[ON LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG.]
By old Owl's Head on Memphremagog's side,
In hammock-nook 'midst scenery wild and bold,
The spirit of the waters, as of old,
Broods o'er my soul, its secrets to confide,
It whispers of the anguish, joy, and pride,
The heart of man has on its bosom told;
And hails as conqueror Him who once did hold
Its heart in peace when tempest-tossed and tried.
Loved spirit of the waters, we too hail
The power of Him who walked the holy sea
Of Galilee. Capacity to fail
Were harder to believe than victory.
May He who conquered wildest Nature's heart
His infinite power and rest to us impart!
August, 1891.
[LUKE 23:24.]
From holy depths he to the Father prayed,
"Forgive them, for they know not what they do."
His heart, pierced then with anguish through and through,
Cried out "'Tis finished," as he death obeyed.
In bitterest wrong this marvellous soul was weighed
With tenderest love and longing towards those who,
Through ignorance of what they might be too,
Were now the slaves of evil passion's raid.
"They know not what they do." O blessed sight
Into the heart of sin's great mystery.
Forgiveness here is shown in sweetest light,
Clothed in her garment of sincerity.
Blest are those souls who reach this precious height;
They know the secret of Christ's victory.