Poems

Oh , thou bright star, whose cherub-angel smile, First cheered the saddened, night-winged orient sky, And rent the shade, that seemed to veil awhile A world of light, in darkest mystery! When through the crystal window-pane of Heaven, Thy rising glory shone out o'er the deep And hailed to sight, what else were void to vision, O then, was roused a cradled world from sleep! Fair dawned Life's hope, when thy bright morning glory, Serenely starred the "Sun of Righteousness," Whose sovereign light, — golden with Truth's rich story, Revealed on Earth, God's will and Heaven's peace! Star of Earth's hope! Crown diadem of Heaven! Thou jewel setting, in Love's crystal sphere! As gems undimmed, thy store of beams is given, A priceless treasure, fadeless, rich and dear! When from afar, the ancient magi saw Thy golden tresses stream across the night; They wisely followed thy safe-guiding ray, Which led from darkness into Christly light! Oh, many a weary pilgrim of the night, With earnest longings for the break of day, Have sought, and oft for thy celestial light To angel-guide them, past the darksome way! Ev 'n as of old, when from Love's jewelled throne, Thy gentle presence cheered a frowning sky; So in this age, from Love's empyrean zone, The Star of Science melts obscurity. Far as the arms of Everlasting Love, Outstretched to save, beyond a mortal bound: Ev'n so far, Science doth confineless move Her sweet, translucent cherubim around! But, time was — when like sheep without a fold, We wandered shepherdless o'er mountains bare; Till, one by one, (the young among the old;) A hundred flocked, beneath the Shepherd's care.

Temple built by faith and wisdom, Hallowed by our Mother's prayer, Every loyal son, and daughter — enter there. Mightiest temple of all ages, One in all the world thou art; Truth and Love, sought for by sages Holds thee in its sacred heart.

From out the darkness of the night, As wakening thought gropes for the Light, A voice responsive, sweet and low, Bids hope with brighter radiance glow. I am the ever-present Life, With power and peace and beauty rife.

It came all clothed in brightness,      This wondrous book of Love; It cheered my darkened chamber,  With Sunbeams from above. It bore on angel pinions,      The word of Life to me; It brought me leaves of healing,      From Life's ambrosial tree.

Gently hath a sweet voice spoken; One thing needful must ye choose; O ye weary and heart-broken, Can ye still this call refuse? Seeking good on earth nor finding, All your hope earth must defraud,— Things of sense forever blinding Eyes whose light is seeing God. Patient Love, so wise and tender, Standing mother-like apart, Waits till love awakened send her Each far-wanderer from her heart.

Oh floweret fair! Thou art a type of nature's sweet content, Who shed'st thy rich perfume And bloom In empty air or lowly tenement, As freely as in palace rare. Thy lesson dear, sinks deep into my breast, Nor gives me rest.

To him who in the love of bounteous Nature, Sweet concord holds amid her varied thought, She shows,—the grand old Dame—full many a feature, Which to the blind are hid, because unsought. The birds, the flowers, the trees—if we but heed them, All tell a tale of love of God to man.

Oh sun and earth, oh wind and sky, Oh morning freshness on the flower! Why sure it is a Spirit-hour, The dawning of a light on high! Did'st think the world a sorry thing, Blooming to decay and die? Oh man, the sole mortality Is thine own sin and suffering! Oh joy of the created Whole, Springing from out eternity; Arched by the blue of constancy, Lit by the sun of Soul!

What ! daring at your post to stand With listless mien and eye; No ready weapon in your hand, No sense of danger nigh! 'Twas yours with zealous care to guard The avenues of thought, The subtle blows of sense retard When the "young child" was sought. And ye who watch the inner camp As soldiers come and go; Are you alert with lighted lamp, Lest dire offences grow? Does dust lie on the barrack floors, Are "upper rooms" "made meet"; The table spread, the open doors Waiting the Master's feet? Ho, Garrison, are you awake, With guns at every port? Know you what issues are at stake; What menaces your fort? And dost them, Gen'ral, sit at rest; No field-glass poised for use; No drill thy soldier's skill to test! What then is thy excuse? Rings not the war-cry in your ears; Our prophet's warning call, Unheeded through the passing years Its trumpet-accents fall? As moved the pillar and the cloud Leading the Hebrew host; As walked the Christ, with head unbowed, Majestic at His post, So comes to us our Chieftain's call; Oh! hear and heed it well.

Oh , the earth shall be filled with the glory of God! Now we taste of the harmony Love's law has sent, And the world must grow heavenward under that rod. Paths sinuous close, —the straight way must be trod! Great cares and great gifts in this new hour are blent; Oh, the earth shall be filled with the glory of God! Not by crude, deadening creed shall men, ban-burdened, plod.