ST. MARK'S DAY

Oh! who shall dare in this frail scene

On holiest happiest thoughts to lean,

On Friendship, Kindred, or on Love?

Since not Apostles’ hands can clasp

Each other in so firm a grasp

But they shall change and variance prove.

Yet deem not, on such parting sad

Shall dawn no welcome dear and glad:

Divided in their earthly race,

Together at the glorious goal,

Each leading many a rescued soul,

The faithful champions shall embrace.

For e'en as those mysterious Four,

Who the bright whirling wheels upbore

By Chebar in the fiery blast.

So, on their tasks of love and praise

This saints of God their several ways

Right onward speed, yet join at last.

And sometimes e'en beneath the moon

The Saviour gives a gracious boon,

When reconciled Christians meet,

And face to face, and heart to heart,

High thoughts of holy love impart

In silence meek, or converse sweet.

Companion of the Saints!‘ twas thine

To taste that drop of peace divine,

When the great soldier of thy Lord

Called thee to take his last farewell,

Teaching the Church with joy to tell

The story of your love restored.

O then the glory and the bliss,

When all that pained or seemed amiss

Shall melt with earth and sin away!

When saints beneath their Saviour's eye,

Filled with each other's company,

Shall spend in love th’ eternal day!