THE BLACK-LETTER BIBLE. I KNOW a Bible, with its pages worn By fingers, that have long returned to dust, Of men and women with sad hearts forlorn But for this book of universal trust In God, and in an everlasting home For men stout-hearted, who still upward climb, Though oft bewildered, oft they sadly roam Amongst the shadows of the "hills of time." And when I see where men so oft have found Sweet solaces to wipe away their tears, And know them still alive, I with a bound, O'erleap the gulf of long dividing years, And live in loving sympathy with those Who long have passed away from earthly woes. THE VOICES OF THE FUTURE. BROTHERS, do you hear the voices That shall rule the time to be, In the silence of the future, Murmuring like a distant sea? Onward come the wakening peoples! Onward come the wakening peoples! Onward, like a mighty flood; On to universal conquest, Guiltless of their brothers' blood. Onward come the wakening peoples, That shall hold the world in fee, With the spirit of the ages, Leading them to victory! Will it be for good, or evil, That they sweep the barriers downBarriers that so long have held them, Under prince, and peer, and crown? If you want to read the future, And the destiny of peoples As they ever upward climb ;— If you want to read the future, And the destiny of peoples, Ere they thunder at the gate ;— Listen, brothers, to the voices; Listen what the nations say, As they come from feudal darkness, Into democratic day. F 66 THE VOICES OF THE FUTURE. Do they say "that self should triumph, If they do, the devils lead them, If they do, the devils lead them, And the peoples rule the nations, Brothers, listen! for the voices I can hear, amidst the chaos, "God," "Right," "Truth," "Eternity." Courage, tremblers! courage, doubters ! With a gentle voice, and earnest, Preaching brotherhood of man; |