THE CHRISTIAN'S BOOK OF GEMS. PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING. Pollok. GOD of my fathers! holy, just, and good; And in thy presence burn, both day and night. Whom have I in the heavens but Thee alone! On earth, but Thee, whom should I praise, whom love! For thou hast brought me hitherto, upheld B My spirit, watering it at morn and even ; And by thy Spirit, which thou freely giv'st That shade the landscape of eternity; And talking there with holy angels met, With joy unspeakable have fill'd my soul, Winds seeming adverse, though perhaps not so, Have beat severely, disregarded beat, When I, behind me, heard the voice of God, SONNET. C. Townsend. DIMM'D by the distance and the hazy sky, Long had I watch'd it on its gentle way, Till now, scarce seen, it faded on the eye: Wedded in thought and varying sympathy, I communed with the souls it did convey. And kind Affection's and Hope's cheering ray Sent o'er the waters, with Compassion's sigh.How little thought the solitary crew, 'Mid the lone ocean, of a friendly care, Whose eye and heart still held them in its view, And breathed for them a supplicating prayer : Nor knoweth man what love his steps attend, What unseen Being is his guardian friend. A CHRISTIAN MOTHER ON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD. Wardlaw. THERE was the parting sigh; With that the spirit fled, And winged its flight on high, And left the body dead. No prayers, no tears, its flight could stay, 'Twas Jesus call'd the soul away. Oh, how shall I complain Of Him that rules above Who sends no needless pain, Who always smites in love; Who looks in tenderest pity down, The eye of Jesus wept, It dropp'd a holy tear, When Mary's brother "slept," A friend to Jesus dear; Delightful thought! that blessed eye I know my babe is blest, Her bliss by Jesus given; She's early gone to rest, She's found an early heaven; The sigh that closed her eyes on earth, But, ah, my spirits fail, I feel a pang untold, Those ruby lips so pale! That blushing cheek so cold; And dim those eyes of "dewy light," That smiled and glanced so sweetly bright. |