Speak gently! love doth whisper low
The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently friendship's accents flow-
Affection's voice is kind.
Speak gently to the little child !
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild,
It may not long remain.
Speak gently to the young; for they
Will have enough to bear,
Pass through this life as best they may, "Tis full of anxious care.
Speak gently to the aged one-
Grieve not the care-worn heart,
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart.
Speak gently, kindly to the poor;
Let no harsh tone be heard,
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word.
Speak gently to the erring-know
They must have toiled in vain,
Perchance unkindness made them so,
Oh! win them back again!
Speak gently! He who gave his life
To bend man's stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife,
Said to them, "Peace, be still!"
Speak gently-'tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart's deep well,
The good, the joy which it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.
"PRAY UNTO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN
Go, in the sunny morning,
Go, when the stars shine bright,
Go, when the day is closing,
Go, in the silent night;
Go, when the dew-drop sparkles,
Go, when the moon-beams play,
Go, when thick darkness shrouds thee,
Go, and in secret pray!
Go, in the warmth of friendship,
Go, in the heat of love,
Go, when thy friends surround thee,
Go, raise thy soul above.
Go, when thy heart is pensive,
Go, when its thoughts are gay,
Go, when earth's joys are fading,
Go, and in secret pray!
Go, in the hour of sadness,
Go, in the hour of glee,
Go, when thy love is languid,
Go, when thy words flow free ;
Go, in the social circle,
Go, on the sabbath day,
Go, with the great assembly,
Go, and in secret pray!
Go, when thy cheek is glowing,
Go, when its bloom is fled;
Go, when thy hopes are brightest,
Go, when these hopes are dead:
Go, when thy Saviour smites thee,
Go, when he cheers thy way,
Go, in all times and seasons,
Go, and in secret pray!
"GOD IS LIGHT, AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS."
ETERNAL Light! eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be,
When, placed within thy searching sight
It shrinks not, but with calm delight
Can live, and look on thee!
The spirits that surround thy throne,
May bear the burning bliss;
But that is surely theirs alone,
Since they have never, never known
A fallen world like this.
O! how shall I, whose native sphere
ls dark, whose mind is dim,
Before the Ineffable appear,
And on my naked spirit bear
That uncreated beam.
There is a way for man to rise
To that sublime abode :
An offering and a sacrifice,
A Holy Spirit's energies,
An Advocate with God:
These, these prepare us for the sight
Of Holiness above:
The sons of ignorance and night
May dwell in the Eternal Light,
Through the Eternal Love!
DESPAIR NOT! God's own finger
Hath traced this motto bright,
Amid the gem encircling
The jewelled brow of night;
Hope's fairy fingers wreathe it
Round winter's silvery hair,
And smiling spring re-echoes,
"O let not man despair."
Fear not! though dark afflictions
Thy home, thy joys o'ercloud,
Though friends thy fond heart cherished
Are wrapt in death's cold shroud;
The wildest storms around us,
Earth's Sovereign Ruler flings,
Are but the onward rushings
Of his all-healing wings.
Hope on though o'er the future
A dark, deep cloud may rest,
No ray of sunlight gleaming
To calm thine anxious breast;
The dark storm's wildest fury
Approaching calm foreshows,
And gems of rarest beauty
Earth's darksome depths disclose.
Search in the homes of sorrow,
Where want and misery pine;
Seek, in the hour of sadness,
A lot less blest than thine;
Go! calm the sufferer's anguish,
Dispel each anxious care;
Go! bless thyself in blessing,
And yield not to despair.
BRIGHT birthdays in the happy home!
And tender love prepares
Fond gifts to please the precious child,
That dwelleth on its prayers.
It showereth o'er the blooming youth
Blessings and tokens sweet,
And bows before the hoary head,
To pay an offering meet.
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