St. Andrew’s Day

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias . . . And he brought him to Jesus.  St. John i. 41, 42.

When brothers part for manhood’s race,
   What gift may most endearing prove
To keep fond memory its her place,
   And certify a brother’s love?

’Tis true, bright hours together told,
   And blissful dreams in secret shared,
Serene or solemn, gay or bold,
   Shall last in fancy unimpaired.

E’en round the death-bed of the good
   Such dear remembrances will hover,
And haunt us with no vexing mood
   When all the cares of earth are over.

But yet our craving spirits feel,
   We shall live on, though Fancy die,
And seek a surer pledge—a seal
   Of love to last eternally.

Who art thou, that wouldst grave thy name
   Thus deeply in a brother’s heart?
Look on this saint, and learn to frame
   Thy love-charm with true Christian art.

First seek thy Saviour out, and dwell
   Beneath this shadow of His roof,
Till thou have scanned His features well,
   And known Him for the Christ by proof;

Such proof as they are sure to find
   Who spend with Him their happy days,
Clean hands, and a self-ruling mind
   Ever in tune for love and praise.

Then, potent with the spell of Heaven,
   Go, and thine erring brother gain,
Entice him home to be forgiven,
   Till he, too, see his Saviour plain.

Or, if before thee in the race,
   Urge him with thine advancing tread,
Till, like twin stars, with even pace,
   Each lucid course be duly aped.

No fading frail memorial give
   To soothe his soul when thou art gone,
But wreaths of hope for aye to live,
   And thoughts of good together done.

That so, before the judgment-seat,
   Though changed and glorified each face,
Not unremembered ye may meet
   For endless ages to embrace.