Poems on the thirty-three miracles of Our Lord

Front matter

iy«.-.j-vTi!

A i;ii^l ! 1 1 HULL i

^Of Our f ,o^

Preface

The century fast passing away has been one of vast activity in missionary movements throughout the world. In the same great ratio has been the increase of the circulation of the sacred books of Holy Scripture ; wdierefore authors, philosophers, and statesmen should draw their themes and illustrations more from these Great Thesauri of truths, since they can be so easily applied by those versed in the Bible, as can be shown in a single instance.

When Doctor Franklin was sent minister to France, he was invited by a French nobleman to dine in company with the English embassador. As they w^ere taking a glass of wine after dinner it was suggested each one should give a sentiment or toast. The Englishman led the way and gave :

••' George the Third, like the sun in his meridian glory, he is the admiration of the world."

Then the French nobleman follow^ed, and gave :

"The Qiieen of France, like the moon in her bright path through the heavens, she enlightens and influences the earth."

Now they thought Franklin must be in the shade. But Franklin, with great composure, took up his glass, and gave :

" George Washington, like Joshua of old, he commands the SUN and the moon to stand still, and they obey him."

Contents

I. Water Made Wine, 9

II. The Healing of the Nobleman's Son, . . .17

III. The First Miraculous Draught of Fishes, . .21

I. Water Made Wine

St. John it., j-ii.

Lo ! Who is He makes water wine ?

Incomprehensible, Divine :

His wonders vast, His powers unknown ,

He sits majestic on His throne ;

He speaks : creation hears His voice ;

Unnumbered worlds in Him rejoice ;

In heaven His angels do His will,

His voice eternity doth fill.

He is the first, the great Alpha ;

He is the last, the Omega.

From whence He came, all is unknown,

Forever past. He sat alone.

Lo ! His great kingdom leaps with joy,

As hosts engage in His employ.

To Him they sing immortal songs.

For unto Him all praise belongs.

Lo ! they chant their sweetest anthems,

And dwell upon His sacred names ;

Hosannas through His empire ring.

While myriads praise Jesus, their King.

They gaze on Him with great delight,

As He throws off His crown of light,

Dazzling with many suns like ours ;

Off throws His robe, gemmed with rich flowers.

Sparkling with rays of many suns ;

On wings of love, down, down He comes

To this vile vsrorld of sin and shame.

That Adam's race might praise His name ;

To show His miracles of grace,

And so reveal His smiling face ;

To show His wonders and His signs,

The first was wrought in Galilee,

Where many, many guests could see ;

It was upon a wedding day.

Where all the guests were bright and gay.

Christ with His presence crowned the feast.

And every loved one was a guest.

Mary herself was there those days,

And sought to make them win His praise.

So many came, soon went the wine ;

She knew her son was all Divine :

She comes and says. The wine is gone.

Dear woman, now, let me alone.

Just now I cannot work a sign,

For now is not the fittest time.

She to the servants turns and saith,

Whatever you shall hear, have faith ;

Believe, and do it right away.

And you will find a welcome day.

He saith. The water pots now fill,

Let no one want a single gill.

They .filled them full up to the brim ;

They did as 'twas ordered by Him.

He, then, with language strong, commands :

Draw out, and bear it in your hands

To the chief ruler of the feast,

So he can give it to each guest.

He tasted : 'twas the purest drink ;

No alcohol to make one sink

Down to the regions of despair,

To dwell in woe forever there.

The sweetest wine at first men sup.

And then they drink the dregs all up ;

But you have kept the sweetest wine

Till the last moment of our time.

This is the first 'wonder Christ wrought,

And all His children He has taught

That signs and wonders are His book ;

On all its leaves they oft should look.

And see what miracles have done

To bless this sin-cursed world alone.

Thousands of thousands felt their might,

When Jesus was this world's great light.

They drank the wine ; they felt the peace,

When woes and sickness oft did cease.

They gloried in the cross of Christ ;

They gloried in His sacrifice.

How beautiful this miracle ;

How strong it does our minds compel ;

Prelude the fittest to the rest.

Though not esteemed by all, the best.

Hark ! how it chants with sweetest voice.

Aloud, aloud, in God rejoice.

Hail ! thou forerunner of great deeds,

For all the race in their great needs.

Jehovah stamps upon thy face

The image of His heavenly grace ;

May it echo over all the earth.

And tell its holy, god-like birth.

How it ennobles common things ;

From them the richest treasm'e brings ; Transmutes the meaner into good, Transmutes the water into food : Water of earth to wine of heaven, The symbol of our sins forgiven . We see our heavenly Father's face. As through a shining looking-glass. We must adore His powerful skill, And magnify His holy will. We must admire His firm decrees. O'er all the earth and o'er the seas ; Poetical, some one has said. As though arose he from the dead : " The water saw its God, and blushed ! " The water said. All still, and hushed.

This scene was w^onderful to view. As 'twas a gracious interview Between the Saviour and His friends. Which they must hope would never end. So Jesus sanctions naarriage vows, When done at home, or in God's house. He looked all down the future time, And saw it cursed as bad as crime, By priests who will profess His name. And spread abroad His wondrous fame. He honors this delightful pair With this great miracle so fair ; He furnishes the sweetest wine : In it His virtues do combine. DoAvn the centuries it will come. Fresh, new, to bless our every home. Blessing the bridegroom and the bride, Forever with them He'll abide.

How carnal men drink the best wine, —

Suppose all virtues in it shine ;

Rejoice as though 'twas all of grace,

And would all pleasures soon embrace ;

Rejoice as though 'twas all Divine,

And every virtue would combine.

The world presents a glorious hue,

Brings all its kingdoms full in view ;

Their glories it does well display,

They're naught but balls with which to play.

Come, prostrate fall, and worship me.

And all will I give unto thee.

Your vast, capacious souls they'll fill,

And all your noblest powers they'll thrill.

Come, satisfy your longing hearts,

For every good the world imparts,

Sparkles this world just like the sun.

In all its ways ; come, quickly, run !

All paved with gold, each one you'll find ;

This world has furnished all mankind ;

No one is left without a home —

This world bids every one to come.

How bright its hopes ! How bright its joys !

Although we know they're earthly toys.

We follow on to cheat our hearts,

Although we act the meanest parts.

The world allures only to blight,

And yet it keeps it out of sight.

We cheat ourselves the w^hole day down,

While we do wear a thorny crown.

The rainbow on the clouds it paints.

And when there is no sun it faints.

And thus some years we pass along.

And never see that all is w^rong ;

We drink what lies outside the cup.

We drink, and drink, and drink it up.

Sin always smiles in its address ; When first it does our minds caress It wears a pleasing, smiling face, And cheers as you embrace disgrace. 'Tis sweet as honey on your tongue, And rolls its music all along. And so it goes many a day, While you are thoughtless, careless, gay. And when you've drunk full vs^ell enough, Then you will drink the meaner stuff — Sin, guilt, and shame, with no relief — The stings of conscience, bitter grief — O'erflowing full will be your cup — You'll drink the dregs — you'll drink them up. The Lord will scourge you in His house, For there you'll never pay your vows. Oh ! all day long you'll pray for night ; Oh ! all night long you'll pray for light ; Distress and grief will break your heart, And yet from sin you won't depart. Fearful the vices of your life ; Bitter and angry is the strife. You cannot wipe you're guilt away — ' Tis like the vulture for his prey ; Disturbs the sleepy hours of night, And casts a pall o'er all daylight. The pangs v^hich never find relief. Heighten the woe, and every grief; Pour fearful sorrows in the soul. O'er which no one can hold control. Oh ! who would live in such a frame, In agony, in sin and shame.'' ' Tis fearful to abide in sin, And be forever vile within. Satan is fearful to obey — To endless night he changes day.

Oh ! death to life each one would choose, If from all sin they could cut loose. They cannot cut from sin away If they drink wine from day to day. There is no chance for them well drunk — They will eternally be sunk. Jehovah's word locks all such up, To drink, and drink the bitterest cup. No ray of hope beams in their soul ; No ray of light can hold control ; Dense darkness holds eternal sway ; There never breaks one morning ray. Eternal gloom hangs o'er the place, And hides forever Jesus' face. No language can describe the gloom That well fills up the sinner's doom.

This first of wonders Jesus wrought, To show to all the deeds He taught. ' Twas in Cana of Galilee, Where many sang their jubilee. Which oft rang through Jerusalem — Which angels sang in Bethlehem : Glory to God, the Lord, most high, — Came floating down the azure sky, — On earth be peace, good will to men ; Now let the saints all say Amen. Yes, let them shout it through the land, As many firm for Christ did stand ; As many loved His precious name, And spread abroad His glorious fame. It spread throughout all Syria, As well as tarried in Cana. There followed Him great multitudes ; To Him they raised great gratitudes

For miracles which He did do,

Which healed their bodies through and through ;

Which made them leap with greatest joy,

That no disease could them annoy ;

Their hearts with holy love did glow.

That Jesus could such wonders show ;

It showed He was the very God,

Who wrought such signs by Moses' rod.

It showed He was the King of kings.

Who to this w^orld His glory brings ;

It showed He was the Lord of lords.

Who could such signs perform by words ;

It showed He was the Mighty One,

Who made the universe alone ;

That He rolls worlds in orbits sure,

And makes them evermore secure.

He is the very God of gods :

He is the very Lord of lords ;

Let all before Him prostrate fall,

He is e'er One, the All in All.

11- THE HEALING OF THE NOBLEMAN'S SON.

O Christ, Thy works are vast and great,

They're wondrous, glorious, and complete.

They strike the mind with solemn awe,

Upwards, towards heaven the soul they draw.

They are the transcript of Thy heart,

Which they reveal in every part ;

Thy miracles a copy show

What Thine almighty power can do.

Cometh a nobleman in tears.

His heart bowed dow^n with awftd fears,

His son lies at the point of death,

That son can scarcely draw his breath.

A raging fever burns his flesh.

Though burning days, 'tis just as fresh

As when it seized his fleshly frame, —

Yes, doubtless more than when it came.

No earthly help can send relief.

No earthly help can soothe his grief;

All efforts prove useless and vain.

He tries them o'er and o'er again.

No human skill can aid afford ; —

Then turns he to Jesus, his Lord,

Entreats, beseeches Him to come

And heal his son, down to his home.

His faith so weak, so frail, so poor.

He wants to see Christ at his door.

To have Him look on that dear son.

To see the work which must be done.

Would He but gaze on that dear face,

His love at once would him embrace,

He'd speak the healing gracious word,

And thus all needful aid afford ;

Fever would fly at His command,

When He should lay on him His hand.

In agonies the father cries :

Come down, come down, ere my child dies ;

O, heal my son, my son, my son,

By Thee alone it must be done.

O, soon to sudden death he goes,

And brings on us these awful woes.

To him, the Saviour meek replies :

I cannot answer your sad cries ;

For signs and wonders you must see.

Before you will believe on Me.

I cannot make such great display,

While you are here only a day.

The father ponders in distress.

Looking to Christ, the Prince of Peace ;

He could not yet on Him believe.

And His sure word at once receive ;

Jesus must see that darling son.

Or else the work could not be done.

Jesus could not heal far away, —

Fevers would not His voice obey.

Unless those fevers heard His voice,

The sick in Him could not rejoice.

Still gazing on the Son of God,

Dwelling on every gracious word, —

Yes, he stood gazing on the Lamb,

And thought of His most precious name ;

What he had heard in his own town,

The mighty works His words did crown, —

The father did somewhat believe.

And could some words of Christ receive.

Still in his heart he cried. Come down

Thy presence would the sick room crown ;

The fever would fly quick awa}'^,

As o'er my child Thy voice should pray ;

Thy voice like music let me hear,

Let it but strike my listening ear

It would somewhat my faith increase,

And cause my unbelief to cease :

When will the gracious work be done

Upon my sick and dying son ;

Without control the fever burns,

So he to dust will soon return ;

Unless Thy power is soon revealed

My darling son cannot be healed.

Death will ensue with all its gloom.

And he must meet his solemn doom.

Where shall I find some sure relief.

Which will assuage my poignant grief ;

My soul will soon fall in despair,

And I shall cease my earnest prayer ;

I see my son's expiring eyes,

All glazed, all glazed, soon, soon, he dies.

Then Jesus cries : Go thou thy way, —

Thy son liveth ; he lives to-day.

The father turns homeward his face.

His darling son at once to embrace ;

He knew the healing would begin,

And health would instantly creep in.

He did not think he would be whole,

And health his body would control.

So on his onward course for home

He met his servants as they come.

They tell him of the joyful news,

Which fell on him like heavenly dews ;

They tell him that his son is well,

That health and strength in him now dwell :

The fever has fled far away ;

Thy son is happy, joyful, gay. When did the fever leave my son ? When was that work so glorious done ? Inquires the happy father now, As all his servants round him bow.

O, yesterday at the seventh hour

He felt the Lord's almighty power, —

Reply the servants to their lord.

As he amazed received their word.

The father did remember well

It was the hour when Christ's words fell :

*' Thy son liveth " ; then he believed ;

And all his house Christ's word received.

What joy through all that mansion ran

As they thought of that wondrous man,

Who by His mighty power could save

A son next door to the dark grave.

O, how they did exalt His name

And spread abroad His glorious fame.

That mighty work which Christ had done

In healing that beloved son.

Ran through and through the region round.

And did the wisest men confound.

The lips of friends broke forth in praise.

And did their hallelujahs raise ;

Hosannas often struck the skies.

On wings of light their anthems rise.

Peal after peal ran sweet along.

While multitudes echoed the song ;

Doxologies thrilled through the air.

While concerts join in solemn prayer.

The groves rang full of praise to Him.

Who died to save the race from sin.

Their symphonies struck every soul.

As oceans dash, and roar, and roll.

III. The First Miraculous Draught Of Fishes

Luke V. , i-ii.

It came to pass as people pressed To hear God's word, their richest feast, Jesus stood near Gennesaret, In which fishers oft cast their net. A pleasant lake in Palestine, Whose face with beauty oft did shine. In this, two ships lay near the shore. Where often ships did lay before. The fishermen had gone away, Washing their nets — a pleasant day : Vast multitudes crowded to hear, And gave to Christ a listening ear. E'er since He took a mortal form. And was of Virgin Mary born. One of these ships He entered in ; For soon His teachings would begin ; But found He was too near the land. On which the multitudes did stand. To see His face. His words to hear. And be instructed in God's fear. Thrust out a little from the land,

That all may come near to the strand —

Jesus to Simon thus did pray,

That all might see Him clear as day.

Then to the people He did preach,

And many solemn truths did teach,

They listened with intense delight,

To hear about the world of light.

His custom was to speak at length,

To use His energy and strength.

Doubtless He did the same that day.

Though Luke, the penman, did not say.

So, when He closed His wondrous speech,

And ceased the multitudes to teach.

Again to Simon He did speak :

Launch out your ship into the deep.

And for a draught let down your net,

Into the deep Gennesaret,

For there the fish in schools do lay.

And in deep waters constant play.

No use to fish so near the land.

Or drive the ship upon the strand.

Great fish are in deep waters found,

And many, too, out there abound.

To catch such fish is time v/ell-spent

Of working there none will repent ;

The net will be crowded all full,

And you'll rejoice, and be joyful.

Then Simon answering, meekly says :

We've toiled all night, — better than days,—

And not one single fish we've caught ;

In vain we toiled, in vain we wrought ;

But at Thy word, I'll drop the net

Down deep into Gennesaret,

For I believe Thy gracious word,

For Thou art Christ, the living God ;

Thine eyes can penetrate all space, Look far beneath the ocean's face ; And all the fishes Thou canst see, Unnumbered though to us they be.

So, when the ship rode in the deep,

The fishermen their nets did keep ;

Simon threw his into the sea :

Wonderful, wonderful to see

The draught of fishes he had caught ; —

He labored none, and none he vv^rought.

The net so full, at once did break.

So they called to their friends to take

Their precious load into the ship.

And suffer not one fish to slip.

Into the ships they pulled this freight,

When both the ships, by its great weight,

Began to sink beneath the wave.

As though they'd make a watery grave.

When Simon saw the wondrous sight, And knew 'twas done by Jesus' might, Down at His knees he instant fell. While under this most glorious spell. Aloud he cried : From me depart, I have a wicked, sinful heart,

Lord, near Thee I cannot stand, Nor work with such a sinful hand ;

1 know I am unholiness :

I know^ Thou art all holiness ; Thy works Thy purity do prove ; They are the works of boundless love ; They strike the wicked sinner through ; What can a sinner like me do ?

I am a wretched one undone All I can do or e'er have done Will never wash my heart all clean, Or wash away one single sin. Upon my heart the burdens lie — I fear they will until I die.

When Jesus said : Simon, fear not,

Great fishes you have just now caught.

Because you did obey My word.

Believed I am the Son of God ;

You shall henceforth catch sinful men.

The gospel net shall bring them in.

In this blest work you shall rejoice.

With trumpet tones lift up your voice,

Oh ! Thousands daily you shall win.

And by My grace shall make them clean ;

Rulers and ruled shall hear you preach.

And yield to triAhs which you shall teach ;

Yes, kings and queens shall you obey.

And bend to your controlling sway ;

You'll spread My name through earth abroad,

And hosts will turn from sin to God.

So when they brought their ships to land.

And run them on the sandy strand,

All they forsook and followed Christ, —

Great was their human sacrifice ;

For 'twas their all, all that they owned,

As much as men who are enthroned

On loyal thrones with honors great ; —

Possessing all, makes them complete ; —

For in their hearts they left their all,

And yielded to their Saviour's call ;

Yes, Simon Peter, John, and James

Forsook their all, and won great names ;

To us, they come for ages down,

With honors great, and great renown.

So all men see what they must do

If they would prove to Jesus true ;

In heart their all they must forsake,

And do it for Christ Jesus' sake ;

Must set their hearts on things above,

And Jesus Christ supremely love —

Not for one week, one month, or year.

But do it e'er with Godly fear.

This wondrous miracle doth tell

The eyes of Christ pierce down to hell ;

They looked down in Gennesaret,

And saw the fish to fill the net ;

He knew there were enough down there

To fill the net, and some to spare.

He knew Simon would feel His power.

Would feel his sins that very hour ;

Would cry to be freed from them all.

Lest in deep sins he soon should fall ;

It taught him his unworthiness.

And showed him his great sinfulness.

As he had never seen before

As he did walk along the shore.

To see oneself — what blessed thing !

Greater than see the greatest king.

It makes us loathe our sinful heart.

And wish from every sin to part ;

To be like God in holiness,

And be like angels in pureness ;

To be prepared for realms of bliss,

And live eternally in peace ;

Where angels will adore God's name.

Where ransomed ones will praise the Lamb.

This lustrous miracle doth teach

Christ's presence, saints may constant preach,

For if he dwells down in the lake

And will not fishes e'er forsake,

Creation he will never leave,

Nor angels will he e'er bereave.

His presence fills immensity.

He dwells in vast eternity,

The wheels of time will never stay.

Nor will His mighty power decay.

As He is present everywhere,

He must know everything that's there.

His knowledge is unlimited.

Nor can His power be limited.

Salvation, 'tis as free as air.

None, none, need die in deep despair.

Religion is the chiefest thing ;

'Tis brought to us by Christ, our King.

Chirst tasted death for every one.

Then let each one to Him be won.