5. THE EMPTY CHURCH. "The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple 99 WHY should we grudge the hour and house of prayer To Christ's own blind and lame, Who come to meet Him there? 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. 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 Thy gems and gold in store? Why spread the burnished pall so wide Upon the chancel floor ?" Nay, rather ask, why duteous boy And mother-loving maid Scarce in their filial gifts find joy, If nought of theirs be paid: Why hearts, that true love-tokens need For brother or for friend, Count not the cost with careful heed, But haste their all to spend : Ask why of old the favoured king Yea, lowly fall, and of thy Lord In silence ask and dread, Why praised He Mary's ointment, poured Upon His Sacred Head. 7. CHURCH WINDOWS. "The Lord my God shall come, and all the Saints with Thee and it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark." OFT have I heard our elders say, How sad the autumnal hour, Yet is it dear delight to me The rustling leaves to tread, To heap and toss them wild and free, Their fragrance breathe, and o'er them see Soft evening lustre shed. And some will say, 'tis drear and cold In holy Church to kneel With one or two, Christ's little fold, With blind and lame, with poor and old, There met for Him to heal. |