Not this coarse raiment, nor this coarser food, Nor bloodless lip of withering womanhood. "Tis not all these that make me sigh and fret, "Tis something deeper yet,

The unutterable void within,

The dark fierce warfare with this heart of sin,
The inner bondage, fever, storm, and woe,
The hopeless conflict with my hellish foe,
'Gainst whom this grated lattice is no shield,
To whom this cell is victory's chosen field.

Here is no balm

For stricken hearts, no calm

For fevered souls, no cure

For minds diseased: the impure

Becomes impurer in this stagnant air;

My cell becomes my tempter and my snare ;
And vainer dreams than e'er I dreamt before
Crowd in at its low door.

And have I fled, my God, from Thee,

From Thy glad love and liberty,

And left the road where blessings fall like light, For self-made bypaths shaded o'er with night? Oh, lead me back, my God,

To the forsaken road,

Life's common beat, that there,

Even in the midst of toil and care,

I may find Thee,

And in Thy love be free!

BONAR.

TEACH ME TO LIVE.

TEACH me to live! 'tis easier far to die-
Gently and silently to pass away-
On earth's long night to close the heavy eye,
And waken in the realms of glorious day.

Teach me that harder lesson-how to live,
To serve Thee in the darkest paths of life;
Arm me for conflict now-fresh vigour give,
And make me more than conqueror in the strife.

Teach me to live! Thy purpose to fulfil,

Bright for Thy glory let my taper shine! Each day renew, re-mould this stubborn will: Closer round Thee my heart's affections twine.

Teach me to live for self and sin no more;
But use the time remaining to me yet,
Not mine own pleasure seeking, as before-
Wasting no precious hours in vain regret.

Teach me to live! No idler let me be,

But in Thy service hand and heart employ ;
Prepared to do Thy bidding cheerfully-
Be this my highest and my holiest joy.

Teach me to live! my daily cross to bear;
Nor murmur though I bend beneath its load.
Only be with me. Let me feel Thee near;
Thy smile sheds gladness on the darkest road.

I

Teach me to live !—and find my life in Thee—
Looking from earth and earthly things away;
Let me not falter, but untiringly

Press on; and gain new strength and power each day.

Teach me to live!—with kindly words for all-
Wearing no cold, repulsive brow of gloom;
Waiting, with cheerful patience, till Thy call
Summons my spirit to her heavenly home.

LET US GO HOME.

"Neander, the German theologian, died of a kind of cholera. After his seizure he suffered a day or two's pain, which was followed by a quiet interval, when his physicians hoped for his recovery. During this interval he dictated a page in his "Church History," and then said to his sister, "Let us go home." These were his last words.

"LONGER upon this earth I would not stay ;
My pulse beats low;

And angel forms, too, beckon me away;
E'en let me go!

Shadows pass over me, like a summer's dream,
And they so vague, yet clear;

Come, now I stand by Jordan's welcome stream,
My drooping soul to cheer:
Let me go home!

"Why pray that I may live? I shall not die,
But only sleep.

Nay, dearest sister, do those tear-drops dry;
Oh, do not weep!

A few short moments, and my race is run;
Then, like a child at rest,

I'll lay my weary head, when all is done,
Upon my Saviour's breast!
Let me go home!

"If I with joy the birds in yon blue sky
Their strains admire,

How-with what rapture shall I join on high
The heavenly choir !

If on yon orb I gaze with rapture true,
How in that world so bright,

Shall I rejoice, where God, its King, I view—
The Lamb thereof the Light!
Let me go home!

"How calm the dying taper's flickering light! So gently soft

The ransomed soul prepares to wing its flight,
And soar aloft !

I know within those glorious realms above
A mansion waits me there,

All purchased for me by redeeming love,
And joys without compare.
Let me go home!

"Mine eyes are dull; yet o'er yon hills afar, Once dear to me,

The last gleam of Apollo's golden car
Methinks I see.

My sun too now is setting; but 'twill rise
Again, but far more bright,

Enshrined, for aye, above yon star-lit skies
In never-ending light.

Let me go home!

"Say,—what was that? Methought I heard a voice So soft and sweet.

Attune your harps! He comes! Rejoice, Rejoice!
His spirit greet!

I see I hear them come, yon seraphs bright,-
My soul to bear away!

All hail! ye mansions of eternal light,—
Of Everlasting day!

Let me go home!"

Thus spake the great Neander, as a smile
All radiant played,

So heaven-like, o'er his pallid features, while
He Death surveyed.

As locked in fond embrace, the hour drew nigh
When Heaven must claim its own,

He softly whispered, with expiring sigh,
"Jesus! a crown a throne !

Let us go home!"

What blessed end! what could we more desire
Than such a death?

To have within us such a hallowed fire,
Such parting breath!

When before God we all shall summoned be,
Beyond yon starry dome,

Oh! may we all so hail Eternity :

"My soul, let me go home!

Let me go home."

G. P. G.