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. Nay, look again: the Saints are there; Through heavenly features grave and fair Is gleaming; all the lonely air Is thronged with shadows bright. The Saints are there the Living Dead, The Mourners glad and strong; The sacred floor their quiet bed, Their beams from every window shed, Their voice in every song. And haply where I kneel, some day, The glory of some Saint will play : Not lightly may it pass away, But in my heart remain. 13 8. RELICS AND MEMORIALS. "As the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land." THE Twelve holy men are gathered in prayer, A keen silent thrilling is round them in air, A Power from the Highest with thought and word blends. They pass by the way, to sight poor and mean. How glorious the train that streams to and fro ! The blind, dumb, halt, withered, by hundreds are seen, The prisoners of Satan lie chained where they go. O lay them but where the shadow may fall Or bring where they lie Paul's girdle or vest: Christ is in His Saints: from Godhead made Man See Acts, iv. and v. 9. CARVED ANGELS. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for in Heaven their angels do always behold the Face of My Father." GREATEST art Thou in least, O Lord, A mote in air, a random word, Shall save a soul if Thou decree : Much more their presence sweet, Whom with an oath Thou didst into thy Kingdom greet. A little child's soft sleeping face The murderer's knife ere now hath staid: The adulterous eye, so foul and base, Is of a little child afraid. They cannot choose but fear, Since in that sign they feel God and good Angels near. |