Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/44



We may look home, and seek in vain A fond fraternal heart, But Christ hath given His promise plain To do a Brother's part.

Nor shall dull age, as worldlings say, The heavenward flame annoy: The Saviour cannot pass away, And with Him lives our joy.

Ever the richest, tenderest glow Sets round the autumnal sun - But there sight fails: no heart may know The bliss when life is done.

Such is Thy banquet, dearest Lord; O give us grace, to cast Our lot with Thine, to trust Thy word, And keep our best till last.


 * When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. St. Matthew viii. 10.

I marked a rainbow in the north, What time the wild autumnal sun From his dark veil at noon looked forth, As glorying in his course half done, Flinging soft radiance far and wide Over the dusky heaven and bleak hill-side.

It was a gleam to Memory dear, And as I walk and muse apart, When all seems faithless round and drear, I would revive it in my heart, And watch how light can find its way To regions farthest from the fount of day.

Light flashes in the gloomiest sky, And Music in the dullest plain, For there the lark is soaring high