Behind the hills of Naphtali
The sun went slowly down,
Leaving on mountain, tower, and tree,
A tinge of golden brown.
The cooling breath of evening woke
The waves of Galilee,
Till on the shore the waters broke
In softest melody.
"Now launch the bark," the Saviour cried,
The chosen twelve stood by,
"And let us cross to yonder side,
Where the hills are steep and high."
Gently the bark o'er the water creeps,
While the swelling sail they spread,
And the wearied Saviour gently sleeps
With a pillow 'neath his head.
On downy bed the world seeks rest-
Sleep flies the guilty eye-
But he who leans on the Father's breast
May sleep when storms are nigh.
But soon the lowering sky grew dark
O'er Bashan's rocky brow-
The storm rushed down upon the bark,
And waves dashed o'er the prow.
The pale disciples trembling spake,
While yawned the watery grave,
"We perish, master-master, wake—
Carest thou not to save ?"
Calmly he rose with sovereign will,
And hushed the storm to rest.
"Ye waves," he whispered," Peace! be still!" They calmed like a pardoned breast.
So have I seen a fearful storm
O'er wakened sinner roll,
Till Jesus' voice and Jesus' form
Said, "Peace, thou weary soul."
And now he bends his gentle eye
His wondering followers o'er,
"Why raise this unbelieving cry?
I said, To yonder shore."
When first the Saviour wakened me,
And showed me why he died,
He pointed o'er life's narrow sea,
And said, "To yonder side."
"I am the ark where Noah dwelt,
And heard the deluge roar―
No soul can perish that has felt
My rest-To yonder shore."
Peaceful and calm the tide of life
When first I sailed with thee-
My sins forgiven-no inward strife-
My breast a glassy sea.
But soon the storm of passion raves—
My soul is tempest tossed-
Corruptions rise, like angry waves,
"Help, master, I am lost!"
"Peace! peace! be still thou raging breast,
My fulness is for thee "--
The Saviour speaks, and all is rest,
Like the waves of Galilee.
And now I feel this holy eye
Upbraids my heart of pride-
"Why raise this unbelieving cry?
I said, To yonder side.”
Begun a the Lake of Galilee, 15th July, 1839.
11. ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA IN THE BAY OF CARMEL.
O Lord, this swelling, tideless sea,
Is like thy love in Christ to me;
The ceaseless waves that fill the bay
Through flinty rocks have worn their way,
And thy unceasing love alone
Hath broken through this heart of stone.
The countless smile that gilds the deep
When sunbeams on the water sleep,.
Is like thy countless smile of grace
When I am seen in Jesus' face.
No ebbing tide these waters know,
Pure, placid, constant in their flow—
No ebb thy love to me hath known
Since first it chose me for thine own.
Or if, perchance, at thy command,
The wave retiring leaves the sand,
One moment all is dry, and then
It turns to fill the shore again:
So have I found thy wondrous grace
Forsake my soul a little space;
Barren and cold, deserted, dry,
A helpless worm to thee I cry;
Thy face is hid a little while,
But with the morning comes thy smile-
Jesus once more his beauty shows,
And all my heart with peace o'erflows.
These deep blue waters leave the shore
Of Israel, as in days of yore!
Though Zion like a field is ploughed,
And Salem's covered with a cloud-
Though briers and thorns are tangled o'er
Where vine and olive twined before-
Though turbaned Moslems tread the gate,
And Judah sits most desolate-
Their nets o'er Tyre the fishers spread,
And Carmel's top is withered-
Yet still these waters clasp the shore
As kindly as they did before!
Such is thy love to Judah's race,
A deep unchanging tide of grace.
Though scattered now at thy command
They pine away in every land,
With trembling heart and failing eyes-
And deep the veil on Israel lies-
Yet still thy word thou canst not break,
"Beloved for their fathers' sake."
18th July, 1839, near Acre.
12. THE CHILD COMING TO JESUS.
Suffer me to come to Jesus,
Mother, dear, forbid me not;
By his blood from hell he frees us;
Makes us fair without a spot.
Suffer me, my earthly father,
At his pierced feet to fall;
Why forbid me? help me, rather;
Jesus is my all in all.
Suffer me to run unto him;
Gentle sisters come with me;
Oh that all I love but knew him,
Then my home a heaven would be.
Loving playmates, gay and smiling,
Bid me not forsake the cross;
Hard to bear is your reviling,
Yet for Jesus all is dross.
Yes, though all the world have chid me,
Father, mother, sister, friend-
Jesus never will forbid me!
Jesus loves me to the end!
Gentle Shepherd, on thy shoulder
Carry me, a sinful lamb;
Give me faith, and make me bolder
Till with thee in heaven I am.
Ten virgins clothed in white,
The Bridegroom went to meet;
Their lamps were burning bright
To guide his welcome feet.
Five of the band were wise--
Their lamps with oil filled high;
The rest this care despise,
And take their vessels dry.
Long time the Lord abode
Down came the shades of night—
The weary virgins nod,
And then they sleep outright.
At midnight came the cry
Upon their startled ear-
Behold the Bridegroom nigh,
To light his steps appear.
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