DYING THOUGHTS OF A FAITHFUL SOUL. (STERBENSGEDANKEN EINER GLÄUBIGEN SEELE.)

THUS, step by step, my journey to The Infinite draws nigh:

Thus, unobserved, the short life-course has quickly fleeted

by.

Where now remains so many a day;-and where so many

a year?

What hath the passing soul from that which yesterday was here?

Thou God of all Eternity, Who gaved'st life to me ;—
With all I am, and all I have, I give it back to Thee.
O let me die to Thee alone! to Thee alone I live;
And to Thy blessed Service I my latest powers would
give.

I close my weary eyes, and say "Goodnight" to what is

seen;

"Goodnight" to all the Dreaming that this earthly life hath been;

That I may live upon the watch, all ready to depart,

And give Thy Spirit room to work Thy Will within my heart.

Now do I leave the world, and to The Father I will go : Here am I not at Home ;-my soul no true life here doth know.

The time that yet remaineth shall be given up to Thee, That in Thee, Father, and Thy Heaven, my spirit centred be.

O make me ready for the change; and when this life is

past,

Be Thou my One abiding Good; my soul's true Life at

last.

When draweth near the end, O leave me not alone to

die!

On Jesus then-not on myself-be fixed my spirit's eye.

I search myself, and all disclose, and bare my heart to

Thee :

Of dust I am; and profitless my service all must be.
Thus wholly bared, in Jesus' Wounds my spirit sinks.

away:

In Him alone will I be found, both now, and in that

day.

The enemy hath nought in me--In Jesus I have rest : Deep sunk in mine own nothingness, He makes my spirit blest.

I thank Thee, O my Father, Who Thine Open Heart didst shew,

And taught my feeble soul Thy Spirit's Presence here to know.

My Saviour, in Thy Faithful Hands my spirit now I lay: The pledge entrusted to Thy Care Thou wilt not cast away.

Let my last breath on Earth be nought but pure and holy

love;

And let my soul, departing hence, enter Thy Rest

Above!

O Sweet Rest of Eternity! I shall Thy Face behold, And be with Thee for ever, Lord, in blessedness untold :-'

There, with the glorious Angel Hosts, in adoration bow. My Father, take me Home to Thee! mine All in All art

Thou.

THE BENEDICTION UPON GOD'S PEOPLE.

(DER SEGEN UBER GOTTES VOLK.)

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."-Numbers vi. 24, 25, 26.

FOUNTAIN of all salvation, we adore Thee,
And open fainting, weary lips to Thee:
O may Thy Benediction come upon us,
From the High Place of Thy Divinity!

The Lord, The Great Creator, with us tarry,

And bless our souls and bodies, through His Might; Shielding us ever with His Strong Protection; Guarding us from all evil, day and night!

The Lord our Light, The Saviour, shine upon us,
And let our souls be lightened by His Face;
That we behold Him, and believe in freedom;
And that He grant us His abiding Grace!

The Lord, The Comforter, above us hover;

And, lifting up His Countenance of Love, Stamp His Own Image on our souls for ever; And give us Peace, which death nor life can move!

Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Fountain of Blessedness that ever flows ;

Flow through our hearts and thoughts, and daily actions; And let us in Thy Blessing find repose!