And they a blissful course may hold, Yet find that other strength, according to their need. I, loving freedom, and untried; The task, in smoother walks to stray; But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may. Through no disturbance of my soul, Me this unchartered freedom tires; Stern Lawgiver! yet thou dost wear Flowers laugh before thee on their beds; Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong; To humbler functions, awful Power! And in the light of truth thy Bondman let me WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. EXTRACT FROM "ST. MATTHEW'S DAY." `HERE are in this loud stunning tide THE Of human care and crime, With whom the melodies abide Of the everlasting chime; Who carry music in their heart Through dusky lane and wrangling mart, Plying their daily toil with busier feet, Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat. JOHN KEBLE. FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT. PRUNE RUNE thou thy words, the thoughts That o'er thee swell and throng; But he who lets his feelings run Shrinks when hard service must be done, Faith's meanest deed more favor bears JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, 1833 "HE REMEMBERETH WE ARE DUST." WHERE'ER her troubled path may be, The Lord's sweet pity with her go! The outward wayward life we see, Nor is it given us to discern What threads the fatal sisters spun, What forged her cruel chain of moods, And held the love within her mute; The tangled skein of will and fate, To show what metes and bounds should stand Upon the soul's debatable land, And between choice and Providence Divide the circle of events; But He who knows our frame is just, Merciful and compassionate, And full of sweet assurances And hope for all the language is, That He remembereth we are dust! J. G. WHITTIER, from Snow-Bound. "MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND." PSALM XXXI. 15. FATHER, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me, And the changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see; But I ask Thee for a present mind Intent on pleasing Thee. I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, I would not have the restless will I would be treated as a child, Wherever in the world I am, I have a fellowship with hearts So I ask Thee for the daily strength, And a mind to blend with outward life While keeping at Thy side; Content to fill a little space, If Thou be glorified. And if some things I do not ask, I would have my spirit filled the more With grateful love to Thee, |