THE GARLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 51

THE GARLAND.

FOR THE QUIET HOUR. No. 407. By Duncan Wbigiit, Dunedin. PEACE! Fierce was the wild billow, Dark was the night; Oars laboured heavily, Foam glittered white; Trembled the mariners, Peril was high ; Then said the God of God, “Peace: it is I.” Ridge of the mountain-wave, Lowly thy crest; Wail of Enroclydon, Ee thou at rest; Sorrow can never be, Darkness must fly. AYk re sa.ith the Light of Light ‘‘Peace: it is I.” Jesus. Deliverer, Como Thou to rne; Soothe Thou my voyaging Over life’s ?"a; Thou, when the storm of death Hoars, sweeping by. Whisper, O Truth of Truth, ‘‘Peace: it is I.” —Anatolius. In the needless, unwholesome ruth of life it were well if in the “Quiet Hour” we could often get away front the madding *rowd and hear the Great Teacher speak :

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.” “The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means.” “The frudfc of the Spirit is peace.” “To be spiritually' minded is life and peace.” “God hath called us to peace. > . . 1 r BE STILL IN GOD. Bo still in God! Who rests on Him Enduring peace shall know, And with a spirit fresh and free Through lib. =hali chcerly go. til in faithl Forbear to seek Where seeking naught avails, Unfold thy soul to that pur© light From heaven, which never fails. B© still in love! Be like the dew That, falling from the skies, On meadows green, in thousand cups, At morning twinkling lies! Be still in conduct, striving not For honour, wealth, or might! Who in contentment breaks his bread Finds favour in God’s sight. Be still in sorrow! "As God wills!” Let that thy motto be, Submissive ’neath His strokes receive His image stamped on thee, io still in God! Who rests on Him Enduring peace shall know, And with a spirit glad and free Through night and grief shall go. “My peace !” He had peace with Himself. There was no war within of unrestrained inclination warring against the will, of overwhelming passion rebelling against the reason. He had peace with God. Peace! He disseminated it wherever He went. The storm on the sea, at His word, suddenly changed into a great calm. The poor distracted demoniac, at His word, albeit with sore rending, was delivered into peace. How many aching hearts He soothed and comforted, making the numbed affections flow again ! Into how many homes He brought joy and reverent thankfulness !

“Peace! See Him check the indignation of John outside the Samaritan village; healing the ear of Malchus; answering not a word in the court of Herod; and you will learn its meaning. “See into the heart of the forgiven woman, vdio was a sinner; of Mary, tbo sister of Lazarus, with the alabaster box of ointment, ‘very costly,’ to learn the depth of the farewell wish—‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth give I unto you. ” —Rev. T. Davies, B.A. JULIA WARD HOWE, A gifted singer, gives us a lovely message of Peace : Bid the din of battle cease! Folded be the wings of fire! Let your courage conquer peace— Every gentle heart’s desire. Let the crimson flood retreat! Blended in the arc of love; Let the flags cf nations meet; Bind the raven, loose the dove. At the altar that eve raise King and kaiser may bow down; Warrior knights above the bays Wear the sacred olive crown. Blinding passion is subdued. Men discern their common birth, God hath made cf kindred blood Alf’ the peoples of the earth. High and holy are the gifts He hath lavished on the race— Hope that quickens, prayer that lifts, Honour’s meed and beauty’s grace. As in Heaven’s bright face we look Let our kindling souls expand; Let us pledge, on Nature’s book, Heart to heart, and hand to hand. For the glory that wa saw In the battle flag unfurled. Lot us read Christ’s better law: Fellowship for all the world! C. H. SPURGEON’S MESSAGE: “Happy the day when every war-horse shall be houghed, when every spear shall become a pruning-liook, and every sword shall be made to till the soil which once it stained with blood ! This will be the last triumph of Christ. Before death itself shall he dead, death’s great jackal, war, must die also; and then there shall be peace on earth, and the angel shall say, ‘I have gone up and down through the earth, and the earth sitteth still, and is at rest: I heard no tumult of war, nor noise of battle.’ ” Suffering is permanent, obscure, and dark, And has the nature of infinity. Yet, through that darkness (infinite though it seem), And irremovable, gracious onerings lie, By which the soul—with patient steps of thought Now toiling, wafted now on wings of prayer— May pass in hope, and, tho’ from mortal bends Yet undelivered, rise with sure ascent Evan to the fountain head of peace divine. A SOLDIER’S STORY. He was mortally wounded at the battle of Waterloo. His comrade conveyed him to some distance, and laid him down under a tree. Before he left him, the dying soldier entreated him to open his knapsack, and take out his pocket Bible, and read to him a small portion before the end came. The portion of Scripture chosen was from John xiv, 27: “Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” “Now,” he said, “I dio happy, I desire to have God's peace, and I possess that peace, which passeth all understanding.” A little while afier. one of his officers passed him, and asked him how he felt. “I die happy,” again he said, for I enjoy the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” The officer left him and went into battle and was wounded fatally. When surrounded by his brother officers he called out, “Oh ! I would give ten thousand worlds if I had them, if I possessed that peace which gladdened the heart of a dying soldier, whom T saw lying under a tree; for he declared he possessed the peace of God which passeth

all understanding. I know nothing of that peace.” PEACE AND REST. (By Rev. H. Bonar, D.D.) Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art! That alone can be my soul’s true rest; Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart, And stills the tempest cf my tossing hrIt blesses now, and shall for ever bless, It saves me now, and shall for ever save; It holds me up in days of helplessness, It bears me safely o’er each swelling wave. ’Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God, That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song; Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, and rod, Leaning on The© in weakness I am strong. I am all want and hunger; this faint heart Pines for a fulness which it finds not here; Dear ones are leaving, and, as they depart. Make room within for something yet more dear. More of Thyself, oh, show me hour by hour ; More of Thy glory, O my Lord and God; More of T.ivself, in all Thy grace and power; More of Thy lovo and truth, Incarnate Word.