THE HEAVENLY CANAAN. WATTS. There is a land-of pure delight, But timorous mortals start—and shrink And linger,-trembling on the brink, Oh! could we make our doubts remove And see the Canaan that we love Could we-but climb where Moses stood, And view the landscape o'er, Not Jordan's stream-nor death's cold flood TELL ME, YE WINGED WINDS. CHARLES MACKAY, That round my pathway roar, Do you not know some spot Whose billows round me-play, Where weary man may find The bliss-for which he sighs, And friendship never dies? The loud waves,-rolling in perpetual flow, Stopped for a while, and sighed to answer-"No! And thou, serenest moon, That with such holy face Hast thou not seen some spot Might find a happier—lot? Behind a cloud the moon withdrew in woe, Oh! tell me,-Hope and Faith, From sorrow,-sin,—and death? Is there no happy spot Where mortals may be blest, And weariness a rest? Faith,-Hope, and Love,-best boons to mortals given,— THE EXCELLENCE OF GOD'S LAW. PSALM XIX. The heavens-declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day-unto day-uttereth speech, and night-unto night-showeth knowledge. There is no speech-nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth,—and their words to the end of the world. In them-hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth (as a strong man) to run a race. His going forth-is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit-unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise-the simple. The statutes of the Lord-are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord-is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord-is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord-are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they-than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey-and the honey-comb. Moreover-by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me-from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also-from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then-shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation-of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. MY PSALM. JOHN G. WHITTIER. I mourn no more my vanished years; An April rain of smiles and tears, The west winds blow, and, singing low, No longer forward nor behind I look in hope and fear; But, grateful, take the good I find, I plow no more a desert land I break my pilgrim staff, I lay The angel sought so far away The airs of spring may never play The woods shall wear their robes of praise, The south wind softly sigh, And sweet, calm days in golden haze Melt down the amber sky. Not less shall manly deed and word Rebuke an age of wrong; The graven flowers that wreathe the sword But smiting hands shall learn to heal, To build as to destroy; Nor less my heart for others feel That I the more enjoy. All as God wills, who wisely heeds To give or to withhold, And knoweth more of all my needs Than all my prayers have told! Enough that blessings undeserved Have marked my erring track- That more and more a Providence Making the springs of time and sense That death seems but a covered way That care and trial seem at last, That all the jarring notes of life And so the shadows fall apart, And so the west winds play; And all the windows of my heart I open to the day. CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S PROTECTION. PSALM XXVII. The Lord-is my light-and my salvation; whom-shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked,—even mine enemies, and my foes,-came upon me-to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war-should rise against me,-in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord-all the days of life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up-above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart-said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help: leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over-unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord-in the land of the living. Wait-on the Lord: be of good courage, and he-shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL. Vital spark-of heavenly flame, Hark! they whisper; angels say, The world recedes; it disappears; Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly! O Death, where—is thy sting?" CHRIST IN THE TEMPEST. J. G. WHITTIER. Storm-on the heaving waters! The vast sky— Towers-for one instant,-full-and clear,-and then- |