NO VIMU AIMBOLIAD

O may we thus be found
Obedient to his word;

Attentive to the trumpet's sound,
And looking for our Lord!

O may we all ensure

A lot among the blest!

And watch a moment, to secure
An everlasting rest.

JAMES MERRICK

Was born at Reading in 1720. He was the author of several hymns, the most beautiful of which is that well-known piece, " Placed on the Verge of Youth." He also published a new version of the Psalms, which bears little affinity to the inspired original. He died in 1766.

THE IGNORANCE OF MAN.

BEHOLD yon new-born infant, grieved
With hunger, thirst, and pain,
That asks to have the wants relieved;
It knows not to complain.

Aloud the speechless suppliant cries,
And utters as it can

The woes that in its bosom rise,
And speak its nature man.

That infant, whose advancing hour,
Life's various sorrows try,
(Sad proof of sin's transmissive power,)
That infant, Lord, am I.

A childhood yet my thoughts confess,
Though long in years mature,
Unknowing whence I feel distress,

And where, or what, its cure.

Author of good! to Thee I turn :
Thy ever-wakeful eye
Alone can all my wants discern,
Thy hand alone supply.

Oh! let thy fear within me dwell,
Thy love my footsteps, guide;
That love shall vainer loves expel, .
That fear all fear beside.

And oh! by error's force subdued,
Since oft my stubborn will,
Preposterous shuns the latent good,
And grasps the specious ill,

Not to my wish, but to my want,
Do Thou thy gifts supply"

Unasked, what good Thou knowest, grant,
What ill, though asked, deny.

NUNC DIMITTIS

'Tis enough-the hour is come:
Now within the silent tomb
Let this mortal frame decay,
Mingled with its kindred clay;
Since thy mercies, oft of old
By thy chosen seers foretold,
Faithful now and steadfast prove,
God of truth, and God of love!
Since at length, my aged eye
Sees the dayspring from on high;

Sun of righteousness, to Thee
Lo! the nations bow the knee;

And the realms of distant kings
Own the healing of thy wings.
Those whom death had overspread
With his dark and dreary shade,

Lift their eyes, and from afar
Hail the light of Jacob's Star,
Waiting till the promised ray
Turn their darkness into day.
See the beams intensely shed
Shine o'er Zion's favored head!
Never may they hence remove,
God of truth, and God of love!

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

PLACED on the verge of youth, my mind Life's opening scene surveyed;

I viewed its ills of various kind,

Afflicted and afraid.

But chief

my fear the dangers moved,
That virtue's path enclose:

My heart the wise pursuit approved,
But, oh! what toils oppose.

For see! ah see! while yet her ways
With doubtful step I tread,

A hostile world its terrors raise,

Its snares delusive spread.

Oh! how shall I, with heart prepared, Those terrors learn to meet?

How from the thousand snares to guard
My inexperienced feet?

As thus I mused, oppressive sleep
Soft o'er my temples drew
Oblivious veil.-The watery deep,

An object strange and new,

Before me rose on the wide shore
Observant as I stood,

The gathering storms around me roar,
And heave the boiling flood.