Canadian Wild Flowers Part 19

Does not the blood of Jesus alone cleanse from _all_ sin?-who but sinners are invited to the great Fountain? Are my robes filthy?--where can they be made white but in the blood of the Lamb? Is my heart obdurate and unbelieving?--who can soften and subdue it save the Almighty One who listens to its throbbings and knows all its trouble?

Am I tempted, sorely tempted?--who can pity like Him who in the wilderness met face to face the great enemy, the great tempter of mankind? Ah, my poor heart aches when I think of all that is in the past and of all the future may have in store for me. But is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? Will He not take me by the hand and whisper, "Be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee"?

Will He not heal thy wounds by pouring into them the oil of consolation? He has promised to do this--yea, much more than this; and will he for the first time in the history of mankind fail to perform what he has spoken? Nay, _nay_, and I will doubt no longer.... O Jesus, my Mediator, my Redeemer, have compa.s.sion upon me, and declare thyself to the Father as THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.--_Sept_. 1860.

TRUST IN G.o.d.

Trust in G.o.d! He will direct thee, He will love and will protect thee; Lean upon his mighty arm, Fear no danger, fear no harm.

Trust him for his grace and power; Trust him in each trying hour.

Trust in G.o.d whate'er betide thee!

Trust him though he sometimes chide thee: 'Tis in love to lead thee back When thou turnest from the track.

Trust him, cling to him forever, And he will desert thee--never.

Trust in G.o.d, the Rock of ages!

Louder still the tempest rages, Earthquakes heave and thunders roar, Mountain surges lash the sh.o.r.e, Nations tremble--hark! the warning, "Comes the night, and comes the morning."

Watchmen on the walls of Zion Catch a glimpse of Judah's Lion!

Man of sorrows, Lamb once slain, Comes as King of kings to reign, And from long oppressed Creation, Break the anthems of salvation.

Trust in G.o.d! the morn awaits thee, And while such a hope elates thee, Wilt thou fold thy hands in ease?

No, the golden moments seize!

Lay thy gift upon the altar, Thou hast duties--do not falter!

A PARADOX.

Alone, and yet not alone am I; sad, and yet not sad. No human form intrudes upon my solitude, and yet He who fills creation with himself is surely with me; sad I am, for there are many _earthly_ thoughts that contribute to cast a shade upon my soul, and yet _heavenly_ thoughts soon dispel such mournful ones. Oh, that my whole affection might be placed upon things above, and not on things on the earth! Why should my heart be gloomy when such a glorious prospect opens before me?--a world of immortal beauty, enlivened by the presence of G.o.d himself, and a glorious city, even the New Jerusalem. "Fly, lingering moments, fly away, and bring that long expected day" when Christ shall appear in glory to take his weary children home.

"THOU SHALT KNOW HEREAFTER."

The wind has ceased--how still and tranquil all!

The ghastly moon still shines upon the wall; While other eyes are closed why do I weep?

Begone, ye phantoms, welcome, balmy sleep!

And bear me to the shadowy land of dreams Where yesternight I roamed by crystal streams, And gathered flowers methought would never fade, Or talked with angels 'neath the pleasant shade!

It was a dream; ah, yes, and life to me Was once a dream--smooth as the placid sea When all is calm, and on its bosom lies The golden radiance of the summer skies.

There came a storm--the thunder's dreadful roar, The angry waves that beat against the sh.o.r.e Awakened me--oh, I had lived too long In the bright realms of fancy and of song.

Perhaps 'twas well the storm swept o'er the sea, Perhaps 'twas well the tumult startled me, 'Twas well I learned there's much to do and dare, Much to be suffered, much to meekly bear, But when I found the real though unsought, And thought of life and trembled as I thought,-- When like the leaves in autumn day by day The hopes I cherished hastened to decay, And hopeless, helpless in my great despair I turned to earth but found no solace there, 'Twas well for me that in the darkened skies I saw the Star of Bethlehem arise!

I know not why, though nature craves to know, That all my dreams of happiness below Should be thus blighted, yet the time is near When I, poor voyager, often shipwrecked here, Shall reach the port, and safely moored at last Review the scenes and sufferings of the past,-- Beholding where the shadows darkest lay The dawning glory of immortal day, And all along the path that seemed so drear Leaving this one memorial--G.o.d was here!

"THINE EYES SHALL SEE THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY."

The thought is ever present, Shall these eyes indeed see the Maker of the universe? shall these feet indeed walk the Golden City? shall these hands wave the palm of victory and strike the chords of the glorious harp whose music shall be sweeter than that of David's? Can this be possible, and do I weep and mourn because of present affliction? Oh, the future, the future! what has it not in reserve for me? Glories of which mortal never dreamed: eternal life--eternal happiness--perpetual youth--knowledge unbounded, yet ever increasing!

Fly, fly, fly, days of pain and sorrow! Hail, all hail! bright morn of deliverance. It _will_ come; and I--oh, the thought overpowers me--I, poor and wretched and sinful, shall be blessed forever, _forever_, FOREVER.

ALL IS WELL

Dark the future yawns before me, Bitter griefs my bosom swell; But a light is breaking o'er me, And a voice--"All, all is well!"

Sad and lone has been my journey, Sad and lone my way must be:-- Care and sorrow, pain and sickness, Long have been allotted me.

Sunshine--that o'er youthful bosoms Flings a bright and magic spell, Seldom breaks upon my pathway, Yet I know that all is well!

If the Hand that guides the planets Feeds the ravens when they cry, Can it be that I'm unnoticed By a Father's loving eye?

He has thoughts of mercy toward me, His designs I cannot tell; 'Tis enough for me to trust Him, He knows best--and all is well!

Many doubts and many shadows Oft have flitted through my mind, And I've questioned, sadly questioned, But no answer could I find.

Earth was silent to my pleading, Nature taught me to rebel; But when I recall the promise "_I am with thee_"--all is well!

Many things I can't unravel; Many winding mazes see; But I'll go with faith unshaken, For the Lord is leading me.

And when beams of endless glory The mysterious clouds dispel, Grateful shall I tell my story, Grateful say that all was well!

WE SHALL MEET.

We have wandered oft together At the hour of setting sun; Shall we wander thus together, When the toils of life are done?

Many hours we've spent together Scenes of joy and grief have known; Shall we spend the hours together When the joy will be alone?

Sad indeed would be our parting If we hoped to meet no more, But although the tears are starting, Look we to a brighter sh.o.r.e.