But, fix'd on thee, a steady faith maintain, Onward! for the Truths of God. ONW NWARD! Hath earth's ceaseless change Faint not, for that restless range Soon will heal the smart. Trust the future: time will prove Bless thy God-the heart is not Where, all lonely and forgot, Bless him, that his mercy brings Onward, for the truths of God- In life's coming fight: Heaven's own hand will lead thee on, Guard thee till thy task is done! Then will brighter, sweeter flowers Than e'er sprung in Hope's glad bowers, In thine early day : And the rolling years shall bring Strength and healing on their wing. LUELLA J. B. CASE. One Glance of Thine Creates a Day. YET, gracious God, Yet will I seek thy smiling face: What though a short eclipse his beauties shroud, And bar the influence of his rays? Tis but a morning vapour or a summer cloud; He is my sun, though He refuse to shine. Though for a moment He depart, I dwell for ever on his heart, For ever He on mine. Early before the light arise, I'll spring a thought away to God; Dear Sovereign, hear thy servant pray ; Or shall I breathe in vain, and pant my hours away? Break, glorious Brightness, through the gloomy veil, Look, how the armies of despair Round my poor captive soul, and dare Pronounce me prisoner of hell. But Thou, my Sun, and Thou, my Shield, Break, glorious Brightness, shoot one glimmering One glance of thine creates a day, [ray ; And drives the troops of hell away. Happy the times, but ah! those times are gone, When wondrous power, and radiant grace, Round the tall arches of thy temple shone, And mingled their victorious rays: Sin, with all its ghastly train, Fled to the depths of death again, And smiling triumph sat on every face: Our spirits, raptured with the sight, Were all devotion, all delight, And loud Hosannas sounded the Redeemer's praise. Here could I say, (And paint the place whereon I stood,) Here I enjoyed a visit half the day From my descending God: I was regaled with heavenly fare, With fruit and manna from above; Divinely sweet the blessings were, While my Emmanuel was there; And o'er my head The Conqueror spread The banner of his love. Then why, my heart, sunk down so low? Through the displeasure of his face, A father's love may raise a frown, The hour of darkness is but short, Faith be thy life, and patience thy support: The morning brings thee joy. ISAAC WATTS. Oh! what is Life! So many years I've seen the sun, And called these hands and eyes my own; A thousand little acts I've done, And childhood have, and manhood known: Oh! what is Life! and this dull round To tread, why was a spirit bound? So many airy thoughts and lines, And vain exertions of the mind, So many tender joys and woes Have on my quivering soul had power; Plain life with heightening passions rose, The boast or burden of their hour: Oh what is all we feel! why fled Those pains and pleasures o'er my head? So many human souls divine So at one interview displayed, Some oft and freely mixt with mine, In lasting bands my heart have laid: So many wondrous gleams of light, Ere long, when sovereign wisdom wills, And Life is all retouched again; Where in their bright results shall rise, Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs, and joys. GAMBOLD. |