sermons in rhyme

SERMONS IN RHYME

JUDITH L. C. GARNETT

Edited by Glenn Pease

CONTENTS

THE PRINCE OF PEACE . 9

Nemesis 10

SPRING 11

Death 11

Satett 12

The Cubss of Cain 12

AxTNT Dinah's Rbpxtuie 14

Heartbboken 14

AliE&ICA 15

1

The Hypocrite Christian 17

To THE New Year 19

The Finished Product 19

In the "Upper Garden" 20

The Last Decision 21

Christmas 21

The World in a Slinq 22

Lost 23

Heaven 24

Two Masters, Two Fields, Two Paths, and Two Homes 25

The Call of the Home 26

Preparedness 27

2

Magdalene 29

The Hero's Failure . 30

Slaves 31

The Brunt of the Fight 33

Easter 35

Deulah .-35

The Tbattob's Wealth 38

Just a Woman; Not a Suffbaoette 36

Cheeb Up! 38

The Broken Pbomise 39

Oppobtunitt . 39

Jezebel 41

3

OO-WOBKEBS with GOD .42

The Pebfect Pattern 43

Idols 43

The Unbuly Tongue 46

To-day 46

Heabtbbeaking 47

Misteb and Mistbess Timesebveb 48

The Poob Rich Man 49

At the Mabbiage Altab 49

The Devil's Castopp 60

Gbeat Men 61

The Heabt op the Fatheb 62

4

Death 63

Undeb the Eose 64

Defeated 64

FOBEVEB 65

Gbeatness - ... 66

The Diffebence 67

In Jail, and Out 58

God's CJountby 69

SERMONS IN RHYME

THE PRINCE OP PEACE

From whence come wars and fightings among youf —

James iv, 1.

5

nations new, nations old,

While you spare not man, nor gun, nor gold.

The Mighty One, the Prince of Peace,

Doth command you that your strifes must cease ;

While yet you snarl and clash and hate,

His white flag gleams near Heaven's gate.

O Brother of mine by war defiled.

Think of Bethlehem's babe, — the Heaven-bom child;

Cast down thy sword and reach to me

A brother's hand on land or sea.

Brother, stay war's crimes to-day.

And let us try the Prince's way!

Our hearts are God's for heaven and time;

'Tis Satan that makes us lust for crime.

God gives us room where we may be

Akin on land and on the sea.

O Brother, stay thy sword to-day.

And let us try the great King's way.

6

O Brother of mine, — anear or far, —

God will judge of our deeds, — ^what our battles are, —

Will strip sin's heart of godless pride.

Though gold be great and lands be wide.

O Brother, reach thy hand to me, —


Yes, Brother of mine, — anear or far, —

One will judge what our battles are ;

One will judge between thee and me;

The One who made earth, sky, and sea, —

Will rule all nations, rule each man,

Though great the nation and vast the plan.

Brother, cast your sword away

And let us turn to Him to-day.

NEMESIS

Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians vi, 7.

7

Nemesis, O Nemesis,

With your dark and lowered brow,

I see you stand and measure

Sin's black harvest to me now.

Nemesis, Nemesis, —

God, have pity on me now! —


With relentless hand and brow.


Dear Christ, oh, pitying, stay

The crushing weight of harvest

That she measures out to-day!

SPRING

Understanding ia a toellaprvng of life to him that hath it.

Proverbs wvi, 22.

The old man smiled and listened,

For the old man's heart was young;

And he loved the gold of the crocus,

8

And the song that the robin sung.


For he thought of heaven's bloom

And the blessed voices of angels

That sing gladly beyond the tomb.

DEATH

Yea, though I walk through the valley, of the shadow of death.

— Psalm amii, 4.

The journey, oh, the journey, —

With neither friend nor gold.

With neither sight nor hearing,—

Out in the dark and cold!


The journey all must take I —

But Ood will guard me resting,

And greet me when I wake.

9

SAFETY

But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall he safe.

Proverbs wxix, 25.

Oh, the wind blows north,

And the wind blows west.

And black is the frown

On the east-cloud's crest;

And the wild wind may harm

My tent where it stands.

But my soul is safe.

In Jehovah's hands.

Ah, sin journeys north,

And sin travels south;

Like a famished wolf's

Is its wide-stretched mouth.

And though sin press me hard,

Yet it can not' kill

My soul, held safe

By God's mighty will.

10

THE CURSE OF CAIN

And now art thou cursed. — Genesis iv, 11.

Brother, my Brother,

Cold, silent art thou.

With my sword in thy breast.

And death 's dew on thy brow !


With thy cross to bear, —

Did I send the barbed dart,

And no soft word to cheer?


With wounds deep and wide,-

1 beheld thy dread plight.

Yet thy kinship denied.


Have I robbed thy store

Of thy fame, — ^more than life, —

And of peace evermore?

11


If thy life I mar, *

Then my bosom must bear

The same torture and scar;

And Brother, my Brother,

God's question will be:

Where, — the brother I gave, —

Answer now, — ^where is he?"

AUNT DINAH'S REPULSE

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, — James iv, 7.

Does yer know dat wicked rascal

Sed ter Dinah, — dat's po' me, —

'*Darlin', ef yer'U only lub me,

Yo' kin hab de worP an' seat"

Den I sed to dat ole rascal :

"Yo' ole debil," — dat was him, —

12

**See dis rollin'-pin I'se got heret —

An ' I 'se neither weak ner slim ! ' '

HEARTBROKEN

He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, — Luke iv, 18.

The home I loved is lonely

As the dead bird's last year's nest.

And only by my sad heart's blood

Know I the east or west.

The love that cheered my lifetime

Now has sought another's breast;

And unto one who heeds you not.

You give your tear,— your jest.

Yet from my grief, triumphant

Shall new joy and greatness rise,

For He who heals the broken heart,

Such solace ne'er denies.

13

AMERICA

And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for

such a time as this? — Esther iv, H.

America, America,

How many weep to-day

For peace from the battle,

For rest from the fray !

America, America,

Ah, how well might you teach

Peace, — Christ's gentle lesson

That He gave to each.

America, America,

Ah, how well might you stand.

With love in your bosom.

And peace in your hand !

America, America

Ah, how well might you speak

14

Wise words to the mighty, —

Wise words to the weak !

America, America,

The Lord now gives to you

To teach wondrous lessons

And great deeds to do.

America, America,

Ah, what good can there be,

In hate's spring that fills up

The war's bloody seat

America, America,

Ah, now forget the past;

And teach Christ's sweet lesson

Of peace to the last.

America, America,

There dwell within your gate.

Men from every nation, —

The children of fate.

America, America,

15

Sound now the gospel call:

Oh, peace for the mighty !

Peace, too, for the small!

America, America,

Ah, in war's bloody lands.

How awful the grief is.

How awful the bands !

America, America, —

Kin to the nations all, —

Ah, shout out Christ's message,

And cheer no man's fall.

America, America,

Ah, let it never be

Your ears will not hearken,

Your eyes will not see !

America, America,

All Satan's joy is hate;

How great is the bondage, —

The grief ,— at your gate !

16

America, America,

Oh, choose to-day to be

The land of the noble,

The land of the free !

THE HYPOCRITE CHRISTIAN

Far what i8 the hope of the hypocrite? — Job wosvii, 8.

Suppose, in the day of judgment,

God should say to you or me :

** Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite,

Woe evermore to thee !


The devil has done his part ;

And thou hast helped him with thy hands.

And helped him with thy heart !

''Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite,

The world is black for thee

And for the souls led to hell's brink

17

And harked to shoreless sea!


Who took, — who wore my name ;

But thou hast lived to give me grief, —

Hast lived to bring me shame.

''Hypocrite, O thou Hypocrite,

Who claimed my all thine own:

Who served hell's chief with gems and gold,-

For Me the husk and stone.

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, —

Worse than the devil's own.

For he took not my name to wear.

Nor dared approach my throne.

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite,

Eternal woe to thee.

For thy dread doom the ceaseless flame

And devil's pit must be!"

TO THE NEW YEAK

18

teach U8 to number our days, that we may apply our hearts

unto wisdom, — Psalms wo, 12,

New Year, New Year,

You are near, — ^are at the door, —

For no man can stay your coming

By the sea or by the shore;

Nor bar, nor soldiers strong,

with sword in hand.

Can halt your progress,

nor your march withstand.

New Year, New Year,

Stop, and be a witness true

When I vow, amid your sunshine, —

Mid your clouds and mid your dew, —

To seek my Master's way, to give my mite.

And so find favor in God's holy sight.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

19

One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more here-

after, — Revelation iw, 12,

Once on a time there was a man,

And he was good and true ;

But he took a drink of whiskey.

And later he took two.

Once on a time there was his son,

And he was partly true;

But he took a drink of whiskey,

And then took seven times two.

20 SERMONS IN RHYME

20

Once on a time there was a beast :

The first man's one son's son;

Beast he lived and died, — ^beadt only,-

And now the story's done.

IN THE '* UPPER GARDEN"

/ am the resurrection and the life, — John m, 25,

Beloved, Beloved,

Shall we not rejoice to meet.

In the beauteous ** upper garden,"

Nearby the golden street t

Beloved, Beloved,

Say to me love's words again

In the glorious *' upper garden,"

21

Untouched by death and pain.

Beloved, Beloved,

I shall see you glad and grand,

• In the radiant ** upper garden,"

And run to reach your hand.

Beloved, Beloved,

Oh, the joy when we shall cast.

Near the feet of our Saviour

Our crowns. Beloved, at last!

SERMONS IN RHYME 21

THE LAST DECISION

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right f —

22

Oeneaia wviii, 25,

Your best, and scorned so, —

Your truest and best, —

As with scorn of a f oe t

Ah, man, woman, or child.

Cease your sob, dry your tear ;

For God has a place where all of your best

Will glory and shine evermore. Do not fear !

No judgment, no promise

Can stand, or can keep.

Save the Judge's of Heaven.

Though you faint, though you weep,

Cease to doubt,— cease to fear:

For God has a place for all of your best.

Though it fail, and it fall, and it falter, while here.

23

CHRISTMAS

For God 80 loved the world! — John iU, 16.

Oh, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas !

When the heart is young, to se«

The secrets by the chimney,

And the charms upon the tree !

22 SERMONS IN RHYME


When the heart is worn and old.

Let's ease it of its burdens,

With some thought or deed of gold.

24

Oh, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

Oh, God's gift that we might be

Forever rich and happy.

And forever young and free !

THE WORLD IN A SLING

Thy will he done, — Matthew vi, 10.

When a wilful child, and ignorant,

I wanted the world in my sling.

Ah, desperate plight for the world and the child

The world all a child 's to fling !

But now, with my eyes turned heavenward,

Let me learn, oh, the great, great thing : —

As long as I will, and as much as I ask,

25

My world is in God's sure sling.

SERMONS IN RHYME 23

LOST

Why stand ye here M the day idle? — Matthew aw, 6.

Lost, — ^now a woman, a child, a man !

Will you save one if you cant

''Lost in a heathen landf

- Lost on the desert's sandt

Lost on the waters wide t ' '

Aye, aye, — ^and by your side.

Lost, — now a woman, a child, a man !


**At parting of the wayst

In dark and bitter daysT

26

In stress of strenuous tidef"

Aye, aye, — and by your side.



**In maze of forest land.

Led by a wicked band.

Where gems and minerals hide T '


Lost, — ^now a woman, a child, a man


* * Lost in the house, or street.

Far from the mercy seatt

Lost in a mountain slidet"


27

24 SERMONS IN RHYME



**In pulpit or in pew,

In secret or in view,

Going to heirs jaws widet"


HEAVEN

/ go to prepare a place for you. — John eriv, 2.

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven,

With gleaming golden street, —

Where all the saints have singing hearts

And joy's young, tripping feet!


With river, calm and grand.

28

And joy and praise and music sweet

Through all the fair, wide land !

Heaven, Heaven, Jleaven,

Where all love's dream comes true.

And all my prayer for Paradise,

And all my prayer for you.

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, —

In all the land so wide

No one with sighing, tear, or pain,

No one with prayer denied.

SERMONS IN RHYME 25


29

We will forget all woe

Within the city of delight,

Where all Christ's saved shall go !


Where love abides alway.

Where there is joy without alloy

Forever and for aye !


No vision here can see

The beauty of that home of joy.

Prepared for you and me.

TWO MASTERS, TWO FIELDS, TWO PATHS,

AND TWO HOMES

30

No man can serve ttoo masters, — Matthew vt, 24.

If I love not my God,

I am the devil's own ;

And he will use me as his slave —

Will scourge me to the bone.

If I belong to Qod

I 'm bought, but I am free ;

For in the service that is love's

No bondage can there be.

26 SERMONS IN RHYME

If I with Satan walk

Along his homeward road,

31

I shall find only, — my soul ! —

Remorse in his abode.

If I walk with my Lord,

Safe in the "narrow way,"

The path leads to the Land of Joy,

Unto the * * perfect day. ' '

Work I in Satan's field.

This harvest mine to reap :

To eat my heart out, like a slave.

O'er sins and sorrows deep.

But in God's vineyard vast

The grapes of grace are mine.

And every drop of wine's a gem

Set where God's jewels shine.

THE CALL OF THE HOME

32

A city which hath foundations. — Hehretoa an, 10,

O city with foundations, —

Where every heart is true.

And every hand is loyal, —

I often think of you.

SEEMONS IN BHYME 27

. city with foundations

Enduring, grand, and fair, —

The worldly things I build on

Are light as whiffs of air.

city with foundations,

Joy's sojourn for the blest, —

33

city with foundations.

There wait me wealth and rest !

PREPAREDNESS

/ came not to send Peace, hut a atoord. — Matthew x, S^,

Except the Lord huUd the house, they labour in vain that huild

it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh

hut in vain. — Psalm cxxvU, 1,

People of God, what is this f

A cloud for the heart and the sky.

Oh, that we would prepare

To heed the Lord Most High !

People of God, now prepare !

Will you dare to judge that your God

Did all unthinking say:

*'Put down your sword and rod"!

34

People of Gtod, oh, prepare, —

Oh, prepare you to heed your God,

Ere He lets slip your soul,

To perish neath the sod I

28 SERMONS IN RHYME

People of Gk)(i, now prepare !

God to each grants a time and place,

To prove if we will heed, —

If we will seek His grace.


We are soldiers of Christ to-day,

So 'tis but ours to heed, —

35

Not ours to disobey!

People of God, what is this

But the same serpent steeped in guile.

To make the heart rebel.

To cheat, and to defile 1

Peoples there were that ** prepared," —

What have they but hell in the heart ;

Hell on every hearthstone.

And hell in every mart?

People of God, what is this!

Though you make your forts thick with fire ;

And fill the land with guns ; —

Will these stay sin's desire!

Bullets and shells you may have.

36

You may live in war's fiery path, —

Will these things kill your sin!

Will these all stay God's wrath!

SERMONS IN RHYME 29

* * Not to send peace, but a sword. ' '-

Sword of the Spirit, all good,

Now pierce the heart and slay

This beast, — ^the Lust for Blood !

MAGDALENE

He that t« without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at

her, — John viii, 7,

37

Magdalene, O Magdalene,

With your red mouth Satan kissed, —

Magdalene, Magdalene,

1 weep for all that you have bought.

And for all that you have missed.


Wondrous great God's mercies are, —

Magdalene, Magdalene, —

To wash all white your soul of sin.

And to cleanse you from, all scar !


Ere I draw my skirts from you, —


With prayer and tears let me recall

How I need God's fountain too!

38

30 SBBMONS IN KHYMB

THE HERO'S FAILURE

HENRY FORD

A treasure in the heavens that faUeth not. — Luke mi, SS.

The hero sailed forth,

His heart quick with joy ;

And he lavished his gold

With the zest of a boy.

Forth with him there sailed

A small, ardent band ;

For his mission was great, —

Yes, his mission was grand.

The rabble, though, said,

39

" This man is a fool !

I will not lend my voice.

And I won 't lend my tool.

''That is not my way,"

The jeering mob cried,

And they scoflEed at his deed. —

All may scoff and deride ;

But will there not be

Bright stars in his crown,

When the world's way is done,

And the last ship goes down!

SERMONS IN RHYME 31

40

SLAVES

Their Uvea hitter with hard bondage. — Bxodui i, ^4-

slaves, slaves, slaves !

Would that my cry be heard, —

A warning like an angel's

With clearness of a bird !

O slaves, slaves, slaves !

Is wife or child a slave

To Satan that is in you, —

Or fed on food he gave !


Is husband,— child, — a slave

To sin that you have harbored.

To sin you kept and gave !

41

slaves, slaves, slaves, —

At home or in the wild.

With bondage of your evil, —

Man, woman or a child !

O slaves, slaves, slaves, —

Man, woman, child, with bands

That Satan made and fastened

Both on your heart and hands I

32 SBBMONS IN RHYME


In parlor, kitchen, street,

Are slaves you bind and shackle,

42

And lay at Satan's feet!

slaves, slaves, slaves.

By blow on heart or cheek,

By bondage of your meaning.

By evil words you speak !


The youth with his young heart.

Will you there write sin's legend!

There paint black Satan's artf


The maid, like spring a-south,

Why touch you with sin's fire

Her cheek, her soft red mouth!


43

I see the chains you wear; —

Since Satan bound them on you,

You weakly keep them there !


In this land we call free, —

A land that's called God's country ,-

What countless slaves we see !

SERMONS IN BHYMB 33


God rend the chains you wear.

Ere you learn in hell's darkness

No chains are broken there !

44


May God forbid to-day

That you, with heart unfettered,

Be led from Him away!

THE BRUNT OF THE FIGHT

They hind heavy burdens and grievous to he home, and lay

them on men's shoulders. — Matthew wxiii, 4,

Oh, the fight has come.

And the fight is won;

But I've no word from Jim,

From the sun to the sun.

Oh, the fight has come,

And the fight is lost

But Jim's child and I, —

45

We must now pay the cost.

The boss sat his horse

On a distant height ;

Jim fought on hot ground.

In the teeth of the fight.

34 SERMONS IN RHYME

Oh, the big man feasts,

Upon the big hill ;

On the field of blood

Lies my Jim, dead and still.

Oh, the big crowd cheers, —

46

Still cheers the big boss ;


Oh, our part's but the loss.

Oh, the big man's word

Created the fight ;

But Jim's child and I

Cry and starve in the night.

Oh, my Jim and I,

We tried to live right;

We needed no gun,

And we wanted no fight.

Oh, would it were so

That men who war shout

Be put in a pen,

Where they might think it out ;

47

Until they be taught

From God's precious word:

No right grows from wrong

For aught, — ^man, beast, or bird.

SERMONS IN ItHYME 35

EASTER

He ia risen I — Mark xvi, 6.

Oh, seal could never stay Him,

Nor soldiers with sword, in hand,

When He rose from the grave triumphant,

To go back to glory land !

•

48

So, Saviour, by the greatness

Of Thy heart that bled for me,

/ shall rise from the grave triumphant.

An angel of joy to be.

DELILAH

Whose name toaa Delilah. — Judges xvi, 4,

How many a man is bound and led

To Satan's path and lair,

By a woman whose best is only ''a rag

And a bone and a hank of hair I"

How many a man is bound and led,

• In paths that lead but down.

By the lure of a cheek that is Satan's own.

49

And the swish of a sin-worn gown I

36 SERMONS IN KEHTME

THE TRAITOR'S WEALTH

Tea, mine oton familiar friend, in whom I trusted, tohich did

eat of my bread, hath lifted up hie heel against me, —

Psalm wli, 9,

Ah, gold to clink in my coflEers,

And gold for your heed while I speak; —

And my spurs in the breast of my brother

With his white face silent and meek!

Ah, gold to clink in my coffers,

And Satan to have and to sell; —

And I've bought with the clink of his money

50

My lodging and keep in his hell I

JUST A WOMAN; NOT A SUFFRAGETTE

She hath done what she could, — Mark wiv, 8.

Oh, just to be a woman.

If the Lord has made me so !

I do not need a trumpet ;

I need not lead the show.

Oh, just to be a woman,

And to do the best I can.

Just where the Lord has placed me.

For all this life's brief span!

SERMONS IN RHYME 37

51


With no littleness of heart

To envy God-made sparrow,

Or God-made man, his part.


And to seek to serve my Lord !

I need not wear the tinsel,

I need no spur nor sword.


If I can but win for me.

The greatest of all guerdons

For mortal there can be!

Oh, just to be a woman !

If I do the best I can,

52

I need not fear nor sorrow

That I am not a man.


If I do my best with care, —

In brilliant sphere, or twilit, —

No angel more can dare.

38 SERMONS IN KHYME

CHEER UP!

In the world ye shall have tribulation; hut he of good cheer.

John xvi, SS,

Cheer up, my brother!

53

The day is not for long;

Now speak to your mate all cheerily ;

Now carry your cross with a song.

Cheer up, O my brother!

Now make this day your best,

When the sun comes up on the eastern hill,

When the sun goes down in the west.


The fight will not last long;

How long, though, — ^thank God ! — ^is eternity.

And the joy-land's glory and song!


'Tis not alone for gold,

That the cheerful giver is dear to Gtod,

54

Whose mercies are manifold.

SERMONS IN RHYME 39

THE BROKEN PROMISE

Pay thai tohich thou hast vovoed, — Eccleaiaatea v, 4.

And I forgot you, O my promise,

To the little child await

With weary heart and footsteps.

And hand upon the gate.

And I f oi^t you, my promise.

To the one in prime of life,

Who needed your fulfillment

To stay the stress of life.

55


To the one so worn and old.

Who waited in the twilight

Till tiie last hour was tolled.

OPPORTUNITY

While it i8 called to-day, — Hebrews Hi, IS.

I come, I come ;

And the hours are yours for deeds ; —

And my heart is full with love ;

And my hands are full with seeds !

40 SERMONS IN RHYME

I come, I come,

56

With the first ray of the mom,

And the wide world needs my love ! —

Do you greet me but with scorn f

I come, I come ;

And I beg you sow good seeds ! —

Do you turn to dress sin's hatet

Do you turn to spray sin's weeds t

I come, I come;

And I greet you with the mom ! —

And you might have sweets to bloom,

And the fine gold of the com.

I come, I come ;

And yours but to take to win ! —

Do you bind your heart and hand

At the past's trash-pile of sinf

I come, I come ! —

I am yours until the night !

Will you sleep till sleep is death.

And sin's veil shuts out the light f

57

SERMONS IN RHYME 41

JEZEBEL

That woman Jezebel, — Bevelation ii, 20.

Do you dread the devil ?

His wiles, his bonds, his hellt

Do you dread the devil t

Ah, you do well.

Do you dread the devil 1

In the form of dove or pelf t

Do you dread the devil, —

Ah, in yourself t

Do you dread the devil?

In the form of child or man f

58

Dread him then more deeply.

Ah, if you can.


More than your tongue can tell f

Dread him then more greatly

As Jezebel 1 —

Ah, perhaps with beauty, —

And fair and soft of cheek ;

With her false lips framing

Fair words to speak !

42 SERMONS IN RHYME

CO-WORKERS WITH GOD

59

Feed my lambs,— John wxi, 15.

If it were your child, — ^yours, —

Here, serene and still,

Waiting here unconscious.

Where the devil feeds his mill ; —


Here, where hell's gulf lies.

On his lips light laughter.

And a smile in the young eyes ; —


Here, within Christ's land.

Breathing in sin's poison.

And with poison in his hand ;—

If it were your child, — ^youl«, —

Starving, sick, and lost.

60

Would you wait to save it! —

Would you wait and count the cost?


Would you rest and wait!

Would you wait for pleasure ;

Wait for gain, or wait for hatef

If it were your child, — yours, —

But heed you now, and stay !

This may be God's child here.

Will you not help God to-day t

SERMONS IN RHYME ^

THE PERFECT PATTERN

He %B altogether lovely. — The Bong of Songs v, 16.

61

brother and sister, away! —

Away with the curse and the sin

That you take your pattern from people,

And from what they are and have been.

brother and sister, away ! —

Away with this curse to the heart;

And make but the Saviour your pattern,

Although death and hell be my part !

brother and sister, away I

The Master and message but see I

Oh, cease you to look at man's frailties ;

Oh, take you no pattern from me !

IDOLS

Thou shalt have no other gods "before me, — Eaodue aox, 2.

Oh, strange, strange, strange, —

62

For all the Lord has done.

Yet the world is full of idols

Where souls kneel from sun to sun !

Oh, strange, strange, strange!

Not all in ''heathen land,''

But in this our time and country.

They are praised with heart and hand.

1

44 SERMONS IN RHYME

Oh, strange, strange, strange,

63

To give one's life, one's blood,

Unto things consumed by fire.

Wrecked by wind, or storm, or flood !


To give one's time, one's soul.

For the palate's mess of pottage,

Or for some like senseless dole !


Some are idols made of gold ;

Some are toys of yielding putty ;

Some are new, and some are old.

Oh, strange, strange, strange !

Do you adore a child, —

Or a man, or stone, or woman t —

Is your idol undefiledt

64


Dear God, lead us away.

Ere we perish with our idols.

As we worship day by day.


Dear God, break them as clay ;

Or make these idols hateful,

So we turn from them away.

SERMONS IN RHYME 45


God strike them from above,

65

Ere we learn too late, by losing,

The strength of Thy great love.

THE UNRULY TONGUE

Keep thy tongue from evil. — Paalm amanv, IS.

'Twas all within a moment

That he spoke the bitter word ;

But now his child is lying

Where no word of his is heard.


That she spumed her man with scorn ;

And now he can not hear her.

There, where the dead are gone.

A word I gave a neighbour.

66

But the evil word came back.

To cut into my weary heart.

And scourge, and rend, and rack.

A word I gave a neighbour ;

But it sprouted swift great wings ; —

And, like a flying serpent vile.

Fast as it flies it stings.

46 SERMONS IN RHYME

Unto swift air I uttered

Just a word, lost in the wild ;

But lo, that word has come to fall

On the head of my child!

67

A word I yesterday withheld, —

Just a word I should have said ;—

Upon my silence falls God 's wrath,

Living be I, or dead.

TO-DAY

Oo work to-day in my vineyard. — Matthew xxi, 28.

Said one : * ' When I count not my millions

On my fingers and my toes,

I shall feel what 'tis to live,

And shall deal with mankind's woes."

Said one : ' ' Let me lend you my eyesight.

Ere fall night, and day shall close ;

For when the morrow cometh

It is neither friend's nor foe's."

68

SERMONS JN RHYME 47

HEARTBREAKING

Fw God shall hrmg every work into judgment, —

Eccleatiastes am, H.

What! not shunned at the hearthstone t

Not branded in the martt

But Gk)d is the judge of the culprit! —

Are you breaking a human heart t

What! not shunned at the hearthstone f


Yet thief you are, maybe, and slayer

69

Of somebody's helpless heart.

What ! not in charge of the warden !

Not branded red with shame f

But is not your crime even greater

Than those that the felons defame t

No, fiot shunned at the hearthstone,

Nor branded in the mart!

But you culprits must come to the judgment

Of One who knows every heart.

48 SERMONS IN RHYME

MISTER AND MISTRESS TIMESERVER

Unstable aa toater, — Genesis mliv, 4.

70

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, a word I would have

with you:

An hour ago the moon was cheese ; but now the moon

is dew.

I.

An hour ago the world was square ; and now the world

is round.

You hide with every hare that hides; you run with

every hound.

You strive to please the ignorant, and, too, the man

of sense ;

You march on this side and on that; you sit upon the

fence.

71

You are one with the quiet-tongued ; agree with all

that's said:

You wish that I would live for aye; you wish that I

were dead.

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, for me the lonesome

track,

Before I'd hide behind your hedge, or howl amid your

pack.

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, I wish for you no ill ;

But I was tired when we met and I am tired still.

SERMONS IN BHTME ^

THE POOR RICH MAN

72

He toent away 8orrotcful, for he had great posaesaione, —

Matthew wix, 22,

poor rich man, whose full bins o 'er-flow ;

poor rich man, with your gold you love so ;

If in dear Christ's heart the beggar comes first,

He is rich, while your soul dies of hunger and thirst.

AT THE MARRIAGE ALTAR

THE DIVOBC^'S VOWS

A< 80undmg hnue, or a tinkling cymbal, — I OorinthianB wiU, 1,

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse.

And for each and for every day, —


73

To honor, to love, and obey.

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse,

These the words that her marriage vows say, —

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, —

She is marrying another to-day !

50 SERMONS IN RHYME

THE DEVHj'S CASTOFF

And tohoaoever wUl, let TUm take the water of life freely.-

Revelation maii^ 17,

The old man's breath came hard and slow,

Where the gulf of hell yawned nigh ;

The master whom he had served so long

74

Had but flung him there to die !

Past the power of whip and spur ;

For his breath was almost gone ; —

He had served the devil's tricks and trade : —

And had come where hell's fires shone.

The old man's breath came hard and slow ,

Now he understood the price, —

The price that he had paid the fiend ; —

Ah, to know the devil's vice !

And by the pit for which he'd toiled, —

The dread pit deep and nigh, —

He fought against its depth and fire

His soul to sanctify.

He thought of mercy's Master meek,

Once known at his mother's knee ;

75

And his soul cried out against hell's doom,

And he prayed it might be free ;

SEEMONS IN RHYME 51

He plead, there lying on the ground,

Till his soul of sin bled dry ; —

T|iere, on the brink of that dread pit,

Where he'd been flung to die:

"0 Master pure and pitying.

Who once was crucified

That never a soul need be lost

Though hell 's foul pit yawn wide I ' '

And who shall judge or dare to say

That the gates were not flung wide,-

76

The gates of Heaven's city bright, —

To him who called — ^then died?

For ''whosoever'' was the word, —

God's generous word, so great ! —

Embracing, with the pure in heart,

The sinner at hell's gate.

GREAT MEN

Know ye not that the friendship of the world ia enmity with

Qodt — Jamee iv, 4,

Oh, the world's great men stood in sweat by the gun;

And he mowed men down from the sun to the sun I

52 SERMONS IN RHYME

77

And they went to their doom with curse and with

moan;

While the black night came down, and ne'er a star

shone.

But the Lord's great man reached his hands to hell's

mouth,

And he drew back the men from its flame and its

drouth.

And they smote him amain, but he turned ''th 'other

cheek";

For the great man of God is both mighty and meek.

78

THE HEART OF THE FATHER

A8 a father pitieth his children, — Padlm oiii, IS,

My child in peril in the treacherous wild ! —

What would I not to save him, — ^my own child?

Will not God reckon, if I am His own,

The perils that beset me, — ^beast and stone t

My child in hunger where fell vampire feeds! —

Would I withhold my heart's blood for his needs f

Will not God reckon, if I am His child.

My needs and dangers in this treacherous wild?

SERMONS IN BHYME 53

DEATH

grave where ia thy victory? — I Corinthians ow, 55,

79

am going away to-night, my friend,

A little while from you ;

am going to our home to-night; —

Adieu, adieu, adieu I


There I will watch for you ;

am going to our home to-night ; —

Adieu, adieu, adieu !

am going away to-night, my friend.

Where skies are always blue ;




Where all love's dreams come true ;



am going away to-night, my friend, —

Qod keep you safe and true ;


80

Adieu, adieu, adieu!

54 SERMONS IN BHYME

UNDER THE ROSE

Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. — Ephetiana iv, 26.

Yes, I loved him,

But a quarrel came between —

I married another,

And I lived like a queen.

Then he took her.

And each wedded, weary day,.

He toiled like a bondman

On life's burdensome way.

81

But I envied her,

'Spite of all my wealth and state, —

Craved her cotton garments

And the crust that she ate.

The touch of his hand.

Though he lay on the ground, —

E'en the widow's cheap veil

And the drunkard's low mound.

DEFEATED

A lying tongue ia hut for a moment. — Proverha xU, 19.

He was defeated !

And there he stood.

With downcast mien,

As the vanquished should.

82

SERMONS IN RHYME 55

He was defeated!

From yonder side

The victor's cheers

Bang far, rang wide.

He was defeated?

He fought for right!

Then, his the triumph,

The joy. of the fight.

He was defeated f

Where real crowns are

What counts this din

83

That sounds afar!

FOREVER

Pwniahed with everlaating destruction, — II Theaaalonians i, 9,

8h€dl inherit everlasting life. — Matthew mix, 29,

It is not far to forever, —

Just a slipping of the breath ;

But vast the joy of heaven,

Or grief of "second death" —

Forever !

It is not long to forever, —

Perhaps ere the word is said ;

But 'tis long, to be living,

Or long, long to be dead, —

Forever I

84

56 SEBMONS IN RHYME

GBEATNESS

He that %9 greatest among you ahM he your aerwxnt.-^

Matthew xxiii, 11.

A woman of great wealth died to-day,

She died, as she'd lived, in the rich world's way, —

Died as she 'd lived, in Palace Place,

'Mid gold and perfume and service and lace ;

Died as she'd lived: scorn in her heart

For the poorness of me and my petty part ;

But for all her pride in her golden load.

85

Naught could she take to her new abode.

A woman of great heart died to-day.

The greatness of her makes me rich alway.

The world is richer f orevermore.

For wealth that she gave, for the burdens she bore ;

She died in meekness on bed of straw.

When no one but Gk)d either knew or saw.

She died in meekness, poor and alone ; —

Vast may her wealth be where God crowns his own !

SERMONS IN EHYME 67

86

THE DIFFERENCE

Who art thou that judgeat another?-^ amea iv, 12,

There was a poor man by one sin beset.

Yet never a lie did that one sin beget ;

Wherever he lived and wherever he went

Blame, slight, and scorn were his harsh punishment.

Another there was steeped tenfold in sin ;

But sleek, pious lies cloaked the foul soul within.

And the foolish world said: ''Oh, see this good

man: —

A being created on God's own great plan!"

And the ''good man" oft cried above the world's din:

"0 people, beware of my brother's foul sin!"

So each lived, so each died, and only God knew

87

How many one 's sins, and the other 's how few !

58 SERMONS IN RHYME

IN JAIL, AND OUT

Evil communicationa corrupt good manners, —

/ Corinthiana am, SS.

«

Yes, Ned's in the jail, sir;

They sent him there to-day. —

And not only that, sir,

But twenty years to stay.

Ah, 'tis a strange worl', sir;

88

And strange, too, is its way. —

For 'tis poor Ned's wife, sir,

Should be in jail to-day.

Handsome as a dream, sir;

Church member, — oh, you know ;

Yet her man's in jail, sir.

For her mad love of show.

I know what I speak, sir.

For Ned's one fault on earth

Was to love that girl, sir, —

A girl who wasn't worth.

Just to live in style, sir, —

Yes ; that was all her creed.

Ned in jail twenty years

A-payin' for her greed!

89

SERMONS IN BHYMB 59

I

GOD'S COUNTRY

A better country, that ie, an hea/venly, — Behrewe xi, 16,

I am thinking that that better land is grand and fair

and wide ;

And that there is joy's completeness on each and

every side.

I am thinking that the music there is sweetest ever

heard;

And I could not paint its beauty, far beyond mere

mortal word.

90

I am thinking that there love will say all words here

left unsaid ;

For, in the country that is God's, love ne'er is mute

or dead.

I am thinking how each cup of joy is full to overflow.

And that of grief or sorrow no heart will dream or

know.

I am thinking that there each will find one's own

peculiar joy ;

Yes, even for the little child, some longed-for strange

new toy.

I am thinking that the love of Christ must wash my

soul all white

Before I find that country with its love and joy and

Ught.

91

SERMONS IN RHYME

BT

^


\

92

u^

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY

440 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK

1916

1' '■•

1 ■

pul:.j l

93

993132A

A".;':.':, j.

K

Xy. >%/

COPTRIOHT, 1916, Bt

Judith L. C. Garwett

CONTENTS

94

TtU

r>

PAGE

The Pbincb op Peace . 9

Nemesis 10

Spwnq 11

Death 11

Satett 12



95

Heartbboken 14

AliE&ICA 15


To THE New Year 19




Christmas 21


Lost 23

Heaven 24


96


Preparedness 27

Magdalene 29


Slaves 31


CONTENTS

PAGB

Easteb 35

Deulah .-35

97



Cheeb Up! 38


Oppobtunitt . 39

Jezebel 41



Idols 43


To-day 46

Heabtbbeaking 47

98





Gbeat Men 61


Death 63

Undeb the Eose 64

Defeated 64

FOBEVEB 65

Gbeatness - ... 66

The Diffebence 67

99

In Jail, and Out 58

God's CJountby 69

SERMONS IN RHYME

SERMONS IN RHYME

THE PRINCE OP PEACE


James iv, 1.



100






Think of Bethlehem's babe, — ^the Heaven-bom child;









101









10 SERMONS IN RHYME

Yes, Brother of mine, — ^anear or far, —



102






NEMESIS


Galatians vi, 7.

Nemesis, O Nemesis,

With* your dark and lowered brow,




Ood, have pity on me now! —

103







SERMONS IN RHYME 11

SPRING


Proverbs wvi, 22.



104







DEATH

Yea, though I uxM through the valley, of the shadow of death.

— Psalm amii, 4.





105





12 SERMONS IN RHYME

SAFETY


Proverbs wxix, 25.



106






In Jehovah's hands.







My soul, held safe


107

THE CURSE OF CAIN






SERMONS IN RHYME 13





108















Where, — ^the brother I gave, —


109

ti

14 SERMONS IN RHYME


Beaiat the devil, and he vM flee from you, — James iv, 7.









110

HEARTBROKEN














111

SERMONS IN EHYME 15

AMERICA


8uch a time as this? — Esther iv, H.

America, America,




America, America,



112


America, America,




Anierica, Amema,




America, America,




113

16 SERMONS IN RHYME

America, America,




America, America,




•

America, America,


114



America, America,




America, America,








115

SERMONS IN RHYME 17

America, America,

Ah, let it never be



America, America,




America, America,



116












117

18 SERMONS IN RHYME














118








SEEMONS IN RHYME 19

TO THE NEW YEAK

80 teach U8 to number our days, that toe may apply our hearts

unto vjisdom, — Psalms wo, 12,

119

New Year, New Year,




Nor bar, nor soldiers strong, with sword in hand.

Can halt your progress, 01^ your march withstand.

New Year, New Year,









120









20 SERMONS IN RHYME




121




Beloved, Beloved,




Beloved, Beloved,




Beloved, Beloved,


122



Beloved, Beloved,




SERMONS IN RHYME 21

THE LAST DECISION


Oeneaia wviii, 25,



123













CHRISTMAS


124





22 SERMONS IN RHYME








125












126

SERMONS IN RHYME 23

LOST














127













24 SERMONS IN RHYME

128







HEAVEN

/ go to prepare a place for you. — John eriv, 2.










129








SERMONS IN RHYME 25





130










AND TWO HOMES

No man can serve ttoo masters, — Matthew vt, 24.


131




If I belong to Qod




26 SERMONS IN RHYME






132



Unto the * * perfect day. ' '












133




SEEMONS IN BHYME 27

. city with foundations




city with foundations,


city with foundations.


134

PREPAREDNESS

/ came not to send Peace, hut a atoord. — Matthew x, S^,

Except the Lord huUd the house, they labour in vain that huild



People of God, what is this f







*'Put down your sword and rod"!

People of Gtod, oh, prepare, —


135



28 SERMONS IN RHYME

People of Gk)(i, now prepare !









136



To cheat, and to defile 1

Peoples there were that ** prepared," —












137

SERMONS IN RHYME 29

* * Not to send peace, but a sword. ' '-




MAGDALENE

He that t« without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at




138


1 weep for all that you have bought.












30 SBBMONS IN KHYMB

139

THE HERO'S FAILURE

HENRY FORD

A treasure in the heavens that faUeth not. — Luke mi, SS.












140










SERMONS IN RHYME 31

SLAVES


141















142







32 SBBMONS IN RHYME






143
















144





SERMONS IN BHYMB 33








145














146




34 SERMONS IN RHYME


Upon the big hill ;







147


Created the fight ;



Oh, my Jim and I,


We needed no gun,




Be put in a pen,




148


For aught, — ^man, beast, or bird.


EASTER






•



149

/ shall rise from the grave triumphant.


DELILAH

Whose name toaa Delilah. — Judges xvi, 4,









150

36 SERMONS IN KEHTME


Tea, mine oton familiar friend, in whom I trusted, tohich did


Psalm wli, 9,









151











SERMONS IN RHYME 37


152
















153





38 SERMONS IN KHYME

CHEER UP!


John xvi, SS,





154













155

SERMONS IN RHYME 39

THE BROKEN PROMISE













156


OPPORTUNITY


I come, I come ;




40 SERMONS IN RHYME

I come, I come,




157

I come, I come ;




I come, I come;




I come, I come ;








SERMONS IN RHYME 41

158

JEZEBEL



His wiles, his bonds, his hellt

Do you dread the devil t

Ah, you do well.

Do you dread the devil 1



Ah, in yourself t


In the form of child or man f


Ah, if you can.

159




As Jezebel 1 —





42 SERMONS IN RHYME

CO-WORKERS WITH GOD



160
















161




Wait for gain, or wait for hatef




Will you not help God to-day t

SERMONS IN RHYME ^

THE PERFECT PATTERN

He %B altogether lovely. — The Bong of Songs v, 16.



162











IDOLS





163






1

44 SERMONS IN RHYME





164











Or a man, or stone, or woman t —

Is your idol undefiledt



165







SERMONS IN RHYME 45





166

THE UNRULY TONGUE














167





46 SERMONS IN RHYME








168


TO-DAY

Oo work to-day in my vineyard. — Matthew xxi, 28.









SERMONS JN RHYME 47

169

HEARTBREAKING

Fw God shall hrmg every work into judgment, —


What! not shunned at the hearthstone t



Are you breaking a human heart t

What! not shunned at the hearthstone f





170

Not branded red with shame f


Than those that the felons defame t





48 SERMONS IN RHYME


Unstable aa toater, — Genesis mliv, 4.

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, a word I would have

with you:

171

An hour ago the moon was cheese ; but now the moon

is dew.

I.

An hour ago the world was square ; and now the world

is round.

You hide with every hare that hides; you run with

every hound.

You strive to please the ignorant, and, too, the man

of sense ;

You march on this side and on that; you sit upon the

fence.

You are one with the quiet-tongued ; agree with all

that's said:

You wish that I would live for aye; you wish that I

172

were dead.

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, for me the lonesome

track,

Before I'd hide behind your hedge, or howl amid your

pack.

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, I wish for you no ill ;

But I was tired when we met and I am tired still.

SERMONS IN BHTME ^

THE POOR RICH MAN

He toent away 8orrotcful, for he had great posaesaione, —

Matthew wix, 22,

173






THE DIVOBC^'S VOWS

A< 80undmg hnue, or a tinkling cymbal, — I OorinthianB wiU, 1,







174



50 SERMONS IN RHYME

THE DEVHj'S CASTOFF

And tohoaoever wUl, let TUm take the water of life freely.-







175
















176

SEEMONS IN RHYME 51













177





GREAT MEN


Qodt — Jamee iv, 4,


And he mowed men down from the sun to the sun I

52 SERMONS IN RHYME

And they went to their doom with curse and with

178

moan;

While the black night came down, and ne'er a star

shone.

But the Lord's great man reached his hands to hell's

mouth,

And he drew back the men from its flame and its

drouth.

And they smote him amain, but he turned ''th 'other

cheek";



A8 a father pitieth his children, — Padlm oiii, IS,

179









SERMONS IN BHYME 53

DEATH

grave where ia thy victory? — I Corinthians ow, 55,




180


















181

54 SERMONS IN BHYME

UNDER THE ROSE


Yes, I loved him,


I married another,


Then he took her.




But I envied her,



182






DEFEATED

A lying tongue ia hut for a moment. — Proverha xU, 19.

He was defeated !

And there he stood.

With downcast mien,


SERMONS IN RHYME 55

183

He was defeated!

From yonder side

The victor's cheers


He was defeated?




He was defeated f



That sounds afar!

184

FOREVER

Pwniahed with everlaating destruction, — II Theaaalonians i, 9,






Forever !





Forever I

56 SEBMONS IN RHYME

185

GBEATNESS


Matthew xxiii, 11.










186








SERMONS IN EHYME 67

THE DIFFERENCE


187







And the foolish world said: ''Oh, see this good

man: —






188

58 SERMONS IN RHYME

IN JAIL, AND OUT



«





Ah, 'tis a strange worl', sir;




189













SERMONS IN BHYMB 59

190

I

GOD'S COUNTRY


I am thinking that that better land is grand and fair

and wide ;

And that there is joy's completeness on each and

every side.

I am thinking that the music there is sweetest ever

heard;

And I could not paint its beauty, far beyond mere

mortal word.

I am thinking that there love will say all words here

left unsaid ;

For, in the country that is God's, love ne'er is mute

191

or dead.


And that of grief or sorrow no heart will dream or

know.

I am thinking that there each will find one's own

peculiar joy ;

Yes, even for the little child, some longed-for strange

new toy.

I am thinking that the love of Christ must wash my

soul all white

Before I find that country with its love and joy and

Ught.

192

SERMONS IN RHYME

BT

^


\

u^

193

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY

440 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK

1916

1' '■•

1 ■

pul:.j l

993132A

194

A".;':.':, j.

K

Xy. >%/

COPTRIOHT, 1916, Bt

Judith L. C. Garwett

CONTENTS

TtU

195

r>

PAGE

The Pbincb op Peace . 9

Nemesis 10

Spwnq 11

Death 11

Satett 12



Heartbboken 14

AliE&ICA 15

196


To THE New Year 19




Christmas 21


Lost 23

Heaven 24



Preparedness 27

197

Magdalene 29


Slaves 31


CONTENTS

PAGB

Easteb 35

Deulah .-35



198

Cheeb Up! 38


Oppobtunitt . 39

Jezebel 41



Idols 43


To-day 46

Heabtbbeaking 47



199



Gbeat Men 61


Death 63

Undeb the Eose 64

Defeated 64

FOBEVEB 65

Gbeatness - ... 66

The Diffebence 67

In Jail, and Out 58

God's CJountby 69

200

SERMONS IN RHYME

SERMONS IN RHYME

THE PRINCE OP PEACE


James iv, 1.





201




Think of Bethlehem's babe, — ^the Heaven-bom child;












202






10 SERMONS IN RHYME

Yes, Brother of mine, — ^anear or far, —







203


NEMESIS


Galatians vi, 7.

Nemesis, O Nemesis,

With* your dark and lowered brow,




Ood, have pity on me now! —



204





SERMONS IN RHYME 11

SPRING


Proverbs wvi, 22.





205





DEATH

Yea, though I uxM through the valley, of the shadow of death.

— Psalm amii, 4.






206




12 SERMONS IN RHYME

SAFETY


Proverbs wxix, 25.






207



In Jehovah's hands.







My soul, held safe


THE CURSE OF CAIN


208





SERMONS IN RHYME 13







209













Where, — ^the brother I gave, —


ti

210

14 SERMONS IN RHYME


Beaiat the devil, and he vM flee from you, — James iv, 7.









HEARTBROKEN

211














SERMONS IN EHYME 15

212

AMERICA


8uch a time as this? — Esther iv, H.

America, America,




America, America,




America, America,

213




Anierica, Amema,




America, America,




16 SERMONS IN RHYME

214

America, America,




America, America,




•

America, America,




215

America, America,




America, America,








SERMONS IN RHYME 17

216

America, America,

Ah, let it never be



America, America,




America, America,




217











18 SERMONS IN RHYME

218
















219






SEEMONS IN RHYME 19

TO THE NEW YEAK

80 teach U8 to number our days, that toe may apply our hearts

unto vjisdom, — Psalms wo, 12,

New Year, New Year,


220



Nor bar, nor soldiers strong, with sword in hand.

Can halt your progress, 01^ your march withstand.

New Year, New Year,












221






20 SERMONS IN RHYME





222



Beloved, Beloved,




Beloved, Beloved,




Beloved, Beloved,




Beloved, Beloved,

223




SERMONS IN RHYME 21

THE LAST DECISION


Oeneaia wviii, 25,






224










CHRISTMAS





225


22 SERMONS IN RHYME









226











SERMONS IN RHYME 23

LOST

227
















228











24 SERMONS IN RHYME





229



HEAVEN

I go to prepare a place for you. — John , 2.















230
















AND TWO HOMES

231

No man can serve two masters, — Matthew vt, 24.





If I belong to God











Unto the “ perfect day. ' '



232













O city with foundations




233

O city with foundations,


O city with foundations.


PREPAREDNESS

I came not to send Peace, but a SWord. — Matthew x, S^,

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build



People of God, what is this ?







'Put down your sword and rod"!

People of God, oh, prepare, —

234















To cheat, and to defile

Peoples there were that prepared," —




235









*Not to send peace, but a sword. ' '-




MAGDALENE

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at




236


I weep for all that you have bought.












THE HERO'S FAILURE

HENRY FORD

A treasure in the heavens that faileth not. — Luke mi, SS.



237



















238

SERMONS IN RHYME 31

SLAVES

















239






32 SBBMONS IN RHYME










240




















241


















242



34 SERMONS IN RHYME


Upon the big hill ;








Created the fight ;



243

Oh, my Jim and I,


We needed no gun,




Be put in a pen,





For aught, — man, beast, or bird.


EASTER



244






I shall rise from the grave triumphant.


DELILAH

Whose name was Delilah. — Judges xvi, 4,









245


To, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did


Psalm wli, 9,











246



















247











38 SERMONS IN KHYME

CHEER UP!


John xvi, SS,

248

















THE BROKEN PROMISE


249













OPPORTUNITY


I come, I come ;


250



I come, I come,




I come, I come ;




I come, I come;




I come, I come ;




251





SERMONS IN RHYME 41

JEZEBEL



His wiles, his bonds, his hell

Do you dread the devil

Ah, you do well.

Do you dread the devil



Ah, in yourself t


252

In the form of child or man


Ah, if you can.




As Jezebel.





42 SERMONS IN RHYME

CO-WORKERS WITH GOD




253


















Wait for gain, or wait for hate.


254



Will you not help God to-day.

SERMONS IN RHYME ^

THE PERFECT PATTERN

He is altogether lovely. — The Song of Songs v, 16.











255



IDOLS















256










Or a man, or stone, or woman —

Is your idol undefiled.









257





THE UNRULY TONGUE












258















TO-DAY

do work to-day in my vineyard. — Matthew xxi, 28.

259









HEARTBREAKING

For God shall bring every work into judgment, —


What! not shunned at the hearthstone



Are you breaking a human heart.

What! not shunned at the hearthstone

Not branded in the mart

260




Not branded red with shame


Than those that the felons defame






Unstable as toater, — Genesis mliv, 4.

Mister and Mistress Timeserver,

a word I would have with you:

An hour ago the moon was cheese ;

but now the moon is dew.

An hour ago the world was square ;

261

and now the world is round.

You hide with every hare that hides;

you run with every hound.

You strive to please the ignorant,

and, too, the man of sense ;

You march on this side and on that;

you sit upon the fence.

You are one with the quiet-tongued ;

agree with all that's said:

You wish that I would live for aye;

you wish that I were dead.


for me the lonesome track,

Before I'd hide behind your hedge,

or howl amid your pack.


I wish for you no ill ;

But I was tired when we met

and I am tired still.

262

THE POOR RICH MAN

He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions, —

Matthew wix, 22,






THE DIVOBC^'S VOWS

A soundmg hnue, or a tinkling cymbal, — I OorinthianB wiU, 1,


263








THE DEVHj'S CASTOFF

And to wh soever will, let him take the water of life freely.-








264




















265












GREAT MEN


Qod — Jamee iv, 4,


And he mowed men down from the sun to the sun.

266

And they went to their doom with curse and with moan;

While the black night came down, and ne'er a star shone.

But the Lord's great man reached his hands to hell's mouth,

And he drew back the men from its flame and its drouth.

And they smote him amain, but he turned ''th 'other cheek";



As a father pitieth his children, — Padlm oiii, IS,








267


SERMONS IN BHYME 53

DEATH

grave where is thy victory? — I Corinthians ow, 55,












268










54 SERMONS IN BHYME

UNDER THE ROSE


Yes, I loved him,


I married another,


269

Then he took her.




But I envied her,








DEFEATED

A lying tongue is but for a moment. — Proverha xU, 19.

He was defeated !

And there he stood.

With downcast mien,


270

He was defeated!

From yonder side

The victor's cheers


He was defeated?




He was defeated



That sounds afar!

FOREVER

Punished with everlaating destruction, — II Theaaalonians i, 9,



271




Forever !





Forever I

56 SEBMONS IN RHYME

GBEATNESS


Matthew xxiii, 11.



272













273



SERMONS IN EHYME 67

THE DIFFERENCE








And the foolish world said: ''Oh, see this good man: —


274





58 SERMONS IN RHYME

IN JAIL, AND OUT







275

Ah, 'tis a strange world, sir;
















GOD'S COUNTRY


276

I am thinking that that better land is grand and fair and wide ;

And that there is joy's completeness on each and every side.

I am thinking that the music there is sweetest ever heard;

And I could not paint its beauty, far beyond mere mortal word.

I am thinking that there love will say all words here left unsaid ;

For, in the country that is God's, love ne'er is mute or dead.


And that of grief or sorrow no heart will dream or know.

I am thinking that there each will find one's own peculiar joy ;

Yes, even for the little child, some longed-for strange new toy.

I am thinking that the love of Christ must wash my soul all white

Before I find that country with its love and joy and light.

277

sermons in rhyme

Spiritual