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 I. O P7 D O M . 
 PCBLISHEO BY B .;.110I.DSW0»TH, 1»,ST PATJJ^S CV Y? MZG.
 
 DEVOTIONAL VERSES; 
 
 iFountJcir on, antr Ellustratibe of 
 
 SELECT TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE. 
 
 BY 
 
 BERNARD BARTON. 
 
 Eonl^on : 
 
 PRINTED FOR B. J. HOLDSWORTH, 
 
 18, ST. pall's chlkch yard. 
 
 M.DCCC.XXVI.
 
 LON DON : 
 
 I'RI\l£lJ BV J. S, HUtiHES, t6, PAlEnNOSTEK ROW.
 
 
 INSCRIPTIVE SONNET, 
 
 JTo tf)r itlfmorp 
 
 OF 
 
 SAMUEL ALEXANDER. 
 
 Dear frieud, and christian father! unto thee, 
 
 Few months gone bj, my grateful thoughts were bent 
 These unelaborate verses to present, 
 
 For long, unwearied kindness shown to me : 
 
 But it hath pleased Him, who doth not see 
 As mortals do what most with good is blent. 
 Such fondly-pnrpos'd offering to prevent ; 
 
 Let this, then, gratitude's memorial be ! 
 
 No praise of man should mar the opening page 
 Of him whose volume treats of themes divine, 
 Nor needs thy cherisli'd memory praise of mine ; 
 
 Yet may thy bright example prayers engage 
 
 For faith, love, meekness, greenness in old age. 
 And every gift of grace so richly thine 
 
 lie. 
 
 B.B. 
 
 826316
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 It was at one time the Author's inten- 
 tion to have published the following 
 Devotional Verses without any prefatory 
 Address : his choice o^ plan and subjects 
 appeared to himself so plain and unpre- 
 tending, that it seemed scarcely neces- 
 sary to deprecate for his little volume 
 the criticism, that a more elaborate 
 performance might naturally be ex- 
 pected to elicit, but which a manual, 
 so unassuming as the present, might, 
 he hoped, quietly escape. It has, 
 however, been suggested to him, that 
 
 A 3
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 his choice itself, both of plan and sub- 
 jects, requires some prefatory explana- 
 tion, if not apology; and that, as both 
 may differ widely from those anticipated 
 by some readers, he is bound to state, 
 briefly, what his aim and object have 
 been. 
 
 The Author is far from denying, that 
 a volume, bearing the title of " Devo- 
 tional Verses, founded on Select Pas- 
 sages of Scripture," may excite expec- 
 tations which the following pages are 
 little adapted to realize. In the many 
 affecting and striking incidents recorded 
 in holy writ ; in the numerous glimpses 
 afforded in its earlier pages of pastoral 
 and patriarchal life ; in the imposing 
 pictures so graphically painted in its 
 historical parts, of events as sublime as 
 marvellous ; in the gorgeous splendours 
 of the Jewish ritual ; as well as in the 
 simple, touching beauty of the narrative
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 portion of the New Testament : in each, 
 and all of these, he readily concedes, 
 might be found themes, inexhaustible, 
 for poetry of the very highest order; — 
 poetry, the composition of which might 
 require the full stretch of talents, to 
 which he assuredly prefers no claim. 
 Let this, then, be his apology to those 
 whose taste may lead them to think lightly 
 of his plan, or condemn, as dull and pro- 
 saic, many of his subjects ; — that he has 
 not been governed in his choice or se- 
 lection by any insensibility or indiffer- 
 ence to what may have appeared more 
 captivating to them in the Inspired 
 Volume ; but that he has chosen what 
 may seem a less attractive line, partly 
 from a distrust of his own abilities for a 
 more imposing one, but chiefly because 
 his primary object has not been poetic 
 effect, but the expression and inculcation 
 of what has appeared to him scrip-- 
 
 TURAL TRUTH. 
 
 A 4
 
 Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 Yet, while the Author would deeply 
 regret, that any truly religious reader 
 should be disappointed in the contents 
 of his little volume, he would be still 
 more sorry so to explain, or apologize 
 for its scope and tendency as one 
 ashamed of his choice, or regretful for 
 his decision. If the knowledge of the 
 only true God, and Jesus Christ whom 
 He hath sent, be, indeed, life eternal ; 
 he may surely esteem it no reproach 
 that one of his chief aims, in his selec- 
 tion of passages from the Old Testament, 
 has been the devotional illustration of 
 such as appeared to him to harmonize 
 with the New, by reference or allusion 
 to the gracious and glorious scheme of 
 man's redemption by and through a 
 crucified Saviour. Should he, in his 
 desire to inculcate, enforce, and mag- 
 nify this sublime and consoling truth, 
 even to iteration, have been somewhat 
 negligent of minor points; inattentive
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 to adventitious graces ; careless of the 
 seeming vantage ground afforded by 
 circumstance, or scenery ; he trusts, that 
 such of his readers as may vitally feel 
 the all-absorbing importance of this fun- 
 damental doctrine, will forgive vs^hat he 
 has 7iot done, for the sake of what he has 
 been desirous of doing; so far, at least, 
 as his humble means and limited oppor- 
 tunities have enabled him. 
 
 In the Author's view, indeed, the 
 very title he has assumed for these little 
 pieces, ought, in common candour, to 
 exonerate him from the imputation of 
 lofty pretence : he has entitled them 
 devotional, because such, he hopes, their 
 spirit and tendency will be found and 
 felt ; but the expression of devotional 
 feeling is by no means necessarily de- 
 scriptive, nor is its strongest appeal, 
 either to the outward sense, the fancy,'' 
 or the imagination ; but, through the ' 
 
 A 5
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 Spirit, to spiritually awakened and 
 spiritually enlightened hearts. Where 
 his language may be unintelligible to 
 these, the Author must regret his own 
 darkness and deficiency; where such 
 can fully appreciate and approve his 
 meaning, he wishes no higher praise. 
 Nor has he even ventured to designate 
 his brief and simple records of thought 
 and feeling by the name of poetry, but 
 has preferred claiming for them the less 
 aspiring appellative of Verses, as more 
 appropriate, not only to what they are, 
 but to what he wishes them to be. At 
 the risque of rendering his pages less 
 attractive to lighter readers, than even 
 his modicum of poetic talent might, 
 perhaps, have made them, the Author 
 has endeavoured studiously to avoid all 
 needless ornament, and has been soli- 
 citous to "use great plainness of speech ;" 
 he has done this, not only in accordance 
 with his own taste in devotional verse.
 
 PREFACE. XI 
 
 but in compliance with, and reference 
 to, a far more imperative principle, — 
 that of duty. Whether his sense of duty, 
 in this respect, may have been correct, 
 or erroneous, it becomes not him to 
 determine; but, in his view, neither the 
 expression nor the inculcation of genuine 
 devotional feeling is likely to be ren- 
 dered at all more effective by the most 
 elaborate and recondite efforts of poetic 
 art. It constituted the very climax of 
 Cowper's panegyric on his *' Christian 
 Veteran," that he was, on his favourite 
 theme, 
 
 " Ambitious, not to shine, or to excel, 
 
 But to treat justly what he lov'd so well." 
 
 Though the Author has thought it 
 due to his readers, and not less to him- 
 self, thus to enter at some length into 
 an exposition of his views and object, 
 he candidly owns, that the gratification 
 of the mere lover of poetry in the
 
 Xll PREFACE. 
 
 abstract, has been a very subordinate aim 
 and end with him in the composition 
 of the following pages ; nor is he much 
 more sanguine in his hopes of interesting 
 those, whose admiration of the Sacred 
 Volume is rather matter of critical taste, 
 than founded on a more grateful and 
 spiritual appreciation. By those, and 
 those alone, who read the Scriptures 
 with a devotional spirit, and for devo- 
 tional ends, can the Author wish that 
 his feeble efforts, in the following pages, 
 should be regarded as worthy attention ; 
 and for them, only, has he written : if 
 any of the sentiments contained in these 
 Devotional Verses may, through the 
 divine blessing, be rendered in the 
 slightest degree helpful to such, the 
 Author will not have written in vain ; 
 if in their view he should have " dark- 
 ened counsel by words without know- 
 ledge," — no praise of others could com- 
 pensate for their censure.
 
 PREFACE. Xlll 
 
 It only remains for the Author to con- 
 clude ; and he does so in the words of 
 Quarles, — as expressing forcibly, though 
 quaintly, his own sentiments: — ''A 
 ' sober vein best suits Theology ; if, 
 ' therefore, thou expectest such ele- 
 ' gancie as takes the times, affect some 
 
 * subject as will bear it. Had I laboured 
 ' with over-abundance of fictions or 
 'flourishes, perhaps they had exposed 
 
 * me censurable, and disprized this 
 ' sacred subject : therefore I rest more 
 
 * sparing in that kind. Reader ! be 
 *more than my hasty pen styles thee. 
 ' Read me with advice, and thereafter 
 'judge me, and in that judgment cen- 
 
 * sure me. If I jangle, think my intent 
 
 * thereby is to toll better ringers in. 
 Farewell !"
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Creation and Redemption ----- 1 
 
 The Promise .-..-- 3 
 
 The Rainbow ------ .5 
 
 Abrara called - - - - - - (! 
 
 The Will accepted for the Deed . - - 8 
 
 Jacob's Dream ----- 9 
 
 Jacob wrestling ----- 10 
 
 Shiloh foretold - . - - - - 12 
 
 The Infant Moses found • - - - - 13 
 
 The Holiness of the Divine Presence - - - 1.5 
 
 Israel humbled yet hopeful - - - - IG 
 
 The Type of the Atonement - - - - 18 
 
 Deliverance in Danger - - - - ID 
 
 The Divine Supremacy - - - - 21 
 
 The Healing of Marah's Waters - - .. - 22 
 
 The Outvvard and the Spiritual Manna - - - 24 
 
 Sinai and Calvary - - - - - 2(i 
 
 The Altar's Simplicity - - - - - 27 
 
 Waiting for Divine Gufdance - - - - 2t* 
 
 The Brazen Serpent - - - - - 3U 
 
 Turning in Tribalation - - - - - 31 
 
 The Curse of Disobedience . . - . 33
 
 xvi CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 The Spiritual Law ----- 34 
 
 The Lost Found 35 
 
 The Saints' Refuge 37 
 
 A Prophet's Old Age ----- 38 
 
 Stones of Bleniorial - - - - - 39 
 
 Quietude and Safety - - - - - 41 
 
 Ruth's Love ------ 42 
 
 Voiceless Prayer ------ 44 
 
 Hidden,but Hoped for - - - - - 45 
 
 Obedience better than Sacrifice - - - 47 
 
 The Harp of David ----- 48 
 
 The Philistine Champion - . - - 50 
 
 Proved Armour - - - - - 51 
 
 Solomon's Temple - - - - - 53 
 
 The Widow's Meal and Oil - - - - 55 
 
 Elijah at Mount Horeb - - - - 57 
 
 Naaman's Pride and Folly - - - - 58 
 
 Elisha's Bones - - - - - CO 
 
 On the Use of Time ----- 61 
 
 The Lord Reigneth . . - - . 63 
 
 Ezra's Mourning - - - - - 65 
 
 Sorrow of the Heart ----- 66 
 
 Neheniiah's Midnight Survey - - - - 68 
 
 A King's Sleepless Night - - - - 69 
 
 The Language of the Tempter - - - - 71 
 
 Despondency Reproved - - - - 73 
 
 Chastisement 3Ierciful - - - - 74 
 
 The Prayer of Sorrow ----- 75 
 
 The Vanity of Human Knowledge - - - 77 
 
 God Unsearchable . - . - . 73 
 
 Confiding Faith .... - 80 
 
 The Unprofitableness of Man's Goodness to his Maker - 81 
 
 Mournful Recollections - - - - 82 
 
 The Happiness of the Godly - - - - 84 
 
 Salutary Fear - .... 85
 
 CONTENTS. XVll 
 
 Page 
 
 Self-communion - - - - 87 
 
 Approaching through Mercy - - - 88 
 
 Divine Condescension - - - - 89 
 
 The Believer's Refuge - - - - 90 
 
 A Soliloquy - - » - 93 
 
 Confidence in Protection - . - - - 95 
 
 The Believer's Life and Light - - - 96 
 
 The Reward of Patient Waiting - - - 98 
 
 Encouragement - - - - 99 
 
 The Seed of the Kingdom - - - . 101 
 
 The Praise of God - - - - 102 
 
 Spiritual Economy - - ... 104 
 
 Signs and Tokens - - . . 106 
 
 The Church in her Beauty and Purity - - 107 
 
 The Church in her Desolation ... i09 
 
 Ziou's Hope of Redemption ... no 
 
 The Day of Divine Visitation ... i]2 
 
 Christ's Titles and Attributes - - - 113 
 
 Christ the Sure Foundation - - - 115 
 
 Gracious Promises - - . . 116 
 
 A Prayer for the Church - - - . US 
 
 Free Redemption - - - . hq 
 
 Slowly, Safely, and Surely - . . 121 
 
 Christ's Atonement - . . . 122 
 
 The only Safe Glory - - - , 124 
 
 Tiie Blessings of Early Restraint - - - 125 
 
 A New Heart, and a New Spirit - - . 127 
 
 Hope left while the Root lives - - . 128 
 
 The Frailty of Man's Goodness - - . 130 
 
 Sin's Devastations not irreparable - - - 131 
 
 The Famine of the Word - - . . 133 
 
 Pride Reproved - - . . 134 
 
 Useless Flight - - - . - 13G 
 
 Hope in Conflict - - . . i3y 
 
 Comfort in a Cloudy Day - - . . 140
 
 Xviii CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 GettiiiR to the Watch-tower ... 141 
 
 The Lukewarm Threatened ... 143 
 
 A Call to Build the Lord's House ... 144 
 
 The Fountain Opened . - - . 146 
 
 God challengeth the Proof of his (ioodness - - 148 
 
 A Reflection - . - - - 150 
 
 The Star of Bethlehem . - - - 152 
 
 The First Beatitude - - - - 153 
 
 As uuto God, not unto Man ... 155 
 
 Singleness of Eye .... 157 
 
 Trust in Proridence .... 159 
 
 Heights and Depths - - - - 161 
 
 Progressive Growth .... 163 
 
 The Terras of Discipleship - - - - 16;> 
 
 Aspirations after Faith .... 167 
 
 One Thing Wanting .... 168 
 
 Prompt Forgiveness enjoined ... 170 
 
 Watchfulness imperative on all - - - 172 
 
 Retirement and Prayer .... 174 
 
 A Christian's Rejoicing .... 176 
 
 Waiting in Readiness .... 178 
 
 Called, but not Chosen .... ]79 
 
 A Word of Caution - - - - 181 
 
 To each his Due - - ... - 182 
 
 Light and Darkness - - - - 184 
 
 The Spirit and the Flesh - - - - 186 
 
 Tears - - - - - 188 
 
 Quickened, but Helpless ... 190 
 
 Philip's Request - ' - - - 191 
 
 The blessed Faith of the Saints - - - I'ja 
 
 Judas Iscariot - - . . 195 
 
 Philip's Query to the Eunuch ... 197 
 
 Prayer for Help in Prayer .... 199 
 
 Humility and Fear expedient ... 201 
 
 A Call to Vigilance - - - - 203
 
 CONTENTS. XIX 
 
 Page 
 
 The Apoitle's Knowledge _ - - 205 
 
 Present \'ision Imperfect ... 207 
 
 The Earthy and the Heavenlj . - . 209 
 
 A Christian's Savour .... 211 
 
 A Christian's Freedom .... 21S 
 
 Our Treasure in Earthen Vessels - . . 21.» 
 
 A Caution and Promise - . - . 217 
 
 Christiau Love - - - . . 219 
 
 The Peace of God - - - - 220 
 
 A Christian's Aspirations - - . . 222 
 
 Rejoicing and Prayer - - - - 224 
 
 An Apostolic Aspiration . - . . 22G 
 
 Honour and Glory to God - - ' - 227 
 
 A Christian's Devotedness ... 229 
 
 Christian Purity .... 231 
 
 A Christian's Pleading .... 233 
 
 The Reward of the Faithful - . . 23") 
 
 Tiie Wisdom from above ... 237 
 
 The Transitory and the Enduring ... 231) 
 
 The Last Day - - - . . 241 
 
 Walking in llie Light .... 242 
 
 The Genuine Love of Christ ... 244 
 
 The True Schismaticks - . - . 245 
 
 A Prayer against Declension - - - 247 
 
 The Invitation - . . . •J49 
 
 The Lord's Prayer - - - - 2ol
 
 DEVOTIONAL VERSES. 
 
 CREATION AND REDEMPTION. 
 
 "In the beginning God created the Leaven and the earth. And 
 the eartli was without form, and void ; and darkness was upon the 
 •ace of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the 
 waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was liglit."'— 
 Genesis, i. I, 2, 3. 
 
 How wond'rous must have beeo 
 The thought-o'erwhelming scene, 
 
 When Ciod his own creative might di.sphiy'd; 
 Might gloriously employ'd, 
 Which from the formless void 
 
 C'aird countless systems, saw its call obey'd.
 
 Ills might is still the same; 
 
 And those who through the name 
 Of the incarnate Saviour are set free 
 
 From the dread yoke of sin, 
 
 Are witnesses within 
 Of power as great as angels then could be. 
 
 These, in the waken'd mind, 
 
 A faithful emblem find 
 Of that dark chaos whence creation rose : 
 
 Conscience has rous'd from sleep, 
 
 But darkness veils the deep ; 
 Uedeeming Love its aid must interpose. 
 
 " Let there be light !" is heard, 
 
 And with that heavenly word 
 Light, life, and power break in upon the soul; 
 
 Light — life — for death and gloom. 
 
 And power to know in whom. 
 Alone, the impotent are render'd whole. 
 
 A Saviour they embrace ; 
 
 By his redeeming grace 
 ^Vith strength from Him their spirits are supplied ; 
 
 In his atoning love 
 
 Creative power they prove, 
 And bow in spirit to The Crucified !
 
 THE PROMISE. 
 
 "And I will put enmit}' between tliee and (he woman, iuul 
 between tby seed, and her seed ; it sball break thy head, and thoti 
 rthalt bruise his heel." — Genesis, iii. 15. 
 
 Rejoice ! ye ransom'd saints, 
 The promise still endures ; 
 
 Though feeble nature faints, 
 The victory is yours. 
 
 But not by you obtain'd,— 
 Then hopeless were your trust. 
 
 For you, in conflict pain'd, 
 Know well that man is dust. 
 
 Yet though the serpent's power 
 May still at times appal, 
 
 As in the fearful hour 
 
 Of Adam's primal fall ; — 
 
 By you be still refus'd 
 
 Each bait by Satan spread. 
 
 The woman's seed hath bruisM 
 The serpent's crested head. 
 B '2
 
 Your help is from afar, 
 
 Your strength is from above, 
 
 Your spirit's guiding star 
 A Saviour's power and love. 
 
 Tiiough heirs to Adam's guilt, 
 Though you his fall have known, 
 
 The blood by Jesus spilt 
 May render you his own. 
 
 THE RAINBOW. 
 
 " I do set my bow in Uie cload, and it shall be for a token of « 
 covenant between me and the earth. And it shgll come to pas* 
 when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in 
 the cload." — Genesis, i\. 13, 14. 
 
 Still in the dark and threat'nins cloud 
 That bow is brightly plac'd above ; 
 
 'Nor should despondency enshroud 
 The token of eternal love.
 
 More blight, more beauteous are its beams, 
 Contrasted with surrounding gloom, 
 
 Thus heavenly mercy ever seems 
 Most lovely in impending doom. 
 
 A cloudless heaven, to joy's glad gaze. 
 May be with richer glory fraught ; 
 
 While sorrow's eye its arch surveys 
 Without one fond congenial thought. 
 
 But when dark clouds obscure the sky 
 That bow of promise still is fair. 
 
 Cheering the mourner's heaven-ward eye, 
 Teaching his heart that God is there. 
 
 B :i
 
 ABRAM CALLED. 
 
 " Now the Lord said unto Abratn, Get thee out of thy countrj, 
 and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee.'' — 
 (jeiiesis, xii. I. 
 
 "Get thee out, and leave behind 
 All the ties that kindred bind ; 
 From thy home and country go 
 To a land that I will show." 
 
 Such the call the faithful heard ; 
 Flesh and blood had long demurr'd, 
 Fear'd, and doubted, and delay 'd, 
 Disbeliev'd — and disobey'd. 
 
 Abram heard, believing God ! 
 Duty's onward path he trod ; 
 Trusting Him whose word could bless 
 A\ on the meed of faithfulness.
 
 Christian pilgrim, Zion-ward, 
 True disciple of thy Lord, 
 May his Spirit to thy heart 
 Kindred faithfulness impart. 
 
 ji. Thou hast heard a voice within ; 
 
 t 
 
 1 Let that voice attention win ; 
 
 Doubt not, fear not, self abhorr'd, 
 
 4-'olIow on to know the Lord. 
 
 At his bidding sacririce 
 More than country's, kindred's ties ; 
 These may still be spared to thee, 
 Let thy heart thy Master's be. 
 
 Daily, hourly, labour there, 
 Waiting, watching unto prayer ; 
 Wait to know thy Master's will. 
 Watch and pray to do it still. 
 
 Then thy calling shall be sure. 
 Thy election made secure, 
 And the meed by Abram won 
 
 Thine through his Immortal Son. 
 
 B 4
 
 8 
 
 THE WILL ACCEPTED FOR THE DEED. 
 
 " And Isaac spake unto Abraham liis father, and said, Mj 
 fatlier : and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the 
 tire and the wood ; but where is the lamb for a burnt oflVring?" — 
 Genesis, \xii. 7. 
 
 Brief colloquy, yet more sublime, 
 
 To every feeling heart. 
 Than all the boast of classic time, 
 
 Or Drama's proudest art: 
 Far, far beyond the Grecian stage, 
 Or Poesy's most glowing page. 
 
 But He whose ever watchful eye 
 
 Discerns the heart's intent, 
 Saw every pang, mark'd every sigh 
 
 Which Abraham's bosom rent, 
 Am\, when his servant's faith was tried. 
 An offering for himself supplied. 
 
 His mercy, and his tender love ' 
 
 liemain unalter'd still. 
 As prompt to recompence as prove 
 
 Obedience to his will ; 
 And where true faithfulness is shown 
 To own it for itself alone.
 
 JACOB S DREAM. 
 
 " And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set np on the earth, and 
 the top of it reached to heaven : and behold the angels of God 
 ascending and descending on it." — Genesis, xxviii. 12. 
 
 Why are such splendid glimpses given no more, 
 Such dreams by night, such visitants by day. 
 
 As blest the patriarchs and the seers of yore, 
 Cheering the pilgrim on his heaven-ward way ? 
 
 Oh ! were our eye anointed and unseal'd 
 The wonders of redeeming grace to view, 
 
 Our mental vision would behold reveal'd 
 
 Glories beyond what seers or patriarchs knew. 
 
 What though bright glimpses of angelic things 
 At times might grace the old world's early prime, 
 
 Xot then had risen, with healing on its wings, 
 The Sun of Righteousness in light sublime. 
 
 Our day and dispensation would make known 
 Visions as glorious, truths sublimer far. 
 
 And hope would render them through faith our own. 
 Did not our worldliness devotion mar. 
 
 B .5
 
 10 
 
 Surpassing all the holy patriarch dream d 
 Of steps of light by hosts angelic trod, 
 
 Would be the beauty of a heart redeem'd, 
 A heart the temple of the living God. 
 
 To such the house of God, the gate of heaven, 
 
 I s limited to no peculiar spot. 
 At Bethel, or at Marah proof is given 
 
 Their Lord is with them when they know it not. 
 
 JACOB WP.ESTLING. 
 
 " And lie said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 
 Genesis, xxxii. 26. 
 
 Let me go, thy hope is vain, 
 Day around us breaketh ; 
 
 Worn with weariness and pain. 
 Strength thy frame forsaketh. 
 
 No, the patriarch answer'd, Xo ? 
 
 Think not thus to press me, 
 1 will never let thee go 
 
 'Till thou deign to bless me.
 
 11 
 
 Noble words, heroic vow, 
 
 Worthy imitation ; 
 Meet to waken, even now 
 
 Holy emulation. • 
 
 Seed of Jacob ! you who share 
 
 Aught of Israel's spirit, 
 ^Vrestle thus, in fervent prayer, 
 
 Blessing to inherit. 
 
 Prayer, surpassing- human might, 
 Prayer, Heaven's holy portress, 
 
 Prayer, the saint's supreme delight. 
 Prayer, the sinner's fortress. 
 
 Prayer and faith can hope impart, 
 Hope beyond expressing. 
 
 And call down upon the heart 
 Israel's richest blessina". 
 
 B G
 
 12 
 
 SHILOH FORETOLD. 
 
 " The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from 
 between his feet, until Sbiloh come ; and unto him shall the gather- 
 ing of the people be." — Genesis, xlix. 10. 
 
 'TwAS thus, with clear prophetic eye 
 The dying- patriarch from afar 
 
 Beheld in Bethlehem's cloudless sky 
 The risinsf of the eastern star. 
 
 a 
 
 That Star has risen ; its light has shone 
 From Calvary's consecrated hill, 
 
 Eternal God ! thy power alone 
 Its promis'd glory can fulfil. 
 
 Thou gatherest, none can scatter wide ; 
 
 Thou scatterest, from thy fold we stray ; 
 Thy Spirit to that fold must guide, 
 
 'J'hy Son the Light, the Life, the Way ! 
 
 The kingly sceptre, regal crown 
 
 Trom Judah's outward tribe have past. 
 
 Each relique of his old renown 
 Low at Immanuel's footstool cast.
 
 13 
 
 from ancient Israel's race and name 
 Their early honours far have tlown ; 
 
 Lord ! magnify thy Shiloh's name, 
 O Father ! glorify thine own. 
 
 "Till through thy grace from shore to shore 
 Thy kingdom spread, — from sea to sea ;- 
 
 And to thy Son for evermore 
 The gathering of the people be. 
 
 THE INFANT MOSES FOUND. 
 
 " And when she had opened it (the ark) she saw the child : and 
 behold the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said. 
 This is one of the Hebrews' children." — Exodus, ii. 0. 
 
 Vain the fond attempt of man 
 God's supreme decrees to scan, 
 
 Or estimate his ways ; 
 What now is we darkly see. 
 But what shall hereafter be 
 
 Mocks our feeble saze.
 
 14 
 
 Levi's daughter scarce could thiuk. 
 When beside the river's brink 
 
 O'er the ark she mourn'd. 
 How that child in manhood's hour 
 Should with more than kingly power 
 
 Be honour'd and adorn 'd. 
 
 Pharaoh's daughter little knew, 
 When, relenting at the view, 
 
 She interfer'd to save, 
 He whose sorrows thus could plead 
 Egypt's glory soon would lead 
 
 To ocean's yawning grave. 
 
 God ! to thine omniscient eye 
 Things to come, and things gone by 
 
 Are as present «hown ; 
 In their origin, and end, 
 All unto thy glory tend. 
 
 And make thy goodness known. 
 
 Teach us, then, in Thee to trust. 
 Wise and mighty, good and just ; 
 
 That living faith bestow 
 Which, in moments dark or bright, 
 Knows that all thou dost is right, 
 
 And seeks no more to know.
 
 15 
 
 THE HOLINESS OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE. 
 
 " And he said, Draw not nigh hitlier : put oil' thy shoes troiii oil 
 thv feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.'" — 
 Exodus, iii. 5, 
 
 Fearful in holiness wert Tiiou, 
 O God ! on Horeb's height; 
 
 AYell might thy servant Moses bow, 
 And worship at the sight. 
 
 Well might he, at such high behest. 
 With feet unshod draw nigh, 
 
 When thus thy presence was contest 
 In awful majesty. 
 
 And what thou wast on Horeb's brow, 
 
 Or Sinai's cloud-capt hill, 
 Fhou yet remain'st : — thy presence now 
 
 () God! is holy still. 
 
 Though not to outward sense reveal'd. 
 
 As then to Moses shown, 
 Nor now in human guise conceai'd 
 
 As once on Calvary known : —
 
 16 
 
 Yet through the Spirit of thy Son , 
 The influence of thy grace, 
 
 Thou art not far from every one 
 \yho seeks to know thy face. 
 
 Thy gospel light hatli shown us where 
 Thy temple, Lord, should be ; 
 
 Grant us to feel thy presence there. 
 To feel, and worship thee. 
 
 To bow before thee in the heart 
 With love and awe profound, 
 
 As knowing where-soe'er Thou art. 
 We stand on holy ground. 
 
 ISRAEL HUMBLED YET HOPEFUL. 
 
 "And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord 
 had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon 
 their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped/"— 
 Exodus, iv. 31. 
 
 Israel, humbled, could believe, 
 Moses' message could receive ; 
 Faith was given to feel that God 
 Look'd upon the path they trod ;
 
 j 
 
 17 
 
 Saw their sorrows, heard their sigiis, 
 Would for their deliv'rance rise : 
 Then to Him, whose arm could free, 
 Bow'd each head, and bent each knee. 
 
 Oh ! that Christians oft'ner knew 
 What humility can do ; . 
 That they truly saw and felt 
 How affliction hearts should melt ; 
 They, like Israel's sons, would know 
 Heavenly faith in earthly woe, 
 Strength in weakness, joy in grief, 
 Humble hope in pure belief. 
 
 'Tis the humble God protects, 
 1'is the meek his light directs, 
 "Tis the mourner sings his song, 
 "Tis the weak he renders strong, 
 Tis the simple who are taught 
 Wisdom passing human thought : — 
 Lowly, mourning, simple, weak — 
 These his glorious praises speak.
 
 18 
 
 THE TYPE OF THE ATONEMENT. 
 
 " For the Lord will pass through to smite the Ef^yptiaiis, and 
 nlien he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, 
 the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer 
 to come in unto jour bouses to smite you." — Exodus, xii. 23. 
 
 Horror was in the cry ! 
 
 Tears were in many an eye, 
 And tearful anguish breath'd a fruitless prayer, 
 
 When, at the dead of night, 
 
 The stern destroyer's flight 
 Where danger seem'd not scatter'd wild despair. 
 
 But where the sprinkled blood 
 
 A pledge of safety stood, 
 The messenger of wrath pass'd harmless o'er ; 
 
 In quietness they slept. 
 
 Or holy vigils kept, 
 Clos'd until morning every guarded doov.
 
 19 
 
 If Israel's sons delight 
 
 To celebrate a rite 
 IV) which their faithful memory fondly clings, 
 
 Should not the Christian too 
 
 Herein an emblem view 
 Of blood more holy, speaking better things? 
 
 O Thou ! who on the tree. 
 
 Our souls from death to free. 
 Thy cleansing and atoning blood outpour'd. 
 
 Incline our hearts to prize 
 
 Thy pure self-sacrifice, 
 .\ncl be our Paschal Lamb! Redeeming Lord ! 
 
 DELIVERANCE IN DANGER. 
 
 " Fear ye not, stand still, and see tbe salvation of the Lcrc!. 
 Exodus, xiv. 13. 
 
 A BILLOWY deep before, 
 
 'J'he tyrant's host behind them ; 
 
 Could Israel but deplore 
 
 The seeming doom assign'd them ?
 
 20 
 
 Yet brief was their command 
 
 In hour of tribulation, 
 Fear not! In silence stand, 
 
 And see your Lord's salvation. 
 
 They stood, and straightway saw 
 The deeps for them divided. 
 
 And foUow'd on with awe 
 
 The cloud which safely guided. 
 
 They stood, and saw the foe, 
 With tumult and commotion, 
 
 Whelm'd in the depths below, 
 And buried in the ocean. 
 
 Tried follower of the Lamb, 
 In hour of dark temptation, 
 
 Trust in the dread I AM, 
 
 Wait for thy Lord's salvation. 
 
 Stand still ! and thou shalt see, 
 As faith thine eye uncloses. 
 
 An Arm outstretch'd for thee 
 Stronger than that of Moses.
 
 21 
 
 THE DIVINE SUPREMACY. 
 
 " Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods ? Who is like 
 thee, glorloas in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders'"— 
 Exodus, XT. 11. 
 
 Who is like to thee, O Lord ! 
 Among gods by man adored ? 
 AVho like thee can save and bless, 
 (jlorious still in holiness? 
 
 Fearful yet in praises found. 
 Doing wonders all around, 
 (iods that have been, or shall be. 
 Never can be named with Thee. 
 
 Thou alone for ever ART ! 
 Thou alone discern'st the heart ; 
 Thou alone the thoughts dost try, 
 Thou alone canst grace supply. 
 
 In thy providence we see 
 Daily, hourly marks of Thee ; 
 All that charms our sense or sight 
 Owns thy rule, and pleads thy right.
 
 oo 
 
 'i'liou, at time's far distant birth, 
 Formed'st heaven, created'st earth, 
 Ciav'st the sun the day to guide, 
 Bad'st the moon o'er night preside. 
 
 But thy richest crown we trace 
 ! n the myst'ries of thy grace ; 
 In redemption's matchless scheme 
 Own thy love, thy power SUPREME '. 
 
 There thou risest to our view 
 As our God and Saviour too ; 
 There we hear thy Spirit's call ; 
 There we find Thee all in all. 
 
 THE HEALING OF MARAH S WATERS. 
 
 " And the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast intu> 
 the waters, the waters were made sweet." — Exodus, xv.25. 
 
 JMarah ! whate'er the tree might be 
 Which made thy bitter waters sweet. 
 
 The Christian in its power may see 
 Of power divine an emblem meet.
 
 23 
 
 f ullmany a cup from which the lip 
 Draws back as from a poisoii'd bowl, 
 
 Through love's sublime disciple-ship 
 Is rendered grateful to the soul. 
 
 The world's distaste, pride's heartless scorn, 
 A toilsome life, perchance a grave. 
 
 Are things as loveless and forlorn 
 As ever was thy bitterest wave. 
 
 But those, endured for Jesu's sake, 
 Are render'd through his love divine 
 
 A cup 'tis pleasure to partake, 
 
 Chang'd by his power like Cana's wine. 
 
 The tree which Marah's waters heal'd. 
 Which sweetness gave, or could restore. 
 
 Is of his cross a type reveal'd. 
 Which he who bears repines no more. 
 
 Oh ! may this love in us abound, 
 Ciuide to our Elim's happy shore, 
 
 AVhere wells for every tribe are found, 
 By living palm trees shadow'd o'er.
 
 24 
 
 THE OITWARI) AND THE SPIRITUAL MANNA. 
 
 " He that had gathered much had nothing over, and be that bad 
 ^^athered little had no lack ; they gathered every man according to 
 his eating.'' — Exodus, xvi. IS. 
 
 Thus was it with the manna spread 
 
 P'or Israel every even ; 
 Thus is it with the Christian's bread. 
 
 His living bread from heaven. 
 
 They who went forth at morn to find 
 
 That outward food of yore. 
 Beyond the portion God assign'd 
 
 Could heap no added store. 
 
 Though worldly prudence might suggest 
 The morrow's wants were nigh. 
 
 Experience soon this truth imprest 
 God only could supply ! 
 
 Jlence was dependance daily learn'd 
 
 On his paternal care, 
 And still a heaven- ward eye upturn'd 
 
 To him in faith and prayer.
 
 25 
 
 O thou ! whom Christ has taught to pray 
 
 To him for nianua now, 
 In secret each returning day 
 
 Before his footstool bow. 
 
 He is himself that living Bread, 
 
 Descended from on high. 
 On which the spirit that is fed 
 
 Shall never, never die. 
 
 To Him in truth and spirit seek, 
 Who day by day must give 
 
 That food which nourishes the weak, 
 And bids the simple live. 
 
 Be less or more to Him resign'd 
 ^Vho hears and answers prayer, 
 
 In whom the poorest riches find, 
 The richest — none to spare.
 
 26 
 
 SINAI AND CALVARY. 
 
 " And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord 
 descended upon it in fire ; and the smoke thereof ascended as tlie 
 smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly." — 
 Exodus, xix. 18. 
 
 What hope and fear, with hush'd delight 
 
 In Israel's sons were blended. 
 When on Mount Sinai's cloud-veil'd height. 
 
 Thy presence, Lord, descended. 
 
 AVhen light'nings rent that awful veil 
 
 At intervals asunder. 
 And, turning e'en the boldest pale, 
 
 Thy voice out-spake the thunder. 
 
 If thus sublimely was reveal'd 
 
 The Law's first promulgation. 
 If thus to sight and sense appeal'd 
 
 That earlier dispensation : — 
 
 Yet more of glory is descried 
 On Calvary's holier mountain, 
 
 Where from Immanuel's wounded side 
 Sprang forth Atonement's fountain.
 
 27 
 
 Though all around Mount Sinai bow'd, 
 And own'd thy presence glorious, 
 
 While scorn at Calvary was proud, 
 And cruelty victorious. 
 
 Yet far beyond that earlier scene 
 Of thunder, smoke, and light'ning, 
 
 The Saviour's countenance serene, 
 ^^\ih love and mercy bright'ning. 
 
 And though sublime that trumpet's peal. 
 
 What bosom would not rather 
 The import of those accents feel 
 
 Which said, " Forgive them — Father !" 
 
 THE altar's simplicity. 
 
 "And if tbou wilt make mean altar of stone, thou sLalt not build 
 it of bewn stone : for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast 
 polluted it."— Exodus, XX. 25. 
 
 Lord ! may the precept still impart 
 Its import to the Christian's heart, 
 And teach us, as we look to Thee, 
 Thy worship's true simplicity. 
 
 C 2
 
 28 
 
 If thus, 'mid ancient forms, the aid 
 Of human art thy word forbade, 
 Choosing for altar of thine own 
 Unhewn, and unpolluted stone: — 
 
 By more than emblematic speech 
 Thy Spirit now this truth would teach 
 Altars of flesh, like those of stone, 
 Must be prepar'd by Thee alone. 
 
 If now to Thee we build no more 
 An outward shrine as heretofore, 
 That in the heart, if truly thine. 
 Must yet be rear'd by power divine. 
 
 The meddling touch of human will 
 Would make that shrine polluted still ; 
 The utmost stretch of human powers 
 Would leave the fabric only ows. 
 
 Thine it should be ; — in mercy deign 
 To build — what we but build in vain. 
 And when the work by Thee is done 
 Accept its incense through thy Son.
 
 29 
 
 WAITING FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE. 
 
 "And when the cloud was taken np from the tabernacle, then 
 after that the children of Israel journeyed : and in the place where 
 the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents."— 
 Numbers, ix. 19. 
 
 How beautiful the lessons taught 
 By Israel's journeyings still appear; 
 
 With what divine instruction fraught. 
 For christian pilgrims to revere. 
 
 And many a law whose influence sway'd 
 The earlier chosen of the Lord, 
 
 Divinely understood, may aid 
 Our holy progress Zion-ward. 
 
 }lave we no ark in this our day? 
 
 Are tent and tabernacle gone ? 
 No cloud to tell us when to stay ? 
 
 No radiant light to lead us on ? 
 
 What if those outward signs are fled. 
 Their hidden meaning long shall last, 
 
 And souls, by Christ their Captain led, 
 Learn present wisdom from the past, 
 c 3
 
 30 
 
 Such when the cloud has veil'd from sight 
 Their ark within, awhile must rest, 
 
 And wait the dawning of that Light 
 AVhose guidance heretofore has blest. 
 
 But when the fire with brightness burnsj 
 And when the shadowy cloud is gone, 
 
 These, as the light of grace returns, 
 In hope and gladness journey on. 
 
 THE BRAZEN SERPENT. 
 
 "Aud the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a h'erj serpent, and 
 set it upon a pole : and it shall come to pass, that every one that 
 is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live."— Numbers, xxi. 8. 
 
 Type of that holier tree, 
 Whereon the Son of God for sinners died, 
 
 The wounded gaz'd on thee. 
 With fearful hope thy brazen serpent eyed. 
 
 Hadst thou such healing power 
 On those who look'd to thee for aid divine, 
 
 Unless, in that dread hour. 
 Their inward faith confirm'd thy outward sign '(
 
 31 
 
 Or will His death suffice, 
 Who died upon the cross that we might live, 
 
 If faith, the pearl of price. 
 His grace vouchsafe not unto us to give. 
 
 But with that peerless boon 
 The cross of Christ as far exceeds thy power. 
 
 As does the blaze of noon 
 The shadowy splendours of the twilight hour. 
 
 For thine could do no more 
 Than make the impotent in body whole ; 
 
 But His can yet restore 
 Light, life, and joy to the immortal soul. 
 
 TURNING IN TRIBULATION. 
 
 "When thoa art in tribulation, and all these things are come 
 npon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy 
 God, and shall be obedient unto his voice ; he will not forsake 
 thee, neither destroy thee." — Deuteronomy, iv. 30, 31. 
 
 Waken'd sinner, whelm'd in grief, 
 Seeking, praying for relief, 
 Hear the promise of thy God, 
 Bow beneath his chast'ning rod. 
 
 C 4
 
 32 
 
 Have his judgments fallen on thee ? 
 Thou may'st yet his mercy see :- — 
 Hast thou fallen on " latter days ?" 
 In them thou may'st sing his praise. 
 
 Only turn thee to the Lord, 
 Every former sin abhorr'd. 
 Be obedient to his voice, 
 Then in him thou shalt rejoice. 
 
 Not by sorrow of thine own 
 Canst thou for the past atoiie ; 
 Nor by strength of human will 
 Canst thou God's commands fulfil. 
 
 By his" WELL-BELOVED Son" 
 That atonement hath been won, 
 And through faith in him, alone. 
 Can that power by thee be known. 
 
 Be this living faith thy prayer. 
 Then may'st thou his Spirit share. 
 Know thy sins within thee slain, 
 And in Him be born again.
 
 33 
 
 THE CURSE OF DISOBEDIENCE. 
 
 " Aud thv heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the 
 earth that is under thee shall he iron." — Deuteronomy, ixviii. 23. 
 
 Appalling doom ! yet hearts there are 
 
 Its fearful truth have found. 
 Have known a heaven where sun nor star 
 
 Its radiance sheds around. 
 
 A heaven of brass, from whose stern cope 
 
 No living- waters well'd, 
 Whereon the rainbow, arch of hope, 
 
 The eye hath ne'er beheld. 
 
 An earth of iron, whose barren breast 
 
 Seem'd icy cold and dead. 
 Where sterile paths, by joy unblest 
 
 In endless maze were spread. 
 
 Oh ! such a heaven, and such an earth, 
 
 Are no delusive dream, 
 To which wild phantasy gives birth, 
 
 Howe'er the worldling deem, 
 c 5
 
 34 
 
 They who have trod that hopeless path, 
 
 Beneath that rayless sky, 
 Have known the hour of righteous wrath 
 
 These metaphors imply. 
 
 These know how God's most holy will 
 
 Can mar creation's face. 
 And leave the disobedient, still, 
 
 No pleasant resting place. 
 
 One only hope for such remains; 
 
 Repent, return, and live; 
 He who no penitent disdains. 
 
 New heavens, new earth can give. 
 
 Simple obedience shall restore 
 Green fields, and sunny skies ; 
 
 And hearkening to his voice liring more 
 Than Eden's Paradise. 
 
 THE SPIRITUAL LAW. 
 
 " But the word is very nigh thee, in tliy mouth and in thy heart, 
 that thou mayest do it." — Deuteronomy, xxx. 14. 
 
 Say not The law divine 
 Is hidden from thee, or afar remov'd ; 
 
 That law within would shine, 
 If there its glorious light were sought and lov'd.
 
 35 
 
 Soar not on high, 
 Nor ask who thence shall bring it down to earth ; 
 
 That vaulted sky 
 Hath no such star, didst thou but know its worth. 
 
 Nor launch thy bark 
 In search thereof upon a shoreless sea 
 
 Which has no ark. 
 No dove to bring this olive-branch to thee. 
 
 Then do not roam 
 In search of that which wandering cannot win ; 
 
 At home ! At home ! 
 That word is plac'd, thy mouth, thy heart within. 
 
 Oh ! seek it there, 
 Turn to its teachings with devoted will ; 
 
 Watch unto prayer. 
 And in the power of faith this law fulfil. 
 
 THE LOST FOUND. 
 
 " He foand him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wil- 
 derness ; he led him aboat, he instructed him, he kept hira as the 
 apple of his eye." — Deuteronomy, xxxii. 10. 
 
 Thus didst thou. Lord, for Israel then, 
 Thus dost thou now for guilty men ; 
 Yet, yet compassionate, and kind. 
 Thy love vouchsafes the lost to find. 
 
 c 6
 
 36 
 
 What numbers, in this gospel day. 
 Have wander'd widely from thy way, 
 Into the desert's lone distress, 
 Sin's waste and howling wilderness. 
 
 But thou hast mark'd their footsteps there, 
 Hast seen their anguish, heard their prayer, 
 Thy mercy aid has interpos'd. 
 Thy hand deliverance has disclos'd. 
 
 Thou, in that land of fear and doubt. 
 Hast led the wanderers far about ; 
 Thy grace instructed such to see 
 That help could only come from thee. 
 
 Like to the apple of thine eye 
 Thy love has kept them from on high, 
 And from that waste and desert strand 
 Has brought them to the promis'd land. 
 
 May these thy mercies ne'er forget, 
 But honour, love, and serve thee yet; 
 And sing His praise by Jordan's wave. 
 Who came the lost to seek, and save !
 
 37 
 
 THE saints' refuge. 
 
 "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the ever- 
 lasting arms." — Deuteronomj, xxxiii. 27. 
 
 All language must be faint 
 
 The blessedness to paint 
 Of those who place their trust, O Lord ! in thee; 
 
 Whose spirits upward soar 
 
 To Thee, who evermore 
 The refuge of the righteous deion'st to be. 
 
 .^^ v.. V..V, ..^..^.^WUC. «C.g,. 
 
 These in the hour of woe, 
 
 Which all on earth must know. 
 Look up to Thee through thy incarnate Son, 
 
 And by thy Spirit's grace 
 
 On Thee reliance place 
 Tvf.raemb'ring what thine outstretch VI arm has done. 
 
 Thou art their refuge still. 
 
 In every time of ill. 
 Beneath are thy eternal arms of love ; 
 
 On earth they sing thy praise, 
 
 And songs more sweet shall raise 
 To Thee and to the Lamb in realms above.
 
 38 
 
 A prophet's old age. 
 
 "And Moses was an bnndred and twenty years old when be 
 died : his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." — 
 Deuteronomy, xxxiv. 7. 
 
 How lightly o'er thy guarded head 
 The lapse of silent years had sped, 
 
 How poor the spoils of time, 
 To leave thee thus, in life's last stage, 
 A living greenness in old age 
 
 So splendid and sublime. 
 
 Thy natural vigour unimpair'd, 
 An eye whose lustre still declared 
 
 Age could not dim its ray. 
 How brightly must thy sun have set, 
 Which on the verge of night had yet 
 
 The radiance of noon -day. 
 
 Had age so vigorous and serene 
 E'en in that distant era been 
 
 A thing regarded not, 
 Not thus had history's page unroU'd 
 Thy triumph o'er decay, and told 
 
 Thy proud, peculiar lot.
 
 39 
 
 But thus conspicuously was shown 
 Vi2;our and brightness not thy own. 
 
 To life's last parting hour. 
 That Israel in that wond'rous sign 
 Of might more glorious far than thine, 
 
 Should own Jehovah's power. 
 
 That we, who sooner reach life's close. 
 May in our weakness yet repose 
 
 On his eternal truth. 
 Who, if to Him alone we live. 
 In age unto the soul can give 
 
 Sprinff's renovated youth. 
 
 STONES OF MEMORIAL. 
 
 "When your children shall ask their fathers, in time to come, 
 saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children 
 know, sayin;^, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land." — 
 Joshua, iv. 21, 22. 
 
 Uetween us and that land of rest 
 
 To which thy grace, O Lord ! would guide, 
 
 Seems interpos'd, in hours deprest, 
 A deep, a broad, and billowy tide.
 
 40 
 
 There waves of conflict loudly roar. 
 Rocks of temptation there are found, 
 
 The winds of pride sweep fiercely o'er, 
 And fogs of doubt oft hover round. 
 
 And many a once triumphant bark, 
 Strew'd on its shore a shapeless mass, 
 
 Denotes what countless dangers mark 
 The Jordan which the soul must pass. 
 
 Yet christian pilgrim, thou to whom 
 That land of promis'd rest is dear. 
 
 Let not despondency and gloom 
 Excite distrust and chilling fear. 
 
 Go on in hope and faith like those 
 Who bore that hallow'd ark on high, 
 
 At whose approach the waters rose, 
 
 And wave-less stood — 'till they were by ! 
 
 He who hath call'd thee by his love, 
 Can guard thee safely by his power. 
 
 By grace can guide thee from above. 
 In peril's and temptation's hour. 
 
 His word of promise is as true 
 
 As when the Jordan backward turn'd, 
 
 His arm can lead thee safely through 
 The deeper tide by thee discern'd.
 
 41 
 
 Can give thee from its hidden bed 
 Stones of memorial for a sign 
 
 That souls redeem'd, by Jesue led, 
 May trust in power and love divine. 
 
 QUIETUDE AND SAFETY. 
 
 "Thej that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places 
 of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of 
 the Lord." — Judges, v. 11. 
 
 How blest the quietude of those 
 Deliver'd, Lord! by thee; 
 
 How safely do their souls repose 
 By love divine set free, 
 
 Deliver'd from the pow'r of sin. 
 
 Freed from its galling yoke within. 
 
 These drink of that immortal spring 
 Which every thirst supplies, 
 
 Waiting beside its brink to sing 
 When its blest waters rise, 
 
 Whose gentle echoes round prolong 
 
 Its music, and their grateful song.
 
 42 
 
 And never noise of archers' bows 
 
 Is by those waters heard, 
 Nor by the winged shafts of foes 
 
 The balmy air is stirr'd ; 
 No sound of tumult, or of strife. 
 Is heard beside the spring of life. 
 
 But there the ransom'd speak thy praise. 
 
 Thy righteous acts record. 
 And souls redeem'd glad anthems raise 
 
 To their redeeming Lord ; 
 And far beyond bard's sweetest verse 
 The grateful song their lips rehearse. 
 
 ruth's love. 
 
 "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again : and Orpaii 
 kissed her motlier in law ; but Ruth clave to her." — Ruth, i. 14. 
 
 Though prouder names than thine may live 
 In history's richly blazon'd page, 
 
 Adorn'd with all that fame can give 
 To win the eye from age to age :
 
 43 
 
 Yet by no sweeter, purer fame 
 
 Hath joy been gladden'd, grief beguil'd, 
 Than that which brightly wreaths thy name, 
 
 And speaks thy worth, Naomi's chikl ! 
 
 Thy story, 'mid the stormier deeds 
 The annals of thy time make known. 
 
 For humble truth and nature pleads 
 With grace peculiarly their own. 
 
 And deep instruction yet is taught 
 
 By thy delightful simple tale, 
 Disclosing to attentive thought 
 
 The love which can and cannot fail. 
 
 There is a love, sincere, but weak, 
 
 Which has no high, or heaven- ward stay ; 
 
 Thus Orpah kiss'd her mother's cheek, 
 Kiss'd her — and wept — yet turn'd away ! 
 
 Thy own, heroic and sublime. 
 Still to thy earthly parent clave, 
 
 And lives, triumphant over time. 
 For Heaven its holier courage gave. 
 
 And richly God vouchsaf 'd to bless 
 
 A love devoted, pure as thine, 
 By making thee the ancestress 
 
 Of kingly Dafvid's royal line.
 
 44 
 
 VOICELESS PRAYER. 
 
 " Now Hannah, she spake in her heart, only her lips raoved, 
 hut her voice was not heard : therefore Eli thought she had been 
 drunken." — 1 Samuel, i. 13. 
 
 Behold how few brief words set forth 
 Of voiceless prayer the happy lot ; 
 
 God who inspires it owns its worth, 
 Though mortal man discern it not : 
 
 That prayer which reach'd not Eli's ear, 
 
 The Lord stoop'd down from heaven to hear. 
 
 And many a prayer from lips that move 
 
 In silence now, ascends on high ; 
 By Him who dwells and reigns above 
 
 Beheld with no averted eye, 
 Aye, plum'd with wings, endow'd with sense 
 Beyond all verbal eloquence. 
 
 Then fear not thou, whose faultering tongue 
 Seems powerless still, when bent the knee, 
 
 Though songs of praise by angels sung 
 In heaven for ever vocal be, 
 
 True prayer, though pour'd in sigh and groan, 
 
 Soars not unnotic'd, nor unknown.
 
 45 
 
 If grace divine the heart prepare, 
 A sigh, a groan in Jesu's name 
 
 May prove a more availing prayer 
 
 Than art's elaborate power can frame ; 
 
 Nor need our silence be deplored 
 
 While hearts are vocal to the Lord. 
 
 HIDDEN, BUT HOPED FOR. 
 
 " And the word of the Lord was precious in tbose days ; there 
 was no open vision.'' — 1 Samuel, iii. 1. 
 
 Not only in the spring-tide hour, 
 Or summer's bright and fervid power, 
 Does nature live : —her hidden life 
 Lives on through winter's stormy strife. 
 
 Though perish'd bud, and flower, and fruit. 
 If deep below survive the root, 
 When spring shall re-assume her reign, 
 The sap shall re-ascend again. 
 
 Nor had the Lord his people left, 
 Thougli Eli's age of strength was reft ; 
 Altliough his sons their God forgot. 
 And he their sire restrain'd them not.
 
 4G 
 
 Though even near His hallow'd ark 
 The lamp of God seem'd growing dark, 
 Though there no open vision told 
 The glories of the days of old. 
 
 Yet still His ivord was precious! still 
 There vpere who sought to know his will, 
 Who look'd unto that ark, though dim, 
 With hopes and prayers that turn'd to Him. 
 
 Those hopes and prayers an answer found 
 When night seem'd gathering darkly round ; 
 Though he, the guardian of the shrine, 
 At first knew not the voice divine. 
 
 Nor is His church now left by Him, 
 Though many an Eli's eyes wax dim ; 
 Nor is the Christian's hopeless night, 
 Though God, awhile, may veil his light. 
 
 If precious to His church his word. 
 Its voice by them shall yet be heard ; 
 Christian, if veil'd that light from thee. 
 Hidden, but hoped for, may it be.
 
 47 
 
 OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN SACRIFICE. 
 
 "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt 
 offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ' 
 Behold, to obe^' is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than tlie 
 fat of rams." — 1 Samael, xv.22. 
 
 Think not, Christian ! thou canst choose 
 //btu obedience should be shown, 
 
 God will evermore refuse 
 
 Offering which is not his oivn. 
 
 What can sacrifice of thine, 
 
 Offer'd in thy strength and will, 
 
 Gain thee at that inner shrine. 
 Where He seeks obedience still ? 
 
 Hope not what thy choice inspires 
 
 Shall divine acceptance win, 
 But what God himself requires, 
 
 And makes manifest within. 
 
 There his Spirit gives the law 
 Graven on tables of the heart ; 
 
 This to trace with holy awe 
 Is true wisdom's better part.
 
 48 
 
 There his gospel would reveal 
 
 Hope which Christ alone can give ; 
 
 There before his footstool kneel, 
 Hear, obey, and thou shalt live. 
 
 THE HARP OF DAVID. 
 
 " And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon 
 Saul, that David took an harp and placed with his hand : so Saul 
 was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from 
 him." — 1 Samuel, xvi. 23. 
 
 Oh ! for the harp that David swept, 
 At whose divine entrancing sound 
 
 The evil spirit distance kept, 
 
 While holier visions hover'd round : 
 
 Oh ! for such harp in these our days, 
 
 To speak a God's, a Saviour's praise. 
 
 Then e'en on earth might song outpour 
 That sweet, that full, triumphant strain 
 
 Whose grateful notes should heaven-ward soar, 
 And there a gracious audience gain ; 
 
 While here below its hallow'd power 
 
 Should aid devotion's happiest hour.
 
 49 
 
 Christian, wouldst thou such harp possess, 
 May grace anoint thine eye to see, 
 
 And on thy mind this truth impress — 
 The heart that instrument may be : 
 
 For never harp or lyre reveal'd 
 
 Such music as the heart can yield. 
 
 Not in its unregenerate state 
 
 Canst thou expect those strains to hear; 
 By sin unstrung-, its accents grate 
 
 In discord on a heaven-touch 'd ear ; 
 Renew'd by grace, and tuned by love. 
 Its harmony ascends above. 
 
 Oh then with melody it seems 
 
 To vibrate from each trembling string ; 
 Each kindling thought and feeling teems 
 
 With songs as sweet as seraphs sing ; 
 And music art could never frame 
 Is breath'd to its Redeemer's name.
 
 50 
 
 THE PHILISTINE CHAMPION. 
 
 " And there went out ai champion out of the camp of the Plii - 
 listines, named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and 
 a span."— 1 Samuel, xvii. 4. 
 
 Though he of Gath no more 
 
 The living God defy. 
 Champions like him of yore 
 
 Satan can now supply. 
 
 The champions he can call, 
 Though hid from mortal sight. 
 
 Are deadlier in their thrall 
 Than that fierce giant's might. 
 
 They rise not in the field 
 Of war, with warlike mien ; 
 
 But in the heart conceal'd 
 They fight for him unseen. 
 
 Lust, with its wanton eye. 
 False shame, and servile fear, 
 
 Despair, wRose icy sigh 
 
 Would freeze contrition's tear :
 
 51 
 
 Doubt, with its scornful jest, 
 Pride, with its haughty brow ;- 
 
 These, lurking in the breast. 
 Are sin's Goliaths now. 
 
 Vainly our strength we boast, 
 Or reason's triumphs tell, 
 
 Sin's hydra-headed host 
 
 Arms notour own must quell. 
 
 Be ours, then, those alone 
 
 God's word and grace bestow, 
 
 Faith's simple sling and stone 
 Shall lay each giant low. 
 
 PROVED ARMOUR. 
 
 "And David said onto Saul, I cannot go with these, for I have 
 not proved them. And David put them oil" iiini.'"— 1 Samuel, 
 xvii. 39. 
 
 The shepherd youth, although arrayed 
 In helm and mail of Israel's king, 
 
 Felt in those royal arms afraid. 
 
 Though fearless with his stone arid sling. 
 D 2
 
 52 
 
 His limbs, though deck'd in martial pride, 
 
 With no elastic vigour mov'd. 
 He put the cumb'rous pomp aside, 
 
 And took the weapons he had prov'd. 
 
 Lord ! when we seek to serve thy cause, 
 
 In every conflict we may dare. 
 Like David may we wisely pause, 
 
 And try our arms with watchful care. 
 
 In armour prov'd, with weapons tried, 
 Be thou our Captain in the field; 
 
 Be all our arms by thee supplied. 
 
 And, with them, strength and skill to wield. 
 
 Not in our wisdom, or our might. 
 Or aught of our's be trust repos'd ; 
 
 They who beneath thy banners fight 
 Must look for aid by thee disclos'd. 
 
 The humblest weapon given by thee 
 Is render'd mighty through thy name ; 
 
 x\ll else, though splendid it may be, 
 Can bring us but defeat and shame.
 
 53 
 
 Solomon's temple. 
 
 " Aiid it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the 
 holy place, that the cload filled the bouse of the Lord, so that the 
 priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud : for the 
 glory of the Lord had filled the bouse of the Lord." — 1 Kings, 
 Tiii. 10, 11. 
 
 With what magnificence sublime 
 To outward sense in ancient time 
 
 Thy temple, Lord ! appeal'd; 
 When thus, descending from on high, 
 The glory of thy majesty 
 
 Was veil'd — and yet reveal'd. 
 
 Well may some moods of thought be known 
 When to that pomp, for ever flown, 
 
 We turn our mental gaze, 
 And mourn the splendour of the past 
 Should now no sun-like glory cast 
 
 On these degenerate days ! 
 D 3
 
 54 
 
 The thought forbid : — teach us to see 
 A temple, Lord! more worthy thee, 
 
 Which thou would'st now prepare 
 Within the heart by grace divine ; 
 Oh! guide us to that inner shrine, 
 
 That we may worship there. 
 
 Not all the skill, not all the cost, 
 Nor rites of Levi's sacred host 
 
 Which then adorn'd thy fane. 
 Could more availing power impart 
 Than the poor, contrite humble heart 
 
 May now from Jesus gain. 
 
 On Sinai's consecrated hill. 
 
 As in that pile, — dark clouds were still 
 
 Around thy presence bright; 
 But in the temple of the soul 
 The broken heart, by thee made whole. 
 
 Shall worship thee IN light !
 
 55 
 
 THE WIDOW S MEAL AND OIL. 
 
 "And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse ot 
 oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which lie spake by 
 Elijah.'— 1 Kings, xvii. Ki. 
 
 How rich is poverty's scant hoard, 
 When God hath bless'd its lot; 
 
 How poor the heaps that wealth has stored, 
 If he hath bless'd them not : — 
 
 Wiuiess proud Ahab's regal dome, 
 
 And the poor widow's humble home. 
 
 Thee dwelt she, with sufficient food 
 
 For nature's simple calls ; 
 AVhIe fear and caution sentries stood 
 
 B-side a monarch's walls : — 
 Her cruse by power unseen was fed, 
 ilei meal supplied their daily bread. 
 D 4
 
 56 
 
 "The age of miracles is past," 
 
 Some sceptic may exclaim ; 
 But if on God our care we cast, 
 
 His power remains the same : — 
 Nor do our spirits less demand 
 The bounty of his liberal hand. 
 
 Is there no cruse whose store should feed 
 
 Devotion's hallow'd tire ? 
 No living bread, whose daily need 
 
 Our deathless souls require ? 
 Are there not seasons when we sigh 
 In secret o'er our scant supply ? 
 
 Be ours the faith the widow knew. 
 
 When she the seer supplied, 
 So shall we own the promise true, 
 
 God's goodness will provide ; 
 The meal shall last, the cruse fail not, 
 'Till plenty be our spirits' lot.
 
 57 
 
 ELIJAH AT MOUNT HOREB, 
 
 "And after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when 
 Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle."—! Kings, 
 xix. 13. 
 
 The wind swept by ! God was not there ! 
 
 The earthquake rock'd the holy hill ; 
 The fire roll'd past with lurid glare. 
 
 The Tishbite stood collected still. 
 
 The still small voice its signal gave ! 
 
 Instant he left his hiding place, 
 Stood in the entrance of the cave, 
 
 With watchful ear, and shrouded face. 
 
 Solemn description ! teaching yet 
 
 Important truth to latest time ; 
 Truth ne'er before the spirit set 
 
 In form more awfully sublime. 
 
 Meek follower of the Nazarene, 
 
 Thou well canst read the lesson tauglit ; 
 
 Strong winds have pass'd, and earthquakes been, 
 Which have no certain watch-word brought. 
 D 5
 
 S8 
 
 The fire, in conflict's awful hour, 
 
 Hath pass'd, and nought but ruin shown 
 
 But in the still small voice have power 
 And love divine to thee been known. 
 
 Then from their innermost recess. 
 E'en as the seer that cavern trod, 
 
 Feeling and thought came forth to bless. 
 And hear with awe the voice of God. 
 
 naaman's pride and folly. 
 
 "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better tliais 
 all the waters of Israel ? May I not wash in them and be clean ?" — 
 2 Kings, V. 12. 
 
 Thus arrogant, and thus absurd 
 Was he who then the prophet heard : 
 We blame his language ; — are not we 
 As foolish and as proud as he ? 
 
 A fountain is unseal'd to save, 
 Of virtue passing Jordan's wave. 
 Beyond Bethesda's healing spring, 
 Though ruffled by an angel's wing.
 
 •59 
 
 There might we, in this gospel day, 
 ^Vash all our leprosy away. 
 Cleanse from our spirits every stain, 
 And more than child-like whiteness gain. 
 
 But faith is low, and pride is high, 
 We view that fount with doubting eye, 
 And choose with proud and angry tone 
 Abanas, Pharpars of our own. 
 
 <) Thou ! whose love that fount unseal'd, 
 By which, alone, we can be heal'd. 
 Strengthen our faith, subdue our pride, 
 Nor let our leprosy abide. 
 
 As then by Jordan's hallow'd brim 
 The leper's followers strove with him, 
 Beside thy holier fountain now 
 Our spirits in subjection bow. 
 
 Teach us in simple faith to prove 
 The power of thy redeeming love, 
 That like the Syrian we may see. 
 And own there is no God like thee. 
 
 D G
 
 60 
 
 elisha's bones. 
 
 "And they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha : aud whea 
 the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he re- 
 vived and stood up on his feet."' — 2 Kings, xiii. 21. 
 
 Had Israel's sons forgot the power 
 Which Jordan's waves had riven, 
 
 That to thy bones this healing dower 
 By miracle was given ? 
 
 I know not : — but the marvel pleads 
 
 Thy mission was divine ; 
 And to a tomb far holier leads 
 
 Than sepulchre of thine. 
 
 To one where for a season slept 
 The Lord of life and power. 
 
 While angels round their vigils kept. 
 And watch'd his wakening hour. 
 
 The hour when He, triumphantly. 
 Rose from the silent dead. 
 
 And even death's captivity 
 A vanquish'd captive led.
 
 61 
 
 When from the chambers of the grave 
 He soar'd to Heaven again, 
 
 And by his resurrection gave 
 Such glorious gifts to men. 
 
 Might the rich gifts his blood has bought 
 
 Assume their proper place, 
 The miracles thy reliques wrought 
 
 Must yield to those of grace. 
 
 To only one thy sacred tomb 
 
 Could mortal life restore, 
 Our Lord's to millions is the womb 
 
 Of life which ends no more. 
 
 ON THE USE OF TIME. 
 
 "And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thin^ for the shadow to 
 go down ten degrees : nay, but let the shadow retarn backward 
 ten degrees." — 2 Kings, xx. 10. 
 
 It seems a light and trivial thing 
 
 To view time's onward flight impelTd ; 
 
 To mark the shadow of his wing 
 
 Turn'd back! — a sight but once beheld.
 
 G2 
 
 Once only, to a monarch's prayer, 
 
 Was given by miracle divine 
 The moments pass'd again to share, 
 
 And see retrac'd time's shadowy line. 
 
 Yet thousands daily live on earth 
 
 As if their ineffectual might 
 Could give this wonder hourly birth 
 
 And backward turn time's rapid flight. 
 
 O time ! Heaven's richest gift to man, 
 'Till gone — -too rarely understood, 
 
 Bow few thy richest treasures scan. 
 Or rightly estimate thy good. 
 
 Far beyond honours, power, or wealth, 
 The records of thy flight endure. 
 
 And render, by unheeded stealth. 
 The poorest rich, the richest poor, 
 
 Ahusd! though fame's proud heights be trod, 
 Those barren summits nought can give ; 
 
 Usd for the glory of thy G od — 
 llie humblest in content may live. 
 
 Thou Giver of this gift sublime ! 
 
 Grant us thy grace its use to see. 
 That we may at the end of time 
 
 Enjoy eternity with thee.
 
 63 
 
 THE LORD REIGMETH. 
 
 " Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice : and let men 
 say among the nations, The Lord reignetii."— 1 Chronicles, \vi. 31 . 
 
 Be glad ye heavens, thou earth rejoice, 
 
 3Ian! spread throuijh every nation 
 With joyful and triumphant voice 
 
 The gospel of salvation : 
 Publish his glory, and his praise 
 
 Whose word his works sustaineth, 
 And gratefully this anthem raise 
 
 Rejoice ! The Lord yet reigneth ! 
 
 Before His footstool prostrate fall. 
 
 Whose gracious bounty giveth 
 To each created object — all 
 
 On which enjoyment liveth : — 
 From Him alone each good descends, 
 
 His arm each ill restraineth; 
 Then tell to earth's remotest ends 
 
 The Lord in glory reianeth !
 
 G4 
 
 Praise Him for all that ye possess 
 
 Of riches, glory, power ; — 
 Ye who have neither yet may bless 
 
 His goodness every hour : 
 His watchful and protecting eye 
 
 The meanest ne'er disdaineth, 
 Raise then, ye poor, your voice on high, 
 
 For you, for you He reigneth. 
 
 But chiefly for salvation's gift, 
 
 Of which He is the Donor, 
 Angels and men your voices lift, 
 
 In songs of praise and honour : 
 O sing with gratitude His name 
 
 Whose death our life remaineth, 
 The love of Jesus loud proclaim. 
 
 And say, The Lord still reigneth.
 
 65 
 
 EZRA S MOURNING. 
 
 "TlienEzra rose up from before the house of God, and went 
 into the chamber of Johanan, the son of Eliashib; and when he 
 came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water; for he. 
 mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried 
 away." — Ezra, x. G. 
 
 Art thou of Ezra's seed. 
 Mourning, like him, transgressors led away ? 
 
 Mourn on ! thy holy creed 
 Foretells thy blessing in a future day. 
 
 What though thine eyes be dim 
 With tears for others who themselves shed none; 
 
 Thou yet mayst know, like him, 
 That joy which only can through grief be won. 
 
 Thy soul, in brighter days, 
 1 lie oil of joy for mourning may possess; 
 
 And the glad garb of praise 
 lor the dark vesture of thy heaviness.
 
 66 
 
 Thine eye may see restored 
 Some for whose bondage thou hastsorrow'dlonii; 
 
 The haR, by thee deplored, 
 May walk again, the dumb break forth in song. 
 
 Some son of Elam yet, 
 Among the mourning congregation round. 
 
 Thy purpose may abet. 
 Nor leave thee till success thy prajfers havecrown'd. 
 
 If no such aid appear, 
 Blessings rest on the path by mourners trod. 
 
 And not a single tear 
 Falls from their eyes unnotic'd by their God. 
 
 SORROW OF THE HEART. 
 
 " Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance 
 sad, seeing thou art not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of 
 heart." — Nehemiah, ii. 2. 
 
 () Lord ! thine eye alone can see 
 
 The hidden sorrows of the heart, 
 
 To which no help, but aid from thee, 
 
 Availing comfort can impart : — 
 
 Thou hear'st its cries. 
 
 Thou know'st its sighs. 
 
 Thou wilt for its deliv'rance rise.
 
 67 
 
 1 1 is not sickness which hath chasVl 
 
 The rose from oft" such mourner's cheek ; 
 The darkening cloud by sorrow trac'd 
 Tells more than words can ever speak ; 
 Groans which confess 
 The heart's distress. 
 Can only find in thee redress. 
 
 Thine arm is shorten'd not ; — thine ear 
 
 Is open as in days of yore ; 
 The first can save, the last can hear, 
 And thou canst smiles for tears restore, 
 Give light for gloom, 
 Kecal hope's bloom. 
 And bring back joy as from the tomb.
 
 68 
 
 nehemiah's midnight survey. 
 
 " And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before 
 the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of 
 Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were 
 consumed by fire." — Nebemiah, ii. 13. 
 
 The world may call the Conq'ror great. 
 Who enters with triumphal state 
 
 Some captur'd city's walls ; 
 Who wins by prowess of his own 
 Some rival monarch's envied throne, 
 
 And revels in his halls. 
 
 Greater and nobler far wert thou, 
 
 Though pensive thought might cloud thy brow, 
 
 Thus wand'ring forth by night 
 On Salem's ruin'd walls to gaze, 
 While memory of her brighter days 
 
 Rose with that mournful sight. 
 
 The faithful patriot's fond desire, 
 
 The prophet's zeal — could hope inspire 
 
 E'en in that mournful mood ; 
 Thine was a faith which knew no fears, 
 A glory sullied not by tears, 
 
 A greatness truly good.
 
 69 
 
 Head of the church ! to thee we pray, 
 Oh ! raise up in this latter day 
 
 Spirits of kindred zeal : — 
 Spirits that love, in lonely hours, 
 To count our yet remaining towers, 
 
 And watch o'er Zion's weal. 
 
 Oh ! be to such by thee displayed 
 The devastations sin has made. 
 
 And while they mourn the view, 
 Show them thy gift of grace, through prayer 
 And faith, can every breach repair 
 
 And build our walls anew. 
 
 A KING S SLEEPLESS NIGHT. 
 
 " On that night could not the King sleep, and he commanded to 
 bring the book of the records of the Chronicles, and they were 
 read before the King." — Esther, vi. I. 
 
 MoRDECAl, though long forgot. 
 When the monarch slumber'd not. 
 For the service he had done 
 Proud and regal honours won.
 
 70 
 
 Long was his reward delayed, 
 Long he sate in seeming shade, 
 While the sun shone fair and bright 
 On the haughty Agagite. 
 
 Yet in patient faith he sate. 
 Watching on at Shushan's gate ; 
 Humble-hearted, hopeful-eyed, 
 Bowing not to Haman's pride. 
 
 Come at last the destin'd hour 
 When by God's o'er-ruling power 
 Sleep no soothing charm could fling- 
 On the eye-lids of the King. 
 
 Then the Chronicles which told 
 Service done by him of old, 
 Gain'd him, at the King's command. 
 Honours from proud Haman's hand. 
 
 Christian, wait and watch like him. 
 Watch, though every hope seem dim ; 
 Wait, without one murmuring word. 
 Though reward seem long deferr'd. 
 
 Bear with patience, though forlorn, 
 Haman's obloquy and scorn ; 
 Trust a brighter day to see. 
 More than Esther pleads for thee.
 
 71 
 
 He whose eye no sleep can seal. 
 He whose arm can help reveal. 
 He whose word is faithful yet. 
 Neither can nor will forget. 
 
 THE LANGUAGE OF THE TEMPTER. 
 
 " Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.' 
 Job, ii. y. 
 
 Such is the language to this hour, 
 
 Of Satan in the heart, 
 When tribulation fiercest power 
 
 Has wing'd its fiery dart. 
 
 When night more dark than of the tonil* 
 
 Appears to veil our sky, 
 Are heard his whispers through the gloom- 
 
 Xow curse thy God, and die. 
 
 Why thy integrity retain 
 
 When He hath cast thee off, 
 And left thee to thy foes' disdain, 
 
 Or friends' more cruel scoff?
 
 72 
 
 Thou tried, and tempted ! hast thou heard 
 
 A voice like this within ? 
 Be one unfailing prayer preferr'd — 
 
 " Lord, save me from this sin !" 
 
 Seek for that patient faith which lives 
 
 Dependant on His will, 
 Whose hand, while every good it gives. 
 
 Dispenses needful ill. 
 
 Still thine integrity hold fast, 
 
 The tempter's counsel spurn, 
 " Hope against hope !" — and God at last 
 
 Will for thy help return. 
 
 He never yet abandoned one 
 Who strove to Him to cleave, 
 
 And watch'd, and waited through His Son 
 Salvation to receive.
 
 73 
 
 DESPONDENCY REPROVED. 
 
 "Why is light given to a man wbose way is hid, and whom 
 God hath hedged in ?"— Job, iii. 23, 
 
 Enquire not thou ichy light is thine, 
 Because it useless seems to be ; — 
 
 AVhile God permits that light to shine, 
 Doubt not it may be bless'd to thee. 
 
 Think not thy way a path unknown. 
 
 Though hid from thee, and veil'd from man ; 
 
 God, from his omnipresent throne 
 
 That way can trace, thy footsteps scan. 
 
 Nor say that He hath hedg'd thee in. 
 If scanty seem thy prospect's bound ; 
 
 When doubt, despondency, and sin, 
 Perchance combine to hem thee round. 
 
 Turn to that light ; while light is lent. 
 Thy way, though hidden, still pursue. 
 
 Be with thy present path content, 
 Though bounded may appear its view. 
 £
 
 74 
 
 Lord '. when most useless seems thy light. 
 Our way most hid, our views obscure, 
 
 Teach us to trust thy love, and might. 
 To know thy promises are sure. 
 
 Within our hearts thy grace reveal. 
 Though there it seems to shine in vain ; 
 
 In paths most hidden make us feel 
 That Thou canst make them straight and plain. 
 
 CHASTISEMENT MERCIFUL, 
 
 "Bebold, liappj is the man whom God correcteth ; therefore 
 despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." — Job, v. 17. 
 
 Instruct us, Lord! from day to day, 
 
 To feel and understand 
 How kind and merciful alway 
 
 Is thy chastising hand : 
 May we such chast'ning ever prize, 
 And own the mercy it implies.
 
 75 
 
 Tiae sunshine to the flower may give 
 The tints that charm the sight. 
 
 But scentless woukl that ttow'ret live 
 If skies were always bright ; 
 
 Dark clouds and showers its scent bestow 
 
 And purest joy is born of woe. 
 
 He who each bitter cup rejects. 
 
 No living spring shall quaflf ; 
 He whom thy rod in love corrects. 
 
 Shall lean upon thy staft* : 
 Happy, thrice happy, then, is he 
 Who knows his chast'ning is from Thee. 
 
 THE PRAYER OF SORROW. 
 
 " tlist I might have my request, and that God would grant me 
 the thing I long for." — Job, vi. 8. 
 
 Such, such is sorrow's bitter cry, 
 Pour'd forth, O God ! to thee on high, 
 
 Too oft in hasty mood ; 
 Grief, though importunate it be. 
 Is little qualified to see 
 
 Its real ill, or good. 
 E 2
 
 76 
 
 Hadst thou, when thus, by grief dismay'd, 
 For death thy suff 'ring servant pray'd, 
 
 Accorded his request, 
 He had not liv'd thy name to praise, 
 And own his life's concluding days 
 
 Its brightest, and its best. 
 
 O tlien instruct us, even now, 
 Wiien we before thy footstool bow, 
 
 And seek through prayer thy face. 
 That all our supplications, still. 
 Should own submission to thy will, 
 
 Be prompted by thy grace. 
 
 That chiefly in affliction's hour 
 
 Our hearts may own that precept's power 
 
 Taught by thy blessed Son, 
 Who in his agony could pray, 
 The cup might pass from him — yet say. 
 Father ! Thy will be done !
 
 77 
 
 THE VANITY OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 "For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our 
 days upon earth are a shadow."— Job, viii. 9. 
 
 His birth of yesterday, 
 
 'I'o-morrow pass'd away ; — 
 His life the shadow of a summer cloud ; 
 
 Shall mortal man be vain 
 
 Of knowledge he may gain 
 In the brief span of time to earth allow 'd ? 
 
 Not that we under-rate 
 
 Or lightly estimate 
 The triumphs won by many an honour'd name 
 
 Of those whose midnight oil, 
 
 And unremitting toil, 
 In outward lore have won them worldly fame. 
 
 Yet, oh ! how poor, and brief, 
 
 Like the frail Cistus' leaf 
 Must knowledge be — confined to things of time ; 
 
 Which, fetter'd by their thrall, 
 
 Is ignorant of all 
 That renders an eternity sublime. 
 
 E 3
 
 78 
 
 AVliat boots it to be vers'd 
 
 In systems schools have nurs'd, — 
 
 If, gaining all the lore that these impart. 
 That truth remain unknown, 
 Whose teaching power, alone, 
 
 Convicts, converts, and sanctifies the heart ? 
 
 GOD UNSEARCHABLE. 
 
 "Canst thou by searching find ont God? Canst thou find out 
 the Almighty to perfection?" — Job, xi. 7. 
 
 We see, O Lord ! from day to day, 
 
 In every work of thine. 
 That goodness, power, and skill, which say. 
 
 Thou ART ! and art divine ! 
 
 We feel this truth, from hour to hour. 
 
 When deep within the heart 
 Thy Spirit, with resistless power. 
 
 And love — declares Thou art.
 
 79 
 
 More would we know — Thyself alone 
 
 Canst banish every doubt ; 
 Vain all researches of our own 
 
 Must be to find thee out. 
 
 Oh ! teach us, then, thine outward word 
 
 To study more and more. 
 And be its oracles preferr'd 
 
 To perishable lore. 
 
 Instruct us to thy inward voice 
 
 To lend a wakeful ear : 
 In its approval to rejoice. 
 
 At each rebuke to fear. 
 
 Thy word our law ; thy voice our guide ; 
 
 Thy truth our only stay, 
 Show us a Saviour crucified, 
 
 To Thee, the Light, the Way. 
 
 Thus be that saving knowledge won 
 AVhich only their's can be, 
 Who, through the Spirit, and the Son, 
 Are brought, O God ! to thee. 
 
 E 4
 
 80 
 
 CONFIDING FAITH. 
 
 ' Though He slay me, yet will 1 trnstin Him." — Job, xiii. 15. 
 
 Be such, in trial's darkest hour, 
 Our trust and confidence in God ; 
 
 Be such our faith's sustaining power, 
 Our meek submission to His rod : 
 
 Then, though our outward life be slain, 
 
 One far more glorious we shall gain. 
 
 There is a life we must forego. 
 
 If we would shun death's keenest sting; 
 
 A death there is we here must know, 
 If we to endless life would cling: 
 
 O Lord ! that hidden life supply, 
 
 And teach us daily how to die. 
 
 Who seeks to save his outward life. 
 
 Shall lose the life which Christ would give ; 
 
 Who dies /or Him — shall by that strife 
 With Him o'er death triumphant live ! 
 
 O for this heavenly life within ! 
 
 This daily death to self- -and sin !
 
 81 
 
 Where these through grace divine are known, 
 The language of the heart will be, 
 
 I live, O Lord ! in thee alone, 
 
 Though slain — I place my trust in thee; 
 
 Enough if by thy power divine 
 
 I find my life and death in thine. 
 
 THE UNPROFITABLENESS OF MAN's GOODNESS 
 TO HIS MAKER. 
 
 "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? 
 Or is it gain to Him that thou makest thy way perfect? — Job, 
 xxii. 3. 
 
 Think not that righteous acts of thine, 
 
 Done in thy might, 
 
 Can God delight ; 
 The source of good is grace divine ; 
 
 And thou must be 
 
 Content to see 
 Thy deeds with borrow'd lustre shine. 
 
 E i>
 
 82 
 
 .Imagine not, poor child of clay ! 
 
 Without His grace 
 
 Thy skill can trace 
 A perfect path to endless day ; 
 
 Or were it trod, 
 
 That gain to God 
 Could rise from man's most perfect way. 
 
 The proud, the impious thought disown: 
 
 And know thou this. 
 
 When bale or bliss 
 Evil or good to thee have shown, 
 
 Thine still remain 
 
 The vice and pain, — 
 Good, and its joy, the Lord's alone. 
 
 MOURNFUL RECOLLECTIONS. 
 
 " O that 1 were as in months past, as in the days when God 
 }>reserved me ; when his candle shined upon my head, and when 
 by his light I walked throngh darkness." — Job.xxix. 2j 3. 
 
 Mournful it-seems in darken'd *lays 
 To turn to hours more blest and bright, 
 
 W^hen God's own glory shed its rays 
 Around us, — making darkness light.
 
 83 
 
 When we were kept by Him! and knew, — 
 Through faith, which doubt could never dim, 
 
 ^A^iat His eternal arm can do 
 
 For those who love and trust in Him. 
 
 It may be painful thus to turn 
 
 To favour'd seasons — past and gone, 
 
 And from our present darkness learn 
 The value of the Light that shone. 
 
 Yet is it good to know from whom 
 That light divine alone could flow ; 
 
 And merciful may be the gloom 
 
 Which teaches us its source to know. 
 
 While yet 'mid Eden's beauties rare 
 
 Our parents sojourn'd, — they might deem 
 
 Each charm its Maker lavish'd there 
 Was their's by empery supreme. 
 
 But from its bowers by sin exil'd. 
 
 Were they not taught, in grief and pain. 
 
 The woman's Seed, the heaven-born Child — 
 Alone could make them their's aaain ? 
 
 May those who mourn in sin's dark nisiit 
 Glory not their's, now pass'd away. 
 
 To Jesus turn, the Truth, the Light, 
 
 Whose love can make their darkness day.
 
 84 
 
 THE HAPPINESS OF THE GODLY. 
 
 "And lie shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, thaK 
 bringeth forth his fruit in bis season ; his leaf also shall not wi- 
 ther."— Psalm, i. 3. 
 
 Blessed state! and happy he 
 Who is like that planted tree ; 
 Living waters lave his root, 
 Bends his bough with golden fruit. 
 
 Thine, O Lord ! the power and praise 
 Which a sight like this displays; 
 Power of thine must plant it there. 
 Praise of thee it should declare. 
 
 Thou must first prepare the ground, 
 Sow the seed, and fence it round, 
 Streams that water, suns that shine. 
 Each and all are ever thine. 
 
 When the seedling from its bed 
 First lifts up its timid head, 
 Ministry of Thine must give 
 All on which its life can live.
 
 85 
 
 Showers from Thee must bid it thrive, 
 Breath of thine must oft revive ; 
 Light from Thee its bloom supplies, 
 Left by Thee— it fades, and dies. 
 
 Whose then — when a tree up-grown. 
 Should its fruit be? but thine own ! 
 And thy glorious heritage 
 Is its fadeless leaf in age. 
 
 SALUTARY FEAR. 
 
 "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling,'" 
 Psalm, ii. 11. 
 
 Serve God with holy awe, 
 
 And strive to keep his law 
 With perfect love that knoweth no dissembling ; 
 
 If, through his grace divine, 
 
 The vict'ry should be thine. 
 Be glad, and grateful; yet rejoice with tremblina.
 
 m 
 
 For what is service done 
 
 By man, — or trophy won 
 By the frail son of man, when most victorious, 
 
 That he, with haughty tone, 
 
 Shoukl deem the palm his own. 
 Or of his feeble service be vain-glorious ? 
 
 Can even pride suggest, 
 
 When man has done his best, 
 That fear is folly ? — 'tis a thought of madness ! 
 
 Or when — with heart, and voice, 
 
 The Christian can rejoice, 
 Are there no humbling thoughts to chasten gladness? 
 
 There is a fear — whose power. 
 
 In dark temptation's hour, 
 Makes him who feels it firmer than the Stoic; 
 
 A trembling — in delight. 
 
 Which gives the feeble might, 
 And renders the most humble — most heroic !
 
 87 
 
 SELF-COMMUNION. 
 
 " Commune with jour own heart upon jour bed, and be still." 
 P-;alm, iv. 4. 
 
 Ere thou giv'st thine eyes to sleep, 
 ^Vhen thou seek'st thy peaceful bed, 
 
 Let thy thoughts their vigil keep, 
 Let thy soul its wings out-spread. 
 
 Commune with thy wakeful heart ; — 
 
 Be communion joy, or pain : 
 'Tis true wisdom's better part 
 
 Thus to live the past again. 
 
 If, with memory's eye review'd. 
 
 Peace the parted day affords. 
 Turn to God with gratitude, 
 
 For the glory is the Lord's. 
 
 If that retrospect but show 
 
 Good neglected, evil done. 
 Seek for strength, whence strength must flow, 
 
 On the morrow such to shun.
 
 / 
 
 88 
 
 Wise are they who every night 
 Thus the Psalmist's law obey ; 
 
 Waiting, watching for that Light, 
 Brighter far than beams of day. 
 
 Unto such the Light will rise, 
 Showing clearly good and ill, 
 
 God, whose grace that light supplies, 
 Every roving thought can still. 
 
 O ! how glorious is that ray 
 
 Which no shades of night can dim ; 
 O ! how soothing in its sway 
 
 Silence which proceeds from Him. 
 
 APPROACHING THROUGH MERCY. 
 
 " But as for me, I will come into thy house, in the multitude of 
 thy mercy."— Psalm, v. 7. 
 
 O Lord ! I enter not thy courts 
 
 In fancied merit of my own ; 
 Thy law has shaken all supports 
 
 Save what thy mercy yet makes known.
 
 89 
 
 The past a dreary waste appears, 
 The present — but the past renew'd. 
 
 The future — fraught with boding fears 
 But for thy mercy's multitude. 
 
 No penitence, though deep, and sure, 
 Xo good desires, however strong. 
 
 No " high resolves," however pure, 
 Can vouch for hope of safety long. 
 
 These have been trusted, and have fail'd I 
 That purer, humbler hope make known 
 
 Which, in thy boundless mercy mail'd, 
 Trusts to THY RIGHTEOUSNESS alone. 
 
 DIVINE CONDESCENSION. 
 
 " When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the 
 moon and the stars which thou hast ordained ; What is man that 
 thou artmindfal of him, and the son of man that thoa ^isitest him ?" 
 — Psalm, viii. 3, 4. 
 
 When I view the vaulted sky, 
 
 Rear'd by thee, by thee sustain'd. 
 Sun, and moon, and stars on high. 
 By thy fiat first ordain'd, 
 Lord ! what is man ? my spirit well may say, 
 That thou should'st thus be mindful of his way..
 
 90 
 
 What the son of man ? that thou 
 
 TIjus should'st visit him in love ? 
 To his prayer in mercy bow 
 
 From thy glorious throne above ? — 
 It is thy condescending grace, whose plan 
 Thus comprehends, and would ennoble man. 
 
 Yet thy holy word hath said, 
 
 Thou wilt not for ever strive : — 
 Fearful hope, and daring dread, 
 Let this solemn truth revive ; 
 That we, in thy accepted day, and hour, 
 May of thy visitation own the power. 
 
 THE believer's REFUGE. 
 
 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in 
 limes of trouble." — Psalm, ix.9. 
 
 How cheerless, Lord ! would be the lot 
 Of those whom man regardeth not, 
 If, in affliction's darkest hour, 
 Thy name were not their fortress-tower.
 
 91 
 
 The world can profFer no relief, 
 E'en to the worldling — in his grief; 
 Itij emptiness is then made known. 
 It loves — but cannot save its own. 
 
 Beasts have their dens — wherein they creep, 
 Leviathan — the billowy deep ; 
 Birds to their nests for shelter flee ; — 
 Souls troubled and oppress'd — to thee ! 
 
 Thou art their refuge : — in the day 
 Of trouble, thou art still their stay ; 
 Thy name, in which is power sublime, 
 A shelter in the needful time. 
 
 But if we hope thine outstretch'd arm 
 In darker hours when ills would harm, 
 O ! teach our lips, in brighter days. 
 To bless thy name, to speak thy praise. 
 
 For, though thy love may condescend 
 To be the mourner's surest friend. 
 Nay, e'en to cheer their adverse lot 
 Who in past sunshine sought thee not, — 
 
 Yet justly may thy praise employ. 
 The liberal gratitude of JOY, 
 And selfish, sure, their thoughts must be 
 Who turn but in their grief to thee.
 
 NOTE. 
 
 After the composition of the preceding Verses, 
 the further progress of this little volume had 
 been, for some time, suspended ; indeed its 
 author had for a while felt little ability or 
 inclination to proceed in it, its completion ap- 
 pearing to him almost a hopeless contingency. 
 A candid statement of this circumstance may 
 perhaps explain, if not justify the insertion of 
 the following.
 
 93 
 
 A SOLILOQUY. 
 
 "Unto thee,0 Lord, do 1 lift up my soul." — Psalm, xxv. I. 
 
 Once more, lov'd solace of my lonely hours, 
 Would I renew my intercourse with thee, 
 
 Suspended for a time — while Spring's gay Howers, 
 Her bursting foliage, and her songs of glee 
 
 Allured me from my task to budding bowers, 
 
 To shady lane, green copse, or blossom'd lea; — 
 
 In the fond hope, but not more fond than vain, 
 
 Their charms might lend fresh vigour to my strain. 
 
 Mistaken thought ! To me shall come no more 
 The once blithe impulse of a vernal day ; 
 
 Nor can fair nature's countless charms restore 
 "Aught of congenial freshness to my lay ; 
 
 The sanguine flush of youth's bright morn is o'er, 
 The fairy dreams of fancy pass'd away ; — 
 
 And were they still my own they could not lend 
 
 One living charm with thy deep truths to blend. .
 
 94 
 
 Not that I darkly view, or lightly prize, 
 The beauties and the harmonies of Spring ; 
 
 Yet is there what green earth, nor laughing skies, 
 Xor blooming flowers, nor song of birds can bring 
 
 Over the spirit;- — hid from human eyes 
 Deep in the heart, like a far holier thing 
 
 Than outward nature's richest stores can yield, 
 
 The fount of thought and feeling is unseal'd. 
 
 And he who writes of themes which must endure 
 When times and seasons shall have run their course. 
 
 Whose song is truth, unchangeable and sure. 
 If he aright would feel its truest force, 
 
 Must drink of streams unperishing and pure 
 Which issue from a deeper, holier source ; 
 
 Looking beyond the fading things of time, 
 
 To those which are eternal and sublime. 
 
 O ! may I now, with no misgiving dread. 
 Resume the task of many a winter night ; 
 
 Nor deem devotion's purer influence fled 
 Because no inly-answ'ring flood of light 
 
 From Spring's young glory on my soul is shed : 
 The just' shall walk by faith, and not by sight ! 
 
 And he who seeks to frame a heavenly song 
 
 Through conscious weakness may be render'd strong.
 
 95 
 
 Strong in the might and strength of Him, alone, 
 Whose spirit down the vale of vision swept, 
 
 What time the seer beheld around him strown 
 Bones dry and lifeless which in silence slept ; 
 
 These, at the word divine, His power made known. 
 And on their feet a living army leapt ; 
 
 So may the spirit He vouchsafes to raise 
 
 Revive as from the dead to sing His praise. 
 
 CONFIDENCE IN PROTECTION. 
 
 " He maketb me to lie down in green pastures ; be leadetli me 
 beside the still waters." — Psalm, xxiii. 2. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel's gather'd fold ! 
 
 Thy pastures still are fresh and green, 
 And water'd, as in days of old. 
 
 By silent streams of crystal sheen ; 
 And there thou lov'st thy flock to lead 
 That they may on thy bounty feed.
 
 96 
 
 These, guarded by thine outstretch'd arm, 
 Are strong in seeming impotence; 
 
 Secured from danger and alarm 
 By quiet humble confidence, 
 
 And trusting, Lord ! in thee alone, 
 
 All other confidence disown. 
 
 Look down on those who widely stray 
 As through a wilderness unblest, 
 
 AVhere no still waters cheer their way, 
 Nor herbage yields them food or rest ; 
 
 Weary and faint the wand'rers roam, 
 
 Thy hand, alone, can guide them home. 
 
 THE believer's LIFE AND LIGHT. 
 
 " For witli thee is the fountain of life : in thy light shall we see 
 light." — Psalm, xxxvi. 9. 
 
 There is a life, more dear 
 Than that which by our outward breath we live ; 
 
 There is a light more clear 
 And glorious than the noon-day sun can give.
 
 97 
 
 Deep, deep the heart within, 
 By grace divine this life is tirst begot ; 
 
 Though man, enthrall'd by sin. 
 In its first breathings, stirrings, knows it not. 
 
 In the awaken'd mind 
 This light first dawns, a faint and glimm'ring ray ; 
 
 But, to its glory blind, 
 Man from its gentle radiance turns away. 
 
 Thou only. Lord! canst give 
 The light wherein, alone. Thy light we see; 
 
 And teach us how to live 
 An inward life still hid with Christ in Thee. 
 
 That so each gift and grace 
 Bestow'd by Thee its Giver may recall ; 
 
 And each believer trace 
 In Thee the Fount of Life, of Light, of All.
 
 98 
 
 THE REWARD OF PATIENT WAITING. 
 
 " I waited patiently for the Lord ; and he inclined unto me, and 
 heard mj cry.'' — Psalm, xl. 1. 
 
 Such was the language us'd of yore, 
 O God ! by Israel's shepherd king. 
 
 And they who patiently adore. 
 
 And wait, — thy goodness yet shall sing. 
 
 Thou didst not hear unmov'd of old 
 Such waiting suppliant's plaintive cry. 
 
 Nor dost thou coldly now behold 
 The patient mourner's watchful eye. 
 
 Thy boundless mercy still is near 
 
 To those who would that mercy crave ; 
 
 ITndimra'd thine eye, unseal'd thine ear, 
 Thine arm omnipotent to save.
 
 99 
 
 But, weaken'd by our sins, and cares. 
 Our ears and eyes nor hear nor see ; 
 
 Our hearts grow weary, faint our prayers, 
 We wait not patiently for Thee. 
 
 Nor can we of ourselves obtain 
 
 The faith which keeps impatience dumb, 
 Which waits, thou2;h waiting seem in vain. 
 
 Believing that thy time will come. 
 
 Thy grace, M'hich must the will prepare 
 To watch and pray at Wisdom's gate. 
 
 Must give the boon of patience there 
 For thy appointed time to wait. 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENT. 
 
 " He shall drink of the brook in the way ; therefore shall he lift 
 up the head." — Psalm, ex. 7. 
 
 Great need had He who trod for us 
 The wine-press of thy wrath, O God ! 
 
 To be refresh 'd and strengthen'd thus 
 In the rough path he meekly trod. 
 F 2
 
 100 
 
 And they who for themselves, alone, 
 
 Would seek to shun thy righteous wrath. 
 
 Now need each comfort thou mak'st known 
 To cheer their tribulated path. 
 
 And blessed be Thy name, and power. 
 And His, their high and holy Head, 
 
 Thou dost not, in the needful hour, 
 Forget the toilsome way they tread. 
 
 Thou giv'st them, in thy boundless love, 
 Their hopes to cheer, their souls to stay. 
 
 Times of refreshment from above. 
 And brooks of comfort by the way. 
 
 But these, if such we hope to share. 
 If thine their glorious fruits may be. 
 
 Must yet be sought in faith and prayer. 
 And have their origin in Thee. 
 
 Gourds we may plant, alas! are vain. 
 Brief is the shelter they can give ; 
 
 Cisterns we hew can ne'er contain 
 Waters by which the soul can live. 
 
 The Rock of Ages yet must throw 
 Its shadow o'er the way we tread. 
 
 And living streams which from it flow — 
 When drank — shall lift in hope the head.
 
 101 
 
 THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM. 
 
 " They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." — Psalm, cxxvi. 5. 
 
 Bless'd promise, standing sure through all 
 
 The cares and griefs of time, 
 >\'^ell may the heart 'mid these recall 
 
 Thy changeless truth sublime. 
 
 Of vice each rank and noxious weed 
 
 Requires but shallow earth. 
 The kingdom's pure and precious seed 
 
 Demands a deeper birth. 
 
 The flower of worldly joy but rears 
 Its bloom where sunshine glows, 
 
 I>ut sown in grief, and fed by tears, 
 The vine immortal grows. 
 
 That vine of which the living Root 
 
 is Christ — the Crucitied, 
 1 n whom each branch that beareth fruit 
 
 Must livingly abide. 
 
 F :J
 
 102 • 
 
 This only grows where grace hath first 
 
 Prepared and sown the ground, 
 Where love divine its shoots hath nurs'd. 
 
 And faith has fencVl it round. 
 
 And they whose hearts have thus been tilld. 
 
 Sown, planted — Lord, by thee. 
 Shall own thy gracious word fulfill'd. 
 
 And thy salvation see. 
 
 Their hopes, though check'd by frequent fears, 
 
 No doubts shall e'er destroy, 
 But the bless'd seed, first sown in tears. 
 
 Their souls shall reap in joy. 
 
 THE PRAISE OF GOD. 
 
 "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye 
 ihe Lord!"— Psalm, cl. 6. 
 
 'TwAS thus the Psalmist clos'd his lays, 
 Invoking all to join his praise; 
 Oh ! who shall disobey a call 
 Which solemnly appeals to all ?
 
 103 
 
 What heart can truly feel his strain, 
 And prove that invocation vain? 
 What spirit but, with full accord, 
 Must inly answer," Praise the Lord !"' 
 
 Yet who, O God! by thee untaught, 
 Shall dare to praise thee, e'en in thought/ 
 AV hen seraph harps around thy throne 
 Wake to that theme their sweetest tone. 
 
 No pomp of verse can win thine ear, 
 Genius itself is powerless here; 
 The only praise by Thee desir'd 
 Must be by Thee alone inspired. 
 
 Thy Spirit must its aid impart, 
 Must cleanse and sanctify the heart; 
 And through thy Son, for sinners slain, 
 Our spirits must be born again. 
 
 Thus, only, man is render'd meet 
 A strain so heavenly to repeat ; 
 Then, only, can he hope to raise 
 To Thee accepted songs of praise. 
 
 The ransom'd and redeem'd alone 
 Can make thy glorious triumphs known ; 
 And e'en their silence oft may be 
 The most expressive praise of Thee. 
 
 F 4
 
 104 
 
 SPIRITUAL ECONOMY. 
 
 •• There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; and there is that 
 withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." — 
 Proverbs, \i. 24. 
 
 If here instruction we may trace, 
 Applied to outward wealth. 
 
 Not less it teaches us of grace, 
 And of the spirit's health ; 
 
 There is that scattereth — but to gain. 
 
 There is that hoardeth — but in vain. 
 
 'I'he single talent's humble worth 
 If us'd — its meed had gain'd ; 
 
 The ten — if buried in the earth, 
 No blessing had obtain'd : — 
 
 In goods without, in grace within. 
 
 The liberal truest riches win.
 
 105 
 
 Love's is a social law! and they 
 Who thus themselves bereave, 
 
 Fling not the Spirit's gifts away, 
 But — giving, shall receive : — 
 
 Their bread upon the waters cast 
 
 Shall all return to them at last. 
 
 They shall be render'd rich above, 
 
 Surpassing worldly pelt', 
 Tu their dear Lord's atoning love, 
 
 Who freely gave himself ! 
 Who, rich and sinless, came to share 
 Our poverty, our sins to bear. 
 
 Nobly hath He exemplified 
 True wealth's unbounded store, 
 
 Which is increas'd when scatter'd wide. 
 And us'd — abounds the more, 
 
 W^hen in the riches of His grace supreme 
 
 He gave His life to ransom and redeem. 
 
 F a
 
 106 
 
 SIGNS AND TOKENS. 
 
 "He that observeth the wind, shall not sow ; and he that re- 
 gardeth the clouds shall not reap.'' — Ecclesiastes, xi. t. 
 
 Christian pilgrim, seeking still 
 Zion's high and holy hill, 
 May thy Lord to thee impart 
 .Single eye, and stedfast heart. 
 
 Place thy trust in grace divine, 
 Heed not thou each changing sign ; 
 Shouldst thou witness many a change. 
 Count not these as tokens strange. 
 
 Winds may rise of fearful sound, 
 Darkest clouds may gather round. 
 These may usher cloudless day, 
 Those but waft thee on thy way. 
 
 He who watcheth winds that blow, 
 May too long neglect to sow ; 
 He who waits lest clouds should rain. 
 Harvest never shall obtain.
 
 107 
 
 Signs and tokens false may prove, 
 Trust thou in a Saviour's love, 
 In his sacrifice for sin. 
 And his Spirit's power within. 
 
 Keep thou Zion-ward thy face. 
 
 Ask in faith the aid of grace. 
 
 Use the strength which grace shall give. 
 
 Die to self — in Christ to live. 
 
 Faith in God, if such be thine, 
 Shall be found thy safest sign. 
 And obedience to His will 
 Prove the best of tokens still. 
 
 THE CHURCH IN HER BEAUTY AND PURITY 
 
 " A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring sbut up, 
 a fouDtain sealed.'' — Solomon's Song, iv. 12. 
 
 Delightful emblems, in whose guise is shown 
 Thy church, O Lord, from spot and wrinkle free; 
 
 " The world unknowing, by the world unknown," 
 Chaste and devoted in her love to Thee. 
 
 F G
 
 lOB 
 
 Then I'hou to her art fairest of the fair, 
 
 The chief among ten thousand : — every crown 
 
 And palm victorious which her children wear. 
 Before thy throne of glory is cast down. 
 
 Then, every anxious care on Thee repos'd. 
 Her image to the spirit seems reveal'd 
 
 A beauteous garden, by Thy love inclos'd, 
 A spring shut up, a living fountain seal'd. 
 
 Lovely as Eden, ere by sin's deceit 
 
 The tempter there a fatal entrance found ; 
 
 Pure as a chrystal fount in noontide's heat, 
 
 Whose sunless depth by rocks is guarded round. 
 
 Her's is that state of holier innocence 
 Fall'n nature of itself can never know; 
 
 Thy arm's inclosure is her living fence. 
 
 Thy grace which made her pure must keep her so.
 
 109 
 
 THE CHURCH IN HER DESOLATION. 
 
 "And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as 
 a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city." — Isaiah, 
 i. 8. 
 
 Such the desolate condition 
 
 Of thy church, when sick at heart ; 
 Haste to save her, great Physician, 
 
 Much she needs thy healing art. 
 
 Bahn in Gilead still is growing, 
 
 Balm which every wound can heal, 
 
 Haste, thy skilful aid bestowins:, 
 Thy compassion to reveal. 
 
 Like some poor, besieged city, 
 Zion's daughter now appears; 
 
 Lord, look down on her with pity, 
 Hear her sighs, behold her tears. 
 
 Turn thy righteous hand upon her, 
 Purge away her dross and tin. 
 
 Vindicate thy name and honour, 
 Once enshrin'd her walls within.
 
 110 
 
 Once more from Thee favour winning, 
 
 Judges unto her restore ; 
 -As she had at the beginning, 
 
 G ive her counsellors once more. 
 
 Raise up nursing sires and mothers, 
 Be thyself her Priest and King ; 
 
 Make her sons a band of brothers, 
 Daughters — meet thy praise to sing. 
 
 So shall sin no more defile her. 
 Thy salvation they shall bless, 
 
 And the earth again shall stj'le her 
 City of thy righteousness. 
 
 ZION S HOPE OF REDEMPTION. 
 
 "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with 
 righteousness." — Isaiah, i. 27. 
 
 With judgment, passing that of man. 
 By righteousness, but not their own ; — 
 
 Such still redemption's glorious plan. 
 Thus Zion's converts still are known.
 
 Ill 
 
 The judgment which redeems must be 
 That of the Holy Ghost, and fire ; 
 
 This, only from each sin can free. 
 And full, confiding faith inspire. 
 
 The righteousness which standeth sure, 
 The convert must in Christ attain ; 
 
 This only, perfect, spotless, pure. 
 Shall in the end acceptance gain. 
 
 Behold the cause why Zion still 
 Is unredeem'd, unsanctified; 
 
 Why converts, impotent of will. 
 Faint, falter, fall on every side. 
 
 Vain of our judgment, we are led 
 To trust its strength in evil hour, 
 
 And shun, as with instinctive dread. 
 The Spirit's deep baptismal power. 
 
 Proud of our fancied righteousness. 
 Which self in splendid colours paints. 
 
 We seek not, strive not to possess 
 The purer garment of the saints. 
 
 Helper of Zion ! dissipate 
 
 The clouds which yet her glory mar, 
 And show us, ere it be too late. 
 
 What righteousness and judgment are.
 
 112 
 
 THE DAY OF DIVINE VISITATION. 
 
 "And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." — Isaiah, 
 «i, 11. 
 
 Can language utter, — pen record 
 
 The wonders of that day 
 When Zion's righteous Judge and Lord 
 
 Asserts his sovereign svv^ay ? 
 
 Where are thy cedars, Lebanon, 
 
 So late uplifted high ? 
 Where are the oaks of Bashaii gone. 
 
 Whose strength might storms defy ? 
 
 And thus the glory of the proud 
 The cedar's lot must know ; 
 
 The strongest as a reed be bow'd, 
 Like Bashan's oak — laid low. 
 
 The ships of Tarshish — types of art 
 And wealth, — delight no more: 
 
 The pleasant pictures of the heart 
 Be darkly shadow'd o'er ;
 
 113 
 
 And every idol thought can claim 
 
 Abolish'd, and o'erthrovvn, 
 That so the Lord's exalted name 
 
 INIay reign and rule alone. 
 
 Such is the day, and such the hour 
 
 Of visitation still, 
 When God ariseth in his power 
 
 To bend, and bow the will. 
 
 And bless'd are they who through His grace 
 
 In visitation bow. 
 Who vow, henceforth, to seek His face, 
 
 And keep that solemn vow. 
 
 CHRIST S TITLES AND ATTRIBUTES. 
 
 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given : and the 
 government shall be upon his shoulder ; and his name shall be 
 called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting; 
 Father, the Prince of Peace." — Isaiah, ix.6. 
 
 Doubting Christian, why forlorn? 
 
 Art not thou an heir of heaven ? 
 Unto thee a Child is born. 
 
 Unto thee a Son is given.
 
 114 
 
 His the government sublime 
 Of his own redeeming grace, 
 
 Far beyond the bounds of time. 
 Far beyond thy views of space. 
 
 Wonderful — His name shall be, 
 Counsellor — in paths untrod, 
 
 Everlasting Father — He, 
 
 Prinoe of Peace, and Mighty God. 
 
 (ilorious titles ! Power divine ! 
 
 Hear, believe, obey, and live; 
 Faith their fruits shall render thine, 
 
 God, alone, that faith can give. 
 
 Faithless, — thou must be forlorn, 
 Tempest-toss'd, at random driven ; 
 
 Unto thee no Child is born. 
 Unto thee no Son is given. 
 
 But, believing, thou shalt know 
 Winds and waters hush'd and still'd, 
 
 Toss'd no longer to and fro. 
 See each prophecy fulfiU'd. 
 
 Pray for faith ! — that reconcil'd 
 Unto God — thy soul may see 
 
 Born for thee this sinless Child, 
 And the Son thy Saviour be.
 
 115 
 
 CHRIST THE SURE FOUNDATION. 
 
 " Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stoue, a 
 precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall 
 not make haste." — Isaiah, xxviii. 16. 
 
 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts— Behold, 
 Henceforth in Zion I make known, 
 
 By ancient prophecy foretold, 
 A tried, a precious Corner-Stone. 
 
 A sure Foundation, which shall stand 
 
 When storms descend, and tempests beat; 
 
 When structures human skill has plann'd 
 Their fearful, final ruin meet. 
 
 Lord, thy right hand that Stone has laid, 
 O make it precious in our sight ! 
 
 That in thy power, and through thy aid 
 Each builder may proceed aright. 
 
 On trustless sands, with heedless haste, 
 Man's Babel, rear'd, delights his eyes ; 
 
 But, on the Tlock of Ages plac'd, 
 'J'hy edifice must sloicly rise.
 
 116 
 
 There things corruptible are shown 
 Worthless materials still to be, 
 
 The incorruptible alone 
 
 Can form a temple worthy Thee. 
 
 Alike unfurnish'd, and unskill'd 
 Are we, except Thy grace provide ; 
 
 Thou only canst instruct to build, 
 
 Who hast the Corner-Stone supplied. 
 
 GRACIOUS PROMISES. 
 
 " But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and 
 he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed 
 thee, I have called thee by thy name; tliou art mine." — Isaiah, 
 xliii. 1. 
 
 Fear not, Jacob, tribulated. 
 Fear not, Israel, disesteem'd ; 
 
 I, the Lord, who first created. 
 Have as gloriously redeem'd. 
 
 By thy name my love has call'd thee, 
 Bade my light around thee shine, 
 
 Broke the fetters which enthrall'd thee, 
 Through redemption made thee mine.
 
 117 
 
 Tear not, Zion's sons and daughters ! 
 
 Perfect love should cast out fear, 
 When ye pass through deepest waters, 
 
 1, your Saviour, still am near. 
 
 Overwhelm'd by waves of sorrow. 
 Place your trust in Zion's King ; 
 
 Thence fresh comfort ye shall borrow. 
 Thence memorial stones shall bring. 
 
 In the furnace of affliction, 
 
 I will save you from despair ; 
 Love divine shall bring conviction 
 
 That my arm is round you there. 
 
 Never shall you be forsaken, 
 
 Nothing shall have power to harm. 
 
 While your faith remains unshaken 
 In Jehovah's outstretch'd arm. 
 
 Heights nor depths shall from me sever 
 Those whom Christ hath brought to mt-. 
 
 1 will keep them safe for ever. 
 And their God and J^aviour be.
 
 118 
 
 A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH. 
 
 "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake 
 as in the ancient days, in the generations of old." — Isaiah, li. 9. 
 
 Arm of the Lord, awake, 
 Put on thy strength as in the days of yore. 
 
 And for the Church's sake 
 Exert thy righteous energies once more. 
 
 Art Thou not it — whose might 
 Smote Rahab? — gave the Dragon's cureless wound? 
 
 Oh ! deign for us to fight, 
 Whom foes as deadly now beset around. 
 
 Art Thou not it — whose power 
 Dried the sea's depths in Israel's earlier day, 
 
 And in their favour'd hour. 
 Made for the ransom'd of the Lord a way ? 
 
 Once more, once more arise ; 
 As in the ancient days for us appear ; 
 
 The deep before us lies, 
 x\nd worse than Pharaoh's host are in our rear.
 
 119 
 
 That so the Lord's redeem'd 
 W^ith songs of praise to Zion may be led. 
 
 Thy glory be esteem'd. 
 And everlasting joy be on our head. 
 
 FREE REDEMPTION. 
 
 " For tlias saith the Lord, ye have sold yourselves for nouijhi, 
 .ind ye shall be redeemed without money." — Isaiah, Hi. 3. 
 
 Ye sold yourselves for nought, 
 Redemption is as free. 
 
 Why are ye not then brought 
 By Jesus unto me ? 
 
 Such, Lord, thy language still. 
 The gracious words repeat, 
 
 And bend and bow the will 
 Before thy judgment seat. 
 
 There mercy yet is shown, 
 There love still hovers round. 
 
 Salvation is made known. 
 And free redemption found.
 
 120 
 
 Though we ourselves have brought 
 To slavery's galling chain, 
 
 A Saviour's love, unbought, 
 May ransom us again. 
 
 Though sin's destroying flood 
 Have swept our peace away. 
 
 Yet Christ's atoning blood 
 
 That torrent's course can stay. 
 
 lliough earth contain no gem 
 To ransom man from vice. 
 
 In thy bright diadem 
 
 Is set that Pearl of Price. 
 
 A Pearl — compar'd with which 
 
 The ruby has no worth, 
 Which makes the poorest rich. 
 
 Possessing more than earth. 
 
 And they who seek thy face, 
 Thy mercy shall supply, 
 
 From free, unpurchased grace, 
 With what worlds could not buy.
 
 121 
 
 SLOWLY, SAFELY, AND SURELY. 
 
 "For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight : for tlie 
 Lord will go before you ; and the God of Israel will be your rear- 
 ward." — Isaiah, lii. 12. 
 
 When Israel's sons from Egypt's land 
 Were brought by God's resistless hand, 
 Not their 's the captive's fearful flight. 
 But the strong march of guarded might. 
 
 (jod went behind them, and before, 
 To guard and guide to Canaan's shore ; 
 By night a lire to point their way, 
 A pillar of a cloud by day. 
 
 And those who now deliverance win 
 From death and darkness, self and sin, 
 Nor haste, nor flight tumultuous prove. 
 But slowly, safely, surely, move. 
 
 He whose almighty power hath broke 
 A heavier far than Egypt's yoke, 
 Whose love has foil'd the tyrant's wrath, 
 Still guides and guards his people's path. 
 
 G
 
 122 
 
 Not their's the fugitive's escape 
 Whom dangers daunt in every shape ; 
 Not their's the captive's hurried pace 
 Who fears the conq'ror's eager chace. 
 
 Captives they were in slavery's hour, 
 Now more than conq'rors through His power 
 Who lov'd, redeem'd, and set them free, 
 And bade them his salvation see. 
 
 Slow, safe, and sure the path assign'd, 
 God moves before them, and behind, 
 Present to faith, when lost to sight, 
 Their cloud by day, their fire by night. 
 
 Christ's atonement. 
 
 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, lie was bruised 
 for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon hira ; 
 and with his stripes we are healed." — Isaiah, liii. 5. 
 
 Lord ! hast thou meekly sufter'd thus 
 For fall'n and guilty man ? 
 
 And shall we coldly now discuss 
 Thy love's stupendous plan ?
 
 123 
 
 Nay, not thy gospel's scheme alone, — 
 
 False reason, soaring high, 
 Which thy Atonement would disown, 
 
 Thy Godhead dares deny. 
 
 But those whom faith has given to learn 
 Of grace each type and sign. 
 
 In each, through all, alike discern 
 A Source, and Power divine ! 
 
 These, knowing that they are but dust, 
 
 Thy word of truth believe, 
 Place in that word their simple trust, 
 
 And faith from Thee receive. 
 
 Thy Holy Spirit's aid they crave 
 To make thy counsel known; 
 
 This shows a Saviour, prompt to save, 
 Almighty to atone. 
 
 Then Christ is precious in their sight ; 
 
 Tor them the Lamb was slain, 
 And in His glorious life and light 
 
 Their souls are born again. 
 
 Born to a life which shall not cease, — 
 His stripes their wounds have heal'd, 
 
 And by His chastisement of peace 
 Their peace with God is seal'd. 
 G 2
 
 124 
 
 THE ONLY SAFE GLORY. 
 
 " But let hiin that glorieth glor}' in this, that he understandetli 
 aud knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kind- 
 ness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things 
 I delight, saith the Lord." — Jeremiah, ix. -1. 
 
 Let not the mighty glory in his might, 
 Let not the wise be of his wisdom proud, 
 
 Let not the rich man in his wealth delight, 
 For these shall vanish like a summer cloud. 
 
 But he that glorieth — let it be alone 
 
 In understanding, Lord! and knowing thee, 
 
 Through mercy,judgment,righteousness made known 
 His strength, his wisdom, and his wealth to be. 
 
 This is the understanding which makes wise, 
 Wise to salvation : — this the knowledge still 
 
 Which, far surpassing all the world supplies, 
 Restrains the passions, sanctifies the will.
 
 125 
 
 He who thus glories only seeks to show 
 His rev'rent homage to the Lord of all ; 
 
 His is the lowly pride the humble know. 
 The exaltation which can fear no fall. 
 
 THE BLESSINGS OF EARLY RESTRAINT. 
 
 "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke io his youth. He 
 sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon 
 him. He putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be 
 hope." — Lamentations, iii. 27 — 29. 
 
 Lord, bless'd is he who learns to bear 
 
 Tliy yoke in tender youth ; 
 AV horn teachings of thine own prepare 
 
 Betimes to know thy truth. 
 
 Good is it — in thy holy sight, 
 Who view'st with partial eyes, 
 
 K'en with a Father's fond delight 
 Such early sacrifice. 
 G 3
 
 126 
 
 (iood is it for Thy church's sake ; 
 
 For he, thus taught to bear, 
 A pillar in that church shall make, 
 
 And show thy praises there. 
 
 And goodly is the portion still 
 
 Of him, whoe'er he be, 
 Who early knows thought, word, and wiH, 
 
 Subjected unto Thee. 
 
 His shall be light in darkest hour, 
 
 His — patient waiting too ; — 
 In Thy unfailing arm of power 
 
 His strength shall he renew. 
 
 He shall sit silently, alone, 
 
 His mouth as in the dust, 
 To see Thy holier hope made known, 
 
 In which is plac'd his trust. 
 
 To him, in Thy appointed time, 
 
 That hope shall yet appear, 
 Whose power, eternal and sublime. 
 
 Can cast out every fear.
 
 127 
 
 A NEW HEART, AND A NEW SPIRIT. 
 
 " A new heart also will I give jou, and a new spirit will I put 
 witiiin you; and I will take away the stony heart oat of your 
 flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." — Ezekiel, xxxvi. 26. 
 
 Christian, behold a simple test, 
 
 Which, in the light of truth, makes known. 
 
 As God can only manifest. 
 
 Who are, and who are not his own. 
 
 What know'st thou of a heart thus chang'd .' 
 
 Or is thine what it was of old, 
 From God and things divine estrang'd, 
 
 Obdurate, earthy, stony, cold ? 
 
 What know'st thou of the holy birth 
 
 Of this new spirit, born within ? 
 Is thine still fetter'd to the earth, 
 
 The sport of folly, slave of sin ? 
 
 Trust not a name, whate'er it be, 
 If still thy nature be the same : — 
 
 The faith which wins no more for thee. 
 Will prove, indeed, an empty name. 
 G 4
 
 123 
 
 Turn inward to the work afresh. 
 
 Waiting and watching unto prayer; 
 
 So may'st thou know a heart of flesh 
 Thy stony one supplanting there. 
 
 Humbly implore, for Jesu's sake, 
 
 Whose name is yet with power endued , 
 
 That through His grace thou may'st partake 
 A spirit livingly renew'd. 
 
 No outward homage of the lip 
 Can christian fellowship impart ; 
 
 The badge of true discipleship 
 Is change of spirit, and of heart. 
 
 HOPE LEFT WHILE THE ROOT LIVES. 
 
 " Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, eveu 
 with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and 
 let it be wet with the dew of heaven." — Daniel, iv. 15. 
 
 Hath not the vision now 
 Its sure interpretation? Are there not 
 
 Roots, bearing trunk nor bough. 
 Yet living in the earth, unseen, forgot?
 
 1-29 
 
 Is there not, known to Thee, 
 Saviour and Lord, the church's livinsj Head ! 
 
 Full many a goodly tree 
 Whose early shoots by Thee were nurtur'd, fed ? 
 
 But when thou hadst a right 
 To look for fruit, on these no fruit was found : 
 
 Their beauty thou didst blight; 
 W ith brass and iron thou their root hast bound. 
 
 Such are existing yet, 
 Pprniitted in thy boundless love to live; 
 
 May heavenly dews still wet, 
 And tender grass its nourishment still give. 
 
 That so each hidden root 
 Spared by Thy mercy thus to live unseen. 
 
 In days to come may shoot. 
 And once more wave its branches fresh and green. 
 
 Thy hand, which did not spare 
 Ihe barren beauty of its earlier days. 
 
 May cause it yet to bear 
 Tmmottal fruit to Thy eternal praise. 
 
 G d
 
 130 
 
 THE FRAILTY OF MAN's GOODNESS. 
 
 " O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judali, what shall I 
 do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the 
 early dew it goeth away." — Hoses, vi. 4. 
 
 Such the transient influence now 
 Of too many a fervent vow ; 
 Such in spirit and in span, 
 Goodness deem'd innate in man. 
 
 Like a morning cloud it flies, 
 Like the early dew up-dries. 
 Brief as bright, and frail as brief, 
 Like the changing Cistus' leaf. 
 
 Clouds which bear the welcome shower 
 Wait not on man's fancied power ; 
 Dews that nourish where they fall 
 Come not when he deigns to call. 
 
 Blossoms time may not impair 
 Deathless Amaranths must bear; 
 And the goodness which shall liv«- 
 God alone to man can give.
 
 131 
 
 .ludah's God, and Ephraim's Lord, 
 Unto us thy grace accord ; 
 Make Tliy gracious goodness known. 
 Show how trustless is our own. 
 
 Morning clouds, though bright their dyes 
 Fade before our thirsty eyes ; 
 Dews which early pass away 
 Leave our hearts to drought a prey. 
 
 Give us darker clouds, whose gloom 
 Bears rich blessings in its womb ; 
 Heavier dews which fall at eve, 
 Whence Thy seed may life receive. 
 
 sin's devastations not irreparable. 
 
 " And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, 
 the canker-wonn, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my 
 'fjezi army which I sent among yon." — Joel, ii. 25. 
 
 Mourners, whose hearts are oft afraid. 
 Whose eyes are liU'd with frequent tears. 
 
 Viewing the havoc sin has made 
 In darker days of former years; — 
 
 Look unto Him whose arm made bare. 
 
 Each devastation can repair. 
 G
 
 132 . 
 
 At His commandment yet may thrive 
 
 Of purer life each hidden germ, 
 And bring forth fruit which shall survive 
 
 The canker and the palmer-w^orm : 
 The locusts' spoil, of years gone by, 
 To you His mercy can supply. 
 
 'Tis w^ell that man's awaken'd sense 
 
 Should trace the past with fear and shame ; 
 
 Should know his enemies, and whence 
 Each hydra-headed monster came ; 
 
 Yet not less needful he should feel 
 
 \^^hose hand can every ravage heal. 
 
 Thus taught, the humble heart shall own 
 Its deadliest foes are born within ; 
 
 That God hath made the spoilers known, 
 The spoil'd unto himself to win; 
 
 Rendering the former, by His might. 
 
 An army for His cause to fight.
 
 133 
 
 THE FAMINE OF THE WORD. 
 
 "Behold the dajs come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a 
 famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, 
 bat of hearing the words of the Lord." — Amos, viii. 11. 
 
 () Lord, avert from us this day 
 Of famine's fiercest strife; 
 
 And take not from our souls the stay 
 And staff of endless life. 
 
 Though we too often have preferr'd 
 
 Time's transitory things 
 Before thy pure and precious word 
 
 Which sure salvation brings; 
 
 Yet suffer not our souls to know 
 This famine, worst of all ; 
 
 Lest, victims to its wasting woe, 
 We miserably fall. 
 
 O rather, since the power is thine, 
 While yet thy word is near, 
 
 Compel us by thy voice divine 
 To lend a wakeful ear.
 
 . 134 
 
 Though justly stern its tones may sound, 
 These thou canst teach to bear ; 
 
 Far better judgment reign around 
 Than silence and despair. 
 
 Although the food Thy word may give 
 
 Be wormwood to the soul, 
 Better it is on this to live, 
 
 Than pleasure's sparkling bowl. 
 
 Oh, teach us most that death to fear, 
 
 By inward famine slain. 
 Which, dying, thirsts thy voice to hear, 
 
 Yet thirsts, alas, in vain. 
 
 PRIDE REPROVED. 
 
 "ThoQgh thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set 
 thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saitli the 
 Lord." — Obadiah, verse 4. 
 
 Who art thou, that, soaring high. 
 Pride of heart thy bosom swelling, 
 
 Look'st around with haughty eye, 
 Trusting in thy lofty dwelling ?
 
 135 
 
 Stoop thy wing, or thou'it undone; 
 
 Let not pride of heart deceive thee ; 
 He, the High and Holy One, 
 
 Of thy dwelling shall bereave thee. 
 
 Though, 'till cheek'd by wrath, or love. 
 Far from earth thy spirit wing thee, — 
 
 Rear its home the stars above, — 
 
 Yet from thence the Lord shall bring thee. 
 
 Bring thee down, and lay thee low, 
 Lower than the most inglorious; 
 
 Soon thy humbled pride shall know 
 His almighty arm victorious. 
 
 Then forbear to trust thy tiight. 
 
 Even to the eagle's pinion ; 
 Learn in time Jehovah's mijrht ; 
 
 Bow to God's supreme dominion. 
 
 Kiss the Son lest he be wrath, 
 
 Dare not with the Word dissemble, 
 
 Choose a humbler, safer path ; 
 
 Know thyself, and fear, and tremble.
 
 13C 
 
 USELESS FLIGHT. 
 
 "Bat Jonah rose up to flee untoTarshish from the presence of 
 the Lord."— Jonah, i. 3. 
 
 And couldst thou fancy, then, 
 
 Tarshish beyond the ken 
 Of Him whose presence fills unbounded space ? 
 
 Who, from the heavens on high. 
 
 With sleepless searching eye, 
 Even the depths of hell itself can trace ? 
 
 Weak though Ihr thought might be, 
 
 There are who censure thee, 
 MHio would no less God's holy presence shun; 
 
 Weakness surpassing thine, 
 
 Whose mission, though divine, 
 Might hope to Avin belief from few or none.
 
 137 
 
 Such, when they feel within 
 
 His power convict of sin, 
 Turn from the witness for His righteous will; 
 
 In earth's delusive joys, 
 
 Tn business, strife, and noise, 
 Striviuij to drown the voice they cannot still. 
 
 As well to Tarshish flee, 
 
 As hope to 'scape from Thee, 
 (rod omnipresent, and omnipotent ! 
 
 Closing with coward fear 
 
 That inward eye and ear. 
 Whose powers for nobler purposes were lent. 
 
 Ungrateful, and absurd; — 
 
 E'en by the deafest heard, 
 Thy still small voice shall speak in thrilling tone, 
 
 (^n the eye's darkest night 
 
 Shall burst thy piercing light. 
 In judffnient or in mercy both be known !
 
 138 
 
 HOPE IN CONFLICT. 
 
 "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall I shall 
 arise ; when I sit in darkness, tlie Lord shall be a light nntome." 
 — -Micah, vii. 8. 
 
 Rejoice not over me, my foe, 
 
 Though fall'n, I am not slain ; 
 In mightier power than thou canst know 
 
 I shall arise again. 
 
 Think not, though clouds may gather round, 
 
 That mine is starless night; 
 Even amid that gloom profound 
 
 The Lord will be my light. 
 
 8ueh is their language, Lord, whose hearts 
 
 All confidence disown, 
 Save what Thy word of truth imparts, 
 
 And crave Thy power alone. 
 
 These, even while they mourn each fall, 
 And view themselves with shame. 
 
 On Thee, afresh, for succour call, 
 And trust a Saviour's name.
 
 139 
 
 Thou art to them in darkest hour 
 Their comfort, hope, and stay; 
 
 Well knowing that thy arm of power 
 Can make their darkness day. 
 
 These meekly strive to bear thy rod 
 With patient, reverend awe. 
 
 Conscious that they, O righteous God, 
 Have disobey 'd tliy law. 
 
 Yet, in their chastisement they place 
 
 Full confidence in Thee, 
 And for thy holy gift of grace, 
 
 Before Thee bend the knee ; 
 
 Imploring Thou wilt plead aright 
 Their cause, their struggles bless; 
 
 And bring them forth unto the light 
 To see thy righteousness.
 
 140 
 
 COMFORT IN A CLOUDY DAY. 
 
 "Tlie Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in the storm, 
 and the clouds are the dust of his feet."— N ahum, i. 3. 
 
 Expect not, pilgrim, Zion-ward, 
 A bright sky always will be thine. 
 
 Or that the presence of thy Lord 
 Will constantly around thee shine : 
 
 If all were clear, around, above. 
 
 What test could prove thy faith and love 
 
 In storm or whirlwind, as in wrath. 
 He holds unseen his righteous way, 
 
 Dark clouds denote his viewless path, 
 And thine may seem a winter's day, 
 
 Yet not the less His path may be 
 
 One of unbounded love to thee.
 
 141 
 
 jje patient, though the sea be made 
 Before him like a desert, dry, — 
 
 Though Bashan languish, Carmel fade. 
 And flowers of Lebanon may die ; 
 
 Yet slow to anger is the Lord, 
 
 A tower of strength His name ador'd. 
 
 The Lord is good : He still remains. 
 As in the ancient days of old. 
 
 When doubt, or fear, or trouble reigns, 
 A strong, a safe, a stedfast Hold ; 
 
 When hearts are faint, and eyes are dim, 
 
 He knoweth them that trust in Him. 
 
 GETTING TO THE WATCH-TOWER. 
 
 " I will stand upon ray watch, and set rae upon the tower, and 
 will watch to see what he will say unto rae, and what I shall an- 
 swer when I am reproved."— Habakkuk, ii. 1. 
 
 Oh, were this waiting, watching frame 
 Yet more and more the Christian's aim ; 
 Yet more and more his inward eye 
 The Saviour's kingdom should descry.
 
 142 
 
 Yet more and more his inward ear 
 Of holiest oracles should hear; 
 Yet more and more his heart should feel 
 What God will only there reveal. 
 
 'Tis not by running to and fro. 
 The lan<ruas:e of the Lord we know ; 
 On the lone watch-tower of the heart 
 His truth he will himself impart. 
 
 There must the Christian watch and pray. 
 Waiting to hear what God shall say ; 
 There be instructed to reply 
 When he shall be reprov'd on high. 
 
 But thou hast watch'd and waited there. 
 And found no answer unto prayer ; 
 To thee the vision will not come, 
 To thee the Oracle is dumb. 
 
 What said the Lord unto the seer, 
 Who thus resolv'd in holy fear ? 
 The vision, for a time deferr'd, 
 Shall in the end be seen and heard. 
 
 Oh, let not, then, thy faith be weak, 
 For, in the end, its voice shall speak, 
 And in the Lord's appointed time 
 That voice shall teach thee truths sublime.
 
 143 
 
 THE LUKEWARM THREATENED. 
 
 "And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search 
 Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled uu 
 their lees : that say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, nei- 
 ther will he do evil." — Zephaniah, i. 12. 
 
 Zion's children, sunk in ease, 
 
 From your dang'rous rest awaken ; 
 
 Spirits, settled on your lees, 
 By the Lord ye shall be shaken. 
 
 Say not in your hearts " from God 
 Good or ill no more proceedeth. 
 
 What the paths by mortals trod, 
 He, the Lord, no longer heedeth." 
 
 Know ye, that the time draws nigh, 
 AVhen the Lord, his power revealing. 
 
 Hearts will search, and reins will try. 
 Unto each in turn appealing. 
 
 He Jerusalem will search 
 
 By his own illumination, 
 He will visit yet his church. 
 
 Proving every man's foundation.
 
 144 
 
 Unto you, who sit at ease, 
 
 Shall the trumpet sound in Zion ; 
 You too, settled on your lees. 
 
 Shall be rous'd by Judah's lion. 
 
 For that trumpet will reveal 
 Joy or woe for endless ages, 
 
 And that lion will unseal 
 
 Life's or death's eventful pages. 
 
 A CALL TO BUILD THE LORD's HOUSE. 
 
 " Is it time for yon, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and 
 this house to lie waste?" — Haggai, i. 4. 
 
 () YE, who in ceil'd houses live. 
 
 Can you, escaping guilt and shame. 
 
 Delay unto the Lord to give 
 A habitation for his name ? 
 
 If thus the prophet spoke of yore, 
 Chiding the people's long delay, 
 
 Whose hands were slack to build once more 
 A fabric which should pass away;
 
 145 
 
 Doth not the Spirit now upbraid, 
 Though with a voice of love divine, 
 
 Hearts as reluctant, or afraid 
 To rear a holier, purer shrine ? 
 
 To such, the language of the Lord 
 Is now, " Consider ye your ways !" 
 
 Why build ye not, with one accord, 
 A temple worthy of ray praise ? 
 
 My gifts and graces were not meant 
 Ceil'd houses unto you to give, 
 
 Wherein, supinely indolent. 
 
 Each one unto himself might live. 
 
 I gave them that mine eye might see 
 Uprear'd, an edifice divine. 
 
 And you the living stones should be 
 To form this glorious house of mine. 
 
 H
 
 146 
 
 THE FOUNTAIN OPENED. 
 
 "In that day there shall be a tountain opened to the house of 
 David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for unclean- 
 ness." — Zechariab, xiii. 1. 
 
 From Zion's holy mountain 
 The tidings loud proclaim ; 
 
 The Lord hath op'd a fountain, 
 Salvation is its name. 
 
 Its purifying- waters, 
 The house of David know, 
 
 And Salem's sons and daughters, 
 There wash'd, are white as snow. 
 
 From sin and from uncleanness 
 That fountain can redeem ; 
 
 There age may find fresh greenness. 
 Thence youth with wisdom teem.
 
 147 
 
 The blind and deaf, there drinkina. 
 
 At once both see and hear ; 
 The lame, with feet unshrinkina. 
 
 Are swift, as is the deer. 
 
 The dumb, who seek in sadness 
 That water's living spring, 
 
 In grateful songs of gladness 
 Its hallow'd praises sing. 
 
 Breaking each chain asunder, 
 That fount can freedom give ; 
 
 And, all-surpassing wonder. 
 Hath caus'd the dead to live ! 
 
 " Whence flows this tide of healina. 
 
 That does such wond'rous thinas ? 
 Oh haste, its source revealing. 
 
 That /may seek its springs." 
 
 Sinner, thy prayer is granted. 
 
 It flows from Jesu's side ; 
 
 Thence, whatsoe'er is wanted, 
 
 To man must be supplied. 
 
 u 2
 
 148 
 
 GOD CHALLENGETH THE PROOF OF HIS 
 GOODNESS. 
 
 " Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be 
 meat iu mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord 
 of Hosts, if I will not open jou the windows of heaven, and pour 
 you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive 
 it.'— Malachi, iii. 10. 
 
 Thus, though to many a doubtful ear, 
 Spoke the divinely gifted seer ; 
 And such, to many a faultering will, 
 May be Truth's living language still. 
 
 Are there not, gracious Lord, whom thou 
 Hadst crown'd with blessings long ere now, 
 Had but obedience to thy grace 
 With knowledge kept proportion'd pace? 
 
 But disobedience, like a blight, 
 Hath made us dwarfish in thy sight. 
 Nipt bud and blossom, leaf and shoot, 
 And robb'd thee of thy promis'd fruit.
 
 149 
 
 And hence of word, of deed, of thousiht, 
 We to thy house no tithes have brought, 
 'Till, keeping back thy just demand, 
 We dwell as in a thirsty land. 
 
 Yet e'en from us, so far aloof. 
 Thy goodness deigns to challenge proof ; 
 Still thou art calling for thine own, 
 Only to make Thy bounty shown. 
 
 Your tithes into my storehouse bring, 
 Confess me as your Priest and King ; 
 The riches of my grace shall prove 
 The plenitude of pardoning love. 
 
 Heav'n's windows I will open wide, 
 Pour blessings down on every side. 
 Till, in your overflowing store. 
 Your hearts can find no room for more. 
 
 Such was the challenge from on high, 
 Of Him whose word can never lie ; 
 Not only, Lord! that word renew. 
 But give the faith to prove it true. 
 
 H 3
 
 150 
 
 A REFLECTION. 
 
 Oh ! were I borne in spirit to the time 
 
 Which now the progress of my task hath won ; 
 
 That era long foretold by seers sublime, 
 
 When, born of woman, God's incarnate Son 
 
 Came to atone for folly, sin, and crime, 
 And ransom man, without his aid undone ; 
 
 Fulfilling- in himself each sign and rite. 
 
 And making known his gospel's glorious light ! 
 
 Who, plac'd on such ideal eminence, — 
 
 But many a thoughtful glance must round him 
 cast? 
 
 Viewing, as with an eye of faith intense. 
 Now the more shadowy glories of the past. 
 
 Sublimely grand in dark magnificence. 
 And splendidly imposing to the last ; — 
 
 Then, turning from them, trembling, to survey 
 
 The gentler dawning of the gospel day.
 
 151 
 
 1 n calm eftulgence rises Bethlehem's Star 
 Over the yet untraveU'd holy ground ; 
 
 There Calv'ry's hill uplifts its Cross afar. 
 As with a diadem of brightness crown'd, 
 
 Majestic beauty ! with no cloud to mar, 
 
 Like those which hover'd Sinai's heights around: — 
 
 And here the Mount of Olives to the sky 
 
 Uprears its leafy coronal on high. 
 
 How lovely, yet how solemn is the scene ! 
 
 Scene worthy of the truths which wait us there ; 
 And hark ! the silent intervals between, 
 
 In silvery tones float on the midnight air, 
 iilad songs that hail the new-born Nazarene I 
 
 Songs in which angel hosts with transport share ; 
 Such as no more shall fall on mortal ears, 
 Till heavenly music shall untune the spheres. 
 
 H 4
 
 152 
 
 THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 
 
 "And lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, 
 till it came and stood over where the young child was." — 
 Matthew, ii. 9. 
 
 Bright in the eastern firmament 
 The star upon the Magi smil'd ; 
 
 Before them in their progress went, 
 And led them to the Heavenly Child. 
 
 Had fear or doubt their hearts assail'd. 
 Had they refus'd to follow on, 
 
 Little to them it had avail'd 
 
 That thus before their steps it shone. 
 
 « 
 
 But when its glory they espied, 
 
 Their hearts rejoic'd that star to greet; 
 
 A)id, trusting in their heavenly guide, 
 It led them to the Saviour's feet. 
 
 Nor need we vainly envy them ; 
 
 Still shines within a Heavenly Light, 
 Which, like the Star of Bethlehem, 
 
 Would guide our onward course aright.
 
 153 
 
 Btit if, when we that Light discern, 
 We doubt its mission is divine. 
 
 And from its guidance coldly turn. 
 Can we expect it still to shine ? 
 
 Those who thus venture to reject 
 
 What none too gratefully could prize, 
 
 Too late may mourn that long neglect 
 Has veil'd its glory from their eyes. 
 
 But they who, following on, adore 
 The Giver of its guiding ray, 
 
 Shall find it shine yet more and more, 
 Unto the pure and perfect day. 
 
 THE FIRST BEATITUDE. 
 
 "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of 
 heaven." — Matthew, v. 3. 
 
 Would'st thou share this benediction, 
 Things of time surpassing far. 
 
 First be taught by truth's conviction 
 Who the poor in spirit are. 
 H a
 
 154 
 
 In the sight of fortune's minions 
 They are worthless, mean, and low; 
 
 In their own severe opinions 
 
 Of themselves far worse they know. 
 
 In the world's cold estimation 
 
 Undeserving of esteem ; — 
 In their self-humiliation 
 
 Such unto themselves they seem. 
 
 But let truth extend thy vision 
 
 Through this fleeting span of time, 
 
 Their's will be, by sure decision. 
 Wealth exhaustless, joys sublime. 
 
 AV^atchful, patient, meek, and lowly. 
 Wise — in wisdom from above, 
 
 In their life and converse holy, 
 Full of faith, and full of love ; 
 
 Grateful, here, to be cross-bearers, 
 For the Saviour's sake, they live ; 
 
 And, hereafter, shall be wearers 
 Of the crowns that He will give. 
 
 Such, alone, the poor in spirit ! 
 
 Heirs, through faith, of things divine ; 
 And the kingdom they inherit. 
 
 Faith like their's must render thine.-
 
 1-55 
 
 AS UNTO GOD, NOT UNTO MAN. 
 
 "Moreover when je fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad 
 countenajice ; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear 
 unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you they have their reward." 
 — Matthew, vi. 16. 
 
 When thou a fast wouldst keep, 
 
 Make not its homage cheap, 
 By publishing its signs to every eye ; 
 
 But let it be between 
 
 Thyself and The Unseen ; 
 So shall it gain acceptance from on high. 
 
 God will no rival brook ! 
 
 Austere, or mournful look, 
 Meant human eye to catch, or heart to move ; 
 
 Seeking but man's applause. 
 
 Glory from God withdraws, — 
 Treason His Spirit sternly will reprove. 
 
 H
 
 150 
 
 from inward exercise, 
 
 At seasons, will arise 
 Dark clouds, which cast their shadow on the brow ; 
 
 Yet darker to impart, 
 
 Shows a divided heart, 
 Which makes the world a witness of its vow. 
 
 Nor think in fasts alone, 
 
 The precept here made known. 
 Instruction to the Christian's heart should teach ; 
 
 In alms, in prayer, in praise — 
 
 A lesson it conveys, 
 'Twere wise to learn, and good to feel in each. 
 
 Doth it not tend to show 
 
 That all which seeks below 
 The glory and reward it most desires, 
 
 Howe'er on earth esteemed, 
 
 AVill not by God be deera'd 
 That homage of the heart which he requires.
 
 157 
 
 SINGLENESS OF EYE. 
 
 " The light of the body is the eve : if therefore thine eye be 
 single, thy whole body shall be fullof light."— Matthew, \i.22. 
 
 His that single eye shall be, 
 Who but looks to Christ alone ; 
 
 Trusting through his power to see 
 Truths discern'd not by his own. 
 
 Not by fancy's roving sight, 
 Not by reason's glance of pride, 
 
 Is beheld that holier Light 
 
 Which sliould be the Christian's guide. 
 
 This the aid of grace divine 
 
 Must unto the soul display ; 
 And within the heart must shine 
 
 Its illuminating ray.
 
 158 
 
 He who would that ray discern, — 
 He who would its guidance share, 
 
 Inward must his vision turn, 
 Wait and watch its rising there. 
 
 Unto him it shall arise, 
 
 As the day from darkness springs, 
 Brighter far than morning's skies, 
 
 Bearing healing on its wings. 
 
 His shall be faith, joy, and love. 
 His — the arm of heavenly might ; 
 
 His — the vision from above ; 
 His—" the body full of light." 
 
 Such the blessings Christ will give, 
 
 Those who in his power abide, 
 Seeking but in Him to live 
 , Simple-hearted, single-eyed !
 
 159 
 
 TRUST IN PROVIDENCE. 
 
 " Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these 
 things." — Matthew, vi. 32. 
 
 Lord ! when we seek thy throne of grace 
 
 To crave a blessing there, 
 O let not earthly things have ]3lace, 
 
 Unduly, in our prayer. 
 
 To know that 'tis thy bounteous hand 
 
 Our daily bread bestows; 
 To feel it is from thy command 
 
 Each added blessing flows ; 
 
 This we may humbly know, and feel, 
 
 But let not worldly store 
 One thought excite which would reveal 
 
 A craving thirst for more. 
 
 3 
 
 Thou knowest well what things we need ; 
 
 Oh, give us faith to see 
 That siich necessities can plead 
 
 Their own brief wants with Thee.
 
 160 
 
 But teach us in the solemn hour 
 
 Of supplication, still 
 Simply to crave of Thee the power 
 
 To do thy holy will. 
 
 To feel that thy protecting care 
 
 From evil is our shield ; 
 To see, in dark temptation's snare. 
 
 Thy arm for us reveal'd ; 
 
 To know thy kingdom here on earth 
 Within our hearts increase, 
 
 And prove the all-surpassing worth 
 Of thy pure gift of peace ; — 
 
 Be such our prayers ! For all beside 
 Thy word a pledge shall be, 
 
 For Thou hast promis'd to provide 
 For all who follow Thee.
 
 161 
 
 HEIGHTS AND DEPTHS. 
 
 *' But pray ye that your flight be not io the winter, neither oc 
 the .sabbath day." — Matthew, xxiv. 20, 
 
 Those who have watch'd the changeful forms 
 Of clouds and sunshine, calms and storms, 
 Unto the christian pilgrim known. 
 Will often make this prayer their own. 
 
 Dark hours there are of doubt and fear. 
 With scarce one ray of light to cheer, 
 When hope appears for ever fled, 
 And every holy feeling dead. 
 
 When gourds we rear'd around us die^ 
 And winter rules o'er earth and sky; 
 'Till languishing for happier bowers, 
 We wish the dove's fleet pinions our's. , 
 
 Yet perilous our flight might be, 
 If at such seasons we could flee ; 
 Safer it is to seek, by prayer, 
 The root within, and center there.
 
 162 
 
 Hours, too, there are, more blest and bright, 
 When all around, above, seems light ; 
 Moments, whose influence can impart 
 A sabbath feeling to the heart. 
 
 Jn that sweet sabbath of the soul, 
 
 We think we near our heavenly goal ; 
 
 And, too impatient of delay. 
 
 Our thoughts would soar from earth away. 
 
 Yet, in such thought-transporting thrill, 
 Wisdom's safe watch- word is, " Be still !'" 
 Dwell deep in faith, trust not to sight, 
 Nor venture on unbidden flight. 
 
 Q. Lord ! in each extreme we know, 
 Thy will, our only signal, show; 
 In heights, in depths, be Thou our stay, 
 Jn winter, or in sabbath day.
 
 163 
 
 PROGRESSIVE GROWTH. 
 
 " First the blade, then the ear, afterthat the fall corn in the ear. 
 -Mark, iv. 28. 
 
 Faith must anoint the eye to see ; 
 
 Love the awaken'd heart must warm ; 
 Grace must from sin's dominion free ; 
 
 And growth in grace the saint must form. 
 
 For l)y degrees the work of God 
 Is in the heart of man reveai'd ; — 
 
 There, first, conviction's chast'ning rod 
 That desert makes a furrow'd held. 
 
 Prepar'd for culture from on high, 
 There grace divine the seed must sow ; 
 
 And there, uprising to the eye. 
 
 The blade must first its greenness show.
 
 164 
 
 That blade which, warm'd by light and love, 
 Water'd by dews of reverent fear. 
 
 Aspiring to its source above, 
 Shall bear the yet unripen'd ear. 
 
 And, lastly, must the ear, matur'd, 
 
 The fulness of its corn possess, 
 Ere in the garner safe secur'd 
 
 The Husbandman his toil may bless. 
 
 Such is the gradual growth of grace ; 
 
 And those who well the work survey, 
 In each successive stage may trace, 
 
 Abundant cause for such delay. 
 
 Who can at once deliverance gain 
 From all that has enslav'd, enticed ? 
 
 Or hope abruptly to attain 
 
 The stature of a man in Christ ?
 
 165 
 
 THE TERMS OF DISCIPLESH 1 P. 
 
 " Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, aac 
 take up his cross, and follow me." — Mark, viii. 34. 
 
 The terms are set before thee, 
 The path a Saviour trod ; 
 
 No other can restore thee 
 To favour with thy God. 
 
 The way of self-denial, 
 
 The world's contemptuous frown, 
 The cross's fearful trial, — 
 
 Are preludes to the crown. 
 
 Christ suffer'd these to save thee, 
 Each in its worst degree ; 
 
 Oh, let them not out-brave thee. 
 His lowly follower be. 
 
 Though trustless and unsteady, 
 Thou know'st thy feeble heart, 
 
 A Saviour's love is ready 
 Assistance to impart.
 
 166 
 
 Though many a sore transgression 
 Upon thy conscience lie, 
 
 A Saviour's intercession 
 
 May plead for thee on high. 
 
 If thou, in deep repentance, 
 Wilt bow before His love, 
 
 Tliy sins, — their fearful sentence, 
 Are blotted out above. 
 
 If thou, thyself denying, 
 
 Thy cross for Him wilt wear, 
 
 His grace, its aid supplying, 
 Thy crown will yet prepare. 
 
 But if thou slight His offers, 
 Thy life is but a breath. 
 
 Nor can wealth's richest coffers 
 Redeem thy soul from death '.
 
 167 
 
 ASPIRATIONS AFTER FAITH. 
 
 " Lord, I believe ; help thou mine unbelief." — Mark, ix. 24 
 
 What prayer can conscious weakness frame, 
 
 God more delights to bless, 
 Than that which, making- faith its aim. 
 
 Yet mourns its faithlessness ? 
 
 Are there not, Lord, who would believe 
 
 The power thy word imparts, 
 Who often would that power receive, 
 
 With joyful, grateful hearts ; 
 
 But unbelief comes in to blight 
 
 Thy harvest in the soul. 
 And o'er thy holy, heavenly light 
 
 The clouds of doubt to roll ? 
 
 Nor is it strange it should be thus ; 
 
 Inscrutable thy ways. 
 Which he whose reason would discuss, 
 
 But finds an endless maze.
 
 168 
 
 To such what prayer can thought accord 
 More simple, humble, brief? 
 
 Than crying—" I believe, O Lord ! 
 Help thou mine unbelief." 
 
 This is that lowly frame of mind, 
 
 To which thy gracious will 
 The blessed promise once assign'd. 
 
 Thy power would yet fulfil : 
 
 That all is possible to him 
 
 Who full belief can own ; 
 Whose eye, through faith, no longer dim. 
 
 Is fix'd on Thee alone. 
 
 ONE THING WANTING. 
 
 "Then Jesus beholding him, loved him, and said unto Lira, One 
 thiftg thou lackest,"— Mark, x. 21. 
 
 There yet are many such 
 M^ho keep in good degree the moral law ; 
 
 Whose hearts have felt the touch 
 Of love divine which unto Christ would draw.
 
 169 
 
 On whom a gracious Lord 
 Hath look'd with love which should their souls 
 enthral ; 
 
 To whom he would accord 
 The power to follow Him, forsaking all. 
 
 But, when the terms they hear, 
 They turn reluctant, sorrowful, away; 
 
 Something is still too dear, 
 For them such hard conditions to obey. 
 
 No common impulse movVl 
 A proselyte so ardent, blameless, true ; 
 
 Jesus beheld, and lov'd ! 
 Yet the inquirer mournfully withdrew. 
 
 Withdrew, no more, perchance, 
 To hear those winning accents ; or to see 
 
 That eye's persuasive glance. 
 Whose language said, " Leave all, and follow me!" 
 
 Oh, ye, who, like this youth, 
 In spirit have with the Redeemer met, 
 
 Believe the voice of Truth, 
 Pleading in love, " One thing is lacking yet." 
 
 I
 
 170 
 
 Forfeit not heavenly bliss, 
 Whate'er of earthly good your own ye call ; 
 
 But know, that, lacking this. 
 Death will o'ertake you destitute of all ! 
 
 PROMPT FORGIVENESS ENJOINED. 
 
 " And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have augbt against 
 any."— Marii:,xi.25. 
 
 Wait not until prayer be ended. 
 
 To forgive thy direst foe ; 
 With thy prayer be pardon blended, 
 
 If forgiveness thou wouldst know : 
 From this precept shouldst thou start. 
 Thine is not a praying heart. 
 
 Praying hearts can never cherish 
 Thoughts of bitterness, or strife ; 
 
 In their presence soon must perish 
 Prayer's true element, and life : 
 
 If from faith thy prayer up-springs. 
 
 Love must lend it heaven-ward wings. 
 
 i
 
 171 
 
 Shouldst thou, then, in thy devotion, 
 Feel against thy brother aught, 
 
 Instantly, with deep emotion, 
 
 Check each unforgiving thought ; 
 
 While thy heart resentment bears, 
 
 God will never hear thy prayers. 
 
 Neither think thou of delaying ; 
 
 Hatred on delay can live ; — 
 Even while thou standest praying. 
 
 Freely, heartily forgive ; 
 Or, whatever thy sins may be, 
 Hope not God will pardon thee. 
 
 Should thy resolution falter. 
 Hatred has thy heart detil'd ; 
 
 Leave thy gift before the altar. 
 First to man be reconcil'd, — 
 
 Then, forgiveness having shown. 
 
 Pray, that it may be thine own. 
 
 I 2
 
 172 
 
 WATCHFULNESS IMPERATIVE ON ALL. 
 
 " And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch." — Mark, 
 
 ill ST. 
 
 xiii. 37 
 
 Art thou a sinner, from the sleep 
 Which ends in death awaking ? 
 
 Be rous'd this holy watch to keep. 
 Through grace thy sins forsaking. 
 
 Have growing light and added power 
 Been unto thee extended ? 
 
 Forsake not thou thy fortress-tower. 
 Nor deem the watch suspended. 
 
 Only while vigilance is thine. 
 Canst thou expect the blessing 
 
 Their Lord and Master will assign 
 To pilgrims omvard pressing. 
 
 Art thou a saint, by grace redeem'd, 
 Through Christ's atoning merit ? 
 
 Be not the watch-word disesteem'd. 
 If life thou would'st inherit.
 
 173 
 
 The higher ground thou niay'st have gaiu'cl, 
 
 Its counsel more is needed ; 
 Nor can thy safety be maintain'd, 
 
 The watch-tower left unheeded. 
 
 Jn light or darkness, joy or woe, 
 
 By good or ill surrounded. 
 Thy hope of conquest o'er each foe 
 
 On watchfulness is founded. 
 
 Not in the wisdom, or the might 
 Of man, — for these will fail thee, 
 
 When powers of darkness, born of night, 
 In conflict shall assail thee. 
 
 The watchfulness that slumbers not 
 Must be through grace imparted ; 
 
 By faith and prayer it is begot. 
 And saves the simple-hearted. 
 
 I :i
 
 174 
 
 RETIREMENT AND PRAYER. 
 
 "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."- 
 Luke, V. 16. 
 
 If thus our Lord himself withdrew, 
 
 Stealing at times away. 
 E'en from the lov'd, the chosen few, 
 
 In solitude to pray, 
 How should his followers, frail and weak. 
 Such seasons of retirement seek. 
 
 Seldom amid the strife and din 
 
 Of sublunary things, 
 Can spirits keep their watch within, 
 
 Or plume their heaven-ward wings ; 
 He must dwell deep, indeed, whose heart 
 Can thus fulfil true wisdom's part.
 
 175 
 
 Not in our own spontaneous will 
 Can we the world shut out, — 
 
 Say to our passions, " Peace, be still !" 
 Or check each rising doubt; 
 
 Alone, by prayer, 'tis slowly won, 
 
 In the world's throng too rarely done. 
 
 How needful is it, then, for man 
 From things of time to steal. 
 
 Those of eternity to scan, 
 Their magnitude to feel : — 
 
 The first are transitory, vain ; 
 
 The last for ever will remain. 
 
 Retirement must adjust the beam. 
 And prayer must poise the scales ; 
 
 Our Guide, Example, Head supreme. 
 In neither lesson fails ; 
 
 Oh, may we in remembrance bear, 
 
 He sought retirement, — practised prayer ! 
 
 ] A
 
 176 
 
 A christian's rejoicing. 
 
 " Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject 
 Tinto you ; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in 
 heaven." — Luke, x. 20, 
 
 Rejoice not, or rejoice with awe, 
 That subject spirits own your law ; 
 That powers of darkness, wont to be 
 Your masters, — from your presence flee. 
 
 If such dominion foster pride. 
 With instant danger 'tis allied ; 
 If meekly held, obey the voice 
 Which bids you tremblingly rejoice. 
 
 When call'd to meet your foes in tight, 
 'Tis good to feel your Saviour's might ; 
 For victory grateful thanks may rise, 
 But truest bliss still deeper lies.
 
 177 
 
 The joy of heaven is perfect joy, 
 Which fear nor danger can alloy ; — 
 The purest man on earth can know 
 From love and gratitude must flow. 
 
 If faith a humble hope supply. 
 Thy name is register'd on high, 
 Though in no robe of triumph clad, 
 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad. 
 
 The power which fallen spirits dread, 
 Which can on serpents, scorpions, tread, 
 Such powers, could we command at will. 
 Yield but the joy of conflict still. 
 
 This latent perils may allure, 
 The hope of heaven is peaceful, pure ; 
 If faith this hope to thee assign, 
 Kejoice in Him who made it thine. 
 
 1 S
 
 178 
 
 WAITING IN READINESS. 
 
 *' Let your loins also be girded aboat, and your lights burning: 
 and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord." — 
 Luke, xii. 35, 36. 
 
 Good is it thus to wait ; 
 
 And joy shall be to them assign'd, 
 Whose hearts in such prepar'd estate, 
 
 Their Lord shall haply find. 
 
 With lights that shine and burn, 
 Girded in spirit, void of fear. 
 
 These shall their Lord's approach discern. 
 Rejoicing He is near. 
 
 Wisdom nor strength of ours 
 
 Can thus enable us to stand ; 
 O Lord, thy grace alone empowers 
 
 To keep thy high command.
 
 179 
 
 Thy Spirit's aid must gird 
 
 Our loins for thy approach divine ; 
 Our lamps with oil, by Thee conferred, 
 
 Alone can burn or shine. 
 
 Then grant thy heavenly aid, 
 
 That, when thy presence we must meet. 
 With rev'rent hearts, but undismay'd. 
 
 Thy coming we may greet. 
 
 CALLED, BUT NOT CHOSEN. 
 
 " For I say unto you, that none of these men which were bidden 
 shall taste of my supper." — Luke, xiv. 24. 
 
 " Precept on precept, line on line," 
 The gospel's hallow 'd page imparts. 
 
 Fraught with intelligence divine 
 To humble and obedient hearts. 
 
 Teaching, not only that the call 
 
 Of love divine hath been made known, 
 
 Appealing tenderly to all, 
 
 Whether, or not, its voice they own ; 
 I 6
 
 180 
 
 But proving, truth beyond all price. 
 If wisely learnt, and timely weigh'd. 
 
 Even that call will not suffice, 
 Unless by man it be obeyed. 
 
 Are there not those who oft have heard 
 This call their waken'd hearts within, 
 
 Who still obedience have deferr'd, — • 
 Wedded to earth — enslav'd by sin ? 
 
 Before it be too late, O Lord ! 
 
 Plead with us, though in judgment — plead, 
 That self and sin must be abhorr'd, 
 
 Ere at thy table we can feed. 
 
 Show that it can avail us nought, 
 
 But must our condemnation be. 
 To have been call'd, yet thereby brought 
 
 No nearer unto heaven and Thee. 
 
 Bring home the mournful language us'd 
 Here of each disobedient guest. 
 
 Who, call'd, — ^yet pray'd to be excusd. 
 And, bidden, yet remain'd unblest.
 
 181 
 
 A WORD OF CAUTION. 
 
 " Remember Lot's wife." — Luke, xvii. 32. 
 
 Here, he who runs may plainly read, 
 
 How little can a call avail ; 
 How easy is it to proceed 
 
 Some steps aright, and yet to fail. 
 
 How was she call'd ! nay, led perforce 
 Bv guides coramission'd from on high ; 
 
 "Who pointed out her onward course, 
 Commanding her for life to fly. 
 
 
 
 To fly, nor once look back to trace 
 The righteous vengeance of the Lord, 
 
 Which, on the accurs'd and guilty place, 
 Destruction's fiery flood out-pour'd.
 
 182 
 
 Thou who hast heard a voice within, 
 Bidding thee fly, nor look behind ; 
 
 If tempted to look back on sin, 
 Bear this example in thy mind. 
 
 When but allur'd in thought to dwell 
 On scenes thought should indulge no more, 
 
 Recall the doom on her which fell. 
 
 And loathe what thou hast lov'd before. 
 
 Remember, for the glance she turn'd 
 To sin's abode from safety's path ; 
 
 God, whose commandment she had spurn 'd. 
 Made her a monument of wrath. 
 
 TO EACH HIS DUE. 
 
 " Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Cassar's 
 and unto God the things which be God's." — Lake, xx. 25. 
 
 Hast thou unto superiors paid 
 
 The honour justly due? 
 To those in thy own sphere display'd 
 
 Love cordial, prompt, and true ?
 
 183 
 
 Hast thou to thy inferiors shown 
 The kindness they should claim. 
 
 Forborne all haughtiness of tone. 
 And each opprobrious name ? 
 
 AH this is well ; but these alone 
 
 Can ne'er avail thee aught, 
 If to thy Maker's heavenly throne 
 
 No homage thou hast brought. 
 
 Or hast thou, in profession, been 
 
 A rigid devotee ; 
 In public worship often seen 
 
 To bend the willing knee ? 
 
 Faultless in every outward rite 
 
 Which marks discipleship, 
 And daily ready to recite 
 
 The homage of the lip ? 
 
 Yet these combin'd, when most sincere, 
 
 Imperfectly fulfil 
 The holy law recorded here. 
 
 If love be wanting still. 
 
 The love of God must be the root 
 Of worship, praise, and prayer; 
 
 And love of man must be the fruit 
 Thy daily life should bear.
 
 184 
 
 This tribute paid to each — will draw 
 
 A blessing from above ; 
 And both combin'd fulfil the law 
 
 Of pure and perfect love. 
 
 LIGHT AND DARKNESS. 
 
 " And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness eompre- 
 bended it not." — John, i, 5. 
 
 Just picture of the human mind. 
 Yet unregenerate, unrefin'd, 
 Ere the bright Day-Spring from on high 
 Our mental vision can espy. 
 
 Such was the night which shrouded earth 
 When Godhead stoop'd to human birth ; 
 When He, whose fiat worlds had fram'd, 
 Walk'd among men unknown, unnam'd !
 
 185 
 
 As in His outward body, then, 
 He was rejected, scorn'd of men. 
 So in His inward coming now, 
 To Him we yet refuse to bow. 
 
 His heavenly light vouchsafes to shine 
 Within the heart's yet darken'd shrine, 
 But there, 'till grace hath life begot, 
 Our darkness comprehends it not. 
 
 But when his Spirit's quick'ning breath 
 Hath rous'd the heart, as if from death, 
 And given its powers a heaven-ward tone, 
 That heart becomes, indeed. His own ! 
 
 To such he comes, a second time. 
 In Spirit, and in power sublime ; 
 By them He is with joy receiv'd. 
 By them His holy name believ'd. 
 
 To those who thus believe, and live. 
 The claim of sonship He will give, 
 Through which they shall be born anew. 
 And prove His gracious promise true. 
 
 Then grant, O God of grace divine. 
 That in our hearts thy light may shine ; 
 And bid those hearts be born again, 
 That there it may not shine in vain.
 
 186 
 
 THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH. 
 
 "It 
 the words 
 — John, vi. 63, 
 
 is the spirit that quickeneth ; the flesh profiteth nothing : 
 rds that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." 
 . vi. 63. 
 
 If aught of flesh, or fleshly powers, 
 Thy kingdom, Lord, could win. 
 
 Then might we deem the glory ours, 
 And pride would enter in. 
 
 But Thy unchanging word hath shown 
 That these can nought avail, 
 
 That all which man can call his own 
 Must in this conflict fail. 
 
 And our experience proves it true, 
 
 Instructed, day by day, 
 How little all that we can do 
 
 Can help us on our way.
 
 187 
 
 Thy Spirit's quick'nina: aid must give 
 The power to come to Thee, 
 
 The life whereby our souls must live, 
 The light by which we see. 
 
 The gracious words thy lips have said, 
 
 Are spirit, life indeed ; 
 And Thou art still the living Bread, 
 
 Whereon the soul must feed. 
 
 But those unto the fleshly heart, 
 
 Nor life, nor spirit yield ; 
 Nor wilt thou of thyself impart. 
 
 Until by grace reveal'd. 
 
 Oh, give us, then, that heavenly grace. 
 Through whose blest aid, alone, 
 
 Our souls the mysteries can trace, 
 Thy living words make known.
 
 188 
 
 TEARS. 
 
 "Jesus wept." — John, xi. 35. 
 
 Not worthless are the tears. 
 When pure their fountain-head, 
 
 Which human hopes and fears 
 Compel us oft to shed. 
 
 In grief or joy they tell 
 
 Far more than words can teach ; 
 Their silence hath a spell 
 
 JBeyond the power of speech. 
 
 In joy, though bright and brief, 
 Its essence they make known ; 
 
 And how they soften grief 
 The mourner's heart will own. 
 
 Yet tears there are which fall, 
 Claiming a holier birth ; 
 
 Which come not at the call 
 Of time's brief woe or mirth.
 
 189 
 
 Tears which are shed, alone. 
 For God's all-pard'niiig love ; 
 
 But to the mourner knoM'n, 
 And Him who dwells above. 
 
 Can there be drops more pure. 
 More precious, holy yet ; 
 
 Whose record shall endure 
 'Till time's last sun be set? 
 
 Yes ! Tears once fill'd His eye. 
 Beside a mortal's grave. 
 
 Who left his throne on high. 
 The lost to seek and save. 
 
 And fresii, from age to age. 
 Their memory shall be kept ; 
 
 While man shall bless the page 
 Which tells that Jesus wq)t!
 
 190 
 
 QUICKENED, BUT HELPLESS. 
 
 " And he tbat was dead came forth, bound hand and foot witli 
 grave-clothes : and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus 
 saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go," — John, xi. 44. 
 
 Is it not thus, in spirit, to this clay, 
 
 With souls whom thou, O Lord, hast call'd from 
 death. 
 Who, powerless, helpless, fetter'd, thus obey 
 
 The summons of thy yet life-giving breath ? 
 
 Are there not those who, as in graves have lain, 
 Dead to the life which Thou alone canst give, 
 
 Until thy Spirit has recall'd again 
 Their souls, as from the dead, and bade them live? 
 
 The voice hath been obey'd : obey'd so far, 
 That vital consciousness hath own'd thy will ; 
 
 But much remains thy triumph yet to mar. 
 And death's enthralments keep us prisoners still.
 
 191 
 
 Our grave-clothes cling around us ; we are bound. 
 And blinded by the trappings worn so long ; 
 
 Thy word once more must speak, and by its sound 
 Render the quicken'd, but still helpless strong. 
 
 Let not thy glorious work be incomplete ; 
 
 Thyself our perfect Resurrection show, 
 And deign the gracious mandate to repeat, 
 
 Which then pronounc'd, "Loose him, and let 
 him go." 
 
 Philip's request. 
 
 "Philip saith nnto Llm.Lord, shew us the Father, and itsufiioeth 
 ns." — John, xiv. 8. 
 
 Hadst thou SO long with Jesus been, 
 Beheld the mighty wonders done. 
 
 Yet ne'er through faith's strong vision seen 
 The Father dwelling in the Sou ? 
 
 o 
 
 Had not the dead been rais'd to life, 
 The lame, the blind, the deaf been heal'd? 
 
 Had not the waves' tumidtuous strife, 
 Still'd by His voice, their Lord reveal'd ?
 
 192 
 
 The words He utter'd day by day, 
 Could'st thou so darkly, dimly scan, 
 
 As not by glimpses to survey 
 The Deity but veil'd in man ? 
 
 Yet, who shall chide thee ? Are not we 
 Oft shadow'd by as dense a cloud, 
 
 As in that earlier day, from thee. 
 Thy Lord's divinity could shroud ? 
 
 The gospel page without, is spread. 
 Revealing truths then dimly shown. 
 
 Ere Christ ascended from the dead. 
 That man the Comforter might own. 
 
 Within the heart, his light and grace 
 Would now reveal his glory there. 
 
 Making that heart his dwelling-place, 
 A temple meet for praise and prayer. 
 
 But, like thyself, we would discern. 
 By outward vision, One divine. 
 
 When holier faith would have us learn 
 God's presence in his inward shrine. 
 
 Oh, may our hearts no longer wrong 
 
 The gracious words that answer'd Thee !- 
 
 Have I been with you, then, so long, 
 And ask ye yet your Lord to see ?
 
 193 
 
 THE BLESSED FAITH OF THE SAINTS, 
 
 "Jesus saitli unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, 
 thoa hast believed : blessed are they that have uot seen, and yet 
 Lave believed." — John, xx. 29. 
 
 Moments there are, in which 'tis well 
 To prove the fleece, both wet, and dry; 
 
 On every point of proof to dwell, 
 And every argument to try. 
 
 But times and seasons, too, there are, 
 When faith, if genuine faith it be, 
 
 Will find that doubt belief must mar, 
 And may not wait, or ask to see. 
 
 Where earnest wishes to believe 
 
 Are felt, — though doubt's dark maze be trod, 
 Such may, through grace, at last receive, 
 
 The power to say, " My Lord ! My God !"— 
 
 K
 
 194 
 
 But wiser, and more blest, are they, 
 ^Vhose faith has less distrustful been ; 
 
 Whose hearts, believing, can obey, 
 Even before the eye hath seen. 
 
 This is that high and holy faith, 
 Which grace divine alone can give ; 
 
 Triumphant over sin and death, 
 
 Through doubt and darkness it can live. 
 
 In every trying time of need 
 
 Its influence falters not, nor faints. 
 
 But proves itself, in truth and deed. 
 That once deliver'd to the saints. 
 
 Those, who, confiding in its might, 
 Place in this principle their trust, 
 
 Shall walk by faith, and not by sight. 
 And share the glory of the just. 
 
 And bless'd are they who thus receive 
 
 The power which God within makes known 
 
 Who, not beholding, can believe, 
 And live by faith in Christ alone.
 
 195 
 
 JUDAS ISCARIOT. 
 
 " For he was numbered with ns, and liad obtained part of this 
 ministrv." — Acts, i. 17. 
 
 If it were so with Thee, 
 Thus number'd, gifted, and yet insecure. 
 
 Oh, how much need have we 
 To make our calling and election sure ! 
 
 What station can we win, 
 To rival the high rank which thou hadst won, 
 
 Ere treach'ry's fearful sin 
 Made thee, by emphasis, " perdition's son ?" 
 
 No follower of a day 
 Wert thou, no hasty proselyte to change ; 
 
 That SMc/i should fall away. 
 Nor then, nor now, could seem a marvel strange. 
 
 K 2
 
 196 
 
 But thou long time hadst been 
 One of the few so honour'd, and prefer r'd : 
 
 Daily thy Lord hadst seen. 
 More often than the day his voice hadst heard. 
 
 Number'd among the elect, 
 Partaker in their ministry wert thou ; — 
 
 How could that hand, uncheck'd, 
 Give to its thorny crown thy Master's brow ? 
 
 There may be — in whose thought 
 Thy fall seems part of God's appointed plan ; 
 
 Hence with no lesson fraught, 
 Which every heart with fearful awe should scan. 
 
 I dare not so discuss 
 Myst'ries which reason cannot penetrate ; 
 
 Instructive, unto us, 
 Shoidd be the lesson of thy fall'n estate. 
 
 Thou shouldst a watch- word be, — 
 A solemn and affecting one to all ; 
 
 And, while we mourn for thee, 
 Each should remember — " I may also fall !"
 
 197 
 
 PHILIP'S QUERY TO THE EUNUCH. 
 
 " Understandest thoa what thou readest?"— Acts.viii, 30. 
 
 How needful the inquiry still, 
 
 When we consult the sacred page, 
 
 Wherein God's high and holy will 
 Is yet reveal'd from age to age. 
 
 'Tis well of our own hearts to ask, 
 If what we read we comprehend ? 
 
 Or worse than profitless a task, 
 Which may to condemnation tend. 
 
 We must not hy our powers as men 
 Expect those oracles to know ; 
 
 Or fathom, by our reason's ken, 
 
 The mighty depths conceal'd below. 
 K :J
 
 198 
 
 Nor should we, with inactive mind, 
 Too much on others' aid rely, — 
 
 Trusting, like him of old, to find 
 Some Philip opportunely nigh. 
 
 In humble faith, with watchful prayer, 
 Dig for thyself within that mine ; 
 
 God's holy grace must guide thee there. 
 And make its hidden treasures thine. 
 
 The Spirit, which gave Scripture birth. 
 
 Must yet interpret it to man. 
 Or much of its divinest worth 
 
 Dimly and darkly he must scan. 
 
 But, open'd by that heavenly key. 
 
 Which turns at God's divine command. 
 
 The eye its mysteries can see, — 
 The heart its truths can understand.
 
 199 
 
 PRAYER FOR HELP IN PRAYER. 
 
 " Likewise the Spirit also belpeth our infirmities : for we know 
 not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself 
 maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." 
 — Romans, viii. 26. 
 
 Intercessor I thron'd on high, 
 -Unto man thine aid supply ; 
 By thy influence still prepare 
 Humble hearts for holy prayer. 
 
 Dove-like, from on high, descend, 
 With our thoughts and feelings blend. 
 And the shadow of thy wing 
 O'er our suppliant spirits fling. 
 
 Lend to our infirmities 
 Living help, which grace supplies ; 
 Thou, alone, canst teach alway 
 What to pray for, — how to pray. 
 
 K 4
 
 200 
 
 Nor alone instruct us how 
 At the throne of grace to bow ; 
 Far beyond our fervent prayer, 
 Be thyself our Pleader there. 
 
 Thy blest ministry fulfil, 
 Prove our Intercessor still ; 
 Thy unutterable groans 
 Far transcend all mortal tones. 
 
 Known to Him that searcheth hearts 
 Every prayer thy aid imparts ; 
 Thought and speech of ours may err. 
 Be thou their Interpreter. 
 
 Where our thoughts amiss would plead, 
 For their errors intercede ; 
 And, where words of ours are vain. 
 May Thy groans acceptance gain.
 
 201 
 
 HUMILITY AND FEAR EXPEDIENT. 
 
 " Well ; because of unbelief they were broken oft, and thou 
 staudestby faith. Be not high-minded, but fear." — Romans, \i.20. 
 
 Hast thou, by heavenly grace benign, 
 
 From the wild olive-tree, 
 Been grafted on th' immortal Vine .' 
 
 Yet fearful, lowly be. — 
 
 Rememb'ring this — that He, who gave 
 Thy honour'd station there, 
 
 Must bid thy bough in greenness wave, 
 And teach it fruit to bear. 
 
 Have others, native to the stem. 
 
 Been broken off, as sere ? 
 Exult not proudly over them, 
 
 But view thyself with fear. 
 K 5
 
 202 
 
 Think not that He, who look'd for fruit 
 
 Upon the native bough, 
 Will, in his own engrafted shoot, 
 
 Of barrenness allow. 
 
 Thou wast there grafted to bring forth, 
 
 In these degenerate days, 
 Tlich fruitage of immortal worth. 
 
 To His eternal praise. 
 
 By faith thou standest; and they fell 
 
 Because of unbelief; 
 If doubt or pride in thee should dwell. 
 
 Thy date, like theirs, is brief. 
 
 He, who the native branches smote. 
 
 Though merciful, is just ; 
 He thy unfruitfulness will note, ' 
 
 And lay thee in the dust.
 
 203 
 
 A CALL TO VIGILANCE. 
 
 " The night is far spent, the day is at hand : let ns therefore cast 
 oft" the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." — 
 Romans, xiii. 12. 
 
 Saviour, and God ! impress on all 
 Thus a\vi'ul portion of thy word ; 
 
 Bring home its solemn, fearful call, 
 To hearts that have too long demurr'd. 
 
 If, in the fancied shades of night. 
 
 Our souls have trusted, — Oh, display 
 
 The dawning of that heavenly light. 
 Which ushers in thy cloudless day ! 
 
 If deeds of darkness we have done. 
 
 While night yet hover'd round our path. 
 
 Teach us hereafter such to shun, 
 
 Dreading thy day of righteous wratli. 
 K G
 
 204 
 
 The night far spent, the day at hand, 
 Rouse us by thy life-giving breath ; 
 
 That we before Thee yet may stand. 
 Nor sleep the awful sleep of deatli. 
 
 Convince us, if we hope to be 
 
 Accepted, in thy holy sight ; 
 Our spirits must be cloth'd by Thee, 
 
 In thy whole armoury of light. 
 
 Nor less the needful truth make known. 
 That none can be with this supplied, 
 
 Unless all armour of our own. 
 Trusted no more, be laid aside. 
 
 For none thy panoply can wear, 
 
 But those whom Thou hast first uncloth'd ; 
 And none thy cloudless day can bear, 
 
 But those who sin's dark night have loath'd.
 
 205 
 
 THE apostle's KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 "Fori determined not to know any thing among yon, save Jesiii 
 Christ, and bim crucified." — 1 Corinthians, ii. 2. 
 
 WoULDST thou of knowledge, more and more, 
 
 The sum and substance gain, — 
 Adding to mind's immortal store, 
 
 The wealth that shall remain ? — 
 
 O search not, with the learned Greek, 
 
 In earthly wisdom's mine ; 
 Nor, like the Jew, this treasure seek 
 
 In outward rite or sign. 
 
 But seek thou, as th' Apostle sought, 
 
 What far surpasseth show, 
 In speech, in action, and in thought, 
 
 Christ crucitied to know.
 
 20G 
 
 This saving knowledge would'st thou learn. 
 
 From human lore conceal'd. 
 Thy thought and vision inward turn, 
 
 For there it is reveal'd. 
 
 There would the Lord anoint thine eye, 
 
 His glorious cross to see, 
 Which to the world can crucify, 
 
 The world, no less, to Thee. 
 
 His Spirit's deep baptismal power 
 
 Must aid that cross to bear ; 
 So shalt thou, in a future hour, 
 
 The crown of glory wear. 
 
 For God will, in the end, bestow 
 
 That crown on none beside 
 Those, who, like Paul, but seek to know 
 
 Christ, and him crucified !
 
 207 
 
 PRESENT VISION IMPERFECT. 
 
 ' For now we see through a glass darkly." — 1 Corinthians, \iii, li. 
 
 Dim and dark our present vision, 
 
 Through time's shadowy glass made known. 
 When compar'd with views elysian. 
 
 Which hereafter shall be shown. 
 
 Yet enough of glory, — beauty, — 
 Here to faith's keen sight are given. 
 
 To refresh the path of duty, 
 
 And make glad the way to heaven. 
 
 See we not, beyond the portal 
 Of the grave's brief resting-place, 
 
 (Glimpses of those joys immortal. 
 Which await the heirs of grace?
 
 208 
 
 Hear we not, at seasons stealing 
 
 On the spirit's wakeful ear, 
 Songs of praise, their bliss revealing, 
 
 Who once mourn'd and suft'er'd here ? 
 
 Feel we not, at times, in sorrow — 
 Hopes whereon the heart can stay, 
 
 Prescient of a brighter morrow, 
 Which shall chase all griefs away ? 
 
 Oh ! if such the hopes attendant, 
 While we dimly, darkly see. 
 
 How unspeakably transcendant. 
 Must the full fruition be ; — 
 
 When, eternity unfolding, 
 
 All the ransom'd hosts above. 
 
 Face to face their Lord beholding, 
 Join in songs of praise and love.
 
 209 
 
 THE EARTHY AND THE HEAVENLY. 
 
 "And as we have borne the image of the earthj, we shall also 
 hear the image of the heavenly." — 1 Corinthians, xv. 45. 
 
 Can we, in our final change, 
 Hope this transformation strange. 
 If we know not, ere that hour, 
 Grace's renovating power ? 
 
 If we bear about us still. 
 Earthy image, carnal will ; 
 When the final trump shall sound, 
 Earthy we must still be found. 
 
 Plesh and blood cannot inherit 
 Kingdom of th' immortal Spirit ; 
 Nor can souls corrupt through sin, 
 Incorruption hope to win.
 
 210 
 
 Wouldst thou, then, hereafter be 
 iFrom the earthy image free, 
 Christ thy spirit must prepare 
 One more heavenly here to bear. 
 
 Who such impress would entrust 
 To the grave's unconscious dust, 
 Heedless, until life be done. 
 If the work have been begun ? 
 
 Seek, oh, seek, ere life shall close, 
 Him whose Spirit power bestows ! 
 Crave of Him that power to give, 
 Die to self, through Him to live. 
 
 They who thus their Lord have known, 
 Shall his resurrection own ; 
 And their death, when they must die. 
 Be absorb 'd in victory. 
 
 Victory over all of earth, 
 Which once gave its likeness birth. 
 Conquest won by Him, whose grace 
 Stamp'd His image in its place.
 
 211 
 
 A CHRISTIAN S SAVOUR, 
 
 " For we are unlo God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are 
 saved, and in them that perish." — 2 Corinthians, ii. 15. 
 
 Man cannot of himself impart 
 
 This privilege divine. 
 Unto his own corrupted heart; 
 
 The work, O Lord, is thine. 
 
 Nor can he unto others' sense 
 That savour e'er make known, 
 
 Unless thy Spirit first dispense 
 Its virtue to his own. 
 
 He who another would invite 
 
 I'he rose's sweets to share, 
 Must, even though conceal'd from sight, 
 
 A rose about him bear.
 
 212 
 
 How can the blind expect to teach 
 
 The eye aright to see ? 
 Or how, in eloquence of speech, 
 
 The dumb instructors be ? 
 
 Nor can our unregenerate powers 
 That boon diffuse around. 
 
 Which Jesus first must render ours, 
 Till we in Him are found. 
 
 Lord ! by thy Spirit, then, create 
 Our hearts in Him anew; 
 
 Restore us from our fall'n estate, 
 Our souls with grace imbue. 
 
 That so our spirits may give forth 
 
 His savour far and nigh. 
 Of life — in them who feel its worth ; 
 
 Of death — in them who die.
 
 '213 
 
 A CHRISTIAN S FREEDOM. 
 
 " Now the Lord is that Spirit : and where the Spirit of the Lord 
 is, there is liherty."— 2Corinthians, iii. 17. 
 
 Seek'st thou freedom, far more glorious 
 
 Than the hero ever found, 
 When, in battle-field victorious. 
 
 His the brow with laurel crown'd .' 
 
 Know — a Spirit, ever nigh thee, 
 If His aid thou meekly crave, 
 
 With that freedom would supply thee. 
 Which no bondage can enslave. 
 
 Christ that Spirit still remaineth ; 
 
 Liberty, which He would give, 
 Earthly thraldom ne'er enchaineth. 
 
 For in dungeons it can live.
 
 214 
 
 ft 
 
 Where his Sph-it dwells — no token 
 Of earth's bondage can appal ; 
 
 Doors are open'd, chains are broken, — 
 Overthrown the prison wall. 
 
 These may, in the world's opinion, 
 
 Slavery's bitter doom fulfil ; 
 Christians, through their Lord's dominion, 
 
 Claim a glorious freedom still. 
 
 Freedom from each fatal error, 
 Freedom found and felt within ; 
 
 Freedom from the grave's dark terror; 
 Freedom from the yoke of sin. 
 
 Where these are — oh, what are fetters, 
 AVhich the mortal body wears ? 
 
 What brief tyranny's abettors ? — 
 Objects of their love, and prayers !
 
 215 
 
 OUR TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS, 
 
 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excel- 
 lency of the power may be of God, and not of us."— 2 Corinthiaiw, 
 iv.7. 
 
 Were it not thus, liow soon might we 
 Humility and fear disown ; 
 
 And in Thy gifts our glory see, 
 When glory. Lord, is thine alone. 
 
 But Thou hast wisely seen it right. 
 In earthen vessels here to place 
 
 Thy own inshining gospel light. 
 The golden treasure of Thy grace. 
 
 That so each power's true excellence 
 May be of God, and not of man. 
 
 Humility to us dispense. 
 
 And magnify thy gospel's plan.
 
 216 
 
 How gracious unto lost mankind, 
 The love which bade a gem so rare. 
 
 In such frail caskets be enshrin'd, 
 
 Till thou shouldst worthier ones prepare. 
 
 These earthen vessels, late or soon. 
 Shall in their native dust decay ; 
 
 But thy imperishable boon 
 
 Shall long outlive their transient day. 
 
 The Spirit, earth's ethereal guest. 
 Whom thy inshining light hath led. 
 
 No more in fleshly garments drest, 
 Shall rise immortal from the dead. 
 
 And there, before Thy holy throne. 
 Shall yet more worthily employ 
 
 Those gifts, whose glory is thy own, 
 In songs of praise, and grateful joy.
 
 217 
 
 A CAUTION AND PROMISE. 
 
 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we 
 shall reap if we faint not." — Galatians, vi. 9. 
 
 He who would endless glory reap, 
 Must here the word of patience keep ; 
 That word which gives the eye to see 
 The glorious harvest yet to be. 
 
 The husbandman, his seed who sows, 
 Must wait with patience while it grows ; 
 And he who would the oak uprear, 
 Must cherish hope from year to year. 
 
 The architect who lays the while 
 The basement of a lofty pile, 
 By slow, laborious toil alone 
 Can reach the turret's topmost stone. 
 
 L
 
 218 
 
 Nor must the Christian hope too soon. 
 Faith's more sublime, immortal boon ; 
 None win by slight or brief emprize 
 The rich reversion of the skies. 
 
 Meek pilgrim Zion-ward 1 if thou 
 Hast put thy hand unto the plough, 
 O look not back, nor droop dismay'd, 
 At thought of recompense delay'd. 
 
 8hall he, who more than worlds is wooing. 
 Faint and grow weary in well-doing, 
 Who, in his Lord's appointed time, 
 Through faith may gain a meed sublime ? 
 
 Doubt not that thou, in season due, 
 Shalt own his gracious promise true ; 
 And thou shalt share their glorious lot 
 Whom doing well hath wearied not.
 
 •210 
 
 CHRISTIAN LOVE. 
 
 ''And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one 
 another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."' — 
 Ephesians, iv. 32. 
 
 Lord ! teach us more and more to feel, 
 All outward creeds and forms above, 
 
 That thy religion's stamp, and seal 
 Is pure, pervading, pardoning love. 
 
 Not earthly passion's ardent flame, 
 
 By bards in glowing numbers sung, 
 Whose brief, but thrilling transports claim 
 The aspirations of the young ; — 
 
 Nor e'en affection's natural tie. 
 Of gentler feelings intertwin'd, 
 
 Which knits in tender sjTiipathy 
 
 Heart unto heart ; and mind to mind : — 
 L 2
 
 '220 
 
 But that more deep devotedness. 
 Thy Spirit, Lord, alone can give ; 
 
 Whose power none truly can express 
 But those who in it move, and live. 
 
 This is the love which suffers long ; 
 ^ Prompt to forgive, and to forget 
 Each unprovok'd injurious wrong, 
 Kememb'ring its own holier debt. 
 
 For they can never vengeance take, 
 Or, harshly, others' faults condemn. 
 
 Who feel that God, for Jesu's sake. 
 Hath lov'd, and freely pardon'd them. 
 
 THE PEACE OF GOD. 
 
 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall 
 keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians, 
 iv. 7. 
 
 Those who live in love, shall know 
 
 lliis indwelling quiet joy. 
 Which the world can ne'er bestow, 
 
 Nor its sorrows e'er destroy ; 
 Peace, which passeth understanding: — 
 Peace of God's divine commanding.
 
 221 
 
 Earthly hopes but bloom to fade ; 
 
 Earthly pleasures turn to pain ; 
 These, when in the balance weigh'd, 
 
 Lighter than its dust remain ; 
 A nd the peace that earth afFordeth 
 AVorthless is to him who hoardeth. 
 
 But the peace which God can give. 
 Heart and mind preserveth still ; 
 
 Teaching in his love to live. 
 Trust his word, and do his will : 
 
 From above this peace descendeth, — 
 
 Towards its source it ever tendeth. 
 
 You, who would this treasure share. 
 To the Saviour humbly go ; 
 
 Crave of Him, in rev'rent prayer, 
 What He only can bestow ; 
 
 Christ, who humble prayer rewardeth, 
 
 To His own this peace accordeth. 
 
 L 3
 
 222 
 
 A CHRISTIAN S ASPIRATIONS. 
 
 " If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are 
 above."— " For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in 
 God." — Colossians, iii. 1 and 3. 
 
 Art thou risen with Christ?— Thy love 
 Must such resurrection show ; 
 
 Seeking heavenly things above, 
 Slighting those of earth belov/, 
 
 AVhere the heart its hopes has stor'd, 
 Thither thought and feeling turn ; 
 
 Thy allegiance to thy Lord 
 By this simple test discern. 
 
 If thy life be hid with Him, 
 
 If thy soul to sin be dead, 
 Earthly things to thee are dim. 
 
 Heaven-ward purer hopes have fled.
 
 223 
 
 Shouldst thou not this state have won, 
 With thy Lord thou art not risen ; 
 
 Still the work remains undone, 
 Earth is yet thy spirit's prison. 
 
 Is there aught too dear *o give, 
 From such bondage to arise ? 
 
 Die ! if thou wouldst hope to live ; 
 Give up earth — to gain the skies. 
 
 By that death, thou shalt attain 
 Life unfelt, unknown before ; 
 
 By that sacritice shalt gain 
 Treasure passing worldly store. 
 
 Thou shalt live by faith and love, — 
 Live in Hira who died for thee ; 
 
 And, in hopes which soar above, 
 Richer far than Dives be. 
 
 And when Christ, thy Life and Light, 
 In His glory shall appear, 
 
 Thou, accepted in His sight, 
 Shalt confess a Saviour near. 
 
 L 4
 
 224 
 
 REJOICING AND PRAYER. 
 
 " Rejoice evermore. Praj without ceasing." — 1 Thessalonian?., 
 V, 16, 17. 
 
 How can we evermore rejoice, 
 
 In sorrow, care, and toil ? 
 Or ceaseless prayer uplift its voice 
 
 Amid the world's turmoil ! 
 
 Not of ourselves, can we command 
 
 This joy's unfailing lot ; 
 Nor can our hearts themselves expand 
 
 In prayer which ceaseth not. 
 
 The power of faith, the aid of grace, 
 
 The Spirit must prepare, 
 Ere it can be the dwelling-place 
 
 Of constant joy and prayer.
 
 -225 
 
 But when prepar'd by power divine. 
 
 The heart, though vile before. 
 Becomes of ceaseless prayer the shrine, 
 
 Rejoiceth evermore. 
 
 ^ot from itself that gladness flows, 
 
 For it may often ache ; 
 Yet, aching, can rejoice in woes 
 
 Endur'd for Jesu's sake. 
 
 Nor in itself, for one brief hour, 
 Dwells prayer's exhaustless gift, 
 
 The Saviour's name, the Spirit's power, 
 The soul must thus uplift. 
 
 Where these are known, nor grief, nor care. 
 
 Its hopes can e'er destroy ; 
 Its vital breath is humble prayer ; 
 
 Its life is grateful joy. 
 
 L 5
 
 226 
 
 AN APOSTOLIC ASPIRATION. 
 
 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into 
 the patient waiting for Christ." — 2Thessalonians, iii. .'5. 
 
 Lord ! teach our inward eye to see 
 The work must be by Thee begun ; 
 
 Thy grace must guide to love of Thee, 
 And patient waiting for thy Son. 
 
 Though worthy of our love Thou art. 
 And Christ of patient waiting for ; 
 
 The carnal, unregenerate heart, 
 
 That love, that waiting — must abhor. 
 
 Because its feelings, thoughts, and will. 
 At enmity with Thee remain ; 
 
 And, in that enmity, must still 
 A lowly Saviour's yoke disdain.
 
 227 
 
 But Thine the power to overthrow 
 
 Each hostile feeling, will, and thought. 
 
 And hearts, by Thee directed, know 
 These into meek subjection brought. 
 
 Oh, thus direct, and deal with ours ! 
 
 Our spirits by thy grace prepare ; 
 And render man's regenerate powers 
 
 Worthy a Saviour's yoke to bear. 
 
 Beget within our hearts that love 
 For Thee — Thou only canst create ; 
 
 And, through thy Spirit from above, 
 Instruct us for thy Son to wait. 
 
 HONOUR AND GLORY TO GOD. 
 
 " Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise 
 God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen." — 1 Timothy, 
 i. 17. 
 
 King of kings ! O teach us how 
 We before Thee ought to bow : 
 Not alone on bended knee. 
 Should we offer praise to Thee; 
 May Thy grace to us impart, 
 Prostrate spirit, humbled heart, 
 
 L «
 
 228 
 
 King- Eternal ! O prepare 
 CJs eternity to share : 
 By thy Spirit's influence here. 
 Keep us in thy holy fear, 
 That, hereafter, ours may be 
 Bless 'd eternity with Thee^- 
 
 King Immortal ! through thy Son 
 Immortality is won : 
 Give us faith in Him, that we 
 Over death may victors be ; 
 And, accepted for His sake, 
 May to endless life awake. 
 
 King Invisible ! supply 
 
 Sight unto that inward eye, 
 
 Which should look on " things unseen,'' 
 
 But by sin hath darken'd been ; 
 
 Thou canst cause the blind to see, 
 
 Ope that eye to look on Thee. 
 
 Lord of lords ! and King of kings ! 
 HeaveiCs high vault with praises rings ; 
 Should not man on earth proclaim 
 Honour, glory, to Thy name, 
 If, when he from earth shall sever, 
 These he would ascribe for ever ?
 
 229 
 
 A CHRISTIAN S DEVOTEDNESS. 
 
 " No raau that warretb entangleth himself with the affairs of this 
 life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 
 — 2 Timothy, ii. 4. 
 
 He who would win a warrior's fame. 
 Must shun, with ever watchful aim, 
 
 Entangling things of life ; 
 His couch the earth, heaven's arching dome 
 His airy tent, — his only home 
 
 The tield of martial strife. 
 
 Unwearied by the battle's toil, 
 Uncumber'd by the battle's spoil, 
 
 No dangers must affright ; 
 Nor rest seduce to slothful ease ; 
 1 ntent alone his Chief to please, 
 
 Who call'd him forth to fight.
 
 230 
 
 Soldier of Christ, if thou wouldst be 
 Worthy that epithet, stand free 
 
 From time's encumb'ring things ; 
 Be earth's enthralraents fear'd, abhorr'd ; 
 Knowing thy Leader is the Lord, 
 
 Thy Chief the King of kings. 
 
 Still use, as not abusing, all 
 
 Which fetters worldlings by its thrall ; — 
 
 With fame, with power, with pelf, 
 With joy or grief, with hope or fear. 
 Whose origin and end are here. 
 
 Entangle not thyself. 
 
 These close enough will round thee cling. 
 Without thy tight'ning every string 
 
 AVhich binds them to thy heart : — 
 Despise them not ! this thankless were, 
 But, while partaking them, prepare 
 
 From each and all to part.
 
 231 
 
 CHRISTIAN PURITY. 
 
 "Unto the pure all things are pure." — Titns. i. !.">. 
 
 i)H, for that purity of heart ! 
 The gospel only can impart 
 To those who gratefully receive 
 1 ts teachings, and its word believe. 
 
 This is the purity, whose power, 
 In dark temptation's trying hour, 
 Can still unchangeably endure, 
 And pure itself, make all things pure. 
 
 Stainless appears the mountain's snow. 
 Transparent seems the brook below ; 
 Taintless the opening flower, — the dew 
 Which trems it — as unsullied too.
 
 232 
 
 But rains soon dim the mountain hoar, 
 The troubled stream runs clear no more. 
 The flow'ret in the dust is soil'd, 
 The dew-drop by the sun despoil'd. 
 
 Does purity adorn with grace 
 
 The happy infant's smiling face ? 
 
 It does, — and cold their hearts must prove. 
 
 Who look not on such face with love. 
 
 Yet mountain snows, and chrystal streams. 
 And flowers which ope to morn's bright beams. 
 And dew-drops — which those sun-beams dry. 
 Are types of nature's purity. 
 
 While that which God alone can give, 
 Life's shifting changes shall outlive. 
 And give " the pure in heart," through grace, 
 To see their Maker face to face.
 
 233 
 
 A CHRISTIAN S PLEADING. 
 
 "Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin 
 thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech 
 thee, being sach an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner 
 of Jesus Christ." — Philemon, 8 and 9. 
 
 Statesmen liave pleaded — for applause. 
 
 And some for sordid pelf; 
 The patriot — for his country's cause ; 
 
 The lover— for himself. 
 
 But statesman, patriot, lover — ne'er, 
 
 In passion, or pretence, 
 Appeal'd to heart, or eye, or ear, 
 
 With deeper eloquence, 
 
 Than these few simple words make known 
 
 To those who feel their force. 
 Whose eyes can see, whose hearts can own 
 
 The'iT pure and holy source.
 
 234 
 
 What is that source ? A heart renew'd 
 
 By grace, from God above ; 
 With meekness, gentleness imbued, 
 
 And taught to win by love. 
 
 Which, govern'd not by studied rules 
 That human art may frame, — 
 
 Trusts not the rhet'ric of its schools, 
 But pleads a Saviour's name. 
 
 And, for His sake thus bound in chains. 
 
 With tenderness can greet, 
 Him whom it might command, but deigns 
 
 So mildly to entreat. 
 
 Oh ye ! who may aspire in thought. 
 
 To act the pleader's part, 
 Deign by a Christian to be taught 
 
 The way to touch the heart.
 
 •235 
 
 THE REWARD OF THE FAITHFLL. 
 
 "There reinaineth therefore a rest for the people of God." 
 Hebrews, iv. 9. 
 
 Meek follower of a lowly Lord, 
 
 Are trouble, fear, and sorrow, thine '. 
 
 May humble faith to thee accord 
 This promise of His word divine : 
 
 Por His a glorious rest remaineth, 
 
 And stedfast faith that rest attaineth. 
 
 Art thou of holy grace a child ? 
 
 This world thy rest can never be ; 
 By sorrow marr'd, by sin detil'd, 
 
 It is a home unworthy thee ; , 
 
 And thou shalt be by grace translated. 
 Where peace and purity are mated.
 
 236 
 
 But, oh, remember, those alone 
 His hallow'd rest shall enter in. 
 
 Whose hearts, believing, first disown 
 The pride of self, the power of sin : 
 
 If thou into His rest wouldst enter, 
 
 Faith must achieve this high adventure. 
 
 Faith in the Son of God— who gave 
 His sinless life to ransom thine ; 
 
 Faith in God's graciqus will to save, 
 F'aith in His Spirit's aid divine ; 
 
 Thine eye by faith that rest beholdeth, 
 
 And faith its entrance still unfoldeth. 
 
 Possessing this — thy soul shall be 
 Prepar'd with every ill to cope, 
 
 And Achor's valley prove to thee 
 The door of calm confiding hope ; 
 
 Of hope which— on a Saviour grounded. 
 
 Though tried, can never be confounded.
 
 237 
 
 THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE. 
 
 "But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peace- 
 able, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, 
 without partiality, and without hypocrisy." — James, iii. 17. 
 
 Hast thou this wisdom from above, 
 Pure, gentle, peaceable, divine ? 
 
 Examine well thy faith and love, 
 x\nd know if it indeed be thine. 
 
 Hath grace thy heart so purified, 
 
 That no unclean, unholy thing 
 Can there uncheck'd, unmourn'd abide, 
 
 To taint thought's deep and hidden spring? 
 
 Peaceable, and at peace within; 
 
 Gentle, and easy of access 
 To all intreaty — not of sin; 
 
 And full of mercy, prompt to bless ;
 
 238 
 
 Known by good fruits, faith's genuine test. 
 Impartial, upright, and sincere ; 
 
 If such in thee be manifest, 
 The wisdom from above is near. 
 
 Such is its influence o'er the heart. 
 Thus is its presence ever known ; 
 
 But only God can these impart, 
 And all their glory is his own. 
 
 Hast thou by grace this wisdom won ? 
 
 Watch o'er thy thoughts, thy words, thy ways; 
 And, in the Spirit, through his Son, 
 ' Give God the honour and the praise.
 
 239 
 
 THE TRANSITORY AND THE ENDURING. 
 
 " For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower 
 of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falletb away ; 
 hut the word of the Lord endureth for ever." — 1 Peter, i. 24, 25. 
 
 All flesh is but as grass ! 
 Man's glory, like the flower of grass, must fade. 
 
 When clouds shall o'er it pass, 
 And veil its transient loveliness in shade. 
 
 Does this apply alone 
 To these material tenements of clay ? 
 
 Alas ! its truth is shown 
 In gifts and graces perishing as they. 
 
 Power, knowledge, fame, and wealth, 
 Are, in tliemselves, as insecure and frail 
 
 As comeliness, or health. 
 Which ere the morrow stern disease may quail.
 
 240 
 
 Then boast not, worm of earth ! 
 Even those gifts and graces of the mind. 
 
 Which claim a loftier birth 
 Than unto grosser matter seems assign'd. 
 
 The power of thought, of feeling, 
 Fancy, imagination, — trust them not ; 
 
 Howe'er to pride appealing, 
 All these may, with thy memory, be forgot. 
 
 If such thy glory are, 
 God can o'erthrow them in their zenith's pride. 
 
 And will their beauty mar, 
 Except His grace their use has sanctified ! 
 
 His holy word, alone, 
 Remains unchang'd, and ever shall endure ; 
 
 Himself the Corner-Stone 
 On which that hope is rear'd, which standeth sure
 
 241 
 
 THE LAST DAY. 
 
 " But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ; in 
 the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the 
 elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works 
 that are therein sliall be burned up." — 2 Peter, iii. 10. 
 
 Whether this solemn day may come, 
 Ere time to us shall be no more, 
 
 To man all oracles are dumb, 
 Nor need we ignorance deplore. 
 
 Enough for us to know and feel. 
 
 When we our fleeting years have past, 
 
 A day must come — our lot to seal, 
 A day, an hour — to us THE LAST ! 
 
 When outward heaven, and outward earth, 
 We must forego, with tilings of timo; 
 
 And death must be the awful birth 
 Of an eternity sublime.
 
 242 
 
 Prepare us, Lord, to meet that day. 
 Which, soon or late, we all must greet ; 
 
 When we thy summons must obey, 
 And stand before thy judgment-seat. 
 
 So purify our hearts from sin. 
 
 That we may seek, nor seek in vain, 
 
 For brighter heavens, new earth — wherein 
 Thy glorious righteousness shall reign. 
 
 Where sun nor moon shall more display 
 
 Vicissitude of day or night. 
 But Thou wilt be our endless day, 
 
 The Lamb our everlasting light. 
 
 WALKING IN THE LIGHT. 
 
 " But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, wc have fel- 
 lowship one with another; and the bloodof Jesus Christ his Soa 
 cleanseth us from all sin." — 1 John, i. 7. 
 
 Walk in the light ! So shalt thou know 
 
 That fellowship of love. 
 His Spirit only can bestow, 
 
 Who reigns in light above.
 
 243 
 
 Walk in the light ! — and sin, abhon'd, 
 
 Shall ne'er defile again ; 
 The blood of Jesus Christ, thy 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 hath conquer'd there! 
 
 Walk in the light ! — and thine shalt be 
 A path, though thorny, bright; 
 
 For God, by grace, shall dwell in Thee, 
 And God himself is Light ! 
 
 M 2
 
 244 
 
 THE GENUINE LOVE OF CHRIST. 
 
 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments." 
 2 John, 6. 
 
 The surest proof of love, is not 
 
 Evinc'd by words alone ; 
 These may be utter'd, and forgot, 
 
 Yet love remain unknown. 
 
 The voice bf heartless praise, or prayer. 
 
 The homage of the lip — 
 Can never to the Lord declare 
 
 Thy true discipleship. 
 
 Deep, deep within the heart must dwell 
 
 The love by Him prefepr'd, 
 And there obedience must compel 
 
 To His most holy word.
 
 245 
 
 To His most holy word — as it 
 
 III Scripture is unseal'd, 
 To His most ri2:hteous law, imwrit. 
 
 But in the heart reveal'd. 
 
 Be this, then, of thy love the test ; 
 
 Words may, like flowers, abound ; 
 But deeds^ like fruit, shall manifest 
 
 The tree's true health is sound. 
 
 Thy hopes on no professions place. 
 
 But pray, with humble awe, 
 Thy life may show, through savins: grace, 
 
 Obedience to His law. 
 
 THE TRUE SCHISMATICKS. 
 
 "These be Uiej who separate tliemselves, sensual, having not 
 the Spirit." — Jude, 19. 
 
 Lord ! save us from presumption's sin. 
 Where such unhap[)ily exists ; 
 
 Since here thy word hath shown wherein 
 The deadly guilt of schism consists, 
 M 3
 
 240 
 
 No varying views of outward rites ~ 
 Can for this imputation pleatl ; 
 
 He who for these a brother slights. 
 Is only outward in his creed. 
 
 « 
 
 The true schismatick is not one 
 
 Who may for conscience' sake withdraw ; 
 Those who would such seceder shun. 
 Have never learnt Love's holy law. 
 
 They only can deserve the name, 
 
 Whose lives and conversation show. 
 
 By proofs no candour can disclaim, 
 That they thy holy faith forego. 
 
 Who separate themselves from Thee, 
 
 Their sensual lusts to gratify ; 
 And, while refusing Thine to be, 
 
 The Spirit they have quench'd — deny. 
 
 This is the schism whose end is death ! 
 
 Lord ! keep us in thy righteous way ; 
 That, built on thy most holy faith, 
 
 ^\c in the Spirit still may pray : — 
 
 And kept by grace in stedfast love 
 Of Thee, may thy salvation own. 
 
 Looking for mercy from above, 
 
 Through Jesus Christ our Lord alone.
 
 2n 
 
 A PRAYER AGAINST DECLENSION. 
 
 "Nevertheless, I have somewhat a<?ainst thee, because tbon hast 
 l-ih thy first love." — Revelations, ii. 4. 
 
 Saviour ! preserve within our hearts, 
 The memory of our spousal day, 
 
 Lest siii». by Satan's specious arts, 
 Should steal our earlier love away. 
 
 That earlier love our spirits felt. 
 
 In visitation's soft'ning hour, 
 Bidding our hearts before Thee melt, 
 
 Our tongues confess Thy praise and power, 
 
 When, lur'd from joys of time and sense, 
 Thou through the desert wast our Guide, 
 
 And gav'st us smiling gardens thence. 
 By Thee witli living streams supplied.
 
 248 
 
 'riie memory of those days renew 
 Within our souls by grace divine, 
 
 Lest, to ourselves and Thee untrue. 
 Our fervid love tow'rd Thee decline. 
 
 Tf somewhat of its earlier zeal. 
 The world unhappily have reft, 
 
 Thy power and love once more reveal, 
 To cherish that which still is left. 
 
 That we, by penitence sincere, 
 May pardon for our fall obtain ; 
 
 And, through Thy grace, in holy fear, 
 May do our former works again. 
 
 Lest Thou no longer shouldst reprove 
 Tn mercy, or in pity plead ; 
 
 But from its place our light remove. 
 And leave our spirits dark indeed.
 
 249 
 
 THE INVITATION, 
 
 "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let Iiim tiiat 
 heareth say. Come. And let him that is athirst, corae. And whoso- 
 ever will, let liim take of the waters of life freely."— Revelations. 
 xxii. 17. 
 
 Hath the invitation ended ? 
 
 Is the voice of mercy dumb ? 
 Still the message is extended ; 
 
 Still the call is — " Freely come !" 
 
 Still with sinners Jesus pleadeth 
 
 In compassion's gentlest tones ; 
 Still the Snirit intercedeth 
 
 i 
 
 With unutterable groans. 
 
 Still the Bride, the Church— would gather 
 
 Every wanderer to her fold ; 
 Still the Everlasting Father 
 
 \Vould with love each child behold.
 
 250 
 
 Still the fount is freely flowing, 
 Christ hath open'd to redeem ; 
 
 Kndless life on all bestowing. 
 Who partake its living stream. 
 
 Then let each who truly thirsteth, 
 Freely to that fount repair ; 
 
 And — while yet its tide out bursteth, 
 Drink, and grow immortal there. 
 
 ^Vhile, by him whose ear is greeted 
 With the gospel's joyful sound. 
 
 Be a Saviour's name repeated, 
 'Till it circle earth around. 
 
 'Till, the diapason swelling. 
 
 Countless hosts in songs of praise, 
 
 Their Redeemer's triumphs telling, 
 G rateful halleluias raise !
 
 251 
 
 THE LORD S PRAYER. 
 
 "After this manner therefore pray ye." — Matthew, vi. 9. 
 
 Father of all ! who dwell'st above, 
 Thy name be hallowed here ; 
 
 As in those realms of peace and love, 
 Where saints that name revere. 
 
 Thy kingdom come ; Thy will, alone, 
 
 Be done by man below ; 
 As spirits round thy glorious throne, 
 
 Their pure obedience show. 
 
 Give us this day our daily bread ; — 
 Not merely outward food. 
 
 But that whereon the soul is fed. 
 The source of heavenly good.
 
 252 
 
 Forgive our trespasses, as we 
 
 In pardoning love abide ; 
 Since none forgiveness win from Thee, 
 
 Who pardon have denied. 
 
 And lead us from temptation far ; 
 
 From evil, Lord 1 restore; 
 For Thine the power, the kingdom are, 
 
 The glory evermore ! 
 
 THE END. 
 
 LO N don: 
 
 PRINTED BY J. S. lU'CiHES, CH, PAT KR N'OSTER HOW. 
 
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