The Mountain Spring And Other Poems | Page 4

a false rumor of glory and power."
The stranger rebuked them ere he would teach?What the prophets portray of Christ's sufferings here.?Their souls were enlivened, but soon they would reach?The village they sought, which too quickly drew near.
The stranger seemed passing, but now they entreat,?"Abide with us here; the day is far spent";?They could not forego yet such fellowship sweet,?And he entered in with them whither they went.
When supper was ready, they sat up to partake--?They and the stranger, in whom they delight.?He blessed, as his custom, the bread ere he brake;?They knew it was Jesus! And he vanished from sight.
"Did not our hearts burn within us," now they exclaimed, "As he taught of himself what the prophets record??We've seen him, we've heard him, and he is the same:?He is Israel's Messiah, our Savior and Lord!"
We are travelers here on the highway of time,?But he will go with us if we seek him aright.?His strength will support us as upward we climb;?Through his blood we inherit immortality's light.
DAYBREAK
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.--Song of Solomon 4:6.
Gleaming softly, silvery-faint,?Heralded by chanticleer,?Merging from night's shadowy taint,?New day of the passing year!
Born to bless or born to blight,?Born for you and born for me,?Leaving, ere it take its flight,?Impress on eternity!
'Tis a gift from God's own hand.?On its pure unsullied page?Let us write at his command?What will bless our pilgrimage.
True repentance giveth joy?To the angels in the sky.?What could be more blest employ?Than to cheer the choirs on high?
Deeds of patience, deeds of love,?Banishing all hate and guile--?These will steer toward heaven above,?These will make the angels smile.
May this child of time unite?Earth and heaven in blest accord,?Heathen nations see the light?From the cross of Christ our Lord.
Coming is the glad daybreak,?The prophetic jubilee;?Sin will then all hearts forsake,?Then will all the shadows flee.
GONE
Upon time's surging, billowy sea?A ship now slowly disappears,?With freight no human eye can see,?But weighing just one hundred years.
Their sighs, their tears, their weary moans,?Their joy and pleasure, pomp and pride,?Their angry and their gentle tones,?Beneath its waves forever hide.
Yes, sunk within oblivion's waves,?They'll partly live in memory;?To youth, who will their secrets crave,?Mostly exist in history.
Ah, what a truth steps in this strain--?They are not lost within time's sea;?Their words and actions live again,?And blight or light eternity!
A new ship comes within our view,?Laden with dreams both sad and blest;?To youth they're tinged with roseate hue;?To weary ones bring longed-for rest.
And still the stream of life flows on,?Laughing beneath the century new.?God's promise gilds the horizon;?Mercy shall reign; his word is true.
AWAKE!
All my ways are before thee.--Psalm 119:168.
Awake, O soul, awake!?Enter thy cell of thought,?And there in calmness meditate?On what God's word has taught.
There's nought within thy scope,?No influence thou hast sown,?No gloomy doubt, no joyful hope,?But unto him are known.
Awake! but grovel not?In ashes of despair,?Christ's precious blood can cleanse each spot;?Cast on him every care.
Before him are thy ways,?But in his mercy free?He further yet his love displays,?And intercedes for thee.
Awake to holy fear?And praise thy God on high;?Be it thy joy to praise him here?And praise him in the sky.
"ABIDE WITH US"
"Abide with us!" Where could we go??Thou art our strength, thou art our tower,?Our refuge from the ills below,?In darkness light, in weakness power.
"Abide with us!" We would prevail,?And plead that thou be ever near?To banish doubts when they assail,?And give deliverance from fear.
"Abide with us" in words of love,?For thou dost say, "Come unto me."?Oh, guide us to thy home above?To dwell in joy and peace with thee!
O BETHLEHEM!
"For he is our peace."
O Bethlehem, where Christ was born?And angels watched him where he lay,?When cradled on that holy morn?That ushered in earth's promised day!
O Bethlehem, it was thy star?Which guided o'er the deserts wild?Those who had journeyed from afar?To gaze upon the sinless child!
O Bethlehem, 'twas thine to see?God's choir announce the Saviour's birth,?And hear those waves of melody?Chant peace and good will to the earth!
O Bethlehem, 'twas thine to weep?With Rachel o'er the crimson woe?When cruel hands did vainly seek?To quench heaven's radiance below!
O Bethlehem, we hear thy call?To joy and bliss, and would not cease?To praise him who has died for all?Who will accept his blood-bought peace!
RING THE BELLS
Ring out the bells of heaven!?Obey the great command,?That all may hear their melody?On mountain, sea, and land,?The chimes of glory sounding,?Ascending to the sky;?Jesus our Savior reigneth?Forever more on high.
Ring how he bore our trials?And sorrows here below;?Of his lamb-like, sinless nature,?Purer than falling snow;?How he gave his life to banish?The clouds of midnight gloom?That brooded o'er creation?And o'er the dreary tomb.
Ring of the well of Sichar?And the everlasting tide,?With which its sparkling waters?His imagery supplied.?Ring of his mighty power?To comfort and to heal,?His gentleness and sympathy?In either woe or weal.
Ring of his blood that speaketh?Than Abel's, better things,?And to