"So," prayed we," when our feet draw near The river dark, with mortal fear, "And the night cometh chill with dew, O Father!-let thy light break through! "So let the hills of doubt divide, "So let the eyes that fail on earth On thy eternal hills look forth; "And in thy beckoning angels know The dear ones whom we loved below! A MEMORIAL. M. A. C. O THICKER, deeper, darker growing, In love surpassing that of brothers, We walked, O friend, from childhood's day; One in our faith, and one our longing And gladder for our human speech. Thou heardst with me the far-off voites, To homely joys and loves and friendships Ran back and left thee always young. And who could blame the generous weakness Which, only to thyself unjust, So overprized the worth of others, And dwarfed thy own with self-distrust ? All hearts grew warmer in the presence Thy greeting smile was pledge and prelude The task was thine to mould and fashion And light with thought the maiden's face. O'er all the land, in town and prairie, Thy call has come in ripened manhood, Live on, to own, with self-upbraiding, It was not mine among thy kindred All day the sea-waves sobbed with sorrow, Green be those hill-side pines forever, Still let them greet thy life companions A tender memory sadly sweet. O friend! if thought and sense avail not I trust the instincts of my heart. Thine be the quiet habitations, Thine the green pastures, blossom-sown, And smiles of saintly recognition, As sweet and tender as thy own. Thou com'st not from the hush and shadow HYMN. SUNG AT CHRISTMAS BY THE SCHOLARS OF ST. HELENA'S O NONE in all the world before Thou Friend and Helper of the poor, Who suffered for our sake, To open every prison door, And every yoke to break! Bend low thy pitying face and mild, The hand that blessed the little child, We hear no more the driver's horn, The very oaks are greener clad, O never shone a day so glad, We praise thee in our songs to-day, To thee in prayer we call, Make swift the feet and straight the way Of freedom unto all. Come once again, O blessed Lord! Come walking on the sea! And let the mainlands hear the word That sets the islands free! |