XXVI.

Only a potent effort of the mind

May picture such a scene. What then must they
Have felt of old, who heard the raging wind
Rebuk'd to silence, while around their way
The boist'rous billows bow'd them to obey ?
What mighty Power in human form could be
Their preservation in that fearful day?

One, only One could rule o'er winds and sea,
And humbly all adore th' incarnate Deity.

XXVII.

Oh ever present in the fearful hour!

Low low before thee let me bend the knee
My God, my Saviour. Thy protecting power
Is now around me: though I may not see

Thy gracious Form, though still the waves are free,
And Thou permittest the rude tempest blast

To riot unrebuk'd, Thy word to me

-

Has spoken peace and rest: on Thee I cast

My all, with unmov'd trust, till this dark hour be past:

XXVIII

Nay more, I can rejoice in Thee. "Tis when The Christian feels his utter helplessness, And sees how vain the puny strength of men, That most he seeks that refuge from distress Which never fails: not that he uses less The means of safety which his God has given; He knows them powerful when He will bless. Means are the channels, when vain man is driven To know his weakness,channels for the strength of heaven:

XXIX.

Which now is ours: amidst the lightning's blaze
A voice the lightnings own, has bid them glance
Innoxious by, to quench their searing rays
In ocean's bosom: The fierce tempests lance
Their forked bolts with failing aim, askance
Th' exposed mast; The boiling ocean raves,
And in tumultuous ring his billows dance,
But still an arm amid the plunging waves

Bridles their savage strength and from their fury saves.

XXX.

The arm, the voice of God.-In that meek form

Which once he wore-when in astonied fear

His people 'woke Him to behold the storm,

To know th' impending danger, and to hear
Their cries for help,-in that same form, as near,
As gracious, and as powerful, the eye

Of simple Faith beholds Him rise, to cheer

The troubled soul, and bid it still rely

On His eternal strength. Fear not, thy God is nigh;

XXXI.

And all is calm to thee. Oh blessed thought!
That thus, in that portentous hour-when all
This bulk of nature as a thing of nought
Shall yield its firmness, when earth's fated ball
Shall feel its Maker's wrath, when mountains fall
Rocks melt and oceans shrink, that still in Thee
Th' abiding voice of Faith shall calmly call
Upon a Father's name: and God shall be

Thy present help and comfort.

O'er that boiling sea

XXXII.

Of fused elements, emblazen'd clouds

In high and pure serenity, surround

The ark of glory, where the grateful crouds
Once lost but now for endless ages, found,
Th' Eternal's ransom'd ones, in songs resound
The praise of their Deliverer: His arm
Has rescu❜d them; in its appointed bound

That ocean rages, while within the calm

Of His pure temple they may feel nor fear nor harm.

XXXIII.

"Whoever calls upon the Saviour's name

Shall then be saved," hath HE said whose word

Can never pass away. Ere yet the flame,
The wreathing flame of vengeance, shall engird
The yielding earth; ere that dread trump be heard
Which signs the messengers of wrath to pour
Their fiercest vials on the guilty herd

Of those who know not God; ere yet the door
Of mercy closes, sudden darkness shall come o'er

XXXIV.

The terror stricken globe. Cease reckless mirth! Cease plodding care! The sun withdraws his light; The moon is dark with blood; the trembling earth Reels in her orbit: rising with affright

The oceans gather to unwonted height

Their startled billows; and upon the ear

Strange sounds of horror swell. What awful sight Shall break this anguish of expectant fear? What exercise of power and wrath divine is near?

XXXV.

The proud heart quails; the careless owns a care
Which had been safety if extended through
The gone by life of ease; 'tis now despair.
The scoffer finds his hush'd misgivings true :
The selfish execrates his folly. Who

Is seen to bend the knee in that dread hour,
And hail the mighty Coming-one? How few,
Alas! how few may see that darkness lower
Without dismay man's pride, and boasted firmness

cower