1894.] ESSAYS. 79 



" Not one alone; from each projecting cape 

 And perilous reef along the ocean's verge 

 Starts into life, a dim gigantic shape 

 Holding its lantern o'er the restless surge. 

 And the great ships sail outward and return, 

 Bending and bowing o'er the billovvy swells 

 And ever joyful as they see it burn 

 They wave their silent welcomes and farewells. 

 Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same 

 Year after year through all the silent night 

 Burns on foreverraore that quenchless flame, 

 Shines on that inextinguishable light. 

 A new Prometheus chained upon the rock. 

 Still grasping in his hand the Are of love. 

 It does not hear the cry nor heed the shock 

 But hails the mariner with words of love. 

 Sail on ! it says, sail on, ye stately ships ! 

 And with your floating bridge the ocean span; 

 Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse. 

 Be yours to bring man nearer unto man ! " 



I remember, when a child, an old time citizen of Worcester, who 

 frequently visited my father's house, who said there were two things 

 he could never be persuaded to do — he never would cross the suspen- 

 sion bridge at Niagara Falls, and he would never cross the ocean. I 

 remember thinking, child as I was, that if the opportunity ever came 

 to me I would cross them both. Years ago, the old time citizen 

 crossed that bridge to the unknown country from whence no traveller 

 has returned. I believe that a beacon light illumined the way, so that 

 he had not a single fear. If we are guided by the " Light of the 

 World," when we have finished the voyage of life and are called to go 

 aloft, it will make little difference when the summons comes whether 

 we are on the sea or on the land. 



