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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
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 A 
 
 SELECTION 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE POEMS OE THE LATE 
 MRS. K. J. RESKELLY, 
 
 ALSO 
 
 A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BY ONE OF HER BROTHERS, 
 
 AND OBITUARY NOTICES BY VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS, 
 
 EDITED BY HER HUSBAND 
 
 AND 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 
 HER MEMORY. 
 
 The dear Lord's best interpreters 
 
 Are humble human souls ; 
 The Gospel of a life like hers 
 
 Is more than books or scrolls. 
 
 —J. G. WHITTIER. 
 
 [PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION] 
 
 iSc 4 
 
 Copies may be had of \<z\. C. J. Reskellv, Newnham, Gloucs.
 
 liin.i;i: & Tanmh, 
 
 Tul Sklwood Pkinting WoiiKS, 
 
 FliOME, AMI J/ONUO.V.
 
 ?R 
 R31 An 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 But few words are necessary by way of preface to this 
 volume. 
 
 Numerous friends and admirers expressed a strong wish 
 that a memento in the shape of a book should be prepared. 
 The singular devotion which Mrs. Reskelly unconsciously 
 won from friends connected with her public work, as well 
 as from those within the inner circle of private intimacy, 
 gave additional emphasis to this request. It was also 
 pointed out that her poetic talent warranted a reproduc- 
 tion of her works in permanent form. On these grounds, 
 therefore, the compilation of this volume was undertaken. 
 
 The editor's grateful thanks are due to the ready 
 sympathisers who have allowed their letters, sketches, 
 sermons, etc., to appear. 
 
 Whilst no attempt has been made to prepare a complete 
 and consecutive biography, yet it is hoped that sufficient 
 material has been collected for the presentation of a faith- 
 ful picture of an unusually beautiful Christian character. 
 Some repetition unavoidably occurs, owing to the several 
 contributors dwelling in common upon leading character- 
 istics, which were universally acknowledged. 
 
 The New Years' hymns, most of which were published 
 year by year, were very highly valued by a large number 
 
 9166 
 

 
 6 PREFACE 
 
 of friends and acquaintances, and will now serve as a link 
 of affectionate remembrance between the authoress and 
 those who read this book. Some years, it will be noticed, 
 are missed — because the muse was silent. 
 
 A selection of other poems has been made, written 
 .between 1863 and 1893 ; but most were composed before 
 1873. The ten verses written " to order " for Miss 
 Dawson's class contain special lyrical promise, which, 
 if life had been spared, would probably have found fulfil- 
 ment. The poems, as a whole, set forth a life longing for 
 purity, and in deep sympathy with all the sorrowful, the 
 lonely, and the oppressed. The authoress loved to write 
 that she might cheer and comfort others. The following, 
 one of her latest fragments, expresses the spirit which 
 always prompted her muse : — 
 
 " Come, sacred muse, inspire this soul of mine, 
 That longs to breathe some melody Divine, 
 That shall acceptance find in realms above, 
 And fill men's hearts below with joy and love." 
 
 May that devout desire be answered through the publi- 
 cation of this memorial volume.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Personal Reminiscences. By the Editor. C.J. 1!. 
 Biographical Sketch. By one of Mrs. Reskellv': 
 
 Brothers ...... 
 
 Donors of Wedding Gifts 
 
 Press Notices of Death, Funeral, etc. 
 
 Address \t Funeral Service. By the Rev. Roberi 
 
 Dawson, B.A. ....... 
 
 Memorial Sermon. By the Rev. W. Darwent 
 Funeral Sermon. By the Rev. D. Anthony, B.A. . 
 Testimony and Expressions of Sympathy 
 Unveiling of Memorial Tablet .... 
 
 Letters 
 
 Poems 
 
 PAGK 
 
 L9 
 39 
 43 
 
 51 
 
 59 
 67 
 77 
 89 
 99 
 
 121
 
 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES, 
 
 BY THE EDITOR, 
 
 C. J. R.
 
 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 
 
 I first made the acquaintance of Miss Waylen on Feb- 
 ruary the 12th, 1882, during a preaching engagement at 
 St. Mary's Independent Chapel, Devizes. For years she 
 had held a Bible class of young women ; and on the 
 Sunday afternoon of my visit she was holding a prayer- 
 meeting with her girls, which I happened to hear her 
 conduct. On the 12th of Jul}', 1883, we were married in 
 the above chapel by the Rev. R. Dawson, B.A., of London. 
 The numerous, valuable, and costly presents which she 
 received from the Church, Sunday School, and private 
 friends on this occasion bore testimony to the affection 
 in which she was held, not only in the church and school, 
 but also in the town where most of her life had been spent. 
 
 I became pastor of the Congregational Church at Little- 
 dean, Gloucestershire, on October 16th, 1882, and brought 
 my wife thither to share my labours in August, 1883. 
 
 The children in the Sunday School became her first 
 care. In a month or two she was elected superintendent, 
 and she efficiently and successfully held the office for ten 
 years. The attendance more than doubled in six months, 
 and a new library of 120 suitable volumes was event- 
 ually formed, whilst for the work money was always 
 forthcoming when needed. For many years the school 
 had been held under the old gallery in the chapel ; but the 
 space now became too small to accommodate increasing 
 numbers. For twenty years a new schoolroom had been 
 talked of, and now, largely owing to the superintendent's 
 toil, the present substantial building, with four class- 
 rooms, was reared in 188G-7, at a total cost, including 
 
 ii
 
 12 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES 
 
 the purchase of land, of over £500; but further reference 
 is made to this in the accompanying " Biographical 
 Sketch." My wife entered fully into the consciousness 
 of little children, as her poem "I can't keep still," and 
 several others, fully indicate. 
 
 Her lively interest in the Temperance cause was re- 
 doubled when, on the 17th of January, 1878, she signed 
 the following temperance pledge :— " I do hereby engage, 
 by the help of God, to abstain from the use of all 
 alcoholic beverages, except for religious or medicinal 
 purposes. I undertake to abstain for my own sake, 
 for the sake of others, for Christ's sake." And this 
 pledge she faithfully kept. On March the 24th, 1884, 
 she joined the " Ebenezer " lodge of the Independent 
 Order of Good Templars, now held in the schoolroom 
 which she helped to build. She became an active 
 member, filling a number of important offices — for years 
 holding that of secretary. For some time she was 
 superintendent of "Connecting Link" juvenile temple, 
 and for several years held office in the District Lodge 
 of North- West Gloucestershire. Her work was never 
 relegated to another, but personally performed, and 
 the amount of energy and toil put into the office of 
 District Secretary not only kept the Lodge alive, but 
 very materially contributed to its growth and to a 
 large increase of membership. In 1891-2 she served 
 the district as District Superintendent of juvenile 
 temples. Her main reason for joining the Order, she 
 always said, was to help the children. With a tireless 
 zaal she performed the varied duties of this important 
 office, and her quarterly reports were models of what 
 such productions should be — full of inspiration and 
 hopefulness. After a year's service she was re-elected 
 to the office, and held it to the day of her death.
 
 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES I \ ; 
 
 She took her Grand Lodge degree at Newport in Easter. 
 188(J, and the Right Worthy Grand Lodge degree at 
 Bristol in 1890. No sister ever served the Order with 
 more fidelity, and her faith in it may be summed up in 
 the following stirring strains, evidently composed after 
 attending one of the District Lodge sessions in 1892 :— 
 
 THE GOOD TEMPLAK'S BATTLE-CEY. 
 
 Shout ! for the day is coming 
 
 "When victory shall crown 
 The warfare we are waging, 
 
 In village and in town, 
 Against the giant evil 
 
 That fills our land with shame. 
 Then, rally round the standard 
 
 In God's almighty name. 
 
 Shout ! for the day is coming — 
 
 Ay, it is drawing nigh, 
 When " Freedom for the captive ! " 
 
 No more shall be our cry. 
 Because, all over England, 
 
 Home of the strong and brave, 
 The banner of true Temperance 
 
 For evermore shall wave. 
 Ye that have met in conf'rence, 
 
 Back to your homes once more ; 
 Gird on the holy weaj)ons 
 
 More firmly than before. 
 Carry the tidings with you. 
 
 All faint hearts to inspire, 
 That our '-Good Templar Order " 
 
 Burns with celestial fire. 
 
 It would be difficult to say what my wife did not do in 
 connection with the Christian Church. She was missed 
 when she left Devizes, and when, ten years later, the 
 funeral took place in that town, the senior deacon said, 
 " We have not got over her loss yet." The address at 
 the funeral — printed in this volume — by the Rev. R.
 
 14 PERSONAL REM I X ISCEXCES 
 
 Dawson, B.A., her earlier pastor, is an additional testi- 
 mony to the high esteem in which her services were 
 held. She never complained of what she gave up for 
 Christ. She had left the world behind to follow her 
 Saviour, and her love for Him had " swallowed up every 
 meaner affection." To serve her Master, she left a home 
 of comfort and independence for the experiences and 
 trials common to the life of a country pastor, and she 
 never looked back. 
 
 She had no cause to be ashamed of her ancestry, but, 
 if inclined to boast, it would have been in Cowper's well- 
 known lines — 
 
 " My boast is not that I deduce my birth 
 From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth, 
 But higher far my proud pretentions rise — 
 The child of parents passed into the skies.'' 
 
 The distinguished author of " Moral Science," the late 
 Dr. F. Wayland, grew on the same family tree, and her 
 maternal grandfather exercised for many years a consider- 
 able influence for good in the town with which the family 
 has been for generations associated. 
 
 On the subject of her ancestry, Mr. James Waylen, 
 author of " The History of Devizes," " History of Marl- 
 borough," etc., thus writes : — 
 
 " Claiming as her father Mr. Robert Waylen, of 
 Devizes, who died in 1867 ; and claiming as her maternal 
 grandfather the late Richard Elliot, the venerable pastor 
 of St. Mary's Independent Chapel, of that place, for half 
 a century, and the undisputed leader of thought on the 
 Bible Society's platform throughout the county of Wilts; 
 and claiming, let us finally say, as her spiritual great- 
 grandfather, the renowned Richard Cecil, who beaconed 
 Richard Elliot into the path of life, — it was to be ex- 
 pected that when. Miss Waylen herself became a min-
 
 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES 15 
 
 ister's wife, her own career would reflect no diminished 
 lustre on such an ancestry. How far she responded to 
 the heavenly challenge, "(to work to-day in My vine- 
 yard." is well attested (next in degree to him who knew 
 her best) by all who had the pleasure of sharing her 
 labours, whether in the time of youth, or, subsequently, 
 among the miners, and other toilers in the Forest of 
 Dean." 
 
 As to her qualifications for a pastor's wife, and the 
 loss to the Church by her death, the Rev. J. Baker, of 
 Lewes, thus writes : — 
 
 " We had thought of her as assured of many years of 
 vigorous health, and had anticipated that those years 
 would be increasingly consecrated to the Great Master's 
 service, with ever-enlarging spiritual results. But, alas 
 for yourself, and for your people, and for her large circle 
 of friends — so it was not to be ! her work was quickly 
 done, and she was called thus early to rest from her 
 labours and to enter on her reward — and so far as she 
 herself is concerned " all is well." But we have no 
 words to express sufficiently our united sympathy with 
 you, my brother, in your bereavement, and with your 
 people in their loss — for without question she was a true 
 pastor's ' helpmeet.' 
 
 " That loss cannot be repaired, but to ourselves and all 
 others who intimately knew her, it is a pensive satis- 
 faction that the Church as well as yourself are pre- 
 paring some abiding tribute to her life and work — for 
 certainly she was one whose memory the world that 
 knew her ' would not willingly let die.' Our own 
 personal intercourse with Mrs. Reskelly was somewhat 
 limited, and much less than we desired, and, in fact, was 
 confined to two occasions — but which are still fresh and 
 fragrant in our remembrance
 
 K) PERSONAL REMINISCENCES 
 
 "But I must cease these recollections, lest I only 
 increase the burden of your sorrow by deepening the 
 sense of your bereavement and of your people's loss. 
 For when one thinks of lives endowed with such qualities 
 and qualifications, and of the world's great need of them, 
 we are apt to say of them their ' sun is gone down while 
 yet it was day,' and that the ' broken column is their 
 befitting emblem ' ; but surely it is more true to real 
 fact, as well as more consolatory, to cherish the full con- 
 fidence that He who said ' (rather up the fragments that 
 remain, that nothing be lost' — so that all might be used 
 for its highest purpose — has done so in her case. She has 
 been lifted up from her brief and lowly service on earth 
 for the more perfect and enduring service in heaven. 
 
 ' : With this confidence, my brother, may the Lord 
 Himself comfort your heart.'.' 
 
 My dear wife's mental' powers were keen ; and the 
 similes used in her poems showed how closely she 
 watched nature in all her moods. Her poem on "Autumn" 
 reminds me of Edmund Spenser, who translated nature 
 as few have done. Her intellectual perception and reten- 
 tiveness, as well as activity of brain, were remarkable. 
 She spoke French and Grerman fluently and also had 
 a knowledge of Italian. In English she was a purist, 
 and spoke her native tongue to perfection. Her style 
 was lucidity itself, and I have never heard a simpler 
 speaker, in the best sense of the word. Her ability 
 in this direction was most notable, inherited, no doubt, 
 from her maternal grandfather, mentioned already. Once 
 she had to speak in the Lodge on the subject of " To- 
 bacco," and previously spent half an hour in collecting 
 a few statistics in order to strengthen her case, and at 
 night spoke for an hour with a clearness and ability 
 which a professor might envy. Of her character I may 
 say that it was childlike ; a more transparent nature
 
 PERSONAL REMIX ISC EXCES IJ 
 
 there could not be. One of her favourite pastimes was 
 reading to others, and — 
 
 " She ]ent to the rhyme of tli<' poet 
 The beauty of her voice.' 1 
 
 Almost the last biok she read to me was " Ben Hur," 
 by General Lew Wallace ; and we both wondered very 
 much why a book dealing with such a grand theme, and 
 written in such an attractive style, should not be more 
 widely known. 
 
 When I asked her friend, Mrs. Enoch Mellor, to give 
 me her impressions of the departed to include in this 
 volume, she wrote in the following expressive strain: — 
 
 " moorplatt, caton, 
 " Lancaster, 
 
 "December tfth, 1893. 
 " Dear Mr. Reskelly,— 
 
 "I haven't replied earlier to your letter, as I have 
 been trying to write something for your little memorial 
 volume ; but I can't. Much as I loved dear Kate, I did 
 not know much of her outside life — and I seem unable to 
 express what I feel about her character. She always 
 reminded me of a bird — loving, and living in the sunshine 
 — making the world brighter simply by living in it. 
 When we Avere in Cornwall Ave spent hours in watching 
 the flight of the seagulls, and I said then, ' The}'' are a 
 type of you ' ; but the flash of their sAvift flight cannot be 
 put into Avords, and I cannot writs what I think of her. 
 Did she complete some sweet verses she began there on 
 the seagulls ? 
 
 " I shall be very glad to have the lines she Avrote for 
 my return from Madagascar included in your book. Is it 
 not true that those of us Avho have parted with our best- 
 beloved ones no longer nee.l any argument to convince us 
 
 R.P. is
 
 l8 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES 
 
 of a future life . We feel and know that such lives are not 
 ended ; it is only that we are separated for a little while. 
 . " With kindest regards, 
 
 " Believe me, yours sincerely, 
 " Isabel Mellor." 
 
 There was in her character an unspeakable charm — an 
 indefinable composition that defies analysis. She had 
 a peculiar personality unlike everybody, and yet so per- 
 fectly natural. 
 
 She was fond of flowers, and spent some of her leisure 
 moments in gardening, and was very much like the 
 flowers she so fondly loved. She had a subtle fragrance 
 of character that was her own, and that no words can 
 adequately express. Years ago she wrote: — 
 
 " As in a tranquil lake there mirrored lies 
 The sunset glory of the western skies, 
 So may my life reflect, by power Divine, 
 Some of the beauty, Lord, that shone in Thine." 
 
 She reflected the Divine Image, and was a beautiful 
 Christian. She loved, with all her soul and strength, the 
 Saviour whom she served, and her great love saved her 
 from the too common failing of " keeping back part of the 
 price." Her conscience went with her affection, and 
 "moral science" was in her blood. " Her record is on 
 high." 
 
 The ten years of married life were to us both years of 
 perfect earthly happiness. 
 
 And now I leave to others the task of giving further 
 details of her life, and of delineating more fully than 
 I have done those attractive and delicate traits which 
 drew troops of friends and admirers around her. 
 Every word I have written only serves to render the 
 realization of my great loss more vivid — a loss of which 
 I shall meet with a thousand reminders as time speeds on.
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 Uy one of Mks. K. J. Reskellt's Brothers. 
 
 in
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 There never was an age when virtue was unknown, or, 
 thank God, entirely unheeded by those before whom it 
 was exhibited. The history of the lives of the good, 
 though not always inscribed in glowing characters upon 
 the parchment scroll, or celebrated by the ordinary 
 medium of later days, has ever been enshrined in the 
 Jiearts of those who have been brightened b} r the reflec- 
 tion of goodness and purity. The fond memory has 
 found loving utterance, and then has been passed on to 
 those who came after, acting as a light upon a dreary 
 path, and an inspiration when the wings of faith and 
 hope were well-nigh folded under the pressure of life's 
 uneven way. 
 
 The present sketch is penned in order that a gentle, 
 loving, faithful, and active Christian life may be placed 
 on record for those to whom the thought of that life is 
 dear, and also in the hope that it may cheer and encourage 
 others to whom the subject was quite unknown, as they 
 press on, step by step, towards the thin mysterious veil, 
 which has now hidden our beloved one from view. 
 When gazing on the exquisite beauty of some richly- 
 tinted butterfly, as it poises to inhale the delights of an 
 •opening flower, we are lost in admiration of its glorious 
 hues ; but, in the rash impulse of our desire to become 
 more fully acquainted with its nature, we seize it with a 
 too hasty hand, and, lo, at our rough touch, the tints we 
 longed to preserve vanish from before us, and we destroy 
 what we hungered to possess. So it is, too often, in 
 iittempting to depict, however slightly, a character that 
 
 21
 
 22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 has ripened and mellowed under the sunshine of the 
 Divine favour. We grasp at the rare combination of 
 graces and virtues which we see in their united perfec- 
 tion, only to find in our attempt at their portrayal that 
 their most subtle element has eluded our reach, and 
 slipped away before our effort at inception. It will not 
 be altogether so, we trust, in the present instance ; for the 
 beauty of the soul, long under the gracious culture of 
 Him who originally set in it the plant of grace, often 
 finds expression in verse, and hymns forth a full note of 
 loving devotion and deep self-consecration. 
 
 The life of Mrs. Reskelly was not passed amidst scenes 
 of excitement or circumstances of thrilling interest ; but 
 she bore, through all the " trivial round " and " common 
 task " of existence, the torch of faithful love and devotion 
 to the Saviour. This was the light that shone upon her 
 path, and made her presence so delightful to those around 
 her. All her talents were devoted to Christ, and her 
 continual aim was to benefit and bless those with whom 
 she came in contact ; for were they not Grod's workman- 
 ship, His children, although perhaps some of them had 
 wandered far from the Father's house ? Whilst this aim 
 was kept in view, there was no display, no fussy talka- 
 tiveness, no sort of religious conceit, no patronage. You 
 might have thought her possessed of no special power,, 
 until you presently discovered, to your astonishment, 
 that you were under her spell. " There are souls in the 
 world who have the gift of finding joy everywhere, and 
 leaving it behind them when they go. Their influence 
 is an inevitable gladdening of the heart. They give light 
 without meaning to shine. Their bright hearts have a 
 great work to do for Orod." 
 
 The subject of this memorial passed the happy days- 
 of childhood at Devizes, where her parents, Mr. and
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 23 
 
 Mrs. Robert Waylen, resided. While still quite young 
 she accompanied some relatives to Germany on a visit, 
 which ended in her passing several years in Cleve and 
 its neighbourhood. Here she went through a course 
 of study, which strengthened and stored her mind with 
 much useful knowledge, fitting her for practical service in 
 ai'ter-life. There is no doubt that the years spent in 
 Germany lent a colour to her future, for she often 
 spoke of them, and of the impressions then made upon 
 her mind, and always with pleasure. The fact, in itself, 
 of being far from home, and frequently amongst strangers, 
 would increase her self-reliance, and remove many 
 insular impressions, which too often cling to the stay-at- 
 home. Her poetic fancy, though very young and coy, was 
 doubtless quickened by the observation of foreign cus- 
 toms and quaint manners. Here and there, too, an old 
 schloss, perched on some wooded height, or placed on a 
 tongue of land, running out into mid-stream, would stir 
 the imagination, and carry the mind back to the period 
 of chivalry and romance. Before settling down to close 
 study, she spent some time in a pleasant hamlet, near 
 Cleve, with the dear relatives before mentioned, and 
 whilst there she used to delight in going with her young 
 cousins to a blacksmith's forge, hard by where they lived. 
 He was a good-natured man, and they used to watch him 
 ply his trade, making the sparks fly as he struck the 
 scintillating metal on the anvil. There was a charm, too, 
 in peering into the fierce glow of the forge as its inten- 
 sity was increased by a smart application of the bellows. 
 Many a romp took place here, and swings were improvised 
 with the smith's ropes and chains. But, whilst little 
 Kitty visited the forge, she was also kindly received at 
 the large house of the Countess von Siberg, who was very 
 fond of her, and often took her for drives. The serious
 
 24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 days of study cam 3 afterwards at Cleve, yet there was 
 much enjoyment in the fre3dom of the hamlet. 
 
 How anxious those who loved her were that she should 
 choose that " good part " which could not be taken from 
 her is very manifest in the letters written to her from 
 home. Her early efforts also to give pleasure to others 
 incidentally appear. Her maternal grandmother says, 
 when writing to her in August, 1853, "It gives us much 
 pleasure to hear good tidings of you. May God bless 
 you, my dear child, and, as we read of the blessed 
 Saviour, may you grow in favour with God and man." 
 
 In January, 1854, there was another letter, in which 
 she says : " I much value the nice little spectacle wipers, 
 and your kind note is now before me." 
 
 In March, 1856, she writes : " We hear with much in- 
 terest from time to time of your welfare, and we fervently 
 pray that God may bless you, and that, as you advance 
 in years, you may grow in everything that is excellent. 
 It is delightful to know that, though so far separated 
 from each other, we may unite in seeking the blessing of 
 our Heavenly Father. I often think of you, and look with 
 pleasure on the various little tokens of attention to your 
 aged friend." 
 
 Again, in July, 1857, she writes : " I thought of you 
 when I read the verse in my little text-book this morn- 
 ing, ' Oh, satisfy us early with Thy mercy, that we may 
 rejoice and be glad all our days.' Will you unite with 
 me in adopting this prayer ? " 
 
 Her father, in writing to her in April, 1858, says: "I 
 am happy to hear a good account of you, and trust you 
 will ever be a source of happiness to your parents, who 
 love you much, and whose greatest joy will be to see you 
 enjoying a good hope (founded on the merits of Christ 
 our Saviour) of a glorious resurrection to eternal life,
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 25 
 
 when time shall be no longer." This was the sentiment 
 he frequently breathed in his letters until, some years 
 later, his wishes were realized. "I congratulate you, 
 my dear child," he writes, " on the relation which, I 
 doubt not, now exists between yourself and our Father in 
 heaven, not as your Creator only, but as your reconciled 
 God and Father in Christ Jesus." Her after-life fully 
 proved how well-placed these congratulations were. 
 
 For si long time after her return from Germany she 
 conducted a mothers' meeting, and, Dorcas-like, learned 
 to cut out garments of all shapes and sizes, both for 
 young and old, and place them ready for the matrons' 
 busy fingers, which were frequently more at home in 
 plain sewing than in the anatomical construction of 
 articles of clothing, necessary or ornamental. In Sunday- 
 school work she was indefatigable, and many persons still 
 live who testify to the fact that it was from her lips that 
 they first received those impressions which afterwards 
 deepened into a truly religious life. Neither was tract 
 distribution lost sight of, for systematic work was carried 
 on over a large but well-defined area in the neighbour- 
 hood of Devizes, from which acknowledged blessing 
 resulted. 
 
 There was about her a fearless courage when doing 
 what she considered to be right. Ridicule, or the finger 
 of scorn did not stop her, and, although she desired to be 
 at peace with all men, she knew that there was a peace 
 with man which meant treachery towards the Saviour 
 she loved, the God whom she adored. Perhaps she had 
 caught some of the bold spirit of Luther whilst breathing 
 the air of the Fatherland. If she were capable of hating 
 any one, that one was a spiritual coward. 
 
 Her natural disposition was warm, loving, and, prob- 
 ably, as a consequence, somewhat impetuous. In her
 
 26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 younger days she would occasionally be betrayed into 
 hastiness of speech and action, which, afterwards, her 
 loving heart always regretted ; but in later years, so com- 
 pletely did the grace of God pervade her whole nature, 
 that she gained almost entire control of her temper, and 
 was very seldom angry, and never about matters of small 
 importance. She would, however, at times be tilled with 
 a righteous anger if she saw the cause of God suffer from 
 the want of faithfulness in His professed followers, when 
 indolence in right doing was too often followed by activity 
 in wrong, when meanness and self-seeking crept in and 
 hindered Christian work, and checked the zeal of those 
 who wished to continue in "the love of God and the 
 patient waiting for Christ." Thus she could be " angry 
 and sin not," though prepared 
 
 With shield, and spear, and trusty sword, 
 To battle fcr the Right. 
 
 Her life in its various phases had a keen relish, and 
 whilst it delighted her, as far as she was able, to relieve 
 the wants of widowhood, she was equally ready to give 
 affectionate and useful advice and assistance to the young 
 woman about to enter the untried path of early love. 
 Children gave her special pleasure. She loved what was 
 innocent and beautiful in them, and would deny herself 
 much to make them happy. This quickness of interest in 
 them was observable to the last. When so ill that those 
 present thought much suffering had dulled her sense of 
 what was going on around her, the sound of little ones at 
 their sport stole up on the autumn air to the sick chamber, 
 and she suddenly said, ' : Ah ! children's voices. I hear 
 children. It is very natural for them to love play." Of 
 the innumerable ministries, alike for young and old, per- 
 formed by her active feet and willing hands, none will
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 2J 
 
 ever know the sum, save the dear Lord at whose disposal 
 they were placed. Never did the beautiful lines of Miss 
 Havergal more fully apply to a faithful worker in the 
 vineyard — in this instance, a veritable slave for Christ's 
 sake. 
 
 "Take my hands, and let them move 
 At the impulse of Thy love. 
 Take my feet, and let them be 
 Swift and beautiful for Thee." 
 t 
 
 Amongst other gifts of a useful nature, she possessed 
 the power of exciting generosity in others. Herself free 
 in giving, " bej'ond what might fairly be expected of 
 her," as a friend once said, she looked to others for the 
 same ready response to a worthy appeal. This it was, 
 perhaps, that pointed her out as a suitable emissary,, 
 when funds were required for religious purposes, in the 
 circle in which she moved. To engage the interest of 
 Miss Waylen (as she then was) in a philanthropic object 
 was regarded as a considerable step gained in the right 
 direction. Of course, many a time disappointment was met 
 with, and even this usually most successful applicant did 
 not meet with success. But, on the other hand, there was 
 much cheerful giving, although sometimes much hard 
 begging was necessary. One instance may be cited of the 
 way in which a spark of generosity was elicited from 
 rather stony ground. There was a lady of means who 
 was called upon now and again for subscriptions, but, as 
 a rule, with very scanty results. She exhibited a trait 
 which is said to exist north of the Tweed, and found it 
 hard to part with the " bonnie baubies." Miss Waylen 
 pleaded with her on one occasion for some assistance 
 towards a benevolent object, when the lady, to her sur- 
 prise, said, with much emotion, ' : I will give you half a 
 sovereign, not so much for the cause } r ou represent — as I
 
 28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 should not have given it to any one else — but on account 
 of the admiration in which I hold your personal character." 
 This was a testimony which might well please the best of 
 workers, and fill a soul with thankfulness that it had, in 
 some small degree, been able to carry out the injunction, 
 " So let your light shine before men, that they may see 
 your good works, and glorify your Father which is in 
 heaven." This was the feeling, we may be sure, which 
 filled the mind of the grateful collector, who departed, 
 carrying this precious sheaf with her. 
 
 Those who read the foregoing may be tempted to say, 
 "Ah! much abroad, we see; could anything have been 
 done for those at home ? " Yes, indeed, much every way. 
 If a link happened to be weak in the domestic economy, 
 she was the one to strengthen it, There was not the 
 "Mrs. Jellaby" element about her. The heathen shared 
 in her solicitude, it is true — and to such an extent that 
 she was invited to go to the Kuruman mission under the 
 auspices of the "venerable Dr. Moffat — but not to the 
 neglect of her dear ones at home. She helped to make 
 home bright and happy, and there was hardly a branch 
 of household management which she could not take up 
 and carry successfully through, if necessity required. 
 She enlivened it as well with music and song, her instru- 
 mental performance being excellent, and her voice par- 
 ticularly clear, sweet, and full. 
 
 The traits which made her old home a pleasant place 
 to her own kith and kin were also observable to strangers; 
 and the following extract from a letter, written by the 
 Rev. Thomas Baker, late of Stony Stratford, when speak- 
 ing of a visit paid by himself and Mrs. Baker to her new 
 home at Littledean, in after-years, may be here allowable. 
 He says, " Our first acquaintance was made when Mrs. 
 Baker and myself were guests at your manse in the
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 29 
 
 summer of 1887, and we shall never forget the warm- 
 hearted hospitality with which she welcomed her husband's 
 friends — hitherto known to herself only by name — and laid 
 herself out to make their visit overflow with heartfelt 
 enjoyment; and well she succeeded. Those were indeed 
 red-letter days, and often since have we spoken of those 
 fair qualities of her personal character which were then 
 so naturally revealed — her brightness and cheerfulness, 
 her consiclerateness of others, her gentleness of spirit and 
 warmth of heart." 
 
 The days of which we have been chiefly speaking were, 
 however, before that great change in life took place, 
 which, by most, is looked forward to with so much 
 interest — marriage. In due course her affections were 
 engaged, and on the 12th of July, 1883, she became the 
 wife of the Rev. C. J. Reskelly. Her old pastor and firm 
 friend of many years' standing, the Rev. Robert Dawson, 
 secretary to the London City Mission, performed the 
 wedding ceremony. For more than ten years from this 
 time the sphere of her useful and beautiful life was 
 changed from Devizes to Littledean, in Gloucestershire. 
 In thus holding the position of a minister's wife her 
 opportunities of usefulness were extended, and, it need 
 scarcely be said, were warmly embraced and put to the 
 best advantage with untiring energy. 
 
 Finding how great a help some regular organization 
 proves to those who are liable to fall before the tempta- 
 tion of drink, Mrs. Reskelly threw herself, heart and 
 soul, into the Good Templar movement. Night after 
 night would find her at temple, or lodge, or public meet- 
 ing, and she had the pleasure of seeing the branches of the 
 institution with which she was connected rise to a high 
 degree of efficiency in the Forest of Dean. When from 
 home the temperance interest was not forgotten, and on
 
 '3<> BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 the occasion of a visit to Stony Stratford with her 
 husband in 185)1 she effectively advocated the cause. 
 Another quotation from the Rev. Thomas Baker's letter 
 will in this place be appropriate : " Here we were 
 favoured and delighted to behold other admirable quali- 
 fications of your esteemed wife. We saw her not as the 
 warm-hearted hostess, but as the energetic and con- 
 secrated worker for the Divine Master — richly equipped, 
 too, for successful service. Her special, active interest in 
 the Good Templar Lodge, the Band of Hope, the Sunday- 
 school children and young women, as well as her wise, 
 tender, and faithful utterances, made an impression which 
 time will not easily efface." 
 
 At Littledean itself, on the principle that good work 
 begins at home, she, in conjunction with her energetic 
 husband, soon set about enlarging the chapel premises. 
 For many years the need of schoolrooms had been felt, 
 but no one was forthcoming who was willing to under- 
 take the responsibility of the work. This breach she was 
 just the warm-hearted disciple to step into and fill; and 
 so it came to pass that wife and husband, feeling, to use 
 the language of Nehemiah, that " the God of heaven, He 
 will prosper us," determined to "arise and build." In 
 consequence of this resolve, new interest was very soon 
 awakened in the project, and plans were prepared and a 
 start made. Friends were solicited at a distance as well 
 -as at home. Some were personal friends, others belonged 
 to the great commonwealth of Christians, and were 
 invited by means of letters and circulars to contribute to 
 the fund. At one time, for a considerable period, not a 
 day passed without some cash coming in, although often 
 only a few shillings at once; and thus the work sped 
 and the labourers were cheered. Bazaars, too, were held, 
 and all the legitimate means for obtaining money were
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 3 I 
 
 set in motion. By-and-by the time arrived for laying 
 the memorial stone, and on the 1st October, 1885, this 
 ceremony was performed by S. D. "Wills, Esq., of 
 Bristol. 
 
 The school buildings were in due course finished and 
 in occupation ; and now the chapel demanded some degree 
 of renovation. Worshippers had come and gone, and 
 found a spiritual home within its walls for a great 
 number pf years ; but the sanctuary itself still presented 
 a rugged and time-worn aspect. In some respects it was 
 more difficult to raise funds for this than for the schools. 
 Those who had subscribed to the latter were scarcely 
 ready to give again in the same quarter, and many who 
 would contribute to what they might regard as the cause 
 of education found themselves unable to assist in sup- 
 porting a chapel-building. Still, by renewed efforts, the 
 object was met. The chapel was re-seated, a new rostrum 
 erected, new lamps and a new heating apparatus were 
 provided, and things generally put in order. The build- 
 ing was re-opened for public worship on the 8th of August, 
 1880, the Rev. W. F. Clarkson, B.A , of Birmingham, 
 preaching the dedication sermon. 
 
 To Mrs. Reskelly the Word of God was a great delight, 
 and sbe regarded it as a guide, companion, and friend. 
 She was essentially a student of the Bible, and not a 
 hearer and superficial reader only. The Bible in her 
 case was more than a library-volume, interesting as a 
 history, or remarkable for its poetical language ; it was 
 the book of books, the very life of her life. The Old 
 Testament, teeming with dramatic incidents, she re- 
 garded as a perfect storehouse of beauty and instruc- 
 tion, and as especially adapted for illustrating to the 
 young the dealings of God with His people in all ages. 
 How she revelled, too, in the pictorial diction of the
 
 32 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 Psalms, and the grand, glowing imagery of the prophetic 
 writings ! 
 
 But though the types and shadows were beautiful to 
 her, how much more glorious was the fuller light re- 
 vealed by the great Antitype ; and with the spirit of the 
 oracles of God within her it was impossible that her 
 life should not "shew forth the fruits of good living." 
 Such passages as the following would receive her 
 special attention : " Not every one that saith unto Me, 
 Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; 
 but he that doeth the will of My Father which is 
 in heaven." And again: "Why call ye Me Lord, 
 Lord, and do not the things which I say ? " It was 
 from being imbued with such important truth as this 
 that, as it was tersely described shortly after her 
 decease by a near relative who had joined the Roman 
 obedience, she became " A power for good wherever she 
 
 was." 
 
 It was also this love for the Bible which led her to 
 start a branch of the International Bible Reading 
 Association at Littledean, which soon grew in numbers, 
 and would in all probability have become, had her life 
 been spared, very extensive. 
 
 Dr. Robert Moffat once wrote his name for her in one 
 of her books, and two words in the Betchuana language, 
 " Boihan Morimo "— " Fear God." This she did, and en- 
 deavoured also to work righteousness. 
 
 Such was her zeal that even occasionally, when in the 
 absence of her husband it was difficult to obtain a regular 
 substitute, she ventured upon delivering an address her- 
 self, and this always to the great pleasure of those who 
 heard her. 
 
 Whilst in health and strength the 3'oung still occupied 
 her thoughts, and the Sunday-school was with her, as
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 33 
 
 formerly, a great institution. The idea, we believe, 
 originated with her of forming a local union of schools in 
 the Forest district, for the purpose of friendly and helpful 
 intercourse with each other, and for devising such means 
 as might add to the more perfect working of the schools, 
 individually or collectively. This plan of having a 
 separate union was warmly taken up by other ardent 
 Sunday-school advocates, and was, on its formation, 
 called the " Forest of Dean and District Sunday-school 
 Union," of which Mrs. Reskelly became the efficient and 
 painstaking honorary secretary. She regularly attended 
 the meetings of this societjr, which take place every quarter, 
 often forming very enjoyable gatherings. Although her 
 stimulating presence will not in future add to the en- 
 couragement and pleasure of the members, her memory 
 will still linger amongst them, until they, too, in the 
 course of nature, shall be numbered amongst the dead that 
 are blessed — that die in the Lord. 
 
 It must not be thought that the high standard of 
 excellence gained by the subject of this sketch was 
 reached at a bound, for this was not, nor, indeed, could 
 be the case. There was much watchfulness, much self- 
 restraint, constant prayer for help and guidance, and an 
 earnest pressing towards the mark for the prize of her 
 high calling in Christ Jesus. Past advance was never 
 allowed to stand as a substitute for the requisite progress 
 of following days, and the idea of a Christian giving up 
 working for the Master, while still capable of doing any- 
 thing at all, was one not to be admitted for an instant. To 
 stand on one side, she contended, with rusted blade, and 
 plead, by wa}*- of excuse, as some would do, that they had 
 done many things in their time, but were rather past 
 ac L s of usefulness now, and might allow others to take 
 their place in doing good, could not show a healthy 
 
 R.P. C
 
 34 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 spiritual state. It tended to quell the loving pulsation 
 of a heart which should be turned towards God, and beat 
 in reverent devotion at the call of duty. Thus she felt 
 and thus she acted, and, as a consequence, the weapons 
 of her warfare were ever bright, and she sought to fight, 
 armed with the panoply of heaven. Her life was pur- 
 poseful, and replete with endeavour to serve Christ, to 
 benefit her fellow-creatures, and to keep herself unspotted 
 from the world. Not knowing whether this or that 
 would prosper, yet she was willing to leave all her work 
 and labour of love in the hands of Him in whose honour 
 each project was conceived, and to whose glory every 
 undertaking was dedicated. 
 
 The remark has been made how constantly Mrs. 
 Reskelly sought help in prayer for the performance of 
 duty. Spiritual help is frequently more needed for the 
 faithful accomplishment of what are often called the 
 lesser things of life than those which, from their very 
 nature and grander proportions, carry us forward and 
 waft us onward, as with a breeze caught from the very 
 mountain-top of spiritual ecstasy. With her prayer was 
 a fond communion between the Father of Spirits and the 
 creature of a day, and well she understood how to express 
 the wants of the hour, and place them for herself, and 
 also for those who were present, before our Father in 
 heaven ; and this she frequently did in her own family 
 circle when the members bowed together before the 
 throne of grace. 
 
 Of the way in which Mrs. Reskelly took up the minutire 
 of whatever she put her hand to a very good idea may be 
 gained from the following extract taken from the Sunday 
 School Chronicle of 29th March, 1894 :— 
 
 " As all true teachers have found, there is much quiet 
 work to be done unseen by the eye of the world ; and this
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 35 
 
 she never shunned. Some may be inclined to call it 
 drudgery, but with her it was a drudgery Divine. She 
 would spend hours in class preparation, correspondence, 
 figures, and the arrangements of details necessaiy for the 
 various offices she held from time to time. Nothing was 
 too insignificant in her eyes if it lead to the spread of the 
 heavenly kingdom, for was she not, as she sometimes said, 
 ■the " King's daughter," and as such no diligence was too 
 great, ^.t meetings for prayer, or mutual consultation 
 •respecting the engagements of the school or Church, her 
 presence acted as an inspiration, and encouraged and 
 cheered those who were weary and ready to faint by the 
 way. Prayer and praise were with her a delight, and, 
 like a fountain of sweet water, continually rose from the 
 •depths of her soul, quickening and refreshing the waste 
 places." 
 
 We cannot here refrain from quoting some remarks 
 made by a gentleman who had known Mrs. Reskelly for 
 very many years. He says: "Your late wife was of such 
 an excellent spirit that her very presence in the school or 
 .at a meeting was an inspiration ; at least, I often found it 
 so, as I know others did, too. We cannot afford to lose 
 such choice spirits from this poor world of ours, and our 
 •only consolation is in knowing that the association will 
 be resumed in a higher and better state." 
 
 In the early part of the year 1893 a shadow began to 
 ■rest on the course of this loving, devoted servant of Clod. 
 She found, from some cause, at that time unknown, that 
 her strength was not what it had been, and, although not 
 tired of her work, she was often very weary in it. In 
 the summer of this year a friend most kindly planned for 
 Mr. and Mrs. Reskelly a trip to Switzerland, and with 
 •very pleasurable anticipation did Mrs. Reskelly look
 
 36 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 forward to the change of scene which would be thus- 
 afforded. The trip was accomplished, but its enjoyment 
 was marred by illness; and, on returning home, it was 
 found necessary to seek medical assistance. For a con- 
 siderable time the doctors were unable to decidedly pro- 
 nounce as to the nature of the malady from which Mrs. 
 Reskelly was suffering, until at length it was discovered 
 beyond doubt that it was of a fatal nature, and must soon 
 terminate in death. We will not dwell upon the months 
 of acute suffering, borne with a courage and patient 
 resignation which were the wonder, joy, and holy pride — 
 if such terms may be used — of those who witnessed it — 
 a pride, not born of earth, but of deep-felt gratitude to 
 Him who, as the Elder Brother, kept near the couch of 
 pain, enabling His child to exemplify the grace of 
 Christian dying; and joy, to find that the profession of a 
 lifetime was now crowned, and crystallized into a precious 
 gem, the lustre of which not even the presence of death 
 itself could dim. These feelings merged into an intense, 
 a supreme admiration of the character of one who seemed, 
 in the hour of nature's greatest trial, to be, as it were,, 
 already waving the palm-branch of victory. The holy 
 aspirations, so often breathed in hymn and prayer, were 
 now indeed realized, and the furnace but set forth in 
 clearer light the pure gold contained in the frail casket. 
 
 The same beauty of spirit was exhibited, only in greater 
 force and glory of manifestation, which had shone so 
 brightly throughout the life of loving consecration and 
 self-denial. Nothing was wanting to show . the vital 
 essence and the true power of the religion of Christ over 
 anguish of body and the weakness of approaching dissolu- 
 tion. Her faith in Him was unshaken, and she could say; 
 " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." 
 
 A dav or two before her last she was raised for a short-
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 37 
 
 time on the pillows to see if change of position might 
 bring any relief, when she said, in a voice rendered weak 
 by continued suffering, " I should like ease, if it be 
 Christ's will"; and then, after a pause, as if fearing lest, 
 in thought even, she might appear to rebel against His 
 dealing with her, she said to those about her, "You quite 
 understand — if it be His will," and sank back, murmuring, 
 "His will — His will." The end was not veiy far distant, 
 and before many days had passed her weeping friends 
 were summoned round her bed. She knew them not now; 
 she was fast tending towards the realm of things unseen, 
 whither they could not then follow her : and, as they 
 looked, she was no more. 
 
 ' ; For with a v.">ic3 unhear.l by mortal ears 
 The God of lovo has gently calleJ to rest 
 His faithful servant from this vaie of tears, 
 To dwell with Him and be for ever blest."
 
 DONORS OF WEDDING GIFTS 
 
 39

 
 DONORS OF GIFTS. 
 
 On the occasion of her marriage Miss Waylen was the 
 recipient of numerous handsome and costly gifts. 
 Amongst these tokens of affection and esteem those pre- 
 sented by the congregation and the Sunday-school in 
 connection with the Independent Chapel at Devizes were 
 particularly valued, being a practical testimony of the 
 good feeling of her fellow-workers in the cause of Christ, 
 as well as an indication that she would be followed to her 
 new sphere of labour with many good wishes and prayers. 
 The printing of the names of the donors will extend the 
 interest of this volume, and help to memorialize Mrs. 
 Reskelly's influence in the Church with which she was 
 early identified. 
 
 Donors of Gifts from Congregation. 
 
 Mrs. Barlow. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bolwell. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bowsher. 
 
 iMr. and Mrs. Budd. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cridlancl. 
 
 Mrs. Dangerfield. 
 
 Rev. W. and Mrs. Darwent 
 
 Mrs. C. Gillman. 
 
 Mrs. Glass. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gleed. 
 
 Mrs. Hand. 
 
 Mrs. Hone}'. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. 
 
 Mrs. Knott. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 41 
 
 Mrs. May. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Mcllquham. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Mead. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Pearman. 
 Mr. W. Pearman. 
 Mrs. Phillips. 
 Miss Robbins. 
 Mrs. Sims. 
 Mr. G. E. Sloper. 
 Mr. S. W. Sloper. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sly, 
 Mrs. Trimnell. ' 
 Mr. Wheatland. 
 Miss Whitchurch. 
 . Witcomb.
 
 42 
 
 DONORS OF GIFTS 
 
 Doxors of Gifts from Suxd ay- school. 
 
 Mr. Bailey. 
 Mr. Dallaway. 
 
 Mr. Davis. 
 Mr. C. Gillman. 
 Mr. R. D. Gillman. 
 Mr. Lavington. 
 Mr. Phipp. 
 Mr. Rendell. 
 Mr. Sargent, 
 Mr. Stevens. 
 Mr. Wheeler. 
 
 Miss Dallaway. 
 Miss Darwent. 
 Miss A. Darwent. 
 Miss George. 
 Miss Hill. 
 Miss Mould. 
 Miss Nash. 
 Miss Pearman. 
 Miss F. Pearman. 
 Miss Robson. 
 Miss Stevens. 
 Miss Wheatland. 
 Miss Wheeler.
 
 PRESS NOTICES 
 OF DEATH, FUNERAL, Etc, 
 
 ^«% 
 
 
 i  
 
 PRESS NOTICES. 
 
 The Citizen, Gloucester, of 15th November, 1893 r 
 contained the following notice : — 
 
 " The death of Mrs. Reskelly took place on Tuesday 
 afternoon, after a long and painful illness, at the Manse, 
 Littledean. There will be a memorial service in the 
 Congregational Chapel, at seven o'clock, on Thursday 
 evening, when a large gathering is expected. Great 
 sympathy with the Rev. C. J. Reskelly is expressed by a 
 very large circle of friends, as Mrs. Reskelly was widely 
 known and respected. By her death the Congregational 
 Church and Sunda}' School have lost a valuable helper. 
 She was superintendent of the school and an ardent 
 worker in the Temperance cause in the neighbourhood. 
 Her kindly smile and loving manner won many hearts 
 and her death will leave such a gap as it will not be easy 
 to fill." 
 
 The Devizes and Wiltshire Advertiser of 16th November,. 
 1893, contained the following notice : — 
 
 "Many of our readers, in Devizes and elsewhere, will 
 regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Reskellj 7 , wife of the 
 Rev. C. J. Reskelly, the Congregational minister of 
 Littledean, Gloucestershire, who, after a long and very 
 painful illness, passed away at about mid-day on Tuesday. 
 The deceased lady (formerly Miss Katharine J. Waylen 
 daughter of the late Mr. Robert Waylen, of Devizes) was 
 well-known for her devoted services in connection with 
 various philanthropic and religious movements in the town. 
 She was greatly beloved by the young people, in whose 
 welfare she took the deepest interest, and was universally 
 esteemed for her high character and large mental 
 endowments." 
 
 45
 
 4^ ffiESS NOTICES 
 
 The following testimony to Mrs. Reskelly's worth 
 appeared in The Dean Forest Mercury on Friday, the 
 17th of November, 1893. 
 
 " LITTLEDEAN." 
 
 " Few events in a long series of years have occurred in 
 this parish to cast such a gloom over the place as that 
 which has been experienced in the lamented decease of 
 the estimable, irreproachable, and energetic wife of the 
 Rev. C. J. Reskelly, Pastor of the Congregational Church 
 at Littledean. This event took place on Tuesday, at 
 1.45 p.m., at the Manse, Littledean. The deceased lady 
 had been more or less seriously ill for three months, but 
 not until quite recently was a fatal termination expected, 
 when it was discovered that she was rapidly succumbing 
 to cancer on the liver. It is truly said that the value of 
 a friend is never fully realized until he or she is gone, and 
 during Mrs. Reskelly's enforced retirement this has been 
 verified. Since her advent in the village, some ten years 
 a,nd a half ago, when she was married to her now bereaved 
 husband, she had so thoroughly entered into all phases 
 •of Christian work, and had become, literally it may be 
 said, the pastor's 'better half,' that her absence was 
 profoundly and immediately felt when laid by. She was 
 in every respect admirably adapted for a minister's wife 
 by training, character, inclination, and ability. She was 
 highly cultured, tactful, resourceful, and her Christian 
 graces were of a high order indeed. By the exercise of 
 her many good qualities for the purpose of benefiting 
 others, she had ingratiated herself into the good graces of 
 the villagers generally, and her ' own people ' in particu- 
 lar, and it is, therefore, only what could be expected that 
 so many should deeply mourn her loss— the loss of a 
 personal friend, and that her dear husband should be the
 
 PRESS NOTICES 4/ 
 
 recipient of so many expressions of deep-felt sympathy in 
 his sad bereavement. Mrs. Reskelly belonged to a good 
 Wiltshire family, her father being Mr. Robert Waylen, of 
 Devizes, who died in 1867. She was the only married 
 member of the family of three brothers and two sisters. 
 She had practically been a Christian all her life, and had 
 eminently grown in grace, and shown forth her faith by 
 her works. All along she had been a most successful 
 Christian worker in many departments of the Lord's 
 vineyard, and had fully exemplified the truth of the late 
 Lord Tennyson's words— 
 
 " ' Kind hearts are more than coronets, 
 And simple faith than Norman blood.' 
 
 " When she came to Littledean, she at once actively 
 identified herself with all good work in and out of the 
 Church. It was least of all necessary for her own sake, 
 perhaps, to become a Good Templar, but for the sake of 
 others she became one, and speedily rose to office in the 
 local and district lodges, and retained a principal office 
 in each till death came. She was superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school, and had been a very successful teacher. 
 She was mainly instrumental in establishing a Sunday- 
 school Union in this district, and was the honorary 
 secretary of the same till the last. She could give an 
 effective address or preach an acceptable sermon ; she 
 held the position of organist for some seven years, and 
 tilled any office that was vacant. Having do family, she 
 was enabled to consecrate nearly the whole of her time to 
 Christian endeavour, and this she did, and ' her works do 
 follow her.' Being possessed of private means, she, with 
 her husband, has done much for the Church at Littledean 
 — renovating and modernizing the old chapel, erecting 
 new school and classrooms, and carrying out other costly 
 improvements.
 
 4^ PXESS NOTICES 
 
 " Last evening a memorial service was held at the chapel 
 prior to the interment of Mrs. Reskelly's remains, which 
 takes place to-day, at the family burying-place in Devizes. 
 There was a crowded congregation of friends from far and 
 near, and the signs of grief were very manifest. The 
 coffin, of polished oak, made by Mr. Brain, was placed by 
 the rostrum, and covered with wreaths from numerous 
 friends and societies. The Rector of the parish " (who had 
 been most kind and sjunpathetic during the illness of the 
 departed), "the Rev. Gr. A. P. Arbuthnot, presided over the 
 meeting, and read letters of regret at absence from the Vicar 
 of Viney Hill (Rev. E. S. Smith), and the Rev J. George r 
 Cinderford. The Rector spoke of the good qualities of 
 the deceased, and expressed his deep sympathy with her 
 husband, and with the Church and congregation, and read 
 the 39th and 90th Psalms. Prayer was offered by the 
 Rev. H. Dewey, of Newnham, and suitable addresses 
 were delivered by Revs. W. Davies, of Blakeney, and 
 A. W. Latham, of Lydney, who attended as President of 
 the Forest of Dean Sunday-school Union, of which Mrs. 
 Reskelly had been honorary secretary. The Rev. C. J. 
 Reskelly, Mr. W. A. Waylen, and Mr. R. J. Reskelly 
 (the pastor's only brother) were present during the im- 
 pressive service. The choir was conducted by Mr. F. 
 Drew." 
 
 The Citizen of November 19th, 1893, contained the 
 following notice : — 
 
 " The remains of the late Mrs. Reskelly were removed 
 from the manse on Thursday evening across to the Con- 
 gregational Chapel. They were enclosed in a polished 
 oak coffin with massive brass furniture. The plate bore 
 the inscription : ' Katharine Jane Reskelly, born 10th 
 January, 1843, died 14th November, 1893, aged 50.' At
 
 PBESS notices 49 
 
 the chapel was held a memorial service, presided over by 
 the Rev. Gr. A. P. Arbuthnot, Rector of the parish, who 
 gave an excellent address, and spoke of the very active 
 and good work the deceased had carried on for so long in 
 the Church and Sunday-school. . . . The remains 
 were removed yesterday morning to Newnham Railway 
 Station, en route for Devizes, where they were interred 
 in the family vault yesterday afternoon. They were 
 accompanied by the Rev. C. J. Reskelly and Mr. W. A. 
 Waylen (deceased's brother), and Mr. Richard J. Reskelly, 
 the only brother of the pastor. Mr. E. Morgan, one of the 
 deacons, also went to represent the Church, Mr. J. 
 Parry to represent the District Lodge, and Mr. A. YV. 
 Latham to represent the Sunday-school Union. Funeral 
 services will be held in the Congregational Chapel on 
 Sunday, November 26th, when the Rev. D. Anthony, B.A., 
 of Brighton, is expected to preach." 
 
 The Independent of December 28th, 1893, contained the 
 following obituary : — 
 
 " By the death of Mrs. Reskelly a great loss has beeu 
 sustained, not only by her bereaved husband, but by the 
 Church of which he is the pastor, and by the whole 
 neighbourhood in which her ministry was felt. She was 
 possessed of no ordinary ability and capacity for useful- 
 ness. Well endowed by nature, carefully and thoroughly 
 educated, an excellent linguist, with much kindliness and 
 charm of manner, she readily acquired great influence 
 over those who came in contact with her. Early and 
 fully consecrated to Christ, she devoted all her powers to 
 His service, and though taken away in the midst of her 
 days, she has ' wrought a go$d work ; for ner Lord, and 
 has left behind her the record of a truly valuable life. 
 She entered heartily into the work of her husband, the 
 Rev. C. J. Reskelly, and sustained his hands, as not many 
 
 R.P. D
 
 50 FKESS NOTICES 
 
 ministers' wives can, in all the varied beneficent spheres 
 of the Christian ministry. The building of the new 
 schoolroom, and the renovation of the chapel, the spiritual 
 work done within the walls of both these buildings, and 
 the cause of temperance, in particular, owe much to her 
 unfailing interest, her generous zeal, her patient persever- 
 ance. She has written some poetry^ which bears the 
 marks of her piety and her culture, her New Years r 
 hymns being best known and much appreciated by her 
 {rienda; Her forme]" pastor speaks of her as ' the brightest 
 Christian he ever knew,' while those who were less in- 
 timately acquainted with her felt they were in communion 
 with a gentle and gracious spirit, who was in a rare 
 measure penetrated with the spirit of Jesus Christ. Her 
 memory will live long in the locality which Avas enriched 
 by her labours, and her influence will abide in many 
 hearts and live long after those who knew and loved her 
 have rejoined her in the heavenly country. The life and 
 death of Mrs. Reskelly, of Littledean, afford one more 
 illustration of the truth that it is not breadth of sphere, 
 but beauty and Christliness of character, which is the 
 true measure of usefulness, and is the right object of 
 pursuit."
 
 ADDRESS AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE, 
 
 which took place in 
 
 St. Mary's Independent Chapel, Davids, 
 
 on November 17th, 1803, 
 
 by the Rev. ROBERT DAWSON, B.A., 
 
 Honorary Secretary cf tin London City Mission. 
 
 s* 
 
 MMJa 
 
 51
 
 ADDEESS AT FUNERAL. 
 
 In the sombre light of this autumnal day we are about 
 to sow the seed of dishonour, of weakness, and of corrup- 
 tion, in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection by-and- 
 bye to glory, honour, and immortality. How shall we do 
 this? With regret, and repining, and trouble of heart? 
 Nay, rather, but with gladness and rejoicing, with 
 prayers of triumphant faith, and ascriptions of heartfelt 
 praise to Him, who, " having overcome the sharpness of 
 death, opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers," 
 and has now, in His great and abounding mercy, as we 
 humbly and fervently believe, summoned into His pre- 
 sence, and received into His eternal joy, our well-beloved 
 sister. We " sorrow not as others who have no hope." 
 We think not of death in her case as a ruthless enemy, as 
 a dreaded foe. The Christian does not die ; he falls 
 asleep — asleep in Jesus. His wearied, worn-out body 
 sleeps; his emancipated spirit rises on the wings of faith 
 and love, with flight more swift than the lightning's flash, 
 into the light of God. " Absent from the body, present 
 with the Lord." Our sister is not dead ; she only sleepeth 
 — a sleep deeper and more tranquil, a sleep more mys- 
 terious and inscrutable than ever before, a sleep from 
 which no whisper of love, no gentle touch, will ever wake 
 her, a sleep undisturbed by dream of sorrow or by pang 
 of pain — but still a sleep. From such a sleep thei*e shall 
 be a wonderful awakening. " For if we believe that Jesus 
 died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in 
 Jesus will God bring with Him." " For the Lord Himself 
 shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice 
 
 53
 
 54 ADDRESS AT FUNERAL 
 
 of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the 
 dead in Christ shall rise first." 
 
 But, although we are able, even with the symbols of 
 death around us, and looking down into the darkness and 
 silence of the grave that is about to receive these loved 
 remains, to sing our song of triumph, " death, where is 
 thy sting? grave, where is thy victory?" though, in the 
 language of our Christian faith, we call this utter failure 
 and this strange cessation of life a sleep, and nothing 
 more, yet we cannot hide from ourselves the sorrowful 
 fact that the companion of our pilgrimage has passed on 
 before — that she " is not, for God hath taken her." We 
 know, only too well, the meaning of this home-call : that 
 while for her it is the crown and consummation of every 
 hope she had ever cherished, the farewell to sorrow, 
 suffering, and sin, the welcome to endless joy and ceaseless 
 service in the presence of the King, to us who loved her 
 it is a blank, a loss, a grief, which the Lord of life alone 
 understands, and alone can make us to bear unmurmur- 
 ingly. It is part of our Christian faith that the key of 
 death is in the hand of Jesus Christ, that with Him, who 
 once passed through its portals, is the power to open the 
 gate of death, or of life— call it which you will ; though, 
 in the case of the believer, it is surely the latter rather 
 than the former, for " He that liveth and belie veth in Me 
 shall never die." 
 
 We hold, therefore, that all the circumstances connected 
 with the home-call of the child of God are ordered and 
 arranged by Him to whom, even in the cla} r s of His flesh, 
 they who knew Him instinctively turned when the shadow 
 of death was approaching, and to whom they said, "Lord, 
 if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." Ah, 
 no ! He is here, always here ; here as the Lord of life and 
 death, to determine the length of our days, to unloose the 

 
 ADDRESS AT FUNERAL 55 
 
 silver cord, to break the golden bowl, to close our eyes 
 for their last sleep, to fold our spirits in His bosom, and, 
 with shepherd-like care, to carry us through the valley, 
 and gather us to the eternal sunshine beyond. 
 
 The minutest details of the death of His saints, which 
 is so precious in His sight, are in the hand of Jesus ; and 
 although, in the case of our sister, we might at first have 
 been inclined to say, " Lord, not yet : not in the strength 
 of her days, and in the usefulness of her service, and in 
 the fulness of blessing which her life, like a fertile stream, 
 imparts, to many ; not while the Church so needs the in- 
 fluence of her presence, the force of her example, and the 
 ministry of love which she knows so well how to render ; 
 not while the young are so dependent on her wise and 
 gentle oversight, counsel, and care ; not while the weary 
 and heavy-laden, the sin-stained and sorrow r -worn can 
 find in her such tender sympathy — not yet, Lord. Are 
 there not souls still to be won, drunkards still to be 
 reclaimed, brands still to be plucked from the burning, 
 little feet to be guided in wisdom's paths, far-off wanderers 
 to be brought home ? " Although at first, I say, we might 
 have been prone to desire that this stroke might have 
 been averted and this precious life prolonged, yet we are 
 satisfied to gather here to-day to bid farewell to these 
 beloved remains, because we know that she is satisfied —   
 satisfied to be absent from the body that she may be 
 present with the Lord, satisfied to exchange the earthly 
 for the heavenly service, the fading garments of mortality 
 for the bridal attire of a spirit made perfect, the joys and 
 sorrows of an earthly home for the perfect bliss of the 
 Father's house. 
 
 We care not to dwell upon the suffering which darkened 
 the valley of the shadow of death ; we fain would picture 
 the radiant gladness of the emancipated soul, for which
 
 56 ADDRESS AT FUNERAL 
 
 there is no more pain, and from which sorrow and sighing 
 have for ever fled away. We think not, even for a 
 moment, of the motionless form, however beautiful in 
 death, that rests beneath those garlands, but we lift up 
 our eyes towards the gate which has been opened in 
 heaven, and we fain would catch a glimpse of our sister- 
 spirit, arrayed in the beauty of God, and reflecting in her 
 perfected character the glory of her Redeemer. 
 
 But at this hour memory is busy with the past, and is 
 calling us to lay to heart the lessons which such a life 
 may teach. To delineate character is a difficult task ; aud r 
 although her character was singularly transparent, it is 
 not possible to photograph those tints of colour which 
 gave it so great a charm in the eyes of those who knew 
 her best. Genuine and Genial are, perhaps, the two 
 words which best express what may be called her natural 
 character. There was in her no guile, no duplicity of 
 spirit ; and, as the companions of her early days can 
 testify, she was cheery, and bright, and sunny. In later 
 years, when the grace of God had taken possession of her 
 soul, the genuine chai'acter became a beautiful trans- 
 parency, and the genial character a wonderful charm. 
 
 Thirty years have passed away since first I met her r 
 but in those youthful days the Spirit of God had already 
 changed the currents of her life : the great surrender had 
 been made, the great decision formed ; and never through 
 all these years has she swerved from the choice of her 
 heart, or wavered in her devotion to the Saviour who had 
 claimed her for His own. 
 
 There are those here to-day who retain a vivid remem- 
 brance of her quiet but effective service in Sunday-school 
 and Church ; of her happy influence over the members of 
 her large Bible-class; of her wise and prudent counsel; of 
 her kindly sympathy with the poor, the sick, the sorrowful. 

 
 ADDRESS AT FUNERAL 57 
 
 Her pastor could always depend upon her help, upon her 
 prayers, upon her friendship ; and every member of the 
 Church could count upon her kindness of heart and ready 
 sympathy. The remembrance of the grace of those early 
 days is a comfort still, and. for some of us, life has been 
 all the brighter and sweeter because we knew her and 
 loved her. 
 
 When, in the wise providence of God, she was led to 
 link her life with one of His sons and servants, a choice 
 which gave her a larger and ampler sphere of service, 
 which ,to her was most welcome, her departure was to 
 many here a loss which has never been made up. Of 
 her life as a minister's wife I need not speak. For such 
 a position she was admirably fitted by the gentleness of 
 her spirit, by the quiet influence she almost unconsciously 
 exercised, by her tact and prudence, by her unselfish care 
 for the interests of others, by her love for souls, by her 
 loyalty to Christ. 
 
 The Forest of Dean has learned her worth, for, while 
 the Church was her chief care, the towns and villages 
 around came under the spell of her ardent zeal in the 
 Temperance cause, and in other home-mission work. Like 
 Phcebe, she was " the servant of the Church, a succourer 
 of many"; like Priscilla, she was " our helper in Christ 
 Jesus " ; like the beloved Persis, she " laboured much in 
 the Lord." 
 
 And now from all the labour that she loved so well, and 
 that so endeared her to many whom she comforted and 
 blessed by her many ministries, she rests. Pests ? nay, 
 not rests, that cannot be ; she has passed from the labours 
 of earth, oft disappointing and weary, to a service un- 
 stained by sorrow's tears, untainted by the shadow of sin, 
 in which her joy will be full, and her reward the abiding 
 presence of the blessed Master.
 
 58 ADDRESS AT FUNERAL 
 
 The testimony of the life that has now been transferred 
 to higher and holier scenes is clear. A voice from heaven 
 is saying to each sorrowing heart left behind, " Choose 
 Christ" as your soul's best Beloved, your Saviour from sin, 
 your Master and Lord, your unchanging, abiding, eternal 
 Friend. "Follow Christ''''; follow Him closely in heart- 
 obedience, in loving loyalty. " Serve Christ" 'with the 
 consecration of a blood-bought spirit, set free from the 
 bondage of self and the world. " Glorify Christ," with 
 all your ransomed powers of bocty and of soul, in the 
 home, in the Church, in the world, in daily duty patiently 
 performed, in cross-bearing gently endured, in self-sacri- 
 fice gladly accepted, in service for God and for man cheer- 
 fully rendered. 
 
 " Abide in Christ," young men and maidens, old men 
 and little children ; " abide in Christ," in the secret place 
 of His love, in the holy place of His wounded side, where 
 no temptation can harm, no sin defile. Abide in Him in 
 life's brightest hours, that the sunshine of His face may 
 illumine all ; abide in Him when the storm-clouds gather, 
 and the waves are breaking, and the vessel is likely to be 
 lost; abide in Him till, touched by some angel-hand, you 
 shall find yourself transfigured into His likeness, and 
 transported from these far-off lowlands of earth, where we 
 can see, at best, but through a glass, darkly, to the high- 
 lands of that heavenly world, where our sun shall no 
 more go down, for Christ Himself shall be our everlasting 
 light, and " we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as 
 He is."
 
 MEMORIAL SERMON 
 
 By the Rev. W. DARWENT, 
 
 preached at 
 
 St. Mary's Independent Chapel. Devizes, 
 
 on Sunday morning, 19th November, 1893. 
 
 
 5'J
 
 MEMORIAL SERMON. 
 
 "Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that 
 they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him 
 unto the ship." — Acts xx. 38. 
 
 The apostle meant by these painful words that, going to 
 Jerusalem under a deep sense of duty, " bound in the 
 spirit," he knew that he would never return to these 
 Christian people who loved him so well. He beheld them 
 for the last time ; they saw and heard him for the last 
 time. 
 
 This is always affecting to hearts that love : bidding- 
 farewell to some loved one on a ship, it may be for the last 
 time — a mother her son, a father his daughter, with all 
 the unknown dangers and possibilities before them. 
 Only, in this case, there is the hope of return after the 
 lapse of years, which keeps the spirit fresh and green, 
 and the prayer buoyant and fervent. 
 
 But death ^ does not allow this. Even prayer itself 
 ceases, and hope expires. We know there is no return for 
 them to us. We have to reverse it, as David wisely did 
 when he lost his child—" I shall go to him, but he shall 
 not return to me." And there we have to rest. We have 
 sorrowed, and lovingly accompanied them to the ship, and 
 there we have had to leave them — they sailing on the 
 arms of angels through seas of glory to the presence of 
 the Lamb, and we returning desolate, with these words 
 in our souls, " We shall see his, or her, face no more." We 
 have literally lost them for a time — utterly gone, like the 
 cloud that passeth away.
 
 02 MEMORIAL SERMOX 
 
 Now, this was a great sorrow for these people. Scarcely 
 a greater could have befallen them in their condition, but 
 it did not unman them ; a great one to the tender-hearted 
 apostle, but it did not unnerve him. He expresses his 
 readiness to go into the unknown, willing not only to be 
 bound, but to die at Jerusalem if need be, that he might 
 finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had 
 received of the Lord. So on both sides there were good 
 reasons — the best — for acquiescence, for holy submission, 
 and for the cry of faith— "Thy will he done." 
 
 This is the case with all loving hearts when the loved, 
 the devoted, the useful in Christian work depart. We 
 sorrow with a true grief that we shall see their faces no 
 more in the home, in the fellowship and service of the 
 Church, and in the walks of life. 
 
 Thus these Christians felt in regard to Paul ; thus many 
 now feel in regard to one who has just been taken away 
 from husband and family, and from the Lord's work, which 
 she loved so well. It was a great loss to us as a Church 
 when she left us for life and service elsewhere ; it is a 
 great loss to those she has now left, for the higher 
 and eternal service of heaven. 
 
 Let us for a short time pursue this subject, that we may 
 gather some of the lessons it contains. These people sor- 
 rowed much that they were to see his face no more — 
 
 T. Because they would lose the inspiration of his 
 
 PRESENCE. 
 
 This is more than we know till lost. There is that in 
 the presence of another which we cannot find in books, or 
 thought, or memory, precious as these are. To see the face 
 of any we love from day to day— coming in, going out — 
 makes us feel that he is with us in reality. There is a 
 power in that like nothing else. We do not acknowledge 
 it. or are unconscious of it, because it is so common for a
 
 MEMORIAL SERMON 63 
 
 time. And then it ceases. What a blank and awe there 
 comes over us ! 
 
 This inspiration is in proportion to the goodness, 
 lovingness, and devotion of those we miss. We were kept 
 firm b}'' seeing their faithfulness ; we kept our hand on 
 the plough by seeing that they never looked back, and 
 that they went forward, carried, in a great measure, by 
 their fervour and consecration to Christ. This is what 
 is meant when the apostle says, " Let us consider one 
 another to provoke unto love and to good works." " See- 
 ing we;also are compassed about with so great a cloud of 
 witnesses, let us lay aside every weight." 
 
 How they must have felt this in the apostle! How he 
 would stir them up, and rouse them from spiritual slum- 
 ber and indifference, teach them the truth of Christ, and 
 make them feel as we have sometimes felt when the truth 
 has been applied to us by the blessed Spirit. 
 
 The truly holy and Christlike among us have much to 
 do with the growth and furtherance of our piety, just as 
 the inconsistent examples of many have with our decline. 
 There is this subtle, penetrating power in some which 
 makes us all the better for their presence — makes us 
 ashamed of our sins and failures, and leads us to deter- 
 mine that, like them, we will not live unto ourselves, but 
 unto Him that died for us and rose again. 
 
 II. Because they would miss the power and variety 
 
 OF HIS SERVICE. 
 
 These churches were weak, had recently received the 
 Gospel, and were settling down into an organized form. 
 Coming out of heathenism or Judaism, they would need 
 much teaching, guidance, and support. That was why he 
 went so often to see how they did, and to strengthen and 
 comfort their hearts. They would feel strong when he 
 was with them. He was full of the spirit and grace of
 
 64 MEMORIAL SERMON 
 
 Christ. He would organize, originate, remove and con- 
 firm. Everything would be laid before him. We know 
 how earnestly and fully he preached the Gospel, and how 
 much better, and wiser, and nearer to Christ they would 
 all feel after his visits. These visits were with power and 
 blessing — real helps, showing them how Christ's work 
 was to be done, and how Christ would have them live. 
 
 What a spiritual workman he was ! Everything he 
 touched seemed to spring into life. This they would miss 
 after he had gone. And so it is, when our best Christian 
 workers cease, and put clown their tools for rest — as if all 
 work would perish. It does not : others rise up and do 
 it, for which we thank God, and take courage, but, some- 
 how, never quite with the same spirit as when those dear 
 old workers were with us. Perhaps their particular work 
 in the vineyard of the Lord is never, can never be done 
 again ; for we have each a work to do. We miss them all 
 along, though the Lord has raised up other labourers into 
 His harvest. Is it not so? The labours and influence of 
 our departed friend confirm this. 
 
 III. They would sorrow, also, because they would lose 
 
 his FELLOWSHIP AND THE INFLUENCE OF HIS HOLY CHAR- 
 ACTER. 
 
 These they had greatly prized, the more, from time to 
 time, as they knew him better. Not but the precious in- 
 fluence and remembrance would remain with them, as the 
 Master's had remained with the apostles after He had left 
 them. But earthly fellowship is to be prized very greatly. 
 ■Christian association, when genuine and spiritual, is one 
 of the great aids and charms of life. No doubt Paul's 
 character, as well as his splendid gifts, would be most 
 valuable in attracting the attention of people to the nature 
 .and power of Christianity. 
 
 He was the centre of the circle around which all would
 
 MEMORIAL SERMON 65 
 
 gather. This they would lose, except as a sweet mem- 
 ory, and as a great blessing which continued to flow 
 along the stream of time. This also we miss greatly. 
 when our loved and holy ones pass away to their rest. 
 We have not lost them — only for a time. Their works do 
 follow them : but an}' one of them is a real loss of holy, 
 constant influence, power of example and service. We 
 should draw closer to each other, we that are left, take up 
 their work and breathe their spirit, like their Christ's 
 life and His work. We shall thus best please Him. their 
 Lord and ours, and those, too. who have left us for a time. 
 
 I cannot imagine a greater element of their heavenly 
 happiness than to see those they have left behind follow- 
 ing those who through faith and patience are inheriting 
 the promises. 
 
 Let the loving consecration of Mrs. Reskelly — for years 
 a beloved member of this Church, and an earnest, success- 
 ful worker in our various institutions — stimulate and 
 sustain us all in the work of the Lord, looking as she did 
 for that blessed hope, and for the glorious appearing of 
 the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave 
 Himself for us that He might redeem us from all ini- 
 quity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous 
 of good works. 
 
 R.P.

 
 FUNERAL SERMON 
 ' By the Rev. DANIEL ANTHONY, B.A. 
 
 (Of Brighton) 
 
 Preached at the Congregational Chapel, Littledean, 
 on Sunday evening, November 26th, 1893 
 
 r $B±*st 
 
 07
 
 FUNERAL SERMON. 
 
 '■ If I then, your Lord ami Master, have washed your feet ; ye 
 also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an 
 example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 
 
 "Verity, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than 
 his lord ; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 
 
 "If y,e know these things, happ3 r are ye if 3 7 e do them."- 
 Jonv xiii. 14-17. 
 
 One of the happiest Christians I ever knew, in the course 
 of a lengthened and varied ministry, was Mrs. Reskelly, 
 or, as I knew her. Miss Way leu. That is the impression 
 — the prominent impression — that she has left on my 
 mind. The secret of that happiness is well known to all 
 who knew her. It was an open secret ; you could not be 
 long in her company without finding what it was. It 
 came from Christ, and was in Christ. She could say, 
 with the apostle, that He taught it her — the great 
 Revealer of secrets revealed unto her the secret of all 
 happiness. She manifested that happiness in service. She 
 was the disciple of Him who came into the world not to be 
 ministered unto, but to minister ; and she was a true one. 
 He came not to get anything, but to give. He lavished 
 His riches upon her, and she, too, lavished the wealth of 
 her heart upon every object that came in contact with her. 
 Xow, to do this efficiently we require to have much 
 communion with Cod. We require the secret of present 
 holiness. We require to go to the fountain, not only once, 
 but continually, to be washed. It was through this 
 wonderful intimacy and fellowship with Christ that she 
 was fitted for the service on which her heart was bent. 
 
 63
 
 JO FUNERAL SERMON 
 
 The vessel which is so filled with God's blessing to others 
 must be clean and without spot. 
 
 I have thought of many passages from which to speak 
 to you to-night, but I was obliged to give them up, one 
 after another. I thought of that verse that speaks of the 
 disciples burying John the Baptist, and then going to tell 
 Jesus. I am quite sure if she were in my place to-night, 
 and had sorrow, she would go and tell Jesus, and ask you 
 to do the same. But I wish to speak to you in the light 
 of this narrative. You may know that nearly one half of 
 this Gospel is given to the last twenty-four hours of the 
 Saviour's life on earth. During that period there took 
 place His washing of the disciples' feet, His institution of 
 the Last Supper, His lengthened discourse, His most 
 lengthened prayer, the capture, the betrayal, the denial, 
 the trial, condemnation, and crucifixion. 
 
 The Jews always took off their sandals from their feet, 
 as we take off our hats when we enter a house, and they 
 also had their feet washed. This office was usually per- 
 formed by the lowest servants or slaves ; but there was 
 no one on this occasion ready to wash the disciples' feet. 
 The Lord took upon Him the form of a servant, not in 
 imitation merely, but literally, and became the humblest, 
 of servants. He raised Himself from the couch on which 
 He was reclining, took a towel, poured the water into a 
 basin, and proceeded to wash His disciples' feet. When 
 He came to Peter, the disciple exclaimed in astonishment, 
 " Dost Thou wash my feet? " and implied that he would 
 have gladly washed them himself, and his brethren's too. 
 It outraged all his sense of propriety. "Dost Thou wash 
 my feet ! " Christ told him, " What I do thou knowest 
 not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Then came 
 Peter's rejoinder, " Thou shalt never wash my feet." " If 
 I wash thee not," Christ replied, " thou hast no part with
 
 FUNERAL SERMON / I 
 
 me." Peter, in refusing, not only betrays the old man, but 
 also manifests the new man. The old man appears in his 
 refusing, just as it did on that other occasion when Christ 
 said, " Thou art Satan : get thee behind Me." If the love 
 of Christ be in our hearts ever so feebly, wherever that 
 love dwells and is entertained, there is a power of cleans- 
 ing, sooner or later, the whole man. When the Saviour 
 tells Peter that He would wash his feet, and that if He did 
 not Peter would have no part with Him, the disciple said, 
 beautifully, touchingly, " Not my feet only, but also my 
 
 hands and mv head."' Peter, doubtless, had washed 
 
 - 
 
 before starting, but forgot that he had contracted defile- 
 ment by the way. 
 
 There are two lessons to be learned here. One teaches 
 
 the need of habitual cleansing, and the other that the life 
 
 of the Christian is one of ministering love. Peter had 
 
 been washed, but he needed cleansing of the feet. " Ye 
 
 are clean, but not of yourselves," the Saviour told the 
 
 disciples collectively as the twelve, and also told them 
 
 individually that they were not wholly clean. The branch 
 
 " that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth 
 
 more fruit." Let this comfort you that mourn. Were 
 
 it only for the outside road along which we travel, we 
 
 require the constant cleansing; how much more when it 
 
 comes to this, that we are not wholly sanctified. James 
 
 divides the Christian life into two great divisions : — 1st, 
 
 To visit the widow and fatherless, and then to keep 
 
 unspotted from the world. " Cleanse Thou me from secret 
 
 faults." Paul ts not onlv hidden from others, — that is a 
 
 poor thing ; that is a prayer not worth offering, — but 
 
 hidden from myself: faults that I don't see, but which the 
 
 Lord sees. The fountain is not altogether clean. Behind 
 
 the back of all consciousness there is something still 
 
 defiling. " Cleanse Thou me from secret faults." That is
 
 ~2 FUNERAL SERMON 
 
 a noble prayer, and the Christian who loves purity and 
 holiness tvill have it. The Christian heart will never 
 reach the port until it is pure, as Christ is pure. 
 
 The next lesson is (and it is the spirit of the whole 
 narrative) Christ Ian service, ministering Jove. In the 
 kingdom of Christ he is nearest to Christ who is the best 
 servant ; and there was a need on this occasion for this 
 truth to be taught the disciples. You know what the 
 Apostle Paul says in one of his exhortations to the 
 Romans : " Mind not high things, but condescend to men ? ' 
 (and things) "of low estate " ; or, as I think the word is far 
 better rendered in the margin, " Be carried away by good 
 things " — love them and go in the direction of them. The 
 disciples had been discussing among themselves who 
 should be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and one 
 desired to sit on the right hand of Christ, and another on 
 the left. Christ said it was not in His power to grant this 
 request, and that they must drink of the same cup that He 
 drank of, and be baptized with the same baptism that He 
 was baptized with, if they were ever to enter upon that 
 heavenly state. How much alone was Christ, even in the 
 midst of the Twelve, and with the best of them. How 
 sad it is that men like the Twelve should have entertained 
 a thought so little and unworthy, when the great Sacrifice 
 was before them, and to be offered on the morrow. 
 
 There is not a more unclean spirit in the social life of 
 England to-day than this seeking for the first place. It 
 is the plague spot of all our free churches. There are 
 men amongst us who will never touch work unless they 
 are seen to move it. They will never come to our chapels 
 unless they have the first place. If God call us up 
 higher, when we come to know that it is His will, we 
 shall not be reluctant to go. But if He call us to the 
 humbler service, there is something very attractive in it
 
 FUNERAL SERMON 73 
 
 to the followers of Christ. There was nothing more 
 characteristic of her to whom our thoughts are directed 
 to-night. How active she was! how ready to go to him or 
 her when a service was acceptable, and that without 
 reward ! She had a genius for it, for Jesus Christ's sake. 
 
 Now, the time when this service of Christ was rendered 
 to His disciples. It was done when Christ knew that 
 His hour was come, when He was about to leave the 
 world, to return to His Father, to that home whence He 
 came and which He left that He might carry His disciples 
 back with Him. When He knew that He was the Lord of 
 all — had the consciousness of it— yea, at this moment He 
 did this humble act. Paul had the same idea when he 
 spoke of " this mind " which was in Christ Jesus. When 
 we are nearest to God, when we breathe most fully the 
 air of heaven, we are most ready to descend where the 
 air is heaviest and foulest. The angels must see the 
 Father's face when they are ministering. When we are 
 nearest to Him we are ready to render the lowliest 
 service. " That thing is too low for me," do you say ? 
 Christ would never say that. He washed the feet of 
 Judas, and would have washed his heart, too. Say not, 
 " That man is too foul — he has done me such a great 
 wrong." Remember what the Master did — He washed the 
 feet of Judas. The spirit of the act was the highest. 
 There was a saying common among the Jews of that day, 
 " The kino- washes the feet of his servants " ; and so it is 
 here. 
 
 Brethren, there are some men and, especially, some 
 women who do very lowly things — things very repellant ; 
 but they are not getting lower because they do them. No ; 
 we enthrone them in our hearts because they do these 
 things. The loving power comes from service. Say not, 
 u I am only a servant, and the humblest servant in the
 
 74 FUNERAL SERMON 
 
 family.'' Christ took thy place ; there is nothing dis- 
 honourable about it. The Lord took literally that place. 
 We are not degraded by things outside us. He that 
 serves best is the highest. It is the spirit that gives 
 character to everything. Christ took the lowliest place T 
 and made that lot honourable for ever. He is the educated 
 man that can do the commonest thing, and do it with the 
 grace that only the cultured can exhibit. He is the 
 scholar — not the man that knows a few great things, but 
 the man who is perfect in little things. He that is master 
 of little is master of everything. He can bear pain and 
 disappointment. He can endure anything and do any- 
 thing which only a Christian can do. We want to live 
 the lowly lot with the Spirit of Christ. What can take 
 the bitterness out of sorrow, the sting out of death ? The 
 Spirit of God can do it. How beautiful is many a dying 
 bed. God give us the eye to see it. 
 
 Then notice the happiness of the service. " Happ3 r 
 are ye if " (knowing these things) " ye do them." I will 
 tell you who the unhappy man is. It is he who knows 
 that the vision of what he ought to be, as distinct from 
 what he is, grows dimmer and less and less. He knows 
 that he is getting worse, going down lower and lower. 
 The happy man is the one who does the will of Christ, and 
 in his best moments, when the chasm is closing, has the 
 vision of growing brightness Godward. 
 
 Standing on our dignity is not the way to the throne. 
 There is a straight way to it — the way of lowly service. 
 
 •• — lowly hearts that lean on Thee 
 Are happy everywhere." 
 
 So our dear friend was happ}'' everywhere. There are 
 those in our families who, if there is any disagreeable 
 thing to do, they do it. If there is a class in the school 
 that is unpleasant, they persuade us it is the class they
 
 FUNERAL SERMON 7,", 
 
 want to have. These are thev which come from heaven, 
 
 and breathe celestial air. They make the wheels of life 
 to go on so smoothly and easily while they are amongst 
 us. I am thankful that before the earthly vessel was 
 broken in pieces our friend lived long enough amongst 
 you to let you know how sweet was the fragrance: that, 
 before she was taken from you, you recognised her worth. 
 These are they who make life so blessed. If there is good 
 to be done anywhere, they are where the Master would 
 have been — blessing the suffering, restoring the fallen, 
 entering foul rooms and perhaps fouler hearts, and carry- 
 ing the sweetness of the hills wherever they go. 
 
 Brethren, why did God give this one to live amongst 
 you here ? She drew you to her, and she did not mean 
 that you should now be simply regretting her. She wanted 
 to draw you to Christ ; that was her service. And how 
 wonderfully this was carried out ! It was never forsaken 
 or abandoned throughout her life. Even in suffering she 
 never lost her cheerfulness — never. There are those 
 to-night on beds of agonizing pain, but who have a peace 
 which the world can never give or take away. How did 
 this one endure her suffering '? She endured as seeing 
 Him who is invisible — that dear Shepherd who never 
 slumbers or sleeps. 
 
 Brethren, I hope you will treasure very much those 
 beautiful hymns and songs which she gave to you. I 
 have one of them for 1888. It is full of the spirit of 
 Miriam and Deborah. She was in perfect alliance with 
 the names of the past. How strong was her voice and 
 reaching, that she had the power to summon you ! It is 
 in perfect accord with the hymn we have been singing 
 
 to-night, - 
 
 :> The Son of God goes forth to war.' 
 
 These lines have the same ring about them
 
 76 FUNERAL SERMON 
 
 " • To arias ! to arms ! ' is still the cry ; 
 ' Come to the front, ye brave ! ' " 
 
 She had no doubt about the victory. She was in secret 
 union with Him who has the victory over all things. 
 Those whom Christ loves He loves to the end. Loving 
 to the end does not mean loving to the end of life ; it 
 means infinitely more than that — even until we reach 
 the end Christ had in view — to be like Him. We are 
 called to this fellowship, and you are earnestly called to- 
 night ; and may Clod help us, one and all, to give our 
 hearts to Him, for His name's sake.
 
 TESTIMONY 
 
 AND EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY 
 
 -?iS 
 
 s^MJ^tJiji 
 
 77
 
 EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY. 
 
 Sunday School Union, 
 
 56, Old Bailey, London, E.C., 
 
 December 23rd, 1893. 
 Rev. C. J. Reskelly, Littledean. 
 
 My dear Sir, — 
 
 At the last meeting of our Council our chairman (F. F. 
 Belsey, Esq.) reported the death of Mrs. Reskelly. All 
 were deeply sorry to hear of the sad event, and I was 
 requested to convey to you the sincere and hearty sym- 
 pathy of all the members of the Council, and, specially, 
 from those who have visited the Forest of Dean S.S.U., 
 and well remember the good work in which she was en- 
 gaged. Our Union has lost a good worker. We trust 
 that you may be graciously helped by our good Lord in 
 the season of your heavy trial. With personal kind 
 
 regards and sympathy, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 Edward Towers. 
 
 L YD BROOK, ROSS, 
 
 December 18t/i. 
 Dear Brother, — 
 
 I am requested to send you the following resolution on 
 behalf of the Sunday School Union : — 
 
 "That we, the officers and teachers of the Forest of 
 Dean and District S.S. Union, express to the Rev. C. J.
 
 SO EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY 
 
 Reskelly our deepest sympathy with him in his sad 
 bereavement, and hereby assure him of our earnest and 
 continued prayers that he may realize the Divine com- 
 fort and presence till the day break and the shadows flee 
 away. 
 
 " We also desire to place on record our very high 
 appreciation of the life and character, and our gratitude 
 for the services rendered to this auxiliary by his glorified 
 wife. Largely instrumental in bringing this Union into 
 existence, she continued its heart and life till her course 
 below was finished. To exceptional natural gifts she 
 added a warm heart and diligent hand, laying all on the 
 altar of service to God ; and it will be a long time in this 
 society, as in many others, that of* Mrs. Reskelly it will 
 be said, ' She, being dead, yet speaketh.' " 
 
 For the District Union, 
 
 A. W. Latham, President. 
 
 From the Sunday School Chronicle of March 29th, 
 
 1894. 
 Mrs. Reskelly 's father, Mr. Robert Waylen, resided, 
 with his family, at Devizes, and here she passed the early 
 days of happy childhood, and also many years of later life, 
 full of Christian usefulness and deep spiritual consecra- 
 tion to the cause of God and man. Sunday school work 
 soon presented to her a sphere of labour which she was 
 quick to take up, and for which she was eminently fitted, 
 possessing, in no small degree, the art of attracting the 
 young ; and then, like the late Dr. Arnold, of drawing 
 them on to love and reverence the great Father of us all. 
 With adult classes she was equally, or, perhaps we might 
 say, still more successful, and there are many now living 
 who, amidst the toil and stress of life, are endeavouring
 
 EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY Si 
 
 to carry out the principles which she was, under the 
 "blessing of God, first instrumental in implanting within 
 them. . . . 
 
 But, although the Sunday School occupied much of 
 her warmest care and sympathy, she was alive to any 
 philanthropic enterprise which came within her range of 
 influence. Sick-visiting, tract-distributing, foreign mis- 
 sions, all received a considerable shai*e of attention, and 
 if there happened to be airy particular part of the vine- 
 3 7 ard which through the stress of other duties she had to 
 relinquish, it was always with a sigh that she reluctantly 
 did so. Xor was her pen idle, for she was a good de- 
 scriptive writer, and entered also into the realm of poetry, 
 some of her pieces being productions of high excel- 
 lence. . . . 
 
 From the Annual Report of the Gloucestershire 
 
 and Herefordshire Congregational Union, 
 
 March, 1804. 
 
 By the early and lamented death of Mrs. Reskelly, 
 
 not only her husband and her kindred, but also the 
 
 Church at Littledean, and the neighbourhood for many 
 
 miles around, have suffered a sore bereavement. Her 
 
 culture, her piety, her active labours in church and 
 
 school, her practical interest in every good work, entitled 
 
 her to rank among the ministers of Jesus Christ, whose 
 
 service we delight to honour, whose departure we all 
 
 deplore. 
 
 Rev. Arnold A. Thomas, M.A., | Secretaries of 
 Rev. W. Clarkson, B.A., ) the Union. 
 
 R.P.
 
 82 expressions of sympathy 
 
 Ingleside, Newnham, 
 
 15th November, 1893. 
 
 " Flow of the Severn " Lodge, No. 234. 
 
 Dear Sir and Brother, — 
 
 At the request of our Lodge I send you, on the other 
 side, copy of a resolution of sympathy passed at our 
 session last evening. 
 
 I am, dear Brother, 
 
 Yours in deep sympathy, 
 
 James French, 
 Secretary. 
 
 Copy of Resolution. 
 
 " That this Lodge, having just received the report of 
 the decease of our dear Sister Reskelly, of Littledean, do 
 hereby express to her husband and relatives our deepest 
 sympathy with them in the great loss sustained by them, 
 by ourselves, and by the Order generally, in the removal 
 to her eternal home of one who, by her earnest labours and 
 high Christian example, had endeared herself to all with 
 whom she was brought into contact. Our earnest desire 
 and prayer is that the Giver of all good may comfort the 
 hearts of those who mourn her loss on earth, and that 
 hereafter we may be united with her in that eternal 
 brotherhood which death itself cannot separate." 
 
 Newnham, November 14th, 1803. 
 
 Resolutions of sympathy were also sent from, — 
 
 The Forest of Dean Ministers' Association. Secretary. 
 Rev. E. S. Smith, Vicar of Viney Hill. 
 
 The North-West Gloucester District Lodge, per Bro. 
 A. E. Clark, Hon. D. Secretary. 
 
 The District Council of the above D. L., per Bro. Frank 
 E. Smith, Secretary of D. C.
 
 EXPRESSIONS OF SVMPATHY 
 
 *:: 
 
 The following Lodges sent expressions of condolence: — 
 "Vale of Severn," Lydney; per Bro. F. Green, Secretary. 
 "Mount Tabor,*' The Reddings; per Sis. A. Knight, 
 Secretary. 
 
 Letters, etc., of sympathy came from many, far and 
 near. The names of some of the writers are included in 
 the following list, but others are unavoidably omitted : — 
 
 Rev. J. T. Grey, Weston- 
 super-Mare. 
 
 Rev. T. Hierson, Mitchel- 
 dean . 
 
 Rev. M. Hoare, Drybrook. 
 
 Rev. D. S. Hollies, Glouces- 
 
 Rev. D. Anthony, B.A.. 
 Brighton. 
 
 Rev. Thos. Baker, B.A., 
 Lewes. 
 
 Rev. W. Clarkson, B.A., 
 Bristol. 
 
 Rev. W. F. Clarkson, B.A., 
 London. 
 
 Rev. G. J. Coster, Stroud. 
 
 Rev. J. C. Cottingham, 
 Gloucester. 
 
 Rev. A. Cullen, Gloucester. 
 
 Rev. W. Darwent, Devizes. 
 
 Rev. Walter Davies, Blake- 
 ney. 
 
 Rev. R. Dawson, B.A., 
 London. 
 
 Rev. Herbert Dewey, Newn- 
 ham. 
 
 Rev. S. J. Elsom, Yorkely. 
 
 Rev. J. Evans, B.A., Chel- 
 tenham. 
 
 Rev. J. George, Cinder- 
 ford. 
 
 Rev. C. L. Gordon, Hather- 
 leigh, Devon. 
 
 ter. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Hollowell, Roch- 
 dale. 
 
 Rev. W. Garrett Horder, 
 Bradford. 
 
 Rev. W. J. Humberstone, 
 Formby, Liverpool. 
 
 Rev. G. W. Humphreys, 
 Wellington, Somt. 
 
 Rev. E. Jope, Padstow. 
 
 Rev. Owen Jones, Drybrook. 
 
 Rev. T.B. Knight, Wrington. 
 
 Rev. W. Lock ett, Pa ins wick. 
 
 Rev. R, Lovett, M.A., 
 London. 
 
 Rev. James Menzies, Bricl- 
 port. 
 
 Rev. G. Moon, Ptuardean. 
 
 Rev. Lewes Roberts, Tra- 
 falgar, Drybrook
 
 84 
 
 EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY 
 
 Rev. Henry Shaw, Man- 
 chester. 
 
 Rev. E. S. Smith, Viney 
 Hill, Blakeney. 
 
 Rev. H. J. Stanton, West- 
 bury-on- Severn. 
 
 Rev. T. Stephens, B.A, 
 Wellingboro'. 
 
 Rev. R. Stevens, M.A., 
 Coleford. 
 
 Rev. U. R. Thomas, Bristol. 
 
 Rev. D. Of. Truss, London. 
 
 Rev. Henry Varley, B.A., 
 Cheltenham. 
 
 Mr. Alfred Anstie, London. 
 
 Mr. T. B. Anstie, Devizes. 
 
 Mrs. Barkla, Bristol. 
 
 3frs. Biggs, Burley, Ring- 
 wood. 
 
 Mrs. Black, Devizes. 
 
 Mr. Frank Brain, Trafal- 
 gar, Dry brook. 
 
 Mr. A. C. Bright, J.P., 
 Cinderford. 
 
 Mr. T. J. Calladine, Stony 
 Stratford. 
 
 Mr. M. F. Carter, Newnham. 
 
 Miss B. Cunnington, London. 
 
 Mr. W. Cunnington, senr., 
 London. 
 
 Mr. W. Cunnington, junr., 
 London . 
 
 Mr. J. Cooksey, Cinderford. 
 
 Miss* Cooksey, Cinderford. 
 
 Miss S. S. Dawson, Lancas- 
 ter. 
 
 Sir C. Dilke, M.P., Bart., 
 London. 
 
 Mrs. Downes, Drybrook. 
 
 Miss M. Elliott, Bath. 
 
 Miss Ewbank, Bournemouth . 
 
 Mr. T. Fox, J.P.,Newnham. 
 
 Mr. Chas. Clillman, Devizes. 
 
 Mrs. Guise, Dean Hall, 
 Littledean. 
 
 Mr. T. H. Holding, London. 
 
 Mr. R. M. James, St. Agnes, 
 Cornwall. 
 
 Mr. H. Jolly, Newquay. 
 
 Mr. James Kear, J.P., C.C., 
 Cinderford. 
 
 Mr. H. Latchem, Cinderford. 
 
 Mr. Macartney, Cinderford. 
 
 Miss M'Cutcheon, Dublin. 
 
 Mr. Jos. Mai ins, Birming- 
 ham. 
 
 Mr. Gr. H. Mead, Mayor of 
 Devizes. 
 
 Mr. C. P. Payne, Stroud. 
 
 Miss Pratt,Wellingborough 
 
 Mr. J. W. Probyn, C.C., 
 Mitcheldean. 
 
 Mr. E. R, Raitt, The 
 Bmughtons, Flaxley. 
 
 Mr. R. Reskelly, St. Eno- 
 der, Cornwall. 
 
 Mr. E. R. Roberts, West- 
 bury-on-Severn.
 
 EXPRESSION'S OF SYMPATHY 
 
 8; 
 
 Miss Savill, Clifton. 
 
 Mr. Searle, Cinderford. 
 
 Mrs. R. Simpson, Cinder- 
 ford. 
 
 Mr. G. E. Sloper, Devizes. 
 
 Miss Gr. Smith, London. 
 
 Mr. Philip Smith, London. 
 
 Miss L. Stevens, Devizes. 
 
 Mrs. Tebay, London. 
 
 Mrs. A. Thomas, Cinder- 
 ford^ 
 
 Mr. J. Tyndall, Cinderford. 
 
 Mr. Jos. Walshaw, Halifax. 
 
 Mr. B. A. Waylen, New 
 Zealand. 
 
 Miss E. Waylen, Philadel- 
 phia, U.S.A. 
 
 Mrs. H. Waylen, Bourne- 
 mouth. 
 
 Mr. Jas. Waylen, London. 
 
 Miss K. A. Waylen, Devizes. 
 
 Mr. R. F. Waylen, Clifton. 
 
 Mr. A. Wellington, Truro. 
 
 Miss Wellington, Truro. 
 
 The Misses Wilson, Little- 
 dean. 
 
 The two following letters, one from a minister and the 
 other from a layman, are given as specimens of the rest : 
 
 The Manse, 
 
 iBERG 
 
 November 22nd, 1893. 
 
 Sedbergh, Yorks, 
 
 My dear Reskelly, — 
 
 We are so very sorry to hear of your sad loss, so 
 much harder to bear because of your years of happy and 
 useful service together. In whatever direction you look 
 the signs of your dear wife's influence and work will long 
 be painful reminders of her loss, although, thank God, 
 they will also assure you that no true, good life like hers 
 can ever pass away. My mother, from whom I received 
 the news this morning, joins with us very sincerely in 
 our kindest sympathy. 
 
 We are sure even the best words of friends cannot do 
 much in sorrow like this, but we are also sure that there 
 is one source of comfort which to the wounded spirit 
 brings healing and peace. May His presence and strength 
 be with you in special measure just now.
 
 86 EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY 
 
 The past weeks of watching and anxiety must have 
 been a great strain on you. If you are able to take a 
 short time of rest and change, and will come over to us 
 for a week or two, we should only be too glad to do our 
 best to make you comfortable. It would be a real pleasure 
 to see your face and talk with you once more. 
 
 With deep sympathy and very kind regards from my 
 mother, my wife, and me, 
 
 I am, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 The Rev. C. J. Reskelly. Henry Crane. 
 
 Stony Stratford, 
 
 November 21st, 1893. 
 To Rev. C. J. Reskelly. 
 
 Dear Friend, — 
 
 My wife and I are very deeply grieved to hear of the 
 death of your dear wife. This is indeed a crushing 
 blow, and we hardly know what to say to comfort you. 
 This must be for you a time of darkness and acute sor- 
 row, yet we most sincerely trust there is some light in 
 the darkness, some balm for the wounded spirit. 
 
 We remember with much pleasure your last visit to 
 Stony Stratford in company with your dear wife, and how- 
 favourable an impression was left in our minds of her 
 sterling Christian character, and her more than average 
 intelligence and capability; and now she has been taken 
 from you, — called up higher to take her part in the more 
 perfect service of the heavenly life, — and you are left to 
 finish the pilgrimage of life alone, and yet we hope not 
 alone. Great as the sense of your desolation must be, you 
 must have many inspiring and comforting remembrances 
 of the life so consecrated to Christ and to men; the precious 
 truths of the Gospel, specially for the bereaved, will also,
 
 .!- 
 
 EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY «S 
 
 doubtless, bring strength to you, and you will probably 
 realize more fully than ever the unspeakable value of the 
 Saviour's words to those of His followers who have lost 
 their dearest friends. 
 
 Human life is indeed full of mystery, and faith and 
 hope are sometimes well-nigh crushed out by its bitter 
 experiences ; and yet as the years pass, and we are able 
 to review the past, how often we are able to realize that 
 when our Clod takes away with one hand He gives with 
 another. It may be long years before you are sensible of this 
 in yovjr own case ; but we trust most sincerely the truths 
 you believe and, as a Christian minister, have taught to 
 your fellows, may not fail to give you comfort and solace 
 in this time of bitter trial. It is from this source only 
 that light and hope are to be found. The world can sup- 
 ply neither at such a time ; to it the grave is unutterably 
 dark and repellent. Christ alone scatters the gloom, and 
 gives us the victory even over this last enemy. 
 
 We beg you to accept our most heartfelt sympathy. 
 
 and believe us 
 
 Yours most truly, 
 
 B. and K. Bridgman.
 
 JUNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET. 
 
 PLACED IN 
 LITTLEDEAN CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL, 
 
 In Memory of the late Mrs. Reskelly. 
 
 ■'^z^ihm^-MSt 
 
 *— 
 
 89

 
 UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET. 
 From the Gloucester Journal, 24th February, 1894. 
 
 The interesting ceremony which took place in the Little- 
 dean Congregational Chapel on Thursday evening, Febru- 
 ary 22nd, 1894, and the earnest addresses made on that 
 occasion, bore eloquent testimony to the deep affection 
 with which the members of the Church and congregation 
 regarded the late Mrs. Reskelly, and to the noble work 
 she accomplished during her long residence in the village. 
 Mrs. Reskelly's death, last November, was a blow that was 
 felt by every member of the congregation, and it was 
 thought, the suggestion meeting with general and cordial 
 acceptance, that although her memory would ever be 
 cherished by the present generation of worshippers, a 
 memorial should be erected in the church, which would 
 stand as long as the building itself endured, and remind 
 those who came after of the devout and beautiful life 
 which the pastor's wife lived, and of her example, which 
 all should strive to imitate. Funds were soon forthcoming 
 for the purpose, the preparation of the marble tablet was 
 entrusted to Mr. Charles Evans, sculptor, of Cinderford, 
 and on Thursday the unveiling ceremony took place. The 
 tablet, which is placed in the wall to the right of the 
 rostrum, bears the following inscription in letters of black 
 and gold : — 
 
 " In affectionate remembrance of Katharine Jane (the dearly- 
 loved wife of Hev. C. J. Keskelly, pastor of this Church for - 
 years), who died November 14th, 1893. Her life in this village for 
 ten years is best expressed in her own poem, — 
 
 in
 
 92 UX VEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET 
 
 " 'My sole delight to aid and bless, 
 To comfort sorrow, soothe distress, 
 With earnest, patient tenderness 
 Seeking to raise the fall'n.' 
 " This tablet is erected by the Church and congregation."' 
 
 The proceedings, which were of a very hearty descrip- 
 tion, were presided over by the Rev. C. J. Reskelly, pastor,, 
 who was supported by the Rev. AValter Da vies, of Blake- 
 ney, Mr. W. A. Waylen (brother of the late Mrs. Reskelly), 
 Mr. Edward Morgan, Mr. E. Clark, Mr. T. Davis, Mr. F. 
 Cooksey, and others. The meeting opened with the hynm 
 " Come let us join our cheerful songs," after which Mr. 
 Job Hale, one of the deacons, offered up prayer. 
 
 Mr. Edwakd Morgan, who unveiled the memorial,, 
 said that thousands of the monuments which were erected 
 in this country had no meaning whatever, except to show 
 that such and such a person lived and died, but there 
 were others which conveyed a world of meaning. The 
 memorial which they had erected to the late Mrs. 
 Reskelly was a simple, plain token of respect to one who 
 was dear to them all, and every inch of the tablet had a 
 meaning and a history. (Hear, hear.) He had been asked 
 to say a few words on behalf of the Church, and he only 
 wished that all the members of every Christian Church 
 were as good as their departed sister was. A grander 
 worker never entered a Church. She was never daunted 
 when any work was started for the glory of the Master 
 and for the benefit of the Church ; and she had set an 
 example for every Christian to emulate. They all knew 
 how earnest Mrs. Reskelly was when the proposal was 
 made to erect the adjoining schoolroom, and it would 
 possibly never have been built if she and her husband had 
 not come to the village. (Hear, hear.) 
 
 Mr. Thomas Davis, who has acted as Superintendent
 
 UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET 93 
 
 •of the Sunday Schools since Mrs. Reskelly was laid aside, 
 in an earnest address, spoke of the influence which the 
 deceased infused into the lives of those with whom she 
 came in contact, and of the energy, purpose, and Christian 
 endeavour which she always introduced into her work. 
 She was the prime mover in the Forest of Dean and Dis- 
 trict Sunday School Union, and it was always her aim to 
 get the teachers and scholars as interested as possible in 
 it. 
 
 Mr. Waylen said he felt morally bound to give his 
 ■share Ojf testimony to the character and worth of one who 
 in life he dearly loved, and whose memory would be 
 •enshrined in the deepest recesses of his heart until its 
 throbbing pulse would cease to beat, and he, too, had 
 passed the waves of life's tempestuous sea and met her upon 
 a calmer and brighter shore. Their dear sister was of a 
 very warm and generous disposition — very generous with 
 her means so far as they would allow her to be so; and 
 she was only checked in giving more tangible proof of her 
 public benevolence by the duty which she felt she owed 
 to others who had a nearer claim upon her. They all 
 knew what a deep interest she took in the building of the 
 adjoining schoolroom, how anxious that the work should 
 satisfactorily progress, and how determined she was that 
 it should be paid for. She herself contributed a consider- 
 able sum, and the letters she wrote to people asking for 
 aid were almost innumerable, and she would not be 
 satisfied until the debt was cleared off to the very last 
 farthing. Some few years ago there was in the village a 
 large family of orphans who had been reduced to circum- 
 stances of great distress from no fault of their own, and 
 Mrs. Reskelly, with her customary kindness of heart, 
 came forward to render them all the assistance in her 
 power, and it was very largely owing to her endeavours
 
 94 UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET 
 
 and kind help that they were maintained in something 
 like comfort whilst they remained there, and that they 
 were eventually enabled to remove to a fresh scene, where 
 they could begin life anew with brighter prospects for 
 the future. After speaking further of Mrs. Reskelly's 
 generosity, and her success in arousing a generous spirit 
 in others, Mr. Waylen said he had known her walk many 
 miles in order to succour and comfort those who were in 
 distress ; and it was that self-sacrifice and self-abnega- 
 tion which far exceeded the mere giving of trifles from 
 their purses, and led others to be generous also ; it was 
 the precious ointment shed abroad which created so sweet 
 a perfume — it was, like the spikenard, very precious. 
 Her simplicity was remarkable ; he never met with any 
 one who could do so much and yet had so little self- 
 consciousness of what she was able to do. She could 
 speak in foreign languages, she could play upon musical 
 instruments, she could sing ; and when she returned from 
 her Grerman studies her voice delighted all who listened 
 to her. She could preach, teach, recite, write poetry, and 
 she had written a great many very excellent pieces. She 
 could organize, and, not only that, she could carry out an 
 organization when it was formed, which many people 
 could not do ; and yet there was no pride about her at all. 
 She would join in the pleasant little social intercourse of 
 the hour as though she were the very least of them all ; 
 and she was entirely devoid of the great " I," which was 
 so prominent in many characters, and detracted from 
 those good qualities which might be possessed. Her only 
 " I " was the one the apostle used, — " I can do all things 
 through Christ who streugtheneth me." — and no Christian 
 could take exception to such an I as that. Their departed 
 sister was also extremely painstaking, and no small detail 
 of any work she undertook was too insignificant for her.
 
 UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET 9f> 
 
 Not only in her public life, but in her domestic affairs 
 and household matters she was quite as particular ; every- 
 thing she attempted was done thoroughly. They 
 naturally thought when reviewing a character of that 
 kind — those who had seen the person in the midst of the 
 activity of life — how was it when such an one was laid 
 aside, when the stress and strain of life was taken off and 
 the individual was brought face to face with the last 
 enemy, when death was near, how was it then ? Their 
 dear sister, during her life, had always striven to be 
 Christlike; that was the one great thought which 
 pervaded her poems. She prayed continually that she 
 might increase in the likeness of Christ more and more ; 
 she looked for His comforting and sustaining power 
 during her daily work, and looked forward to the rest 
 which was to come hereafter ; and that feeling remained 
 with her to the last. Should they allow a life like that 
 to be without any influence upon them ? He knew that 
 in God's good providence such a life could not be lost. It 
 might be that it had only a slight influence upon some 
 of them individually ; but having known so much of her 
 course on earth, her life ought to have a very powerful 
 effect upon them collectively. It had been said that in 
 order to influence others strongly they must feel very 
 deeply themselves, and that was what their sister did. 
 She was impressed with the solemnity of life and was 
 very anxious to impress it on others. He sincerely hoped 
 they would continue to feel that she being dead may yet 
 speak. One of the speakers that evening represented the 
 Church, another the Sunday School, and another the Good 
 Templars ; and he, whilst speaking on behalf of the 
 family, also represented the Forest of Dean and District 
 Sunday School Union. In speaking of Christian workers, 
 however, they recognised but one household, " The
 
 96 UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET 
 
 Household of Faith." As they sang in that beautiful 
 
 hymn — 
 
 " One family, we dwell in Him, 
 One Church above, beneath, 
 Though now divided by the stream, 
 The narrow stream of death.'' 
 
 The division was a very slight and narrow one, and when 
 they came to the brink, and one by one were gathered 
 Home, what a glorious re-union there would be. They 
 would see those they loved on earth, their smiles would 
 welcome them on the distant shore, they would clasp their 
 hands once again, and be for ever in their company. 
 How sweet were the remembrances of those who had 
 departed this life in the love of Christ, and how those 
 who were left behind should endeavour to imitate their 
 example. Let them ever remember that 
 
 " Only the actions of the just 
 Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust." 
 
 Mr. Ered Cooksey, speaking on behalf of the Good 
 Templars, of which society the late Mrs. Reskelly was a 
 member, said the whole secret of her life was contained 
 in one of the beautiful hymns which she had composed, — 
 
 " As flowers turn to sunny skies, 
 And gather thence their glorious dj T es, 
 Their beauty and their fragrancies, 
 To bless this world of ours — 
 
 •• So would m.y life a reflex be 
 Of Heavenly light and purity, 
 Caught from sweet fellowship with The?, 
 My never-setting Sun ! " 
 
 Mr. E. Clark, in adding his testimony to the blame- 
 less life of the departed, said that when he wished good- 
 bye to Mrs. Reskelly he felt that he had parted from one of 
 the brightest, happiest, and most Christlike Christians it
 
 UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET 97 
 
 had ever been his privilege to know ; and lie was devoutly- 
 thankful that Almighty God had, in His good providence, 
 directed her steps to that part of His vineyard. Might 
 the tablet which had just been unveiled be the means of 
 inspiring them all to greater zeal and earnestness in the 
 work of the God Mrs. Reskelly loved so well. 
 
 The Rev. W. Da vies (Blakeney) then delivered a brief, 
 but earnest address, in the course of which he expressed 
 his gratitude to his friends in Littledean for the kindly 
 way in which they had put on record the noble life which 
 had been taken into a higher and better sphere. He could 
 not say more than had been said that night ; and he thought 
 the very best of testimonies to the life of dear Mrs. Res- 
 kelly had been given by those amongst whom she worked 
 so long and so nobly. None would wish to be praised less 
 than she, though none deserved it more, but it was not 
 because they desired to praise her for the sake of praising 
 that they had met together ; their only desire was, because 
 they knew her only desire would be, to seek to perpetuate 
 that life in the lives of those who were left behind. He 
 trusted that that meeting, and the tablet which they had 
 raised up, would help in the perpetuation of the noble life 
 which was so fully, so gladly, and so cheerfully sacrificed 
 to God, and to the extension of the Kingdom of Heaven. 
 They knew the object and the purpose for which she lived, 
 .and let them all seek to help in their furtherance by living 
 as she lived, and serving as she served. 
 
 The Chairman read one of his late wife's hymns 
 ("Parting Hymn," page 184), and the proceedings closed 
 with the singing of the Doxology, and with prayer by the 
 pastor. 
 
 R. r
 
 LETTERS. 
 1831-1893. 
 
 90
 
 LETTERS 
 
 The following specimen letters extend from 1881 to 1893, 
 and include the last that came from the writer's pen. 
 They reflect many moods — -sometimes rippling with 
 humour, at other times striking a deep note of sadness, 
 whilst; invariably a genuine spiritual fervour spon- 
 taneously comes to the surface. A e;reat love of nature 
 is frequently illustrated, and will be found in graphic 
 descriptions of scenery in Cornwall and elsewhere. Tender 
 consideration and sympathy for those who were the dearest, 
 as well as for others suffering from the ills of life, reveal, 
 in some degree, the secret of her influence on the hearts 
 of so many ; whilst the energy and delight of the writer 
 in Christian and philanthropic work, and her faith in the 
 simple truths of the Gospel, are testified in most of the 
 letters. In a word, these letters contain the prominent 
 features of character and disposition in clearer and more 
 perfect outline than could be traced by the most practised 
 biographer. 
 
 The majority of the letters are addressed to " Una " — 
 the writer's life-long friend, Miss S. S. Dawson, who was 
 playfully called " John," and who, in turn, called her cor- 
 respondent "David," and sometimes "Birdie." "Robin" 
 is the Rev. Robert Dawson, the writer's former pastor, 
 and one of her familiar friends. 
 
 Devizes, 
 
 November 18th, 1881. 
 My own beloved Una,— 
 
 Your letter cani3 by the first post this morning; so 
 
 101
 
 102 LETTERS 
 
 mine was not written. I am glad, my dear one, that you 
 are out on your travels again, for variety does us all 
 good, and I need scarcely say that I hope you will 
 have a happy time — as that seems to be ensured. I am 
 sorry your friend has been ill again, but hope that the 
 mild climate of Devon will do wonders for her. No, my 
 John, the beauties of that charming county are as yet 
 unknown to me, excepting from hearsay, but I hope the 
 treat of personal acquaintance is in store for me some 
 day. . . . Last evening I had a rare spiritual and 
 intellectual treat : the Rev. Guy Pearse, one of the "Great 
 Guns " of Methodism, preached in the Baptist chapel on 
 behalf of the "Wesleyan circuit in these parts ; and the 
 place was well filled, and no wonder, for the beauty of 
 the discourse to my mind was great— horn the words, 
 " Witnesses for Me." The subject was divided into three 
 parts: 1st, Power needed; 2nd, Power promised; 3rd, 
 Power come. And the grand thing is that we may all 
 have this power of the Holy Spirit — you and I — for the 
 asking! Oh, for more and more of it everyday! You 
 ask whether I " hope still to be teaching thirteen years 
 hence." Yes, certainly, //'my dear Lord wills it so ; not 
 that I don't long to see Him in His beauty. He onfy 
 knows how glad I shall be to do that; but I love the 
 work down here too, and my earnest prayer often is, 
 " Lord, if I may, I'll serve another day." Yes, my intro- 
 duction to Sunday School work was in dear Robin's time, 
 and with what fear and trembling I entered upon it no 
 man knows; but now I should dearly like to die in 
 harness, if it might be so, though I am not anxious any 
 way. . . . My own love, i" do not think you behind- 
 hand, as you fancy yourself ; your training has been 
 differeut, that is all. The Master does not look at things 
 as we do, and if we are faithfully doing the work that
 
 LETTERS 103 
 
 He gives, be it much or little, He will be satisfied and will 
 give His commendation, "Well done, good and faithful 
 servant." Remember too, my darling, that "They also 
 serve who only stand and wait. 71 . . . 
 
 Your own true 
 
 Birdie. 
 It falls to me to conduct the early prayer-meeting on 
 Sunday next. We take it in turns. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 May 11th, 188!). 
 My own beloved Una, — 
 
 I don't know how to express my horror and regret 
 when I think that I should have let the 3rd slip by 
 without sending to you ; but all I can say is that I feel 
 quite savage with myself, not that I have forgotten you, 
 but that I should so completely have forgotten the fact 
 of its being your birthday, my own dear John. But my 
 thoughts and my time have been so much taken up of 
 late with various things that I fear that other things 
 have been crowded out. Yesterday I sent you a little 
 " Bee " one-day clock, with much love and many, many 
 good wishes. . . . 
 
 Being now quite clear from debt, we started the chapel 
 renovations last Tuesday. The galleries are down and 
 all the seats are up. and the place is to be ready for 
 worship by the second or third week in August, when it 
 is to be opened ; and the inevitable bazaar is fixed for 
 August 1st and 2nd. So we have our work before us. 
 Pray, my John, that the work may prosper " according to 
 the good hand of our God upon us"; and that He is with 
 us and helping us I cannot for a moment doubt, and have 
 faith enough to believe that He will put us safely through 
 this undertaking. . . .
 
 104 LETTERS 
 
 I feel as though I had so very much to tell you of" 
 various kim's ; but letters are such poor substitutes for 
 conversation. We are just forming a "Forest of Dean 
 Sunday School Union," and I am to be secretary for the 
 district. That makes the fifth society of which I am 
 secretary; so no wonder that my private letters suffer in 
 consequence. . . . 
 
 Charlie says he hopes that you will like your little 
 clock, and that it will say this to you, — 
 
 "I will strive with all my might 
 To tell the hours of day and night ; 
 And thou example take by me 
 To serve thy God as I serve thee." 
 
 Your own loving and true 
 
 David. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 July Gt/t, 1880. 
 My own beloved Una, — 
 
 I am sure you must be looking out for a letter, and it 
 seems as though I never could get one written, so many 
 things keep coming to the fore. I wonder how your 
 Vaudois- valley plan has been developing : it certainly 
 would be very interesting to go there. Then, too, of 
 course, you would stay a few days in Paris, and see the 
 exhibition. . . . 
 
 We have last week had what turned out to be a great 
 success — viz., a meeting of all the Juvenile Temples in 
 North-west Gloucester ; nearly 500 children gathered 
 together, and had a grand day out of doors. They went 
 in procession through Cinderford, and had tea and games 
 and prizes in a beautiful field at the top of Littledean 
 Hill. It was rather a business to get it all carried out 
 well, and, of course, the chief of the work fell on us; but
 
 LETTERS 105 
 
 everything turned out so well, and gave such general 
 satisfaction, that we are very glad the thing was done. 
 It is the first gathering of the kind that we have had, and 
 we have quite made up our minds that it shall not be the 
 last. The chapel is getting on, and I think will look very 
 
 well when done. . . . 
 
 Your loving and true 
 
 David. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 October 3rd, 1889.' 
 My own beloved Una, — 
 
 My laudable intention of writing you a good letter on 
 Monday was altogether frustrated, and now it is Thurs- 
 day, to my sorrow, before I can devote a real good time 
 to a long letter. And, first, beloved, let me tell you once 
 again how glad I am to know that you are at home once 
 more ; it makes you feel ever so much nearer, as, in point 
 of fact, you are. And then I thank you very much for the 
 letters you sent me while you were away, all of which 
 reached me, which was far more easy than for any from 
 me to reach you. I did send a newspaper to you to " La 
 Poste, St. Laurent Angrogna, Torre Pellice, Italia," but,, 
 not knowing whether it reached you, I did not venture a 
 letter. Then, again, when your letters got to me you had 
 left the places you spoke of going to next, or you would 
 have left, before a letter from me could get to you ; and 
 that chiefly arose through delay at this end in sending 
 our letters after us, as we were from home. Well, so 
 much for that. I hope you found all as right at home 
 when you got there as we did on our return. 
 
 Our stay at Morthoe was most enjoyable, and the com- 
 pany we met there very pleasant, especially during the 
 second week, at the beginning of which there was a
 
 10b LETTERS 
 
 •change of visitors. While there we took the opportunity 
 •of going to Clovelly, which is a charming little place, 
 hardly large enough to be called a town, and lies nestling 
 .amongst the rocks up the sides of a ravine, the bottom of 
 which spreads out in a stony beach that is washed by the 
 ■sea. The little street is so steep that broad, shallow steps 
 are the only means of going up it, so that carts and car- 
 riages are impossible until you get up past the middle 
 of the town. The houses are most picturesque, and are 
 •covered all over with flowering plants and creepers ; and 
 geraniums and fuchsias grow from the ground right up 
 to the roof tops, flowering all the way, so that the people 
 dwell in veritable bowers. The shops, too, present the 
 same appearance. Woods grow on the high land above 
 the town, through which is a lovely drive, called the 
 u Hobby Drive," from which, here and there, you get the 
 sweetest little sea views. 
 
 The church is interesting as being that in which 
 ■Charles Kingsley ministered; and the present vicar's wife 
 is Kingsley's daughter. We greatly enjoyed our visit to 
 this gem of a town. But the beach is so rough that it is 
 impossible to land from the steamer ; so you have to per- 
 form a little journey in a rowing boat, which every one 
 does not very much enjoy. Towards the end of our second 
 week at Morthoe the housekeeper received a letter from 
 ■one of the deacons of the Church at Torrington to ask 
 whether one of the ministers from the Grange would 
 •supply for them on Sunday, as theirs was from home. 
 None of our party were particularly anxious to go ; so, as 
 our time would be up on the Monday, Charlie said that he 
 would go, provided I could accompany him. The Torring- 
 ton folks sent word to sa}' that would be all right; so, on 
 "Saturday afternoon, we said farewell to our cheerful 
 friends, and proceeded to Torrington, where we had a very
 
 LETTERS 107 
 
 pleasant time. . . • Charlie preached morning and 
 -evening, and in the afternoon we went to the school. At 
 night, instead of going to chapel, I helped a good lady 
 with her class of rough lads, which she holds at her 
 house, and about which she was suffering from a fit of 
 disappointment, as some of the lads had been drinking and 
 going wrong. 
 
 Torrington is a small but growing town. Glove-mak- 
 ing is the staple industry, and that employs nearly all 
 the women and girls. It did not take us long to walk 
 through the length and breadth of the place, and to visit 
 Castle Hill, which is the highest point ; and from it you 
 get extensive views of the surrounding country. The site 
 of the old castle is now used as a public bowling-green. 
 It has a low and castellated wall all round it, and is 
 kept in beautiful order. 
 
 At 10 a.m. on Monday we took our departure for Ply- 
 mouth, and thence rattled away to Truro, which we reached 
 at 7.30, and found our brother Richard waiting for us. 
 Our visit to Trevellan was very enjoyable. . . . Both 
 Richard and his wife were very kind, and did all they 
 could to make us happy. . . . During the first week 
 all the activities of harvest were going on ; and the crops 
 were all housed in such splendid condition that even 
 farmers — those proverbial grumblers — were perfectly 
 satisfied. 
 
 We went about a great deal, and visited all the friends : 
 went to Perran, also to Falmouth, for unless we take the 
 excursion down the Pal our Cornish visit does not seem 
 complete. We took part in the harvest thanksgiving 
 services, helped to decorate the chapel, and went to Sun- 
 day School. . . . AVe remained at Trevellan till Friday, 
 ■September 10th, and then came home, as far as Bristol, 
 where we stayed the night, and came on here the next
 
 I08 LETTERS 
 
 afternoon— very glad to reach " Home, Sweet Home " once 
 more, bnt having greatly enjoyed our holiday — had splen- 
 did weather all the time, were refreshed, strengthened, 
 and in good trim to start on another term of work ; very 
 grateful, too, to our Heavenly Father for all His loving 
 care and countless mercies. 
 
 We are looking forward to much spiritual blessing this- 
 winter, and I think we shall get it. Please, my John, 
 join your prayers to ours that it may be so. . . . 
 During the last two months you have gone through varied 
 and manifold experiences. You have been much farther 
 afield than I have, and I hope you have had quite as good 
 a time and feel as much better for it. Did your visit to 
 the Vaudois valleys equal your expectations? Most inte- 
 resting they must have been, and greatly pleased I was 
 to have your descriptions of places and things ; but for 
 you the memory of all that you have seen and heard will 
 form food for many a discourse, and illustrations for many 
 a lesson during the months to come. I was amused 
 that so many of you had to spend a night in a barn, and 
 upon clean straw. How did j'ou manage ? and were you 
 able to sleep at all? It all sounded very primitive, and, 
 I dare say, felt much more so. You did a great deal of 
 walking, too. Did you not require to be newly shod when 
 you reached home ? Mountain roads are hardly smooth. 
 I should like to have been at the great gathering at ' { La 
 Balsille " ; it must have been a most thrilling, interesting 
 sort of thing, never to be forgotten by those present. 
 Please give me an exact description of the adelweiss — 
 colour, size, etc., and what flower it is most like. I sup- 
 pose it is white, as the name seems to imply. How trying 
 that your luggage should be left behind at last ! 
 
 Now, as there is a tea and service of song at Pope's- 
 Hill this evening, and I have to give the connective read-
 
 LETTERS IO9 
 
 ings, I must go and get ready to take my departure. So, 
 110 more for to-day, but lots of the best and warmest love 
 from 
 
 Your ever loving and true 
 
 David. 
 Much love to Mary. I want to hear all about your 
 home-coming, etc., etc. 
 
 BOSCASTLF, 
 
 Sunday Afternoon, 
 
 June 29f/«, 1890. 
 My own most beloved Husband, — 
 
 I have just sent off a pencil section of my letter, and 
 Avill now continue my account, having in that brought 
 you as far as Redruth. There we spent the night of 
 Tuesday at a temperance hotel, and rose betimes next 
 morning, breakfasted early, and walked out to Gwenap 
 Pit, the place that John Wesley converted from a cock- 
 fighting into a Gospel-preaching station. It is a most 
 interesting spot — a perfect amphitheatre, capable of hold- 
 ing 7, 000 or more people; they say that 7,000 attended 
 service there this last Whit-Monday. Mary, Sep, and I 
 walked to it, and tried the power of our voices, Mary and 
 I standing on the spot John Wesley stood on, and Sep on 
 the opposite side. We read a psalm, offered prayer, and 
 Sep repeated a verse ; and we could all be heard most dis- 
 tinctly, and that without any effort. It must be a grand 
 sight to see that place filled with earnest, prayerful 
 listeners. We felt much impressed by our visit, and 
 thanked God for the beneficial influence of a good man. 
 I gathered these fragments for you from the spot where 
 John Wesley stood ; the grass was so short and firm that 
 there was not any choice of flowers. On our return to the 
 hotel we found a chariot ready for us, and some nice hot
 
 IIO LETTERS 
 
 Cornish pasties for refreshment b}' the way ; so we set off 
 merrily for St. Agnes. Here we dined on the rocks, saw 
 the Beacon, and I went to call on Robert James. His 
 wife came to the door, and, though she remembered my 
 face, could not identify me ; and Robert was as bad when 
 he came in a few T minutes afterwards. He said, " I know 
 you are the wife of the Rev. Somebody " ; but he could 
 get no farther, so I had to let the light in, and then it was 
 all right. They seemed pleased that I had called, and 
 wanted me to take a second dinner with them, it being 
 just ready ; but this I declined, as the others were wait- 
 ing for me. So I took my departure, and we were soon 
 on our way to Perran Forth, where we drove to Philip's 
 Hotel, and sent our carriage back to Redruth. We 
 ordered tea for 5 o'clock, and another chariot to be ready 
 at 5.30. We then betook ourselves to the rocks and the 
 sands, which we greatly enjoyed ; they certainly are won- 
 derfully fine, and my companions were delighted with 
 them. From Perran we drove to Mawgan, which took 
 about two and a half hours. Mawgan is a charming spot, 
 quite one of the most picturesque we have seen. The 
 village itself does not lie close to the sea, but in a wooded 
 valley of fine trees; a little river runs through it to the 
 sea. It has a curious old church, and — and — and a con- 
 ventW — of Carmelite nuns\ Eighteen "sisters" live 
 there with a rev. mother ! and a priest is in constant 
 attendance. The Order is a very strict one, and much of 
 their time is spent in silence. I must tell you more 
 about them when we meet. Here we stayed the night — 
 Wednesday — in a delightful old-fashioned hotel, and, 
 indeed, we were so heavy with sleep after so much driv- 
 ing in the open air that we were glad to go to bed at once, 
 and soon were lost in dreams under the very sound of 
 " the convent bell." . . .
 
 LETTERS III 
 
 Next morning we walked to Bedruthen Steps, which are- 
 very fine rocks on a very dangerous shore. There was a 
 terrible shipwreck there some years ago, the whole story 
 of which I must tell you another time. This expedition 
 took us the greater part of the day; so we dined late, and 
 then went to see the convent chapel, which is rather a 
 commonplace little affair, and was shown us by a lay- 
 sister. We then walked in the rectory gardens, which are 
 most rural, and close by them is a lovely walk, a mile and 
 a half long, to what is called the Mansion. It lies through 
 a loveby wood ; the roadway is kept just like a private 
 drive, and all kinds of ferns and lovely plants grow there. 
 I really think we must go to Mawgan together some day. 
 On Friday morning we were again up betimes, and posted 
 to Wadebridge, where we took the coach for Camelford, 
 and there another carriage for Tintagel. This took us all 
 day about, and Ave drove through very romantic country,, 
 stopping on the way to visit Delabole Slate Quarry, which 
 they say yields the finest slate in England, which does- 
 not include AVales. We saw the various processes, and 
 the slate in divers conditions — all very interesting. At 
 Tintagel we spent Friday night, and in the morning went 
 to see the ruins of King Arthur's Castle, wdiich towers- 
 over the sea on the top of a high cliff, which is very steep 
 to climb ; the rocks there are very fine, and the sea-views 
 grand, as they are at this place, which we like much, and 
 shall be here till Tuesday, certainly. 
 
 Of our arrival here I have already told you. I sent you 
 a West Briton from Tintagel, which I bought at Camel- 
 ford, as we had seen no paper for many days, and don't 
 seem to know anything that is going on in the world. Is 
 it true that the Compensation Bill is defeated? This 
 morning we all attended the United Free Methodist 
 Chapel, and heard an excellent sermon from Acts xxiv-
 
 112 LETTERS 
 
 5 and 12. The preacher's name I have not heard, but he 
 is a thoughtful man. He took up the four charges brought 
 against Paul by Tertullus, and then Paul's defence of him- 
 self and the Christianitj'' he professed. The reading 
 lesson was the whole chapter, and we sang from the 
 Wesleyan hymn-book Nos. 285, 207, and another that I 
 forget. I wonder what you have been doing this after- 
 noon, dear husband, and whether you had a good time 
 this moiming. I hope so. I am so glad to hear what you 
 say about Zackie ; it is real good, and I am so glad for 
 your dear sake. It is a nice little ray of hope and en- 
 couragement by the way. May God grant you many 
 more. 
 
 We find fruit rather late down here, as it has been so 
 wet a season ; strawberries are only just becoming plenti- 
 ful. I am so glad my telegram reached you yesterday 
 before you sent off your letter ; and to think that per- 
 haps you will get two letters to-morrow morning! So far 
 as I can make out at present, we reach Bude on Wednes- 
 day, stay there the night, drive from thence to Clovelly 
 next morning, reaching Bideford by evening, spend 
 Thursday night there, and reach home, siveet, sweet home, 
 on Friday. Now, my beloved, good-night. God bless my 
 previous husband is the prayer, with the warmest love, 
 of 
 
 Your ever true and devoted Wifie, 
 
 S. B. 
 
 The Misses Dawson .went to Syria in 1891 to become 
 acquainted with the native schools, in order to advocate 
 their claims in England. A short time after their return 
 to England, news came of the death of the leading spirit 
 among those schools — a lady of great worth. 

 
 LETTERS I [3 
 
 The following letter is a reply to Miss S. Dawson's sad 
 news ; — 
 
 Trevellax, Truro, 
 
 Sept. 10th, 1891. 
 My own beloved Una, — 
 
 Your letter reached me here yesterday, but not in time 
 for a reply by return. So I will answer it first, before I 
 say anything about ourselves. I do indeed, dear, most 
 sincerely sympathise with you and Mary concerning the 
 sad news you have received from Syria, but you must- not 
 let this fill' you with over-much sorrow ; jou cannot grieve 
 on her account — she has entered into her \vell-earned_rest, 
 and without having had to relinquish the work that [was 
 so dear to her. 
 
 And that seems always to me such a happy thing— to 
 be spared a long season of helpless inactivity. Those that 
 are left must feel their loss keenly, and for them we feel 
 the most, but they are in safe and loving keeping. God 
 bless and comfort them. 
 
 The work, I do not think, will be allowed to suffer — it 
 is the Master's, and when He calls away one leader He 
 knows how to fill up the gap. So, 1113- darling, .let., your 
 faith be strong, for, you see, faith is not faith if we 
 .cannot exercise it when the real need for ft arises. Let 
 past experience be a stimulus for the present. What the 
 Psalmist said on his own account we can surely say witl) 
 regard to every God-inspired undertaking — "Because 
 Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Th}f 
 wings will I rejoice." You say that a very little dis- 
 courages you: but, my dear, has not our God in countless 
 instances been far better to you than all your fears? 
 •Cheer up then, and leave all your present perplexities, 
 your future doubts, and your past regrets in His hands. 
 Do what you know to be right, and leave the rest. ... 
 
 R. P. H
 
 I 14 LETTERS 
 
 I wish Willie McFarlane every blessing and abundant 
 success in his new field of labour, and, if " God wills," a 
 longer life than his predecessor. 
 
 With love, ever am I 
 
 Your loving and true 
 
 David. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 Dec. 30th, 1891. 
 
 M\" OWN BELOVED UNA. — 
 
 I will make sure of my New Year's letter to you this 
 evening. Charlie is gone to Pope's Hill, and I am staying 
 at home to get some of my writing done. With all my 
 heart, dear, I wish you a very happy New Year, with much 
 blessing and ever-increasing; consciousness of our dear 
 Master's presence. I do not know how you have found it, 
 but the past has not been an easy year to me. There 
 have been some very bright and happy seasons ; but there 
 have been, also, some very dark and troublous times, and 
 what I sadly feel the want of is more time for quiet 
 reflection and communion with our Father. So many 
 engagements, and living so constantly in public, seem to 
 crowd out visits to " the inner chamber." But I am 
 determined to arrange things differently in days to come, 
 for there are times when I feel just starved, and I am 
 sure that must be wrong. 
 
 On Sunday I was at Pope's Hill both afternoon and 
 evening, and this week I have all the various things to 
 get ready for the New Year — Sunday School registers, 
 communion tickets, weekly-offering books, envelopes, etc. 
 
 There is a great deal of sickness amongst our people ; 
 deaths, too, have been numerous. Thomas Hale has lost a 
 daughter, after a very short illness. The funeral is to be 
 on Sunday afternoon ; so I think we shall all attend — 

 
 LETTERS 115 
 
 teachers and elder scholars — -for, though the poor girl was 
 in service at Cheltenham when she died, she was one of 
 our old scholars ; and very glad should I be if her removal 
 might be the means of making her companions more 
 serious. . 
 
 With love to M. and your dear self, 
 Your loving and true 
 
 David. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 Nov. llth, 1892. 
 My own beloved Una, — 
 
 What shall I say unto thee, and how can I express 
 all that I feel in my heart towards thee ? Thou hast ever 
 been a faithful and true and loving friend to me, and 
 many a time I have thanked God for the gift of thine 
 affection. But thou dost heap kindness upon kindness, my 
 John, and I don't quite know how to thank thee for this 
 last token of thy loving thoughtfulness for Charlie and 
 me. I only know this, that, when I became aware of it. 
 it sent me to my knees in gratitude for what appeared to 
 me like an expression of His approval, an encouragement 
 sent through you ; and as such we accept it with deepest 
 gratitude. Nor does this sentiment detract from thine 
 exceeding generosity, my John, which we both feel deeply 
 and acknowledge to the full. I know it gives thee plea- 
 sure to act thus, as it would to me were it in my power. 
 My endowments are of a different kind, and, like Peter, I 
 often have to say, " Silver and gold have I none, but such 
 as I have give I thee " ; and I can honestly say that it 
 gives me real pleasure, nay, intense happiness, to give 
 freely of those talents which God has given to me for the 
 benefit of others. And so, interpreting thy feelings by
 
 Il6 LETTERS 
 
 my own, I thank thee with all my heart for thy generous 
 gift. . . . 
 
 On Sunday Charlie was preaching at Dursley, not very 
 far from S-troud, and we had a dear old ex-pastor, named 1 
 Jacob, eighty-one years of age ! but so hale and hearty 
 still. He only went out of the regular ministry last year, 
 but likes to preach as often as he can now. His vigour 
 was really astonishing. He is a teetotaler and a vege- 
 tarian, and a fine specimen of both systems. . . . We 
 had our first Pleasant Evening for the People on Tuesday, 
 and shall have them in some form or other every fortnight. 
 District Lodge meets next week, and I shall have a capital 
 record to give of m} T Temples, which show an increase ail 
 through the district; so I fondly hope that we shall' be 
 entitled to the " Shield " for another year. 
 
 God bless and keep thee. 
 
 Your loving and true '' ! " 
 
 David. 
 ;< I 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 Jan. 4/A, 1893. 
 My own beloved Una,— 
 
 How does 181*3 find you and yours ? I have been 
 thinking a great deal about you, and wondering what 
 your next news will be ; but in the meantime I wish you 
 every blessing for this new period of time upon which 
 Infinite Love has permitted us to enter. 
 
 We spent a very busy, happy time all last week. On 
 Sunday, of course, there were the services and school to 
 be attended to— that was Christmas Day. On the Mon- 
 day there was a tea and service of song, as I think I 
 told you. Tuesday we had a Temperance ditto; Wed- 
 nesday we took a magic-lantern and slides, illustrating- a 
 trip down the river Wye, and entertained the Temple
 
 LETTERS 117 
 
 and the Lodge at Cinderford. On Thursday we gave our 
 own youngsters tea, lantern, and bags ! You remember 
 what they are. On Friday we took the lantern to Pope's 
 Hill, and that brought us to Saturday, when, of course, we 
 went nowhere, but prepared for Sunday, which was a 
 very nice day. At the communion in the morning S. and 
 E. B. were received into fellowship, which made us all glad 
 with an unspeakable kind of joy. The congregations 
 were good, and the weather was lovely and bright all 
 day. This week we are having the united services, and 
 hithertp they have been well attended. To-morrow we 
 have our Church members' tea, followed by a Church and 
 friendly meeting. 
 
 We have not had any snow to speak of yet, though I 
 see that other localities have, so I daresay We shall get 
 our share presently ; but up till now I don't think I ever 
 remember such a bright and beautiful winter. It has 
 been and is intensely cold, but the bright sunshine makes 
 that bearable ; and how wondrously clear and bright the 
 nights are. . . . This morning we went up to see old 
 Mr. Page, and found him in a very thankful mood ; he is 
 a fine old character. . . 
 
 And now, my own John, how have you been spending 
 this festive season ? How do you like Robin's hymn this 
 time, and his wife's pretty little calendar ? . . . I 
 wonder what this year will bring forth for us and our 
 work. It has opened well, and we feel very full of grati- 
 tude, hope, and confidence in our loving Father and never- 
 failing Friend ; and the one desire of our hearts is, Oh, 
 that those about us would love and trust Him too ! If 
 they could but be made to see how much they lose by 
 neglecting Him ! May the Holy Spirit work mightily in 
 our midst this year. . . 
 
 Now. my beloved, Cod bless and keep thee, and with
 
 Il8 LETTERS 
 
 no end of the warmest affection, in which Charlie joins 
 
 me, 
 
 I am, as ever 
 
 Your loving and true 
 
 David. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 July 9th, 1893. 
 My own beloved Una, — 
 
 I am just in from S. School, so am wishful to write 
 you a few lines to post in the morning. . . . We 
 both feel to need our holiday very much. We start, all 
 being well, from Newnham to-morrow at 2.5, reaching 
 London at 5.35, where Grace will meet us. . . . We 
 leave at 9.55 on Tuesday morning for Dover, which we 
 reach at 12, starting ten minutes later for Ostend, which 
 is reached at 3.30 ; at 4.10 the train takes us on to Basle, 
 where we are timed to arrive at G.41 a.m. ; and then 
 comes a three houi's' run to Lucerne. I think I shall 
 quite enjoy the long rides in the train ; it will be so 
 delightful to be able to sit still and not be obliged to do 
 anything in particular, excepting to use one's eyes, of 
 course. The little book of tickets and coupons is cheer- 
 fully got up in red leather, and is most convenient, with 
 pockets at each side and an elastic round it. . . . You 
 may be sure, my John, that we shall think much and 
 often of you when taking in the beauties of our sur- 
 roundings, ... 
 
 We have been going' through S. S. Anniversary and 
 celebrations of the Royal Wedding; on Thursday oiir 
 schools and the church ditto united, and we had quite a 
 successful doing. I do not know what the times here are 
 going to be like, but rather bad, I fear, as a general 
 " lock out " has been declared at the pits, . . . and 
 
 ft
 
 LETTERS [19 
 
 now the men will have to suffer, and others with them, 
 unfortunately. 
 
 Evening. We have had a very nice service to-night, 
 followed by the communion, and some of the folks in 
 tears at the idea of our departure. May the Lord watch 
 between us while we are absent the one from the other. 
 . . . When you went to Chatsworth, did you get the little 
 book containing the story of the lady who eloped on the 
 evening of her sister's wedding-day ? And that reminds 
 me we shall reach Lucerne on the morning of our wed- 
 ding-day, and it will be the tenth anniversary. 
 
 Ever your loving and true 
 
 David. 
 
 LlTTLEDEAN, 
 
 August 18th, 1893. 
 My own best beloved Una, — 
 
 I am sure you must think, as I feel only too sadly, 
 that I am treating you very badly and ungratefully in 
 keeping silent so long ; but I know you will forgive me 
 when I tell you that I have been, and still am, very ill. 
 Charlie wanted to write, but I said, ' : Let us wait a little 
 until I can say that I am better"; but that day seems 
 long in coming, so I am trying to write a little this 
 afternoon. You see, my John, I could not bear to have to 
 tell you that beautiful Switzerland, that was intended 
 should be such a pleasure and a treat to us, had 
 ended so disastrously for me. I was not feeling well or 
 strong when we left home, but fondly hoped that the 
 change and variety would do me good. But it was all 
 too much for me, and now I am prostrate with all the 
 agonizing pains of nineteen years ago. I daresay perfect 
 rest and nourishment will set me up again presently, but 
 it will be a work of time, and I must be patient. Please
 
 120 LETTERS 
 
 do not let wind of this get to Grace through Annie B. or 
 any other body, as I believe that at this moment she is 
 enjoying a tour in Scotland, with Katie Waylen and Annie 
 and John Anstie, and I would not, on any account, that 
 she should hurry home for my sake. When I hear that she 
 has returned I will send to her. Thank you so much, 
 beloved, for your kind letters, and for the items of special 
 interest contained in your last. ... I pray that our 
 Father's blessing may rest upon both proposed unions. 
 Now, my beloved, I must stop for to-day. I must tell you 
 our adventiu'es, etc., another time. Charlie sends kind 
 love, and with no end from myself, 
 
 I am, as ever, 
 
 Your faithful and true 
 
 P.S. — Don't be over anxious. David. 
 
 ; 3
 
 POEMS. 
 
 121
 
 INDEX TO P E M S. 
 
 I'IGK 
 
 11 A heart mure humble, true, and pure" .... 148 
 
 Acrostic to Miss J. W. Smiles 204 
 
 ,: Almighty Maker, great and glorious God " ... 16B 
 
 i: As springing from his lowly nest " 147 
 
 " As warriors brave in days of old " 149 
 
 Autumn 195 
 
 " Awake, glad soul, with songs of joy and praise : ' . . 159 
 
 " Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of 
 
 Christ" 177 
 
 Bells, The 203 
 
 Blind Girl's Dream, The 205 
 
 Change and the Unchanging 183 
 
 Children's Hymns 188-190 
 
 Christ is my Righteousness 175 
 
 Christ the Bock 172 
 
 Christ's Humilit}' 174 
 
 " Come, fill me with Thy fulness, Lord " 165 
 
 1 Corinthians i. 30, 31 175 
 
 " Dear Father of each little child " 188 
 
 Easter Hymns 155 
 
 Ere I rest 185 
 
 Eventide 197 
 
 " Far o'er the eastern sky " 142 
 
 •' Father in Heaven, with angels bright and fair "' . . 128 
 
 First Snowdrop, The 193 
 
 Flowers 194 
 
 Fragments : — 
 
 Blind Girl's Dream, The 205 
 
 •Oh, for the pen to write '" 191 
 
 '• Tell me, ye clouds, that circle round the sun " . . 197 
 
 i- The leaves that fair Nature in tenderness bears " . 198 
 
 '• The surging billows of life's restless sea "... 155 
 
 11 Thus, da}^ by day, and year by year " . . . . 186 
 
 123
 
 i^4 
 
 INDEX TO POEMS 
 
 Gethsernane ..... 
 " God of all power and might " 
 
 Higher Eock, The 
 
 " Holy, holy Jesus^come " 
 
 Humility . - . . . - . 
 
 il Hushed is the music of the seraphs' son 
 
 •• I feel just like a little child " 
 
 1 can't keep still 
 
 Imnianuel . 
 
 " In Thee do we rejoice, Almighty King 
 
 Infant's Prayer . . ■. . . 
 
 ■' Jehovah, great I am " ' . . . 
 
 Jesus knows 
 
 • : Jesus, Thou source of all my joys " 
 
 Kitten, To a 
 
 " Last New Year's Day we watched the sun rise " 
 Life 
 
 '• Long, long ago the angels sang " . 
 
 " Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place '' 
 
 Marah and Elim 
 
 Mellor, Mrs. Enoch, Lines to . 
 
 My desire ....... 
 
 " 'My Father, I would pure and holy be " 
 •• My God, is any hour so dear " . 
 
 My Ring 
 
 " My thoughts are so prone to wander " 
 
 New Years' Poems 
 
 " No longer, pealing over Bethlehem's hills ' 
 
 " O flowers ! dear flowers ! I love you well " 
 
 "Oh, for the pen to write "... 
 
 ; ' Once more, with grateful heart, I raise " 
 
 • : Out of the shadow and darkness the New Year rises to-day 
 
 Parting Hymn .... 
 
 Psalm xix. 2 
 
 Rest 
 
 Result of Astronomical Investigation, No. 1 
 Result of Astronomical Investigation, No. 2 
 Ring, My 
 
 173 
 145 
 
 175 
 
 180 
 182: 
 152 
 
 189 
 207 
 127 
 13S 
 
 187 
 
 167 
 177 
 16* 
 
 209- 
 
 132 
 .184 
 
 151 
 130 
 
 170 
 203 
 182 
 161 
 162 
 205 
 168. 
 
 127 
 154 
 
 104 
 191 
 137 
 143 
 
 184 
 
 16<i. 
 
 171 
 206 
 
 2d7 
 
 2( 15
 
 IXDEX TO /'OEMS 
 
 12.- 
 
 "" Ruler of earth and skies " 
 
 Sands of Time, The . 
 
 '' Saviour, dear Saviour, we come " 
 
 Smiles. Miss J. W., Acrostic to 
 
 Snowdrop. The First . 
 
 Song of Praise, A . . . 
 
 Spring 
 
 Spring ..... 
 
 "" Tell me, ye clouds, that circle round the sun "' 
 
 '' The leaves that fair Nature in tenderness bears 
 
 " The New Year's light is breaking " 
 
 " The surging billows of life's restless sea " . 
 
 •' Thine, only Thine, precious Saviour " . 
 
 " ThcJugh earthly friends are dear " . 
 
 " Thus day by day, and year b}- j r ear " . 
 
 "" Thy presence, Lord, is what we most desin- " 
 
 To a Kitten ....... 
 
 Valentine, A 
 
 Voices of Nature 
 
 * l Waken, glad heart, on this New Year's morn " 
 ii We have seen Jesus '"..... 
 
 " We would see Jesus '' 
 
 Weep not for me ...... 
 
 ' What fitting tribute can Thy children bring?" 
 
 What I am — Baby 
 
 When most we mourn ..... 
 
 Why the Poet sings 
 
 Wind's Evensong, The 
 
 Working-men's Class, Lines for 
 
 pw;k 
 
 139 
 179 
 
 Kill 
 204 
 193 
 169 
 192 
 193 
 
 197 
 198 
 134 
 155 
 164 
 159 
 18U 
 1H6 
 20!! 
 
 210 
 
 191 
 
 131 
 157 
 155 
 186 
 111 
 206 
 180 
 198 
 196 
 200
 
 NEW YEARS' POEMS. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1868. 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 WijTH joy and gratitude my heart I raise, 
 And tune ray voice to shout forth songs of praise, 
 To Thee, who guidest me in all my ways, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 Another year has swiftly passed away 
 Into eternity, but still I pray, 
 On this the dawning of a New Year's Day, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 Mercies unmerited, so rich and free, 
 Love, as a deep, a vast, a boundless sea, 
 Day after day, Thou hast bestowed on me, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 Through cloud and sunshine Thou hast been my guide ; 
 Safe have I dwelt, while keeping near Thy side. 
 From every raging storm and adverse tide, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 With Thee upon my vessel, need I fear ? 
 Through shoals and quicksands Thou canst safely steer 
 Into that haven where no rocks appear, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 1^7
 
 1 28 /'OEMS 
 
 Therefore, whate'er ray future lot may be, 
 With childlike trust I can leave all with Thee, 
 For Thou wilt help me gain the victory, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 With earnest prayer for future grace, I bring 
 All that I am. or have, to Thee, my King : 
 Oh, ever keep me 'neath Thy shelt'ring wing, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 Thus heart and life I dedicate anew 
 To Thy blest service, Saviour, Friend so true ; 
 My days are Thine, many be they or few, 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 And when I reach that bright and shining shore. 
 Where surges rise and waves can beat no more, 
 I'll shout, more loud than ever heretofore, 
 
 Immanuel ! 
 
 Immanuel ! that glorious name shall ring 
 Through heaven's high arches, and each golden String 
 .Shall vibrate with that song, so sweet to sing— 
 
 Immanuel. 
 
 i ' 
 
 ... ; . ,.■. 
 
 :\ 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1869. 
 
 Father in heaven, with angels bright a^vd fair, 
 Who now around Thy throne assembled-are, < 
 We, Thine own 1 children, bow the knee and cry; 
 'Honour and glory -be to God on high.''
 
 POEMS 1 2() 
 
 Well may our songs of gratitude arise, 
 And swell through all the courts of Paradise, 
 Till golden harp-strings vibrate with the strain, 
 And send it trembling back to earth again. 
 
 As clouds of holy incense, pure and sweet, 
 Ai'ose before Thine ancient Mercy-seat, 
 So may our vows and prayers to Thee arise, 
 Accepted through our Saviour's sacrifice. 
 
 The "lad New Year has ris'n o'er all the earth, 
 
 i 
 
 And we adore the Power that gave it birth, 
 
 And consecrate its new-born hours to Thee. 
 Father of boundless mercies, rich and free. 
 
 For blessings, countless as the hosts above, 
 Which in past years have testified Thy love, 
 We thank Thee, gracious Giver, and we pray, 
 Oh, grant yet richer gifts this New Year's Day. 
 
 As spotless the untrodden future lies, 
 A pure expanse, and clear as summer skies, 
 So purify our hearts : Thy grace bestow, 
 That we, each day this year, may holier grow. 
 
 May every moment, as it passes by 
 
 Into the ages of eternity, 
 
 Tell of some sin subdued, some vict'ry gained, 
 
 Some passion weakened, and fresh strength attained. 
 
 More of Thyself impart, that we may be 
 Gentle and meek, cloth'd with humility. 
 May every Christian grace in us be found, 
 And never-failing charity abound. 
 
 R.P. I
 
 I30 POEMS 
 
 Thy Holy Spirit give ; our panting hearts 
 Long for the life and vigour He imparts ; 
 As sparkling dew-drops freshen thirsty flowers, 
 Daily may He revive these hearts of ours. 
 
 Thus quickened from above, may we become 
 Ever more meet for our eternal home, 
 Prepared, when changing seasons here shall end, 
 A never-ending year with Christ to spend. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1870. 
 
 " Lord, Thou hast "been our dwelling-place in all generations.''- 
 
 Psalm xc. 1. 
 
 Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place 
 
 In months and years gone by, 
 And for the future we can trust 
 
 That Thou wilt still be nigh. 
 
 Brought by Thy providence and love 
 
 Another year to see, 
 Help us to dedicate ourselves 
 
 More earnestly to Thee. 
 
 Under Thy shadow, Mighty One, 
 
 We ever would abide ; 
 Dwelling within Thy Secret Place. 
 
 No evil shall betide. 
 
 "We cannot, dare not step alone, 
 
 We would not if we might, 
 But rather trust Thy loving care 
 
 To lead and keep us right.
 
 POEMS 13 [ 
 
 What dangers we shall have to meet, 
 
 What trials we cannot tell, 
 But this we know, whate'er befal, 
 
 Thou cloest all things well. 
 
 Dark'clouds ma}- hover o'er our path, 
 
 And hide Thy glory bright : 
 Then we would walk, our hand in Thine, 
 
 By faith, if not by sight. 
 
 Thus day by day and year by year 
 
 We'll trust in Thee alone, 
 Till Thou shalt end our wand'rings here. 
 
 And land us safe at Home. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1871. 
 
 " I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever. 1 '— Psalm 
 lxxxix. 1. 
 
 WAKEN, glad heart, on this New Year's morn ! 
 
 And lift high the voice of praise ! 
 Sing of the mercy, the pow'r, and love, 
 
 That crowned all thy passing days. 
 
 Month after month, and week after week, 
 
 And day after day, as they came, 
 Each had some token of love to bring, 
 
 For Merciful is His name. 
 
 Clouds may have shrouded last New Year's Day : 
 
 If so, 'twas the Master's will ; 
 Lingering shadows may now depi'ess, 
 
 But He is merciful still.
 
 1>2 POEMS 
 
 Leading the way through sunshine and storm, 
 He guided your wand'ring feet ; 
 
 Help that you needed when faith was weak 
 You found at the mercy-seat. 
 
 Blessings descending in days gone by— 
 
 Those gifts of infinite love — 
 Only could come from your Father's hand, 
 
 In mercy sent from above. 
 
 Father of mercies, we would adore 
 Thy goodness and pow'r Divine, 
 
 Praying that all through the fleeting year 
 Thy light may upon us shine. 
 
 Lighten our darkness from day to day, 
 And make us all meet for heaven, 
 
 Keeping us strong rill the " tale" be " told,'' 
 And the Crown of Life be given. 
 
 New Year's Day, 1873. 
 
 Last New Year's Day we watched the sun arise, 
 Flooding with glory bright the wintry skies, 
 And as we gazed upon that crimson glow, 
 Reflecting radiance on the world below, 
 We prayed that God's own light, so pure and clear, 
 Might on our pathway shine throughout the year. 
 
 And now that weeks and months have passed away. 
 And brought us to another New Year's Day,
 
 poems i 33 
 
 Our joyful hearts, with gratitude, record 
 The tender mercies of our faithful Lord. 
 We thank Him for the light that He has given, 
 The many helps upon our way to heaven. 
 
 Earth's sunbeams are not always clearly seen. 
 
 For, oft-times, clouds or mist will intervene 
 
 To hide the bright, warm rays we know are there, 
 
 Waiting to cheer the earth and clear the air, 
 
 To chase away the hea\y April show'rs, 
 
 Or kiss the dewdrops from fair summer flow'rs ; 
 
 Just as the eye of faith is sometimes dim, 
 And cannot always see and follow Him. 
 Who is our Guide along the wondrous road. 
 By which He seeks to bring us home to God. 
 Dear Lord, increase our faith, help us to prove, 
 By daily trusting Thse, how much we love. 
 
 Give us the child-like confidence we need 
 To follow in Thy steps where'er the} r lead, 
 Through the wild-howling wildeniess, or where 
 The songs of Beulah fill the fragrant air ; 
 Our hand in Thine, we cannot go astray. 
 Good Shepherd, keep us near Thee all the w r ay. 
 
 So shall our life be one perpetual song, 
 
 Whether our pilgrimage be short or long, 
 
 Until, the dangers of the way all passed, 
 
 We reach our safe and glorious home at last, 
 
 All doubts and fears forever chased awaj T 
 
 By the bright dawning of that New Year's Dav.
 
 134 POEMS 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1875. 
 
 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever.'* — Psalm 
 
 lxxxix. 1. 
 
 The New Year's light is breaking 
 
 O'er mountain, vale, and plain, 
 And we, our Father's children, 
 
 May hail that light again. 
 May lift the heart in gladness, 
 
 May raise the voice in praise 
 To Him who is the Author 
 
 And Finisher of days. 
 
 Glad songs are ours this morning, 
 
 Each heart of mercies sings 
 (More priceless far than rubies, 
 
 Sceptres, and crowns of kings), 
 With which our loving Father, 
 
 Who clothes the fields with flow'rs. 
 Hath ever, without failing, 
 
 Sustained these lives of ours. 
 
 Day after day bears witness 
 
 To His exceeding love ; 
 Year after year still brings us 
 
 Fresh blessings from above ; 
 And, though we've often wandered, 
 
 And gone from Him astray, 
 His tender mercy brought us 
 
 Back to the narrow way. 

 
 POEMS 135 
 
 Changes, and clouds and darkness, 
 
 Shadows across our sky 
 May, ton, have been our portion 
 
 In days that are gone by. 
 But were not these heart-sorrows 
 
 Just mercies in disguise, 
 Sent to reveal our Father 
 
 More clearly to our eyes ? 
 
 However hard the lesson, 
 
 He was the Teacher kind ; 
 His gentleness and patience 
 
 It was taught us to find, 
 Beneath the hidden meaning, 
 
 The grace He would impart 
 To every patient learner, 
 
 And trusting, childlike heart. 
 
 Therefore, this New Year's morning, 
 
 Our faith is firm and true ; 
 We fear not for the future, 
 
 Our God will bring us through ; 
 We lift the heart in gladness, 
 
 We raise the voice in praise 
 To Him who is the Author 
 
 And Finisher of days.
 
 136 POEMS 
 
 i. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 187(J. 
 -AI3- presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.*'- 
 
 Exodus xxxiii. 14. 
 
 Thy presence, Lord, is what we most desire, 
 To dwell with us throughout our pilgrim way ; 
 
 Therefore we thank Thee for Thy promise given, 
 And take fresh courage on this New Year's Day. 
 
 Another stage of life's short journey passed 
 Tells of Thy faithfulness from hour to hour. 
 
 Surely Thy presence hath been with us, Lord ; 
 Have we uot felt the influence of Thy pow'r ? 
 
 No needed blessing hath Thine hand withheld, 
 
 Thy daily providence was ever sure ; 
 Firm, as the everlasting hills, Tlry word — 
 
 "Lo, I am with thee while all time endure." 
 
 What lies before, 'tis not for us to know, 
 
 What depths of joy, or draughts from Marah's spring. 
 Enough for us that each step of the way 
 
 Is lighted by the presence of our King. 
 
 Blest with Thy presence, we have nought to fear, 
 
 No foe can harm, no evil can affright ; 
 Darkness, before Thee, turns to glowing day, 
 
 And sorrow's cup to well-springs of delight. 
 
 From Barneses to Canaan's fruitful land 
 
 Tlry presence dwelt with Israel of old. 
 Thou art Jehovah still, and now, as then, 
 
 Delightest all Thy goodness to unfold.
 
 f 
 
 POEMS I37 
 
 Eternal Father ! hear our fervent prayer — 
 Grant us Thy presence, so our souls shall rest 
 
 Safe in Thy love throughout another year, 
 And, trusting Thee, we cannot but be blest. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1877. 
 
 " The Lord Jehovah is my strength and 1113" song." — Isaiah 
 
 xii. 2. 
 
 Once more, with grateful heart, I raise 
 To Thee my joyful hymn of praise : 
 To Thee, who guidest all my ways, — 
 My Strength, my Song. 
 
 Gracious Father, look on me, 
 
 And through this New Year let me be 
 All that is pleasing unto Thee,— 
 My Strength, my Song. 
 
 Teach me, and lead me day by day ; 
 Choose Thou my lot, choose Thou my way, 
 And let me never from Thee stray, 
 My Strength, my Song ! 
 
 1 know not what before me lies, 
 What sunny days, what cloudy skies, 
 But this I know, my faith relies 
 
 On Thee alone. 
 
 I cannot fear while Thou art nigh, 
 Waiting to catch the faintest cry 
 Sent up to Thy bright throne on high, 
 . My Strength, my Song !
 
 I38 POEMS 
 
 Yet I would ask Thee to bestow- 
 More of Thy love ; oh, let it glow 
 In my poor heart, that I may grow 
 More like to Thee. 
 
 More holiness, more patience, give ; 
 A better knowledge how to live 
 Unto Thy glory ; oh, receive 
 And answer me ! 
 
 Then, Lord, how happy shall I be, 
 Dwelling in Thee, and Thou in me, 
 Through time and through eternity 
 My Strength, my Song ! 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1878. 
 
 •■ Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of 
 Thy wings Avill I rejoice.'" — Psalm Ixiii. 7. 
 
 In Thee do we rejoice, Almighty King ! 
 Beneath the shadow of Thy shelt'ring wing 
 Keep us throughout the year this day begun, 
 Abide with us till all its hours are run. 
 
 We know that we can trust Thee, for the past 
 Is one long tale of love from first to last, 
 Which, notwithstanding all our wilfulness, 
 Has never failed to comfort and to bless. 
 
 Our path has not been all unsullied light, 
 For clouds have ofttimes veiled Thee from our sight ; 
 But when they cleared away, our eyes could greet 
 The recent footprints of the Master's feet.
 
 POEMS 139 
 
 The future lies before us all unknown, 
 But full of hope to those that are Thine own, 
 Since counsel, wisdom, strength for all our needs 
 Are sure to follow where our Father leads. 
 
 Help us to-day with glad hearts to renew 
 Our consecration vows. Oh ! keep us true 
 Unto Thyself throughout life's chequered scene, 
 Till that day dawns when naught shall intervene 
 To hide the glory of our Saviour's face, 
 Whose beauties here we but so feebly trace. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1879. 
 
 The Lord will give strength mito His people ; the Lord will 
 bless His people with peace." — Psalm xxix. 11. 
 
 Ruler of earth and skies, 
 Great King of Peace, ai-ise 
 
 In all Thy pow 'r ! 
 let the nations know 
 Thou only canst bestow 
 A balm for every woe 
 
 In sorrow's hour. 
 
 Up to Thy throne on high 
 Many a weary sigh 
 
 Rises to-day ; 
 Hearts are with anguish torn, 
 Thousands are called to mourn, 
 Both high and lowly born 
 
 For comfort pray.
 
 I 4< ) POEMS 
 
 And we, with hearts contrite, 
 Our voice to theirs unite, 
 
 Pleading with Thee. 
 Give to the weary rest, 
 Calm, to the troubled breast. 
 May all by grief oppressed 
 
 Consoled be. 
 
 Forth to the battle ride, 
 And turn the dreadful tide 
 
 Of war to peace ! 
 As mighty Conqueror, Thou, 
 Cause every heart to bow 
 Lowly before Thee now, 
 
 And strife shall cease. 
 
 Over our sin-stained world, 
 Soon may there be unfurled 
 
 Thy banner, — Love ! 
 Love, that all healing brings 
 On its reviving wings, 
 Love to the King of kings, 
 
 Who reigns above. 
 
 Author of all our days, 
 
 In Thy great name we raise 
 
 Yet one prayer more : 
 The beauties of Tlry face, 
 Maj r we more clearly trace, 
 Throughout this Year of Grace, 
 
 Than aye before.
 
 POEMS 14 F 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1880. 
 
 "Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places 
 whither thou goest."' — Genesis xxviii. 1">. 
 
 What fitting tribute can Thy children bring 
 This New Year's morning unto Thee, our King ; 
 How tune our hearts to celebrate Thy praise ; 
 How magnify the wonder of Thy ways? 
 
 Angels in realms of light before Thee bow 
 In deep humility; oh, teach us how, 
 Like them, to worship — unlike them, to prove 
 Our rev'rence springs from gratitude and love, 
 
 These new-born hours, fresh from Thy bounteous hand, 
 Find us still pilgrims in a foreign land ; 
 Sandals and staff are not yet laid aside, 
 And bitter streams oft by the pathway glide. 
 
 Along the track where Thou hast led the way 
 Many a sad memorial stands to-day, 
 Telling of crosses borne by hearts bowed down, 
 Yet pointing upward to the victor's crown. 
 
 But Thou art still the same ; Thy love outflows, 
 In far exceeding measure, all our woes ; 
 Thy hand still guides our weary wand'ring feet, 
 Thy voice still whispers consolation sweet. 
 
 loving Father ! help our hearts to rise 
 Above the shadows of these lower skies ! 
 Tune Thou our song, so every note shall be 
 An earnest tribute of our love to Thee.
 
 142 POEMS 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1881 
 
 "He knoweth the way that I take."— Job xxiii. 10. 
 
 u I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou 
 
 shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." — Psalm xxxii. 8. 
 
 Far o'er the eastern sky 
 The dawning breaks ; 
 Shadows and darkness fly, 
 The New Year wakes, 
 Crowning with gold the everlasting hills, 
 Bathing in rosy light the rippling rills. 
 
 Awake, glad hearts, awake ! 
 
 Your homage pay ; 
 Pour forth glad songs of praise 
 This New Year's Day. 
 Vie with the blest inhabitants of heaven 
 In praising Him, to whom all praise is given. 
 
 Your silent harps retune ; 
 
 From every string 
 Call forth fresh melody, 
 That you may sing 
 In truer, sweeter strains each pilgrim song, 
 Along the pathway, as yon journey on. 
 
 Humble, } T et confident, 
 
 Your way pursue ; 
 Fair Canaan lies before, 
 Though veiled from view. 
 Each fleeting period bears your weary feet 
 Farther from Egypt, nearer rest complete.
 
 POEMS 14;; 
 
 Oh, let not anxious fears 
 Your thoughts beguile ; 
 Strong arms are round you, 
 And the Father's smile 
 Will rest upon you, as you faithful prove — 
 Faithful in all appointed by His love. 
 
 He only knows the way 
 That you must take ; 
 Leave, then, each day with Him, 
 For Jesu's sake. 
 So shall you find, when these short years are past, 
 How gently He hath led you home at last. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1882. 
 
 " CtocI is the strength of 1113- heart and 1113- portion for ever."— 
 
 Psalm lxxiii. 26. 
 
 Out 'of the shadow and darkness the New Year rises 
 
 to-day, 
 All beautiful, pure, and holy, God sends it upon its way, 
 With words of tenderest greeting and messages full of 
 
 love 
 To earth's toiling, weary children, from the dear Father 
 
 above. 
 
 As streams from the mountains flowing, so constant His 
 
 care has been, 
 As flowers the meadows strewing, so countless His gifts 
 
 are seen ;
 
 144 POEMS 
 
 His hand has not failed to guide us; His love has been 
 
 ever true, 
 And what He was in the Old Year He will be throughout 
 
 the New. 
 
 We know that He changes never ; but what of those 
 
 hearts of ours? 
 Have they been loyal and faithful, and have we, with all 
 
 our powers, 
 Served Him with loving obedience, whatever the work 
 
 might be, 
 Both when the reason was hidden and when it was clear 
 
 to see ? 
 
 When He laid His hand upon us, and our eyes were 
 
 dimmed with tears, 
 Did we murmur at His dealings and give way to sinful 
 
 fears ? 
 Did we doubt His loving-kindness? did we think He did 
 
 not care 
 How heavily the sorrow pressed He had given us to bear? 
 
 God of these faithless hearts of ours, oh ! pardon the 
 
 sinful past ! 
 Chase away all earth-born sorrow and the clouds that 
 
 gather fast ; 
 Though erring, we are Thy children ; though wayward, 
 
 these hearts are Thine : 
 Oh ! fill them with Thy sweet presence, cause Thy face 
 
 on us to shine.
 
 POEMS I • 
 
 o 
 
 S> shall we sing of Thy mercy, whatever our lot may be, 
 Since Thou art our strength and portion through time 
 
 and eternity ; 
 Our sun cannot set in darkness, our pathway must eivl in 
 
 light, 
 And each day will bring us nearer the dawning that 
 
 knows no night. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1883. 
 
 " Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift 
 up my soul unto Thee." — Psalm cxliii. 8. 
 
 God of all power and might, 
 Thou Giver infinite 
 
 Of each good thing ! 
 Author of all our days, 
 Our glad new hymn of praise 
 To Thee alone we raise, 
 
 Our glorious King ! 
 
 Thou art our only hope, 
 To Thee our souls look up 
 
 Without a fear : 
 Father ! to Thee we pray, 
 Cause us to know the way 
 That we must take each day 
 
 Throughout this year. 
 
 keep these hearts of ours, 
 With all their wondrous powers, 
 From going wrong ; 
 
 H.P. K
 
 1 4^ POEMS 
 
 Give us more love, more light, 
 That we with all our might 
 May only do the right, 
 The whole year long. 
 
 Lord, grant that we may see 
 More of Thy purity, 
 
 And purer grow. 
 Thy will, not ours, be done 
 From morn till setting sun, 
 Long as, our course we run, 
 
 While here below. 
 
 Should sorrow cloud our home, 
 Should disappointment come, 
 
 Making us sad, 
 Dry Thou each silent tear, 
 Dispel each rising fear, 
 Do Thou Tlryself draw near 
 
 To make us glad. 
 
 Through the old year we've seen 
 How faithful Thou hast been ! 
 
 Thy love how true ! 
 So, 'neath the shadowing 
 Of Thy protecting wing 
 In faith and hope we'll sing, 
 
 Tl roughout the new !
 
 poems 1 47 
 
 New Year's Morning, 18&3. 
 
 " Days should speak." — Job xxxii. 7. 
 " Day unto day uttereth siDeech." — Psalm xix. 
 
 .As springing from his lowly nest, 
 Shaking the dewdrops from his crest, 
 The lark pours forth his sweetest, best 
 Song to the rising sun ; 
 
 So, with the first faint flush of light, 
 My thoughts would wing their rapid flight 
 'To Him, who claims by sovereign right 
 The New Year just begun. 
 
 His are its moments, His its days, 
 His is my life ; and all my ways 
 Me wills should celebrate His praise, 
 And make His glory known. 
 
 Yet how can I, frail child of earth, 
 Whose life begins to ebb at birth, 
 Bring worship, service, praise that's worth 
 Th' acceptance of my King ? 
 
 As flowers turn to sunny skies, 
 And gather thence their glorious dyes, 
 Their beauty and their fragrancies, 
 To bless this world of ours — 
 
 So would my life a reflex be 
 •Of heavenly light and purity,
 
 I48 POEMS 
 
 Caught from sweet fellowship with Thee r 
 My never-setting Sun ! 
 
 My sole delight to aid and bless, 
 To comfort sorrow, soothe distress, 
 With earnest, patient tenderness, 
 Seeking to raise the fall'n. 
 
 *s 
 
 My happiness from day to day 
 To draw from Thee, then give away 
 To those who have not learnt to pray 
 As yet to Thee, their Friend. 
 
 To share with them my joy and light, 
 The consciousness of doing right, 
 The hope of victory in the fight 
 Between the false and true. 
 
 Thus would I live throughout the year r 
 Without a doubt, without a fear, 
 Self growing dim, but Thou more clear r 
 Not I, but Thou in all. 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1887. 
 
 A heart more humble, true, and pure T 
 
 H oly and fit for Thine abode ; 
 
 A spirit willing to endure 
 
 P ain, or, perhaps, some heavier load, 
 
 P atience to wait, and faith to pray ; 
 
 Y ielding my all to Thee alone.
 
 poems ) 49 
 
 N earer, my God, to Thee each day, 
 E ver more ready to atone 
 With sorrow, when I go astray. 
 
 Y et, bravely righting, may I see 
 E ach conflict crowned with victory : 
 A happy year this then must prove, 
 R esting in Thee, for Thou art Love 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1888. 
 
 ■"In the name of our God we will sat up our banners." — Psalm 
 
 xx. 5. 
 •" For we wrestle net against flesh and blood." — Ephesians vi. 
 
 12. 
 
 As warriors brave in days of old 
 
 Prepared them for the fight, 
 With shield, and spear, and trusty sword, 
 
 To battle for the right ; 
 As on they spurred their gallant steeds 
 
 Into the thickest fray, 
 Heeding not life, or death, so they 
 
 Might help to win the day; 
 
 As loud the silver clarion rang, 
 
 Calling the men to arms, 
 The lordly knights, the brave esquires, 
 
 The peasants from their farms — 
 All gathered in one mighty host, 
 
 One passion filled each breast, 
 'To fight for liberty and home, 
 
 Leaving to Giod the rest —
 
 ! xq POEMS 
 
 To arms ! to arms! is still the cry ; 
 
 Come to the front, ye brave ! 
 And let the New Year's snn stream down. 
 
 On warriors born to save ! 
 Come, sires, and guide the younger men L 
 
 Come, matrons, lead the maids ! 
 Till the glad song of victory 
 
 Resounds through all our glades. 
 
 It is no foreign foe we fear ; 
 
 But one more subtle far 
 Has crept into our peaceful homes, 
 
 Waging a dreadful war : 
 It slays its thousands year by year, 
 
 It fills our land with graves, 
 It floods her tender, loving hearts 
 
 With sorrow's bitter waves ! 
 
 It robs us of our nation's pride, 
 
 By trampling in the dust 
 That which all Christian Englishmen 
 
 Should ever value most- 
 A fair, untarnished, glorious name 
 
 For being good and true, 
 For daring to resist the wrong, 
 
 Pure virtue to pursue. 
 
 Down with the hideous vices, 
 
 Which make such slaves of men ! 
 Strike right and left, and, in God's name, 
 Sever the tyrant's chain ! v
 
 POEMS 1^1 
 
 Show captives how to free themselves 
 From such a bondage vile, 
 
 And gain once more that liberty 
 Which they have lost awhile. 
 
 Call on the mighty Grod of heaven, 
 
 The Father of us all, 
 To be our Captain in the strife, 
 
 Till every foe shall fall! 
 Till every heart in this dear land 
 
 Shall own His gracious sway, 
 And shadows from our homes shall be 
 
 For ever chased away. 
 
 Christmas, 133S. 
 
 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth p^ac>, g >od will 
 toward men.' 1 — Luke li. 14. 
 
 Long, long ago the angels sang, 
 
 " Glory to Gcd " on high, 
 Till all the heavenly arches rang 
 With the grand melody ! 
 
 " Glory to God ! " The saints in light, 
 
 That bow before His throne, 
 Echo, with infinite delight, 
 
 That song of songs alone. 
 
 " Glory to God ! " our voices raise 
 
 Their tribute to His name ; 
 Though far inferior our praise, 
 
 The keynote is the same.
 
 If)2 POEMS 
 
 " Glory to Clod ! " for Christ our King, 
 
 Who came in humble guise, 
 A lowly babe in Bethlehem, 
 
 Though Monarch of the skies. 
 
 That Jesus laid His glory by 
 
 Our Saviour to be ! 
 To bring us light, and life, and joy, 
 
 For death and misery ! 
 
 "Well might the angels long ago, 
 
 Well may the saints in light, 
 Well may we " Glory ! Glory ! " sing, 
 
 For love so infinite ! 
 
 Come, North and South! come, East and West, 
 
 Proclaim, with glad accord, 
 Honour and glory, praise and power 
 
 To Jesus Christ our Lord ! 
 
 New Year's Morning, 1889. 
 
 Hushed is the music of the seraphs' song, 
 Silence lies brooding over land and sea, 
 
 No echo vibrates from the distant hills, 
 No whisper trembles from the forest tree. 
 
 The Old Year passes— and the wings of Time 
 
 Hover around to bear it far away, 
 Into the region of the vast Unknown, 
 
 Where moons rule not the night, nor suns the day.
 
 poems 1 53 
 
 But hark ! the passing breeze a message brings, 
 That fills our waiting hearts with glad surprise, 
 
 The young New Year unfolds her wings and lives 
 The moment that the Old folds his and dies. 
 
 JLife out of seeming death springs forth anew ! 
 
 The " Star of Hope " shines brightly in the sky, 
 Pointing the traveller to the far-off goal, 
 
 Which even now by faith he can descry. 
 
 Oh, glad New Year ! what wilt thou bring to us? 
 
 What hast thou for us in thy bounteous store ? 
 W T e have had " lovingkindness : ' in the past, 
 
 Is it too much to trust thee still for more? 
 
 Oh, glad New Year ! what shall we bring to thee ? 
 
 Say, shall we brighten every passing hour 
 With holy thoughts, unselfish, Christ-like deeds? 
 
 This is our heart's desire ; Lord, grant the power! 
 
 So shall the angels tune their harps again, 
 Bear the glad tidings to the realms above 
 
 That Jesus Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem, 
 
 Has filled our sinful hearts with His own love !
 
 1 54 POEMS 
 
 New Year's Morni.vg, 1890. 
 
 "Fear not." — Isaiah xli. 13. 
 " The Lord shall fight for you."— Exodus xiv. 14. 
 
 No longer, pealing over Bethlehem's hills, 
 Is heard the music of the angel choir, 
 
 Yet the glad message that they brought still fills 
 All lowly, waiting hearts with pure desire. 
 
 And New Years come and go and leave their trace r 
 Their subtle influence on your life and mine ; 
 
 How do they find us ? Cowards, or brave to face 
 All that before us lies in shade or shine ? 
 
 Brave, and yet humble ? Since the past has been 
 
 So often clouded by our own device, 
 Woven of selfishness, and motives mean, 
 
 Rather than generous self-sacrifice. 
 
 Ah, fellow pilgrims to the World of Light, 
 Poor is the record that the best can show ; 
 
 But let not this discourage or affright ; 
 We yet may triumph over every foe. 
 
 As beacon-lights flash o'er the storm-tossed sea, 
 To show the mariner some sheltered spot, 
 
 So, down the ages, shines for you and me 
 
 A star of hope — the Master says, " JTear not ! " 
 
 " The Lord shall fight for you," the promise reads ; 
 
 "Only be strong!'' what wondrous words of cheer 
 Lord, we believe Thou wilt supply our needs, 
 
 And we will trust Thee for another year.
 
 POEMS 155- 
 
 A Fragment. 
 
 (The last ever ivritten by K. J. Jl.) 
 
 The surging billows of life's restless sea 
 
 Break on the shore of calm eternity, 
 And, with the rising of each New Year's tide, 
 
 Thousands of vessels into harbour glide. 
 
 1893. 
 1 
 
 EASTER HYMNS. 
 " We would see Jesus." 
 
 " We would see Jesus " — for an ardent longing 
 Doth fill our hearts to see His loving face ; 
 
 Thousands of anxious souls to Him are thronging, 
 And we amongst the crowd would find a place. 
 
 "We would see Jesus " — for the thirsting spirit 
 Cannot be satisfied with what we hear ; 
 
 We want to see the sight, and, having seen it, 
 Believe, adore, and worship, without fear. 
 
 " We would see Jesus " — for surely He who wrought 
 Such wonders at the grave in Bethany, 
 
 Though by High Priests and Rulers set at naught, 
 Must yet possess far greater power than they.
 
 1 56 POEMS 
 
 u We would see Jesus." " Canst thou take us to Him ? " 
 
 Was the enquiry of the Greeks of old ; 
 Then shall not we with greater faith draw near Him, 
 
 And seek on Christ to lay a stronger hold ? 
 
 " We would see Jesus " — at this Easter season, 
 And hold with Him communion, constant, free ; 
 
 That we may grow thereby is our sole reason 
 For seeking Christ, not curiosity. 
 
 11 We would see Jesus " — in Cethsemane ; 
 
 Behold His agony, and hear Him pray, 
 Witness His conflict with the enemy, 
 
 And there ourselves most humbly learn the way. 
 
 " We would see Jesus " — at the Crucifixion, 
 And weeping stand beneath th' uplifted cross, 
 
 That there we may obtain a benediction, 
 Our souls be purified and freed from dross. 
 
 " We would see Jesus " — in the grave, so dreary, 
 And grieve to think our sins have laid Him there ; 
 
 But, while we mourn they cost our Lord so dearly, 
 We must rejoice, for they are buried there. 
 
 ; ' We would see Jesns '' — at the Resurrection, 
 With joy, like Mary's, and " Rabboni ! " cry, 
 
 Dwelling upon the glorious expectation 
 That we one day shall rise, no more to die. 
 
 " We would sse Jesus " — as those loved disciples, 
 Journeying to Emmaus, bsheld their Lord, 
 
 Walking with Him, forgetting earth-born trifles, 
 So wrapped in conversation with our Cod.
 
 POEMS 157 
 
 " We would see Jesus " — in Ascension glory, 
 
 Hear His farewell, and seek to catch some strain 
 
 Of heavenly music, as the angels bear Him 
 Triumphant to His Father's side again. 
 
 Thus, having seen and heard the Lord, our Saviour, 
 
 May the sweet memory with us abide, 
 Constraining us to seek more of His favour, 
 
 To dwell continually at Jesu's side, 
 
 Until, the work of grace in us completed, 
 
 Whati doth not yet appear we then shall prove ; 
 
 As sons of Clod, with Him in glory seated, 
 We shall be satisfied with perfect love ! 
 
 April 6th, 18G8. 
 
 "We have seen Jesus." 
 
 We have seen Thee, in Resurrection glory, 
 Rise from the tomb, and burst the bands of death, 
 
 Have pondered on the sweet and touching story 
 Of those last forty days Thou spend'st on earth. 
 
 We have heard Thee, in accents gentle, tender, 
 Call us by name, as Thou didst her of old, 
 
 And we acknowledge Thee our Lord and Master ; 
 Increase our love to Thee a thousand-fold. 
 
 We have felt Thee, for our hearts, once aweary 
 
 With the world's turmoil, cares, and ceaseless strife, 
 
 Are conscious of the peace Thy presence giveth ; 
 Communion with Thee tends to higher life.
 
 1 58 POEMS 
 
 Thus having walked with Thee, our Friend and Saviour, 
 Trusted Thy love, and felt Thy gracious power, 
 
 We now would celebrate, with joy and wonder, 
 The triumph of Thy grand Ascension hour. 
 
 Well may our hearts rejoice, our lips sing praises. 
 
 For angel- voices make the myst'ry plain : 
 "" This Jesus, that from you to heaven is taken, 
 
 Will also in like manner come again." 
 
 v &" 
 
 Yes, " Come again ! " those are the words of cheering 
 That compensate for Thy long absence. Lord. 
 
 Strengthen our faith, our hope, our patience daily ; 
 We wait for the fulfilment of Thy word. 
 
 Send us Thy Holy Spirit in rich measure, 
 The Comforter, bid Him with us abide, 
 
 To sanctify, and bring us ever nearer 
 
 Those heav'nly mansions Thou'rt gone to provide. 
 
 Though here on earth Thou walkest now no longer, 
 Talking with Thy belov'd ones face to face, 
 
 Yet dost Thou not forget, but pleadest for them 
 Continually before the throne of grace. 
 
 Such matchless love ! such wond'rous condescension ! 
 
 Jesus, our hearts now fail to comprehend ; 
 But Faith looks forward, with anticipation, 
 
 To the glad time when imperfections end. 
 
 When, no more seeing through a glass so darkly, 
 We shall behold Thee in Thy glory bright ; 
 
 In Thy pure Robe of Righteousness appearing, 
 We shall be perfect in the Father's sight.
 
 POEMS 159 
 
 Easter, 187U. 
 
 Awake, glad soul, with songs of joy and praise ; 
 Hail this glad Easter-morn, this day of days ; 
 For Christ is risen, and angel voices tell 
 How He has conquered death and vanquished hell. 
 
 Awake, sad heart, shake off thy doubts and fears ; 
 Mourners, rejoice, and check those falling tears : 
 No longer in the grave your Master lies ; 
 He has arisen to open Paradise. 
 
 And Nature sings — the vernal fields, and flowers, 
 And twittering birds would join their song to ours, 
 "The clashing torrent, and the sparkling rill 
 Resound His praise — and shall saved man be still ? 
 
 -Jehovah, at Thy feet we humbly bow, 
 
 Eill all our hearts with Thy deep gladness now; 
 
 Help us while here to worship and adore, 
 
 Till we in nobler strains shall praise Thee more. 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 Though earthly friends are dear, 
 
 Yet dearer still 
 To my poor heart is Christ ; 
 
 For He can fill 
 The void that earthly friends 
 
 Ofttimes leave there. 
 Ou Him, alone, I can 
 
 Cast all my care.
 
 l60 POEMS 
 
 Though sympathy is sweet 
 
 From those we love, 
 That hath most power to heal 
 
 "Which, from above, 
 In gentlest whisper, comes 
 
 From off the throne — 
 " Fear not, My troubled child ; 
 
 Thou art Mine own." 
 
 The secrets of my soul 
 
 He only knows — 
 Its wealth and poverty, 
 
 Its joys and woes. 
 The blessings that I need 
 
 He can impart, 
 From the rich treas'ry of 
 
 His loving heart. 
 
 Great is the happiness, 
 
 While here below, 
 In all things beautiful 
 
 My Clod to know, 
 In mercies daily given 
 
 His hand to see, 
 To feel, with childlike trust, 
 
 He cares for me. 
 
 But what will be the joy 
 
 When, free from sin, 
 From all that binds my soul, 
 
 I stand within 
 The heavenly palaces, 
 
 And there adore 
 
 Jesus, my Saviour-friend, 
 
 For evermore ! 
 
 Aug. 16tli, 1868.
 
 POEMS l6l 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 My Father, I would pure and holy be, 
 Intent on doing that which pleaseth Thee. 
 Oh, send Thy quick'ning Spirit from above, 
 To fill my heart, with Thy rich, boundless love. 
 
 As night's dark shades disperse, and flee away 
 Before the bright and genial light of day, 
 So, Sun of Righteousness, within me shine, 
 Dispel the night of sin, and make me Thine. 
 
 Just as the early and the latter rain 
 
 Cheer the parched earth and make it smile again, 
 
 So bid refreshing show'rs on me descend, 
 
 That all my heart's desires may Thee-ward tend. 
 
 As in a tranquil lake there mirrored lies 
 The sunset glory of the western skies, 
 So may my life reflect, by pow'r Divine, 
 Some of the beauty, Lord, that shone in Thine. 
 
 Lead ever upward on the starry road, 
 Each day more near to heaven, more near to God, 
 Until my fettered soul, by death set free, 
 Enters yon pearly gates to dwell with Thee. 
 
 June 3rd, 1870. 
 
 R. P.
 
 1 62 POEMS 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 My God, is any hour so dear, 
 
 So full of deep delight, 
 As that wherein Thou drawest near, 
 
 Granting Thy child a sight 
 Of all the tenderness that dwells 
 
 Within Thy loving breast, 
 Turning my fears to confidence, 
 
 My doubts to heavenly rest? 
 
 I thank Thee, oh, I thank Thee, Lord, 
 
 That Thou dost understand 
 My wayward heart so thoroughly, 
 
 And that Thy gentle hand 
 Has never failed to comfort me, 
 
 And soothe away my care, 
 E'en when that heart was gloomiest, 
 
 And verging on despair. 
 
 Thou knowest, Saviour, better far 
 
 Than I can tell in prayer, 
 How oftentimes with longing search 
 
 I seek Thee everywhere, 
 Yearning for Thy blest sympathy, 
 
 Thy fellowship Divine, 
 To shed some heavenly light into 
 
 This cloudy soul of mine ;
 
 /'OEMS 163 
 
 How, when my love is growing cold, 
 
 And faith is waxing dim, 
 I, notwithstanding all my faults, 
 
 Ever return to Him, 
 Who in my heart of hearts I love 
 
 More than all else beside, 
 Though often in my wilfulness 
 
 I wander far and wide. 
 
 Thou know'st I love Thee, my God, 
 
 And that I fain would be 
 Just what Thy love unspeakable 
 
 Alone would make of me. 
 I'd have no will apart from Thine. 
 
 Teach me, in Thine own way, 
 Till earthly wanderings shall end 
 
 In heaven's eternal day. 
 
 Jan. 21th, 1878. 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 Jesus, Thou source of all my joys, 
 
 I love to call Thee mine ; 
 But it is infinite delight 
 
 To know that I am Thine ; 
 
 That Thou, my ever constant Friend, 
 
 Wilt never bid me go, 
 Wilt never send me from Thy side, 
 
 But love through weal and woe.
 
 Jt>4 POEMS 
 
 bind me closer to Thy heart, 
 That heart that bled for me, 
 
 And let me never faithless prove— 
 A rebel, Lord, to Thee. 
 
 Encompass me from morn till eve ; 
 
 Thy presence makes me blest ; 
 Be with me through each hour of toil, 
 
 And when I sink to rest. 
 
 Then, when thy glorious messengers 
 
 Shall call my soul away, 
 I'll joyful pass the pearly gates, 
 
 Unto eternal day. 
 
 There, where no clouds shall intervene 
 To hide Thee from my gaze, 
 
 I'll never weary to proclaim 
 Thy love in endless praise. 
 
 May 28th, 1871 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 Thine, only Thine, precious Saviour 
 
 I want this heart to be ; 
 Just as it is, all unholy, 
 
 I yield it up to Thee. 
 
 Oh, hold it fast in Thy keeping; 
 
 It is unsafe with me ; 
 Guide it and guard it for ever, 
 
 Tlirough all eternity.
 
 POEMS 165 
 
 Chase away all of its darkness, 
 Let Thy light on it shine, 
 
 Mould it afresh to Thine image, 
 Fill it with love Divine. 
 
 'Tis often so prone to wander 
 Far from Thy way aside ; 
 
 0, fold it more closely to Thee, 
 Bid it in Thee abide. 
 
 Do with it just as Thou wiliest 
 It shall be Thine alone ; 
 
 Sanctify, purify, fit it 
 
 To dwell before Thy throne. 
 
 To Father, Son, and the Spirit, 
 
 All glory I will give, 
 For ever, and for evermore, 
 
 While ceaseless ages live. 
 
 June 4th, 1871. 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 Come, fill me with Thy fulness, Lord ; 
 Now let Thy love be shed abroad 
 Within this heart, that I may be 
 An image, though but faint, of Thee. 
 
 I long to see Thee as Thou art, 
 I long to feel my sin depart ; 
 bid Thy Holy Spirit rest 
 Within my heart, a constant guest.
 
 1 66 POEMS 
 
 Psalm xix. 2. 
 
 Almighty Maker, great and glorious God, 
 Th}' majesty in all around we see ; 
 The rolling thunder and the rushing flood 
 Proclaim the power that's found alone in Thee. 
 
 At Thy command the waves to mountains soar, 
 Or into valleys sink at Thy decree, 
 Or, foaming, dash against the rock-bound shore, 
 Or passive lie, in grand tranquility. 
 
 Thou speakest, and a flood of rosy light 
 Bathes the still sleeping earth in splendour rare, 
 Unveiling, from the sombre shades of night, 
 Morning— of all Thy works so wondrous fair. 
 
 The calmer beauty of the evening hour 
 Not less declares Thy all-creative hand, 
 Praising, with silent eloquence, the power 
 That fashioned and arranged her starry band. 
 
 And man, of all Thy works the masterpiece, 
 Formed in his Maker's image, good and pure, 
 Joins the glad chorus, nor will ever cease 
 To hymn Thy praise so long as time endure. 
 
 Nature records Thy goodness, wisdom, might ; 
 These form the theme of her perpetual song ; 
 Redeeming love and mercy infinite — 
 The anthem we through ages shall prolong. 
 
 Sept. 20th, 1870.
 
 POEMS 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 167 
 
 Jehovah, great I am, 
 Help us to come to Thee, 
 And reverently bow 
 On bended knee. 
 
 Our wants are many, Lord, 
 And very deep our need ; 
 But boundless is Thy store- 
 Do Thou us feed. 
 
 In pastures fresh and greens** 
 Guide Thou our weary feet,9 f 
 And satisfy our souls 
 With waters sweet. 
 
 Oh, give us strength to fight 
 Against each darling sin ; 
 The victory over self 
 Help us to win. 
 
 Our stubborn, wayward wills 
 Do Thou, our Lord, control ; 
 Entire possession take 
 Of every soul. 
 
 With childlike trust and faith 
 Till every waiting heart ; 
 True wisdom from above 
 Do Thou impart.
 
 1 68 
 
 POEMS 
 
 Help us to grow in grace, 
 Thou Lamb, for sinners slain, 
 Till Ave resign the cross — 
 The crown to gain. 
 
 Then, when our race is run, 
 And every conflict o'er, 
 We shall admission gain 
 At heaven's door. 
 
 And, with our Lord's " Well done " 
 We'll enter into rest, 
 To reign with Christ in light, 
 For ever blest. 
 
 August, 186G. 
 
 Hymn. 
 
 My thoughts are so prone to wander 
 
 From Thee aside ; 
 Oh, Father, dear Father, bid them 
 
 In Thee abide. 
 
 The world, with its occupations, 
 
 Steals them away, 
 And fills my heart with its folly 
 
 When I would pray. 
 
 Thoughts, that I know are unholy, 
 
 Often intrude ; 
 Yet my heart is longing for these 
 
 To be subdued.
 
 J 
 
 POEMS 169 
 
 Take, then, my thoughts, precious Saviour, 
 
 Into Thy care ; 
 Waking, or sleeping, preserve them 
 
 From every snare. 
 
 For, of myself, I am helpless 
 
 Them to control ; 
 With Thine own thoughts, pure and holy, 
 
 Fill Thou my soul. 
 
 Thus, if I daily am growing 
 
 Like unto Thee, 
 Thine all my thoughts, all my wishes, 
 
 Ever shall be. 
 
 A Song of Praise. 
 
 Thy children, Lord, within the veil 
 Are precious in Thy sight ; 
 
 Equally dear to Thee are those 
 Who still maintain the fight. 
 
 Oh, had I but a thousand tongues, 
 
 I'd use them all to sing 
 The wonders of redeeming love, 
 
 Till earth and heaven should ring. 
 
 I praise Thee for unceasing gifts, 
 
 Unmerited and free, 
 That Thy kind hand, from day to day, 
 
 Doth shower down on me. •
 
 1 70 POEMS 
 
 Angels and spirits glorified 
 
 Are praising Thee above, 
 And my glad soul would bless Thy name 
 
 For Thine unceasing love. 
 
 Though the grand chorus of the sky 
 Surrounds Thee all day long, 
 
 Yet, Father, Thou wilt stoop to hear 
 My poor, imperfect song. 
 
 For, though I cannot see Thy face 
 As these bright myriads do, 
 
 Thy grace has taught my heart to sing, 
 Until I share the view. 
 
 Marah and Elim. 
 
 Why drink so deep from Marah's bitter stream 
 When Elim's crystal fountains flow ahead ? 
 
 Why linger 'neath the desert sun's fierce beam 
 When Elim's palm-trees grateful shadows spread ? 
 
 Why hangs thy harp from yonder willow-bough 
 So irresponsive to the passing breeze ? 
 
 Say, have thy hands forgot their skill, and how 
 To woo sweet music from those silent keys ? 
 
 say, dear heart, if, truly, 'tis thy grief 
 That weighs so sorely that no friendly hand 
 
 Can bring to thee sweet comfort or relief, 
 
 Like healing balm from Gilead's flowery land.
 
 POEMS 171 
 
 Do tears so dim thine eyes, thou canst mt see 
 
 The silver lining to the passing cloud ? 
 And that small voice that strives to speak with thee, 
 
 Dost thou not hear because grief speaks too loud ? 
 
 Hast thou forgot that, for one bitter draught 
 
 Of Marah's water, Israel of old 
 Found twelve sweet wells at Elim, whence they quaffed — 
 
 A boon to them more precious far than gold ? 
 
 And, so, for thee there are rich gifts in store, 
 Beydnd this Marah, where thou now dost weep. 
 
 Arise, press forward, linger here no more, 
 
 Lest deeper shades of darkness round thee creep. 
 
 full well I know, the soul that would be strong 
 Must pass through darkness ere it reach the light, 
 
 Must bear its share of sorrow if, erelong, 
 
 'Tvvould learn each day to live and grow aright. 
 
 Yet let us not forget that He, whose will 
 
 Sends light with darkness — with the bitter sweet — 
 
 Intends that good shall far exceed the ill, 
 That all our joys in Him may be complete. 
 
 1878. 
 
 Rest. 
 
 Rest for the heart that's weary, 
 
 Rest for the troubled mind, 
 Rest, when our life seems dreary, 
 In Jesus Christ we find. 
 He ever gently whispers, "Peace, be still," 
 And calms the raging tempest at His will.
 
 172 POEMS 
 
 Banish, the doubts that grieve thee, 
 
 Hushed be each anxious care, 
 " Fear not, for I am with thee, 
 And can thy burden bear." 
 List to the voice that whispers at thy side, 
 " And evermore in Me alone abide." 
 
 Call not thy life a burden, 
 
 Though often clouds appear ; 
 And though the night seems dreary, 
 Yet Jesus Christ is there, 
 Waiting, with ready hand and loving heart, 
 Gently to lead thee through the darkest part. 
 
 Light soon shall dawn upon thee, 
 
 The night shall flee away ; 
 Trust, then, thy loving Saviour, 
 He'll make all bright as day, 
 And, stooping o'er thee from His throne above, 
 Refill thy heart with hope, joy, peace, and love. 
 
 Jan. 15th, 1865 
 
 Christ the Rock. 
 
 Christ is my Rock in the desert drear, 
 
 Affording a cool retreat ; 
 Beneath His shadow I rest secure 
 
 Prom the scorching noontide heat. 
 
 Christ is my Rock, and on Him I build ; 
 
 My Foundation is secure ; 
 Though all things earthl} 7 shall pass away, 
 
 He for ever shall endure.
 
 POEMS 17 
 
 Christ is my Rock in a thirsty land, 
 
 From Him living waters flow ; 
 Of them I drink, and the life they give 
 None but those who taste them know. 
 
 Christ is my Rock, far higher than I, 
 
 So faithful, so firm and true ; 
 To Him I look in the hour of need, 
 
 And He doth my strength renew. 
 
 Christ is my Rock, in Him will I trust, 
 ' As long as on earth I dwell. 
 And when my faith shall be turned to sight 
 I'll not cease His love to tell. 
 
 April 25th, 1868. 
 
 D 
 
 Gethsemane. 
 
 To yon lone garden of Gethsemane 
 
 Do thou, my soul, repair, 
 But gently, softly, reverently tread, 
 
 For Jesus Christ is there. 
 
 Behold Him there with bitter grief bowed down, 
 
 O'erwhelmed with deepest woe, 
 With Satan struggling in that trying hour, 
 
 His bold, but vanquished foe. 
 
 In the deep stillness of that calm, dark night 
 
 Dost thou not hear Him pray, 
 " My Father, if it be Thy holy will, 
 
 Let this cup pass away.
 
 174 POEMS 
 
 " Nevertheless, whate'er Thy will may be, 
 Not Mine, but Thine be done " ? 
 
 So pleads the great Redeemer of mankind, 
 God's own beloved Son. 
 
 Christ's Humility. 
 
 Wondrous humility ! the Saviour stands, 
 
 While man assumes such prompt, such high degree, 
 And sways his sceptre far o'er many lands — 
 
 Christ walks among the crowds in Galilee. 
 That royal head, so used to wear a crown, 
 
 Crownless among the poor of earth is seen ; 
 The kingly robe and sceptre are laid down, 
 
 The throne exchanged for haunts where few have been. 
 
 Wondrous humility! the mountain's brow 
 
 Now witnesses the fervour of His,, prayer ; 
 While seraphim, who once were wont to bow 
 
 Low at His feet, or swiftly cat the air 
 To execute His will, now, wond'ring, see 
 
 From heaven's high arches the amazing sight— 
 The Son of God in prayer for you awhile, 
 
 His soul in darkness that we might have light. 
 
 Wondrous humility ! the Father's home 
 
 Exchanged for poverty, contact with sin ; 
 The human form assum'd that He alone 
 
 Might conquer death, eternal life to win. 
 Not for Himself, but for our fallen race, 
 
 That we who once were dead through Him might live. 
 Our souls be purified, and clothed with grace — 
 
 Such were the blessings that Christ came to give.
 
 POEMS 
 
 Wondrous humility! amazing thought, 
 
 Beyond the power of man to comprehend. 
 Jesus, I would of Thee alone be taught ; 
 
 And well I know that Thou wilt condescend 
 To my poor heart, unworthy though it be, 
 
 Wilt enter in, and teach, in Thine own way, 
 Lessons of love and deep humility, 
 
 Till dawn shall burst into eternal day. 
 
 Aug. 9th, 18<>8. 
 
 /o 
 
 The Higher Rock. 
 
 Psalm lxi. 2. 
 
 Father, in deepast night I cry to Thee; 
 The way is dark ; I almost fail to see 
 Thy guiding hand. 
 
 Oh, send some ray of light my sight, to cheer ! 
 Oh, let my waiting heart Thy sweet voice hear 
 Amidst the gloom ! 
 
 Temptations press me ; sore perplexed, dismayed, 
 Tossed by the storm, where can I look for aid 
 But unto Thee ? 
 
 1 Corinthians i. 30, 31. 
 
 Christ is my righteousness ; 
 
 His robe I wear ; 
 Clothed in that spotless garb, 
 
 I need not fear.
 
 1 76 POEMS 
 
 He will present me whole 
 To God above. 
 
 Jesus, I love Thee for 
 Tby boundless love. 
 
 Christ sanctifieth me ; 
 
 He will not rest 
 Until my ransomed soul 
 
 Is fully blest. 
 Until, made free from sin, 
 
 I join heaven's choir, 
 Jesus, to praise Thy love, 
 
 That cannot tire. 
 
 Christ, my redemption is 
 
 From death and hell ; 
 He died that I might live, 
 
 And with Him dwell — 
 That I eternity 
 
 Might with Him spend. 
 Lord, I adore Thy love, 
 
 That knows no end. 
 
 In Jesus I glory— yes, 
 
 In Him alone, 
 Before whom angels bow 
 
 Around the throne. 
 My latest breath on earth 
 
 Shall sound His praise ; 
 My first in heaven the same 
 
 Clad song shall raise. 
 
 June 2nd, 1872.
 
 poems 1 77 
 
 Jerus Knows. 
 
 Jesus knows my heart's desire, 
 Every thought and feeling ; 
 
 Joy for sorrow He can give, 
 And for pain send healing. 
 
 Better far than earthly friend 
 Is my Saviour tender ; 
 
 Therefore, gladly unto Him 
 I my heart surrender. 
 
 He shall reign supremely there, 
 Lord of every passion, 
 
 Till into His image bright . • 
 He my soul shall fashion. 
 
 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil 
 
 the Law of Christ." — Gal. vi. 2. 
 
 [.   
 Trav'ller to Zion's city, 
 
 Bound for the land of rest, 
 Oftentimes sad and weary, 
 
 Afflicted and distressed, 
 When o'er thy sorrow sighing, 
 
 Thy trouble and thy care, 
 Think of thy needy brother, 
 
 And help his cross to bear. 
 
 R. P. M
 
 1 78 POEMS 
 
 Soldier of Christ, whilst bravely 
 
 Waging the war of life — 
 Through Christ, Salvation's Captain, 
 
 A victor in the strife — 
 Pass not thy weaker comrade ; 
 
 The burden he doth bear, 
 Though naught to thee, will crush him ; 
 
 Then seek the load to share. 
 
 When in the sultry noontide 
 
 Thou find'st a cool retreat, 
 'Neath the shadow of the Rock, 
 
 From the sun's scorching heat, 
 Look to thy weary neighbour, 
 
 His burden thou wilt ber.r, 
 If lovingly and gently 
 
 Thou guide his footsteps there. 
 
 Thus, as through life you travel, 
 
 Endeavour to fulfil 
 This precept of the Mnster, 
 
 Through good report and ill. 
 Your joy will be the greater. 
 
 And sweeter, too, your rest ; 
 For while thus blessing others 
 
 You also shall be blest. 
 
 Dec, 1869.
 
 poems 1 79 
 
 The Sands of Time. 
 
 The sands of time are shifting clay by day, 
 And, on the bosom of life's rapid stream, 
 
 Barque after barque is seen to glide away 
 To the unknown, like phantoms in a dream. 
 
 The sands of time are shifting day by day ; 
 
 No fairy hand can place them as they were ; 
 No pow'r can bid life's rapid river stay 
 
 Its onward course to regions dark or fair. 
 
 Oh ! sands of time, where are the countless feet 
 That once in busy haste your surface pressed ? 
 
 Say, rapid river, rides thy num'rous fleet, 
 Now safely anchored, in some bay of rest. 
 
 Why do thy waters, in their ceaseless flow, 
 Bring back no echo from that far-off shore 
 
 To our sad, waiting hearts, that long to know 
 Something of those that have gone on before ? 
 
 In vain we ask, in vain we seek to learn 
 
 The myst'ries hidden 'neath Thy shifting sand ; 
 
 Our eyes are holden till we, too, in turn 
 
 Shall cross the bound'ry of that distant land. 
 
 Then, only, shall we learn, with glad surprise, 
 The secret meaning of each shadow cast 
 
 On the horizon of our sunny skies, 
 
 And that life's river ends in home at last. 
 
 April, 1879.
 
 I SO POEMS 
 
 When Most We Mourn. 
 
 Tis not while the spirit is wafted 
 
 From this to the world above 
 That we most need some word of kindness, 
 
 Or long for a look of love. 
 
 'Tis not when the cold earth encloses 
 
 The form that we held so dear 
 That we most yearn for one to comfort, 
 
 Our sorrowful hearts to cheer. 
 
 'Tis during the dark days of mourning, 
 
 When all we can do is done, 
 
 When the funeral rites are over, 
 
 We most miss the absent one. 
 
 1884. 
 
 Written on Her 27th Birthday. 
 
 Holy, holy Jesus, come, 
 
 Dwell in my poor heart ; 
 By Thy blessed Spirit now 
 
 Life and love impart. 
 " Glory be to God on high," 
 
 Angels sang of old ; 
 And I gratefully would praise 
 
 Thee a thousand-fold.
 
 POEMS iNl 
 
 Holy, holy Jesus, come, 
 
 Make me truly blest ; 
 Holy thoughts and pure desires 
 
 Kindle in my breast. 
 Draw my love from earth away, 
 
 Centre it in Thee — 
 Jesus, Saviour of mankind, 
 
 Lamb of Calvary. 
 
 Holy, holy Jesus, come, 
 
 Teach me how to live; 
 A whole life of service I 
 
 Unto Thee would give. 
 Sanctify each effort made, 
 
 Mould my wayward will 
 To Thine image ; things of Christ 
 
 Showing to me still. 
 
 Holy, holy Jesus, come ; 
 
 Thy bright beams of light 
 Chase away all gloomy clouds, 
 
 Turn to day the night. 
 Where Thou art I long to dwell, 
 
 Thy blest face to see ; 
 And to Thee I will ascribe 
 
 Praise eternally. 
 
 Jan. 10th, 1870.
 
 1 82 POEMS 
 
 My Desire. 
 
 More faith, more hope, and ever-growing love, 
 Increasing strength, and wisdom from above ; 
 More light to shine upon the chequer'd way, 
 A daily progress towards eternal day ; 
 A truer sense of what is wrong within, 
 A sterner shrinking from all thoughts of sin, 
 A clearer insight into heav'nly things, 
 A looser hold on earth, a heart that sings 
 Its boundless gratitude in heav'n-born lays, 
 Precursors of its endless songs of praise. 
 
 Humility, 
 
 What is humility ? A virtue rare ! 
 A heav'n-born gift ! and only here and there 
 Humility is found, like some choice flow'rs 
 That grow and blossom in secluded bow'rs. 
 Knowing herself, she does not seek a place 
 Among earth's mighty ones ; content to grace 
 Some lowly sphere ; yet there must live to shine, 
 Because her very essence is Divine.
 
 POEMS 183 
 
 Change and the Unchanging. 
 
 Oh, what a chequered scene this life of ours ! 
 Sometimes the sunshine and the sweet spring flow'rs, 
 And then the darken'd sky and clouds again, 
 Returning ever after show'rs of rain. 
 
 To-day the heart seems light and free from care, 
 To-morrow brings some burden hard to bear ; 
 The^norning sees bright smiles light up the face, 
 The evening comes — perhaps tears flow apace. 
 
 Oh, what a shattered wreck the soul would be, 
 Tossed Without mercy by life's troubled sea, 
 Were there no certain hope, no power to know 
 That there's a haven where no rough winds blow, 
 
 That there's an anchorage, so firm and true, 
 That all the wildest storms that ever blew 
 Cannot unmoor the vessel from her hold 
 Upon that Rock, blow they a thousand-fold. 
 
 Christ, what joy to think that Thou art mine, 
 That 'mid these changing scenes I, too, am Thine ; 
 That, come what may, I have no cause for fear, 
 Because that Thou art with me everywhere. 
 
 Draw me, dear Saviour, daily nearer Thee, 
 
 Do Thou my never-failing Pilot be ; 
 
 Cuide me through storm and calm to that bright shore, 
 
 Where every strife shall cease for evermore.
 
 l8.[ POEMS 
 
 Life. 
 
 This life is but a restless sea, 
 Whose billows rise and swell. 
 
 Not here, not here, poor sin-tossed soul, 
 Canst thou securely dwell. 
 
 Breakers and rocks there are ahead, 
 Beneath yon treach'rous foam ; 
 
 Ob, trust it not ; consult " the Chart " 
 That points thee to thy home. 
 
 The waves will not be always calm, 
 Not always bright thy sky ; 
 
 Oh, seek thou in prosperity 
 To set thy hopes on high. 
 
 Parting Hymn. 
 
 Abide with, us: for it is toward evening."— Luke xxiv. 29. 
 
 No. 624, Bristol Tunk-Book. 
 
 The weary earth is sinking to repose, 
 As shades of darkness softly round us close, 
 Yet once again, dear Lord, in prayer to Thee, 
 Before we leave Thy house, we bend the knee. 
 
 Our varied wants we leave before Thy throne, 
 In fullest faith that Thou, who know'st alone 
 How deep our need is, wilt not fail to bless, 
 According to Thine own deep tenderness.
 
 POEMS 185 
 
 Yet one more blessed gift, dear Lord, bestow, 
 Upon Thy waiting children, ere we go 
 Forth from these hallow'd precincts, where we've been 
 In sweet communion with Thee, though unseen : 
 
 Now let Thy peace, which passeth human thought, 
 Into each hbre of our souls be wrought, — 
 The peace of God, that none can take away, 
 If Thou but send it, and wilt bid it stay. 
 
 So to our Father will we glory give, 
 
 And to His risen Son, through whom we live ; 
 
 The sanctifying Spirit we'll adore, 
 
 From day to day, henceforth, for evermore. 
 
 1879. 
 
 " Peace be unto you." — Luke xxiv. 36. 
 
 Ere I Rest. 
 
 Gently creeps on the stillness of the night, 
 Hush'd is the noise and bustle of the day, 
 
 In yonder heaven the stars are shining bright, 
 The silver moon is sailing on her way. 
 
 'Tis time to rest ; but, ere thou seek'st repose 
 At this the waning of another day, 
 
 Thy silent chamber enter — gently close 
 
 The door on all without— then kneel and pray. 
 
 Pray to that God, who, though He reigns above, 
 A mighty Lord of earth and air and seas, 
 
 Yet hearkens with a parent's tender love 
 
 To ev'ry prayer poured forth on bended knees.
 
 1 86 POEMS 
 
 A Fragment. 
 
 Thus, clay by day, aud year by year, 
 
 We'll trust in Thee alone, 
 Till Thou shalt end our wand'rings here, 
 
 And land us safe at home. 
 
 Weep Not for Me. 
 
 Oh, weep not for me ; sorrow not o'er my grave ; 
 
 My spirit dwelleth not within that silent tomb 
 Oh, raise the eye of faith to yon bright heaven ; 
 
 'Tis there that I now dwell, where there's no death, no 
 gloom. 
 
 Oh, weep not for me, for mine is perfect bliss ; 
 
 For I have left all disappointment, grief, and pain ; 
 I have exchanged yon passing world for this, 
 
 With Christ, my gracious Lord, for evermore to reign. 
 
 Oh, weep not for me, for a new song I sing, 
 
 And with the ransomed host before my Saviour bow ; 
 
 In my right hand the victor's palm I bear, 
 A never-fading crown encircles now my brow.
 
 POEMS l8y 
 
 Infant's Prayer. 
 
 " Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected 
 praise." — Matt. xxi. 16. 
 
 No. 509, Bristol Tune-Book. 
 
 Gentle Saviour, Lamb of God, 
 Look from, heaven, Thy bright abode, 
 Pour Thy Spirit on us now, 
 Touch our hearts, and teach us how 
 I Little children such as we 
 
 In Thy house should worship Thee. 
 
 As we sing Thy praises here, 
 Let us not forget Thou'rt near, 
 List'ning to our simple lay, 
 Hearing all the words we say, 
 Knowing if we feel them too, 
 As Thy little ones should do. 
 
 When we read Thy holy Word, 
 Speak to us Thyself, dear Lord ; 
 Make the meaning very clear 
 In our hearts, that we may fear 
 What is wrong, and learn the way 
 How to please Thee ev'ry day. 
 
 When we bow our heads to pray, 
 Take all idle thoughts away, 
 Make us conscious of our need, 
 That we earnestly may plead 
 For those gifts Thou hast in store 
 For Thy children evermore.
 
 1 88 POEMS 
 
 Gentle Saviour, Lamb of God, 
 Look from heaven, Thy bright abode ; 
 For, though we are children weak, 
 We would learn Thy face to seek ; 
 Hear us, help vis, Saviour mild, 
 Since Thou, too, wast once a child. 
 
 '•Then Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth."- 
 
 1 Samuel iii. 10. 
 
 Children's Hymn. 
 
 Dear Father of each little child 
 
 That humbly turns to Thee, 
 Look down from heaven, Thy dwelling-place, 
 
 On our simplicity. 
 
 Oh, let our hymns of prayer and praise 
 
 Reach Thy bright home above, 
 Where many children young as we 
 
 For ever sing Thy love. 
 
 Send down Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, 
 
 To purify each heart ; 
 To ev'ry waiting little one 
 
 Thy saving grace impart. 
 
 Good Shepherd of the tender lambs, 
 
 Lead us from day to day ; 
 For much we need Thy gentle care 
 
 To guard us, lest we stray.
 
 POEMS 189 
 
 Now, in the days of early youth, 
 
 Dear Saviour, make us Thine, 
 That when our days on earth shall end 
 
 We may in glory shine. 
 
 A Child's Hymn. 
 
 I feel just like a little child 
 
 In a battle, fierce and long ; 
 Hut, Father, I will cling to Thee, 
 
 For Thou art very strong. 
 
 1 am not very old in years, 
 
 And I'm very young in grace ; 
 But Thou hast said the feeblest, Lord, 
 
 May seek Thy glorious face. 
 
 I long to be more loving, Lord, 
 
 More forgiving, gentle, meek ; 
 And Thou hast said that those who pray 
 
 Shall have that which they seek. 
 
 Then wash me in Thy precious blood, 
 Make and keep me free from sin ; 
 
 Then make my heart a temple, Lord, 
 Where Thou canst enter in. 
 
 Then, though I'm but a little child, 
 
 There's no danger I need fear ; 
 for, with my Father at my side, 
 
 I'm happy ev'rywhere. 
 
   Jan. 8th, 1866.
 
 190 
 
 POEMS 
 
 Children's Hymn. 
 
 Saviour, clear Saviour, we come— 
 
 Children weak. 
 Send us not empty away ; 
 Graciously help us to-day 
 Thee to seek. 
 
 Thou didst the little ones call 
 
 Long ago. 
 Wilt not Thou then on us smile, 
 Tenderly blessing the while? 
 
 Surely so. 
 
 Do Thou Thy Spirit send down 
 
 From above ; 
 Gentleness, meekness impart, 
 Fill ev'ry waiting young heart 
 With Thy love. 
 
 Lead us where pastures are green, 
 
 Lord, we pray. 
 Teach us to follow Thy voice, 
 And in Thee ever rejoice, 
 Day by day. 
 
 Shield us, when evil is near, 
 
 With Thine arm ; 
 Let not our feeble steps slide ; 
 Keep us quite close to Thy side, 
 
 Safe from harm.
 
 POEMS 191 
 
 Till, by our Good Shepherd led, 
 
 Dangers past, 
 We shall in yonder bright land 
 Meet in an unbroken band — 
 
 Home at last. 
 
 Voices of Nature. 
 
 1 
 The mountains, and the everlasting hills ; 
 
 The dashing torrents, and the sparkling rills ; 
 The tranquil lake, with water clear and deep, 
 On whosa calm bosom fair white lilies sleep ; 
 The tiny flow'rs that spring up at our feet, 
 Diffusing all around their fragrance sweet ; 
 The gentle murmur of the passing breeze, 
 Whisp'ring among the boughs of lofty trees ; 
 The warbling of the birds in shady grove ; 
 The heart that beats with warm and fervent love- 
 Each thing around, above, below, we see 
 Hath its own voice that speaks to } 7 ou and me. 
 
 A Fragment. 
 
 Oh, for the pen to write 
 As only the poet can ! 
 
 Oh, for his voice to speak 
 His thoughts to fellow-man !
 
 1 92 POEMS 
 
 Of beauties that he sees 
 
 In this fair world of ours, 
 Of voices that he hears 
 
 In wood*, and streams, and flowers. 
 
 Spring. 
 
 Shall we wake to find the south wind blowing 
 
 Softly over moor and hill ? 
 Shall we wake to find the waters flowing 
 
 Gently in each tiny rill ? 
 
 Oh, blow, thou sweet south wind! 
 
 Shall we wake to find the ice is breaking, 
 
 And the snow passing away? 
 Shall we wake to find the earth is waking, 
 i 'Neath the sun's warm, genial ray ? 
 Oh, shine, dear absent sun ! 
 
 For our weary hearts are sadly yearning 
 For the long bright days of spring, 
 
 And our thoughts are very fondly turning 
 To the time when birds shall sing. 
 
 Oh, sing, sweet birds, once more ! 
 
 187(3.
 
 poems i'):; 
 
 Spring. 
 
 Springs come and go, 
 And summer suns shine bright, 
 While heavenly breezes waft 
 To realms of light. 
 
 *s>* 
 
 Our frail barques toss 
 Upon the waves of time ; 
 Our Pole-star, pointing to 
 A changeless clime, 
 
 Leaves not alone 
 The soul that trusts His rays, 
 'Till glad eternity 
 Eclipses days. 
 
 1880. 
 
 The First Snowdrop. 
 
 Sweet little flower, so dear to me, 
 
 First messenger of spring ; 
 Your presence makes my heart rejoice, 
 
 It makes my spirit sing. 
 
 It tells me that the short, dark days 
 
 Will lengthen as they go, 
 That summer's sun will shine again, 
 
 And soft, warm breezes blow. 
 
 But, better far, it lifts my heart 
 To Him who gave thee birth, 
 
 And bids each little blossom grow 
 To beautify the earth. 
 
 K. P. N
 
 194 POEMS 
 
 Flowers. 
 
 flowers ! dear flowers ! I love you well, 
 From the stately rose to the sweet harebell, 
 That fairy-like bows to the pas-sing breeze, 
 Or laughingly nods to the honey-bees. 
 
 Ah ! many a lesson you've taught to me, 
 Since the dear God gave me eyes to see : 
 The same hand painted, with exquisite care, 
 The tiniest weed and the blossom rare. 
 
 What wonderful colours of ev'ry hue, 
 From glorious crimson to heaven's own blue ; 
 What charming variety ev'rj'where ! 
 What delicate perfumes pervade the air ! 
 
 'Tis true, same lament in a hopeless way, 
 That flowers, sweet flowers, must pass away ; 
 But to me the}" give more of joy than pain, 
 For I love to think they will bloom again. 
 
 Dear Father of Mercies, this heart of mine 
 Looks, with a glad confidence, up to Thine ; 
 
 1 thank Thee for butterflies, birds, and show'rs, 
 But most of all for the beautiful flow'rs.
 
 POEMS 19.) 
 
 / 
 
 Autumn. 
 
 Dead leaves are falling ev'rywhere, 
 
 And Nature's voice is still ; 
 The fruits have all been gathered in, 
 
 From orchard, vale, and hill. 
 
 The copse is silent, and the glen 
 
 No longer teems with flow'rs, 
 •Or rings with shouts of childish glee, 
 
 As in the summer hours. 
 
 The lark no longer soars on high, 
 
 To warble forth her lay, 
 With heart that seems to burst with joy, 
 
 And throb with ecstasy ; 
 
 But in the furrow sits and sings 
 
 A softer, gentler strain, 
 That seems to say, " Though autumn's here, 
 
 The spring will come again." 
 
 The robin and the little wren 
 
 In bush and brake are seen, 
 Where blackbirds, and the sweet song-thrush, 
 
 In days gone by have been. 
 
 Even the little gossamer 
 
 Has ceased to weave her thread, 
 
 In webs of finest filigree 
 Upon the path we tread.
 
 1 Q6 poems 
 
 The bright and sunny days are gone ; 
 
 But in our hearts there lives 
 The light of deep warm love to Him 
 
 Who all our blessings gives. 
 
 The changing seasons — all are His — 
 
 To us in mercy giv'n, 
 That we may more anticipate 
 
 The fadeless joys of heav'n. 
 
 The Wind's Evensong. 
 
 I love to hear the " going " in the trees 
 When ev'ning shadows fall upon the land ; 
 
 The gentle whisper of the passing breeze, 
 
 It seems to speak, and make nrv heart expand. 
 
 Each little leaf is, as it were, a friend, 
 And myriad things do they to me unfold, 
 
 Which welcome find within my soul, and blend 
 With countless thoughts, to human ears untold. 
 
 How often rest and comfort I have found, 
 After the heat and turmoil of the day, 
 
 By simply heark'ning to the mystic sound 
 The wind makes, as it softly dies away. 
 
 Wave after wave, it up the valley sweeps, 
 Passing from tree to tree, until, at last, 
 
 In one grand chorus, overhead it weeps ; 
 Then all is silent, and the voice is past. 
 
 'Twere hard to tell exactly what it says, 
 But this I know, it lifts my heart above, 
 
 To Him who knows me — all my thoughts and ways — 
 In Whom I trust, Whom I, adoring, love. 
 
 May 22nd, 1873. 

 
 POEMS 197 
 
 A Fragment. 
 
 Tell me, ye clouds, that circle round the sun, 
 Ye glitt'ring stars, that twinkle one by one, 
 Tell me, ye mighty winds, that, rushing, sweep 
 From mountain's crest to valleys broad and deep — 
 Ye rolling waves, that, with incessant roar, 
 Dash your proud heads against the rock-bound shore - 
 What know ye of the mighty pow'r Divine, 
 That out of darkness first caused light to shine ? 
 ***** 
 
 Eventide. 
 
 The glorious sun has sunk to rest 
 
 Behind yon purple cloud ; 
 The water-fowl has sought her nest 
 
 Where cataract roars loud ; 
 And Flora's children, one by one, 
 
 Droop down their graceful heads, 
 Until to-morrow's warning sun 
 
 On them his radiance sheds. 
 
 The feathered songsters cease to sing, 
 
 Save one lone blackbird, still 
 Perched on a bough, with drooping wing, 
 
 Who makes the copse to thrill 
 With sweet and full, melodious notes, 
 
 Warbling a song of love, 
 Which on the ev'ning breezes floats 
 
 To the blue heavens above.
 
 I ( )S poems; 
 
 A Fragment. 
 
 The leaves that fair Nature in tenderness bears 
 Must wither, and die, and decay ; 
 
 And the wreath of green laurels the conqueror wears- 
 Will lose its bright hues in a day. 
 
 The sun that is shining so brightly above 
 "Will soon be with dark clouds o'er-cast ; 
 
 And the songs of the warblers in yonder cool grove 
 "Will cease when the summer is past. 
 
 Why the Poet Sings. 
 
 Canst thou stay the springs in the North 
 
 When waters rise ? 
 Canst thou throw a veil o'er the sun 
 
 In southern skies ? 
 
 Canst thou hush the song of the birds 
 
 When forests ring ? 
 Canst thou check the growth of flowers 
 
 In days of spring ? 
 
 Canst thou say to the wind, " Be still," 
 
 When tempests roar ? 
 Canst thou forbid the waves to dash 
 
 Against the shore ? 
 
 "■&* 
 
 Thou knowest such bidding were vain 
 
 In all these things.
 
 I 
 
 POEMS J 99 
 
 Then know it is equally vain, 
 
 When the poet sings, 
 To tell him to cease his singing, 
 
 And clip his wings. 
 
 His song is a part of himself, 
 
 As summer leaves 
 Are parts of the trees they grow on. 
 
 The air he breathes 
 
 Is laden with thoughts that come from 
 
 He knows not where ; 
 But he knows he must give them voice, 
 
 In praise or prayer. 
 
 A power there is within him 
 
 He must obey, 
 As swallows, when autumn is come, 
 
 Must fly away. 
 
 They feel that, if here they linger, 
 
 They'll pine and die. 
 So the poet must sing to live ; 
 
 Then let him fly 
 
 In the region he loves the best. 
 
 There's room for all 
 In this beautiful world of ours 
 
 Tor great and small.
 
 20O POEMS 
 
 [The following poem was composed at the request of 
 Miss Mary Dawson, of Lancaster, and read at the seven- 
 teenth anniversary of her working-men's class.] 
 
 They asked me to sing you a song, 
 
 A melody simple and true. 
 In words that the Master shall give me 
 
 To speak from my heart unto you. 
 I'm only an instrument waiting 
 
 To sound as He plays on the chord, 
 May each string that vibrates this evening 
 
 Be tuned by the hand of our Lord. 
 
 This day is one of remembrance, 
 
 And voices are speaking to-night ; 
 They blend with your prayers and your praises — 
 
 God help you to hear them aright. 
 They speak of the past and the present, 
 
 They whisper of days yet to come — 
 May all that they say fill with gladness 
 
 Each heart here before you go home. 
 
 This day is one of remembrance — 
 
 Then listen ! a voice from the past 
 Reminds you that time is but fleeting, 
 
 That youth and old age will not last. 
 It reminds you that seventeen years 
 
 Have gone since this meeting began. 
 Only think of it ! seventeen } 7 ears ! 
 
 It seems but the length of a span.
 
 POEMS 201 
 
 Say, have the prayers been answered 
 
 That went up to Jesus that night, 
 For wisdom, for guidance, for teaching, 
 
 That all might be ordered aright ? 
 In His name this meeting was started, 
 
 For His sake this work was begun. 
 Can each of you answer this evening, 
 
 " My part has been faithfully done ? " 
 
 Have you always been here to help, 
 
 I With bright face, a word, or a smile, 
 To cheer on some down-hearted brother 
 
 Whose life was beclouded awhile ? 
 Has any one reason to thank you 
 
 That, when he had gone far astray, 
 Your love and your sympathy taught him 
 
 To walk in the heaventy way. 
 
 What changes those seventeen years 
 
 Have seen ! and you've noted them, too. 
 Say, where are the many companions 
 
 That often have worshipped with you ? 
 Some are gone, we cannot tell whither, 
 
 Some have landed on foreign shores, 
 But others went straight home to glory 
 
 When Christ opened the golden doors. 
 
 A day of rejoicing is this, 
 
 A time for thanksgiving and praise, 
 That He has been faithful, who promised 
 
 With mercy to crown all your days.
 
 202 POEMS 
 
 Your sun has not gone down in darkness, 
 Your life is prolonged to you still, 
 
 Your cup overflows with rich blessings, 
 Which your hands did nothing to fill. 
 
 The past, with each fault and each failing, 
 
 You cannot live over again ; 
 But Hope says to you, my dear brother, 
 
 " Thex-e's a turn in the longest lane." 
 Have past years been only a failure ? 
 
 The present may be a success. 
 Then, just put your hand in your Father's, 
 
 And each feeble effort He'll bless. 
 
 Be brave in the battle before you, 
 
 Fight manfully, every one, 
 For, why should you lie in the shadow 
 
 When you may rejoice in the sun ? 
 " For God and the Right " be your motto, 
 
 Wherever your pathway may lie, 
 Till He, in His infinite goodness, 
 
 Shall gather you home to the sky. 
 
 Then what a glad day of rejoicing, 
 
 When teacher and class-mates shall raise, 
 Within the bright gates of that city, 
 
 Their song of thanksgiving and praise. 
 No saying " Good-night " at that meeting, 
 
 No bidding to come again soon, 
 No parting, no shadow, no darkness, 
 
 But always the glory of noon.
 
 POEMS 203 
 
 [Mrs. Enoch Mellor (when Miss Isabel Dawson) was for 
 a time in Madagascar, under the auspices of the London 
 Missionary Society. On her return home, on November 
 10th, 1877, she was welcomed by Miss Waylen in the 
 following lines] : 
 
 Welcome home from foreign shore, 
 England's daughter. Now, once more, 
 Loving hearts, and faces dear 
 Crowd to greet thine advent here. 
 Of their number, though not nigh, 
 May my simple minstrelsy 
 Every good, kind thing express, 
 Issy, for thy happiness? 
 
 The Bells. 
 
 Beautiful bells, I love you well : 
 Wonderful stories you have to tell — 
 Tales of happiness, tales of mirth, 
 And tales of sorrow that fill the earth ; 
 And each note hath a charm for me 
 As it peals forth from the belfry. 
 
 Bells that live in the old church tower, 
 Little ye know of your magic power, 
 At times to cheer the hearts of men, 
 Or else to fill them with grief again. 
 Yet ring, wild bells — we long to hear 
 Your passing music so full and clear. 
 * * * # *
 
 2f>4 POEMS 
 
 Acrostic. 
 
 [Written, in 1863, for Miss Jeannette Wilson Smiles, 
 niece of the popular author of " Self Help " and other 
 works.] 
 
 J oyous and bright may thy path of life be, 
 E ver free from regrets and deep sorrow ; 
 A nd, should any cloud hang over thee, 
 N ever fear ; the bright sun of to-morrow, 
 N ow hid from thy gaze, will soon reappear, 
 E ach dark cloud to chase, and dry every tear, 
 T o gently remind thee, though dark the shroud, 
 T here's a silver lining to every cloud — 
 E ach night is followed by morning. 
 
 W hen thou art weary, dear, and sadly sighing, 
 I n absence far from home and loved ones there, 
 L et thoughts of them while on their love relying 
 S end joy and peace into thy heart again. 
 
 nward and upward, then, thy way pursue ; 
 N o longer sad, but with fresh hopes in view. 
 
 S miles is thy name — 
 
 M ay smiles thy portion be 
 
 1 n youth, in womanhood, in green old age — 
 L ike springing flowers, 
 
 E ach path may they bestrew — 
 
 S weet may they be — sweet smiles and ever true,
 
 POEMS 20 
 
 The Blind Girl's Dream. A Fragment. 
 
 I have had such a beautiful dream, mother, 
 As I lay where you placed me just now, 
 
 While the soft breeze played over my face, mother, 
 And cooled my poor feverish brow. 
 
 I dreamt that I once more could see, dear mother, 
 That the Lord had restored me my sight, 
 
 And my heart was so filled with delight, mother, 
 That darkness was turned into light. 
 
 I 
 
 I could see the green trees and blue sky, mother, 
 
 And the sun shining over my head, 
 The pinks, and sweet peas, and the pansies, mother, 
 That grew in my own flower-bed. 
 
 ***** 
 
 ,) 
 
 My Ring. 
 
 I once had a little ring given to me, 
 
 And I christened it Faith, Hope, and Charity. 
 
 Faith and Hope in my ring represented were 
 By a couple of rubies that sparkled there ; 
 
 While a diamond, choicest of every gem, 
 Stood for Charity in the centre of them. 
 
 And I thought, when this circle of gold I wear, 
 It will help to remind me, with constant care, 
 
 To strive to possess all these fair graces three, 
 But, above all, the blest gift of Charity;
 
 206 POEMS 
 
 For love never fails, though all else may decay, 
 The bright and the beautiful moulder away ; 
 
 This heaven-born virtue no withering knows, 
 The longer 'tis practised the brighter it grows. 
 
 August 13th, 1870. 
 
 What I am— Baby. 
 
 A tiny bud, come fresh from heaven's own garden, 
 Breathing the fragrance of that land of love, 
 
 A tender flower sent here to be unfolded, 
 To learn to blossom fadelessly above. 
 
 A little sunbeam, loving hearts to gladden, 
 To shed its light on man}' a toilsome way, 
 
 To grow each year more bright and ever brighter, 
 Until it reaches everlasting day. 
 
 A priceless treasure — who can tell its value ? 
 
 Sent to be guarded, with the greatest care, 
 In love's own casket — could there be a safer? 
 
 Until both loved and loving dwell up There. 
 
 June 6th , 1873. 
 
 Result of Astronomical Investigation. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Yes, I awoke at four o'clock to scan the starry sky, 
 But nowhere in the vast expanse the comet conld descry ; 
 I gazed till my excited brain in every star could see 
 A comet with a flaming tail, as large as large could be !
 
 J 'OEMS 207 
 
 When, fearing inflammation of my eyes as well as brain, 
 I quickly cloffed my dressing-gown, and went to bed 
 
 again ; 
 And, as I drew the clothes around, resolved that never 
 
 more 
 I'd search for comets in the cold at the small hour of four. 
 
 Nov. 8th, 1882. 
 
 Result of Astronomical Investigation. 
 No. 2. 
 
 COMET, comet, wondrous comet ! I have seen thee now, 
 
 And, full of awe and admiration, reverently bow 
 
 Before the Power that gave thee form, that placed thee 
 
 where thou art, 
 And bade thee in the universe play thy mysterious part. 
 How far above our finite sense the Infinite must be, 
 AVho guides, with an unerring hand, far above land and 
 
 sea, 
 Thy journey, through the pathless sky, of such amazing 
 
 speed, 
 And in dim ages of the past thy destiny decreed. 
 
 Nov. 10th, 18S2. 
 
 I Can't Keep Still. 
 
 To Sunday School I love to go, 
 But not to church upstair,-; ; 
 
 The sermons are so very long, 
 So very long the prayers.
 
 208 POEMS 
 
 In Sunday School the teacher speaks 
 In words so kind and plain ; 
 
 I never do get tired out, 
 And love to go again. 
 
 But when I sit on yonder seat, 
 
 I cannot quiet be, 
 For most of what the preacher says 
 
 He cannot mean for me. 
 
 And so I swing my little feet, 
 And move my hands about, 
 
 And wish, and wish, and wish again, 
 The church would soon be out. 
 
 The teacher comes and pulls my ear, 
 And shakes my little head, 
 
 And wonders why I don't keep still 
 Till all the things are said. 
 
 J o' 
 
 And thus the people from below 
 
 Look upward with amaze, 
 Astonished that a little boy 
 
 Should have such naughty ways. 
 
 The preacher, too, stops still and says, 
 
 " That boy in yonder seat, 
 Disturbs my sermon with the noise 
 
 Of drumming with his feet." 
 
 Ah, me ! I know not what to do, 
 
 For, if I silence keep, 
 My eyes, o'ercome with weariness, 
 
 Will close at once in sleep. 

 
 POEMS 209 
 
 I often wonder why mamma 
 To church will make me go : 
 
 Sermons are not for bo} r s upstairs, 
 But grown folk down below. 
 
 Besides, yon know, my seat is hard, 
 
 Nor is it cushioned o'er, 
 My legs are short and cannot reach 
 
 Clear down upon the floor. 
 
 Then chide me not, my elder friends 
 When restless me you see ; 
 
 With longer legs and softer seat 
 A better boy I'd be. 
 
 To a Kitten. 
 
 Thou little kitten — pretty kitty mine, 
 Oh, say, were ever gambols like to thine, 
 
 Now the most grotesque of postures showing, 
 Now on all fours deftl} T , swiftly going ; 
 
 So oddly humping up your back and tail, 
 And bristling out your fur, like coat of mail? 
 
 Pretty little thing — seems very much afraid, 
 AVhen playful fingers try your games to aid. 
 
 But, then, all round and round the room you prance, 
 Having sidelong movements, fit for any dance. 
 
 Then, Kitty, dear, I can't my mirth contain. 
 But laugh, and cry, and then I laugh again, 
 
 AVhile down my cheeks the large round tears will roll, 
 Because a cat can be so very droll. 
 
 R. P.
 
 210 POEMS 
 
 The comic gravity of your small phiz, 
 Pussy, of all things most amusing is ; 
 
 For, though you twist and twirl your body round, 
 No smile upon your face is ever found. 
 
 But grave solemnity is there portrayed, 
 Equal to cats quite old, and even staid, 
 
 Who sit before the fire, and purr and doze, 
 With tail curl'd neatly round their soft ten toes. 
 
 There, go, you restless, playful little thing ; 
 
 Who would have thought that I your praise would sing ? 
 
 But, as you very often me amuse 
 When other efforts fail, I can't refuse 
 
 To gratify my own desire to see 
 How I can you address in poesy. 
 
 Therefore, I dedicate these lines to you, 
 And now, with best salaam, bid you adieu. 
 
 A Valentine. 
 
 I send no wreath of Asphodel, 
 
 No Amaranthine crown, 
 
 But blossoms, pure and fair, of Spring, 
 
 From heaven to earth sent down. 
 
 True, these will fade and pass away, 
 
 But love like yours and mine 
 
 Will outlive everlasting flowers, 
 
 My own true Valentine ! 
 
 Feb. 13th, 1882. 
 
 THE LiBKAKX 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES

 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Form L9-17m-8,'55(B3339s4)444
 
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