the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened to comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. Then sin will be sweetly overcome, and corrupt motives of doing good will be superseded by purer and better motives. When you truly believe, human praise will appear to you a poor reward of good works; you will seek a richer recompence, even the praise which cometh of God only. Content with the approbation of your God and Saviour, you will pursue your even course through evil report and good report, through honour and dishonour; and, while the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment; while the hope of the hypocrite shall be as a spider's web, and his house, built on the sand, shall fall; your faith and profession, founded on a rock, shall stand and be established; your peace shall abound; you shall go from strength to strength; ; and your path shall be “as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." STANZAS. (From Revelations vii. 13, 14.) J. A. W. Who are they with robes so white White as the foam of a stormy sea ? Who are they with robes so bright Bright as the cherubim's looks may be? Where the planets roll beneath their feet, Around Jehovah's judgment-seat? In tribulation sad and long, song Were sore oppressed and much despised, That peace which they through all had prized. PRIDE LAMENTED. ANON. Oft have I turned my eyes within, my follies from my eyes; She lifts my virtues to the skies; And, while the specious tale she tells, power subdue. A COLLOQUY WITH MYSELF. BARTON. As I walked by myself, I talked to myself, And myself replied to me; And the questions myself then put to myself, With their answers, I give to thee. Put them home to thyself, and if unto thyself Their responses the same should be, O look well to thyself, and beware of thyself, Or so much the worse for thee. What are Riches? Hoarded treasures May indeed thy coffers fill; Leave thee poor and heartless still. But vain gauds which pass away; Read their fate in lines recorded On the sea-sands yesterday. What is Fashion? Ask of Folly, She her worth can best express. What is moping Melancholy? Go and learn of Idleness. What is Truth? Too stern a preacher For the prosperous and the gay; In adversity's dark day. Like some beacon's heavenward glow; Like the treacherous sands below. What is Love? If earthly only, Like a meteor of the night; Shining but to leave more lonely Hearts that hailed its transient light: Purified from passion's stain, Ruling o'er the peaceful main. Glancing darkest clouds between, Gladdens ocean's darksome green. Shadows o'er the pilgrim's way; Every moment darker growing, If we yield unto their sway. What is Time? A river flowing To eternity's vast sea, Forward, whither all are going, On its bosom bearing thee. On that silent, rapid stream; 'Till it bursts and ends the dream. What is Death? asunder rending Every tie we love so well? But the gate to life un-ending, Joy in heaven! or woe in hell! Can these truths, by repetition, Lose their magnitude or weight? pass that fearful gate. SUPERIORITY TO THE WORLD. ANON. AH! why should this immortal mind, And never, never rise? |