By the Sea, and Other Verses. Baily Hannah Lavinia

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      "Would they but listen 'twere an errand blest

      To plead against oppressor for oppressed;

      Would they but follow it were joy indeed

      Up the white hills of truth and peace to lead.

      "But, ah! the multitudes are gone astray,

      The powerful of the earth will have their way;

      What profit, sister, in our prayers and tears?

      Why mar the spring-time gladness of our years

      "In vain pursuit of universal good?

      In fruitless care for earth's vast brotherhood?

      Glad would I grasp such work could I but see.

      Or near, or far, your hoped-for victory."

      "Whether they hear," she answered, "or forbear,

      'Tis ours with signal truths to light the skies;

      God's promises and warnings to declare; —

      How can men follow if no leader rise?

      "The Christ shall be the victor; O my friend,

      Why do we limit His almighty power

      Who sees from far beginning to the end?

      Whose day may be an æon or an hour?

      "The sea is His; He made it; and His word

      Can speak its wildest tumult into calm;

      As He may will its deepest founts are stirred,

      Or surface-ripples breathe a praiseful psalm.

      "As well His power the rise and fall doth sway

      Of human passion, tho He suffer long;

      The puny pride of man shall yet obey

      The mandate of the Only Wise and Strong.

      "But God would have the children of His grace

      In this great reclamation have a share;

      And each in his appointed hour and place

      Must stand, or other brow his crown will wear."

      She paused, and o'er them, as with magic spell,

      For a brief space a holy silence fell;

      Then while the sunset crimson of the sky

      Set ocean all a-blush, he made reply:

      "Reason and candor justify your claim;

      The Infinite is infinite in all;

      The Power that touches into life that flame

      Holds earth and heaven subject to His call,

      And at His fiat peoples rise and fall.

      "Your dauntless zeal doth shame my coward heart;

      Your word of faith my courage doth inspire;

      I see 'tis only noble to have part

      In moral contest; not to fan the fire

      Of a false glory, which must ever feed

      On souls that perish, and on hearts that bleed.

      "And this I gather from your earnest plea; —

      That souls which walk in light and see the way

      To heights of truth yet unattained, must be

      Fore-runners for their Lord, must work and pray

      For the incoming of the perfect day.

      "Join we in this sweet service; cherish still

      The trust that gives you courage for the fight;

      Your 'peaceful war' on all that's base and ill,

      Your patient battle for the pure, the right.

      Let us press on and mount the hills of light."

      The ocean murmur fell upon their ears

      Sweeter than bird-song or the voice of mirth,

      As beamed her answering smile, thro' grateful tears,

      While her lips whispered only "Peace on earth."

      "Peace! peace!" – the evening zephyrs caught the strain,

      The wavelets sent the word across the sea;

      Exultant Nature trilled the glad refrain; —

      "Peace! peace! The Christ is come, and peace shall be!"