O thoughts ineffable! O visions blest! Though worthless our conceptions all of Thee, God! thus alone my lowly thoughts can soar; SIR J. BOWRING. -Russian of Dershavin. SHINE ON OUR SOULS! SHINE on our souls, eternal God, Did we not raise our hands to Thee, With Thee let every week begin, Thus cheer us through this desert road, Till all our labours cease, And Heaven refresh our weary souls With everlasting peace! DR P. DODDRIDGE, 1702-1751. "NIGHT UNTO NIGHT SHEWETH KNOWLEDGE.” WHEN I survey the bright So rich with jewels hung, that Night My soul her wings doth spread, The Almighty's mysteries to read For the bright firmament So silent, but is eloquent In speaking the Creator's name. No unregarded star Contracts its light Into so small a character, Removed far from our human sight, But if we steadfast look, We shall discern In it, as in some holy book, How man may heavenly knowledge learn. It tells the conqueror That far-stretch'd power, Which his proud dangers traffic for, That from the farthest North, Yet undiscover'd, issue forth, And o'er his new-got conquest sway,— Some nation, yet shut in With hills of ice, May be let out to scourge his sin And then they likewise shall For as yourselves, your empires fall, Thus those celestial fires, Though seeming mute, The fallacy of our desires, And all the pride of life, confute; For they have watch'd since first And found sin in itself accurst, WILLIAM HABINGTON, 1605-1654. THE GLADNESS OF NATURE. Is this a time to be cloudy and sad, When our mother Nature laughs around; When even the deep-blue heavens look glad, And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground? There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren, The clouds are at play in the azure space, And their shadows at play on the bright green vale, And here they stretch to the frolic chase, And there they roll on the easy gale. There's a dance of leaves in that aspen bower, There's a titter of winds in that beechen tree, There's a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower, And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea. And look at the broad-faced sun how he smiles -American. TRUE RELIGION. THE true religion sprung from God above In heart and voice; free, large, even infinite: But grasping all in her vast active sprite— Bright lamp of God, that men would joy in Thy pure light! HENRY MORE, 1614-1687. |