Chapter 70
Because, content, I perish far from thee, O seize me, s.n.a.t.c.h me from my fate and try My soul in thy consuming fire! Draw nigh And let me, blinded, thy salvation see.
If I were pouring at thy feet my tears, If I were clamoring to see thy face, I should not need thee, Lord, as now I need, Whose dumb, dead soul knows neither hopes nor fears, Nor dreads the outer darkness of this place.
_Because_ I seek not, pray not, give thou heed.
PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN
Two went to pray? O, rather say One went to brag, the other to pray; One stands up close and treads on high, Where the other dares not lend his eye; One nearer to G.o.d's altar trod, The other to the altar's G.o.d.
--Richard Crashaw.
A MOMENT IN THE MORNING
A moment in the morning, ere the cares of the day begin, Ere the heart's wide door is open for the world to enter in, Ah, then, alone with Jesus, in the silence of the morn, In heavenly sweet communion, let your duty-day be born.
In the quietude that blesses with a prelude of repose Let your soul be smoothed and softened, as the dew revives the rose.
A moment in the morning take your Bible in your hand, And catch a glimpse of glory from the peaceful promised land: It will linger still before you when you seek the busy mart, And like flowers of hope will blossom into beauty in your heart.
The precious words, like jewels, will glisten all the day With a rare effulgent glory that will brighten all the way; When comes a sore temptation, and your feet are near a snare, You may count them like a rosary and make each one a prayer.
A moment in the morning--a moment, if no more-- Is better than an hour when the trying day is o'er.
'Tis the gentle dew from heaven, the manna for the day; If you fail to gather early--alas! it melts away.
So, in the blush of morning, take the offered hand of love, And walk in heaven's pathway and the peacefulness thereof.
--Arthur Lewis Tubbs.
AN INVITATION TO PRAYER
Come to the morning prayer, Come, let us kneel and pray; Prayer is the Christian pilgrim's staff To walk with G.o.d all day.
At noon, beneath the Rock Of Ages rest and pray; Sweet is the shadow from the heat When the sun smites by day.
At eve, shut to the door, Round the home altar pray; And finding there "the house of G.o.d"
At "heaven's gate" close the day.
When
--James Montgomery.
SELFISH PRAYER
How we, poor players on life's little stage, Thrust blindly at each other in our rage, Quarrel and fret, yet rashly dare to pray To G.o.d to keep us on our selfish way.
We think to move him with our prayer and praise To serve our needs, as in the old Greek days Their G.o.ds came down and mingled in the fight With mightier arms the flying foe to smite.
The laughter of those G.o.ds pealed down to man; For heaven was but earth's upper story then, Where G.o.ddesses about an apple strove And the high G.o.ds fell humanly in love.
_We_ own a G.o.d whose presence fills the sky; Whose sleepless eyes behold the worlds roll by; Whose faithful memory numbers, one by one, The sons of man, and calls them each his son.
--Louise Chandler Moulton.
To make rough places plain, and crooked straight; To help the weak; to envy not the strong; To make the earth a sweeter dwelling place, In little ways, or if we may, in great, And in the world to help the heavenly song, We pray, Lord Jesus, grant to us thy grace!
THE TWO RELIGIONS
A woman sat by a hearthside place Reading a book, with a pleasant face, Till a child came up, with a childish frown, And pushed the book, saying, "Put it down."
Then the mother, slapping his curly head, Said, "Troublesome child, go off to bed; A great deal of Christ's life I must know To train you up as a child should go."
And the child went off to bed to cry, And denounce religion--by and by.
Another woman bent over a book With a smile of joy and an intent look, Till a child came up and jogged her knee, And said of the book, "Put it down--take me."
Then the mother sighed as she stroked his head, Saying softly, "I never shall get it read: But I'll try by loving to learn His will, And his love into my child instill."
That child went to bed without a sigh, And will love religion--by and by.
A LIFE HID WITH CHRIST
I have a life with Christ to live; But ere I live it must I wait Till learning can clear answer give Of this or that book's date?
I have a life in Christ to live, I have a death in Christ to die; And must I wait till science give All doubts a full reply?
Nay, rather, while the sea of doubt Is raging wildly round about, Questioning of life and death and sin, Let me but creep within Thy fold, O Christ, and at thy feet Take but the lowest seat, And hear thine awful voice repeat In gentlest accents, heavenly sweet, "Come unto me and rest; Believe me, and be blest."
--John Campbell Shairp.
Still raise for good the supplicating voice, But leave to Heaven the measure and the choice.
--Dr. Samuel Johnson.
PRAY ALWAYS
Go when the morning s.h.i.+neth, Go when the noon is bright, Go when the eve declineth, Go in the hush of night; Go with pure mind and feeling, Fling earthly thoughts away, And, in thy chamber kneeling, Do thou in secret pray.
Remember all who love thee, All who are loved by thee; Pray, too, for those who hate thee, If any such there be.
Then for thyself in meekness A blessing humbly claim, And link with thy pet.i.tion The great Redeemer's name.
Or, if 'tis e'er denied thee In solitude to pray, Should holy thoughts come o'er thee When friends are round thy way, E'en then the silent breathing Of thy spirit, raised above, May reach His throne of glory Who is mercy, truth and love.
Oh! not a joy or blessing With this can we compare: The power that he hath given us To pour our hearts in prayer.
Whene'er thou pin'st in sadness Before His footstool fall, And remember in thy gladness His grace who gave thee all.
--Jane C. Simpson.