The Building. 25

Were our vision clearer far, In this sin-dimmed world of ours, Would we not more thankful be For the love that sends us flowers?

Welcome, early visitants, With your sun-crowned golden hair, With your message to our hearts Of our Father's loving care.

THE BUILDING.

"Build me a house," said the Master, "But not on the shifting sand, Mid the wreck and roar of tempests, A house that will firmly stand.

"I will bring thee windows of agates, And gates of carbuncles bright, And thy fairest courts and portals Shall be filled with love and light.

"Thou shalt build with fadeless rubies, All fashioned around the throne, A house that shall last forever, With Christ as the cornerstone.

26 HOME, SWEET HOME.

"It shall be a royal mansion, A fair and beautiful thing, It will be the presence-chamber Of thy Saviour, Lord and King.

"Thy house shall be bound with pinions To mansions of rest above, But grace shall forge all the fetters With the links and cords of love.

"Thou shalt be free in this mansion From sorrow and pain of heart, For the peace of God shall enter, And never again depart."

HOME, SWEET HOME.

Sharers of a common country, They had met in deadly strife; Men who should have been as brothers Madly sought each other's life.

In the silence of the even, When the cannon's lips were dumb,