3119 V295A17 im m N HOSTRAND THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES I POEMS. BY MRS. D. H. VAN NOSTRAND. TROY, N. Y.: EDWARD H. LISK, PRINTER. 1884. AUTHOR'S EDITION. PS 3(19 Y.29^/4 / 7 1884 CONTENTS. Page. ABRAHAM LINCOLN 19 ADDRESS TO THE MOON 60 ADDRESS TO WEALTH 42 A DREAM 122 AND THEN 30 ANSWER TO THE SUICIDE 135 CHRISTMAS TIME 86 CHRIST'S LIFE AND MISSION 16 CRUMBS 95 DECEPTION 125 EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE . . 51 ELEVEN DAYS IN HEAVEN 119 HOPE 102 INSPIRATION , . . . 79 INTRODUCTION 5 IS IT UP HlLL ALL THE WAY 40 Is THE ENGINEER SOBER 14 KING ALCOHOL 34 LIFE BEYOND 75 LIFE THIS SIDE THE RIVER 28 Lo THE POOR INDIAN 12 LOVE 72 MEMORIAL SERVICE OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD 116 MEMORY 108 ON THE BURNING OF A CHURCH .... 92 ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD 78 ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND 55 Ox THE DEATH OF A FRIEND 81 ON THE DEATH OF MR. AND MRS. VALENTINE 36 ON THE DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT 85 4 CONTENTS. Page. ON THE MARRIAGE OF A YOUNG LADY . . 44 ON THE WHITTIER QUILL PEN 97 O TIME 57 PROGRESSION 69 STAR OF PROGRESSION 99 SUNSET 47 SUPREME LOVE 127 THE BLAZING STAR 22 THE BRIDGE OF TEARS 46 THE DAWN OF IMMORTALITY 38 THE FALLING LEAF 48 THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET 141 THE LONGINGS OF THE SOUL 65 THE OARSMAN 32 THE REAPER DEATH 59 THE REFINER'S FIRE 128 THE SPIRIT OF FLOWERS 104 THE STARRY FIRMAMENT 67 THE SUICIDE 133 THE THUNDER STORM 24 THE WANDERING STAR 8 THE WHITE ELEPHANT 137 To A LADY I 106 To A LADY FRIEND '.53 To A BROTHER 114 To AN EDITRESS VOICE OF THE ANGELS . . 88 To MY SISTER 110 TRIUMPH OF TRUTH OVER ERROR .... 90 UPWARD AND ONWARD 62 VOICE OF THE ANGELS 112 WAITING 139 WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT .... 130 WOMAN 26 WRITTEN WHILE PRESIDENT GARFIELD WAS HOVERING BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH . 83 POEMS. Introduction. Alone I sat in the moonlight, Gently it beamed on my head ; The hour drew near unto midnight, All thought of the present had fled. Away to the past I was carried, On the cord of memory's strings : In meadows, by brooklets, I tarried ; Time passed then on bright golden wings. But now I seemed to be dreaming One long, long dream of my life ; My childhood's home I left weeping, I must face the cold world and its strife. The world with its sin, and its sorrow, A battle indeed, at the best, The teachings of childhood to follow, That path, alone, would be blest. INTRODUCTION. Clouds would soon hide the bright sunlight, And shadows would fall on my soul Black as the darkness of midnight And waves into billows would roll. The sweet and the bitter together Must taste, and roll under the tongue With courage and high-wrought endeavor ; Still the soul would with anguish be wrung. I looked, but was I still dreaming? I saw, clad in radiant light, Before me a beauteous being, Who dispelled all the shadows of night. Then a voice I heard to me speaking, Saying : " Rise from this lethargic state, And truth and knowledge be seeking ; No time to loiter and wait. " Search out the problem of living ; The wonders of nature go learn ; And teach the wayward and sinning The way of the tempter to spurn. " Go teach them the law of their being ; To obey should be the great aim ; All the laws in harmony keeping, More to covet than riches or fame. INTRODUCTION. 7 " Teach those who in ignorance suffer, And those with blindfolded eyes, That its path grows rougher and rougher, And will ever be shunned by the wise. " And say, get knowledge and wisdom To all the pathway is free ; It teaches the lessons of freedom ; Great peace and great joy they will see." The vision now vanished before me : I said, I will straightway obey ; From her teachings nought shall allure me From her path I'll not turn away. If one lonely life is made -brighter By the thoughts that I may here write, Or one darkened soul be made better, I will glad to the world give my mite. The Wandering Star. First, I look at human life, With its tumult, with its strife, And into dens of vice I peep, Which give me sorrow, anguish deep. Then I say I'll now pass on ; Here is where life first begun ; And out of this they all must rise, For all earthly passion dies. I now pass on, and look again : I see life on a higher plane ; By progression's onward tread, -All life is unresisting led. I look, and now what do I see ? Spirit in the ascendancy ! It over matter has control The body subject to the soul. All life grows purer, higher still ; Disease subjected to the will ; THE WANDERING STAR. All ripened fruit upon life's tree, A passing zephyr sets it free. The wandering star this also saw : Life in harmony with law ; So spirit leaves, when passing o'er, Only a ripple on the shore. The mortal form returns to earth ; The spirit, through the second birth, Released, forever, ever free, Will through eternal ages be. Ah ! now, I'll tell you what I find : 'Tis said beyond we all are blind, That I may never hope to see The future state of you and me. I see with vision clear and bright, It is the spirit's inner sight, All spirit rising ever higher, In answer to innate desire. I wander on among the spheres ; I see no sorrow, see no tears ; No more from loved ones there to part, In sympathy joined heart to heart. 10 THE WANDERING STAR. I see bright angels, golden-crowned, Teaching those in ignorance bound ; With loving hands their bonds have broke, And lifted is their heavy yoke. Now do you ask, what do I find ? No discord in the realm of mind ; For all is harmony sublime, Blending like a silver chime. I see the glorious central sun, All colors blending into one Sending forth its colors bright, Each spirit's own peculiar light. Within that glorious, central sun, God sits upon his great white throne, And over all his scepter wields, In love controls, in love fulfils. Wide is the field I wandered o'er ; I back to earth return once more ; I gathered, all along my way, The knowledge that about me lay. Did I say the field was wide ? It stretches out on every side ; And he who would of wisdom learn, Progression's pathway must not spurn. THE WANDERING STAR. 11 I wander on, and leave behind All that binds the powers of mind ; So when one truth we comprehend, Then wisdom more to us will send. O man, the rock on which to build Is truth and knowledge, God has willed ; And science this great truth has taught : Eternal life was never bought. It is a fact in nature deep ; Awake, O man, from death-like sleep ! For searchers after truth will see The fact of immortality. More fields I have yet to explore ; I'll go and gather as before ; I'll bring the good, I'll bring the true, And gladly give them unto you. Lo, the Poor Indian ! O pale face, listen while I speak, For lo ! the red man's heart is sad ; Ye bade him go, new home to seek ; No more can he be glad. O'er all these lands he once did roam, Through forest dense and dark and wild ; Here was the red man's hut and home, For he was nature's child. A sailor landed on our shores, From far across big waters came ; We gave him of our humble stores, He gave us liquid flame. We see no more the red man's bow, But the white soldier with his gun, For he must to the westward go, Toward the setting sun. At length the white man's axe was heard, And forests bowed and fell awav ; LO ! THE POOR INDIAN. J3 All nations of the earth are stirred By his commanding sway. A call to the happy hunting-ground, The Indian waits with listening ear ; With bow and spear he's onward bound, To fell the fleeing deer. You listened long, you listened well, And now, kind friend, go on thy way, And in thy home where thou dost dwell, For the poor red man pray. Is the Engineer Sober ? Is he a sober Engineer On whom our lives depend ? We should be sure His brain is clear, As on our way we wend. As on they go Do you not know They carry precious freight ? That human life, And child or wife, Are lost if they are late ? When on the car Nought e'er should mar Faith in the engineer ; Then if they slow Or fast do go, There'll be no cause to fear. A man whose brain By Bacchus' chain IS THE ENGINEER SOBER ? 15 Is bound, should never steer, Or have in charge, Be it small or large, The lives that are so dear. For man must learn ; Experience stern Will teach, how to protect The lives of those That God bestows ; Now on these things reflect. Remember then, Ye railroad men, I pray you give an ear, And never trust Only a just And sober engineer. Christ's Life and Mission. Near two thousand years ago, A child was born of parents low ; He came to bring good will and peace ; The world from darkness to release. He taught a precept great and grand ; The law of love was His command ; To do that work, was what He sought, And live the precepts that He taught. His mission here was to do good ; The Sabbath He did not exclude, To heal the sick, and feed the poor, He went about from door to door. In childhood He could wise men teach, And give such knowledge none could reach, For in the temple He was found, And all the doctors did confound. He was sought by rich and poor, If they a grievance did endure ; CHRIST'S LIFE AND MISSION. 1 They must have faith, He said to them ; They need but touch His garment's hem. This man was one who grief had seen ; Was called the lowly Nazarene ; With Him the people loved to share Their rural homes and frugal fare. He shared their sorrow and their grief ; Was always sure to give relief To lead them out of darkest night, And into rays of living light. He was a man of noble mien, Such as the world had never seen, And like all truth that's brought to light, He needs must suffer for the right. His followers He set to give Light unto men, and how to live ; He cast out spirits by a word, And made men whole, as ye have heard. And like all truth, when first it's taught, His enemies to kill Him sought; And He by them was so belied, They cried : " We'll have Him crucified !" CHRIST S LIFE AND MISSION. The evil powers were brought to bear, And He a crown of thorns must wear ; And to the cross they nailed Him high, Thereon to suffer and to die. "O give me drink !" they heard Him call ; They gave Him wormwood mixed with gall. He said : " O, Father, let this pass ; - Yet not my will, but Thine, alas ! " And yet He triumphed o'er them all ; The spirit nothing can befall ; And the third day He rose again, To bring glad tidings unto men. They saw Him, yet could not believe ; They thought their sight did them deceive. He gave a test 'twas their desire Nothing more did they require. To those who stood around Him there, He said : " I will a place prepare, So where I am there ye shall come, For in my Father's house there's room." He then ascended toward the sky ; They watched Him with a wondering eye ; And as He soared away so light, A cloud received Him out of sight. Abraham Lincoln. A man of lowly origin Imperceptibly did rise, The nation's highest gift to win By sterling qualities. And over these United States He ruled both well and true ; It seemed the furies and the fates Did him too well pursue. For neither wisdom, love nor law, This nation could protect ; With traitors we must wage a war, Or they the States dissect. He called together boys in blue, With knapsack, sword and gun ; They fought like soldiers tried and true, From morn till set of sun. They said : "Our best heart's blood we'll give For homes and country too ; 20 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. For rebellion shall not live ; To laws they must be true." Our noble boys, who fought so well, On battle field were slain, Or forced into a dungeon cell To history a stain. At last the news flashed o'er the land That we the foe had vanquished. God bless brave Grant and his command, For victory's accomplished. There sits our chosen man of state, No longer we're afraid ; He's proved himself both wise and great, In blood we'll no more wade. Let us give homage to the name Of Lincoln, true and brave ; His name in history and in fame Is of one who freed the slave. He from the colored people broke The chains that were so strong ; They blessings on his name invoke, And give him praise in song. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 21 That Abraham Lincoln has been shot ! Came flashing o'er the wires, With southern traitors in the plot, Who kindled southern fires. They sought his life with bold intent, (The fires were still aglow,) And our defenseless President Received the fatal blow. A pall of blackness overspread The earth like unto night ! The people's hearts were filled with dread ; They prayed to God for light. Let us revere his honored name. Not dead ! the veil is rent ! We see him on the heights of fame, Our martyred President. That noble spirit, freed from earth, Is working still to free The mind of man, bound from his birth, In bonds of slavery. The Blazing Star. Ye wanderer through the realm of space, Have you no home nor resting-place ? Whence comest thou, and whither go ? O beauteous wanderer, I would know ! Before God said : " Let there be light ! " Did you not wander all the night, Onward as ages come and go ? Tell me, wanderer, is it so ? As ye travel on and on, You need no light of moon nor sun ; A light is beaming in your eye, A light all darkness will defy. A visitor along your way, Wondrous grandeur you display ; Ever on, nor ever tire, Rides your chariot of fire. Behind you flows a fiery trail ; You need no anchor, need no sail ; THE BLAZING STAR. 23 No power of earth can you control, While on and on the ages roll. " I'll give an answer short and terse. My home is all the universe ; My resting-place, by God's command, Is in the hollow of His hand. " I heard you ask from whence I came, A blazing star with fiery flame. This is my answer, deep and vast, I came from the ages of the past. " I hear you say, ' O whither bound ?' In the future I'll be found. A wonder for all worlds to see, The Blazing Star will ever be." The Thunder Storm. A cloud o'erspread the western sky, Of blackness of the darkest dye ; It seemed the thunder's deafening roll Would shake the earth from pole to pole. The storm-king, riding on, draws nigher In his great chariot of fire. His voice bursts forth in thunder tones, And dies away in sighing moans. His sceptre o'er the earth he wields, Disaster to the people deals ; Terror holds o'er all full sway, Like coming of the judgment day. It seemed that Gabriel's trumpet blew, That through the air the dry bones flew ;- That a new earth would soon be born, Thus heralded by Gabriel's horn. Seemed mother Nature must give birth To a new heavens, a new earth ; THE THUNDER STORM. 25 The old earth, with its pomp and glare, Must resolve to chaos there. The dead of all the human race Would come forth from their resting-place, To live upon the earth new-born, Of sin and wickedness now shorn. Woman. Do you say 't is not her sphere In public places to appear ? That she in home should ever be Bound in bonds of slaver}' ? And must the self-styled lords control The laws that govern woman's soul ? To serve him well with cheerful face, And in her home preside with grace ? But it is woman's sphere, we say, To use her powers where'er she may ; In lowly cot or learning's halls, Where'er the voice of duty calls. Her armor round about her gird, And let her pleading voice be heard In the halls of government, By the people's full consent. Pulpit, platform, anywhere, In the Presidential chair, WOMAN. Let her help the cause to fight Of justice, freedom, truth and right. And side by side walk on with man Through life's passing caravan, And on immortal shores shall be His equal through eternity. Life this Side the River. In the happy days of childhood, Sometimes roaming through the wildwood, Ever gladly, Never sadly, Then we say life's full of glee. A few years pass, life seems more earnest ; We vie to see which shall be wisest, Ever hoping, Never moping, Then, we say, life's fair to see. Then come the days of earnest working ; We must not falter nor be lurking ; Ever trying, Never sighing, Then, we say, life's not a dream. Then comes the day that's mixed with sadness, And for those days of joy and gladness Ever longing, Never seeing Days more glad or bright to seem. LIFE THIS SIDE THE RIVER. 29 O then the days of gloom and darkness Hover like a cloud of blackness, Ever falling, Never lifting ! We feel we'd better never been. At last the light shines through the darkness, And the cloud of so much blackness Ever lifting, Never falling, So then we say we've more to win. To live above all clouds that hover, So high we cannot them discover, Ever rising, Never losing, Peace and joy will enter in. Life is now most sad and real, For we've passed through an ordeal, Ever teaching, Never longing For the pleasures bought by sin. And Then. It is said : " A little more Must be added to my store, And then I'll with the needy share Such of my goods as I can spare. " A little more I'll hoard away, And lay up for a rainy day ; And then I'll turn not from my door The suffering and the starving poor." The drunkard says : " But one glass more Will give the strength I had before ; And then I'll never taste again That which brings madness to my brain. " One glass more before I go ; Sure that will not bring want or woe ; And then I never will heed more The voice of the tempter at my door." Says the man low down in sin : "Only this, perhaps, I'll win, AND THEN. 31 And then from dens of vice I'll turn, For within a hell doth burn. " One game more O let me play ! I this game may win to-day ; And then I'll say, O man, take care ! Of the gambler's fate beware !" So when upon a bed of pain, He asks for help, and asks in vain ; And then he'll say : "If I could live, To doing good my life I'd give." He dies ; the world the same goes on ; They say 't is better that he's gone, Gone the way of other men ; Again we will repeat, and then The Oarsman. Do you hear the dip of the boatman's oar, As he glides away, away from the shore ? The sounds soft as music fall on the ear, Of the boatman's oar as he doth steer. Dip, dip, dip, softly floats on the air ; Watchful, he guides his boat onward with care ; Smoothly he rides o'er the wave and the tide, Hear the dip, dip, dip, of the oars at his side. So likewise we all, on life's river side, Must work with a will against storm, against tide ; But soft as the dip of the boatman's oar, Comes a muffled sound from the other shore. Soft and low comes the sound, yet denned and clear ; Brings a balm that is healing to those that will hear ; Speaks of a land to the spirit within, Where we rest from our toil and our fight against sin. THE OARSMAN. 38 Shall rest from our labors, the billows have braved ; Have crossed the dark stream, in its rough waters laved ; And lay down our oars, there to lie evermore ; We need not their help, we have landed on shore. Have landed on shore, and are waiting for those Who still ply the oars, and are seeking repose. Soon we shall hear the soft dip as they come, Nearing the shore of their heavenly home. Yes, nearing the shore, from their labors at rest, With the true and the tried, with the pure and the blest, To dwell in the mansions of light and of love, By our Father prepared in the kingdom above. King Alcohol. King Alcohol ! thou fiend of man, Thy deadly arm draws whom it can Into the toils of sin and shame, A blasted life, dishonored name. He rules the land with tyrant sway, And whom he will he bids obey ; And willing subjects serve him well, While drinking in the fires of hell. O man, that burning, fiery flood Is poisoning all your best heart's blood, And reason soon deserts its throne, And man becomes a brute alone. To God the mother sends a cry, When her son, with blood-shot eye, Comes reeling home with staggering gait ; With breaking heart she'll for him wait. O look into that empty cot ! By the world they seem forgot ; KING ALCOHOL. 35 Those little children, shivering, bare ! No light, no fire, no bread are there. Their comforts all have gone for rum. O listen ! Is the world then dumb? That wife and mother dreads to hear Her husband's step, and quakes with fear. O, sleeping world, awake, arise ! No tyrant king should rule the wise ; O break away that galling chain ; Peace and plenty then will reign. O, shall we not destroy the cause Of crime and accident, nor pause Until from alcohol we are free, And man released from slavery ? On the Death of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine, WHO WERE BURNED IN THE CAR IDLEWILD, ON THEIR WEDDING TOUR TO NEW YORK. The hand of death has set its seal On two hearts joined for woe or weal ; O, death ! thy hand cannot divide That loving husband and his bride. Their love is stronger than the flame ; Its fiery tongue it puts to shame ; And while they're in death's iron grasp, They heart to heart each other clasp. No longer can the hand of death, Or fiery flame with heated breath, Hold their spirits in its power, This bride and bridegroom of an hour. An angel w r hispers, stooping low, " Come and taste the joys that flow From the fountain-head of life, Awav from all this earthlv strife. ON THE DEATH OF MR. AND MRS. VALENTINE. "A love too pure, too true for earth, Such love from angels had its birth ; O come, and on the river brink, You from its waters deep will drink." To her husband close she clings ; They soar away on angel wings, To dear ones waiting over there, Who greet that newly-wedded pair. They taste, with faces all aglow, Of joys that earth can never know, And for their loved ones Avatching, wait Their coming through the heavenly gate. O, ye loved ones on the earth, Mourn not for those of angel birth ; For with loving hands so white They hold for us a beacon light. A light that shines across our way, 'T will guide us on to endless day, Where no more tears of sorrow fall, And God alone is all in all. The Dawn of Immortality. Memory of my childhood days Gives me greeting, While deep sadness on me preys For joys so fleeting. Again o'er hillside, meadow, glen, Alone I wander ; From the busy haunts of men I sit and ponder. I look beyond into the future, Like one dreaming Of the joys of human nature, Only seeming. Passing on, there falls a shadow, All is dark ; It falls alike o'er glen and meadow, Listen ! Hark ! A voice is speaking of the sorrow, Of the tears ; THE DAWN OF IMMORTALITY. 39 But it gives hope for the to-morrow Have no fears. Passing on, a voice still speaking, Joy for tears ; No more hearts with sorrow breaking In future years. A light is shining through the shado\vs, Drawing near ; It \vill cover glen and meadows, 'T is even here. No more can death bring to us sorrow, Or its sting ; No longer wait then for the morrow ; Joyful sing. Is it Up Hill all the Way ? No, not up hill all the way ; Many a place of rest have they ; For it augments the powers of flight To rest npon each rugged height. Those who struggle on are blest In the consciousness of rest ; In powers renewed ascend still on To grander heights to rest upon. It is by climbing that you win ; It is by rest you gather in. Let those take courage, then, who wait At progression's open gate. On each height you leave a mark, Of purifying fire a spark ; It guides the feet that come below, On the upward path to go. Wrapped about by guiding light, Rapid is your upward flight, IS IT UP HILL ALL THE WAY ? Emerging into peace and joy, Where nought that's evil can decoy. Your exultant spirit then Feels pleasure overreaching pain ; So then progression's path, we say, Is not up hill all the way. 41 Address to Wealth. You who love to hoard your gold,' And lay up treasures here untold, O listen to the orphan's cry ; Would you him a crust deny ? And ye who live in palace halls, Know not the pang when hunger calls, The Supreme Giver this doth say : " The poor are with you every day." O ye who live in luxury high, Can you the orphan's call defy, When he stands before your door, And for aid he does implore ? O, ye who rest can never take, And of your gold an idol make, Come, help the needy, suffering poor ; 'T will give you peace not known before. Give freely to the needy now ; A crown will rest upon your brow, ADDRESS TO WEALTH. 43 Pearls of widows', orphans' tears, More lasting than the wealth of years. O man of wealth, I pray take heed On the earth to sow good seed ; Then like a field of ripened grain, A golden harvest you will gain. Yes, give, and on you then will rest The benedictions of the blest ; The treasures you will find above Will be unselfishness and love. If to your brother man to give, Brings blessings on you while you live, The prayers of hearts most grateful given, Are treasures stored for you in heaven. On the Marriage of a Young Lady, WHO WAS TO EMBARK FOR EUROPE. No more your girlhood's diadem Will rest upon your brow, But in its place a richer gem, One of the marriage vow. So firmly are the jewels set Within that golden crown, The world can never them dissect, Nor tarnish by a frown. May it reflect the golden rays Of peace, of love, of joy ; Give happiness for future days That time cannot destroy. Farewell, and when you journey o'er The billowy, briny deep, O may you safely land on shore Where our forefathers sleep. And in that oriental land, Where sages had their birth, ON THE MARRIAGE OF A YOUNG LADY. 45 Beside their sacred ashes stand, And think upon their worth. You're sailing on life's ocean wide, Before you beams a star ; A hopeful and a happy bride, No wave your joy to mar. Farewell, and may you evermore Glide smoothly o'er life's sea, And safely land upon the shore Of immortality. The Bridge of Tears. I look, and lo ! before me lies A bridge of mortals' tears ; It spans the gulf to paradise, Beneath are sins of years. Parting tears are those we shed For loved ones passing on ; They to the other shore have fled, Through tears the goal have won. Repentant tears the soul will cleanse Of deeds though black as night ; They purify the lowest dens, And make them clean and white. Tears for wrongs that we must bear, By aching hearts are shed ; Beyond the bridge, thro' tears and prayer, The soul at last is led. The fount of tears, O let it flow ! They're blessings to us given ; Through them though hard we all must go, To fit the soul for heaven. Sunset. On earth the sun a glow doth send Of beauteous hue and light, When day and night together blend, And he recedes from sight. The earth is clad in darkness deep, And weary feet find rest ; Nature's sweet restorer, sleep, Becomes a welcome guest. A hush o'erspreads both sea and land, In the solemn twilight hour ; We feel the presence of a Hand Of wisdom and of power. Life, like the glorious close of day, All smiling seeks repose ; The spirit bursts from out the clay, And blossoms like the rose. E'en like the setting sun it's gone, And leaves all black as night ; Yet to the spirit 't is the dawn Into eternal light. The Falling Leaf. We look and say The forest gay Is clad in colors bright ; And soon they all To earth must fall, And perish in our sight. The all-wise hand Of their Maker planned, That they must thus decay ; But the coming spring Will gladly bring The resurrection day. Sunshine and shower In turn give power To wake from their sleep of death ; And birds in spring Among them sing, And inhale their sweet-scented breath. THE FALLING LEAF. 49 Moulder and rust, Decay and dust, Are nature's law of demand ; Still they do reign To quicken again, As the law of God doth command. The same law in man Works out the plan Written on each golden page ; Like the seed that is sown, The earth claims its own, Although it be savage or sage. But the spirit lives on, Its freedom has won, Through the process of death and decay; Triumph of life Over death and its strife, And temptation that comes in its way. The spirit then free Beyond the dark sea, Soars away to evergreen bowers, Not tinted by age, Nor mark on its page Of the waning of bright summer hours. 50 THE FALLING LEAF. No tinted pall There can fall, Of the dying year a sign ; Evergreen bowers On immortal shores Are emblems eternal, divine. Endless the day, Divine is the ray That on the spirit doth pour ; Its beams shed a light Of glory so bright, Through eternity it shall endure. 1883. Eighteen hundred eighty-three, A year of sad events, Marked on the page of destiny By the hand that ne'er relents. Indelible the hand of time Writes pages dread and drear ; Earth's disasters, death and crime That mark the present year. Wondrous are the powers that shake The centre of the earth ; Powers before unknown awake New forces into birth. Belching forth from fiery mount, Spread disaster, death ; Tales of horror will recount Its devastating breath. The warring elements have spent Their force on land and sea ; 52 1883. And many lives by them were sent Into eternity. Terrors reign not known before, Swept broadcast o'er the land ; And hearts went up to God in prayer To stay the scourging hand. The year's events in history Stand out on every page ; And eighteen hundred eighty-three Is the wonder of the age. To a Lady Friend. O Time, how lightly hast thou laid Thy hand upon her brow ! She to the needy lends her aid ; She's true to her marriage vow. Although her head is silvered o'er, There's beauty and there's grace, And wisdom also there in store, That time cannot efface. Her children also call her blest ; She guides their steps aright ; They heed her counsel and behest, To walk by wisdom's light. Her bark of life glides smoothly on, In age as well as youth ; She's earned herself a golden crown Of purity and truth. Yes, her bark will still glide on, As smoothly now as then ; 54 TO A LADY FRIEND. For she a golden crown has won At three score years and ten. And when the bark with snowy sail Shall come to bear her o'er, A crown of glory she'll not fail To wear forevermore. On the Death of a Friend. One of earth's faithful sons has gone To the other shore ; His years were many, long they run, Of near four score. Like the autumn fruit he fell, In spirit ripe ; In the joys of heaven to dwell, True life a type. From loved ones he was called away, Full of years ; While they with sorrowing hearts must stay, Full of tears. The Savior to his spirit said : " O come with me : No longer to the earth be wed, Come and be free." He clasps the Savior's loving hand, Heavenward bound ; ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. He'll on the shore celestial stand, With loved ones found. On his brow a crown he'll wear Of righteousness ; And evermore in heaven will share Eternal bliss. The victory o'er the grave is won, For 't is his gain; He hears the welcome said : "Well done I Come enter in." O Time! Thy march we count by rolling years ; They bring us joy, they bring us tears ; They also bring into the light Knowledge hid before from sight. O Time ! Thy hand's relentless, stern and strong. To thee great wisdom doth belong ; And we from ages as they roll, Learn nature's forces to control. O Time ! Upon thy wheel of rolling years, Man comes, and on it disappears ; The noblest work of God is man, And yet his years are but a span. From out the years of centuries old, His powers through ages did unfold ; And when for him the world was ripe, He came of highest life a type. 58 O TIME ! The ultimate of life is man ; That he might live, the world began ; And hid within earth's bowels deep, Mines of wealth for him did sleep. That man must seek if he would find, Is not alone said of the mind ; For by effort, strength and will, He must the laws of life fulfil. The laws of life show wisdom great ; There is no power that men call fate ; For each demands a full supply, But he must on his powers rely. His powers were given to unfold ; He's possibilities untold ; Not time, but eternity, will tell The powers that in the spirit dwell. The spirit is released from earth By passing through the second birth ; And time no longer can control The aspirations of the soul. Endless is the life of man ; Yet still on earth it first began ; Reaching on beyond the shore, Still on when time shall be no more. The Reaper Death. O reaper Death, thy busy hand Takes young and old from off the land, And enters cot or palace hall ; Before thee all alike must fall. O reaper Death, thy field is wide ; The hand of God thy footsteps guide ; So when thou takest from us our friends, We know love with affliction blends. When thy field is finished o'er, And thou hast gathered up thy store, No parting then from loved and dear, No more we'll wipe the falling tear. O reaper, when thy powers are stayed, Thy hand no longer wields the blade, The reign of peace will then begin, Free from the slavery of sin. Address to the Moon. O glorious orb of silver light, A queen of beauty to our sight, As we behold thy course above, We feel thy Maker's name is Love. Thou beaming orb of mellow light, O do not soar away from sight, For by thy light true lovers talk, And in thy beams the .sorrowing walk. Thou seem'st a ball of burnished gold, Yet thou wast never bought nor sold ; And as thy rays come through the pane, We wish that thou would'st never wane. do not go away so soon, For how we love the dear old moon ! 1 pray, O tell us, if you can, From whence does come that face of man. Her gentle beams seem stealing in To dens of vice to rebuke sin ; ADDRESS TO. THE MOON. 61 And those who love to do the wrong, They call her mellow light too strong. She peers in sleeping faces fair, As if she their bright dreams would share i Her beams shine on the cottage door, To bless the hearts of meek and poor. She gives a beauty to this earth, And brings to all their hours of mirth ; For the impartial moonbeams fall Alike a blessing to us all. Upward and Onward. He who would climb the heights of thought, And drink at wisdom's fount, Must to life's bitter cup be brought On vanquished evils mount. Sage and seer in days of old Were scourged by fire and flood, And all the ages of the world Are wet with martyrs' blood. The great Refiner's hand would draw The dross from out the gold ; The crucible is nature's law, To purify the world. As you climb the rugged heights, Where thought and wisdom meet, The dross that in your path alights, Tread beneath your feet. It forms for you a stepping-stone On which you upward rise ; UPWARD AND ONWARD. 63 A solid rock to build upon, When you have gained the prize. When on the heights at last you stand, Cleansed from the dross of time, Inspiration pure and grand Will give you truth sublime. With its fiery tongue of flame, It comes with scathing breath ; The bigot's pride it puts to shame, And sin to endless death. It comes through nature's subtle law, Like a consuming fire ; All truth is pure, in it no flaw, It will the soul inspire. O ye discoverer of a truth, But give it to the world ; Be it in age or yet in youth, It covet more than gold. O mortal man, do you not know It says to do good deeds Will cleanse the spirit white as snow, And upward, onward leads ? 64 UPWARD AND ONWARD. Then shall we by this truth abide, And help our brother rise ? Or pass him by on the other side, And care not if he dies ? It speaks again this truth, to say That we are brothers all ; Though they in sinful paths may stray, No one is past recall. Let all give thanks to God our king, This truth is brought to light, That death has lost its power and sting, And faith is lost in sight. It teaches that our God is love, And that He sends to-day His angels from the heights above, To roll the stone away. The Longings of the Soul. O let me live in the realm of thought, And pen them down each day The words by nature's voices taught, What to my soul they say. O give me wings that I may soar Away through the realms of space, To catch the beauties there that pour Down from the Throne of Grace. The spirit, like the plant or flower, Turns ever to the light ; The longings of the soul have power To unfold the spirit sight. The longings of the soul shall bring Unto our listening ears, Angel voices as they sing The music of the spheres. The longings of the soul will draw Our loved ones to our side ; G 66 THE LONGINGS OF THE SOUL. That subtle chain of love and law Even death cannot divide. Life's endless chain will people link In one united band ; Aud when we reach the river's brink, An angel clasps the hand, And guides us o'er death's waters dark, And safely lands on shore ; Love guides that softly gliding bark : Our longings then are o'er. To the longings of the soul There is an answer given ; Wisdom and love all things control, And longing souls find heaven. The Starry Firmament. Ye gems of scintillating light, That stud the ether blue, What is man that he has sight, To you with rapture view ? Why is it that above his head Such beauty meets his gaze, And on his pathway glory sheds, To bless his earthly days ? Is it alone for creature man, Such grandeur fills all space, When the days are but a span To all the human race ? Though God's works are great and grand, That fill immensity, Yet the noblest of His hand Is humanity. Humanity is seeking long From wisdom's voice to learn 68 THE STARRY FIRMAMENT. More about the starry throng That in the heavens burn. And from the glowing pages pour Upon the soul of man, Inspiring thought, to higher soar, And heaven's domain to scan. Into the starry depths of space He peers with searching eye, And with advancing thought, keeps pace With the nineteenth century. Like a scroll the heavens unfold Wonders grand and new ; He gathers knowledge there enrolled, That brings new worlds to view. Still more and more man seeks to know, While progress points the way ; And wisdom in its onward flow His efforts will repay. So man is working ever on, Toward a shining goal ; A pedestal he builds beyond, For the human soul. Progression. The law of progression Is lawful ascension ; If we only look we can see That all things move onward ; Nothing moves backward ; Everything higher must be. So then as we learn We nothing should spurn, For it's little by little we grow, Many things yet remain To be made clear and plain ; It's upward and onward to go. As upward we climb, One round at a time, On the ladder that reaches above, Do you ask why That we all should try When it reaches where all is pure love ? 70 PROGRESSION. Do not aspire, Neither desire To reach to the top at a bound ; Slowly to rise Is the way to be wise, And firmly to stand on each round. As we ascend higher, If we ask in our prayer For angels to come to our aid, They'll help us to rise Even up to the skies ; We'll wonder at the strides we have made. Then let us be wise, And open our eyes, And see if the top we can 'gain ; The way it is clear, Let all the world hear, If they knew they'd no longer remain. mortal do not, 1 pray you, forget That the ladder rests on the ground ; It never can be That the top we can see, For it reaches up round above round. PROGRESSION. 71 It reaches afar, Where a golden star Shines in glory and beauty and light ; It shines for us there To light up that stair, And it fills us with joy and delight. Still on and on, Ever and beyond, So light there's no need of a sun ; And angels so pure, Yet we all may be sure That we to such height shall attain. Love. Love is the music of the soul, The power which holds o'er all control ; The magic key that finds within The spark divine, though dead in sin. It is the motive-power of life ; It causes tragedy and strife ; It reaches on beyond the grave, And the human soul doth save. A silken cord of texture fine Round the hearts of lovers twine ; The sacred marriage knot it ties, The power to sever it defies. Around the family altar weaves Sacred ties of golden sheaves ; From the destroying hand secure, No blight can enter, all is pure. A love so pure forgives all wrong ; Comes from angel voice and song ; LOVE. 73 That deals alike with friend or foe : Such is the love that angels know. It reaches to the earthly plane, And helps the fallen rise again ; And whispers to the soul within Of joys immortal it shall win. The great First Cause is Love supreme, And on the earth sends forth a gleam That lights the path where angels tread Back from the portals of the dead. Whisperings from the heavenly sphere Come to the longing, waiting ear, And messengers are sent below, To lift the weight of care and woe. The earthly and the heavenly shore Are by love's messengers bridged o'er ; And on beyond we see afar, For widely stands the gate ajar. And when the summons comes to go, An angel whispers soft and low, " Come to your happy home above, And live in the atmosphere of love." 74 LOVE. It is the power that fills all space ; It is the power of truth and grace, And draws together every soul, And saves the vast, the mighty whole. Life Beyond. Eternal joys await the soul When free from form of clay ; The human spirit, like a scroll, Unfolds from day to day. By progression's law doth rise, Bright, exultant, free ; Its unfolding power doth prize In humble ecstasy. Pure and grand it rises still, Toward a shining goal Where the power of love at will Holds o'er all control. Helpfulness to those below, To guide their upward way ; Upon their pathway sends a glow, Lest they should go astray. And by God's law progressive taught, His children must obey, 76 LIFE BEYOND. Ere they can reach the goal they sought, Or bask in endless day. O bright summerland of song, Home of the pure and blest, Where the spirit, toiling long, At last finds peace and rest ! The spirit cleansed and washed in tears, As pure and white as snow, In that land beyond the spheres, Eternal joys shall know. All in the summerland who dwell, Have felt love's chastening rod, And have humbly said : " 'T is well, It is the hand of God." The life beyond, within the veil, The river runs of life, And on its bosom glides a sail Away from storm and strife. The placid waters, smooth and grand, Were stilled by powers of will By Him who to them gave command, And bade them "Peace, be still !" LIFE BEYOND. 77 And o'er the scene there flows a light Of soft and mellow hue, And gives th' enraptured spirit sight A most enchanting view. Along its banks the flowers grow Amid the angel throng, Where waves of music ebb and flow From angel voice and song. Yes, in the glorious sumnierland, Basking in its bowers, With white-robed angels hand in hand, We'll pluck immortal flowers. Land of beauty, where the rose Lives in undying bloom, And souls in fragrance there repose, Beyond the dreaded tomb. On the Death of a Child. A little bud has gone to bloom Beyond the portals of the tomb, In a purer, balmier air, A flower more beautiful and fair. Budding on the earth and gone. Still unfolding on and on, In a more congenial sky ; Hush, O hush the heaving sigh ! And wipe the tear that fain would flow In such agony of woe ; Your darling child is living still, The mission of her life to fill. The angel Death has borne her o'er, And safely landed her on shore ; Her little hands, so pure and white, Hold for you a guiding light. A light that shines by night and day, A glorious, never-fading ray, And is beckoning you to come To that bright, that happy home. Inspiration. O thou grand electric flow, Thy fires are lit and all aglow, And on the golden wings of thought Bring truths that men in vain have sought. And by thy penetrating fire, Searches out all wrong desire, And guides the feet of wayward youth Into the higher sphere of truth. Thy power is felt o'er all the land ; Thy flood of light is pure and grand, And helps the fallen sinner rise, And upward lifts his downcast eyes. Thy voice is heard with certain sound, Saying all are heavenward bound ; Breaks the fetters off the soul, And gives aspiring thought control. By thy light the spirit soars Away to bright immortal shores, Where the fountain's living light Reaches down to mortal sight. 80 INSPIRATION. Let thy power, O Inspiration, Fall on every race and nation ; Thy voice be heard on land and sea ; All people be by truth made free. On the Death of a Friend. His work on earth is done, and well ; Like the ripened fruit he fell ; His spirit, by God's wise decree, Has passed into eternity. His spirit slowly loosed its hold, And left the body dead and cold ; But the spirit, living on, With garments new is clothed upon. The angel Death was sent in love, And bore him to his home above, And o'er his loved ones watch will keep, To them is speaking : " Do not weep !" He's passed within the golden gate ; At the portal he will wait, With longing heart and listening ear, The coming of their feet to hear. He holds uplifted in his hand, A light by angel fingers fanned, 82 ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. Beaming through the gates ajar, To his own a guiding-star. It falls upon their path below, A promise like the arching bow ; No more are floods of falling tears, Dispelled are all their doubts and fears. O, weeping one, look up and see That bow of promise over thee, Reflected through the tears you shed O'er the body of your dead. A promise that you'll meet above The one on earth you learned to love, And with him share new joys untold Within the loving Father's fold. The spirit knows no chain nor bond ; Freedom is on the shore beyond ; And while eternity shall roll, Still will unfold the human soul. Written while President Garfield was Hov ering between Life and Death. O God of nations, to Thee we cry ! We know that Thy all-seeing eye Is on the nation's welfare bent, Be it life or death for the President. Around his couch with anxious fear, Those faithful friends they hover near, That loving mother and that wife Yet hope to save his precious life. A life of purity sublime, Stricken down in manhood's prime ; A devoted husband, son, The nation's highest gift had won. If he from off that couch of pain Should never rise to health again, On his brow a crown he'll bear, Yet not such crowns as monarchs wear. For woven in that crown of gold The threads of sympathy behold ; 84 PRESIDENT GARFIELD. The jewels in that crown are set Are a nation's tears, love and regret. The nation now sends forth a prayer That in that Presidential chair He'll sit, and wield a power for good ; O bend Thine ear, Almighty God ! On the Death of the President. The President is dead ! they cry ; Even on the breezes floats a sigh ; The nation's heart is bleeding, rent, For our loved and honored President. Gloom like a pall has overspread The earth with darkness and with dread O may the fires that caused that blow Be quenched by love's increasing flow. O God ! but send a healing balm, Those loving, aching hearts to calm ; And send down from thy realm above, An angel messenger of love. O send the pure white dove of peace, So that all bitter strife may cease ; The darkened souls find truth and light, And guide them in the path of right. May he who fills that vacant chair, Wield a power for good while there. O God ! but lay Thine hand upon The affairs of state at Washington ! Christmas Time. Christmas time ! O hear the chime As it on the breezes floats ; It is the morn That Christ was born, Joyous are its notes. With voices free O sing with glee, And celebrate His birth ; He like a dove Came from above, And brought the truth to earth. Bethlehem's star Is not afar ; Look up, 't will meet your gaze It 's shining there On the golden stair, With glory all ablaze. CHRISTMAS TIME. 87 Bethlehem's star Is not afar, It came the world to save ; The golden stair Ascending there Is resting on the grave. That blazing star Is the gate ajar ; O mortal, dry your tears, For it's been fanned By an angel hand For eighteen hundred years. To an Editress. VOICE OF THE ANGELS. Hear the voice of angels speaking A welcome unto thee ; New workers in their cause are seeking For truth and liberty. Star of progress, star of freedom, Welcome, welcome, thrice ! May angels from the heavenly kingdom Bring you strength and peace. Like the true and earnest worker, Who has given up her charge, May you faithful be nor falter, And your field of work enlarge. Working in the Master's vineyard, In the cause of truth and right, May your spirit, rising heavenward, Draw to earth the purest light. Like your noble predecessor, Do the work that angels bid, TO AN EDITRESS. 89 With high-wrought courage and endeavor, That your light may not be hid. To the voice of angels harken, As they speak in gladsome tones ; They who sleep in darkness waken They may wear immortal crowns. O voice of angels, world-wide sounding O'er mountain, hill and dale, With news of life beyond abounding, Of that life within the veil ! " Within the veil ?" Ah no, O mortal, For the veil i f s rent in twain ; Those who have passed beyond death's portal May return to earth again. "O hear our voices, singing, singing, To earth's children drawing near ; Our own dear loved ones we are seeking, To wipe away the parting tear." We ask that on the " Voice " a blessing May descend with words of cheer, And lift the care on one that's resting, So easier on her bark shall steer. Triumph of Truth over Error. Storm and strife the waters stir, And gather on their way All that would their course deter, Or their progress stay. Dark and murky, surging on Toward their ocean home, Impurities to surface borne, Mid floating weeds and foam. After storms and clouds have passed, The troubled waters rest, Their burdens to the ocean cast That on their bosom pressed. With widened channel deep below, Still coursing to the sea, With power increasing in their flow, More pure, more grand, more free. When storms and strifes in life arise, It is the same, we say ; TRIUMPH OF TRUTH OVER ERROR. 91 Deeds that were hidden from our eyes, Are brought to the light of day. Brought to the surface of life's stream, By billows borne along, Guided by the Hand Supreme, To cleanse the world from wrong. So within the churches' fold, Dissension, discontent, They together cannot hold, For error's power is spent. Truth silently will work its way, Like leaven, through them all, All masterful, before its sway Even kings and crowns must fall. Upon the surface of life's stream All sin and wrong must float, Borne along by truth's bright gleam God pilots on the boat. And in their stead sweet charity, And love to God and man, While selfishness and bigotry Drift to oblivion. On the Burning of a Church. I hear you say : " And is it God Who smites us with His chastening rod?' I hear you ask : " Has Providence In our midst folind some offense ? " And in His own mysterious way We a sacrifice must lay Upon His altar ? By it, 't is said, The fire that purifies is fed. " And did He see therein a flaw He must consume by natural law ? And purify even as by fire, To lift the spirit ever higher ?" Alone by sacrifice we rise ; All worldly selfishness then dies ; It forms for us a stepping-stone, To lift the spirit higher on. Though consumed, yet nothing lost, When you rightly count the cost, ON THE BURNING OF A CHURCH. 93 For on the ashes, towering high, Build a structure flames defy. By the hand of wisdom skilled, On the rock of truth so build, Though error's flood be deep and wide, It shall resist its flowing tide. Love to God and love to man Be in your foundation plan ; Let charity, like heaven's dews, Cover all opposing views. Let its walls be gilded o'er With the love the Savior bore ; When on the cross they nailed Him high, " Forgive them !" was His dying cry. And your platform shall I speak ? Be freedom for the truth to seek ; Use no creed within its walls, Lest again the structure falls. On ashes of the first I see A structure built for liberty ; Let all creeds to ashes burn ; Truth is carved on rock and stone. 94 ON THE BURNING OF A CHURCH. Inscribe upon your banner high : " Eternal truth can never die !" Though assailed by fire or flood,. Truth is nature, truth is God ! Crumbs. Treasure up the crumbs let fall By those who've drank their cup of gall ; Crumbs of wisdom, pure and grand, Scattered by affliction's hand. Crumbs that fall from sage and seer, Make the path to knowledge clear ; Gather up and treasure well Crumbs that from the noblest fell. From a Christ, or from a Paul, Crumbs are scattered free for all ; So gather in and store the mind, And scatter crumbs that others find. Crumbs upon the waters cast : They shall return to you at last, Showered in blessings on your heads, By Him who searches ocean beds. Scatter kindness, kindly words Along the by-ways and the roads ; 96 CRUMBS. Such are treasured up on high, To bless the giver by-and-by. For the hungering spirit's good, Scatter crumbs of daily food ; So the spirit, strong in power, Rises heavenward every hour. Crumbs of selfishness and greed Leave the soul in want and need ; And those man gathers up at last Are the crumbs himself hath cast. On the Whittier Quill Pen. By the power of brain and will, A pen invented from the quill, Of old-time usefulness and fame, Is linked with noble "VVhittier's name. With easy grace and ready flow, It leaves on pages thoughts that glow, From the brain of seer and sage, That mark the progress of the age. The quill then let the poets choose; Its strokes o'ertake th' escaping muse, And for the Whittier pen it cries, If poets to his fame would rise. America's most noble son, His fame will last while ages run ; So dedicate to worth and fame A eulogy on Whittier's name. Poems flowing from his pen Are written in the hearts of men ; 98 ON THE WHITTIER QUILL PEN. So lines that know no peace nor calm, They bring a healing, soothing balm. We'll write our poems, essays too, With the pen so old yet new ; Around it like a magic spell, The name of Whittier weaves it welL Star of Progression. Progressive thought steals o'er the land ; A risen star I see, Lighted by an angel hand, To guide humanity. A pioneer for truth and right, Its progress nought can stay ; Before its rays of wisdom's light All errors flee away. Before its light all creeds must fall, And superstition's reign No longer can the mind enthrall, Or freedom's cause restrain. Star of progress, in thine eye The light of angels shine, And all the evil powers defy It is a light divine. A beacon light the soul to guide On its upward way j 100 STAR OF PROGRESSION. It draws the angels to its side, Attracted by its ray. And while the years still onward roll, Progression's star shines on, Until all chains that bind the soul Are severed one by one. The spirit then will upward rise By progression's light ; The scales will fall from blinded eyes, That once obscured their sight. Before its light the shadows flee, That rested on the grave ; Our loved ones through the door we see, That to death's arms we gave. In progression's march it brings A light from the other shore, With healing on its angel wings, That bleeding hearts restore. O beaming star ! shine on and on, Through clouds of darkest night, Until all stars shall blend as one, Into eternal light. STAR OK PROGRESSION. 101 Yes, progression's star, beam on, Increasing day by day, Until its brightness, like the sun, Shall clear all clouds away. Hope. Thou star of hope, through thy soft beams The future laden comes in dreams ; Thou peerest through the darkest cloud, And lift'st the heart with sorrow bowed. And but for thee, O star of hope, The spirit would in darkness grope ; Thy light rests on the brow of care, When on the verge of dark despair. O but for thee, all life a blank, Into the darkest depths had sank ; But thy light gives power and strength To work life's problem out at length. Reflected from immortal shores, Thy light upon the spirit pours ; Across thy way no block can bar, The spirit sees the gate ajar. Thy beams from lands celestial blend With the love that angels send HOPE. 103 To mortals on the earthly plane, Singing in a sweet refrain. Thou art an anchor sure and true, That the spirit keeps in view, And steadfast on that golden strand, When its work is done, shall land. Yes, land softly on the shore, Where thy wings were wont to soar, And blended in eternal light, In glad fruition lost to sight. The Spirit of Flowers. The perfume of flowers is wafted Away on the passing air ; Their spirit has also departed, Decay is alone left there. The life of the spirit draws essence From the aura of beautiful flowers ; Is gathered by angel presence, And borne to immortal bowers. Sweet emanations from nature, The goodness of God doth bestow ; The power of the spirit doth nurture When returning to mortals below. The life of the spirit ethereal, By their breath is quickened, we say ; Belongs to the life immortal, Not touched by the hand of decay. Borne away on the breezes, Where flowers are ever in bloom, THE SPIRIT OF FLOWERS. And the spirit, rejoicing, reposes Mid fragrance of richest perfume. Flowers that need no darkness, Flowers that need no night, But only the glory and brightness Of the rays of eternal light. 105 To a Lady, WHOSE LIFE IS COMPARED TO THE AEOLIAN HARP. The touch of the gentle zephyr Awakes /Eolian strings, To music borne forever On its vibrating wings. Her spirit tuned by nature To sing love's symphony, At the touch of the angel finger Vibrates in harmony. Music in every fibre, Music in every nerve, Wafted on forever On angel wings of love. Tuned by angel fingers To melody of soul, It in her spirit lingers, And of her has control. TO A LADY. 107 Here, the winds too harshly Swept across its strings ; Of the earth too earthly, Folded were its wings. Free as the evening zephyr, Wafted on through space, Her spirit will forever Sing notes of love and grace. And in her home in glory, Will sweep o'er her pure soul, The anthems of the Holy, While eternity shall roll. Memory. Backward ! Forward ! Like an armied host, Stalks no traitor, coward, Who would desert his post. Backward ! Forward ! Through the dreamy past, Ever facing toward The dreams that youth has cast. Lifting ! Shifting ! Swift the shadows play, Together are uniting The past and present day. Warning ! Longing ! Each in turn flit by, The voice of memory calling From the heart a sigh. Joyful ! Regretful ! Come waves of light and shade ; MEMORY. In all nature still most needful, Of every phase and grade. Darkly, lightly, The shades of life may fall ; Yet above shine brightly Beams of love o'er all. 109 To my Sister. Your path has in it many windings ; Above, dark clouds, yet silver linings ; Storms will pass, and clouds of sorrow ; Joy come with the dawning morrow. Evil powers may hold high revel ; Their sway at times may seem a marvel ; But the Hand that holds the scales Never in its wisdom fails. The scales of justice weigh with caution The motives of the deed of action ; Evil powers will flee away Before the reign of justice's sway. Subdued the light that comes thro' sorrow. The light of wisdom that you borrow From its source, and its sure flow Softens all our worldly woe. Let the light, so calm and restful, Enter in your spirit's portal, TO MY SISTER. 1 1 1 Ever an abiding guest, Bringing peace, and joy, and rest. In your path that lies before you, I see a light that comes to show you Angel feet that lead the way To a brighter, happier day. A hand above you is uplifted, Upon your weary brow has rested ; A voice is speaking, do you hear? "The loved of other days are near. " We know your heart is aching, aching ; We come to keep your heart from breaking To lift your burdens light and free, We nearer, nearer, come to thee. " O hear our voices softly sighing, There is no death, there is no dying ; Eternal life begins on earth, And death is but the second birth." Voice of the Angels. What is the voice of the angels Who come to this earthly sphere ? They come to teach us wisdom, That wrong may disappear. To lift the low and fallen, To take them by the hand ; For ignorance and folly Sweep broadcast o'er the land. It speaks the words of mercy, In charity's sweet name ; For all are God's own children : He loves them all the same. One voice comes from the angels, Saying : "Live to do the right. Good deeds are all immortal Make spirit garments white." O blessed voice of angels ! 'T is music to our ears ; VOICE OF THE ANGELS. 113 Allays all earthly sorrows, And gives us joy for tears. It is the voice of loved ones Who have gone on before ; They say that death's dark river Is spanned from shore to shore. They say that we shall meet them, And know as we are known ; Across the dread, dark river Each one shall know his own. Again the voice of the angels Comes from the other shore, And says that life's immortal We live, and die no more. To a Brother. Is there no ray your path to brighten ? Do the shadows, like a curtain, Hide the sunlight from your path ? Do you think 't is done in wrath ? This to you we say, O brother, When the shadows o'er you hover, Above the sun is shining bright, And soon you'll see its beaming light. When shadows dark before you lie, Rise with a purpose new and high, Tread upon and stamp them down ; 'T will bring to you a golden crown. With dark, grim shadows life is laden ; They lift the spirit nearer heaven ; When the clouds have cleared away, Brighter shines the heavenly day. The soul is lifted higher, higher : It is the great Refiner's fire TO A BROTHER. 115 The separation of the gold From dross that would the spirit hold. Remember then, we say, O brother, Though clouds and darkness o'er you hover, The sunlight and the shadows all On our lives as blessings fall. With determined step and eye, This be your watchword and your cry : "Onward and upward in the right, Where shadows flee before the light !" Radiant and pure, the spirit bright Sends forth its own peculiar light ; No shade can on the spirit fall ; A light within expels them all. Written on the Occasion of the Memorial Service of President Garfield. The nation mourns the sad event, The loss of our loved President ; Our hearts' best tribute we would pay An offering on the altar lay. To-day is set apart to mourn, While his body to the tomb is borne ; The nation's face is overspread With a mourning mantle for the dead. O hark ! it comes as with one voice : "He's dead who was the nation's choice ! Was stricken by th' assassin's hand ; A gloom is cast o'er all the land." The bells send forth a solemn peal, Which shows a nation's heart can feel ; Its flags hang half-mast to the breeze ; A loss of its support it sees. " Yes, he is dead !" the people say ; It 's only spirit freed from clay ; MEMORIAL SERVICE OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD. 117 And with the heroes gone before, He'll work to harmony restore. We 're passing through the refiner's fire, To lift life's standard ever higher ; We know Thy law is love, O God, And brings from seeming evil good. O on that family altar pour Such blessings as they need this hour ; And let Thine eye a watch still keep, To guide them through the waves so deep. That darkened life within his cell, There 's nought but misery can dwell ; And through that shrinking, trembling soul Life's waves like surging billows roll. O let the people pity give ! He's nothing here for which to live ; O let us leave him with his God, For heavy is the chastening rod. O may the people wisdom learn To make the laws, and right discern ; And knowledge be from the fountain sent To rule the affairs of government. 118 MEMORIAL SERVICE OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD. The nation now sends forth a prayer For him who sits within that Chair ; O give him wisdom in this hour To wisely wield th' invested power. And now, O God, again we cry, That Thou would'st bend Thine ear and eye, That the people by Thy hand be led, Upon the serpent's head to tread. Eleven Days in Heaven. Seemed all the joys of heaven were centered On that lovely, sacred spot ; And in thankfulness I lingered : I felt that God had blessed my lot. I felt that I had crossed the river, For I conversed with angel friends ; I hoped that this might last forever, For now all earthly sorrow ends. A spell that seemed a dream came o'er me ; I thought I'd left the world behind, And nought I saw but heaven before me, And ever increasing joys did find. I felt that angel friends were near me ; For heaven we need not look afar, For those who 've gone on just before me The golden gates have left ajar. I felt I stood within the portal, With glory shining round my head ; 120 ELEVEN DAYS IN HEAVEN. An angel, who had once been mortal, Spoke to me, and 't was thus she said : " To you I say, O mortal being, Back to earth ye must return, And with patience wait your coming, Till life on earth shall cease to burn. " For each vanquished ill lifts higher All life in its onward course ; If more of heaven we do desire, It never can be gained by force." I listened, and in sadness turning, I my steps did then retrace ; And I said : " I '11 cease this yearning, And learn the ills of life to face. " I know there 's happiness that 's real, For I 've tasted joys of heaven, And they answer my ideal, Although the days were only eleven. " As I again take up life's duties, A beacon light shines bright and clear, And by that light I see life's beauties, With loving angels drawing near. ELEVEN DAYS IN HEAVEN. 121 " And when this stormy life is over, I know I '11 enter then that heaven Then the joys will be forever, Endless days instead of eleven." A Dream. O'er rugged heights, o'er dashing billows, In churchyards, under weeping willows, Thorny paths and bleeding feet, Where want and woe together meet I journey on, so worn and weary, The pathway dark, and lone, and dreary ; Through this sorrowing vale of tears, Full of doubting, full of fears, Pressing on beyond all doubting, Beyond the scoffing and the scouting ; Pressing toward the heavenly gate, At its portal longing wait. Knocking there to gain admittance, Angels then will give assistance, Unlock the gate and lift the bar, A little holds the gate ajar. Pressing onward through the portal, Where ne'er before had passed a mortal ; A DREAM. 123 None had passed within the fold, Through the pearly gates of gold. Multitudes of beauteous angels, Upon their heads are crowns of jewels, More glittering and more sparkling bright, In the glorious Central Light. Enraptured with the heavenly vision, Beings of the earth's creation, A voice then to the mortal said : "To the earth you still are wed. " We will guide you through the gateway, Lead you down the golden stairway ; The ills of life must overcome, Before ascending to your home. " All that 's mortal leave behind you ; All that to the earth can bind you ; On the stairway to and fro, Free as air you then can go. " We will guide you through life's journey, Along life's pathway rough and stony, Into paths where all along Hear angel voices blend in song. 124 A DREAM. " Guide you to the shores immortal, Into joys of life eternal, Where the living fountain pours Down in everlasting showers." Deception. Like a wolf clad in sheep's clothing, Looked upon with dread and loathing, Is deception. Like an abyss that yawns beneath you, Waiting, threatening to engulf you, Is deception. Like a serpent, lurking, twining Round the innocent and trusting, Is deception. A writhing worm that drinks the life-blood, Destroying peace of youth or girlhood, Is deception. Though naught so holy, naught so sacred, Yet true love is turned to hatred By deception. You who would be true and worthy, Who never seek to gain by proxy, Use no deception. When standing on the shore immortal, Entering into life eternal, There's no deception. 126 DECEPTION. All the deeds of life are plainly Recorded by an angel daily Without deception. Must be read by him who lived them, Though in scorn he disbelieved them No deception. The secrets of the heart laid open, Where naught but truth is ever spoken. No deception. Righteousness is then rewarded ; To each his due is then accorded. No more deception. Supreme Love. Love is the overruling power That permeates all life ; It 's in the plant and in the flower It says we '11 have no strife. It is the all-pervading power That we are calling God ; It 's in the sunshine and the shower That fill with life the sod. It guides all worlds in orbits round, As time moves on apace, Revolving with no jar nor sound, With wisdom and with grace. Love governs all the works of God : His highest work is man ; Love holds o'er him the chastening rod, E'er since this life began. It holds for man a sacred bond, His future destiny, For on th' immortal shore beyond He lives eternally. The Refiner's Fire. That burning fire consumes the dross, It will not harm the gold ; Let it burn, it is no loss To the churches' fold. Let it burst forth into flame, For it will sweep away All hypocrisy and shame That before had sway. Destroy the errors, dogmas, creeds, That on its garments hung, And clear away tradition's weeds That on our ears are flung. O let it burn, it is the fire That purifies the world ; From its ashes, towering higher, Truth's banner is unfurled. 'T is better; if it smoulder long, It would corrupt the air, THE REFINER'S FIRE. 129 A plague spot bringing death among The innocent and fair. A whited sepulchre without, Within are dead men's bones ; Then to their deafened ears O shout God never sin atones. In passing through the Refiner's fire, That burns within each breast, Man is lifted ever higher Into peace and rest. 'T is God's eternal law divine, 'T is His perfected plan, That His reflected image shine Within the soul of man. So all life is purified, Drawn higher still and higher, Like Him who once was crucified, Passed through the Refiner's fire. Watchman, What of the Night ? Do you ask what of the darkness, Of the night to tell ? There is no night, but all is brightness, We say that "All is well !" Aching hearts are calling, calling, Will they no answer hear ? It comes like raindrops, falling, falling, On the listening ear. Hear the answer come, and saying, "There are no dead we live ! And to those whose hearts are aching, Joy untold we give." O, ask no more, what of the darkness, Nor what of the night, For angel hands with joy and gladness Will lead you to the light. They come to you your hearts to lighten- With joy your eyes are wet : WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT ? 131 A star that will your pathway brighten, And never more will set. See the angels coming, coming, To their loved of earth ; They come to hearts all torn and bleeding To those who gave them birth. See the fathers, mothers, coming To their children here; For their hearts with love are burning, They as before are dear. Still O see them coming, coming, From the upper spheres ; On the golden stair descending To wipe away all tears. See them coming, spirits, angels, Clad in golden light ; The snow-white wings of the archangels With glory beaming bright. And cherubim and seraphim O, listen ! hear them sing Of death their triumph over him That death has lost his sting. 132 WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT ? And through the ever-open door, They are passing to and fro, As Jacob saw, in days of yore tell the world 't is so. I have an answer to you given : 1 '11 now go on my way. These truths I leave to you as leaven- Thus I, the watchman, say. The Suicide. Clouds of darkness settled o'er me, So dense no ray of light could reach me ; Sighs and wailings rent the air, Which filled my being with despair. Surely God has me forsaken, And my spirit ne'er can waken From this agony and thrall Which rest upon me like a pall. Groping, groping through the darkness, Closer, denser in its blackness, Crushing like a mountain weight, Such before me seems my fate. God ! I said in soul-felt yearning, Let me leap the flame that's burning, Though in oblivion's sea I fall, For to the dregs I 've drank the gall. 1 would escape, and leave behind me The powers of darkness that have bound me, 134 THE SUICIDE. Let mother nature claim her own, My spirit drift to lands unknown. I '11 prepare a deadly potion ! Away, I say, away the notion That the Giver of our life Alone should end its earthly strife. My own hand shall end my sorrow, Escape the anguish of the morrow. Farewell, I say, then, to the past, My spirit shall find rest at last. Answer to the Suicide. Despairing spirit, why dost thou seek A reasoning so frail and weak ? Think'st to change God's law sublime By a self-inflicted crime ? Let death's angel loose the cord That holds the spirit, saith the Lord ; Natural law work out the change To give the spirit wider range. When you leap the abyss of death, Think not life endeth with the breath, For on beyond there burns a flame, Of the Refiner's fire the same. Do not, I pray, then hope to find By force the rest for which you 've pined ; The issues of life belong to God, His hand alone should wield the rod. Life on earth, or life on high, Life 's immortal, none can die ; 136 ANSWER TO THE SUICIDE. Be it here, or be it there, The same law governs everywhere. God's law works out perfected love, So souls in higher realms may rove, And through eternal ages soar, With joys increasing evermore. M The White Elephant. We give to thee, O " sacred Rose," A welcome on our shore, From lands where Buddha found repose, We learn from ancient lore. And did the Buddhist worship thee, And make of thee a god? In thy majestic grandeur see A " leveler of the sod ?" And did a " star " rise in the east, And shed on thee its light ? That on wonders man might feast, Turned thee to ashes white ? Toung Taloung, of royal birth, So strangely quaint thy name, We see in thee a sacred worth, So held by eastern fame. So from the eastern sunny clime We give thee welcome here, 138 THE WHITE ELEPHANT. A great achievement of our time, Of this eventful year. Wilt thou toward where thy life began, E'er turn a longing eye ? Or for that beauteous isle Japan, Prematurely die ? O'er history's pages man will pore, And read a Barnum's name, Who in eighteen hundred eighty-four, Adds to his world-wide fame. Thou hast come across the sea, Daring many a foe, And the centre here shalt be Of our country's greatest show. Waiting. Reward for true and patient waiting, With hope and trust without abating, O faithful heart, with every beat There comes a voice both low and sweet " To you, O waiting soul, is given The key that opes the door of heaven, Giving to the spirit rest, By patient waiting doubly blest." To such are given the key to wisdom, That gives to every soul its freedom ; By patient waiting we shall gain A great reward for every pain. Looking deep into the future, Tracing out God's works in nature, Reward for patient searching brings A knowledge of the cause of things. On the shore of time we 're waiting ; For the boatman's oars are listening, 140 WAITING. To our ears a welcome sound, To happiness and freedom bound. Then landed on the shore immortal. Drinking from the Fount eternal, Where the living waters flow, There to drink the thirsty go. The Skeleton in the Closet. Happy, joyous and gay To the outside world, But hidden in a closet lay A thing of hideous mould. Like a canker worm it eats The life-blood from the heartj With waning powers no more it beats, And soul and body part. In the merry festive hour, When friends are gathered in, It uses silently its power, And leaves a sting within. When the heart beats light and fast, "T is then it points the way, While its victim stands aghast, Where it in hiding lay. One closet holds a skeleton In every household home ; 142 THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET. So from this earthly life we turn Toward that which is to come. So from this skeleton of life, We fain would soar away, Where powers no longer meet in strife No longer hold their sway. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. - 10M-11-50.2K5 470 PS 3 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY Van NostranH J Poems AA 001 228186 1 UCLA-Young Rese PS3119.V295 >\r<