The Mountain Spring and Other Poems Part 3

NOVEMBER

_But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice._--Psalm 5:11.

November is so drear and chill Whilst making leafless branch and tree, Whilst sweeping over vale and hill With all her doleful minstrelsy.

November wails the summer's death In such a melancholy voice, She has a withering, blighting breath; She does not bid the heart rejoice.

Yet why repine, thou stricken one?

Grief is the common fate of all.

This the refrain beneath the sun: Mortals must die, and leaves must fall.

They'll live again, the leaves and flowers, When spring returns to bless the earth; They'll waken 'neath her sunny hours Through nature's touch to beauteous birth.

Hope in decay and do not moan That G.o.d has taken one we love: Why should our hearts be turned to stone When he is safe in heaven above?

Redeemed through Christ, who was his trust, With him in realms of joy on high; For though down here "'tis dust to dust,"

The Christian lives beyond the sky.

Then in the autumn's woe rejoice,-- Rejoice in calm, rejoice in storm; In either hear G.o.d's tender voice, For both his holy will perform.

THE TRAVELERS

Away from the city, away from the crowd, Two comrades in sorrow traversed hill and dale; The gloom of their hearts did their faces enshroud, And clouds of distress only seemed to prevail.

Alone, as they thought; but a stranger unknown Inquired thus kindly the cause of their woe: "Of what are ye talking? Why are ye cast down, So burdened with care, as thus onward ye go?"

Cleopas thus answered, "A stranger art thou In Jerusalem, not knowing the things happening there?"

"What things?" asked the stranger, desiring now Their lips should disclose what had caused their despair.

"Of Jesus of Nazareth, one mighty in deed, A wonderful prophet; him have they slain.

To Israel's redemption we hoped he would lead, But why should we hope if hope is in vain?

"Some women who went to the sepulcher say That angels a.s.sured them he's living this hour, But they did not see him, and try as we may, It seems a false rumor of glory and power."

The stranger rebuked them ere he would teach What the prophets portray of Christ's sufferings here.

Their souls were enlivened, but soon they would reach The village they sought, which too quickly drew near.

The stranger seemed pa.s.sing, but now they entreat, "Abide with us here; the day is far spent"; They could not forego yet such fellows.h.i.+p sweet, And he entered in with them whither they went.

When supper was ready, they sat up to partake-- They and the stranger, in whom they delight.

He blessed, as his custom, the bread ere he brake; They knew it was Jesus! And he vanished from sight.

"Did not our hearts burn within us," now they exclaimed, "As he taught of himself what the prophets record?

We've seen him, we've heard him, and he is the same: He is Israel's Messiah, our Savior and Lord!"

We are travelers here on the highway of time, But he will go with us if we seek him aright.

His strength will support us as upward we climb; Through his blood we inherit immortality's light.

DAYBREAK

_Until the day break, and the shadows flee away._--Song of Solomon 4:6.

Gleaming softly, silvery-faint, Heralded by chanticleer, Merging from night's shadowy taint, New day of the pa.s.sing year!

Born to bless or born to blight, Born for you and born for me, Leaving, ere it take its flight, Impress on eternity!

'Tis a gift from G.o.d's own hand.

On its pure unsullied page Let us write at his command What will bless our pilgrimage.

True repentance giveth joy To the angels in the sky.

What could be more blest employ Than to cheer the choirs on high?

Deeds of patience, deeds of love, Banis.h.i.+ng all hate and guile-- These will steer toward heaven above, These will make the angels smile.

May this child of time unite Earth and heaven in blest accord, Heathen nations see the light From the cross of Christ our Lord.

Coming is the glad daybreak, The prophetic jubilee; Sin will then all hearts forsake, Then will all the shadows flee.

GONE

Upon time's surging, billowy sea A s.h.i.+p now slowly disappears, With freight no human eye can see, But weighing just one hundred years.

Their sighs, their tears, their weary moans, Their joy and pleasure, pomp and pride, Their angry and their gentle tones, Beneath its waves forever hide.

Yes, sunk within oblivion's waves, They'll partly live in memory; To youth, who will their secrets crave, Mostly exist in history.

Ah, what a truth steps in this strain-- They are not lost within time's sea; Their words and actions live again, And blight or light eternity!

A new s.h.i.+p comes within our view, Laden with dreams both sad and blest; To youth they're tinged with roseate hue; To weary ones bring longed-for rest.

And still the stream of life flows on, Laughing beneath the century new.

G.o.d's promise gilds the horizon; Mercy shall reign; his word is true.

AWAKE!