The Lich-gate. Oh then revere each old grey stone, And gently tread the mounds between. So when thy blithesome days are done, And thou, as I, shalt wearied lean Upon the wicket low, and tell 265. Thy tale of playmates called before thee here to dwell; When thou shalt mark, how swarms the street All in one little hour to meet And hear the doom that slays or saves ;- How thou hast come and gone, since first we brought thee here. Then shall the wings, so strong in need, And with the churchyard shadows blend, Which thy last entering here shall in sweet peace attend. 4. OBEISANCE AT ENTERING CHURCH. "They shall see His Face, and His Name shall be in their foreheads.' COME hear with duteous mind Thy Mother's whisper'd word. "Wouldst thou upon His threshold find Thy dread and loving Lord? Renew in silence on thy brow The pledge of thy first saving vow." Safe in thy forehead keep The mark by JESUS set. But when thy Lord and thou,— A Light that needs no watching o'er, Holy Places and Things. 267 5. THE EMPTY CHURCH. "The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple." WHY should we grudge the hour and house of prayer To Christ's own blind and lame, Better, be sure, His altar-flame Should glow in one dim wavering spark, Than quite die down, and leave His temple drear and dark. "But in our Psalm their choral answers fail." Nay, but the heart may speak, And to the holy tale Respond aright in silence meek. And well we know, bright angel throngs Are by, to swell those whisperings into warbled songs. What if the world our two or three despise ? They in His name are here, To Whom in suppliant guise Of old the blind and lame drew near. Beside His royal courts they wait And ask His healing Hand: we dare not close the gate. Holy Places and Things. 269 6. CHURCH DECORATIONS. "I will not offer burnt-offerings without cost." WHY deck the high cathedral roof With crowns and flowerets far aloof, "Why for the lofty Altar hide Nay, rather ask, why duteous boy And mother-loving maid Scarce in their filial gifts find joy, If nought of theirs be paid : |