To his celestial concert us unite, To live with him, and sing in endless morn of light. Milton, HAVING A DESIRE TO DEPART, AND TO BE WITH CHRIST." JORD, it belongs not to my care To live and serve Thee is my share, And this Thy grace must give. If short, yet why should I be sad, Christ leads me through no darker rooms Must enter by this door. Come, Lord! when grace has made me meet Thy blessed face to see; For if Thy work on earth be sweet, What must Thy glory be? Then shall I end my sad complaints, And weary, sinful days, And join with the triumphant saints, My knowledge of that life is small, The eye of faith is dim; But 'tis enough that Christ knows all, And I shall be with Him. Baxter. RISING UP A GREAT WHILE BEFORE DAY,- W HEN first thy eyes unveil, give thy soul leave To do the like; our bodies but forerun The spirit's duty; true hearts spread and heave Give Him thy first thoughts then, so shalt thou keep Him company all day, and in Him sleep. Yet never sleep the sun up; prayer should Dawn with the day; there are set, awful hours 'Twixt heaven and us; the manna was not good After sun-rising; far day sullies flowers : Rise to prevent the sun; sleep doth sins glut, Walk with thy fellow-creatures: note the hush O leave thy cares and follies! go this way, And thou art sure to prosper all the day. Serve God before the world: let Him not go Mornings are mysteries: the first, World's youth, Shroud in their births; the crown of life, light, truth, Is styled their star; the stone and hidden food: Three blessings wait upon them, one of which Should move-they make us holy, happy, rich. When the world's up, and every swarm abroad, Keep well thy temper, mix not with each clay : Despatch necessities; life hath a load Which must be carried on, and safely may : Yet keep these cares without thee; let the heart Be God's alone, and choose the better part. Vaughan. PEACE. Y soul, there is a country M Where stands a winged sentry All skilful in the wars. There, above noise and danger, Sweet peace sits crown'd with smiles, And One born in a manger Commands the beauteous files. He is thy gracious friend, And, O my soul, awake! Did in pure love descend, To die here for thy sake. If thou canst get but thither, There grows the flower of peace, Leave then thy foolish ranges; But One who never changes, Vaughan. THE PURITANS IN AMERICA. HERE the remote Bermudas ride From a small boat that row'd along The list'ning winds received this song: "What should we do but sing His praise, That led us through the watery maze Unto an isle so long unknown, And yet far kinder than our own. He lands us on a grassy stage, Safe from the storm and prelates' rage; He gave us this eternal spring, |