Our loaded wain comes winding home-
Then let us rest beneath the shade
Of this old oak, our verdant dome,

And watch the evening shadows fade:
O'er mount and meadow, lawn and glade,
They spread their deep'ning tints of gray,
Till all the scene their hues pervade,

And twilight glories melt away.

God of the world, who round Thy curtain throws, Thanks for the time of quiet and repose!

How still is Nature all around!

No song is sung, no voice is heard,
Save here and there a murmuring sound,
As if some restless sleeper stirr❜d ;
The grasshopper, night's clamorous bird,
Chirps gay, but all is hush'd beside,
And silence is the soothing word

Whose spell diffuses far and wide;
God of the universe! by night and day,

We bless Thee for the gifts we ne'er can pay !

"MY BELOVED IS MINE, AND I AM HIS."

REV. H. F. LYTE.

LONG did I toil, and knew no earthly rest

Far did I rove, and found no certain home;
At last I sought them in His sheltering breast
Who opes His arms and bids the weary come.
With Him I found a home-a rest divine;
And I since then am His, and He is mine!

Yes! He is mine! And nought of earthly things, Not all the charms of pleasure, wealth, or power, The fame of heroes, or the pomp of kings,

Could tempt me to forego His love an hour: Go, worthless world—I cry—with all that's thine! Go! I my Saviour's am, and He is mine!

The good I have is from His stores supplied—
The ill is only what He deems the best :

He for my friend, I'm rich with nought beside,

And poor without Him, though of all possess'd.

Changes may come—I take, or I resign,

Content while I am His, while He is mine!

Whate'er may change, in Him no change is seen—

A glorious Sun that wanes not nor declines;
Above the clouds and storms He walks serene,

And sweetly on His people's darkness shines,
All may depart-I fret not nor repine,
While I my Saviour's am, while He is mine!

He stays me falling-lifts me up when' down;
Reclaims me wandering; guards from every foe;
Plants on my worthless brow the victor's crown,
Which in return before His feet I throw,
Grieved that I cannot better grace His shrine,
Who deigns to own me His, as He is mine!

While here, alas! I know but half His love,
But half discern Him, and but half adore ;
But when I meet Him in the realms above,
I hope to love Him better-praise Him more,
And feel and tell, amid the choir divine,
How fully I am His, and He is mine!

Q

"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING."

“PRAY without ceasing!"-pray,
And keep thine armour bright;
Pray through the busy day,
And in the gloomy night!

E'en in the hours of sleep
Thy thoughts may rise above;

Thy God his watch will keep

With never-tiring love.

When morning dawns, and at the day's decline, And in the noon, be raised that prayer of thine.

"Pray without ceasing!”—pray!
Thine enemies are strong;
Encamping round thy way,

All day and all night long.
Sleep'st thou while others wake ?
No! rouse thee yet once more,
Thy shield and helmet take,

And aid Divine implore!

Look ever upward to the strong for strength,

Be more than conqueror in His name at length.

Now"

Pray!—and in Jesus' name

Still let each prayer be made;
In firm reliance claim
The Spirit's powerful aid!
Turn from thyself away,

Thy sorrow and thy sin,
Thy Lord himself shall pray—
Thy Saviour throned within.

strong in faith," this very hour believe, And all thy God can offer thee, receive.

Pray! thousands are around
To whom this world is all;
Yet this is mercy's ground—

For them be heard thy call.

E'en in the busy street,

Where heedless thousands press,

Thy Saviour marks thy feet;

He comes thy soul to bless!

Try-thou may'st hold sweet communings with Him Amid that crowded city's busy din.

66

Pray without ceasing!"-pray!

The helpless and the weak,
Whose lives pass swift away,

And babes who cannot speak-
These, these demand thy prayer—
Their very silence pleads;

Oh, lift thy glance to where

Thy Saviour intercedes!

That Lord inspires and loves the suppliant tone;

But ask not blessings for thyself alone!