Our Sap of life the GOSPEL LAW, O! thus we glorify thy name, In an eternal brotherhood, Thus will we pass rejoicing on, A mighty and triumphant host, Of FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST; W. MARTIN. OUR MORNING STAR. "I am the bright and morning star."-REV. xxii. The weary christian traveller, Dawn on our steps, and make them bright With the full glory of Thy light; SAVIOUR of men-bring forth the DAY! 134 THE HEAVENLY AND THE EARTHLY. As shipwreck'd mariners oft strain To see our "Star of hope" arise: To cheer and bless our heavenly road, To brighten this our earthly gloom, W. MARTIN. THE HEAVENLY AND THE EARTHLY. I STOOD upon a desert wild, Where thorns and weeds were growing, And not a single blossom smiled Save one sweet rose. I look'd upon the ruffled plain Of ocean in its roaring; Yet on that tempest-troubled main, The halcyon rode. I look'd upon a dreary cave That seem'd to weep in sorrow; From one pure gem. I look'd upon the dismal sky Where cloud on cloud was crowding; That rose and halcyon, gem and star, W. MARTIN. TO AN AFFLICTED SOUL. FAINT not and fade not, though struck to the dust; Yea, though thy dearest of hopes seem all blighted, Arouse thee, then, Spirit, and shake off this sleep, Where the dreams of the past but compel thee to weep; Arouse thee, and spread the soft down of thy wings To the land of the bless'd, where thy own seraph sings. Oh! blend with the hymns and the praises of those Who have triumph'd o'er earth, and conquer'd their woes; Thy spiritual songs cannot fail to unite Thy soul with thy own darling spirit of light. Thus blended in praise, thus united in prayer, What woes are too great or too poignant to bear? While Faith speaks of being united again, How poor is the grief, and how weak is the pain! W. MARTIN. PASSING AWAY. "Passing away" is written on the world, and all the world contains. IT is written on the rose, In its glory's full array; Read what those buds disclose- It is written on the skies Of the soft blue summer day; It is traced in sunset's dyes- It is written on the trees, As there young leaves glistening play; And on brighter things than these"Passing away." It is written on the brow Where the spirit's ardent ray It is written on the heart Alas! that there decay Friends, friends! oh! shall we meet Shall we know each other's eyes Oh! if this may be so, Speed, speed their closing day! How blest, from earth's vain show, MRS. HEMANS. THE APOSTLES' CREED. "Hold fast the form of sound words-in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus."-1 TIM. i. 13. STAND up, thou Christian Soldier-the cross is on thy brow, holy vow; And thou hast made a solemn pledge, a high and [taught, Defend and hold inviolate, as thou hast long been The FAITH for which from age to age thy fathers nobly fought. Stand up, as thy belief is sure, stand forth in word and deed, Confess with open voice and heart before all men thy creed; |