■ - ^^■r * «* ,5 . r ^t-: i Tfiuk drilfanra brought U fc) ? ^ % cM °C/5^ 4\. ~^<; There have been published many selections of religious poetry in England and in this country, within the last few years ; but it is believed no volume of the kind has appeared as a book for the boudoir, with typography and embellish- ments so beautiful as distinguish this. There is no poetry so rare as the poetry of devotion. It would be as difficult, however, for a true poet as for a true philosopher not to be imbued with the spirit of piety, and we find that sacred songs are among the finest productions of nearly all the great poets, whether they were technically religious or not. The romance obtains a quicker popularity than the history, the melodrama than the tragedy, and the ballad a more general admiration than the ode. In this collection are many pieces without the highest attributes of poetry ; but very few, it is believed, which have not the simplicity, harmony and purity that will secure a welcome from every variety of readers. The importance of having works of this description, to elevate the taste and deepen the religious sentiments, can hardly be too highly estimated. Poetry is the expression of beauty, and every thing truly good is beautiful. Devout reflections upon life, death, and the destiny of the soul, may by the poet be sung to men who would never hear them from another teacher, and thus a simple song be as the voice of the Father to an erring child, calling him into the way of life. Philadelphia, 1844. rC P3> aza» IS '■■;.V< I ./,.■'. i - . ,%2t - 1; :/ ■-^'\\ <$A THE SOUL THIRSTING AFTER GOD THE CELESTIAL SABBATH. . . . A POET'S PRAYER ACQUAINT THYSELF WITH GOD . THE BALLAD OF l.UTZEN . . . . THE CRUCIFIXION CHAMPIONS OF THE TRUTH . . . THE DEFEAT OF Sl'.ERA . . . . WHERE IS HE? BISHOP LOWTH 7 FROM THE RUSSIAN 8 BERNARD BARTON 9 W. KNOX II AN IMII'A I ION OF THE PERSIAN . . . A DIRGE THE HOUR OF FRAYER COWFERS GRAVE FORGIVENESS D »N!EL IN THE DEN OF LIONS. . . . HYMN OF PRAISE DATS OF MY YOUTH SEASONS OF PRAYER THE WIDOW OF NAIN AND HER SON . PSALM OF LIFE THE VAUDOIS HARVEST HYMN . .* . . MORTALITY GRIEF WAS SENT THEE FOR THY GOOD THE LAND WHICH NO MORTAL MAY K' LIFE HUMAN LIFE ROME ODE TO THE SAVIOUR ON A PICTURE OF JERUSALEM .... HENRY OF AsTE AND PIERO ZENO . PASS ON, RELENTLESS WORLD .... GOOD BYE, FROUD WORLD DIRGE FOR A YOUNG GIRL I r IS GOOD TO RE HERE AN HOUR Wl I'H GOD THE CHRISTMAS OFFERING HYMN OF THE WALDENSES THE WARNING VOICE HUMAN LIFE A MOTHERS DIRGE OVER HER CHILD . THE SYNAGOGUE GOD'S ACRE ON IHE DEATH OF A YOU*G GIRL . . ABRAHAM DISMISSING HAGAR . . . . THE LAST JUDGMENT THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS . . JERUSALEM GEORGE LUNT 12 H. H. MILMAN 15 WILLIAM KEBLE 16 J. O'CALLAGHAN 17 HENRY NEELE 19 ROBERT SOUTHEY JO GEORGE CROLY ,1 MRS. HEMANS 21 ELIZABETH B. BARRETT 21 BISHOP HEBER 2ti THOMAS DALE 27 H. H. MILMAN 30 ST. GEORGE TUCKER 33 HENRY WARE SI BISHOP HERER :iS H. W. LONGFELLOW 37 H. HASTINGS WELD 31 W. KNOX -10 THOMAS' HAYNES BAYLT 42 BERNARD BARTON 43 BARRY CORNWALL 44 C. C. COI.TON 45 iffill iff WILLIAM KEBLE 47 H. H. MILMAN 4S MISS MITFORD 50 RICHARD MONCKTON MILNt . . 51 GEORGE LUNT £3 RALPH WALDO EMERSON .... 55 JAMES T. FIELDS 56 HERBERT KNOWLES 57 ANONYMOUS 59 W. CROSWELL .60 WILLIAM C. BRYANT 61 W. H. HARRISON 62 FRANCIS QUARLES £3 D. M. MOIR 64 WILLIAM CROSWELL 67 H. W. LONGFELLOW fS WILLIAM H BURLEIGH '9 THOMAS DALE 71 WALTER SCOTT 73 H. W. LONGFELLOW 71 JOHN PIERPONT 76 \wm^\ fe>-ste^ THE HEART SONG ARTHUR CLEVELAND COXE WEEP NOT FOR HEK D- M. MOIR GOD AN UNFAILING REFUGE WILLIAM WORDSWORTH SO SONG OF THE JEWS HENRY HART MILMAN 81 CONSOLATIONS OF RELIGION TO THE POOR JAMES G. PERCIVAL 81 EXCELLENCY OF CHRIST GILES FLETCHER 8'. THE ADVENT HENRY HART MILMAN . ... 86 THE CALL OF DAVID JOHN KEBLE 87 EZEKIEL ' JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER . . 89 THE DEPARTED PARK BENJAMIN 94 THE PARTED SPIRIT JOHN MALCOM 95 MY CHILD REV - J0HN PIERPONT 96 HYMN OF NATURE WILLIAM B. O. PEABODY 9S THE CRUCIFIXION JAMES MONTGOMERY !>9 THE PRAYER FOR ALL VICTOR HUGO 100 THE LAMENT BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON LORD BYRON 102 THE BATTLE OF IVRY THOMAS BABBINGTON MACAULAY . IAS SPIRITUAL WORSHIP BERNARD BARTON I0S THE SLEEP ELIZABETH B. BARRETT 107 RESIGNATION .' HENRY HART MILMAN 109 T1ME EDWARD YOUNG Ill AUTUMN JAMES MONTGOMERY 112 PENITENTIAL PRAYER THOMAS MACKELLAR 113 BELSHAZZAR BARRY CORNWALL 114 CONSOLATION GEORGE CRABBE 115 CAMERONIAN'S DREAM ROBERT HYSLOP 116 JESUS STILLING THE TEMPEST BISHOP HEBER 118 CHRIST A SYMPATHIZING FRIEND ROBERT GRANT M9 THE WORLD A BUBBLE FRANCIS QUARLES 1.0 THE THREE MIGHTY ANONYMOUS , . . 121 THE HOUR OF DEATH MRS. HEMANS I -3 REFLECTIONS ON A SKULL ANONYMOUS 125 LONGING FOR HEAVEN GEORGE WHITEFIELD 127 THE TWO HORSEMEN HENRY HART MILMAN 128 REMORSE KNOX 131 A LITANY ROBERT GRANT 133 THE DISSOLUTION OF NATURE KNOX 1 (5 THE CONQUEROR FROM EDOM AND BOZRUI SAMUEL ROGERS 136 DEATH'S FINAL CONQUEST JAMES SHIRLEY (1625) ...... 137 SABBATH THOUGHTS BISHOP MANX 38 FUNERAL HYMN BISHOP HEBER 140 SLEEP JOHN KEBLE 141 THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT THOMAS DALE i -A THE VALEDICTION BAXTER U5 THE RESURRECTION ANONYMOUS 147 CHILDREN OF LIGHT BERNARD BARTON 149 JEWISH BATTLE SONG GEORGE LUNT lbO THE HARVEST OF THE LORD HENRY HART MILMAN 152 THE MAID OF ANDALUSIA FROM THE SPANISH U3 JOSETH SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN THOMAS DALE 154 TO THE FLOWERS _. . . MARY HOWITT 157 THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR REV. HAMILTON BUCHANAN . . . 158 I AM WEARY ANONYMOUS 159 A PRAYER IN SICKNESS RARRY CORNWALL 160 THE MOURNING OF JERUSALEM ANONYMOUS 161 THE FALL OF BABYLON WOODS I<2 THE LAST CRUSADER SIR BULWER LYTTON 163 Wit oJJr^iLkij £!)e Soul thirsting after (Sfofc. d&^^rtT&P S pants the wearied hart for cooling springs, That sinks exhausted in the summer's chase; So pants my soul for Thee, great King of kings ! So thirsts to reach thy sacred dwelling-place. On bitter tears my pining soul hath fed, While taunting foes deride my deep despair; " Say, where is now thy great Deliverer fled 1 Thy mighty God — abandon'd wanderer, where]" Oft dwell my thoughts on those thrice happy days, When to thy courts I led the willing throng; Our mirth was worship, all our pleasure praise, And festal joys still closed with sacred song. Why throb, my heart] Why sink, my saddening soul] Why droop to earth with various woes oppress'd] My years shall yet in blissful circles roll, And peace be yet an inmate of this breast. By Jordan's banks with devious steps I stray, O'er Hermon's rugged rocks and deserts drear : E'en there thy hand shall guide my lonely way, There thy remembrance shall my spirit cheer. In rapid floods the vernal torrents roll, Harsh sounding cataracts responsive roar; Thine angry billows overwhelm my soul, And dash my shatter'd bark from shore to shore. ^@}f&%&? m AFTER GOD. Yet thy sure mercies ever in my sight, My heart shall gladden through the tedious day; And, 'midst the dark and gloomy shades of night, To Thee I'll duly tune the grateful lay. Rock of my hope ! great solace of my heart ! O ! why desert the offspring of thy care, While taunting foes thus point the invidious dart — "Where is thy God? ahandon'd wanderer, where?" Why faint, my soul? Why doubt Jehovah's aid ? Thy God, the God of mercy still shall prove; Within his courts thy thanks shall yet be paid ; — Unquestion'd be his faithfulness and love. BISHOP LOWTH. <«€€e€2§j33&&&»- &l)c GMcstial Sabbatl). The golden palace of my God, Towering above the clouds, I see; Beyond the cherub's bright abode, Higher than angel's thoughts can be. How can I in those courts appear, Without a wedding-garment on? Conduct me, thou Life-giver, there, Conduct me to thy glorious throne ! And clothe me with thy robes of light, And lead me through sin's darksome night, My Saviour and my God. Kussiiu Poetry. v^ « YZ< >r(< Y& K< ^ I- anar a nam oood % Jpoct's Jpraijcr. O God! it is an awful thing indeed, For one who estimates our nature well, Be what it may his outward sect, or creed, To name thee, thou incomprehensible ! Hadst thou not chosen of thyself to tell, As in thy gospel thou hast done ; nor less, By condescending in our hearts to dwell; Could man have ever found to thee access, Or worshipp'd thee aright in spiritual holiness ? No ! for the utmost that we could have done, Were to have raised, as Paul at Athens saw, Altars unto the dread and unknown One, Bending before we knew not what with awe ; And even now, instructed by a law Holier than that of Moses, what know we Of thee, the Highest? Yet thou bidst us draw Near thee in spirit; O, then pardon me If, in this closing strain, I crave a boon of thee. It shall be this : Permit me not to place My soul's affections on the things of earth ; But, conscious of the treasures of thy grace, To let them, in my inmost heart, give birth JL DOC S) (gddd; "HDD D, JC DC JO.Z DC >x< yy,< >x< Yz< r^\ k^ 71DQD) (anno JOOQ a poet's prayer. To gratitude proportion'd to their worth : Teach me to feel that all that thou hast made Upon this mighty globe's gigantic girth, Though meant with filial love to be survey 'd, Is nothing to thyself— the shadow of a shade. >x< Y?{< >n< Jf thou hast given me, more than unto some, A feeling sense of nature's beauties fair, Which sometimes renders admiration dumb, From consciousness that words cannot declare The beauty thou hast scatter'd everywhere ; O grant that this may lead me still, through all Thy works, to thee ! nor prove a treacherous snaro Adapted those affections to enthrall Which should be thine alone, and waken at thy call. >X< I would not merely dream my life away In fancied rapture, or imagined joy ; Nor that a perfumed flower, a dew-geinm'd spray, A murmuring brook, or any prouder toy, Should, for its own sake, thought or song employ ; So far alone as nature's charms can lead To thee who framed them all, and can destroy, Or innocent enjoyment serve to feed, Grant me to gaze and love, and thus thy works to read. But while from one extreme thy power may keep My erring frailty, O preserve me still From dulness ! nor let cold indifference steep My senses in oblivion : if the thrill Of early bliss must sober, as it will, A POETS PRAYER. u, And should, when earthly things to heavenly yield, 1 would have feelings left time cannot chill ; That while I yet can walk through grove or field, I may be conscious there of charms by thee reveal'd. >x< y?(< >x< And when I shall, as soon or late I must, Become infirm ; in age, if I grow old ; Or, sooner, if my strength should fail its trust ; When I relinquish haunts where I have stroll'd At morn or eve, and can no more behold Thy glorious works : forbid me to repine; Let memory still their loveliness unfold Before rny mortal eye, and let them shine With borrow'd light from thee, for they are thine ! BERNARD BARTON. >r« rA{ >»w///^j'///«« Acquaint Stygself nritl) (&ob. >X< X) Job xxii. 21. Acquaint thee, mortal ! acquaint thee with God ; And joy, like the sunshine, shall beam on thy road ; And peace, like the dew-drop, shall fall on thy head ; And sleep, like an angel, shall visit thy bed. Acquaint thee, mortal ! acquaint thee with God ; And he shall be with thee when fears are abroad, Thy safeguard, in danger that threatens thy path, — Thy joy, in the valley and shadow of death. KNOX a □ □ d ODD o 6® ■.. ■:© o ; - o o o o o 9 o /o ,o o o • o ■wo ^ p o ■o' • *>o 9 f o ■■V'. ? •'*:<>' '■ • ' ■ 0' ■ ! 1 o o o; o o o o o o o; o o o o o o o o o o o o' k£s ' ■ , , : Q J y ti Jytl J-nA) Jyt) J\j t> J-\, fa Jy ajytiJi ■O ct •0 ^0>#& lit SAe®$6 ^SK f ■•« i o ■ : £>.< V- 1 P 9A€W5 o , y o 1 9Ae®2& :- ;o' ■-'■'. ,-• '• jgs5A€ o b .:: ill . ■. "6" -. ■ 9 o .< o . 9 ' o i o 9Ae@fev£l . 9S?ew w ^®3A£9A^AS3AS3A£9&e9&^ -v\. wX> ■*■ t + , t * r ■" ■ -■"" ■ *• > v- , .. , . o o o o o o p o o o o p o p o p p o o o o p o o o o o o o o o o o o o p o o o o o o o p ooob'o P O n^4^ ^'S5^'£4'^^^^^^^^^yj^c^ ■■„... -"■■.' . ■■"■ Jv'" O v ?S« c 'Vvl C*W®S>A€ , • • , ° ■ tfv£i8!S»Ae ^vAP)SA€ ^v^@5A€ '• o ' ,' THE BALLAD OF LUTZEN. And many a stark old warrior, and youths with locks of gold, As they reel before our steel, to the dust alike are roll'd ; Rough greeting theirs, I trow, who chance that trampling troop to meet,— Where it dashes, how like ashes they are trod beneath our feet ! Now joy to Luther's churches through the borders of Almain! It is the Lord, whose vengeful sword has cleft the tyrant's chain ! Let Rome upon her sevenfold hills bewail her children's trust, For ever broke her bloody yoke, and her idols bite the dust. But where is he, Gustavus, the Lion of the North ! The best and aye the bravest, from battle's cloud came forth ! Dead,— dead,— beneath the clanging hoof, the bulwark of our faith,— Oh, dear will be the victory, that's bought with such a death ! One true young bosom only there of all his gallant ring,— Oh, human pride ! " Alas," he cried, "this morn I was a king !" So pass'd the noblest heart away that beat beneath the sun,— Thus went the fray on Lutzen's day, and thus the field was won. GEOKGE LUNT. m ^w|9Ae 9A€®^ o :Y : o o o I: . o , 1 H? ■■'■'! o-CocoooooooooooJ :.! • ■ ■ ■ • * f]£]$k\ I o o o o ^(®>A€ o I o ft • " ' ' ' ^_ -f# ■^^TsV*^ frh-f £I)c (forifaum. OUND upon the accursed tree, Faint and bleeding — who is He 1 ? By the eyes so pale and dim, Streaming blood, and writhing limb, By the flesh with scourges torn, By the crown of twisted thorn, By the side so deeply pierced, By the baffled, burning thirst, By the drooping, death-dew'd brow, Son of Man ! 'tis Thou, 'tis Thou ! Bound upon the accursed tree, Dread and awful — who is He] By the sun at noon-day pale, Shivering rocks, and rending veil ; By earth that trembles at his doom, By yonder saints who burst their tomb, By Eden, promised ere he died To the felon at his side, Lord ! our suppliant knees we bow, Son of God ! 'tis Thou, 'tis Thou! Bound upon the accursed tree, Sad and dying — who is He] By the last and bitter cry, The ghost given up in agony; By the lifeless body laid In the chambers of the dead ; •'> =3 &-*% J&bjtoA.'&i M ■te \gp ^ v§/ *® -t">' In IS m oIl)c JMcat of 0isara. Strike ! strike ! the loud harp to the praise of the Lord, And on cymbals of gladness his glory record ! Exult ! for the sceptre of Jahin is broke, And Israel is freed from the Canaanites' yoke. O'er Tabor's wide plains, on Megiddo's green banks, The Canaanite marshall'd his numberless ranks ; Like the fiend of the desert, in whirlwinds of flame Breathing death and destruction to Israel, they came. When the shrieks of the night-tempest, echoing around, Through the hundred dark caves of the mountain resound ; Hast thou seen the blue lightning, flash darting on flash ] Hast thou heard the deep thunder, crash bursting on crash 1 As brightly the Canaanites' helmets and shields In the blaze of the morning illumined the fields — As loudly the coursers of Sisera pranced, When his chariots to combat with Israel advanced. But, where are the helmets, and where are the shields, Whose blaze in the morning illumined the fields T And where are the steeds that so haughtily pranced, When Sisera's chariots to combat advanced 1 M : ( -v,,,,y.' lip I •■' fez p ( '- x*Jt< ' ■ ■>, ' ;' -• ."- - ' '■ jV2 ■•; S?> /^7"\ ^iA^i>^ .^iiKiX-^.^"^-^ . ;V3 o/ V2>' vg/ v*f, ^ ® 2 v v^ 'e: -» ^ Viy ^ V2 izy ?s~j^ry vb/ w^:t^:>' www w ^ r w tit ' \rz ;>(|)c:; 1 THE DEFEAT OF SISERA. 'nA^ic^ I Their splendour is dimm'd in the blood of the slain — ^/jjjpN^tl They are rolling in Kishon's red tide to the main — "vlWrsiy! '< For the feast of the vulture in Taarack is spread, ^f7n\y'-\ And the kings of Canaan are strew'd with the dead. -^(%)=V » ^ e motner 0I " S'sera looks out on high, '' •. \ From the halls of her palace, for evening is nigh : ■ p(%)c : ) And the wine-cup is brimm'd, and the bright torches burn — *^(5*)c^ ; \ And the banquet is piled, for the chieftain's return. i§§l 5/ffl®®?;'2 She cries to her maidens — " Why comes not my son 1 \/30y*&% Is the combat not o'er, and the battle not won? ' • J The steeds of Canaan are many and strong, Why tarry the wheels of his chariot so long V She saith in her heart — yea, her wise maidens say — "He taketh the spoil — he divideth the prey — He seizeth the garment of glittering dyes, And maketh the daughters of beauty his prize !" But Sisera's mother shall view him no more; With the warriors of Hazor he sleeps in his gore — And the bear and the lion his coursers consume — And the beak of the eagle is digging his tomb. And the owl and the raven are napping their wings — And their death-song is heard in the chambers of kings : For the sword of the Lord and of Israel lowers O'er Sisera's palace, and Jabin's proud towers. J. O'CALLAGHAN. iis Hi imm ■ML' ill mm mm si ML ftf: y- Spahor (anDD CaaDQ ^ rP mu; ^ rA rp €J ^ ^ [/ana d i , t n n n r tWjcrc is $c? And where is he ? Not by the side Of her whose wants he loved to tend ; Not o'er those valleys wandering wide, Where sweetly lost, he oft would wend ! That form beloved he marks no more; Those scenes admired no more shall sec — Those scenes are lovely as before, And she as fair — but where is he ? No, no, the radiance is not dim That used to gild his favourite hill ; The pleasures that were dear to him, Are dear to life and nature still : But ah ! his home is not so fair, Neglected must his garden be — The lilies droop and wither there, And seem to whisper, where is he 1 His was the pomp, the crowded hall ! But where is now the proud display ? His riches, honours, pleasures, all Desire could frame : but where are they ? And he as some tall rock that stands Protected by the circling sea, Surrounded by admiring bands, Seemed proudly strong — and where is he ? anno; aann] oaoo) *Cd fr' ^ /^R\ ■V oono) QDDD] GDDU aannc maaor V} □ □ d\ (ODDDJ ^ tf ^ ^ ^ & ■y ■y :o'a d o fannD /UDDD The churchyard bears an added stone, The fireside shows a vacant chair ! Here sadness dwells and weeps alone, And death displays his banner there ; The life has gone, the breath has fled, And what has been no more shall be ; The well-known form, the welcome tread, Oh ! where are they \ and where is he 1 Imitation of tl)c Persian. Lord! who are merciful as well as just, Incline thine ear to me, a child of dust ! Not what I would, O Lord ! I offer thee, Alas ! but what I can. Father Almighty, who hast made me man, And bade me look to heaven, for thou art there, Accept my sacrifice and humble prayer. F«ur things which are not in thy treasury I lay before thee, Lord, with this petition : My nothingness, my wants, My sins, and my contrition. SOUTHEY. □ □□□J ogoo) vd ^ f? -O ?Ci TirrvQ^rctfc^?Kf^ < : . ! i : : y 3 .: : 2 JDans of ma IJoutl). ^SS^gi^C-**^ B AYS of my youth ! Ye have glided away ; Hairs of my youth ! Ye are frosted and gray ; Eyes of my youth ! Your keen sight is no more ; Cheeks of my youth ! Ye are furrow'd all o'er; Strength of my youth ! All thy vigor is gone; | Thoughts of my youth ! Your gay visions are flown. m C*3=~ 3 m-i^mi XittMilKtutaiurji Days of my youth ! I wish not your recall; Hairs of my youth ! I'm content ye shall fall ; Eyes of my youth ! you much evil have seen ; Cheeks of my youth ! bathed in tears you have been; Thoughts of my youth! ye have led me astray; Strength of my youth i why lament thy decay ] Days of my age! ye will shortly be past; Pains of my age ! yet awhile ye can last; Joys of my age ! in true wisdom delight; Eyes of my age! be religion your light; Thoughts of my age ! dread ye not the cold sod ; Hopes of my age! be ye fixed on your God. ST. GKOEGE TUCKER. mm £ii-5 ~!V-' * - - I- • 5 -• SI n ■ j i - ' M To prayer, to prayer! — for the morning breaks, And earth in her Maker's smile awakes. His light is on all beloAV and above — The light of gladness, and life, and love. O ! then, on the breath of this early air, Send upward the incense of grateful prayer. tn ■- ) To prayer! — for the glorious sun is gone, And the gathering darkness of night comes on. Like a curtain from God's kind hand it flows, To shade the couch where his children repose. Then kneel, while the watching stars are bright, And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night. To prayer! — for the day that God has bless'd Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest. It speaks of creation's early bloom ; It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb. Then summon the spirit's exalted powers, And devote to heaven the hallowed hours. There are smiles and tears in the mother's eyes, For her new-born infant beside her lies. hour of bliss! when the heart o'erflows With rapture a mother only knows. Let it gush forth in words of fervent prayer ; Let it swell up to heaven for her precious care. m i I s & B^ , rrirriiirpwiri0;rip 8 Mwm$% " w There are smiles and tears in that gathering band, Where the heart is pledged with the trembling hand. What trying thoughts in her bosom swell, As the bride bids parents and home farewell ! Kneel down by the side of the tearful fair, And strengthen the perilous hour with prayer. Kneel down by the dying sinner's side, And pray for his soul through Him who died. Large drops of anguish are thick on his brow — Oh ! what is earth and its pleasures now ! And what shall assuage his dark despair, But the penitent cry of humble prayer! Kneel down at the couch of departing faith, And hear the last words the believer saith. He has bidden adieu to his earthly friends ; There is peace in his eye that upward bends ; There is peace in his calm confiding air; For his last thoughts are God's, his last words prayer. The voice of prayer at the sable bier ! A voice to sustain, to soothe, and to cheer. It commends the spirit to God who gave; It lifts the thoughts from the cold, dark grave; It points to the glory where He shall reign, Who whisper'd, "Thy brother shall rise again." The voice of prayer in the world of bliss ! But gladder, purer, than rose from this. The ransom'd shout to their glorious King, Where no sorrow shades the soul as they sing ; But a sinless and joyous song they raise; And their voice of prayer is eternal praise. KgBaW %&v&$ c &t&(k3& ^tm&Mz wrrriTTT 3^1 S ^39 S^S JJJiJi SEASONS OF PRAYER. Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength To join that holy band at length. To Him who unceasing love displays, Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise, To Him thy heart and thy hours be given; For a life of prayer is the life of heaven. (£lje llBou) of Nam anb Ijcr Son. Wake not, mother ! sounds of lamentation ! Weep not, widow ! weep not hopelessly ! .Strong is His arm, the Eringer of salvation, Strong is the Word of God to succour thee! Bear forth the cold corpse, slowly, slowly bear him : Hide his pale features with the sable pall : Chide not the sad one wildly weeping near him : Widow'd and childless, she has lost her all ! Why pause the mourners 1 Who forbids our weeping 1 Who the dark pomp of sorrow has delayed ] " Set down the bier— he is not dead but sleeping! Young man, arise !"_He spake, and was obey'd ! Change then, O sad one, grief to exultation : Worship and fall before Messiah's knee ; Strong was His arm, the Bringer of salvation ; Strong was the Word of God to succour thee ! sku^'i. EM SI'S ti, cjd Vm&> o WHAT THE HEART OF THE TODM& MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real ! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal ; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way ; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle ! Be a hero in the strife ! PSALM OF LIFE. Trust no Future, howe'ei pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead ! Act, — act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o'erhead ! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwreck'd brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate ; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labour and to wait. H. W. LONGFELLOW. m ;d <% baulrois 0art>cst %mn. TERNAL Father! God of peace! Being whose bounties never cease ! While to the Heavens, in grateful tones, Ascend our mingled orisons, Listen to these, the notes of praise, Which we, a happy people, raise. Our hamlets, shelter'd by Thy care, Abodes of peace and plenty are ; Our tillage by Thy blessing yields An hundred fold — the ripen'd fields Of waving grain — the burden'd vine — Are tokens of Thy Love Divine. The cradled head of infancy Oweth its tranquil rest to Thee — Youth's doubting step, and firmer tread, In years mature, by Thee are led — Secure may trembling age, O Lord ! Lean on its staff, Thy Holy Word. Teach us these blessings to improve, Teach us to serve Thee, teach to love — Exalt our hearts that we may see The Giver of all Good in Thee ; And be Thy Word our daily food, Thy service, God, our greatest good. Whether in youth, like early fruit, Or in the sere and solemn suit Of our autumnal age, like wheat, Ripen'd, and for the reaper fit, Thou cut us off, O God, may we, Gather'd into Thy garner be! E. HASTINGS WELD. - O - ! oooo o o o o o o oooooooo' o o~ o < rata iHortalitw. (-. :- -JT-S Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud ! Like a fast flitting - meteor, a fast flying cloud, A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave- He passes from life to his rest in the grave. :o 3*51 ;0 J: oooo The leaves of the oak and the willows shall fade, Be scatter'd around, and together be laid; And the young and the old, and the low and the high, Shall moulder to dust, and together shall lie. The child whom a mother attended and loved, The mother that infant's affection who proved, The husband that mother and infant who blest, Each — all are away to their dwelling of rest. The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye, Shone beauty and pleasure — her triumphs are by; And the memory of those who loved her and praised, Are alike from the minds of the living erased. The hand of the king who the sceptre hath borne, The brow of the priest who the mitre hath worn, The eye of the sage and the heart of the brave Are hidden and lost in the depths of the grave. 38 38 38 ■:>"i" ; '"'•'•;'• O .. i ■ OOO O ':• l£5fl| o &o <> o o- O O O O O V o o -o o o o o o o o o -3*6 ! ■ -:a'' a o kg - -^V ^A-~ >ys T^ • ) - v; Vj : to. -V ^m: rp MORTALITY. The peasant whose lot was to sow and to reap, The herdsman who climbed with his goats to the steep, The beggar who wander'd in search of his bread, Have faded away like the grass that we tread. The saint who enjoy'd the communion of heaven, The sinner who dared to remain unforgiven, The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just, Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust. So the multitude goes — like the flower and the weed That wither away to let others succeed ; So the multitude comes — even those we behold, To repeat every tale that has often been told. For we are the same things that our fathers have been, We see the same sights that our fathers have seen ; We drink the same stream, and we feel the same sun, And we run the same course that our fathers have run. The thoughts we are thinking our fathers would think, From the death we are shrinking from, they too would shrink, To the life we are clinging to, they too would cling, But it speeds from the earth like a bird on the wing. They loved — but their story we cannot unfold, They scorn'd — but the heart of the haughty is cold, They grieved — but no wail from their slumbers may come, They joy'd — but the voice of their gladness is dumb. They died — ay, they died ! and we things that are now, Who walk on the turf that lies over their brow, Who make in their dwellings a transient abode, Meet the changes they met on their pilgrimage road. A ' ■' ■: Y«, -dW 3(t* o A ■■'■-'■ ' A • ! y\< A ■ y y m m ate o yo i U> V. -:•- v I j o: i - a ( rO-<: OOO0OOO Us3$§=;<* o o o o o o o o o \\ MORTALITY. Yea; hope and despondence, and pleasure and pain, Are mingled together in sunshine and rain; And the smile, and the tear, and the song, and the dirge, Still follow each other like surge upon surge. 'Tis the twink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath, From the blossom of health to the paleness of death, From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud — Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud ! (Bind was scut tljec for tl)ti gooD. Some there are who seem exempted From the doom incurr'd by all; Are they not more sorely tempted ? Are they not the first to fall 1 As a mother's firm denial Checks her infant's wayward mood, Wisdom lurks in ev'ry trial Grief was sent thee for thy good. In the scenes of former pleasure, Present anguish hast thou felt 1 ? O'er thy fond heart's dearest treasure As a mourner hast thou knelt] In the hour of deep affliction, Let no impious thought intrude, Meekly bow with this conviction, Grief was sent thee for thy good. THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY. i ►ate 1 o \ ■ Q U m . ■• * :-••> \k o m ■O M f> -■' IP ¥ ►W - ►ate** ".T-.T-".^,', .'."."r'^vr""""' ■^'"" r -'"' — ,t~.^.^i~,»-^ ►9te ^7: <*> : ) o o ®l)c Cana toljirl) no Mortal mem know). Though Earth has full many a beautiful spot, As a poet or painter might show, Yet more lovely and beautiful, holy and bright, To the hopes of the heart, and the spirit's glad sight, Is the land that no mortal may know. There the crystalline stream bursting forth from the throne, Flows on, and for ever will flow ; Tts waves, as they roll, are with melody rife, And its waters are sparkling with beauty and life, In the land which no mortal may know. And there, on its margin, with leaves ever green, With its fruits healing sickness and wo, The fair Tree of Life, in its glory and pride, Is fed by that deep, inexhaustible tide, Of the land which no mortal may know. There, too, are the lost ! whom we loved on this earth, With whose mem'ries our bosoms yet glow ; Their relics we gave to the place of the dead, But their glorified spirits before us have fled, To the land which no mortal may know. There the pale orb of night, and the fountain of day, Nor beauty nor splendour bestow; But the presence of Him, the unchanging I AM ! And the holy, the pure, the immaculate Lamb ! Light the land which no mortal may know. icntrrrrtsw^rrrEfnT j ■ m§ I .iSiijIiUiJ.iMiJ Jii a iijjjMIj tiMiixiMjiUiu turn Sll >' — "S IS -' v ; i : THE LAND WHICH NO MORTAL MAY KNOW. Oh ! who but must pine, in this dark vale of tears, From its clouds and its shadows to go 1 ? To walk in the light of the glory above, And to share in the peace, and the joy, and the love, Of the land which no mortal may know. BERNARD BARTON. £ifc. We are born ; we laugh ; we weep ; We love ; we droop ; we die ! Ah ! wherefore do we laugh, or weep 1 Why do we live, or die? Who knows that secret deep 1 Alas, not I ! Why doth the violet spring Unseen by human eye ] Why do the radiant seasons bring Sweet thoughts that quickly fly ] Why do our fond hearts cling To things that die 1 We toil — through pain and wronf; We fight — and fly ; We love; we lose; and then, ere long, Stone-dead we lie. O life ! is all thy song "Endure and — die 1 ?" BARRY CORNWALL. -'•^VO QyMKQun i - -. How long shall man's imprison'd spirit groan 'Twixt doubt of heaven and deep disgust of earth 1 Where all worth knowing never can be known, And all that can be known, alas ! is nothing worth. Untaught by saint, by cynic, or by sage, And all the spoils of time that load their shelves, We do not quit, but change our joys in ao-e- Joys framed to stifle thought, and lead us from ourselves. The drug, the cord, the steel, the flood, the flame, Turmoil of action, tedium of rest, And lust of change, though for the worst, proclaim How dull life's banquet is : how ill at ease the guest. Known were the bill of fare before we taste, Who would not spurn the banquet and the board — Prefer the eternal, but oblivious fast, To life's frail-fretted thread, and death's suspended sword ? He that the topmost stone of Babel plann'd, And he that braved the crater's boiling bed — Did these a clearer, closer view command Of heaven or hell, we ask, than the blind herd they led ? HUMAN LIFE. Or he that in Valdarno did prolong The night her rich star-studded page to read- Could he point out, midst all that brilliant throng, His fix'd and final home, from fleshy thraldom freed ? Minds that have scann'd creation's vast domain, And secrets solved, till then to sages seal'd, Whilst nature own'd their intellectual reign Extinct, have nothing known or nothing have reveal'd. Devouring grave ! we might the less deplore The extinguish'd lights that in thy darkness dwell, Wouldst thou, from that last zodiac, one restore, That might the enigma solve, and doubt, man's tyrant, quell. To live in darkness — in despair to die — Is this indeed the boon to mortals given? Is there no port — no rock of refuge nigh 1 There is — to those who fix their anchor-hope in heaven. Turn then, man ! and cast all else aside : Direct thy wandering thoughts to things above Low at the cross bow down— in (hat confide, Till doubt be lost in faith, and bliss secured in love. C. C. OOLTON ^^C^-x! M m / i\ : 1 y firt V 3b, ■ " Ms* ' Wqt taanttng t)oia\ My youth had glad and golden hours, — but these were few and fleet, For I was early call'd to quit my boyhood's blest retreat; And so, with not a friend to cheer or counsel me, was thrown Amid the herd of Mammon's slaves — and found myself alone! I in the path of letters toil'd — that path so thickly spread With roses — ah! the thorns are felt by those who up it tread ! The bitter pangs of " hope deferr'd" were mine, in the pursuit ; And long I trimm'd and pruned the vine, while others pluck'd the fruit. But cheerly, now, my vessel glides:— the quicksand and the shoal Are past; and wreck-denouncing waves no more around her roll ; The clouds that round her early course cast doubt and gloom, are gone; And winds, that then adversely blew, now bear me bravely on! Of foes whom, in my uphill road, I found so fierce and strong, A few have seen, and deeply felt, they did me grievous wrong ; And others have been swept from earth by Time's unsparing wing; And some, if they retain their wrath, now lack the power to sting. My cottage hath a blazing hearth— my board hath ample fare, And healthful cheeks and beaming eyes and merry hearts are there : Their mother's smile is yet as sweet as when, at first, it told She prized a fond and faithful heart above the worldling's gold. l§! £? w % u\% ft\ r ' 3 &1 ) '•I M ft :"->; 'Tik Wt » THE "WARNING VOICE. And yet, a sad and solemn thought intrudes upon my bliss, — . Lord ! what am I, that mine should be such happiness as this ? "Why, while around on every hand far worthier ones I see Condemn'd to tread life's sterile wastes, bloom flowers like these for mel " Wherefore ?" — a spirit answers me : — " Thine early hopes were marr'd, In mercy to thy perill'd soul, — and still thy heart was hard; Then he who laid thy burden on withdrew His chastening rod, And sought, by gentle means, to win the sinner to his God ! " But, oh ! He will not always strive ! — Then, ere the day be spent, And night — a long dread night — steal on, repent, vain man, repent! Lest, when the vineyard's Lord shall come, and still no fruit be found, He say, ' Cut down this barren tree ! — why cumbereth it the ground 1 ' " W. H. HARRISON. JJumctn JDtfe. Behold, How short a span Was long enough, of old, To measure out the life of man ! In those well-temper'd days, his time was then Survey'd, cast up, and found but threescore years and ten. How SOON, Our new-born light Attains to full-aged noon ! And this, how soon, to gray-hair'd night! We spring, we bud, we blossom, and we blast, Ere we count our days, our days they flee so fast! FRANCIS QUARLES. Xa&x^ % flicker's Pirgc ovcx Ijcr (JTIjUfc Bring me flowers all young and sweet, That I may strew the winding- sheet, Where calm thou sleepest, haby fair, With roseless cheek and auburn hair ! Bring- me the rosemary, whose breath Perfumed the wild and desert heath : The lily of the vale, which, too, In silence and in beauty grew. Bring cypress from some sunless spot, Bring me the blue forget-me-not, That I may strew them o'er thy bier, With long-drawn sigh and gushing tear ! Oh, what upon this earth doth prove So steadfast as a mother's love ! Oh what on earth can bring relief, Or solace, to a mother's grief! No more, my baby, shalt thou lie With drowsy smile, and half-shut eye Pillow'd upon my fostering breast, Serenely sinking into rest ! ~W$& _§^^_! a mother's dirge over her child. The grave must be thy cradle now ; The wild-flowers o'er thy breast shall grow, While still my heart, all full of thee, In widow'd solitude shall be. No taint of earth, no thought of sin, E'er dwelt thy stainless breast within ; And God hath laid thee down to sleep, Like a pure pearl below the deep. Yea! from mine arms thy soul hath flown Above, and found the heavenly throne, To join that blest angelic ring, That aye around the altar sing. Methought when years had roll'd away, That thou wouldst be mine age's stay, And often have I dreamt to see The boy — the youth — the man in thee ! But thou hast past! for ever gone To leave me childless and alone, Like Rachel pouring tear on tear, And looking not for comfort here ! Farewell, my child, the dews shall fall At noon and evening o'er thy pall ; And daisies, when the vernal year Revives, upon thy turf appear. ^'gxsfjsj ,iO& &\)t Synagogue. b SAW them in their synagogue, As in their ancient day, And never from my memory The scene will fade away, For dazzling on my vision still, The latticed galleries shine, With Israel's loveliest daughters, In their beauty half divine ! It is the holy Sabbath eve, — The solitary light Sheds, mingled with the hues of day, A lustre nothing bright ; On swarthy brow and piercing glance It falls with saddening tinge, And dimly gilds the Pharisee's Phylacteries and fringe. The two leaved doors slide slow apart, before the eastern screen, As rise the Hebrew harmonies, with chanted prayers between, And mid the tissued veils disclosed, of many a gorgeous dye, Enveloped in their jewel'd scarfs, the sacred records lie. Robed in his sacerdotal vest, a silvery headed man, With voice of solemn cadence o'er the backward letters ran, And often yet methinks I see the glow and power that sate Upon his face, as forth he spread the roll immaculate. And fervently that hour I pray'd, that from the mighty scroll, Its light, in burning characters, might break on every soul ; That on their harden'd hearts the veil might be no longer dark, But be for ever rent in twain, like that before the ark. 6 d HDD myzr (0 9 ID \3 THE SYNAGOGUE. For yet the tenfold film shall fall, Judah ! from thy sight, And every eye be purged to read thy testimonies right, When thou, with all Messiah's signs in Christ distinctly seen, Shalt, by Jehovah's nameless name, invoke the Nazarene. CROSWELL. ©ob'fr-ftcre. 1 like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls The burial-ground God's- Acre! It is just; It consecrates each grave within its walls, And breathes a benison o'er the sleeping dust. God's- Acre ! Yes, that blessed name imparts Comfort to those, who in the grave have sown The seed that they had garner'd in their hearts, Their bread of life, alas ! no more their own. Into its furrows shall we all be cast, In the sure faith that we shall rise again At the great harvest, when the archangel's blast Shall winnow, like a fan, the chaff and grain. Then shall the good stand in immortal bloom, In the fair gardens of that second birth ; And each bright blossom mingle its perfume With that of flowers, which never bloom'd on earth. With thy rude ploughshare, Death, turn up the sod, And spread the furrow for the seed we sow; This is the field and Acre of our God. This is the place, where human harvests grow ! H. "W. LONGFELLOW, i i k I SI .r-"-..'- : .^uviMiham Sifmii&mg llM«, Slbraljam btsitteing gagar. " Tnou bidst me go ! Thou sayst thy God Will guide my course, and guard my child ; But when hath human footstep trod In safety o'er yon trackless wild"? Calm is thy brow, thine accents mild ; But were the father in thy heart, When thus thy guiltless offspring smiled, Thou couldst not breathe the word — ' Depart !' "I had not quail'd beneath that word Could I have wander'd forth alone ; Then, ruthless man ! thou hadst not heard One murmur'd sigh, one whisper'd moan ! I would have sought some lair unknown, Where Ishmael had not seen me die ; Redeem'd his life-blood with my own, And welcomed death with liberty. " I knew that I was born a slave, And all that I could claim of thee Was the slave's lot — the scourge— the grave ; But sterner yet was Heaven's decree. Thy Sarai bade thee fix on me For strange espousals ; — I obey'd, For choice is only for the free ; — Then spurn'd the wretch herself had made ! inflnM] ABRAHAM DISMISSING HAGAR. a " But, Heaven, in mercy, gave my boy ; — Oh, then my bosom seem'd to swell With the first thrill of love — the joy Which words were all in vain to tell. Then ceased my proud, heart to rebel ; Then brighter scenes arose to view, Till, as I look'd on Ishmael, I learn'd to love his father too! "To Sarai now a child is born, Though not a lovelier — and on me Falls the wild storm of hate and scorn. 7 did not curse the barren tree, But I would curse her now: — May she — Oh, no! my heart recalls the prayer, Though 'tis her voice that speaks by thee, To doom his death, and my despair ! " No home except the desert den — No shelter but the cold dark sky — No track, no sign, no voice of men — No fresh cool fountain murmuring nigh — • My boy! we wander forth to die But come! no ruth is in his heart, No love is glistening in his eye: He must not bid us twice, ' Depart !' ■ f -<■ Ti "0 Thou, who saw'st me when I fled Of old from Sarai's threatening brow. Note Thou the bitter tears I shed — Behold the pangs that rend me now. c? ABRAHAM DISMISSING IIAGAR. The stranger's, orphan's God art Thou— Be ours amidst the trackless wild ! Do with me as thou wilt — I bow — But save, oh, save my guiltless child !" THOMAS DALE *?Q^/^AA/***— &l)e last ihttigmcnt. That day of wrath, that dreadful day, When heaven and earth shall pass away. What power shall be the sinner's stay ] How shall he meet that dreadful day? When, shrivelling like a parched scroll, The flaming heavens together roll ; When louder yet, and yet more dread, Swells the high trump that wakes the dead ! Oh ! on that day, that wrathful day, When man to judgment wakes from clay, Be God the trembling sinner's stay, Though heaven and earth shall pass away I WALTEB SCOTT. ■ -Te^siS "Vii^M Kx^i^rMa&'^ai There is a Reaper, whose name is Death, And, with his sickle keen, He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, And the flowers that grow between. "Shall I have nought that is fair," saith he: " Have nought but the bearded grain 1 Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me, I will give them all back again." He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes, He kiss'd their drooping leaves ; It was for the Lord of Paradise He bound them in his sheaves. "My Lord has need of these flowerets gay," The Reaper said, and smiled : Dear tokens of the earth are they, Where he was once a child. They shall all bloom in fields of light, Transplanted by my care, And saints, upon their garments white, These sacred blossoms wear." And the mother gave, in tears and pain, The flowers she most did love ; She knew she should find them all again In the fields of light above. Oh, not in cruelty, not in wrath, The Reaper came that day; 'Twas an angel visited the green earth, And took the flowers away. H. W. LONGFELLOW. ft oo "G.) as i :%-■> m (,T~-> V.' § aca \0$g& fmtsalem. ;rpi ERUSALEM, Jerusalem, How glad should I have been, Could I, in my lone wanderings, Thine aged walls have seen ! — Could I have gazed upon the dome, Above thy towers that swells, And heard, as evening's sun went down, Thy parting camels' bells : — Could I have stood on Olivet, Where once the Saviour trod, And, from its height, look'd down upon The city of our God ! For is it not, Almighty God, The holy city still, — Though there thy prophets walk no more, — That crowns Moriah's hill 1 Thy prophets walk no more, indeed, the streets of Salem now, Nor are their voices lifted up on Zion's sadden'd brow ; Nor are their garnish'd sepulchres with pious sorrow kept, Where once the same Jerusalem, that kill'd them, came and wept. But still the seed of Abraham with joy upon it look, And lay their ashes at its feet, that Kedron's feeble brook Still washes, as its waters creep along their rocky bed, And Israel's God is worshipp'd yet where Zion lifts her head. Yes; — every morning, as the day breaks over Olivet, The holy name of Allah comes from every minaret; At every eve the mellow call floats on the quiet air, " Lo, God is God ! Before him come, before him come, for prayer '" 1 . K JERUSALEM. I know, when at that solemn call the city holds her breath, That Omar's mosque hears not the name of Him of Nazareth ! But Abraham's God is worshipp'd there alike by age and youth, And worshipp'd, — hopeth charity, — "in spirit and in truth." Yea, from that day when Salem knelt and bent her queenly neck To him who was, at once, her Priest and King, — Melchisedek, To this, when Egypt's Abraham the sceptre and the sword Shakes o'er her head, her holy men have bow'd before the Lord. Jerusalem, I would have seen thy precipices steep, The trees of palm that overhang thy gorges dark and deep, The goats that cling along thy cliffs, and browse upon thy rocks, Beneath whose shade lie down, alike, thy shepherds and their flocks I would have mused, while Night hung out her silver lamp so pale, Beneath those ancient olive trees that grow in Kedron's vale, Whose foliage from the pilgrim hides the city's wall sublime, Whose twisted arms and gnarled trunks defy the scythe of Time. The Garden of Gethsemane those aged olive trees Are shading yet, and in their shade I would have sought the breeze, That, like an angel, bathed the brow, and bore to heaven the prayer, Of Jesus, when, in agony, He sought the Father there. I would have gone to Calvary, and, where the Marys stood Bewailing loud the Crucified, as near him as they could, I would have stood, till Night o'er earth her heavy pall had thrown, And thought upon my Saviour's cross, and learned to bear my own. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thy cross thou bearest now! An iron yoke is on thy neck, and blood is on thy brow ; Thy golden crown, the crown of truth, thou didst reject as dross, And now thy cross is on thee laid, the Crescent is thy cross ! It was not mine, nor will it be, to see the bloody rod That scourgeth thee, and long hath scourged, thou city of our God ! But round thy hill the spirits throng of all thy murder'd seers, And voices that went up from it are ringing in my ears, — JERUSALEM. Went up that day, when darkness fell from all thy firmament, And shrouded thee at noon ; and when thy temple's vail was rent, And graves of holy men, that touch'd thy feet, gave up their dead : — Jerusalem, thy prayer is heard, His blood is on thy head ! JOHN PLERPONT (Hl)c fjcart Song. In the silent midnight watches, list— thy hosom door! How it knocketh, knocketh, knocketh— knocketh evermore ! Say not, 'tis thy pulse's beating; 'tis thy heart of sin: 'Tis thy Saviour knocketh, crieth, " Rise, and let me in." Death comes down, with reckless footstep, to the hall and hut ; Think you Death will stand a-knocking when the door is shut] Jesus waiteth, waiteth, waiteth, but the door is fast! Grieved, away the Saviour goeth ; Death breaks in at last. Then 'tis thine to stand— entreating Christ to let thee in, At the gate of heaven beating, wailing for thy sin. Nay, alas ! thou foolish virgin! hast thou then forgot, Jesus waited long to know thee, but he knows thee not? ARTHUR CLEVELAND COXE. ^w^^^^^w^wxy^^^)>v?"^^w lllccp not for fjcr. Weep not for her ! Her span was like the shy, Whose thousand stars shine beautiful and bright, Like flowers that know not what it is to die, Like long link'd shadeless months of polar light, Like music floating o'er a waveless lake, While echo answers from the flowery brake, Weep not for her ! Weep not for her! She died in early youth, Ere hope had lost its rich romantic hues, When human bosoms seem'd the homes of truth, And earth still gleam'd with beauty's radiant dews. Her summer prime waned not to days that freeze, Her wine of life was not run to the lees : W'eep not for her ! Weep not for her ! By fleet or slow decay It never grieved her bosom's core to mark The playmates of her childhood wane away, Her prospects wither, and her hopes grow dark. Translated by her God with spirit shriven, She pass'd, as 'twere on smiles, from earth to heaven: Weep not for her! I ■c^^^^^^X^^^^^^^fTWJ^^ p- WEEP NOT FOR HER. Weep not for her ! It was not hers to feel The miseries that corrode amassing years, 'Gainst dreams of baffled bliss the heart to steel, To wander sad down age's vale of tears, As whirl the wither'd leaves from friendship's tree, And on earth's wintry wold alone to he : Weep not for her ! Weep not for her ! She is an angel now, And treads the sapphire floors of Paradise^ All darkness wiped from her refulgent brow, Sin, sorrow, suffering, banish'd from her eves ; Victorious over death, to her appears The vista'd joys of heaven's eternal years : W r eep not for her ! Weep not for her ! Her memory is the shrine Of pleasant thoughts, soft as the scent of flowers, Calm as on windless eve the sun's decline, Sweet as the song of birds among the bowers, Rich as a rainbow with its hues of light, Pure as the moonshine of an autumn night: Weep not for her ! Weep not for her! There is no cause of wo, But rather nerve the spirit that it walk Unshrinking o'er the thorny path below, And from earth's low defilements keep thee back. So, when a few fleet swerving years have flown, She'll meet thee at heaven's gate — and lead thee on : Weep not for her! *3^^^^^^f^^^^^^^K ggp^l D. M. MOIB. G5ob an unfailing ttcfugc. The smoothest seas will sometimes prove To the confiding bark untrue; And if she trust the stars above, They can be treacherous too. The umbrageous oak, in pomp outspread, Full oft, when storms the welkin rend, Draws lightning down upon the head It promised to defend. But thou art true, incarnate Lord ! Who didst vouchsafe for man to die ; Thy smile is sure, thy plighted word No change can falsify ! I bent before thy gracious throne, And ask'd for peace with suppliant knee; And peace was given — nor peace alone, But faith, and hope, and ecstasy ! WORDSWORTH -^t^s^ms^ .... SONG OF THE JEWS. Like us in utter helplessness, In their last and worst distress, On the sand and sea-weed lying', Israel pour'd her doleful sighing ; While before the deep sea flow'd, And behind fierce. Egypt rode, To their fathers' God they pray'd, To the Lord of Hosts for aid. On the margin of the flood With lifted rod the Prophet stood ; And the summon'd east wind blew, And aside it sternly threw The gather' d waves, that took their stand, Like crystal rocks, on either hand, Or walls of sea-green marble piled Round some irregular city wild. Then the light of morning lay On the wonder-paved way, Where the treasures of the deep In their caves of coral sleep. The profound abysses, where Was never sound from upper air, Rang with Israel's chanted words, Kins: of kings ! and Lord of lords ! Then with bow and banner glancing, On exulting Egypt came, With her chosen horsemen prancing And her cars on wheels of flame, In a rich and boastful ring, All around her furious king. But the Lord from out his cloud, The Lord look'd down upon the proud ; And the host drave heavily Down the deep bosom of the sea. With a quick and sudden swell Prone the liquid ramparts fell ; Over horse, and over car, Over every man of war, Over Pharaoh's crown of gold The loud thundering billows roll'd. As the level waters spread Down they sank, they sank like lead, Down sank without cry or groan, And the morning sun that shone On myriads of bright armed men, Its meridian radiance then Cast on a wide sea, heaving as of yore, Against a silent, solitary shore. W~ ^ ^\ fr\ fp\ r f >, r r ^\ . v^y \^/ \yj \Jf \yy JL_ Consolations of Ucligion to tljc |3oov. There is a mourner, and her heart is broken ; She is a widow; she is old and poor; Her only hope is in that sacred token Of peaceful happiness when life is o'er; She asks nor wealth nor pleasure, begs no more Than heaven's delightful volume, and the sight Of her Redeemer. Skeptics, would you pour Your blasting vials on her head, and blight Sharon's sweet rose, that blooms and charms her being's night] She lives in her affections ; for the grave Has closed upon her husband, children; all Her hopes are with the arm she trusts will save Her treasured jewels ; though her views are small, Though she has never mounted high to fall And writhe in her debasement, yet the spring Of her meek, tender feelings, cannot pall Her unperverted palate, but will bring A joy without regret, a bliss that has no sting. Even as a fountain, whose unsullied wave Wells in the pathless valley, flowing o'er With silent waters, kissing, as they lave, The pebbles with light rippling, and the shore ^ °jk* 13 r o »* > m °oi/5 0„»*> *o O o„ s , x> *ssl °6- o-'<, o SPl CN i o»-..i -- C^ fo p,,j ^o "is/f %„'-> fo o "°-A £>! fo «$) d O o, . Q °ooVS Jsk a "?V £0 °0 'o*'* 10 «s& Ooo - ^ ro o"> m ><1 fo s2 0< v^ c^ % ;■■ °°l/S o^j O o" > ?">J |2 o*^ W fo °z-A o^v y? °o._>^ A[ Oo=^ fo r°* yn •C* °o.Of O^J ?o-' T u? %x o°SJ V^ fo ° iV c> fo I>°-. m c> fo ,o°-. SO V Wo c> m CONSOLATIONS OF RELIGION TO THE POOR. Of matted grass and flowers — so softly pour The breathings of her bosom, when she prays, Low-bow'd, before her Maker; then no more She muses on the griefs of former days ; Her full heart melts, and flows in heaven's dissolving rays. And faith can see a new world, and the eyes Of saints look pity on her; Death will come — A few short moments over, and the prize Of peace eternal waits her, and the tomb Becomes her fondest pillow; all its gloom Is scatter'd. What a meeting there will be To her and all she loved here ! and the bloom Of new life from those cheeks shall never flee; Theirs is the health which lasts through all eternity. PKKCIVAT,. ■««/// c >**" fecllcnm of (Hljrist. He is a path, if any be misled ; He is a robe, if any -naked be ; If any chance to hanger, he is bread ; If any be a bondman, he is free ; If any be but weak, how strong is he ! To dead men life he is, to sick men health ; To blind men sight, and to the needy wealth — A pleasure without loss, a treasure without stealth. GILES FLETCHEE. m The chariot! the chariot! its wheels roll in fire, As the Lord cometh down in the pomp of his ire; Self-moving, it drives on its pathway of cloud, And the heavens with the hurden of Godhead are bow'd. The glory! the glory! around him arc pour'd The myriads of angels that wait on the Lord ; And the glorified saints and the martyrs are there, And all who the palm leaves of victory wear. The trumpet ! the trumpet ! the dead have all heard : Lo, the depths of the stone-cover' d monuments stirr'd ! From ocean and earth, from the south pole and north, Lo, the vast generation of ages come forth. The judgment! the judgment! the thrones are all set. Where the Lamb and the white-vested elders are met ; All flesh is at once in the sight of the Lord, And the doom of eternity hangs on his word. O mercy! O mercy ! look down from above, Redeemer, on us, thy sad children, with love: When beneath to their darkness the wicked are driven, May our justified souls find a welcome in heaven. mm §@ mm mm ■ m ' mm '■ .-. ■■ •■ ,-■ a*. <&l)e (Hall of £)a»ftr. ATEST born of Jesse's race, Wonder lights thy bashful face, While the prophet's gifted oil Seals thee for a path of toil. We, thy angels, circling round thee, Ne'er shall find thee as we found thee, When thy faith first brought us near In thy lion-fight severe. Go ! and mid thy flocks awhile At thy doom of greatness smile; Bold to bear God's heaviest load, Dimly guessing of the road, — Rocky road, and scarce-ascended, Though thy foot be angel-tended ! Double praise thou shalt attain, In royal court and battle- plain: Then comes heart-ache, care, distress, Blighted hope, and loneliness ; Wounds from friend and gifts from foe, Dizzied faith, and guilt, and woe, Loftiest aims by earth defiled, Gleams of wisdom sin-beguiled, Sated power's tyrannic mood, Counsels shared with men of blood, Sad success, parental tears, And a dreary gift of years. % <0h e? zPrd $> THE CALL OF DAVID. Strange, that guileless face and form To lavish on the scarring storm ! Yet we take thee in thy blindness, And we harass thee in kindness; Little chary of thy fame, — Dust unborn may bless or blame, — But we mould thee for the root Of man's promised healing fruit, And we mould thee hence to rise As our brother to the skies. =n :r 72A V ! G- D The water for the trench I drew, The firstling of the flock I slew; And, standing at the altar's side, I shared the Levites' lingering pride, That still amidst her mocking foes, The smoke of Zion's offering rose. In sudden whirlwind, cloud and flame, The spirit of the Highest came! Before mine eyes a vision pass'd, A glory terrible and vast; With dreadful eyes of living things, And sounding sweep of angel wings, With circling light and sapphire throne, And flame-like form of One thereon, And voice of that dread Likeness sent Down from the crystal firmament ! =S/D The burden of a Prophet's power Fell on me in that fearful hour! From off unutterable woes The curtain of the future rose ; I saw far down the coming time The fiery chastisement of crime ; With noise of mingling hosts, and jar Of falling towers and shouts of war, 1 saw the nations rise and fall, Like fire-gleams on my tent's white wall 6^ In dream and trance, I saw the slain Of Egypt heap'd like harvest grain ; I saw the walls of sea-born Tyre Swept over by the spoiler's fire ; And heard the low, expiring moan Of Edom on his rocky throne; And, wo is me! the wild lament From Zion's desolation sent ; And felt within my heart each blow Which laid her holy places low. In bonds and sorrow, day by day. Before the pictured tile I lay ; And there, as in a mirror, saw The coming of Assyria's war, Her swarthy lines of spearmen pass Like locusts through Bethhoron's grass: I saw them draw their stormy hem Of battle round Jerusalem; And, listening, heard the Hebrew wail Blend with the victor-trump of Baal ! Who trembled at my warning word 1 Who own'd the prophet of the Lord 1 How mock'd the rude — how scoff 'd the vile How stung the Levite's scornful smile, As o'er my spirit, dark and slow, The shadow crept of Israel's wo, ' : * r r .^2&&2£&C WtOST £l)c Departed. v /$« v f 5 M -s=S3»ce§*- sgBZ The departed ! the departed ! they visit us in dreams, And they glide above our memories like shadows over streams; But where the cheerful lights of home in constant lustre burn, The departed, the departed can never more return ! The good, the brave, the beautiful, how dreamless is their sleep, Where rolls the dirge-like music of the ever-tossing deep! Or where the hurrying night-winds pale winter's robes have spread Above their narrow palaces, in the cities of the dead. I look around and feel the awe of one who walks alone Among the wrecks of former days, in mournful ruin strown; I start to hear the stirring sounds among the cypress trees, For the voice of the departed is borne upon the breeze. That solemn voice ! it mingles with each free and careless strain ; I scarce can think earth's minstrelsy will cheer my heart again. The melody of summer waves, the thrilling notes of birds, Can never be so dear to me as their remember'd words. I sometimes dream their pleasant smiles still on me sweetly fall, Their tones of love I faintly hear my name in sadness call. I know that they are happy, with their angel-plumage on, But my heart is very desolate to think that they are gone. PAKE BENJAMIN. '-up^^s^ 5 ^^^^ msmmsm :MWmwm wis ; &0 J9fa£2 I riSfg E£2.«K) ©Ijc flartcfc Spirit. TE CiNNOT TELI. WHENCE IT COMETH, AND -WHITHER IT QOETH." YSTERIOUS in its birth, 1 And viewless as the blast; Where hath the spirit fled from earth, For ever past 1 ? I ask the grave below — It keeps the secret well ; I call upon the heavens to show — They will not tell. Of earth's remotest strand, Are tales and tidings known ; —-S But from the spirit's distant land, Returneth none. Winds waft the breath of flowers To wanderer's o!er the wave. But no message from the bowers Beyond the grave. Proud Science scales the skies, From star to star to roam, But reacheth not the shore where lies The spirit's home. Impervious shadows hide This mystery of Heaven ; But, where all knowledge is denied, To hope is given! JOHN MALCOLM. Ayl >■*£/<£ ■? 4444 444 44 444 f i f i f;#y(I em §p &m mk) @p ip ( V' mm () f<>) (O) mm /* mz AAX^ •-v > X A * ■* ■* ^V^N^'W'S \A AXA^ S> ? v 4 i m <■>) HYMN OF NATURE. God of the rolling orbs above ! thy name is written clearly bright In the warm day's unvarying blaze, or evening's golden shower of light, For every fire that fronts the sun, and every spark that walks alone Around the utmost verge of heaven, were kindled at thy burning throne. God of the world ! the hour must come, and Nature's self to dust return; Her crumbling altars must decay, her incense fires shall cease to burn; But still her grand and lovely scenes have made man's warmest praises flow ; For hearts grow holier as they trace the beauty of the world below. <£I)c (Unmfoton. I ask'd the heavens, " What foe to God had done This unexampled deed !" — The heavens exclaim, " 'T was man, and we in horror snatch'd the sun From such a spectacle of guilt and shame." I ask'd the sea ; — the sea in fury boil'd, And answer'd with his voice of storms, " 'T was man ; My waves in panic at his crime recoil'd, Disclosed the abyss, and from the centre ran." I ask'd the earth ; the earth replied, aghast, " 'T was man ; and such strange pangs my bosom rent, That still I groan and shudder at the past." — To man, gay, smiling, thoughtless man, I went, And ask'd him next: — He turn'd a scornful eye, Shook his proud head, and deign'd me no reply. JAMES MONTGOMERY. m- >>) £SUYYY*~* , > r?ors V \>' \t- V V \' V \i v ^ rr : £l)e ]h-amx for Sill. To prayer, my child ! and oh. be thy first prayer For her who many nights, with anxious care, Rock'd thy first cradle; who took thy infant soul From heaven, and gave it to the world ; then rife With love, still drank herself the gall of life, And left for thy young lips the honied bow I. And then — I need it more — then pray for me! For she is gentle, artless, true like thee; She has a guileless heart, brow placid, still ; Pity she has for all, envy for none; Gentle and wise, she patiently lives on; And she endures, nor knows who does the ill. In culling flowers, her novice hand has ne'er Touch'd e'en the outer rind of vice; no snare With smiling show has lured her steps aside: On her the past has left no staining mark ; Nor knows she aught of those bad thoughts which, dark, Like shades on waters, o'er the spirit glide. She knows not — nor mayst thou — the miseries In which our spirits mingle; vanities, Kemorse, soul-gnawing cares, Pleasure's false show; Passions which float upon the heart like foam, Bitter remembrances which o'er us come, And Shame's red spot spread sudden o'er the brow. THE PRAYER FOR ALL. Ik I know life better; when thou'rt older grown I'll tell thee — it is needful to be known — Of the pursuit of wealth — art, power; the cost — That it is folly — nothingness : — that Shame For Glory is oft thrown us in the game Of Fortune's chances where the soul is lost. The soul will change. Although of every thing The cause and end be clear, yet wildering We go through life, (of vice and error full.) We wander as we go ; — we feel the load Of doubt; and to the briers upon the road Man leaves his virtue, as a sheep its wool. Then go, go pray for me ! And as the prayer Gushes in words, be this the form they bear: " Lord, Lord, our Father! God, my prayer attend. Pardon — Thou art good!— pardon — Thou art great!" Let them go freely forth, fear not their fate ! Where thy soul sends them, thitherward they tend. There's nothing here below which does not find Its tendency. O'er plains the rivers wind, And reach the sea ; the bee, by instinct driven, Finds out the honied flowers ; the eagle flies To seek the sun; the vulture where death lies; The swallow to the spring ; the prayer to heaven ! And when thy voice is raised to God for me, I'm like the slave whom in the vale we see Seated to rest, his heavy load laid by; I feel refresh'd — the load of faults and wo Which, groaning, I drag with me as I go, Thy winged prayer bears off rejoicingly ! >0 O^ Til a PRAYER FOR ALL. Pray for tliy father! that his dreams he bright, With visitings of angel forms of light, And his soul hum as incense flaming wide. Let thy pure breath ail his dark sins efface, So that lils heart he like the holy place, An altar's pavement each eve purified ! VICT'':; "fit* C tf , fW 9 Spiritual tUorsljip. Though glorious, God ! must thy temple have been On the day of its first dedication, When the cherubim's wings widely waving were seen On high on the ark's holy station ; When even the chosen of Eli, though skill'd To minister, standing before thee, Retired from the cloud which the temple then fili'd. And thy glory made Israel adore thee ; Tliough awfully grand was thy majesty then, Yet the worship thy gospel discloses, Less splendid in pomp to the vision of men, Far surpasses the ritual of Moses. And by whom was that ritual for ever repealed, Eut by Him unto whom it was given To enter the oracle where is revealed Not the cloud, but the brightness of heaven ? Who having once enter'd, hath shown us the way, O Lord ! how to worship before thee; Not with shadowy forms of that earlier day, Eut in spirit and truth to adore thee ; i^ This, this is the worship the Saviour made known, When she of Samaria found him By the patriarch's well, sitting weary alone, With the stillness of noontide around him. How sublime, yet how simple, the homage he taught To her who inquired by that fountain, If Jehovah at Solyma's shrine would be sought, Or adored on Samaria's mountain! Woman, believe me, the hour is near, When He, if ye rightly would hail Him, Will neither be worshipp'd exclusively here, Nor yet at the altar of Salem. For God is a spirit, and they who aright Would perform the pure worship He lovetb, In the heart's holy temple will seek, with delight, That spirit the Father approveth. BERNARD BARTON. <£lje Sleep. He oiveth His beloved sleep."— Psalm cssvii. 3 Of all the thoughts of God that are Borne inward unto souls afar, Along the Psalmist's music deep — Now tell me if that any is, For gift or grace surpassing this — "He giveth His beloved sleep V What would we give to our beloved T The hero's heart, to be unmoved— The poet's star-tuned harp, to sweep — The senate's shout to patriot vows — The monarch's crown, to light the brows T — " He giveth His beloved sleep." What do we give to our beloved 1 A little faith, all undisproved — A little dust, to overweep — And bitter memories, to make The whole earth blasted for our sake ! "He giveth His beloved sleep." "Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes say, But have no tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep : But never doleful dream again Shall break the happy slumber, when " He giveth His beloved sleep." A i (ri ^mm 1 THE SLEEP. O earth, so full of dreary noises! O men, with wailing in your voices! O delved gold, the wailers heap! strife, O curse, that o'er it fall ! God makes a silence through you all, And "giveth His beloved sleep." 1 lis dew drops mutely on the hill; His cloud above it saileth still, Though on its slope men toil and reap ! More softly than the dew is shed, Or cloud is floated overhead, "He giveth His beloved sleep." Ha! men may wonder while they scan A living, thinking, feeling man, In such a rest his heart to keep ; But angels say — and through the word I ween their blessed smile is heard — "He giveth His beloved sleep!" And, friends! — dear friends! — when it shall be That this low breath is gone from me, And round my bier ye come to weep — Let me, most loving of you all, Say, not a tear must o'er her fall — "He giveth His beloved sleep!" ELIZ. B. BAJK&STT. mm$*m ® Ltestgttatton. THOU that wilt not break the bruised reed, Nor heap fresh ashes on the mourner's brow, Nor rend anew the wounds that inly bleed, The only balm of our afflictions, Thou, Teach us to bear thy chastening wrath, God ! To kiss with quivering lips— still humbly kiss, thy rod ! We bless thee, Lord, though far from Judah's land ; Though our worn limbs are black with stripes and chnius; Though for stern foes we till the burning sand ; And reap, for others' joy, the summer plains; We bless thee, Lord, for thou art gracious still, Even though this last black drop o'erflow our cup of ill ! We bless thee for our lost, our beauteous child ! The tears, less bitter, she hath made us weep ; The weary hours her graceful sports have 'guiled, And the dull cares her voice hath sung to sleep ! She was the dove of hope to our lone ark; The only star that made the stranger's sky less dark ! Our dove is fallen into the spoiler's net; Rude hands defile her plumes, so chastely white: To the bereaved their one soft star is set, And all above is sullen, cheerless night! But still we thank thee for our transient bliss, Yet, Lord, to scourge our sins remain'd no way but this ! ©- A RESIGNATION. As when our father to mount Moriah led The blessing's heir, his age's hope and joy, Pleased, as he roamed along with dancing tread, Chid his slow sire, the fond, officious boy, And laugh'd in sport to see the yellow fire Climb up the turf-built shrine, his destined funeral pyre. Even thus our joyous child went lightly on; Bashfully sportive, timorously gay, Her white foot bounded from the pavement stone Like some light bird from off the quivering spray; And back she glanced, and smiled, in blameless glee, The cars, and helms, and spears, and mystic dance, to see. By thee, O Lord, the gracious voice was sent That bade the sire his murderous task forego; When to his home the child of Abraham went His mother's tears had scarce begun to flow. Alas ! and lurks there, in the thickest shade, The victim to replace our lost, devoted maid ? Lord, e'en through thee to hope were now too bold ; Yet 'twere to doubt thy mercy to despair. 'Tis anguish, yet 'tis comfort, faint and cold, To think how sad we are, how blest we were ! To speak of her is wretchedness, and yet It were a grief more deep and bitter to forget ! O Lord our God ! why was she e'er our own 1 Why is she not our own — our treasure still? We could have pass'd our heavy years alone. Alas! is this to bow us to thy will 1 Ah, even our humblest prayers we make repine, Nor, prostrate thus on earth, our hearts to thee resign. | =£= -=# RESIGNATION. Forgive, forgive, even should our full hearts break ; The broken heart thou wilt not, Lord, despise; Ah ! thou art still too gracious to forsake, Though thy strong hand so heavily chastise. fTear all our prayers, hear not our murmurs, Lord ; And though our lips rebel, still make thyself adored. MILMAN. (Time, — ♦ — The bell strikes one. We take no note of time But from its loss. To give it then a tongue Is wise in man. As if an angel spoke, I feel the solemn sound. If heard aright, It is the knell of my departed hours Where are they? With the years beyond the flood. It is the signal that demands despatch : How much is to be done! My hopes and fears Start up alarm'd, and o'er life's narrow verge Look down — on what! a fathomless abyss ; A dread eternity ! how surely mine ! And can eternity belong to me, Poor pensioner on the bounties of an hour! d > >x< ■'J u O) : ^ (r-\\ >r^ fA Bclsrja^ar. Belshazzar is King! Belshazzar is Lord ! And a thousand dark nobles all bend at his board ; Fruits glisten, flowers blossom, meats steam, and a flood Of the wine that man loveth runs redder than blood: Wild dancers are there, and a riot of mirth, And the beauty that maddens the passions of earth; And the crowds all shout, Till the vast roofs ring — "AH praise to Belshazzar, Belshazzar the king!" 44 Bring forth,'' cries the monarch, " the vessels of gold, Which my father tore down from the temples of old : Bring forth, and we'll drink, while the trumpets are blown, To the Gods of bright silver, of gold, and of stone; Bring forth !" — and before him the vessels all shine, And he bows unto Baal, and he drinks the dark wine; While the trumpets bray, And the cymbals ring — "Praise, praise to Belshazzar, Belshazzar the king!" Now what cometh — look, look! — without menace, or call ? Who writes, with the lightning's bright hand, on the wall ! What pierceth the king, like the point of a dart? What drives the bold blood from his cheek to his heart 1 " Chaldeans ! Magicians ! the letters expound !" They are read — and Belshazzar is dead on the ground ! Hark ! — the Persian is come On a conqueror's wing; And a Mede's on the throne of Belshazzar the king! < BARRY CORNWALL. >x< ^ fcX ^ n K< Ijmsmmmmmmmsmmd^^^ Consolation. ILGRIM burden'd with thy sin, Come the way to Zion's gate, There, till mercy lets thee in, Knock, and weep, and watch, and wait. Knock !— He knows the sinner's cry ; Weep !-^-He loves the mourner's tears; Watch ! — for saving grace is nigh ; Wait — till heavenly light appears. Hark! it is the bridegroom's voice: Welcome, pilgrim, to thy rest; Now within the gate rejoice, Safe, and seaPd, and bought, and blest. Safe-^-from all the 1 ures of vice ; SeaPd— by signs the chosen know ; Bought — by love, and life the price ; Blest — the mighty debt to owe. Holy pilgrim ! what for thee, In a world like this remain? From thy guarded breast shall flee, Fear, and shame, and doubt, and pain. Fear^the hope of heaven shall fly ; Shame^-from glory's view retire; Doubt — in certain rapture die; Pain — rin endless bliss expire, -\© »<< In a dream of the night I was wafted away To the muirlands of mist, where the martyr host lay, Where Cameron's sword and his Bible are seen Engraved on the stone, where the heather grows green. 'Twas a dream of those ages of darkness and blood, When the minister's home was the mountain and wood, When in Wellwood's dark valley the standard of Zion, All bloody and torn, 'mong the heather was lying. 'Twas morning, and summer's young sun, from the east, Lay in loving repose on the green mountain's breast ; On Wardlaw and Cairntable, the clear shining dew Glisten'd sheen 'mong the heath bells, and mountain flowers blue. >x< >y^< And far up in heaven, near the white sunny cloud, The song of the lark was melodious and loud; And in Glenmuir's wild solitudes, lengthen'd and deep, Wore the whistling of plovers, and bleating of sheep. And Wellwood's sweet valley breathed music and gladness, The fresh meadow blooms hung in beauty and redness; Its daughters were happy, to hail the returning, And drink the delights of July's sweet morning. J. w J c 'I CAMERONIAN S DREAM. But, ah ! there were hearts eherish'd far other feelings, Illumed by the light of prophetic revealings, Who drank from the scenery of beauty but sorrow, For they knew that their blood would bedew it to-morrow. 'Twas the few faithful ones who with Cameron were lying Concealed 'mong the mist, where the heath-fowl was crying, For the horsemen of Earshall around them were hovering, And their bridle-reins rung through the thin misty covering. Their faces grew pale, and their swords were unsheathed, But the vengeance that darken' d their brow was unbreathed; With eyes turn'd to heaven in calm resignation, They sung their last song to the God of salvation. The hills with the deep mournful music were ringing, The curlew and plover in concert were singing; But the melody died 'mid derision and laughter, As the host of ungodly rush'd on to the slaughter. Though in mist, and in darkness, and fire they were shrouded, Yet the souls of the righteous were calm and unclouded ; Their dark eyes flash'd lightning, as firm and unbending They stood like the rock, which the thunder is rending. The muskets were flashing, the blue swords were gleaming, The helmets were cleft, and the red blood was streaming; The heavens grew dark, and the thunder was rolling, When in Wellwood's dark muirlands the mighty were falling. When the righteous had fallen, and the combat was ended A chariot of fire through the dark cloud descended ; Its drivers were angels on horses of whiteness, And its burning- wheels turn'd on axles of brightness. If )c & yf r^~ \Wa\ Tr<{ (r^-i r »<< ftti yj.u a5t cameronian's dream. A seraph unfolded its doors bright and shinino-, All dazzling like gold of the seventh refining; And the souls that came forth out of great tribulation. Have mounted the chariot and steeds of salvation. On the arch of the rainbow the chariot is gliding, Through the path of the thunder the horsemen are riding; Glide swiftly, bright spirits, the prize is before ye, A crown never fading, a kingdom of glory. HTSLOP. feus stilling tl)c tempest. When through the torn sail the wild tempest is streaming, When o'er the dark wave the red lightning is gleaming, Nor hope lends a ray, the poor seaman to cherish, We fly to our Maker; "Save, Lord ! or we perish." O Jesus ! once rock'd on the breast of the billow, Aroused by the shriek of despair from thy pillow ; Now seated in glory, the mariner cherish, Who cries in his anguish, " Save, Lord, or we perish." And, O ! when the whirlwind of passion is raging, When sin in our hearts his wild warfare is waging, Then send down thy grace, thy redeemed to cherish ; Rebuke the destroyer; " Save, Lord, or we perish." « >)^<< >?<< >>x< £^k ^M (the "Sljrcc fiKgt)tn. n UIETLY falls from heaven the light Of the stars and moon in the summer night; And the rising sun in Rephaim's vale Is met by the glitter of clanging mail. The Philistine hath fix'd his encampment here, Afar stretch his lines of banner and spear, And his chariots of brass are ranged side by side, And his war-steeds neigh loud in their trappings of pride. His tents are placed where the waters flow ; The sun hath dried up the spring below ; And Israel hath neither well nor pool The rage of her soldiers' thirst to cool. In the cave of Adnllam King David lies, Overcome with the glare of the burning skies; And the lip is parch'd, and his tongue is dry, But none can the grateful draught supply. Though a crowned king, in that painful hour, One flowing cup might have bought his power : What worth in the fire of thirst could be The purple pomp of his sovereignty 1 But no cooling cup from river or spring To relieve his want can his servants bring, And he cries, "Are there none in my train or state Will fetch me the water of Bethlehem gate?" M =3#=»( THE THREE MIGHTY. a Then three of his warriors, the Mighty Three, The boast of the monarch's chivalry, Uprose in their strength, and their bucklers rang. As with flashing eyes on their steeds they sprang. On their steeds they sprang, and then forth with speed They rush in the strength of a noble deed, They dash on the foe like a torrent flood, Till his armour is dyed in his flowing blood. To the right, to the left, where their blue swords shine, Like autumn com, falls the Philistine ; And sweeping along with the arms of fate, The Mighty rush to the Bethlehem gate. Through a bloody gap in his shatter'd array To a crystal well they have hewn their way ; Then backward they turn on the corse-cover'd plain, And charge through the foe to their monarch again. The king look'd on the cup, " Oh, never a draught So dearly bought shall by me be quafT'd !" On his cheek is pallor, and quivers his lip, Yet all vainly they urge him the water to sip. Cut with head uncover'd and upturn' d eye He pours it forth to the Lord on high ; 'Tis a draught of death — 'tis a cup blood-stain'd — 'Tis a prize by man's peril and agony gain'd. Should he taste of a cup that his Mighty Three Had obtain'd by such valour and jeopardy ? Should he drink of their life ? — 'Twas the thought of a king ! And again he return'd to his suffering. : g '75 & "01 §S£r- ®ljc Cjour of £Dcat!). Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath ; And stars to set — but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death ! Day is for mortal care, Eve for glad meetings round the joyous hearth, Night for the dreams of sleep, the voice of prayer? Cut all for thee, thou mightiest of the earth! The banquet hath its hour, Its feverish hour of mirth, and song, and wine ; There comes a day for griefs o'erwhelming power, A. time for softer tears— but all are thine ! Youth and the opening rose May look like things too glorious for decay, And smile at thee ! — but thou art not of those That wait the ripen'd bloom to seize their prey ! Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, And stars to set — but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death ! »4vX to §@§ tO We know when moons shall wane, When summer-birds from far shall cross the sea, When autumn's hue shall tinge the golden grain; But who shall teach us when to look for thee] la it when spring's first gale Comes forth to whisper where the violets lie? Is it when roses in our paths grow pale] They have one season — all are ours to die ! Thou art where billows foam, Thou art where music melts upon the air; Thou art around us in our peaceful home, And the world calls us forth — and thou art there ! Thou art where friend meets friend, Beneath the shadow of the elm to rest; Thou art where foe meets foe, and trumpets rend The skies, and swords beat down the princely crest. Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, And stars to set — but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death ! , 3$K - • , r-f\ ■ • ■ # ® i ;| - fe REFLECTIONS ON A SKULL. If with persuasive mildness bold, Condemning sin, of grace it told ; That tuneful tongue in realms above, Shall sing- Messiah's reign of love. Say, did these fingers delve the mine, Or with its envied rubies shine? To hew the rock or wear the gem, Can nothing now avail to them; But if the page of truth they sought, Or comfort to the mourner brought, Those bands shall strike the lyre of praise, And high the palm of triumph raise. Avails not whether bare or shod, These feet the path of life had trod, If from the bower of joy they fled, To soothe affliction's humble bed ; If spurning all the world bestow'd, They sought the strait and narrow road, These feet with angel's wings shall vie, And tread the palace of the sky. ANONYMOUS. ( c .-.■ m ESI $B#=-— 1 Congtng for (jjcarcn. ISE, my soul, and stretch thy wings, Thy better portion trace; Rise from transitory things, Toward heaven, thy native place. Sun, and moon, and stars, decay, Time shall soon this earth remove; Rise, rny soul, and haste away To seats prepared above. Rivers to the ocean run, Nor stay in all their course : Fire ascending seeks the sun — Both speed them to their source. So a soul new-born of God Pants to view his glorious face ; Upward tends to his abode, To rest in his embrace. Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn, Press onward to the prize : Soon the Saviour will return Triumphant in the skies. Yet a season, and you know Happy entrance will be given, All our sorrows left below, And earth exchanged for heaven. ■ fni >ni l fa ;■: << (SMS) £l)e <£mo Cjorscmctt. He cometh ! ho cometh ! the death-dealing king-; His pale steed is fleet as the hurricane's wing: Around him are ravening the monsters of hell, Earth shrinks from their aspect, and shakes with their yell. He cometh ! he cometh ! with sword dripping gore : Desolation behind him, and terror before: His banner of darkness above him is spread, With pestilent vapour earth smokes at his tread. Her kings and her captains oppose him in vain; Her mantle no longer can cover her slain ; The great are down-trampled, the mighty ones fail, And their armies are scatter'd like leaves on the gale. The beasts of the forest exult o'er their prey, Grim Slaughter mows onward his merciless way, Gaunt Famine, and livid Disease, at his side, O'er monarchs and nations triumphantly ride. And now from their slumber the tempests awaken : They rage, and the stars from their orbits are shaken ; The sun gathers blackness, the moon turns to blood, The heavens pass away; and the isles from the flood. ^\ I ( t« MM .X"1 , IyS\J - _, M vv © And the mountains from earth, at the tumult retreat: The prince and the peasant — the abject, the great — The youthful, the aged — the fearful, the brave — The strong man, the feeble — the freeman, the slave, To caverns and dens for a hiding-place run ; But who the keen eye of Jehovah can shun] From his face to conceal them, despairing they call To the rocks and the mountains upon them to fall : In vain; for the day of decision at last Has dawn'd, and the season of mercy is past: He cometh from heaven, with the sword and the rod, Who shall tread in his fury the wine-press of God. His angel the fowls is inviting aloud To the carnage of steeds and their riders to crowd, Whose flesh shall be mangled, whose blood shall be spill'd, That the vultures and ravens may eat and be fill'd. He cometh ! he cometh ! how glorious the sight ! His horse as the snow newly fallen is white ; On his head are the crowns that betoken his power, From his eyes flash red lightnings his foes to devour. In blood has the vesture been dipp'd that he wears, And a name on his thigh and his vesture he bears ; The Sovereign of sovereigns, that loftiest of names, And Lord of all lords, its possessor proclaims. And white are the horses, as snow without stain, Of the thousands of thousands who ride in his train ; And white and unspotted the robes he has given To be worn on this day by the armies of heaven. ( n rn ry\ ►>U L L ^ © @® s m ^nvJ^L/rv yx r^\ THE TWO HORSEMEN The bow in his hand, lo ! unerring he bends, With the sword from his mouth every spirit he rends By his rod are down-smitten all they that oppose, And from conquering to conquer resistless he goes. The beast, the false prophet, and Satan, and death, lie thrusts to the pit that is yawning beneath ; Where tortures unceasing their vitals shall rend, And the smoke of their torment for ever ascend. But see, where his presence the darkness illumes, Mow lovely the aspect creation assumes ! New heavens, a new earth, a new ocean arise That fill every heart with a welcome surprise. A city majestic and spacious appears, Which sin cannot enter, where dried are all tears; With beauty resplendent, from dangers secure; Where fruits as perennial, and waters as pure ^ As He who erects it, the blessed await : With shoutings of triumph they enter the gate, With God, their Redeemer, for ever to reign, And it closes on all but the Lamb and bis train. ^ ^« Wo ! wo to him whose heart is black With evil deeds that sting and stain, And blasted like the lightning's track, That stretches o'er the summer plain ! To him ! for all it doth contain, Its sun and sky, its flowers and streams, The earth is but a dark domain, All swarming with terrific dreams ! The flower that opens to the sky, And sparkles in the morning rays, Reminds him of the purity, The loveliness of former days ; The stream that all untroubled strays Through the lily banks and palmy bowers, Reminds him of his blissful ways, Ere sin had wither'd all their flowers. His memory of the seasons past Is but of pleasures that have fled Away, like rose-leaves on the blast — Away, like the departed dead ; His future hopes, that wont to shed A radiance through his hours of gloom, Are dreary as the shades that spread Around a murderer's midnight tomb ! His waking thoughts are like a flame That burns within him — fierce, though dim ! Like lever in his wasting frame, That thrills through every quaking limb : His dreams of rest — no rest to him — Are fill'd with phantoms of affright; Phantoms of happy days, that swim Around him on the clouds of night. His life is an oppressive load, That hangs upon him like a curse; For all the pleasure-thoughts that glow'd, Are now extinguish'd by Remorse! And death — oh, death ! 'tis worse ! 'tis worse ! How dreadful in the grave to lie, Yet sleep not ! — evermore to nurse The worm that will not, cannot die ! Wo ! wo to him — his name is felt Like poison on the pious tongue : He dare not kneel, as once he knelt In prayer to God, when pure and young : Yet cling to God as thou hast clung, Lorn wretch ! amid thy spirit's strife Repent, while thus thy heart is wrung, For there is hope while there is life. c>§ £1 Cttaim. AVIOUR! when in dust to thee Low^ve bow the adoring knee, When, repentant, to the skies Scarce we lift oar streaming eyes ; Oh ! by all the pains and wo, Suffer'd once for man below, Bending from thy throne on high, Hear our solemn litany ! By thy helpless infant years, By thy life of wants and tears, By thy days of sore distress In the savage wilderness ; By the dread permitted hour Of th' insulting tempter's power — Turn, O, turn a pitying eye, Hear our solemn litany! By the sacred griefs that wept O'er the grave where Lazarus slept — By the boding tears that flow'd Over Salem's loved abode — By the anguish'd tear that told Treachery lurk'd within thy fold — From thy seat above the sky, Hear our solemn litany ! By thine hour of dire despair, By thine agony of prayer, By the cross, the nail, the thorn, Piercing spear, and torturing scorn, By the gloom that veil'd the skies O'er the dreadful sacrifice; Listen to our humble cry, Hear our solemn litany! By the deep expiring groan, By the sad sepulchral stone, By the vault whose dark abode Held in vain the rising God ; Oh ! from earth to heaven restored, Mighty re-ascended Lord, Listen, listen to the cry Of our solemn litany ! R. GRANT. ^ x< >s ■ 11 ag i ••%. ••• »■••»•■• • • • ..... ji...i....... V ,i...,...i... i......i.....,.i SABBATH THOUGHTS. Thence, home returning, muse On sweet and solemn views, Or fill the mind with acts of holy love; Then lay us down in peace, to think we're given Another precious day to fit our souls for heaven. v^yy^^ f) *****■?** JFtmeral fljumu. Thou art gone to the grave ! but we will not deplore thee, Though sorrows and darkness encompass the tomb ; The Saviour has pass'd through its portals before thee, And the lamp of his love is thy guide through the gloom. »« Thou art gone to the grave! we no longer behold thee, Nor tread the rough paths of the world by thy side, But the wide arms of mercy are spread to enfold thee, And sinners may hope since the Sinless hath died. 1l_ Thou art gone to the grave! and its mansion forsaking, Perchance thy weak spirit in doubt linger'd long, But the sunshine of heaven beam'd bright on thy waking, And the sound which thou heard'st was the seraphim's song. Thou art gone to the grave ! but 'twere vain to deplore thee, When God was thy ransom, thy guardian, thy guide, He gave thee, he took thee, and he will restore thee, And death hath no sting since the Saviour hath died. bishop h: a 2_M!^i^ •_•_•> -_z±-'± iw-vv.v :••.-- :...„,, v.. ..,....:: — .; — : — ..„,.;....;....... — ,,. ,.i... 14(' Sleep. NWEAR1ED God, before whose face The night is clear as day, Whilst we, poor worms, o'er life's brief race Now creep, and now delay ; We with Death's foretaste alternate Our labour's dint and sorrow's weight, Save in that fever-troubled state When pain and care hold sway. id as §T£ Dread Lord ! Thy glory, watchfulness, Is but disease in man; Oh ! hence upon our hearts impress Our place in this world's plan! Pride grasps the powers by Heaven display'd But ne'er the rebel effort made But fell beneath the sudden shade Of nature's withering ban. - U.hc flight into fcgjp lQ%D 'c> THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. Through the low dwelling pour'd ; Then floated o'er the couch, and settled now, A wreath of glory, round the Infant's hrow. The awe-struek sages knew the heavenly sign, And paid glad homage to the Babe divine ; Then, Heaven-instructed, to their home afar Return'd, and inly bless'd the mystic Star Which led them to their Lord ! The Star ! the strange bright Star ! Where is it now "?— The holy Child Is driven by tyrant's hate to seek afar A home amidst the wild. The Star! the strange bright Star! Why gleams it not to gild the starless night, And guide the holy exiles in their flight ] Nay, from the Infant's brow, On his found mother's breast serenely laid, A stream of glory glistens through the shade. He is himself the Star ! the Star Divine ! Of Judah's seed, and David's kingly line! By prophet-lips foretold ; to mortals given, A babe on earth, and yet the Lord of heaven. Stern tyrant, what art thou ? By thee to Egypt driven, Oh, blind and frantic in thy wrath ! Thou dost but work the utter'd will of Heaven, And track the Saviour's path. The Star ! the strange bright Star >(6( o s .e* RV)c (Sb G^sS No longer shines ; — but to Jehovah's sight Is not the darkness clear as noon-day light"? By thee the Holy One Fulfils his purpose. Thou hast drawn the sword 'Tis but to prove how true the prophet's word Of weeping Rachel. Thou hast spread the snare : 'Tis thine own foot that is entangled there. To Egypt thou hast driven the Babe adored : But, " Out of Egypt," saith the living Lord, " I call my Saviour-Son !" THOMAS DALE. Q< Vc: <-) 3k <£l)c balriftction. AIN world, what is in thee? "What do poor mortals see Which should esteemed be, Worthy their pleasure"? Is't children's book and rod, The labourer's heavy load, Poverty under-trod, The world desireth? Is it distracting cares, Or heart-tormenting fears, Or pining grief and tears, Which man requireth ? Is it deceitful wealth, Got by care, fraud, or stealth, Or short, uncertain health, W T hich thus befool men? Or do the serpent's lies, By the world's flatteries, And tempting vanities, Still overrule them ? Or do they in a dream, Sleep out their season ? Or borne down by lust's stream, Which conquers reason ! What is the time that's gone, And what is that to come ? Is it not now as none? The present stays not. THE VALEDICTION. Time posteth, oh, how fast ! Unwelcome death makes haste, None can call back what's past, Judgment delays not: Though God bring in the light, Sinners awake not ; Because hell's out of sight, They sin forsake not. Man walks in a vain show, They know, yet will not know, Sit still when they should go; But run for shadows: While they might taste and know The living streams that flow And crop the flowers that grow, In Christ's sweet meadows. Life's better slept away, Than as they use it : In sin and drunken play, Vain men abuse it. Malignant world, adieu ! Where no foul voice is new, Only to Satan true, God still offended : Though taught and warn'd by God, And his chastising rod, Keeps still the way that's broad, Never amended. Baptismal vows some make, But ne'er perform them; If angels from heaven spake, 'Twould not reform them. cCkoX ^Mf^m^<^m&5gm^ <&\)t Hcsttmction. 'Twas in the middle watch of night, when darkness hung profound About the city of the Lord, and Judah's heights around, That at the portal of a tomb a Roman guard patroll'd — A new-made grave, against whose mouth a mighty stone was roll'd. Slow tramp'd the guard, and hollowly the armour's clank was heard, For all wa£ still upon the hill, and not a vine-leaf stirr'd ; The neighbouring city silent heaved, in hush'd and heavy dream, And sleep outspread with wings of lead hung o'er Jerusalem. The listless soldier's heart was back to his far-distant home, Where red the Tiber roll'd along by old familiar Rome ; A spell was cast across the past, and shapes of things gone by Came back distinct upon his soul, and pass'd portentously. Then thoughts arose of where he was, the story of the land, The mystic spirit here adored, the marvels of His hand, The rumour of divinity beneath that tombstone there ; And closer "to his band he drew, and moved his lips in prayer. Whisper'd the palm-trees, stirr'd the grass, on Kedron's banks below; The rushes shiver'd ; was't a breeze that shook the mountain so ? It gathers, strengthens ; from above a burst of thunder breaks, And horribly beneath their feet the earth's foundation shakes ! A step is in the earthquake, and a voice upon the storm ; Jehovah's angel hath come down, reveal'd in human form; Straight to the sepulchre he strides, rolls back the pondrous stone, And in a flood of glory forth the Crucified hath gone! THE RESURRECTION. i Nor witness'd this by mortal eye, for struck with sore dismay, The steel-clad heathens fell to earth, and like the lifeless lay ; And when the vision disappear'd, they rallied not again, But rose and hasted from the spot, like conscience-stricken men. 'Tis past — and all hath long been hush'd, — the fading stars are set, And now the early lines of light gleam o'er Mount Olivet, When two worn, weeping women come — rebuke them not this morn ; The grateful heart will hover near, though all should laugh to scorn. They stop — the stone is roll'd away — they look, and quake at heart — There are the grave-clothes scatter'd round; the napkin wrapp'd apart ;- The tenant's fled, but, in his stead, One of seraphic mien Sits smiling where the mangled corse of Him they sought had been. Why, daughters of Jerusalem, why bow ye thus the knee? Seek ye the man whose life-blood ran from yon accursed tree? Go — be of comfort ; he hath left this dark and cheerless prison ; The work is done, and Mary's son, the Lord of lords, is risen ! When man would bend in pain of heart o'er some beloved tomb, Oh, may a voice as sweet as this make answer from the gloom — That when the bitterness of death to dust directs the eyes, An angel may be waiting there, to turn them to the skies ! n (jri)Ubren of £tgl)t. ALK in the light ! so shalt thou know- That fellowship of love, His Spirit only can bestow, Who reigns in light above. Walk in the light!— and sin, abhorr'd, Shall ne'er defile again ; The blood of Jesus Christ, the Lord, Shall cleanse from every stain. Walk in the light!— and thou shalt find Thy heart made truly His, Who dwells in cloudless light enshrin'd, In whom no darkness is. Walk in the light!— and thou shalt own Thy darkness pass'd away, Because that light hath on thee shone In which is perfect day. Walk in the light!— and e'en the tomb No fearful shade shall wear; Glory shall chase away its gloom, For Christ has conquer'd there ! Walk in the light!— and thou shalt be A path, though thorny, bright; For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee, And God himself is light! BERNARD BARTON. Scun3l) Battle Song. Ho ! Princes of Jacob ! the strength and the stay Of the daughter of Zion, — now up, and array; Lo, the hunters have struck her, and bleeding alone Like a pard in the desert she maketh her moan : Up, with war-horse and banner, with spear and with sword, On the spoiler go down in the might of the Lord ! She lay sleeping in beauty, more fair than the moon, With her children about her, like stars in night's noon, When they came to her covert, these spoilers of Rome, And are trampling her children and rifling her home: O, up, noble chiefs ! would you leave her forlorn, To be crush'd by the Gentile, a mock and a scorn 1 Their legions and cohorts are fair to behold, With their iron-clad bosoms and helmets of gold ; But gorgeous and glorious in pride though they be, Their avarice is broad as the grasp of the sea ; They talk not of pity; the mercies they feel Are cruel and fierce as their death-doing steel. Will they laugh at the hind they have struck lo the earth, When the bold stag of Naphtali bursts on their mirth"? Will they dare to deride and insult, when in wrath The lion of Judah glares wild in their path 1 O, say, will they mock us, when down on the plain The hoofs of our steeds thunder over their slain? ^^ JEWISH BATTLE SONG They come with their plumes tossing haughty and free, And white as the crest of the old hoary sea ; Yet they float not so fierce as the wild lion's mane, To whose lair ye have track'd him, whose whelps ye have slain; But, dark mountain archer ! your sinews to-day Must be strong as the spear-shaft to drive in the prey. And the tribes are all gathering; — the valleys ring out To the peal of the trumpet, — the timbrel — the shout : Lo, Zebulon comes ! he remembers the day When they perill'd their lives to the death in the fray; And the riders of Naphtali burst from the hills Like a mountain-swollen stream in the pride of its rills. Like Sisera's rolls the foe's chariot wheel, And he comes, like the Philistine, girded in steel ; Like both shall he perish, if ye are but men, If your javelins and hearts are as mighty as then; He trusts in his buckler, his spear and his sword ; His strength is but weakness ;. — we trust in the Lord ! £l)c (Jarccst of tljc £ori) The angel comes, he comes to reap The harvest of the Lord ! O'er all the earth, with fatal sweep, Wide waves his flaming sword. And who are they in sheaves, to bide The fire of vengeance, bound 1 The tares, whose rank luxuriant pride Choked the fair crop around. And who are they reserved in store, God's treasure-house to fill 1 ? The wheat, a hundred fold that bore Amid surrounding ill. O King of mercy ! grant us power Thy fiery wrath to flee ! Tn thy destroying angel's hour Oh, gather us to thee ! MILM.AN 3^BB5E9SB^^^^89S^S9^S5ESSSESSSBS9H hi QHje illaib of 2lnoalnsia. ELIA sat beside her window As the golden sun went down, Sadly gazing through the lattice, While fiow'd on the busy town ; And there came from by the river, In the tall cathedral's shade, This low song from unseen minstrel, Song of counsel to the maid : " Daughter of the lord Saldana, Mourn no longer broken ties; Beauty of our Andalusia, Seek a lover in the skies ! There is One whose love, excelling All affection here below, Falters not when night is darkest, But grows deeper with our wo." Fortune fled, and worldly friendships Faded with the light of gold, Xelia found a better treasure, And a love that grew not cold ; — Oh, there's but one friend for ever, « Whose affection will endure, Only Christ, on whom relying We may know our trust is sure. From the Spanish. J.X- a< )ir>, •V /GfV ! JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN. Oh, fierce and stern of mood, Whom nor an absent father's hoary hair, Nor brother's kindred blood, Nor thought of Israel's God can win to spare ! Bears He the sword in vain, Or can ye do the deed, yet shun the curse of Cain 1 Ere yet the deed is done — Ere yet your hands have touch'd the accursed gold, Think on the hapless son, Torn from a doting sire — the brother, sold By brethren, and the shame Which must for ever brand the base betrayer's name Think of the aged man Whose care for you hath sent his loved one hither! Regard his waning span ; Doom not his dearest earthly hopes to wither: Let pity plead to save, Nor bring his hoary hairs with sorrow to the grave. If love hath lost its force ; If nature's holiest ties no more restrain; Yet dread the late remorse, The conscious wri things, of the outcast Cain: Still Abel's God in heaven Is Israel's too, and still that crime is unforgiven. Boy, vainly dost thou plead: They have no thoughts of pity— cease thy prayer ! The God who marks the deed Will guide thy course to Egypt, guard thee there. In bondage thou must dwell, But they in every breast shall bear a living hell ! ha K i f ^ <£o tl)e Jloroere. E flowers — ye little flowers Were witnesses of things, More glorious and more wondrous fnr Than the fall and rise of kings ! — Ye, in the vales of Paradise, Heard how the mountains rang, When the sons of God did shout for joy, And the stars of morning sang ! Ye saw the creatures of the earth, Ere fear was felt, or pain ; Ye saw the lion with the lamb Go sporting o'er the plain ! Ye were the first that from the earth Sprang, when the floods were dried, And the meek dove from out the ark Went wandering far and wide ;— And when upon Mount Ararat The floating ark was stay'd, And the freshness of the flowering earth The Patriarch first survey'd, — Ye saw across the heavens The new-made bended bow, Ye heard the Eternal bind himself, Upon its glorious show, That never more the waters wild Should rage beyond their shore ; That harvest-time and time of seed Should be for ever more. ■• .<•■■• : : £l)c (Hljristicm ilTavtnv The eyes of thousands shone on him, as mid the cirque he stood, Unheeding all the shouts which rose from that vast multitude; The prison damps had blanched his cheeks, and on his thoughtful face Corroding care had left his signs in many a lasting trace. Amid the crowded cirque he stood, and raised to heaven his eye, For well that feeble old man knew they brought him there to die; Yet joy was beaming in his glance, while from his lips a prayer Arose to heaven and faith secured his peaceful dwelling there. Then calmly on his foes he glanced ; and as he gazed the tear That stole adown his pale wan face spoke pity more than fear. He knelt down on the gory sand, once more he look'd to heaven, And to the Ever Friend he pray'd that they might be forgiven. Now rises far a fearful shout mid which the lion's roar Is heard, like thunder in the storm upon the rocky shore; And forth the Lybian savage breaks and on his victim springs, While all around from men more fierce, the voice of triumph rings. Short time is left for fear or hope ; the instinctive love of life One struggle makes, but vainly makes, in such unequal strife ; The lion's feet, the lion's lips, are dyed with crimson gore, — A look of faith, an unbreathed prayer, the martyr's pangs are o'er. Proud princes and grave senators gazed on that fearful sight, And even woman seemed to share the savage crowd's delight ; But what the guilt that on the dead a fate so fearful drew? A blameless faith was all the crime the Christian martyr knew: And where the crimson current flowed, upon that barren sand, Up sprung a tree whose vigorous boughs soon overspread the land ; O'er distant isles its shadow fell, nor knew its roots decay, Even when the Roman Caesar's throne and empire pass'd away. REV. HAMILTON BUCHANAN. 1 ..'.y.V>-- ', ;0l, 'M ('.^{-xjZyi U >: v ■' \§k W\ ( Ko "^V-'N) \~j/^\l' j - w Si %$s£i a*® f i/vY-S ;''?/vv5'. : ;( i • r\^ t V~^ ; / ."' — N '• ') ijsjfe rjyl i;:: X ::N '.^lyvr,: ® ml S^jv^/fc? ) mm\ Sh m m i vn % am tUcam I am weary of straying — fain would I rest, In the far distant land of the pure and the blest ; Where sin can no longer her blandishments spread, And tears and temptations for ever have fled. I am weary of hoping 1 — where the hope is untrue: As fair, but as fleeting as morning's bright dew; I long for that land whose blest promise alone Is changeless and sure as eternity's throne. I am weary of sighing o'er sorrows of earth, O'er joys glowing visions that fade at their birth ; O'er the pangs of the loved, that we cannot assuage ; O'er the blightings of youth, and the weakness of age. I am weary of loving what passes away — The sweetest, the dearest, alas ! may not stay; I long for that land where these partings are o'er, And death and the tomb can divide hearts no more. I am weary, my Saviour, of grieving thy love; ! when shall I rest in thy presence above 1 1 am weary — but O ! let me never repine, While thy word, and thy love, and thy promise are mine. ANONYMOUS 21 Jprager in Kukntss. Send down thy winged angel, God ! Amid this night so wild ; And bid him come where now we watch, And breathe upon our child ! She lies upon her pillow, pale, And moans within her sleep, Or wakeneth with a patient smih-, And striveth not to weep. How gentle and how good a child She is, we know too well, And dearer to her parents' hearts, Than our weak words can tell. We love — we watch throughout the night, To aid, when need may be ; We hope and have despair'd, at times ; But now we turn to Thee ! Send down thy sweet-soul'd angel, God ! Amid the darkness wild, And bid him soothe our souls to-night, And heal our gentle child ! BAKRT CORNWAIa,. & 7* $l)e JHonramg of Scvusctlcm. ION, oh ! now thou art sad, Thy children are weeping around, Tn sackcloth their bosoms are clad As they look on the famishing ground ; In the deserts they make them a home, And the mountains awake to their cry; For the frown of Jehovah hath come, And his anger is red in the sky. Thy tender ones throng at the brink, But the waters are gone from the well ; They gaze on the rock, and they think Of the gush of the stream from its cell; How they came to its margin before, And drank in their innocent mirth ; Away! it is seal'd, and no more Shall the fountain give freshness to earth. The hearts of the mighty are bow'd, And the lowly are haggard with care; The voices of mothers are loud, As they shriek the wild note of despair. Oh, Jerusalem ! mourn through thy halls, And bend to the dust in thy shame, For the doom that thy spirit appals, Is famine, the sword, and the flame ! I £l)c fall of Babnlon. lift up the banner on high o'er the mountain, Let the trumpet he loud, and the cimeter keen, For Babel shall fall as a drop from the fountain, And leave not a trace where her glories have been ! The prince from his hall, and the serf from his labour, Sha 1 '. gird on their mail and wave high the war-sword; Lut the hand shall relax from its grasp of the sabre, And the heart shall grow faint in the wrath of the Lord. The moon in her light, and the sun in his splendour, Shall hide their pure ray from the proud city's fall, While thick clouds of mist and of darkness attend her, And night wraps her streets like a funeral pall. For the Medes from the north like a whirlwind shall gather, And Babylon yield to the might of the brave; While the young blooming bride, and the gray-headed father. Shall lay their heads low in the dust of the grave. Her halls shall be still, and her pavement be gory, Not a sound heard of mirth or of revelling there ; But the pride of the Chaldees, the boast of their glory, Extinguish'd like Sodom, be blasted and bare. On the spot where thou raisest thy front, mighty nation, Shall the owl have his nest, and the wild beast his den ; Thy courts shall be desert, thy name Desolation, Now the tyrant of cities, the jest of them then. WOODS. <&§c Cast (fasater Left to the Saviour's conquering foes, The land that girds the Saviour's grave Where Godfrey's crozier-standard rose, He saw the crescent-banner wave. There, o'er the gently-broken vale, The halo-light on Zion glow'd ; There Kedron, with a voice of wail, By tombs of saints and heroes flow'd ; There still the olives silver o'er The dimness of the distant hill ; There still the flowers that Sharon bore Calm air with many an odour fill. Slowly The Last Crusader eyed The towers, the mount, the stream, the plain, And thought of those whose blood had dyed The earth with crimson streams in vain ! He thought of that sublime array, The hosts, that over land and deep The hermit marshall'd on their way, To see those towers, and halt to weep. Resign'd the loved, familiar lands, O'er burning wastes the cross to bear, And rescue from the Paynim's hands No empire save a sepulchre ! U^a«% THE LAST CRUSADER. And vain the hope, and vain the loss, And vain the famine and the strife; In vain the faith that bore the cross, The valour prodigal of life. And vain was Richard's lion-soul, And guileless Godfrey's patient mind — Like waves on shore, they reach'd the goal, To die, and leave no trace behind ! "O God !" the last Crusader cried, " And art thou careless of thine own 1 For us thy Son in Salem died, And Salem is the scoffer's throne! " And shall we leave, from age to age, To godless hands the holy tomb 1 Against thy saints the heathen rage — Launch forth thy lightnings, and consume !" Swift, as he spoke, before his sight A form flash'd, white-robed, from above ; All Heaven was in those looks of light, But Heaven, whose native air is love. "Alas !" the solemn vision said, " Thy God is of the shield and spear — To bless the quick and raise the dead, The Saviour-God descended here! "Ah ! know'st thou not the very name Of Salem bids thy carnage cease — A symbol in itself to claim God's people to a house of peace? " Ask not the Father to reward The hearts that seek, through blood, the Son; O warrior ! never by the sword The Saviour's Holy Land is won !" 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