Pen Portraits: Kate, Ann, Virginia, Martha [pp. 230-231]

230 Pen Portraits. [AralL,
be met, by many a flippant devotee of fashionable literature, But their derision, even if rational, is certainly not wisely directed. It does
not strike at the vulnerable point. It should fall
on the principles which give rise to the habit.
The absurdity lies, if any where, in the system
of faith, which gives encouragement to prayer,
and enjoins it as a duty. But if that system be
rational and true, the habit is perfectly consistent andl legitimate. We suggest then to our
flippant scoffers, that their ridicule comes too late.
It should have been excited sooner. They must
go back to the first principles of the Christian
faith, and prove them to be absurd and contemptible, before they affect to make light of this sacred privilege, which every earnest and honest
spirit, that has tested its efficacy, will pronounce
to be the very highest it can claim on earth. But
leaving out of view the principles on which
prayer is founded, it is surely as rational and dignified an exercise of mind in the poet who seeks
inspiration, to implore humbly the quickening
influence of divine energy, as to invoke a propitious afflatus firom some visionary muse after
the approved poetic fashion?
Prayer is prompted by conscious dependence.
It is sanctioned by the revealed will of God. We
are taught to believe, "not only that Hle is, but
that He is a rewarder of all who diligently seek
Him." If God has the will, He surely has the
power to interpose in answer to prayer. It is reasonable to conclude, thatHe who originally formed
the human mind, and furnished all its wonderful
faculties, is capable of influencing, quickening,
or inspiring that mind, in the sense in which the
poet seeks inspiration. Every poet is conscious
of peculiar states or moods of mind, which are
propitious to the exercise of his genius. These
are affected by a variety of external causes. Why
may they not be induced directly by that invisible, divine influence, which works in and through
all things, and brings events to pass according to
its sovereign will? We seek that influence, in its
moral efficacy, why not also, in its mental invigoration? We seek it to quicken and purify the
heart, why not also to enlighten and exalt the
mind? We bow before the altar, and plead for
an interest in atoning blood and propitiatory incense, why not ask also the application of " a
live coal from the altar," like that
"Which touched Isaiah's hallowed lips with fire?"
Milton has furnished both an illustration and a
proof of the efficacy of prayer, in securing the
noblest poetic inspiration. His sublime invocation of the spirit of God stands as a suitable introduction to the most sublime poem in the
English language:
"And chiefly thou, O Spirit; that dost prefer
Before all temples the upright heart and pure,
Instruct me. * *
I X' * Whlat in me is dark
Illumine. What is low raise and support;
That to the height of this great argument,
I may assert eternal providence,
And justify the ways of God to men!"
W. C. S.
PEN PORTRAITS.
KATE.
Light and gay, sad and tearful,
Hopeful, hopeless, gloomy, cheerful,
Now all joyless, sadly singing;
Then all joy, her sweet laugh ringing:
Now all pensive, soon all smiling;
Ev'ry heart to mirth beguiling;
Be her mood, or gloom, or gladness,
All must love her-love to madness.
Thus we see in April weather,
Rain and sunshine,,both together;
Pleasant both, when they come single;
But perplexing, when they mingle;
Still, I love both shine and shower,
Though the cloud tmay darkly lower,
For when rain and sun are given,
Then, the rainbow glows in heaven.
ANN.
Silent, sad, and melancholy,
Hope within her heart is dead;
Resignation pure, and holy,
Marks the face whence joy has fled.
If perchance. a song she waken,
'Tis not one of careless mirth,
But like some sweet dove forsaken,
Mourneth she to flee from earth.
Her's is a sad voice of sighing,
Springing from a wounded soul;
Like the swan's sweet notes when dying,
Floats the strain she can't control.
She is a fair, fragile flower,
Meekly bending to the blast;
May she bloom in that bright bower,
Twined by angel hands at last.
VIRGINIA.
Ever gay, sad thoughts can never
Find a dwelling in her heart;
On her brow there fall no shadows,
She, and sorrow, dwell apart.
Storm-clouds never gather o'er her,
Bright and sunny are her skies,
On her face, bright hopes sit smiling;
Tears dim not her laughing eyes,
And her voice is like the warbling
Of the birds, in spring's bright hours,
Cheering hearts with sorrow laden;
As the dew cheers drooping flowers,
Gloom abides not where she dwelleth —
Sadness fleeth at her voice Sunlike, she all clouds dispelleth,
And bids all around rejoice.
230
Pen Porlraits.
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