And oft repeat before the throne, "For ever with the LORD!" Then though the soul enjoy The trump of final doom Will speak the self-same word, And heaven's voice thunder through the tomb, "For ever with the LORD!" The tomb shall echo deep That death-awakening sound; The saints shall hear it in their sleep Then upward as they fly, That resurrection-word Shall be their shout of victory, "For ever with the LORD! That resurrection-word, That shout of victory, Once more, "For ever with the LORD!" Amen, so let it be. HEAVEN IN PROSPECT. PALMs of glory, raiment bright, Yet the conquerors bring their palms Kings for harps their crowns resign, Round the altar, priests confess, If their robes are white as snow, 'Twas the Saviour's righteousness, And his blood that made them so. Who were these? -on earth they dwelt, Sinners once of Adam's race, Guilt, and fear, and suffering felt, But were saved by sovereign grace. They were mortal, too, like us ; -Ah! when we, like them, shall die, May our souls, translated thus, Triumph, reign, and shine on high! GARDEN THOUGHTS. On occasion of a Christian assembly in the grounds of a gentleman at York, for the purpose of promoting Missions among the Heathen. In a garden -man was placed, Meet abode for innocence, With his Maker's image graced ; -Sin crept in and drove him thence, In a garden- on that night, Till he drank the vengeance up, And with mercy fill'd the cup. In a garden-on the cross, When the spear his heart had riven, And for earth's primeval loss, Heaven's best ransom had been given, -Jesus rested from his woes, Jesus from the dead arose. Here, not Eden's bowers are found, -Yet this scene may well recall Sweet remembrances of all. Emblem of the church below! Where the Spirit and the Word Emblem of the church above! Where, as in their native clime, Midst the garden of his love, Rescued from the rage of time, Saints, as trees of life, shall stand, Planted by his own right hand! Round the fair enclosure here Flames no cherub's threatening sword, Ye who enter feel no fear: -Roof'd by heaven, with verdure floor'd, Breathing balm from blossoms gay, Yet one moment meditate On our parents' banishment, |