THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
THE OLD.
We hailed thy white-robed natal hour,
Rejoiced in dawning Spring; Now Autumn fruit, and Summer flower
Have passed, and sad we sing
Rejoiced in dawning Spring; Now Autumn fruit, and Summer flower
Have passed, and sad we sing
Thy requiem. Oh vanished year!
Thy deeds of shame and wrong, Thy widows' cry, thy orphans' tear
Well nigh untune my song.
Thy deeds of shame and wrong, Thy widows' cry, thy orphans' tear
Well nigh untune my song.
Thine was the fraud, the private cheat,
The mean in purse and thought; Leal worshippers at Mammon's feet,
Who sold their Heaven for nought.
The mean in purse and thought; Leal worshippers at Mammon's feet,
Who sold their Heaven for nought.
Thine were those souls that slander hatch,
That tortuous tangles spin; Who mimic those they fail to match,
And mock at all, save sin.
That tortuous tangles spin; Who mimic those they fail to match,
And mock at all, save sin.
Thine too, those hideous slaughter-fields
Where, on the sodden plain, As mind in man to brute force yields,
Lie dead, and deathless slain.
Where, on the sodden plain, As mind in man to brute force yields,
Lie dead, and deathless slain.
Yet, through that Power who quelled the storm
With mandate "Peace! be still!" Thy friendships were not all mere form,
Thy doings not all ill.
With mandate "Peace! be still!" Thy friendships were not all mere form,
Thy doings not all ill.
For earnest hearts, and righteous hands
In thee have gained a prize, That goal which change and time withstands;
Christ-life the world defies.
In thee have gained a prize, That goal which change and time withstands;
Christ-life the world defies.
Then, blessing Him whose presence flows
Where vision fails to view; Through summer's heat, and winter's snows,
We bid thee, Year, adieu!
God's gift, the latest born; Those promises which never fail
Make glad our New Year's morn.
Where vision fails to view; Through summer's heat, and winter's snows,
We bid thee, Year, adieu!
THE NEW.
And turn, with heart of hope, to hailGod's gift, the latest born; Those promises which never fail
Make glad our New Year's morn.
Before His fiat nature bends,
His verdure clothes the tree; He grandeur to the mountain lends,
And sways the surging sea.
His verdure clothes the tree; He grandeur to the mountain lends,
And sways the surging sea.
At His command the torrents pour,
The spring leaps from the rock; The eaglets from the eyrie soar,
Firm earth sustains a shock.
The spring leaps from the rock; The eaglets from the eyrie soar,
Firm earth sustains a shock.
With power unbounded at His feet
All heaven and earth to move; Through Calvary's cross, in Him we greet,
'Yond justice, pardoning love.
All heaven and earth to move; Through Calvary's cross, in Him we greet,
'Yond justice, pardoning love.
Though dismal clouds at noontide lower,
What need to grope our way; Ahead doth stream, from beacon tower,
Light to celestial day.
What need to grope our way; Ahead doth stream, from beacon tower,
Light to celestial day.
That Hand which paints the rose's bloom,
Which hung heaven's canopy, Doth point to where, 'yond present gloom,
Unblemished landscapes be.
Which hung heaven's canopy, Doth point to where, 'yond present gloom,
Unblemished landscapes be.
That Heart, responsive to the cry
Of man, and bird, and beast; Bids teeming earth, in prompt reply,
Spread out perpetual feast.
Of man, and bird, and beast; Bids teeming earth, in prompt reply,
Spread out perpetual feast.
Then, sigh not o'er the buried year,
Nor mourn, in low-set voice; Young Life sings forth in accents clear;
In her sweet joy rejoice.
Nor mourn, in low-set voice; Young Life sings forth in accents clear;
In her sweet joy rejoice.
SPRING.
The fiat hath gone forth;
From Winter's nerveless grasp The frozen chains unclasp; King Freedom rules our North.
From Winter's nerveless grasp The frozen chains unclasp; King Freedom rules our North.
From out his long repose
Fair Ocean sings again; Low wail, or sweet refrain In every breeze that blows.
Fair Ocean sings again; Low wail, or sweet refrain In every breeze that blows.
See! from the listening hills
The whitened mantle glides; Whilst 'gulfed in full spring-tides Are lost the murmuring rills.
The whitened mantle glides; Whilst 'gulfed in full spring-tides Are lost the murmuring rills.
Ring out ye woodland notes!
Trill through the brightening blue; Loud swell the anthem new, Which nature heavenward floats.
Trill through the brightening blue; Loud swell the anthem new, Which nature heavenward floats.
For zephyr fannèd river,
For gently swaying trees, Voice, in each passing breeze, The praise of life's Great Giver.
For gently swaying trees, Voice, in each passing breeze, The praise of life's Great Giver.
Now firelight's lurid gleam
Gives place to greening slope; Where youth, miraged of hope, Sees roseate vistas beam.
Gives place to greening slope; Where youth, miraged of hope, Sees roseate vistas beam.
Hails in each star of eve,
Each lustrous, lengthening day Of joyous roundelay, A world where none may grieve.
Each lustrous, lengthening day Of joyous roundelay, A world where none may grieve.
Blessed morning of the year!
Lone sickness greets the voice Which waketh to rejoice, From high to lowliest sphere.
Lone sickness greets the voice Which waketh to rejoice, From high to lowliest sphere.
The tiller of the soil
Goes forth in purpose strong; For Spring's exultant song Wreathes round the head of toil.
Goes forth in purpose strong; For Spring's exultant song Wreathes round the head of toil.
Earth! nurture well the seed;
Sun! gild the swelling grain; Heaven! sap the thirsty plain; Till plenty answers need.
Sun! gild the swelling grain; Heaven! sap the thirsty plain; Till plenty answers need.
Breathe out, Oh genial Spring!
Thy teachings over all; Till, manna-like, shall fall, Soft peace where tumults ring.
Thy teachings over all; Till, manna-like, shall fall, Soft peace where tumults ring.
Then shall the wondrous story
On nature's vivid page Gleam, till millennial age Doth flood the world with glory.
On nature's vivid page Gleam, till millennial age Doth flood the world with glory.
SUMMER.
Hail Summer! glad Summer! thou Queen of the year!
Hail fragrance and beauty encircling thy sphere!
With song of the oriole, with hum of the bee,
We welcome thy coming from far Southern sea.
Hail fragrance and beauty encircling thy sphere!
With song of the oriole, with hum of the bee,
We welcome thy coming from far Southern sea.
Thou tintest the blossom on Winter's cold grave;
Bidd'st Commerce ride forth on the white-crested wave;
Thy sweet zephyrs float from the golden-hued west
As whisper of angels from realm of the blest.
Bidd'st Commerce ride forth on the white-crested wave;
Thy sweet zephyrs float from the golden-hued west
As whisper of angels from realm of the blest.
The tiniest leaflets which brighten the ground
No less than great waters thy praises resound;
As, peeping from wayside, or climbing the bower,
They kiss the gay sunlight, or drink in the shower.
No less than great waters thy praises resound;
As, peeping from wayside, or climbing the bower,
They kiss the gay sunlight, or drink in the shower.
Heaven's choristers warble in gladsome reply,
As trees offer incense unto thy blue sky;
Even rough ocean, melting to low, passive strain,
Joins earth in harmonious and joyous refrain.
As trees offer incense unto thy blue sky;
Even rough ocean, melting to low, passive strain,
Joins earth in harmonious and joyous refrain.
Ah me! for the roses of summer all strewn!
Ah me! for the lives whose brief sunshine has flown!
The clouds often darken at noontide the wave;
The willows oft weep o'er a midsummer's grave.
Ah me! for the lives whose brief sunshine has flown!
The clouds often darken at noontide the wave;
The willows oft weep o'er a midsummer's grave.
Oh! for that bright land where no shadows e'er fall;
Nor sickness e'er withers, nor sorrows appall;
Where summers of gladness unceasingly roll
O'er the sinless home of the sanctified soul.
Nor sickness e'er withers, nor sorrows appall;
Where summers of gladness unceasingly roll
O'er the sinless home of the sanctified soul.
AUTUMN.
Robed in thy raiment of splendor,
Thy trappings of purple and gold; Brighter than vision of dreamland,
Thou lightenest mountain and wold. Streameth thy rays o'er the woodland;
And the green of the sombre pine, And the crimson of the maple leaf
Are wreathed in a lustre divine.
Thy trappings of purple and gold; Brighter than vision of dreamland,
Thou lightenest mountain and wold. Streameth thy rays o'er the woodland;
And the green of the sombre pine, And the crimson of the maple leaf
Are wreathed in a lustre divine.
Clothed is fair earth of thy fulness;
Enriched is the bloom of the flower; From verdant to radiant beauty
Thou shadest the gay trellised bower. Thy smile doth paint the yellow corn;
Thou sing'st in rustle of the sheaves; Thy symphonies of praise ascend
In twitter of the orchard leaves.
Enriched is the bloom of the flower; From verdant to radiant beauty
Thou shadest the gay trellised bower. Thy smile doth paint the yellow corn;
Thou sing'st in rustle of the sheaves; Thy symphonies of praise ascend
In twitter of the orchard leaves.
Calm, mellow skies look kindly down
On tree-clad hill, on fruitful vale; Whilst mariners, on far-off seas,
Hoist canvas to the homeward gale. Thy generous hand doth fill the cup
With choice reward for labor's crown; Thy teeming fields revoice that hope
Which blancheth not 'neath Winter's frown.
On tree-clad hill, on fruitful vale; Whilst mariners, on far-off seas,
Hoist canvas to the homeward gale. Thy generous hand doth fill the cup
With choice reward for labor's crown; Thy teeming fields revoice that hope
Which blancheth not 'neath Winter's frown.
For though earth's life-sustaining store
Be gathered from her bounteous breast; Though leafage falls on bare, brown floor,
Though nature lieth long at rest, The snows shall flit at Spring's warm breath,
And, after Summer's round of cheer, Again shall Autumn lays peal forth;
Again shall mercy crown the year.
Be gathered from her bounteous breast; Though leafage falls on bare, brown floor,
Though nature lieth long at rest, The snows shall flit at Spring's warm breath,
And, after Summer's round of cheer, Again shall Autumn lays peal forth;
Again shall mercy crown the year.
WINTER.
Down came the rude winds of the Northland;
Their icy breath crusting the snow, Chilling the mirth of the babbling stream,
Till it sullenly gurgles below. Freezing the shroud on the lifeless hill,
Erst-while all aglow in its green; Mocking the gloom of a low-arched sky
By pearl-flashing forest between.
Their icy breath crusting the snow, Chilling the mirth of the babbling stream,
Till it sullenly gurgles below. Freezing the shroud on the lifeless hill,
Erst-while all aglow in its green; Mocking the gloom of a low-arched sky
By pearl-flashing forest between.
Bitterly keen was that rude, north wind;
I sighed with the outgoing year, And yearned for the kindlier, warmer suns
Which had waned over Autumn's bier. That love which haloed the loved of youth,
Which kept unscathed its primal hold, Outshone the weal of the passing hour;
And harped on nature's minor chord.
I sighed with the outgoing year, And yearned for the kindlier, warmer suns
Which had waned over Autumn's bier. That love which haloed the loved of youth,
Which kept unscathed its primal hold, Outshone the weal of the passing hour;
And harped on nature's minor chord.
As tenderly, up the aisles of time,
Through many a winter's snow There trilled the long-missed harmonies;
Dear hearts of the long ago! But—Hush ye voices of plaint within!
Give ear to the voices without; Over the snow-piles, down the dull street
There pealeth a boy's merry shout.
Through many a winter's snow There trilled the long-missed harmonies;
Dear hearts of the long ago! But—Hush ye voices of plaint within!
Give ear to the voices without; Over the snow-piles, down the dull street
There pealeth a boy's merry shout.
A tide of youth, with its pleasure freight,
In sunshine of gladness sweeps past; And clear on the frosty air rings out
"Jolly old Winter's come at last." Then wholesome trust in the Ever-Good
Welled up over carping unrest;— I chime in the chime of the changing years;
They bow to their Ruler's behest.
In sunshine of gladness sweeps past; And clear on the frosty air rings out
"Jolly old Winter's come at last." Then wholesome trust in the Ever-Good
Welled up over carping unrest;— I chime in the chime of the changing years;
They bow to their Ruler's behest.
EASTER.
"Fear not!" said the white-robed angel
Who rolled the stone away; "Fear not, for your Lord is risen;
Come see where Jesus lay." Oh! joy for the blessed assurance!
No sealed, or guarded grave, Could bind in its rocky shroudings
The Christ who came to save.
Who rolled the stone away; "Fear not, for your Lord is risen;
Come see where Jesus lay." Oh! joy for the blessed assurance!
No sealed, or guarded grave, Could bind in its rocky shroudings
The Christ who came to save.
Adown through the circling ages,
As threads of living gold, The tidings of that hallowed morn
Have spanned life's dreary world. Have touched, convinced, subdued the soul;
Till reason's twilight ray, Till vice, and dolesome ignorance
Give place to perfect day.
As threads of living gold, The tidings of that hallowed morn
Have spanned life's dreary world. Have touched, convinced, subdued the soul;
Till reason's twilight ray, Till vice, and dolesome ignorance
Give place to perfect day.
That voice which awed the angry wave
On deep, blue Galilee, Yet calms, and rules with mild control,
From nigh to further sea. Yet wakes to life the desert land,
Breaks superstition's hold; And, wanderers on the myriad paths,
Doth compass in one fold.
On deep, blue Galilee, Yet calms, and rules with mild control,
From nigh to further sea. Yet wakes to life the desert land,
Breaks superstition's hold; And, wanderers on the myriad paths,
Doth compass in one fold.
Ye seraphs! strike your golden harps,
Tuned with devotion high; With echoing pæans sweetly thrill
The arches of the sky. Whilst we, in noblest measures
Which earthly voices sing, Yield homage to our risen Lord
Our glorious Saviour—King.
Tuned with devotion high; With echoing pæans sweetly thrill
The arches of the sky. Whilst we, in noblest measures
Which earthly voices sing, Yield homage to our risen Lord
Our glorious Saviour—King.
THANKSGIVING.
In Tisri's holier season,
From City of the Palms To where onycha incense soared
Amid Hosanna psalms, Waved green from every housetop,
Gay plumes of laurel tree; Whilst silver trumpets pealed afar
The tones of victory. Since through atoning sacrifice
Had dawned the spirit's peace; And through earth's toil a rich reward
Was reaped, in earth's increase.
From City of the Palms To where onycha incense soared
Amid Hosanna psalms, Waved green from every housetop,
Gay plumes of laurel tree; Whilst silver trumpets pealed afar
The tones of victory. Since through atoning sacrifice
Had dawned the spirit's peace; And through earth's toil a rich reward
Was reaped, in earth's increase.
Though ruin marks where Tadmor reigned,
And Israel roameth far; No shoals may stem the mercy-tide;
No power Heaven's largess bar. Then through the great Atonement's dawn,
Be lit our sin-dimmed eyes; Till grateful accents pierce the mist,
Into rejoicing skies. Till garnered fruit, and aftermath;
Till Autumn's tender shine With farewell tones of woodland song,
Reflect the Love Divine.
And Israel roameth far; No shoals may stem the mercy-tide;
No power Heaven's largess bar. Then through the great Atonement's dawn,
Be lit our sin-dimmed eyes; Till grateful accents pierce the mist,
Into rejoicing skies. Till garnered fruit, and aftermath;
Till Autumn's tender shine With farewell tones of woodland song,
Reflect the Love Divine.
CHRISTMAS EVE.
I.
Deep shadows mar the pearly snow;
Light flickers on the wall; While childhood's laugh, as music's flow
Resoundeth through the hall.
Light flickers on the wall; While childhood's laugh, as music's flow
Resoundeth through the hall.
Now echoes from the years return;—
Ring out thou pealing bell! While thought doth last, or memory burn
Thou may'st not strike their knell. And visions from the earlier days
Within the mind arise, Illumined by a golden haze;
For earth seems near the skies.
Ring out thou pealing bell! While thought doth last, or memory burn
Thou may'st not strike their knell. And visions from the earlier days
Within the mind arise, Illumined by a golden haze;
For earth seems near the skies.
And round our hearth the voices throng
Which tender memories bring; Those tones which died in even-song,
Those stilled in budding spring.
Which tender memories bring; Those tones which died in even-song,
Those stilled in budding spring.
Once more we gather, as in one,
To list the tale oft told; That legacy from sire to son
Which waxeth never old.
To list the tale oft told; That legacy from sire to son
Which waxeth never old.
II.
No shrill-toned clarion wakes the night
O'er Juda's slumbering plains; No trumpet blast of armèd might
Sounds forth "Messiah reigns."
O'er Juda's slumbering plains; No trumpet blast of armèd might
Sounds forth "Messiah reigns."
No curious crowd demands a sight;
No trophy flameth high; But seraph hosts, on wings of light,
Haste through the ebon sky.
No trophy flameth high; But seraph hosts, on wings of light,
Haste through the ebon sky.
With glad acclaim His name they sing
Whose praise all heaven doth fill; At whose command to earth they bring
The message of goodwill.
Whose praise all heaven doth fill; At whose command to earth they bring
The message of goodwill.
Oh wonderful! the angels' Lord
In human guise arrayed; He, by archangels great adored,
Within a manger laid.
In human guise arrayed; He, by archangels great adored,
Within a manger laid.
Where sages, guided by the star,
Kneel by that Holy One; As, with rich offerings from afar,
They greet the Virgin's son.
Kneel by that Holy One; As, with rich offerings from afar,
They greet the Virgin's son.
III.
All lustred with its halo bright
That picture still appears; Unfading in its glorious light,
Unscathed by lapse of years.
That picture still appears; Unfading in its glorious light,
Unscathed by lapse of years.
Oh Day of days! we welcome thee;
Bright beam on history's page! Thou font of youthful hope and glee;
Halt in our pilgrimage.
Bright beam on history's page! Thou font of youthful hope and glee;
Halt in our pilgrimage.
Those wreaths of red, and green and white,
Which round our altars cling, Denote, where faith is moved by sight,
His offering, Whom we sing.
Which round our altars cling, Denote, where faith is moved by sight,
His offering, Whom we sing.
The red, the atoning sacrifice;
The white, our souls made clean; Whilst life unending in the skies
Is typed by evergreen.
The white, our souls made clean; Whilst life unending in the skies
Is typed by evergreen.
Blest beacon o'er our path below!
Thy story, may't extend; Till in thy pure and perfect glow,
A heaven and earth shall blend.
Thy story, may't extend; Till in thy pure and perfect glow,
A heaven and earth shall blend.
CHRISTMAS.
Oh! fair and buoyant Christmas!
Well-spring of childish glee; Gay jubilance and noisy mirth
Thrill round thy fairy tree.
Well-spring of childish glee; Gay jubilance and noisy mirth
Thrill round thy fairy tree.
Oh! roseate flush of Christmas!
Bright vistas crown the day, When young hearts wake to tenderness
Beneath thy genial ray.
Bright vistas crown the day, When young hearts wake to tenderness
Beneath thy genial ray.
Oh! cheerful, hopeful Christmas!
Rest in the toilsome year; Thy glory-glimpse illumes the soul;
Earth's cloudlets disappear.
Rest in the toilsome year; Thy glory-glimpse illumes the soul;
Earth's cloudlets disappear.
Oh! sweet and tranquil Christmas!
Hours past, and hours to come; Calm retrospect of vanished joys;
Dear prospect of our home.
Hours past, and hours to come; Calm retrospect of vanished joys;
Dear prospect of our home.
Oh! high and holy Christmas!
Unfraught of earthly leaven; Our spirits chime in angel song,
And near the nearing heaven.
Unfraught of earthly leaven; Our spirits chime in angel song,
And near the nearing heaven.
THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC.