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APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF SILUER.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures (or baskets) of silver.”—Prov. xxv. 11.

IVE me fit words, O Jesu

To tell the old, old tale,
That has been told so often

To some it seemeth stale :
Some words that shall add freshness

To this so hoar and old,
Some gilt that shall add glitter

To this pure virgin gold.
A word that's fitly spoken

May catch a careless ear;
And midst the rumble of the world,

In accents low and clear,
May rouse a torpid conscience,

And melt a stony heart,
And from an eye unused to weep

May make the tear-drops start.

Thou spakest as none other

Ere spake or preached before;
Then on Thy waiting servant

Thy Holy Spirit pour:
That he may use such accents

The old, old tale to tell
That in some human sepulchre

They ring like silver bell ;
And speak of Calvary's mercy,

And Sinai's sin and wrath,
And cry as Thou Thyself didst cry

To Lazarus, “ Come forth !”
That, casting off their wrappings,

Those who are dead in sin
May live while here a holier life,

And life eternal win.

Thus, touch my tongue, 0 Jesu!

With Thy all-saving fire,
And for the highest purposes

Tune Thou my feeble lyre;
Then as in silver pictures

Glow apples all of gold,
So shall Thy love, O Jesu !

In fitting words be told.

GKE WAYFARING MAN.

.... It is ihe voice of my Beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to Me, My sister, My love, My dove, My undefiled : for My head is filled with dew, and My locks with the drops of the night."

SONG OF SOL. v. 2. “O the Hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest Thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night ?”

JER. XIV. 8. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

Rev. 11. 20.

RUN, SPEAK TO TKIs Young LAN.

“ And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man."

Zech. ii. 3, 4.

BEFOLD, I HATE PLAYED THE FOOL.

.... I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly."

1 SAM. xxvi. 21.