IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 11.25 us. I HRIi 2.5 Hi Hfi I.I l.*^ 1^ 1^ 1.4 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716)872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IMicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques f Tachnieal and Bibliographic Notaa/Notas tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tlia baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographicaily uniqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. G Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur {~n Covara damaged/ D Couvartura andommagAa Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raataurAa at/ou paliiculte □ Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua r~~| Colourad mapa/ D D D D D Cartaa gAographiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa •» coulaur Bound with othar matariai/ RaliA avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ Laraliura aarrie paut cauaar 'la I'ombra ou da la diatortion la long da la marga intAr^aura Blank laavaa adud during raatoration may appaar within tha taAt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajouttea lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, mala, loraqua cala Atait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont paa 4tA f llmAaa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa supplAmantairaa: Thia itam ia filmad at tha raduction ratio chackad balow/ L'Inatitut a microfilm* la maiilaur axamplaira qu'il iul a At* poaaibia da aa procurer. Laa d*taila da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modif iar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana « m*thoda ncrmaia da filmaga aont indiquAa ci-daaaoua. r~~| Colourad pagaa/ Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagtes Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou pallicul*as Pagaa diacolourad. stainad or foxai Pagas d*color*a8, tachat*es ou piqu*ea Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa d*tach*as Showthrough/ Tranaparanca Quality of prir Quallt* in*gala da I'impraasion Includaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du material auppl*mantalra Only adition availabia/ Saula Edition diaponibia I — I Pagaa damagad/ I — I Pagaa raatorad and/or laminated/ I — I Pagaa diacolourad. stainad or foxad/ I I Pagas datachad/ r~^ Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ r~n Includaa aupplamentary material/ I — I Only adition available/ Tha tot! D Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by errata alips, tiaauaa, etc.. hava been ref limed to ensure the best possible Image/ Lea pagaa totalament ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. una pelure. etc., ont *t* film*es A nouveau de fapon * obtenir la mailleure image possible. Tha po« ofti film Ori| bag! tha aion oth« firat aion or II Tha ahal TINI whii Map diffc antii begi right requ mati 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 7 12X 16X »X a4X 28X 32X Th« copy filmed h«i« has b««n r«produc«d thank* to th« g«n«rotity of: L'oxmnplairo fllm4 fut roprodult grico A lo g4n4rotlt* do: Mar la pramlar plat at an tarminant soit par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta d'Impraaaion ou d'illustratlon, soit par ia second plat, salon la cas. Tous lee eutrea exempleires origlneux sont fiimis en commenpant par la pramlAre page qui comporte une emprelnte d'impreeaion ou d'lllustratlon at en terminent par ia darnlAre page qui comporte une telle emprelnte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol «^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol Y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un das aymboias suivanta apparattra sur ia darnlAre image da cheque microfiche, seion le cas: ia symbols -^ signlfle "A SUIVRE", ie symbols V signlfie "FIN". IMaps. plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Thos^ too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre flimAs A des taux da rAduction diff Arents. Lorsque ie document est trop grand pour Atre roprodult en un soul clichA, ii est filmA A partir da Tangle supArleur gauche, do gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant ie nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 VERSES DEVOTIONAL § MISCELLANEOUS. BY EEV. J. A. RICHEY. Restorer of the Erring - 66 The Deserted 67 The Servant Girl's Dream • - . - - 60 God in Art .-.-.-•. 62 My Home -----,---68 Days are Passing -.-----64 LATER MISCELLANIES. The Church Until Now 69 Oh ! the Church of Our Sires .... 71 The Two Parties 73 The Aggrieved Parishioner - • • - 76 Read this, Friend - ..... 76 Matins -------.-77 Rhyming Letter to Theophilos • • . • 79 Charity and Charity ... - • 82 i CONTENTS. Herring fcr Dinner .---.-- 87 A Plea for Fishermen in Church Building - • 89 Care - - - 91 Life's Lessons - 92 The School-Mistress 93 In the Mill .... . . 96 In t'le Drifts ... ... 97 A Night Revery ' - 99 O Kino of Nations 103 Suspense ........ 105 The Dying Disciple 107 On the Assassination of the Hon. T. D. McGee - 108 In Cassock and Surplice - ... - 112 To a Dear Son — Deceased - . - - - 115 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CHARACTER. Divine Protection - - - - • - -119 The Finger of God 120 When Blinded Guides 122 The Book of Books ... - - 123 Christmas Carol ....... 124 Christmas Hymn ....... 125 Carol for New Year's Eve - - . t - 127 For the Epiphany ....... 128 The Crucifixion 129 Easter Hymn 131 For the Ascension i:<4 So Came Thy Spirit ... . . 136 Trinity Sunday 138 Through this Long and Darksome Night - - 139 Thy Truth the reasons. Lord, Declare - - - 141 Baptism .... . . 142 Child d Hymn 143 Treason 145 ' . Prayers at Night -..._.. 146 La e Ropentance 147 Returning ... ... 143 f Resignation ........ 150 We Give Thee, Lord, of Thine - - - -151 Li^'ht at Evening-time ■ ..... \bQ On the Same 15g On the Same - 169 ,; Evensong - . - . . ... iqq tf Evening; Hymn ... - . - 162 Lord of All - . 163 i <©tt tht §ivitit ^mkt '• ii DAY BY DAY. FoTy from ihe rising of the sun^ even to the going d&am v/ the same, My Name shall be great among the GenlHles; end in every place^ inomse shnll be offend unto My Nams, and \i Pure Offering ; for My Karne shale be great among the htdtii' <<», saith the Lobd (if Hosts. — ^Malachi I. ii. ,S earth revolving greets the sun With early warblings which oWruu Her circle daily and ascend Incessantly, world without end, So doth the Chui^ch — to God — upraise A ceaseless round of prayer and praise, Warms— in His Light— to new desire, And alway is baptized with fire And with the Spirit. Temple gates Are somewhere open. Somewhere waits Christ's Minister, and somewhere calls • Aloud the matin bell, till falls Persuasive on the spellbound ear 12 ON THE DIVINE SERVICE. A sacred strain to ange-ls dear. Christ is forever — ever sings The Church Hi^ laud. The honr that bring* Us sleep, awakes from sober lair Part of the Church to offer pi ayer • When that o'er-wearied seeks repose, We rise refreshed j devotion glows On lips late slumber-sealed : and never Will Zion cease her song to raise, But ^'ing it ever and forever, Girdling the world with prayer and praise, Christ v^ her Sun. His glory fills Her valleys, aud adorns her hills, Makes glad her children seeking light, And warns the slumbrous, when their night Is o^er, to rise, nor make delay. But gird themselves to greet the Day. The Church no other orbit knows — Circling her Christ she ever goes Bound from the Manger to the Cross f E'en by the Wilderness, where moss, Unsightly shrub and clum:^y stone Compass the tempted Pi'grim lone ; And by the haunts He frequented, (I DAY BY DAY. 18 Where sickness was, or life had sped ; And by the Garden, solemn, still. Where sweat of blood, and deathly chill. Each other chased adown His cheek Who " Not my will, but Thine" would speak: Moves in her orbit until — clear From fleshly pang and ghostly fear ; From faintings pitiful to see. From bleeding Brow and Blood-stained tree — She comes where rests on stone His Head Who rested not till with the dead ; And brightens to behold Him stir. And rend the rock bound Sepulchre, Her little hills on every side Basking in bliss of Eastertide I Christ to the Church is All in all, On her His beams benignant fall. Melting the ice, breaking the gloom. Gilding with gladness Font and tomb. And if Ascension Glory spreads A cloud beneath the light it sheds — O'er-dazzling light — to eyes untrained Revealing naught ore it hath pained — Full soon the Spirit's gift of power u ON THE DIVINE SERVICE Descends in pentccostal shower ; The heads that drooped are raised again, The doubtful way now waxes plain, No longer fainting spirits call " Come back to me, my Lord 1 my All I** But gaze into eternity, Blessing the Holy Trinity, And would depart —with Christ to be Oh ! not in vain the holy hours And seasons all are His, not ours : 'Tis that His Life sublime — before . Believing eyes lived o'er and o'er, As day by day and year by j^ear Devotion sees it iinrrored near Upon appointed page — maj' preach More potently than words else teach His gentle Precepts, and procure Our hearts' acceptance. We were sure He died for us. And yet we know He deigns the wondrous truth to show — - Not graven on hitfloric lore Alone, but — full displayed before Heaven and Earth, whene'er that Bread I bAf BY DAT, IS Is broken, and that Wine is shed On Christian Altar. We — baptized With water — have we too despised Suggestive form and sacred rite, Ana deemed faith's symbols pagan quite And anti'Christian ? Bless the Lord i May He be by my soul adored For every sacramental thing ! And for the holy days that bring Me needful memories of how He triumphed where I struggle now I Nor shall we lose the saintly life Of old cast on this world of strife, As bread upon the water ; found With gladness when the days camo round Of harvesting. What precious seed The Church hath sown, that she might feed The present with the past ! Nor blame We her that she hath reaped the same In roll of martyrs, and in fame Of virgin-*, and hath loved to name On tablets of devotion — those On whose obedient faith she rote, ttf ON THE DIVINE SERVICE. And riseth yet, and etill shall rise, While God by fools confounds the wise. And there is One whose cherished name Like oil assists devotion's flame; Her soul doth magnify the Lord, And with her hymn is He adored : Not hers the need, but ours the gain, That we repeat her treasured strain. And sing, at close of well-spent day. Such worthy praise, so sweet a lay. EASTER BELLS. JSTtf tahdh up the simple out qf the duet : and l\fteth the poor out of the mtre. — Psalm cxiii : 6. [iNGl ri!ig the bells for Easter morn! The gayest morn in all the year I The Lord of Life, from death new-born, Hath changed our Lent to plaster cheer : After the fire, the gold is fine ; After the storm the sun doth shine ; EASTER BELLS. 11 After the carnage-wail is past, The triumph-song for aye may last; Weariness still precedes renown, Calvary's Cross Life's fadeless Crown. Ring from the grand Cathedral tower, Whence want mayhap hath looked on power ; Ring from beneath the village spire. Its gilding tipped as if by fire ; Ring from the ruiiil belfry too, And forest arch resounding through j O'er city, hamlet, field and bay. Ring I ring for joy of Easter Day I — Our Surety is accepted now. Not thorns, a halo decks His Brow ; He dwelt with Death, but did not stay, He rolled the massive stone away ; Angelic watchers waiting near. Proclaim the truth : " He is no+ here." Free is His Arm, mighty to save — He let the light into the grave : And some — fiom higher than yon tower — May look again on wealth and power. ts ON THE DIVINE BERVICE. GOING TO CHURCH. I / v>a» glad when they aaid unto me : We trill go into the houteo/the Lord. — Psalm cxxii : 1. [ROM north and south, from east and west, All decently, but plainly drest. Not flaunting dross of worldly taste, Their words but few, their manner chaste, The people to their Temple haste. Devoutly each now seeks a space Whereon to kneel and ask for grace, For grace aright his Kinq to greet, And offer up a service meet To touch the Ear and Heart of God, The sceptie win, avert the rod. The rich, the poor, the j'oung, the old. The warm, the prudent and the cold, The widow, bride, the celibate. And lowly born, and proud, and great, (Bach hwirt with its infirmit}^, QOINO TO CUtTRCli, ly Its life to live and death to die, And bringing all its burden there) Together kneel in lowly prayer. There are to whom the walls are dear, E'en when no festival is near, And neither hymn nor chanted psalm Nor litany invades the calm ; For whether loud responses roll. Or prays inaudibly one soul. The thought is that our God is here I JEfe dries the lonely mourner 3 tear, He heeds the honors done His Name ; It is our Father's House the same : From hence ascends not pi'ayer alone. But Voice of Blood of G-od's Own Son. 20 ON THE DIVINE SERVICE . ALTAE AND TABLE. TTc have an Altar. — Hebrews xiii. 10. Jested in gold-embroidered white, Fragrant, and tapers all alight. Bearing o'er all bejewelled sign Of Triune Love, the Love Divine ; Or plainer Table fitly spread, Where children kneel for Christ their Bread ; The Altar is a Table too, The Table is an Altar tiue ; The Lamb obi ated— eaten there, "We feed where we have offered prayer. Some would the Sacrifice o'er-plead. And fome would only over-feed -. Devotion will with faith unite — To olfer — feast on — Christ— aright. iSOIKG TO HOLT ALTAR-EASTEB DAT. 21 GOING TO HOLY ALTAE.— EASTER DAY. The nngere go before. — Psalm Ixviii. 25. PHE bell has ceased, no breath has stirred, Save from the vestry, faintly heard, The choir responding thrice ^'Amen/ Expectant silence reigns. And then, Like sound of distant waterfall, Breaks, on the listening ear of all, In Eastermusic^s glad refrain. Telling it o'er and o'er again. Till e'en the tombs mu^t needs look gay. That Christ the Lord is risen to-day \ "'Tis ocean music on the shore, A leeward shore, when enters, swift, The Christian Standard borne before, A white jDrocession, like a drift Of April snow that curled up high Into the Chancel; and ihe eye Discerning smoke of incense there, Foretells a fragrance. ' Neath the rood. 29^ ON THE DIVINE SERVICE. And filing up the Chancel Btair In order soldierly and good^ Bat making reverence before The Altai*, where they will adore So soon when Christ their Host will shed His Presence there, the choir has led. The greatest last and first the least, Followed by ministers and Priest. With hearts which to their God aspire, The clerks their steps, their stalls the choir, Have taken, and kneel ; and the priest Pausing a moment first, has stepped Up to the Altar, where was placed The sacred Chalice of the Feast — The sacred Chalice which is kept So reverently veiled and graced With gold embroideiy. * ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ KYRiES AND COMMANDifENTa. 29 KYEIE3 A:^D COMMAXDIMEXTS. Thinh not that I came to destroy the Law.—'^i. M itt. r 17, OMMAND and Kyrib : Yet of old Our fathers did not here unfold — inopportune — this dreadful chart Of violated law — and smart The kneeling worshippors with fear Of maleJiction ! God thus near, They sang the Ktries : we with law Would make our Kyries fervent! awe Indarting midst this blaze of love I For Faith with Iiinovation strove, And lost and won, but gained — the world, A zephyr came against the Eock Which felt not that, nor any shock : But MS the tempest m'ght have hurled— "The wani'on hurricane — to sea, And suq]c us in its .short-lived glee. Not so, His Holy Name be praised ! Did God oixiain, but men upraised / 24 ON THE mVINE SERVICE. Who faithfully conserved the cause Of truth and faith and righteous laws. And wrung, from chaos of the hour, A cosmos not devoid of power. And even when we kneel to sing These Kyries to the Triune King, And think of only Him Who died, And all our lack of love supplied, If, startled, we ai e forced to hear The Law come thundering on our ear, Tis well if coiiseience whispors clear. The fortified have naught to fear, And clean confession, gone before. Our minds and hearts to peace restore l^ But if unshriven we have come, That hope is shorn, our lips are dumb: Nor must we fasten our own blame On Mount that burns with, livid flame, Nor yet on Mothei' not too blind \ Perhaps more indulgence weie less kind. The Priest hath turned him to the west, And with the L:iw hath done his best — With each command hath given space- For Kyri£ chanted back for grace "/ believe: M Of mercy, and for guidance right, That Love may triumph over Might I "I BELIEVE." One faith. — Epbesians iv. 6. 'he middle of the Altar now The Piiest hath taken, to avow Our Faith in what we have received- In all the Chuich not rent believed, Ei e yet, for honest parties two, One council sage had ceased to do. Such Faith each branch retaineth still, Yet adds, alas I vvhate'er it will, Scorns in the past alone to live. And licen^^e takes it will not give. "Where aiigels whisper, or are dumb. If tamele-8 thoughts unbidden come, Tiuth on their wini^s declines to riam, And in thy conscience sleeks its home, Itself imparts, by God revealed, 26 Oil THE DIYINE SERVICE. Or is denied, by Him concea'ed. I hold that naught exists for naught — Whence deep devotion then ? and thought Which claims eternity? And whence The Church ? her history ? The sense Is this — if we will not be blind — That GrOD hath spoken to mankind. Beligion is. 'Tis not denied A want there was which it supplied. But how ? For if with falsehood, ill, 'T were best the want existed still. Then who to man the truth denied ? Transmitted falsehood who supplied ? The Priest doth " I believe" intone, And singeth on, but not alone; For "I believe".., Can mortal tongue The solace of the Creed — as sung By choristers, with organ peul That makes e'en flesh like spirit feel — Describe unto the ear unblest That ne'er the privilege possessed To hear it thus ? Oh \ who could stand Within the Christian-soldier band, With Credo ringing in his ear, ON PREACHING. IT And entertain a doubt or fear, As if mortality might be A boundies-*, deep, unfuthomed sea, Ingulfing, in its midnight breast, Of all God's works the noblest, best? With priest and people well agreed, Devotion flags not through the Creed. By gesture and by tone avowed, By head at name of Jesus bowed, By genuflections meekly made When wondrous " Was made Man" is said, And due obeisance not denied At " worshipped and glorified," And sacred sign on breast displayed At " Kesurrection of the dead," Faith signals that her Creed is sung From willing heart by willing tongue. 28 ON THE DIVINE SERVICE. ON PEEACHING. And how shall they hear, without a preacher.— HomsLns x. 14. tow invocation duly said, And text announced, he preach eth well Who re legate I h to his head The argument alone : the swell Of feeling, and the fiery dart Of eloquence, come from the heart. He wearies nol, nor speaks in vain, Whose words are forcible and plain And not too many. Folks will say, *'The sermon was too short to-day." And yet, in fact, 'twas only good For th' appetite, like wholesome food. So when " And now unto the Father," Pi'oclaims the peroiation done, Each rising listener would ratiicr The argument was but begun. OFFERTORY AND OBLATION, OFFERTOEY AND OBLATION. And in every place, incense shall be offered unto My Name, and a Pure Offering — Malachi i : 11. F next the Golfers of the King Are passed from hand to hand, and ring ip With fitting tribute, 'tis instead Of juicy Wine and wheaten Bread — Oblation Pure — and to express The people's greater willingness : For what the Sacrifice demands, Is not enough for many hands To offer. More each heart aspires To give, than present need requires. Besides, the offered Sacrtb^ice, Supported Ministry implies. And, that it reach to every door. Some kind provision for the poor. The gold, the silver, and the mite — The little all that doth delight The Father's Heart, and which restore Olf THE DIVINE SERVICE. He will, but with it vastly more — Unto the Celebrant are brought, i; Who humbly, by the rubric taught. Presents them. So is Church possessed Of what hath been accepted, blessed. 'Tis quick removed, and maketh way For the Oblation of the day. COMMEMOEATION OF LIVING AND DEAD. I exhort therefore^ first of ally that supplications, pra'jf- «r», intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men. — 1 Timothy ii : 1. ,ND here is Intercession done For all the Church, that every one Who doth the name of Christ confess May Faith more value, and express In oneness ; and for royalty. That it may aye a blessing be. And that it plainly may be seea COMMEMORATION OF LIVING AND DEAD. 31 To bo SO in our sovereign Queen ; For her whole council, and that they Who rule may rule without dismay, And still, throughout this vast domain, Religion, virtue, firm maintain : For our apostles, priests, that pui-e They may in doctrine, life, endure. And ne'er the Sacraments defer. But rightly, duly minister : For all the people of our God, If prosperous, or 'neath the rod, That sanctified or comforted. They still may be Divinely led : For those in sickness specially. That timely they may succored bo: For those who now in Jesus sleep. For whom God's Holy Name we bless. That He Who kept them us may keep, And bring— with them — to happiness. And if this prayer with frequent pause The Pi'iest hath offered, 'tis because He hath meanwhile in secret pled For many living and some dead. 32 ON THE DIVINE SERVICE. EXHORTATION AND INYITATORY. But let a man prove himself. — 1 Cor. ii. 28. HE Priest turns to us to express The zeal of Church, her gentle 'is; Her wifely zeal, that naught abhorred Approach the Table of her Lord; Her mother gentleness of heart That cannot see the child depart: " Ye that do truly, earnostly, Eepent you of your sins, and be In bond^ of love and charity. Intend God's holy Law to heed, And life thereto conformed to lead ; Draw«near with faith, and be ye fed, Eefreshed and inly comforted; And OP your bended knees deplore The wound though healed that still is sore." stmatrM cobda and faster preface, 33 SUESUM COEDA AND EASTEE PEEFACE' Lift up your heads, ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the Kin^ qf glory shall come in. — I'sulm xxiv, /. [he Priest doth now his hands upraise, And bids us " Lift" our hearts in praise ; This quick response oui* lips afford, ** We lift them up unto the Lord." He joins his hands in meek acknow Of mercies which incessant flow : " Let us" with " thanks" our God requite, And we respond " 'Tis meet and right." " 'Tis very meet," he saith, and brings Enthusiasm as he sings Of " right and" " bounden duty," ourn, Everywhere, with ransomed powers, And always, to the Lord our King, An offering of thanks to bring. And mother Churcii hath here supplied A Preface meet for Easter-tide, Telling of Paschal Lamb once slain , is^meg^ u ON TBS Divinfs asnricje. But gloriously raised again, WhOj by His Death, did death destroy. And rose to bring us Easter joy. "Therefore with Angels," then is sung, Till '' Sanctus" bursts from every tongue, And people join with priest to laud The glorious Name of Triune God : And if devotion be so strong That Benedictus doth prolong The Sanctus, 'tis no grievous wrong. Our mother's own forgotten song, And music breathing, ere it die, This strain of sweet expectancy. PJiAT^Ii 01" HtrMBLS ACCESS. 38 PEAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS. Lordy I am not worthy — St. Matt, viii : 8. HE Priest before the Altar kneeling, Humble his prayer, humbler his feelingj Placeth his hands to touch the Throne, And pleadeth, in an undertone, That it is not presumption brings Him thus before the King of Kings, Without a righteousness to plead, Or aught beside his people's need And his who kneeleth, trembling, there, To pi'ay acceptance of their prayer ; But Majesty Divine is known For mercies that will ne'er disown A penitent. And almost dumb, Because unworthy of a crumb Beneath the Table of their Lord, And yet presuming at His Board, The kneeling suppliant doth crave 36 ON THE DIVINE SERVICE. His people's pardon and his own, That God, who once so freely gave His First Begotten Only Son To be a Sacrifice for sin, Would let these penitents come in And feast upon the Sacrifice, That so His Body might entice E'en theirs to puiity, His Blood Flow through them as a cleansing flood : That they might dwell in Him alway, And He in them for aye and aye. COMMUNION. The Cup f>f Blessing which we bless is It not a Commun- ion of the Blood 0/ Christ f—\ Cor. x, 16. "AUTIOUS of every gesture, word and thought, The Priest the functions of his office wrought, Yet faith not him but Jesu's self discerned ; Beyond him visible to outward eye, COMMUNION. 31 Our vision pierced, and could the Christ descry, Aflame with love our hearts within us burned. "We meekly came who would be blest, With hands ungloved crossed o'ei* our breast, Our heads in homage forward bent, And l^nelL to take the Sacrament ; The choir and clergy first ; and then, As having precedence, the men ; The women last : and each received In hollowed palm ihe Bread believed To be Divine : and in both hands We took (the Cup such care demands) The Chalice of that pur|)le Flood Which issued from the Side of God. We thus received as from His Hand unseen Who feeds our flocks with fields of living green ; The farmer toils the priest must pray, The Bread He gives Who gives the day. This is the Christ Who yearned to feed, of yore, That multitude on Galilean shore. He who compassionates e'en fle^h that faints, Will never spuin the sou's of trusting saints, Seeking Communion, in this Feast of L )ve. With those on earth and all the host above. 36 ON TBS DIVINE SERVICE. No: on the Altar of the Cross, His Heart Bleeds Himself as nourishment to impart, Lest we should faint and— fainting by the way — Not press to portals of Eternal Day. Oh ! Love transcending thought I the Holy Eood With Blood Divine sustains its famished brood — Water and Blood : howe'er they left His Side, As forth they ilow the Sacred Streams divide For that a world's baptismal Font supplies, And this . . . perennial Cup of Sacrifice. od » ^iUt\Umm$ Wtxm, EARLY ATTEMPTS. SPRING. T was in the budding Spring, which had not blushed, Nor on her cheek, the time whereof I write, Assumed, as yet, those gaudy tints which rushed So quickly up unto the pearly white. The Winter had just fled. Its winds were hushed, Or, loit'ring under Heaven's milder light Which had supplanted now its wintry glare. They bore the fragrant breath of flowers there. The earth seemed burdened by its happiness, The growing greenness of its full breast sighed; The plants themselves seemed plaintive to excess, And, unto lingering zephyrs, did confide Whate'er such tender murm'ring might express, Perchance the deep complainings of a bride Whose mate had been untimely plucked from thence. In its fair growth, which was for her defence. 42 EABL7 ATTEMPTS And living nature, how it joyed^and sangy And wantoned in the light and in the shade I With warbling merriment the whole earth rang, For, in their flight, etherial songsters staid. And came to earth. From thence they upward sprang, Of human footsteps cautiously afraid. And peopled cottage roof and creaking vane. Then flew. The world is part of their domain. The gairish girl — herself within the bud, So mystic, soft, and delicately pure. Which had not blossomed yet, of womanhood — At intervals was merry or demure ; For there was much she could not, much she could Unravel of those beauties which allure The gazer's eye who looks on Spring's fair pride Of animals that play and streams that glide. Such season 'twas aa I have written here. On such a day as I have tried to tell. With such phenomena as, much I fear. How e'er my words upon the theme might dwell, I am inadequate to make appear UpoB this paper nearly half so well SPBIJftjf. 43 As, under Heavon*s all-creative Hand, They were displayed on ocean and on land. Letitia, only in her sixteenth year, Looked forth on hillside green and verdant vale, And saw each beauteous work of God appear In its Unsullied birth — Why should she fail To imbibe the passion of a smile and tear — The passion which hath but an olden tale Of grief and happiness — the passion love — Which they most envy who the most i-eprove ? Within her maiden, soft and lonely breast, An una wakened nature merely dreamed, With eye-lids half up- lifted in unrest> Which would have opened wholly had they deemed The power theirs to make a mortal blest : But on Letitia's heart no ray had gleamed Of love's bewitching sun ; 'twould almost yawn, With its first strange presentiment of dawn. And yet a stranger's eye kad gazed on her. Had drawn a transient lustre ^ronflt her own. His heart had felt unable to aver The reason why it seemM quite alone, 44 EARLY ATTtlMPTS. I Without a voice which could a moment stir Its mopishness to life, since she had flown, As 'twere, athwart his vision, leaving dark The blinded gaze just toucked by beauty's spark. '* Yes, we have only met that we may part, As now forever, each to each unknown, And to the end that one ill-fated heart May have a fresh event whereof to groan. ThoU transient image 1 oh how fair thou art I I would have spoken but that thou wast flown. Forever flown, while yet each thought in me Was mute for joy of having gazed on thee." Montreal^ May^ 1857. A CLEAE DAY IN SUMMEE. ^T God's command, the healthful air. By lightnings purged, bestows on flowers The spring-like freshness that they wear I At God's command the earth is fair And smiling through her summer hours ! A CLEAR DAY IN SUMMER. 45 The ocean ceaseth to be wrath ; And, muffled as the gates of Death, In deep profundity of awe. Scarce answers to the passing breath Of wind. As when of old it saw Itself upraised, to leave a path Throughout its midst, with placid brow, So looks the ocean unto God and worships now. The voices of the earth and sea, The many voices of the air, In chorrs all, for praise and prayer. Ascend in blest monotony. Alas I there is a silent lute Which giveth not a thankful sound : Alas I for only man is mute : And he for whom the sea is bound Unto the shore the wide world round ; For whom the light of day was given; For whom the flo^ ars deck the ground — His lute, and only his, is riven, And hath no song of gratitude to send to Heaven. HalifaXy August ^ 1858. 46 EARL Y A TTEMPTS, NIGHTS IN THE WOOD. I. lis night and, far from shelt'ring roof, I lay me down on l>rusli-made bed, In groves through which no iron hoof, Nor white man's form, till now, hath sped* On yonder rock my Micmac guide Sits gazing up into the sky : " There warrior chiefs in bliss abide, Inglorious here their children die." Our blazing fire crackles yet, The glitt'ring sparks ascend fVill high ; For three sworn friends and true are met, — " Shot" and this Micmac guide and I. The moon is shining on the lake. And beasts are prowling through the wood, The partridge hides in yonder brake — And this is forest solitude. NIOUTS /if THE WOOD, 47 II. By the moon's yellow l'<^ht, which foil On the bleak barren where he stood And listened for the distant yell Of prowling beasts, the hunter viewed A far extending lake : its mood Was calm ; and so supremely still, That often he his gaze renewed ; But all was peaceful, save a rill Close by that murmured down the hill. That night he slept more sound than ye Who never left your beds of down. Nursed in the lap of Luxury, Stalled in the fumy marts of town. Ye envy not his poor renown Who scorns your tinsel and your show : The hunter on his bed lay down, His bed of spruce and fir, and so Slept sweetly where the wild weeds grow. His sheets were not of linen white. He needed not a minstrel's aid, Nor yet to pore o'er reading light, 48 SARLY ATTEMPTS. To chase away some spectral shade ; Bui in his brushy bed he staid, Secure, by rock and shrub wrapt in ; And thus, all blithe and undi'^mayed, He soundly slept beneath the wing Of Heaven. 'Twas his covering. Wellington^ 1855. INDIAN DIEGE. C'EE rocky shelf, through sylvan shade, The streamlet holds its crystal way ; And, bending fondly, bushes steep Their lengthened locks therein : and glad The skipping zephyr joins in play, ^ nd urges onward to the deep. Through all this wood of foliaged pine. Our sires traced a course more free : As swift as sweeping winds are wild, Except their prey no bound'ry line, They scoured plain and mountain high, When Freedom blest her fondest child. INDIAN DIROE. 49 Their children naught pervades but gloom, Unroll, O Earth ! the lapse of years, And let the past be past away : Maliciously from yonder tomb See ye how Cultivation sneers ? Our sire's blood enriched that clay. Above us, Death's tyrannic hand. Has long been brandish'd, full in view. To strike us whence v.e deen our own, And (aliens though in Fatherland) Lo, e'en our still remaining few Must soon be dwindled into none ! Wellington, 1855. so EARLY A TTEMPTS VOICE OF THE COMET. Whilst the comet of 837 (which, according to De Sejour continued during 24 hours within a distance of 5,000,000 miles from the earth,) terrified Louis I., of France to that degree, that he husied himaeli in building churches and founding monastic establishments, in the hope of appeasing the evils threatened by its appearance. The Chinese astronomers made observations on the path of this cosmical body, whose tail extended over a space of 60 <^ , appearing sometimes single and sometimes multiple.— JSTwrnJo/i's Cosmos, Vol. l.,p. 64. WANDEEEK on high, I flash the planets by, I leave their occupants to gaess my name They know the heavens well — Of me they cannot tell Whither I journey on, or whence I came. As I approach they fear ; As I recede they jeer Each other's weakness ; as if even they Were innocent of awe. Or knew the hidden law Which guides a comet on its errant way. VOICE OF TEE COMET. 51 Upon an orb called Earth, Children of God, whose birth Is in a mystical mortality, Beheld me, as a bride, Sit shining at the side Of the resplendent San 1 — then what was I ? The harbinger of wrath, I bore upon my path Fulfilment to the prophecy of Fear ! E'en grey -haired Learning shook, And, with an alter 'd look, Beheld me bringing retribution near. I saw whole nations bowed With apprehensions crowd Into their graveyards, unto viewless Death ! I saw his tainted child — Corruption — almost wild Upon the kingdom of dethronM Breath. I saw the crowned thing Earth's people name a king. In vulgar terror — raising unto God Temple and sacrifice, 32 FAULT ATTEMPTS. As though by such device He might avert the just and angry rod. The wise of ev'ry age, The student and the sage, Have written that I am a mystery : They murmur of a " star With fiery streaming hair" And of a "flaming sword" — still what am I ? TO E. T. M. On her heing deprived of her hearing. PHE world is silenced, lips but fain to speak, And smiles are meaningless; the blush- ing cheek, What hath it heard, to heighten thus its glow ? 'T is stillness reigns ! — around — above — below. TO E. T. M. 59 Beside thee we are speaking, and thy name Is not unmentioned, with thy gentle claim On all which tenderness may well impart To soothe thy painful weariness of heart. Thou hearest not, although our words are plain And spoken somewhat loudly, but in vain, For thou art deaf awhile, and hast not heard, Through all this pleasant Spring, one chirping bird. But sorrow not ; nor now too deeply yearn For joys a time withheld, which will return — Return — familiar voices and the notes Thou lovest best, from Nature's myriad throats. And thou shalt walk beneath the foliaged trees Which thou wert wont to visit, and the breeze Will sweep the self-same murm'ring harps on high, And earth will gladden on thine ear and eye. And sounds, from their long slumbers will awake In softer music ; memory will take Within thy spirit with a fresh delight ; And day will dawn, dispelling thy sad night ! Montreal, 1857. &4 EARL T A TTEMPTS. TO THE SAMK 0» her Recovery. "OW Heaven, for tl>y sake^ The silent spell doth break \ And strangely on thine almost startled ear, Back comes the voice of love ; And melodies above The choicest music thou wast wont to hear, Float newly on each passing breeze, Or through the waving branches issue from the trees. With bliss thy heart is filled ; Each word therein instilled Is sweeter than to others unto theer It is a second birth To know that power's worth Which was a captive once and now is free : The bud of hope hath bloom 'd so bright, AH redolent with recollection and delight TO E. T. M. SS Wo bless thy blushing cheek And eyes, when they bespeak "With smiles the recognition of a word, So pleasantly they tell. So truthfully and well, That all which we have spoken thou hast heard: Tis this which makes our spirits gay, 'Tis this which turns our doubt and darkness into day. We should this morn upraise A sacred song of praise To Him Who, though the Angels waiting stand, Hath not forgotten thee: ^Twere better deaf to be Than cured, if still not grateful to the Hao&d Which hath, with love and skill, prepared The medicine of earnest prayer and faith's inward. Montreal^ 1858L 56 HAUL Y ATi 'EMPT8. EESTORER OF THE EERING. ESTORER of the erring ! Light of the strayed I Down on her knees. O Jesu ! Comes a poor maid. Sad is her history. Soon is it told, Warm was one heart to fier ^nd the world cold. No friend hath she now nearer, Lord I than art Thou ; And if one once was dearer, None is so n» w. « Oh I ^^)eak the word, Lord f only, '' Peace. Be forgiven," And bid her, when earth chides her, Dare look to Heaven, '■i ^% THE DESERTED. .57 THE DESEKTED. SLENDEE form goes through the room, Her steps uncertain ; and her soul Seems filled with an immortal gloom, Beyond her mind's control. 'Tis but a year since she was sprightly ; Her feet scarce touched the russet floor, As mce she bounded forward lightly And answered to the door. Some say her heart was then cemented Unto another's harder heart, And that, when his its love repented. Her own broke right apart. '< A foolish tale of childish love," I hear one half the world reply ; \nd all the sages will reprove My story as a lie. , , .y, 68 EARLY ATTEMPTiS, But como and walk beneath this sky, Beneath this interested moon, And we will talk of reasons why Her heart gave way so soon. When he bade her love him so Her willing love no more returned. What prospects vanished ! You must know That when she slowly burned His letters, one by one, they still Contained the hopes that perished too : She was the dupe of love, and will Be sad her short life through 1 Her prospects went, and then belief In human principle was gone. Perchance you think that her great grief Should have distrusted one, And only one, and not the few Who are unlike him. Ah I her best Beloved, by his false conduct, threw Suspiofon on the rest THE DE8ERTSD, 59 Of human spirits. It is done, Her confidence hath been reproved Forevermore...yet was she one Who could have fondly loved. Bat words are useless. From her face The rose of glowing red hath gone ; The lily white... hath ta'en its place... Paler than mai'ble stone I Eeligion ? Ah I you have it now : I own her heart should not be broken, And grief should vanish from her brow Whose peace my God hath spoken. For oh ! His ev'rv word is kind — to When earthly friendships false have flown In Him a woman's heart may find Love changeless as her own I Sydney, C.JB., I860. 60 LABLY ATTEMPTS. THE SERYANT GIRL'S DREAM. THOUGHT the mansion was my own Wherein I am a sei'vant now, The rose from off my cheek was gone, But then I had a lily brow. Oh I all I wished was at command. The world had nothing to deny. With " ardent loves " on every hand, A Queen of destinies was I. All flattering epithets were given, As " Star " and " Angel sent from Heaven." My mind was educated, too, That night of seeming blessedness, And doubled pleasure, wild and new, By perfect power to express. I asked no more, I needed less, The earth, I thought, was wondrous fair* THE SERVANT 01RL8 DREAM, 61 And yet my heart laid little stress On all that bloomed and flourish'd there, 'Twas strange how happiness sat smiling On faces lit with less beguiling. For me, deep chiselled in my heart, There was a room for sorrow mute, Unswept by love's soft soothing art. And by the minstrel's joyous lute. I woke, I laughed with girlish glee, And blessed my birth's humility. For what to me were pomp and pride. With servants waiting all around. And what the flatterers at my side. And what the blush of cultured ground. While honest Peter neither cared ISfv ^ r aw nor, seeing, could have shared ? Ah, now I look in Peter's eyes. And read affection's brightest tale. And am a bird of Paradise 1 Oh ! what would giddy wealth avail, Were he from his dear Susan parted. And she both proud and broken-hearted ? Portland, Me., 1858. 62 EARL Y A TTEMPT8. GOD IN AET. te, not yonder stars alone — Eadiant worlds that make Thy throno- Not the dark, unfathomed sea, Where Thy hidden treasures be ; Not this earth assigned its place, Changeless, ia the realms of space ; Not the impetus it feels. And revolves, but never reels j Not its mountains, forests, vines ; Not its coral ; not its mines : These — not only these — O Lord I Tell the power of Thy Word. But yon edifice so fair, With its turrets in the air ,* Who hath built it ? who designed ? What unknown, but master mind. Inside, outside, up and down. Hath such skill and fancy shewn 1 MY HOME. 68 Him I know not ; he may be High or low, or bond or free : But — whate'er his name or state- Thou, O God 1 did'st him create. MY HOME. ABOUNDED by the sea- washed crag, My home, unbounded by the seas, It is not where my nation's flag. Defiant, floats upon the breeze ; It is not where my feet first strayed Flowers and grass and trees among, ' Where all my quondam playmates played, When we could play ^ when /was young ; It is not where the hearth still stands. The hearth we clustered round of old. When these were only tiny hands. And earth was fair and not so cold : 64 EARLY ATTEMPTS. Where'er my spirit joys to be, Where'er hearts, greeting, bid me come. Where friendship groweth constantly, Where'er my heart is — that is home. Sydney, C. B., 1861. DAYS AEE PASSING. So Uach V8 to number our days : that we may apply our heart* unto wisdom, — Psl. xc : 12. AYS are passing rapidly, Stealing weeks from you and me. Stealing months that ne'er again May requite us joy or pain. Till we press a cold, damp bed. Or till earth reveals its dead : Then these j^^ears once more will be Joy or pain to you and me. Oh I to think how foolishly Years of mercy we roll by 1 Years for usefulness and love I DAYS AR£ PASSING. 65 Years to fit us for above I Years for which the Saviour paid More than e'en the Cross displayed When His Blood distilled like dew, More than men or angels knew I Youth was never meant to spread Clouds of terror o'er our head : Youth is given to improve, Youth is given us for love. Love to God and love to man : Let us know it — as we can — Then these years once more will be Ceaseless joys for you and me. Cape Breton^ 1861. -■'"^i ^ y^.'y \' THE CHURCH UNTIL NOW. There is one Body and one Spirit.— Eph. iv : 4. [HE Church of God, in former years, Christ's solitary witness stood. By Her He wiped the mourner's tears, Through Her applied His Cleansing Blood. His Holy Word, 'twas Hers to read. And still the treasure safe to hold ; 'Twas Hers His sheep and lambs to feed. And, bring them young into the fold. His chosen here. His Spouse on earth. For Him alone She lived and spake, And Christians knew Her sacred worth, And loved Her for their Master's sake. No warring sects Her voice withstood. No trusted friend concealed the sword. The foes of Christ alone were rude, A ^oved His bride who loved their Lord. r 70 LATER MI^CFLLASIES. And still she lived, and lived for Him, And pleaded promisa made to Her, ^or grew Her faithful Witness dim, As time efifaced the years that were* Still, still She labored, struggled, bled, And firmly held Her ancient post ; Till now each man his brother led To swell the armies of the lost. Each human whim a sect must form, Each sect its wondrous claim display—" The Church forgotten in the storm, Seemed like a thing of yesterday. But Christ had suifered, so must She, And still in all His footsteps tread, Her sorrow must Her glory be. She was baptized for the Dead. Not earth-bound are Her hopes and fears, They rest on things beyond — above — She looks to Heaven, through Her tears. And learns in griefs that '^ GrOD is love." OH I THE CHURCH OF OUR SIRES. 11 Of every carnal prospect cured, She lays her gi'iefs the Cross beside, Content to know what Christ endured — Betrayed — forsaken— and denied. OH f THE CHTJECH OF OUP SIEES. The pillar and ground of the truth. — 1 Tim. iii. 16. H ! the Church of our sires is the refuge for me, And an ark for my soul on life's billowy sea ; Like a fragrance that floateth on summer's last breeze, She reminds me of days that were better than these. Though the tones of a stranger as pleasant may be. Yet the priests of the Church are the pastors for me: fa LATER MISCELLANIES, May their souls bo as white as the surplice they wear, And their hearts as devout as their voices in prayer 1 Oh ! the books of the Church I they are treasures to me ; And the prayers with the Bible so sweetly agi^ee, That though pulpits should err, e'en as preachers may do. Still the desk changes not and the Altar is true. So the creed of the Church is the doctrine for me, Her Sacraments valid as frequent and free : And the GrOD whom she worships on earth as above — Is the God of my faith — of my hope — of my love. I ^BJ^ TWO PA^Ti]S$. ti THE TWO PASTIES. It hear that diviaiotu MiH among y&u.-A Cor. zi, 1§* WO bands <>f Workers find employ Within the vineyard of the Lord ; Of those the cry: " Deface, destroy/* Of these '^ Be ancient pomp restored." And these, in comely vesture clad, Their sarcedotal caste express, While those, to veil their priesthood glad, Would win the world with worldly dress. 1?he pulpit those, the Altar these. Would deck with costly art and care, To flatter man, or God appease, And furthur eloquence or prayer* While these intone and chant and sing, And prostrate Tall, t^ ijless His Name Who is at once their Offering, Priest to their Altar, and its Flamej rr 74 LATER MISCELLANIES. Discordant voices those upraise, Some mutt'ring low, some crying loud, And read their prayers and read their praise, And scarce a sinner's head is bowed. For those the pew, the lock and key, And church closed six days out of seven ; For these the seats if plain all free, And daily Offering to Heaven. Yet these the few, by those the si .-ong, Eeviled, defeated — but not won — Must yield their vestment, symbol, song. And suffer for the good they've done ? No — ^by the faith by which you live — By hope that strengthens you to do. And by the love that bids you give Your lives to Him Who died for you — Be still in works of love employed, Be still with ev'ry virtue graced, llebuild what ignorance destroyed, Adorn what prejudice defaced. Maitland, N.S., 1867. T}n: AGQniEV'ED PARISAlONEB, is THE AGGEIEVEB PARISHIONER '* We are of opinion that it is expedient to restrain in the Jublic services of the United Church of Great Biitain and reland all variations in respect of vesture from that which has long been the establishea usage ofthe said United Church, «nd we think this may be best secured by providin^g aggrieved parishioners with an easy and effectual process for complaint and redress." — See " First Beport " ot Bitual Commission : but bo careful to read with it* " Minutes of Evidence and Appendices." ■JE'S aggrieved at the Church that it's pointed and plain, At the Cross, that it's where he so want- ed the vane ; At the Font, for the reason it's down by the door, At the Altar, and Credence, and Alms for the poor. He's aggrieved at the Priest for his cassock so long. At the Choir for their looks, and their books and their song. At the Worshippers bowing, and bonding their knees. fe LAf^n MlSCHLLAlSllifS. At the Seats— that they're free for such peopler as these^ He's aggrieved at the Bishop for leaning thai way^ At the Synod and all whether cleric or lay, At the Bucharist ANiyat the vestments he saw i, Oh ! provide Hm redress by a process at law \ 1 BEAD THIS, FKIBI^D. WholMih required ihie eft your hand, to tread My courfi /— ' Isaiah 1., 12. T is rather uncouth— is Jt not^ frieod ?— That seldom you kneel in the church. But stand during prayers there^ or squat,^ friei^d^ Then talk o'er the news in the porch. It is kind of you truly, no doubt, friend. Of hearing the prayers to ho fond, But really, 'twooild seem more devout, friend^ To hold up your hands and respond. MATU^g. 11 For the Bible and Prayer Book, you know, friend, Are better than common good books, But, certesj 'twere easy to show, friend, More sense of their worth by your looks. The Church is the House of the Lord, friend, Where Christ has His worshippers true, And He, by the angels adored, friend, Is the God so much slighted by you, New London, P.EJ., 1863, MATlKiS. ^arly will J seek Thee. — Fsalm Ixiii, 1. HE morning is misty and mirk, A pallor the sky overspreads, The busy are off to their work, The idle are still in their beds : But up in the village a bell, The church bell, is ringing avfay, To busy and idle to tell / TS LAfUR MtSCJ^LLAmHS. To church that the Priest goes to pray* I'he people are forming their plans, How each one may make himself rich, From " hub" of the lady who fans, To wash-woman's " man" in the ditch j But some from this quarter and that, And some from just over the way, Subduing their voices in chat. To church are repairing to pray. The village gets noisier now, The teamsters go plodding along, The school-boys, that chase a poor coW, And others that join in a song ; But still is the tongue of the bell, And some are beginning the day (That Well it may terminate) well. The few Who to church Went to pray* The clouds from the sky have dispersed, The day is as clear as can be. The school-boys their task have rehearsed, Are out for recess in full glee : MYMING LETTEB T^ "^EOPHlLirs. 19 But bright as the sun shines on all, (And happy and glad is the day) Its kindliest rays seem to fall On those who to church went to pray. KHYMING LETTEE TO THEOPHILUS. Rev. T.S.Richey, Priest, Church of England, and brothei* of the author, was, at the time this piece was written, Rector of Kentville, N.S., smd is now Rector of Eleanor's, P.E.I. Fern Hillj Spry Harbory Nova S. , And August 4th or 5th, I guesa* 'ear THEO' :— That you Wrote I got, Was glad to hear, I tell you what ! But as for off to Kentville going, The thing would now involve hard rowing, And wind and tide so adverse seem. It 'pears to me most like a dream. To " close the folds a Week or two," Is just the thing that would not do : My sheep so sharp for pasture cry, They scarce will drive the lamb-kill by, so LATER MtSCELLANiaS^ But, once unshepherded, might stray, Where wilder flocks would lead the way, Of ev'ry poison'd shrub might eat, And fondly think 'twas better meat* So saith the priest ; the farmer hear ; Kor deem the combination queer : The farm and parish scarce allow The sweat to dry from off my brow, And yet, united, do not give Me, clear of rue, whereon to live. If I abroad my summer spend. Though innocently, with a friend, My hay, unhoused, unmade, unmown. Must lay and rot where it hath grown, My lowiug herd, the winter long, iJpbmid me with such selfish wrong, And bairns unmusically sputter A pai iameiit for mil^ : and butter, "V? iiie I, bewuiling wummer then, T?K *^ winter of my grief" would ken— I beer decline your invitation, Prav l^') %Wj / Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREIT WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716)S72-4S03 ^ ^ 89 IATB9 MtaOELLAJrtE». Benignant law t said sheriff may not sell The wife or child or bed— oh I that is well : On homely fare the little folk may grow^ And purohase p'rhaps a pareafa oorpBo from "woe* :nu8 body theik— not ailbk to discern A dish or sheriff ^s face or grave or urn — To mn, nor e^en to standr- may yet procure !fhe plaintiff'is due^ with coets^ or make li sure« And yet for babe in fond iftaternal arm^^ A mother blesses Giop I nor dreams of hai*ms :: Only perplexed to hear her infant cry^ How should she deem it best that he should die^ ^ay was it greed-«- At midnight, hoooeless^ city streets where shone With festive light the curtained window, I, Not joying in that joy, passed musing by? And that I thought how just one stone that graced A FLEA FOR FISEERUMN. 69 Some lofly edifice — one stone displaced, And sold for what it cost— its price might save A wounded spirit from dishonored grave ? A wounded spirit — but diverse from mine — E'en now I shame me that I did repine : The fish is good, supports a sturdy race — And poverty with ptoons no disgrace ! A PliEA FOB FISHEEMEN IN CHUECH BUILDING. TKepowr have th» Ooipd preached to them,^St. Matthew xi„&. IHE Fisherman^B toil is a wearisome toil, And often 'tis dangerous too, He planteth the labor — ^who reapeth the spoil ? O Water-street merchants 1 do you? >:«■ 90 LATER MI8CELLANJEH. Then now when he asks for a Church to the God Whom even ye rich folk adore, Ye'll not be evasive — for that would be odd — But help him because ha is poor. When coming to market with cargo of fish, What comer more welcome than he ? His presence e'en more than an earl's you could wish — To pass you, what crime it would be ! Election day comes pretty often just now, Too oft for the morals I ween — For fishermen always a zeal ye avow . Which soon ye will cause to be seen. ' Oh yes ! for their poverty maketh you rich, Their labor hath given you ease, . And still there's a heavenly blessing with which They will add to your joy if you please. So forth with your offering cheerfully made, Your offering helpful to man j The fisherman's debt as you know should be paid— We fear that your own overran. CAM\ 91 O parent! and brother! and sister ! and child ! This work is a work to your hand — To build up a Church on the destitute wild, The fisherman's margin of land. CARE. Be\ careful for nothing, — ^Philliptans iv. 6. CARE ! the lines which thou canst trace With thy sharp pencil, on man^s face, I' ''liipi'' ;n"o gentler artist can erase — Not even Love. Thou dost efface Each fair lineament, and write. Where hope was written on the bright, XJnfurrowed brow and tearless eye, Thine own long, mournful history. 0B LATER MISCBLLANISa, LIFE'S LESSONS. / hat* Itanud by txperUnee, — Geaetit xxx, 27. ^EE hard to learn, and eome bat slow^ Bat pay their way, and never go. And, like the planets in the sky, Shine on unto eternity. Oood seed, increasing evermore, They grow into an endless store- Then he who will be wise at last. Achieves, through failures of the past, And things which forced the frequent sigh, His great and final victory. THE SCHOOL MISTRESS, 9S THE SCHOOL MISTRESS. Behold thou host intruded many.^-Job iv : 3. m roof and wall descends the rain, And patters 'gainst my windoir pane, 'Whence gazing, I survey a storm Outpour its wrath on passing form Pf fisherman, or teamster bold. Who quite concedes 'tis " wet and cold " ; Yet here and thei*e some youths I see Whom freshets but inspire with glee: But who is this of form more frail, Her face as alabaster pale. Who passes by, with steps so brisk She seems just conscious of the risk Not to herself? The boys who gi-eet Her reverently, yield the street To her with proud smiles : oh 1 I see— The school-mistress of Section E, * Tis whis pered that'the School Trustees Are deemed too difficult to please ; 94 LATER MISCELLANIES. Assume that it is theirs to scan Defects of teacher, maid or man ; Mistake for laxity of rule Slight liberties allowed in school ; ' . Yea, in their cold, official zeal. Forget the gentle grace — to feel ; And (lest your iranly lip should curl) Misjudge the Mistress — not the girl ! If some there be to watch her walk, And parrot-like prate o'er her talk — Detective gossips who contrive To reap the zest, who will may drive — Their gen'rous efforts she can foil. And thank — though not repay — their toil. And sooth if such were half her woe, Her peace might like a river flow. Meanwhile her maps through moistened eyes She sometimes views; or ciphering, sighs. And far-off thoughts recalls to state What figures next must rasp the slate. She knows that merit must be placed So that no dunce may feel disgraced ; That she must curb the youth too wild, THE SCHOOL MISTRESS. 95 And not chastise a mother's child j The stubborn boy from strife must win To keep the peace without, within, And if perchance he lack a brain. That for his skull must somehow gain ; Must strictly govern, yet be kind ; Must ne'er forget her watch to wind — That watch that — vary how they will — All others must agree with still ; With Satui'days must pay the cost Of precious time through sickness lost j And when for home her bosom burns. Go spend that day o'er dull '^ returns"! But lo 1 the wind has changed ; the rain Has ceased ; and nature smiles again ; The children greet their glad recess. As nothing could their mirth express, Like bound and shout; and she who stands Upon the doorsill, claps her hands — The victor's laurel : and her eyes Flash me reproof for sympathies, In fair exchange. It was in vain I did attempt this pensive strain Of mild condolence. She enjoys 06 LATER MISCELLANIES. The loyal love of all these boys, With consciousness of doing good, That earns a nation's gratitude And more — a world's — although it may Beceive a far less noble pay. For what should she exchange her bliss ?... For what ?... in such a world as this ? IN THE MILL. ForQod M4aheth onee, yta twice, fti man jHretiveth it noU —Job xxxiii, i4. llD ceaseless clatter of the miii. How hard to hear a spoken word : Wait till the pondrous wheels are still, Then will the wished for Voice be heard. So I have listed, year by year, Through hurry, skurry, toil and strife, For accents that I might not hear Amid the whirl of this world's life. iir TE^ DUiFTS. efr •«Mi^^Mk_«lkrf- What if in nature I discern Bend sometime to me, as in love, The Onb for Whom I inly yearn, And seem to see His lips to move^* Is there a time for thought or prayer ? Or must the narrow plank be trod Questioning hope m half despair... Waiting to speak a word... with God ? IK THE DRIFTa Tkou hast made summer and winier.—Fsalm Ixxiy^ Idk WINTER morn of science dawns, And nature now is cold as fair, 0'er*spreads with snow our pleasant lawnS) And freezes with her frosty air^ Survey the drifts I what tandem team Can pull our faith through piles like these ? Conjectures on conjectured seem To gather With each gusty breeze. 08 LAT£R MiaCELLANlHS. No magic wand can such disperse, Nor wingless foot assay to climb : Adieu O dreams ! Bring forth a hearse ? Toll for a faith that had its time ? If that be not decreed above, Why, then, the best our men can do For Oxford, Cambridge, faith and love, Is just to try and shovel through* And when in spring time glory beams Adown the Sun of Eighteousness, This snow will melt to mildest streams Of thought — exhale — return and bless« A NtGttf HMVEHY, 90 A NIGHT EEVEEY. Por now we cee through a glass darkly ; but then face t6 face: now I know in part; hut then ehall I know even as I am known. — 1 Cor. xiii, 12* EAB noon of moonlit, stany night, So chaste, so beautiful and bright, The cloudless air so clear, Though ghostly chill, that Heaven seems To woo us, from our daylight dreams. To soar in spirit near— ^ My spirit doth my vision task I'o penetrate the veil, unmask The infinite, and see Beyond the visible : I yearn The truth, the only truth, to learn. And gazCj O (xOD t on Thee* We have not knovi^n Thee* We survey Thy works, the worlds and night and day. And see that there is law : 100 LATER MlSCtlLtAHlKS. But who elect of all mankind Beheld Thee ever ? knew Thy Mind 7 Or named Thee but in awe ? !?^; For we ignore the mad profane. Hell's bravos in a battle vain ; And others have adorned Their own creation with Thy Ifame, Which makes it not with Thee the same^ Thoa 'rt praised if it be scorned < A god evolved of human brain, Might e'en be moulded o*er again, Like one of wood or stone ; Oh how Thou wouldst disdain to be What man to man hath pictured Thee ( But Thmi art God alone. Thou art not what we moi'tals deem, Thou art not what we make Thee seem To childhood^s gentle quest, Albeit flood, disease and Are, An angel slaying son and sire, Have manhood's heai*t distrest. A ifiGBmsrEnt. 101 He who can look oik night like this, And doubt Thee, all the fault is his : He feels himself unfit To breathe amidst these works of Thine, And doth, denouncing wrath Biviile, Himself in judgment sit ; And with U» sentence Thee doth blame^ Forestalling Thine to be the same. We know not that... may dread Its being worse. When angels fell, ^Twas Thine ignited flames of Hell ; And all cur race Is dead — Oi* dying— or to dier...^^ death? What more than life departs with breath 7 And whither doth it wend ? Shall we who know not this forsooth, Yet would, in an abiding youth, Elude life's wintry end — Shall we know all things ? and decry Thy just decree— that flesh must die ? E'en though a deeper woe Than death should death succeed in som«, 102 LATEli MtSCElLAi^lES. And mingling with *' yo blessed, come," Will be " ye cursed go ?" t Nay — this is our GethsemanCy To yield our nervousness to Thee, Praying... Thy will be done, Dissolve, reject, remould, restore, And only save what doth adore. To say " Thy Will be done/* Thy thoughts Thy creatures may not scan, To guage Thee with the guage of man : But, as we near the brink, That after toil we may have rest And all in Christ at last be blest. There are who dare to think. And though we cannot know Thee here^ While groping mid Thy worlds in fear By reason's borrowed ray, . We yet shall see Thee face to face Amidst Thy glory and Thy grace, When night will end in day. KING OF NATIONS. lOli Meanwhile, in yon pellucid sky, No fleecy cloud is floating nigh. That hath not banished been — To-night the stars are the elect, And every cloud Thou dost reject : E'en one would mar the scene. KIKG OF NATIONS. Should he deal with our sister aa with a harlot ^^Genesls xxxi. 31 . KING of Nations! God of battles ! The faithful look from earth to Thee— O'er Christ's baptized the war-cloud rattles. And His are they who are not free. Where Pachas rule — and Carnage spreads Its deeds that falsehood dares not gloss- There the malignant Crescent sheds Its sickly ray on trampled Cross. i04 LAf^n M28C£LLA2^lJt3. But worse than foemen's rathless feteel, And wors6 than Christian maid's disgrace, tf Christian hearts shoald fail to feel, And Britain for the nonce be base. ^Twould be no creditable work To stand — herself 'neath ttoly Hood—* And tamely yield the gory Turk His spoil of chastity and blood. iProm 'neath that tyrant's iron sore> OChrisIpI-— in^hee— tis mter's shamd-^ tn Thee— it is a brothefs gore-* That invocates to us Thy Name^ And will they \^inly pray Who weep "Ow^ Father'* We have thoiightlesd said? Our " brother's keeper'*— *can we keep Our brother's foeman in his stead ? trhe paling Crescent to reVivCj Must Cross Against Cross in menace tHove ? Or if-*^for Servians— Russians strive> Keed We the Eussian sabre prove ? O KING OF NATIONS, l&S Nay— call us innocence to save, And call us to redress a wrong, And call us to sustain the br&ve ! And — for the right^we'll suffer wrong: But call us not, O God ! to stand *Twixt liberty and the oppressed, A hand within the Sultan's hand, Our sword against a Christian's breast I O Kino of Nations ! God of Battles ! Ihe faithful look from Earth to Thee— O'er Christ's baptized the war-cloud rattles ; And His are they who are not fi*ee. SUSPENSE. For at Bii Word the Uormy toind arinth i which U/teth up tkt waveg.'-Fitiim cvii : 25. LEW those winds for good ? Blew they not for ill. While this heart hath stood, As it staudeth, still? 196 LATER MiaCELLANIES. Husband ! children two 1 . If on land ? or sea7 God I what can one do? Only trust in Thee. Widow now ? or wife ? "Who shall bring me word ? Is it death? Is it life? Why have I not heard ? Bays have grown to weeks, Weeks to months have grown, And the heart that seeks Longeth for its own. In suspense is hope, And in hope a bliss : fiut it will not cope With such dread as this. . fear embitters day, Dreams will madden night, Till to think or pray Seemeth hardly right. THE DYING DISCIPLE. 107 THE DYING DISCIPLB. ffe that €atetk thu Brtad thsU live /or tfv«r.— St. John vi, 68. ID him enter. 'Tis the Priest, my soul I be glad today, Hail the welcome, sacred Feast, Sweet provision for the way." " Aged Disciple, thou art lying, Lonely, on the couch of death. Peace to thee 1 mind not replying... . Shorter, shorter comes his breath." " Vile and lo3t thy Church first found me, Found me in the paths of sin, Chrisfs embraces threw around me, Washed me, fed me, took me in." "Best thee." Now the Pure Oblation Biseth fragrant, to the skies, Pleadi^ for him the great salvation, Ere the weary pilgrim dies. 1Q8 LATBB MlSCBLtANlES. " Take and eat." It is the Bread God imparteth to His own. ** Drink this." 'Tis the Blood once shed, Blood of His £ vernal Son. I9civ Imdm, P.EJ,, 1863. ON THE ASSASSINATION OP THE HON. T. D. MoGEE. A$ a man falMh Ufwt widM mm, to ftlUtt thou,' % Samael iii, 84. BE there who die and none regret ? No wretch but claims affection's tear Tor Nero eyes of love were wet I And flowers graced the tyrant's bier t E'en an assassin's blood outcries, Nor vainly asks maternal woe i Blest he not erst with joy the eyes Which cannot tribute mei^t fbrego A88A8SWATJ0N OF HOr T. D. McQEJS. 109 To render now — when he — her child — Becalls the terror of a dream Which broke her childhood^ s sleep with wild, Dismaying vision and a scream ? Alas I his blood must poorly pay The price of that so rashly shed ; Nor can it wash the guilt away... Oh ! could his death restore the dead 1 They blush who fondly weep for him, And weep the more that they must blush, While plaintively the burial hymn Floats near to earth through direful hush. We blush not who lament McGee, His death transformed to friends his foes- His praise upriseth fragrantly : Fragrance by crushing ;— thus the rose. He sang. 'Tis not his song we praise, Others have sung perchance as well. He spake.... That night he did upraise A voice that bound, as by a spell, 01 LATER MISCELLANIES. The men who marked his eloquence, And listened as to dying speech — That night — wKen, dreamless of defencO) He fell within assassin's reach : But *tis not that. 'Tis not what he As poet, orator, or was, Or might have been, which claims so free And earnest, ardent, loud applause. The world would coldly smile and say What class as poet, he had earned. And keenly criticise the lay Which once within his bosom burned. But he had that which Genius hath, The gift of waking sympathy, And walked, not unobserved, a path Tending to immortality. Eai*nest his life was* Wrong or right, With an indomitable will, Whate'er he did, 'twas with his might He did it^ and with all his skill. ASSASaTNATION OF HON, i;.D.McOEE. Ill He thought for other men. For few Think for themselveB. The end is won, When, some to think and some to do, The work of life goes smoothly on. And this we praise in him— He stood A statesman trusted, and forewarned Of death for being true — his blood — His life— to spare he nobly scorned. His Church laments him. Did he die. Then, humbly, too, as true and brave, Seeking a glory in the sky, With Him Who died a world to save ? Bequiescat in Pace I If those Who censured him would make amends, And he is mourned for by his foes, Oh ! who shall now console his friends ? Bear Him a monument ? His own He hath already reared in fame : A government — not slab of stone- Up riseth sacred to his name. 112 LATER MISCELLANIES. IN CASSOCK AND SURPLICE. On tht burial of ihe Very Rev. William BuUoek, D.D.t Dean qf Halifax, |E doffed, for the cassock and gown, The midshipman's jacket of blue, And therefore the sailor was known In much that the literate knew — The earnestness healthy and strong, The joyousness sanguine and bright, The push to do battle 'gainst wrong. The nerve in defence of the right. In cassock and surplice he knelt, In silence, heart-searching and prayer, While, pausing a moment, there dwelt A hand midst his clustering hair — A hand which bestowed on his youth. With blessing, and warning, and gift. To herald the Gospel of Truth, The banner of Christ to uplift. IN CASSOCK AND SURPLICE, 113 Right firmly that banner he grasped — Newfoundland beheld it upreared, And witnessed how tightly he clasped The ensign by duty endeared — The sign of the Manhood adored By bending of every knee — The cross of the Master and Lord — The flag of the holy and free. Again at the Altar he knelt In cassock and surplice and stole, •■ And oh ! what an unction he felt Imparted from God to his soul — Imparted by laying of hands. The hands of both Bishop and Priests — Of sin to unloosen the bands, And consecrate heavenly Feasts. Bight humbly the Chalice he grasped, Ye marvel he knelt and adored ? Ye marvel he tenderly claspeO. The cup of the Blood of his Lord ? And I at a feelingless heart 1 At faithlessness, calumnies, jeers i But not that e'en death did not part The Priest from his Chalice of years. 114 LATER MISCELLANIES, The Church, which in age as in youth, He wrought for and served with his hest, Bepaid him with honors and truth, And maketh his pillow in rest — In cassock and surplice and stole. And clasping a Chalice Bev. Tii| 16. JO-DAY, my child, I knelt beside thy grave, And asked why prayer had not availed to save. No sign the grass, the mound, the stillness gave. And when I spake thpu madest no reply, O Edward ! Edward ! wherefore didst thou die ? Time was when rather unto me seemed nisrh The king of terrors : thou wast brought to me : I caught the brightness oi thine infant eye, And felt : Live on, and I survive in thee. And yet I could not leave thee — e'en to die ; So love of thee brought health and courage back : But now my solitary path I ply, A passenger left weeping on the track. And thou art gone before me.... Wilt thou pray O Fathee I bring my father homo some day ? 116 LA TBS MISCELLANIES. For thou again hast taught me not to feai% I cannot shrink from death which thou didst bear, Nor quite reh'nquish thee where now thou art, sweet persistent victor of my heart I 1 watch for thee as in the gladsome day — My son! I would give thanks' for thee and pray; But thou, I ween, hast little n'sed of prayer Who diedst too soon to know of sin or care — My son ! though with the worms beneath the sod — My son ! though with the angels and thy God ! I sing to thee, my child. Upon thy brow, The fadeless crown of saints sits firmly now, And all thy torture did not tend to bring Thee nearer to thy kindred and thy King. I sing to thee, and stoop me not to fear All others' disapproval, if thine ear. Accustomed long to better strains than mine. Detects 'tis love o'er-fills each faltering line. I sing to thee, and dost thou not attend ? That thou can'st not, the Father's Love forefend. I deem not death so dismal as that grave — Let faith delude me — if it fails to save. ■^ "."i -'•:;*,("»} }kmtin §ivjAifiml €%imtttx. DIVINE PROTECTION. The Lord U nigh unto all them that call upon ffim.—TA. CXlV, 13. ,SV0T10NAL CHAJtACTEJt, THE ungeh of god. Lord , J kiune that the waff of man i» not in himstl/ : al ii not in man that walht'ih to direct hie etepe, — ^Jer. x^ 23. TEE hills that were rugged and steep. Over prvecipice crevice and clod, Where the pilgrim could only but weep As he followed the Finger of God, From a place that was wider than this, In a trance that was painful and odd, I am led towards some region of bliss. May I hope ? by the Finger of God. But ^twas strange. I had started to stray O'er a field of such velvety sod, I should hardly have ventured this way : But I know 'twas the Finger of God. I had said — ^^ It is good to be here, And the journey is dreadful to plod.'^ But a Voice said — •* There's little to fear,. If your guide be the Finger of God;"^ \ TEE FINGER OF GOD, 121 By a light that I scarcely could see, O'er a path I most tremblingly trod, I am come — and what beckon'd to me, (May I ti'ust ?) was the Finger of God. If it be that there's mercy in woe, If it be that there's love with the rod. If it be that it's wisest to go Thro' great griefs to the Finger of God • Be it so. I will kneel here and pray, It is much if the feet be but shod, For it may be, the brighter the way The more distant the Finger of God. 122 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CHARACTER, WHEN BLINDED GUIDES. My tongue shall sing of Thy Word.— /VaZm cxix, 172. HEN blinded gu'des mislead the blind, And doubts distract the feeble mind ; When all within, without, is dark, And strong men tremble for the Ark'j Instruct us, SpiettI Light Divine 1 To seek the truth in Word of Thine. Although, alas ! that Word doth tell How far from Th^ee Thy creature fell ; It tells us, too, of Him Who died, It tells us of the Crucified : Ah ! aid us. Spirit 1 Light Divine ! Wisdom to learn from Word of Thine, O Holy Spirit 1 now uplift Our souls to praise Thee for Thy Gift ; And, where its meaning seems obscure, Shine on the page and make it sure ; And teach us, Spirit 1 Light Divine ! The Love of Christ, by Word of Thine. Amen. P. E, Island, 1864. THE BOOK OF BOOK&. 12a THE BOOK OF BOOKS. Mnd out Thy liaht and Thy truths that they may Itad fM and bring me to Tny holy hill, and to Thy dwelling. — Psa. xliii, 3. [he Book of books, O Lord, is surely Thine, Effulgent wisdom beams from ev'ry line. And sacred doth each loving word appear : O Lord I we pray Thee, teach us how to hear. Each precept. Holy Spirit I Thy behest — To read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. We do implore the light we feel we need : God of the Bible I teach us when we read. By hearing and by reading, inly stirred, By patience and by comfort of Thy Word, May wo the bliss of (jndless life embrace, And live Thine Own forever, Lord, by grace. P. E, Island, 1864. 124 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CHARACTEB. CHEISTMAS CABOL. Hurt vjot no room for them in Tht inn.— St. John ii : 7* ^OT to the Jewish festal hall, Where wealth and pride the new-bom gi-eet, Go thou to seek thy Lord, thy All, And kiss the Holy God-Babe's Feet For though the first sweet lullaby Be sung to placid brow and mild, Yet, when for Bhod the man shall cry, Thou will not recognise the child. Thus infant purity resigns To youth^s vain wish and manhood*s crime, And naught with fadeless glory shines, Or bears, unhurt, the lapse of time. Not to the crowded inn go thou. For God it hath no room to spare, (Such as it was the world is now) Thou canst not find the God-Babib there, . CHRISTMAS CAROL, 126 But seek the humblest spot of all, And not the inn with lights aglare — A manger — not the festal hall — The Mother and her Babe are there. Maitland, K S., 1868. CRISTMAS HYMN. Good tidings qfgr^atjoy which shall be to all thepsopU,' 8t. Luke ii, 10. ING we now of God, from High, Veiled in flesh, who comes to die. Us to bring to Him more nigh. Him the Prophets did foretell, Him the Angel Gabriel, Him Saint John, unborn, as well. Alpha and Omega, He, God th' Incarnate Deity, Comes of Virgin born to be. I 12e PIECES OF A DE VOTi ONAL CHA RAGTER. Sole Begotten, yet the Throne, He, unflinching, though alone. Leaves, for sinners to atone. God of God, yet Man His Name, Light of Light, He veils the flame \ Sinless still, He stoops to shame. Kino of Angels, and of Kings, Comes He not on Angel's wings. And nor pomp nor glory brings. Eoom for lowly Jesus, room, Now in Virgin Mary's Womb, Later still in Joseph's tomb. He Who doth the world sustain, Now a human breast will drain. Know an Infant's bliss and pain. Tiny Hands of Him Who wrought Worlds and systems out of nought I Will ye now be thus new-taught? Child Divine ! Thy lowly guise. Let not man, redeemed, despise, But, with Thee, to glory rise. CAROL FOR NEW TEARS EVE, 127 Wish we no'er Thy brightness less, Healer ! Sun of Eighteousness ! Eising now the world to bless I Maitland, Uth Dec, 1868. CAROL FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE. Thou eroanest the year with Thy goodneae. — Psa. Ixt : 12. LL fulJ&Ued ? or broken vow ? Quiet rests the old year, now. Death upon its pulse and brow. Under Eyes that watch o'er all. Some did tiMumph, some did fall, And each deed is past recall. Some their race have just begun, Some their course have nearly run, Some do rest, their warfare done. God our days doth still prolong, Mother Church He maketh strong, Till the right shall vanquish wrong. »%W«ii, 128 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CHARACTER. Who of US shall pass aw^y, Ere another New Year's Day, Oh ! be God his staff and stay ! Still unwearied God above, Looketh on the world in love, Scndeth still His Holy Dove. H, Trinityj Maitland, FOE THE EPIPHANY. And thou Bethlehemt land of Judah,art in n&wUt Uatt among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a Governor Which shall he the Shepherd 0/ my people Israel.— St. Matthew ii, 6. [ETHIiEHEM now is a city more blessed Far than the noblest of cities of earth, There the pure Virgin her God-Babe car- essed, There to the Infant Bedeeher gave birth. -, -J -'1 THS CRUCIFIXION, nd Ivoiy, pui*ple nor gold, shine resplendent, Decking His bir^h^rpl^ce and cradle all o*er. But from the East His Star, on the ascendent, Leadoth three kings to His Feet to adore. Sitig now the angels and rest each bright pinion, Groan now the powers of darkness and dearth Own Ki^ the power and might and dominion, King of the Jews, apd of Heaven and Earth I Hast thou a star for 'he Magi, Father ? We, on this day day do that mercy recall, Gruide to their Brother Thy children, O Father I Guide us to Him and reveal Him to all. Maitland, 1869. THE CBUCIFIXION. And thtre followed Him a great multitude of people^ and of women who bewailed and lamented Him.^^t, Luke xxiii, 27 ['HE templets veil is rent in twain. And darkness broods o'er e if th and sky. And saints step forth from death's do- main, And nature groans in agony. 130 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CBA^ACTEM. From swollen eyes why fall those tears Which only love bereaved could shed ? And why those cheeks all chilled with fears ? Those hearts whose holy hopes seem fled ? Saw'st thou the Man of sacred mien, Whom Jewish Eabbis doom'd to die ? The thorns His aching Temples screen 1 Heard'st thou the shout of " Crucify " ? The piece of wood with transverse beam, The nails, the cruel soldier's spear, And all that opes the Blood's red stream. Assail Gtod's chosen Sufferer there. From swollen eyes those falling tears Of " love bereaved ** for Him are shed^ For Him those cheeks are chilled with fears, As if each holy hope were fled. The Temple's veil is rent in twain, And darkness broods o'er earth and sky. And saints step forth from death's domain, And nature quakes in agony. P. E. Island, 18G4. XA8TER HYMN. 131 ss. EASTEE HYMN. The Lord U risen indeed. — St. Luke xxiy, 34. OW we celebrate the rising Of our SuRBTY from the tomb, Let the joyful news surprismg Give us hope and heal our gloom — Who but Christ hath crushed such powers, Death and hell and sealed the grave ? Vain the lesson that the flowers Dying and reviving gave — They uprooted Had saluted Earth with fragrance nevermore ; But not vainly Men ungainly Watched Christ's sepulchre's dark door : Watch and stone and seal defying, Christ has soothed our fear of dying. 132 PIECMS OP A DEVOTIONAL Off ABAC TEB. Tell it Christians I Shout it over Every inch of trodden soil, Brave disciples ! Quick discover Why ye hanger, thirst and toil : Ever watching, ever praying, In the morning, noon and night ; While diseases most dismaying Trouble not your calm delight* Ah, what sages Said in ages Kow adown time's vista fled—* That the spirit Might inherit Life from which the clay had sped- Was but half the trath we cherish^ Neither flesh nor soul shall perish « And our Intercessor I bending O'er us from Thy Throne on high, Whither Thou, from Earth ascending, Wrapt in cloud, wast seen to fly : M ASTER HYMN. 193 Once our human hands assailed Thee, Led Thee forth to Pilate's hall, Thence to Calvary, and nailed Thee To the Cross, in sight of all. None did spare Thee, Son of Mary, Till Thy cup was full of woe i Then a sentry Guarded entry To the place where Thou laidst low : Only Faith dared then adore Thee, Thee to deem the King of Glory I P. E, Island^ 1866. 1S4 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CHARACTER, FOR THE ASCENSIOK Lift up your heads, ye gates, and be ye lift u^, ye ever- lasting doors : and the king qf Olory shall come tn.— Psalm [he I c[ ' s past, And now, at last, Unborne from earth, lol God the Son, The King of Kings, On Angels' wings, Returneth, Victor to His Throne. No more to die. He cleaves the sky, /ad riseth through the veiling cloud, And beareth high Humanity To reign eternally with God. And if He wears The mark of tears ran the asgen&io^. 183 And bleeding wounds that number five* Lo ! vanquished Death Lies low beneath, And owns the Crucified alive. The pomp and bliss And might, are His, ^ Which once for us His Love resigned, When Flesh of God The wine- press trod Of wrath Divine for lost mankind. That Flesh is King, And seraphs sing The New Way opened to the Throne, While mute amaze Fills men who gaze Where late the vaniah'd glory shone. Open ye gates : The concourse waits, Their harps all tuned, impatiently, Till now again Eeturns to reign Who left them erst — and then to die. 236 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CBAItACTER, Now bow the knee, Reverently, Of things in Heaven, Earth, and Hell, While to man's Friend Some heai*ts ascend — With Him forever more to dwell. SO CAME THY SPIRIT. Th€ Spirit hreatheth where it lieteth and thou hearett the voice thereof ^ but hnoweet not whence it eotneth and whithef it goeth. — St. Jobs iii, 8. O came Thy Spirit, Virgin Born I In gentle tremors over me. As moves the breeze, at early morn, O'er rippling lake and placid sea. As rolls the tide against the wind, Lashing the waters wild and high, So madly rose ray passions blind, And did Thy Ghostly strength defy. so CAXE TH7 SPHtlT. 131 rett The wind, though fair, may cease to blow, Thy Spirit, too, may cease to strive ; The tide will turn at last I know — Imperil'd soul ! canst thou survive ? In vain to men the change of tide. When breathless rests the silent air ; Their ships the sullen ocean ride. And wait the storm in sad despair. The tide, O God 1 at Thy command, Back by the way it came doth go, Thou hold'st the winds in Thy Eight Hand, Thou rulest all things here below. So let the SuN of Bighteousness, With healing brightness rise on me, As nature's sun doth, rising bless Wanderers o'er a stormy sea. Give Thou the wind j my Pilot be ; ' And make the changeful tide be fair The Haven, too, is all with Thee : Spirit Who gave...O hear... my prayer ! New Zcndon, P, E, Island^ 1866. 138 PIECES OF A DEVOTIONAL CHABAC'TER. TUlNlTt SUNDAY. IIoly% holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, tOhich jvda and which is and which is to come. >Bev elation ii : 8. OLY, Holy, Holy ! God in Persons Three 1 Hear the song Thy children Ceaseless sing to Thee. Holy, Holy, Holy ! Thine the regal crown ; Saints and angels hnmbly Bowing prostrate down. . Holy, Holy, Holy ! Trinity adorned I Be Thou and Thou only Worshipped and implored. SoLY, Holy, Holy I Author of oar days ! Thee, Loed God Almighty, All Thy works do praise. THROUGHlHia LONG AND DARKSOME NIGHT.ISB Holy, Holy, Holy I Unity Divine ! One in Thee, Thy children Would be whollv Thine. Holy, Holy, Holy ! On Thy changeless brow When may gaze Thy children ? Darkness hides Thee now. Maitland, KS., 1868. theough this long and darksome NIGHT. Be Thou also my guidCf and lead me /or Thy Name sake. — Psalmns xxxl:4. HEOUGH this long and darksome night, Thou Who dost Thy presence hide, Father ! wilt Thou guide aright Us who trust no other guide ? 140 PIEOES OF A PEVOTIOSAL ClUKACTER, Jbsu I by Thy rocky tomb Riven, crumbled by Thy Might, We, immei'sed in mist and gloom. Trembling, supplicate foi* Light. Holy Spirit, Comforter f Comfort us with this we need, Wishing not from Thee to err. Hand of Thine our hands to lead. Holy Trinity of Light \ One sad soul Thou would st not spurn ; Shall Thy Church go through this night. And for her no beacon burn ? One by one, and all in One, Thou wilt bring us safe to Thee, Until, doubts and trembling done. Truth shines out eternally I Su M Ifl SI THE SEASONS LOUD, 141 THE SEASONS LORD. Thou hast made ewnmer and winter. — Psalm Ixxiv : 18. [he seasons, Lord, Thy truth declare, Thy loving kindness still reveal. Prompting e'en prayerless souls to ])rayer. Forcing e'en frozen hearls to feel. Summer o'er-freighted by Thy love, With blessings Thou hast freely given, May well our worldly cares reprove Dispersed as all her clouds are driven. If solemn Autumn moans : " Alas ! Within the grave is Beauty laid : She lived, grew, perished, like the grass, And faded as the flowers fade ;" Yet Autumn tells Thy goodness, too, Bringing from Thee a golden store. And whisp'ringali the harvest through : " Enough for hero— and yonder more !" 142 PIECUS OF A DEVOT.ONAL CHARACTER. Yea, though in Winter winds are cold, And all our pleasant fields are bare, Oi even shroud-like snows enfold What bloomed awhile and flourished fair; Yet Spring from forests, gardens, fields, Which wintry drifts swept lately o'er, Looks up, and this sweet lesson yelds — " The doiod may rise and die no more." BAPTISM. Suffer little children to come. — St. Mark x : U. E bnng him, lovini;- Lord, to Thee, (The world is bleak and cold) If ''f L id pray Thee let our treasure be Received into Thy fold. We claim him Thine, (since all are thine). Yet folded not till now. If Thou wilt let, O Man Divine I Thy sign adorn his brow. CHILD'S HYMN. 143 And from this Font distinctly seen Thy holy Altars gleam, There are Thy pastures rich and green, And here thy crystal stream. Eoom mid the hov'ring angles, room^ The Holy Ghost descends — And Font and Altar — life and tomb- In one bright halo blends. O Father of the Eternal Son 1 In mercy heed our prayers. And let the ranks of Heaven own These marks our infant bears. CHILD'S HYMN. He shall gather the lambs with His arm^ and carry them in Hie io^om.— Isaiah xl : ii. HE lambs of Christ our Lord We little children are — The loving Shepherd He Who brought us from afai*. 144 PlSCEa OF A DSVOTIONAL Thine the worshippers. Lord of All ! wo worship Thee I Thine let all things ever be. Earth and sky and rolling sea, — Thine who dwell therein. Maitldnd. 1868.