He shall live, and future ages Hear his voice sublime, Speaking wisdom unto sages Through coming time. He shall live! Our Heavenly Father. That his teachings we shall gather, DIRGE. FORESTS that once were so dear to my soul, Ye knew her, ye woodlands, my bright one ye knew, Her heart, whence all guile and all art were exiled, But warmly toward all, to her love she was true. O mourn, ye dark hills and ye deep everglades, Lament her, ye grots and ye thick-woven shades! Each mourns for the lost one, but seraphs rejoice; Cora has gone to the angelic throng; Seraphs her name, with the harp and the voice, Have added, to sweeten their wonderful song. To that fair choir does my bright one belong, Enjoying for ever the home of her choice. SPRING. All hail! thou beauteous season, hail! Our human hearts o'erflow, For well do Spring's glad smiles avail The morning breaks, the forests ring, -Spring. REV. S. DRYDEN PHELPS, D. D. S. DRYDEN PHELPS, was born in Suffield, Conn., May 15, 1816. He is a direct descendant of William Phelps who came from Tewksbury, England, and was one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn., where for many years he was a magistrate and very prominent in church and state. The parents of Dr. Phelps possessed strong characters, made sweet by loving sympathies, and were devoted Christians. Their influence left an impression on the life of their son. His preparation for college was in his native town in the Connecticut Literary Institution. Poems and numerous articles of his were published in various periodicals at that time. In 1842, when in college, his first volume, "Eloquence of Nature and Other Poems," appeared. He was graduated from Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1844. For one year he was engaged in supplying the First Baptist Church of New Haven, Conn., while a theological student in Yale Divinity School, and became its pastor in January, 1846. This relation continued twentyeight years, closing December, 1873. In 1856 he published "Sunlight and Hearthlight; or Fidelity and Other Poems." In 1859-60 he spent a year in Europe, Egypt and Palestine, and, in 1863, brought out a book of travels, entitled " Holy Land with Glimpses of Europe and Egypt," which has passed through nine editions. In 1867 a third volume of poems called "The Poet's Song for the Heart and Home," was placed before an appreciative public. It contained many new poems, nearly all of those in the second volume and a few from the first. "Rest Days in Journeys Abroad," appeared in 1887. It consists of sermons preached during his year of foreign travels, and subsequent tours in Europe, with prefatory notes and a poem appropriate to the subject following each sermon. "Special Sermons," preached chiefly in the First Baptist Church, New Haven, were collected into a volume the same year. In May, 1874, he became pastor of the Jefferson St. Baptist Church, Providence, R. I., serving two years. In 1876 he took charge, as publisher and editor, of the "Christian Secretary," Hartford, Conn., and conducted that paper twelve years. He was married, August 26, 1847, to Miss Sophia Emilia Linsley, a daughter of Rev. James H. Linsley (Yale, 1817) who was a Baptist minister and noted naturalist, residing in Stratford, Conn., near New Haven' Mrs. Phelps has great literary ability, is a constant writer, and her character is of rare loveliness. Their children were a daughter and four sons. The second son died when nearly four years of age. The daughter, Miss Sophia Lyon Phelps, was endowed with musical, intellectual and personal attractions. She died in 1871, in her twenty-third year. A memorial pamphlet, by her parents, includes a touching poem from her father's pen. Three sons, Rev. Dryden W. Phelps, Rev. Arthur S. Phelps and Mr. William L. Phelps are living. Each inherits literary talents. The residence of Dr. Phelps is in New Haven, Conn. His poetry is characterized by deep poetic conception and religious feeling. Among a number of this author's widely known hymns "Something for Thee" has been most used in collections, in this and in foreign countries. Dr. Phelps' latest publication, "Songs for all Seasons," was issued in 1891. J. M. R. AN ITALIAN SUNSET. WHILE I stand on one of her seven hills, There are gorgeous clouds of vermillion hue, That rise and spread on the arching blue, 'Tis the setting sun in his brilliant dyes, And what matchless tints are given! They seem like the light of celestial skies O'er the jasper walls of heaven. How softly on groves of cypress and pine, Upon Alban slope and Sabine crown And they drop on the winding Tiber down Beyond this brief and enchanting sight, O City of Light, in a splendor more bright, SOMETHING FOR THEE. SAVIOR, thy dying love, Thou gavest me, Nor should I aught withhold, Dear Lord, from Thee. In love my soul would bow, O'er the blest mercy-seat Help me thy cross to bear, Give me a faithful heart- All that I am and have, Thy gifts so free, My Lord, for Thee; Something for Thee. GOD'S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM. Fear not, Abraham, saith the Lord, I will bless thee now and ever, Promises that I have made, All the words my mouth hath said, I'll fulfill them to the letter, I from Ur, with guiding hand, Would'st thou have a certain sign From a land of trials sore, Of their triumph and my glory. Abraham then his Lord believed, THE BETHLEHEM SONG. No song was ever heard, No gladsome voice or word, Since broke o'er earth the blest primeval morn, Like the celestial sound That swept the air around O'er Bethlehem the night that Christ was born. Half-dreaming by the rocks, The shepherds watched their flocks, Fear not, the angel said, This revelation new, O'er the whole earth the rapturous joy shall ring. This night in swathing folds The humble manger holds The Lord, Messiah, Savior, born for you, As thither ye repair To David's city fair, That wondrous sign shall meet your eager view. Then round the angel bright A host in heavenly light Confirmed the truth in notes of highest praise; In chorus grander than all earth-born lays. The Lord had come to men; Is coming now in blest salvation's car. AMERICA. O beauteous land! grown strong and great, -Centennial Hymn. Μ' HARRIETTE G. PENNELL. ISS PENNELL is a native of Brunswick, Me., a town in which, until recently, she has passed all her life amid home and social surroundings the most endearing and cultivated. Her education was acquired in the district schools of Brunswick, and, as a supplement to this course of training, through private teachers. Miss Pennell's tastes from early childhood were in the direction of literary accomplishment, a field of labor in which she has met with pleasant success. Her childhood's home was close by the shore of Casco Bay, with its lovely islands and fascinating scenery, and this vision of her earliest years, with the influence it wrought upon her mind and affections, had very much to do in shaping her future career. Her real ambition was to be a writer of verse, or rather, a singer, not only of the beautiful in nature, but of that which had to do with the heart of humanity. She has been a contributor for years to the press of the land, and her poems appearing in various papers and magazines have been widely read, and have brought her words of high praise, not only from admiring friends, but admiring strangers. She prefers a quiet life, free from the bustle of large cities, where she can be apart with nature and enjoy its beneficial and uplifting influences. At present Miss Pennell is a sojourner in Portland, Me. G. N. L. UNDER THE APPLE BLOSSOMS. The grass is growing and summer near; There's a delicate charm in air and sky; Comes a tinkling sound in the brooklet's calling, Like elfin music gliding by. There's a delicate charm in air and sky; The mocking-birds try full many a song, The mocking-birds try full many a song, The cheerful face is gone, the gentle presence, The loved voice, more than music soft and low, Breaks through my dreams, ah, me! so sweetly tender, It leaves a heartache and the sad tears flow. Nor love nor longing brings her. The morning sunbeams seem not half so fair As when we used to linger in the garden, Whose petaled fragrance blossoms everywhere; The tender dewdrops o'er her dear loved roses Glisten and vanish; in the selfsame place Sweet buds unfold, bidding my presence welcome, And shrined in glory seems her radiant face. No more on earth, A fairer world is gladdened, And soon a brighter dawn will glow for me. I hold within my own her heart's sweet council, And when the light falls through the open doorway, I know a closer love is watching o'er me, A DREAM OF JUNE. O'ER mountains and meadows the glad sun smiles; All Nature is breathing 'twixt earth and sky, With a thrill of joy in her heart anew, For the blissful days of June are nigh. And out in the heather a gem-like bloom Sways with the gentle breeze, a-chime; 'Mong green of branches, in pure delight, The runnel notes of the birds keep time. All day long, though we know it not, From vale to hight, for thee and me, Glide unseen angels to and fro, With Love from Heaven's eternity. Comes a soothing balm to the care-worn heart, In the sweetness thrilling earth's purest things, Till over the land of twilight rest Gleans the starry light of the angels' wings. TWO MESSENGERS. THERE be two messengers that come to me; The one that asketh sacrifice and pain, And says: "Of life's loved sweetness give, And minister to others; nor count it gain To make thine own self happy." |