LYRICAL ECHOES BY KATHERINE A. CLAF KE f&^^e'i^^e yviL.{F9m^T^%-RiG(.s Wbslkv Buildings 1899 -? (Jvrk«2 ) >. Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred and nintty-ninc, by William Briggs, at the Department of Agriculture. CONTENTS. The Union Jack n A Question jq Post Mortei Lost Years Post Mortem Love ..... i j 13 Affliction ........ 14 A Kiss jK A Wife's Reverie jg Palestine j« True Valuation 20 Memories ni Widmer Hall 22 "I Change Not" •....*.'.' . 24 Pleasure — Pain 2« Childhood ... oo Blessings ........ oo Speak No Evil gQ Longings gj Troubles 01 Toronto .>q When Things Go Wrong g2 Waiting 00 Trifles 04 "Our Father". ....'.'.' .' ' .* 35 Heaven «,, m - IV CONTENTS. A Christmas Carol ..... " A City Whose Builder and Maker is God " A Water- Lily . Ambition . Victoria Regina Happiness A Jubilee Prayer Woman . Old Songs, Old Flowers My Fortune Beauty Charity . Friendship The Christian's Belief The Past . Time A Word . The Poet . Canada Retrospect Death "WhoLov^d Me" . To-Day . " Gloria in Excelsis Deo ' " Till the Day Break " Rest " Love Never Faileth" Wishes My Beloved *' Do Noble Deeds, not Dream Them all Day '« Why Stand Ye Here all the Day Idle ? " Little Things . Advice Unsatisfied Afterwards Long CONTENTS. V Paoi Compensation 78 " Love Begets Love " 78 A Funeral 79 Easter Sunday 80 "Go Ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel " . .81 " Without Shedding of Blood is no Remission " . . .83 " Thy Will be Done " 84 " Rest in the Lord " 85 Thanksgiving Day 87 The Apostles' Creed 88 Nothing 89 " The Lord is my Shepherd " 90 Truth 91 No Room 93 A Legend 94 Procrastination ......... 95 If We Had Known 96 Duty - . 97 Gray Hairs 98 The Sparrow 99 A Boy 100 Love 101 " He Knoweth Our Frame " 102 Pain 103 Christmas Morning 104 The Word 105 Safety 106 "A Little While" 107 Riches 108 Old Ocean 109 Spring Ill A Birthday Wish Ill Snow 112 Take the Sweet 113 Winter 114 VI CONTENTS. Paom "SuflFer and Be Strong" 115 A Fable 116 '* Bo Thou Faithful" 117 Lines on the Death of a Little Girl .... 118 Life's Sea 119 In Meraoiiam 120 To a Little Girl on her First Christmas . 121 Lines to a Young Lady on her Wedding Day . 123 Eternity ......... 124 125 Disciples 126 Cupid 127 '*TheGreatest of These is Love" .... 128 Christmas 129 Faith 129 . 130 Only 130 "Time Enough" 131 Greatness . 132 He Leadeth 132 My Ship 133 Silence 134 Faithful . 134 . 135 Christ's Coming 136 Vanity ........ . 136 The Christian Walk . 137 The Bible . 138 The Gospel . 139 . 139 Mury and Martha . 140 *' He that Regardeth the Clouds shall not Reap" . 141 His Banner . 142 . 143 " What shall 1 ask?" . 144 CONTENTS. Vll '• Ye are My Witnesses " Patience and Perseverance Anticipation Home Look on the Bright Side A Patchwork Quilt A Birthday Life , Abiding Places The Old Year . " Beauty is Vain " Disguised Blessings Nobility . Complaint Paob 146 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 152 153 154 155 156 157 LYRICAL ECHOES. THE UNION JACK. Ever victorious Over the world ; Honour it, stick to it, Keep it unfurled. It shall not be beaten. Around it we'll stand, The flag of our fathers, Our Queen and our land ! For centuries nobly It's floated on high, O'er earth and on ocean. Against the blue sky. True soldiers and sailors It never shall lack ; Our country's dear banner, The old Union Jack ! 9 10 ' A QUESTION. A QUESTION. " How much do I love you ? " I'll tell you when you Have explained all the system above — The sun and the moon, comets, meteors, and stars — All upheld by an infinite love ; The day and the night, and the shine and the storm. For centuries ever controlled ; Seedtime and harvest and summer and snow. Each in time and in season unrolled. " How much do I love you ? " I'll tell you when you Have fathomed the sea with a measure. When you've solved all the wonders concerning the world, And sought for and found all her treasure ; Unravelled the mysteries of light and of heat. Electricity, science, and lore. Given me the date of the birth of the earth. And the marvels that happened of yore. " How much do I love you 1 " You surely ere this Have read my reply in your heart. You can't answer my questions ; no more can I yours, For my love is not measure nor part : I love you, I know, but I can't say how much ; I'm yours only, forever and all — Tongue or pen cannot reckon the wealth of a heart Once surendered at love's gracious call. POST MORTEM LOVE. 11 POST MORTEM LOVE. And is this dying ? So calmly lying ; No pain, no sighing Can touch her now ; Nor woe nor weeping, So sweetly sleeping. Death's angel keeping Her pallid brow. Her worth they measure By sorrow's leisure, And flowery treasure To deck her frame ; Sweet tributes bringing, Her praises singixig, Her honour ringing, They crown her name. Kind thoughts up welling, Her goodness telling As in her dwelling She lies in state ; Regards they tender. Rich flowers they send her, And love's grace lend her, When 'tis too late. 12 POST MORTEM LOVE. Oh ! friend or lover, When my life's over I ask not cover Of silk and flowers ; 'Tis now I'm needing The kind God-speeding, The heart's true reading For living hours. •& The graceful token, The kind word spoken, The vows unbroken, Will gild the tomb ; And sad bereaving Lose half its grieving, If love is weaving Its light in gloom. Life soon is ending ; Give now the tending. Love and befriending, Doubt not nor wait ; For many a parting Will owe its smarting And tears upstarting To love too late. LOST YEARS. 13 LOST YEARS. " We always may be what we might have been." — Adelaide Procter. " We always may be what we might have been," — These words look true upon the surface seen, But, read beneath the lines, though fair it seem, 'Tis a fool's paradise, youth's idle dream ; The life we've lost we never can redeem. We dally in the glowing morn of youth. Play battledore and shuttlecock with truth. And waste bright days, then sadly amid fears The training lost mourn o'er with bitter tears ; But wisdom's offers go with passing years. The ways of sin we tread, and oft return ; A better path, a nobler life we yearn. Regret the past, claim pardon in Christ's name. But bygone purity can ne'er reclaim ; The hand that sows " wild oats " must reap the same. The noble vessel with the billows tost. Her anciior, rudder, sails, and compass lost. May in a day of calm seas reach the shore A battered wreck, not glorious as of yore — Safe home, but beauty gone for evermore. 14 " AFFLICTION. The fallen blossom ne'er will fruit attain ; The moments flown we never can regain ; The golden hours with glorious chances teem, The past is gone, the future but a dream ; Then haste, awake, the fleeting years redeem. Ghosts of the p««^, .tppearing weird and lean, Show in derision what we might have been. God may, in mercy, blot out the old score. But chances gone no power can e'er restore ; The time once lost is lost for evermore. AFFLICTION. In the furnace of affliction With its testing and its gloom. Sorrows bring a benediction, Graces take a sweeter bloom. In the furnace of affliction Holiest pleasure" oft are found ; Peace beyond earth's contradiction, Faith and hope and love abound. In the furnace of affliction Souls are purged from sin and dross, Soon in God's own jurisdiction Crown to wear instead of cross. A KISS. 16 A KISS. What is a kiss 1 Something better than money, Dearer than praises and sweeter than lioney ; Oldest and best of all earth's nectared wine, Love's own exclusive, appropriate sign. 'Tis Cupid's quaint language, when he, condescending To earth, keeps the bounds of his kingdom extending ; 'Tis a shaft from his quiver that carries no sting, A touch of his raiment, a brush of his wing. 'Tis his oath of allegiance, both binding and tender, The seal of his subjects' completest surrender ; A pledge for the Future, a gleam from the Past, An emblem of Love that forever will last. 'Tis peculiar to all, earth's distinctions effacing, The lips' silent speech, the divinest embracing. The fondest expression, the perfection of bliss — All this and much more may be found in a kiss. 16 A wife's reverie. A WIFE'S REVERIE. How oft do I remember A certain bleak December, When the firelight's fitful ember Cast its shadow on the wall ! And strange figures weird and wizened In the glowing gloom soon glistened, 'Tw as there I sat and listened To your heart's loving call. I tasted then a sweetness, A measure of completeness That gives this life its meetness. Makes poverty rich store ; True words a dear voice ringing, Rich adoration bringing. Music surpassing singing I e'er had heard before. Eden's first story telling. Its freshness still upwelling. Two hearts once more were swelling. Past loneliness was done ; United lives then making, Old ties and interests breaking, All other loves forsaking. Cleave only unto one. A wife's reverie. 17 Your homage true and tender Was pledged as my defender ; Your spirit did engender New life and joy in mine ; I needed not long pressing, My love for thee confessing, To gladly put, caressing, My hand, my all, in thine. Wife, mother now, not maiden, Rich life with treasine laden, A sort of blissful Aidenn Of earth's and heaven's cheer ; The golden bells still pealing. Their echoes onward stealing, Sweet harmony revealing A taste of glory here. So, closer we are growing. Each other better knowing. Together upward going To the fair home above ; But I will aye remember That day in bleak December, When, by the firelight'r* ember. You told me of your love. 18 PALESTINE. PALESTINE. Oh, Palestine ! oh, Palestine ! My heart oft turns to thee ; Thou art the Lord's own chosen land, And destined great to be. The smallest, yet the holiest place Of all the mighty earth, Thy chronicles alone lecord A Saviour's humble birth. Thy Maker stood upon thy shores, Thy fields are holy ground, Thy lakes and hills are sacred now. With precious memories bound. Thy walls and stones, thy fruits and flowers Formed topic for His speech ; Cities and valleys, plains and streams Eternal lessons teach. Thy poor were sought, thy children taught, Thy hungry ones were fed. Blind found their sight, the dumb their tongue, To life were raised thy dead. PALESTINE. 19 Thy sin and strife, thy troubled life Thy Sovereign came to heal ; What richer gift, what loftier joy Could earthly kingdom feel i A Saviour walking on thy sod, Alas, for human pride ! What lower de;)th cr>uld mortal fall ? That Saviour cruciiied ! It was unto His own He came ; He wept, thy peace He yearned ; Thy rulers gave Him felon's death, And His salvation spurned. Oh, Palestine ! oh, Palestine ! Thou art forsaken now ; God took the sceptre from thy hand, The crown from off thy brow. Thy children now are scattered far, A wandering, alien band ; A land without a people mourns A people without land. When He arrived in lowliness Thou didst reject thy King ; And now alone thou weepest sore, Thy funeral dirges sing. 20 ' TRUE VALUATION. Oh, Palestine ! oh, Palestine ! Thy God will come again As " King of kings " and " Lord of lords," With judgment in His train. Then thou, dear land, shall rise again. In exaltation be. Thy King be glorious o'er the world, His sway from sea to sea. TRUE VALUATION. " The rank is hut the guinea stamp, The man alone the sterling gold." — Burns. We no longer value a man for his wealth, Nor despise him because he is poor, We worship him not for his beauty or health. Nor do his possessions allure. We honoui" him not for his land or his name, The pleasures or gains that await, Nor for his position, nor yet for his fame, Nor his title to noble estate. We value a man for just what he is worth — Young, fortunate, lowly, or old — These trifles are only tb*^ stamp of the earth, The mall is the genuine gold. MEMORIES. 21 MEMORIES. The rain is falling, and voices calling Have carried us back to the days of yore, Like sweet bells pealing, their echoes stealing The memory of hours that shall come no more. Alone in the gloaming we hear them roaming. Those gentle ghosts from the land of dreams ; Still closer pressing, they come confessing The golden glamour of bygone gleams. Aside we're turning, the past years yearning, The joy, the trouble, despair or gloom. To-day forgetting our sun is setting In darkest night in the past's old tomb. Laughing or weeping, past vigils keeping. Communing alone with the ghosts of the dead ; Unheeding to-morrow we mourn in sorrow. While the raindrops patter above our head. 22 ' WIDMER HAI.L. WTDMER HALL. T UKTURNKi) in fact and fancy To my cliildhood's happ}' home, And from attic down to cellar Trod where I was wont to roam. Bare, untidy, and forsaken, The old house now lonelv stands ; Weeds and spiders climb whei'e roses Once were trained by careful hands. The old house, and yet so different, Scarce, methinks, it is the same, 'Tis like many a time-scarred veteran Who has long outlived his fame. Kitchen garden, lawn, and orchard, All are lost in business sway, And where little feet once wandered Factories toil and smoke to-day. The old well that used to offer Crystal water pure and sweet ; The low apple-tree whose shadow Formed an often sought retreat ; Trees beneath whose leafy shelter Built we castles in the air — Looking out of childhood's vision All the world appears so fair — WIDMEll HALL. 28 These are gone ; tlie old house only Silent stands amid the din Of the busy life about it, With its records sealed within. Three generations claimed its shelter, Fondly called the old place home ; Some are in the land celestial. Others lands terrestrial roam. Years roll backward as 1 wander O'er the days and things of yore, And from out the past's rich treasure Gather good for future store. Ah ! the years are gone forever, Yet we call them back at will ; Like a dream when one awaketh, They shall live in memory still. All our earthly homes may perish, Echoes of a vanished past ; Let them teach us still to cherish Better things that ever last ; For somewhere on God's horizon. Far beyond our mortal ken, Is a home of "many mansions," Jesus has prepared for men. 24 "I CHANGE NOT." "I CHANGE NOT." Malachi iii. 6. " I CHANGE not ! " "I change not ! " Though earth's treasures runt, Its pleasures be labelled " From dust unto dust." Its silver may tarnish, Its fine gold grow dim, Its joy cup with sorrow Be filled to the brim ; Its peace may be broken, Its beauty may fade, Its true worth and honour Be cast in the shade ; Its friendships be riven, And fleeting its fame. Yet Jesus, our Jesus Is ever the same. " I change not ! " "I change not ! " Though riches may fly. Though dangers be thickening And poverty nigh ; Though rags take the place Of purple and white, Tears succeed singing. And day change to night ; "I CHANGE NOT." 25 Pain follow rejoicing, And famine the feast, (For the world gives the most When 'tis needed the least) ; Though men may erase From earth's tablet our name, Yet Jesus, our Jesus Is ever the same. " I change not ! " "I change not ! " Though business may change, And things we once managed Another arrange ; Our wishes neglected, Opinions unsought. Our help undervalued Or counted as naught ; Though others take places Once reckoned as ours, And leave us the thorns. While they gather the flowers Life at best is uncertain, Then greater good claim. For our King and His business Are ever the same. " I change not ! " "I change not ! " Though changing earth's fame, Its time-honoured titles Be trampled in shame. 26 "I CHANGE NOT." The applause of this world Is as brief as its night, It calls evil good, And the wrong-doer right ; Its best adoration Will soon pass away. For its wreaths are but laurel, And fade in a day. Seek lofty ambition. True worth, a great name. Joint heir with a Sovereign Who's " ver the same. " I change not ! " "I change not ! " Though health may depart, The spring from the step, And the life from the heart. The light of the eyes May grow feeble and dim. But faith's perfect vision Can gaze upon Him. The ear may get deaf, And the tongue may be tied. And all that is purest Or sweetest denied ; Yet still it holds true (Though the world counts it strange). The believer is happy. For God cannot change. "I CHANGE NOT." 27 " I change not ! " " I change not ! " Though friends may all change, Time's messengers carry them Out of our range ; The hands oft extended May seek ours no more ; Where once waited welcome We see a closed door ; Though lips that our praises So lavishly sing, Through misunderstanding Our loving hearts sting ; Thougli death may remove them, Or foes may estrange, Yet God is our Friend, And He never can change. " I change not ! " " I change not ! " Though seasons may wane, The summer turn winter. The sunshine prove rain. The noonday be followed By darkness of night, And we walk in ihe shadow Instead of the light ; Vine and fig-tree be barren, Yea, no fruit at all, The fields yield no crop. And no herd in the stall ; 28 PLEASURE— PAIN. Though all earth should fail us, We'll joy in His name, For Jesus, our Jesus Is ever the same. " I change not ! " "I change not ! " Though all else decay. The mountains be levelled, The sea pass away ; The elements melt At the touch of His breath, The universe stilled In the silence of death ; The heavens as parchment Together be rolled, The stars fall from orbits They've travelled of old ; But nothing can shake The foundation we claim, For Jesus, Jehovah Is ever the same. PLEASURE -PAIN. Like a dream, e'en gone to-morrow, Months of pleasure swiftly fly. While each day of pain or sorrow Like an age creeps slowly by. BLESSINGS. 29 CHILDHOOD. I SIT in the garden beside the sweet blossoms, Or he 'neath the shade of the old apple tree, Forgetting the present, I dream of the future, And wonder and wonder what my life will be — Hours with love laden ? A bright, happy maiden ? Come, fairies, and tell it to me. Oh ! will it be joyful, or will it be gloomy ? Fraught with earth's sorrows, or blest with its peace ? Hasten, slow years, I am longing to read it, Bring to me pleasures that never shall cease ; Love, pain, or glory ? Oh ! what is my story ? Come, fairies, and tell it to me. BLESSINGS. We value not the priceless boon of health Till the dread hand of pain has laid us low ; We do not prize the blessedness of weaUh Till we have lost the power it can bestow. We do not cherish life and love and friends Until Death's fingers break the golden strings ; We're not half grateful for the gifts God sends — We miss our blessings when they've taken wings. 30 SPEAK NO EVIL. SPEAK NO EVIL. Oh, breathe no ill of others' lives, Or in such converse bear a part ; Words can give sorer wounds than knives, And sadly lacerate the heart. Judge not, oh, man, thy fellow-man. Leave that to Him who reads the mind, But search for all the good you can, For they who seek shall surely find. Be tender in your speech of all. And never let your voice be heard Condemning others for their fall. Or slandering them by deed or word. To others' failings close your eyes. And tarnish not another's name. For who shall say that you would rise A better man if tried the same. Then lenient be to others' faults. As you would have them be to you, And take no part in those assaults That taint the noble and the true. For God alone can judge the man. And we must all before Him stand ; Then ever speak the best you can, And reach to all a helping hand. TROUBLES. 31 LONGINGS. When we are but children, we long and we cry For youth and for liberty's power ; When that has arrived, then for manhood we sigh, Its dignity, knowledge, or dower. When we have attained the position or chance, The profession or business we love. It straightway awakes a desire to advance. We seek for another above. Gold added to silver and honor to name, Of lands and possessions a store, We are not contented ; the longing for fame Prompts us to accumulate more. And thus it is ever ; both early and late, We're subject to Fortune's frail wand ; We have and we hold, and we work and we wait, But we're looking for something beyond. TROUBLES. We laugh at past trouble and care, The present we hope to survive; But the troubles the hardest to bear Are the troubles that never arrive. 32 WHEN THINGS GO WRONG. TORONTO. Queen City, hail ! we homage pay, Thine happy sons and daughters ; Queen of the West, thou holdest sway O'er blue Ontario's waters. We love thy streets, thy parks, thy streams ; Thy life and homes we cherish ; They linger long in memory's dreams, Though other visions perish. Pleasure be thine, and wealth, and calm. The brightest and the best ; Strive on, and win the highest palm, Queen City of the West ! WHEN THINGS GO WRONG. When everything seems going wrong, And cares and griefs perplex us, When tears will flow instead of song. And friends combine to vex us, We should not moan, nor blame, nor curse. Nor sink our life in sorrow. But say, "Thank God it is no worse," And look for joy to-morrow. WAITING. 38 WAITING. Waiting is the hardest task In this busy world of ours ; " Give us any work," we ask, Plucking thorns or culling flowers , But, oh, tell us not to wait ; Hope deferred is bitter pain. We are eager, and we hate Waiting on for bliss or bane. Yes, 'tis hard, 'tis hard to wait ! Body, spirit, mind rebel ; And we find, alas, too late. We've not learned our lesson well ! The best fruits of earth are growing Where fair Patience guards the gate ; He has found a truth worth knowing, Who has learned to calmly wait. .14 TRIFLES. TRIFLES. Only a smile, but it did wile Away a weary hour of pain ; Only a word, but she who heard The richer grew in hope and gain. Only a touch, it was not much. Yet heart met heart in clasp of hand ; Only a kiss, yet memory's bliss Is treasured in a far-off land. Such things are sweet ; it is not meet That we of trifles misers grow ; We may not know the heaven below We make or mar for others so ; For after all, great things seem small, Small deeds are great if men be true. Love brings no cost, is never lost ; Love others, and they will love you. "OUR FATHER." 35 "OUR FATHER." "Our Father," dear Father, We come to Thee now, And ask Thee to bless As at Thy throne we bow ; And teach us to hallow Thy wondrous name, On earth as in heaven Its glory proclaim. We ask Thee to hasten The glorious hour When Thy Son in His beauty Shall rule here in power ; When earth to His footstool Her tribute shall bring, And over all nations Our Lord shall be King. And teach us, dear Father, To live in Thy will ; In all life's dark places To trust and be still. So with faith in Thy guiding The crown shall be won. And 'twill sweeten all sorrows If "Thy will be done." 36 "OUR FATHER." We ask Thee to give us The blessings we need, And out of Thy bounty Thy poor ones we'll feed ; Thy power will sustain us In sin's constant strife, And day by day give us The true " Bread of Life." Forgive us our trespasses," Father, we pray, As we forgive those Who have wronged us this day. Make us tender-hearted. Forgiving, and kind, Acting ever towards others With Thy loving mind. Keep us from temptation, From wandering and sin ; " Deliver from evil " Without and within. And teach us to walk In Thy life-giving light. For "Thine is the kingdom," The glory and might. HEAVEN. 37 HEAVEN. Somewhere, afar or near, on God's horizon There is a better land ; We know, w( see it in the midnight watches, And on its threshold stand. A home that has sweet welcome for the weary, Plenty, and peace, and mirth ; Its gain a compensation for all crosses That must be borne on earth. A life where we shall find this life completed. And end the search for truth ; Our hopes, our aims, our joys, find richer promise Than the fond dreams of youth. From daylight until d^irk we hear earth's calling To labour, love, and prayer ; From vesper hymn to matin song the music Of those who worship there. This life is but the portal of the other. Where, perfect, we shall dwell In bliss supreme and glory everlasting, Beyond man's power to tell. 38 TRUST. TRUST. Afar on the great roaring ocean A magnificent vessel was tost ; Amid the storm's blackest commotion And billows she well nigh was lost. The artillery of heaven was crashing, With brightness that turned night to day, The waves into wild fury lashing. As they closed in to swallow their prey. The people on board her were shaking, Pallid, with sad thoughts of home ; The spirits of many were quaking With fears of the judgment to come. But right in their midst sat a maiden Who of summers had seen half a score. Her face bright, serene, and unladen, As if safe at her own cottage door. "My little one," spake up a stranger, Yet voicing the question of all, " This ship is in terrible danger, Do no fears your spirit appall ? Dread thoughts all our pleasures o'er whelm." Then .^he turned, with a smile on her lip, Saying, " My father's there at the helm. And he knows how to manage the ship." The Lord give us more of her spirit In all earth's upheavals and strife, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 39 A faith that rests not on our merit, But on Him who is guiding our life. In smooth seas or rough no repining, No terror our souls to o'erwhelm ; Sweet trust, whether gloomy or shining, For our Father is holding the helm. A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Christmas morning, we hail thy dawning ! The day of the birth of our Lord and King ; Hail victorious, crowned and glorious ! Tributes and trophies to Him we bring. We'll tell the story. How heaven's glory Shone over the darkness of Judah's plain ; Our carols singing, Our offerings bringing To Him who ever henceforth shall reign. God's love professing. He came, earth's blessing, A helpless babe in a lonely inn ; " No room," a stranger, His bed a manger. The Child who can save the world from sin. We'll tell the story, How heaven's glory Shone over the darkness of Judah's plain ; 40 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Our carols singing, Our offerings bringing To Him who ever henceforth shall reign. Sinful, needing a Saviour's pleading, We'll chant with gladness that Saviour born ; While joy-bells ringing and children singing Proclaim to the world the Christmas morn. We'll tell the story, How heaven's glory Shone over the darkness of Judah's plain ; Our carols singing, Our offerings bringing To Him who ever henceforth shall reign. No longer tarry ; the tidings carry, Till His flag is over the earth unfurled. All seek His favour, and crown Him Saviour, For in His glory He'll rule the world. We'll tell the story. How heaven's glory Shone over the darkness of Judah's plain ; Our carols singing. Our offerings bringing To Him who ever henceforth shall reign. "A CITY WHOSE BUILDER IS GOD." 41 "A CITY WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD." Hebrews xi. 10. There is a city, a beautiful city, Fairer and brighter than any we know, Built by a Father, in infinite pity. For those of His children who wander below. And its bright beauty Owes not its duty To architects earthly, or wisdom of man ; Pleasing and vernal, That city eternal Traces its life to Omnipotent plan. And in th .^. city, that beautiful city. The wall ^re of gems and the streets are of gold ; There is no heat, and no cold, and no night-time. The residents never grow sickly or old. Pearl are the gates, And no spirit e'er waits. For the gates of the city are aye open wide ; Angels are tending. And loving, befriending The souls that the porter has ushered inside. And in that city, that beautiful city. There wiudeth a river unceasing and clear ; "A CITY WHOSE BUILDER IS GOD." And on each bank there are trees ever growing, All bearing fragrance, and healing, and cheer. Ever on flowing That river is going. Upward and onward to God's mighty i a ,/iie ; Souls here may sever, But at that fair river None are forsaken, or sad, or alone. And in that city, that beautiful city. There is no temple — no need of one there — For the inhabitants all are redeemed ones, Whom the Lord of the land for the place did prepare. No church, bell, or steeple, For there all the people In the beauty of holiness worship the King ; And their glad story Of His great glory Makes all the arches with melody ring. And in that city, that beautiful city, They need not the light of a candle or sun ; "Time is no more," for they measure not hourly — Years never begin there and never are done. No pleasures abating With watching and waiting, All present and lasting, the brightest and best ; Not dying, but living, Eternity giving To mortals a palace, a crown, and a rest. A WATER-LILY. 43 And in that city, tlkat beautiful city, Music is born and 'tis perfected there ; Voices and harps, the full choir of the ransomed, Every sweet melody filling the air. The mansions are ringing, So grand is the singing, Never a discord, all harmony there ; May God's love far-reaching, And His Spirit's teaching. For a home in that city His people prepare. A WATER-LILY. Lily white, heart aglow. In thy still pond Blooming in virgin snow, No care nor bond. Roots down in depths below, Blossoms beyond. Where, lily, was thy birth ? Fragrant and white, Struggling from miry earth Up, up to light. Thou flower of matchless worth, Beautiful, bright. 44 AMBITION. AMBITION. I LONGED to act some worthy part Or do some noble deed, Labour that would deserve and win Earth's fairest flowers and meed ; Some gift brought to my fellow-men Of life, or art, or creed. I wished, but He who plans for us Just bade me work and wait, Rejoice or suffer humbly here, In His own chosen state ; To do my duty every day, Unknown to fame or fate. And He who toiled in Nazareth Within the cottage door, Will own the lowly service done, Henceforth, for evermore ; And satisfy each child of His From His abundant store. VICTORIA REGINA. 45 VICTORIA REGINA. A GIRLISH form in virgin white, With fair hair falling round her face, Was called at dawn to solemn words, " Victoria, Queen, by heaven's grace ! " The maiden, kneeling at God's throne. Besought His blessing on her own. Long years have come and gone since then. Tumult of war and song of peace ; Culture, and art, and wealth have caused The white man's growth, the black's release ; While goodness, industry, and right Have flourished in the crown's pure light. When once, like Sheba's Queen of old. Men to her land came seeking fame. She pointed not to throne secure, Nations subdued, or honoured name ; But, " Tell your Prince in ' The Book ' lies The secret of Great Britain's rise." Golden and Diamond Jubilee Have celebrated her long reign Of righteousness, powerful and wise — The sun ne'er sets on her domain ; Her people's praise is justly loud. Of Queen and Flag and Country proud. HAPPINESS. Empress of India's burning soil, Queen of Great Britain and the Isles, Our virgin " Lady of the Snow " Blooms 'neath her gracious sovereign's smiles. God bless our Queen, we love her yet ! True British hearts will not forget. That reign, begun in humble prayer. In the fresh morn of early days, Has passed from noon to vesper song ; Yet brighter glow the sunset rays, Dispersing far the shades of night ; " At even time it shall be light." HAPPINESS. I SOUGHT for Pleasure all the hours, And everywhere I missed her ; I could not grasp her golden flowers, I then turned to her sister Plain Duty — living not for one, I sought for others' pleasure. When lo, I found that I had won True happiness and treasure ! A JUBILEE PRAYER. 47 A JUBILEE PRAYER. Jehovah, ruler Thou of earth and heaven, The Lord of lords, the everlasting King, This year of Jubilee, our adoration And praise for mercies past to Thee we bring ! We thank Thee for our loved and honoured sovereign, And for her world-wide, long, and righteous sway ; For Thou, through her, hast given freedom, plenty. The peace that rules throughout our land to-day. From the rich, verdant shores of dear old England Ring out the bells for her triumphant reign ; The Emerald Isle and Scotland's rugged hill-tops Re-echo o'er the waves the joyful strain. The music swells from many a distant island, From India's sunny shores beyond the seas. And from fair Canada and northern regions. Where ice and snow enshroud the forest trees. For many nations throng to do her honour ; Her upright life has influenced the world ; And peace, and truth, and purity are fruitful Wherever Britain's standard is unfurled. 48 A JUBILEE PRAYER. But stronger far than all a nation's bulwarks, Weapons of war, or statesmen's loyal care. Is the true homage of a loving people Who circle and protect their Queen with prayer. For hers has been the noblest exaltation. The righteousness that lifts a kingdom high ; Thy truth her stronghold and the throne's foundation ; The record of true greatness cannot die. Lord, make her reign yet brighter and more glorious, Free from all error, famine, bloodshed, loss ; Her sword in future, as of yore. Thy Gospel ; Her flag the blood-stained banner of the Cross. Spare her to home and loyal hearts that honour, As few have been revered in her estate. And make the sunset season glowing, peaceful. The evening shadows gently falling late. And when the messenger vho comes to all men Shall summon her to Thy fair land of light. May she receive a crown that never fadeth, A lasting sceptre and a palace bright. Forever dwell with those long gone before her. And reign with them through an eternal day ; For earthly thrones and titles are but fleeting. But heaven's honours never shall decay. WOMAN. 49 WOMAN. In days of yore, long years before The world was peopled over, God's mighty tone made man Ilone, Earth's earliest human lover. His home was fair— no sin, no care, No toil that was not pleasure ; But there apart, the loving heart Had none to share its treasure. Jehovah said that man should wed A bride for him created. And so one night his Eve all bright To Adam's soul was mated. ^o more alone, " bone of his bone," "Elesh of his flesh," rich finding, In joy or pain no longer twain. One heart two bodies binding. 50 WOMAN. Not from man's head was his wife led — The woman is not master ; Nor from his feet — it is not meet That he beneath should cast her. Below the arm to shield from harm, Such is man's bounden duty ; And from his side that he might hide Within his heart her beauty. A creature good of human blood, By God Almighty given ; Two side by side can breast life's tide, When one alone were riven. Not raised above, but crowned with love, Her home her throne and palace ; Cheerful and kind, with well-trained mind That drinks at wisdom's chalice. Though through her sin once entered in To curse and blight the Garden, Yet through her pain life came again, A Saviour's love to pardon. From heathen night the Gospel light The bonds of old is shaking, But let not pride now turn the tide, God's own true order breaking. OLD SONGS, OLD FLOWERS. 51 Oh, woman meek, haste not to seek Those things that are withholden ! But gladly claim thy precious name, And nobler deeds eml)olden. Thou hast a sphere, thou needst not fear That bygone chains will fetter : But keep thy place, thy woman's grace, And man will love thee better. 4 OLD SONGS, OLD FLOWERS. The old songs are the sweetest, The songs of long ago, That echoed in the gloaming in tender tones and low. The new songs may be better, With greater wisdom glow. But the old songs are the sweetest, The songs of long ago. The old flowers are the sweetest, Their bloom we'll ne'er forget ; The old time garden favourites, Sometimes we see them yet. Skill may produce great marvels, And fairer beauties show. But the old flowers are the sweetest. The flowers of long ago. 52 BEAUTY. MY FORTUNE. Better by far than a lofty position, Beauty, or station, or knowledge, or fame, Silver or gold, or a favoured condition, A circle of friends, or a world-honoured name ; Dearer to me than all earth's gifts and pleasures. The gems of the land, or the pearls of the sea, Is the one loving heart with the wealth of its treasures Henceforth and forever surrendered to me. BEAUTY. We care not whether the friends we prize Have beautiful faces or no ; We never consider their look? at all, Because we love thein so ; We are glad to have them enter our homes, And sorry to see them go. For beauty will come, and beauty will fade, And homage is all her due, But we value a man for his sterling worth, Be he old friend or new ; And beautiful faces are those that show A heart that is kind and true, CHARITY. 53 CHARITY. I Corinthians xiii. Charity suffereth long, And charity envieth not ; Charity is not proud Of talent, or wealth, or lot. Charity does not seek Her own sweet self to please ; Charity's kind and meek Is spent for others' ease. Charity will not help To slander another's name ; Chanty hopes, believes, Endures through good or shame. Charity never fails — She comes from heaven abo^^e; Let us copy more of her grace, God's wonderful gift of love. 54 THE christian's belief. FRIENDSHIP. Would you know if your friends be many, Or if they are tried and true 1 How much your admirers, if any. Would be willing to do for you 1 Just lose your position or money, To sickness surrender your health, Then the bees that fly after your honey Will vanish as fast as your wealth. But the friends who are worthy of knowing The closer around you will press ; Affliction their full value showing, Sterling gold is their love to possess. THE CHRISTIAN'S BELIEF. I BELIEVE in God the Father Who hath made and loves us all ; I believe in God the Saviour Who redeemed us from the fall ; I believe in God the Spirit ; Who will guide us on our way ; I believe there is a heaven We shall enter in some day. THE PAST. 55 THE PAST. " Let the dead past bury its dead." — Loncpellow. " Let the dead past bury its dead " Where they cannot arise again, And weary not life, and heart, and head, With recalling its ghosts in pain. For the past has gone forever ; Then bury it, bury it deep ; From the living its memory sever, Let the past its own graves keep. The present can offer thee treasures Of life, and joy, and love, Happiness, wealth and pleasures, Hopes for earth and above. Then act in the present, living For now and the future alone ; And life shall grow rich in giving, And heaven shall be thine own. 66 TIME. TIME. *' God Himeelf cannot give us back our lost opportunities." —Edna Lyall. A SECOND gone, a minute gone, Such a little thing ; An hour gone, a day gone. Time is on the wing ; A week gone, a month gone, Time flies on apace ; A year gone, a year gone, All one year of grace. Gone now, forever flown Far beyond recall ; God Himself can't give it back, I have lost it all. Swift pass the days away Like a silver chime ; Thou art growing very gray, Old Father Time ! Oh, may I learn thy worth And a miser be ! Though the years belong to God, The hours belong to me. A WORD. 57 A WORD. A WORD, and a heart is broken ; A word, and we weep in pain ; A word, and a thought is woken That never shall sleep a"TTHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING." John xv. 5. a Without Me ye can do nothing." Do we really heed this £i*ct, That alone, apart from Jesus, worthless is the greatest act? Men may smile upon our efforts, to our fame their voices raise — Wiiat availeth man's approval if we lack the highest praise ? "Without Me ye can do nothing." Motto for us all along. He who trusts himself is falling ; he who feels his weak- ness, strong. " Without Me ye can do nothing ! " but " from Me thy fruit is found ; " If our faith were more abiding, then our fruit would more abound. "Without Me ye can do nothing." This is true, but He is near, And through Him we " can do all things," and be stead- fast without fear. One with Him, the great Eternal life divine can never die; He the source of all fruition and the power to satisfy. 144 • "WHAT SHALL I ASK?" «'WHAT SHALL I ASK?" Mark vi. 34. " What shall I ask 1 " The Lord hath Haiti, Whate'er ye ask ye shall receive, The name of Jesus Christ the plea. The one condition, to believe. Promises great, I think of this — Lord, help me not to ask amiss. " What shall I ask 1 " For length of days ? Ah, no ! the future is not mine ; And while I prize the earthly life, I leave its bounds to grace divine. He who hath made and keeps the soul, Its destiny will aye control. " What shall I ask 1 " A quiet time Of ease, prosperity, and health 1 Halcyon days ? a paradise ? Of this world's goods abundant wealth 1 From care and toil complete release. And over all the wings of peace 1 " What shall I ask V A name and fame That passes down from hand to hand 1 •'WHAT SHALL I ASK?" 145 The honoiUH of this world all fade, Its names sliall perish with its land ; Forgotten (save in memory's love) Are all but those inscribed above. "What shall I ask?" A mind so wise That wisdom is its richest dower 1 Or shall r ask for beauty's gift? For <^race of face and form are power ; Beauty will fade and reastm fail, The hosts of death will both assail. " What shall I ask 1 " Like he of old, To whom a choice of all was given, Methinks I will not ask for fame, Nor length of days, but power from heaven To live so nobly for my King That He can add every good thing. And like another saint of old, I'll ask not poverty or gain, Lest I be rich, forsake my God, Or poor, and take His name in vain ; Content with what His love will give, Seeking for others' good to live. I thank Thee for the precious gifts That through Thy grace are showered on me ; Lord, if Thou wilt, let them remain, And they shall still be used for Thee ; For life, and love, and wealth are sweet, Bestow each as Thou seest meet. 146 PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. "YE ARE MV WITNESSES." Have you found Jesus ? Then hasten ye gladly Some other wanderer to bring to His feet ; Angels would fain do the work we do sadly, Counting both labour and recompense sweet. Did we but follow our all-loving Saviour, Our joy would be greater, our light not so dim ; We would esteem it a sign of His favor That He would let us lead souls unto Him. PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. When tasks are hard, and brain is dull, and j)ulses all aglow, You long to give the lesson up, the books aside to throw ; Then plod away, and bear in mind this saying, surely true, Patience and perseverance will aye see you safely through. Through all your life 'twill be the same, for earth is but a school. Lessons to learn, prizes to win, attention to each rule. Just labour on, for busy hands and hearts are kept from sin ; Patience and perseverance is the surest way to win. ANTICIPATION. 147 ANTICIPATION. We plant a flower and it dies ; We long for a day, lo it flies ; We sigh for a pleasure soon lost, Gain a treasure, then mourn o'er the cost. We dread, then we suflPer a pain, Claim a joy, and they're both gone again ; A sorrow we feared is our own, We pine for to-morrow, 'tis flown We suffer thus twice What is past in a trice. And while troubles tarry Their burdens we carry, And lessen the pleasure And double the pain. 10 148 HOME. HOME. What is a home 1 Four walls and a roof To shelter the folk within 1 Or the loviag communion of heart with heart, The seclusion of kith and kin 1 Home is the place where we're treated the best, And grumble and fret the most ; Tyrannical, cold to our dearest ones, To the stranger a charming host. But let us beware, for the home life takes Our photographs swift and true ; The polished ones shown to the world, but at home The rough negative plates are on view. For brightness or gloom, for honour or doom, Nond ever can reckon home's worth ; A cot or a palace, if indwelt by love, 'Tis the pleasantest place on the earth. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. 149 LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. There's a bow in every storm if we have but faith to see it, There is sunshine for each shadow and refreshing in each shower ; Every cloud is lined with silver, every noontide has its shelter, Every desert grows its palm tree, and each barren place its flower. There is rest for every labour, and a harvest for each sower ; There's a balm for every pain, and for weakness there is power ; For every leaf that falls there is pledge of life and beauty ; There is resurrection promise in the fading of each flower. There's a smile in every tear if the sun but shines upon it, There's a calm for every storm, and a star in every night. So let us learn this lesson, from the daily things around us. That sunlight equals shadow when we're looking for the light. 150 A PATCHWORK QUILT. A PATCHWORK QUILT. " The light and the dark together, my dear, And each one in its place " — 'Twas mother that spake in gentle tone. And my work flew on apace. Black and pink and blue and white, Crimson and grey and brown. Little pieces of this and that. And scraps of a worn-out gown. All dire confusion it looked to me, A pattern I could not trace ; But mother knew, so I laboured on. Stitching each piece in place. Odd-shaped fragments of different cloth. The dark and the light together ; With never a doubt I worked away In sunny or cloudy weather. So mother planned, and I followed her, And my task grew on apace. How proud I was in my childish glee When they all were in their place ! — The labour done, approval won. Then I saw the pattern, reaching O'er more of life than that tiny quilt, A deeper lesson teaching ; A BIRTHDAY. 15X For life is just like a patchwork quilt, Small pieces of light and shade ; But if God plans, and we do our task, A beautiful life is made. The joy, the grief, the work, the rest, The bright or cloudy weather, Will all look right when we see the end. The dark and the light together. A BIRTHDAY. Another book of the volume of life Is closed and put away, Till the thoughts of all hearts are open In the light of the judgment day. We fondly glance o'er the faded leaves And seal them up with prayer, And enter upon another year With its unknown joy and care. God grant that none of last year's blots May stain the pages fair. 152 ABIDING PLACES. LIFE. A DAWN of light, A morn of bliss, A noon all bright, An evening kiss ; A sunset glow, A twilight dim, A shadow low, Thus ends life's hymn. ABIDING PLACES. '* In my father's house are many abiding places." —John xiv. 2 (R.V.) Abiding places ! Can it be That Jesus has prepared for me A home, a resting place with Him, Where truest joys shall never dim- Abiding place, beyond the range Of death, of sorrow, or of change ? THE OLD YEAR. 153 THE OLD YEAR. The past has gone forever, With its smiles and with its tears, Its shadow and its sunshine, Its trusting and its fears ; Its sorrows and rejoicings, Its gaining and its loss, Its victories and its failures, Its comforts and its cross. The past has gone forever With its poverty or wealth. Its business and its pleasures, Its sickness and its health ; Its chances oft neglected. Its graces left unwon, The sins we have committed, And the good we've left undone. The past has gone forever, 'Twill ne'er return again ; Though fain we would recall it, Our efforts are in vain. Gone tC' eternal keeping, 'Tis slumbering but not dead. And with unerring judgment Its record shall be read. 154 "BEAUTY IS VAIN." "BEAUTY IS VAIN." Beauty is charming, and surely will win Swift favour in all men's eyes ; Sweetness of feature and grace of form Are gifts from God to prize, Given to few, yet a blessing true We never should despise. But beauty will fade — " 'tis but skin deep " — And graces and charms will end ; True worth is better, and wealth of mind Will greater pleasures lend. We value a heart and a noble soul, Though beauty may not attend. For " favour's deceitful and beauty is vain," Age will soon lessen their joy ; But " far above rubies " are virtue and love, Pure gold without any alloy ; Real goodness is beauty that nothing on earth Can ever decrease or destroy. DISGUISED BLESSINGS. I55 DISGUISED BLESSINGS. If we could see beyond the cares oppressing, We'd find the very gifts we daily crave ;"' The heaven-sent cross oft brings an earthly blessing, Sweet joys arise to bloom on sorrow's grave. Beneath our bitter anguish lies the treasure We've long years sought, in many ways, in vain ; Our pain is oft the harbinger of pleasure, Our losses sometimes prove our truest gain. Then perish doubt, and hushed be sad complaining ; For mortal faith is frail and sight is dim ; There's One who rules our lives with love constraining ; Be still and murmur not, but trust in Him. 156 NOBILITY. NOBILTTY. ITk is great wluxloeth daily Whatsoe'er his duty be ; He is true who dealeth truly, Though no mortal eye may see. He al«ne is surely noble Who is pure in life and gains, Though no blood of lord or lady Ever ilowed within his veins. He is wise whose mind is duly With the highest wisdom stored ; He is rich who wins approval. By his fellow-men adored. He lives long who liveth wisely, Though from honour fate debars ; And his standard is too lowly Who has aimed beneath the stars. COMPLAINT. 157 COMPLAINT. I tliinkvve are too ready witli complaint In this fair world of God's." — E. B. Browning. We are gloomy when wo should be joyful, Grow weak when we ought to be strong, Court murmuring in lieu of thanksgiving, Choose tear-drops instead of a song. We complain of the burden or sorrow God's providence on us has laid ; Spoil to-day with dread fears ^or to-morrow, Rejecting the sun for the shade. Fair, fair is this world God has given, His mercies surround all our days ; Each soul has his portion of heaven, Some blessing for which he should praise.