"If lilies teach, why not the voiceful sea?"—MS. I. "STARS teach as well as shine," so sings the bard: Yea, to fit audience, Nature doth unfold Both cheer and counsel; flowers which deck the sward, We know have lessons for us from of old. And who can yonder element behold, Nor feel what truths it presses on the heart Which lists its teachings. From the crowd apart, My spirit oft with it shall converse hold Of life and death, eternity and time; God's judgments witness in its depths sublime, From things terrene and base my soul is won— 66 Thoughtful to walk the silent, solemn shore Of that vast ocean it must sail so soon." A II. I stood upon a rock, against whose base Of wind and water in their dread affray III. Then to the beach descending mournfully, And marvelled I to mark how peacefully The charmed waves now, with scarce a louder tone Than that of summer brooklet, one by one Entered that quiet bay. It seemed to me A comment on those words the Saviour spake My yoke upon you, so shall ye find rest.” IV. The day, though late in autumn, was most bright, Not less than those vast depths of central night Whose power, whose wisdom, though all thought above, V. "And there was no more sea!" Rest for the weary! what so sweet as rest? Or him whose dinted helm and blood-stained plume What lures him to the region of the blest; 'Tis not its loud hosannas, crowns, or palm Its light ne'er dimmed-its bowers by angels trod: No; next to the full vision of his God, He yearns to feel the rapture of its calm— Which haply in those words may imaged be (Instinct with rest)—“ And there was no more sea!" IDOL WORSHIP. MRS ABDY. NONE other gods but Thee-oh, Lord! How blest the task appears, Το pour the wonders of thy word In listening heathen ears; Their cherished idols to remove, Their souls from clouds to free, And bid them worship, serve, and love None other gods but Thee! Yet, while thy glories we reveal The force of thy command? As to a refuge flee, And do our inmost souls enshrine Oft wealth our dazzled sight betrays, Ambition's power beguiles, And pleasure to her specious ways Courts us with flattering smiles; Fame waves on high her laurel crown, We bend the votive knee : Lord! can we then be said to own None other gods but thee? And even in our social ties, Lord! while we lead the heathen still In thy pure laws to live, Grant that we better may fulfil The precepts that we give. On us thy Holy Spirit pour; From idols set us free; And may our hearts henceforth adore None other gods but thee! |