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CHEIST n THE SOUL
OB,
ILLUSTRATIONS OF SOME OP THE PRINCIPLES AND EXPERI-
RIENCES WHICH CHARACTERIZE CHRIST'S SPIRITUAL
OR INWARD COMING AND INDWELLING.
THOMAS C. UPHAM.
AUTHOR OP
'A System op Mental PHrLosoPHT ; " "The Manual op Peaoe;" "The Life op Faith;" "Divxnis Union;" &c
'The kingdom of God is within you."— Luke xvii. 21.
NEW YOEK: • :0%. i^
WARREN, BROUGHTON -fe W^MAWy
13 Bible House. ^>** '.i' ^ '. .' - . - 1872.
lB0a55"l
Entered according to Act of Congress, A. D. 1872, by
THOMAS C. UPHAM,
in the Oflice of the Librarian of Congress at Washingtoa
PREFACE.
" Christ in the Soul " is a form of expression which is often employed to indicate the fact of the existence, or at least of the possibiHty of the existence, in the human soul, of pure, holy, Christ-like dispositions. It indicates something more than forgiveness, which is a work done for us, rather than something done in us. It is not enough, as a portion of our personal Christian history, to know what it is to have our transgressions blotted out, — in other words, to experience the pardon of past delinquencies and sins. There is something more. It is necessary, beyond and above this, to become the subjects also, by inward personal experience, of what may properly be expected as the fruits of forgiveness, — such as meekness, purity, a dis- position to forgive, long-suffering, love, and of any and all other graces which shone conspicuously in the life of Christ.
The existence of such Christ-like dispositions, to the extent of essentially reproducing Christ's life upon the earth, is the great problem, and, I trust I may say, is destined to be the great reality, of the future. If there is 'any foundation for the long cherished anticipations of tlic Christian world, that there is to be at last a truly millennial period, in Avhich the sins and evils that now exist shall wholly or in a great degree disappear, it must be by the more general incarnation of those holy principles which
IV PREFACE.
dwelt in the divine "Son of Man." Believing, as many- inquiring persons fully do, that, amid much sin and no small degree of perplexity and tribulation, the world is entering upon a new and better spiritual era, in which righteousness shall ultimately be the rule, and the opposite of righteousness the exception, is it too much to say that it is the part of wisdom to place ourselves in all possible readiness for this great realization.
It is the object of tte present volume, by a method some- what novel, to encourage and aid in this great and essential work ; — in other words, to recognize and vindicate a positive heart religion, which shall add to the fact of outward forgiveness the not less important fact of spiritual indwelling and possession. The object is essentially the same with that which I have had in view in some other works already known in some degree to the public, such as The Interior Life, The Life of Faith, Divine Union, and The Biographical Sketches of Madame Guy on and Fenclon. It is to be hoped that the present attempt, in a different form, but which may possibly possess for some minds a degree of interest which they might not find in works of a different kind, may be the means of contributing something to this dcsii'able result. No man ought to regard himself as having secured the great ends of his being until he can speak of those sanctifying results, wliich are the evidences, or rather the realizations, of Christ or the Christ-life dwelling within.
New Yokk, Jan. 1872 THOMA.S C, UPHAM.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Christ Within 13
The Living Temple 14
Consecration , 15
Sought and Found 15
The Mystery of the Kingdom 16
Death to Self 17
Give All and Take All 18
Christ in the Soul 19
Partial and Universal Love 20
God is Love 20
Oneness of Life 21
The Life Power of the Blood 22
The Measui-ement of Love 23
Union with God 24=
Love and Grief 21:
Heaven Within Us 25
The Sceptre of Love 26
Leaving all with God 27
Holiness and Knowledge 27
Cheerfulness 28
Compassion 29
Not Alone 30
Acceptance of Trials 31
The Great Ptesting. place 32
The Inward and Outward Christ 33
VI CONTENTS.
PAGE
Do Eight 34
Love of the Cross 35
Let God Answer 36
On Right Being 37
Silence under Trials ' 38
Good for Evil 39
The Heavenly Sculj)tor 3'J
The Joj^s of Penitence 40
No Separation 41
The Living Fountain 42
Ptesignation 42
Good Planting 43
Eternity of Love 44
Prepare the Inward Temple 45
Unseen but Seen, 45
Food for the Soul 46
Something Left 47
Waiting 47
Christ in Man 48
All Things Equal 49
Waiting and Guidance 49
Heavenly Teaching ^ 50
The World's Light 51
Help in Sorrow 51
Judge not 52
All for the Best 53
The Promise of the Lord 54
The Inward Light 54
Prayer for a Fellow-Sinner 55
The Christian Soldier 56
On Going to Heaven alone 57
The Guidance of Love 58
Sent of God 58
The Fire of Love 59
The Drop and the Oceap GO
Christ the Way 61
God's Inward Teaching 62
God's Glory in His Saints 62
The Conqueror 36
CONTENTS. Vll
FAOE.
The Joys of tlie Good 64
Living by the Moment 65
Faith in God 65
Divine Guidance 6G
Keeping Time 67
The Distant Near 68
Death of the Me 68
God in the Darkness 69
Anticipations 70
The Hour of Prayer 71
The Inward Burning 71
Going Home i 72
The Fruits of Suffering 73
God and Nothing 74
Love and Justice 74
Divine Protection » 75
The Inward Christ 76
Forgiveness 77
Follow Jesus 77
Not Forgotten 78
Supremacy of Love 79
Enriched by Giving 80
Holy Love 80
Perseverance of Love 81
Love and the Kod 82
Eejoicing in Sorrow 83
A Prayer 83
The Younger Brotherhood 84
A Morning Prayer r 85
The Soul and the Sun 80
Oh, do not Blame Me 86
Love's Beward 87
The Good of Sorrows 88
Leaving the Prison 89
The Now 89
Unity of Hearts 90
Dying Triumphs 91
Looking to God 92
Eeceiving and Giving 92
Vlll CONTENTS.
The Power of Faith 93
Christian Benevolence 94
Love the Soul's Deliverer 94
Peace and Inspiration 95
Stand Still 96
Living by Giving 97
God's Temple ' 98
Work To-Day 98
Silence 99
Happy Christians 100
Christ's Faithfulness 100
The First and Second Birth 101
Good for Evil .102
The Divine Pathway 103
The New Temple 103
The Trials of Love 104
The Joys of Song 105
Heavenly Light 106
Following Christ 106
Gratitude 107
Change and Permanency 108
Farewell 109
Obedience 109
The Multitude of Slain 110
Continual Prayer Ill
Sin and Sickness 112
Christ and Love 112
I shall yet Praise Him 113
Meekness of Spirit 114
Fruits of Love Il4
A Prayer for Love 115
Pdches of Love 116
Christ in the Soul 116
Let God Guide 117
Love the Food of the Sonl 118
Love and Heaven 118
The Source of Happiness in the Soul 119
Divine Truth 120
The Calmer of the Storm 120
coNTE>rrs. IX
PAGE
Ecmember thy Calling 121
Divine Strength 122
The Soul's Necessity 122
Faith in Troubles. 123
Fulfilment I2l
Mystery of the New Birth 125
The Heart Searcher 125
A Prayer for Guidance 12G
A Prayer for Holiness 127
The New Birth 127
Unity of Life 128
Good Fruits 129
Good in Suffering 129
'Tis Done 130
Look to Jesus 131
The Power of Love 131
Faith 132
Death to Self, and Life in God 133
He Standeth at the Door 13-1
Despise not the Beginnings 135
Meaning of Sorrows 135
The Life of Self 13G
Eejoicing in God 137
The Servant and the Son • 137
Patience 138
All Surrendered and all Gained 139
The Way of Bliss UO
The Outward and the Laward 110
Follow God Ill
.Hope On 142
Christ and Love I-IS
Celestial Visits 113
Help in Christ Ill
Past Afflictions 115
Consolation 116
Man the Temple of God 116
One Thing Left 117
The Safe Pilot US
God Loved iu His Creatures 11^
X CONTENTS.
PAGE
Christ Eevealed through His Followers 149
Throw off Worldliuess 150
The Secret Sign , 151
Triumph iu Death 152
Eemembrauce in Prayer 153
The Universal Man 154
Waiting in Faithi 154
The Battle Going On 155
Something to Do C51
Lines from the Ocean on a Son Lost at Sea 157
Christ the Source of Immortal Life 158
The Flower in the Desert 159
The Maiden Fish-Tamer 161
The Star that Shines upon the Heart 1G2
The Sacred Land 103
God with us in Sohtude 1G4
The Victory of the Cross IGG
Resignation and Triumph in Affliction 1G7
The True Eest 1G8
God the Source of Love 1G9
Resource in Temptation 169
Sorrow the Nurse of Love 170
God's Faithfulness 171
Quietness of Spirit Reflected in the Life 172
The Mystic Dove 173
CHKIST IN THE SOUL.
CHRIST IN THE SOUL.
1.
CHRIST WITHIK
Why would'st thou teach my soul to rise, And seek for Jesus in the skies?
Is He so far apart ? Are skies a better dwelling-place Than man's celestial heart and face, Made pure and bright with heavenly grace
Oh, find Him in thy heart.
Why would'st thou teach my thirsty soul To wait till death shall make it whole ?
Is Christ so far away ? Oh, no ! I see Him now and near ; In my own beating heart I hear His throbbing life, His voice of cheer ;
He turns my night to day.
14 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Then cease thy looking here and there, And first of all thy lieart prepare,
By purity from sin ; And then, lit up with heaven's bright glow, Thy soul of truth and love shall know. That heaven above is heaven below,
And Christ is found within.
n.
THE LIVING TEMPLE.
The Temple once, which brightly shone On proud Moriah's rocky brow ;
Not there doth God erect His throne, And build His place of beauty now.
The sunbeam of the orient day
Saw nought on earth more bright and fair ; But desolation swept away.
And left no form of glory there.
But God, who rear'd that chisel'd stone, Now builds upon a higher plan ;
And rears the columns of His throne. His temple in the heart of man.
Oh man. Oh woman ! know it well. Nor seek elsewhere His place to find.
That God doth in the Temple dwell. The temple of the holy mind.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING I'lIIXCIPLE. 15
III.
CONSECRATION.
'Tis done. The " great transaction's past,"
And I, who call'd myself my own, Rejecting pride and self, at last
Belong to God, and God alone.
Dear, Infinite, Eternal JMind !
Father and INIotlierhood in one, May Thy gi-eat Life, with mine aombin'd.
Make me a true, a living son.
May all of heart and life be brought
"Within Thine Infinite control ; Be Thou the source of every thought ;
Be^Thou the life-spring of the soul.
IV. SOUGHT AND FOUND.
Oh Christ ! I used to say, Help me to come to Thee ;
But can I say it now,
When Christ hath come to me ?
Dear Presence in my soul,
Where thou dost find Thy rest !
Why seek Thee in the skies, AVhen dwelling in my breast?
16 CHKIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
The mother seeks her child, When wayward it doth roam ;
But seeldng hath no place, AYhen it is safe at home.
His voice is on my lips ;
His tear bedews mine eye ; His home is in my soul ;
He cannot be more nigh.
Oh no! He is not now,
A Christ that dwells apart ;
But, near as life with life,, He dwells within my heart.
V.
THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM.
The mystery of the kingdom lies
In this, that Christ ''■hath died for me ;"
But see, in that great sacrifice. The other truth, '' I die for Thee.''
The life, on bleeding Calvary given, Taught us the way our life to save.
All truth, all good, and God, and heaven, Are found in giving all we have.
We give up all, and all resume ;
We die the death, and life is born ; Without the shadows of the tomb.
There comes no resurrection morn.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 17
Down to the grave then let us haste, Bj toiling, sufFcrhig, bleeding, giving ;
'Tis only thus our souls can taste' The risen bliss of heavenly living.
VI.
DEATH TO SELF.
Look not for a true living strength,
In the life of the Me and the I, With nothing to love but its self-hood, And fearing to suffer and die. As thou seekest the fruit
From the seed-planted grain, Seek life that is living. From life that is slain.
Then hasten to give it its death-blow,
By n.^iling the I to the Cross ; And thou shalt find infinite treasure, In what scemeth nothing but loss; For where, if the seed
Is not laid in the ground, Shall the germ of the new Kesurrection be found.
The soul is the Lord's little garden. The I is the seed that is there ;
And He watches it, while it is dying. And hath joy in the fruits it doth bear.
18 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CHRIST
In tlie seed that is buried, Is hidden the power
Of the life-birth immortal, Of fruit and of flower.
'Tis hidden, and yet it is true ;
'Tis mystic, and yet it is plain ; A lesson, which none ever knew, But souls that arc inwardly slain ; That God, from thy death,
By His Spirit shall call The life ever-living, The life, All in All.
VU.
GIVE ALL AND TAKE ALL.
The kingdoms of the world are thine, If thou hast faith thyself to lose ;
But they who seek the ime and mine, The universal good refuse.
The master of his own desire, The victor over selfish claims,
Doth by that death of self aspire To universal ends and aims.
He breaks his bars and prison bound ;
And in his free, imperial soul. Hath boldly reached, and nobly found
The wide, the bright, the kingly whole.
AS A SriKITUAL AND INDWELLING miNCIPLE. 19
The gems, in liiddcn raines^that glow, The stars, that shine beyond the skies,
The heavens above, the earth below, All, ALL, are liis, to self, who dies.
YIIL
CHRIST IX THE SOUL.
Thou say est, it sliall surely be.
That Christ, the Lord, shall come again ; And, in His scepter'd majesty,
His royal state maintain.
'Tis well. Already hath He come ;
Already in the holy soul. He makes Plis high and scepter'd home,
And wields supreme control.
Christ tn the heart is holy love ;
Nor doth He make a higher claim; In earth below, in heaven above,
Love is His "hidden name."
He comes ; but not to outward view ;
He comes and makes the spirit whole : Pie comes, the Beautiful, the True,
The Love-life of the soul.
20 crmiST in the soul; on, ciirist
IX.
PARTIAL AND UNIVERSAL LOVE.
There is a love ; a love for one ;
On one alone its blessings ftill ; But heavenly love is like tlic sun ;
It throws its golden light on all.
The love, which holy heaven imparts,
To narrow limits unconfin'd, Extends the sympathy of hearts
To friends, to foes, to all mankind.
There's nothing which it caEs its own ;
In self it hath no power to live ; And 'tis by this its Hfe is known.
That what it liath, it hath to give.
Oh holy Love ! Oh heavenly Love !
To hearts of truth and virtue given ;• The Love, that lives in hearts above ;
The Love, that makes of earth a heaven.
X.
GOD IS LOVE.
Men make such idols as they choose, And worship low before their throne ;
But little know they what they lose, In not enthroning Lovi: alone.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND IXDWEI^LIXG PRINCIPLE. 21
Before great Love the angels bow,
Moving in radiant, joyful bands ; And Love, controlling here and now,
Unites our hearts, and joins our hands.
Remember, God himself is Love ;
And is there other throne than His, AVho reigns below, who reigns above,
Supreme in truth, supreme in bliss?
Before celestial Love bow down ;
All seliish deities remove ; Bright as the lieavens shall be the crown
Of those, whose hearts are fiU'd with Love.
XI.
ONENESS OF LIFE.
If life on earth, and life in heaven, As ancient seers and prophets say,
Is from the same great radiance given, And burns with one celestial ray ;
If brightness there, and brightness here,
Is in its central nature one ; And, shining in whatever sphere.
Is from the same imperial sun ;
Oh, then, come down, and fill my heart. Great God with Thine own life of love,
So that I may not stand apart
From the bright life, which shines above.
22 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
The secret of the heavens reveal, And make its inward glory known.
Till all of thought and heart and will. And life itself are made Thine own.
xn.
THE LIFE POWER OF THE BLOOD.
He dies, and from His bleeding veins, The fountain of His life-blood drains
To cleanse the stains of sins ; And nothing less than that dear tide, Which ilow'd from Jesus' bleeding side.
Can make us pure Avithin.
But underneath that fountain lies A fount, unseen by outward eyes,
Eternal from above ; Of which the blood is but the sign, Which gives that blood its power divine ;
The deeper fount of Love.
Love flows beneath the purple flood ; Love is the life-power of the blood ;
Love, olFcring to be slain ; 'Tis Love that to thy heart applies The emblem of its sacrifice ;
And washes out thy stain.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 23
And woiildst thou learn the heavenly art, To bear about a holy heart,
Let kindred love be thine ; The same dear love, which ever flows, In tears and blood, for others' woes,
And makes thy Ufe divine.
xin.
THE MEASUREMENT OF LOVE.
Go, count the sands that form the earth, The di'ops that make the mighty sea ;
Go, count the stars of heavenly birth, And tell me what their numbers be , And thou shalt know Love's mystery.
No measurement hath yet been found, No lines or numbers that can keep
The sum of its eternal round,
The plummet of its endless deep.
Or heights, to which its glories sweep.
Yes, measure Love, when thou canst tell The lands where seraplis have not trod,
The heights of heaven, the diepths of hell. And lay thy finite measuring-rod On the infinitude of God.
24 ClIIIIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CHRIST
XIV.
UNION WITH GOD.
I pray'd, O God, tliat I might be.
So fiishioncd, and so bound to Thee,
With such dear links and bonds of heart,
That I could never stand apart
From time or place, where'er Thou art.
And wilt Thou leave me, Holy One, , ^yiien thus to Thee my soul doth run ? Oh no ! When God Himself shall die, And not till then, wilt Thou deny My constant, struggling, heartfelt cry.
The morning sunbeams are the same With the great sun from which they came ; And so, in unity divine, Thou hearest, and dost make me Thine, And aU my Father hath is mine.
XV.
LOVE AND GRIEF
Love sometimes scales the mountain height,
In joys and ecstasies sublime ; But oftener takes the downward flight.
And slieds its tears for woe and crime. Love and Grief go i^ide by side ; Chi-ist was Love ; He bled and died.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCirLE. 25
Love plucks the flowers of Olivet,
And plays with daylight's fading sea ;
But when that parting sun is set, It seeks thy shades, Gethsemane !
Love and Grief go side by side,
Christ was Love ; He bled and died.
Gethsemane ! Divinely sent,
Though bitter be its draught of woe. Is mix'd with Love's dear element,
And love and tears together flow. Love and Grief go side by side . Christ was Love ; He bled and died.
XVI. HEAYEN WITHIN US.
" It is time to be thinking of heaven" So the voice of the teachers doth say ;
But the heaven to which they would lead us, Is a heaven that is far, far away.
They tell us, that, o'er the dark river. We will land on the heavenly shore ;
But is it not wiser and better,
To find that bright Canaan before 1
"The kingdom of God is within you," The greatest of Teachers hath said ;
And the faithful and iovinp; have found it, And enjoy 'd it, before they were dead.
26 CHRIST IX THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
The kingdom of God is within you ;
Let doublings and sorrows depart. T/ie Jdngdom of God is icithin you /
It dwells in the sanctified heart.
XVII.
THE SCEPTRE OF LOVE.
I hold the sceptre in mj hand,
AVhich rules the universe of things ;
AVhieh rules the ocean, rules the land, And puts to shame the power of kings.
The iron wheels of cruel war.
The swords and scimetars of strife !
They see its glories from afar. And bow before its power of life.
Look up ! Its lifted light behold ;
Not fram'd by human power or art ; Not made of w^ood, or stone, or gold ;
'Tis LOVE ! the sceptre of tlie heart.
'Tis LOVE ! All things shall love obey ;
All things its high behests fulilU ; It liolds the thunders in its sway ;
It says to stormy seas, "Be still."
My Father smiled, and bade me take, My infant hand, that sceptre fair ;
Beneath its power the nations shake, For God'a Omnipotence is there.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING TRINCIPLE. 27
XYIII.
LEAVING ALL WITH GOD.
Oh God, Thou knowest what is best,
And as my weakness cannot sec "What tilings will make my spirit blest,
Heljp me to leave my choice icith Thee.
With flattering lips if power or fame Should ask me, that they may be mine,
Aid me against their tempting claim To say, I have no choice but Thine.
Weakness is better far than power,
And poverty than house or land, If, in their dark and trying hour.
Thy love shall hold me by the hand.
O let me in Thyself abide ;
In Thee is wealth and power divine. Rend from my grasp all else beside ;
But let me kno-w, that I am Thine.
XIX.
HOLINESS AND KNOWLEDGE.
Wouldst thou the key of knowledge hold, And with its mighty touch unfold The secret in its breast that lies. Of earth's and heaven's mysteries ?
28 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Hast thou the sacred, strong desire, To truth's bright summit to aspire ; And \vith the aspiration glow, Which seeks to know, as angels know ?
Oh, then, that key' of knowledge gain, Bj pride, and self, and passion slaix ; Oh, then, that height of vision win. By life to God, and death to sin.
It is pollution of the mind.
Which makes its power of knowledge bliad ;
'Tis purity, which pours the light
Of heavenly vision on the sight.
XX.
CHEERFULNESS.
The bird is happy all the day.
The morning hears his early songs ;
The love, that breathes the morning lay, To evening's shade the note prolongs.
Never weary, never fearful,
Always singing, always cheerful.
Is man less happy than a bird ?
Has he less power his song to raise ? Why, then, so seldom is he heard
In the glad notes of joy and praise? Often weary, often fearful, Seldom singing, seldom cheerful.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING TKINCIPLE. 29
Oh, be a bird, a cheerful bu'd ;
Thy love like his, as pure and free ; TiU all the earth and air is stirred
With notes of joy and liberty. Never weary, never fearful. Always singing, always cheerful.
XXI.
COMPASSION.
"Judge not," the heavenly Teacher says, Judge not, your erring brother's ways ; It is the great, omniscient part Of God alone, to know the heart.
'Tis God alone the trial knows Of Him, in error's paths who goes ; The secret, hidden^ tempting power, Which ruled him in the dangerous hour.
And since the wicked deed was done, 'Tis known to God, and God alone ; What bitter sighs, what scalding tears, Have rued that deed of other years.
Though Priest arid Levite pass him by. Oh, let him have Thy pitying eye ; Thy tender look. Thy heart-felt prayer, A brother's love, a sister's care.
30 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
XXII.
NOT ALONE.
I cannot be alone ;
Where'er I go, I find, Around my steps, the presence thrown
Of the Eternal Mind.
He lives in all my thoughts ;
His home is in my heart ; There is no loneliness for me ;
I never live apart.
I sometimes go from men, Far in the silent woods ;
But He is with me even then, In shady solitudes.
The feUow of my walks,
Companion ever pigh. Pie fills the solitary place,
With love and sympathy.
I cannot be alone,
Where'er I go, I find. Around my steps, the presence thrown,
Of the Eternal Mind.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDAVELLING PRINCIPLE. 31
XXIII.
ACCEPTxi:j^CE OF TRIALS.
'Tis all the same to me ; Sorrow, and strife, and pining want, and pain ! Whatc'cr it is, it cometh all from Thee, And 'tis not mine to doubt Thee or complain.
Thou kiiowest what is best ; And who, oh God, but Thee hath power to know ? 'Tis Thine alike with good to make us blest, And Thine to seud affliction's hour of woe.
No questions will I ask. Do what Thou wilt, my Father and my God ! Be mine the dear and consecrated task. To bless the loving hand that lifts the rod.
All, aU shall please me well ; Since living faith hath made it understood. That in the shadowy folds of soitow dwell The seeds of life and everlasting good.
XXIV.
INWARD VICTORY.
Smite on ! It doth not hurt me now ;
The spear hath lost its edge of pain ; And piercing thorns, that bound my brow,
No lon";er leave their blcedinc^ stain.
32 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OH, CHRIST
• Wliat once was woe is changed to bliss ; What once was loss is now my gain ; My sorrow is my happiness ; My life doth Hve by being slain.
The birth-pangs of those dreadful years Are like the midnight changed to morn ;
And daylight shines upon my tears, Because the soul's great life is bora.
The piercing thorns have changed to flowers ;
The spears have grown to sceptres bright ; And sorrow's dark and sunless hours
Become eternal days of light.
XXV.
THE GREAT RESTING PLACE.
The brooks rush downward to the sea, Arising far in cliffs and mountains ;
But mingling soon in unity.
They make great streams from little fountains.
And then the streams, without delay. Still to the sea's gi-eat bosom tending,
Roll proudly on theii' winding way, At last with ocean's billows blending.
And so, oh God, our souls to Thee,
Onward and onward, ever going, (We are the fountains, Thou the sea,)
To Thy great sea of life arc flowing.
AS A SPn?ITUAL AND INDWELLING PRIKCIPLE.
Yes ! One with God, as Christ is one, No longer tost by earth's commotion,
Our little streams, their journey clone, Shall rest, at last, in God's great ocean.
XXVI.
THE INWARD AND OUTWARD CHRIST.
The Christ -syithin, bj works is known. In deeds of truth and goodness shown ; The Inward life. He outward lives, And all He hath, to others gives.
Above all thoughts of coward fear. He goes Avhere pestilence is near ; When gi'iefs assail, when lov'd ones die, He cheers the heart. He wipes the eye.
His hand doth ope the prison door ; He feeds the hungry, starving poor; He loves to heal their wounds, and bind The broken, penitential mind.
He knows no clime, no sect, no name ; AU tribes and sects to Him the same ; The Greek, tlie Jew, the bond, the free, Alike receive His sympathy.
ol CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CHKIST
XXVII.
[Cheist in the Soul, is an expression, embracing all the mental or spiritual elements, ■which constitute the Christian character. It includes, therefore, the sentiment of rectitude, the soul's law of right, as well as the strictly religious affections. ]
DO RIGHT.
Go BOLDLY ON. Do Avhat is right ;
Ask not for private ease or good ; Let one bright star direct thy sight,
The polar star of rectitude.
Go boldly on. And though the read Thy weary, bleeding feet shall rend,
Angels shall help tliee bear thy load. And God Himself thy steps attend.
Do EIGHT. And thou hast nought to fear ;
Right bath a power that makes thee strong ; The night is dark, but light is near ;
The grief is short, the joy is long.
Know, in thy dark and troubled day, To friends of trutli and right are given,
When strifes and toils have pass'd away, The sweet rewards and joys of heaven.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 35
xxvin.
LOVE OF THE CROSS.
0 Father ! Let me bear the Cross, Make it my daily food,
Though with it Thou dost send the loss Of every other good.
Take house and lands and earthly fame ;
To all T am resigned ; But let me make one earnest claim ; '
Leave, leave the Cross behind !
1 know it costs me many tears,
But they are tears of bliss ; And moments there outweigh the years Of selfish happiness.
The Cross is Love, to action given ;
Love "seeking not its own ; " But finding truth and peace and heaven,
In good to others shown.
The Cross doth live in God's great life,
In Christ's dear heart doth shine ; And how, without its pains and strife
Shall God and Christ be mine 1
86 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
XXIX.
LET GOD ANSWER.
Wlien wicked men thy patience tiy,
With haughty words and threats and blows,
Let God, and not thyself, reply ; Thy wants the Father knows.
'Tis He, with kindly presence near,
Thy words and feelings shall inspire ; Thy foes shall tremble when they hear . Lips touch'd by heaven's own fire.
The strength of human argument And human wit, shall fail to reach
The mighty power, the great intent, Of God's interior speech.
Leave all with God, and, in the hour Of greatest feebleness and need,
Behold the triumph of His power ; To God alone take heed.
XXX.
THE NEW BIRTH.
Be born again.
With birth-right from above ; Thy selfish nature slain ;
Be born of Love.
AS A SPIRITUAL .VXD INDWELLING I'lIINCIPLE. 37
'Tis life from heaven,
Descending in tliy soul ; — 'Tis Love's new nature given,
Which makes thee whole.
Oh, do not rest,
Till that bright hour shall come, Which smites thy selfishness
With final doom.
And, in its place.
Brings forth the life, new-born Of truth, and love, and peace.
Bright as the mom.
xxxr.
ON RIGHT BEIXG.
To think, to feel, to act, to Be,
This is life's mighty mystery ;
But Being is the secret spring.
From which the rest their birth-right bring.
The central source, hid deep within, With Being all our acts begin ; And thought, and sentiment as well. Within the folds of Being dwell.
'Tis thus the life-power of the soul. And hath o'er all its acts control ; ^ And as there's truth or falsehood there, There's truth or falsehood everywhere.
38 CIirJST IN THE SOUL; OR, CIIPJST
80 let the Being, made divine, AVith central truth and glory shine ; And then the stamp and seal of heaven To feeling, thought, and act are given.
xxxn.
SILENCE UNDER TRIALS.
When words and acts, untrue, unkind, Against thy life, like arrows, fly ;
Receive them with a patient mind ; Seek no revenge, make no reply.
Oh holy Silence ! 'Tis the shield.
More strong than warrior's twisted mail ;
A hidden strength, a might conccal'd, Which worldly shafts in vain assail.
He, who is silent in his cause,
Has left that cause to heavenly arms ;
And heaven's eternal aid and laws
Are swift to ward the threatening harms.
God is our great, protecting Power.
Be still ! The great Defender moves ; He watches well tlie dangerous hour ;
Nor fails to save the child He loves.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING TKINCIPLE. 39
XXXIII.
GOOD FOR EVIL.
They do not know us. If they did, They would not blame and smite us so.
To selfish hearts the light is hid,
And being blind, they cannot know.
Then let us not with anger bum,
Resembling thus our ciuel foes ; Bat, when the cheek is smitten, turn
The other meekly to their blows.
With such forgiving words and deeds, We claim the aid of that great Power,
Who knows His trusting people's needs. And guards them in their trying hour.
God is thy battle's mighty arm ;
God is thy gieat, victorious sword. To him there comes nor fear nor harm,
Whose confidence is in the Lord.
XXXIV.
THE HEAVENLY SCULPTOR.
Shrink not from suffering. Each dear blow, From which thy smitten spirit bleeds,
Is but a messenger to show The renovation which it needs.
40 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
The earthly sculptor smites the rock ; Loud the relentless hammer rings ; \ And from the rude, unshapen block, \ At length, imprisoned beauty brings.
^Thou art that rude, unshapen stone ; And waitest, till the arm of stiife Shall make its crucifixions known. And smite and carve thee into life.
The Heavenly Sculptor works on thee ;
Be patient. Soon Plis arm of might, Shall from thy prison's darkness free,
And change thee to a form of light.
XXXV.
THE JOYS OF PENITENCE.
Farewell ! Thine earthly strife is o'er ;
Thine earthly sorrows past ; Jesus, thy friend, hath gone before ;
And thou art free at last.
No more the solitude and pain ;
No more the bitter tear ; A better land thy soul shall gain,
Than that, which held (hee here.
Earth's children did not understand
The sorrows of tliy heart ; But spirits of the heavenly land
Shall judge thee as thou art.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND IXDWF.LTJNTr I'RINCIPLE. 41
A soul that erred, a soul restored, A soul that sinned, a soul forgiven ;
Dear to the Christ, the loving Lord, And sa&5 at last, in heaven.
XXXVI.
NO SEPARATION'.
Oh, can I leave Thee ! Can I go
Back to the world that once was nigh?
And so debase me, as to know The joys that only bloom to die ?
Oh, can I quit celestial good.
The growth of life's immortal tree,
And feed, instead of Angel's food, On earth's poor dust and vanity ?
I sought Thee, that my soul might stay
In endless unity of mind ; And dare not, cannot rend away
The golden links my heart that bind.
If others blindly choose to roam,
And find the path of tears and gloom ;
Be JUNE, in God's great heart, the home, Where peace, and joy, and glory bloom.
42 CIIKIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CURIST
XXXVII.
THE LIVING FOUNTAIN.
I hear tlic tinkling camel's bcU
Beneath the shade of Ebal's mount,
And man and beast, at Jacob's well. Bow down to taste the sacred fount.
Samaria's daughter too doth share
The draught that earthly thirst can quell ;
But who is this that meets her there ? What voice is this at Jacob's well ?
*' Ho ! ask of me, and I will give, From my own life, thy life's supply ;
/ am the fount ! drink, drink and live ; No more to thirst, no more to die ! "
Strange mystic words, but words of heaven ;
And they who drink to-day, as then. To them shall inward life be given ;
Their souls shall never thirst again !
XXXVIIL
RESIGNATION.
Oh, let the fires of trouble burn ;
Seek not too soon to quench the flame ; In peaceful Resignation learn.
The better way their wrath to tame.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 43
Resistance, wliicli thy fears inspire, Doth not protect, doth not restore ; —
'Tis rather fuel for the fire,
And makes it blaze and burn the more.
But when thy troubled soul accepts
The furnace of its wasting grief; A power unseen thy life protects ;
'Tis Christ himself that brings relief.
Oh yes, 'tis Jesus with thee stands ;
The heated fires grow weak and dim ; He shields thee with His outstretched hands ; His arm is PtOL'ND thee. Trust in Him.
XXXIX.
GOOD PLAXTIXG.
Tear from thy heart the poisonous weed Of self and sm, that's growing there ;
And PLANT, instead, celestial seed ; And thus eternal fruitage bear.
Not by "the way side " shall it grow;
Not in a hard and rocky soil ; But where it shall not fail to know
The cultivator's tears and toil.
Plant in the good and honest heart;
Not tares, but heaven's celestial grain And pray the heavenly Father's art,
To give the sunshine and the rain.
44 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
And from that seed and sacred root, The bud and flower thou soon shalt see ;
The fragi-ant bloom, the golden ftuit, Of Eden's bright, immortal tree.
XL. ETERNITY OF LOVE.
Oh Love ! The life-power of mj heart. If all things else should die,
There's one thing, that can never part, There's one thing ever nigh.
I look upon the worlds above ;
Their light may all decay ; But there's eternal Hfe in Love ;
Love cannot pass away.
Oh sun, that in thy fading years,
May cease at last to shine. Thou canst not whisper to my fears.
That such a lot is mine.
Oh no ! the shining sun may fade,
And wither like a scroll ; But death is powerless to invade
The love-light of the soul.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND IXDAVELLING PRINCirLE. 45
XLL
PREPARE THE INWARD TEMPLE.
He dwelt in Tents ia olclcn time ;
Then built Moriah's gilded shrine ; But now, in temples more sublime,
In HOLY HEARTS, his glories shine.
And if in Christ He first appear'd,
Dear shrine of beauty, truth, and bliss ;
He now appears in temples rear'd In other hearts, akin to His.
Oh, cleanse thy soul from every sin, From every grovelling, worldly care ;
And let the mighty Monarch in, To build His throne of glory there.
XLH.
UNSEEN BUT SEEN.
He doth not to our sight appear ; And yet the Christ, the King is here. He is not seen by outward eye, And yet we feel and know Him nigh.
In holy hearts He builds His throne ; By holy thoughts His presence known ; And most of all He makes His reign, Where Love is life, where Self is slain.
46 ClirjST IN THE SOUL ; OR, CUKIST
Oh Life of love, oli Christ within I A Life, without the stains of sin ; Unknown, unseen by outward sigl^, We see Thee in the soul's clear Hght.
XLin.
FOOD OF THE SOUL.
The hungry, starving soul doth cry, Feed me, or I must cease to be ;
And let the bread of love supply My spirit's great necessity.
Hor think if strange. AU things of life liequirc their food, their vital air ;
And perish on their field of strife, If life's supplies are wanting there.
The dews descend on thirsty flowers ;
The heavens send radiance from above ; And so these hungry souls of ours
Live in the dews and rays of love.
Jesus is Love ; the living Bread ;
His own dear life He doth bestow ; And souls, who on that life are fed,
The pangs of hunger shall not know.
AS A SPnilTUAL AND INDWELLING TKINCIPLE. 47
XLIV.
SOMETHIXG LEFT.
Let want and persecution come, And grief in all its forms of gloom ; *
Fear not. Thy strength is from above. Fear not. Thou yet hast power to love.
Let tribulation's evil day Take friends, and home, and wealth away; Fear not. Though all things else may part, They cannot take away the heart.
The power to love doth still remain, "With goods bereft, and prospects slain ; The power to love, which cannot die, When all things else in ruin lie.
If this is left, not all is gone ; If this is left, march boldly on ; If this is left, thou stiU art Avhole ; Love is the Heaven of the soul.
XLV.
WAITING.
'Tis a great lesson which we learn, In this our weak and trying state,
To see God's hand at every turn, And patiently to wait.
48 ciiriisT IN THE soul; oi^, cueist
Conceal'd in mysteries sublime,
When painful montlis and years are past,
The things, deep hidden for a time, Are all revealed at last.
• We know them then, but know not now ; We walk by faith and not by sense ; And cheerfully and humbly bow Before Thy Providence.
Oh God, this blessedness impart, This foretaste of a heavenly state,
The gift of a believing heart, Which patiently can wait.
XLVI.
CHRIST IN MAN.
How beautiful the wondrous plan Of God in Christ, and Christ in man ; Which helps prophetic souls to trace Bright heaven beneath the human face.
'Tis true, lie shines in brook and tree ; But, brighter shines, oh man, in thee. Oh, dim not with the shades of sin. The glory, which should gleam within.
In thee dcth Jesus walk the earth ; In thee lie speaks of heavenly birth ; In thee instructs, in thee rebukes, With wisdom, not in earthly book's.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING I'lI^'CIPLi:. 49
Look not to heaven's celestial dome ; In holy hearts He makes His home ; And let it be thy thought and care, To seek, and find, and know Ilim there.
XLVII.
ALL Tni:N"GS EQUAL.
All THINGS ARE EQUAL to the soul. That doth no private ends fulfil ;
But bends beneath the just control Of God, the great, the sovereign Will.
It sees, in all things high and low. The presence of a higher care ;
And if tliere's much it doth not know, 'Tis sure of this, that God is there.
It sees Ilim in the storm}'- cloud ;
It sees Him in the smiling sun ; And says, with thoughts and purpose bow'd,
In light and cloud, " Thy will be done."
XLVHI.
WAITING AND GUIDANCE.
Wait on the Lord, to learn the time And circumstance of every deed ;
He loves to bow His thought sublime To those who wait, and feel their need. 3
50 C*?IST IN THE soul; OK, CHRIST
He knows the time, He knows the way, And He alone can give the light,
Which will not lead our steps astray, But teach and guide them in the right.
Oh, then in recollection wait, In calmness look, till light is given ;
And thus thou shalt not miss the straight And narrow way that leads to heaven.
XLIX.
HEAVENLY TEACHING.
The selfish heart for wisdom looks
In earth's dim leaves and mouldering books ;
The holy heart its light doth fmd
In God's great light and living Mind.
The holy heart, of love compact. With love in every thought and act, Doth find, within, the Teacher true, With thoughts and lessons ever new.
The secret whispers, inly heard, The voice, of the " Eternal Word," Surpass in wisdom, far, the reach Of what poor earthly schoolmen teach.
Oh WiSDOJr, coming from above. The eldest born, the child of Love, Be Thou our book, our living page. To guide us through earth's pilgrimage.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PKINCirLE. 51
L.
THE WORLD'S BRIGHT LIGHT.
Oh Love ! Thou art that heavenly fire, "Which burneth up all low desii'e ; A holy ilame, that food doth find, In loving, blessing all mankind.
With step and majesty di\'ine,
And knowing nought of "jie" and " mine,"
Thy living breath, thy life's supply,
Is universal sympathy.
Unlike the coursers in the race, Thou hast no bounds of time and place ; But south and north, and east and west, Thou seekest all, in all art blest.
On Love ! Bright heaven is on thy wing ;
That heaven o'er all the nations fling ;
Scatter its glory near and far,
The world's bright light and morning star.
U.
HELP IN SORROW.
Fear not, poor, weary one ;
But struggle bravely yet ; Toil on, until thy task is done,
Until thy sun is set.
CIirJST IN THE SOUL; OR, CnRIST
Thougli many arc tlij cares,
And many arc thy fears. The loving Christ thy burden shares,
And wipes away thy tears.
No distant Christ is He,
And one that doth not know ;
But watches close and constantly. The path which thou dost go.
'Tis when thy heart is tried, 'Tis in thine hour of grief,
He standeth ever at thy side, And ever brings relief.
Lll.
JUDGE NOT.
Oh, do not judge thy fellow man ;
Keproachful epithets forbear ; He hath his place in Heaven's great plan ;
The God, who made, hath placed him there.
He's POOR. But in his rags behold A heart of pure and high intent ;
And if his form is bent and old, It is no cause of merriment.
Perhaps he's evil. Let tby prayer Implore the God of truth and grace.
That soon his footsteps may repair To virtue's bright and better ways.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 53
Oil, DO NOT JUDGE HIM. PTad'st tliou been,
Cast out like him to pine and die. Thou too, allur'd and stain'd by sin,
Iladst needed tears of sympathy.
LIII.
ALL FOR THE BEST.
"We dare not doubt, that all will end In what is good, and true, and best ;
That all we suflfer here will tend
To make us pure, and wise, and blest.
'Tis true, rebellious thoughts arraign The mysteries of God's decree ;
But hearts of love Avill not complain Of aught, that hath its source in Thee.
'Tis Thine, to mould us at Thy wiU, Oh God, the artist of the soul ;
'Tis ours, to sit, in meekness, still,
Beneath the blows, that make us whole.
Then smite us here, and smite us there, As best Thy Providence shall find ;
Afflictions, sent from heaven, repair, And mould, and beautify the mind.
54 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OB, CHRIST
LIV.
THE PROMISE OF THE LORD.
We thank Thee, Lord, before 'tis done ;
We know Thy promise doth endure ; And battles fought are battles won,
Because Thy word is sure.
Look back, and confirmation see
In the long history of years ; When God hath uttered his decree,
No place remains for fears.
There's something brighter than the light Of burnish'd spear and gleaming sword ;
Gird on the heavenly armor bright. The strength of God's great word.
Behold the boasting foemen flee
With flags and cohorts crush'd and broken ; 'Tis God, that gives the victory ;
The Lord himself hath spoken.
LV. THE INWARD LIGHT.
There was a man ; and he was blind ; And yet he said, the Lord is kind ; For, while he takes the outward sight, He gives me more of inward light ; The inward light, the inward light, He gives me more of inward light
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELX^ING rRINCIPLE. 56
The outward sight is very dear,
With power to know, and power to cheer ;
It visits field and fruit and flower,
And running stream and sunny bower ;
But know, that not till that is seal'd,
Is all of inward light reveal'd.
The soul, to outward objects blind, Opens the eye-lids of the mind ; And to the sun-beams from the sky, That light its deep, interior eye, The truths, unseen before, are given, "Which shine like stars, and guide to heaven.
Oh God, the Universal Whole, Visit the Temple of the soul ; Oh God, the living light within, Dispel the shades and clouds of sin ; Take, if Thou wilt, the outward sight, And quench its rays in sunless night. But give, oh give the inward light.
LVI. PRAYER FOR A FELLOW SIKNER.
Pity, O Lord, the wandering one. The outcast of the sons of men ;
Against Thyself his deeds were done ; Wilt Thou not take him back again ?
50 cnrjsT in the soul; or, christ
Bend clown, and catch bis weary sigh. And let him in his anguish hear
The footsteps of his Father nigh,
To break his chain, to wipe his tear.
I too have been a sinner. Lord ;
I too like him have gone astray, Forgetful of Thy holy Word,
And walking in the devious way.
Pity my brother in his wrong ;
Pity, as Thou hast pitied me ; And, with Thy tender arm and strong,
Set the poor bleeding captive free.
Lvn.
THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.
The archer's arrow smote me sore, Sped by a skilful foeman's hand ;
And, though I bled at every pore. The faith within me bade me, stand.
The Master plac'd me ; and He knew,
IJis orders were my only law ; And 'twas not one, when arrows flew.
That I should cowardly withdraw.
The soldiers in the Christian war, With much to do, and much to dare,
Proclaim, in everj^ bleeding scar.
Their faith^in Him, who placed tlicm there.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCiriJi:. 57
Great Chief and Leader of the strife !
Thy death has taught us how to die ; And if with Thee we yield our life,
Then death itself is victory.
LVIIl.
ON GOING TO HEAVEN ALONE.
High in the hills the wild bird hath its nest, And utters loud its melodies of song ;
But vain its music, if no other breast
Is there to mate it, and its notes prolong.
And so in heaven, think not to dwell alone,
In cold and hopeless sohtude apart ; For heaven is love ; and love would leave its throne,
If at its side there were no other heart.
Then heaven- ward soar, hut carry others there ;
And learn, that heaven is giving and receiving ; It hath no life, which others do not share ;
Its life doth live by its great art of giving.
Heaven is the heart, to other love-hearts beating ;
'Tis open arms, to arms of fondness rushing ;
'Tis songs, with other songs in concert meeting ;
'Tis fountains into other fountains gushing.
58 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
LIX.
THE GUIDANCE OF LOVE.
If thou wouldst be of heavenly mind, Thy soul's great liojht no longer blind, Then from thyself thy soul set free, And soar in Love's great liberty.
As thou art now, thou dost not know, "Where it is best to stay or go ; But, once from selfish guidance freed, Shalt learn, where truth and duty lead.
No longer dangers shalt thou fear ; But filled with hope and inward cheer, Shalt see and shun with open eye The pitfalls, that before thee lie.
From early youth to weary age. In all his earthly pilgrimage. Shall truth, and guidance never part From him, who hath the loving heart.
LX.
SENT OF GOD.
It was a dark, untravell'd road,
In which my steps were call'd to go ;
The path of many a heavy load. And where it led, I did not know.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 59
A weary road with rivers high ;
Wild beasts were standing on the rocks ; And clouds came drifting through the sky,
Fill'd deep with fires and thunder shocks.
But through the clouds, and through the liame,
And foaming floods, as on I went, A voice of hope and cheering came,
" Fear not to go, where God hath sent.'"
That voice is ringing in my ears ;
Let mountains rise, let oceans flow ; It matters not. Away with fears.
If God doth send me, let me go.
LXI.
THE FIRE OF LOVE.
If thou would'st slay thy wrong desire, Thy hate and iUs of every kind.
Plunge them in Love's consuming fire ; Love is the furnace of the mind.
Whate'er their kind, degree, or name, The evils, w^hich thy heart enthral,
It matters not, Love's mighty flame Shall burn or purify them all.
'Tis true, it costs thee much of pain, And thou dost seem to suffer loss ;
But wisdom bids thee not restrain The fire, that only burns the dross.
GO cniiiST IN THE soul; ok, cijrist
The golden ore, which thou hast cast In Love's consuming fire and strife,
Fears not the fiercest furnace blast. But brightens in its flames of life.
LXII.
THE DROP AND THE OCEAN.
Behold the vast, the sounding sea ;
And tell me, can its boundless flow, Great emblem of eternity,
A separation ever know.
From the small drops that with it go.
Oh no ! The drops and sea are one ;
And each from each existence take, As to each other's arms they run ;
And all their thirst of being slake,
In the great unity they make.
And thus with thee, oh feeble man I There is no reach, no power of art.
Which, variant from the heavenly plan. Can give thee strength or life, apart From life that flows in God's great heart.
Whatc'er we call our own is Thine, Oh, life of God ! oli living sea !
We live, and with a life divine,
AVhen our small drop flows into Thee, Made one in heavenly unity.
AS A SPIKITCAL AND INDWELLING PKlNCIi'LE. 01
LXUI.
CHRIST THE WAY.
Just as I am, I take my stand, With gates and bars on every hand ; And, with one act of faith and love. Behold ! the gates and bars remove. And heaven comes brightly from above.
It was not done by books and creeds,
By tears, and prayers, and outward deeds ;
I tried ; but these could not control
The storms and tempests of the soul ;
'Twas Christ, that came, and made me whole.
In Christ, who rules the stormy wave, I found the arm with power to save ; Pie rent the gates and bars of sin ; He let celestial glory in. And taught me God and heaven to win.
Oh sinning one ! No more delay ; Christ is the true, the living way ; Believe, and Christ's celestial art Shall bid thy sins and fears depart, And heal and save thy bleeding heart.
CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Lxrv.
GOD'S INWARD TEACHING.
If thou woulclst have God's inward speech The centre of thy being reach, And utter truths, that bear the sign, And impress of a source divine ;
Tahe heed, that all is free within From pride and passion's noisy din, AVhich turn away, and leave unheard The whispers of the heavenly word.
'Tis when no angry billows roll,
And toss and agitate the soul ;
'Tis in the calmness of the mind.
With pride subdued, and will resign'd ; .
That God's interior voice is near,
And faith bends low the listening ear,
And lessons high and pure are given,
Which breathe of peace, and truth, and heaven,
LXV,
GOD'S GLORY IN HIS SAINTS.
I thought, O God, Tliyself to see,
"When I should reach the heavenly clime ;
Display'd in kingly majesty. Upon a shining throne subhme.
A3 A SPmiTLAL AND INDAVELLIXG PRINCIPLE. C3
But Thou didst say, Behold me now,
Cloth'd in a vesture like thine own ; Mine eye illumes man's sainted brow,
]\Iy love hath made his heart its throne.
In Christ the lesson first began ;
I dwelt in Him, and He in me ; And now each new-born, Christ-Uke man,
Proclaims the same great mystery.
The holy man is God reveal'd ;
In iiDi God makes His glory known ; Behold it, with thine eyeunseal'd ;
Believe ! and make it all thine own.
LXYI.
THE COXQUEROR.
Wouldst tliou the power possess
All evil things to slay. And, with the aim of victor}'',
O'er hfe and death bear sway ?
Wouldst thou go forth with strength. And with a force to tread
Upon the lion's fearful path, And crush the serpent's head ?
Then gird thyself with Love ;
Put that bright armor on ; And know thine enemies shall fail ;
Thy victory is won.
C4 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; 017, CHRIST
Like snow-flakes on the sea,
That perish as they fall. They fade beneath Love's mighty power,
The Conqueror of all.
LXVII.
THE JOYS OF THE GOOD.
Let men of worldly power and arts The future love, the present hate ;
It is the gift of lioly hearts
The bliss of heaven to ante-date.
"While sigliing worldlings oft exclaim, The hours are passing swift away ;
To those of heavenly heart and name They circle round, but love to stay.
Our heart's emotions are as flowers,
"When cloth'd Avith pearls of morning dew ;
With these we crown the passing hours, With chaplets bright and ever new.
Not night more surely comes to day. And day succeeds to starry night.
Than joys unnumber'd find their way To bosoms bath'd in heavenly light.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 65
Lxvm.
LIVING BY THE MOMENT.
The morrow, when it comes, shall know
Its daily task, its daily care ; But not till then it deigns to show •
Its needed act, its needed prayer.
Then to the present be thou true ;
To that let thought and act be given ; And thou shalt find a vigor new.
To take the next great step to heaven.
Each moment's task and duty done. As ceaseless each to each succeeds ;
Tis thus goes down life's setting sun, Serene and bright with Tvorthy deeds.
'Tis thus, that heavenly bands shall greet Thine entrance to the realms of bliss ;
Thy trials past, thy Vv'ork complete. And crown'd with endless happiness.
LXIX.
FAITH IN GOD.
My faith, oh God, unshaken stands In the great doings of Thy hands ; Thou hast the power, and Thou the will, And what Thou sayest wilt fulfil. 4
66 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CHRIST
I know the threatening, hostile host, With many a prond, insulting boast, Stands fiercely, in their banncr'd wrath, Across thy weeping children's path.
•
But faith looks up with tearful eye. And prayer ascends with heart-felt cry ; And Thou, who see'st the moumers tear. And bending low, Ms prayer dost hear ;
Thou, in the great appointed hour, Thou, in the moment of Thy power, Their banner'd host shalt smite and slay, And sweep their impious strength away.
LXX.
DIVINE GUIDANCE.
Help me. Oh God, to run my race. Without a purpose of my o^vn ; —
To know no time, to know no place. But that which comes from Thee alone.
How vain and lielpless every plan, Which builds itself on human choice ;
The hope, the strength of feeble man Is found in listening to Thy voice.
Then let my roving thouglits be still. My earthly hopes and purpose slain ;
And in their stead the glorious ^vill
Of God's great thoughts and purpose reign.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 67
All thonghts, all hearts, oli God, control ;
And most of all, be this Thy care, To build Thy kingdom in the soul,
And wield Thy mighty sceptre there.
LXXI.
KEEPING TIME.
Whate'er our thoughts or purpose be, They cannot reach their destined end,
Unless, oh "God, they go with Thee,
And with Thy thoughts and purpose blend.
Keep time avith God, and then the power, Wliich in His mighty arm doth lie,
Shall crown the designated hour With wisdom, strength, and victory.
Be not too fast, be not too slow ;
Be not too early, not too late ; Go, where His orders bid thee go ;
Wait, when His orders bid thee wait.
Keep time avitii God. Await His call ;
And step by step march boldly on ; And- thus thou shalt not faint nor fall.
And thus shalt wear the victor's crown.
68 CIIKIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
LXXII.
THE DISTANT NEAR
On eartli we meet mth friends and part ; And parting bear a sorrowed heart. They come, they go ; there's nothing sure ; All full of doubt ; all insecure.
But when on earth our heaven we find By having God within the mind ; The sorrow, which we felt before, At parting friends, we feel no more.
However far our footsteps rove, We always meet in God's great love ; However wide our travels run. Our journey and our joys are one.
God is our home, and in that state We cannot so far separate, As not to make the distant near, Ajid know the lov'd are always here.
LXXIII.
DEATH OF THE ME.
In Christ's dear kingdom, 'tis not me : In Christ's dear kingdom, 'tis not thee ; But ME and thee, and my and thine, Their separate life and power resign. And clasp'd in One, become Divine.
AS A SPrciTUAL AND INDWELLING PKINCIPLE. 69
The Me claims all things as its own ;
And TnEE and Thine make self their throne ;
But in the soul that's born again,
The selfish IMine and Thine are slain,
And Universal Love doth reign.
Oh sacred unity of soul ! The separate parts in one made whole j All strifes and jealousies unknown ; All partial interests overthrown ; Gcd All in All, and God alone.
LXXIV.
GOD m THE DARKNESS.
He sometimes walks behind the cloud ; And threatening storms His presence shroud ; His light is there ; but all unseen, Because the storm-cloud comes between.
From that dark cloud the bolts descend The skies to cleave, the earth to rend ; But trusting hearts need not despair ; God guides the bolt ; our God is there.
Oh transitory man and blind !
This consolation ever find ;
That God, though shut from human view,
Is always present, always true.
70 CnKIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
As Idnd and faithful in the night, As in the day-beam's cheerful light ; As kind and true, when storm-clouds hide, As when the clouds arc swept aside.
LXXV.
ANTICIPATIONS.
Departed ones, that shine afar,
My eartlily life is hasting through ;
And soon, beyond the circling star, Shall Aving its raptured way to you.
Oh come, and meet me in my flight, Oh come, and take me by tlie hand,
When first I greet celestial light,
And tread the new, the heavenly land.
Long years have worn my furrow'd brow. And stained my cheek with many a tear ,•
But that is past, and brightly now I see the land of glory near.
Dear sharers of my joys and tears, Not dead, but only gone before I
Friends of my past, my early years. Oh, meet me on the shining shore.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING TRINCIPLE. 71
LXXVI.
THE HOUR OF PRAYER.
It is the place and hour of prayer ; Oh, haste and meet together there. Insph"'d with faith, relieved from care, How sweet, how blest the hour of prayer ! Sweet hour of prayer !
At that dear hour distrust retires j The earth withdraws its vain desires ; And God, the Holy Ghost, inspires The flame of heaven's celestial fires ; Sweet hour of prayer !
'Tis then that truth shall guide thy ways; 'Tis then that prayer shall change to praise ; 'Tis then that hearts and tongues shall raise The song of heaven's unending days. Sweet hour of prayer !
LXXYII.
THE INWARD BURNING.
Be Patient, let the fire consume, Give God's interior burning room. Make no resistance, let it blaze. And self^ in root and branch, erase.
72 CHRIST IX THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
The life of self hath long annoyed ; Thy hopes assail'd, thy joys destroy'd ; It poisons every inward sense ; And FIRE alone can drive it thence.
The fiery trial gives distress ;
But never wish its anguish less ;
The pain thou fcclest is a sign
Of flames from heaven, of fire divine.
Oh let it barn, till pride and lust, And envy, creeping in the dust, And wrong and crime, of every name, Shall perish in the heavenly flame.
Lxxvin.
GOING HOME.
How pleasant 'tis, when life is run, And never more our steps shall roam,
To say with joy, our work is done, And we are going home.
How pleasant 'tis, our sorrows past, With better, brighter worlds in view,
To give one parting look, the last. And say with joy, Adieu!
The sting of death hath lost its power To him who lives and never dies ;
And death is the transition liour Which leads him to the skies.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 73
Oil live, oh reign, departing one !
Though gone from earth, to thee 'tis given, With trials past, and victoiy won.
To gain the life of heaven.
LXXIX.
THE FRUITS OF SUFFERING.
Oh let me suffer, till I know
The good that cometh from the pain,
Like seeds beneath the wintry snow. That wake in flowers and golden grain.
Oh let me suffer, till I find
What plants of sorrow can impart,
Some gift, some triumph of the mind, Some flower, some fruitage of the heart.
The hour of anguish passes by ;
But in the spii'it there remains The outgrowth of its agony.
The compensation of its pains ;
In meekness, which suspects no wrong, In patience, which endures control.
In faith, which makes the spirit strong, In peace and purity of soul.
74 CITFJST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
LXXX.
GOD AKD KOTHING.
We conquer ill and all distress. By sinking into Nothingness ; For in our Nothing we are such, That nothing can our Nothing touch.
Our enemies their arms prepare ; They smite, but find us empty air ; For Avhen we see the lifted rod, "We leave ourselves, and hide in God.
We always know which way to run, And thus all threatening dangers shun ; In vain they seek ; they cannot find Our hiding place in God's great Mind.
And when they undertake to smite, They find that God is in the fight ; And God and Nothing make them know A great and sudden overthrow.
LXXXI.
LOVE AND JUSTICE.
They tell us, we must first do right. And not leave justice out of sight. We answer. Look below, above ; And what is justice but to love?
AS A SPmiTUAL AND IN'D WELLING PHINCIPLE. 75
God's law is full of righteousness — All truth, all justice ; nothing less ; So just, it fills the world with awe ; And yet 'tis '■' Love fuljils the lawS'
We LOVE, because we would be just ; We LOVE, because in God we trust ; We LOVE, because we would fulfil His holy law, his holy will.
And he, who walks not in the light Of Love, leaves justice out of sight : Look where thou wilt, below, above, And what is Justice but to Love ?
LXXXIL
DIVINE PROTECTION.
Oh troubled soul, why thus complain ? Why thus great Providence arraign % Poor, feeble heart ! Thy troubles still. And hide thyself in God's great will.
I know, it is thy trying hour ; Temptations throng with threatening power ; And many are the griefs that shroud Thy pathway with tKeir mi.l-night cloud.
But Jesus, dear and honored name. Endured the toil, the cross, the shame ; And God, who guarded Him, shall be, At last, the arm of strength to thee.
76 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CIIKIST
'Tis true, He now thy strength doth try. Like birds that teach their young to fly ; But when thou sinkest, He will bring, Beneath thy fall, his own great wing.
Lxxxin.
THE INWARD CHRIST.
The outward word is good and true, But inward power alone makes new ; Not even Christ can cleanse from sin, Until Pie comes and works within.
It was for this He could not stay, But hasten'd up the starry way ; And keeps from outward sight apart. That men may seek him in the heart.
Christ in the heart ! If absent there, Thou canst not find Him anywhere ; Christ in the heart.! Oh friends, begin, And build the throne of Christ within.
And know from this, that He is thine, And that thy life is made divine, AVhen Holy Love shall have control, And rule supremely in the soul,
*
AS A SPmiTUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 77
LXXXIV.
FORGIVENESS.
L^t men of hatred aim the blow,
And point the cruel, jealous dart ; I will not fear, if I can know.
The power of Love's forgiving art.
Oh God ! Be Thou that living power ;
Make Thou my soul with pity strong ; That, in the sad and hostile hour,
Forgiving love maj conquer wrong.
They smite ; but grant that in return My heart may seek to do them good ;
And with its strongest impulse yearn To show its love and brotherhood.
In vain is all their angry strife. If God the mighty love hath given,
Which makes the soul's immortal life,
And conquers hate with power from heaven.
LXXXV.
FOLLOW JESUS.
To follow Jesus is to be
Possessor of His inward state ;
His truth. His love. His purity.
And all that made Him good and great.
78 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
To follow Jesus is to take
The yoke of the great Father's will ; And friends and earthly good forsake,
The Father's purpose to fulfil.
To follow Jesus is to go
The bloody way of Calvary's cross, If that can Avard oppression's blow.
And save humanity from loss.
Oh, be it ours to be like Him ;
Our thought, our purpose, and our prayer ; And thus the crown, that grows not dim.
Of the great " Eider Brother " share.
LXXXVI.
NOT FORGOTTEN.
On the mountain He talked with Elias ;
On the mountain with Moses He stood ; They came from the heavenly mansions.
From the home of the true and the good ;
To utter dear words to sustain Hira, In the terrible strife near at hand ;
To proclaim, that no tomb should detain Him From the blissful and beautiful land.
'Tis the law and the hope of existence, ^
The truth, which all ages declare ;
That the good shall thus render assistance To the good, who have sorrows to bear.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 79
And to thee, and to me, there are moments, In the days of temptation and sorrow,
When the sainted shall come with theii* message Of hope and of joy for to-morrow.
LXXXVII.
SUPREMACY OF LOVE.
Take to thyself celestial wings ;
Go, where tliou pleascst, mighty Love ; In thee arc life's eternal springs ;
Thou art the true, the heavenly Dove.
If there are hidden depths below. If heights and pinnacles in heaven ;
The heavenly lieights 'tis thine to know, To Thee the lowest depths are given.
If lines could bound Thee, life would die ;
If bars could hold Thee, heaven would cease ; For heaven doth live with Love's supply ;
And life goes out with Love's release.
Go, where Thou pleasest, heavenly Dove !
And angels, from their thrones of light, In depths below and heights above.
Shall guard, but never bound thy flight.
so CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
LXXXVIII.
ENRICHED BY GIVING.
What blessedness it is to know, We cannot feel for others' woe, Without the adcled gift to heal The griefs, which in ourselves we feel.
We cannot do the smallest thing, With pureness in the offering. Without repayment in the heart, Far more than we ourselves impart.
Make of thy soul a ceaseless flood Of pure, benevolential good, A fountain, flowing out to men, And heaven shall fill it up again.
Such is the heavenly way to live ; "V^^late'cr thou hast, to others give. Give life to others. Such alone Know how to heal and save their own.
LKKXIX.
HOLY LOVE.
The love of self seeks earthly treasure, And close in secret chambers folds it
But HOLY love, no place, no measure, In all the universe can hold it.
AS A SPIRITUAL ANT) INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 81
Go, tread the path of secret fountains, And thou slialt find it shining bright ;
Go, tread the forests and the mountain?. And there it sheds its holy light.
Go, seek the poor man's cottage lowlj ;
Ascend the monarch's lofty tower ; And, in the bosoms of the holy,
"Tis everywhere their life and power.
It marches forth with banners flpng ;
No sword can slay, no prisons bind it ; No fear, no grief, no pain, no dying.
Can mar the happy souls that find it.
XC.
PERSEYERAXCE OF LOVE.
Oh, be not weary, friend and brother ;
Oh, say not strength and heart are failing ; The proudest mark of Love and Lover
Is this, that they are all prevailing.
The things, inspired by earthly forces, May stray in erring paths, and falter ;
But Love, that runs in heavenly courses, Hath found the road it cannot alter. ^
There's nothing, if thou do but ask it,
It is not ready in bestowing ; And nothing, if thy sorrow task it.
Which finds not tears of pity flowing. 5
82 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CUEIST
With strength subdued, and downward tending, The earth's ambition flags its pinion ;
But Love, unwearied in ascending,
Shall gain the height of heaven's dominion.
XCI. LOVE AND THE ROD.
Oh, is it possible that God,
If God is Love, men sometimes say, Can frowning smite us with His rod,
And seeming put His love away?
But know, 'tis Love's great evidence, ' Its proof, not always understood ;
When, by its scourging outward sense, It builds the hfe of inward good.
Angry He seems, and sore doth smite ;
Strange thing for Love ; and yet He knows The mystic art, to bring delight
From clouds, and storms, and heavy blows.
Oh Love ! There's one thing pains the lieart j Th^ pang, when Thou art far away.
We cannot, cannot Uve apart ;
Smite, if Thou wilt, but only stay.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING nilNCIPLU:. 83
xcn.
PtEJOICIXG IX SORROW.
In the dny of temptation and sorrow we sing,
In tlje day of our grief we rejoice ; Because, in the storm-clouds their terrors that bring,
We hear tlie storm-conqueror's voice.
Blow, blow, all ye winds from the north and the south, And storms from the east and the west ; —
And yet as of old, by the word of his mouth, The stormy-tost wave is repressed.
When Christ wall^ed in triumph on Galilee's lake.
And hushed the wild tumult around ; 'Twas a promise unfailing, He would not forsake
His cliildren, where'er they were found.
Blow, blow, all ye winds from the south and the north ;
The children ye never can harm. When Christ, in the strength of His glory goes forth,
He speaks, and the tumult is calm.
xcni.
A PRAYER.
There is one thing my heart desires ; One thing its daily thought inspires ; Nor can my supplications rest. Till this doth come, and make me blest.
84 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CHRIST
'Tis Chiist, not dwelling in the skies ; 'Tis Christ, not seen with outward eyes ; But Christ, a'principle within, With power to purity from sin.
My longing aspirations claim, More than an outward form or name ; A living power, a strength divine ; Oh, may that living Christ be mine.
Thy thought, Thy soul, Thine inmost heart, Oh haste, and to my own impart ; In all Thy ti'utli and glory come. And make my soul Thy living home.
XCIV.
THE YOUNGER BROTHERHOOD.
Christ is the brother of the race ;
" The Elder Brother," it is true ; Come thou, and take the younger place,
There is a brotherhood for you.
Oh, wonderful, redeeming plan. To make in all a Christlike heart ;
And find another " Son of man " In all, who act tlic Christlike part.
Arise ; the great design fuhil ;
Like Christ, go forth, and teach, and pray ; And seek to do the Father's will.
In love and duty all the day.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE.
And if the Eldest Son He came,
With radiance from the realms above ;
'Tis thine to bear the younger name, In the great family of love.
85
xcv.
A MORNING PRAYER.
Oh, Thou great Ruler of the sky, • Who art, and cannot cease to be,
Whose power and greatness never die, W^e raise our Morning Prayer to Thee.
In the beginning of the day.
With the bright rising of the sun,
Direct the footsteps of our way, Nor leave us till the day is done.
As hour succeeds to passing hour, And duties every moment fill,
Uphold us by Thy mighty power. And guide us by Thy heavenly will.
And thus, when all our days shall close. And suns no more for us shall shine,
Oh, may our souls in Thee repose. And life and joy be one with Thine.
86 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
XCVI.
THE SOUL AND THE SUN.
The night hath fled, the day begun, The earth resumes its smiling face ;
And thus, with every rising sun. My soul lights up its daily race.
The clouds may intercept the rays.
That from the sun's great centre shine ;
But nought doth quench the central blaze ;
And nought shall quench the light that's mine.
And as the sun moves calmly on.
His daily duty to fulfil ; So shall my life, in unison,
Move onward in my Father's will.
No backward step, no long delay.
No deviation's thoughtless maze ; For God Himself, with heavenly ray,
Shall guide and guard in all its ways.
xcvn.
OH, DO NOT BLAME ME.
Had I a harp and tongue of gold, Tlieir powers could not" the worth unfold, The hidden depths, which Love conceals. The sun-lit heiglits, which Love reveals.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 87
There is no good beneatli the sky, If Love's dear life should fail and die ; There is no good, the skies above, Without the jewcll'd crown of Love.
On, DO NOT BLAME ME, if I Sing
The peace and joj, from Love that spring ;
And cannot feci it cause of shame.
To sound the praise of Love's great name.
On, DO NOT BLAME ME. 'Tis the heart. Which makes, or mars, dear music's art; And if sweet Love that heart shall fill, How shall its singing life be still ?
XCVUL
LOVE'S REWARD.
The loving heart doth not regard What selfish hearts would call reward ; And yet to acts of goodness true, It always hath its work to do.
To private aims and objects blind, It seeks the good of all mankind ; The only aim and work it knows, Is that of healing others' woes.
It stands a v/ide and open door. Where come the lame, the sick, the poor It heals the sick, the halt, the blind. And calms the sad and troubled mind.
88 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
'Tis thus it lives for others' bhss, And its reward is only this; — Tht more its love to others flows,
The more its power of loving grows.
XCIX.
THE GOOD OF SORROWS.
'Tis painful thus to bear the Cross, To feel the long, the sorrowing hour ;
But happy he, who finds his loss
Made up in greater truth and power,
The tears we shed are not in vain ;
Nor worthless is the heavy strife ; If, like the buried seed of grain,
They rise to renovated life.
It is through tears our spirits grow ;
'Tis in the tempest souls expand, If it but teaches us to go
To Him who holds it in His hand.
Oh, welcome, then, the stormy blast !
Oh, welcome, then, the ocean's roar ! Ye only drive more sure and fast ♦
Our trembling bark to Heaven's bright shore.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 89
c.
LEAVING THE PRISOl^.
Oh come, oh haste, imprisoned minds !
Awake, to fatal skimber given ! 'Tis Love that comes ; our chains unbinds ;
Lie calls us up to life and heaven.
Love lights the prisoner's gloomy cell ;
Love rules the cottage ; rules the throne ; lie smites the t^Tant's citadel.
And everywhere He claims his own.
Old bards proclaim'd his mighty power. In earth's young days when time was new ;
And now, in his ytriumphant hour, We find theu' prophet voices true.
Oh come, oh haste, imprison'd minds !
Awake, to fatal slumber given ! 'Tis Love that comes ; our chains unbinds ;
He calls us up to life and heaven.
CI.
THE NOW.
Thou treadest with thy step sublime The moment of the present time ; And he, who to Thy will would bow, Oh God, must find Thee in the Now.
90 CHRIST IN THE SOUI. ; OH, CHRIST
Oh, never shall our lives fulill The mandates of our Maker's will, Unless with hearts of love and prayer, And holy faith, we meet Thee there.
Oh grant us, then, with purpose true, The strength our present work to do ; And crown, with all its needed grace, The present time, the present place.
With step too fast, or step too slow. We fail thy company to know ; And never to Thy will can bow, Unless we find Thee in the Now.
CII.
UNITY OF HEARTS.
Thou art gone to the heavenly mountains ;
Thy Ups breathe the heavenly air ; Thou art seated beside the bright fountains ;
And those, that thou loved'st, are there.
All heaven is glowing above thee ;
Around is the beautiful band, Of the pure and the saluted, who love thee,
AYho hve in the heavenly land.
Though lost to us here, we will bless thee, In thy flight to the mansions above ;
llemembrancc still lives to caress thee ; Thou art still in the arms of our love.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND IXD WELLING PKDiCIPLE. 91
Wherever tliou goest, we find thee ;
Wherever thou dwellest, we dwell ; Our souls dare not linger behind thee ;
Our lips dare not utter ^aUlE^VELL.
cm.
DYING TRIUMPHS.
The days of trial soon are o'er;
Temptation, darkness, sorrow gone. Already see the shining shore,
And let the bark move swiftly on.
The waves are dashing round the prow ;
And hostile clouds are in the sky ; But wave nor cloud can hurt us now ;
Behold ! The shining shore is nigh.
I hear them from the land of flowers ;
I see the bright, the happy band ; Row on ! The victory is ours ;
We soon shall reach the happy land.
Row on ! row on ! 'Twill soon be o'er ;
And tears and toils shall be no more ; Let billows dash, let tempests roar ;
Our feet have touched the shining shore.
92 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CIV.
LOOKING TO GOD.
Look to the heavenly Powers, to know, When earthly lights their aid refuse,
The path, in which thy feet should go, The path to shun, the path to choose.
Go not, when Selfishness invites. With instigation's wily art ;
Urging to earthly, low dehghts, And scoffing purity of heart.
Go NOT, when Anger clouds the mind, However clamorous and strong ;
Anger, tlie leader of the blind,
The prompter to the false and -wrong.
In faith, and love, and meekness call On Ilim, who knows thy weak estate ;
And kindly hears and blesses all, Who patiently and humbly wait.
CV.
RECEIVING AND GIVING.
Flow on. Eternal waters, flow.
Through the wide gate-ways of the soul ; Nor pause, nor intermission know ;
Coming and going, onward roll.
A3 A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING rKINCITLE. 93
Thcj bring a great, a healing power,
But 'tis not brought to me alone ; I drink of their celestial dower,
And, thankful, bid them hasten on.
Roll on to other hearts, and find
The roots, which thou hast power to raise
In fruits and flowers, which make the mind A garden of celestial grace.
The heavenly life its greatness measures
By heavenly goods to others given ; To keep from others' hearts its treasures
Is shuttino; out itself from heaven.
CVI.
THE POWER OF FAITH.
I sat me down in earth's benighted vale, And had no courage and no strength to rise ; Sad to the passing breeze I told my tale, And bowed my head, and drained my weeping eyes. But Faith came by, and took me by the hand ; And now the valley's rise, the mountains fall. Welcome the stormy sea, the dangerous land ! With Faith to aid me, I can conquer all. Faith lays her hand upon the lion's mane ; Faith fearless walks within the serpent's den ; Faith smiles amid her children round her slain ; When worlds are burning, cries unmoved, Asien. Yes, I am up, far upward on the wing ; The withered arm is strong, the broken heart doth sing.
94 CnKIST IN THE soul; OKj CHRIST
cvn.
CHRISTIAN BENEVOLENCE.
Who is my brother? 'Tis not merely he, Who hung upon the same loved mother's breast ; But every one, whoever he may be, On whom the image of a man's imprest. True Christian sympathy was ne'er designed To be shut up within a narrow bound ; But sweeps abroad, and in its search to find Objects of mercy, goes the whole world round. 'Tis like the sun, rejoicing east and west. Or beautiful rainbow, bright from south to north ; It has an angel's pinion, mounting forth O'er rocks, and hills, and seas, to make men blest. No matter what their color, name, or place, It blesses all aUke, the universal race.
cvm.
LOVE THE SOUL'S DELIVERER.
The stormy clouds rolled o'er me,
(I recollect it well,) And heavily that darkness. Upon my spirit fell. Upon my heart, and on my brow Were griefs, which made that spirit bow.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 95
But there was one above me,
Who saw my bleeding soul ; A strong, a true Deliverer,
Who came, and made me whole. With skill surpassing human art, He came, and nestled in my heart.
The tear, my cheek that sadden 'd,
Ceased for myself to flovv^ ; Because my heart was gladden'd With healing others' woe. *Twas LOVE with new-born hopes that came, And kindled his celestial flame.
'Twas love's sweet life that found me ;
A Life not understood ; Which shed its joys around me, In seeking others' good. The sympathy, to others shown, Return'd, and made its bhss my own.
CIX
PEACE AKD mSPIRATIOlSr.
Be STILL ! Let noise and passion cease ;
Let heavenly quiet fill the mind With gentle, pure, celestial peace.
To good and ill alike resign'd.
96 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
'Tis in the silence of the soul,
When peace invokes its mighty charm,
When passion's billows cease to roll, And all within is sweetly calm ;
That inspiration's power sublime,
With truths before unknown, unheard.
Descends from heaven's angelic clime, Proclaiming heaven's eternal word.
'Tis then, that God, in whispers sweet, Comes near His lessons to impart ;
And writes them in the Temple meet Of a resigned and quiet heart.
ex.
STAND STILL.
There is a time, when human pride Will find it best to stand aside ; And let Almighty strength assume The right of strife, the power of doom.
There is a time, when God alone, With strength, to human arm unknown Can bring the contest to a close. With hope to friends, and fear to foes.
Fear not, that God will come too late ; In silence learn ; in patience wait ; He tries thy faith, but thou shalt see, At last, His arm of victory.
AS A SPIKITUAL AND INDWELUNG rKINCIPLE. 97
At that dread hour, when man's weak will Finds all its strength in standing still, He comes with conquering arm and might, And puts thine enemies to flight.
CXI.
LIVING BY GIVING.
Wliate'er we have, we give ;
The Christ witliin the heart, Through whom the heavenly hfc we live,
Forever says, impart.
Christ's holy purpose is,
The self-life to dethrone. He is our Life ; and all is His ; We nothing call our own.
The man, who would retain What God in goodness sends.
Will find that he doth nothing gain, By low and selfish ends.
Give heart, and life, and all :
Not any thing deny ; And, though thine earthly fortunes fall.
Thy soul can never die.
98 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
cxn.
GOD'S TEMPLE.
Thy glory shines in flower and tree; All nature hath its Hght from Thee ; Thy skill in all Thy Avorks \vc sing, Oh God, our maker, ruler, king.
But chiefly in man's form doth shine A skill, a wisdom, more divine ; He stands erect; he walks confest In strength and beauty o'er the rest.
That form, which holds immortal mind For truth and goodness was dcsign'd ; The Temple, not of pride and stiife, Of God's divine, interior life.
Oh, keep it pure, that not a sin AYith darkening stain may enter in ; And God, who knows and loves thee well, Shall in that home of beauty dwell.
cxin.
WORK TO-DAY.
The voice which claims the listening ear, Is that, which comes to thee to-day ;
Attentive lend thy heart to hear ; Oh, turn not heedlessly away.
AS A SPiniTUAL AND INDWELLING TKINCIPLE. 99
Thou k newest not to-morrow's sun ;
To-morrow's light is not thine own ; And what to-day is left undone,
May ever be a thing unknown.
Whate'er it is, thou hast to do ;
Beneath whatever load to bow ; Be to thy sphere of duty true ;
Be up and doing. Do it now.
CXIY.
SILENCE.
"When, smitten, thou dost feel the rod, Be still ; and leave thy cause with God ; And SILENCE to thy soul shall teach Far more than comes from outward speech.
When secret arts and open foe Conspire thy peace to overthrow, In silence learn the hidden power. Which saves thee in that bitter hour.
Doth not thy Father take thy part ? Doth not He know thy bleeding heart ? And when it seems that thou wilt fall, Doth not He feel it, bear it all ?
Make no reply. But let thy mind In silent faith the triumph find. Which comes from injuries forgiven. And trust in God, and strength in heaven.
100 CIIKIST IN THE SOUL; OK, CHRIST
cxv.
HAPPY CHRISTIANS.
I know a band, a happy band ;
I listen gladly while they sing ; Their dwelling is the blissful land,
Where Christ is priest, where God is king.
They have no dark, repining days. But smiles and pleasures all the time ;
Their thought is prayer, their prayer is praise? And prayer and praise make heaven's sweet clime.
Sometimes they dwell among the rocks ;
Sometimes they walk amid the storms ; But D'aitli defies tlie thunder-shocks.
And turns the rock to heaven's bright forms.
Their heaven is now ; their heaven is here ;
Celestial life to eartli brought down ; Tis Faith, that fdls their radiant sphere ;
'Tis Love illumes their sun-lit crown.
CXVI.
CHRIST'S FAITHFULNESS.
My soul will wait, till Thou return ;
Thou wilt not leave me here to die ; The love, that in thy heart doth burn,
Is pledge enough, that Thou art nigh.
AS A SPIKITUAL AND INDWELLING TKINOIPLE. 101
I cannot sec Thee, but I know,
That 'tis not far Thy footsteps rove ;
M7 own dear love doth teach me so ; There is no wandering in love.
I hear His footsteps, Oh, how soon
His step, His voice, my heart doth cheer !
As at the sultiy hour of noon
His flock the shepherd's voice doth hear.
And thus my soul shall ever And,
AVhen tempters say, my Love doth roam,
A secret power within the mind,
To call Him back, to win Him home.
cxvu.
THE FIRST AND SECO^^D BIRTH.
"When first we came upon the earth. We seem'd to know ourselves alone ;
Within the bosom of that biith
The love of self had built its throne.
For self we toil'd, for self we thought;
'Twas self that rul'd without, within ; Till in its tyranny it taught,
That life to self is life to sin.
Then with ourselves we came in strife ;
With help divine the foe subdued ; And substituted Inward Life,
Wliich seeks the Universal Good.
102 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
"With self cast out, and ia its place, Tlie reign of Universal Love,
'Tis easy now to run the race
Of goodness here and bliss above.
CXVITL
GOOD FOR EVIL.
When threatening clouds and tempests lower ; When foes exert their baleful power ; When many a false and cruel word, From proud and hostile lips is heard ;
To God look up. Make no reply ;
On God's assisting grace rely ;
Returning kindly acts and good
For all that's wrong, and fierce, and rude.
If thou canst thus thy kindness show To those, who deal the hostile blow. And that thy Spirit never shares The cruelty, which dwells in their 's,
Thy conquering S(flil shall victory mn, Against the battling hosts of sin, And in its strength and virtue rise, And claim a kindred with the skies.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 103
CXIX.
THE DIVINE PATHWAY.
Wc have one choice, oh God !
One path-way to pursue ; The way, wliich Jesus trod,
Who came Thy wiU to do.
Whatever God commands,
To do it or to shun ; — That is our work of heart and hands ;
That is our way to run.
No will we call our own,
He gave us life and powers ; — 'Tis His to make his pleasure known ;
To do that pleasure, our^s.
And if the path be rough,
And wounds our weary feet ; The way is God's, and that's enough,
To make that roughness sweet.
cxx..
THE NEW TEMPLE.
Oh come, a Temple let us raise To the celestial Maker's praise ; But built on W\q. millenial plan, A Temple in the heart of man.
104 ciiKisT IN THE soul; ok, ciimsT
A Temple, not of stone and wood, A Temple, not of flesh and blood ; But fram'd of thoughts and pure desires, And lighted up with holy fires.
'Twould be a work of folly, now. To crown again Moriah's brow ; Wlicn that proud pile went do^\'Ti in gore, It fell, to rise and shine no more.
Eut, in its stead, a House behold. More glorious far than that of old ; A Temple of diviner art, The Temple of a holy heart.
CXXI.
THE TRIALS OF LOVE.
Oft LOVE doth choose a toilsome road ;
And gi-eatly thou dost fear His leading; He places on thee such a load ;
Thy hands are lame ; thy feet are bleeding.
Pie leads thee far to mountain heights. Or down in sunless depths descending ;
He changes day to cloudy nights,
With thunders and with flames impending.
On precipices takes His stand.
Or walks on ocean's stormy water ;
Or sudden shows a hostile band.
Intent on threats, and blood, and slaughter.
AS A Sl'IlUTUAL AlsD INDWELLING PlilNCIPLE. 105
But know the secret of His thought,
In all these various ways to tky thee ;
And be, in all thy dangci-s taup;ht,
That Love, who tries, is ever nigu thee.
♦
cxxn.
THE JOYS OF SONG.
The bards poured forth their simple rhyme In years far back, in olden time ; And strove to beat the sounding l}Te, Though more with earth's, than heavenly fire.
In all their states men love to sing ; Their heart-thoughts shake the vocal string. They lov'd to sing in ages gone. And still the song is marching on.
But louder rolls the sound to-day, When those who sing have hearts to pray ; And prayer and praise in one unite, In homage to the Infinite.
Awake the pleas'd, triumphant sound ; Let hearts to loving hearts rebound ; If ancient bards could sing so weU, Let our's a nobler anthem swelL
106 * CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXXIII.
HEAVENLY LIGHT.
The morning beams their light distil,
And brightly glance on hill and mountain ;
Their kindling blaze the forests fill.
And cldthein beauty lake and fountain ;
Dear emblems of the better day.
When sin and grief shall pass away.
'Tis thus their darkness to dispel.
On weary hearts the light is breaking;
And all is right, and all is well,
To souls with heavenly hopes awaking ;
AVho find the shadows of the night
Transform'd in morn's reviving light.
Depression plants the seed of hope,
And greatness grows from humble station ;
Of grief and tears we read the scope. As seen in heaven's illumination.
The gloomy gi'ave, where nature dies,
Becomes the portal of the skies.
CXXIV.
FOLLOWING CHRIST.
Oh Thou, great Teacher from the skies, Who lived and died for men ;
Teach us with Thee to sympathize. And be as Thou wast then.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 107
It was tlie glory of thy heart,
Whate'er Thou hadst, to give ; For others' sufferings to impart;
For others' good to Hve.
Be Thou in us a living soul ;
Be Thou our spirit's power ; Its secret thought, its life's control,
To guide it every hour.
We need like Thee a spirit true,
A just and generous mind, Which seeks, in all it hath to do,
The good of all mankind.
cxxv.
GRATITUDE.
Oh God ! With gratitude to Thee, 'Our hearts go forth in holy song ;
The gifts, which make us glad and free. To Thy beneficence belong.
Sweet consolations crown each day. With happy trust and heavenly peace ;
Tliey come Avith opening morning's ray, Nor with the setting sun-beams cease.
But humble hearts delight to know, That these abundant rich suppHes
Can never from a fountain flow,
Which hath its source below the skies.
108 CHRIST IN THE soul; or, CHRIST
To Thee, oh God, and Thee alone We owe the greatness of our bliss ;
And gratefully our praise shall own The fountain of our happiness.
CXXVI.
CHANGE AND PERMANENCY.
The things of earth are always changing ;
And while we look, — all tilings are new ; Go forth ; in all directions ranging ;
And changes ever meet thy view.
Each day, each hour, its life discloses, Transform'd alike in great and small ;
But at the centre there reposes
One principie^ which binds them all.
The/brm of things is coming, going ; ' The life of things doth always stay ;
Love, at the centre, still bestowing A power, that knoweth no decay.
Motion and rest are thus together ;
And change and fixedness are one ; And, in our clouds and stormy weather,
We always have a central sun.
AS A SPIKITUAL AND INDWELLLSG l-KINCll'Li:. lU'J
CXXVIL
FAREWELIi.
[Written on the death of a young friend, who, among other heavy sorrows, was afflicted with blindness.]
Farewell to Thee, daughter of sorrow ;
Farewell to Thee, maiden of grief; At last the bright dawn of the morrow
Hath brought to tliine anguish reUef.
No more, by the weakness that bound thee,
Thy beauty and life are repress'd ; But, with radiance within and around thee.
Thou art gone to the land of the bless'd.
Dear angel of light and of glory.
Thine eye, that was clos'd here below,
With heaven's briglit mansions before thee, Is open'd that heaven to knoAv.
Farewell to thee, daughter of sorrow !
The day-dawn hath welcomed thine eyes ; Thy night hath departed ; — thy morrow
Eternally bright in the skies.
cxxvin.
OBEDIENCE.
Happy the man, who knows
His Master to obey ; Wliose life of care and labor flows,
Where God points out the way.
110 cin;iST IX the soul; or, ohhist
He riseth to his task,
Soon as the word is given ;
Nor waits, nor cloth a question ask, When orders come from heaven.
Nothing he calls his own ;
Nothing he hath to say ; His feet are shod for God alone,
And God alone obej.
Give us, oh God, this mind,
Which waits for Thy command,
And doth its highest pleasure find In Thy great word to stand.
CXXIX.
THE MULTITUDE OF SLAIN.
When the Millennium comes, Of love and peace the reign,
We all shall wondering look, and see The multitude of slain.
Stern pride, with sullen air, And hate, with scowling eye,
And troubled fear, and wild despair, Ai'e destin'd all to die.
Suspicion's busy throng.
And falsehood's lying breath.
And violence, and war, and wrong Shall sink to endless death.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. HI
Oh haste, mhxennial day !
Bring back the brighter years ; And banish from t]ie world its crimes,
And mpe away its tears.
cxxx.
CONTINUAL PRAYER.
The secret of continual prayer
Is this, the prayer is always one. Discordant thoughts are never there ; It always says, " Thy will he done''
All private purpose to forsake, Accepting the Creator s plan ';
Is of the Godlike to partake. And realize the God in man.
God is the Universal Life ;
God is the Universal Will ; 'Tis ours to cease from nature's strife,
And in the Life of God be still.
Thus lost in Thee, we cannot cease The everlasting prayer to raise ;
Thus lost in Thee, our souls m peace Become unchanging songs of praise.
112 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXXXI.
SIN AND SICKNESS.
Oh, when shall sickness and disease Their persecuting warfare cease ; And weakness die, and grief and pain, And death itself, at last be slain ?
Doubt not, that better day is near, The suffering sons of earth to cheer ; Disease and pain are born of sin ; Their remedy is found within.
Let Christ, descending from above. Become incarnate in thy love ; And inward ills and Avrongs subdue, And make thy fallen nature new ;
Let the great Healer make thee free From sin's corroding malady; And then the Life, that's in the soul, Shall make the suffering body whole.
CXXXIL
CHRIST AND LOVE.
"Wouldst thou the heavenly kingdom share, Its fragrant flowers, its balmy air. With bowers and blooms that never die? Oh, then, look not beyond the sky. But look within, and find it nigh.
AS A Si'lKITUAL AND INDWELLING IMllNCll'LE. 113
That kingdom bright, without a shade, That kingdom fair, of love is made ; Love that is pure, and not asliam'd, Tliat doeth good, and is not blam'd ; In Galilee the Cbrist 'twas nam'd,
Christ in the form hath pass'd away; Christ in the soul knows no decay ;— But Christ thou dost not, canst not know, In heaven obove, or earth below, If love within thee doth not glow,
Oh, who shall make thy spirit whole ? Who but the Love-Cbrist of the soul? Worship at Love's celestial shrine. And all that's heavenly and divine. And good and true and fair is thine.
cxxxin.
I SHALL YET PRAISE HIM.
At that dim hour, when ploughmen first arise, Roused from their homely couch and deep repose, When stars still linger in the changing skies, And in the East the dawning feebly glows, 'Tis doubtful long, which of the two bears sway, The nascent day or unextinguished night. Till ruddy morn, at length, with bright array, Proclaims the triumph of victorious Light. So when there breaks upon the heart's domain The Light Divine, which mars the shades within, Oh, who can tell which of the two shall reign, The recent purity or ancient sin? •And yet the inward Light, like outward day. Shall shine, revealed at last, with a triumphant ray. 7
114 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXXXIV.
MEEKNESS OF SPIRIT.
When there are clouds and temp^ts in the mind, And peace and mercy are by wrath displaced, It breaks the plan of love which heaven designed, And turns the blooming garden to a waste. Then keep thy soul in peace and quietness, And strive each evil passion to restrain. And God will smile upon thee, and will bless, And His bright image in thy breast maintain. Pie, who did bow his blessed head in woe. The Saviour of the meek and lowly heart. Did He not pray for those who struck the blow. And bless the ruffian hand that aimed the dart? Oh, be like Him, calm, patient, self-controlled ; He, who can rule himself, has richer wealth than gold.
cxxxv.
FRUITS OF LOVE.
Love doth not seek the noisy feast, Which pampers earthly appetite ;
Such pleasure is the last and least,
That wakes its thought and gives delight.
In its own heart it finds its food ;
Cloth'd firom within, and inward fed By thoughts and purposes of good
To others, needing clothes and bread.
A3 A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 115
Love doth not drain the sparkling bowl ;
Sings not the drunkard's song of woe ; It quaffs the wine-cup of the soul,
The streams, from heavenly life that flow.
Forgetful of itself, 'tis bless'd,
"When it can calm another's fear, When it can give the wear}' rest,
When it can wipe the mourner's tear.
CXXXVI.
A PRAYER FOR LOVE.
Oh Love ! Thy life is seen and heard In kindly look, in gentle word ; A look, a word, that comes with power In sorrow's dark and trying hour.
Oh, there's a sweetness in that tone, A sweetness, born of love alone ; A magic in that gentle voice. Which makes the broken heart rejoice.
Love utters no reproach severe ; Love wipes the penitential tear ; Love, with her gentle, soothing care, Brings hfe and light to dark despair.
Oh, principle and life of Love, That hast thy source in realms above, Into our hearts benignant shine, And make us, like thyself, divine.
116 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
cxxxvn.
RICHES OF LOVE.
Wouldst thou all knowledge have, and power, And riches scatter'd round thee bright ;
Not only earth, but heaven thy dower, And all thy darkness chang'd to light ;
With not a want, that's not supplied.
And every day a day of rest ; With not a tear, that is not dried,
And nought but sunshine in thy breast ;
Oh, know the secret of this wealth ;
Go forth, the way of knowledge prove ; And outward strength and inward health
Find in the heavenly art of Love.
'Tis Love, that maketh all things thine ;
'Tis Love, that bids thy griefs depart ; 'Tis Love, that, with its power divine,
Unites the world's divided heart.
cxxxvin.
CHRIST IN THE SOUL.
If God is Love, and God and Christ are One, Then Love becomes the Life-power of the Son ; And Love and Christ in essence are the same, One central life, with dilicrencc of name :
AS A SPIKITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 117
And thus it is, when selfishness is dead, And living Love is planted in its stead, And doth the inmost faculties control, That Christ is said to dwell within the soul :
Christ in the Soul becomes the name and sign Of inward life, eternal, and divine ; llie life, descending from its home above, The life of pure and universal love.
CXXXIX.
LET GOD GUIDE.
Child of the truth, stand still, When clouds perplex thy view ;
Wait, till thj heavenly Father's will Shall teach thee what to do.
To go before the word
Of God's command is given.
Can have no blessing from the Lord, No harmony with heaven.
Then wait for His command. Though long it may delay ;
But when it comes, thy feet shall stand In heaven's appointed way.
If thus thy footsteps go,
Where God hath made it plain, Thy journey's end shall brightly show,
Thou hast not gone iu vain.
118 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXL.
LOVE THE FOOD OF THE SOUL.
The things, that, rightly used, would bless, Are often evil in excess ; And just and innocent desire Turns thus to passion's lustful fire.
And yet there is one tree of joy, Whose pleasant fruit shall never cloy ; The more we eat, the more there is Of ever growing happiness.
The TREE, transplanted from above, Which bears the fruit of heavenly love ; Put forth thy hand, and taste, and live ; Not heaven itself hath more to give.
The children of celestial birth. Who cannot live on things of earth. Shall there the food and nurture know From which immortal life doth grow.
CXLL LOVE AND HEAVEN.
I know that the heaven which thou teachest,
Is a beautiful, beautiful place ; And that nought, with which art can enrich it,
Could add a tint more to its grace.
AS A SPIRITUAL AXD INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 119
How bright are the walls which surround it, With its gates and its towers ever new ;
And numberless bloom the sweet flowers O'er the streams, that flow musical through.
But still 'tis no heaven for the spirit,
If 'tis made but of music and flowers ; —
The Heaven which the heart would inherit, Is a Heaven where Love builds its bowers.
The Heaven of the loving and living ;
Where the living all live in each other ; The Heaven of receiving and giving;
Where each finds himself in his brother.
CXLH.
THE SOURCE OF HAPPINESS IX THE SOUL.
The soul hath power, through God's mysterious plan, To mould anew and to assimilate The outward incidents that wait on man, And make them like his hidden, inward state. If there's a storm within, then all things round, The inward storm to clouds and darkness changes ; But inward light makes outward light abound. And o'er external things in beauty ranges If but the soul be right, submissive, pure. It stamps whate'er takes place with peace and bliss; If fierce, revengeful and unjust, 'tis sure From outward things to draw unhappiness. Then watch, and chiefly watch, the inward part. For all is right and well, if there's a holy heart.
120 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
cxLni.
DIVINE TRUTH.
On every side mysterious things abound, In earth and sky and ocean's deep domain, "Which man's poor reason utterly confound, Beyond his power to fathom or explain. His mind is dark. In what way shall he see? Oh, God ! Form Thou Thine image in my heart, Implant Thy likeness in my spiritual part. And help me to behold all things in Thee. Thou art the source of light. That light, Avhen through My darkened mind its radiance is streaming. In all its shadowy, secret places beaming. At once dispels the dimness of my view. In Thy light seeing light, my raptured eye Doth everywhere behold love and infinity.
CXLIV.
THE CALMER OF THE STORM.
Oh Christ ! I often think of Thee
Upon the waves of Galilee ;
I hear the voice, I see the form,
Which rul'd the waves, which calm'd the storm.
That voice of power, which calm'd the seas, Predicted "greater things than these;" Those greater things to-day are seen In this, that Thou dost rule within.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 121
To those who liavc the sight to see There is an inward Galilee ; And it doth fit Thee now to bind The waves and tempests ol* the mind.
Thou walkest now within the soul ; Thou bid'st its billows cease to roll ; The waves of stormy strife are still, And pride and ANTatli obey Thy wiU.
CXLV.
REMEMBER THY CALLING.
Oh, leave them to their cruel words,
Their words, that breathe of fire and slaughters ; And let us not forget, that we.
Are Love's forgiving sons and daughters.
Our weapons all are form'd of love ;
"We know not, ^^ield not, any other ; And he, who smites us, still doth bear
The dear, the sacred name of brother.
For falsehood, truth ; for evil, good ;
But never give thou scorn for scorning ; Thus hatred's brow of shades shall flee, *
Like night before the rosy morning.
And thus shall every evil fall,
Forever from thy path departed, And God shall be thine all in all,
J/ thou art only loving-hearted.
122 CHRIST IN TDE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXLVI.
DIVINE STRENGTH.
Give us, oh God, the strength we need,
Thj purpose to fulfil ; That we may show, in word and deed,
A strong, unchanging will.
The war, in which our souls engage, Stands not mth fickle hearts ;
None but the strong that war can wage, With strength, which God imparts.
Oh, make us strong, and make us true,
That we may not go back. Though going ca should lead us through
The martyr's bloody track
Welcome the martyr's sanguine bed ;
Welcome his fiery crown ; Enough that Christ the way hath led ;
Be ours to follow on.
CXLVU.
THE SOUL'S NECESSITY.
On, GIVE jre: love, or let me die ;
Oh, give me love, and all is well ; Such is my heart's continual cry ;
I ask no heaven ; I fear no hell.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PKINCIPLE. 123
The more I know of love, the more
Of God's celestial life I know ; 'Tis something T\ithout bounds or shore ;
'Tis heaven above ; 'tis heaven below.
Oh God, oh Love, oh heavenly Life,
Celestial Truth, celestial Flame, Bum up all selfishness and strife ;
Leave but Thyself my soul to claim.
For hell doth perish in thy fire,
And heaven comes down when love is given j Love meets and fills my heart's desire ;
I know, I ask no other heaven.
CXLYIII.
FAITH I:N^ troubles.
The clouds are gathering in the sky ; With threatening wings the storm is nigh ; The sun himself doth hide his head. As if his glorious light were dead.
And yet what means this inward calm, With all things round hi wild alarm ; This heavenly peace, which bids depart All fear, all terror, from the heart ?
'Tis this, that, in the threatening hour. Faith sees the great, controlling power Of God's almighty presence near. To guide and guard, to help and cheer.
124 CIIKIST IX THE SOUL; OR, CnRIST
Oh God, vfc know, a word of Thine Can make the clouded siinhght shine ; We know the mandate of Thy will Can make the stormy tempest still.
CXLIX.
FULFILMENT.
Oh Christ, 'tis cur's with Thee to share The sufferings whicli Thyself didst bear ; With Thee to toil, with Thee to bleed, To help a suffering brother's need.
From youth's bright morn to manhood's day, The cross upon His shoulders lay ; Until His sufferings found a close In death for others' wants and woes.
His cross is on his followers still ; *Tis their's His sufferings to fulfil ; And welcome each returning day, With hands to toil and hearts to pray.
Oh sacred, sympathizing band !
In Christ's dear path and footsteps stand;
And what He did not live to do,
2k that fulfill' d and done in you.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING TlilNCU'LE. 125 CL.
MYSTERY OF THE NEW BIRTH.
I HEAR the mountain wind, but see it not ; Its mournful sigh startles my mini's repose ; I listen ; but it passes quick as thought ; I know not whence it comes, nor where it goes. 'Tis thus with those, who of the Spirit are born ; A change comes o'er them ; how they cannot say. They wake, as from the darkness wakes the mom, And mental night is changed to mental day. 'Tis God's mysterious work, 'Tis He can fmd, Deep searching,* and 'tis He can touch The deep and hidden spring that rules the mind, And change its tendencies, and make it such, Redeemed, restored, as it was not before. We know that 'tis God's work : but we can know no more.
CLI.
THE HEART SEARCHER.
If thou art ready in thy sin,
Conviction's deepest work to bear ; Then let Love's mighty power come in.
And search the hidden places there.
Love is the lamp that lights the mind ;
And he, who looks with love for light, Shall never fail the place to find,
Whate'er it is, of deepest night.
3 26 CHIIIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
If wronGTS thine inward life control.
Ambition, pride, revenge, and lust. Love is the Christ, who knows tlie whole, And brings to light the thing accurs'd.
Then shalt thou see it as it is.
And learning its corrupting swaj,
Shall smite the foe of truth and bliss, And diive him from thy heart away.
CLII.
A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE.
Oh God, our guide, our only guide, Watch o'er and keep us at Thy side ; And never let our footsteps stray In error's wide and devious way.
However good our aims may be, From pride and self, however free, Not less our steps will miss tlie right, If God shall fail to give us light.
And will He fail that liglit to send, Unmindful of our fatal end ? Oh, will He fail to hear our cry. And let us darkly grope and die ?
It cannot be. It will not be, To those who wish that light to sec ; To those, with earnest prayer who claim, Amid the clouds, its guiding flame. .
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 127
CLni.
A PRAYER FOR HOLINESS.
Oh God, in this, our trying liour, With foes without, and foes witliin,
We need tlie Pentecostal power, Which smit-es and purifies from sin.
Oh, may that power, that breath divine,
Consume, with its baptismal fire, All in our souls that is not Thine,
All worldly thought, all low desire.
Oh, may it put an end to strife,
And pride and jealousy remove, And crown us with the heavenly life
Of truth, and purity, and love.
CUV.
THE NEW BIRTH.
How foolish they, with thoughtless pride, And with the natural heart unslain,
Who set the words of God aside,
Wliich say, Tiiou jiust be corn again ;
Who sinfully and proudly think, 'Tis vain on heavenly aid to call,
While standing closely on the brink, And ready soon. to slide and fall.
128 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Oil man, be wise ; do not delay ;
Stay not upon the dangerous plain; Haste to the mountain heights to-day,
And be not number'd with the slain.
There is no safety for thy soul,
No joy in heaven, no peace on earth,
Till Christ shall make thy spirit whole, With heavens renewed, celestial birth.
CLV.
UNITY OF LIFE.
There is a sacred bond which binds In unity believing minds ; The dear, the blest, celestial tie, Of those, to selfishness who die.
The bond, that cannot dwell alone, The bond, that links to God's great throne, And blends, like sunbeams with the sun, God and His children, all in one.
Division lines, that kept apart
The sacred unity of heart.
This new-born living power disclaims,
And smites, and throws them to the llames.
A power, with strength divinely given, Which binds the hearts that once were riven ; And knowing neither great nor small. Makes ALL or one, and one of all.
AS A SPnjITUAL AND INDWELLING TKINCIPLE. 129
CLVI.
GOOD FRUITS.
Cut down tlie tree that bears no fruit ; Destroy it, bud, and branch, and root ; It liatli no claim, no right to live ; Its ashes to the tempest give.
Such is the gi'eat, the stern decree, Which comes to all, which comes to me, That all, who gifts and fruits deny. Themselves shall be denied, and die.
'Tis THIS that makes the bliss of heaven ; It is for THIS that life is given ; That from our life the fruits may spring, Which strength and life to othehs bring.
And he who fails in this great law. Doth on himself the sentence draw, Which smites the budless, fruitless tree With death's unfailing destiny.
CLVII.
GOOD IN SUFFERING.
To mourn and fear, lest we may lose
Some earthly good in earth's great strife,
Is but the trial to refuse.
Which makes the nourishment of life. 8
130 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Oil, rather let misfortunes fall;
They cannot reach and harm the soul ; But only serve to disenthrall
The inward life, and make it whole.
The greatness of thy suffering shows
That God, who loves, thee, hates thy sin;
And sends the message of His blows, To see if all is right within.
Trust all ivith Ilim. Affliction's stroke His work of mercy shall perform ;
And leave thee, Uke the smitten oak, That's deeper rooted in the storm.
CLvin.
'TIS DONE.
'Tis DONE. No more my tempted heart In false and erring maze shall rove ;
No more in thought and deed depart From the dear object of its love.
Such is my thought and purpose high, The fix'd design of heart and will.
Oh, thou great Kuler of the sky, Help me that purpose to fulfil.
Dear Strength and Majesty divine I Oh, listen to my heart's request ;
"Write on my soul, that Thou art mine, And with Thy favor make me blest.
A3' A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE, 1;31
CLTX.
LOOK TO JESUS.
Oh, thou weeping one and lonely,
In thy bitterness of tears, Look to Jesus, Jesus only.
He will banisli griefs and fears.
Worn with cares, and sad, and weary,
All thy hopes and joys departed, Oh, believe that He is near thee.
Healer of the broken hearted.
"With the day-light round thee closing.
Nought but shadows on thy way. On Plis heavenly arms reposing,
Thou shalt find returning day.
Dare not trust to any other ;
Human help is all in vain ; But with love beyond a brother,
Chiist will give thee life again.
CLX.
THE POWER OF LOVE.
Go TO THE LOW, the base, the vile, The sinner and the publican ;
And be thy only thought the while. He is my brother man.
132 CHRIST IN THE SOUL j Olt, CHRIST
Go to the wearj, ftiintiiig heart, That onlj sinn d and wept before ;
And teach it the celestial art, To sin and weep no more.
Fear not. Doth not the sunbeam rest Upon corruption's festering tomb ;
And quicken from its dying breast The flower's celestial bloom ?
Go to the sinner in his sin,
With LOVE, the sunbeam of the skies. And from the shades and death within
Bid light and life arise.
.CLXI.
FAITH.
Facth is the soul's interior sight ;
And though the shadows hide the daj, Still, in tlie soul, the inward Ught
Of Faith shall guide thee on thy way.
Ask, if thou wilt, of other lands ;
Mount even to heaven's celestial sphere ; Faith is the light of angel bands.
The inward light, as it is here.
On secret errands oft they go ;
God only hath the power to send ; They do His will, nor seek to know
The reasons, or the hidden end.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PlIINCirLE. 13-3
Mapcit on ; and ever bo content,
Though shadows on thy pathway fall ;
B'or this the light of Faitli is sent, To cheer and guitle thee through them all.
CLxn.
DEATH TO SELF AND LIFE IN GOD.
["But he, that is joined to the Lord, is one spirit." 1 Cor. vi, 17.]
Oh, sacred union with the Perfect Mind ! Transcendent bHss, which Thou alone canst give ! How blest are they, this pearl of price who find. And dead to earth, have learnt in Thee to live.
Thus, in Thine arms of love. Oh God, I lie, Lost, and forever lost, to all but Thee. My happy soul, since it hath learnt to die, Hath found new life in thine Lifinity.
Oh, go, and learn this lesson of the Cross, And tread the way, which saints and prophets trod, Who, counting life, and self, and aU things loss, Have found in inward death the life of God.
lo'l CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXLHI.
HE STANDETH AT THE DOOR.
The stars are shining from their depths of blue, And one is standing at the door and knocks ; He knocks to enter in. His raven locks ■Are heavy with the midnight's ghttering dew. He is our Friend, and great his griefs have been ; The thorns, the cross, the garden's deep distress, Which He jiath suffered for our happiness ; And shall we not arise, and let Him in ? All hail, thou chosen One, thou Source of bliss ! Come with Thy bleeding feet, thy wounded side ; Alas, for us, Thou hast endured all this ; Enter our doorse and at our hearth abide ! Chill are the midnight dews, the midnight air ; Come to our hearts and homes, and make Thy dwelling there.
CLxrv.
DIVINE PROTECTION.
Think not that the blest, whom the Lord hath befriended, Though scorned by the world,and though smitten with grief.
Will be left by the arm that has once been extended. To sufi'er and perish without its relief.
Oh, no ! When the clouds of affliction and sorrow Encircle their souls with the darkness of night,
Thy mercy, oh God, like the sun of to-morrow,
Shall gleam on the shadows and turn them to light.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDAVELLIXG PRINCIPLE 135
Pie leaves us awhile to the billow's commotion, To see if our faith in the storm will remain ;
But soon lie looks out in his smiles, and the ocean- Is hushed from its threats, and is quiet again.
CLXV.
DESPISE NOT THE BEGINNINGS.
See, how beyond the hills, the morning bright Doth write its coming with a single rav ; But gleam is joined to gleam, and light to light, Till feeblest dawn expands to perfect daj. Despise not the beginnings. When the heart Receives, however small, the primal beam Which God doth to the new-born soul impart, Kevere and cherisli its incipient gleam. Though the first ray from Heaven's eternal throne, The frail young shoot from Glory's morning star, Yet fostered well, it dwelleth not alone. But grows in its own light, and shineth far. And bindeth ray with ray, till what was one, Compacted of itself, expands a new-born sun.
CLXVI.
MEANING OF SORROWS.
'Tis WELL. I would not have it be, In aught, a change from what it is ;
I have no hope, no joy but Thee ; In Thee alone is all my bliss.
136 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OH, CHRIST
Oh God, oh Love, oh bliss Divme ;
To Thee whatever scemeth best ; Whate'er Thy will, that will is mine ;
The Cross fi'om Thee is iicavenlj rest.
Thy blows are dear affection's arts, To win and bring me nearer home ;
That home is in Thy Heart of hearts ; I feel the rod ; I cease to roam.
Thine arm is round me. Now I know The secret of the grief that press'd ;
Thou would'st not, wilt not, let me go To other arms, to other rest.
CLXVII.
THE LIFE OF SELF.
The life which makes of Self its God, Thinks only of the Me and Mine ;
Its fetter'd feet have never trod
In the broad fields of Thee and Thine.
It bids its neighbor stand apart ;
It bears no brother near the thror^e ; But exiles from its prison'd heart
All that it cannot call its own.
Ai-m of the Mighty ! Eise and smite This stony wall, this prison gate ;
Let in celestial truth and light,
And Lovi:'s gi'eat empire re-instate.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCirLE. 137
Let every partial act and aim,
And private hope and purpose fall ; Till all sliall bear a brother's name,
And God and Love be All in All.
CLXVIIL
REJOICING IN GOD
The bird not always mounteth on the wing, Nor doth he always his sweet music pour ; But as he silent on the branch doth swing, lie ever ready is to sing or soar. The music, heard not, lingers on his tongue ; His flight is poising, ere it upward rise ; Thus shaU his sudden harp of joy be strung. And thou shalt see him mounting in the skies. Oh, Christian, be it ever thus with thee. When sitting here, thou with the earth dost blend ; Still as we mark thee, let us always see. Thou hast a wing just poising to ascend. And that the soDg, wdiich hath no outward voice, Still, in the inward soul, fails never to rejoice.
CLXIX.
THE SERVANT AND THE SON.
My life was once a life of care ;
I labor'd long ; I labor'd hard ; And thought, that weary work should share,
And nothing else, the great reward.
138 CHEIST IN THE SOUL; OE, CHRIST
'Twas toil, when early morning broke ;
And toil, when clos'd the setting day; At last a voice within me spoke;
And told me, there's a better way.
The servant's place, it said, resign, And take the birth-right of a SON ;
And thou shalt know the bUss divine Of cares dispell'd, of labors done.
My troubled heart the message heard, And, while approving angels smil'd,
Received with joy the heavenly word, And found it good to be a child.
CLXX.
PATIEISTCE.
She came, an angel cloth'd with light, Bright from the heavenly spheres ;
And, coming, found mc in the blight Of hopeless grief and fears.
Her name was Patience. Calm her look,
And gently kind her voice. My trembling hand she gently took.
And said, "My child, rejoice. "
There was such kindness in her air ;
Such love in all she said ; That soon the darkness of despair,
The shades of sorrow, fled.
AS A SriEITUAL AND INDTTELLIXG PRINCIPLE. 139
Dear angel of the better land,
Bright from the shining shore ! Oil, ever hold me by the hand ;
Oh, never leave me more.
CLXXL
ALL SURRENDERED AND ALL GAINED.
We give up ALL, oh God !
Search us, our God, and see. If in our hands there aught remains,
Which is not brought to Thee.
All earthly goods we leave ;
Nothing we call our own. Whate'er we hold, we hold it all,
As Thine, and Thine alone.
And yet there is no loss,
But rather heavenly gain ; It is the secret of the Cross,
To gather good from pain.
In vain is earthly bliss ;
But there's a bliss divine, A true, unchanging happiness,
In this, TUAT WE APtE Thine.
140 CURIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CLXxir.
THE WAY OF BLISS.
If thou wouklst know the way to bless Thy soul with peace and happiness, Then learn the path of him, who dies, And makes himself a sacrifice ;
The way, too little understood, Which seeks its end in others' good, Forgetting self, and giving all. To aid, when want and suffering call ;
The way of natures born again.
Of Christ alive, of Adam slain.
Which hath no thought, which hath no plan,
But that of good to suffering man ;
This is the way, the royal way ; It never leads thy feet astray ; And he, who treads it, cannot miss The great, high road of happiness.
CLxxin
THE OUTWARD AND THE INWARD.
When Judah's Temple sank in flame,
And hostile feet its ashes trod ; The human soul itself became ,
The Temple of the living God.
AS A SPiniTUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 141
From that great hour of blood and woes, The OuTAVAKi) ccas'd ; and in the heart
The Inward in its beauty rose, Beyond the skill of outward art.
The living Temple is the soul,
Renew'd enlightcn'd from above ; With all its faculties made whole,
And fill'd with purity and love.
Oh, turn from outward things atithin ;
Bow in the Temple of the mind ; Seek for a heart, that's free from sin,
And God, and truth, and glory find.
CLXXIV.
FOLLOW GOD.
In that mysterious destiny,
Which hath its plan in Heaven's great will, There is a line of march for thee.
Go bravely forth. Heaven's plan fulfil.
March on ; nor falter in thy course ;
For He, the plan whose wisdom gave, Will prove, in trial, thy resource,
An arm of strength to guide and save.
Trust not thyself. Thy strength is small.
On human power do not depend ; There's one, who cannot fail or fall;
Plis hand shall hold thee to the end.
142 CIimST IN THE soul; or, CHRIST
Dark is the road ; but o'er it shines
A light from God, that gi'ows not dim.
The keeper of his own designs,
He knows the pathway. Follow Him.
CLXXV.
HOPE ON.
Remember, in thy griefs and fears,
There comes a brighter hour than this ;
And those to-day, who sow in tears. Shall find a harvest ripe with bliss.
Forget not, in thine hour of prayer,
There's One, who hears thy voice of grief;
One, who will haste thy pains to share, And bring, in all thy woes, relief.
Then, be thy spirit undismay'd ;
IIoRE ox, though all things seem to fail ; Till strength, in angel forms array 'd,
Shall o'er thy treacherous foes prevail.
Have Faith ; and that shall surely be. For which thine earnest spirit cries;
With Faith thou shalt not fail to see The triumph o'er thine enemies.
AS A SriRITUAL AND INDWELLING I'lflNCirLE. 143
CLXXVI.
CHRIST AXD LOVE.
We LIVE ; but not a life of earth ; We live ; but 'tis angelic birth ;
'Tis Christ that makes us whole ; But Christ below, and Christ above, AVhere shall we find Ilim but in love.
Love living in the soul.
"I LIVE," the great Apostle said ; " And yet not I ; " myself am dead.
And yet 'twas not less true, That, dead to self, he lived again The life, that on the Cross was slain.
The life forever new.
That Life was Christ, with Christ's great powers. The Christ was his ; the Christ is our's ;
The Christ in Love that's known, Our earthly Life, like Paul's, is dead ; The Christ of love doth in its stead
Erect his in^vard throne.
CLXXVIL
CELESTLVL VISITS.
Men, martyrs, priests of ancient time !
Confessors of the early days ! Visit once more your native clime ;
Cloth'd briglit Avith heaven's (ftlestial rays.
144 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
In earth's forlorn and helpless state, We need the presence of the good ;
The wisdom of the wise and great, To guide and bless our solitude.
Friends of the right, the good, the true, That wear at last the victor's crown.
Once more your eartlily tics renew ;
Once more to earth's dim clinics come down.
Open the portals of the skies.
And from your realms of brightness there, Console our sad and weeping eyes,
And help our weary load to bear.
CLXXVIII.
HELP IN CHRIST.
*Tis true, the road we do not know, And sometimes feel afraid to go ; But Christ, our Master, goes before. And where 'tis rougli, will help us o^er.
'Tis sometimes rocky, sometimes steep, Or leads o'er foaming waters deep. With cliffs, that frown above our head, And snares beneath and pitfalls spread.
But, though it seems a dangerous way. Let not our ready steps delay. So long as Christ, our Leader, knows The snares and dangers which oppose.
AS A SPIRITTIAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 145
We do not know what's known to Him ; His eye is bright, though ouv's is dim ; To Him the way is straight and clear ; Then let us follow icithout fear.
CLXXIX.
PAST AFFLICTIONS.
*Tis good to cast a look awhile
Upon the troubles of the past ; When heaven and earth, wdthout a smile,
AVith clouds and storms were overcast.
Dark was the day. To human sight
There seem'd no hope, no power to save ;
No favoiing breeze, no guiding light, Nothing but sorrow and the grave.
But when inferior strength and skill The deadly blow could not withstand;
Our God, unseen, was with us still. His promise, and His favoring hand.
He seized the helm ; His voice was heard Above the loud, tempestuous roar ;
The stormy skies obey'd His word ; Our bark in safety reached the shore.
146 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CLXXX.
COXSOLATIOK
The bitfer tears, that thou dost shed, Fall fast to earth like vernal rain ;
But, nurtur'd in their lowly bed, Shall rise in budding hopes again.
Weep on, if weeping is thy lot ;
Toil on, if toiling is thy share ; Thy toils and tears are ne'er forgot,
If they are sanctified by prayer.
Such tears are never born to die ;
Like seeds beneath the vernal shower, Instinct with immortality.
They bloom again with fruit and flower.
From griefs shall heavenly joys arise ;
From toils celestial pleasures grow ; And if not sooner, in the skies.
Thou shalt their heavenly meaning know.
CLXXXI.
MAN THE TEIMPLE OF GOD.
Oh, where is God? Where shall my troubled mind. The stamp and glory of the Godhead find? Look forth, the wonders of ci-eation scan, And find tliat glory in the " Soti of Man.''
AS A SPIRITUAL AND IN-D\\^ELLING PRINCIPLE. 147
Yes, in the humble Mary's infant child The Godhead was revealed, look'd forth, and smil'd ; Not found in wood, or brass, or sculptur'd stone, But in the human form, and there alone. •
And wouldst thou now behold his glorj shine, Reveal'd in beauty and in grace divine. Look on the renovated man, and see "Kie marks and brightness of the Deity.
Not man, obscur'd in self^ and dead and lost, But man, the Tejiple of the Holy Ghost; Man, in the spirit of the Christ made whole. Pure in the outward life, and pure in souL
CLXXXTL
ONE THING LEFT.
Let envious men My life and deeds defame. And leave me nought but woe,
And burning shame.
Take from me all. Of goods and home bereft ; So that the world shall say,
There's nothing left.
*Tis nought to me ; No inward thought complains. If it can yet be said,
One thing remains.
148 , CHEIST IN THE SOUL ; OR, CHRIST
Yes, all is well, If He, who dwells above, Shall hll my fleart and life
* With HOLY LOVE.
CLXxxni.
THE SAFE PILOT.
Oh God ! In my pei-plexity
When dangerous doubts and fears prevail, I love to look away to Thee,
And ask Thee, how my bark shall sail.
Give Thou the winds, the currents Thou ;
May Thy great lights the path survey ; And thus my keel shall safely plough
The terrors of the dangerous way.
Sail on. And banish doubt and fear ;
The hand the trembling helm controls, Which doth the mighty mountains rear,
And stormy ocean's billow rolls.
Sail on. 'Tis God that guides thee through ;
And, though thine eye is weak and dim, There is one work thou still canst do,
It is to LOOK AND TRUST IN HIM.
AS A SPmiTUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 149
CLXXXIV.
GOD LOVED IN HIS CREATURES.
To LCVE THE Lord with all tlie heart,
As it is understood by Thee; What is it, Lord, but to impart
To all that live, our sympathy ?
Of every nation, name, and tribe,
Thou art the life, the hope, the soul ;
And wilt not, canst not, circumscribe. And love a part, and not the whole.
Of every thing on land and sea,
Of things on earth and things in air ;
There's none but hath its life from Thee ; And none that doth not have Thy care.
In loving less than what Thou art, "VVe love Thee with a love too smaU ;
In Thee, the Universal Heart, "We love the One, we love the All.
CLXXXV.
CHRIST REVEALED THROUGH HIS FOLLOWERS.
If thou wouldst have the world to prize,
And of the wonders tell ; The glory and the mysteries,
That in the Saviour dwell ;
150 CHRIST IN TDE SOUL; OH, CHRIST
Then put thyself the Saviour on, And clothe thee with His light,
Nor let the dress, thou oft hast worn, Exclude Him from their sight.
Oh, Christian, what a shame it is. That thou thy sins dost bear,
"When raiment, made of righteousness. It is thy right to wear.
Oh, let that holy garment shine. That all around may see,
And magnify the Lord divine.
Whose briohtness beams from thee.
CLXXXYI.
THROW OFF WORLDLINESS.
Man's spirit hath an upward look.
And robes itself with heavenly wings ;
E'en Avhen 'tis here compelled to brook Confinement to terrestrial things.
Its eye is fastened on the skies ;
Its wings for flight are opened wide ; Why doth it hesitate to rise ?
And still upon the earth abide ?
And would' st thou seek the cause to know, And never more its course repress ;
Then from those wings their burden throw. And set tliem free from worldliness.
A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 151
Shake off the earthly cares that stay
Their energy and upward flight ; And thou shalt see them make their way
To joy, and hberty, and light.
cLXXXvn.
THE SECRET SIGN.
They know Tlim by the secret sign, Which to their souls is given ;
'Tis written there in light divine, With characters from heaven.
They may not teU it ; but 'tis there,
Forever deep impressed . Nor grief, nor pain, nor sharp despair,
Shall rend it from their breast.
The child the parent's accent knows,
The accents ever dear ; Unlike the treacherous voice of foes,
That fills Hs heart with fear.
He runs to meet it ; and it falls
In blessings and in joys ; And thus, whene'er the Saviour calls,
His peox^le know his voice.
They know him by the secret sign, Which to their souls is given ;
'Tis wiitten there in light divine. With characters from heaven.
152 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CLXXXVIII.
JOY IN GOD.
Although affliction smites my heart, And earthly pleasures flee,
There is one bliss that ne'er shall part, My joy, oh God, in Thee.
That joy is like the orb of day When clouds its track pursue ;
The shades and darkness throng its way; But sunlight struggles through.
O Thou, my everlasting light. On whom my hopes rely ;
With Thee the darkest path is bright, And fears and sorrows die.
CLXXXIX.
TRIUMPH IX DEATH.
On earth when the journey allotted us closes,
When the hour and the moment of parting are near,
If a gleam, on that parting, of mercy reposes, Oh, wish not, oh think not, to fasten us here.
'Tis true, there is strength in the ties which endear us. And bind us so closely to things here below ;
15ut bright is the land, where no sin can come near us, And bhss is disturb'd by no moments of Avoe.
AS A SPIRITUAL A^-D INDWELLING rKINCIPLE. 15(
Then joy to the soul, that is ripe for ascending, And breathe not a sigh that shall tempt it to staj,
When angels in triumph its flight are attending, And Bethlehem's star is the light of its way.
cxc.
RE^IEMBRANCE IX PRAYER
When at the hour of prayer thy heart The fervor of its love discovers, Li secret as thou kneel'st apart, And many an angel round thee hovers, Oh, then remember me !
When down thy cheek the tear-drops roll, Of gratitude for sins forgiven, And thou dost feel within thy soul A ray of joy just sent from heaven. Oh, then remember me !•
For who, that sees thee trembling, kneeling, Or may thy meek entreaties hear, To Heaven so fervently appealing, Will not believe that God is near ? Oh, then remember me !
Ask not for earthly pomp, or pleasure ; A humble, meek, and holy heart To me is far a greater treasure Than earth's vain glories can impart, 0/i, thus remember im I
154 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
CXCI.
THE UNIVERSAL ]\[AK
Oh Christ ! I tliank Thee for the book Thou writest in thy Life divine ;
The mirror, where I love to look,
That I may make Thine image mine.
That image stands before me bright, Surpassing human skill and art ;
Oh, that its pure, celestial light
May come to me, and fill my heart.
Thou wast not Jew ; Thou wast not Greek ;
No sect, no party, marr'd Thy plan ; Thou cam'st Thy brother man to seek ; * Thyself, the universal man.
Thou askcst not his place or name, His earthly ill, or earthly good ;
Enough to Thee, the sacred claim' Of iiAN alone, of brotherhood.
cxcn.
WAITING IN FAITH.
Oh WAIT ! The lime will come at last. Oh wait ! The storm will soon be past. Already, in thy quickcn'd view. Behold the sunlight breaking through.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PrUXCIi'LE. 155
Canst thou rebuke and calm that stonn And mould its clouds to beauty's form ? Canst tliou, with human skill, defy The thunder's voice, that shakes the sky ?
Oh no ! Thou only hast* the power, To stand and know the fearful hour ; And in its strength and terrors see The signs of heavenly majesty.
Then avait ; in humble calmness wait ; Till peace its reign shall reinstate ; The tempests sweep the troubled air, But Christ controls them : God is there.
cxcni.
THE BATTLE GOIXG ON.
'Twas said in days of ancient time, When men of faith in Judah stood,
And with prophetic words sublime.
The wicked warn'd, and cheer'd the good
That men of heavenly love and fear,
Of truth and faith, of works and prayer,
Should find conflicting forces near, And bloody persecutions bear.
And now, as in the days of old.
The prophecy of strife is true, And blows, and tears, and griefs untold,
Shall follow close the faithful few.
156 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Yes ! it shall be, as it hath been,
And coming years the strife shall see ;
The good sliall strive, and striving win, But win through tears and agonj.
CXCIY.
[It is sometimes thought, that the devotedness and hoHness of heart, which is expressed by ' ' Christ in the soul, " is not favorable to the discharge of outward and active duties. So far from this being the case, the truth is, that the performance of such duties faithfully and lovingly is the natural and necessary result of inward hohness. ]
SOMETHING TO DO.
In idleness is danger lurking ;
Arise, and put thy sickle in ; The day is calling for tliy working,
The ripened sheaves and harvests win.
The sun to run his race is rising ;
Then be thou ready for his light ; The deed and plan of good devising,
AVith all thy hand, with all thy might.
Say, is there not some one in sorrow,
Some fainting head, some bleeding heart ;
Trust not the doubtful, unknown morrow ; To-day thy pitying aid impart.
The suffering world for aid is sighing;
And little is it understood, That he himself is lost and dying.
Who hath not life in doing good.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING I'RINCIPLE. 157
cxcv.
[•'•'Christ in the Soul" is sometimes a sorrowful spirit^ Jcsns wept. And those, who b^ar His spirit, are not without tears. The following lines were written, when, in crossing the Atlantic some years since, I passed near the spot, where one of my adopted sons lost his life by shipwreck. And I may say further, they were writ- ten under a sudden and remarkable impression of his apparently restored and real presence with me during some hours. An experi- ence so remarkable that it affected me much, and left a lasting im- pression. ]
LINES *FRO:\I THE OCEAN, ON A SON LOST AT SEA.
Boy of my earlier days and hopes ! Once more, Dear child of memory, of love, and tears !
I see thy crush'd and faded life restore
The stamp and brightness of its opening years.
The same in youthful look, the same in form. The same the gentle voice I used to hear.
Though many a year hath pass'd, and many a storm Hath dashed its foam around ihy cruel bier.
Deep in the stormy ocean's hidden cave, Buried and lost to human care and sight,
"What power hath interposed to rend thy grave ? "What arm hath brought thee thus to light and life ?
I weep, — the tears my aged cheek that stain,
The throbs once more that swell my aching brea?t,
Embody years of anxious thought and pain.
That wept and watched around that p^ace of rest.
158 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
Oh, leave me not, my child ! Or, if it be,
That, coming thus, thou canst not longer staj, Yet shall this kindly' visit's mystery
Give rise to hopes, that never can decay.
h- Dear, cherished image from thy stormy bed !
Child of my early woe and early joy ! "Tis thus at last the sea shall yield its dead,
And give again my lov'd, my buried boy.
CXCVI.
[Lines, written iu February of 1853, on visiting the temples and tombs in the mountains of Thebes in np-pev Egypt. ]
CHRIST THE SOURCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE.
The oar is dipping in the waves,
That bear me on their watery wings.
Farewell to Egypt's land of graves }
Farewell, tlie monuments of kings!
They died ; — and chang'd the living throne
For chambers of the mountain stone.
I trod the vast sepulchral halls,
Designed their lifeless dust to keep,
And read upon the chisell'd walls
The emblems of their fmnl sleep ;
And learned, that when they bow'd to die,
They hoped for immortahty.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 159
Dark was the way. Thej knew not how That other life would come again,
To rend the flinty mountain's brow, That overlooks the Theban plain.
But if aright their hearts they read,
The rocks at last would yield their dead.
Oh yes ! The instincts of the heart,
In every land, in every clime, The gi-eat, ennobling truth impart,
That life has empire over time. Death for eternal life makes room. And heaven is born upon the tomb.
They saw the end, hut not the way,
The life to come, but not the power ;
And felt, when call'd in dust to lay.
The doubt and anguish of the hour.
Oh Christ ! By Thee the word is spoken ;
The power is giv'n ; the tomb is broken.
cxcvn.
[One day, when travelling in the waste and barren peninsula of Sinai, I observed a small flower, — a very uncommon object there, — springing up by the lonely pathway, which gave rise to the follow- ing:]
THE FLOWER OF THE DESERT.
One day in the desert
AVith pleasure I spied A flower in its beauty
Looking up at my side.
160 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
And I said, Oh sweet llow'ret, That bloomest alone,
What's the worth of thy beauty. Thus shining unknown?
But the flower gave me answer.
With a smile quite divine ; 'Tis the nature, Oh, stranger,
Of beauty to shine. Take all I can give thee.
And when thou art gone, The light that is in me.
Will keep shining on.
And, Oh, gentle stranger,
Permit me to say. To keep up thy spirits
Along this lone way. While thy heart shall flow outward
To gladden and bless. The fount at its centre
Will never grow less.
I was struck with its answer,
And left it to glow To the clear sky above it,
And the pale sands below ; Above and around it
Its light to impart, But never exhausting The fount at its heart.
AS A SFIKITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE 161
cxcvm.
[Oue of the marked results of tbat deep spiritnal experience, which coustitutes the inward Christ-life, is a tender and sympa- thizing feeling for the animal creation. The absence of such feel- ings is a discouraging and even fatal sign. I once knew a little girl, whose kindness had succeeded in taming the fishes and even the turtles in the small lake, near which she resided. I have myself witnessed her beautiful control over them; and seen her collect them in great numbers, and feed them from her hand. ]
THE MAIDEN FISH-TAMER.
Oh maiden of the woods and wave, With footsteps in the morning dew !
From oozy bed and watery cave, The tenants of the lake who drew.
Thy voice of love the mystery knew,
Which makes old bards and prophets true.
They tell us of that better day,
When love shall rule the world again ;
"When crime and fraud shall pass away, And beast and bird shall dwell with men ;
Wlien seas shall marry with the land.
And fishes kiss a maiden's hand.
The iron age has done its best
With trump and sword and warriors slain ; But could not tame the eagle's nest,
Nor lead the lion by the mane ; With all its strength and all its woe. There was an art it did not know.
10
162 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
'Twas fitting that a maid like thee, In childhood "s bright and happy hour,
Should teach tlie world the mystery That youthful innocence has power ;
That love the victory can gain,
"Which is not M^on by millions slain.
Oh man, if thou wouldst know the art
The shatter'd world to reinstate, Like her put on a loving heart.
And throw away thy guile and hate. A maid shall tell thee how 'tis done, A child shall show the victory won.
CXCIX.
[Lines, expressive of religious experience, and written, when travelling at night in 1853, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. ]
THE STAR THAT SHINES UPON THE HEART.
I marked the bright, the silver star, That nightly deck'd our desert way,
As shining from its depths afar,
Its heavenly radiance seem'd to say ;
Oh look ! From mists and shadows clear,
My cheering light is always here.
I saw thee. And at once I knew, Star of the desert, in my heart ; —
That thou didst shine, the emblem true Of that bright star, whose beams impart,
From night to night, fi'om day to day.
The solace of their inward ray.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 163
There is a beam to light the mind ;
There is a star the soul to cheer ; And thcj^ that heavenly light who find,
Shall always sec it burning clear ; The same its briglit, celestial face, In every change of time and place.
Star of my heart, that long hast shone,
To cheer the inward spirit's sky ! Illumin'd from the heavenly throne,
Thou hast a ray that cannot die. 'Tis God that lights thee. And with Him No sky is dark ; no star is dim.
cc.
["Written, on reaching the city of Jerusalem, after having visited other prominent places in Palestine. ]
THE SACRED LAND.
Oh land of men of other days !
Where bards and ancient prophets trod. The land of rapt Isaiah's lays. The land of David's psalms of praise.
Land of the men of God.
And if 'tis not enough of fame,
To be the home of prophets, — then.
From all thy hills and rocks proclaim
The higlier and more glorious name Of Him who died for men.
1G4 CHRIST IN TnE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
In vain, like birds on ocean's foam
When tossed amid a troubled sea, In vain the sad in spu'it roam, • In search of resting-place or home, "Who turn away from thee.
By thee the seal of doubt is broken,
Which long to human hearts had pressed ; By thee alone the words are spoken, Wliich " peace on earth " and love betoken, Aud give the weary rest.
The clouds of Sinai's mount proclaim
The law that wakes the spirit's fears ; From Calvaiy's height the message came. The law of love for that of flame. Love for the coming years.
Land of the soul ! forever dear ;
Wide o'er the world the words impart, Which turn to hope despairing fear ; Whicli dry the penitential tear.
And heal tlie bleeding heart.
CCL
[Written on visiting the vast, silent sands of the Lybian desert, which bound the valley of the Nile. ]
GOD WITH US IN SOLITUDE.
'Tis thus in solitude I roam
O'er many a land and tossing sea ;
And yet, afar from friends and home, I find, O God ! a home in Thee.
AS A SriRITUAL AND IN-DWELLING PRIXCIPLE. 165
I pass from things of space and time, The finite meets or leaves my sight ;
But God expands o'er every clime, The clothing of the Infinite.
He left me not in that far land.
Which I have lov'd to call my own ;
And walking now on Egypt's sand, I feel that I am not alone.
He walks the earth. He rides the air ;
The lightning's speed He leaves behind His name is Love. And tell me, — Where
Is sea or land He cannot find.
Oh long I've known him. Could it be,
That, if He did not hold mc dear, He thus would travel land and sea,
And throw His arms around me here?
I could not leave Him, if I would ;
I would not, if the power were given ; 'Twould be to leave the True and Good,
The soul's Eepose, the spirit's Heaven.
166 CHRIST IN THE SOUL; OR, CHRIST
ecu.
[The following records the impressions, left upon the mind, on visiting the garden of Gethsemane, May, 1853.]
THE yiCTORY OF THE CROSS.
Oh let me. not forget I 'Twas here, Earth of the Saviour's grief and toil !
He knelt ; — and oft the falling tear INIingled his sorrows with thy soil, —
When, in the Garden's fearful hour,
He felt the great temptation's power.
Here was the profFer'd bitter cup.
" TiiY ^YiLL BE DONE," The Saviour said. His faith received, and drank it up ;
Amazed, the baffled tempter fled, — Repulsed, with all his hate and skill, Before an acquiescent will.
Oh man ! In memory of that hour
Let rising murmurs be rcpress'd ; And learn the secret of thy power
AVithin a calm and patient breast. ''Thy WILL BE DONE." 'Tis that, which rolls, Their agony from suffering souls.
Such is the lesson that I find,
Here, in the Saviour's place of tears ; —
The lesson, that the trusting mind
Has strength to conquer griefs and fears ;
And doom'd upon the cross to die,
Finds death itself a victory.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING TKINCirLE. 107
CCTII.
[The following, wliicli I have translated from one of the poems of Madame Guy on, was written dming her long imprisonment in the state prisons of France. It strikingly illustrates the resignation and triumph of a soul, wholl}' given up to the will of God.]
RESIGNATION AND TRIUMPH IN AFFLICTION.
A little bird I am,
Shut from the fields of air ; And in my cage I sit and sing
To Him, who placed me there ; "Well pleased a prisoner to be, Because, my God, it pleases Thee.
Nought have I el?e to do ;
I sing the whole day long ; And He, whom most I love to please,
Doth listen to my song ; He caught and bound my wandering wing, But still He bends to hear me sing.
Thou hast an ear to hear ;
A heart to love and bless ; And, though my notes were e'er so rude,
Thou wouldst not hear the less ; Because Thou knowest, as they fall, That love, sweet love, inspires them all.
My cage confines me round ;
Abroad I cannot fly ; But, though my wing is closely bound,
My heart's at hberty. My prison walls cannot control The flight, the freedom of the soul.
168 cnnisT in the soul; oe, christ
Oh, it is good to -soar,
These bolts and bars above,
To Him, whose purpose I adore ; "Whose Providence I love ;
And in Thy mighty will to find
The joy, the freedom of the mind.
CCIV.
THE TRUE REST.
'Tis not in vain the mind, By many a tempest driven.
Shall seek a resting place to find, A calm like that of heaven.
The weak one and dismayed. Scarce knowing where to flee,
How happy when he finds the aid, That comes alone from Thee,
In Thee, oh God, is kest ; — Best from the world's desires.
From pride that agitates the Ijreast, From passion's angry fires.
In Thee is rest from fear.
That brings its strange alarm.
And sorrow, with its rising tear, Thou hast the power to calm.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 169
ccv.
GOD THE SOURCE OF LOVE.
O Thou, who giv'st the true desire,
Thyself the only source of love, Within our humble hearts inspire
Affections, springing from above.
As transient as the morning dew, Earth's love imparts its joys in vain.
But those, who drink the fountain true. The dews of hfe, thirst not again.
Why then should men with watchful eye The treasure seek which is not given ?
The cisterns of the earth are dr}-^,
Perennial flow the draughts of heaven.
O Thou, who giv'st the true desire,
Thyself the only source of love, Withia our humble hearts inspire
Affections, spiinging from above.
CCVI.
RESOURCE IN TEMPTATION
My Saviour ! Wilt Thou leave me now. When sharp temptations round me throng?
All other helps have failed — and Thou Alone canst hope and truth prolong.
170 CHIIIST IN THE SOUL; OIT, CHRIST
Temptep ; — but can I turn awaj,
And give my thoughts to aught but Thee ;
Oh, let me die ; but ne'er betray My pledge of truth and constancy.
I know that sorrow has its power, I know that pleasure has its charm ;
But oft the least propitious hour Beholds the triumph of Thine arm.
Oh, who or what shall lead to sin,
Whate'er its power, whate'er its art —
So long as Christ is King within.
And binds His being round my heart?
ccvn.
SORROW THE NURSE OF LOVE.
Oh God, Thou heard'st my early vow, ('Twas sacred then, 'tis sacred now,) The vow which promised to fulfil, "With Thee to aid me, all thy will.
Resigning all the soul held dear,
It pledged Thee, with a heart sincere,
Never, oh, never, to incline
To plan or clioice, which was not Thine.
And Thou hast put me to the test In times and ways Thou tlioughtest best But He, who smote me, ^ave the power To conquer in the trying hour.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PlilNCIl'LE. 17^
^Vhen sickness Thou didst on me send, When Thou didst take each dearest friend ; I found, in spoiling earthly bliss. Thou mad'st Thyself my happiness.
My earthly loss, ray earthly pain, "Was changed to joy and heavenly gain ; And Thou didst grieve me but to prove, That sorrow is the nurse of love.
ccvni.
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.
I know. Oh God, that dangers near
Are thick on eveiy side ; But Thou hast taught me not to fear,
With thy dear hand to guide.
What altered purpose, what decay, What turning from the right,
To God's great heart can find its way, And change the Infinite ?
If earth's affections treacherous prove, If earthly bonds are riven.
There still remains a higher love, Unchangeable as heaven.
The sun his shining way may leave, The ocean leave the shore ;
The sun no more the day to give, The sea to heave no more.
172 CmtlST IN THE soul; or, CHRIST
But Thou, more lasting than the sea, More certain than the sun,
Canst break no bonds of unity, When hearts with Thee are one.
CCIX.
QUIETNESS OF SPIRIT REFLECTED IN THE LIFE.
When from the heart its ills are driven, And God, restored, resumes control,
The outward life becomes a heaven, As bright as 'that within the soul.
Where once was pride, and stern disdain, And acts expressing fierce desire ;
The eye, that closest looks, in vain Shall seek the trace of nature's fire.
No flame of earth, no passion now, Has left its scorching mark behind ;
But lip, and cheek, and radiant brow, Kellect the brightness of the mind.
For where should be the signs of sin. When sin itself has left the breast ;
WTien God alone is Lord within. And perfect faith gives perfect rest.
AS A SPIRITUAL AND INDWELLING PRINCIPLE. 173
ccx.
THE MYSTIC DOVE.
["And John bare record, sajing, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven hke a dove, and it abode upon him. " — John 1 : 32. ]
The mystic Dove has found its nest ;
Its snowy wings are folded there ; Within the pure, the peaceful breast,
Where faith and praise are joined to prayer.
Long did the weary wanderer roam ;
But scared from scenes of strife and fear, It's panting bosom found a home,
In hearts to truth and virtue dear.
And if it took thee long to find,
Oh, haste not from thy home to stir; — • But nestling in the holy mind, ^ Cease not to be its comforter.
The soul that claims thee, bright with love,
Is beautiful as thine own skies ; — Fear not, dear stranger from above,
Fly not, sweet bird of Paradise.
c U
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II •