They are proving their oxen and counting their gold ; Enlarging their borders and crowning their kings. While leaving undone far mightier things. In 1878, W. E, Gladstone wrote an article in the Nmih American Review on "Kin Beyond Sea," in which he stated : " The United States can, and probably will, wrest from us our commercial prosperity." He then states, "I have no inclination to murmur at the prospect. America is passing us by at a canter." In these statements, if in nothing else, the great statesman has proved himself a prophet, and by his honest candor and friendly reference to a rising people, he has left us an example which we should not fail to copy. Let us, as a highly honored people, prove ourselves worthy of the honor given to us, by rejoicing in the •3 1 =1 ' i o5 N 8 IHE NEW HE A VEN. prosperity and marvelous advancement of our neighbours, the people forming that most progressive nation now on the face of the earth, the United States of America. Looking up and earnestly praying that the mantle of Gladstone may fall upon me, I make bold to predict that the liberty-loving people called Spiritualists shall, within the first half of the twentieth century, wrest from priestcraft the power by which it binds in slavery to the creeds the great liberty-loving people of the worid. I further predict that this great liberty-loving people that now dominate the worid, shall, within the next fifty years, be formed into one great brotherhood for the establishment of peace and good will to men. Knowledge of God shall accomplish this, and that knowledge shall come to us through our contact with the spirit worid. What is known as the Christian Era is now drawing to a close. The last century has done much to ripen the thought of the people for the incoming of the new. Social evils so revolting, commercial greed so astounding, national ' difficulties so appalling— and all this in the twentieth century of what is called gospel teaching by the creeds. Is it not time that men were looking round for a new condition of things to solve the problem ? Some men, who, like the old Jewish Rabbis, think themselves wise, are looking to the seats of learning for the solution. They appear to think that the remedy should be discovered in the laboratory of the schools. Others think it should be worked out by sacraments, catechisms, church creeds and penance. While men are thus engaged, shut in by selfish- ness and superstition, extolling self and-saying, " We thank God that we are not as other men," the spirit of the meek and lowly Nazarene is coming, as a thief in the night. The very fact that it is stealthy, in the night, causes many to ridicule, " not knowing the Scriptures." The fact that the coming truth is out of harmony with preconceived opinions, THE NEW HEAVEN. 9 makes many reject it; and the further, and to many the most important fact, that it must certainly strike a death- blow at priestly power, upsetting their craft, is without doubt the most difficult obstacle to be overcome. The power of the truth, however, is irresistible, because the force behind it is the Infinite Intelligence. Therefore, in the fulness of time, this power cannot be suppressed. The unphilosophic teachings of the creeds, no longer accepted as true by thinking men (but a dead letter), leaving men with- out power to control passion, without the motive necessary to regulate commercial dealing, and without the spirit of good will which makes all men brc*;hers, must give way before the light of spiritual truth which is now dawning upon the world. Socialism, with its baneful influence; anarchy, with its destructive forces ; capital, with its relentless greed ; these must all give place to the incoming of a truer brotherhood, a mightier power, and a more worthy ambition. This can only be accomplished by the permeating love which comes through harmony with the Infinite and the knowledge imparted by the spirit world. a The Doom of Creeds. In chains of superstition as with bands of toughest steel, I see men sitting helpless without the power to rise; ' In schemes of hellish priestcraft without the power to feel, I see men laying traps for the victims that they prize. I see the sordid motives that move the cunning knave, The sophistry he uses to bolster up his creed. I see our help is coming o'er the vibratory wave,— The spirits of our loved ones are a present help in need. 10 THE NEW HEAVEN. I see the morning breaking o'er the hilltops in the east ; It gilds the whole horizon with the promise of new light. The messengers are out, pressing to the bridal feast ; Kedemption through the truth must soon appear in sight. The doom of creeds is written on every temple wall ; In trumpet-tones the truth is sounding far and near : Come, hear the angels' voice, the message is for all. Through knowledge is redemption. Love takes the place of Fear. Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Ont. May 18th, 1902. l>ou) m Ciabt Came. For years I had a desire to visit other worlds and become acquainted with their conditions of life and forms of government. I have imagined my return in possession of marvellously interesting information, while I anticipated the pleasure cf conveying the knowledge gained to attentive listeners on this earth. I oftened wondered why the Great and All-wise Ruler whom we call God had not some way of revealing His purposes to the anxious seeker after truth. The inconsis- tencies in the teachings of the creeds became more and more apparent as my reasoning powers matured. The narrow and unreasonable dogmas of the churches were to me so unphilosophical I could not accept them. The arbitrary interpretation put upon the so-called infallible revelation was so out of harmony with the laws THE NEW HEAVEN. n of the universe that I became less and less able to believe the modern Christian teaching. I was fast drifting into what is called agnosticism. I found that the sum total of my knowledge of life and destiny might fairly be represented by the space covered by the point of a cambric needle placed upon a marble slab. Faith in Jesus the Nazarene was being declared to be the only hope of salvation for the worid, while at the same time millions of the human family had been for centuries passing out of this life without having an opportunity of hearing that such a person as Jesus of Nazareth ever lived. Missionary work had been carried on by the churches, but each sect believed that their mode of teaching was the correct one. At the same time the so-called Christians at home kept up practices that would make the heathen blush. I found that the gospel preached as the power of God was not the power of God, for men were not being saved from themselves, but were living under the power of evil habits-in open violation of the universal law of love, and consequently without a knowledge of God, the Infinite Intelligence, from whom emanate law and love. My soul longed for truth. My thought found expres- sion as follows : — Soul Lons^ing. From out the vast treasure-store of knowledge ^ Give me one gem-thought, glittering and bright- Not a dark, mystic, nebulistic theory ; But burning fact, to cherr the dreary night. Those distant lamps hung out through all the ages As lights for those who cross the billowy sea, Amongst them all there surely must be one To cast a gleam on life's dark path for me. >. THE NEW HEAVEN. To-day, when time and space no longer hinder Communion with the one-time distant strand, May I not grope through the uncertainties And feel the touch of the all-powerful hand « As earth with all that's earthy groweth older. And sensuous pleasures lack the power to allure, Give me a better hold on the abiding — Make the eternal certainties more sure. As care and sorrow cut their furrows deeper In me and in the faces that I love, Give us a steadier, surer, brighter vision Of the perennial youth enjoyed above. Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Ont. Wl>at tbe C^eds arc Doing* To the Editor of the Times. Sir, — It is the privilege of but a few to stand upon high pedestals, and, looking out over a sea of faces, impart knowledge to eager intellects. The privilege, however, is not a small one to those equipped for the work. Keligious teachers are particularly favoured, because their hearers, as a rule, are more sympathetic and C' ead disease Are subject to His mighty sway, The world is full of hope and joy, All darkness now has fled away. Let human hearts exult and sing, Let joy be mingled with each breath, Where is thy victory, grave ? Where now thy fatal sting, death ? Hamilton, Ont. Wm. Strong. January 21s/, 1902. THE NEW HE A YEN. 41 6o The Trumpet Voice. Let the light of the truth of the ages Gleam back o'er the pathway of men ; Let the glorious sun of the morning Chase the darkness from hilltop and glen ; Raise men to proclaim the new era, The incoming tide of the truth ; Give visions to men that are aged. Give dreams in the night to our youth. Give hope to the slave in his fetters. Make free the masses in chains j Bring in the age of redemption. When God and humanity reigns ; 48 THE NEW HEAVEN. Give the knowledge of God to the heathen, The polished and proudly polite ; Let them knoM' that the highest ideal Moves along the pathway of right. To scorn a sister or brother, To frown on the one who is down. Makes demons out of the angels, And robs a saint of his crown. Shall we boast the extent of our commerce ? Shall we glory in store-houses strong % Should wealth be the pride of a people. If to get it they have to do wrong % Shall power be the girt of the Empire ? Shall the sword o'er the earth hold its sway ? Or God through the trumpet of angels. Lead man in a happier way % May light from above burst upon us. Haste the glorious noon-day of love. Let us heed the message from dear ones. All blessings must come from above. Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Ont. May 12th, 1902. m- i THE NEW HE A YEN. 49 Katural £au)-Rafural Religion- Rafural Cloina* So long as men are found clinging to the unnatural in religion, so long will the world be cursed with the unnatural in crime, commerce, and cruel war. All crime is unnatural and the result of ignorance- modern civilization, resulting from the teachings of the creeds, instead of improving humanity along the lines of higher morality, has really been reviving phases of un- natural crime or violation of law, known heretofore only in the lowest and most revolting forms of pagan practices, and unknown amongst the original inhabitants of this fair land, the Indian tribes who lived so closely in touch with Nature! I am not now making the Indian in his crude condition a pattern for imitation, but a truer type of undeveloped manhood, being freer from unnatural practices which place man even lower than the brute creation. Modern methods in manufacture and trade are evidences of the most extraordinary greed this world has ever known, and are nothing less than an attempt on the part of the few capitalists to tie into huge knots the trade and com- merce of the world. 1 am not now combating the arguments that might be advanced, showing the advantages of combines. I am dealing with the Spirit of greed, which is the motive power that originates these combines. Modern warfare— including all the cruelties entailed— 18 the result of ignorance, and could never be continued a day if men only understood their proper obligations each to the others. Unwillingness to give British subjects the privilege of citizenship has been the destruction of the South African Republic, and a rather undue appreciation of the material wealth of South Africa made the Britishers T. 80 THE NEW HEAVEN. all the more readily resent the injustice and insult. Both have suffered to an extraordinary extent, and along the lines of natural law. War is contrary to the higher instincts of the human family, and is absolutely impossible where truth and righteousness reign. While the religious teachers of the twentieth century deplore the evils enumerated (or rather suggested, for to enumerate them is past the power of the pen), they, the religious teachers, are responsible in so far as they refuse to listen to spiritual truth and to investigate its claims. Millions of people in this enlightened country (America) declare, by their actions and words, that they do not believe in the orthodox teachings of the churches. Millions who attend the church services do not believe the teachings coming from the pulpits — cannot believe them — and no really thoughtful man can believe such unnatural and unphilosophic dogmas. The marvel is that so many have tried to believe and have clung so long to the old traditions, formulated thousands of years ago by men who were not capable of receiving or practising higher teaching. Human thought ^-olves slowly — our earth conditions have made it impossible to be otherwise. Knowledge of natural law, however, is now enabling us to come in touch with forces that will bring in the light of truth at a very much more rapid pace. This change in conditions applies not only to our earth, but to the higher intelligences of the spirit world. These bright spirits who once occupied this earth, but are now occupying the higher plane of being, are learning much more rapidly and are applying their increased knowledge for the benefit of those less favoured. They have (we are in- formed by them) been discovering laws by which they can come into touch with our world, and they are continually experimenting and increasing the knowledge of these laws. This accounts for the great increase in the wonderful THE NEW HE A VEF. 51 phenomenon that is now being manifested, disturbine the creeds, who find their craft in danger. The present con- dition of things is destined to be disturbed, and the wise man will shape his conduct accordingly. The short-sighted and self-opinionated will oppose the innovation as an encroachment upon his interests. As well try to prevent the nsmg of the sun as to prevent the incoming of the new era and the light of truth, which is now dawning upon this world through what is known as Spirit return or Spiritualism. Narrow-minded and consequently ignorant men are again quoting to us the fable of the Garden of Eden and the serpent or snake story. This story was suited to the times when it was first written. All religious teaching has to be m keeping with the intelligence o* the people. It is useless to give men more than they can grasp. No really intelligent man is governed by any teaching to^lay that is out of harmony with natural law. Q. A. Q. A Q. A. Modern Catechism. If the devil <»me to me and said, " Make this stone into bread." I would say « No, thank you, devil, I prefer to jump on my wheel and go to the baker's shop." If the devil said, " Here are the kingdoms of the world, I will give you a deed to them if you will 'all down and worship me." . would answer-" Come, devil, show me your title m fee simple. ^ If the devil got discouraged and said-" Here cast thyself down from this high building." My answer would be-" You're mistaken, devil I know something of the laws of gravitation " 52 THE NEW HEAVEN. The Field \s the World. "Whatsoever a man soweth." Sleeping one day I had a dream, A dream, did I say ? Nay, more— A picture true appeared to view That made my heart feel sore. The thought of my vision is with me, As out through the world I go, The force of the word has oft occurred, ** We must reap the kind we sow." E)ach one a husbandman appeared, And all going forth in the field, They all agreed there's need of seed. That the ground a crop may yield. But men sow tares with fondest hope. That a crop of wheat may grow. It's ne'er been known in any zone — " We must reap the kind we sow." You scatter trouble in the world. Then trouble expect 'twill yield, Nature is true to what we do — It's the crowning law of the field. As this law is fixed and cannot change. Let us watch where'er we go. Be straight and true in the work we do, And we'll reap the kind we sow. Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Ont. THE NEW HEAVEK U CDe Resurrecfion. The question wked by Job, " If a man die will he live again » is the most important that can occupy the thought of man. Every other consideration is small compared with this thought of immortality. Rob man of this and you leave him poor indeed; leave this question in doubt and you leave man sitting on the ragged edge of anxiety. Let the light of truth in upon this question and let the angel world answer it, and you have lifted life's greatest burden from the denizens of this mundane sphere. The resurrection of Christ is admittedly the central truth upon which the Christian religion rests. The proof of It IS with a few hundred of His followers, and the Christian world has to be satisfied with the testimony given through the records made by these followers. They saw, they heard, they believed, they testified-on this foundation rests the whole teaching of the Orthodox Christian Church. Not hundreds but millions of men and women, thoughtful, sane, intelligent, come to-day with just the same identical evidence, proving the continuity of life, as applied to the whole human race. We see we hear, we believe, we testify-and it must be adm^tted that the men and women who bore testimony to Christ s resurrection Averj not a whit more thoughtful, sane or intelligent than are those good citizens who tOKlay stand as witnesses ^o the comforting truth that comes to us from the spirit world. They tell us that there is no death but that what W6 call death is the gateway of life. They say that as their eyes closed to the friends here, their spiritual eyes were opened to behold their spirit friends who stood around to conduct them to their new home. Ihey make it clear that the conditions of life formed by 54 THE NEW HEAVEN. I our environment, associations, and habits here pass with us into the spirit life. In other words, that " Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." They very plainly prove to us, however, that in the justice of the administra- tion of natural law, mankind cannot be held responsible for the performance of duties which were not made clear to him here, nor for the accomplishment of a work the con- ditions of earth made practically impossible. What of truth was known on earth v/as known only in part, and what was seen was seen through a glass darkly. Therefore, God, the Infinite Intelligence, who is every- where manifest through law and love, must necessarily, because of these very attributes, give intelligent beings the opportunity to rise in the scale of being, and to this end the very first requisite is knowledge — the knowledge of God, the Infinite Intelligence, His marvellous wisdom and goodness, as manifested, through law and love, in the vast universe. This is the great central truth, which Christ constantly kept before His followers, and which mankind has always been so slow to understand. Mankind living in a condition where everything valued most took substantial form and shape, had always a desire to give form and tangibility to God. Therefore, Philip said to Christ, " Show us the Father and it sufficeth us." Christ doubtless felt the difficulty of explaining the unseen God to an ignorant man, and being Himself the best manifestation of God — God manifest in the flesh — the world had ever known, He said unto Philip, " He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." Hence, for nearly two thousand years man has been standing where Philip stood, looking at and misunder- standing Christ's spiritual words. When earth with its grosser shapes and forms is removed from the vision of men and they see God from the standpoint of the spirit world, THE NEW HEAVEN. 55 then they mil know Him. "Whom to knov., is life eternal." and this will be true resurrection life. As men come into possession of this knowledge, here and hereafter.on the earth plane or in the spirit world, so will they they will in like proportion, both here and in the future lift increase in missionary zeal for the spread of knowledge. That knowledge which is destined to cover the whole earth, and redeem mankind here, while at the same time it permeates dark spirits in the spirit life, thus raising all mankind, everywhere, and thus fulfilling the great law of the universe, that nothing is lost. «U She is not Here. I ' < nd my way to the resting place Of a dear one that I love. And look around on the landscape wide With the blue sky all above ; The vast thought of creation, And the vaster one of God Just then I reach the sacred spot. The stone, the flowers, the sod. This cannot be the dwelling-place Of the spirit of our Jean. And then I see her lovely form— The veil is raised between. And just beyor.d with the angels. And those who have gone before. I see my love in the land above. She is safe on the other shore. Wm. Strong. M M THE NEW HEAVEN. man's future Slate. "As the tree falls so it lies." Man passfA into the spirit world with the bents and habits formci in this life. " Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." Hence the need of knowing the truth, that redemption through its power may bring practical results in this life. The laws of the univ erse are eternally fixed and God is no respecter of persons. The same prin- ciples apply to all. " He maketh His sun to shine upon the evil and upon the good and sendeth rain upon the just and upon the unjust." Don't imagine that because you belong to soine sect and are taught to believe certain dogmas of that sect, that there- fore you will escape the punishment of your transgression of law. If any priest tells you that you will thus escape, he is either an ignorant man — ignorant of God's great plan for the redemption of the human race — or otherwise he is acting contrary to his own convictions and from motives that are far from honest. Hear the truth to-day and begin to live from to-day in harmony with the convictions of your own spirit, and then you will be in line with God's law. Whatever wrong a man does will have to be made right either in this life or in the spirit life. " Agree with thine adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge and the judge deliver thee to the officer and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." These are the words of Christ Himself; there is no promise here that He will pay your debt. THE NEW HE A VEX. 67 Paying the debt of another can never make a man of the debtor ; its effects cannot be other than pauperizing. Let a man be honest and contract nothing which he cannot pay. In this the Man of Galilee was our great example. If Jesus were the Infinite God, His obedience would be no example for us, we could not be expected to act like the Infinite Intelligence. Being our brother man, the example of the Christ was for us— proving to us that knowledge of God and the spirit world gives power to obey God's law. Christ's obedience being so near to the perfect, His power was marvellous. Obedience to law secures to man the power of the law, hence the wonderful power manifested by Christ—" According to your obedience be it unto you." Just as it is useless to talk to children on the highest rules of mathematics, so in that crude age there was little said about natural law. The world had not reached that stage in the evolution of knowledge when law could be understood. The human race was in its childhood in many respects, therefore the teaching was along the line of faith rather than knowledge. Faith and obedience is the capacity of a child, knowledge and obedience is the standard of man- hood. "He that knoweth his Master's will and doeth it not shall be beaten with many stripes "—no escape. The teachings of the creeds are inconsistent and will not stand the test of sound philosophy. Comparatively few, however, can apply the test to teaching. Hence the mass of the people are at the mercy of their teachers. The great Father, God, who has made provision for all His children without respect of persons, has provided means for their enlightenment, and the truth must come to them sooner or later. Priestcraft tries to corner the market by saying: We have the truth, and unless you take it from us you can never get it. This again is a statement made either in ignorance or with mercenary motives. 5S THE NEW IIEA VEX. Truth is m infinite aa the God of truth. As the know- ledge of (Jod, through eternif , is unfolded, no will truth be made known and so also will every individual in the human family be brought in touch with its light and power. God is everywhere; therefore, man cannot get away from Him. The redemption scheme which is found only in know- ledge, will be unfolded in the presence of every human being, and just as quickly as men accept the truth will they rioe in the scale of being. The influences of evil habits will be broken and, basking in the light of truth, men will obey law and be permeated with love. For light, law and love are the Trinity in Unity. "All Things Shall be Added.'* Man's thought was made so free. Predestined for to rise. To lift all mists from off the earth — Sweep cobwebs from the skies. To treasure stores of God, Our thoughts were made the ke\ And when to knowledge we attain All riches come with ease. We pierce the ethereal blue, Borne up on wings of thought ; All worlds are ours to ramble through Free heritage unbought. The universe is God's, The King our Father is ; When we attain to man's estate, He takes us into bliss. THE NEW IIEAVEX. g The brotherhood of man Has all an interest given ; One family we dwell in Him, Possessing earth and heaven. Not then through power of gold Shall men control the earth, But riches all are ours untold Are ours by right of birth. Dispense your treasures now— Ye Camegies grow wise. Your gold will count for naught, In finance of the skies. If men could only see Their glorious destiny, A shout would burst from every throat, " Ring in the Jubilee." Wm. Strong. Romina is Cost. In the marvellous economy of nature, nothing is lost. Man, in his clumsy state and crude condition, is slow to understand this truth, ilverything material disintegrates or dissolves, but nothing can drop out of existence. Material of various kinds changes shape and form, but there IS a hand to hold the most minute particle. Even worlds are subject to the same law of change and disinte- gration, but the gases and fragments are caught up and worked into the formation of other worlds; not an atom can be annihilated. What is true in reference to the 60 TUE NEW HEAVES, material h ali > tr le in relation to the immaterial : life can> not be destroy' 1. Hence, there is no death. The life that has manifested itiM.lt in all the varieties of vegetation still exists. Grass, ht ' ^, plants, flowers and trees grow up and decay. The i, c p'' -iid the angel world, we are not bound by the ocords oi cLi- past. The foregoing ascertoined facts lift a load of care, and wonderfully j^ssist in settling the great question of life and destiny. Men have been perplexed in trying to understand why an All-wise God has allowed culminating circumstances to result in what appeared the destruction of life. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, stearoboat and railway accidents, and conflagrations have appeared to destroy life or at least to fix the destiny of large numbers of the human race. Why these apparent disasters were permitted without due warning has been a problem for the ages. Thase apparent disasters have not been destructive of life and have not fixed the destiny of a single individual since the world began. Thank God and the angel world for the direct knowledge of this fact. The destruction of the body does not destroy life. The termination of earth life does not fix the destiny of the soul. Therefore, in this new revela- tion we get a glimpse of the wonderful provision of law and love which begets a love unspeakable and full of glory. " Gkxi's ways are not as our ways, God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than THE XEW IIEAVEX. ei the earth, no are Hi. ways higher than our ways and Hi. thoughts than our thought.." The fear of Hell never could work a real and permanent change for the better ma human .oul ; but the knowledge of the unfathomable love of God making infinite provision for the redemption of humanity, works eternal salvation in every soul which see. the truth in the light of universnl law and love. The God of the creeds does not exist. He is an unnatural God and there is no place in the universe for Him. He would save the man who was born in a Christian country and who be- lieved the teachings of the creeds and died in that faith while, at the same time, He would condemn to destruction the man who was born where he no\ or heard the name of Chmt and never understo..] a single dogma of the creeds, and (hed m a volcanic eruption with his destiny fixed for e\er. A man who can b.lieve that such a God exists must have o;iven the matter very little independenc thought or must nave very little gray matter to do his thinking with • or, worse still, he must have shut himself up ^vith the creeds' and have allowed the men who lived two thousand vears ago or over to do his thinking for him, having shut his ears to the voice of God as He is revealed through the angel world. At this point the religious aristocrat steps forward to object to the teaching that all enter th^ same nl."^e bv the same door, and refuses to be one of the m mbe- ved provided that the common people are admitted ade., adent of their creed. I can, on the best ;iuthorit ossu. such an objector that there is no Heaven anywhere in the univtn-se for him, until he is willing to have all .thers saved with himself. Heaven is a condition, no « , .ace, and the man who wants his fellow man to be mi> ra-.le is sure to find himself where he wished the other feil-u- to s^o. In Heaven life IS love and love is life. MM 62 THE NEW HEAVEN. The Brotherhood of Man. If man but knew the law, he could never suffer loss Through thu accidents of life or by an open grave. If man had known the truth, there could never have been strife, No martyr would have bled nor priest professed to save. If man could only see that there never was a fall ; That the race is always rising from a crude and cruel state ; If men could only know that truth can save them all, And that all{men enter heaven by the same^old open gate ; Then all would clearly see in all the spark divine. And passing by deformity that conditions here have made, They, into one great brotherhood, eternal love would twine, And cruel strife and jealousy from earth forever fade. Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Ont. May 20th, 1902. Harmony is Heaven. Discord is hell. Conditions, not location, make Heaven and hell. God, the Infinite Intelli- gence, is everywhere. Wisdom, power, and love are the attributes of God. As man takes on these attributes and becomes like the Great Father, discord ceases and he finds himself dwelling in God and God in him. This is Heaven. There is no other heaven. There is no other way of getting to Heaven than by coming into line with the " Infinite." THE NEW HEAVEN. j, with^Sd'^' K^'^'f f °' ?°^ ^"^ ^"°« "^^'^ «^ harmony w^ God Knowledge of music enables the musician to produce harmony in sound. Knowledge of mechani^ bnngs harmony in mechanism or construction. Wiedg ofthe laws of nature is absolutely necessary to produfe obedience to these laws. Let a man foUow^thk thZLt and through the power of truth, which is the great saving power ,n the universe, he will find himself 1%^°^ because suiTounded with heavenly conditions. There Tav W T S^''^°"^ ^°™«^ '^^""d *te man throS otners. These will require to be remedied before the necessary harmony is secured. Sepamtion f^T such wrong conditions is more or less difficult in this lifeLcause of our union here with the material, and because of ass^a tions that are unnatuial. In the spirit world. thTlZ governmg the material no longer control the ian tL ot earth, which arc baneful, are also cut off. N^^ , natural conditions and affinities are formed. The W Crixi^^^Thl" *'^ '^^Tr ^^ ^^''^ associations no longer ex st. The incoming of the light of truth, under the new conditions will enable the man to correct the effect of early habits formed under crude conditions. N!!ura affinities will attmct suitable companionship. That partner m We who helped to make your home a hell on ear^wHl • no longer be bound to you by human or physical law I the light of truth dawns upon both, vou will p^ " together. Otherwise, new and natui.1 affinities'^^ of p^gtS " As H """'"' -- hHsnotreachedacessation ^xI^olL^^ T" " ^"'"'^ ^^ ''"'"^'"g ^J'^ golden r^lh th ' '"^ ^''°, '''" '"^ J°^« ^"^^"''^d indefinitely thmugh the perpetual unfoldment of truth. Ever^ additional manifestation of the marvelous provision TZ 64 THE NEW HEAVEN. Infinite Intelligence contributes to the increase of the joy of Heaven. As man rises in the scale of being, he comes in contact with the ever-widening manifestations of the Infinite. The perfume of every flower that ever bloomed still exists, and flowers have bloomed in profusion from ever- lasting, either in this world or some other. Theii' perfume escaped only to become part of the Infinite and All-pervading Spirit filling all space. Therefore, the spirit world is perfumed with the most beautiful and varied odors of which it is possible to conceive and infinitely beyond man's present conception while on the earth plane. As all the loving thoughts that have gone out from the Infinite Intelligence from everlasting are preserved as a legacy for the redeemed, those who come into harmony with tht Infinite do, in the same degree, come into possession of these loving thoughts. As all the beauty with which the worlds have been clothed in all their grandeur and variegated scenery, through all the seasons of the past, has been preserved tc decorate and beautify the realm of the spiritual, and as the whole of this landscape is the heritage of the redeemed, as quickly as they rise to the conditions which make them capable of enjoying these great riches, so do they come into actual possession thereof. All the sweet melodies that have verberated in space are verber- ating and reverberating. All the joy of human hearts, co- mingling with the ecstacy of the angel world, is still making and will forever continue to make glad the city of our God. And this city is as boundless as the Infinite. The whole arrangement is easy and natural. The intelligence at work is infinite, the law unerring, the love unfathomable. This is the new Heaven. To many this will appear as a materia- listic heaven, but, on the contrary, it is spiritual, real, and natural. Hamilton, Ont. Wm. Strong. May im, 1902. THE NEW HEAVEN. 65 The New Heaven. Methought the angels basked in light ^^a^l^ ''^'? T«' *^^^ ^^°^« ^"^y through, 1 *^ has made them all so bright, Their heaven is in the good they do. I thought that heaven had walls so high Round streets of gold so dazzling fair! Ihat but a few could o'er them fly, And all my friends were shut in'there. I pictured choirs all robed in white, And all the people shouting praise. 18 highest service song ? Not quite ; Nor do they serve who sing always. All crude conceptions must give place To higher thoughts of God's great plan : His love IS boundless and keeps pace With every pressing need of man. The angel world is all engaged, Lifting all human kind .o God ; All evil forces are enraged, Their emissaries are abroad. But truth and right shall masters be ; God and the angel worid so fair bhall be the victors ; death shall flee. And love shall govern everywhere. Hamilton, Ont. January 26th, 1902. Wm. Strong. «e THE NEW HEAVEN. ftncolm 6amder climbing thought. And for deeper delving power i l^ome, say something never said— Jintertam us for an hour. ^^J^e us story with a plot; Make us verse to move the soul ; l*iye the charm to every part— i^et design unite the whole. Oer the tragic make us groan ; At the comic make us laugh • JJill our souls with music sweet; trnnd the wheat, but not the chaff. Give us less, but give us more— bmaller measure, better grain ; More of sympathy and heart ; More, especially, of brain. There are men with power untried. Men who, doubtless, could do well • i'erseverance is the way— ' All must labor to excel. Wm. Strono. n THE NEW HEAVEN. €o fbe One I £ooe* If I could fly like a crow, I'd wing my way to the West, And there visit one that I know — The very one I love best. On the branch of an oak tree I'd sit. The oaks that shadow the lawn ; I would not mind it a bit, She's certain to pass after dawn. In a moment I'd be by her side, The day I'd spend with delight ; Escaping the long, dusty ride. Yet piloting her in the night. In spirit I'm off to the West, And visit the one that I love ; Shell pass as I'm taking my rest On the branch of an oak tree above. Hamilton, Ont. Wm. Strono. July, 1900. tbat unkind Word* I've hurt your gracious, tender soul, And haste to apologize to you ; Your name with my best friends I enroll, And take great pa\]s the ill to undo. The greatest blunder of a life To my true friends may add another ; 'Twixt thee and me there is no strife, And I endorse your claim of brother. Wm. Strong. THE NEW HEAVEN. tN Public Censor* ^S».°**w ^^l "P'"** 'o ^ poet and preacher The people may bear to be lectured proMically- * Bven then they will craeh in the stone, a. they paM. Themote in the eye of his neighbour's a mountain, While a log m hu optic he fails to behold : By pluming his virtues and ranting on vices, Me has traded good manners with a public scold. Sitting judge on one's self is a rare occupation : Self-culture, good breeding, are modest and meek : A glvanized conscience can gossip with freedom- It s branded Uke Cain ; its mark is its cheek. To get his wee scissors and carry them with him. And dip others' actions to suit his small mind : Ihe thing seems a marvel and none could believe it Until in real life its presence we find. To think that because he is different from others That therefore they're sinners of all 'neath the skies • It 8 a proof of how little he knows of true ethics And proves very clearly he's far under size. The greatest of gifts is the charity virtue— A small thing inflated-puffed up, I should say. a the object before me-the thing to hold guilty For your trouble of reading my musings toniay. Wm. Stronq. 71 n THE NEW HEAVEN. IrclaiKl for Coer. P'^me Uiirty years have passed just now Siuce I left home 'neath the mountain brow In that Emerald Isle, where beauty reigns, Where Nature's hand took special pains — In the land where the shamrock grows. ni ne'er forget the hawthorn sweet, Nor the daisy-bloom beneath my feet; The corn-craik, methinks, I still can hear ; The cuckoo's voice sounds far and near ; In the land where the shamrock grows. The heather bloom was my delight ; Roaming the hills from morn till night ; And in the valleys at their feet Oathering primrose and violet sweet, In the land where the shamroci; grows. The pasture fields are rich and fair ; There is health in every breath of air — Wild flowers make carpets for your feet In shady nooks where lovers meet. In the land where the shamrock grows. There is no land beneath the sun That has wept and laughed as ours has done; Washed by the ocean on every side ; Kissed by the breezes from every tide — This land where the shamrock grows. My heart it bounds with great delight As the green hill-sides appear in sight ; Approaching the land I love the best To visit Mother and all the rest, In the land where the shamrock grows. Hamilton, Ont. Wm. Strong. THE NEW HBAYEN. inoiNr$ w^ei in id5^. I irant to spend a summer Where the clouds rise from the sea • Sweet Ireland, that dear old land, ' I« good enough for me. I want to see the wild primrose beds Shoot forth and bloom in Spring, And climb again the heatherjr hills. And hear the laverock sing. I want to gather home the sheep To the shelter of the fold ; I want to be a boy again. And forget I'm growing old. I want to rise at early morn, See nature robed so fair ; Behold the dew on tender blade, And chase the timid hare. I want to trudge again to school, My books beneath my arm, And fling the turf in fuel box To help to keep us warm. I want to look again at life From the standpoint of a boy, Be filled once more with boundl'ess hope And overflow with joy. I want to sit at mother's knee. And see and hear and feel. As I did in eighteen fifty-six. As she sang and ran her wheel. Wm. Strong. 71 74 THE NEW HEAVEX. now to mui Naotn. If I oottld d. We're cornered in the universe, Shut up and cribbed in close confine ; Our sin has kept us under law, We're here in strictest quarantine. Our spirits chafe against the cage, We're subject to a strange sensation ; When we would visit other worlds. We're bound — men call it gravitation. Some folks are willing to remain Shut ur ~n this eternal ball ; But such are very like the place, — The narrow space has made them small. We're under law because disease Would spread abroad to every star ; The government, of course, is wise. When healing comes we'll travel far. Why should we wonder if some use Just now and then the wireless 'phone. If we should hear them laugh beyond. And they in turn should hear us groan. Why should a man be punished if He hears a sound through the ravine. Or if by clearer vision sees Some object that none else have seen t Tf faith can throw a thought athwart. And draw to us the faintest fact. Why should we take the man of faith And place his body where it's racked ? THE NEWHEA7EN. The narrow creeda that crush the soul Must undergo great evolution, And men will rise and soar aloft As they are freed from earth's pollution. The greatest souls must suffer most From narrow cells and cramping creed. We 11 hail the long-expected day When all from quarantine are freed. 70 Wm. Strong. iKp iRofber. The way a mother loves her son Has been the cause of many a pun, If he is tall, she loves to point- Count every inch, mark every joint ; He's never little in her eyes ; Her love makes up for form and size. If he is good, her heart is glad ; Her affections cling to the naughty lad ; If he's successful, she is proud— Though modest, hear her now talk loud; If he has failed she covers quite His faults with kisses day and night. If he is in the ranks of fame. She loves to dwell upon his name : With prophet's eyg she sees the prize. Still hidden from all other eyes ; Others may love him well, but none Can chp and shout, " The boy's my son " ! I •80 THE NE W HE A VEN. She anticipates his triumph, when The thing's invisible to men. No greater loss can meet a boy Than loss of mother's smile and joy ; Should he die young, his grave keeps green With hopes of what he might have been. Ck>me, boys, stand by your mothers true — They daily sacrifice for you ; Their love is pure, constant and strong, No earthly love can last so long ; When last expressed in the parting kiss. The one is gone you're sure to miss. Wm. Strong. Jl ini$ttiKler$tanP$ieric$* The orchard boughs were all in bloom ; My love and I sat 'neath a tree ; Between us there was little room ; We sat where none around could see. The summer flowers the air did scent ; Brimful of joy the hours we spent. Our cup of happiness ran o'er, 'Twas pleasure pure as it could be ; The sorrow that makes hearts feel sore Had never toucheo my love nor me. Can you explain the reason why When filled with laughter she should cry ] We'd played as children o'er the lea ; We'd plucked the wild rose on the moor ; Companions all through life were we ; But ne'er in such distress before. A storm of grief her heart did fill Though all around was calm and still. A woman has within her breast The elements of calm and storm ; All things are moved at her behest, The frost to blight, the fire to warm ; She's fair in form as fair can be, But full of contradictions she. She wept as though a friend had died ; I tried to understand her case ; I sat dumbfounded by her side. And then my arms did her embrace. The storm did quickly then subside ; I'd asked my love to be my bride. Wm. Strong. THE KEW IIEAVEX. Sprinflrime and £oue. The affinities of Spring and love Are felt by the human heart, A glance from her I love so well Smites like a Cupid's dart ; And, whispering in a willing ear, Love says, " We cannot part." The affinities of Spring and love, IJke wedding bells do ring ; A hope that makes the bosom swell Returns with every Sprin^r ; We long to put our arms around Some lovely, charmini; thin*. The affinities of Spring and love Bring joy to the poet's soid ; His pencil may portray a thought, But fails to tell the whole. The rapture of the opening Hower Chants from the mystic roll. The bloom upon the early rose. The blush upon her cheek ; The meek, retiring violet bed Where we played hide-and-seek. To tell the joys that in them .'ie My words are all too weak. TT .,, ^ ^^'^i- >Stiioxg. Hamdton, Ont. M rilE XEW HEAVEX. Cbe Dear Old Farm. Though cherished memories of youth No pencil can portray, The nooks and comers of the farm Are with me all the way ; Those sunny spots where breath divine Revives all latent powers, And balmy breezes every spring Call forth the early flowers. The birds postpone their honeymoon To gather moss and hair, The cheerful chatter of the mates Is heard from everywhere ; The lambkins on the hillside sport — No thought nor care have they ; The trees and shrubs on every side Are decked for holiday. The hedgerow where the hawthorn blooms Gives perfume rarely sweet, And there the bursting primrose beds Make carpets for your feet ; The meadows where we picked May flowers Are stretching far and wide ; The brooklets babbling through the dells Are lost in ocean tide. In sheltered corners of the lields We romped the while the posies grew ; I long to be a boy again — Drink in the fragrance all anew. THE XEW HEAVEN. The cliffs and crags and mountains high Lend dignity and charm ; The things that lift one nearer Heaven Are in that dear old farm. Though cherished memories of youth Xo pencil can portray, The nooks and corners of the farm Are with me all the way. Wm. Strong. 95 Co Spring. We wait the magic of thy touch, Thou fairest of the seasons four ; Thy charming smile doth me bewitch. As o'er dead nature thou dost pour' The liquid breath that life doth give, And bids the dry and withered " Live." We love to think that thou art here— Gloom and despair give place to joy, Thy promise leaves no room for fear ; ' Thy gold is free from all alloy ; The resurrection power is given. And earth is placed next door to Heaven. The silent birds break forth in song, The flowers spring up around thy feet ; We've waited for thy coming long ; Xow rested nature doth thee greet. Our hopes to full fruition rise— We bask beneath the brightest skies. 96 THE NEW II HAVE X tbe Student. He read a thotjsaiul books or more, And gjithered piles of facts thereout — Piles, did I say ! A million score, And facts they were, I have no doubt. Ho planted deep in fertile soil, And watered well with wholesome fear ; Some thought the seed would only spoil — He gathered corn — rich, golden ear. Each fact a seed ; each seed took root. On every sti^m a hundredfold — A harvest rich ui mellow fruit — He bought the truth, but never sold. ^\'M. STlltiXG. Cbe Common People. "Gixl must havL- loved the common jjeople, He made >o many of them."— LixcoLx. A great man once, by God inspired, AVith heaven-born patriotism fired. Stood, and befoie the people spoke — The words rang clear 'mid battle smoke— "God made and loved the common folk." God made the great of world-wide name ; Bestowed the gifts that lead to fame : The poor He appoints their proper place ; Nor wealth nor want is a disgrace — The word comes clear to caste and sect : w TlfE XEW If E A VEX. " For persons He hath no respect " ; Yet in the numbers He has given We plainly read the law of Heaven, T e t=meiy words by Lincoln spoke : " God made and loves the common folk." The autocrat, to power born, And wealth, may turn the lip of scorn ; God speed the day when right shall rule, The sceptre shall forsake the fool ; Shackles fall off as by a stroke. And kings be made by common folk. Wm. STRONrt. «M ClK f aircsr Spoi. The place where I played as a boy Is the fairest in all God's creation ; As I sit and think of it now, Its beauties pass in rotation. The daisies that peep through the t^rass. Are the sweetest you ever could see ; The primrose that covers its banks Each breeze wafts its fragrarjce to me. Ihe lambkins enjoying their sport, Are -acing again on the hill ; The brooklet that babbles between Glides onward the ocean to fill. 6 » T//E XEW I/EAVEX. The lark, in its mounting aloft, • ToMes mui-c from out it« wee throat ; And off to the southwest I see The sails of a fisherman's boat. The thrtish that loud whistles its notes Sits perched on the top of yon tree ; Am I back to my boyhood again, Or haA memory brought it to me ? The tireless sun in the west Moves ever new landscape to greet ; His rays gleaming through the old oak Make golden streaks all round my feet. From under the old orchanl trees My mother appears in full sight ; How well I remember her voice ! And it sounds familiar to-night. The hawthorn that blooms in the hedge Sends perfume in every direction ; The whole now appears to my view, They're more than a vague recollection. Should this prove only a dream, I hope soon the real to behold ; The charms of the spot are so great. Its fr^chantment I fail to unfold. The place where I played as a boy Is the fairest in all God's creation ; As I sit and think of it now, Its beauties pass in rotation. Wm. Strong. THE XKW IIEAVEX. 99 IRp Venture. The day wm warm, the weather fair— We MUght the shade, yes, you know why, Near the rustic stair— the arbor there- Just she and I. V> * talked of school and college days, <^' the girls and boys we knew ; I much admired her charming ways— And you would, too. Her comely form, her winning look ; The seat was made for two ; Beneath our feet the silvery brook — Refreshing, I tell you. A delightful hour ! ecstatic b ! Most opportune, yoi must . ^.ee ; With impulse strong J 'Ud her kiss — Can you blame me ? We meet each other often, «till. And have experienced more of life ; She shares my burdens up the hill— My own dear wife. Wm. Strong. I : 100 THE NEW HEAVEN. CDe Caraei' Vieu). I stood upon a mountain top, With distant landscape view ; There stood another by my side, A company of two. The exhilarating air did blow South-west against our face ; Her garments fluttered in the breeze, Her form was charming grace. A blast much stronger than the rest Caused me to proffer aid. And as I took her in my arms, Just guess the words she said. " I could endure the greatest storm If held in your embrace." And then her rich brown tresses "Were scattered o'er my face. Mountains and storms, e'en cruel blasts. Are blessings from above ; They carry off the selfish thought And show the strength of love. I ne'er enjoyed such landscape view. Such breadth of rolling sea, And never till that moment knew That she cared aught for me. VVm. Strong. THE NEW II E AY EX. 101 Born* Rof made* The power to write a pretty poem Is a gift that can't be bought, For none but Nature can bestow The pen and ink and thought. And even if surrounded with Material most profuse, Unless he has the gift divine, The plant and stock's no use. The poet's pen drops every word Into its proper crease ; He'll only write the thoughts that come, And when they stop he'll cease. His heart must beat in sympathy With Nature's every touch ; He knows what all her lessons are. Nor makes her say too much. No striving for effect is his, No painting green the skies ; His colors are all natural. His mountains the right size. His similes are always true. His lines correct in feet ; Where'er his work appears to view Our hearts rejoice to greet. Wm. Strong. 102 THE NEW HE A VEX, Early one morn there came bouncing A dear little babe to our house. Its angles were shaped by an artist, Its head was as slick as a mouse. We hoped it would stay with us ever ; To rejoice in its coming were two. In its cheeks there were dimples so pretty, Its eyes were a nice shade of blue. I'm sure we were never so happy — So delighted — because it had come. We examined its toes and its fingers ; Its body was plump as a plum. The railways don't bring us the babies ; They come to us from the skies ; They're not so learned as the old folks, But the questions they ask are more wise. I'm sure they are gifts from the Maker ; They claim the best we can give. It's sad, but then I must state it — Folks say the best ones don't live. We're happy that through the long years The one, then so little, has grown ; She has now been with us so long We forget, and call her our own. Wm. Strong. THE XEW HEAVEN. 108 Cake no Chougbi for jcire. The banker is loaded with stocks and with bonds • The figures are piled to a maddening height. Ao freedom from care, but worry all day, Disturbed by ill dreams and sleepless at night. The merchant, he, too, has a load to sustain • Observe and behold, he is weighted with care; Ihe wrinkles are coming to furrow his face And premature frosts are whitening his hair. Society's votaries for a time may step light Sustained by the nectar they sip from 'the flowers ■ iJut wait just a little, the burden will come- The strain of the dance ; the load of late hours. Those who shrink from the care of a home : Are thev free ? Those who dread the real work that a family make ' Is sunshine alone for the spinster c . maid ? Does r,he bachelor's back or heart never ache ? What are freedom and joy, and where do they dwell ? Shall I go to the mansion, or hie to the cot ? Can they be attained by a mortal below ? Are they within reach ? 0, say, are they not ? Yes, weary one-see that stonebreaker's home ; His wife and six children awaiting sunset— ' They all go to meet him, the six in a row, The little one first— the dear little pet. Wm. Stron(;. 104 THE XEW IIEAVEX. Rural Rappinm. Have you escaped the greater harm — The modern city's magic charm, And learned industry on the farm ? Then thank your stars. Have you snjoyed your country hfe, Made choice of a contented wife, And settled down, away from strife ? Then thank your stars. Do you possess your acres clear, And till the ground from year to year; Seeing fii-st the blade, and then the ear 1 Then thank your stars. Can you let politics alone, Live happily in any zone ; When buying beef expect some bone ? Then thank your stars. With prospects of a crop of hay, Provision made for rainy day — I mean a little put away ? Then thank your stars. Have you got children, two or more. With prospect of a half a score, With hats and cloaks and boots, galore ? Then thank your stars. Can you from vain ambition keep. Learn what to sow and when to reap ; Enjoy your work and restful sleep ? Then thank your stars. THE NEW flEAVEX. ^ 105 Give to your neighbor no offence, Pay all your debts— one hundred cents- Make your religion common sense ? Then thank your starp. Can you assist the man that's poor— Perhaps he tramps from door to doo! — Impart out of your goodly store ? Then thank your stars. Have you a hope beyond the grave ? Are yen a servant, not a slave. Obeying whom your blessings gave ? Then thank your stars. W»r, Strong. memories* Heaven help me just for once to dip my brush So I may catch the hue, And paint the pictures that mine eyes beheld, ^ That sweet spring morn when the distilling dew Jell from the hawthorn blossom upon the primrose bed • When from the tree-top, meadow, and from briar bush Came the mimitable notes of linnet, laverock, thrush. No uninspired pen can possibly portray The beauty of the landscape scene— The pleasures of the hour, youth's joy, earth's charm. As came ushering in the day. There is a color that the artists use To paint the water, earth, and trees ; But what can represent the song of birds. Or the sweet humming of the bees ? 106 THE NEW HEAVEN. Tell me, ye apirits, the enchantment that ye use Youth's pleasures once again to bring, The meek violet, sweet hawthorn blossom, And spring primrose perfume to diffuse. Wm. Strox(}. tiK PDiiosopDp or £ire. There's nothing we require more Than life's philosophy to know ; 'Twill help us when our hearts are sore : Brings cheer whichever way we go. There's compensation in our loss — There's strength for every bridge we cross. There's joy at hand when sorrows press, When clouds hang heavy overhead ; When we are suffering sore distress — In ways unseen are being led. Its truth will keep us without fear While o'er life's roughest seas we steer. Our Pilot has been o'er the course; His wisdom guides our every turn ; His promise comes with greatest force When cyclones make our seas to churn ; He whispers comfort i.i each breeze. As we pass o'er life's stormy seas. And when the waters rise and swell, Threatening to swamp our little bark, To know that He doth all things well Brings sunshine to dispel the dark — To know that wisdom, power, and love Control the lower from above. Wm. Strong, ritE NEW HEAVE X. IQ7 Our f laa, our Bops, our Queen. (Written at tlie time of the Croiije surrender.) Though round you music we have hurled, With Union Jacks above unfurled, Six million mouths all shouting praise. And you have had no rest for davs, We pen another note of thanks To you, returning from the ranks— You, who the Cronje camp did crush, Heroically the foe did rush. Vour modest mien proves valor true. While men in madness honour you. And woman-kind, ne'er found remiss, Plant on your cheeks affection's kiss. With manly form and soldier's dress. In calmest words we noAv express, " Is final proof of duty dene When ^'mness made the foe to ru.i. ' Such men to thrones give stable stand, While ready they with heait and hand. Count not their lives too good to lend That Freedom's cause they may extend. Here's to the flag— red, white and ))lue— Then to the boys who proved so true. And to our (^ueen, so proud of you ! Hamilton, Ont. Wm. Strong. 108 THE NEW UEAVEX, 6od and Britain. (Written on the receipt of news of the relief of Ladysmith. ) The arm of Britain groweth strong, She wields it with her might ; And by its power, this very hour, God vindicateth right. " A vaster Empire than has been " Beats back the Boerish horde ; Our sons nr.\i and press the fight, 'Tie the anuy of the Lord. The tyrants' cruel heel no more Her golden sands shall press ; On every kop doth shine new hope, Freedom and happiness. The vile fanatic's day is past, His history's a stain ; On land and sea men must be free, And God and Britain reign. Wm. Strong. Hamilton, Canada, March Is/, 1900. THE NEW HE AVE K. 100 Our Belooed Queen. " An Empire greater than has been," A nation with perpetual day, Hastes to do honor to the Queen Who did so long the sceptre sway. A patter to a people free, No pompous folly marred her life, A queen, a wife, a mother, she. Gentle, but grand, and free from strife. A diadem was on her brow. Divinely raised to grace a throne. Her worth the world is measuring now. The kingdoms all her death bemoan.' She's gone to reign where thrones endure. Her illustrious son succeeds her here; May he the strength of kings secure. The God of nations love anu fear ! May the events transpiring now Cement the Empire closer still ; Before the King of Kings we bow And own supreme His sovereign will. TT ., ^ Wm. Stron(} rlamilton, Ont. January 30th, 1901. 110 THE NEW ItEAVSN. Pap. Pap. pap. The " abaent-minded beggar," Now returning from the fray, With the scars of battle on him — He for months has been away — Let him hear of service i-endered, Tender him a due reward ; Let the nation now be liberal ; He has fought her battles hard. Let us meet him with a welcome ; Let him share the victor's spoil ; Pay him now with gold and diamonds From the land where he did toil. Men should never muzzle oxen When they're treading out the corn ; Let us deal with men in justice. Let them know we're Britons born. With the flush of conflict fading. And the strife of conquest o'er, As the fragments of our regiments Place their feet upon our shore. Let us not forget their valor ! May it stir again our pride ! They have helped the cause of freedom — British flags are floating wide. Wm. Strong. toxiiox : FBIARM PR,XT,.V« .iSMOC.mox. UMITBD. ^>A, TtrWB HTHICKT, B.C.