628.

THE UNSEEN WORLD.

C. M.

THERE is a state unknown, unseen,
Where parted souls must be;
And but a step doth lie between
That world of souls and me.

I see no light, I hear no sound,
When midnight shades are spread;
Yet angels pitch their tents around,
And guard my quiet bed.

The things unseen, O God! reveal ;
My spirit's vision clear,

Till I shall feel, and see, and know,
The heavenly world is near.

Impart the faith that soars on high,
Beyond this earthly strife;

That holds sweet converse with the sky,
And lives eternal life.

Hope-lifted, doubt-depressed,
Seeing in part,

Tried, troubled, tempted,
Sustained, as thou art.

Brother, they softly say,
Be our thoughts one;
Bend thou with us and pray,
6 Thy will be done!
Our God is thy God;

He willeth the best;
Trust Him as we trusted;
Rest as we rest!

Ye, too, they gently say,
Shall angels be;

Ye, too, O brothers!

From earth shall be free:

Yet in earth's loved ones
Ye still shall have part,
Bearing God's strength and love
To the torn heart.

Thus when the spirit, tried,
Tempted, and worn,

Finding no earthly aid,

Heavenward doth turn,
Come these sweet angel-tones,
Falling like balm,
And on the troubled heart
Steals a deep calm.

630.

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

C. M.

THE saints on earth and those above But one communion make;

Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake.

One family, we dwell in Him;
One church above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream of death.

One army of the living God,

To His command we bow;

Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.

O God! be Thou our constant guide;
Then, when the word is given,
Bid Thou death's flood its waves divide,
And land us safe in heaven.

631.

FORETASTE OF HEAVEN.

C. M.

WHEN, on devotion's seraph wing,
The spirit soars above,

And feels Thy presence, Father, Friend,
God of eternal love!

The joys of earth, how swift they fade
Before that living ray,

Which gives to the rapt soul a glimpse
Of pure and perfect day!

A gleam of Heaven's own light, though no
Its brightness scarce appears
Through the pale shadows that are spread
Around our earthly years;

But Thine unclouded smile, O God!

Fills that all-glorious place,

Where we shall know as we are known, And see.Thee, face to face.

632.

REUNION IN HEAVEN.

7 & 6s M.

No seas again shall sever,
No desert intervene,
No deep sad-flowing river
Shall roll its tide between.

Love and unsevered union
Of soul with those we love,
Nearness and glad communion,
Shall be our joy above.

No dread of wasting sickness,
No thought of ache or pain,
No fretting hours of weakness,
Shall mar our peace again.

No death our homes o'ershading,
Shall e'er our harps unstring;
For all is life unfading

In presence of our King.

V. GOD IN HUMANITY.

IN ALL AGES.

633.

INSPIRATION.

7s M.

LIFE of Ages, richly poured,
Love of God, unspent and free,
Flowing in the Prophet's word
And the People's liberty!

Never was to chosen race
That unstinted tide confined;

Thine is every time and place,

Fountain sweet of heart and mind!

Secret of the morning stars,
Motion of the oldest hours,
Pledge through elemental wars
Of the coming spirit's powers!

Rolling planet, flaming sun,
Stand in nobler man complete;
Prescient laws Thine errands run,
Frame the shrine for Godhead meet.