They, while they seem to roam, Draw daily nearer home, Their heart untravell'd still adores the King of kings. Or, if at home they stay, Yet are they, day by day, In spirit journeying through the glorious land, Not for light Fancy's reed, Nor Honour's purple meed, Nor gifted Prophet's lore, nor Science' wondrous wand. But more than Prophet, more Than Angels can adore With face unveil'd; is He they go to seek : Blessed be God, whose grace Shews him in every place To homeliest hearts of pilgrims pure and meek. FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. Isaiah xxxii. 3. OF the bright things in earth and air How little can the heart embrace! Mine eye unworthy seems to read One page of Nature's beauteous book; I cannot paint to Memory's eye The scene, the glance, I dearest love- In vain, with dull and tuneless ear, And in my heart of hearts would hear 'Tis misty all, both sight and sound- But patience! there may come a time These eyes, that dazzled now and weak, In fearless love and hope uncloy'd Deeper and deeper plunge in light. i Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isaiah xxxiii. 17. Though scarcely now their laggard glance If Memory sometimes at our spell We shall not need her where we dwell Meanwhile, if over sea or sky Yet are there saddening sights around, Which Heaven, in mercy, spares us too, And we see far in holy ground, If duly purg'd our mental view. The distant landscape draws not nigh Nearer, each day, the brightening goal. And thou, too curious ear, that fain The lowlier, sure, the worthier thee; Till thou art duly trained, and taught CHRISTMAS DAY. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God. St. Luke ii. 13. WHAT sudden blaze of song Spreads o'er th' expanse of Heav'n? In waves of light it thrills along, Th' angelic signal given "Glory to God!" from yonder central fire Flows out the echoing lay beyond the starry quire; |