To have tenderly bound up her scattered hair, Hufh! there are broken hearts to soothe, While Magdalen prays for you and them, O to have followed the mournful way And, grace beyond even an angel's hope, To have lived as a child in her home, and then Hufh and with reverent sorrow still And learn, for the sake of her Son divine, The sorrows that weigh on thy soul unite O to have seen what we now adore, Hufh! for He dwells among us ftill, And a grace can yet be thine, Which the scoffer and doubter can never know, The Presence of the Divine. Jesus is with His children yet, For His word can never deceive; Go where His lowly altars rise, And worship, and believe. Miss A. A. Procter. 1859. THE STRANGER. APOOR wayfaring Man of grief Hath often croffed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief, Once, when my scanty meal was spread, I gave him all; he bleffed it, brake, And ate, - but gave me part again: Mine was an angel's portion then; For while I fed with eager haste, That cruft was manna to my taste. I spied him, where a fountain burft I ran to raise the sufferer up; Thrice from the ftream he drained my cup, I drank, and never thirfted more. 'T was night; the floods were out; it blew A winter hurricane aloof; I heard his voice abroad, and flew To bid him welcome to my roof; I warmed, I clothed, I cheered my guest, Stript, wounded, beaten, nigh to death, Wine, oil, refreshment; he was healed: But from that hour forgot the smart, In prison I saw him next, condemned He asked if I for him would die? The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill, Then in a moment to my view The Stranger darted from disguise; My Saviour stood before mine eyes! James Montgomery. 1826. QUIET. THE INNER CALM ALM me, my God, and keep me calm, Be like the night-dew's cooling balm Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm, And bid my spirit rest. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm; Let thine outstretched wing Be like the fhade of Elim's palm Befide her desert spring. Yes, keep me calm, though loud and rude The sounds my ear that greet, Calm in the closet's solitude, Calm in the bustling street; |