Fall'n all beside-the world of life, How is it stain'd with fear and strife! In Reason's world what storms are rife, What passions range and glare! But cheerful and unchang'd the while The stars of Heaven a course are taught Ye dwell beside our paths and homes, They cannot brook our shame to meet- Ye fearless in your nests abide Nor may we scorn, too proudly wise, Your silent lessons, undescried By all but lowly eyes : For ye could draw th' admiring gaze Ye felt your Maker's smile that hour, What care ye now, if winter's storm Alas! of thousand bosoms kind, Q SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians iii. 13. WISH not, dear friends, my pain away- The dearest offering He can crave But we, like vex'd unquiet sprights, In Life's long sickness evermore Our thoughts are tossing to and fro : We change our posture o'er and o'er, But cannot rest, nor cheat our woe. Were it not better to lie still, Let Him strike home and bless the rod, Never so safe as when our will Yields undiscern'd by all but God? Thy precious things, whate'er they be That haunt and vex thee, heart and brain, Look to the Cross, and thou shalt see How thou may'st turn them all to gain. Lovest thou praise? the Cross is shame : More pangs than tongue or heart can frame Were suffer'd there without relief. We of that altar would partake, But cannot quit the cost-no throne Is ours, to leave for Thy dear sake We cannot do as Thou hast done. We cannot part with Heaven for Thee- So wanderers ever fond and true Look homeward through the evening sky, Without a streak of Heaven's soft blue To aid Affection's dreaming eye. The wanderer seeks his native bower, Wishing, not struggling, to be free. |