They to their charge may turn, and thankful see Then all together rise, and reign with Thee, ST. LUKE. Colossians iv. 14. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Only Luke is TWO clouds before the summer gale But two capricious human hearts— Nor sage's rod may track their ways, No eye pursue their lawless starts Along their wild self-chosen maze. He only, by whose sovereign hand Even sinners for the evil day" Were made-who rules the world he plann'd, He only can the cause reveal, Why, at the same fond bosom fed, Till the same prayer were duly said, Brothers in blood and nurture too, One lose, the other keep, Heaven's clue; He only knows, for He can read Why vainly oft our arrows speed When aim'd with most unerring art; While from some rude and powerless arm A random shaft in season sent a Proverbs xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Shall light upon some lurking harm, Doubt we, how souls so wanton change, Look in, and see Christ's chosen saint In triumph wear his Christ-like chain; Two converts, watching by his side, Pass a few years-look in once more— He and his lot unchang'd remain, b Philip. i. 21. c In the Epistle to the Philippians, “I know that I shall continue with you all I count not myself to have apprehended.” i. 25. iii. 13. : In 2 Tim. "I have finished my course," &c. iv. 7, 8. But only Luke is with him now:- 'Tis sad-but yet 'tis well, be sure, Even in the Church's holiest aisle. Vainly before the shrine he bends, Who knows not the true pilgrim's part: To him, who wants the martyr's heart. But if there be, who follows Paul As Paul his Lord, in life and death, Ready to speed and take no breath; Whose joy is, to the wandering sheep To tell of the great Shepherd's love"; d The Gospel of St. Luke abounds most in such passages as the parable the lost sheep, which display God's mercy to penitent sinners. To learn of mourners while they weep Who makes the Saviour all his theme, The Gospel all his pride and praise— Thou hast an ear for angels' songs, Ah! dearest mother, since too oft The world yet wins some Demas frail When faithless ones forsake thy wing, Cling closer to their Lord and thee. e The Christian hymns are all in St. Luke: the Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc Dimittis. |