Remember!

Remember, Soul, the solemn word, Still uttered by thy loving Lord:— “That which thou sowest, thou shalt reap.” Let not thy nobler nature sleep; The word the Voice within thee saith, Reveals the law of life and death. That law, inexorably just, For good or ill, binds soul and dust,— And sways, with equal sovereignty, The shoreless sea of Destiny! Choose well; for baser choice endures:— Each heedless hour its age ensures,— Planting, in place of memories blest, A cypress forest in the breast.

THE RECKONING.

Search well thy ways, thy wishes,— Thy deepest life lay bare; Against to-morrow’s daylight, Desire and deed prepare.

Of reckless ease and pleasure, And slothful will, beware; Against to-morrow’s daylight, Thy stewardship prepare.

Ambition, aim, and motive,— To each give honest care; Against to-morrow’s daylight, Thy character prepare.

O Judgment-journeying brother! Thyself shall meet thee there;— Against to-morrow’s daylight, Thy destiny prepare.

Choose well; thy choice is endless! Be this our earnest prayer:— “Against to-morrow’s daylight, O God, my soul prepare.”

THE FONT, THE ALTAR, AND THE TOMB.

The font, the altar, and the tomb,— And but a step between! A pulse, a breath, ’twixt birth and death— And ends life’s sombre scene.

The font, the altar, and the tomb! How swift through mirth and moan, The silent shuttles of life’s loom, Guided by hands unknown!

The font, the altar, and the tomb! Poor heart, seek not in vain To move the unrelenting gloom, For short surcease of pain.

The font, the altar, and the tomb! Accept frail nature’s dower;— To thee, to all, an equal doom,— The inevitable hour!

The font, the altar, and the tomb! Faint not at “Dust to Dust;”— The love of God leaves ample room For deathless hope and trust.

The font, the altar, and the tomb! Christ crowns the soul’s sore strife;— The morning breaks! the victor wakes To everlasting life!

EVENTIDE.

The evening shadows deepen fast, Enshrouding sea and shore; The day so bright, so quickly past, Returneth nevermore.

The night is come; but lo! on high The steadfast stars appear; A holy calm is in the sky, And heaven seems very near.

So fades, at last, life’s little day,— So falls death’s deepening gloom; We hasten, each a different way, To reach one goal,—the tomb!

But God is good, whate’er may come;— To every heart is given A tender memory of home, A trembling hope of heaven.

THE LARGER LIFE.

My years are very few, O God! More rapidly they pass Than clouds whose transient tale is told In shadows on the grass.

My years are very few, O God! But they are full of Thee:— A drop of being in Thy life’s Unfathomable sea.

My years are very few, O God! Oh, let me clearly see How they grow strong and beautiful In Thy immensity.

My years are very few, O God! The sum of them is small,— But each may serve Thy blessed will, And Thou shalt have them all.

My years are very few, O God! On earth, but not in heaven;— To Thee, eternal Life and Love, Be endless praises given.

A PRAYER.

Deepen, Lord, the light divine, In this darkened heart of mine; On my inmost spirit shine, Radiance of th’ Eternal Trine!

Deepen, Lord, the life divine, In this barren heart of mine;— As the branch is to the vine, Hangs my helpless soul on Thine.

Deepen, Lord, the love divine, In this lonely heart of mine; Surest seal and sweetest sign,— There thy perfect peace enshrine.

Light, and life, and love, Thou art;— With thy grace, Thyself impart; Rest and Rapture of the heart, Come, and nevermore depart.

THE MESSAGE.

Sweet message of the Holy Dove, In mercy brought us from above,— O haste, my soul, its peace to prove:— “God, the Eternal God, is love!”

In Jesus, full of truth and grace,— Dear brightness of the Father’s face, Each radiant letter we can trace:— “God, the Eternal God, is love!”

All other word is empty, vain; Naught else can heal the heart’s sore pain, And faith and hope revive again:— “God, the Eternal God, is love!”

Through all life’s dangers, doubts and fears,— In all our trials, toils and tears, This promise spans the darkest years:— “God, the Eternal God, is love!”

Blest tidings, borne by Holy Dove, Of welcome waiting us above,— Through endless ages there to prove— “God, the Eternal God, is love!”

AS THOU WILT.

Give what Thou wilt, And what Thou wilt, withold; Only, O Lord, bestow Thy mercy manifold.

Give what Thou wilt, And what Thou wilt, recall; Thou still art ours, O God, And Thou art all in all.

Rich in Thy gifts, But richer in Thy grace, What bliss, what glory, ours, When we behold Thy face!