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diff --git a/old/52865-0.txt b/old/52865-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1e99fc3..0000000 --- a/old/52865-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3982 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Home Poems, by Kate Louise Wheeler - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Home Poems - -Author: Kate Louise Wheeler - -Release Date: August 21, 2016 [EBook #52865] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOME POEMS *** - - - - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison, Paul Marshall and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - HOME POEMS, - - — BY — - - KATE LOUISE WHEELER. - - - Copyright 1897, - - BY KATE LOUISE WHEELER - - All Rights Reserved. - - - TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING CO. - NASHUA, N. H. - - - - - AUTHOR’S PREFACE. - - - I am a New Hampshire girl. I have written - these poems in the interests of Christian Endeavor. - My friends are so much pleased with them that I - have had them published for our mutual benefit. - - KATE LOUISE WHEELER. - - To - - MY BELOVED MOTHER - - THESE VERSES ARE INSCRIBED, - - BY - - KATE L. WHEELER. - - “Thou’lt ne’er be poor nor quite alone, - Whilst thou a mother call’st thine own.” - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - The Old Granite State, 1 - Thy Place, 2 - Constancy, 3 - Fairest Days, 4 - My Petition, 5 - Imperishable Melodies, 6 - Mother, 7 - Hidden Treasures, 9 - In Life and Death, 10 - Progress, 11 - Only a Little Fellow, 12 - Under the Pines, 14 - Prayer, 15 - Our Baby, 17 - A Halo, 18 - The Deserted Farm, 19 - Seed Thoughts, 22 - School, 23 - The Graces, 25 - Sunshine, 26 - “What Shall It Profit?” 27 - What He Said, 29 - Home Lights, 30 - Clouds and Comfort, 33 - Action, 34 - “For You I am Praying,” 35 - Sincerity, 36 - The Veiled Future, 37 - Labor of Love, 39 - Do Your Best, 40 - Immortality, 41 - In the Hall, 42 - At Night, 43 - Only, 44 - The Holy Dream, 45 - Harmony and Heaven, 48 - The Dandelion, 49 - Lives and Leaves, 50 - To-Day, 51 - Darkness and Daylight, 53 - Within the Gates, 54 - Over-Sight, 55 - Going Home, 56 - The Gardener, 58 - At York, 59 - Peace, 61 - She Sleeps, 62 - Affluence, 65 - Christ Divine, 66 - In After Years, 67 - Faith, 69 - United Effort, 70 - My Soul, 71 - The Text, 72 - Ethel, [In Memoriam], 73 - Love’s Roses, 75 - Influence, 76 - Lift Up Thy Heart, 78 - Two Paths, 79 - Steadfastness, 81 - Volume One, 82 - Happiness-Killers, 83 - Recompense, 85 - Why? 86 - Class Ode—1885, 88 - Two Sides, 89 - The Changing Current, 90 - Sleep, 92 - Life’s Day, 93 - A Poet, 94 - Thanksgiving, 95 - Musings, 96 - Seeking and Striving, 98 - Some Day, 99 - The Awakening, 101 - Love-Letters, 102 - Regret, 103 - Christian Soldiers, 104 - A Question, 105 - Sweetest Music, 106 - At Last, 107 - His Promise, 108 - Life’s Crucible, 109 - My Choice, 110 - Endeavor, 111 - Service, 113 - Crowning Light, 115 - Nonce, 116 - The Goal, 118 - A Question Answered, 119 - Grandmother, 120 - Diligence, 123 - The Baby, 124 - God’s Love, 126 - Release, 127 - Easter, [To M. M. M.], 128 - Eminence, 132 - The Here and There, 133 - Air Castles, 134 - Little Joe, 136 - - - - -POEMS. - - - - -THE OLD GRANITE STATE. - -The New Hampshire Christian Endeavor State Song. - -Tune, “How Firm a Foundation.” - - - The State of New Hampshire is dear to us all, - Her hills and her mountains respond to the call, - Her onflowing rivers in gladness awake - To sound forth the praises of Old Granite State. - - Her heroes undaunted in times of distress - ’Neath the flag of the union went forth with the rest; - When duty is calling and danger is nigh - The Old Granite State will conquer or die. - - Her sons and her daughters are loyal and brave, - ’Neath the banner of Christ they march onward to save; - In the battle for right which they undertake - As firm as the granite in Old Granite State. - - From loftiest height to lowliest shore - New Hampshire, our home land, is our’s evermore! - “For Christ and the Church” she resounds the glad call, - The Old Granite State sends a greeting to all. - - - - -THY PLACE. - - - Do not dream away life’s morning, - Rise to bless as does the sun; - Let no shadow fall about thee, - Till thy given work is done. - - Look not downward, to the valley, - Blessings come from heights above; - Falter not upon thy journey, - Let each effort teem with love. - - Tho’ thy life work may be humble, - Keep a brave and trusting heart; - Do it well, it is thy portion, - God himself assigned the part. - - There is not on earth another— - Even monarch of the throne— - Who can fill thy place so nobly, - As thyself, thyself alone. - - If a few shall rise above thee, - And the world their deeds applaud, - Do not let their fame depress thee, - None can judge thee save thy God. - - - - -CONSTANCY. - - - He makes the most of life, who soonest learns - That ’tis not best to try for heights too high, - Nor yet to be content with vales too low; - But day by day upon his upward way, - Accepts the possible for which he yearns, - Rejects those things that far beneath him lie, - And asks the strength of slow success, to know, - Which gains the Heaven for which we mortals pray. - - - - -FAIREST DAYS. - - - The sun is flooding all the land and sky, - The waves are dancing o’er the deep blue sea; - The world is gay and yet, they say, not I— - Since absence makes a gulf ’tween you and me. - - When you were here the clouds were in the sky, - The rain-drops fell, the sun was hid from view; - The world was dull and yet, they say, not I— - For my gay world is centred, love, in you. - - When you are near no matter what the sky, - No matter what the sea nor what the weather; - The world is gay and so, my love, am I— - The days are fairest when we are together. - - - - -MY PETITION. - - - O let me say one little word, - Ere I depart, - To soothe one sorrow, - Teach one truth, - And help one heart! - - O let me sing one little song, - Before I go, - To wake one wanderer, - Lift one load, - And wing one woe! - - O let me breathe one little prayer, - While yet I live, - To bring one blessing, - Heal one hurt, - One sin forgive! - - O let me write one little song, - Ere life is o’er, - To cause one comfort, - Save one soul, - Forever more! - - - - -IMPERISHABLE MELODIES. - - - Around the world they ring to-day, - And they will ring forever; - Like beauteous birds that sweetly sing, - Good cheer and comfort they shall bring; - And saving souls along the way, - Will be forgotten never. - - Both autocrat and peasant poor, - With heaven born inspiration, - Composed these grand and soulful themes - That wake the dreamer from his dreams, - And shall, while patriot rights endure, - Arouse a loyal nation. - - The mighty chimes ring out the fame - Of him who wrote with feeling, - And while sweet symphonies prolong, - He lives again to move the throng, - And preaches in Jehovah’s name - From spires where bells are pealing. - - - - -MOTHER. - - - In all the wide world there is not another - Whose name is so dear as the sweet name of mother. - The babe’s tiny head finds it’s most perfect rest, - When pillowed from harm on the fair mother breast; - The youth, from all sorrow, temptation and care, - Seeks the warm mother heart and finds comfort there; - The woman, whose virtues are whispered above, - Will daily thank God for the dear “mother love;” - The man, be he lover, or husband, or brother, - Will ever hold sacred the love of his mother. - Tho’ the years may have turned her tresses to gray, - And the rose from her cheek may have faded away, - Tho’ her step, once so light, may have feebled with age, - And her eyes may have grown too dim for the page, - Tho’ the hand that was once so dainty and fair, - May have changed with the seasons of toiling and care, - Tho’ the voice that to youth and it’s freedom belongs, - May have lost all its sweetness for lullaby songs, - Yet the years that shall make the dear mother grow old, - Will but add to her nature a blessing untold;— - Tho’ they rob her of youth, she retains, as a prize, - A love more mature and a counsel more wise. - Tho’ her life lose it’s sunshine and burdens oppress, - Yet the love of the mother will never be less; - Tho’ her children may wander away from the fold, - And the world shuts them out in the darkness and cold, - Tho’ their friends may prove faithless and sin may allure, - Yet of mother’s true love they can ever be sure. - Tho’ to far away lands they may wilfully roam, - The fond mother’s prayer will be guiding them home. - If they climb to the height of honor and fame, - They should whisper, in credit, the dear mother name. - Her love inspires all that is noble and good, - And Purity reigneth o’er sweet mother-hood. - Tho’ the great word applaud, the praise of another - Is nothing compared with the praises of mother. - The earth home is dreary, when she is away, - Her presence adds sunshine to each changing day, - And Heaven, in it’s glory, will be the more fair, - When the spirit of mother shall find entrance there. - - - - -HIDDEN TREASURES. - - - Beneath the waves of ocean blue, - The precious pearls are lost from view; - Within the darkness of the mine, - The gold and uncut diamonds shine; - From human sight beneath the sky, - The little seeds in waiting lie. - - Within the mind, like pearls of white, - Some hidden thoughts await the light; - Which, brightly polished, shall outshine - The varied treasures of the mine; - And like the seeds that wake to flowers, - Shall bless and brighten all life’s hours. - - - - -IN LIFE AND DEATH. - - - I see her smile in sleep - And to her crib I creep - To kiss the baby face where dimples play; - I smooth her sunny hair - And breathe to God a prayer - That He will teach me how to lead the way. - - I see her smile in sleep - And to her couch I creep - To kiss the saintly face where peace doth stay; - I smooth her silvery hair - And breathe to God a prayer - That He will teach me how to find the way. - - - - -PROGRESS. - - - He, who to elevate himself - Labors with earnest will, - Forgets, that should he wisely try - To elevate the minds near by - And public needs to fill, - Will still continue to advance - And while their cause he does enhance - Will be their teacher still. - - - - -ONLY A LITTLE FELLOW. - - - He was only a little fellow - With a very plain little face - And his teacher said, - With a shake of the head: - “Dan never can keep his place.” - - He was only a little fellow - With a mouth neither rosy nor sweet - And his father said, - With a shake of the head: - “Dan always is under my feet.” - - He was only a little fellow - With eyes neither brilliant nor gay - And his mother said, - With a shake of the head: - “Dan always is in my way.” - - He was only a little fellow - With a little turned up nose - And his sister said, - With a shake of the head: - “Dan must keep away from my beaux.” - - He was only a little fellow - With tumbled apron and hair - And his brother said, - With a shake of the head: - “Dan is out of place in there.” - - He was only a little fellow - But at last there came a day - When every one said, - With a shake of the head: - “Dan never was in the way.” - - He was only a little fellow - Yet the neighbors came in to weep - While the baby face, - In a rose-decked place, - Was calm in eternal sleep. - - He was only a little fellow - Who left his books and his play; - At the Saviour’s call, - Where there’s room for all, - He will never more be in the way. - - - - -UNDER THE PINES. - - - Under the pines, on a summer’s day, - I list to a whisper from far away, - And, lying low, with my half-closed eyes, - Behold the beauty of fairer skies. - Some say ’tis the sound of the sighing sea, - Whose distant murmer steals over me; - Some say ’tis the baby breeze instead, - That rocks in the branches overhead; - But I know it is neither wave nor breeze, - On shining sands and in leafy trees; - ’Tis the music sweet of a voice divine, - That whispers peace to each pensive pine. - - - - -PRAYER. - - - Pray not for self if thou wouldst be most blest,— - The prayers for others are for self the best. - Christ is not first if self be first in prayer; - He blesses most when we for others care. - Forget thyself if thou wouldst Christlike be, - Praying for others, some will pray for thee. - While self’s own burdens are of prayer a part - “Thy kingdom come” is prayed not from the heart. - Pray not for light to solve thy problems right, - But be thyself to other souls a light. - God gave thee mighty strength to help the weak, - And yet thy prayers of thine own weakness speak; - God gave thee power to comfort and to teach, - And lift souls up to heights they strive to reach, - And yet thy prayers ascend to His white throne, - Pleading for comfort for thyself alone; - Thou prayest too for wisdom and release, - And hands to draw thee upward into peace, - Forgetting that which Christ would have thee know,— - Peace comes to those who make peace here below; - Forgetting that His arms shall draw thee near - Only as thine are held to others here; - That wisdom comes to thee each passing hour - By teaching others what is in thy power; - That comfort comes by thy own word and deed, - Which comforts others in the hour of need. - If thou wouldst pray for self, ask God to give - More power in prayer that other souls may live. - To live right is to pray and to believe - That Christ will hear, and that “thou shalt receive.” - Two gifts are thine, if thou wouldst pray aright,— - Peace here below, and Heaven’s eternal light. - - - - -OUR BABY. - - - When baby’s soul is claimed beyond the skies, - And little eyes are closed in final sleep; - When angels hush our darling’s cooing cries, - What words are there to comfort those who weep? - - When broken playthings, lying on the floor, - And treasured toys have all been put aside, - When baby wakes to play with them no more, - And fondest hopes that brightened life have died; - - When dimpled hands no longer seek the face, - And baby lips no more shall feel the kiss; - When tiny feet have found their resting-place, - What shall be said in such an hour as this? - - When baby’s crib is idly standing near, - And cherished form is laid from human sight, - When loved ones think they even now can hear - The little cry that woke them in the night; - - When mother puts the baby gowns away, - And ’round her neck can almost seem to feel - Those clinging arms, whose touch will with her stay, - What helpful thoughts can Sympathy reveal? - - - - -A HALO. - - - No mortal can unhappy be - Who lives for other’s good, - And takes an interest in the lives - Of happy brother-hood. - - Depression that destroys the mind - Will thereby disappear, - And gloom will all be swept away - In radiant atmosphere. - - - - -THE DESERTED FARM. - - - An unkept field, whose grasses greet the sun, - And pure, white daisies spread like fallen snow; - The shady nooks, where trout brooks gaily run, - And, ’mong the trees, the farm-house quaint and low. - - Like some worn soldier on the battle fields - It stands upon the old familiar ground, - And to the past it’s former strength it yields, - While naught but desolation broods around. - - ’Neath shutters closed the phœbe builds her nest, - While near the eaves the little sparrows fly; - All undisturbed they sing their young to rest, - As did a mother in the years gone by. - - The wicker gate is falling to decay, - The narrow paths with growing weeds abound; - The long, low shed thro’ which the sunbeams stray, - Is leaning eastward to the grassy ground. - - The barn door creaks upon it’s hinges old; - The prop that stayed it from the winds that blow - No more stands guard against the heat and cold— - The summer’s rain and winter’s drifts of snow. - - The lofts, once laden with the new mown hay, - No longer echo with the merry din; - From beam to beam, where children loved to play, - The spiders many a silken cobweb spin. - - No more the tinkle of the distant bell - Disturbs the hush of daylight’s waning hours; - The pasture bars, beside a covered well, - Are twined with grape-vines and with fair wild flowers. - - The “Bouncing Bet” is growing near the gate, - The climbing roses bloom beside the door; - The brave “Sweet William,” left alone to fate, - Has struggled upward thro’ the grass once more. - - The clover blossoms, pink and white and red, - Fill all the balmy air with perfume sweet; - The honey-suckle proudly bends it’s head - Close to the door-stone worn by many feet. - - Where once a maiden slied a bit of green - Within her shoe, and there expectant stood, - To-day the self same “Grandma’s pride” is seen,— - A little bunch of fragrant southern-wood. - - The low-eaved porch supports the clinging vine, - While thro’ the roof the summer rain-drops fall; - Upon the floor a rusty hook and line, - A well-worn bench and silence over all. - - A well-sweep, overgrown with moss and mould, - Shelters a hornet’s nest within it’s nook; - Above the running waters clear and cold - An old tin dipper hangs upon it’s hook. - - The dull-edged scythe swings idly in the sun, - A grindstone crumbles ’neath the maple’s shade; - A cart-wheel and the faded coat of one - Who long ago beneath the sod was laid. - - Tho’ gone the smile of each familiar face - And merry voices break no more the calm, - Yet Memory sweet shall hallow all the place - And flood with peace the old deserted farm. - - - - -SEED THOUGHTS. - - - The celebrated Author pens - His thorough thoughts from depths of mind, - And they are not in proper place - Until the depths of our’s they find. - - The wisest reader may perceive, - In writings that shall ever live, - A reflex of his own wise thoughts - That to the world he did not give; - - But to the mind of him who learns, - They are as seeds of knowledge brought - That soon take root and rarefy - Into a whole great field of thought. - - - - -SCHOOL. - - - Life is a school for all mankind, - Where daily lessons are assigned - And each may do his best; - God is the Master who will teach - The truths that lie within our reach - And leave to us the rest. - - Each has his proper place at start - And each can learn his little part - If earnestly he tries; - Altho’ his standard may be low, - He surely to the head will go - Who on himself relies. - - Each has a chance among the rest - To do his worst or do his best - And his must be the choice,— - Either to break the golden rule - And cause confusion in life’s school, - Or heed the Master’s voice. - - The discipline is not severe, - Altho’ the Master we should fear - To keep us from a wrong; - There is no need to sigh and fret, - Or to despair, with lashes wet, - Because our task seems long. - - The lessons that so oft’ we spurn - We know that some time we must learn, - Then why should we delay? - He stays behind who is the dunce, - The wisest does his task at once - And goes upon his way. - - The Master’s sympathy prevails - With him who tries altho’ he fails, - For He will help not chide; - When rest and honors have been won - He hears the Master say: “Well done,” - And he is satisfied. - - - - -THE GRACES. - - - Faith, the angel of my prayer, - Hope, to lighten every care, - Love, to lift life’s heavy yoke, - These the graces I invoke; - But the greatest of the three - Is the last—sweet charity. - - - - -SUNSHINE. - - - The sunshine makes the flowers grow, - They cannot thrive in shade; - If naught but darkness did they know - Their brightness soon would fade. - - Our lives require the sunlight’s glow, - They cannot thrive in gloom; - If naught but darkness did thy know - Bright hopes would never bloom. - - The sunny smiles that make life bright - And bless the passing hours, - Will do for souls that need the light - What sunshine does for flowers. - - - - -“WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT?” - - - Will it matter, by and by, - When he calls us each by name, - Whether you, or whether I, - Win earth’s honor and earth’s fame? - - Onward, in the rush of life, - For the prizes of the race, - Shall we mingle in the strife - Crowding others out of place? - - Shall we seek Ambition’s goal, - Where the earthly treasures stay, - Passing by some helpless soul - Who has lost the Heavenly way? - - If no kindness we have shown, - Seeking to be first of all, - Shall we gain a “welcome home” - When we hear the Master’s call? - - When life’s busy day is past, - Will He question you and me - Who was first, and who was last, - In the worldly victory? - - If earth’s laurels we have won, - And Heaven’s glories are denied, - Shall we hear the words: “Well done,” - And our souls be satisfied? - - Ere the prize we seek is gone, - And the triumph comes too late, - Love of fame shall urge us on - But the angels whisper:—“Wait.” - - - - -WHAT HE SAID. - - - “Come and play with me,” he said; - And I saw his curly head - Peeping thro’ the fence below. - He was four and I was three - And he beckoned unto me - So I could not say him no. - - “Come and live with me,” he said; - And I saw his manly head - Where the threads of silver grow. - He was passing forty-three - And he pleaded long with me - So I could not say him no. - - - - -HOME LIGHTS. - - - When the work of day is over, - And the weary hours are past, - Home lights, gleaming in the distance, - Fill the soul with joy at last. - - Tho’ the trials have been many, - And the world has proved unkind, - Lights of home make burdens lighter - And refresh the wearied mind. - - Some one where the lights are shining, - Knows that you are very near; - Some one waits to bid you welcome, - And invites to rest and cheer. - - Some one loves you; all life’s crosses, - Which have seemed so hard to bear, - Are forgiven and forgotten, - When you see the home lights fair. - - Some one knows that you are weary, - Some one waits to clasp your hand; - Some one watches near the home lights, - Who will surely understand. - - Footsteps falter now no longer - O’er the distant homeward way; - There’s a message in the home lights, - At the close of busy day. - - * * * * * - - When the work of life is over, - And the weary hours are past, - Home lights, in Eternal glory, - Satisfy the soul at last. - - Tho’ earth’s trials have been many, - And the world unkind has been, - Lights of Home dispel life’s burdens, - Christ will bid you:—“Enter in.” - - Some One, where the lights are shining, - Waits to give your soul release; - Some One waits to bid you welcome, - You shall find both rest and peace. - - Some One loves you; all life’s crosses, - Which once seemed so hard to bear, - Are forgotten in the glory - Of the Christ, who greets you there. - - Some One knows that you are weary, - Some One gently takes your hand; - Some One knows your every weakness, - He—the Christ—will understand. - - Footsteps falter now no longer, - O’er the weary earthly way; - There’s a message in the Home lights, - At the close of life’s brief day. - - Thus on earth, and thus in Heaven, - Gleam the distant home lights fair; - Some one waits and some one watches,— - Some one here and Some One there. - - Blessed home lights! May they ever - Shine for you and shine for me, - In the shadows of earth’s journey - And through all Eternity. - - - - -CLOUDS AND COMFORT. - - - Tho’ clouds arise, in fairest skies, - And sunlight glories steal away; - Tho’ snow-flakes fall, on roof and wall, - Till all the world is chill and gray; - Yet why complain? The earth shall gain - An added glory from on high, - For rain and snow that fall below - Will bring more sunshine by and by. - - Tho’ doubts we find, within the mind, - And hope and pleasure steal away; - Tho’ trials fall, to one and all, - Till life itself looks cold and gray; - Yet why despair? God has a care, - And He will comfort while we sigh, - For griefs and tears, within the years, - Will bring more blessings by and by. - - - - -ACTION. - - - Action is the golden key - That unlocks doors to set us free; - Thro’ which the trusting heart that sings - Shall find it’s way to better things. - - - - -“FOR YOU I AM PRAYING.” - - - When the hush of early morning - Ushers in the sunbeams fair, - And another day is dawning, - ’Tis for you, I breathe a prayer. - - Somewhere—all my love confessing - Ere the busy day is here— - You will need the morning blessing, - While the angels hover near. - - Tho’ I hear not what you’re saying, - And I know not where you are, - Yet for you I shall be praying, - While the sunbeams fade the star. - - When the moon-beams softly stealing - Thro’ my windows come to play, - And in robe of white I’m kneeling, - ’Tis for you I fondly pray. - - Somewhere—all my love confessing - Ere I close my eyes in sleep— - You will need the evening blessing, - While the angels guard and keep. - - Tho’ I may not share your pleasure, - And I may not know your care, - Yet while God’s great love of treasure, - I shall breathe your name in prayer. - - - - -SINCERITY. - - - To self and to God be loyal and true, - Fear not what others may say or may do, - But what at best you appear; - Gird on your armor and stand for the right, - Honest in purpose and earnest in might, - Then shall your soul be sincere. - - Banish each doubt and deception and dream, - Be the real saint that to others you seem, - Dare to face tempters alone; - Lift up your banner and fear not the foe, - Valiant in service wherever you go, - Sincerity claimeth her own. - - - - -THE VEILED FUTURE. - - - A baby played beside a covered well, - And peeping thro’ he saw the waters clear; - He clapped his hands, enchanted by the spell, - And knew not that the Reaper hovered near. - - The sunlight flooded all the summer sky, - A little bird sang sweetly from her nest; - While troubled waters hushed his piteous cry - The baby soul had found it’s perfect rest. - - A woman stood among the flowers fair - And ’neath her bridal veil she blushed unseen; - She said: “I will,” and breathed a silent prayer - And knew not that a shadow fell between. - - An angel led her from the sacred place - And whispered of another’s priceless love; - While smiles yet lingered on her happy face - The bride’s pure soul had found it’s joy above. - - A manly figure near an altar stood - To consecrate his life to God on high; - He thought the future promised every good - And knew not that his summons sounded nigh. - - The Sabbath sunshine bathed his cheek and brow, - And Hope deferred, now triumphed from his eyes; - While thrilled his soul with an unspoken vow - ’Twas called to nobler work in Paradise. - - When skies are brightest threatening clouds appear, - Thro’ deepening shades the welcome sunlight steals; - When hearts are happiest sorrows hover near - ’Tis well for us that God the future shields. - - - - -LABOR OF LOVE. - - - He planted a tree, on the old home land, - Where the summer sunlight stayed, - Tho’ he knew full well he should never stand - ’Neath it’s fruit and pleasing shade. - - He penciled a book, in his life’s last year, - When the inspiration came, - Tho’ he knew his heart it could never cheer - With it’s gold and certain fame. - - But the leaves of his tree grew, day by day, - While it’s fruit the hungry fed; - And the fruit of his book will ever stay - While it’s leaves are daily read. - - - - -DO YOUR BEST. - - - Make the best of life to-day— - Take what God has given; - Do not falter on the way— - Each step leads to Heaven. - - Tho’ the journey may be long, - And the way be weary, - Make it shorter with a song— - Days will seem less dreary. - - Let the sunshine fill your heart— - All it’s shadows hiding; - Do your humble little part— - Leave to God the guiding. - - Do not soar to highest things - ’Till you have a reason; - He will give the soul it’s wings - In his own good season. - - Little robins in the nest— - Ere their wings are stronger— - Learn too late that it is best - To keep patient longer. - - If you cannot do to-day - What you hope and plan, - God will show a better way,— - Do the best you can. - - - - -IMMORTALITY. - - - To live and learn, to die and to forget, - To be forgotten in the by and by; - If this is all, why need we linger yet - To do our little part, or even try? - - But is this all? We learn and we forget, - And are forgotten, on this earth below; - We live, we die, then, freed from vain regret, - We live again, and greater wisdom know. - - - - -IN THE HALL. - - - In the brilliant hall I waited, - ’Mong the merry moving throng; - And I thought he was belated, - For it seemed I waited long. - - Music mingled with the laughter, - Like a hush from Dreamland sent; - And the dancers followed after, - While the moments came and went. - - Manly faces smiled a greeting, - Tender glances woke love’s song; - But my heart tho’ wildly beating, - To one only did belong. - - Soon he touched me on the shoulder, - While his head to mine he bent; - And tho’ other looks grew colder, - Yet my soul was quite content. - - - - -AT NIGHT. - - - At night when all the world is still, - And stars in glory shine, - There comes to earth a whisper sweet - Of peace and love divine. - - And gazing upward to the sky, - Where million lights appear, - We seem to see the heaven beyond, - And feel that Christ is near. - - The weary day is past and gone, - The angels sing again - Of glory to the God on high - And “Peace, good will toward men.” - - We seem to hear beyond the night - The music soft and sweet; - And laying all our burdens down, - We rest at Jesus’ feet. - - Our trusting hearts and hope of heaven - Have banished doubt and care, - And Christ is waiting to forgive,— - To answer every prayer. - - This love immortal is our guide, - And shorter seems the way; - Beyond the stars and night of earth - Is home and endless day. - - - - -ONLY. - -By courtesy of Ladies’ World, New York City. - - - It was only a gleam of sunshine - After a day of gloom, - Yet it brought it’s warmth and blessing - To a dreary, darkened room. - - It was only a strain of music - Wafted upon the air, - Yet a heart caught up it’s meaning, - Till Peace was a sovereign there. - - It was only a smile of welcome - And a loving clasp of the hand, - Yet it made the world an Eden - To one who could understand. - - It was only a word, low spoken, - To a spirit burden cast, - Yet the angels sang: “Good tidings,” - For it saved a soul at last. - - - - -THE HOLY DREAM. - - - His reverend head was bowed upon his hands; - When in the lamp-light, thro’ his study door, - Sleep’s angel came, who wisely understands - How burdened hearts can be revived once more. - - The day, with all it’s quiet hours, was past; - The sermon, that his weary brain prepared, - Had, with a hopeful heart, been preached at last, - And yet it seemed that not one listener cared. - - Life’s crosses looked too great for him to bear, - And Hope was crushed beneath his spirit’s weight; - His soul, at last, had yielded to despair - And prayed for freedom, ere it was too late. - - The answer came, but not as he had prayed,— - Life conquered death and sleep had mastered all; - Like some fond mother gently now she stayed - To soothe, and bless, and wake him at her call. - - Sleeping he dreamed that, on her heavenly way, - The angel Death had listened to his prayer, - And led him upward to the endless day, - Beyond the valley known as Heart’s Despair. - - Above, the gates of Heaven were swinging wide, - And he beheld the City of the King; - His angel friends were standing close beside, - Who, near the throne, the songs of Zion sing; - - And, as he looked, a chariot of gold - Was passing o’er the pavement pearly-laid; - A gleam of heavenly light he could behold - Whose radiance warmed his soul and with him stayed. - - “Who passes?” cried he; “Tell his honored name, - And whither will the golden chariot go?” - “To all the world,” the answer sweetly came;— - “’Tis Christ, the King of Heaven and earth below.” - - Then, in the brightness of that blessed light, - He followed on, with never-tiring speed; - The chariot wheels he ever kept in sight,— - For strength was given, in the hour of need. - - The chariot stopped, beside a crystal stream, - And Christ, descending, loosed the reins of gold; - Then, gazing downward past the heavenly gleam, - “Here lies the earth,” said he; “Come and behold!” - - The follower came, as comes the wandering dove, - When seeking shelter from the storms of night; - And as he looked from that great height above, - He saw below a strange and sickening sight;— - - The earth was there, like some great marshy tract, - With crowds, like blind men, wandering to and fro; - Some struggling upward, others falling back, - And crying out: “We know not where to go!” - - He saw among them many of his own - To whom he preached the word of God each year; - There stood the little chapel, built of stone, - Where once he grieved, because some would not hear. - - The darkness came; he heard their piteous cry,— - Weeping and moaning sounded thro’ the air, - As, one by one, they lost “the way” near by - And souls were yielding to a death’s despair. - - He saw it all as never seen before,— - His eyes were opened, now he could not stay; - Standing with Christ his spirit did implore:— - “O send me back that I may point the way!” - - * * * * * - - Dreaming, he woke; the lamp was burning dim,— - The moon-beams thro’ the casement softly crept; - A revelation had been made to him - Which changed his heart, the while he sweetly slept. - - Despair departed, love for life-work came; - The holy dream had made the man more wise. - He knelt to breathe a prayer in Jesus’ name, - While angels sang in peaceful Paradise. - - - - -HARMONY AND HEAVEN. - - - Our souls are made of harmony - To sing and live forever; - For Harmony and Heaven are one - Where discord soundeth never. - - - - -THE DANDELION. - - - One day, in spring, I took a walk - And spied, within a field of green, - A slender dandelion stock, - Upon whose top a flower was seen. - - Soon after, passing by the place, - I noticed that the flower of gold, - Whose stiffened stalk had lost it’s grace, - Was turning gray and growing old. - - To-day, upon the self same ground, - I see a stalk undecked and spare; - The flower that once was golden-crowned, - Has lost it’s gray—it’s head is bare. - - How like a child is this gay flower, - With golden hair and graceful mien, - Which comes to brighten many an hour - And add a charm to dullest scene! - - But soon the golden turns to gray - And middle life comes on apace; - The gray then hurries on its way, - And old age comes to take it’s place. - - - - -LIVES AND LEAVES. - - - Our lives are like the leaves - That waken to the sun; - Some fall from airy heights - Ere Youth has scarce begun; - - And some are tempest tost, - By an opposing power, - And driven blindly on - With every passing hour. - - Some cling to their support, - In darkness and in light, - And grow from day to day - More perfect, strong, and bright. - - God grant that lives and leaves, - When sunny days are past, - May find, from adverse winds, - A resting-place at last. - - - - -TO-DAY. - - - ’Tis not so hard to do what God desires, - If, while we trust and labor on and pray, - We look not back upon a Past decried, - Nor forward to a Future yet untried, - But do what Conscience prompts and soul requires, - And live within the hours which make to-day. - - The Past is gone. The failure and the wrong - We cannot expiate by vain regret; - Forgiven have they been, and if to-day - We wish to live more nearly as we pray, - We must awake a grander, sweeter song - Within those hours which have been given yet. - - While pondering o’er the failures of the then, - We make a failure of the now and here; - For life to-day shall lose it’s sunshine bright - If it recalls the shadows of last night. - While past mistakes possess the minds of men - The heart itself will have no power to cheer. - - To-day we breathe, we move, we speak, we live, - To-morrow’s sun for us may never rise. - All that we do, or hope to do, or say, - Must be confined within our short to-day, - And all the blessings that our life can give - Must be out-poured before the daylight dies. - - As we shall hope for nobler, higher things, - While up life’s mount we seek the Heavenly way - We must not measure, lest we may despair, - The height to be yet gained by work and prayer; - But like the lark, who soars and yet who sings, - Make most of time God gives in our to-day. - - If future plans awaken thought and mind, - And we shall say:—“Some day, some hour, not yet,” - We rob the now of that divine reward - Which follows duty, given us by God, - And in to-day no pleasure shall we find; - And thus to-day becomes a past regret. - - There falls upon us yet the morning light, - And if to-day we gladly do our best, - Our life itself will be most pure and sweet, - For the to-days make up the life complete. - The “little things” are pleasing in God’s sight, - And humble duties nobly done bring rest. - - Then, Soul, awaken from thy drowsy sleep! - Dream not of past nor yet of future days, - But rouse thyself to-day to grander things. - The smile, the word, the loving deed take wings - To bear thy soul and others up the steep, - Where Life Eternal sings its endless praise. - - - - -DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT. - - - When shadows fall, and earth is gray, - Life seems less grand, the heart less gay; - The things that vexed in morning light, - Have grown to sorrows in the night. - - When morning dawns, and earth is bright, - Life seems so grand, the heart so gay, - That Sorrows, nursed all thro’ the night, - Wakened by Wisdom, fly away. - - - - -WITHIN THE GATES. - - - Live not for self, - But live for God; - Expect on earth - No great reward. - - When life is o’er, - Thy Self shall stand - Within the gates - Of Promised Land. - - - - -OVER-SIGHT. - - - Earth is not filled with sunshine bright— - The rain-drops sometimes fall; - And buds that might have seen the light - May blight at tempest’s call. - - Life is not filled with sunshine bright— - The tear-drops sometimes fall; - And hopes that might have seen the light - May blight at sorrow’s call. - - But God, who sends the rain and tears - And knows what things are best, - Will also send the faith that cheers - And guides us to our rest. - - - - -GOING HOME. - - - “I am going home,” she whispered,— - “Home to mamma and the rest; - So I’ll put away my playthings, - For I think that home is best. - - Mamma will be there to meet me, - And I’ll sit on papa’s knee; - All the others will be waiting - With a kiss for little me. - - Look! it’s getting dark already, - But there’s nothing much to fear, - For it only takes a minute,— - Home, you know, is very near.” - - So she put away her playthings, - While they smoothed her golden curls, - And she sweetly smiled in parting - To the little boys and girls. - - * * * * * - - “I am going Home,” she whispered,— - “Home to Jesus and to rest; - So I’ll put away my burdens, - For I think that Home is best. - - Loved ones will be there to greet me, - I shall see and know them all; - There will be a glorious welcome - For the little me grown tall. - - Look! the night is quickly coming, - But there’s nothing I can fear, - For it only takes a moment,— - Home, you know, is very near.” - - So she put away life’s burdens, - While they smoothed her silvery hair, - And she sweetly smiled in parting - For she found her Saviour there. - - - - -THE GARDENER. - - - He who shall sow the little seeds, - Must wait for them to grow; - Some day when he a solace needs - The pure, sweet flowers will blow. - - When wintry storms their peace shall take, - And they are lost from sight, - These little seeds once more will wake, - To Heaven’s eternal light. - - - - -AT YORK. - - - The moon-light falls upon the sea, - And leaves a path of glory; - The waves creep high upon the shore, - And roll the shining pebbles o’er; - Then, running back in noisy play - To meet the ever-dashing spray, - Like loyal lovers, gay and free, - Repeat the same sweet story. - - The light-house, on the lonely isle, - Where shadows now are creeping, - Like sentinel, so true and brave, - Stands forth to stay each coming wave; - In raging storm as well as calm - This stalwart giant fears no harm, - And thro’ the night keeps watch the while - The fisher folk are sleeping. - - A little boat now comes to view, - And, in the path of splendor, - It seems to drift with idle oar, - To distant moon and unknown shore,— - Till human vision, at its best, - Can scarce discern, on ocean’s crest, - That tiny speck that rocks the two - To love dreams new and tender. - - The stars are peeping from the blue, - The “milky way” revealing; - A row of houses, on the sand, - Like line of fronted soldiers stand; - How dimly, thro’ the deepening night, - The cottage candle throws its light, - While breezes blow the curtains through— - A glimpse of home life stealing! - - Some faint reflections on the deep - And to wet sands are creeping; - While, from the light within the tower - Whose steady glare reveals its power, - A path of red on land and sea, - Where waves make sweetest melody, - Reflects and soothes the mermaid’s sleep - Its hourly night watch keeping. - - O beauteous evening! Peace above, - O’er sea and shore is falling; - On such a calm and glorious night - The human heart is nearer right; - God seems so great, and Heaven so fair, - That man and earth can not compare; - On night like this, the souls that love - Are roused to higher calling. - - - - -PEACE. - - - When we ask the reason why, - And we question: “Is it right?” - When we search for hidden truths, - Praying for the needed light; - - When our way looks long and lone, - And the sky seems dark o’erhead; - When our blessings all are gone, - And the sorrows come instead; - - Then, like sunlight thro’ the gloom, - Comes the peace for which we prayed:— - “Let not your heart be troubled, - Neither let it be afraid.” - - - - -SHE SLEEPS. - - - “She sleeps,” they said; - With noiseless tread - They pass their way; - She will awake, - At morning break, - In endless day. - - “She sleeps,” they said; - Some tears are shed - From loving eyes; - To-day she sings, - With King of kings, - In Paradise. - - One stands apart, - With breaking heart, - From all the rest; - His grief appears - Too great for tears,— - To weep were best. - - “She sleeps,” they said - Around her head - The sunbeams play; - When all are gone - One lingers long - Who wills to stay. - - He calls her name - And loves the same - As when in life; - With paling cheek - He bids her speak,— - His promised wife. - - Alone are they; - What can he say - That she may hear? - He takes her hand,— - She’ll understand - When he is near. - - He sees the smile - And waits awhile - With bated breath; - But lips speak not - Her loving thought, - Whose seal is death. - - Around her face, - In girlish grace, - Falls silken hair; - Her dear eyes close - Yet well he knows - The soul light there. - - His own is she; - On bended knee - Once more he prays:— - “Dear Father give, - While I shall live, - Strength for my days; - - Help me to be - As pure as she; - And then at last - Unite us two - In Heaven, with You, - When life is past.” - - - - -AFFLUENCE. - - - If you want both fame and money - You will do just as you can; - If you do not care for either - You can do just as you will; - And, among the moving masses, - He will be the wisest man - Who adopts these words of counsel - That shall help him up life’s hill. - - If you wish to be to-morrow - What you cannot be to-day, - You must make the most of moments - While to-day is passing by; - If you would do in the future - What you really wish and pray, - Do at present what you can do - And be happy while you try. - - Should you lose both fame and money - You will prosper all the more,— - For you’ll have an education - That shall loose you from your chains - And enable you to master - What you could not learn before,— - How to utilize resources - And rely upon your brains. - - - - -CHRIST DIVINE. - - - Never can I forget Thee, Christ divine, - Never grow weary of this love of Thine, - Never deny Thee, from Thee turn away, - Nor cease to love Thee every passing day. - When storms of life are threatening very near, - Thy voice, dear Saviour, let me ever hear; - And when my sky is very clear and bright - Be Thou my sun, my never-failing light. - While I shall live, be Thou a life for me, - And when I die, my resurrection be. - When I shall enter Heavenly mansions fair, - Be Thou the first to meet and greet me there. - While, thro’ the endless years of which I dream, - I touch the golden harp, be Thou my theme, - On earth, in Heaven, forevermore be mine,— - My first, my last, my only Christ divine. - - - - -IN AFTER YEARS. - - - Out in the grassy meadow, - As the light begins to fade, - To-day I sit in shadow, - Where in childhood hours I played. - - The old stone, ’neath the maple, - The brooklet, beside the wall, - Are just as dear as ever - To this little girl grown tall. - - The tinkle of bell, in pasture, - The glow of the sunset light, - Bring back those other twilights - When I drove the cows at night. - - The whip-poor-will’s loud singing, - In his leafy bower on high, - Recalls the times I answered - And my echo made reply. - - I hear another calling, - In the branches overhead, - For years they have been many - And the young must sing instead. - - Adown the little pathway - That leads to pasture bars, - I see the grasses growing, - Where the footprints numbered stars. - - In place of dear old homestead - Is ruin and heap of stone; - And tears are dimming vision, - As I think and gaze alone. - - The same old tree is standing, - Where it towered years before, - With branches reaching outward, - To the low-eaved porch and door. - - A hush is stealing o’er me, - Like the quiet of the night; - I can but breathe a blessing - For the dear ones gone from sight. - - Tho’ feeble steps are silenced, - And the smiles no more I see, - Yet there, where Home remaineth, - They will wait to welcome me. - - Alone! and yet in dreaming - I can live and love once more - The days of happy childhood, - In the sunshine gone before. - - And tho’ my light is fading - And the night must come I know, - Yet the sunbeams will be stealing - Thro’ the rifts of long ago. - - - - -FAITH. - - - Faith is needed every day,— - Faith to work and faith to pray; - Faith to learn and faith to teach, - Faith to practice, faith to preach; - Faith to love and faith to charm, - Faith to quicken, faith to calm; - Faith to bless and faith to chide, - Faith to follow, faith to guide; - Faith to prove and faith to know, - Faith to stay and faith to go; - Faith to urge and faith to keep, - Faith to waken, faith to sleep; - Faith to do and faith to dare, - Faith to bear and faith to share; - Faith to bind and faith to break, - Faith to give and faith to take; - Faith to stand and faith to yield, - Faith to heal, faith to be healed, - Faith to pardon, faith to seek, - Faith to listen, faith to speak; - Faith to wait and faith to try, - Faith to live and faith to die. - - - - -UNITED EFFORT. - - - Working unaided, striving alone, - Effort is fruitless and triumph unknown; - Single endeavor, battling with sin, - Loses the laurels union can win. - - Working together, trusting in God, - Effort united will merit reward; - Pledging allegiance triumph is sure, - Union is mighty, strength will endure. - - Under our motto forces unite, - Fearless and loyal they pledge for the Right. - Onward to victory, summon the rest! - Christ is our Leader, Union is best. - - - - -MY SOUL. - - - My soul is filled with music - Like the music of the sea; - And it takes both storm and sunshine - To awake it’s melody. - - My soul is often tempted, - But from God it ne’er can part - While the heavens shall bend above me - And the Muses touch my heart. - - - - -THE TEXT. - - - The song may be the sweetest, - And the story be the best, - The sermon most effectual, - And the poem well expressed; - - But the text, it’s inspiration, - That the mind retains when heard, - May be a line at longest - Or perhaps a single word. - - - - -ETHEL. - -[In Memoriam.] - - - Before the little feet had weary grown - With toiling up life’s path from day to day, - The Master sent an angel from His home - To show our baby girl the nearer way. - - Before the tiny hands were clasped in prayer, - To ask of Him—as often seemeth best— - To lighten burdens sometimes hard to bear, - Those hands were folded in eternal rest. - - Before the baby eyes, so blue and bright, - Had o’er life’s lessons oft’ been known to weep, - The Saviour filled them with a Heavenly light, - And closed them, for a little while, in sleep. - - Before the little heart could know a sadness, - Such as is ours who wait with falling tears, - He stilled its pulsing—hushed it into gladness— - No griefs to bear thro’ all the coming years. - - Before the baby soul had known a wrong, - Or tempted been by sins earth below, - ’Twas winged to Heaven, by angels’ sweetest song, - Pure and unspotted as the drifted snow. - - Home to our Master in that Land above, - Never to know a heart-ache nor a care; - Would we recall her, whom we truly love, - To earthly home from Home Eternal there? - - Home to our Father in that Land of Light, - Where angels guard her while we watch and pray, - Where we shall meet her if we live aright,— - For Home with Jesus is not far away; - - And when, some day, we hear our Saviour’s voice, - We’ll breathe to Him above a thankful prayer, - And hearts, once filled with sorrow, will rejoice - That those we love are waiting for us there; - - And when Heaven’s gracious gate is opened wide - To show, to gladdened souls, Eternal Day, - A child, with sunny hair, will stand beside, - To sing a welcome and to lead the way. - - Not long we wait,—our baby goes before, - Spared from the sorrows which life here doth give,— - Happy with Jesus on that Heavenly Shore, - Where those He loves forevermore may live. - - Thro’ patient toil we’ll reach that Better Land - Where now our darling finds her sweetest rest, - And then I think that we shall understand,— - And say, with happy hearts, that God knows best. - - - - -LOVE’S ROSES. - - - When love ’woke from slumber, - At the dawn of day, - Roses without number - Bloomed upon his way; - - But when noonday splendor - With her sunlight stayed, - Roses, young and tender, - Soon began to fade. - - When the night winds sighing - ’Round Love’s portals play, - Rose leaves, crushed and dying, - Soon will blow away. - - - - -INFLUENCE. - - - The whole vast pyramid, Humanity, - Is built on Influence, an unseen power, - Whose great foundation stone is laid at start, - Upon which rises day by day a part; - Until the whole, imperfect though complete, - Awaits the Judge at close of life’s brief hour. - - Like swallows who have found a summer sun, - And frozen buds which wake to springtime light, - So starved Humanity, which seeks awhile - The warmth and light of earth’s most friendly smile, - Bursts into fuller life and glories new - By strength of influence daily used aright. - - As song of bird invites to melody - Some other soaring songster of the air, - Until a chorus, wakened far and near, - Fills quiet hour with music and with cheer, - So playful Zephyr may Æolus wake - To scatter clouds and make the earth more fair. - - As raindrop falling to a fainting field - May summon forth a sweet, refreshing shower, - So little words may speed on loving wings, - Till earth awakes and all the glad world sings; - Till fainting hearts revive and souls are saved, - By needed influence of cheer and power. - - If life with Socrates could make man wise, - If Aristides could make mortal just, - Then life with Christ can make a Christlike man, - Who lives, reflecting Christ, as best he can; - Whose nature is o’ertaken, sanctified, - Whose influence ensures a sacred trust. - - The spell of Christ-life, deepening o’er the soul, - Refines and softens conduct, speech, and mind; - And what men think, and feel, and do, and say, - Will make the earth less hopeful or more gay,— - Will show a daring demon to the world, - Or prove the loving God to mortal-kind. - - - - -LIFT UP THY HEART. - - - Lift up thy heart, - The day is bright, - There is no need of sighing; - Do well thy part, - Ere falls the night, - Be happy in the trying. - - Fear not the way, - God knows it all, - His love is ever guiding; - Be true to-day, - And hear His call, - In faith and works abiding. - - Look not before, - Nor yet behind, - The present is thy blessing; - Doubt Him no more, - But gladness find, - His gracious gifts confessing. - - Lift up thy heart, - And like a King - Rule o’er it, faithless never; - Do well thy part, - Till earth shall sing, - And Heaven be thine forever. - - - - -TWO PATHS. - - - When eastern skies are bathed in mists of gray, - And all the heralds of the night are gone, - I watch two shadows, moving o’er the way, - Beyond the dim, uncertain light of morn. - - Adown the years they come, like fleeting dreams,— - No sound disturbs the hush of daylight fair, - Save song of bird, or many murmuring streams, - Like sweetest music filling all the air. - - Near, and yet nearer, till each sunlight ray - Reveals no shadows, as they onward glide, - But two young friends, upon life’s unknown way, - Eager to journey o’er a path untried. - - Youth knows no fear; the day is near at hand - And Mother Earth breathes forth a welcome sweet; - Thus do they wander o’er the sun-lit land - Until they come to where the two paths meet. - - They pause a moment, in their eager flight, - Uncertain which to take upon the way; - But choose the path now filled with morning light - Where flowers bloom and gentle zephyrs play. - - Now Pleasure points the way to paths unknown, - The prospect brightens, as new scenes appear;— - The world invites them,—they are not alone, - But join a moving throng, who know no fear. - - To one, a still voice comes,—a breath, a prayer, - Breathed by a brother, in life’s changing day; - And, gazing up, he leaves the valley fair - To seek that other path,—the surer way. - - He climbs the height; the vale beneath him lies, - And angels guide his faltering steps aright; - To gain the summit manfully he tries,— - Above he sees the day’s eternal light; - - But looking downward, to the valley fair, - Where, in youth’s morn, his weary feet have trod, - He sees his fellow traveler lingering there - And, in his strength, he leads him up to God. - - Happy is he who finds the heavenly way - And lends to doubting souls a helping hand; - God’s light directs him, step by step, each day,— - God’s glory waits him in the Promised Land. - - - - -STEADFASTNESS. - - - We never know what we can do, - Until we try; - He who accomplishes the least, - Stands idly by; - While he who makes the most of life, - Keeps plodding on, - And earns at least his perfect rest - When strength is gone. - - We never know what we can do, - Until we dare; - He who would gain the victor’s place, - Must not despair; - For tho’ life’s burdens seem too great, - The way too long, - He will succeed who conquers doubt - By prayer and song. - - - - -VOLUME ONE. - - - How beautiful is youth that grandly gleams - With bright illusions and aspiring dreams! - Book of beginnings, such as Fiction paints, - With model heroines and hero saints. - - Each precious page with expectation teems, - Filling the mind as rain-drops fill the streams; - Sweet and refreshing as the summer shower - And adding charms to every passing hour. - - Each coming chapter with a new hope beams, - But how ’twill end the wisest little dreams; - And when, at last, the book of Youth is done - A less romantic sequel is begun. - - - - -HAPPINESS-KILLERS. - - - We are crossing little bridges - That we never reach at all; - We are climbing mighty mountains - That are not upon our way; - We are looking for a twilight - While the morning sunbeams fall, - And the troubled thoughts of future - Take the gladness from to-day. - - We are losing Nature’s glories, - Which are meant for us to see; - We are finding weeds and grasses - Where the pretty flowers grow; - We are looking for the storm clouds - Which perchance may never be, - And we quite forget the sunshine - Which to-day is ours below. - - We are filling life’s brief season - Full of worry and regret, - And the thoughts of past and future - Rob the present of its best; - And the happiness of others - We perchance do oft forget. - Past regret and future worry - Banish peace and conquer rest. - - Life is ours! The day is passing, - And the Present is our all; - Past has gone, and future cometh - In the moments one by one. - If to-day we do our duty, - Love the Saviour, hear His call, - Earth will bless and Heaven receive us, - And His words will be: “Well done.” - - - - -RECOMPENSE. - - - Not he who sins, but he who does God’s will - Finds, in life’s cup, some added sorrows still; - Not he who soars to heights of rank and fame, - But he who climbs, is he who bears Christ’s name; - Not he who wins, but he who daily tries - Shall best deserve the joys of Paradise. - - - - -WHY? - - - Why do I love thee and how do I know - That thou art the dearest of all to me? - Why do the moments, wherever I go, - Seem brighter and better because of thee? - - Why, mid the work of the long, weary day, - Are burdens of life more easy to bear? - Why pause I so often, upon life’s way, - To ask God’s blessing for thee in prayer? - - Why does my soul, once so tempted and sad, - Awaken to thoughts both noble and pure? - Why does the loving thee make my heart glad,— - God seem the nearer and Heaven the more sure? - - Why, in my dreaming, thy voice do I hear, - Thy face do I see, and feel thy caress? - Why, dreaming or waking, seemeth thou near, - To soothe, to comfort, to help and to bless? - - I pass others by, in the crowded street, - Whose faces, it may be, are fair as thine, - Yet thine, thine only, to me is most sweet,— - Thou only canst waken this love of mine. - - Another’s low word and sweet, winning smile, - Tho’ sought by many, when given to me - I dare to confess can charm for awhile, - But love meaneth more and I love but thee. - - I hear other voices, see other smiles, - But hearing and seeing bringeth unrest; - Laughter and music the evening beguiles,— - Thy voice and thy smile for me are the best. - - Why do I love thee? Ask God why he gave - To thee, and thee only, that power divine - My heart to touch and my soul to save, - And then I can answer why thou art mine. - - Why do I love thee? Ask God to reveal - Why He hath made thee so unlike the rest;— - True and unselfish, perchance thou mayest feel - That I have good reason for loving thee best. - - Art thou the dearest one? Love can but show - That thou art the dearest, ideal of mine; - Knowing, I love thee; and loving, I know; - To know and to love are the gifts divine. - - - - -CLASS ODE,—1885. - - - We sail far out to sunset’s light beyond, - On Life’s most restless and most fitful deep; - Where tempests rage and storms do oft abound, - And waves and billows care not long to sleep. - In Ocean’s lap most priceless pearls we’ve found, - And gathered them as onward we have passed; - We deemed the work but pleasure and reward, - Rare treasures that in years to come would last. - - Life’s dark blue waters cannot be recrossed - O’er which we passed so joyfully each day; - For youth and pleasure can not always last, - And Duty bids us hasten on our way. - We know that here our voyage together ends - And each alone must earn his own reward; - But through the storms and sunny days alike - We shall be guided by the hand of God. - - To-day we all must bid a fond farewell; - We know henceforth our lives apart must be, - Until we cross the deep that lies before, - To be no longer tossed on life’s rough sea. - And when beyond the ever-changing waves - We anchor on that shining Heavenly shore, - May we, who linger now to say: “Farewell,” - United stand to part again no more. - - - - -TWO SIDES. - - - The clouds that float above - Each have two separate sides,— - One toward the earth below, - The other toward the sun; - And when we see our lives, - Which God in goodness guides, - Upon the darker side - He sees the brighter one. - - Some day we shall behold - The side that He can see, - And we shall praise His name - For blessings that are ours; - Till clouds shall all disperse, - And life shall grander be,— - Refreshed like mother earth - When sunshine follows showers. - - - - -THE CHANGING CURRENT. - - - A river runs upon its way - Thro’ fertile fields and meadows gay;— - Among the sweetly-scented bowers, - And where the sunlight soothes the flowers. - It dances merrily along - And sings sweet Solitude a song; - But ere it meets the distant shore, - Its current changes more and more; - The stones that in its course now lie - It must rush over or pass by; - And while it meets them one by one - Dark clouds obscure the shining sun; - The sparkling waters lose their charm, - No more to frolic free from harm; - For threatening storm has come at last,— - The river rushes madly past - Thro’ cities and thro’ distant towns, - As tho’ it would escape its bounds; - But storm will cease and mists will clear - Till hidden sun shall reappear, - And that same river, calm and free, - Shall flow in fullness to the sea. - Thus runs the current of my life - Thro’ sun and shade, in calm and strife; - At first among the flowers gay - It sparkles freely on its way; - But while it sings its happy song, - And glides so peacefully along, - The obstacles and clouds appear - To hinder and deprive of cheer. - When all the barriers have been passed, - And threatening storms have ceased at last, - My life, more full, and calm, and free, - Shall end it’s course beyond the Sea. - - - - -SLEEP. - - - When sunset light has faded from our sight, - And darkness comes to tell us of the night, - We sleep, refreshed from earthly care and sorrow, - To waken to another hopeful morrow. - - When sun and stars shall no more please our sight, - And darkness comes to tell us of the night, - We sleep, unmindful of earth’s joy and sorrow, - To waken to a never-ending morrow. - - - - -LIFE’S DAY. - - - When the morn has breathed her story, - And the noon of life is past, - When the sunset’s deepening glory - Fills the waiting soul at last; - - Then, like sweetest music falling - Thro’ the splendors of the West, - We shall hear the angels calling - To a blest, eternal rest. - - When the day in silence sleeping, - Shows that earthly light has fled, - When the heart has ceased it’s weeping - And the final prayer is said; - - Then beyond life’s great endeavor, - In the stillness of the night, - We shall wake to live forever - And shall know God’s plans are right. - - - - -A POET. - - - A poet took in hand his mighty pen - To move the hearts of lyric-loving men. - He wrote of prayer, not knowing how to pray; - He wrote of Heaven, not having found the way; - He wrote of fame, not having reached the goal - Where fame’s great treasure thrills the seeking soul; - He wrote of Art, and then of Nature sweet, - While Nature’s flowers were crushed beneath his feet; - He wrote of life, and human love below, - The power of which he did not, could not know. - At last, grown weary of his every theme, - A thought aroused him from his restless dream; - He seized his pen,—the inspiration grew - To tell of things he really felt and knew: - He wrote of “mother” and his “childhood days;” - Then high and low began to sing his praise. - - - - -THANKSGIVING. - - - Not because Thou givest me - Life from care and sorrow free - Do I thank Thee, Lord, to-day; - But because in life’s dark hour, - Thou hast given peace and power - To sustain me on the way. - - Not for gift of wealth or fame - Do I praise Thy kingly name - Kneeling now with grateful heart; - But for home, for friends, and health,— - Greater gifts than fame or wealth, - Blessings of my life a part. - - Not because the earth is bright - With a wealth of joy and light - Do I thank Thee, Lord Divine; - But because in Home above - Life eternal speaks Thy love - And the hope of Heaven is mine. - - - - -MUSINGS. - - - Upon the shining sands a man once strolled; - And, looking out across the silvery sea, - He saw the waste of waters, blue and cold, - Where restless waves were climbing high and free. - - He paused awhile to watch the changing tide; - But, tiring of the noise and sunlight’s glare, - He sought a hidden path, and turned aside, - Where sweet wild roses scent the balmy air. - - Then, growing weary as the morning passed, - He filled his hands with blossoms that he found, - And threw himself beneath an oak at last, - Whose brawny branches brushed the grassy ground. - - He bared his head; and lying ’neath the tree, - Arranging wealth of roses in his hands, - He thought that, ’bove the branches, he could see - The same blue ocean rolling to the sands. - - His mind to rose thoughts turned in dreamy way,— - From untrained blossoms, blooming in the bowers, - Whose simple petals fade within a day, - Have been developed grander, sweeter flowers. - - The jacqueminot and all her sisters fair, - Now clothed in colors bright and staying late, - Because of culture and a proper care - Have found a place within the garden gate. - - So too with life; the untrained children we - Whose innocence shall fade within the hours,— - With thoughts, like petals, simple, pure, and free,— - And minds to be developed like the flowers. - - If rightly clothed, according to God’s plan, - We soon discover, ere it is too late, - That cultivation makes the grander man - Who finds a place within the Heavenly gate. - - * * * * * - - The dreamer woke; his roses, once so bright, - Had drooped and faded in the heat of day; - His rose thoughts had unfolded to the light - To bless and help him all along life’s way. - - - - -SEEKING AND STRIVING. - - - The soul that seeks for Heavenly things, - And mounts above on tireless wings, - Shall find them by and by; - The soul that strives to conquer wrong, - And sings a happy trustful song, - Shall live and never die. - - - - -SOME DAY. - - - Some day, not far away, - In Heaven above, - Both you and I, - Who say the last good-bye, - Shall meet and love. - - Some day, beyond life’s way - Of cares and tears, - Your soul and mine, - With Christ, the Soul divine, - Shall know no fears. - - Some day, when others pray - With tear-stained eyes, - You’ll take my hand - And we shall understand - In Paradise. - - Some day, when others stay - To do life’s part, - We’ll reach the goal - Each standing soul to soul,— - Not heart to heart. - - Some day, when others say:— - “Their lot was sad,” - We’ll know the why; - In Heaven both you and I - Shall be more glad. - - Some day, when earth is gay - On land and sea, - Beyond life’s shore - We two, who patience bore, - Shall thankful be. - - Some day,—some brighter day - Than all the rest, - Both you and I - Shall say no more: “Good-bye,” - But:—“God knows best.” - - - - -THE AWAKENING. - - - When Earth is waking from her winter dream, - And Sunlight calls to life each sleeping stream; - When songsters shall return on joyful wings, - ’Tis then the mind awakes to grander things. - Faith in our God becomes a mighty power,— - Deep rooted in the soul it grows each hour. - Hope springs to life and, like the budding rose, - Admits the light, and thus diviner grows. - Sweet Charity, the greatest of the three, - Unlocks the dormant heart with magic key,— - Then enters Joy, the ever welcomed guest, - To quiet Sorrow, and to bid her rest. - The waking Earth demands the watchful eye, - While day by day new glories round her lie. - No longer shall we sleep away the hours, - But wake to life as wake the budding flowers,— - Breathing to others, in our life’s brief day, - Fragrance and beauty as they pass our way. - No longer shall we wait for better days, - But, like the bird, sing forth His endless praise, - And in the hour new hope and pleasure bring - To those who listen but care not to sing. - No longer shall we rest and vainly dream, - But wake as wakes again the living stream, - Ever to broaden as we onward go, - Bearing to thirsting souls the joys we know. - - - - -LOVE-LETTERS. - - - You may burn the letters, dearie, - Tho’ they’re written from the heart - And have made the days less dreary - While we two have been apart. - - You may burn each loving letter, - Tho’ the sentiment is true, - For it may be really better;— - They are meant for only you. - - You may watch the glowing embers - While the ashes turn to white; - For your loyal heart remembers - Tho’ my words shall pass from sight. - - You can burn Love’s secrets never - That my soul to yours confessed; - They, I know, will live forever - In the life that I love best. - - So, my dearie, burn each token - That I’ve written just for you, - And accept the love unspoken - From a heart that’s ever true; - - For our love-light burns out never,— - It is human and divine; - We shall live and love forever,— - I am yours and you are mine. - - - - -REGRET. - - - There is no time, in life, for vain regret; - The days have passed, the hours are passing yet. - Each moment wasted by regretful sigh - Will count as worthless in the by and by, - Till life itself, which God to man has given, - Will be unworthy of the peace of Heaven. - A vain regret is but an added wrong,— - It makes the past a sorrow, not a song; - It robs the present of its very best - And fills the future with a vague unrest. - The little wrongs can never be made right - By keeping them before the human sight; - Better it is to give them scanty space - By putting virtue in its proper place; - Better it is to let the whole heart sing - Than let it sigh o’er one regretted thing. - - - - -CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS. - - - Hear the mighty army, - Marching on the way, - With the banner lifted in the light. - See the Christian Soldiers, - In the ranks to-day, - As they battle ever for the Right. - - Under Christ, the Leader, - Who commands them here, - They will stand united, one and all. - They will pledge allegiance, - They have naught to fear, - They will answer ever to His call. - - In His Service Royal, - Theirs will be the fame; - They shall wear the laurels by and by. - On the Shore Eternal, - They will praise His name, - Where the soul shall never, never die. - - - - -A QUESTION. - - - What have you done to-day, dear heart, - For Jesus’ sake? - Did love for Him reveal the part - To undertake? - - Have you been wishing to aspire - To better things? - Has your sweet soul been lifted higher - By willing wings? - - Or has it fallen from a height - So far above, - That naught can make it pure and right - Except God’s love? - - What have you done to-day, dear heart,— - What will you do? - Will you not wisely do the part - God gives to you? - - Will you not put away the dream - That fancies fill, - And tho’ your duties humble seem - Accept God’s will? - - - - -SWEETEST MUSIC. - - - A little child, at an organ - In a room across the way, - While trying to learn his lesson - Awoke me from dreams to-day. - - The exercises were simple - But he soon began to cry, - And I heard him say with feeling: - “’Tis really no use to try!” - - Then the master, bending o’er him - As patiently as before, - Said: “Let me take your place, dear, - And I’ll show you how once more.” - - Soon I hear instead of discord - A sweet, harmonious sound, - While the master’s skillful fingers - The musical keys have found. - - Within the souls of the many - Are keys of ivory white, - Which will waken to sweetest music - If in tune and touched aright; - - But how oft we hear a discord - When the wrong keys have been tried - And the amateur is playing - While the Master stands aside. - - - - -AT LAST. - - - A little stream that danced and played all day - Upon its rough and ever winding way, - Like some young child, upon his mother’s breast, - Soon neared the tide and calmed itself to rest. - - A little flower that nodded here and there, - At every passing breeze, in daylight fair, - When sunset splendor lingered o’er the hill - Sent forth its fragrance and at last was still. - - A little bird that built her airy nest - Nor thought in sunny hours to pause and rest, - Sang sweeter songs to cheer the passer by - When light was fading in the distant sky. - - A man, who thro’ life’s day had toiled and wept, - When life was o’er lay down in peace and slept; - He, who had borne the burden of the day, - Found sunset glories flooding all his way. - - Peace comes from God, and rest is sure and sweet - To those who bear life’s burden and its heat; - Sweet, starry twilight calms that manly soul - That strives by toil to reach Heaven’s distant goal. - - - - -HIS PROMISE. - - - Oft when the rain-drops fall, - We pray for sunlight fair; - Oft when the day is bright, - We seek the cooling shade; - Oft when the robins call, - We long for tree-tops bare; - Oft when the ground is white, - We wish that spring had stayed. - - But God who ruleth all, - And keeps us in His care, - Doth plan all things aright, - Which for our good He made; - Our gifts, so poor and small, - Cannot with His compare, - And if we trust His might - His promise will not fade. - - - - -LIFE’S CRUCIBLE. - - - We do not cut and polish the stones - That are laid in the common wall; - We do not prune the brambles and weeds - That around our pathway fall. - - We do not put into crucibles - A metal unworthy the test; - Nor do we send a man to the front - Who would not peril his best. - - The vine that’s pruned bears the choicest fruit,— - Necessity grinds the dull tool; - And the keenest and best instructors - Are prepared in Affliction’s school. - - Suffering gives us the richest thoughts - That to literature can belong;— - In poetry it strikes the sweetest note - And inspires the tenderest song. - - Our troubles are but the inlets small - That shall lead to the human soul, - Thro’ which the Comforter comes to heal - And to strengthen us for the Goal. - - The rarest of saints are afflicted - By One who doth know what is right; - And the stars shall ever shine brightest - That contend with the darkest night. - - - - -MY CHOICE. - - - Not the bird that soars the highest, - Nor whose plumage is the brightest, - But the bird that sings the sweetest - Is the bird I prize. - Not the flower that blooms the tallest, - Nor whose petals are the whitest, - But whose fragrance is completest - Satisfies my eyes. - - Not the brook that laughs the loudest, - Nor whose waters are the purest, - But the brook that runs the fleetest - To the mill and sea. - Not the soul that soars the quickest, - But whose faith in God is surest, - And whose record is the neatest - Is the soul for me. - - - - -ENDEAVOR. - - - Life’s morning hour is never quite complete - If climbing upward at the break of day - We fail to show to others, whom we meet, - New glories found along the heavenly way. - - If by endeavor, step by step we take, - And for another breathe a loving prayer - And lead him up to see the morning break, - We find a blessing as we journey there. - - The noon of life, when sunlight floods the skies, - Is never quite so pleasing to our sight, - As when we help a fallen brother rise - And by his side direct his steps aright. - - The way grows brighter as we pass along, - For not alone we seek the heights untried; - A soul is breathing us a thankful song— - The weary one is toiling by our side. - - The twilight of the life God gives us here - Is never quite so filled with peace and rest - As when we journey on with naught to fear, - Tho’ sunset light is fading in the west. - - The night comes not to those who look above, - For on the summit soon they all shall stand, - Who leave the vale and seek the Father’s love, - Which bids them welcome to the promised land. - - Thus by endeavor—step by step each day - We climb above, where other feet have trod, - And leading others up the heavenly way - Find rest and day eternal with our God. - - - - -SERVICE. - - - If you love and trust the Saviour - You can find enough to do; - His good deeds and His compassion - Will be done and felt by you. - - His great aims will all be cherished - If with Him you’re really one; - Can you think of Christ as idle - While so much remains undone? - - His self-sacrificing spirit - Will be exercised by you; - And your faith will aid you ever - While love guides and makes it true. - - Faith and love that work together - Will turn drudgery into joy; - And make every service easy - That doth trouble and annoy. - - Love will show where service waits you - Tho’ it be but word or song; - Faith will prompt you how to do it - Be the service short or long. - - You can never be discouraged - While the two together blend; - Joined to faith, love meets all trials - And endureth to the end. - - You can leave the lower places, - And mount upward every day; - Winning character exalted - If you faithfully work and pray. - - You can reach the best attainments - Doing service that you find; - And a worthier example - You can leave to all mankind. - - - - -CROWNING LIGHT. - - - There is a Land, beyond the gloomy sky, - That needs no earthly light for its adorning; - Where God’s own children nevermore shall die,— - A home of perfect peace and endless morning. - - We cannot see the City’s shining towers, - But truths divine proclaim the wondrous story,— - On earth the cross, in Heaven the crown is ours,— - While Gates ajar reveal an inner glory. - - - - -NONCE. - - - To-day is here; to-morrow’s dawn - Perchance thou may’st not see; - The noon-tide of another day - May come, but not for thee. - - The sun at even’-tide may glow - Upon yon mountain height, - And pause to bless the Mother Earth - Before he sinks from sight; - - And yet for thee no earthly light, - No sunset glow at home, - No shadows of life’s twilight hour,— - No silent night may come. - - Thou knowest not; the “brighter days” - May never come to thee; - The future is thy present time - Formed from life’s yesterday. - - Thou can’st not look beyond this hour - To trace what may befall; - But now is the accepted time - To serve the Lord of all. - - To-day then do the good thou canst, - And brighten home with love; - Then shall thy soul more brightly shine - In Heaven, the Home above. - - Thy blessings oft are in disguise,— - What seems to be a sorrow - May be the shades of deepening night - Before a brighter morrow. - - - - -THE GOAL. - - - Each day we are grown older, - Years swiftly pass away; - And the world seems strangely colder, - The heart itself less gay. - - The hopes that are brightly dawning, - The joys that oft are ours, - Shall vanish, in life’s fair morning, - Like dew-drops on the flowers. - - Youth’s rosiest tints of splendor, - Are fading fast from sight; - And the trusting heart more tender, - In patience waits the night. - - Like the athlete growing weary, - No more we run the race; - But near to the victors cheery - We seek a resting-place. - - Just beyond the passing pleasure, - And thought of added years, - We can see Heaven’s greater treasure, - Which satisfies and cheers. - - An eternal light is dawning, - To penetrate the gloom; - In life’s more radiant morning - Peace waits beyond the tomb. - - - - -A QUESTION ANSWERED. - - - What is the secret of discontent - That never for human hearts was meant, - And why the needless agitation - That tries a soul and taunts a nation? - - A discontent would never be known, - An agitation would ne’er be shown, - If things that are simply prosy and real - Would correspond with the high ideal. - - - - -GRANDMOTHER. - - - Grandmother sits in her high-backed chair, - A snowy cap hides her soft gray hair; - And while her needles fly in and out - We wonder what her thoughts are about. - Beside the chair stands an antique bed, - With its modern draperies overhead, - While, close to the wall, and near at hand - Is the newly polished, square-topped stand. - Within its drawer lies her camphor-bag, - Some spicy cubebs and sugared flag, - Tomato cushion, of gaudy red, - A bit of wax, for her sewing-thread, - Some slippery elm, in a corner dark, - Scattered fragments of cinnamon bark, - The golden ear-knobs, and powder puff, - Near a little box of scented snuff, - A baby’s picture, with dimpled face, - And a lock of hair, in its broken case. - On its top is her bible, worn by age, - With its faded book-mark and penciled page. - The faithful clock, with its quaint, carved door, - Reaches the ceiling and meets the floor. - A chest of drawers, with handles of brass, - Stands just across from the gilt-framed glass, - And is reflected in all its pride; - While on its top, upon either side, - Whose fancy the modern mind might suit, - Stand the gypsum dishes of painted fruit. - Near an open fireplace, neatly swept, - The box of kindling-wood is kept; - While across the andirons polished bright, - A log lies ready for heat and light. - Beside the dust-pan and well-worn wing - The brass topped fire-tongs and shovel swing; - On the hearth-stone gray, ’neath the chimney high, - The useful bellows in waiting lie. - The “mantle-place” holds the candle-sticks - And silver snuffers for lighted wicks. - While, near to the match-safe, just between, - An apple filled with cloves is seen. - Grandmother rocks as she knits her sock, - To-day her thoughts are too deep for talk,— - She lives once more ’neath a cloudless sky, - And dreams again of the days gone by. - In her cherished dream she can seem to see - The dear old house as it used to be, - With its clapboards white, its blinds of green, - And the tiny window-panes between; - And lingers there for a little while, - Ere the modern workman changed its style. - She sings to her babies the old time song, - And hopes that “father” will come ere long; - She moves her chair to the waning light - To watch the glow of the sunset bright, - And looks for a few, pale evening stars - While the cows come home thro’ the pasture bars. - She lights the candles, and smoothes her hair, - And breathes for her loved ones a silent prayer; - Then goes to her work with happy heart, - Cheerfully doing the house-wife’s part; - And once again she can seem to feel - The well known move of her spinning-wheel. - As she fondly dreams of those days of yore - She hears a whisper beside her door; - Then close to her side the children creep:— - “Why, Grandma has fallen fast asleep!” - She hears one say, as they tip-toe out: - “I wonder what she’s dreaming about.” - Little they know what memories arise - When Grandmother thinks with half-closed eyes. - - - - -DILIGENCE. - - - He who cannot do to-morrow - Better than he does to-day - Is a creature of dishonor - And a failure all the way. - - From to-day’s accomplished labor - Comes the morrow near at hand, - Just as yesterday’s completion - Brought to-day’s ambitions grand. - - All the past is antiquated,— - Useful but for present guide, - And if followed makes the future - All that has been hoped and tried. - - He who will not wisely labor - For the Present that is here, - Rather than prefer past pleasures - Or a future’s coming cheer; - - Is, among the world’s great workers, - But a tramp, whom few can trust, - Who destroys the best of morals - Or is held in sheer disgust. - - Happy hearts and willing workers - Make this earth a better place, - And receive the Father’s blessing, - When they see Him face to face. - - - - -THE BABY. - - - Within his little crib the baby lies; - And ’neath the lashes of his closing eyes - I catch a glimpse of summer’s bluest skies. - - His tiny head, upon its pillow white, - Is crowned with curls, like sunshine fair and bright, - Half hidden now from his admirer’s sight. - - His cheek, soon flushed in a refreshing sleep, - Is like the petal of a wild-rose deep, - While in and out the pretty dimples peep. - - His rose-bud mouth, in such an hour as this, - Invites the pleasure of a loving kiss, - Which even strangers could not take amiss. - - His tiny teeth are like the precious pearls - And, when his lip in childish laughter curls, - They shine, as perfect as a baby girl’s. - - His shapely ears, like sea-shells pink and small, - Which soon discern the mother song and call, - Can quickly hear the slightest sound of all. - - His little nose, not yet in proper style, - Which mother models every little while, - Is quite enough to make a critic smile. - - His dimpled hands, unlike the restless feet - Securely pinned within his blanket neat, - Oft find a place outside the snowy sheet. - - When baby sleeps the house is hushed and lone; - His rubber playthings to the floor are thrown, - While patient pussy seeks her peace unknown. - - When baby wakes the house is filled with joy; - His lusty cries no loving heart annoy, - While mother runs to take her darling boy. - - - - -GOD’S LOVE. - - - Like a star, whose beams are brighter - When skies are dark above, - So shines, in night of sorrow, - The light of God’s great love. - - We may not see its lustre, - While heads are bowed in prayer, - But looking just above us - We find its glories there. - - Our tears may dim the vision - And we may question why; - But some day He will answer - Where souls shall never die. - - Above the gathering shadows, - Beyond the gloom of years, - God’s star will shine forever, - Undimmed by Sorrow’s tears. - - Some day, when He shall lead us - To our eternal rest, - We’ll know life’s hidden meaning - And we shall say: “’Twas best.” - - - - -RELEASE. - - - Fear not to die, but rather fear to live, - For death is not so grave a thing as life; - The soul that God to mortal man did give - Shall some day be exempt from earthly strife, - And from its narrow prison cell at last - It shall go forth the glorious light to see, - When chains are loosened, which now hold it fast, - By Death, the warden, who shall set it free; - And it shall live thro’ all the days and years - To know the peace of sunny Paradise, - No more to be the slave of doubts and fears, - Nor suffer failure when escape it tries. - Earth’s blossoms die, but from the falling seeds - Shall live again the pure and treasured flowers; - And thus we die, but loving words and deeds - Shall be immortal like this soul of ours. - - - - -EASTER. - -[To M. M. M.] - - - ’Twas Easter evening and the church - Was filled with a waiting throng, - To listen to Easter Service - With its flowers, its light and song. - - The organist, by the altar, - Touched the pretty ivory keys - And sent, thro’ the house of worship - The sweetest of melodies. - - Just as the notes were ceasing, - And the people arose for prayer, - A little maid came softly in - And seated herself by the stair. - - The service was just beginning, - She had never entered before; - But while passing had heard the music - And seen bright lights from the door;— - - So she thought: “I’ll look in a moment, - To see what it all is about,— - And perhaps—if I steal in softly - That no one will find it out.” - - She saw all the people standing - With heads bowed down in the light, - And she heard the words: “Our Father, - Bless this service here to-night.” - - When the good man ceased his speaking - And each one had taken seat, - Again the notes from the organ - Thro’ the stillness sounded sweet. - - A little girl came to the altar,— - “No older than I am”—she thought; - She was dressed in snowy whiteness, - In her hands sweet flowers she brought. - - She spoke of the Christ—our Saviour, - In her pretty childish way; - She said: “The Lord is risen - And he walks with men to-day.” - - “He loves us—He died to save us,” - Said the little maid in white— - “He went to the Home above us, - To Heaven where there is no night.” - - And the little girl by the stair-way - In her tattered gown of red, - Listening, heard the story sweet - And treasured the words she said; - - And she wondered, as she listened, - If the Saviour did truly care - For one so small and neglected - As she, sitting down by the stair. - - And while she looked at the flowers - And heard the grand organ play, - And sweet voices of the children - Now telling of Easter day; - - Her little heart grew lighter, - She said: “I’m alone no more - For Christ, who loves the children, - Is my Father now gone before.” - - When the Easter Service was ended - She wended her way alone - Thro’ the streets of the great city - To the garret, her only home. - - As she climbed the narrow stair-way, - Unlighted by cheering ray, - Her little heart kept singing - The songs of glad Easter day; - - And the woman, who kept the lodging, - Heard the little maiden come - And asked, in her gruffest manner, - What kept her so long from home. - - “’Twas the Easter Service, madam, - And the words”—she made reply; - “I’m not an orphan any more - For my Father dwells on high.” - - “See! I’ve brought you an Easter lily - All snowy, and pure, and white, - Which a lady dropped in passing - Ere her coach wheeled out of sight.” - - “I almost know you’ll like it - For ’tis part of the Easter day, - And the children spoke of the lilies - In the verses they had to say.” - - When all was still in the lodging - And the rest were sleeping below, - Unmindful of Christ, the Saviour, - Who died for them long ago; - - Then this loving little maiden, - Away from all human sight, - Knelt down, in the dingy garret, - To thank God for Easter night. - - - - -EMINENCE. - - - Side by side the mountains rise - Toward the blue of distant skies; - But tho’ roots may interlace - And each base is joined to base, - Till the friendly trees incline - And their branches touch and twine, - Yet, while aging day by day, - They part union on their way - Till the welcome sunlight seeks - To crown insulated peaks. - - Side by side the great men rise - Towards the heights of brighter skies; - But tho’ minds together blend - And each friend is joined to friend, - Till their spirits interchange - And their thoughts have fullest range, - Yet while aging day by day, - They diverge upon life’s way - Till Young Genius claims his own - And they choose to soar alone. - - - - -THE HERE AND THERE. - -By courtesy of Ladies’ World, New York City. - - - The Here and There are not so far apart, - As oft’ they seem to Sorrow’s waiting heart; - The waking love that Here no more shall sleep - Will There the souls in perfect union keep. - God does not mean, tho’ Heaven be bright and fair, - To break the strands between the Here and There. - The heart that loves shall love beyond the skies; - The soul that lives shall live in Paradise. - We know that He in joy and peace will keep - Our own and His until we fall asleep. - The same sweet smile, the loving face so fair, - But glorified, awaits our coming There. - To those who trust and patiently endure, - He gives them back, bright, beautiful and pure. - They are not lost to such as you and me - But still shall love us thro’ Eternity;— - And from temptation and from earthly care - Shall lead us upward to the Heavenly There. - - - - -AIR CASTLES. - - - Sometimes I dwell not here— - But far away, - Where not a breath disturbs - My fondest dream; - Where, loitering at ease, - Myself alone I please - And sing my soul good cheer - Within my castles fair, - That I have built in air, - Above Time’s stream. - - Outside, like haunting ghosts, - The clouds appear, - But noiselessly pass by - Each bolted gate; - Around my castle walls, - The hush of moon-light falls, - While, like the armied hosts, - With torches flashing bright, - The stars come out at night - To celebrate. - - ’Tis bliss to dwell like this, - In airy heights, - Above the common crowd - And earthly din; - Where all the livelong day, - With my best self I stay - And naught of glory miss; - Where neither friend nor foe, - To pity or bring woe, - Can enter in. - - Who dares uplift a latch, - Like thief at night, - To scatter treasured hopes - And steal my store? - Who darkens my domain - Where I, an empress, reign, - While subjects wait dispatch? - Away, ye dread Despair! - To castles in the air - Still let me soar. - - - - -LITTLE JOE. - - - He stands in crowded city street, - Poor, tired, little Joe, - And sees the people pass and meet - While moments come and go. - - He holds sweet flowers in his hand, - Poor, patient, little Joe, - And wonders who can understand - His poverty and woe. - - “Please won’t you buy my blossoms bright?” - Cries hopeful, little Joe, - While daylight fades and sunset light - Floods stirring streets below. - - But no one lingers, no one cares - For homeless, little Joe; - When mother breathed his name in prayers - He was too small to know. - - When father took him on his knee, - Dear, little baby Joe, - He used to crow in childish glee - But that was long ago. - - The night grows dark, and no one hears - Poor, heartsick, little Joe; - He puts his flowers away with tears - And turns his foot-steps slow. - - He passes mansions grand and tall, - Poor, homesick, little Joe, - And hopes that men within the hall - Will gifts of love bestow. - - Sometimes he stops to watch the lights, - Poor, lonely, little Joe, - And sees some whirling, dazzling sights - While dancers come and go. - - In homes he hears the child-like noise, - Poor, orphaned, little Joe, - And wonders if their little boys - To great, good men will grow. - - He seeks, at last, a sheltering shed, - Poor, hungry, little Joe, - And makes, of tattered coat, a bed, - While tear-drops freely flow. - - And: “Now I lay me down to sleep,” - Says drowsy, little Joe, - “And pray the Lord my soul to keep,” - He whispers, soft and low. - - “If I should die before I wake,” - Breathes tired, little Joe, - “I pray the Lord my soul to take,” - And it was even so. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. - Old or antiquated spellings have been preserved. - Typographical errors have been silently corrected but other - variations in spelling and punctuation remain unaltered. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Home Poems, by Kate Louise Wheeler - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOME POEMS *** - -***** This file should be named 52865-0.txt or 52865-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/8/6/52865/ - -Produced by Larry B. 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