Chapter II: Part 2

The Lord is mine, his will my choice;
I'm his to suffer or rejoice,
While here on earth I stay.
I know in whom I have believed;
He has my sacrifice received,
And will direct my way.

Whate'er he calls me here to do,
He'll give me grace and help me through;
He'll lead and guide me home.
He's promised to be with me here,
And said to me, "Be of good cheer,
The world I've overcome."

Let friends deride, let scoffers rage,
Let hell against my soul engage;
No one of them I fear.
My Lord has conquered all my foes,
In vain they rage, or me oppose,
While my Deliverer's near.

Myself, my all, to God I give,
And to his glory would I live,
From sin's dominion freed.
I'll trust him though he hides his face.
Sufficient for me is his grace,
In every time of need.

He's coming, whom we have desired,
In all his saints to be admired;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, in thine own appointed way;
We'd wait in patience to that day,
When thou shalt call us home.

Who is Without Fault?

Is there one here, who, e'er thus far,
Has blameless been preserved?
Who never strayed, made one mistake,
Or e'er from duty swerved?

There may have been no outward act
To cause one pang of grief;
But has there been no secret fault,
No sin of unbelief?

Then judge not harshly; who can tell
Thy brother's suffering now,
That he has failed in any point,
To pay the Lord his vow?

From secret faults, the Psalmist prayed,
Dear Lord, oh! cleanse thou me,
And from presumptuous sins keep back,
Preserve and make me free.

Left to himself, how great his fall!
And he himself the guide.
How humbled, mortified, subdued,
His vanity and pride!

We are left to sin, to punish sin,
No consolation here;
Reflection only swells the tide
Of anguish sad and drear.

Our falls oft cause a bitter grief,
That no redemption knows;
The deep, the painful, bleeding wound,
Time here can never close.

The die when cast, the ship when sunk,
To light can never rise.
Our good name lost--and all on board,
Then goes in sad surprise.

Oh! what a vacancy then made,
An empty, aching void;
Our peace of mind in silence crushed,
And hope's bright boon destroyed.

But there is pardon with our God,
For crimes of deepest dye;
Be self and pride then humbled low,
In dust and ashes lie.

It should be there, and God will see
Those whom he loves refined.
He'll keep them in the crucible
Till they his statutes mind.

He'll watch the furnace and will see
The gold sustains no loss.
Oh! be the faithful process borne,
And all consumed the dross.

God must in us his image see,
And we reflect the same.
Oh! may we honor and adore,
And glorify his name.

Overcome and Live.

Confess your faults, and for each other pray;
The slanderous tongue, oh! be it far away;
That tameless thing which sets the world on fire,
And rouses all the angry passion's ire.

Where this is god, our God can ne'er abide,
Nor where there's lightness, selfishness, or pride;
His dwelling's with the meek and low of heart,
And for himself he'll set all these apart.

Who would not thus be honored of the Lord,
And have from him a large and rich reward?
Who would not be with saints and angels blest,
And have in Heaven at last eternal rest?

Live for it, then; all God's commandments keep,
Although the way be through afflictions deep.
Cast all your care on Him who cares for you,
And he will lead and guide you safely through.

And when you reach fair Canaan's blissful shore,
When sin and suffering are forever o'er,
You'll find the city glorious to behold,
Christ is its light, its streets all paved with gold.

You'll by the King of kings be welcomed there,
Where tuned to praise is every sigh and prayer.
No blight to mar, no tear to dim the sight;
And to the tree of life you'll have a right.

You'll meet dear loved ones long since fallen asleep,
All deathless raised from their lone caverns deep;
Together there you'll sing, We're saved by grace,
And brought by Jesus to this glorious place.

No farewell parting, no sad word adieu,
Your home forever in the earth made new.
Oh! bliss which mortal tongue can ne'er express,
To be with Jesus, robed in righteousness.

Glory and honor will to Him be given,
Who's purchased for us peace and rest in Heaven,
Who bore our sins, and by whose stripes we're healed.
And to eternal life and glory sealed.

With glory, hallelujah, Heaven will ring,
In honor to the Lord our sovereign King.
Each will his note the highest strive to raise,
To give to Jesus, honor, glory, praise.

The Last Message of Mercy.

Angel of mercy art thou here
And hovering o'er us now?
Oh! may we all before our God,
In adoration bow.

To heed the message, or reject,
The world will soon decide.
While some in love receive the truth,
More will its claims deride;

Why will they slight the offered boon?
Though we their lot deplore,
They place themselves beyond the reach
Of mercy's lingering store.

Too late! their dreadful doom now sealed,
Too late! will be their cry;
We might have lived, but now, alas!
The second death must die.

The Spirit and the bride say come,
Let naught obstruct the way;
But hasten God's commands to keep,
And all his will obey.

Oh! be entreated while there's hope,
To heed the message given;
That with the ransomed you may find
A place of rest in Heaven.

We Love.

We love; for Jesus loves,
We love his image here.
We love to meet, we love to pray,
And hold each other dear.

We know it's of the Lord,
Or we could not unite
With those ne'er seen before
In bonds of sweet delight.

By this shall all men know,
One family we are.
Oh! could they know our joys,
And with us in them share!

There's hope, we know there's hope,
That mercy lingers yet,
Or we should cease to feel,
Their miseries forget.

We'll feel as Jesus feels;
We'll love and pity too;
We'll weep, we'll pray, we'll plead,
And tell them it's for you.

This love we'll not give o'er
Though we endure their hate.
'Twill urge, Oh! come to Christ
Ere it shall be too late.

'Twill bring us at their feet
In attitude of prayer,
'Twill cry, O Lord, forgive,
And these yet longer spare.

He says, I hear your prayer,
I'll save if they will come,
Oh! then to God return,
And have in Heaven a home.

Have Mercy on Yourselves.

Have mercy, Lord, we often pray,
And lead us in the narrow way,
While we ourselves refuse to go
Where God can lead or mercy show.

Have mercy on yourselves. Beware
Lest you are caught in Satan's snare,
Or wandering far on worldly ground,
Are in its deadening spirit drowned.

Have mercy on yourselves. Take heed,
That no perverted taste you feed;
That neither word nor act degrade
The vows and promises you've made.

True, in ourselves we helpless are
To help ourselves. Lord help, 's our prayer,
Poor, wretched, miserable and blind,
In thee all needed help we find.

Be this our motto, then: We'll try
To help ourselves; while God is nigh;
And he in every trying hour
Will aid us with his sovereign power.

The Advent.

Those who've heard the proclamation
Of a coming Saviour near,
Will behold him in great splendor,
When in clouds he shall appear.

He will come; this generation
Will not pass till all is o'er.
Signs foretell he's now approaching,
And is even at the door.

Oh! what scenes will burst upon us,
When the heavens and earth shall shake,
When the trump of God is sounding,
And the dead in Christ awake!

Saints now living, made immortal,
With the risen from the dead,
All arrayed in robes of honor,
With their Saviour at their head.

Freed from sin and every sorrow,
Ever to be with their Lord,
And for all they've suffered for him,
Meet a rich and sure reward.

But where will the thoughtless sinner
Find a secret place to hide,
From the wrath of him who loved us,
And for us was crucified?

Rocks and mountains cannot hide them,
Caves and dens are sought in vain;
Unlamented and unburied,
Will be found the wicked slain.

If there's yet one ray of mercy,
Lingering for transgressors here,
Let them haste to gain the treasure,
Bought and paid for us so dear.

The Coming Day.

The great day is near, when probation no more,
For the careless backslider will longer remain;
And the sinner will find when all mercy is o'er,
What a treasure he's lost which he might have attain'd.

The saints will come forth in immortal array,
Their triumph o'er death and the grave be complete,
The living be changed, and together ascend,
Their glorious Redeemer in Heaven to meet.

With him forever, 'tis said they will be,
And the song of their victory never shall end.
Forever with Christ in his glorious home,--
Oh, who can such glory and bliss comprehend?

And are we prepared for this glorious place?
Are we able to stand when the Lord shall appear?
Our victory o'er self must be full and entire,
Or still for ourselves may we tremble and fear.

God loves to redeem and to save us from sin;
Let us haste to pursue the true path of reform;
And the strength of Omnipotence then will be ours;
We shall conquer the foe, we shall weather the storm.

Domestic Afflictions.

From the story "A Skeleton in every house."

Domestic afflictions! Oh! how they divide;
How sad when we can't in each other confide,
This anguish, though deep, must in silence be borne,
Abroad, home afflictions should not be made known.

Beware when 'tis said, Oh! how happy you are,
Not even to hint there's a skeleton there,
The sight of which fills with deep anguish the heart,
Oh! 'tis nought to see loved ones and kindred depart.

When the grave has enclosed them, the grief wears away;
But oh! living griefs on the stoutest hearts prey;
Though you smile and seem joyful, 'tis but to conceal
The depth of the misery you inwardly feel.

How oft, where true peace undisturbed is enjoyed,
By a member additional, all is destroyed;
No congenial spirit, domestic joys o'er,
And home, O sweet home, there is realized no more.

When obliged to have inmates aside from our own,
How oft seeds of discord and anguish are sown;
The world thus is filled with confusion and strife,
Embittering the peace and the quiet of life.

Well, be this our portion; be broken each tie;
On the arm of the Lord we alone must rely.
With a meek, quiet spirit, resigning our all,
Content in our Father's allotments to fall.

The Christian's Desire.

I long, O God! to call thee mine,
And know that I am truly thine;
That all I think, or say, or do,
May meet thine approbation, too.

In all, thy glory I would seek,
And but for thee, Lord, would not speak;
I'd raise my voice in grateful lays,
Nor would I move but to thy praise.

I'd part with joys of earthly mould,
And pass through trials yet untold,
Could I but know my Lord was there,
And did each bitter cup prepare.

I'd love to drink it, and rejoice
To have thy will, dear Lord, my choice.
If I might choose, I'd leave to thee
The whole control of mine and me.

God will protect and save his own,
Though in the fiery furnace thrown;
But did we know our case was sure,
'T might not effect sin's needed cure.

To break our hold of every tie,
That we to sin and self may die,
God seems to quite forsake us here,
Nor leave one ray of light to cheer.

Though painful now, "the darkest day,
To-morrow, will have passed away,"
Deliverance will be found ere long,
And then will come the conquerer's song.

If I am favored here to share
An answer to my Saviour's prayer,
We shall be one, his voice I'll hear,
When in the clouds he shall appear.

Oh! glorious day to those who're found
In Him when the last trump shall sound;
Their sorrows and their sufferings o'er,
And prayer to praise turned evermore.

The Warfare.

Temptations are presented, and we yield e'er we're aware,
And again become entangled in the tempter's subtle snare;
Our warring passions raging, with the sound of battle din,
Though outward foes in arms array, this warfare is within.

There's hatred, pride and unbelief, and many evils there,
And our besetting sins oft battle faith and humble prayer;
Thus wasted are our energies, our strength and nobler powers,
And we ourselves deprive of joys, which otherwise were ours.

Poor, wretched, miserable and blind, how vain our boastings all;
Our misspent moments, worse than lost, we never can recall.
The good we might have done, had we obeyed each precept given,
Will be a blank, and less will be our crowns of joy in Heaven.

Why wound our souls? Why take the gall perverted tastes to please,
When nought but Jesus' dying blood, God's anger can appease?
Like Peter we deny our Lord, and spurn his tender care;
Such base ingratitude as this, who but a God could bear?

Most deeply must we feel and weep, ere Christ will on us look,
And bless us with the assurance, that our names are in life's book;
He knows our frailties and is touched with penitential tears;
'Tis just like Jesus to forgive, and banish all our fears.

Such depths of love, such pity, too, should make us prostrate fall
Before our King whom we should crown forever "Lord of all;"
And when we're freely justified, continued help we crave,
Our strength is weakness, and ourselves from sin we cannot save.

Thy mission here was, Lord, to save thy people from their sins,
And here if e'er we overcome, is where our hope begins.
Through Christ alone the victory's gained, and nothing can we merit;
If we are overcomers, we in him all things inherit.

Not unto us, but Lord to thee, the glory shall be given;
It is the noblest song on earth, 'twill noblest be in Heaven;
No warring passions to unstring the holy, heavenly lyre,
At the loss of all things here, would I be one in that blest choir.

Always Rejoicing.

If our heart do not condemn us, we have confidence in God,
We can bear the world's reproaches, we can bear affliction's rod;
If we suffer with the Saviour, we shall also with him reign,
Here we cast our burden on him, with the promise, he'll sustain.

What though false reports are started, and believed by those we love?
We can love though they turn from us; we can plead for them above;
Lord, impart the Holy Spirit; for the want of this they erred;
Had they waited for thy teachings, they the Shepherd's voice had heard;

Would have known thy stately steppings, when thy glory was displayed;
Would have felt the holy influence, and thine urgent call obeyed.
Oh! withhold no blessing from them, for the wrong dealt out to me,
But for Jesus' sake have mercy; mercy, Lord, is all our plea.

Jesus has pronounced a blessing on those falsely here accused,
Who for his sake are derided, persecuted and abused;
He has said, Rejoice, in that day ye may be exceeding glad,
Greater still our joy in Heaven, when in robes of glory clad.

He will hide in his pavilion; there we're safe from every foe,
Under the Almighty's shadow we can through disasters go;
Well can we bear wrongs and censure, while God knows our innocence,
While he justifies us freely; is our shield and our defense.

Glory to the Lord, my Saviour! glory to his holy name!
Oh! for his sake I can suffer, bear reproach and grief and shame!
Who, with such a friend as Jesus, can be troubled or dismayed?
Who while on the waters walking, said, 'Tis I, be not afraid.

He can still the raging tempest; him the winds and waves obey;
While we sail these seas of trouble, he will smooth and calm the way.
Soon the ship will be in harbor, storms and tempests all be o'er;
Oh! how blest the glorious landing, tossed with sins and griefs no
more!

The Work of Reform.

The dearest joys of earth can ne'er
One solid pleasure give;
We're only blest when we can know
That 'tis for God we live.

We love by nature what he hates;
We shun ourselves to see;
We love our appetites and pride,
Ease and carnality.

The strife must come, and self must die,
Our idols all be slain;
How sad should they o'er us at last
Their cruel victory gain!

Too soon we cannot overcome
Our every sin and wrong.
Through Jesus let us conquer self,
And join the blood-washed throng.

Our wings of strength and zeal we plume,
And rouse the dormant will,
To yield our hearts to Nature's laws,
And all their claims fulfill.

This move in heavenly wisdom made,
To fit for trouble's hour,
Has blessings for the willing heart,
Of health and strength and power.

That all around may see the light,
Let's raise our banner high,
And be epistles known and read
By all who may come nigh.

The platform for us now is laid;
Reform is on the sign;
We'll rally round, resolving each,
It's blessings shall be mine.

Live for God.

The offering has been made,
The ransom has been paid;
On one full strong to save
Has help for us been laid.
Behold, O God, our shield,
On thine Anointed look,
And blot, for his dear sake,
Our sins from out thy book.

Sins now of deepest dye,
Can all be washed away;
God just, and justify
Those who his laws obey.
"Glory to God on high;
Good will to men on earth:"--
Such was the rapturous cry,
That told a Saviour's birth.

The Saviour's life and death,
"Has ruined Satan's throne;"
His mighty arm, alone,
Can crush his empire down.
Though god now of this world,
His triumph soon is o'er.
We hail the dawning day
When he shall reign no more.

Salvation's wondrous plan,
Has made all Heaven rejoice;
'Tis wisdom now in man
To make this boon his choice.
By this can he o'ercome,
And when each sin's forgiven,
Be found at last an heir
Of glory and of Heaven.

Ere long at home in Heaven,
His place of final rest--
There's no oppressor there;
And none will be oppressed.
All harmony and love,
All joy and glory there--
Say, would you not in these
Eternal blessings share?

Live then for joys like these;
Hear Jesus' voice to-day,
Who comes to me, I will
In no wise cast away.
Just as you are, then, come;
Secure his pardoning love,
And have, at last, the bliss,
And joy of Heaven above.

My Sheep Hear My Voice.

The voice of a stranger my sheep will not hear;
I know them, they follow, my words reach their ear.
I'll lead them, direct them, they never need stray,
I myself am the life, and the truth, and the way.

Yea, Lord, this we know; but we lose sight of thee;
Unguarded we're snared ere our danger we see;
So hidden the net, 'tis in thy light alone
That a spirit that's not of thee clearly is known.

O Lord search us out; our impurities heal;
Thou, tempted, though sinless, knowest all that we feel;
A way of escape for the humble thou'lt find,
And help them the pure testimony to bind.

How sweet and consoling the true Shepherd's voice!
His love I'll acknowledge and in him rejoice;
O Lord I believe, help my unbelief now,
To trust all to thee and perform every vow.

My strength is but weakness; be thou, Lord, my strength;
Thy love may I know in its hight, depth and length;
Reflecting thine image, thy will being mine,
My darkness enlightened, the true light must shine.

We then can do all things through Jesus our Lord,
With the sword of the Spirit, his own written word;
The foes that lurk inward being all put to flight,
God truly goes with us our battles to fight.

Each keeping the ranks, all united in one,
Saying, Lord, as thou hast commanded, we've done;
No weapon will prosper formed here to divide,
And victory will turn upon Israel's side.

Where Is Thy God?

"My tears have been my meat day and night, while they
continually say unto me, Where is thy God?" Ps. 42: 3.

Through day and night my tears have been my meat,
Anguish and grief there find a blest retreat;
The spirit crushed, the heart with anguish riven,
Almost forgets there will be rest in Heaven.

Dear loved one sleeping--sympathy, oh, where?
Is there no one who will our sorrows share?
The flowing streamlet, and the murmuring rill,
In ocean find a kindred spirit still.

Do tears oft say, Oh! where is now thy God?
Submit to this and every chastening rod.
I'd calmly yield to every needed ill,
And learn to bear God's visitation still.

Not unaccustomed to the galling yoke,
Though oft uncalled for, I would bear each stroke;
Though wet with tears my pillow oft may be,
Still to the Lord for succor will I flee.

They who Love the Law.

Great peace have they that love thy law,
Them nothing will offend;
They'll bear neglect, reproach and scorn,
Though without cause contemned.

Their innocence will bear them up,
Though falsely they're accused;
Their hearts will melt with love for those
By whom they are abused.

The court of Heaven their cause will plead,
The innocent will clear;
Though men may load their names with guilt,
While they continue here.

A consciousness of right within,
Great peace and joy afford;
How free, how happy, oh! how blest,
Communing with the Lord.

He says revile not, when reviled,
Thy wrongs I will repay;
Be every burden cast on me,
I'll be thy strength and stay.

God, the Comforter of Those Who Are Cast Down.

In view of dear and loved ones gone,
We oft feel desolate and lone.
We seek man's sympathy in vain;
A passing look we hardly gain.

But few can feel another's woe;
And fewer still will with us go
To share the depth of heart-felt grief;
And sacrifice to give relief.

To bear affliction's chastening rod,
Our confidence must be in God.
With this above the cloud we soar,
And soon we'll shout our suffering o'er.

Disease and dark misfortune's frown,
Then will not sink our spirits down.
We'll shout, O death where is thy sting?
O grave thou canst no victory bring!

By Jesus, our Deliverer, freed,
No light of sun or moon we need.
His glory is the city's light,
And with him there we've all a right.

Each bitter pang which here we bear,
Will be a gem of glory there.
Th' eternal weight of glory, wrought
By suffering is not dearly bought.

Be cold indifference, grief or pain
Mine to endure--the loss is gain.
Through sorrow's depths I here would wade
To be through sufferings perfect made.

Worldly Sorrow.

Worldly sorrow worketh death;
Sink not beneath its power;
'Twill darken much that else were bright,
In mercy's lingering hour.

Forgotten be the trials past,
The present meekly borne;
Our burdens cast upon the Lord,
Who comforts those that mourn.

With heavenly wisdom we shall know
What God would have us do;
While moving in his order on,
Our hope and strength renew.

Revived and strengthened we're prepared
To spread the truth abroad,
Beseeching men in Jesus' stead,
Be reconciled to God.

Then jewels will be gathered in,
The church built up again,
And all prepared to meet the Lord,
Who's coming soon to reign.

The Race and Warfare.

Are we loitering on the way
To the realms of endless day?
Sleep we on while danger's near?
Have we nought to dread or fear?

Let us heed the call, Awake!
Our eternal all's at stake;
One false step our fate may seal,
Ruin, soon our souls may feel.

Foes our every move to spy,
All around in ambush lie;
Watching, they will take the place
Left unfortified by grace.

Oh! what havoc then is made,
Structures fair in ruin laid;
Messengers driven from the field,
Those who should be valiant, yield.

Some who started to go through
Now a wicked course pursue;
What account must soon be given!
Why thus sink in sight of Heaven?

Flee, oh! flee the tempter's snare!
There is power with God in prayer;
He is ready to forgive,
Saying, Look to me and live.

The Darkness of Despair.

The heart knows its bitterness, thought 't may be said,
You are happy and blest all the while;
The depth of your misery, your burden of sin
May in anguish be hid 'neath a smile.

Thy waves and thy billows are over me gone,
With the Psalmist, I mournfully say,
And ask, Why cast down? Why disquieted, opprest?
'Tis why I've no heart now to pray?

Has the Spirit been grieved? Has it taken its flight?
To this desolate self am I left?
And merited sure, naught else is deserved,
But to be thus of comfort bereft.

I groan, being burdened, and cannot look up,
By reason of sin's dread array,
O keep back from sins, and from secret faults cleanse,
Or despairing, I sink in dismay.

Sin hardens, and blinds, and shuts up in despair;
The way of transgressors is hard,
Its end is destruction, its wages are death,
Thus forever from Heaven debarred.

This anguish of spirit, this sad state of the soul,
I must bear though I may not submit.
God is just though I perish, his throne remains pure,
However many he may not acquit.

Oh! for one gleam of hope, thus to break the dread spell,
By which I in misery seem bound;
Naught of earth, but the power of Heaven must heal
Sin's painful, sin's deep, bleeding wound.

Should I ever again meet the smiles of my God,
Should I ever his praise again sing,
In rapturous song I would swell the grand theme,
And my tribute of thanksgiving bring.

Oh! here is the mystery,--give glory to God;
The blessing is coming e'en now.
I'll sing hallelujah, I'll praise and adore,
And low in humility bow.

With the Psalmist, I cry, Come praise ye the Lord,
Praise and glory to God now belong;
My heart with my hands, lift to God in the Heavens,
Giving praise with the angelic throng.

This praise ne'er will end; the redeemed will unite,
And with angels, God's glory repeat.
To the pure tree of life all will there have a right,
And the fruit of the vineyard will eat.

How blest to know Jesus our Lord will be there,
The glory and light of the place.
And the song which forever will rise on its air,
Will be sung to his sovereign grace.

The Latter Rain.

We may look for a Pentecost season to dawn
When the saints through the purifying process have gone;
When Jesus' loved image in them we can trace,
Reflecting the glory of full sovereign grace.

Who then will not wish when this glory they see
To join in the song, Hallelujah, we're free!
Yea, free in the Lord, while our voices we raise
In victory's songs and hosannas of praise.

The true melting Spirit is felt from the Lord,
And light and instruction shine out from his word.
God's power is made known and his glory displayed,
While scoffers will feel that they need Heaven's aid.

Who here long can stand with his sins unconfessed?
May all be searched out, and God's people be blessed.
Confess ye your faults, and thus honor your King,
And into his store-house your offerings bring.

'Tis a cross-bearing way by which Heaven is obtained;
In humility's vale is the victory gained.
True love there prevails; and our sins are forgiven,
While union and strength mark the pilgrims for Heaven.

The Hour of Judgment.

The time has come, that all-important day,
When sins must be confessed and washed away!
When hearts must feel, and conscience' voice be heard
In swift obedience to God's holy word.

"Be zealous and repent," is God's command.
We must in humble ranks united stand.
With us, 'tis said, the judgment first begins;
And we must soon be cleansed from all our sins.

We must let Jesus in. Our mighty foe
Is ready to effect our overthrow.
With Christ we're safe; in conflict he'll unite,
Help on to victory, and maintain the right.

The eye-salve, well applied, sheds light around,
And all our secret faults and sins are found,
To be confessed, while Jesus intercedes,
And while for us his precious blood he pleads.

Though scarlet be our sins--of crimson dye--
If penitent, he'll not our suit deny.
He waits for full confession, which, when made,
Whate'er our sin and guilt, he'll not upbraid.

He's ready to acquit and set us free,
And will proclaim our perfect liberty.
He'll seal us his, and make us here his care;
He'll fit us for his throne, and take us there.

He's cutting short his work in righteousness,
And coming soon his waiting saints to bless.
When once he's left the mediatorial place,
No ray of mercy lights our ruined race.

'Twill then be known, the offers we've refused,
The blood-bought privileges that we've abused--
How must it sharpen every pang of guilt
To think, for us the Saviour's blood was spilt;

To know we might have had our sins forgiven,
And lived forever with the loved in Heaven.
In view of anguish deep we then must feel.
No wounds of sin may we here slightly heal.

Broad as th' offense, confession I will make,
And all my dear, loved idol sins forsake.
Yes, glory be to God! the victory's gained,
And self-denial shall be hence maintained.

'Twill take our all to buy the pure tried gold;
And naught of earth can we in heart withhold.
A cheaper way I would not, could I, go;
A dearer way no one can ever show.

I love the blessed way; it buoys me up;
My Saviour's here, and with him I may sup.
I'll be content with nothing short of this;
And this alone makes Heaven perpetual bliss.

Then let us make our hope and calling sure;
And all our trials patiently endure.
They'll soon be o'er; our lives we'll not hold dear,
And soon in glory with our Lord appear.

The Remnant Church.

There is a people coming up, with gifts and power divine,
Whose holy influence will be felt, whose holy light will shine;
It will be known who do in truth, the solemn message heed,
Such will be zealous and repent, becoming saints indeed.

Their love and union will increase, their interests will be one;
They'll know that they are heirs of God, and joint heirs with his Son;
They'll love God for his own dear sake, not that He's them forgiven;
And truly "sin will be their hell, and holiness their Heaven."

Their company will be the saints, and each will be so dear,
They'll love to make a sacrifice to benefit them here.
They'll love for their Redeemer's sake; as answers face to face,
So will their hearts while they in each, his lovely image trace.

This dread, dull sameness will not long among the saints bear sway,
The glory in their midst will soon purge all the chaff away;
Thus separated from the vile, the strong be stronger still;
The great refreshing time is near, and all may come who will.

But, oh! some will not be refined, nor give their idols up;
Such never will let Jesus in, nor with him ever sup.
They yet may linger round the shore, and think to get on board,
But they must come to Heaven's terms; the standard can't be lowered.

Thrice happy they who're in the ship, though tossed with angry waves!
"Our Father's at the helm," and all who trust in him he saves;
Those who in heart give up their all, lie passive in his hand,
He'll bring with safety into port, to their own promised land.

False Fame and True.

While men, our faults perceiving not, would move our fame to raise,
How oft our natures weakly yield to flattery and praise,
Oh! what in us should e'er excite our vanity and pride!
Or cause us not in lowliness, vain thoughts of self to hide?

Let deeds of charity and love in all our life abound;
Philanthrophy fails not to go, where'er a sufferer's found,
To seek the poor, degraded, low, the wicked and debased,
Though his own name by slander's tongue, be ever thus defaced.

These are the jewels he would gain, this course would fain pursue;
That he is not like them, he asks, to whom is glory due?
Who made us thus to differ here? who gives the strength and power
To hold the victory over self, in dark temptation's hour?

Let him who thinks he stands take heed; this is the word to all;
The strongest may be overcome, and through temptation fall.
Do we in higher circles move? are higher placed by birth?
No such distinction will be known, when moldering in the earth.

But deeds of kind benevolence will live when we are dead;
The poor will think how they were clothed, and shared our daily bread;
The once abandoned who've reformed beneath our fostering care,
Will bless the day they ever lived our sympathies to share.

Such the remembrance I would have, alive or in my grave,
To have been the humble instrument some sinking soul to save.
For this I turn from pleasure's scenes, to weep with those that weep;
To strive their sufferings to assuage, their confidence to keep.

Though on them glows the copper tint, though African their race,
What matters these distinctions of their nation, lot, or place?
For oh! the highest joy of earth is comfort to impart
To those who lie 'neath fortune's frowns, with sad and suffering heart.

Though hidden from the public view, unseen your acts of love,
If heart and hand be clean and pure, their record lives above.
Let me thus seek my neighbor's good, thus helpless sufferers raise;
Be this the glory of my fame; be deeds of love my praise.

Return unto the Lord.

Have you again become
To appetite a slave?
You've boasted victory here,
Why sink beneath the wave?

You say, I have no hope,
No strength within me lies,
And sinking still, I fear
I ne'er again shall rise.

My efforts all have failed,
To keep the victory gained.
Where look for refuge now?
Or hope to be sustained?

A helpless sufferer, true,
On confines of despair,
While knowing there's no hope,
If you continue there.

Debased and losing still
Life's elevating powers,
A worse than blank you feel
In this grand world of ours.

A world God loved so well,
He sent his only Son,
That we through him might find
On earth a Heaven begun.

A world to which he sends
Rich blessings from above,
And daily here renews
His covenant of love.

Be moved, despairing one;
Be helped again to live;
God pities, and will yet
A greater victory give.

He's waiting your return,
With pardon in his hand;
In his strength you can rise,
And in him we can stand.

Yes; stand amidst the scenes
Of peril, war and strife,
While Jesus is our guide
To everlasting life.

Come while he waits to save.
Your case will hopeless be
Except you come where God
In Christ can make you free.

Come and he'll save you here
From sin's destructive power,
And be your all, when comes
The great decisive hour.

Safety in the Lord.

There's safety only in the Lord, whate'er our station be;
We may be rich, we may be poor, may be on land or sea.
Life's changing fortune will be ours where'er our lot is cast;
Unchanged in mind be ours to meet each change while it shall last.

Dear friends are with us here to day with prospects fair to live;
To-morrow to the dust, in tears, their dear remains we give.
Now pain and suffering is our lot; now dawns a brighter day;
But soon a cloud o'ercasts the sky and shuts the light away.

An under current often works to sweep away our peace,
Our reputation is at stake, our trials fast increase.
Dear reputation, dearest far, of all we've called our own,
Must be defaced; then be it so; to God all things are known,

Be every circumstance combined, the elements to
raise; By these be every trace removed of all our evil ways.
When Jesus speaks it will be calm, the storm and wind subside;
Oh! may it last till all is gone of selfishness and pride.

All else but this we could endure; this then is what we need;
Our very idol must be slain, and we from self be freed.
Then are we fit for Heaven's use, to help build up God's cause,
To boldly speak in his defense, and vindicate his laws.

Oh! be it ours to live for God, his glory all our aim;
He'll work in power when we come to him in Jesus' name.
All that is wrong will he remove, and bring the truth to light;
Oh! we can trust our all with him; his ways are just and right.

We'll go then where he leads the way, whatever man may say.
The greatest saint is nought except the Lord direct his way.
Angels can't help but through their Lord; to his arm all is due;
We'll follow him, for surely he will lead us safely through.

The Health Institute.

God knows our needs, he overrules, and calls this work his own;
We're agents to perform his will, as he shall make it known.
Thus has an Institute been built; in this his hand we see;
Where health reform is lived and taught, in strictest harmony.

We look, admire, in joy exclaim, Come see what God hath wrought!
Here invalids are raised to health, and truth and duty taught.
Perverted tastes are overcome; the way to live we learn;
And all who will its rules obey, a rich experience earn.

The light and truth are carried forth by those who leave the place,
Showing what ground may yet be gained by our degenerate race.
How blest! for those who overcome their every sin and wrong,
Can love the right, and walk in ways that life and health prolong.

None can appreciate its worth, but those who test its powers;
This grand reform! how great and good! Its blessings shall be ours.
Pure nature's fruits no art require to gratify the taste,
And those who stop at her demands, nor time nor substance waste.

Who will escape the many ills increasing on the land?
The cleansed and purified alone, diseases can withstand.
Haste, then, the cleansing process here, God's precepts all obey,
And be prepared to stand when comes the great and dreadful day.

Divine Love.

Though knowledge here is power, yet 'tis love subdues the heart,
Subjects the will to Heaven, and will endless life impart.
It conquers every passion; and the soul that feels its power
Moves in a world of freedom, within its own loved bower.

'Tis shielded, safely shielded; the interior nought can reach;
No outward condemnation can this inward love impeach.
No weapon formed can prosper; and it fears no outward foe:
While all within is conquered, 'tis a Heaven begun below.

The world's applause, its censure too, are both alike received;
If undeserved, 'tis heeded not, though all may be believed.
It knows no good but that in God, it bears life's every ill,
And moves undauntedly along, in Heaven's own blessed will.

Though outwardly you see conveyed "a libel in a frown,"
You'll stand unmoved, though they may "wink your reputation down;"
Your deeds of charity assailed, your motives questioned too--
Reviled, you'll not revile again, nor fear what man can do.

Oh! for the gold tried in the fire--our eyes anointed here--
White raiment that we may be clothed, and not in shame appear.
We then should move in harmony; our God would own and bless;
We then should see his works abound in love and righteousness.

The day is near, it hasteth on, when saints will all unite;
When every sin will be confessed, and every wrong made right;
When we shall see as we are seen, and know as we are known,
And sit with Jesus, as he sits upon his Father's throne.

Oh! glory, hallelujah to our high, exalted King;
We'll praise him here, we'll praise him there, and make Heaven's arches
ring.
Who then can sacrifice too much, too much for him endure?
So may we purify ourselves, as Christ our Lord is pure.

Appeal to the Sinner.

Though earth delights and charms us here, its treasures are but naught;
In wisdom's light 'tis clearly seen how dear its love is bought,
The price though now not realized, must soon be strictly paid.
For this the soul must perish soon, in hopeless ruin laid.

The second death must be endured in anguish and despair;
While you will see the righteous saved, no friend can reach you there.
Oh! loss beyond all losses! Then what profit here to gain
This fleeting world, and call at last for endless life, in vain!

The blood of Jesus set at naught--rejected every call--
The Spirit will be forced to yield, and let God's vengeance fall.
The wrath of God e'en now impends; and soon you'll feel its weight.
Oh! flee for refuge while there's hope; full soon 'twill be too late.

A moment more the Saviour waits; for you his blood he pleads,
My blood! my Father, oh, my blood! forgive the sinner's deeds!
But if you still refuse to bow, and be by him forgiven,
You must be banished from the Lord, and find no place in Heaven.

To free from sin and second death, the Saviour's blood has cost--
What weeping and what wailing when you see what you have lost.
God's justice will be manifest in your destruction sure;
And hopeless agony will be your portion to endure.

Once more in prayer I prostrate fall, once more I'll plead your case;
Have mercy, Lord, and here bestow unmerited free grace.
He's knocking now! he's wet with dew! Oh! let the Saviour in;
He'll sup with you, and you with him; he'll cleanse you from all sin.

He'll shelter from the coming storm; no plague shall e'er come nigh;
He'll hide from God's avenging wrath, and you shall never die.
Life's water pure is here: come, drink! 'tis freely offered still;
The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! Come, whosoever will.

The Love of Many is Waxed Cold.

Are we suffering persecution, trying God's commands to keep?
Are our spirits crushed within us? Do we oft in silence weep?
From the world naught else we look for; we expect its coldest frown;
But when those we love turn from us, how we sink in sorrow down!

Where we've felt God's image planted, where in union we have prayed,
Where our faith has gained the victory, and we knew from Heaven our
aid,
Oh! what change has cooled the fervor; what could mean this cold
retreat?
Lord, let thine in union ever, and in love, each other greet.

God's own searching eye is on us! Jesus feels our every grief!
He'll not leave his own thus wounded, but will bring them swift relief;
Making known our every duty, teaching where he'd have us go,
Saying, Fear not! I'll be with you, and all needed help bestow.

Though you see your bread withholden, find no place to lay your head;
Cast your all on Heaven's protection: God to life can raise the dead!
Who the widow's oil replenished? Who kept good her needed store,
When Elijah shared her morsel, having naught to purchase more?

If we blindly hug earth's treasures, where shall we a shelter find?
Soon the plagues will be upon us! all then on the altar bind.
Do you say 'tis on the altar? By the fruit it will be known:
God is searching out his people, and is sealing for his own.

Let us fear lest we offend him, and he pass our dwelling by:
He will have a holy people, whom no plague can e'er come nigh.
Haste to get thee disentangled! Haste to get from bondage free!
Lose not for this world's possessions, life and immortality!

Early Recollections.

I look back to the past, call to mind former days;
When life was all life, all illumined its rays;
When I entered the ball room in pleasing attire,
Having all that my vain mind or wish could desire.

I had naught here to check, all elated in mind,
Both pastor and people the gay circle joined;
When the priest craved a blessing on dainties most rare,
Oh! why should I think any harm could be there?

No cloud had come o'er me; all prospects were bright;
This vain course I pursued with exquisite delight;
I dreamed not that tears would these pleasures efface,
That sickness and death would come in for a place.

But my own dear loved father, in manhood and bloom,
Was called from life's stage and consigned to the tomb;
How great such a change, and how solemn the day,
The same priest referred to was with us to pray.

Being then in youth's bloom, in its glory and prime,
My grief wore away with the swiftness of time.
True, a loss I sustained in his death; but, all o'er,
I again joined the song and the dance as before.

The scene soon was changed, we could just number years,
When my mother, my dear mother left me in tears;
She died e're I'd come to the age of eighteen;
How deep was my grief, how afflictive the scene.

To cheer, friends and relatives strove but in vain;
From weeping incessant I scarce could refrain;
The wound seemed too deep for this world e'er to heal;
That I'd no hope in God, I was then brought to feel.

Repentance moved Jesus my sins to forgive;
I could trust in his word, on his promises live;
But I found no response, none to guide in the place;
Those around had no faith in a change wrought by grace.

'Midst life's changing scenes, I most happily found
A people who knew Heaven's own joyful sound;
Our union and love then were truly divine,
I'd the witness, and knew Heaven's blessings were mine.

I could then bless the Lord for this chastening rod;
How far above earth's this enjoyment in God;
The hight of earth's pleasures all dwindled away,
In the light and the glory of this blessed day.

The Circle Broken.

This dear, lone room, a sacred place--
Here friends have met in love's embrace;
Here, too, have died the loved and dear,
The circle first was broken here.

The lonely hearth, the vacant chair,
But tell the father is not there.
The only daughter, loved and true,
Here bid earth's scenes a last adieu.

I love here to recall the past,
And mourn o'er joys too bright to last.
In fancy's vision here I see
Those forms so loved, so dear to me.

The Christian's Confidence.

We know that help on one is laid
Who has his life a ransom paid;
We know his blood can cleanse from sin,
And make us clean and pure within.

We know the arm that's strong to save,
The power that rescues from the grave.
We know that ne'er Jehovah's ear
Is deafened that he cannot hear.

Taken in Satan's artful snare,
Who once had power with God in prayer,
Their minds and hearts by sin enslaved--
Can such go through? can such be saved?

Though we may not their case decide,
The faithful all will be supplied.
They'll see "the cloud of radiant light,"
"The fount of glory" full and bright.

They see the signs fulfilling fast;
And soon earth's conflict will be past:
Nor do they shrink from being there;
For they presume not nor despair.

They know in whom they have believed;
Their Saviour victory has achieved.
Though heaven and earth to ruin go,
His promise will no failure know.

No cause for doubts or darkness here,
For troubled mind or slavish fear.
Trials and crosses we'll receive,
If some may turn to God and live.

But those who will not heed the call,
For God and Heaven to give up all,
May well sink down in dark despair;
For they will gain no entrance there.

For a Gathering of the Aged.

Out from life's hour glass we must see our sands have nearly run,
And we with social scenes in life shall surely soon have done.
Be this improved, then, for our good; our last days be our best,
And in the final gathering we be found among the blest.

On us is seen th' effect of age; we see the furrowed brow.
Time's stern realities o'ertake, and we are forced to bow.
Compared the once bright, sparkling eye, the rosy, blooming cheek,
Our present looks, infirmities, and form, do volumes speak.

Though some most helpless, others bowed, on all is seen decay,
There're those o'er three-score years and ten who're youthful, blithe,
and gay.
Be such, then, hopeful, full of life, as may become us here.
There's much at best t' embitter life, to make it sad and drear.

We have unfading beauty here, if we have love divine,
Howe'er defaced by time and age will nature's works outshine;
Its rays of light reflecting o'er this moral atmosphere,
Will still be seen and felt for good, though we may disappear.

This present meeting then will seem a little Heaven below,
Its influence, too, be spread abroad wherever we may go.
Be this the pleasing, glad result; and then in fadeless bloom,
We shall in beauty be arrayed beyond the silent tomb.

Emptiness of Earth.

What though while here we soar in fame,
And gain earth's most illustrious name,
Have heaps on heaps of sordid gold,
No pleasures here desired, withhold.

Be mayor, emperor and king;
To light and use improvements bring;
For having some great place explored,
Be worshiped, honored and adored;
Your influence o'er an empire spread,
And you looked up to as the head;
What then? the king and hero dies;
And though 'tis said the great here lies,
'T might well be asked, "False marble, where?
Nothing but sordid dust lies here."
Thus earth's career, however grand,
When called before their judge to stand,
If not to God and Heaven resigned,
Ere to the tomb they were consigned,
Will prove no covering for the head,
Though banners here were for them spread.
What horror then must seize the heart,
When God commands, from him depart;
Though laws and statutes here they made,
This sentence then must be obeyed.

Sin's dread beginning here we know,
Its issue none on earth can show;
But oh! the "end, the dreadful end,"
Of those who have in God no friend.

The Christian's Triumph.

Ye idols all depart,
The Lord shall have my heart;
I'm his by right.
On him my sins were laid;
He has my ransom paid,
In God's pure sight.

Through him I'll conquer too,
And all my sins subdue;
In him be free.
He died to have it so,
And in his strength I'll go,
Till him I see.

Oh! shall I see his face,
And rest in his embrace
Forevermore?
My soul is on the wing
To glorify my King;
Him I adore.

All Heaven adore him now,
In adoration bow;
It is his due.
For saints shall swell the song
Of the angelic throng,
In earth made new.

They'll see him as he is,
And know that they are his;
Be like him made.
In union, all the same,
There'll be to his dear name,
True homage paid.

Hail, that all-glorious place,
When all the ransomed race,
Their voices raise;
And all with sweet accord,
Give glory to the Lord,
In ceaseless praise.

In Eden beauty dressed,
Will be each heavenly guest,
All blooming fair.
This inward truth we know,
And there we long to go;
God will be there.

A BRIEF SKETCH
OF THE
_Life, Last Sickness and Death_
OF
ANNIE R. SMITH.