NEARING HOME. "And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of hab itation." Psalm cvii: 7. We have heard of the city so shining and fair, In the far-away land of the blest, Of the mansions of glory preparing for those In those bright habitations we, too, long to dwell; Though the journey be long, we are traveling on, Thro' the cold wintry storm, and the summer's fierce heat, Over mountain and valley, and deep-rolling floods, Though toilsome the "way," it must surely be "right," In the pillar of cloud and of flame, day and night, O'er the wide trackless plain, where no rock lifts its head, With our strength almost gone, our feet bleeding and torn We press on through the hot, burning sand; But e'en in the desert we shall find some green spot, Some murmuring "brook in the way," And shall lift up the head that was drooping and bowed And when from the hill-tops we catch the first gleam When faintly the echo seems borne on the air Of a rapture and joy uncontrolled; When we feel the light touch of invisible hands, And hear the soft rustling of wings; When the thought that his angels are guarding our way, New strength and encouragement brings, We are nearing "the land that was very far off," The home of the ransomed and blest; Soon the "King in His beauty" our eyes shall behold, Then as down through the valley of shadows we go, And faith follows the voice, till in triumph 'tis lost, UP THAR BEHIND THE SKY!-J. M. MUNYON. I beg your pardon, misters, But though I'm looking seedy How come I to leave the East? That was long afore Thar was any railroad trains, And traveling then, boys, I tell yer was mighty tuff, "Twixt fighting them pesky Injuns And getting grub enough. Well, nothing special happened Until, one summer night, When quartered in our cabin, Snugly out of sight. We'd eat our scanty supper, And jist laid down to sleep, In the centre was a half-breed, And he swore that he'd scalp her, "Strike, strike, you villain," she said, "I gladly give my life; I'd rather be burned at the stake Than ever become your wife." 109 Then quick as a flash of lightning, We carried the gal to our cabin, For she'd fainted clean dead away, Old Ben looked down at the heel, She beckoned us to her bedside, And whispered, "Kneel down and pray, Well, thar we stood like boobies, His prayer wa'n't much like preachers', But I reckon it went as high, For angels seemed to nuss her, But her heart was true as steel, And used to pray and sing; Why I wouldn't er swapped that home, For the palace of a king. I tho't the Lord was with us, For things all seemed to thrive For I knew 'twas the work of Injuns, And vowed I would not fail. But now 'tis twenty years and past I've tramped these regions o'er In hopes that I might find My wife and boy once more. Or a man that often cries, But thar's a big lump in my throat, And water in my eyes. For I've been thinking lately As how the time is nigh When I shall meet my darlings What's that? speak quick! you know me I WONDER WHY. I wonder why this world's good things I wonder why the trees that hang I wonder why the hearts of some Should ne'er be moistened with a tear, While others weep from morn till night, Their hearts so crushed with sorrow here! Ah well! we may not know indeed The whys, the wherefores of each life! But this we know,-there's One who sees And watches us through joy or strife. Each life its mission here fulfills, And only He may know the end, And loving him we may be strong, Though storm or sunshine he may send. |