And as of old by two and two
   His herald saints the Saviour sent
To soften hearts like morning dew,
   Where he to shine in mercy meant;

So evermore He deems His name
   Best honoured and his way prepared,
When watching by his altar-flame
   He sees His servants duly paired.

He loves when age and youth are met,
   Fervent old age and youth serene,
Their high and low in concord set
   For sacred song, Joy’s golden mean.

He loves when some clear soaring mind
   Is drawn by mutual piety
To simple souls and unrefined,
   Who in life’s shadiest covert lie.

Or if perchance a saddened heart
   That once was gay and felt the spring,
Cons slowly o’er its altered part,
   In sorrow and remorse to sing,

Thy gracious care will send that way
   Some spirit full of glee, yet taught
To bear the sight of dull decay,
   And nurse it with all-pitying thought;

Cheerful as soaring lark, and mild
   As evening blackbird’s full-toned lay,
When the relenting sun has smiled
   Bright through a whole December day.

These are the tones to brace and cheer
   The lonely watcher of the fold,
When nights are dark, and foeman near,
   When visions fade and hearts grow cold.

How timely then a comrade’s song
   Comes floating on the mountain air,
And bids thee yet be bold and strong —
   Fancy may die, but Faith is there.

ALL SAINTS’ DAY.

Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.  Revelation vii. 3.

   Why blow’st thou not, thou wintry wind,
      Now every leaf is brown and sere,
   And idly droops, to thee resigned,
      The fading chaplet of the year? 
   Yet wears the pure aerial sky
   Her summer veil, half drawn on high,
   Of silvery haze, and dark and still
The shadows sleep on every slanting hill.

   How quiet shows the woodland scene! 
      Each flower and tree, its duty done,
   Reposing in decay serene,
      Like weary men when age is won,
   Such calm old age as conscience pure
   And self-commanding hearts ensure,
   Waiting their summons to the sky,
Content to live, but not afraid to die.

   Sure if our eyes were purged to trace
      God’s unseen armies hovering round,
   We should behold by angels’ grace
      The four strong winds of Heaven fast bound,
   Their downward sweep a moment stayed
   On ocean cove and forest glade,
   Till the last flower of autumn shed
Her funeral odours on her dying bed.

   So in Thine awful armoury, Lord,
      The lightnings of the judgment-day
   Pause yet awhile, in mercy stored,
      Till willing hearts wear quite away
   Their earthly stains; and spotless shine
   On every brow in light divine
   The Cross by angel hands impressed,
The seal of glory won and pledge of promised