Saxe Holm's Stories/The Elder's Wife

Good tidings every day, God's messengers ride fast. We do not hear one half they say, There is such noise on the highway, Where we must wait while they ride past.

Their banners blaze and shine With Jesus Christ's dear name, And story, how by God's design He saves us, in His love divine, And lifts us from our sin and shame.

Their music fills the air, Their songs sing all of Heaven; Their ringing trumpet peals declare What crowns to souls who fight and dare, And win, shall presently be given.

Their hands throw treasures round Among the multitude. No pause, no choice, no count, no bound, No questioning how men are found, If they be evil or be good.

But all the banners bear Some words we cannot read; And mystic echoes in the air, Which borrow from the songs no share, In sweetness all the songs exceed.

And of the multitude, No man but in his hand Holds some great gift misunderstood, Some treasure, for whose use or good His ignorance sees no demand.

These are the tokens lent By immortality; Birth-marks of our divine descent; Sureties of ultimate intent, God's Gospel of Eternity.

Good tidings every day. The messengers ride fast; Thanks be to God for all they say; There is such noise on the highway, Let us keep still while they ride past.

Like a cradle rocking, rocking, Silent, peaceful, to and fro, Like a mother's sweet looks dropping On the little face below, Hangs the green earth, swinging, turning, Jarless, noiseless, safe and slow; Falls the light of God's face bending Down and watching us below.

And as feeble babes that suffer, Toss and cry, and will not rest, Are the ones the tender mother Holds the closest, loves the best, So when we are weak and wretched, By our sins weighed down, distressed, Then it is that God's great patience Holds us closest, loves us best.

O great Heart of God! whose loving Cannot hindered be nor crossed; Will not weary, will not even In our death itself be lost— Love divine! of such great loving, Only mothers know the cost— Cost of love, which all love passing, Gave a Son to save the lost.