SONNET. M. J. CHAPMAN. Ir is a glorious thing to feel secure! By Him whose banner is our coverture: Of promise, bright with God's eternal love. AFRAID TO DIE! MRS SIGOURNEY. "And deliver them who, from fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage."-Hebrews ii. 15. AFRAID to die!—afraid to sleep In earth, our mother's tranquil breast, Afraid to die!-afraid to take His hand who trod the shadowy vale, Afraid to die !-afraid to trust His promise who shall burst the tomb, More glorious from its transient gloom? Afraid to die!-afraid to meet The guardian bands who watchful wait, To bear us through salvation's gate? Afraid to die!-prefer to be A stranger in these courts below? A pilgrim, when the lights of home Bright through our Father's windows glow. Afraid to die!—oh, grant us grace, Thou who did'st dare the spoiler's strife, Calmly to meet his cold embrace, And soar to everlasting life! HYMN AT SUNSET AMONG THE ALPS. O THOU who hast thine altar made Full kingly is Thy royal grace, On the wide world pour'd forth : The glorious beauty of thy face Doth shine upon the earth. To each to all-thy bounty flows, Thou hast flowers for earth, and stars for heaven, And for us our everlasting hills, More hast thou given, O God! yet more, That little band of shepherd men Thy hand was with their steadfast worth, And they, the saints of later time, And wandering exiles for their faith, And they sit beneath Thy throne. Forsake us not! but as of old, So let our spirits be; And give us still the courage bold The cattle on a thousand hills, We leave throughout the silent night, |