200 THE ARMY OF THE LORD. V. They are come where all are kneeling at the shrines of wealth and pride, And an old and martyred Bishop is their comrade and their guide: To tell the toil-worn negro of freedom and repose, O'er the vast Atlantic's bosom they are called by sweet St. Rose. VI. They are gone where Love is frozen, and Faith grown calm and cold, Where the world is all triumphant, and the sheep have left the fold, Where His children scorn His blessings, and His sacred Shrines despise, And the beacon of the warriors is the light in Mary's eyes. VII. The bugle for their battle is the matin bell for prayer; VIII. Would you know, O World, these warriors? Go where the poor, the old, Ask for pardon and for heaven, and you offer food and gold; IX. Where sin and crime are dwelling, hid from the light of day, X. Where the rich and proud and mighty God's message would defy, In warning and reproof His anointed ones stand by: Bright are the crowns of glory God keepeth for His own, Their life one sigh for heaven, and their aim His will alone. THE ARMY OF THE LORD. XI. 201 And see sweet Mercy's sister, where the poor and wretched dwell, In gentle accents telling of Him she loves so well; Training young hearts to serve their Lord, and place their hope in Heaven, Bidding her erring sisters love much and be forgiven. XII. And where in cloistered silence dim the Brides of Jesus dwell, Where purest incense rises up from every lowly cell, They plead not vainly, they have chosen and gained the better part, And given their gentle life away to Him who has their heart. XIII. And some there are among us - the path which they have trod Of sin and pain and anguish has led at last to God: They plead, and Christ will hear them, that the poor slaves who pine In the bleak dungeon they have left, may see His truth divine. XIV. O, who can tell how many hearts are altars to His praise, From which the silent prayer ascends through patient nights and days: The sacrifice is offered still in secret and alone, O World, ye do not know them, but He can help His own. XV. They are with us, His true soldiers, they come in power and might; Glorious the crown which they shall gain after the heavenly fight; And you, perchance, who scoff, may yet their rest and glory share, As the rich spoil of their battle and the captives of their prayer. XVI. O, who shall tell the wonder of that great day of rest, O World, O Earth, why strive ye? join the low chant they sing, "O Grave, where is thy victory! O Death, where is thy sting! The shore now looms in sight, And welcome us to land, life: : In death and life we call on thee, Star of the Sea! THE SACRED HEART. WHAT wouldst thou have, O soul, Thou weary soul? Sleep I have been with her, Fair nature knows it not The grass is growing; The blue air knows it not The winds are blowing: Not in the changing sky, The stormy sea, Yet somewhere in God's wide world Rest there must be. Within thy Saviour's Heart Place all thy care, THE SACRED HEART. And learn, O weary soul, Thy Rest is there. I asked the wise and good, But they gave none. 203 Though I have asked the stars, Coldly they shine. What wouldst thou, trembling They are too bright to know soul? Strength for the strife, That we call Life. Like unto arméd men, Around me close. When griefs arise? No help from the weak earth, Or the cold skies. Lo! I can find no guards, With mighty sorrow. Courage, thou trembling soul, Grief thou must bear, Yet thou canst find a strength Will match despair; Within thy Saviour's Heart Seek for it there. What wouldst thou have, sad soul, Oppressed with grief? Nature, all pitiless, I asked the babbling streams, Grief such as mine. I asked for comfort still, And I found tears, And I have sought in vain Long, weary years. Listen, thou mournful soul, Thy pain shall cease; Deep in His sacred Heart Dwells joy and peace. Yes, in that Heart divine The Angels bright Still new delight. From thence his constancy The martyr drew, And there the virgin band There, racked by pain without, And dread within, How many souls have found Heaven's bliss begin. Then leave thy vain attempts To seek for peace; One soul release: No pain can harm thee, hid Delay no more: What words can speak the joy For thee in store? |