By the Sea, and Other Verses

<h2><SPAN name="LOSING_VICTORIES" id="LOSING_VICTORIES">LOSING VICTORIES</SPAN></h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">My 'Infant Class' one summer morn,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Was gathered in the maple shade<br/></span> <span class="i0">Near the church door, and there we talked<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</SPAN></span> <span class="i2">Of the fair world our Lord had made&mdash;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The swaying trees upon the hill,<br/></span> <span class="i2">The waving grain, the shadowy grove&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Till every little heart seemed filled<br/></span> <span class="i2">With the sweet sense of Jesus' love.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">A query came: Dear little ones,<br/></span> <span class="i2">As days go by what shall we do&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Since Jesus has so loved us all&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i2">To show him that we love him too?<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"I'll mind mama," said wilful Tim;<br/></span> <span class="i2">And Ben, "I'll carry in the wood;"<br/></span> <span class="i0">Said Mary, "I will lessons learn;"<br/></span> <span class="i2">While Dimple lisped, "I will be dood."<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And how will Helen show her love?<br/></span> <span class="i2">She, with a wistful glance at Rose&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i0">A sweet, but pale and timid child&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i2">Replied, "By giving up, I 'spose."<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Dear girl! To fragile sister Rose<br/></span> <span class="i2">She oft must yield her will and way;<br/></span> <span class="i0">But now this duty shall disclose<br/></span> <span class="i2">Her love for Jesus, day by day.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Oh oft, were we but wise, we'd find<br/></span> <span class="i2">Our triumph in another's gain;<br/></span> <span class="i0">On glowing altar&mdash;coals of love&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i2">Would joy to see self-idols slain.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">In simplest ways the soul may drink<br/></span> <span class="i2">With Christ the sacrificial cup,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And many a victory is won,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And nobly won, by 'giving up.'<br/></span></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />