The Present Age. 7

Japan unbars her long sealed gates From islands far away; Her sons are lifting up their eyes To greet the coming day.

The Indian child from forests wild Has learned to read and pray; The tomahawk and scalping knife From him have passed away.

From centuries of servile toil The Negro finds release, And builds the fanes of prayer and praise Unto the God of Peace.

England and Russia face to face With Central Asia meet; And on the far Pacific coast, Chinese and natives greet.

Crusaders once with sword and shield The Holy Land to save; From Moslem hands did strive to clutch The dear Redeemer's grave.

A battle greater, grander far Is for the present age;

8 THE PRESENT AGE.

A crusade for the rights of man To brighten history's page.

Where labor faints and bows her head, And want consorts with crime; Or men grown faithless sadly say That evil is the time.

There is the field, the vantage ground For every earnest heart; To side with justice, truth and right And act a noble part.

To save from ignorance and vice The poorest, humblest child; To make our age the fairest one On which the sun has smiled;

To plant the roots of coming years In mercy, love and truth; And bid our weary, saddened earth Again renew her youth.

Oh! earnest hearts! toil on in hope, 'Till darkness shrinks from light; To fill the earth with peace and joy, Let youth and age unite: