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TO THE FRIENDS OF RICHMOND STREET CHURCH. WITH BEST WISHES FOR THEIR WELFARE, THESE LINES ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BT THE AUTHOR. 116977 J^^jv..^.^'f^-,n't\-i-.^ii\'^:k't?1\::j^'j.. PREFACE. tURCH, ED [HIS is the outcome of a love cherished for my brethren in the ministry ; and for the friends of Richmond Street Methodist Church, amongst whom I spent three happy years as pastor. Fifty-one years ago the old Geor^^e Street Church was built. In 1844 Richmond Street Church was erected. These two churches form one continuous history. This poem sets forth the names of all the ministers appointed to these churches during those fifty yiears — save a period of seven years,- when George and Adelaide Street Churches were worked as one Circuit. Had time permitted, I should like to have touched more fully the history of the pew as well as pulpit ; and also to have traced some exceedingly interesting VI. PREFACE. facts connected with the Sabbath School, over which Mr. W. H. Pearson has presided with marked ability for more than a quarter of a century. I may say that this was prepared originally to be read at a recent Anniversary Meeting of Richmond Strer ' Methodist Church ; but the solicitations of friends on that occasion have led me on to have it published. If but a few readers only are benefited from the perusal of this little work, I shall feel glad for having, in this way, contributed my mite towards celebrating the Semi- Centennial of this old historic church. If any brother in the ministry happen to see a reference to himself in this sketch, I trust he will excuse any undue freedom in the use made of his name. I. TOVELL. ToEONTA. 1884. I •'r-'r ■;iN .•'!'.:, II.- I, over which rked ability I Golden Wedding Day. •inally to be J Richmond | * icitations of | SEMI-CENTENNIAL PULPIT AND PEW. n to have it I ed from the >el glad for lite towards old historic en to see a •ust he will lade of his TOVELL. PART I. I. [HE eloquent John Barry Was the first here to tarry, And build on a solid founaauon ; With a gift of fine power, Walled about with truth's tower, Nobly toiled for the weal of this nation. With force of true learning, And a spirit warm burning With love for t*he Word that doth save, John G. Manly came forward, To wing the thought toward The God whom believing souls crave. 8 Golden Wedding Day. Fervid Hetherington came next, To enforce the good text, And awake men from deadness to life ; While Selley, more youthful, Kind, zealous, and truthful, Weaponfed the heart for life's earnest strife. After him, to point starward. Came the brave Dr. Harvard, In the strength of a faith heaven-bom ; Clear, persuasive, and tender, Men were led to surrender. Till their joy was the joy of the morn. ! Dr. Cooney then appears, Filled with pathos and tears, As he told of man's danger and loss ; With an eccentric manner, How he waved the old banner. And roused souls to kneel at the Cross ! Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. olife lest strife. Sent with them were two Johns, Faithful Methodist sons, Still delighting to toil in the field ; John Hunt and John Bredin, Who have long cast the seed in, With hopes of a great harvest-yield. born; 3rn. To portray the high heavens, Came the calm Dr. Evans — Came with wish to extol the great name Of Christ who hath loved us. And of Him who hath moved us To walk in the path of true fame. II. lere came a time, when heartfelt bitterness Spread like a mildew, smiting none the less The Wesleyans than the young Canadian Church ; le wiser spirits drooped 'neath leaden grief, [For holy friendship's fragrant olive leaf Could scarce be found, though diligent the search. rmSB'Mi ' 1 li lO Golden Wedding Day. One summer day, the eye through dripping pane f^^ fi Beheld the grandeur o^ a drenching rain ; rnL^ When, lo ! an oak by lightning shaft was rif tod, % •yjjj Whose sturdy form had dared the bleakest winters ; ^^ g^ Now it lay, a mass of many splinters, '^hei To feed some flame, or to some flat be drifted. | ^ ( Alas ! the loss, the ruin, we well may say, When fiery streaks, or blazing sheets of jealousy Enshroud, or rive the Church, wherever found ; Then tearful eyes shall look on valleys, spread With scene as sad as that which you have read From prophet's pa/je, where bleached bones bestrew'd the ground. For seven long and weary, toilsome years, Our goodly Church had cause for bitter tears, Her ranks divided were by party feeling ; The night was long and dark, all joy did wane, The clouds were angry, pouring coldest rain, Till morning rose on sunbeam wings of healing. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 1 1 ig pane \oa riftod, »fc winters Wffced Iff Ipe frowning clouds then brol'-e and sped away, e valleys wanned and woke at break of day ; The plant of withered hopes, that nigh had perished, sweet and roseate leaves put forth again, 'fthen the Churches, sundered once in twain, ^ A deep and mutual love coi^fessed and cherished. III. With the morn came Dr. Rice, A preacher strong against the vice Of jealous strife, or angry treatment ; With pure intent, told the signs Of fancied wrongs and narrow lines, And also told what passion's heat meant. rs, me, waling. On the roll of honor, true, His record read, old or new. With heart to gain an inspiration ; All through life, the course to take Is one of work, for the sake Of Christ, the Saviour of the nation. i 12 Golden Wedding Day, He hfis trod official stairs, He has known a pastor's cares ; For hearts made sad, and shadowed home, He has shed the tender tear, Till the friends about the bier Have felt their sorrow was his own. ( I ■ Greeted now as President, But recently was fully bent On blending Methodistic forces ; All alone four streams had flown ; Now they gather, and are grown A river deep, that onward courses. Or, as branches, separate, Engrafted be, and then create A conscious sense of greater power; Our weakness was to stand apart. But Union thoughts bestirred the heart With promise of a grander dower. m Semi-CenUnnial Pulpit and Pew. 13 -d hom, e, n. Now, Tree of Union free ! Happy may thy mingling be, Of throbbing trunk, and stems, and branches ; The truth thy rootlets strongly clench, That whirlwind evils may not wrench, Nor yield to error's avalanches. Blended branches, spread ye forth, Far to southward and to north ; In every sea dip bending stems. Burst in beauty, blossoms white. Enrich your foliage in the light, And ripe fruits yield like golden gems. IV. To unveil the Life Higher Were sent Davis and Squire, All aflame with intelligent zeal ; From the Cross of Christ's passion Streamed the light of compassion, Th j,t sweeps over penitents ^till. h* * 14 Golden Wedding Day. Next, Wilkinson the gifted, Whose faith the clouds rifted. Till the baptism of Pentecost fell ; the richness and power ! And the joy of that hour ! O the bliss of the saved, who can tell ! 'Twas a baptism of fire, Kindling holy desire, Making love-heat diffuse through the soul ; Till the hatred of vears Flowed in penitent tears. And a love, in pure streamlets, did roll. I ', n Then a soldier, entrusted With a sword, never rusted. But double-edged, gleaming, and swift ; Joints and marrow cleft asunder. Till vast numbers fell under The power that did the heart rift. _j Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 15 The cry from the wounded, Cold skeptics astounded ; 'Twas deep, and piercing, and melting. The conscience lay bleeding. Poor sinners were pleading For mercy, both hea? ng and helping. Truth's arrows hung quivering. To guilty hearts shivering With fear, lest the punishing rod, In justice should smite them, And eternity write them As banished forever from God. The aisles heard the crashing. The galleries saw the flashing Of the Spirit's ever-conquering Sword ; Pride and blasphemy reeled, As the ohunder-tones pealed From Caughey, evangel of the Lord. I6 Golden Wedding Day, Not a pastor this soldier, Yet none the less bolder To plunge into faith's keenest fight ; Trophies many he has won, Brilliant stars for the crown, That awaits him in mansions of light. Then was heard in this house, From the Rev'd John Douse, Of righteousness, temperance, and truth ; Life's plain and chief duty Was enforced with a beauty, That won both the aged and youth. I V. There's a love that constraineth, And a rest that remaineth, There's a peace that the world cannot tell ; There's a faith all-assuring, And a hope all-enduring, There's a joy for the heart's saddest ktiell. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 17 't fight ; of light. Round the Cross this love clingeth, ,ftl Through the soul the joy ringeth, By the blood is the peace surely found ; Like a star, ever shining, Gleams a hope o'er the dying, They who sleep shall arise from the ground. and truth outh. With a joy quite ecstatic. And in words clear and classic, Charles Lavell flooded light on these themes ; While the well-learned Harper Taught the same with such ardor That souls sought the light of truth's beam??. 3annot tell ; iesfc knell. Then along came John Borland, Winning men from the moorland. Who had wandered from God's loving fold ; While Bishop, now sainted, Then in word-pictures painted That glory which the prophets foretold. i8 Golden Wedding Day. \ Stirring words from McRitchie, Lest some sin should bewitch thee, Swept the tinselled temptation aside ; Learoyd, too, set on fire With pure love, not with ire, Urged the trustful in Christ to abide. VI. Firtree, box, and sober pine, Gems dug up from diamond mine ; Cedar, silver, and Ophir gold. Were all employed in building, Or used in richly guilding The temple sacred in days of old. Use there was for polished stone, Iron, brass, and wood well grown ; Demand for artisan was made : Men to quarry, men to mould. Men to paint, or beat the gold, Till splendor gleamed with varied shade. Semi-Centennial Pulpit avd Pew. 19 i.ee, )n aside ; to abide. A God has work for talents five, Or tWvy.^or one, all alive, And burnished by the Spirit's hand ; He has use for souls full-orbed, Or lesser lights, all absorbed In spreading truth throughout the land. he; old. Greet we, then, one famed indeed, Famed, the multitudes to lead In thought and prayer along the way — The way, rock-paved and sure. Effulgent with the sunlight pure, Of love that guides to endless day. ied shade. Gifted with a towering mind, Thoughts were born and well combined, That shook, and swayed, and chained the soul; Feelings flowed from studied creeds, And crystiEillized into deeds, That stand as marks to heaven's goal. f 20 Golden Wedding Day. •ri When he labored in this shrine, Then was he in all the prime Of powers, mentally resplendent ; Now, though silvered with full years. Yet, 'tis said by his compeers. Dr. Douglass stands transcendent ! How like that tree by the stream, Which in Spring did lovely seem, With leaves and blossoms amply clad ; Deeper did the lustre bum. When fruits of summer came in turn, And Autumn tints the leaflets had. :( \ W Next to deepen sober thought Was the faithful William Scott ; Transgressors saw the threatening gloom ; Then zealous Parker, W. R., Pointed to the bright Day-Star, Or Sun that gives perpetual noon. Se mi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 21 It; 3ara, ntl VII. And now, pray let luo tell it, How that Holid Jaine.s Elliott The good fight of faith bravely waged Kingdoms sinful he did shake By the Word which then he spake, Till idol-builders felt enraged. y clad ; am, >ad. Not with softened finger-tip, But with giant iron grip, Closed with Error's great and guilty force ; Fearing naught which then arose, Dealt such heavy, crushing blows, That wrong retreated to its source. O'er the wreck that sin has made Oft his heart on Jesus laid. And sighed, and wept hot tears of pity ; Here he saw poor sinful dust. Reeking with the fumes of lust. And reeling through the crowded city. km M '5% 22 Golden Wedding Day. With him came one well polished, In various ways accomplished, Outflashing brilliant words of wit ; In spirit kind and genial, Respecting prince or menial — A preacher rare of this inspired Writ. m \\ !." fit 'if 'I si \ I li Who would wonder that men pined, To hear this engifted mind, Let loose the light from heaven's quiver ; While, with happy tact and skill, Led the way to Zion's hill, Whence issues forth the crystal river. There from Faith's pure goblets you. Slaked your thirst with Gospel dew. And passions cooled that burned like fever ; How pure and clear, how sweet and bright, Drinking as the heavenly light Of truth came breaking through the ether ! Semi-CentenniaL Pulpit and Pew. 23 Who was he that thus then stood, In the strength of young manhood, Like some tree with blossom'd stems and twigs ? — Grown since then to fuller age — All who read this printed page. Will know 'twas " silver-tongued " Briggs. Gifford I'orey forward came The precious story to proclaim. Of love that paid a hopeless debt ; Also willing Charles Fish, Launched to sea with ardent wish To catch lost souls with Calvary's net. William Pollard trod this ground, Ever faithful to expound The Spirit's holy new creation ; William Preston then did join. Delving out that only coin. That truly can enrich the nation. 24 Golden Wedding Day. m i Hark ! an orator now comes, And makes the temple domes Echo with his rich and ringing voice ; Lofty words mark his preaching, Massive phrases used in teaching — Then was William Stephenson the choice. \m 11 ii ! ; Hh fl !i t Burning orb and Hashing gem, Crimson leaf and blossomed stem, Diamonds, snowflakes, filigrees, A thousand things that glint — Dewdrops, rainbows, rubies, flint — Were chastely used as similes. Bringing brilliant, gorgeous thought. Clothed with diction, finely wrought. He hither drew vast crowds of people ; Swathed they were with holy li^ht. Entranced almost with visions bright Of river'd peace, without a ripple. v^oice ; ie choice. b, ople; Semi-Centenn ial Pulpit and Pew. 25 Never ir.y the gold grow dim, Or deep opaque envelop him, « Or paleness smite his noble power, I Gone from us to distant land I Lt us pray that truth may sU^^^^^ ^^ About him like a granite towel. IX. All hail the next evangel. Of prayer and Scripture study. Till heart and mind grew ruddy And widest scope the soul divmed. Dr Young, when here two years, Westward went, to sow m tears^ With faith so strong some thought But the ground with plow d.d^^le, Now with rattling, gie-u^-'^^^^^. Golden sheaves are leaped m ^ 26 Golden Wedding Day. Ill I II ,11 Wake, O Zion ! into song, Let the joy-bells, clear and strong, Their paean sound through these pavilions For on prairie lands and grasses, And along the mountain-passes, The Cross awaits the coming millions. From where the sun sinks to rest, 'Neath purpled wi appings o'er the west, To Orient turn, where sun, awaking. Folds aside the amber cloud, Steps from bridal chamber proud. The day to greet, the night forsaking. Walking o'er the mist-wreathed mountain, Flings his smiles on field and fountain, Till nature wide with gladness thrills ; Alas ! that lands so fair and bright Should quench that pure and holy light That streams o'er heaven's eternal hills. HlH Senti-Centen nial Pulpit and Pew- 27 To those realms ot Buddhist seers Without one .ay «.-^^^^_ Japan to save Oeorgjt ^^.^ ^^^^ With message that, wne r Reveals to n.» a gbd to-n>o,-row. Palm and cedar, clap yo«i hands Xnd mountain, slclpUUelamK Eastern thought now «f ^^"^ ;* Of Christian truth, that shall .ncreaae, X»wHh man shall V-P^^. And all shall know the God ot Dashing now to the front, Boldly daring the brunt Of scoffer, doubter, and errmg, High hopes were enkindled. Deep joys intermln^ed^^^.^^^^ As stones trom his slui. 28 Golden Wedding Day. Somewhat sensational — Never irrational — Most wisely the giant's strength scored ; Then with zeal heated hot, Dr. Hunter failed not; To vstrike with the Spirit's keen sword. If 1 Far from his motherland, Here, Dr. Sutherland, And elsewhere, has rung out the Word ; The Word of divinity, That sweeps through infinity, Awaking great faith in the Lord. A real Boanerges ! The evil that surges Against home, the Church, and the State ; His resistance has felt. For the powers that melt. Are preaching and character great. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 29 A witty debater, A ready creator Of purposes, measures, and ways ; In many a chapter, You will find him a captor, Laurelled with victory's rays. With well-balanced brain, And a swift-flowing pen. Temperament sanguine and warm ; Great movements have found him, With followers around him, A man unmistakably strong. Tossing back his light curls. The thunderbolt hurls In anecdote, argument, fact ; His sallies strike terror. When his foe is in error, For his strokes are made with great tact. 30 Golden Wedding Day. Mi [S:l XI. A sunbeam soul now flung His happy rays among The youth and age of many homes ; With bounding heart he came, To sound aloud the Name, That swells and rolls through heaven's domes. \l i' Since then his travels wide, Have led beyond the side Of mountain heights and mighty seas ; Sylvan groves, silver lakes. Water that into cascade breaks, Of foreign lands, his taste did please. m Italian scenes hath made Him weep with joy ; for blade, 'And shrub, and slope, and sunsets grand. And crumbling monument, A charm and glory lent. That only grace a classic land. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 31 On shores more sacred still, His heart has felt a thrill Of rapture, reverence, and awe ; On Calvary's mount his knee Has bent, where Christ sets free The trustful soul — a slave by law. Scripture, travel, and art, Combined have done their part, The thought to mould and beautify ; Science, letters, and men Have helped, with graceful pen, The range of truth to amplify. Hugh Johnston, as you know. With Sutherland did sow The seeds of truth in Queen and here ; Well has he wrought and prayed, And on his God has stayed, Till honors high mark his career. 32 Golden Wedding Day. XII. Shall we now take a look, At the man who once took All hearts in this Church as by storm ? At first he drove ponies, That long had been cronies, With speed as would Jehu alarm. Some call him " erratic," And rather " emphatic," Some clothe him with epithets rare : " A thinker," a " genius," " An eloquent witness," " A princely believer in prayer." Eccentric and clever, His word was a lever. Poor souls to uplift from the cave ; Or, struggling 'midst billows. How he roused brave fellows To leap to the Lifeboat and save ! Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 33 Many needy have blest him, And children caressed him, Embalmed is his name in their mem'rj' ; And, when his work's over, Will pray that the Lover Of souls will receive Bro. Jeffery. XIII. Dr. Young, a second term. Held the fort, the fort was firm, So true was he, and he so wise ; Wise to strengthen bruised reeds. To prompt the soul to bravest deeds. And build the faith to stalwart size. For one brief year, as colleague sent, Frank Wallace, with the Doctor bent, The work to do that here they found ; A spirit chaste, and trained mind, With clearness he our faith defined. That hope might rest on solid ground. r 34 Golden Wedding Day. And now a toiler from the west, To Richmond came, to do his best, With heart ennerved for duties high ; The present called for hope and zeal, The future promised to reveal A smiling sea and sapphire sky. With canvas spread, and out to sea, Away we sailed, both glad and free, An earnest, working, hopeful crew ; O'er the wavelets swiftly gliding, Billows swelling, never minding, On we swept 'neath heaven's blue. A crash ! a quiver ! what, ever Will this ship its timbers sever ? — Against a boulder she had run ! " Must we leave her ?" " Shall we part ?" Questions these that touched the heart, Till zeal burst forth like blaze of sun. Semi-Centennial Pulptt and Pew. 35 Tears fell thickly, fervent prayers, Poured along God's altar stairs, Faith was strong in her survival ; Works went hand in hand with faith, Arousing was the Lord's " Thus saith," From heaven was sent a blest revival ! Friendly waves her keel uplifted, Away again she grandly drifted Until she reached her jubilee ; Here the waters sweetly sleepeth. Each cloudless star vigil keepeth, As on she moves across the sea. On she sails, her pilot Cullen, Confident that through the sullen Night or open day no harm will come ; With truth for compass, anchor hope. Faith for canvas, love for rope. The deep she'll plow to yonder home. 36 Golden Wedding Day, PART II. NWARD bounding o'er the waters, Let us recall sons and daughters Whose active feet this deck hath trod, Now they dwell with Christ and God. •M i i»^ Here the thoughtful Mrs. Taylor — Brave midst storms as any sailor — Aptly wove with words divine, Wreaths of hope, the heart to entwine. Here, also, gentle Mrs. Young Kindly spoke to souls sore wrung With grief ; her hand revealed the Cleft, Whence cometh joy for souls bereft. By the mast stood Richard Tyner, Illumined with the hope diviner ; Beside him staunch and faithf al Sterling, Gladly watched Love's flag unfurling. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 37 Wordsworth stood, a well-tried pillar, And also noble Adam Miller. The liberal-handed Thomas Clarke, Did much to help this gospel ark Her voyage make with precious freight — His cenotaph will tell his fate. James Patton's brawny hand of faith Did able service, when the wrath. Of ocean's foaming billows broke Against these heavy beams of oak. Genial-hearted Henry Graham — A loving tribute we would pay him — How he sought the good of all ! How revered the Gospel call ! How long and keen his sufferings were ! How sure his hope a crown to wear ! 38 Golden Wedding Day. Alexander Hamilton gave Service good, and long, and brave : . All these and many more beside Dared to breast death's swelling tide ; Their deeds still live, we miss their forms ; They sleep, imhurt by earth's wild storms. If*- [I 'I If A true delight it is to talk Of men distinguished, who did walk These stairways to the cabin hall. And sermons preached aflfecting all. , Commanding, earnest Dr. Duff, From India came — a diamond rough Not he, but polished, rounded ; Of faith majestic, deeply grounded In the love, the love that labors Plowshares to mould from flashing sabres ; Spears to change to pruning-hooks ; The masses turn from Veda books To pages rich with revelation, And full of holy inspiration. , ^., Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 39 Dr. Richey is enshrined In reverent hearts ; for nobler mind Ne'er helped beguile the hours away ; 'Tis vivid still, that beaming ray Of love and joy, when he arose And passage took that did disclose The precious truth, " We this treasure Have " — our faith decides the measure — " In vessels earthen, that the power Of God may be, and not of our Frail strength, and vain, but excellent." Great truths with love were richly blent ; 'Twas like a box of alabaster Brought and broke to anoint the Master. And this on Dedication day. When souls first gathered here to praj^ Here rang the clear and clarion tones Of Dr. Punshon ; from all the zones Of nature gleaned ; compelling art. Compelling literature to part 40 Golden Wedding Day. ^1 l!:!ii lli^i With treasured Btores ; till language pure, Like crystal streams, did charm, allure. What magic power was his to stir The soul, and lead the conscience to aver, Its sense of right, its love of duty ! What scope, sublimity, and beauty, In uttered passage, verse or prose ! What grandeur, a^ in thought he rose. And fulness grasped of Love's great strength- Its depth and height, its breadth and length ! Like gentle rain on grass new mown, Or light on dewdrops brightly sown. Or like some pure spring in the garden, Such, the ministry of pardon By Joseph Stinson, Dr. Palmer, Egerton Ryerson and Taylor, William Thornton and Anson Green, And many others, who have been Kind visitors, of fame wide-spread, Who now are numbered with the dead. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 41 Of them we may discourse again, As on we voyage o'er the main ; They sleep in Christ, and hence shall rise To dwell with Him in paradise. Hark ! the music, floating, trilling, Vessel, ocean, air are filling. Let notes triumphant, songs celestial, Ring out aloud from lips terrestrial ; Unfurl all flags, let pennons stream, Let every countenance brightly beam. Onward, living sons and daughters. Bound away across the waters ; Yonder gleams the City "Golden, Let it every heart embolden ; By faith's keen vision see the gates. The gates of heaven, where Jesus waits To welcome all who overcome, And give to all a mansion home. Behold the City ! wondrous fair ! A silver mist from wings of air 42 Golden Wedding Day. III ' Is shaken down — a bridal veil It seems to be, with brilliant trail. Its walls arc built of jasper stone, The gates are pearled with ivory bone ; Gates and walls resplendent seem, As emerald, topaz, beryl gleam, With jacinth, sapphire, chrysolite. From base to crown, from left to right. Gold as clear as glass transparent Constitutes the City's pavement. Then within those mansions gaze ! Chambers, arches, domes ablaze With splendor from that Orb divine, Who pours His rich 'effulgence down On pillars, porches, peaks and spire. On fountains, flowers, harp and lyre. Till music yields its sweetest strain And beauty drips from every fane. ...1 r Then, again, behold and wonder ! Not at Sinai, whence the thunder il Semt-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 43 Pealed and crashed, till souls, afraid, Ban to seek the forest shade. Nor at Bethlehem's village plain, Where sang the heavenly seraph train The song of peace and praise most high. When Christ was bom, for man to die. But look, that Infant in the manger Now is on a throne of grandeur. By brilliant rainbow arched o'er, And built upon a solid floor Of changeless truth, o'erlaid with pearls Of love, so many-coloured, fancy whirls ! That throne is theme for lofty chapter, Those hands once pierced hold the sceptre. That form from which the blood-drops rolled. Is regal now with power untold ; Those feet that bled on flinty ways Stand now within the Gates of Praise ; The Christ who suffered all alone Now sits upon His Father's throne ; Crowned forever ! A Prince ! A King ! To whom the Universe shall bring 44 Golden Wedding Day. Its homage, praise, and adoration, For all things good are His creation. sr Then behold that sea of glass O'er which celestial vessels pass ; Filled with radiant forms and faces. Clad in robes of silken graces ; Their praises to the shores resounding, That Christ, in every heart abounding. Hath poured His joys in fullest measure. 'Tis John's Apocalyptic sea, When, body prisoned, spirit free. On Patmos, swept with eagle eye, Beyond the stars, beyond the sky, And saw what nigh did overwhelm, A glittering, glassy, ocean realm ! Every drop of perfect mould, Every wave a crest of gold ; Its lucid depths be-gemm'd with stars, Or interlaced with purpled bars ; A sea where John now dips his oar. Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 45 And where the Angels lowly soar In search of purest, richest treasure. Back on fields of spreading brightness, See those reapers clad in whiteness ! There is Abram's stalwart form, David there, safe from all harm ; Elijah, too, for ages sainted, On whom angels kindly waited ; Apostles twelve, how glad they seem Treading o'er the deepening sheen ; Sage, and saint, and patriarch, A pure and royal hierarch, Are bearing sheaves in arms of liglit Along the highway, gladsome sight ! With songs of joy to Christ they come. And shout their happy "harvest hone." And these, not all, in fittest dress. As grand and noble witnesses For Christ and Truth, as earth e'er knew, Are there ; those whose courage grew 46 Golden Wedding Day. To strength sublime, of martyr fame ; Who feared not prison, rack, or flame : Stephen, Wyclifte, Ridley, Cranmer, Huguenot and Covenanter, A princely race ! Brave sons of God ! Who gained the skies through seas of blood. Oh, listen all ! An anthem grand ! It comes from heaven's Angel Band : " The Conqueror of death and sin !" "The King of Glory, let Him in !" They well remember Calvary's scene. They saw the tomb where Christ had been, And went with fiery chariot steed Adown the way with swiftest speed, And bore Him up to where the gate Uplifted stood, and where did wait The joy that floods the heavenly home, And bursts like sunshine round the throne. \ The transport grows, the heavens bend, With weight of glory ; mark the trend I Semi-Centennial Pulpit and Pew. 47 fone. ir; I Of millions. From every shore They surge along through heaven's door. From every land they come unhindered, All nations, peoples, tongues, and kindred ; They throng the gall'ries of the skies, They crowd the slopes of paradise ; There stand the elders, twenty -four. With thousand times ten thousand more. Enrobed in white, on Christ they gaze ; Their harps are strung ; one hymn of praise Trembles, thunders, bursts from all The hosts, redeemed from Adam's fall — " Redeemed from sin, from guilt and wrath," " Redeemed from an eternal death," " Our God be praised. His power make known," " All honor now to Him be shown !" This the glorious song they sing. Till mansion, temple, mountain ring With hallelujahs to the Lamb, And glory to the Great I Am. Then onward, all ye sons and daughters, Speed the vessel o'er the waters ; wm 4.8 Golden Wedding Day, JesuH watches, prays, and waits, He'll unlock the golden gates ; Keep abreast with all the fleet, Keep right on through hail and sle(;t ; Though tempests toss and lash the ocean Into weird and wild commotion, Yet courage all ; through perils plow ; A crown awaits Hope's crested brow. Sing on ; sail on ; about the feet Of God let pastors meet ; And leaders, too, and teachers there. Outpouring strong, prevailing prayer, That all in Christ may stand forgiven. And all may reach that blissful heaven. an 1.