E-text prepared by Mark C. Orton, Charles Bidwell, Beth Trapaga, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdpcanada.net) GLEAMS OF SUNSHINE Optimistic Poems by JOSEPH HORATIO CHANT [Illustration: Rev. J. H. Chant] Printed for the Author by William Briggs Toronto 1915 Copyright, Canada, 1915 by J. H. Chant. _TO The memory of my beloved wife, MARY MATILDA McKIM Who, by her gentle disposition, cheerful spirit, sound judgment, and earnest Christian life, not only proved herself my true helpmate for over 46 years, but, also, made our home a place of constant peace and abounding joy, I dedicate this book._ J. H. C. CONTENTS PAGE INVOCATION 7 FATHER OF UNIVERSAL MAN 9 GOD'S PLAN IS BEST 12 CANADA 14 LATE AUTUMN 18 FRIENDSHIP 19 LIFE 22 TO MR. RUDYARD KIPLING 23 MEN BELOW DECK 26 "OTHERS SAVE WITH FEAR" 28 TREAD SOFTLY 31 "IT WAS MY FAULT" 34 KEPT THE FLAG FLOATING 35 MARY 37 A WORLD REDEEMED 38 ALASKAN BOUNDARY SETTLEMENT 40 MY PRIMROSE 42 NIAGARA'S RAINBOW 44 MY SISTER NELL AND I 46 GATHER THE WAYSIDE FLOWERS 48 HIDE THEIR SCARS 50 "ASHAMED BUT NOT AFRAID" 52 DUNBAR 54 MARSTON MOOR 59 OIL THE CRICKET 62 THE REAL 63 VICTORY GAINED AND LIFE LOST 65 THE BAPTISM OF CLOVIS 66 THE WATER LILY 70 "HE SHALL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR" 72 THE TAJ OF AGRA 73 ENGLAND'S BRAVE SONS 78 QUEEN VICTORIA 80 SILVER TONES 83 GOD'S ORDER 86 INFLUENCE 88 UNDECAYING FRUIT 90 THE HEROES OF OUR DAY 92 THE BIG BEAR CREEK 94 THE FROST ON THE WINDOW 96 "WILT THOU HARASS A DRIVEN LEAF?" 98 A GEM 100 THE CLOUDS 101 THE MOSSES 103 THE GRANDEST THEME 105 SEPTEMBER 107 THE FLOWERS 111 THE BUD 113 BEAUTIFUL SKY 115 BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES 116 THE MOSS ROSE 118 GOD'S CARE 120 MY LOT 121 GOD'S FOOT ON THE CRADLE 122 GOD'S GIFTS TO BE ENJOYED 124