24 MEETING OF ABRAHAM'S SERVANT WITH REBEKAH.

What, though the way was lingering
And long!-by bitter waters too!
Sufficient grace was found, to bring
My soul each fiery trial through.

Mine enemies beheld him near,

When they assail'd with cruel scorn: But his bright countenance, could cheer My midnight gloom, with light of morn.

Oh! let me sing what glories dwell,
Within the treasures of his love!
What he hath done, my tongue shall tell,
To men on earth, and saints above!

MEETING OF ABRAHAM'S SERVANT

WITH REBEKAH.

GENESIS XXIV. 15-28.

AH! thou hast travell'd, messenger,

O'er many a scorching sand;

And thou art in a foreign land,

A weary wanderer :

As ev'ning's sky looks faint and dim,

Far sounds abroad the holy pastoral hymn.

MEETING OF ABRAHAM'S SERVANT WITH REBEKAH. 25

But who that meets thee, messenger,

So beautiful in mien?

Features so bright thou hast not seen,

And art thou sent to her;

That thus thou waitest by the well,

While hopes and fears within thy bosom swell?

Thy humble prayer ascends above,

Thou weary wanderer:

And ere thou art a slumberer,

Her pure and gentle love,

Shall burn, to leave her father's side,

For distant lands, and be a kinsman's bride.

Drink messenger! thy task is done

A choice was made for thee

By him who ev'ry act can see:

Rebekah now is won!

Yes, by her haste to do thy will,

Her thou may'st take, and thus thy mission fill.

Go faithful one! thy journey's o'er,

Seek Canaan's coast again :

With anxious breast across that plain

Thou shalt ne'er wander more:

Since heaven hath bless'd, let doubtings cease,

-Go, hail thy master's home with joy and peace!

A PRAYER.

FROM yonder lone and dismal room

A moan ascends;

For there a flower, in all its bloom,

In sorrow bends:

While with careful mournful
Affection waits Eternity!

eye,

No praises float with joy around—

No hope is spread—

Nor balm of holy music's sound,

To raise the head

That, bowed in mortal anguish there,

Is soothed alone by filial prayer.

O mercy lend thy gentle ear

Shed light and love;

That faint one's desolation cheer,

And point above:

Be present Saviour-heavenly guide,

Sustain through Jordan's trackless tide.

Nor leave her there, but upward still

Her spirit raise,

Obedient to her father's will,

To realms of praise,

Where joy and peace, and sweet delight,
Fill courts with varying glory bright,
And Jesus beams the everlasting light.

JEWELS OF JOY.

"For they shall be as the stones of a crown," ZECH. IX. 16.
"A royal diadem in the hand of thy God." ISAIAH LXII. 3.

WHENCE hasten the young flowers of vernal prime,
But on to a purer and brighter clime?

And where should that stream run in happy flow,
Which bathes the garden of graces below?—
Amid ev'ry plant, and its virtue employ,
'Till from the soil springeth up-jewels of joy!

There grows in this garden a lowly tree,
Which deep bends its head in humility;
Its leaves shine not, but it blossometh fair,
And often a dew-drop is hanging there—
Ah! bright is that pearly-drop-'tis no toy,
But a tear of repentance—a jewel of joy!

And there is a plant in this cultured ground,
That never is in the world's wilderness found-
A radiance of light its stems unfold-

It buddeth in splendour-its fruits are gold;
"Tis love; and far distant from earth's dreary night,
On pinions of glory she quickens her flight.

Oh! yes, there are many in this parterre,
The Christian hopes soon to find everywhere;
Obedience is next in the spotless train,

Who flees from sin's revelry void and vain:
For to watch heaven's will is her sweetest employ,
And lo! her reward is a jewel of joy!

But see in this garden, the tree that adorns-
For here never grew dark briars and thorns—
"Tis a tree safe guarded from tempest's blight,
Secure in its beautiful armour bright:

Still stretching its branches toward the blue sky-
This is faith-and her home is eternity!

To what shall we liken these graces then?
No gems are so rich 'mong the sons of men—
They tell that a home God's love doth prepare―
They tell-no sorrow or night shall be there!
They tell, that death's power shall never destroy
The diadem, set with these jewels of joy.