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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 22:03:26 GMT -6
WINGS AND SKY
by
Martha Snell Nicholson
Author of “Threshold of Heaven”
Copyright @ 1938
by
Martha Snell Nicholson
edited for Divine Intervention by Baptist Bible Believer in the spirit of the Colportage ministry of a century ago
~ out-of-print and in the public domain ~
No Evidence of a Current Copyright for the Printed Book Found
During online Internet searches of the Library of Congress database in Washington D.C., performed on --2009, no evidence of a current copyright renewal within 28 years of copyright prior to 1964 was found for this publication.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS POSSESSIONS MY NAME IS MENTIONED AT THE THRONE OF GOD LAST WORDS THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN MY GARDEN GARDENS HIS HANDS BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HUNGER ONLY A LITTLE WHILE I SHALL BE LIKE HIM IF CHRIST SHOULD COME TONIGHT CRYING AND CALLING THERE SHALL BE LIGHT FOREVERMORE SUPPOSE OUR RISEN LORD NEW YEAR BECAUSE OF ME LOVELINESS THE MORNING SKY SPRING IMMANENCE EASTER MY SAVIOUR WHEN TO ME WAYFARER REST IN THE LORD DEAL WITH ME, LORD JAMES GRIBBLE IN GLORY WHOSO HATH THIS HOPE HE HEARS OUR CRY PRAYER IN MEMORIAM MY HERITAGE GOD ANSWERS PRAYER IS PRAYER TO YOU A TASK? PANORAMA THE RAPTURE GLAD TIDINGS CHRISTMAS MEDITATIONS MARY MY LORD THE OBLIVIOUS QUESTION FOR EVERYONE MY ADVOCATE TWO HILLS TO MY FRIEND ETERNITY THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY IN THE SILENCES LESSONS IT IS A WONDROUS THING BEACON LIGHT WAITING FIRST PETER, ONE, FOUR IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD WEDDING GARMENTS SAVED BUT AS BY FIRE NO MAN CARED FOR MY SOUL GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD CHRIST'S LOVE FOR ME MY TIMES ARE IN THY HANDS STANDARD BEARERS DO NOT STRUGGLE, ONLY TRUST ONE THING A PLEA FROM AFRICA TWO BABIES LUKE TWO FORTY FIVE PRECIOUS HIS MEMORIES JOHN FOURTEEN SIX MY LORD AND I STEWARD OF GOD PATTERN WHO WALKS WITH GOD IN THE NIGHT A PLEA CHRIST IN US THE HOPE OF GLORY THE CLOSE OF DAY DOMINION ONLY THIS GLIMPSES THE LAND OF MOAB OUR MINISTRY JOHN TEN EIGHTEEN THE INCARNATION JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER WHEN HE COMES CONTENT LETTERS BIBLE STUDY ONCE ON A TIME HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME SAFETY TWO HOMES THOU HAST SET BEFORE ME AN OPEN DOOR EXCHANGE WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR JESUS? IN MERCY NOW, IN JUDGMENT THEN I WISH THAT I KNEW HOW TO PRAY IT SUFFICETH US YUCCA FINALITIES TO ONE IN SORROW HIS PLAN FOR ME HAD CHRIST NOT RISEN FROM THE DEAD THE INVALID FOOTSTEPS PASSING THE SICKROOM I WAIT BROKEN DREAMS THE SICKROOM ON A SICK BED KINSHIP WHY DO I DOUBT HIM SO? LETTERS EAVESDROPPING WHEN HE PUTTETH FORTH HIS OWN SHEEP, HE GOES BEFORE THEM JOURNEY'S END THOUGH I FORGET IN A HOSPITAL HOMESICKNESS GOING HOME DYING ALTARS RAISED TO GOD HOUSE OF DREAMS SPRING A BRIDE'S GARDEN HONEYMOON HOUSE WHEN YOU COME HOME AMBITION WHEN YOU ARE GONE TROUSSEAU LIVING STILL MOTHER'S DAY TO MY LOVED ONES DEAD MOTHERS MY FATHER PORTRAIT ON MOTHER'S DAY HOW? TO MY FRIEND IN HEAVEN (To Hal) A CHILD'S IDEA OF GOD LETTER FROM A LITTLE GIRL AT DUSK A DREAM ON CHRISTMAS EVE PURCHASE LOGIC VALUES DRESSMAKING MARTHAS INCOME TAX WHEN I AM OLD TOGETHER RENDEZVOUS PRAYER FOR A NEW HOUSE SHADOWS OF THE PAST FOR TIMES LIKE THESE *** Dedicated to my husband, Howard Wren Nicholson My most grateful thanks are due to Dr. Louis S. Bauman, without whose kindly encouragement throughout the years much of this book would not have been written, and also to Dr. Louis T. Talbot, on whose radio addresses many of these verses are based. PREFACEThis little volume of verse was lived before it was written. Each poem is the product of years of suffering, of searching for the meaning and purpose of life, of patient waiting for the fulfillment of dreams, of seeking—and finding, God! Never strong as a child, in early young womanhood, the author suffered a complete breakdown. I may not speak as I would like of the conflicts of those days, though no one knows them so well as I, her husband. She was in bed most of the time for seven, years, years of endless waiting, of cruel disappointment, of pain and weakness of body that all but crushed the brave spirit within. After partial recovery came one operation after another, and ailment after ailment which came and never departed. Especially the past few years she has known constant pain and increasing weakness and helplessness. The fight is still hers to keep her soul triumphant over the ills of the flesh. Still she is translating Christian faith and hope into gallant Christian living, still “ His compassions fail not, for they are new every morning,” still is His strength made perfect in her weakness. Her deep love for humanity has given her a great longing to make her life and experience bear fruit in helpfulness to others. Especially is it her desire to show forth her Lord as she has been privileged to see Him in a sick room, and in so doing to make fruitful the years which at the time seemed so barren. So she sends forth this little book to all those who suffer and are heavy laden, with the hope that it may point the way to the One Who is the great Burden Bearer. Howard Wren Nicholson, Wilmington, Calif. GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENTfor permission to reprint is made to Contemporary American Women Poets American Poetry Dictionary of American Poets Christmas Lyrics of 1936 Christmas Lyrics of 1937 Modern American Poetry Crown Anthology Muse Anthology of British & American Poets Brethren Evangelist Sunday School Times Jewish Missionary Magazine Missionary Review of the World Evangelical Christian Five Magazines Pub. by the Union Gospel Press The Threshing Floor People's Home Journal Muse and Mirror King's Business The Pilot Gospel Messenger Christian Victory Women and Missions Young People's Sacred Songs World's Fair AnthologyFOREWORDFor many years, we have known the author of the poems within this volume. It has been our privilege to be the first to read many of them after they left their own home. We have often been blest by the breath of these verses. What they have meant to us, we can only pray that they may mean to others. Bishop Ken defined poetry as “thought in blossom.” And, so it is. But, the perfume of some blossoms is sweeter than others. The famed poet, Shelley, once said: “They learn in suffering what they teach in song.” And it has even been so with the author of these verses. For many years, as a “shut-in” she has suffered. Verily, what she has taught in song, she has learned through pain. Even as we write these words, the author lies upon her back, with but a slender thread binding her wonderful spirit within its earthly dwelling-place . . . lies there looking up unto Him Whose she is and Whom she loves. We know that, from her lips, one prayer ascends; that, should she be “loosed-away-up-ward” to be with Christ, she will leave behind her in this volume, words that will live and burn and purify . . . and in purifying, will glorify the One that ever, to her, is the One altogether lovely. With Him, she has so often “gone down to His garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.” In His “garden” these verses were born. And, in the perusal of this little volume we shall join them on a trip to His “garden” where together, He and she have so often sat among His lilies, and, in the sweetness of His spices, communed! Louis S. Bauman, D. D. Long Beach, California.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 22:03:58 GMT -6
“ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). POSSESSIONS
Let me hold lightly Things of this earth; Transient treasures, What are they worth? Moths can corrupt them, Rust can decay; All their bright beauty Fades in a day. Let me hold lightly Temporal things, I, who am deathless, I, who wear wings!
Let me hold fast, Lord, Things of the skies. Quicken my vision, Open my eyes! Show me Thy riches, Glory and grace, Boundless as time is, Endless as space! Let me hold lightly Things that were mine — Lord, Thou dost give me All that is Thine!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 19:12:00 GMT -6
“ For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name” (Isaiah 62:1-2). MY NAME IS MENTIONED AT THE THRONE OF GOD
My name is mentioned at the throne of God The same familiar name My mother called me, and my playmates used In some dear childhood game.
My name is mentioned at the throne of God. It is so strange and sweet To know my Saviour speaks that little name Before the mercy seat.
My name is mentioned at the throne of God. Hark how He pleads for me, “Put all her sins to My account; I paid Her debt, and she is free!”
My name is mentioned at the throne of God. He only understands Such depths of love Who has that name of mine Engraved upon His hands!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2011 18:24:02 GMT -6
“ Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21) LAST WORDS
Some one I love went home today, Went home to God. I cannot say How I can live the years until I see her face again, how fill The empty days. I only know Yes, know, that some day I shall go To her, and hear her voice again, And touch her hand . . . Ah, Love! . . . Till then, My chart upon this lonely sea, Those last faint words she spoke to me, “Dear, keep the home together and The boys in school.” Sacred command! My task until the prize is won — Her smile, her words, “Belov'd, well done!”
The Lord I love went home one day, Went home to God. He did not say How long He would be gone, nor when He would be coming back again. I only know that He has gone To make a place for me. Some dawn Or evening light He'll come for me! Till then there is a task that He Has set for me, His last command — To preach the Word! O heart and hand, Be consecrated to His cause, Spend strength and purse and store, nor pause Until at last the prize is won — His tender words, “Belov'd, well done!”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2011 21:56:21 GMT -6
“ The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel” (Psalms 68:8). THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Sometimes when I think of the day I shall stand In the presence of God, so small and alone In the courts of the Lord, and my soul is laid bare, And the record is read of the work I have done —
When I think of my hands, and the failure they wrought, When I think of my feet and the byways they trod, My heart falls to trembling, and shrinks from the shame And remorse I will feel in the presence of God!
It is strange we go living our everyday lives So carelessly, stumblingly! Dully we plod Our commonplace paths, and forget that we walk Every day, every hour, in the presence of God!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2011 20:14:14 GMT -6
“ For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:11). IN MY GARDEN
All day I have worked in my garden, And now in its deep sweet shade I am dreaming of earth's first garden, The garden the Lord God made:
Waking the soil from its slumber, Preparing with tenderest care A beautiful bower for man's dwelling; Planting the pleasant trees there.
What must have been that pair's wonder, What must have been their rapt bliss When they walked with the Lord in His garden In the cool of a day like this!
And I think of a time that is coming, A home that is far away, A place that our Lord is preparing, With tenderest care, for that day
When we, His beloved, forever Are quit of earth's clay and its sod, That day when we too shall behold Him, Shall walk in a garden with God!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2011 20:07:03 GMT -6
“ I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits” (Ecclesiastes 2:5) GARDENS
To me a garden brings An ecstasy that sings, A stirring, as of wings!
Beauty of the breeze, Companionship with trees, And quiet peace —all these
A garden means to me. And yet, O Christ, to Thee It meant Gethsemane!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 20:46:50 GMT -6
“ In whose hand is the soul of every living thing” (Job 12:10). HIS HANDS
I am so safe in His gentle hands, Nor would I ask to be free. The hands that were laid on the children's heads Will tenderly deal with me.
Hands that succored and hands that served, That fed the hungry with bread, Hands that gave to the blind their sight, Hands that raised from the dead.
O beautiful hands of my living Lord! I shall see in eternity — Incredible love — my name engraved In those hands which were pierced for me!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2011 16:51:08 GMT -6
" He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away” (Luke 1:53). BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HUNGER
Purge me, Lord, of my follies; An empty cup let me be, Waiting only Thy filling, Hungry only for Thee.
Could even the Lord pour blessing Into a jar that was full, Put treasure into a locked hand, Be He ever so bountiful?
Empty me, Lord, and make me Hungry only for Thee. Only Thy bread, once tasted, Can ever satisfy me!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2011 16:14:18 GMT -6
“ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalms 107:8-9). ONLY A LITTLE WHILE
Only a little while to work, Only a little while; Then the harvest reaped, and the reaper home, And the King's rewarding smile.
Only a little while to grieve, Only a little while, And then forgotten the taste of tears, The bitter pain and the trial.
Only a little while to pray, Only a little while Till we speak with our Saviour face to face In the shining, Beautiful Isle.
Only a little while to trust, Only a little while To walk in the darkness . . . Then a light At the end of the last, long mile!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2011 18:49:15 GMT -6
“ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5). I SHALL BE LIKE HIM
What can it mean, to be like Him? I, to be like my dear Lord? I could not believe it, had I not The promise of His precious Word!
I, with my follies and failures, I, with my weakness and sin, To be like the Lord in His beauty, Perfect without and within?
O, I am weary with waiting, Sick of this old self of mine. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come quickly, And give me a spirit like Thine!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2011 20:09:49 GMT -6
“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). IF CHRIST SHOULD COME TONIGHT
Is my house set in order If Christ should come today? What tasks would be unfinished If I were called away?
Suppose an angel told me At early morning light, “Your Lord will come this evening — You will go home tonight!”
Would ecstasy be clouded By thoughts of things undone, The seed I might have scattered, The crowns I might have won?
The soul I meant to speak to, The purse I meant to share, And O, the wasted moments I meant to spend in prayer!
The weight of unsaved millions Would press upon my heart. In their death am I certain That I had not a part?
And just a few short moments In which to set things right! How feverishly I'd labor Until the waning light!
O slothful soul, and careless heart, O, eyes which have no sight — Work, lest you reap but vain regrets — Your Lord may come tonight!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2011 17:21:31 GMT -6
“ I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (Romans 1:14) CRYING AND CALLING
Shall I hear in the courts of the King, Louder than cherubim sing, Out in the dark — far away — Souls that are lost, night and day Crying and calling?
How could I know any peace, How could remorse ever cease If even one soul were out there Because I neglected to care, Crying and calling!
Give me a passion to save Those who go down to the grave And know not Thy grace and Thy Word, Dost, and apart from the Lord, Crying and calling!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2011 19:52:09 GMT -6
“ But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). THERE SHALL BE LIGHT
Sometimes such shadows overhang our path We cry we cannot walk in light so dim. O child of God, fear not, the way is safe Through deepest darkness if we walk with Him!
Sometimes our spent and burdened souls have cried, “Of what avail this anguish and this pain?” O sweet and tender mystery of God, There is no travail of the soul in vain!
Some day — “at evening time there shall be light.” Somewhere these aching hearts will understand; Our pain was the refining of our gold Our darkness but the shadow of His hand!
When our sight Is made perfect through His grace, In the light Of the glory of His face All will be plain!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2011 20:14:10 GMT -6
“ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). FOREVERMORE
Dreaming here upon my bed of pain Of the time when Christ will come again, Of the time when suffering will be o'er . . . O, it will be good Never to know sickness anymore!
Never to remember, through the years We spend with Him, the bitter taste of tears, Never to remember griefs we bore . . . O, it will be good Never to know sorrow anymore!
Homesick for those mansions far away; Waiting, longing, praying for the day We clasp again our loved ones gone before . . . O, it will be good Never to be parted anymore!
Thinking back along my path of life Of the fierce temptations, and the strife, Of the times I was not conqueror . . . O, it will be good Never to be tempted anymore!
To hear His blessed voice through endless days, To clasp the hand that led us on life's ways, To see at last the One Whom we adore . . . O, it will be good To be with Christ our Lord forevermore!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2011 16:49:01 GMT -6
“ But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). SUPPOSE
A friend sent me a little card Of flowers from Bethlehem. Someone had pressed the petals bright And made a wreath of them,
A wreath of purple and of red. I hold it in my hand, Those bits of color, brave and gay, Which blossomed in that land,
Those fields, where Jesus walked! Suppose The blooms His feet had pressed Bore seed and died, and lived again, More lovely than the rest;
So on and on, until at last Came these, with printed word, “From Bethlehem.” . . . I seem to touch The footprints of my Lord!
Only a fancy? Yes, perhaps, For no one really knows, And yet my cheeks are wet with tears Because suppose . . . suppose!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2011 20:24:08 GMT -6
“ But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield” (Psalms 5:11-12). OUR RISEN LORD
O risen Lord, in Thee are all our hopes, In Thee our certainties; In Thee doth rest the title deed of all Our rich securities.
Through Thee and through Thy death and sacrifice Were we washed white as snow. Hadst Thou not risen, we were lost indeed — No other way we know.
By Thee were wiped away the tears we shed At graves where loved ones slept. Thou bindest up our bleeding, broken hearts, And daily we are kept.
To Thee our joyful songs of praise arise, Our hearts are lifted high; Our eyes of faith discern Thee through the clouds Which dim our earthly sky.
With Thee! O blessed Lord, the quick tears start! Were ever words like these, That we shall be with Thee, our Lord, throughout Endless eternities!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2011 20:12:46 GMT -6
“ Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Psalms 31:19). NEW YEAR
Dear Lord, as this new year is born I give it to Thy hand. Content to walk by faith what paths I cannot understand.
Whatever coming days may bring Of bitter loss, or gain, Or very crown of happiness, Should sorrow come, or pain —
Or Lord, if all unknown to me Thine angel hovers near To bear me to that farther shore Before another year —
It matters not —my hand in Thine, Thy light upon my face, Thy boundless strength when I am weak, Thy love and saving grace!
I only ask, loose not my hand; Grip fast my soul, and be My guiding light upon the path Till, blind no more, I see!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2011 20:06:50 GMT -6
“ Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (I Corinthians 10:33). BECAUSE OF ME
Is there a soul who died, Who died because of me, Forever shut away From Heaven and from Thee?
Is there a soul who died Because I did not speak, Because I did not point The way their feet should seek,
Because I tightly clutched My little earthly store, Nor sent Thy messengers Unto some distant shore?
Lord, let me not forget That precious soul who died, That soul for love of whom Thy Son was crucified.
That soul was dear as I Unto the Saviour's heart. . . Lost soul, who died because I would not do my part!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2011 18:39:17 GMT -6
“ For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength” (Psalms 96:5-7). LOVELINESS
When God invented beauty, He made such lovely things! My happy heart is soaring With every bird that wings.
The sea is His, He made it, His handiwork the moon And all the stars of heaven, The sun that shines at noon.
His master brush spreads colors On palettes of the skies, And over ripening grain fields The haze of autumn lies.
He gave us for our pleasure Each lovely flower that blows, Then added for good measure The perfume of the rose.
He knows the singing rapture That comes with each new Spring . . . O, when God gave us beauty He made a wondrous thing!
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