FROM MAPLES 
 
 Sullivan Holman McCollestcr

 
 S. H. MK OLI.ISTKR AT so. 1). I). AND 1). LIT.
 
 AUTUMN LEAVES /5". 
 FROM MAPLESIDE ,?-? s 
 
 /TO 
 
 BY SULLIVAN HOLMAN McCOLLESTER 
 
 
 GATHERED UPON HIS EIGHTIETH 
 
 BIRTHDAY, DECEMBER 18TH 
 
 1909 AND AFTER 
 
 AUTHOR OK " AFTER-THOUGHTS OF FOREIGN LANDS AND CAPITAL CITIES, 
 
 " BABYLON AND NINEVAH THROUGH AMERICAN EYES," 
 
 " ROUND THE GLOBE IN OLD AND NEW PATHS," 
 
 " MEXICO, OLD AND NEW." 
 
 PRINTED FOB PRIVATE CIRCULATION 
 
 1909 
 
 MARLBORO 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1909 
 BY SULLIVAN HOLMAN MCCOLLISTER 
 
 PRINTED BY 
 THE RUMFORD PRESS, CONCORD
 
 DEDICATED TO FRIENDS AND STUDENTS 
 
 WORTHY TO BE REMEMBERED 
 
 AND LOVED
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 THANKS FOR THE BLESSINGS OF FOUR 
 SCORE YEARS ..... 5 
 
 NEEDED HELP ...... 27 
 
 TRUE FRIENDSHIP ..... 28 
 
 NEW YEAR S DAY 28 
 
 EASTER 30 
 
 OUR EDA ... ... 31 
 
 DANDELION ..... 33 
 
 EARLY SPRING ...... 34 
 
 JUNE .36 
 
 A SUNDAY RIDE WITH CARRIE ... 37 
 
 OUR PINERY ...... 40 
 
 OCTOBER ....... 42 
 
 OUR FAY BOY ... 44 
 
 ASCENT OF LITTLE FEET .... 46 
 
 MODADNOCK ...... 47 
 
 ANGELIC AID . . . . . . 51 
 
 SUNSET OF LIFE ..... 52 
 
 A HAPPY DAY 53 
 
 NEVER So LIGHT BEFORE .... 55 
 
 THE SOUL-LAND 57
 
 AUTUMN LEAVES 
 FROM MAPLESIDE
 
 THANKS FOR THE BLESSINGS 
 OF FOURSCORE YEARS. 
 
 I. 
 
 All thanks to God for the old home, 
 
 Composed of hill and dale, 
 Of day and night, large house and barn, 
 
 Amidst shades and blooms pale 
 With flowers bright, meadows and woods, 
 
 Fair rising and setting 
 Of sun, moon and all lustral orbs, 
 
 And outlook far reaching. 
 
 Still more for parents, fond and just, 
 
 Sisters and brothers true, 
 Ancestors, wise and full of hope, 
 
 Affording joys, not few. 
 How could he fail to give heart-thanks 
 
 For such a childhood home ! 
 It was quite full of hope and life, 
 
 And duties, not irksome. 
 
 He thanks Thee, O God, Thou hast made 
 
 Love to abound ! 
 Enriching heart with trust and joy,
 
 And laughter s sound, 
 That in the loneliest byways 
 Sweet bliss be found. 
 
 He thanks and worships Thee, Most High ! 
 
 For flowers in summer 
 And pearls of dew ; in winter, snow, 
 
 That faces may glimmer 
 With life and joy, and hope and song, 
 
 Thus giving wings to time, 
 That days and years fly very fast 
 
 Onward to life s full prime. 
 
 Yes, thanks for school-days long ago 
 
 When, clad in his red frock, 
 He sat up straight on hard, front board, 
 
 Hearing no tick of clock. 
 When nearly through the hard three R s 
 
 He rose to the back seat ; 
 Soon left the common for high school 
 
 And found it a great treat. 
 
 To school he went years out of town ; 
 
 When fitted for college 
 To Norwich and Cambridge he went 
 
 For culture and knowledge; 
 At graduation he resolved 
 
 To teach for vocation, 
 To help the young to understand 
 
 Real growth and fruition. 
 
 6
 
 Always he had striven for true culture ; 
 As he had studied books, men and nature, 
 He longed and strove earnestly for wisdom, 
 To dwell near God and work in His kingdom. 
 When other youths would seek the woods and 
 
 brook, 
 
 From choice in quietness would take a book, 
 To learn of men and things, all good and true, 
 To build up character with facts, not few ; 
 So his spare hours ran not to waste nor sport, 
 To live altogether in passion s fort. 
 
 As onward he advanced in truth, 
 
 Though amply blest, 
 He could ne er find a stopping place 
 
 Of perfect rest, 
 Nor did he pray to, till he had gained 
 
 The highest crest. 
 
 At length he joined the ministry 
 
 To his first high calling, 
 That he might lead securely on 
 
 From ways most appalling, 
 To help young minds to see and know 
 
 The godly given them, 
 Reflected plain from rose and star, 
 
 As shown in Bethlehem.
 
 All thanks for his own pleasant home, 
 
 The prize of hearts made one, 
 Blessing it with Ada, Carrie, 
 
 Lee and Fay from heav n won ; 
 Each came in sweetness full of life . 
 
 But suddenly all left 
 Save one, breaking the heart with grief, 
 
 So tryingly bereft. 
 
 O, thanks for son still left on earth, 
 
 To grow to full manhood 
 With heart and mind well disciplined, 
 
 To work for highest good. 
 Very successful has he been 
 
 In preaching the Gospel, 
 And leading many souls to Christ, 
 
 And on God s love to dwell. 
 
 II. 
 
 Tis not the physical alone 
 
 That makes precious kinship, 
 If heart and soul are not in it, 
 
 False is relationship ; 
 Then selfishness will mount the horse 
 
 And ride on for mere pelf ; 
 But let kinship come from the heart, 
 
 For others t will give self. 
 
 8
 
 Since great light has fallen on earth 
 
 From higher life and shore, 
 To prove the risen are alive, 
 
 To die ne er any more, 
 The heart cannot too thankful be 
 
 For such news from above ! 
 The realm of God is all crowded 
 
 With his goodness and love. 
 
 It is not crushing now to bear 
 
 Hard pain from sudden blow, 
 For sure the Rock has been smitten, 
 
 Whence waters of life flow ; 
 If heart sorrows for dear ones gone, 
 
 If for them it does long, 
 It feels that God has led them on, 
 
 And he can do no wrong. 
 
 The Comforter has surely come 
 
 Through him who is the way ; 
 He sets the gate of death ajar 
 
 To show the cloudless day, 
 To help the eye of faith to see 
 
 The glory of heaven 
 And throngs of friends gone on before, 
 
 To advance in Eden. 
 
 For this clear spiritual sight, 
 A mind to know and love,
 
 For these sacred, holy longings, 
 
 Which our high heirship prove : 
 For lives aiding one another 
 
 Under the smile, or rod ; 
 For Amaranth secured aloft, 
 
 He thanks Thee, O, his God ! 
 
 He d learned the mystery of growth duly, 
 Not to misjudge mortal changes, decay, 
 
 But know, we only hold treasures truly, 
 
 When first, it seems, they sure are gone for 
 aye. 
 
 III. 
 
 He offers thanks for his success 
 
 While teaching district school 
 In goodly Richmond and Walpole, 
 
 With pupils true to rule : 
 At maturity many filled 
 
 With honor good places 
 At home, abroad in public ways, 
 
 Displaying rare graces. 
 
 He was Principal full two years 
 Of Walpole graded school ; 
 
 Of Mount Caesar Seminary 
 For nearly five years rule ; 
 
 10
 
 Of Westbrook Seminary, Maine, 
 
 For nine years very sure ; 
 Whose faithful students were anxious 
 
 Their powers to inure. 
 
 Through strong, urgent calls he became, 
 
 Without seeking it true, 
 The Regent of Buchtel College, 
 
 When all was fresh and new ; 
 For six years he was President ; 
 
 Then by agued illness 
 From this high office he resigned, 
 
 To win back healthfulness. 
 
 To make a new college alive 
 
 Is no easy affair ; 
 But founder, faculty and all 
 
 Did work with special care, 
 To make the college notable, 
 
 Where students could enter 
 And graduate with high honor, 
 
 And patrons could center. 
 
 All thanks to Thee, Most Holy One ! 
 
 That this work did advance, 
 That college soon did win a name 
 
 For thrift and vigilance, 
 For order and scholarship high, 
 
 And strict moral culture ; 
 
 11
 
 To put in place of wornout themes. 
 Devout ethic nurture. 
 
 So students free in mind and heart 
 
 Could worship the Most High ; 
 Yet charged in classics and science, 
 
 Exactness to apply, 
 According to rule and logic ; 
 
 Thus they were trained to think 
 And led to seek high attainment, 
 
 And of Christ- waters drink. 
 
 TV. 
 
 So leaving college with regret 
 Because of failing health, he went 
 
 Abroad to lands as amoret, 
 
 For fairest and rarest things, sent. 
 
 He felt the highest vocation 
 
 Is teaching mind to think and seek 
 
 For true knowledge without pretense, 
 Yet making it polished and meek. 
 
 For pleasures real on land and sea ; 
 
 For knowledge from afar ; 
 For visits oft to school and church 
 
 To bless heart and not mar : 
 
 12
 
 For all the wondrous and grand works 
 
 Of creation in sight ; 
 As these were really seen and felt 
 
 He thanks God with his might. 
 
 To walk where Christ and prophet trod, 
 
 And sick folk had been healed, 
 And many wonders had been wrought 
 
 And highest truth revealed ; 
 To have what has been mystery 
 
 Opened up to be clear ; 
 For these all thanks to God on high 
 
 For his bright light, so dear ! 
 
 For climbing up Mount Lebanon, 
 
 For bathing in Jordan, 
 For outlook from Mount Olivet, 
 
 For seeing fount of Dan. 
 For sight of stars o er Bethlehem, 
 
 For rest in Bethany, 
 Devoutest thanks Holy Father 
 
 For such a blest meiny ! 
 
 T is good to count and con these o er, 
 
 And so renew the sights 
 Through active, strong, mental efforts 
 
 In clear, divinest lights : 
 Yet after all, tis mind that sees, 
 
 When thrilled through with the good ; 
 
 18
 
 The soul lives not on things of sense, 
 But on eternal food. 
 
 He s traveled many thousand miles ; 
 
 Has been wrecked twice at sea ; 
 Still in his wand rings here and there, 
 
 From harm he has been free. 
 O God, thanks to Thee for safety ! 
 
 Most kind thou hast e er been 
 Through day and night, storm and sunshine, 
 
 That knowledge he might win. 
 
 V. 
 
 He feels now we need n t go abroad 
 
 For the delectable ; 
 For right here in our own blest land 
 
 Are things most valuable : 
 Admire the scenes of Italy, 
 
 Or high Swiss mounts and lakes ; 
 Sure these do n t surpass in grandeur 
 
 Our loftiest estates. 
 
 Huge rocks do rise sublimely high 
 
 In Yosemite Dale ! 
 Niagara and White Mountains, 
 
 And Wondrous Mammoth Vale, 
 
 14
 
 Have no equals in foreign lands : 
 Ours stand superb and best, 
 
 Whether studied separately, 
 Or viewed with all the rest. 
 
 Our national institutions, 
 
 Our schools and churches free, 
 Produce better results than all 
 
 Across the wide, deep sea. 
 Electrics, telegraphs and phones, 
 
 Originated here: 
 All thanks be unto thee, O God, 
 
 For legacies so dear! 
 
 Here many jewels are unfound 
 
 In our own native land, 
 Which diligence will discover 
 
 In quarry, shell and sand, 
 To hang round the neck of fancy, 
 
 As clearest gems to shine 
 In darkness and bitterest grief, 
 
 To furnish light divine. 
 
 Our sunsets, O yes, how splendid ! 
 
 And shooting Northern lights ! 
 The clouds, how brilliant with colors 
 
 That deck loftiest heights ! 
 The soft twilight, how it lingers 
 
 Exciting pure feeling, 
 
 15
 
 That mind may be induced to know 
 The worth of high being. 
 
 What progress is in store for mind set free, 
 From earthly drawbacks and allowed to see 
 The work, begun here, perfected above 
 And all eternity made helpful love ! 
 
 Let him, O Father, prize highly this life, 
 And willing be, to bear its toil and strife, 
 That all the better fitted he may be 
 To live and work and grow and dear friends see. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The seen we just begin to know, 
 
 However long we live ; 
 It cannot otherwise be true 
 
 Than that our God will give 
 Opportunity for learning, 
 
 As higher up we pass ; 
 The things which here we could not grasp, 
 
 There we 11 know all, alas ! 
 
 Thus meditating, his own land 
 
 Seems the dearest of all ; 
 His native state, his natal town, 
 
 And birthplace claim first call : 
 
 16
 
 The home where he has longest lived, 
 Holds first choice on his part ; 
 
 So Mapleside, his domicile, 
 Is dearest to his heart. 
 
 His great grandsire first purchased it ; 
 
 His parents long owned it; 
 He chanced here, and here he abides, 
 
 To till and to plant it 
 With fruit trees, maples and chestnuts, 
 
 And cedars and roses ; 
 Here glows the sun, early and late ; 
 
 In peace the day closes. 
 
 Contentment he has here enjoyed 
 
 With high-minded consort, 
 Much loved children and truest friends, 
 
 Making a sweet resort. 
 His library of books is here ; 
 
 Each one, he knows, commends 
 High thinking and devout living, 
 
 That life be all amends. 
 
 In his study away from noise 
 
 He has held communion 
 With Moses, David, Paul and John, 
 
 Shakespeare and Washington, 
 Franklin, Emerson and Homer, 
 
 With throngs of followers, 
 
 17
 
 To prove experience, the teacher, 
 And all men his scholars. 
 
 He finds it pleasant to recall 
 
 How he induced brothers 
 To aim aloft, seeking knowledge 
 
 In high school with others, 
 Whose parents felt this could not be ; 
 
 Still to his school they went ; 
 In learning great progress they made 
 
 With strong minds rightly bent. 
 
 This pleased parents and gained consent 
 
 For them to college go ; 
 They worked their way, graduating 
 
 With class honors, not low ; 
 Then for awhile studied and taught 
 
 With eminent success; 
 As debts were paid, one his mind-force 
 
 To healing did address. 
 
 The other in his seeking strove 
 
 To master chemistry, 
 Being proficient in science 
 
 And laws of his country ; 
 Both already in their line are 
 
 Adepts and widely known ; 
 The chemist is authority 
 
 From his science-seed sown. 
 
 18
 
 Dear sisters, too, he encouraged 
 
 To fit themselves to teach ; 
 All these did patronize his school, 
 
 And for knowledge did seek : 
 At length some taught with good success, 
 
 Later helped make good homes, 
 Crowning them with Christian graces 
 
 And love s bright polished domes. 
 
 All thanks and praise he gives to God 
 
 For these precious blessings 
 On this his Eightieth Birthday ! 
 
 For all these his heart sings 
 Gladdest paeans of praise and cheer, 
 
 To keep the mind from age, 
 And conscious how little it knows 
 
 Of infinite knowledge. 
 
 Still ne er has he so longed to know 
 
 As now of wisdom s ways; 
 As he looks through the glass of time, 
 
 Here and there and always, 
 He sees signs of ever living, 
 
 That mind may seek and know 
 High truth below, high truth above, 
 
 Which sets all things aglow. 
 
 He knows gold is still in the rocks 
 Of ages to be found, 
 
 19
 
 Which diligence 11 delight to find, 
 And diamonds in the ground, 
 
 Which culture will seek for till found, 
 For these are beautiful ; 
 
 When seen by one of thought and taste, 
 They are truly helpful. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Already science has unfurled 
 
 Its colors, doing things 
 In earth and far extended sky, 
 
 To clip electric wings ; 
 Thus these bright bubbles on the rim 
 
 Of eternity glow, 
 To show that mind in the saint-land 
 
 Can great truths come to know. 
 
 To keep young, one must think and do 
 
 To help and bless truly, 
 That goodness shall end in ripeness 
 
 And wrong shall die surely. 
 So aided he does with his might 
 
 The duty close at hand, 
 Conscious the All- Wise 11 compensate 
 
 All doing his command. 
 
 The prayer on his birthday is 
 That Deity may hold 
 
 20
 
 All souls, young and old, in his arms, 
 
 Bearing them to his fold, 
 That they may e er live, love and grow, 
 
 Rapidly advancing, 
 (living devout thanks to the Lord 
 
 That life is unending. 
 
 VIII 
 
 Sermons three thousand has he preached ; 
 
 Funerals attended 
 Numbering sure fifteen hundred 
 
 With weddings oft blended : 
 A thousand lectures he s given 
 
 On culture and travels 
 In his country and Great Britain 
 
 Upon hill and levels. 
 
 Through these changes hair has silvered, 
 
 The crowfoot marked the face, 
 To show the house in which he lives, 
 
 Is falling in its place. 
 These transits do not affect him ; 
 
 He feels young as afore. 
 So should it be, let flesh grow old, 
 
 And mind grow young in lore. 
 
 " Old age of youth is forty years," 
 Declares Victor Hugo; 
 
 21
 
 Yet eighty years seem young to him, 
 
 As onward he does go, 
 The spring time only of soul-life ; 
 
 It is his chiefest noy 
 To know, he s done little for men, 
 
 While Christ died for their joy. 
 
 Descending now the sunset slope 
 
 Thoughtfully he would plan, 
 To admire the works of nature, 
 
 To serve God and help man. 
 As earth s drama shall seem to close 
 
 He longs to hear the call, 
 " Up higher, come away from earth, 
 
 To thank God for it all." 
 
 IX. 
 
 The little child he knows relies 
 
 On an arm not his own, 
 Conscious he is not strong nor wise ; 
 
 He shuns the dark, alone ; 
 But let kind parents be at hand, 
 
 Tenderly to abide, 
 And he at once is shorn of fear, 
 
 For true love is his guide. 
 
 Thus let man in his God confide^ 
 Whatever then befall, 
 
 22
 
 On him surely he can rely, 
 
 Heeding always his call ; 
 Then, though he may seem to stumble, 
 
 God will not let him fall, 
 But keep him humble and thankful, 
 
 To love him most of all. 
 
 Heart-thanks to Thee, O God, for having made 
 
 Love to abound 
 In earth below and in all realms above, 
 
 To bring around 
 The ultimate rescue of every soul, 
 
 A work profound ! 
 So neither life, nor death, nor change below, 
 
 Nor change above, 
 Can ever separate us, while we live, 
 
 From his great love, 
 
 X. 
 
 Eye hath not seen nor tongue hath told, 
 
 Nor ear hath heard it sung, 
 How joyous, if body be old, 
 
 The heart can e er be young ! 
 Thanks, O God, to Thee, when old age 
 
 Has strong muscle unstrung, 
 That mind, the most exalted gift, 
 
 Can keep advanced years young. 
 
 23
 
 Then let whatever will betide 
 
 To hinder or oppose, 
 If only he press on in life, 
 
 Heaven will be its close. 
 What though the road be very rough, 
 
 It can t be very long : 
 lie 11 smooth it with hope and good cheer 
 
 And most celestial song. 
 
 To stand still is always hurtful; 
 
 We should be active now, 
 That when the close of life shall come, 
 
 There 11 be sweat on the brow ; 
 The Master then will be smiling 
 
 At setting of the sun, 
 And 11 say, "Good and faithful servant, 
 
 I pay thee with well done." 
 
 Thus many of our precious ones 
 
 Have passed to the bright shore ; 
 So it was with Christ and apostles 
 
 And all, wise in true lore. 
 May he have like experience 
 
 As he 11 cross the river 
 To friends, so many, tried and loved 
 
 To be a true liver. 
 
 There meeting all whom he has known 
 And honored in earth-land ; 
 
 24
 
 How glad this will make mind and soul 
 To be midst that vast band, 
 
 To live and act forevermore 
 In serving Highest will! 
 
 This 11 make heaven so sweet a boon 
 As sainted minds to thrill. 
 
 So long as helpful he can be 
 
 To near and distant friends, 
 O God, let him remain on earth, 
 
 To tell how thy love sends 
 All things divine to human souls, 
 
 But when the body numbs, 
 Then speedily let him depart 
 
 Whither no evil comes ; 
 
 To live, love, learn, work and grow there, 
 
 The mortal laid aside, 
 That he no longer be hindered 
 
 In doing what 11 abide; 
 Where life consists in knowing God 
 
 And him whom he hath sent. 
 Then for such favors may his thanks 
 
 Forevermore be spent ! 
 
 XL 
 
 All we can take through the gates ajar 
 Is just what we are ; 
 
 25
 
 No gold, no pearls, no great wealth will remain 
 The pure soul to stain. 
 
 Yet, over the dark Jordan we can go 
 
 Without any foe, 
 By clasping the Father s hand, heeding his voice 
 
 From our own free choice. 
 
 Thus our dark, earthly, silent, starless night 
 Will be changed to light, 
 
 As radiant faces welcome us there, 
 Freed from sin and care. 
 
 After harvest of sowing eighty years, 
 Here is sweet rest in spite of work and tears, 
 As memory stores up shocks of stray wheat, 
 To feed and cheer the heart in glad retreat, 
 Making ready for smooth passage ahead, 
 To be nearer God than ever before 
 In thought, feeling, doing, loving far more 
 Than possible, as mortal, heretofore. 
 
 26
 
 S. II. McCOLLISTER AT rut. A. B. AND A. M.
 
 NEEDED HELP. 
 
 Revealed, it is to us always, 
 
 As time on wings rushes along, 
 
 That God s tender and fond embrace 
 Is holding us lovingly strong. 
 
 T is not alone mid joy and smiles, 
 
 Our hearts and minds grow wise and true, 
 
 The larger growth is in the shade 
 
 Where pain and sorrow have their due. 
 
 Tears often prove glasses to souls ; 
 
 Sweet love may come by sore despair, 
 Enriching life by lasting gain, 
 
 To fix affections on things fair. 
 
 Experience proves more and more, 
 As we journey on each new day, 
 
 That light from the good Father s face 
 Is shining full upon our way. 
 
 So midst all life s bright tints and shades, 
 We can hold fast the Father s hand, 
 
 And be assured through night and day, 
 That he will guide to the Home Land. 
 
 27
 
 TRUE FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Is what ? Tis virtue, tis truth, tis goodness, 
 Religion and wisdom joined with meekness ; 
 Tis the bow of hope, the sunbeam of love, 
 A gem and pearl from pure heaven above ; 
 Tis the beauty of beauties, angel s dove, 
 To conduct our hearts to Infinite Love, 
 To grow us to highest capacity, 
 Dwelling on earth or in eternity. 
 
 NEW YEAR S DAY. 
 
 Last New Year s day was fair as May ; 
 The sky was blue with deepest ray ; 
 O er hills and in the vales was snow, 
 Making a splendid crystal glow. 
 
 The boys and girls were all astir 
 With sleds and skates, wearing no fur ; 
 The air was filled with cheerful song, 
 Causing the day to speed along. 
 
 The birds of winter as of yore, 
 Did their best to fly afore ; 
 The puffy chickadee and jay 
 Seemed bound to make a gala day. 
 
 Young men called on young ladies fair, 
 To wish them joy and bliss most rare : 
 
 28
 
 The old and worn remained indoors, 
 To con their joys and do their chores. 
 
 Some sorrowed at the empty chair, 
 The unread book and lock of hair ; 
 The year had changed joys and gladness 
 To hours of tears and lone sadness. 
 
 Since God does always for the best ; 
 This truth divine imparts soul-rest; 
 T is passing out of lone drear night 
 Into a day of brightest light. 
 
 As we study inspiration 
 We learn of the soul s duration, 
 How t was born to live forever 
 And do with highest endeavor. 
 
 So death turns gross darkness to light ; 
 Thus putting off weakness for might ; 
 The past with ioy we now recall 
 
 v 
 
 And hope on with no fear at all. 
 
 To this end we climb New Year s wall 
 With joy and hope, dreading no fall, 
 Enjoying scenes, future and past, 
 To build up character to last. 
 
 This was my New Year s rosary 
 With strangely varied glossary, 
 Inwoven with snow and flowers, 
 To end time in Eden Bowers. 
 
 29
 
 EASTER. 
 
 Glad Easter s here again ! 
 Accompanied with beauty of spring ; 
 Its bells far and wide are clear ringing ; 
 To hearts the sweetest joys tis bringing 
 
 Without any refrain. 
 
 Now hope lights up the way ; 
 In woods and vales flowers are springing; 
 In copse and orchards birds are singing ; 
 And brooks, purling and free, are pouring 
 
 Out music night and day. 
 
 Now sorrow finds relief, 
 Since Easter proclaims, " Christ is risen " ; 
 The tomb, no longer a dark prison, 
 But window of light in profusion, 
 
 To fill souls with belief. 
 
 The stone is rolled away ; 
 Sad hearts need no longer to sorrow, 
 For life and comfort it can borrow, 
 To soothe and bless, today and morrow, 
 
 The soul, yes, and for aye. 
 
 We should welcome Easter, 
 As the key to many a mansion 
 Where dwell lost friends through blest ascension. 
 Whose names we love and often mention, 
 
 Perfecting character. 
 
 80
 
 OUR EDA. 
 
 She was a darling, bright, 
 With eyes all light ; 
 Her cheeks were rosy red, 
 With beauty fed. 
 
 Her hair was flaxen silk, 
 Without least bilk ; 
 Her features allured sure 
 The hearts, all pure. 
 
 Awake, she was astir, 
 Yet all loved her ; 
 In act helpful she d be 
 As all could see. 
 
 Precocious, keen in mind 
 The new to find, 
 A leader, with her mates, 
 As caused by fates. 
 
 And she felt all to bless, 
 And none depress ; 
 Her soul was full of cheer, 
 Causing no fear. 
 
 Nice things she did enjoy, 
 Yet ever coy ; 
 
 Her voice was sweet and strong, 
 So felt the throng : 
 
 31
 
 As she would sing to them 
 Of Bethlehem, 
 Giving joy to the place 
 With happy grace. 
 
 She was the light of home, 
 Being ne er unwelcome : 
 We d dreamed dreams of her 
 Without a blur. 
 
 Yet brief were her summers, 
 Though health was hers, 
 Before a messenger 
 Came down eager, 
 
 And translated Eda, 
 Our blest Eda, 
 From our home to heaven, 
 Our hearts riven. 
 
 But he who gave the child 
 So fair and mild, 
 Did lift the veil and showed 
 How his works glowed ! 
 
 And how she lives to know 
 And upward go, 
 With cherished ones for aye 
 With all to say : 
 
 32
 
 "Advance through all aeons 
 With orisons 
 
 To God, knowing, loving, 
 And still growing." 
 
 DANDELION. 
 
 The dandelion has once more come, 
 
 To drop blossoms of gold 
 On lawn and meadow, to welcome 
 
 Sweet flowers, manifold ; 
 
 To multiply fast in the fields 
 As warm, balmy winds blow, 
 
 Increasing from one, countless yields, 
 To make the landscape glow. 
 
 These gems of gold so thick in grass, 
 
 As making fairies smile, 
 And human eyes sparkle to pass, 
 
 Are ever free from guile. 
 
 They become more beautiful still, 
 As the gold turns to white, 
 
 Forming wondrous seed-globes on hill 
 And plain, ever in sight. 
 
 As their seeds perfect rise aloft 
 On wings by help of wind, 
 
 33
 
 They seem to be celestial oft, 
 And moved by will of mind. 
 
 The dandelions thus are exalted, 
 Imparting lessons high, 
 
 To help souls be wise and sainted 
 And feel, God is near by. 
 
 EARLY SPRING. 
 
 Once more fresh spring has come, 
 
 To make all new, 
 To arch the vales and hills 
 
 With deepest blue ; 
 The sparrows have their wills 
 
 And robins, too. 
 
 Warm rains and sunshine fall 
 
 In turn and mass, 
 To grow things great and small, 
 
 The bud and grass, 
 To cover field and wall, 
 
 To be first-class. 
 
 Leafage soon robes the woods, 
 
 To be all fanned 
 By breeze from shore and sea, 
 
 Mountain and land, 
 For a panacea, 
 
 Ever at hand. 
 
 34
 
 The arbutus now smiles 
 
 In the lone dell ; 
 The bluets star the fields 
 
 Without a knell ; 
 Cold winter to spring yields 
 
 With joyous spell. 
 
 Now earth is full of life 
 
 With all so new ; 
 For spring brings forth summer 
 
 With crystal dew 
 And would have all glimmer 
 
 For rarest view. 
 
 Who does n t like early spring 
 
 With its high calls, 
 " Up higher in the light 
 
 Where nothing palls, 
 But all live where tis bright 
 
 And naught enthralls ? " 
 
 36
 
 JUNE. 
 
 O June ! delightsome month of June ! 
 When all on earth appear in tune 1 
 You put on finish sure to spring, 
 As all her bells do widely ring ; 
 You usher in the glad summer, 
 While voices breathe not a murmur; 
 You give the world the longest day 
 And bring it forth with lustrous ray 
 And paint its close with choicest hues 
 And spray its fields with sparkling dews. 
 The vireo now sweetly sings, 
 As on the limb she calmly swings. 
 O June ! the month of bluest skies ! 
 And numberless gay butterflies ! 
 All things below declare you best ! 
 So carols lark when near her nest. 
 The sweetest scent from every rose 
 Delights us as the wind oft blows ; 
 Red clover smiles being in bloom, 
 And timothy waves high its plume ; 
 The bee, as light reflects the morn, 
 Goes forth to fill with sweets her horn ; 
 At night even the stars above 
 Appear to drop new rays of love. 
 Thus nature sings to all in tune, 
 " No other month can equal June ! " 
 
 36
 
 The mounts of Eden glow her sheen, 
 To furnish thoughts and joys serene. 
 O, come, securely pleasant June ! 
 And pitch all souls in perfect tune ! 
 To sing great praise to you in name 
 Because of all the months, the dame ! 
 So may all hearts be one at noon, 
 At morn and night, to honor June! 
 
 A SUNDAY RIDE WITH CARRIE. 
 
 The morn was fair and very bright ; 
 
 A voice bid us away ; 
 So Carrie and myself made haste, 
 
 To ride that sacred day. 
 
 Our course was down through the valley 
 
 By river wide and grand ; 
 Of which great poets have sweetly sung 
 
 And art painted the land. 
 
 It was the early summer time ; 
 
 All was alive with praise ; 
 The clover was in bloom and birds 
 
 Did songs of gladness raise. 
 
 The ride with its inspiring views, 
 So filled us with the good 
 
 37
 
 That on arrival at the church 
 We were in holy mood. 
 
 Over the hills was our return ; 
 
 Most charming was the way ! 
 When height of land was gained, we there 
 
 Desired to stop and stay. 
 
 But as this would n t do, on we drove 
 And soon reached Spofford Lake, 
 
 The most beautiful water gem 
 In all the Granite State. 
 
 Its surface was like polished glass, 
 
 Reflecting along shore 
 Grand trees, neat cottages and men 
 
 Seeking for ease and lore. 
 
 As Carrie observed, felt and thought, 
 
 She was filled with delight ; 
 As we approached a woodsy spot, 
 
 We stopped, O, what a sight ! 
 
 Mayflowers starred all the rich ground ; 
 
 Dismounting, soon the hands 
 Were loaded full of sweet blossoms 
 
 Which were tied fast with bands. 
 
 Soon nosegays were made for mother 
 Of blooms most pinky white ; 
 
 38
 
 Suddenly she looked up to me 
 With eyes flashing sharp light ; 
 
 Exclaiming, " Papa, are n t you glad, 
 You have a good daughter 
 
 To ride and go to church with you ? " 
 " Yes," came forth instanter ! 
 
 She had been bright sunbeams of light 
 All through the ride and day ! 
 
 Now verily midst flowers rare, 
 She was a lovely Fay ! 
 
 In heaven she was needed sure, 
 
 For less than a fortnight, 
 A messenger at twilight came 
 
 And bore her from our sight. 
 
 Through faith now only to be seen, 
 Thrilled with glad joys on high, 
 
 Amidst perennial flowers, 
 Too beautiful to die ! 
 
 39
 
 OUR PINERY. 
 
 I planted out the trees with care 
 
 After they were dug up as rare, 
 
 In woods near and across the sea, 
 
 To beautify the lawn and lea. 
 
 There was delight in setting them 
 
 Out, as voices sang glad anthem : 
 
 Because, when they should grow in size, 
 
 It was felt they would be a prize, 
 
 To break the wind from Mapleside, 
 
 That far off it might safely glide. 
 
 Then as the breeze should stir the leaves 
 
 The sweetest music from the trees 
 
 Would cheer the heart and calm the mind. 
 
 Tending to make life pure and kind. 
 
 We were engaged in this good scheme 
 
 For others, to render supreme 
 
 In giving joy and real comfort, 
 
 As they should make it their resort, 
 
 In winter cold, to break the blast; 
 
 In summer hot, to cool air fast. 
 
 But Providence keeps us alive 
 
 To see his forces act and strive, 
 
 To grow sprouts to large, shady trees, 
 
 Making a home for birds and bees 
 
 All through the long days of the year ; 
 
 As frosts arrive and leaves fall sear 
 
 40
 
 Bluejays, titmouse and squirrels claim 
 
 A share in it without least blame, 
 
 To enjoy its evergreen shade, 
 
 As fine and fair as can be made. 
 
 From windows as we throw out corn 
 
 Down they hasten on snow or lawn, 
 
 To pick it up and bear aloft, 
 
 To eat, or hide, to become soft. 
 
 Our Pinery now seems a gift 
 
 From God for a divine uplift 
 
 To heart and soul in many ways 
 
 Without any long, sad delays. 
 
 It proffers physical bequests, 
 
 And gratifies reflective guests, 
 
 As moving limbs cut arcs and curves 
 
 And ellipsoids which the wind serves. 
 
 To the ear it appeals in strains 
 
 Of sweet concord without refrains, 
 
 As leaves are moved, making music, 
 
 ^Eolian and estatic, 
 
 It speaks to heart of God and life, 
 
 How it was made without harsh strife 
 
 From the seen and invisible, 
 
 To teach, spirit is possible, 
 
 Yea, the mother of all things seen, 
 
 More real than matter, to redeem 
 
 And bring eternal life to light, 
 
 Showing translated friends in sight. 
 
 41
 
 No wonder the Greeks supplied woods 
 With sylphs, nymphs, elfs and strange goods 
 For trees were temples for their gods 
 Under which priests girded with ephods 
 Worshipped and worshipped oft and long, 
 Serving gods in prayers and song. 
 Our Pinery one God reveals, 
 Who, as Father, every soul seals. 
 
 OCTOBER. 
 
 The year is made splendid 
 
 By charms of October ! 
 The sun spreads gold on mountain top ; 
 The stars by night ne er make a stop, 
 And harvest gives abundant crop, 
 
 That none be sober. 
 
 For while this month gilds leaves 
 
 For nature s fair cover, 
 It paints tall tree and lowly herb, 
 And renders hill and vale superb, 
 And puts the ugly under curb, 
 
 To glint October. 
 
 Russet cheeked, ruby crowned, 
 
 Hies in bright October! 
 Woodbine and ivies twine his crest, 
 
 42
 
 While leaves of splender robe his breast, 
 And his feet in aster tufts rest 
 Amid red clover. 
 
 A king of all the months 
 
 Is golden October ! 
 He rules in glory on the hills 
 And sways his sceptre by cool rills, 
 And magnificent works he builds 
 
 All the earth over. 
 
 It is no useless thing 
 
 To admire October ! 
 To live in his fair blue weather, 
 To roam fields with friends together, 
 As free as birds of a feather, 
 
 Clasped firm together. 
 
 Dear friend now struggle on 
 
 Till earthly toil s over; 
 You rise by help of by-gone years ; 
 As Jordan, its darkness gone, nears 
 With peerless diadem appears 
 
 Your own October. 
 
 43
 
 FAY BOY. 
 
 A darling child was he, 
 
 As ever there could be; 
 He was delightsome round my study chair ; 
 
 His body, head and heart, 
 
 Seemed just right from the start 
 So we felt, he 11 long be with us, so fair. 
 
 But sickness came to him; 
 
 His eye soon became dim, 
 And suddenly our Fay was borne from sight 
 
 Filling our hearts with grief 
 
 And no conscious relief, 
 For sorrow and darkness shut out all light. 
 
 Still we could n t think him dead, 
 
 As his form lay in bed, 
 Though his eyes were closed and his cold hands still, 
 
 Yet the child so beloved 
 
 Could only be removed 
 To higher conditions by Divine Will. 
 
 Such feeling dried the tears 
 
 And somehow quelled the fears, 
 That we might know, " It is well with the child," 
 
 That God hath taken him 
 
 To dwell with seraphim, 
 That henceforth he might shun the wrong and wild. 
 
 44
 
 So in daily prayer 
 
 To God our tried hearts dare 
 Submit to his will and sad Providence, 
 
 Feeling his ways are just 
 
 And so in him we d trust, 
 Our Fay Boy is living, in innocence. 
 
 Yes, he lives ; tell us where ? 
 
 Near us everywhere ; 
 Not in the raiment he was wont to wear, 
 
 That hath returned to dust, 
 
 As sure all bodies must, 
 However, the beautiful child isn t there. 
 
 It is spirit that lives ; 
 
 To this the Father gives 
 Eternal life that sorrow we may bear, 
 
 And dwell at his right hand 
 
 In midst of kindred band, 
 And so in heaven meet our Fay Boy there. 
 
 46
 
 ASCENT OF LITTLE FEET. 
 
 What was the music sound 
 
 Heard I oft, 
 
 Very soft, 
 As I wandered around : 
 
 Was it rain 
 
 On the pane, 
 Then falling on the ground 
 
 Which I heard, 
 
 Not absurd ? 
 
 Nay, something far more fleet, 
 
 Here and there, 
 
 On the stair : 
 Sounds came of little feet, 
 
 Not of gloom 
 
 To my room, 
 As they my ear did greet, 
 
 Dear Carrie, 
 
 Eda, fairy ! 
 
 Smiling with fair faces 
 
 On the floor 
 
 Through the door, 
 Yet with pleasing graces 
 
 Did their feet, 
 
 Most complete, 
 
 46
 
 Echo joy from their prances, 
 As they ran 
 Without plan. 
 
 So their wee feet did fall, 
 
 Fast clatter, 
 
 Soft patter, 
 Through house and through the hall, 
 
 Till one day 
 
 They fell prey 
 In body to death s call, 
 
 And their feet 
 
 Echoed sweet, 
 As they passed up to God. 
 
 MONADNOCK. 
 
 Southward turn, O Time, in thy flight! 
 That I may enjoy clearest sight, 
 As I was wont to in boyhood, 
 When nature promised only good, 
 To feed, replenish and bless mind 
 With landscapes finest of their kind ! 
 Not far southward beyond the dale 
 There he mostly stood with no veil. 
 
 Young hearts would surely thrill and leap, 
 As the sun o er his head would creep ! 
 
 47
 
 Setting summit and all aglow, 
 With silver fired, making great show, 
 As the sun rose towards high noon, 
 To prove himself a precious boon 
 By setting hills and vales on fire, 
 To furnish hearts all they desire. 
 
 Then Old Monadnock was monarch ! 
 His head above soaring of lark ; 
 Delighting to entice clouds near, 
 That they might kiss with no fear, 
 Yielding at once to his command 
 And willingly clasp his great hand, 
 Crowning beautifully his brow 
 Forcing all below him to bow. 
 
 It is delightful to be bom 
 
 Where hills, plains, dales and woods adorn 
 
 Landscapes for beauty, unsurpassed, 
 
 Producing impressions that last, 
 
 To turn thoughts from earth-scenes above, 
 
 To admire God s vastness and love, 
 
 Showing whence come the great and small, 
 
 To call forth deepest thanks for all. 
 
 When a small boy I could but ask, 
 Whence, how is Monadnock so vast? 
 Feeling, he must be very old, 
 Being grey and worn with age and mould. 
 
 48
 
 Geology surely has found 
 Traces far back through stone and ground 
 Footprints made by measureless time, 
 And facts cut into hardest lime. 
 
 T is said he slipped from nature s lap, 
 As she was producing full map 
 Of New Hampshire, grand and sublime ! 
 Mount Washington, near first in time, 
 Leading forth Old Man of the Notch, 
 Famed bove anything, English or Scotch ; 
 Could he come by mere accident? 
 His incoming was provident. 
 
 Watchman and warden has he stood 
 With scepter swaying e er for good. 
 Mayflower he saw enter port, 
 Pilgrims he saw build a strong fort, 
 And how all settled on Plymouth s shore, 
 Establishing church, school and more, 
 That freedom of conscience might reign 
 Supreme on every hill and plain. 
 
 Sentinel was he as he saw 
 Bunker Hill-fight without least law, 
 And poor Indian long before, 
 Roaming wilderness and seashore, 
 Pitching wigwam by brook and spring, 
 That he might dwell in peace and sing ; 
 
 49
 
 He saw white mane ome here and take 
 The land as his, a sad mistake. 
 
 Old Monadnock, honor to Thee ! 
 For what thou hast been and wilt be ! 
 Thy fame extends over the earth ; 
 Thy name is dear in gloom and mirth ; 
 Ever thou dost proudly behold 
 Thousands of homes, ne er to be sold ; 
 Whose inmates do enjoy real life, 
 Relieved of fear and anxious strife. 
 
 Throngs have climbed to thy pinnacle, 
 Regarding it no miracle, 
 To see the settlements and lakes, 
 Affording views best, nature makes. 
 As I looked from Lebanon Mount, 
 Alpines, Rockies, these could not count 
 Against thy fair prospects and reign 
 O er landscapes, beautiful and plain. 
 
 Thou st been help, cheer and strength to me 
 In rounding the whole world to see 
 Peoples, sights and institutions, 
 Mindful of thy exhibitions ; 
 Thou gavest joy in youthful days, 
 As I would look with earnest gaze 
 At morn, to see thee in gold-blaze, 
 Or at sunset aglow with praise. 
 
 50
 
 Thy head at my home still in sight, 
 Thou givest sure greatest delight ! 
 Thou art true weather predictor, 
 And sometimes wild storm dictator ! 
 Pleasure I feel to acknowledge 
 Thee monarch of thy realm, and pledge 
 Thee admiration and true love, 
 Till God doth call us all above. 
 
 ANGELIC AID. 
 
 Do we feel and know that 
 
 Hand in hand we range 
 With angels all the way 
 
 Through this world of change ? 
 Far sweeter voices call us 
 
 Upward than we think, 
 As heavenward we go, 
 
 Escaping each brink. 
 
 We know something guides us, 
 
 That is out of sight, 
 And leads us lovingly 
 
 Into paths of right ; 
 Its arms and hands are n t felt 
 
 By our mortal grasp ; 
 Soul to soul always clings 
 
 With tenderest clasp. 
 
 51
 
 This seraph leadership, 
 
 Felt every day, 
 Should ever be prized more 
 
 Than language can say. 
 The higher only aids 
 
 The lower and leads 
 It on and up to God, 
 
 Doing worthy deeds. 
 
 SUNSET OF LIFE. 
 
 The river is calmest, meeting the tide ; 
 The flowers are sweetest at eventide ; 
 The birds sing happiest at close of day ; 
 Man seems noblest when just passing away. 
 
 Morning is wide awake, ev ning has charms 
 That soothe and quiet with most cordial balms ; 
 And weary man must like her sure the best, 
 For morning says hard work, but evening, rest. 
 
 Night comes so gently and so softly bears 
 Peacefulness as hushing with seraphs airs, 
 To speed and strengthen men in their race 
 To banish weariness from every face. 
 
 How all becomes hushed and still as night throws 
 Round earth and sky her calmness and repose ! 
 
 52
 
 To brood and nourish a helpful power, 
 Which cannot be secured from morning hour. 
 
 While day lasts man must labor on and pray 
 Let whatever come to pass as it may : 
 Thus it is in time and all through this life ; 
 There can t be rest amidst physical strife. 
 
 A HAPPY DAY. 
 
 Would you know how this is made? 
 
 Confide in God ; 
 He knows the way, he is staid, 
 
 Full of method. 
 So trust and go on his way, 
 
 As he leadeth, 
 And you will have as fair a day, 
 
 As you hopeth ; 
 Him only trust, that is all ; 
 
 Then the day will surely be 
 Happy whatever befall, 
 
 Serenely joyous and free. 
 
 Yes, duly trust, love and ask 
 
 God s leadership, 
 And he will give thee no task, 
 
 Rather friendship, 
 
 58
 
 To speed thee right onward still 
 
 Doing his will, 
 And thus thy cup of joy fill, 
 
 Doing his will ; 
 He who formed thee to do good, 
 
 Will not fail to reach his end, 
 For he is e er understood, 
 
 His succor ready to lend. 
 
 Let us put in his keeping 
 
 Every care, 
 Yes, right away ere sleeping, 
 
 And we shall fare 
 In life s severe battle well, 
 
 Pressing onward, 
 Anxious of his love to tell, 
 
 Helping upward. 
 O, how plain is all the way ! 
 
 Fitted up by the All-Good, 
 To a truly Happy Day, 
 
 When souls feed on angel-food. 
 
 54
 
 NEVER SO LIGHT BEFORE. 
 
 Sunlight is one of the best gifts 
 
 To mortals while on earth ; 
 It ope s the bud, the soul uplifts ; 
 
 It rarely causes death. 
 
 Apply the prism to one white ray. 
 
 And lo ! it unfolds seven 
 Exquisite hues through the assay, 
 
 And will mind enliven. 
 
 All light is full of great surprise ; 
 
 The birds so sing at dawn, 
 The stars declare it as they rise, 
 
 And so the sports of fawn. 
 
 It is the force that wakes up life ; 
 
 Gross darkness, oh ! how still ! 
 But light sure fills the day with strife, 
 
 Yet all s full of good will. 
 
 The last words of Goethe spoken 
 Were these, "Give me more light." 
 
 He felt light his soul would quicken 
 And make all truly bright. 
 
 A precious friend passing away, 
 Truly herself in lore, 
 
 55
 
 As things she often scanned would say 
 " Never so light before." 
 
 Her soul seemed to have countless eyes 
 
 To see by one vast Sun 
 Most clearly that which never dies, 
 
 The life-work being done. 
 
 God said at first, " Let there be light," 
 
 Great darkness fled away, 
 And earth and heaven felt his might, 
 
 And all proclaimed, " Tis day ! " 
 
 As progress has been made onward, 
 God s seal has been more light ! 
 
 He 11 not change, as all go upward 
 To Mansions always bright.
 
 THE SOUL-LAND. 
 
 Across the River, just from sight, 
 Is Eden, so blissful and so bright ; 
 It needs no sun for light or heat 
 Where all classes are wont to meet. 
 
 The Master Builder made it fair, 
 Attractive, sure for all to heir ; 
 No sin, nor tears, nor sickness blight 
 That land of bliss just out of sight. 
 
 This side the River are death and dismay, 
 All things are changing and full of decay, 
 Our day is fleeting and ere it is night, 
 We cross the River sure, just out of sight. 
 
 The River often looks dismal and wide ; 
 Some fear lest they cannot withstand the tide, 
 And feel their own garments will not be white, 
 As they reach the soul-land, just out of sight. 
 
 From many dear homes all have gone 
 On angel wings, feeling no thorn ; 
 Some go so still and sweetly o er 
 The River none hear dip of oar. 
 
 All can secure, if they but will, a guide, 
 Who will conduct and keep them by his side ; 
 He is the way, the truth and fullest light 
 To the soul-land that is just out of sight. 
 
 57
 
 THE FOLLOWING POEMS WERE COM 
 POSED AFTER THE AUTHOR WAS 
 PAST HIS EIGHTY-FIFTH 
 BIRTHDAY 
 
 MARLBORO 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE 
 
 1913
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 SPIKITUAL NEARNESS ... 59 
 
 UNSPEAKABLE JOY . . 60 
 
 THE GOOD NE ER LOST . 62 
 
 DON T SAY FRIENDS ARE DEAD . 64 
 
 WHAT PAYS? 66 
 EACH CLOUD HAS A LINING OF LIGHT 67 
 
 OUR FRIENDS BEYOND THE SEA . . 69 
 
 THE COMMONEST DEAREST . . 71 
 
 BEAUTIFUL THINGS . . 72 
 
 RECALLING VISIT TO LUCERNE . . 74 
 
 LITTLE THINGS GREAT . . 78 
 
 INWARD LOOKS ... 79 
 
 THE LORD DIRECTETH ... 81 
 
 WHERE AND WHAT is HEAVEN . . 85 
 THREE HOURS CONVERSATION WITH J. G. 
 
 WHITTIER .... 86 
 
 INTO THE SPIRIT LAND 90
 
 SPIRITUAL NEARNESS. 
 
 Wherever we wander, 
 
 Or in this world go, 
 Heavenly eyes watch us, 
 
 As we little know; 
 Most tender calls bid us, 
 
 "Up higher, onward 
 In the pathway Christ trod, 
 
 Reaping rich reward." 
 
 Do not angels e er lead 
 
 In all divine ways, 
 Though they be never seen, 
 
 Being veiled always? 
 God is still never seen, 
 
 Yet we feel him near, 
 As we think and live on, 
 
 Being very dear. 
 
 Why is it in the night, 
 
 We wake from sound sleep 
 And find us communing 
 
 With friends very sweet, 
 Who passed on years before, 
 
 Being loved and missed; 
 Why should we think of them? 
 
 Because loved and saved. 
 
 59
 
 Spirits can touch spirits, 
 
 They are joined as one, 
 When true here and always, 
 
 Devoted to good done. 
 We should feel, those throned high, 
 
 Often come to us 
 During the day or night, 
 
 To sing sweet chorus. 
 
 Were it not for such joy 
 
 Life would be so dark; 
 But the unseen controls 
 
 The seen, a sure mark, 
 To quicken steps upward 
 
 Into fadeless light, 
 And the meeting of friends, 
 
 A beautiful sight. 
 
 UNSPEAKABLE JOY. 
 
 It is a joy to think of friends, 
 
 Who have gone on before, 
 To clearly portray, how all tends 
 
 To lighten evermore. 
 
 They help us anew to see God 
 And understand our Christ 
 
 By his teachings, deeds and method, 
 Each, an earnest querist. 
 
 60
 
 He doesn t destroy identity, 
 
 Preserving it the same 
 Here and there, and e er in safety, 
 
 Doing good in God s name. 
 
 This lifts mind, sorrowing above, 
 
 Feeding it with the bread 
 Of Celestial life, full of love, 
 
 With which angels are fed. 
 
 This wakens the spiritual, 
 
 Blessing it with new sight, 
 Rendering it very joyful 
 
 In this beautiful light. 
 
 Being thus with friends inspired, 
 
 Who bid us, "Up higher," 
 To live and love all things sacred, 
 
 Sets heart and mind on fire. 
 
 This leads from vales to mountain heights, 
 
 While we live here below, 
 Whence soul enjoys delightful flights 
 
 To gilded heights, not slow. 
 
 61
 
 THE GOOD NE ER LOST. 
 
 The kindly look; the gentle word 
 Which only angels saw and heard; 
 The secrets of self-sacrifice, 
 All unnoticed by mortal eyes, 
 These are not lost. 
 
 The sweet anthem of a lone heart, 
 Gushing forth far from any mart, 
 Perchance, in lonely wood or dell 
 With none enticed by some sweet spell, 
 This is sure gain. 
 
 Visiting the Silent City, 
 If tears fall of love and pity, 
 These change to glasses so to see 
 Our sainted living still and free; 
 This gives great joy. 
 
 Let hearts be fixed on things above, 
 Those things we can forever love; 
 Then we ll be building character 
 Here, now, and always hereafter. 
 This is noble. 
 
 If we pray and succor the poor, 
 As best we can in town or moor; 
 If we recall the afflicted, 
 Bestowing blessings, warm-hearted; 
 This gives more life. 
 
 62
 
 Being kind and helpful to all, 
 Though some may be spiteful and small; 
 Returning good for wrong alway 
 Without any showy display; 
 This is great gain. 
 
 Review the seasons passed away; 
 Consider what was done each day; 
 The good still cherish, the evil 
 Abhor and spurn, as uncivil. 
 This will be gain. 
 
 Let humble prayer e er ascend, 
 And, all to Christ and God, commend, 
 Alike be king and beggar held 
 In just embrace and still upheld; 
 Here is no loss. 
 
 Over the River there ll be seen 
 Most clearly in beautiful sheen 
 Things forgotten and long hidden; 
 These ll be brought to view as bidden. 
 Of all, none lost. 
 
 63
 
 DON T SAY FRIENDS ARE DEAD. 
 
 When friends have passed on high 
 Don t speak of them as being dead; 
 They have gone where there is no dread, 
 To live and learn and new things see, 
 Pressing onward in joyous glee 
 
 With dear ones and no sigh. 
 
 They are free from all pain, 
 To be instructed in wisdom 
 And what belongs tp God s kingdom 
 And meeting those, gone on before, 
 Advancing in heavenly lore, 
 
 With no loss, but great gain. 
 
 Mind longs ever to grow; 
 Today must surpass yesterday, 
 To be pleasant without delay: 
 The universe is so immense 
 It ll take always its facts to sense, 
 
 Keeping heart from sorrow. 
 
 The translated are blest, 
 Having lost naught but mortal flesh, 
 To be clothed with radiance fresh, 
 To live and advance in knowledge 
 And new truth constantly allege, 
 
 Giving the soul sweet rest. 
 
 64
 
 Of the gone let us speak 
 Of them, think of them as living, 
 In soul-form preserved, still loving, 
 As when with us they laughed and talked, 
 As hand in hand we fondly walked, 
 
 Realizing nothing bleak. 
 
 This will strew our pathway 
 With roses and lilies divine, 
 And precious stones right from the mine 
 Of heaven, fadeless and lasting, 
 Which the angels are e er dropping, 
 
 To beautify our way. 
 
 This ll open Paradise, 
 Leading us through its golden gate, 
 Giving us bliss without ill fate, 
 That in darkness we may have light, 
 And so enjoy celestial sight 
 
 Of ours in Paradise. 
 
 65
 
 WHAT PAYS? 
 
 To live for selfishness 
 
 Is vain: 
 Thus living always brings 
 
 Sore pain. 
 
 Old manna by keeping 
 
 Is spoiled: 
 Saving by hoarding is 
 
 Earth-foiled. 
 
 Giving one s soul for gold 
 
 Is loss: 
 Great riches for this world 
 
 Is dross. 
 
 Some adoring Mammon 
 
 There be, 
 Yet none of them truly 
 
 Are free. 
 
 The safe way to do is 
 
 To give; 
 Lose one s soul for others 
 
 And live. 
 
 This was the way of Christ, 
 
 We know; 
 And of martyrs, whose names 
 
 Do glow. 
 
 66
 
 Giving makes mind and heart 
 
 To grow, 
 Blessing soul always in 
 
 Sorrow. 
 
 Giving self for others 
 
 Does pay, 
 As all having tried it, 
 
 Do say. 
 
 EACH CLOUD HAS A LINING OF 
 LIGHT. 
 
 When left at home alone, 
 
 The beloved all gone; 
 Then tears are thickly sown, 
 
 And joys are bygone: 
 When chairs at the table 
 
 Are unoccupied, 
 And naught now seems stable, 
 
 The heart being tried; 
 
 Look aloft! Life s beacon may fall on the sight! 
 Remember! Each cloud has a lining of light! 
 
 As the prisoner hears 
 
 Songs of nightingale 
 Through bars without least fears, 
 
 But bright hopes regale; 
 
 67
 
 So let us our friends cheer 
 
 With kind words and deeds, 
 As they fall in the rear, 
 
 And sow e er good seeds. 
 
 Yes, be gentle! This will lead the erring right! 
 Remember! Each cloud has a lining of light! 
 
 What if some stars do fall 
 
 At night from the sky, 
 The heavens never pall; 
 
 Countless others fly 
 On through limitless space, 
 
 Giving splendid light, 
 To adorn all with grace, 
 
 Affording clear sight: 
 
 So hope on ! In the most dark and dismal night ! 
 Remember! Each cloud has a lining of light! 
 
 I saw in the Red Sea 
 Coral reefs drifting, 
 To form by-and-by a green lea, 
 
 Most healthful, growing 
 Flowers and fruit enough 
 
 To please the trained eye, 
 Having naught left that s rough, 
 
 To call forth a sigh : 
 Press forward, friend! Making the future most 
 
 bright ! 
 Remembering ! Each cloud has a lining of light ! 
 
 68
 
 OUR FRIENDS BEYOND THE SEA. 
 
 When some dear friends whom we have known, 
 
 Have crossed beyond the sea, 
 The lands in which they choose to roam, 
 
 Soon near they come to be. 
 
 As we see them there, they attract 
 
 And draw our hearts thither. 
 How we long too, to join them there, 
 
 That we might see together! 
 
 Is it not so, as precious ones 
 
 Cross o er death s silent sea 
 To the beautiful, fadeless land 
 
 Which we so long to see? 
 
 We ween, it is so inviting, 
 
 God knows it is not best, 
 We learn now, how it ll draw on us, 
 
 Lest we rush to the blest. 
 
 For we could not be content here 
 
 To bide his time and call, 
 But would take steps at once to go, 
 
 Leaping death s dismal wall. 
 
 But as we think and ponder well, 
 
 The soul-land is real, 
 More solid than the earth we tread, 
 
 Yes, tis ethereal! 
 
 69
 
 We feel more sure of seeing friends 
 
 In the heavenly land 
 Than meeting friends o er Atlantic, 
 
 Though a most loving band. 
 
 For ocean may claim their bodies, 
 
 As they be homeward bound; 
 Or death may seize and lay them low 
 
 In casket under ground. 
 
 But not so with friends freed from earth, 
 
 For they live in bodies, 
 Spiritual and immortal, 
 
 Freed from all obsequies. 
 
 So we find it encouraging, 
 
 Looking aft and afore 
 To the glad, sure meeting of friends, 
 
 Who have gone on before. 
 
 70
 
 THE COMMONEST AND RAREST. 
 
 So it is and always has been 
 
 In high and lowly places 
 That things of greatest value seen, 
 
 Are rarest graces. 
 
 Iron ore is very plentiful 
 
 Surely gold is very scarce; 
 The former is common and useful, 
 
 The latter is sparse. 
 
 The one is found in mountain piles, 
 The other, down deep in mines; 
 
 For the first we need not go miles; 
 For gold, we search climes. 
 
 Marbles are seen everywhere 
 
 In quarry and public square; 
 But diamonds are scarce, here and there 
 
 In sand they do glare. 
 
 Oyster shells oft abound in sea, 
 And divers plunge for them deep. 
 
 But only now and then we see 
 A pearl at their feet. 
 
 Labor does set the price on earth 
 Of all things we come to own; 
 
 We toil hardest in time of dearth, 
 Feeling oft all s flown. 
 
 71
 
 All that comes easy has least price ; 
 
 What we struggle for hardest 
 Will be gold in Paradise, 
 
 And will last longest. 
 
 So every soul that wins high place 
 In the future must strive hard 
 
 And long, or he will fail of grace 
 To gain high standard. 
 
 It is plain, God made us to grow, 
 Advancing by faithful toil, 
 
 Pressing onward without sorrow, 
 Keeping free from soil. 
 
 Thus the commonest and rarest, 
 Are opposites to be known, 
 
 To aid us to gain the fairest 
 Of things, God has shown. 
 
 BEAUTIFUL THINGS. 
 
 Beautiful faces e er wear, 
 Whate er betide, foul or fair, 
 Expressions, lovingly rare. 
 
 Beautiful eyes always show 
 
 How purest thoughts fire and glow 
 
 In minds and hearts while below. 
 
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 Beautiful voice expresses 
 Far more than finest tresses, 
 Or the most showy dresses. 
 
 Beautiful hands do real good 
 In furnishing healthful food, 
 To keep soul in the best mood. 
 
 Beautiful feet strive to go 
 On errands, free from all woe, 
 To lane or slum, howe er low. 
 
 Beautiful shoulders will bear 
 Burdens of all in despair, 
 Placing them under God s care. 
 
 Beautiful lives surpass all, 
 Living without any fall, 
 Upward is their constant call. 
 
 Beautiful is the setting 
 Of their sun, so refreshing, 
 As they pass on e er blessing. 
 
 Beautiful names they have written 
 High above sin, and given 
 Joy to others to hearten. 
 
 Beautiful things in life pay, 
 Never bringing least dismay, 
 Nor self, nor others do slay. 
 
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 RECALLING VISIT TO LUCERNE. 
 
 My mind today 
 
 Is far away, 
 Sailing on cheerful Lucerne Bay, 
 
 In a winged boat, 
 
 A bird afloat, 
 Going with lofty peaks o er mote. 
 
 Oh, the mountains! 
 
 Rills from fountains! 
 All surely volcanic remains; 
 
 They bring the past 
 
 To us so fast, 
 Telling how they were raised to last. 
 
 At dawn they glow 
 
 On all below, 
 And down golden lustre they throw 
 
 Upon peasant, 
 
 Most abundant, 
 Awaking all to feel pleasant. 
 
 I do wonder, 
 
 As I ponder 
 On the countless mountains yonder 
 
 And the deep vales, 
 
 So full of tales 
 And subject to furious gales. 
 
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 The town Lucerne 
 
 All edged with fern, 
 Has become a city concern, 
 
 Admitted by all, 
 
 In spring or fall 
 Or summer, giving it a call. 
 
 The city smiles, 
 
 Prolonged for miles 
 In sight of beautiful green isles, 
 
 Where beauty stays 
 
 And sunshine plays 
 The year round its bewitching lays. 
 
 Grassy Rigi, 
 
 Watched by Peri, 
 All free from shili-i-shalli, 
 
 Whose top is rock 
 
 And sides shamrock, 
 With trees and clovers on hillock. 
 
 We climbed from base 
 
 With joyous grace 
 One bright afternoon at slow pace, 
 
 And our reward, 
 
 Climbing upward, 
 Was great, as the sun glowed downward. 
 
 Old Pilatus, 
 Home of Notus, 
 Of ridged stone and detritus, 
 
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 We ascended 
 As light blended 
 The fair morning in cars crowded. 
 
 Oh, wonderous sight! 
 
 In early light, 
 As we stood on the summit height 
 
 Looking away 
 
 In the clear day, 
 With countless peaks in great array! 
 
 None can picture 
 
 Our great rapture, 
 As we looked from that high posture. 
 
 It was so grand 
 
 To understand 
 As we gazed, holding hand in hand. 
 
 The great marvel, 
 
 All so novel, 
 Was that nothing now seemed grovel, 
 
 But inspiring, 
 
 Everlasting, 
 Altogether was surprising! 
 
 Sailing the lake 
 
 We did partake 
 Of great delight for Schiller s sake, 
 
 While inspecting 
 
 And recalling 
 How he courted his muse boating. 
 
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 Then Tell s Chapel, 
 
 Full of Gospel, 
 Was in sight where he did repel 
 
 Gesler, his foe, 
 
 Which was not slow, 
 But uplifting to friends below. 
 
 Where er we went 
 
 All was lucent 
 And to the spirit resplendent, 
 
 Pleasing the heart, 
 
 Full of fine art, 
 From which we did feel loath to part. 
 
 Our visit there 
 
 Will alwaj r s glare 
 As most thrilling, of anywhere: 
 
 We brought away 
 
 Without least fray, 
 Memories that cannot decay. 
 
 She that partook, 
 
 And these things brook, 
 Hath passed to Heaven with bright look, 
 
 Seeming content 
 
 With soul all bent 
 On being a saintly student. 
 
 To see and know, 
 
 To love and sow 
 
 More than was possible below; 
 
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 Heart full of love, 
 Right from above, 
 Brought by Heaven s carrier dove. 
 
 LITTLE THINGS GREAT. 
 
 Fitting words in sorrow s hour, 
 
 Spoken low; 
 Or just a bow or flower, 
 
 As we go; 
 
 A hand shake right from the heart 
 Warms and clings, 
 
 As they sweet comfort impart, 
 Little things. 
 
 To the sick and afflicted, 
 
 These are great, 
 Carefully estimated, 
 
 Free from fate; 
 
 Little physical kindness 
 
 Becomes deep, 
 When seen by spirit-wiseness, 
 
 A soul keep. 
 
 Let us not slight little things, 
 
 For from these 
 Character is grown and brings 
 
 Perfect ease; 
 
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 Thereby showing in Heaven 
 How they live, 
 
 Doing little things even, 
 Constructive. 
 
 INWARD LOOK. 
 
 The busy day is gone; 
 
 Twilight sits on its throne; 
 Ere eventide rules far and wide 
 
 Muse with thyself alone; 
 See what good thou hast done 
 
 Before sleep holds its reign, 
 That thou mayest feel in God s hands, 
 
 There is no lasting pain. 
 
 Thy deeds and motives view 
 
 Through memory s clear glass, 
 Thy trained conscience being the judge 
 
 And critic as they pass; 
 Should wrongs be discovered 
 
 And thy heart be troubled 
 Resolve, tomorrow s energy 
 
 Shall fully be doubled. 
 
 When morning hastens on 
 
 O er hill and plain its light 
 To bless the day with renewed life, 
 
 Let heart rise to the sight, 
 
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 Going forth to duty 
 
 With smiles and love for all 
 The good, the bad, the high and low 
 
 And there ll be no downfall. 
 
 Relie not on the seen 
 
 For permanent delight, 
 But on the unseen, the mind s realm, 
 
 Upheld by Heaven s might; 
 Then howe er the world goes, 
 
 With thee twill go right 
 Onward, upward, in higher life 
 
 With God most close in sight. 
 
 Good company have they 
 
 Who by themselves walk, 
 As did Emerson in Concord, 
 
 And with their souls talk. 
 Such do not feel alone; 
 
 Nature and great hearts keep 
 Them company and in them live, 
 
 Enabling them joy to reap. 
 
 So drink freely waters 
 
 That flow from thy soul-fount, 
 Filled and supplied with dews and rains 
 
 From the Eternal Mount, 
 
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 And thou wilt enjoy life 
 And find it worth living 
 
 On earth and in Mansions above, 
 Amidst friends most loving. 
 
 THE LORD DIRECTETH. 
 
 For he hath called us forth 
 
 To love and bless ever, 
 So we are of real worth, 
 
 Made to live forever. 
 He hath doubled our joy, 
 
 Divided our sorrow, 
 To keep us in employ 
 
 Today and tomorrow, 
 That we may grow Christian graces 
 With smiles of love on our faces. 
 
 Then trust his leadership, 
 
 As safe everywhere, 
 Destroying life s hardship, 
 
 And all that is severe. 
 He ll hold fast to the end 
 
 Enabling us to live 
 And all others befriend, 
 
 Thus with him co-active, 
 Making Heaven right here below 
 With peace, light, growth and bliss to glow. 
 
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 Thus sped we ll understand, 
 
 God is e er to remain, 
 Directing with his own hand 
 
 In his wondrous domain, 
 That we may gain wisdom 
 
 And grow, enlarging mind, 
 
 To enjoy his kingdom 
 
 Above with all mankind, 
 Doing according to his will, 
 Ne er more, experiencing ill. 
 
 THE MEETING PLACE. 
 
 As life moves on, our thought 
 Of Heaven changes; at first tis great streets 
 Of gold; then of pearl, dazzling silver seats 
 
 And robes dearly bought. 
 
 But in the afterwards 
 It shapes itself anew and more distinct, 
 A place in which to act, to love and think, 
 
 And so advance upwards. 
 
 It becomes free from tears, 
 A place with many a familiar face, 
 And countless pictures and beauties of grace 
 
 Where all at length are seers. 
 
 As dear friends come and go, 
 Tis made more real, tis true, day by day, 
 
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 As our nearest often hasten away, 
 To be free from dire foe. 
 
 This going to Heaven 
 Is not to sit still with close folded hands, 
 But to be active amidst seraph bands, 
 
 As facts have sure proven. 
 
 Heaven s a place of meeting 
 Our kindred and all we have truly known, 
 Reaping actually what each has sown; 
 
 So loving true living. 
 
 Thus conditioned to grow 
 Gives inspiration, remaining below, 
 To do our best to make mind and heart glow, 
 
 And be free from sorrow. 
 
 This mental condition 
 
 Makes true the promise of Christ to mankind, 
 Giving rest to activity of mind, 
 
 While seeking salvation. 
 
 Now life is worth living, 
 And seraph music falls sweet from on high, 
 Saying, "Up higher, leaving every sigh, 
 
 To hear sweetest singing. " 
 
 There is no sitting still 
 In Heaven; there s no monotony on high; 
 Tis seeing, learning, doing there; God, nigh, 
 
 All regarding his will. 
 
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 So Heaven is all life, 
 
 Free from sin; all are helpers, lovers there, 
 As good prophets and apostles declare, 
 
 Righteousness being rife. 
 
 Keep the heart full of trust 
 In God who has created and preserves all, 
 And death sure will lose its sting and wrong fall 
 
 Back to earth, being just. 
 
 So the gathering place 
 Is Heaven where all the good is restored 
 And man revels in what is most sacred 
 
 And full of divine grace. 
 
 Yes, the gathering place 
 Is Heaven; we pass through death to gladness 
 To reach it, and become free from sadness, 
 
 To know sweetest solace. 
 
 We do need a foretaste 
 Of this blissful abode while on the earth, 
 That we experience no fall nor dearth, 
 
 Nor blighting aftertaste. 
 
 But rather be hopeful, 
 Doing the best things possible while below 
 And so in the footsteps of Christ follow, 
 
 Finding them most joyful. 
 
 84
 
 WHERE AND WHAT IS HEAVEN? 
 
 Oh! where can soul be satisfied, 
 Joy for pain be given, 
 Where mind awakes to highest truth, 
 And heart revels in lasting youth? 
 A voice sings, "in Heaven." 
 
 But what and where is that abode? 
 It consists of all love 
 To God and man everywhere, 
 Living ever without false glare 
 Here below or above. 
 
 It is not far away in space, 
 Nor, away off in time, 
 But here and now enjoyed by all, 
 Faithful to conscience s highest call, 
 Doing things most sublime. 
 
 Let one think and live his best thoughts 
 Constantly here below, 
 And he will advance upward sure 
 Into a bright, serene future, 
 Enjoying Heaven s glow. 
 
 So eternal Life can be found 
 And prized highly on earth, 
 Telling us what it is above 
 Where our sainted ones live in love, 
 Advancing with no dearth. 
 
 85
 
 THREE HOURS CONVERSATION 
 WITH J. G. WHITTIER. 
 
 Winter had spread out his white robe 
 All over the face of nature, 
 Hiding from sight each rough feature, 
 
 Making fair this side of the globe. 
 
 The day was bright and full of cold, 
 Still I went from Maine to Boston, 
 To meet and know a live Briton 
 
 And so numerous things unfold. 
 
 At Marlboro hotel we met, 
 
 And when business was all complete, 
 
 I was called and given a seat 
 By Whittier without regret. 
 
 I was soon invited by him 
 
 To his room where we did converse 
 For three hours with nothing adverse, 
 
 As we spoke of creed and maxim. 
 
 His heart appeared brim full of love 
 For all of whatever belief 
 Feeling they did find glad relief 
 
 In worshiping a God above. 
 
 He said, "the Fatherhood of God 
 In his own mind and heart clearly 
 Settled the question condignly 
 
 Of man s destiny without clod." 
 
 86
 
 He continued, "All s working right 
 In churches and religious world: 
 Men cannot stand still but are whirled. 
 
 From vale and plain to lofty height." 
 
 In substance, he said, in God s way 
 All must work together for good, 
 Which ll be, as God is understood, 
 
 For all things are under his sway. 
 
 He felt superstition had reigned 
 Too long for the good of the race, 
 And was passing away by grace 
 
 Quietly and surely unfeigned. 
 
 So he could sing of God s goodness 
 And Christ s universal power 
 Which the Father, as his dower, 
 
 Had given him for his greatness. 
 
 He said that "He could but believe, 
 Since God sent his own Beloved Son, 
 To save all souls in due time done, 
 
 His promise he would not reprieve. 
 
 "For all Christians fail not to pray 
 That the lost shall sometime be found 
 And come mentally to be sound, 
 
 No more fore er going astray." 
 
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 GOD LEADETH. 
 
 He leadeth whither we should go, 
 
 To be safe; 
 Not always in flowery paths, 
 
 Free from chafe; 
 
 We were not made simply for play, 
 Nor to live for show and display, 
 But to advance today and grow 
 
 Tomorrow. 
 
 He leadeth in adversity 
 
 We shall find, 
 If we confide and trust in him 
 
 For he s kind, 
 
 Doing his best for our welfare, 
 That we may e er work on the square, 
 Because it is known in his sight, 
 
 Truly right. 
 
 The fairest souls are to be found 
 
 Here below 
 Among the suffering and tried, 
 
 As things show: 
 
 Somehow they submit to fortune, 
 Oft singing in pain some sweet tune; 
 Such always overcome the flesh, 
 
 Living fresh. 
 
 This shows that it is not always 
 For the best, 
 
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 To live constantly in sunshine 
 
 To find rest; 
 
 Nor to revel in green meadows, 
 Nor to enjoy softest pillows, 
 But suffer for others best, 
 
 To find rest. 
 
 So let the Lord lead, as he will, 
 
 And be still, 
 Holding fast his all-guiding hand 
 
 And he ll fill 
 
 In the public and private way, 
 The soul with joy every day, 
 Thus developing lasting life 
 
 By just strife. 
 
 So God becomes the good Shepherd 
 
 To conduct 
 His children in the dark and light 
 
 And induct 
 
 Them safely to the better land, 
 To love and work with seraph band, 
 In growing character e ermore, 
 
 On safe shore. 
 
 Therefore, trust in his leadership 
 
 And be strong 
 In faith, as was his Beloved Son 
 
 And live long 
 
 89
 
 Doing good, blessing God and man 
 Being a devoted almsman 
 While upon earth and then above, 
 Where all s love. 
 
 INTO THE SPIRIT LAND. 
 
 Into the Spirit Land, 
 
 Who will lead us thither? 
 As adversity smites, thick clouds gather 
 And countless falter and fall on the strand? 
 
 Why, the dear Christ s right hand 
 
 Will sure conduct thither 
 
 Into the Spirit Land! 
 
 Into the Spirit Land 
 
 From saddest condition, 
 He leads upward with happiest vision 
 Of perfect works by the seraphic band 
 
 Who for right, love and truth 
 
 Do receive fruition, 
 
 Having entered the Spirit Land. 
 
 This makes the Spirit Land 
 
 Blissful and attractive, 
 Inhabited by those of pure motive, 
 Striving to fulfil each divine command 
 
 And all truth understand, 
 
 Making life progressive 
 
 Sure, in the Spirit Land. 
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