SURMISE AND CORчICTIOR. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."-PSALM xiv. 1, & liii. 1. And I saw a man encumbered Of that form beneath the clod, And, thus musing, I reflected— "I think there is a God!" I read full many a story In a worn and ancient Book, And I read a strange narration How when JUSTICE sternly threatened And I thought of mine own history From the moment of my birth, And of all that had befallen me Whilst living on the earth: Of my body with its marvels, And my still more wondrous mind, And my soul with aspirations The UNKNOWN GOD to find: And I thought on all the leadings. Of that felt, but unseen, Power That has guided all my movements In each anxious, trying hour: How my feet for tedious journeyings Were with brass and iron shod, And thus musing, I reflected, "I KNOW THERE IS A GOD!" O, atheist and sceptic, Let your sins and madness cease! Down on your knees beseeching For pardon and for peace; Then shall ye, too, hereafter By each ordered step ye've trod, Know of a surety and confess A Saviour and a God! GRIETE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." EPHES. v. 30. RIEVE not the Holy Spirit: let not trifles, Things of the earth and earthly, hold thine heart; May find, too late, that monitor depart. "Tis thus God's Spirit with thy spirit pleadeth, And He all those who listen to Him leadeth Thy Counsellor, He intercession maketh For thee with groans that cannot uttered be; * Thine Advocate, thy cause He undertaketh, And pleading with thyself, He too inciteth In softest accents, but impressive tone, And to forsake each evil course inviteth Thy sins acknowledge, thy transgressions own. Is thine heart frozen that it will not soften: Perhaps thy conscience, though in nowise tender, But can, alas! no better reason render Heed then, O heed, the Spirit's earnest pleading! 'Tis but thy duty though it seem unpleasant: 'Tis but in love He bids thee to surrender * Rom. viii. 26. .... TEACH US TO PRAY. One of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."-LUKE xi. 1. TELL IT OUT. "Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall julge the people righteously." "Tell it out among the heathen that the LORD is King: etc." PSALM Xevi. 10. Prayer Book Version. I. ELL it out among the heathen that the Lord Jehovah reigneth! Tell it out! Tell it out among the nations where the weary earth complaineth, II. Tell it out, ye constellations, glowing in the azure heaven; Though your praises be unspoken let them not the less be given: III. Things inanimate may tell them of a King of power and glory IV. Then, ye ransomed, raise your voices with a loud exultant shout, And of Him Who loved and washed you, tell ye out, tell ye out! V. First, ye soulless, speechless creatures, tell ye out to every nation Tell it out, Tell it out. VI. Tell it out, thou moon of silver, tell it out thou golden sun, Tell it out, thou midnight darkness, tell it out thou light of day, |