THE

came to an end. One day more the sun dawned, and the first beams shone on him in prayer, preparing to receive the blessed Eucharist, before he was led out to death.

Savonarola was permitted to administer the sacrament to himself with his own hands. While he held the consecrated host, his features were lit up with the brightness of spiritual joy, and in an exalted enthusiasm of devotion he prayed:

My Lord, I know Thou art the Trinity, perfect, invisible, distinct in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

"I know Thou art that eternal Word that

descended from heaven to this earth in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and ascended the wood of the cross to shed thy blood for us miserable sinners.

"I beseech Thee, my Lord, I beseech Thee! Save me, I beseech Thee, my Comforter, that so much precious blood may not be shed for me in vain.

"But let it be 'shed for the remission of my sins from the day I received the water of baptism until this hour, which I lay before you, and for which I crave your pardon.

"I implore pardon for aught in which I have offended against this city and its people, whether in things spiritual or temporal, and for all things in which I have erred unknowingly.”

He received the sacrament, and then this first great preacher of the reformation in Florence, went gloriously to his death.

His last prayer was as lofty as his life had been stainless. His history is, in some respects, the most impressive of all the early reformers. He was the first great leader that dared arraign Rome for her sins- the Martin Luther of Florence.-See Madden's "Life of Savonarola."

XXX.

METRICAL PRAYERS.

BURNS IN PENITENCE. [Written in sickness.]

"Fain would I say, Forgive my foul offense.
Fain promise never more to disobey;
But should my Author health again dispense,
Again I might desert fair Virtue's way;
Again in folly's path might go astray;

Again exalt the brute and sink the man;

Then how should I for heavenly mercy pray,

Who act so counter heavenly mercy's plan,
Who sin so oft have mourned, yet to temptation ran?

"O Thou, great Governor of all below!

If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee,
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow,
Or still the tumult of the raging sea;

With that controlling power assist e'en me,
Those headlong furious passions to confine;
For all unfit I feel my powers to be,
To rule their torrent in the allowed line;
O aid me with thy help, Omnipotence divine."

"THY KINGDOM COME.

"Lord! come away!

Why dost Thou stay?

Thy road is ready; and thy paths made straight With longing expectation wait

The consecration of thy beauteous feet! Ride on triumphantly! Behold, we lay Our lusts and proud wills in thy way!

"Hosanna! Welcome to our hearts!

Lord, here

Thou hast a temple too; and full as dear

As that of Sion, and as full of sin :

Nothing but thieves and robbers dwell therein;

Enter, and chase them forth, and cleanse the floor! Crucify them, that they may never more

Profane that holy place

Where Thou hast chose to set thy face!
And then, if our stiff tongues shall be
Mute in the praises of thy Deity,

The stones out of the temple wall

Shall cry aloud and call

Hosanna! and thy glorious footsteps greet! Amen!" -Bishop Jeremy Taylor. 1655.

When I am wholly Thine

Thy will, my God, thy will be done,

And let that will be mine."

Montgomery.

"LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT.

"Lead, kindly light, amid th' encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on;

The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on;

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step's enough for me.

“I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!