UC-NRLF B E A3D 1D7 PRISON Wr PHILIP PI RE IS, E. C. BRICE, B..1. THE PRISON AT PHILIPPI AMi OTHER SACRED POEMS DY REV, EDWARD COWEL1 BfclCE, B.A VICAR OF NEWNHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Itonbon ; LONGMAN'S, GREEN, READER, AND I Gloucester : EDMUND NEST, 155, WESTGATE STK1 1876. LOAN STACK CONTENTS. PAGE. THE PRISON AT PHILIPPI - 3 CHRISTMAS DAY - IO NAZARETH _ . 22 HOLY LAND — SKETCHES AND THOUGHTS - 37 ZACCHEUS AND BARTIMEUS - - - - 52 BETHANY eg EASTER DAY - 64 ASCENSION DAY ---.._ ^ THE FIRST RESURRECTION - - - - 77 MIDNIGHT TRAVELS .... go CHRISTMAS 1875 - - - - . g 4 THE WELL AT BETHLEHEM - - gg HOW SHALL I BE SATISFIED? - - - 91 .; VERILY I SAY 94 standing and knocking ... y* harvest home i0 i david's harp - - - - - - 104 from the german - 106 young Edward's grave - - - - 107 A MEDITATION ---.-- i I0 THE OCTOGENARIAN 112 512 ERRATA. In page 28, line 7, for recent, read centre; in page 66, line 2, for it were told itself, read itself we're told. POEMS BY REV. EDWARD COWELL BRICE, B.A. THE PRISON AT PHILIP PL "At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them."— Acts 16, 25. f ^T IS midnight round Philippi's walls, ^^ And grandeur's echoes cease to swell ; The lyre is hush'd amid the halls, The trumpet in the citadel. ' Tis darkness through the mystic grove, The column'd courts, the marble ways ; No votary sues Olympic love, And silent is Minerva's praise ; THE PRISON AT PHILIPPL The worship of Apollo's ray Went with the last bright hours of day ; The adoring crowd, The paeans loud, The rich, the garlanded, the proud Have pass'd away. But ah ! where deep the dungeon lies Within that lordly city's bounds, There doth the voice of prayer arise, And there the saintly hymn resounds. Hark I to the True, Eternal Lord Two holy prisoners wake and cry ; To Him they sing with sweet accord, And heavenward look with faithful eye. To Christ they sing, to Christ they pray, To Him the only God of Day, Of Wisdom, Might j For His dear sake they wear the chain, Take the stern lash, endure the pain, And now His brightest smiles they gain At dead of night. THE PRISON AT PHILIPPL Messiah's wondrous love they sing, Who left his star-encircled throne Peace on his gracious lips to bring, And make their rebel hearts His own. They utter forth His balmy name Amidst the dungeon's poisonous air, And bless their Lord for all the shame That he hath deemed them fit to bear. Ah ! blind Philippi little knows How beautiful the steps of those Whom Jesus sends ! — her bonds compel To the vile prison's inmost cell Their pilgrim feet ; But though the iron clogs the limb, The faith-wing'd spirit breathes with Him In union sweet. Hark ! the hosannas louder swell, Still on Immanuel's name they dwell With hallow'd glee j His was the arm that fought so well, Broke the worst bonds of sin and hell, And set them free. THE PRISON AT PHILIPPE Through the long low arches going Spreads the unaccustom'd sound, Undenled, and sweetly flowing Into every ward around. Where the murmurs of affliction, Or dread curses lately fell, With the feverish malediction Of the care-worn sentinel ; Where the robber clank'd his chain Beseeching Mercury in vain ; Where to fabled Mars for aid Fiercely the bondaged warrior prayed ; And the assassin chafed his mood In His own den of solitude — Echoes there the hymn of peace To the God who can release. Through the grated opening small Of each cell, the accents fall, Rousing every sullen head From its straw or sackcloth bed. THE PRISON AT PHILIPPI. See, the temple-plunderer waking Listens with astounded ear, Though the strain be gentle quaking Lest the deity be near. So sacredly those numbers roll They are a terror to his soul. With frozen heart and dull despair Down he sinks upon his lair. Awakens too the bandit bold Who late from Macedonia's hills Was wont to ravage dale and wold Till now a gloomy nook he fills. Scarce out of sleep, the echoes seem The music of a mountain dream, Or some unearthly warbled lore 1 Mid the wild groves of sycamore. He starts, feels the cold ponderous chain, Then reckless turns to sleep again. Hark ! hark ! 'tis an earthquake's roar ! Bursts the dread thunder THE PRISON AT PHI LI PPL The deep vaults under, Rending the prison's solid floor — Wide fly the folds of every door— - From every hand in every cell Drop the bolt and manacle. The Angel of the King of Saints Stoops upon his secret wings ! Marble crumbles, iron faints, Brass from its hold of vigour springs Before his way ! Wild with dismay The jailor out of slumber starting, Along the shivering pavement darting, Sees the chambers opening all, Sees the prisoners free from thrall, And with desperation fierce Draws the sword his breast to pierce; But instantly the shout of Paul, " Do thyself no harm, for all Are here within the prison's wall," Arrests his hand — forward he springs, Sinks down before the saints, and clings THE PRISON AT PHILIPPI. Round the blest feet he dared to bind — " Servants of God ! " is all his cry, " Oh how shall such a wretch as I Salvation find"? — " Believe in Jesus, all Divine, And salvation shall be thine." They speak to him the heavenly Word, The gracious message of the Lord, To him and all his house. — That hour, That self-same hour, at first so dread With the rending earthquake's power, With the mighty Angel's tread — He took them from the vault profound Where he had thrust them, bleeding, bound, And " wash'd their stripes " — then (no delay) Baptized, his sins were wash'd away, With Jesu's cleansing blood his stay. Those holy ones he brought above To chambers of his own abode, 11 Set meat before them " — served with love- Rejoiced in Christ — believed in God. IO CHRISTMAS DAY Luke 2, i — 20. UGUSTUS issued a decree That " all the world should taxed be " The orb of Roman sovereignty. What was by tyranny projected, Was by the God of heaven directed To bring to pass in place and time A prophesied event, the prime, That Christ of royal David's stem, Was to " come forth" at Bethlehem. For by imperial commands The populations of the lands Must all to their own cities come, CHRISTMAS DAY. n Taxes to pay to mighty Rome. So Joseph and his sacred spouse, " Of David's lineage and house," Compelled by Caesar's edict, came From Nazareth to Bethlehem; And in brief time, the journey done, Mary " brought forth her first born Son." But in this narrative we find An incident which seems designed, Deeply to interest the mind. Joseph and Mary, holy pair, Met with no welcome greeting there, " No room" remained in Bethlehem's inn, When they applied amid the din Made by the crowd their ends to win ; Nought but a cold and stubborn " Nay" Came from that caravanserai. O'er-wearied and in deepest need — In her case it was deep indeed — They were at once obliged to crave f 2 CHRISTMAS DA Y. The shelter of a peasant's cave Amongst his cattle — To this day A spot where pilgrims flock to pray — And there was Jesus, " David's Son" And " David's Lord," the twain in one, Born to their solace — also there The cattle's rustic crib to share. In clothes that Hebrew infants wore, Prepared with earnest care before At Nazareth, by her no doubt, Ere they commenced their anxious route — She swathed Him with the tenderest skill, To guard Him in such place from ill, And when not treasured in her breast, The manger was his needful rest. This was the scene — this lowly shed Gave Him this humble infant bed. The thought o'erwhelms the mind, that He, Th' Incarnate Lord of All, should be Thus domicil'd, His place of birth CHRISTMAS DAY. 13 The very rudest on the earth. But in all this devoutly see His infinite humility, His love which emptied self of glory, And made a sorrowed life His story, That his true followers might rise To mansions in his own bright skies. But oh ! how mournful to reflect What multitudes this Lord reject, And from their hearts His truth exclude, And e'en the thought of Him extrude. Man's heart is like, ' tis sad to say, A certain caravanserai. There the whole world may entrance find, And worldly things of every kind. Does Folly knock ? It is let in. Does Pleasure ? It is sure to win. In special instances the door Opens more widely than before. Does Money show an entrance fee ? i 4 CHRISTMAS DA Y. None is more welcome instantly. Does Business ask ? What numbers still Seem to be crowding in until Every chamber they must fill. Does Care before the portal stand ? The heart admits the sad demand. Do even Sorrow, Grief, and Woe, Press strangely to come in? 'Tis so. There's "room " for all excepting One, And that is Jesus, God's dear Son. Yet what blest hopes His grace affords ! What are His own most precious words ? " Lo ! I stand at the door and knock : " If any man the door unlock, If any man will hear my voice, And open it, I will rejoice, And will come in and sup, and he Shall hold communion with me. Oh ! happy they who hear that voice, And make that happiness their choice; CHRISTMAS DAY. Who yield a heart grown hard in sin, For peace and purity within ! The cave of the Nativity, And three-fold Holy Family, We left awhile — to introduce Some thoughts which haply may have use If the analogy between Man's heart and Bethlehem's inn be seen ; But to return, — At early morn First from the time the Babe was born, Arrived in haste a pious band Of Shepherds from the hills at hand, And the night sheep-folds old in fame From David's loved and honoured name. Angelic teachings led them here — The true signs given them all appear — They gaze with reverent awe around — Those for whom they searched are found. 1 6 CHRISTMAS DA Y. THE LEADING SHEPHERD SPEAKS. Blessed Mother, to Thee all joy ! We hail the new-born Heavenly Boy ! The angel of the Lord this night, Arrayed in garb of glorious light, Came while we watched beside the fold And tidings of great wonder told. He bade us hasten on our way To see the Saviour born this day In David's city, and we're come To view Him in His humble home. With love and joy our hearts receive Him, We see, we wonder, we believe Him, We bow with reverence before Him, We humbly worship and adore Him. We own him David's Son and Heir, Our Shepherd King who led with care His flocks in fields the very same As those to which God's angel came To us poor Shepherds — how can we CHRISTMAS DAY. r 7 Describe his mien and majesty? The Lords own glory shone around, We trembled on the hallowed ground. " Fear not," the angel said, and then Telling us of great joy to men, Suddenly from above the sky, E'en from the throne of God most high, Filling the brightened realm of air, Appearing with the angel there, Thousands upon thousands came Of God's immediate host to claim The joy of praising His great name. They were above, around, before us, And we all heard their lofty chorus. " Glory to God" they nobly sang, Their music through our bosoms rang j " Glory to God" shall ever be The outburst of our psalmody. The shepherds left to spread abroad The tidings sent them by their God ; B CHRISTMAS DA Y. And praising Him for all they'd seen According as the signs had been j Still singing, " Glory " ever be The burden of our psalmody. We too should be prompt to raise Glory to God in loftiest praise, To Him in " highest " heavens above, And for His abounding love To all " on earth " whose hearts record "A Saviour which is Christ the Lord." Mary, pattern for pious thought, Pondered on all her God had wrought. The things she heard, and saw, and knew, In sacredness profoundly grew ; Too deep to others to impart, She kept them in her own deep heart. And we, in honouring Christmas Day With all the happiness we may, And while festivity it brings, Should also ponder on these things. CHRISTMAS DA Y. 19 CAROL. /jtOLD are the nights in dark December, ^^ Wintry blasts are frequent then ; But ever One night we remember, Blessed above all to men. 1 Tis that when Christ expected long Was born of woman, God's own Son, And heaven proclaimed in rapt'rous song That endless blessings had begun. Bethlehem's hill-side fields were lying Darkly in the dead of night ; Shepherds their faithful labours plying Dimly by the watch-fire's light ; 2o CHRISTMAS DA Y. When suddenly night turned to day, Day brighter than before was known j From heaven to earth was one bright ray,— The Lord's great angel had come down ! Oh ! what transcendent news he brought us ! Birth of Jesus, Babe Divine ! What lessons of God's love he taught us, In tidings of His great design ! Jesus, Saviour, Lord, and Shepherd, Born to save from sin and woe ; To guard His flock from wolf and leopard, And defend from every foe. Our hearts then prize cold dark December, Its Christmas night must make it dear ; And with our lov'd ones we'll remember With joy its blessings and its cheer. CHRISTMAS DAY. 21 Deem not the humble carols lost At midnight sung, or early morn, Oft in keen air and nipping frost, To hail in heart the Saviour born. To some, we trust, warm slumber taking, The while beneath their window frame The strain is heard, 'tis sweet on waking To list to His ascending name. ^*^ 22 NAZARETH. Luke 2, 42 — 52. JESUS of Nazareth "—a name Humblest of all, yet great in fame And precious, other names above, To hearts of humble faith and love. ' Twas there within a circling belt Of quiet little hills He dwelt With His blest mother thirty years, Working with Joseph, it appears, As carpenter, a good vocation, Almost a sacred occupation, As needs we deem it now since He Employed His sacred hands to be Helps to parental cares, and prove Submissiveness of filial love NAZARETH. 23 Amid that sweet, secluded vale His years were but the briefest tale ; With piety the same in all, Mark'd days 'twere needless to recall. Yet one great incident occurred, When twelve years old, which deeply stirred The parents' bosom, when with them He went up to Jerusalem To keep the Passover, and when The company set forth again, Unknown to them he stayed behind, Impelled by secret force of mind, Sought for three days, and none could find, Oh ! what perplexing, anxious fears Had Mary in the midst of tears. At length they spied the wondrous Child Calm, self-possessed, as ever mild, With doctors in the temple sitting, Hearing, and asking questions fitting. His mother chided — but said He, 11 How is it that ye sought for me ? 24 NAZARETH. Wist ye not I must be about My Father's business ?" — Here came out That He was God's incarnate Son, And to perceive had uow begun, What had not reached His mother's mind, His Heavenly Father's work assigned. It may be, to His youthful soul This was the opening of the whole — Of wisdom ever freshly learned, And verities still more discerned. And this for many years to come At Nazareth His humble home, Till His great mission called Him thence, Prepared all blessings to dispense, To teach, to heal, to save the world, With Satan's empire downward hurled. Meanwhile Himself He meekly bore Towards earthly lov'd ones as before, "Subject unto them" — subject too To Him in love profound He knew, NAZARETH. 25 His Father in eternal union, Ever with Him in communion j And often to converse in prayer And lofty meditation there, He climbed, no doubt, in early day The highest hills that round Him lay, Their smooth and turfy tops attaining, And views of wondrous beauty gaining — Tabor entitled to u rejoice" In sacred fame's perpetual voice, And mountain ranges which supply Deep interest to the raptured eye. Down to the left the sight could gain Esdraelon's immemorial plain; And straight before Him Carmel rose, Signal for judgment on God's foes ; Associate with Elijah's name, Jehovah's honour, Baal's shame. Beyond, the " Great Sea " stretched its bar, Washing unseen the isles afar \ With Carmel jutting on the coast, 26 NAZARETH. Old Tyre and Sidon once its boast. Cool airs came over to the hills When Jesus gazed — a breeze that fills With soft delight — coming to meet Him, And with refreshing power to greet Him. And who shall say that while that breeze And all around was felt to please, The thought, my Father made them all, Would not mysteriously call Another and companion thought, That " Without Him was not aught Of anything that e'er was wrought ?"* We leave the hill-tops now to view The dear Redeemer in the vale, Walking where'er the sweet flowers grew, The chief of which He loved to hail. John i. 3. NAZARETH. This was the Huley Lily, which, In beauty and adornment rich, Abounds in northern Galilee. The traveller delights to see, While about Tabor's base he roves, Their clusters in the old oak groves ; And in the valleys all around And bosky uplands they are found, Mostly amid strong thorns which make It difficult the plant to take — Nature's tribute of protection To what is exquisite perfection. One traveller dilates so well On what his memory loves to dwell, I would that my poor verse had power To paint the incomparable flower, Which he declares where'er it blows Transcends in beauty Sharon's rose. It is very large and tall, Distinct in character from all The lilies of our cooler zone, 27 28 NAZARETH. Though these have merits of their own. Its blossoms in compartments such, So perfect, guard from thoughtless touch, Lest discomposure there should be, Or tarnished matchless brilliancy, Or velvet vest with injury. Three petals from the £«eent -spring To meet above it towering, And form a gorgeous canopy, With which no art could ever vie, Nor monarch for a throne supply. These flowers to Jesus so well known Were at Nazareth as His own, Remarking them through all His youth, Selecting them to teach the truth Of our Heavenly Father's care Which all may trust and all may share. " Consider how the lilies grow, They toil not, spin not," and yet know That even Israel's greatest king With all the wealth that power could bring, NAZARETH. And all the splendour pride to please, "Was not arrayed like one of these." To the Sacred Song of Songs Praise of these lilies oft belongs ; And it is curious how they keep A singular companionship. Where'er they group in vales and dells There congregate the fond Gazelles. Herds ot this loveliest tribe of deer Affect to feed with lilies near. Roaming beneath old Tabor's height You scare them from their chief delight. It would indeed be sweet to find In this old city what the mind Could dwell upon with veneration If known as truthful in relation To Jesus, but saving one spot, Which we will notice, there is not Of all that is pretended aught 29 3 o NAZARETH. Which is not with deception fraught. Ignorance and fraud begin, Superstition confirms the sin. They show you here at Nazareth (The mention of it stops one's breath) " Joseph's work-shop " — sure that there Jesus once wrought as carpenter ; " Mary's kitchen," " Mary's cave," The spot where Gabriel stood and gave To her the great " Annunciation ;" The mount called of " Precipitation," Far from the town its present station ; The Synagogue where Jesus took And quoted from the Holy Book \ Added another monstrous fable, The " veritable dining-table " Of Christ and his Apostles, when The last had not been chosen then. These falsities, alas ! needs must Create contempt and move disgust In minds of truth and piety ; NAZARETH. 3I Grief, too, that sacred things should be Subject to seeming mockery. Besides, they are not only lies, But gross impossibilities j The crumbling nature of the stone Of the whole district does alone Make certain there's no building, wall, Or fragment, howsoever small, Of ancient Nazareth but must Ages ago have gone to dust. I freely own that not a few Of these particulars I drew From the work, " The Land and the Book f And though a liberty I took, It will be well if you, my friend, Will do just what I recommend, — Go to a convenient stall, Buy the Book, and read it All. 32 NAZARETH. But while such falsities abound, Happily there is one spot found Truthful, delightful to the mind From the sweet thoughts with it combined. It is the fine old massive well Of which all travellers love to tell, And in perfection still remains, The only one the town contains, Or ever did ; besides this one Ancient Nazareth had none. Here to this day the Nazarenes, Where from the sun soft foliage screens, Crowd round the margin to obtain, With vessels numberless to drain The precious product, for elsewhere All water is extremely rare. And here did Jesus, beyond doubt, All misgivings, too, without, Come ^ftrtyfor the needful store Full eighteen hundred years and more NAZARETH. Now past, each time with loving care, And courtesy to others there, To fill His mother's pitcher, — then Bearing it to her hands again. Does the remoteness of an act Destroy the truthfulness of fact ? We may not, must not, cannot doubt, Nor are we left a proof without ; We know what He was sure to do, And he did it because True. Ah ! should you e'er by that well's brink A traveller stand, and deeply think That He, although so long ago, Placed His blest feet so nearly so, 'Twill be a thought to bear afar, And please the mind where'er you are. But >et still more let memory dwell On timely words which from Him fell — 33 34 NAZARETH. " This water to quench thirst is vain, " Whoso drinks will thirst again ; " But the water which I shall give " Shall cause him evermore to live ; " It shall prove a well to be " Springing up everlastingly." But now we come to that fixed time When having reached His manhood's prime, He leaves His mother and His home, No more 'mid peaceful scenes to roam ; Or to explore the vales and dells, Pleased with the lilies and gazelles, Which objects of the simple kind Were suited to his gentle mind. Nor too much now must he devote E'en to His mother loving thought ; But His heavenly Father's call Was to be paramount to all ; And He set forth at once to be The Teacher of all Galilee ; NAZARETH. 35 Through towns and villages to go, Healing all sickness, soothing woe ; Where'er He went all good t'impart — This His mission which filled His heart. But when the Passover drew nigh, — The last to Him, with certainty — To Judah's capital He bent His footsteps — His whole soul intent. There rejected, set at nought, Before chief priests and rulers brought, Mocked and scourged, betrayed, denied, And after these things, crucified. Suffering thus for you and me, And sinners all who seek to flee From sin's desert and misery. Always, from first to last, His name, " Jesus of Nazareth," the same. When upon the Cross suspended, The while Atonement's work was ended, His mother and the favourite John, Broken-hearted, yet gazing on, 36 NAZARETH. Were close beneath Him, and He cried— "Behold thy Mother !"— deeds replied— And John so near it saw and read The Title written o'er His head, And in his gospel did record " Jesus of Nazareth " — each word. ^.^ WJXL2? 37 HOLY LAND. SKETCHES AND THOUGHTS. CJt'O hearts that love the Holy Land ^^ To do so is a sweet demand, So strong, so touching is the claim. There Jesus walked with love ; His name O'erspreads it with a Holy fame. Infant in arms at Bethlehem, — Years past, he walked Jerusalem. Though indignation doomed that city, His eye beheld with tender pity. Though their proud hearts were from Him kept, Over their miseries He wept. If they had learnt in that their day, 38 HOLY LAND. That last which then they threw away, Things so concerning them to know, He would have saved them from their woe, Have gathered them with power beneath His sheltering arms from danger — death — E'en as the brooding bird has got Her fearfully endangered lot Of little ones in safety's spot Beneath her wings — but they would not. Jerusalem was overthrown, Left scarcely with a stone on stone. Within its foe-beleaguered walls — A fact which still the world appals — A million perished — Woe-struck nation That scorned to own its visitation ! And 'tis a melancholy thought How fearful was the ruin brought, And justly, on those little cities Ungrateful (so that no one pities) Which Jesus filled with proofs of power, And deeds of love from hour to hour. HOLY LAND. " Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! Woe Unto thee, Bethsaida ! " for know That if the mighty works you've seen In Sidon and in Tyre had been Wrought for their warning, long ago They would have sat in sackcloth low. " And thou, Capernaum, so high Exalted, " 'tis thy doom to lie In heaps confused and downward thrust Into dilapidation's dust. Long did it distress the mind No traces of the site to find ; For though its melancholy fate Followed an unrepentant state, The Lord had sojourned there so long, His fame for marvels was so strong, And he had made it central ground For light and life to radiate round — That it might be thought tradition Would have kept up the true position, 39 4 o HOLY LAND. And men from time to time would come And cry, " Here stood Capernaum ! " But no — except perhaps a few Vague guesses, none cared and none knew. But happily those days are past, The sacred site is found at last. I'm glad the certainty has come. Long lost to knowledge, guessed by some, Tis now discovered at Tell Hum, Hard by, as it was sure to be, The well known Lake of Galilee. IN GALILEE. " Went about doing good " should be Deemed, as it were, a diary, A page of a whole history. Every where through Galilee, In country, villages, towns, came The deaf, the dumb, the palsied, lame, HOLY LAND. 4 i V Possessed with devils, leprous, blind, Perfect cure at once to find, Mercy and miracle combined. Not one did ever on Him call For help in vain — He healed them all. Merciful Lord ! on Thee we call, Cure the sin-sickness of us all ! NEAR BETHSAIDA. Multitudes followed where he went, Till with fatigue and hunger spent They almost fainted on the way — He fed them all without delay, Disposed in ranks by hundreds and By fifties at His blest command On a wide district of " green grass ; • M And so the marvel came to pass, Five loaves and two small fishes were * Mark vi. 39, 40. Note. — This is one of many remarkable instances of Mark, under the supposed dictation of Peter, giving more exact particulars than the other Evangelists. 42 HOLY LAND. More than enough for thousands there. Think of the stupendous deed ! Men, women, little ones to feed Abundantly in hunger's need From seemingly most scant provision Requiring infinite division — Men five thousand, perhaps of others As many children with their mothers. All are equally supplied, And all are fully satisfied. Marvel on marvel, still to spare Twelve baskets full besides are there Of fragments gathered up with care, Which office the disciples share By order of the gracious Host, His goodness bearing all the cost, " That nothing " of the whole " be lost." Oh ! wonderful and gracious Lord, The bread from Heaven, the Living Word ! Feed our souls in mighty deed, We are ourselves in greater need. HOLY LAND. AT NAIN — A FUNERAL. The Lord approached the city's gate, Which he had entered oft of late, And thence a bier and funeral band Were passing to a grave at hand. The dead must have been much beloved, As crowding sympathizers proved; It was a youthful corpse, and so He could have known but little woe. And yet he had a father lost, Death had before the threshold crost ; And now the widow, broken-hearted, Mourned for a dear Child departed. And ah ! those was a deeper grief- Anguish that seemed beyond relief— Not alone a widow's son, He was, alas ! her Only One. 43 44 HOLY LAND. Who but He that met the train Of mourners at the gate of Nain Effectual comfort could impart To soothe so desolate a heart ? Bat Jesus could — His words, " weep not, Saved her from sinking on the spot ; She might have met before that hour Him so renowned for grace and power ; And possibly a slender ray Of hope into her bosom may Have darted, that His words implied He had already death defied. And now the Lord at once draws near, And touches with command the bier — The bearers standing still, He cries, "Young man, I say to thee, arise! " HOLY LAND. " He that was dead sat up and spoke ; " And while the crowd astonished broke 1 he deep silence, solemnly raising A shout to Heaven for mercy praising, Jesus with the tenderest feeling, His look and voice His heart revealing, Left not the office to another — "He delivered him to his mother." AT NAIN — A PENITENT A pharisee desired the Lord To honour him with His accord To eat meat with Him ; others were Invited guests the meal to share. And when the company were met, And in their mode at table set, One w/invited entered there With quiet step and mournful air, 45 46 HOLY LAND. And straightway passing came behind The couch on which the Lord reclined, And poured her tears upon His Feet, (The act she felt for her most meet.) And with reverential care Wiped them with her flowing hair, Where once the ornamental shone, But then disgustful, it was gone ; And kissed His feet, devoutly kneeling, All-unworthy deeply feeling, Still trembling lest to take that honour Presumption should be charged upon her \ And drawing forth a box she'd brought Of spikenard full, so prized and sought, She broke it, and o'erspread the feet With an anointing passing sweet. HOL Y LAND. 47 A single word she did not speak, Aught to explain she did not seek j Sure that He knew her deep distress, Her utter broken-heartedness. " Her many sins are all forgiven "— Words of the very God of heaven ! — From sins and sorrows full release — " Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace. " ON THE SHORE OF GENNESARET AFTER THE RESURRECTION. One day at early morning light Scarcely cleared off from shadowy night, A Stranger stood beside the Lake Seeming an interest to take In certain boats containing seven Disciples of the Lord from heaven Returning wearied to the shore, Their unsuccessful labours o'er. 48 HOLY LAND. The Stranger, with kind words to greet, Cried, " Children, have ye any meat " ? The query a reply soon taught — They'd toiled all night and nothing caught. " Cast your net on the ship's right side ; " Useless they thought it, but complied ; When lo ! suddenly 'twas full And hardly possible to pull — One hundred, fifty -three, great fishes, Rich amends for late futile wishes ; And, though so over-weighted, yet There was no rupture of the net. John perceived at once — a quick word Whispering to Simon — " 'tis the Lord " ! Simon got on his fisher's coat, Leap'd at once from out the boat, And push'd to where the Lord was standing, The rest dragging the net to landing. Then a miracle to prepare — A ready fire of coals was there, And laid thereon were fish and bread. HOLY LAND. 49 With voice of sweetness Jesus said, " Come and dine " — no word was spoken ; Awe-struck, silence was not broken. Blessing the fishes and the bread, Jesus at once distributed. Afterwards turning He addressed To Peter words his bosom prest. " Simon, lovest thou Me more Than these do," or aught worldly store? " Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee " before all and aught above. A second time the question came, And Simon's answer was the same. A third time — ah ! poor Peter grieved, — How could his bosom be relieved ? It was a deeply painful trial, He felt it touch his third denial. But he appealed to Him who knew All things, all hearts, that his was true. Third time — " Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." Nor would He now from Peter keep The solemn future which would be, When an old man, no longer free, D So HOLY LAND. He should stretch forth his helpless hands, Begirt and bound with fatal bands, And follow Him and nobly prove By the same death his truth and love. Peter mused deeply — seeing John, The lov'd disciple, thereupon He put a question to the Lord Which seems some insight to afford To mingled thoughts that stirred his mind For which he would solution find. Would John the lov'd one have to die For Him they both loved equally ? It was presuming, curious too — " Lord, and what shall this man do ? " Jesus check'd— " What is that to thee ? " My words are, "Follow thou Me." Spoken on Gennesaret's strand ; For the Lord had given command To meet once more in Galilee, Promising there Himself to be After his rising from the dead, Their living Lord, their glorious Head. HOLY LAND. The noted words, so strong which He To Peter said, let the same be Of interest deep to you and me ; And in picturing the scene Where they were spoken first, I ween They sound with sweetness all the more As echoed from Gennesaret's shore. Forget not — Christ would have us see In sound religion there must be Individuality. Peter was to follow on Irrespectively of John. And oh ! the motive and the power At every step, in every hour ! " Lovest thou me " ? " Follow thou me." Sequence how close ! — the faithful heart Never regards the two apart — Needful all other things above, If you would follow, you must love. 5i 52 ZACCHEUS AND BARTIMEUS. Mark 10 — Luke 19. (^\ LONG the high-way famed of yore C^ Of Jericho the Saviour trod, Works of mercy his mind before, Hail'd David's son, while Son of God. Out from the city numbers going Grew to an eager pressing crowd, Their hearts with joyfulness o'erflowing, Their voices full of praises loud. ZACCHEUS AND BARTIMEUS. 53 ' David's great Son is passing by. ' He comes to bless our sinful race, 1 Hail him, behold him, every eye, * He comes with heavenly power and grace.' There was among them one well-known, The publican Zaccheus — who Hearing thus of Christ's renown, Resolved he would behold Him too. By nature dwarf 'd he could not see His sacred form amid the mass, But struggling forward climbed a tree To watch where he was sure to pass. Jesus a halting-place soon took Just where the road was shadowed o'er, Prepared with gracious eye to look Up to the branching sycamore. 54 ZACCHEUS AND BARTIMEUS. Make haste, Zaccheus, and descend, Come down and walk Myself beside • Make haste, for at the journey's end I must at thy house abide. Zaccheus came with grateful heart, The Lord's great goodness warmed it through ; With all his sins resolved to part, And for Christ's sake, with riches too. Always a zealous, ardent man, And now taught knowledge from above, No more a selfish publican, He was enlarged with truth and love. Hear him before the Lord declare, " Half of my goods I give the poor," My rich possessions they shall share ; And others too I will secure. ZACCHEUS AND BAR TIME US. 55 " If any man I've ever wronged " 1 The ill-got gains I will not hold, 1 Whatever unto him belonged I will at once restore four-fold." An envious few to murmur dared, That Jesus chose a " sinner's " home ; The Lord, regarding not, declared. " Salvation to this house has come." That very day blind Bartimeus, Afflicted son of old Timeus, Sat begging on the same road-side, Heard the same tidings as Zaccheus, And instantly for mercy cried. Soon as he heard the crowd draw nigh, " Mercy, pity, gracious Lord, Thou Son of David " ! was his cry, Repeating oft each earnest word. 56 ZACCHEUS AND BARTIMEUS. Those about him were remonstrant, Urging him to hold his peace, But his cry was louder, constant, Jesus, in pity, give release. His prayers were heard — the blind man brought Received his sight with no delay And grateful for the mercy wrought Followed Jesus in the way. Oh that those blind ones, dark as night, Not as to nature's " visual ray," But as to inward heavenly light, Would learn how good it is to pray ! Remember too the blest Zaccheus, How he longed the Lord to see, How Christ everywhere can see us, Even in a sycamore tree. ZACCHEUS AND BAR TIME US. 57 Zeal to know fully and to taste His comforts deeply by His side, Will bring the welcome words, " make haste, To-day I will with thee abide." Sweet for all time these twain reports Of the L ord's goodness on that day — Long as to Him the heart resorts Their memory will not fade away. ^.^ B 8 BE T H A NY. John xi., 25, 26, 27, CJtIME was when Bethany was blest ^^ Beyond most spots which time endears ; Jesus made it His place of rest, And hallowed it with love and tears ; And there the proof transcendent gave Of power divine at Lazarus' grave. Martha, Mary, and their Brother, More perhaps than any other, Impress their histories on the mind, So rich with sweetest memories twined. BETHANY. 59 Time was when with intent profound, Wisdom and love together bound, He tarried long, and far away From loved-ones left at Bethany ; Delay still followed by delay. Meanwhile alarms their bosoms fill, Their brother Lazarus falls ill. " He is sick whom thou lovest, Lord " — Message most touching, pressing word* But though anxiously, quickly sent, Nothing but confidence was meant. No shade of doubtfulness could dim Their vision of beholding Him Immediately prepared to come With love and healing to their home — Of seeing, should they outward go To watch the road from Jericho, His foot-steps, (ah ! how far from slow!) Draw near and nearer to their woe. They went and gazed with many a tear For Jesus still did not appear. 60 BETHANY. He came not — Lazarus grew worse — He died — he was a buried corse. Oh ! sad mystery, how explain ? With breaking hearts they sought in vain. At last quick tidings reach them — -He Was on the way described to be. Martha on the instant rushed To meet Him, while the fresh tears gushed ; And with a sigh — such rarely sighed ! " Lord, if thou hadst been here," she cried, " My brother Lazarus had not died." Mary o'erwhelmed in thought sat still In sorrow's silent chamber till Jesus sent for her j then she came Quickly, sighing forth the same As Martha, words which notice claim As showing how intense the thought Which four days' woe in both had wrought. But Mary fell down at His feet ; There from affliction her retreat j Where oft she'd had instruction sweet, And where she knew was comfort meet. BETHANY. 61 Now hearken to the wondrous word Which the astonished sisters heard — " Thy Brother shall rise again ! " Said Martha, " Yes, as other men j I know that at the Resurrection He shall arise to life's perfection." " I am the Resurrection — I Am the Life — He shall never die Who Me believes in ; and this word Believest thou ?" she said, " Yea, Lord ! " Here was the mystery explained, Here was a glorious knowledge gained ; Her Brother was to rise e'en now, Jesus the grave would disavow. He had permitted him to die, Doubtless without death's agony ; And his loved spirit passed away Gently, brief time apart to stay. The Lord's true purpose in delay Till after the eventful day Was now so clear, a solemn calm On the poor Sisters dropt as balm ; 62 BETHANY. And we are not to think His love Wanting in tenderness to prove It's full perfection — sad was He To see the fatal malady, And the helpless sorrowers' need Vainly requiring urgent speed. But 'twas His great and gracious will His faithful ones with joy to fill, Exhibiting a marvel, — one The most stupendous He had done ; Honouring His Father's power By the grand witness of that hour — Witness the whole world to convince He was Himself of Life the Prince. All were assembled bowed with woe ; Hope spread, but nature made it so. Jesus beheld them weeping, and Friends alike mourning close at hand, Who from Jerusalem were there The visit to the grave to share. BETHANY. 63 But who most deeply touched with grief, " Groaning in spirit" for relief? "Where have ye laid him ?" "Come, Lord, see," The sisters led Him tremblingly. How softly, silently they stept ! Jesus, Chief-mourner, with them "wept." " Lazarus ! come forth ! " — forth he came, Instantly rising to his name. Jesus cried, " Loose him, let him go ! " And love, bliss, gladness, banished woe. And who can doubt, though Holy writ In simple grandeur doth omit, That mutual embraces fond, And joy all utterance beyond For blessed Lazarus restored, Showed how deep was struck the chord Of gratitude to Christ their Lord. 64 EASTER DAY. " He is risen ; He is not here ; Behold the place where they laid Him." — Mark, 16 — 6. F Holy Days in every year Easter is one for ever dear, In memory of the ruptured tomb, Pledge of pale death's eternal doom j Of Angels beautiful and bright, Instant from the heavenly light, Administ'ring with love and power The plans of that eventful hour, When Jesus, Conqueror in the strife, Rose from the dead the Prince of Life. EASTER DAY. 65 Oh! deeply ponder o'er that grave Which pious Joseph humbly gave, And laid upon its rock-hewn bed In linen fine the treasured dead, With napkin round the sacred head ; And roll'd a ponderous stone before The solemn, mournful cavern door. There shut in darkness cold he lay Just till the dawn of the Third day, When at the very moment due An angel down from heaven flew, Roll'd back the stone and sat thereon. His countenance like lightning shone. And where the Crucified? He's gone, Risen from out his rocky bed The " First Begotten from the dead " ! The sepulchre all empty stands, Save that by some mysterious hands The relics of the burial bear Mark'd singularity of care — 66 EASTER DAY. The linen clothes together rolled, The napkin by it v we're told -ttsetf; Some truth, it may be, to unfold. Go to Jerusalem in mind, In visions of the soul, to find The glorious truthfulness of all The wondrous facts blest saints recall, Eye-witnesses to other ages, Described in their inspired pages — Words ever wonderful and new, And so simple, because true. Go then to Sion's hollowed hill ; Ponder on scenes all hearts to fill, Ere superstition marr'd the whole, And fables through the precincts stole. First meet upon the crowded way The crag of doleful Golgotha ; Thence, near at hand, the Saviour's tomb, Dimly discerned amid the gloom Of twilight struggling into day. EASTER DAY. 67 1 Twas there an earthquake burst around, And frighten'd keepers fled the ground ; 7 Twas there that hurrying to and fro, Intent the mystery to know, Perplexed, distracted, sore-amazed, Fond weeping women trembling gazed. They saw the great and heavy stone, So lately dreaded, overthrown. They saw the open grave, and bold Entered — ah ! quickly to be told Him whom they sought it did not hold. They'd seen Him from the cross conveyed, And in the tomb of Joseph laid j They've now brought spices for anointing, Yet all is sad and disappointing. But angels there sweet comfort speak — Jesus is risen whom ye seek ; Dry these now unneeded tears, Banish doubtfulness and fears ; Just now He issued from the grave To meet you soon, to bless and save. 68 EASTER DAY. Quickly to his disciples go And tell them all you've seen and know j And as they went, all joyful, lo ! Jesus was on the way to meet them, And with the words " All Hail " to greet them. Falling before His sacred feet, They clung to them as worship's seat, These holy women, great their claims To admiration, and their names Ever should honoured be — Joanna, Salome, Mary, and Susanna ; This Mary often called the mother Of James the Less and of his brother ; Mary of Cleophas the spouse, A sister in the Virgin's house ; Magdalen, one of Maries three — Long minist'ring their substance free, And following Him from Galilee. Oh ! sweet it is so well to know How many now whose bosoms glow EASTER DAY. 69 With full devotedness of love To Him invisible above, In human needs when Jesus came Would thankfully have done the same. MAGDALEN. MORE PARTICULARLY TRACED. But Magdalen must ever seem To shine with a peculiar beam. See her at first beside the cave To be her Master's hurried grave ; With anxious Joseph and his friend ; See her devoutly o'er Him bend The brief embalming to attend ; Watching with the tenderest care, And eagerly observant where And how the body was disposed Ere by the great stone enclosed. 7o EASTER DAY. Still, less was done than was required, Oh ! how much less than love desired. Resolving, then, what would be meet, To bring with others spices sweet, The due anointing to complete — She left— because the Sabbath day- Directed her her homeward way. " Early the first day of the week" Again she comes to weep and seek. The stone gone, there appears to her No Jesus in the sepulchre. She'd left His body safely there, And now the place she knows not where. Angels instruct, yet broken-hearted She mourns for Him, the lost, departed ; Seeming in her bewildered mind To think the body she might find. To gaze and search she vainly tries, Darkness with the dawn still vies ; But turning, in the dimness spies EASTER DAY. 71 A stranger — instantly she cries, " If thou hast borne Him hence declare, " And oh ! in pity tell me where j " Those who love will not forsake Him, " I will come myself and take Him." A moment's pause— then in low tone, The sweetest of a voice well known, "MARY" ! And then an earnest, grave reply, The heart relieved by a deep sigh, 11 RABBONI " ! And this two-worded colloquy In heart-expressiveness was worth Thousands of colloquies on earth. And who this Mary, chief of three ? Once devils held long tenancy — Jesus Rabboni set her free. If devils haunt a guilty soul, And keep it under base control, Pray to the Lord, in mercy great, 72 EASTER DAY. To pity your dejected state; To drive, to cast them out — and then Devoted be like Magdalen. The evening of the day, the same, An anxious band in secret came An inner chamber safe to close Against their bitter Jewish foes. In converse on the marvels past Perplexity could not long last ; Soon hope's encouragement grew bright. And joy increased with further light ; For Magdalen has seen the Lord, And others have confirmed her word ; Simon, since, above the rest Of Apostles has been so blest ; Two from Emmaus just returned, While still their hearts within them burned, Avouched Him risen from the dead, And known to them in breaking bread. Nor to give comfort these alone — EASTER DAY. 73 Jesus Himself, their Lord, their Own — When every door was shut around, Without a notice or a sound — Stood in the midst, and saying, " Peace, " Peace be unto you," gave release From all their sorrows, while " He showed His hands and side " from which it flowed. Oh ! would ye penitential be ? Would ye from guilt and sin be free ! Would ye the Saviour's glory see ? Let meditative thoughts abide On His pierc'd feet, His hands and side. v^nxr^y *c>4 DAVID'S HARP. C^glQ^ITH harp in hand young David came *&*£* His sovereign's troubled soul^to tame- In shepherd-guise before him brought, He touched the chords witlf pious thought ; The strain to Israel's God addressed Dispell'd the fiend and charmed to rest. When David owned that monarch's throne His harp was still for God alone : He knew who "took him from the fold," And bound his youthful brow with gold. And, as he played, the grateful strings Rang praises to the King of Kings. DAVID'S HARP. 105 With psalteries shrill and trumpets loud, With priests and chiefs, a joyful crowd, He bore unto a holier place The ark of covenanted grace * While, as the sacred train advanced He swept his echoing harp and danced. At morn his harp was ever strung, For then a hymn of praise he sung ; And ever at the close of day His harp led on the thankful lay ; For every note of every chord He consecrated to the Lord. '3Txry r/