She made him hear with reverence profound Truths suited to the case of one distressed By sense of heinous guilt, which drives away all rest.
LXXIV.
He also brought most forcibly to view The need there was of "total abstinence"
For such as he; and step by step he drew The man along till an o"erwhelming sense Of his great crime made him wish to commence At once a life of strict Sobriety.
He signed a pledge and straightway banished thence The fiery fluid, his great enemy,-- And did thenceforward keep his pledge most sacredly.
LXXV.
The breakfast o"er, our two friends bade adieu To parents, children, in their kindly way.
"Twas now their wish to push the journey through Before the close of that short Winter day.
The Sun was up and made a grand display Upon the trees and shrubs on every hand; These all were clad in silvery array, As if transformed by some Magician"s wand, But "twas the work of Him who counts the grains of sand.
LXXVI.
For through the night a change had taken place-- Such as we frequent view without surprise.
Rain falls and freezes--this is oft the case--, And trees look pretty to our outward eyes, But is this all that such a view supplies?
Can we not trace a Mighty Artist"s skill, Which compet.i.tion from mankind defies?
Then let us learn to reverence Him still, Who forms these beauteous scenes according to His will.
LXXVII.
Dear GOODWORTH gazed upon the glittering scene Until his soul was filled with ecstacy.
Here he perceived that G.o.d indeed had been To clothe dull Winter in great majesty.
To him it was so full of poetry That he was led to frame another lay, Which seems to me to breathe such melody I must ev"n give it without more delay, And rest in hope "twill live far, far beyond my day.
PASTOR"S SONG ON THE FROST-WORK OF A FOREST SCENE.
Last night"s air was keen and the snow lay around; All the trees, stript of leaves, were quite naked and black, And naught broke the stillness so very profound Save the jingle of bells as we pa.s.sed o"er the track.
And little we thought of the sorrowful state Of that fond, loving, wife by whose bountiful cheer Our needs were supplied, nor yet dreamt of the fate Impending o"er one--to her heart ever dear.
As little expected the clouds of despair Hanging terribly pregnant with evils so dire Would all quickly vanish in answer to prayer, And sweet comfort spring forth from the midst of the fire.
As little we thought that the rude rising blast Would bring rain to transform every dark forest scene To richness of splendor by nothing surpa.s.sed That we mortals have witnessed of wonders" terrene.
Yon maple trees bend with their silvery load Like the frail sons of earth under ponderous wealth.
These feel keen affliction their consciences goad, Yet they heed not the warning till Death comes by stealth.
And those, though they look on this calm, sunny day, To be robed in pure beauty so strikingly grand, Should Boreas arise his least might to display, Would be stript of their charms by his merciless hand.
And yonder dark pines that seem still to aspire To pre-eminence over their comrades below, Which shine in Sol"s rays like huge ma.s.ses of fire, To the earth their proud heads may be soon made to bow.
Yon oaks, which, like kings of the forest appear, With their thick, crooked branches all coated with ice, Never dream that the loss of their splendor is near, That each branch may be broke by the wind in a trice.
Just so we vain mortals indulge foolish pride, When we deck our poor bodies in splendid attire; And oft has the Tempter successfully tried With such means us to lead to most sinful desire.
How seldom we think that the primitive use Of the first suit of clothing by Adam and Eve Was not for adornment with trappings profuse, But as cover for nakedness--guilt to relieve.
This lesson more frequently brought to our view Might preserve all our souls from much sorrow and sin, And make us more anxious each day to renew Those adornings which Christians should all have within.
With reflections like these in true pleasure I gaze On this landscape so fair--so transcendently bright, And utter my heart"s feeble tones of sweet praise To my Father who formed it by Wisdom and Might.
LXXVIII.
Thus to a mind by sacred Truth impressed Nature at all times is an open book, And he who reads aright is truly blest.
But ah, how much her teachings we overlook!
One who his Scripture Guide has quite forsook Makes her an idol, and her praises sings In warmest strains; he hears in every nook Of her domain a thousand different things Proclaim her G.o.dship, which to him much pleasure brings.
LXXIX.
Another, dreaming he is taught of G.o.d, Will hardly deign to look on her sweet face.
His feet may press the flower-bespangled sod, But to admire the carpet would disgrace A mind so holy, and perhaps displace Far better thoughts which rise within his breast!
In such a one "twere difficult to trace The influence of Truths sublime expressed By our Great Master in discourse to us addressed.
Lx.x.x.
As on most questions, mine"s the middle view, And looks on all creation as the work Of G.o.d All-wise, most kind and mighty too.
This frees my mind from all vain thoughts which lurk In its recesses, dissipates the murk Of idol worship and religious pride, And makes me proof "gainst each insidious quirk Thrown out by those who do my views deride; Whose judgment seems to me from truth and reason wide.
Lx.x.xI
In musings deep or Lively conversation, The time flies quickly as our friends draw near Their woodland home, which, after separation So long from those it holds, is still more dear.
Anon, friends" farms successively appear, And at Luth"s house they stop to rest awhile Themselves and team. There they lack not good cheer Nor kindly welcome, shown by many a smile From man and wife, a loving pair quite free from guile.
Lx.x.xII.
From Luth they learned all their dear folks were well, And this relieved them from anxiety; So now with grateful hearts awhile they dwell Upon those themes which dear to Saints should be-- Spoke of the love displayed so lavishly In journeying mercies, wheresoe"er they went; Of good accomplished--though with modesty-- By them as instruments most timely sent; And thus an hour or two was profitably spent.
Lx.x.xIII.
Ere very long they reached their own abode-- That _Nest_ well lined with Love, Content and Peace, Where true home feelings in each bosom glowed, And solid comforts day by day increase, Bidding quite fair to last till life shall cease.
This their return the trusty dogs first hear, And they by joyous barking rouse the geese, The ducks and poultry, which in chorus clear At once their voices raise, dreaming that harm is near.
Lx.x.xXIV.
The household listen to the noise outside A few short moments, when the youngest son Struck by a pleasant thought could not abide Longer suspense, but in a trice begun To don his hat and gloves, both quickly done.
He hurries forth and by fair Luna"s gleam His eyes beheld what made him faster run To bid the loved ones welcome, and the team To house, and give such food as he may fittest deem.
Lx.x.xV.
The two well loaded with their traveling gear, Make for the cottage fast as they can go.
There the three females cheerfully appear Determined they a welcome will bestow Such as most virtuous minds alone can show.
Sweet smiles bedeck the mother"s comely face, The daughters too with joy are all aglow, Quite pleased to have a kiss or warm embrace From those they love so well at such a time and place.
Lx.x.xVI.