Poetry and prose

Preface

Thanks are tendered to those friends who so readily furnislied letters and facts for the brief Memoir herewith presented to the reader. Our aim has been to say too little, rather than too much; but what we have said, whether it be regarded as too limited or too extended, we have said in all good conscience, regarding it as great a sin to speak dishonestly of the dead as of the living. Our record here is of a pure-hearted and heroic woman ; — not heroic because of any wonderful exhibition of female intrepidity, but because of a sustaining and persistent energy, that made the best of life as it came, not refusing to do little in the way of culture, because a great deal could not be done. The truest heroism is that which seldom finds a place in history, and to proclaim which the trumpet of fame is too brazen. It is the heroism of a constant resisting of difficulties which stand in the way of soul-advancement, and that threaten, by their constant encroachments, to put out the fire of effort, and weaken the hope of the heart. We have not written this little Memoir with any other expectation than that a religious lesson will be received, favorable to such an humble and grateful recognition of Divine Benefactions as will prevent a wasting of

IV PREFACE.

mind in unfruitful wishing for more. If we can aid the

work of this religion by this Memoir, — if we can awake'

any young woman to the use of whatever means of culture

are granted to her, that she may no longer say she is above

or below her sphere, and that effort is vain, — we shall gain

our only object in setting up this unpretending Memorial

of Charlotte.

The Portrait herewith given was taken from a miniature

painted in Charlotte's girlhood, the only likeness of her to

be found. Her mother says she sees nothing to be altered,

and is much pleased with it. This is a sufficient evidence

of correctness.

HENRY BACON.

Contents

FADE

POETICAL SELECTIONS.

The Call, 101

I

" Our Father ! rvho art in Heaven." Father in Heaven ! how many hearts are breathing

That hallowed name, with reverent lips, to-night, On southern plains where graceful vines are wreathing,

Or on some lofty snow-clad Alpine height ! The lonely dweller on the rugged mountain,

The mariner upon the trackless sea, The peasant maiden by the wildwood fountain,

And childhood lisping at its mother's knee, All breathe, alike, the beautiful petition

To Thee, " Our Father lojio in Heaven art;^' And Thou dost own, most blessed recognition !

The tie between Thee and each human heart ! Thy children ! may we ever strive to be Worthy, Our Father ! of that name and Thee !

C. A. J.

II. " Hallowed be thy name."

Hallowed, ay, hallowed ! not alone in prayer, But in our daily thoughts and daily speech ;

At altar and at hearthstone — everywhere That temple-priest or home-apostles preach.

O not by words alone, but by our deeds,

And by our faith, and hope, and spirit's flame. And by the nature of our private creeds,

We hallow best, and glorify, Thy Name. Nature doth hallow it. In every star.

And every flower, and leaf, and leaping wave, She praises Thee, who, from thy realm afar,

Such stores of beauty to this fair earth gave. But these alone should not thy love proclaim — Our hearts, our souls respond — " J.Z/ hallowed he thy Name"

S. C. E.

III. " Thy kingdom comeP

Where shall thy kingdom come 1 In halls of state,

Or old cathedrals, where the mighty throng — Where mitred priests in robes of purple wait,

And pealing organs chant the lofty song? Where shall thy kingdom come ? In cloisters dim.

Where the pale nun in adoration bends. While with the music of her vesper hymn

Some fond regret or cherished memory blends ? Or in the dwelling of the lowly poor.

Where humble hopes and meek affections spring ! There shall the dove of peace, her wanderings o'er,

A.t length find shelter for her weary wing ! Where shall thy kingdom come 1 Is not thy throne Within the humble, contrite soul alone? c. a. j.

IV. " Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven^

O beautiful and bright that world must be.

Where life is but the doing of God's will !

Could we on earth as perfectly fulfil Thy holy law, we, also, should be free ! For angels are not happier than are we.

When in our hearts we take our Father's name^

And with a resolute and steady aimj

Make all our deeds with His high will agree. Father ! we love our land of human birth,

Which Thou to us for a brief home hast given ; We love this beautiful and fair young earth,

And fain would make it like our home in Heaven. ! one thing more we truly need — hut one ; That here, as in yon Heaven — Thy holy will be done !

s. c. E.

V. ''Give us this day our daily "bread P

O God our Father ! from thy throne on high,

Amid the melody of harps divine.

Wilt Thou not listen to thy children's cry.

Borne on prayer-incense to Thy holy shrine ? Father, we hunger ! As we faltering tread

The rugged pathway through life's wilderness, O " give to us each our daily bread ;"

Strengthen our footsteps as we onward press ! Thou who of old thy mercy didst declare

To Israel, wandering in the desert land. Turn not away from this our fervent prayer.

Nor let our frailties stay thy gracious hand, — Thou who with blessings makest each day rife. Give to our fainting souls the bread of life ! c. a. j.

VI. "■forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors^

In our hard march through life, we may have offered

A friendly hand to some poor fainting brother, And in our turn have failed, and no one proffered

The aid we lent so freely to another. We may have lived a life of cheerful duty,

Have gladly toiled and suffered for our neighbor, And aimed to fill his soul with moral beauty,

Yet reapt but wrong and curses for our labor.

O, if these debts are from our souls forgiven,

Not even asking penitent confession, Then, Father, wilt thou from thy throne in Heaven

Bend down and kindly pardon our transgression ; But if we pardon not, can we petition The unerring God of Heaven to give our sin remission ?

S. C. E.

VII. "Lead us not into temptation."

From the low hut where Poverty contendeth

Bravely with Vice, the sumptuously fed, While from his heart an anguish wail ascendeth.

As weak young voices vainly cry for bread ! — From the proud soul that burneth for dominion

Over the mighty universe of Mind ; That fain would soar away on eagle-pinion,

Leaving life's tame realities behind ; — And from the beauty-dowered, in humble station,

Who for the world's gay pageants vainly sighs, — From Hagar maddened by her desolation, —

Trom every poor, frail heart this prayer should rise : " Suffer us not to fall into temptation !"

Lead us, oh Father, where our duty lies ! c. a. j.

VIII. " But deliver us from evil."

Ere down the purple West the sunbeams sink,

How many a snare may lurk around our way ! How oft our trembling feet upon the brink

Of Passion's stream unconsciously may stray !

O Father ! at thy feet we humbly pray That from its burning waves we may not drink ! Most temptingly it gushes o'er our track.

Flashing like jewels 'neath our eager eyes ; O place thine arm arOund us ! Draw us back !

For he who drinks that deadly water, dies.

Thou Father, thou alone hast those supplies

Which renovate and satisfy the soul ;

From thy great Spirit like a tide they roll,

And every heart may come and fill its golden bowl.

s. c. E.