PS 3527 
 ■fl78 H6 
 1912 
 
 Copy 1 
 
 tIomely Har-monies 
 
 QATHEBED 
 
 "ALONG THE WAY" 
 
 JAMES Parker Naugle 
 
HOMELY HARMONIES 
 
 GATHERED 
 
 "ALONG THE WAY" 
 
 Jf PARKER NAUGLE 
 
,^ 
 
 Copyright 1912 
 
 By 
 
 JAMES PARKER NAUGLE 
 
 Iowa Circle 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 £Ci.A3274yy 
 
I 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 NUMEROUS inquiries from friends, relative to 
 "Crumbs of Comfort" "Morning and Eve- 
 ning" "Thoughts," Etc., copies of which are no longer 
 in press, has led me again to present a few short 
 articles from those written at different periods. 
 Many of these in their preparation have seemed to 
 meet some special need in my own experience. 
 
 Knowing well the only way to make enduring the 
 good one may receive, is to pass it along to another, 
 I am sending out in this form a few of the little helps 
 Love has sent to me. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
HOME 
 
 OME is the outward manifestations of our 
 indwelling with God. Its joys are the out- 
 ward expressions, the echo of praise, the 
 glad refrain, the secret rejoicing, unknown 
 to physical sense, forever unheard by 
 human ears. 
 
 Home is the abode of God. It is "a building not 
 made with hands," a structure of Love, its only fur- 
 nishings the fruits of spirit. Home ! oh, the grandeur, 
 the beauty, the sublimity the word implies. It is as 
 boundless as limitless space. Its inner circle is the 
 great heart of infinite Love. 
 
 Eternal good is here supplied. 
 
 And Love with manna all will feed. 
 
 Filling all seeming human need, 
 'Till none are left unsatisfied, 
 
 Who safely in His love abide. 
 
 HUMILITY. 
 
 HERE duty calls, my way shall wend, 
 And love my footsteps will attend, 
 Though clouds of darkness may de- 
 scend. 
 Love's hallowed) presence round will 
 blend, — 
 
 A light that casts all fear aside. 
 And knows no evil can betide. 
 Where lurking error seems to hide, 
 For onward, upward love doth guide. 
 
 Within Thy presence dwells no fear, 
 No sense of lack when Thou art near; 
 To me Thy allness doth appear. 
 For Thou art love, and Thou art here. 
 
 In safety dwells my soul with Thee, 
 Each hallowed joy now proves me free; 
 Dear Father, may I ever be 
 Clothed with the Christ humility. 
 
I CANNOT SEE AFAR THE WAY 
 
 CANNOT see afar the way, 
 But thou art leading me this day ; 
 I need not know the where or how, — 
 When to thy will I humbly bow; 
 It is my all to only know, 
 The way that Thou would have me go. 
 
 Let others tell of want and woe ; 
 God's love to man, is mine, to know, 
 To daily 'waken from the dream 
 Of erring sense, that fain would seem 
 To bind with chains of sin and doubt — 
 Long erring thought has forged about. 
 
 I cannot see afar the way, 
 
 Which leadeth to eternal day ; 
 
 The countless byways 'cross my trail 
 
 By errors tread, cannot avail 
 
 To hide the day star of my youth, — 
 
 The longing for eternal Truth, — 
 
 That leads afar, the narrow way ; 
 Each foot step, count them if I may 
 Need not be seen ; only the Star, 
 Shepherd and wise men saiv afar, 
 To lead me as the saints of old, 
 And step by step my way unfold. 
 
THE SHEPHERD SONG 
 
 OW sweetly falls each sacred chime ! 
 The weary one tossed to and fro 
 By mortal fears that ebb and flow, 
 
 Pauses to listen to the chime 
 That brings to him a hope sublime, 
 From echoed prayer soft and low : 
 Dear Shepherd, show me how to go. 
 
 A woman's heart gave forth the song ; 
 
 Before the altar bending low, 
 With love for all mankind aglow. 
 
 Patiently she waiteth long. 
 Till meek appeal breaks forth in song 
 
 Of prayer and praise all men should know : 
 Dear Shepherd show me how to go. 
 
 A waiting world hears the refrain 
 Of prayerful song breathed forth to know 
 
 How best the seeds of truth to sow ; 
 And hosts now healed, in glad acclaim 
 
 A valiant leader's voice sustain 
 In loving song's harmonious flow : 
 
 Dear Shepherd, show me how to go. 
 
 Ring out in exultation strong 
 
 The greatest prayer yet given in song, 
 To Him all majesty belongs. 
 
 All praise from mighty ransomed throng ! 
 For love to her must ever flow 
 
 Who leads the way, yet seeks to know- 
 Dear Shepherd, show me how to go. 
 
LEAD THOU ME ON 
 
 EAD ON and upward, voice of Truth, 
 
 'Till morning of eternal youth 
 Brings childish joys and simple trust 
 In Thee whose ways are wise and just. 
 
 Lead on and upward, Shepherd dear, 
 From consciousness cast out all fear, 
 Help me to hear Thy voice more clear. 
 And know Thy presence ever near. 
 
 Lead on and upward, Love divine. 
 From error's dross, now cleanse, refine, 
 
 And make this wild self will of mine 
 A fitting emblem for Thy shrine. 
 
 Lead on and upward, voice so sweet. 
 At morning's dawn so near to greet ; 
 
 To guide my faltering, erring feet, 
 In paths of peace, of joy replete. 
 
 Lead on ; I cannot ask for more ; 
 
 Thou art the way, the open door ; 
 Thy presence goeth on before, 
 
 And leads to Truth's eternal shore. 
 
 Lead on ; with Thee I rest in peace ; 
 
 From error's thrall I find release. 
 A quickening sense of Life increase, 
 
 For Thou art Christ, the Prince of Peace. 
 
THY WILL BE DONE 
 
 OME, O, Thou great eternal One, 
 Who dwellest not in temples made with 
 
 hands, 
 But Who in cities' hurrying crowd, 
 By forest stream, in solitude of wooded 
 lands. 
 Or midst the rolling, darkening cloud, 
 Art ever near to know and understand, — 
 Help me to say this day : "Thy will be done." 
 
 Come, gentle Spirit, deathless Son, 
 
 My life illume with love, my heart inspire. 
 
 To seek anew each day for truth and light. 
 
 And diligently Thy will inquire ; 
 
 Within Thy temple, hid from mortal sight. 
 
 Here may I kneel before Thy altar fire. 
 
 And pray — my own subdued — "Thy will be done," 
 
 Attune my ear, Thou only One, 
 
 To hear the promptings of Thy gentle will ; 
 
 To understand and have no fear 
 
 But Thou wilt give me courage to fulfill 
 
 My duties, as I see them each appear. 
 
 And lift to Thee each thought, to know Thy will ; 
 
 As prayer ascendeth may "Thy will be done." 
 
STRIVING FOR THE RIGHT 
 
 O YOU want Life's conscious presence, 
 Power and strength for every fight, 
 Arming you with full assurance. 
 Strength and courage filled with might ? 
 
 Ask yourself each day this question : 
 Am I standing in the light ? 
 Full awake and fully conscious, 
 I am striving for the right ? 
 
 When cometh storm and bitter trial, 
 Filling life with seeming woe. 
 When you have made the last denial 
 And no selfish thought can know ; 
 
 When around has gathered darkness 
 Curtaining in the seeming night, — 
 Courage ! Light commands the darkness, 
 When I'm striving for the right. 
 
 When all fears are seen as shadows. 
 Clouds to hide life's beacon light, 
 Thoughts exalted lift the curtain 
 From Truth's majesty and might ; 
 
 Hands will beckon ever onward. 
 And the way grow smooth and bright. 
 Courage grows and fears are vanquished, 
 When I'm striving for the right. 
 
 Great possession and dominion 
 Come with conscious power of right; 
 Standing in its glorious freedom 
 Gave all ancient worthies might ; 
 
 Christ, our King commands the legions 
 Bringing victory in each fight; 
 Son of Light commands the darkness; 
 When I'm striving for the right. 
 
 10 
 
"EVERYTHING IS COMING RIGHT" 
 
 O YOU want to know the secret 
 Ever cheering, ever bright 
 
 That will chase away all troubles, 
 Turning darkness into light ? 
 
 Nothing better, nothing surer 
 
 Than to always keep in sight 
 'Midst your seeming cares and troubles, 
 
 "Everything is coming right." 
 In the time of greatest trials. 
 
 Bringing tears and care and woe, 
 'Midst your losses and your crosses, 
 
 Doubting is your greatest foe ; 
 Courage ! know that now you triumph, 
 
 Keep your motto plain in sight. 
 Know all fears are useless, groundless, 
 
 "Everything is coming right." 
 
 Never fear the clouds of error 
 
 Under which light seems to hide. 
 Know no fears can now^ assail you, 
 
 He is ever by your side ; 
 Let your aim be upward, onward ; 
 
 Ever face toward the light ; 
 Know but this, and know you know it, 
 
 "Everything is coming right." 
 Can you bring light out of darkness 
 
 Looking backward on the past ? 
 Or bring cheering beams of sunshine 
 
 From the cruel winter's blast ? 
 Then why look on desolation. 
 
 Turn your face tow^ard the light, 
 See and know, and know you see it, 
 
 "Everything is coming right." 
 Give us, Lord, true inspiration ; 
 
 Help us climb to heights sublime ; 
 Clothe us with the glorious radiance 
 
 Of Thy presence, pure, divine ; 
 Bring us peace and joy in fullness. 
 
 By Thy majesty and might; 
 Bring assurance without measure, 
 
 "Everything is coming right." 
 11 
 
PROGRESS 
 
 RUE progress is the law of life, 
 
 'Tis found in earnest, ceaseless strife ; 
 
 To lose all selfishness and aim 
 Another's good to try to gain. 
 
 The majesty of law and right 
 That rules by love and not by might, 
 
 Assures us progress is success 
 In casting out all selfishness. 
 
 The law of progress bids us fight 
 Our way from darkness into light ; 
 
 To know the same sun shines each day 
 Though clouds of fear may hide the way. 
 
 It bids us daily just to try 
 
 To help some \veary passer-by ; 
 By look or word or smile each day 
 
 To cast some sunshine on his way. 
 
 Beginning thus we carve with care 
 Thought models beautiful and rare ; 
 
 Though rough the boulder, day by day 
 Some rugged lines we clear away. 
 
 'Till thinking right in us has wrought 
 
 The image of the father thought ; 
 And progress shows a model grand. 
 
 Formed by the Master Artist's hand 
 
 Copyright, 1908 
 
 12 
 
SEEKING THE KINGDOM 
 
 H! Thou who doeth all things best, 
 Thou who art life and truth and rest, 
 Clothe with Thy light Thy erring child, 
 And make me pure and undefiled. 
 Thou art my strength, the only power; 
 
 Make thou my heaven this present hour; 
 
 Help me to know, to feel, to see 
 
 Thy presence now, that maketh free. 
 
 Thy nearness bringeth rest and peace. 
 With joy I find my trust increase 
 In Thee, who art my strong support 
 In storm or calm, the open port, 
 
 Wherein I now can safety find. 
 And dwell within the realm of Mind ; 
 No more my goal beyond the skies ; 
 Thy kingdom here within me lies. 
 
 STANDING IN THE LIGHT 
 
 RMED I stand amid life's conflict; 
 
 Angel legions with me fight ; 
 
 Power and might grow with the knowing- 
 
 "I am standing in the light." 
 
 Hosts opposing are but phantoms 
 Lacking substance, truth or might; 
 See ! they fade ; are ghostly shadows,— 
 When I'm standing in the light. 
 
 Powers of darkness have no terrors ; 
 Forms that spring from out the night 
 Vanish with the conscious knowing, — 
 "I am standing in the light." 
 
 Serene, amid the mortal conflict 
 Of wrong that would usurp the right ; 
 Secure, unharmed, saved by the knowing : 
 "I am standing in the light." 
 
 18 
 
THE RIGHT IDEA 
 
 T is not the man with the "fight idea", 
 
 Nor the man with the" original bright idea" 
 But the man exalted by Right's idea, 
 Who wins in the end the prize. 
 
 With his motto of "right" firmly fixed and set, 
 He vanquishes the "fight idea" when met, 
 And gets all the "fight idea" hoped to get, 
 For with right the victory lies. 
 
 He does not quit when he goes to bed. 
 On Right, as his pillow, he rests his head ; 
 
 While the fight man sleeps, he forges ahead, 
 And scores again in the game. 
 
 The right idea can know no strain. 
 
 In the battle where fight, as might, is slain ; 
 
 The right idea wins again and again, 
 And must always the victory claim. 
 
 The love of right is a growing force. 
 And the fountain of life its only source ; 
 
 For solving life's problems our sure recourse — 
 The banner victorious — RIGHT. 
 
 14 
 
ALONG THE WAY 
 
 UT in the world there is work for me, — 
 
 Work all my own. 
 There are tasks my willing hands can do, 
 
 And mine alone. 
 Wherever duties' call may be, 
 Far or near, over land or sea. 
 The call to me is for service free 
 "Along the way." 
 
 Out in the world there are scalding tears 
 
 I can help dry. 
 Souls long burdened by doubts and fears, 
 
 Love stills the sigh. 
 There are faltering steps weary, weak. 
 Climbing the mountain cold and bleak. 
 Vainly a helping hand they seek 
 
 "Along the way." 
 
 Out in the world is a spot apart. 
 
 For me to till. 
 There are empty lives and those whose heart 
 
 Love's light will fill. 
 A place for me not high, not low, 
 Where Love-streams may be trained to flow, 
 And water the seeds I daily sow 
 
 "Along the way." 
 
 15 
 
LOVE WILL EVER LEAD THE WAY 
 
 HEN our hopes have nearly perished, 
 
 When the fires flicker low 
 On the altar faith has cherished, 
 
 And our faithless earth gods go ; 
 When hope and trust to one imparted. 
 Kissing comcth to betray ; 
 When earth's fond dream has but departed, — 
 "Love will ever lead the way." 
 
 When the last loved one is taken. 
 
 And the heart is turned to stone. 
 When you find yourself forsaken 
 
 In the desert all alone ; 
 When the whole world seems an army, 
 
 Clad in battle's strong array ; — 
 Let not mighty hosts alarm thee, 
 
 "Love will ever lead the way." 
 
 When all trust in human leadings 
 
 Is replaced by trust divine ; 
 When the soul's immortal pleadings 
 
 Uplift thought to heights sublime ; 
 When has crumbled self endeavor, 
 
 And we turn to Thee to pray ; — 
 Lord Thou art our refuge ever, 
 
 "Love will ever lead the way." 
 
 16 
 
"WHEN THE LIGHT OF LOVE SHINES IN' 
 
 LL of our troubles are over, 
 
 When the Light of Love comes in ; 
 All of our cares and our sorrows, 
 
 All bitterness, blight, and sin 
 Depart as the fleeting shadows, 
 When the Light of Love breaks in, 
 With its glow of living sunshine. 
 Life's Springtime again to win. 
 
 All trials and troubles forgotten 
 
 At the gate of Love's estate. 
 Where we meet with the patient All-loving, 
 
 And gladly His will await ; 
 All envy, hate, jealousy, crumble, 
 
 Forever their blighting thrall 
 Is broken, when Love uplifts us 
 
 To know its infinite All. 
 
 All of the gloom and the shadow. 
 
 The troubled sleep of the night 
 Are gone when Love at life's window 
 
 Shines in with a gleam of hght ; 
 All teachers, builders, bringers. 
 
 Are infants in swaddling clothes. 
 Until Love comes and lingers. 
 
 And each that presence knows. 
 
 17 
 
"THE MANSION FAIR" 
 
 RISE to a higher sense of life! 
 Why stay in the turmoil of din and strife 
 When into a harmony deep and grand 
 Thou canst be led by unerring hand ? 
 
 Come out of the darkness of self and sin ; 
 Come, and a higher life enter thou in. 
 Leave the delusions which bind thy soul ; 
 The kingdom of heaven should be thy goal 
 
 Fix now thy mind on things above ; 
 Know thou no law but the law of Love ; 
 And build for thyself a mansion fair 
 Of thoughts sublime, of jewels rare. 
 
 Guard well thy home in the realm of mind, 
 And know no error can entrance find ; 
 That no envy, hatred, malice or strife, 
 Can enter thy dwelling to mar thy life. 
 
 LIGHTING THE WAY. 
 
 HERE are many who walk in the shadow; 
 
 They are by you wherever you go. 
 
 If you knew you could light up their path- 
 way 
 
 You would keep your light burning, I know. 
 
 Yet we know there are many lamps lighted. 
 Whose light cannot be seen afar. 
 When filled with the oil of Truth's, gladness. 
 They will shine steadily on as a star. 
 
 Then keep your light burning, my brother, 
 And trimmed for the coming of night ; 
 There are many weary wanderers 
 In the wilderness seeking the hght. 
 
 Though the winds blow fiercely my brother 
 And the storm of life rages about 
 If you tend your lamp well night and morning. 
 It will never burn down or go out. 
 
 18 
 
TRUTH'S COMING 
 
 E HAVE waited by the way-side, 
 'Till the dawn broke dim and gray, 
 We have seen the darkest hour, 
 'Ere the dawning of the day. 
 
 We have watched the glorious sunrise, , 
 
 Lift the mist from off the hill, S 
 
 And we said : " 'Tis Uke His coming; | 
 
 He will find us waiting still," '. 
 
 In the morning's glorious splendor. 
 Where the waking birds sing sweet. 
 And all nature wakes from slumber. 
 With the passing of His feet. 
 
 For He comes and goes in glory. 
 And abroad Love's light is cast. 
 As the soft glow of the morning, 
 Or the halo of day past. 
 
 JUST TODAY 
 
 Y first business today 
 Must be with God above. 
 To know His presence, power and 
 
 might. 
 The allness of His love. 
 
 My first thoughts go to Him, 
 
 And He will walk with me 
 
 Through vale, by stream, or mountain side, 
 
 He is my company. 
 
 I must start this day with God, 
 The risen sun of day ; 
 The radiance of the morning's dawn 
 The light to flood my way. 
 
 Then through the toiling hours, 
 'Till coming of the night. 
 
 He will my efforts prosper well, 
 And guide each step aright. 
 
 19 
 
"PEACE, BE STILL" 
 
 LONE ! in quiet stillness may I hear 
 
 The Master's voice: "Peace, peace, be 
 still!" 
 To soothe my throbbing heart and dry 
 my tears, 
 To save me from the thraldom of my 
 fears. 
 The storms and mortal discord of past years 
 
 Are dissipated when I know Thee near, 
 And hark Thy words, — "Peace, peace, be still !" 
 
 Alone with Thee! Oh, precious thought most blessed. 
 To dwell in raptured consciousness until 
 
 Thy wondrous love, e'en now so faintly guessed, 
 Has filled me with unfailing peace and rest. 
 
 Till, lifted far above all doubts possessed, 
 I may bring daily one by woe oppressed 
 
 To know Thy voice, — "Peace, peace, be still!" 
 
 Aroused to know that in Thy universe is planned 
 
 No death, no sorrow, sin nor ill ! 
 No night called death can come to those who stand 
 
 Within the shadow of Thy sheltering hand ! 
 No change comes o'er the works that Thou hast 
 planned. 
 
 But all is seen in its majestic beauty grand. 
 Through sense subdued, — "Peace, peace, be still !" 
 
 At last ! to feel Thy presence near. 
 
 That binds the sense of human will 
 With cords of Love! Why need I fear ? 
 
 O'erbrooding all, Love's atmosphere is clear ; 
 It lifts the curtain from my pathway drear. 
 
 And up beyond there comes to listening ear, 
 In tender accents, — "Peace, be still !" 
 
 20 
 
OUR REFUGE 
 
 OD IS LOVE— The realization of this en- 
 veloping presence calms all fears. Its 
 very calmness is power. It is "the peace, 
 peace be still," by v^^hich the Master con- 
 trolled the winds and the waves. It is 
 victory, the time of seeming defeat. It is refuge in 
 the face of disaster, and ample protection in mo- 
 ments of discouragement or distraction. It is 
 strength in the hour of weakness, and power to 
 them that have no might. Its realizations destroy 
 sickness and sin, and triumph over the last enemy. 
 If you know "God is Love," if you know aught of 
 man created in His "image and likeness," this know- 
 ing disrobes error. This knowing casts about our 
 neighbor a mantle of charity, filling each heart with 
 loving confidence. This, coupled with a willing- 
 ness to work, watch and pray, rejoicing every step 
 of the way, lifting grateful hearts to God for every 
 little victory, pouring out thanks for every blessing, 
 while daily counting those blessings until they mul- 
 tiply in conscious thought, will cause our gratitude to 
 swell into an everlasting song of praise, and joyful 
 acclaim "God is Love." 
 
 Come Love divine, serene and still 
 And all my conscious being fill 
 
 With light today. 
 Guide me through the night 
 To find the path of right, 
 Fill Thou my soul with light 
 
 And lead the way. 
 
 21 
 
ABUNDANCE 
 
 They shall be abundantly satisfied ivith the fatness of thy house and thou 
 shall make them drink of the ricer of thy pleasure. (Psalms 36.) 
 
 H, Thou who hast all good supplied, 
 
 Shall I Thy promises deny, 
 And on some other help rely. 
 
 When limitation does its most 
 To fetter, bind and stultify 
 With vain regrets and blighting fears 
 Accumulated through long years 
 Of mortals groping in the dark, 
 Refusing this Thy word to hark— 
 "They shall be abundantly satisfied." 
 
 Can limitation's law deceive ? 
 
 Shall barrier made by mortal mind 
 Bring woe and want to mortal kind. 
 
 And bind by error's make-believe 
 That God hath not all good supplied ? 
 
 Is limitation's barrier real. 
 When from man it would all things steal. 
 
 By shutting out with groundless fears 
 The message that would reach all ears — 
 
 "They shall be abundantly satisfied." 
 
 Thy promises are full and sure ; 
 
 From out the great infinite fount 
 'Round which Thy holy hills surmount, 
 
 Flow living streams of substance pure. 
 From which each need may be supplied; 
 
 And channels made through sand-duned plain 
 Of Hmitation's false domain. 
 
 Show Eden, once again aglow 
 With living fruits, and each may know 
 
 "They shall be abundantly satisfied." 
 
 22 
 
BBCBil 
 
 
 J 
 
 LIMITATIONS 
 NFINITE mind can know nothing of limita- 
 
 ^jQj-j ^ H^ ^ :){ :(; 
 
 Limitation is a barrier set up by material 
 belief, unreal and false, because of the falsity 
 of mortal concept. The world strives to 
 climb over this barrier leaving it intact. Strong 
 men armed with Truth force an opening and the 
 barrier disappears — What matter if we come to the 
 end of mortal mind sense of resource ? We can- 
 not come to a limit, for the "all in all" is limitless. 
 The glorious light of Truth shows always in front 
 boundless possibilities. By seeking above in the 
 infinitude of Spirit, "the only substance," may always 
 be found the highway out of the bogs of limitation. 
 Here man is found to be the offspring of infinite 
 good, the child of limitless possibilities. 
 
 COME THOU TO ME 
 
 OME Thou to me as evening shadows fall. 
 As darkness gathers hear Thou now my 
 
 call; 
 The weakness of all earthly help I see. 
 Strength of my weakness, Lord, come 
 Thou to me. 
 
 Come Thou to me, and evermore abide. 
 Earth's joys no more from me Thy presence hide ; 
 Bid changing mortal concepts from me flee; 
 Oh, Thou the changeless one, come Thou to me. 
 Come Thou to me, I need Thee every hour; 
 With Thee I dwell beyond the tempter's power. 
 Thou art my stay and Thou my light wilt be; 
 Mid gloom of error, Lord, Come Thou to me. 
 Come Thou to me, all fears shall fly away, 
 No tears, no ills, no bitterness can stay 
 My trust in Thee, Thou Christ the victory, 
 'Mid sin and death, dear Lord, come Thou to me. 
 Come Thou to me, aye, Thou art ever near ; 
 But asking Thee has helped me to draw near. 
 And know Thy presence everywhere and see, 
 "Come Thou to me" is but "I come to Thee." 
 
 23 
 
"LET THERE BE LIGHT" 
 
 N the dawning of the morning, 
 When the earth was formless void, 
 The Voice of Order, Truth and Law 
 Discord and night destroyed . 
 
 It comes to-day, is for all ears ; 
 The same omniscent call, — 
 "Let there be light"— rolls down the years, 
 And lighteth one and all. 
 
 Again, has dawned another morn, 
 The stone is rolled away 
 From the door of understanding, 
 And mankind comes there to pray. 
 
 Behold ! the tomb of doubt and fear, 
 Again, is filled with light ; 
 The Master near, again I hear — 
 "What seek ye" of the night? 
 
 Before the dawning of the morn 
 
 Of each succeeding day 
 
 When man's benighted, darkened sense 
 
 Is struggling up the way, 
 
 The Voice that spake and brought forth all. 
 Each empty void will fill : 
 "Let there be light !"— Hark to the call! 
 It healeth ev'ry ill. 
 
 24 
 
THE MASTER IS COMING 
 
 (ABRIDGED) 
 
 WAS told "The Master is Coming 
 To honor the town today, 
 And none can tell at what house or home 
 The Master will choose to stay." 
 
 And I thought as my heart beat quickly 
 "What if He came to mine ! 
 How would I strive to welcome 
 And honor this Guest divine ?" 
 
 Straightway I turned to toiling, 
 
 My dwelHng must be neat ; 
 
 Must be swept, polished, and garnished. 
 
 And bedecked with flowers sweet ; 
 
 Just then in the midst of my labor 
 A woman came by my door 
 And stopped to tell me her sorrows 
 "And my comfort and help implore." 
 
 But I said, "I cannot listen 
 Nor help you any today 
 I have greater things to attend to," 
 And sent her tearful away. 
 
 Then deftly my work I hastened; 
 
 My task was nearly done, 
 
 And an anxious prayer was breathed anew 
 
 That the Master to me might come. 
 
 And I knew I would hasten to meet Him 
 And serve Him forever more 
 When Lo ! a child stood by me 
 Hungry and needy sore — 
 
 And I said, "I am sorry for you, dear, 
 
 I hate to turn you away, 
 
 But some one will feed and clothe you, dear, 
 
 As I am too busy today." 
 
 25 
 
My busy day was ended, 
 
 Conscious of work well done ; 
 
 For my house was swept and garnished, 
 
 Yet the Master had not come. 
 
 "He has entered some other door," I cried, 
 "And gladdened some other home." 
 Just then the Master stood by me. 
 His grave face wondrous fair ; 
 
 "Three times today I came to your door 
 
 And craved your pity and care ; 
 
 Three times you sent me onward, 
 
 Unhelped and uncomforted, 
 
 And the blessing you might have had was lost, 
 
 And your chance to serve has fled." 
 
 "Oh Lord, dear Lord, forgive me ! 
 How could I know it was Thee?" 
 What else could I say to the Master 
 From my depth of humility ?" 
 
 Hush! He said, "the sin is pardoned, 
 
 But the blessing is lost to thee ; 
 
 In comforting not the least of mine, 
 
 Ye have failed to comfort me." — Abridged. 
 
 26 
 
THE WELL-SPRINGS OF YOUTH 
 
 H COME! Sing the old songs again; 
 
 The heart can never grow old, 
 When love tales of youth are retold ; 
 Past days that gleamed with threads 
 of gold 
 
 Are ours to have, to share and to hold 
 By hearking some old loved refrain. 
 
 Oh come ! Be the same boys and girls, 
 
 Youth's springtime again employ, 
 Welding anew the chain of life's joy, 
 
 Where links have been weakened by sorrow's 
 alloy; 
 For fifty wild winters have failed to destroy 
 
 Joy's garland, youth fastened with pearls. 
 
 Oh come ! Just visit the old domain 
 
 Where youth held absolute sway ; 
 From the desert of troubles away 
 
 To the scenes of youth's gladness and play, 
 To sing the old song, old love vows repay. 
 
 And live in youth's gladness again. 
 
 Come sing ! Bid phantom of age depart; 
 
 It is but the reflex of thought ; 
 The fountain of youth all ages have sought. 
 
 Can never with gold or silver be bought, 
 Yet the impress of youth in each is wrought 
 
 When youth's songs and joys fill the heart. 
 
 27 
 
BEAVER VALLEY 
 
 WEET VALLEY ! All hail and adieu !— 
 My heart beats with love ever true. 
 Here vigorous days of childhood were spent, 
 Mid hardships forgot, mid scenes that have 
 lent 
 A charm that must ever seem new. 
 
 All wrongs, and all trials forgot. 
 In memory they have left no blot . 
 For coming and going no spot is so fair. 
 No fields are so verdant, no flower so rare, 
 Though far over mountains I've sought. 
 
 Oh, Beaver ! Oh, valley so fair ! 
 
 Did ever such w^ine fill the air ? 
 
 No place where the humble, the meek and the low, 
 
 Could feel that on earth for him was a show. 
 
 To be found in the world other-where. 
 
 Always when the old world seems blue. 
 My heart leaps in yearning anew ; 
 From cruel misfortune and powers of fate 
 That come to each mortal sooner or late. 
 Once again I hasten to you. 
 
 And stand amid the sheaves on the hill. 
 
 And watch the light fading until 
 
 The last gleam of sunshine the hilltops has kissed, 
 
 And down in the valley has stole a soft mist, 
 
 That clings to memory still. 
 
 Hark ! Once again the wild whippoorwill 
 Sounds its night call plaintive and shrill,— 
 A call from the harvest days now gone, 
 To gather the sheaves past labor has won, 
 Ere cometh the "peace be still." 
 
 28 
 
SUCCESS 
 
 HE problem of life, just how to succeed, 
 How best we may meet each physical 
 need. 
 Has been told by the wise in prose and in \ 
 
 rhyme, 
 
 Since the advent of man, the beginning 
 of time 
 
 And many have thought to head the throng, \ 
 
 By crowding and pushing their way along. 
 Thinking of money as the only power. 
 
 And folUov/ing this vision each waking hour. 
 
 Still others have coupled success with fame, 
 
 And have fanned ambition into a flame, 
 Stifling the inner pleadings of soul. 
 
 While madly making ambition their goal. \ 
 
 Caring but little what cause they espouse, 1 
 
 If only the plaudits of men they arouse, 
 Like Judas their birthright of honor they've sold 
 
 For the cheap sense of fame and the glitter of gold. 
 
 Is this success? Is it fully believed? 
 
 Can mortals blindly thus be deceived? 
 Can success be measured by ought but the rod 
 
 Delivered to Moses by the angel of God? 
 
 Could the pomp and the glory of Egypt withstand 
 
 The pleadings and leadings of justice's demands? 
 Can success be real or can it have worth. 
 
 If ought but the spirit of Love gives it birth? 
 
 Ah! the spirit of Truth is abroad m the land; 
 
 No material force can its progress withstand; 
 It points to success through the great law of Life, — 
 
 The roadway of Love, far above mortal strife. 
 
"THE PARTING OF THE WAYS" 
 
 EMORY turns to early childhood 
 When we gathered 'round the hearth, 
 Dreaming not of home and future, 
 Far removed from land of birth. 
 
 One by one as come the seasons. 
 Came the parting of the way, 
 And each one had his own good reasons 
 Why he longer must not stay. 
 
 Long since the days of separation 
 The parting ways have grown wide, 
 Yet early childhood's delegation, 
 Will in memory long abide. 
 
 Broad as seemed the home of childhood, 
 My home now^ doth broader seem; 
 Its bounds were made of walls of wood, 
 My bounds are the sunlight's gleam. 
 
 The tall grass where the song bird nested, 
 Other mow^ers have made into hay ; 
 But the song is mine, 'tis attested, 
 By its ring in my heart today. 
 
 Of the wood which fringed the hill and glen, 
 May be left no trunk or bough ; 
 But the song the dark wood sang to me then 
 Was for me; I'm hearing it now. 
 
 The boyhood gates were wood set in stone; 
 Mine now are pearls set in gold; 
 They guarded the treasures of earth alotie; 
 Mine the joys of eternity hold. 
 
 30 
 
OUR DAILY PRAYER 
 
 UR FATHER -r/iou infinite one, \ 
 
 Which art in Heaven, — to Thee I come. 
 
 Hallowed be — each thought of Thee; 
 
 Thy name — brings joy and peace to me ; 
 
 Thy Kingdom come— in me this day. 
 Thy will be done — in Thine own way;, 
 In earth — to me that peace unfold. 
 As it is in Heaven — hy Christ foretold; 
 Give us this day — a thankful heart. 
 Our daily bread, — of love impart 
 And forgive us — Lord, our doubts, our fears. 
 Our debts, — of all the by-gone ^ears 
 As we forgive, — give us Thy; peace; 
 Our debtors, — hope and Joy increase; 
 And lead us not — be Thou our stay 
 Into temptation, — is not Thy way. 
 But deliver us — and Thou shall he 
 From evil, — our sufficiency; 
 For Thine is the Kingdom, — Limitless Mind 
 And the power and the glory, forever. Thine. 
 
 (Copyright 1907) 
 
 31 
 
PRESS OF 
 
 The Crane Printing Co. 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
OCT 3^ 1912 
 
LIBRARY' O*" 
 
 CONGRESS 
 
 7Si5 929 760 3^