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And never more may one dark tear,
Bedim their burning eyes;

For every one they shed while here,
In fearful agonies,

Glitters a bright and dazzling gem,
In their immortal diadem.

Oh, lovely, blooming country! there
Flourishes all that we deem fair,
And though no fields nor forests green,
Nor bowery gardens there are seen,
Nor perfumes load the breeze;

Nor hears the ear material sound,
Yet joys at God's right hand are found-

The archetypes of these.

There is the home, the land of birth,

Of all we highest prize on earth;

The storms that rock this world beneath,

Must there forever cease;

The only air the blessèd breathe,

Is purity and peace.

Oh, happy, happy land! in thee

Shines the unveiled Deity,

Shedding through each adoring breast

A holy calm, a halcyon rest.

And those blest souls whom death did sever,

Have met to mingle joys forever.

Oh, soon may heaven unclose to me!
Oh, may I soon that glory see!
And my faint, weary spirit stand
Within that happy, happy land!

BOWLES.

James.

Chalcedony.

Royal Dominion.

"Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory."

HE CHALCEDONY, or carbuncle, is the
precious stone of the third foundation of the
Zion on High, where it bears the signet of
James. From its superb color, resembling a

coal, red hot with fire, it seems a most appropriate symbol of ROYAL DOMINION, and, consequently, of the royal house of Judah, from which sprung our Lord Jesus Christ. In the vision of Ezekiel, the Sacred Presence which occupied the throne of Sapphire, was in the likeness of a flame of fire, and of great brightness. This brilliant gem, which burns radiantly even in the dark, is, by the Seventy, and others of the most reliable translators, styled the carbuncle. Ancient superstition attributed to it divers and excellent powers, especially that of resisting poison. For the enhancement of its dazzling glories, how, more advantageously could

it have been set, than between the celestial sapphire and lovely emerald.

Of the apostle Saint James, there appears on holy record no distinctly personal expression; but on two separate occasions, we find him, in company with his brother John, making requests of the Saviour, although it is uncertain which was the spokesman, and in neither instance is the impression created in our minds, of the most favorable kind. The replies of Jesus were intended not for their instruction only, but also for ours, "for in many things we offend all." Once they wished Him to permit them to call down fire, as did Elias, on some who failed to recognize their dignity; and again, with an ambitious presumption which was encouraged by maternal solicitude, entreated of their Master that He would confer on them a station in His kingdom, second but to His own. Between these characteristics, and the flashing, fiery carbuncle, we may trace some resemblance. James, truly, was granted his petition, for not long after the Ascension of his Lord to His throne, he was beheaded by Herod: thus achieving preeminence in a manner for which he looked not, and winning the first crown of martyrdom among his peers. The humility and gentleness inculcated by his Mas

ter, had their full effect upon him, as was seen in the sequel. It is said that when he was led to the place of execution, the officer who had guarded him to the tribunal, and who was also his accuser, having been converted by his conduct at the time of trial, fell down at the feet of the apostle, and entreated his forgiveness for what he had done. The holy martyr, tenderly embracing him, replied, "Peace, my son, peace be to thee and the pardon of thy faults!" The officer, thereupon, publicly declared himself a Christian, and both were beheaded together. How striking the contrast between this benedictory spirit, and his early one of resentment!

The bright red of the chalcedony may aptly serve to illustrate the zeal which animates the soul of every loyal Christian soldier while engaged in life's incessant warfare; and it may also be a figure of the hot persecutions through which the church in all ages has passed. Its dimless lustre may, furthermore, denote the quenchless glory of the Divine Representative of the kingly house of Judah. A soul glowing with the ardor of the chalcedony, and tempered with the serene loveliness of the sapphire, may soar above the ills of life-may smile unappalled upon the fury of the whirlwind, and

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