Faith lifts the veil that covers unseen things, Faith clings to Christ for mercy, light, and life, That threatens us in this dark wilderness: When Christ once more shall come this world to bless With pure Religion's universal sway, Cheering earth's darkest tribes with its reviving ray. Faith builds upon a rock that cannot move, And when with fiery trials most distressed, And stands prepared to suffer or to die; Heav'n is its home; this world is not its rest; Already is its treasure stored on high, And its wings spread to mount beyond the distant sky. B 2 O may this living Faith my soul inspire! Pure, steadfast, genuine, ardent, and sincere, Kindling within a flame of heavenly fire, Unstained by error, and unquenched by fear: May it direct me thankfully to hear Christ's gracious words, and still with new delight SONNET-THE SUN. THE AUTHOR OF 66 PROVERBIAL PHILOSOPHY." BLAME not, ye million worshippers of gold, Knelt to the sun, outpouring prayer and praise As to God's central throne; for when the blaze Of that grand eye is on me, and I stand Watching its majesty with painful gaze, I, too, could kneel among that Persian band, Had not the Architect of yon bright sphere Taught me himself; bidding me look above, Beneath, around, and still to find Him-here! King of the heart, dwelling in no fixed globe, But gladly throned within the spirit of love, Wearing that light ethereal as a robe. THE INFANT'S PRAYER. THE west had shut its gates of gold Upon the 'parted sun, And through each window's curtained fold Lamps glittered one by one; And many a babe had sunk to rest, And many a mother's yearning breast When in a nursery's peaceful bound Yes; there it knelt, its cherub face Upraised with anxious care, And well devotion's heaven-born grace Became a brow so fair; But seldom at our Father's throne Such blest and happy child is known So painfully to strive, For long with trembling ardour fraught, That supplicating lip besought, "Please God, let Lily live!" And still the imploring voice did flow As if for poor sick Lily's woe It could not be denied; E'en when the spell of slumber stole Blent with the infant's dream. So Lily lived! but not where time Not where cold winter chills the clime, And she, who for her infant friend In agonizing love did bend To the tearful prayer, pour Safe from the pang, the groan, the dart, That pierced the mourning parent's heart, Lives with her Lily there! |