,transcriber's ,note3 ,irregularities in spelling have been retained as found in the original text4 ,,poems ,,by ,,mary ,,alice ,,walton ,,to ,,the ,,memory ,,of ,,my ,,father ,copyrighted #aiaj by ,mary ,alice ,walton ,preface4 ,the ,poems contained in this booklet composed when ill1 and either blind or nearly so1 are given to the public for the purpose of strengthening faith in ,god4 ,those outlining in part1 a life that has been more than filled by the disciplinarian1 sorrow1 are but a glimpse of the many heavy crosses borne4 ,in my retrospection ,i can only believe the ,father deemed me worthy to be tested1 at the same time giving wonderful revelations of ,himself and many answers to prayer4 ,thanks be to ,him1 that ,i was brought through the fire with unshaken faith in ,christ1 for this end1 to prove that those who stand firm in faith will not only be given a victory1 but be brought to a greater joy and fellowship with the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,spirit4 ,life's battles well waged1 victoriously fought1 ,rich jewels of pearls in ,cross will be wrought2 ,e'er trusting in ,one who knoweth no wrong1 ,forever we'll live in ,land of the ,strong4 ,,the ,,author4 ,the ,cross of ,pearls4 ,gethsemane1 how oft1 grown dim1 ,with bleeding hearts1 unpardoned sin1 ,a ,cross with pearls1 and gems inlaid1 ,god's gift of love1 the price prepaid4 ,these precious pearls were once a tear1 ,repentant sighs1 a hope1 a fear1 ,but rough seas washed and jewels grew ,until the ,cross was pearly hue4 ,unnumbered are the pearls and fair1 ,if burdens of the weary share2 ,and deeply wrought with threads of gold1 ,if smiles of peace suppress our woe4 ,to help ,thee1 ,christ1 in saving world1 ,forgetting self is rarest pearl1 ,that brightly glows when righting wrong1 ,assisting souls in ,thee grow strong4 ,the ,cross that ,thou so freely bare ,is covered o'er with pearls of prayer2 ,on ,cross of ,love all hopes are stayed1 ,each time it's kissed a pearl's inlaid4 ,the ,solitary ,lament4 ,the terrors of night have fallen on me1 ,the shadow of forms no longer ,i see1 ,eyes that have lingered on objects of light ,are now ever closed by day and by night2 ,as time passes on ,i shed bitter tears1 ,wearily waiting these many long years1 ,oftentimes waking from dreaming to find ,nothing but gloom--,i am helpless and blind4 ,of all earthly joys ,i am nearly bereft1 ,no pleasure of friends1 alone ,i am left1 ,kind hearts there are some1 though many1 alas6 ,send a curious gaze toward me as they pass2 ,one visitor daily--a small ray of sun ,just crossing my face1 it gladly doth run-- ,bringing me news of the weather and time1 ,and memories sweet of my own sunny clime4 ,they've taken my children away from their home1 ,for care1 to them mother love is unknown2 ,their smiles and caresses to strangers are given1 ,alone1 in despair1 my fond heart is riven2 ,o6 tell me1 kind angels1 shall ,i ever recover ,to care for my children and heart-broken mother8 ,while sadly ,i'm thinking of joys that have passed1 ,for days like my childhood1 in mercy ,i ask4 ,how strange seems the quiet1 how foreign to one ,who reveled in beauty1 in pleasure1 and fun2 ,as healthy and happy and merry as ,may1 ,school-books in hand1 ,i would hasten away4 ,but1 listen6 ,what noises are those that ,i hear8 ,in the silence strange fancies awaken my fear1 ,and terrible phantoms of lunatics try ,to glare o'er my couch and stifle my cry4 ,welcome1 ,o6 ,death1 do not leave me alone1 ,the future's unkind and hopes are all flown2 ,in pain and in anguish my sorrow untold2 ,in age most a child1 yet in trouble grown old4 ,but ,god in ,his mercy one bright hope has given-- ,saviour to love and rest in dear ,heaven2 ,there beautiful music and many things fair1 ,while voices of loved ones with song fill the air4 ,under the ,rod4 ,blind and helpless alone ,i wait2 ,the way seems dark and prayers too late1 ,my anguished soul sends forth the cry1 ,father save me1 ere ,i die2 ,save me for my children small1 ,leave them not to sin and fall1 ,sending forth the saddened call1 ,mother1 come back1 mother6 ,blind and helpless days wear by1 ,sick and friendless1 left to die2 ,the darkness deepens as ,i grope1 ,afraid to live1 afraid to hope2 ,they tell me of a better land1 ,lord1 ,i cannot see ,thy hand1 ,around me steals an icy band1 ,save me or ,i perish4 ,waiting1 ,ever ,waiting4 ,waiting1 dreaming1 waiting1 by some flowing mystic rill1 ,waiting1 hoping1 waiting1 strong desires my spirit fill2 ,waiting1 restless waiting1 ,oh6 could ,i join the busy throng1 ,waiting1 patient waiting1 for right to triumph over wrong4 ,waiting1 weary waiting1 as the hours creep slowly by1 ,waiting1 sadly waiting1 unnoticed by those passing nigh2 ,waiting1 daily waiting1 with fire alive in heart and brain1 ,waiting1 yearly waiting1 seeming but to wait for pain4 ,waiting1 striving1 waiting1 wisdom's goal ,i feign would win1 ,waiting1 weeping1 waiting1 ever bearing ,adam's sin2 ,waiting1 vainly waiting1 the race is for the swift and strong2 ,waiting1 sighing1 waiting1 pouring forth my grief in song4 ,waiting1 fearing1 waiting1 while the shadows gather deep1 ,waiting1 doubting1 waiting1 down the rocky cliffs they creep2 ,waiting1 longing1 waiting1 for man's promises not filled1 ,waiting1 trusting1 waiting1 ,jesus speaks and all is stilled4 ,to ,my ,daughter4 ,,lines ,,received ,,from ,,my ,,mother4 ,my child1 the cold dews of evening are 'round thee1 ,bereft of thy sight1 ,and dark lines of sorrow and trials surround thee ,by day and by night4 ,to-day ,i am sitting so dreary and lonely1 ,heart-sick and in pain1 ,and wishing 'twere ,heaven's will ,i could only ,once see thee again4 ,if so1 ,i could bear all the pain and the sorrow ,of life and its cares1 ,and not fill the hours of the coming to-morrow ,with sighs and with tears4 ,like you1 many hopes of the future ,i cherished ,when free from life's care1 ,just so1 all my brightest fond visions have perished ,like mists in the air4 ,i still hope that ,god in ,his merciful kindness ,thy sight will restore1 ,and permit thee when perfectly healed of thy blindness ,to see us once more4 ,but restore thee or not1 one hope ,i will cherish ,at home and abroad1 ,that ,i may submit to my fate1 though ,i perish1 ,and trust in my ,god4 ,providence ,hospital4 ,in our own native land a ,hospital stands1 ,its praises ,i faintly would speak2 ,to me it seems grand1 enclosed in love's bands ,by the ,sisters of ,charity meek4 ,these ,sisters are lowly and humble and holy1 ,all striving their ,god to obey2 ,they watch o'er the poorly1 while dreaming they surely ,can all of their sufferings allay4 ,heaven's blessings are resting on them as they're testing ,their freedom from sorrow and sin1 ,and ,god will uphold them and angels enfold them1 ,till a heavenly crown they will win4 ,my happiness lost on the world tempest-tossed1 ,weary and heart-sick with pain1 ,providently ,i came to ,providence by name1 ,where my health ,i did quickly regain4 ,in language though weak my thoughts ,i would speak1 ,my gratitude is without bounds1 ,to my nurses while blind and physicians so kind1 ,and the owners of ,providence grounds4 ,the ,photograph4 ,suspending night with threads of light the sun with signals bold1 ,flashed o'er to moon his mate on high1 and wondrous secret told2 ,together they a photograph of mother earth would make1 ,when midnight dropped her curtains low and watching stars locked gate4 ,i'll picture on thy pale round face an image vast1 complete1 ,of pondrous size with oceans wild and mountains high and steep1 ,a hurling mass of seething lakes1 while outward beauties fold ,it round and o'er with nature's green1 and tinted crusts of gold4 ,quite pleased with thought fair lady moon laughed in merry glee1 ,and begged the secret not reveal but plan all quietly2 ,appointing hour and length of time1 arranging for the place1 ,then hiding lights at midnight bells1 when earth passed o'er her face4 ,while swinging to a silvered chord attached to heaven's dome1 ,to and fro 'mid seas of stars and spirit worlds unknown1 ,earth onward swept with mighty bounds1 measured space1 and soon ,at place appointed and the hour she hovered near the moon4 ,but scheming of the comrades bright to her had been revealed1 ,with telescopes and lenses strong1 were millions on the field ,of spots and specks as showered sand1 by fays called wo and man1 ,who gazed with awe at wondrous sight1 earth pictured in moonland4 ,inspiring vision piled on high in masses huge and dense2 ,where camest thou8 thou ragged ball thrown out from time1 and whence ,doth thou intend to fathom realms of endless space and years8 ,art weary of thy dizzy flights8 ,are rolling seas thy tears8 ,the silence mocks the questions sighed1 and nought but shadows fall2 ,the picture made the fairies fade1 with dying notes they call4 ,doth see the ,hand that holds the key8 ,eclipse of moon they sing1 ,go1 nations1 to thy dreamland couch1 and ponder o'er this thing4 ,midnight ,thoughts4 ,in silent hours of midnight while earth is wrapped in dreams1 ,i ponder o'er my present life--how desolate it seems4 ,through wakeful hours ,i scan each page penned in despair and grief1 ,then turn to my loved childhood's home for comfort and relief4 ,a cottage white was standing there among the grand old hills4 ,and 'midst the spreading shady trees were songs of laughing rills4 ,in that dear home my parents lived1 my brothers large and small1 ,with uncles1 aunts and cousins near1 and ,i the pet of all4 ,but listen6 'tis my childrens' call1 ,i hear their plaintive prayer1 ,in fancy now ,i press soft cheeks and fondly stroke fair hair4 ,wide seas may roll between us1 yet my darlings will life brave1 ,perchance be folded to my heart1 or kiss their mother's grave4 ,some ,mother's ,boy4 ,the battle-cry is sounding loud1 a bugle calls to arm1 ,the hills and dales are clouded o'er1 troops gather in alarm2 ,with winds is mingled sighing prayer from many a sinking brave2 ,a youth obeying duty's call1 a life his country gave4 ,a soldier boy's dying cry is heard amid the roar ,of battle strife2 surround with slain he falls to rise no more4 ,some mother's boy6 it matters not if clad in blue or gray1 ,if fighting for the right or wrong1 is hurried to his grave4 ,amid the beats of drum and fife1 his pillow but a sod1 ,with folded hands and marble brow1 his soul returns to ,god4 ,some mother's boy is resting where the lonely willows weep1 ,and voices waft with waving trees1 while angels watch him sleep4 ,now comes along the highway a dusty tramp forlorn1 ,a tattered coat conceals beneath a bent and aged form1 ,with hardened weary visage1 a bell he faintly rings2 ,the air is rent with pitying notes1 an angel softly sings4 ,upon this frozen nature no love for years has shown2 ,his life is made of cruel words1 and knows no kindly tone2 ,and could you see into his past1 as mother clasped her boy1 ,he then was innocent and fair--her pride1 her hope1 her joy4 ,she never dreamed her darling child a weary tramp would be1 ,for o'er his tasks or youthful sports he laughed in childish glee2 ,perhaps he sinned1 but1 ,o6 forget1 for suffering must repay1 ,and someone's boy has now become wretched1 old and gray4 ,within a large and gilded hall a revel wild is held1 ,the sound of oaths and laughter loud upon the breezes swell2 ,a man is seen with bloated face come reeling to the streets2 ,he turns his fierce and lurid eyes as friends he loudly greets4 ,some mother's boy has fallen low1 we hear the broken sob ,of angels who have watched for years his footsteps turn from ,god4 ,someone's prayers have oft been made o'er him in childhood's day1 ,when1 rocked in love1 he knew no wrong1 a smiling infant lay4 ,some mother's tears have freely flowed1 and lonely vigils kept2 ,some mother's heart has often bled while others coldly slept2 ,some mother suffers for the wrong1 and angels sadly weep ,whene'er some careless1 wayward son has sown what he must reap4 ,a scaffold high with spreading arms on yonder height we see1 ,it waits to take its victim's life1 exulting cruelly4 ,while zephyr's blow1 birds hover o'er a soul in dire distress1 ,with troubled gaze breathes out a prayer4 ,will ,god attend and bless8 ,what matter if he's clothed in sin1 what matter if he's wild1 ,in foulest guilt8 ,remember1 that1 he is somebody's child4 ,we cannot tell how hard he strove to shun temptation's snare2 ,how often on his mother's breast he wept in his despair4 ,how oft her lips had softly pressed his dimpled infant cheek1 ,how oft her hand in love caressed the sinless baby feet4 ,then1 strangers1 pause and listen well2 so might your own have been1 ,but ,christ can freely pardon all1 though scarlet be his sin4 ,some mother's boy6 ,the sweet refrain is breathed in accents mild4 ,some mother's boy6 ,if bent and gray1 if pure or all denied4 ,some mother's boy6 ,soft bells repeat in sad and sweetest chime2 ,some mother's boy6 ,a mother sighs2 perhaps he may be mine4 ,the ,gift4 ,god calls you1 my ,daughter--,i hear the sweet voice ,of ,jesus our ,saviour1 ,he would make you ,his choice1 ,to work in ,his vineyard1 to teach in ,his name2 ,he'd give you the power1 lost souls to reclaim4 ,i give you1 my darling1 an offering to ,him ,who died to redeem us1 to save us from sin2 ,be filled with ,his spirit1 be strong in the strife1 ,bring souls unto ,jesus1 in ,christ there is life4 ,and when all is over and we meet on the shore ,of ,heaven's fair ,jordan1 to part nevermore1 ,with ,christ ever present to soothe away tears1 ,all pain we'll forget of these sorrowful years4 ,thou ,waters1 ,tell ,me ,why4 ,o'er rocks where sea waves wrestled1 far from yon city's height ,a woman walked 'mid shadows1 and watched for morning light4 ,a woman strong with purpose1 though burdened with life's care1 ,the silvered tints of starlight matched threads in gold-brown hair4 ,,chorus4 ,but her heart and the waves grew restless1 ,as she thought of years gone by1 ,of him she once loved truly-- ,cried1 waters1 tell me why1 ,thou waters tell me why6 ,aged rocks lend me thy power 'gainst winds and tempest wild3 ,a woman's strife before me1 ,i fain would be a child4 ,long since 'twas said at parting1 ,forever1 love1 good-bye4 ,and life merged into duty1 ,oh1 waters1 tell me why6 ,while plaintive seas are calling1 my heart for one doth yearn1 ,find love in kindly service1 sweet fern leaves sighed1 ,return4 ,sad waves then cease thy moaning--let hope's resplendent rays ,imbue my heart with courage--,god's love's with me always4 ,voices ,hushed4 ,i stood in the mossy gateway1 ,and thought of years gone by2 ,then tapped on latticed windows1 ,heard naught only my sigh4 ,the house was cold and empty-- ,a stranger's home1 they say2 ,the voices hushed of dear ones1 ,loved footprints passed away4 ,in fancy then ,i peopled ,the place with moving life1 ,the halls again resounded1 ,with laughter1 song and fife4 ,in father's arms ,i nestle1 ,caressing soft1 dark hair2 ,i beg for one more story1 ,or breathe my childhood's prayer4 ,my heart cries out1 when fancy ,brings mother back to me1 ,her loving care o'er shadows ,the past sweet memory4 ,the house now grows resplendent ,with joys of former scene1 ,my brothers loved so dearly1 ,and life a happy dream4 ,our uncle1 kind and tender1 ,the cousins1 buoyant1 gay2 ,my playmates calling for me1 ,to school we his away4 ,awakened from my dreaming1 ,time speaks of saddened years1 ,two-score more1 and voices hushed4 ,flow now1 ye pent-up tears6 ,oh1 voices hushed1 where art thou8 ,a stranger lone ,i stand4 ,good-bye1 good-bye1 old homestead2 ,farewell1 sweet mystic band4 ,why ,i ,love ,them4 ,i would tell thee of ,stella1 how she made glad the hours1 ,so oft calling mother with strewn wreaths and flowers1 ,blue eyes fondly glancing1 and gleefully dance1 ,while singing so gayly or skipping1 perchance4 ,then comes my son ,ernest1 an affectionate boy1 ,so true and so thoughtful1 never aught but a joy1 ,e'er steady and happy1 eyes earnest and clear2 ,his dear voice so merry1 methinks ,i still hear4 ,i would say of ,marie1 that she is very fair1 ,with ways of a lady1 and golden-waved hair2 ,she scolds and laughs sweetly1 while people all tell1 ,with curls and long lashes1 she'll yet be a belle4 ,then rosy-cheeked ,bertha1 whose housewifely care ,and womanly habits call forth praises rare2 ,small1 winsome maiden1 whose large1 tender heart1 ,to blame makes thee timid1 thy tears swift to start4 ,tall1 slender ,celesta1 whose spiritual face1 ,and excelling talents could a palace well grace2 ,five faces so pretty1 eyes brighter than gems1 ,and hearts kind and loving is why ,i love them4 ,my ,first ,gray ,hair4 ,one day amid brown tresses there gleamed a silvery thread1 ,life pages1 past and present ,i wonderingly then read4 ,i saw a blithsome maiden1 a child serenely fair1 ,a woman heavey laden now lifts her first gray hair4 ,,chorus4 ,o silvery strand1 thou soft kiss of time1 ,the beauties of youth are now past1 are now past4 ,for evening of life are pleasures unknown1 ',tis love1 only love1 that will last1 that will last4 ,upon the shadowy threshold the small gray strand did lay1 ,and told the old1 old story of ever changing day2 ,within the mystic portals of life's near ending stream ,i stood and pondered vaguely1 if death were but a dream4 ,i viewed the snow-white message and thought of bygone years1 ,the hopes1 the waging conflicts1 joys mingled oft' with tears4 ,tell me1 thou thing of pearl hue1 what will the future greet8 ,will paths be strewn with roses1 or thistles tear my feet8 ,a whisper floated near me in accents sweet and low1 ,my child1 what'er thy portion1 if tares for thee will grow1 ,thy soul keep pure and stainless1 a crown thy brow shall wear1 ',twill shine with whitest tresses1 that once was nut-brown hair4 ,life's ,curtain ,unrolled4 ,glad boyish voices with merriment ring1 ,two children with nought1 as gayly they sing ,of burdensome care1 their hearts as the bird ,to mountains oft' soar in freedom1 unstirred ,by future1 and what it furtively brings ,of pleasures1 or grief1 or life's bitter stings4 ,the shadowed cross e'er failing to see1 ,thoughts flitting as bubbles on oft' changing sea4 ,from childhood spring youths with fair open brows1 ,surrounded by all earth ever allows ,of conquering fame1 while life's deepest charm ,they sip from the fount of love's laden balm4 ,of treasures untold to reap they aspire1 ,at vanity's fair rich harvests acquire1 ,over this vision in mystery toss1 ,a shadow that lifts1 unveiling a cross4 ,in wonder they gaze at spectre so white1 ,as softly it beams in silvery light1 ',mid silence it pleads--they pause all aghast-- ',tis ,jesus who calls1 ,his ,cross in their path1 ,cross misty with tears1 with sacrifice fraught1 ,while deeply inlaid with sorrows 'tis wrought1 ,divided from world by widening stream ,it leadeth through pain earth's conquests a gleam4 ,shall ,i8 ,shall ,i not8 ,self-questioned each youth1 ,take up this ,cross all laden with truth8 ,shall lingering fear of poverty's vale1 ,the scoffing of friends if honors should fail1 ,bar us accepting a promise of love ,by way of the ,cross--the gift from above8 ,silently each life's curtain unfurled1 ,one bends to his ,cross1 one flees to the world4 ,two pictures are drawn on life's beaten page1 ,the faces once seen have ripened with age2 ,the purpose of each1 their loved ones a dower1 ,and conflicts of life are wielding with power4 ,surfeited was one with all earthly lusts1 ,his soul he'ed surrendered to prince of earth's trusts2 ,one bearing a ,cross1 e'er toiling for right1 ,walking with ,jesus in spirit waxed bright4 ,there's pictured again in oft' changing scene1 ,a tottering form appears in the dream1 ,furrowed his face from indulgence in sins1 ,eternity lost1 to gold fondly clings4 ,he'd bartered his soul a few years to live1 ,and sinking the grave has nothing to give1 ,unloved and embittered e'en cross once refused1 ,gleamed sadly through mists then slowly withdrew4 ,our vision once more life's curtain unrolled1 ,and walked beside one with jewels untold1 ,unfurrowed his brow though whitened the hair1 ,eternally blest when freed earthly care4 ,the cross he'd accepted oft' riven in tears1 ,and humble his walk through life's fleeting years1 ,had given sweet peace as only those know ,who've tasted of wealth ,christs' love doth bestow4 ,the ,chosen ,city4 ,on starlit height1 distant 'gainst horizon1 bright ,the ,way of the ,cross is outlined1 ,by rocky steeps barren 'mid dangers unseen1 ,a narrow straight pathway doth wind4 ,the sighing winds whisper of sacrifice1 toil1 ,and foot-prints where pilgrims have trod ,are crimson and tear-washed1 where fissures are rent ,wierd spirits of pain flit abroad4 ,a woman in sadness e'er watching this ,cross ,revealed in the morn of her life1 ,to travel o'er mountains alone through the storm ,means suffering and wearisome strife4 ',mid pitfalls of doubtings and barriers high1 ,a valley called ,vale of ,delight1 ,appears to her vision1 its beauties aglow ,with charms all alluring to sight4 ,its meadows are tinted by golden-hued lights1 ,unruffled its waters1 they chime ,with harmonic singing1 while world-wedded dance ,to musical rhythm and time4 ,red wine floweth freely1 with jingle of gold ,jests mingle with laughter so gay1 ,in ,vale of ,delight merry banquets and balls ,turn quickly the night into day4 ,the woman enraptured by dazzling display-- ,yet holiness loveth and right-- ,back to the mountains she turneth her gaze1 ,there gleaming through mists beyond heights1 ,is glittering sheen of sparkling gemmed spires1 ,a city of pearls beyond steeps2 ,but ,calvary's ,cross is path to its gate1 ,in sorrow she bitterly weeps4 ,in ,vale of ,delight seems earthly repose1 ,and freedom from sorrow and pain2 ,but pleadings of ,jesus appeal to her heart1 ,in ,city of ,lovelight doth reign4 ,his spirit so gentle o'er floweth with good1 ,with kindliest tokens of love2 ,the promise ,he giveth beyond vale of tears-- ,eternal abiding above4 ,to ,city of ,holies she pleads with her ,lord1 ,help me in ,thy mercy come in2 ,keep me from slipping o'er precipice deep1 ,laid for all in ,valley of ,sin4 ,then journey to ,starworld she finds full of thorns1 ,sore-pressed on the way by life's care1 ,till crieth she1 ,saviour1 though saving ,thy ,cross1 ,its burdens most grievous to bear4 ,life's duties demanding a sacrificed heart ,by trials hedged on either side1 ,yet beauty of holies celestial with love1 ,i long for thee what e'er betide4 ,her ,saviour upholding1 foes dropping by way1 ,she trustingly presses her flight1 ,when sin all surrendered and laid upon ,cross ,in peace with ,christ enters ,lovelight4 ,the ,land of ,love4 ,we are told of a beautiful land of love1 ,of bright jeweled mansions in blue skies above2 ,of mansions that glitter with diamonds and gold2 ,while air of sweet odors their fair walls enfold1 ,of heavenly music1 soft1 thrilling1 divine1 ,fountains that sparkle1 and bright suns that shine1 ,birds of gay plumage with song fill the air1 ,flowers all lovely and crowns with gems rare4 ,all this we are told and many things more1 ,of ,heaven's fair ,jordan1 an evergreen shore2 ,its golden gates ever are standing ajar1 ,where fall huge burdens we have carried so far2 ,shining-robed angels there welcome us home1 ,joyously lead us through fair fields to roam2 ,heaven alive with sweet praises shall ring1 ,we bow at the throne of our ,saviour and ,king4 ,blessings there are bestowed just suited to all1 ,no more vain regrets1 no more tears to fall1 ,no hearts there to ache1 no sins to repent1 ,no leaving of friends1 nor wrongs to resent1 ,no asking of bread to be given a stone1 ,no needle-worn fingers that ache to the bone1 ,from this fair land all life's cares have flown1 ,queen happiness reigns and love is her crown4 ,for ,i ,long to be ,there4 ,dear ,father in ,heaven1 to ,thee ,i would raise ,a petition1 and speak to ,thy bountiful praise4 ,at ,thy throne of grace ,i would offer one prayer3 ,take me to ,thyself1 for ,i long to be there4 ,dear ,saviour1 ,i plead1 ,thou art tender and kind1 ,o'er flowing with love1 for me ,thou canst find ,a safe resting place1 that is free from all care2 ,press me to ,thy heart1 for ,i long to be there4 ,fair angels of light1 who with melodies sweet ,make beautiful homes a celestial retreat1 ,in happiness pure1 a full part ,i would share1 ,i'd come to your home1 for ,i long to be there4 ,while pleasures are few and hope but a name1 ,while worldliness reigns o'er all things the same1 ,our joys are in dreams of bright ,eden fair1 ,i'd flee to ,thy rest1 for ,i long to be there4 ,i am weary of life1 the burdened-filled day1 ,on the echoless shore in peace ,i would stray1 ,forgetting all sorrow for ,christ will it bear1 ,o take me to ,jesus1 for ,i long to be there4 ,golden ,gates4 ,sometime the golden gates will lift1 ,i know not how nor when 'twill be1 ,my soul1 the one immortal gift1 ,will stand beside the changeless sea4 ,,chorus4 ,lift up1 ye gates1 ye golden gates1 ,a soul would come before the throne2 ,lift up1 ye gates1 ye golden gates1 ,ring out1 ,o bells1 in rapturous tone4 ,sometime this poor world's light will fade1 ,i'll walk alone the unknown way1 ,but ,christ my sins long since hath paid1 ,my home was purchased ,easter day4 ,sometime the silver cloud will break1 ,while glory pure my spirit thrills1 ,we'll see our friends1 the crystal lake1 ,rest in sweet peace by love-lit rills4 ,sometime my cross a crown will prove1 ,sometime my tears will jewels be1 ,sometime all doubts ,christ will remove-- ,blest be the time1 eternity6 ,hope ,beyond4 ,ring out1 oh1 ye bells1 in soft measured chime1 ,sweet melodies breathe in rythmetric rhyme1 ,the murmuring winds bring song from afar1 ,for one we have loved is crossing the bar4 ,ring gently1 ye bells1 the soul on its way1 ,would not be disturbed by discordant lay2 ,in peace it would stem the river that flows ,o'er rocks crimsoned by humanity's woes4 ,ring slowly1 ,oh1 bells1 death's pitiless dream ,rolls eagerly on1 a maddening stream2 ,the sufferer sighs for a haven of rest4 ,and longs to be borne to homes for the blest4 ,ring thoughtfully1 bells1 a prayer would ascend ,to ,father of love1 this soul to befriend4 ,while waiting1 a voice is waft o'er the sea-- ,hast heard of a ,christ8 ,he speaks--,i am ,he4 ,ring peacefully1 bells1 the wanderer soothe1 ,in lullaby song1 as in cradle of youth2 ,no whispering doubts1 no question of whence1 ,outpouring to mar1 of love calling hence4 ,ring joyfully1 bells1 no tempests now toss-- ,the ,valley of ,death is lit by a ,cross4 ,ring glad happy strains of love's richest song1 ,our dear one has fled with a heavenly throng4 ,the ,ministering ,soul4 ,on ,canaan's fairest borders1 in thought1 ,i seemed to stand1 ,i'd left my broken palace for this long-wished-for land4 ,on earth for me they're mourning1 friends weeping sad and low1 ,it seemed the bells were sobbing1 my joy there none could know4 ,,chorus4 ,most ,gracious ,king1 ,one ,lord in ,three1 ,all ,heaven in anthems rung1 ,hosanna1 praise1 triumphantly1 ,rejoice for the lost ,christ won4 ,on earth1 loved ones were sighing around my vacant chair1 ,our risen ,lord forgetting1 smiles turn to lines of care2 ,in ,heaven the waves of gladness1 from gate to gate doth roll1 ,and ,christ now changed my spirit into a ministering soul4 ,from beauties of ,christ's kingdom1 ,i came to earth by night1 ,to mine ,i whispered comfort1 breathed of celestial light2 ,i hovered near the aged1 who sorrowed till the end1 ,and soothed the restless slumbers of those who knew no friend4 ,into the lowly dwellings1 where mother's cheeks grew pale1 ,i kissed the fading forehead1 and hushed the infant's wail2 ,the wrath of men appeasing1 to weary laborers gave ,a greeting smile1 and told them ,christ came on earth to save4 ,moan not1 ,o bells1 but joyous ring out your ,christian souls1 ,eternity1 all wondrous1 brightly to them unfolds2 ,from death to life their changing1 let glorias float afar1 ,our loved1 our lost1 are watching1 within the gates ajar4 ,transition4 ,the home of my soul1 worn and weary1 ,and pierced by the rocks of old time1 ,the windows grown dim and the key-boards ,were mute to the wind's whispered chime4 ,the pillars were trembling2 the pitcher ,was full to the brim1 running o'er ,with burdens1 hurled oft' at the fountain1 ,and closed were the gates evermore4 ,old castle of hopes and of tempests1 ,i bid thee a loving adieu1 ,thou sheltered me oft' from the cloud-bursts1 ,the winds blowing fiercely on you4 ,my soul now arises on pinions1 ,and wings through terrestial space1 ,by planets all gleaming with starlight1 ,i stand with my ,lord1 face to face4 ,o1 ,master1 ,i cry1 the old temple1 ,thou gavest on earth passed away1 ,i come to thee houseless1 unsheltered1 ,hast room in ,thy mansion to-day8 ,i left ,mother ,earth in the night-watch1 ,and travelled alone to thy gate1 ,hast mercy for me1 dearest ,master1 ,do ,i plead for thy pardon too late8 ,dear ,master1 sore trials beset me1 ,my feet slipping oft' by the way1 ,temptations and doubt1 overwhelming1 ,from ,thee1 led me often astray4 ,my cross was oft' covered with roses1 ,just hiding the sly1 cruel thorn1 ,my homestead built out of dust only1 ,has crumbled2 to-day ,i am born4 ,just born in the light of thy kingdom1 ,hast house in thy domain to give8 ,a homestead to fill with the loved ones1 ,where with ,thee in peace we may live4 ,i know that my spirit is earth-stained1 ,i'd wash it in yon flowing stream1 ,i've come1 oh my ,saviour1 all broken1 ,are hopes to be only a dream8 ,he turned with a look of compassion1 ,his voice1 as sweet waters and low1 ,my child1 ,i've a palace built for thee1 ,which time nor rude winds can o'erthrow4 ,i've watched thee in all of thy wanderings1 ,e'en when thy homestead of clay fell2 ,i list for thy knock at our portals1 ,heard thee faintly ask1 ,is all well8 ,when doubts have assailed1 ,i would press thee1 ,in sorrow1 stood oft' by thy side2 ,i've quelled maddened waves as they dashed thee1 ,soul1 ring heaven's bells and abide4 ,thy footsteps shall fall in soft places1 ,and by mirrored waters can'st roam2 ,thy kindred1 thy ,father1 shall greet thee1 ,to peace1 beauty1 love1--welcome home4 ,peace4 ,father1 before ,thee ,i am kneeling ,in gratitude and love1 ,sad1 weary years ,i sought1 appealing ,for succor from above4 ,my cries seemed wild as unavailing ,before ,thy chastening rod1 ,my spirit in the strife oft failing ,to trust ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,when floods of sorrow o'er me sweeping1 ,thy hand ,i could not see2 ,then ,thou1 when heart and strength were yielding1 ,bade me to cling to thee4 ,strength from ,thy promise gave endurance ,to stem1 to cross the flood2 ,i thank ,thee2 rest in blest assurance ,of ,jesus' cleansing blood4