HYMNS AND FIRE-SIDE VERSES.
Reading edition
TO CAROLINE BOWLES, AN HONOURED FELLOW-LABOURER, THIS LITTLE BOOK, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS TO MAKE THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTIANITY AN ENDEARED AND FAMILIAR FIRE-SIDE GUEST, IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.
L’ENVOI.
I have indited thee with care and love, My little book; and now I send thee forth On a good mission like the gentle dove, Bearing glad tidings with thee o’er the earth. Thou wast not meant for riot and for jest, Dear little book, all simple as thou art; But in sweet homes to be a loving guest; And find a place in many a guileless heart. Have not a fear! I know that thou wilt find Thy journey pleasant as a path of flowers, For pure and youthful hearts are ever kind, Glad to be pleased with labour such as ours. Sit down with little children by the way, And tell them of sweet Marien how she went Over the weary world from day to day, On christian works of love, like thee, intent. Tell them of Him who framed the sea, the sky; The glorious earth and all that dwell therein; And of that Holy One made strong to die, Sinless himself, to save the world from sin. And thou hast many a tale of wonder planned With various art to make thy spirit wise; These have I given thee that thou may’st command Glad smiles at will and pitying tears and sighs. For thus, young, generous spirits would be won; And I have gifted thee to win them best; Now go thou forth undaunted, gentle one, And trust thy cause to every youthful breast. Go forth, and have thou neither fear nor shame; Many shall be thy friends, thy foes be few; And greet thou those who love thee in my name, Yea, greet them warmly! Little book, adieu!
MARIEN’S PILGRIMAGE. A FIRE-SIDE STORY.
Christianity, like a child, goes wandering over the world. Fearless in its innocence, it is not abashed before princes, nor confounded by the wisdom of synods. Before it the blood-stained warrior sheathes his sword, and plucks the laurel from his brow;—the midnight murderer turns from his purpose, and, like the heart-smitten disciple, goes out and weeps bitterly. It brings liberty to the captive, joy to the mourner, freedom to the slave, repentance and forgiveness to the sinner, hope to the faint-hearted, and assurance to the dying.
It enters the huts of poor men, and sits down with them and their children; it makes them contented in the midst of privations, and leaves behind an everlasting blessing. It walks through great cities, amid all their pomp and splendour, their unimaginable pride, and their unutterable misery, a purifying, ennobling, correcting, and redeeming angel.
It is alike the beautiful companion of childhood and the comfortable associate of age. It ennobles the noble; gives wisdom to the wise, and new grace to the lovely. The patriot, the priest, the poet, and the eloquent man, all derive their sublime power from its influence.
Thanks be to the Eternal Father, who has made us one with Him through the benign Spirit of Christianity!