You ask me of my sorrows; For ever with the Lord. B. L. SELF-EXAMINATION. "Search me, O God, and know my heart." Psalm cxxxix. 23. O LORD of mercy and of might! Against that heart's presumptuous sins, Teach me to shun the first dark thought, Oh! keep the soul thy blood has bought, When dreams of folly cloud my mind, CROLY. THE CONTENTED PRISONER. A LITTLE bird I am, Shut from the fields of air, And in my cage I sit and sing, To Him who placed me there; Well pleased a prisoner to be, Because, my God, it pleases Thee. Nought have I else to do, I sing the whole day long; And He whom much I love to please, He caught and bound my wandering wing, Thou hast an ear to hear, A heart to love and bless; And though my thoughts were e'er so rude, Thou wouldst not hear the less; Because thou knowest, as they fall, That love, sweet love, inspires them all. My cage confines me round, Abroad I cannot fly; But though my wing is closely bound, My heart's at liberty; My prison walls cannot control The flight, the freedom of the soul. Oh! it is good to soar These bolts and bars above, FROM MADAME GUION. SWEET-BRIER. THOUGH sharp, yet sweet, my leaves declare How goodly painful trials are, And keen affliction's blessing; So He who wore the thorny crown, Oh! seek no bliss but to fulfil, FROM MADAME GUION. The above were written by Madame Guion during her long imprisonment. BENEVOLENCE. "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts."-Haggai ii. 8. WHOSE is the gold that glitters in the mine? And the broad earth with all her gushing springs, Ye who hold Slight tenantry therein, and call your lands Oh man! whose daily labour is for heirs, Thou knowest not who-thou in thy mouldering bed, Now, thou mayest give Mrs. SIGOURNEY. THE SAVIOUR'S PRESENCE DESIRED. "Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent."-Luke xxiv. 29. DWELL with us here, thou God of love, Thy never-failing care and power. The day is hastening to depart, Its beams will soon be wrapped in night; "At evening time it shall be light." As on the parched and wearied ground, And life and strength to us renew. The day has faded from our sight, And bid our troubled spirit rest. Shew to us, Lord, a glorious dawn Of radiant hues and cloudless skies; Grant us a pure and stedfast faith, A hope of heaven serene and bright, Y |