The Mountain Spring and Other Poems Part 1

The Mountain Spring And Other Poems.

by Nannie R. Gla.s.s.

THE MOUNTAIN SPRING

_And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely._--Revelation 22:17.

I wandered down a mountain road, Past flower and rock and lichen gray, Alone with nature and her G.o.d Upon a flitting summer day.

The forest skirted to the edge Of Capon river, Hamps.h.i.+re's gem, Which, bathing many a primrose ledge, Oft sparkled like a diadem.

At length a silvery spring I spied, Gurgling through moss and fern along, Waiting to bless with cooling tide All who were gladdened by its song.

Oh, who would pa.s.s with thirsting lip And burning brow, this limpid wave?

Who would not pause with joy and sip?

Its crystal depths who would not crave?

This query woke a voice within-- Why slight the spring of G.o.d's great love, That fount that cleanseth from all sin, Our purchase paid by Christ above?

Whoever will may drink! Oh, why, Worn toilers in this earthly strife, Reject a mansion in the sky, Reject heaven's bliss and endless life?

GO WANDER

Go, wander, little book, Nor let thy wand'ring cease; May all who on these pages look From sin find sweet release,

Through Christ, G.o.d's holy son, Who left his throne in heaven And e'en death's anguish did not shun That we might be forgiven.

How should our thoughts and deeds Exalt this mighty friend, Who died, yet lives and intercedes And loves us to the end!

LOVE

_For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of G.o.d._--Ephesians 2:8.

Christ might have called the angels down To bear him safe above, To s.h.i.+eld his brow from sorrow's crown, From death's cold blight, and bitter frown, Had it not been for love.

Our glorious King, our Prince of Peace, Has left his throne above To give our souls from sin release, To make our pain and anguish cease, And all because of love.

By faith in him, we all may see In realms of light above, Through streams of blood on Calvary, A joyful immortality;-- The purchase price was love.

THE LILIES

_Consider the lilies._--Luke 2:27.

Emblems of Christ our Lord, Roses and lilies fair, These flowers in His word, His glory seem to share.

The lilies of the field, Sweet teachers of the soul, Which will their lessons yield Long as the seasons roll,

They neither toil nor spin, Exist without a care, And yet no earthly king can win A garb so chaste and rare.

Frozen, they burst to life, To nature's minstrelsy-- A resurrection type Of immortality.

TELL PETER

_And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself._--John 18:25.

Peter, it was not outward cold But inward chill thy bosom froze, Made thee deny with falsehood bold Thy Lord and Master to his foes.

When we find cheer at Satan's fires The world is there to work us harm, To deaden all our pure desires With its deceitful lure and charm.

Peter, the voice of chanticleer Fulfilled what Christ had prophesied; And oh, that pitying look sincere From him whom thou hadst just denied!

Thy burst of penitential grief!

Heaven those tears did surely send.

Tears give the burdened heart relief; Dry anguish may its tendrils rend.

Sin soon will crucify our Lord, Thy sin, and all the world's beside.

He gave himself, the Living Word, Our shelter from G.o.d's wrath to hide.

Had all the seraphs pens to write Such love upon the boundless sky, Angelic powers could not indite Its greatness while the ages fly.

The hour is hastening. G.o.d has willed That Christ should through his own decree Abolish death and have fulfilled Our blood-bought immortality.

And when the awful tomb he rent, When freed from every earthly thrall, "Tell Peter" was the message sent; "Tell Peter"--'tis love's tender call.

Peter was martyr to his faith; His rock, G.o.d's son whom he denied; This faith the key that unlocks death To realms where joy and peace abide.

"Tell Peter!" Honey drops of love, Awaking all the choirs of heaven!

"Tell Peter"--angels from above Shout, "Hear, O earth, and be forgiven!"

THE SLEET

Regal the earth seems with diamonds today, Gemming all nature in blazing array; A picture more fairy-like never could be Than this wonderful icicle filigree.