THE SONG OF SONGS.

(DAS LIED DER LIEDER.)

A BLESSED Song of songs there is:--when thou hast learned its strain,

Unweariedly thou singest it, again and yet again.

No heart of man hath framed that Song, so rich in all delight ;

So full of deep instruction, and of earnestness and might.

It singeth of a Love, which chaseth all Life's griefs away, Like clouds that melt and vanish at the breaking of the day.

So do all sorrows disappear, and all our cares depart, When rightly we intone that Song of Beauty from the

heart.

"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.”

("FREUET EUCH IN DEM HERRN ALLEWEGE.")

REJOICE in God at all times,

His Mercy and His Love;

Be not inert in gladness

That cometh from above.

Shall He pour forth the fulness
Of Living Joy in vain?

The bliss thy Lord would give thee
Shall cure thy heart's worst pain.

He first to Earth's sad country
The wondrous Blessing brought
Which, after sin's sharp anguish,
Delight unspoken wrought.

O pure Joy-Fountain, springing
Amid the desert drear ;-
Where draws each thirsting spirit

The healing waters clear!

Was it for you all vainly

That Angels, from the Height, The joyous Christmas Tidings Brought, in the Blessed Night? Praised not those Angel Heralds The joy that yours should be ;— And stand ye, sad and grief-worn, Powerless that joy to see?

Shall Zion's Daughter glory

In the Coming of her King ;And will ye shun the gladness

That to Him might honour bring? When palms ye should be bearing, And glad "Hosannas " cry,

Will ye stand and weep, faint hearted, As the joyous crowds pass by?

And His great Love unfathomed-
Hath it not done all well?
Remains there aught unfinished,

Or wanting to us, still?
His children's joy to perfect,

And render safe from loss, He bore their sins' sore burden, And laid it on His Cross.

And stands He not victorious

Over the dark grave's power ;— The bonds of fear and anguish Bursting, in Death's drear hour? He lives, our souls to quicken, And His own Joy impart :— Speaks to the sad, "Whom seek'st thou ? "Why weepest thou, poor heart ? "

He poureth down salvation

From The Father's Throne on High; And from the saints' far dwellings Rings forth a joyful cry ;Triumphant songs of gladness

For The Saviour's Victory :

He hath conquered, and shall conquer,

Till all foes before Him lie.

To the souls that know and love Him
What joy shall then be given,
When He cometh in His Glory,

Amid the clouds of Heaven !

How will He save and bless them ;--
Yea, recompense His own;
And lead them to the City

Prepared by God alone!

There, on their heads for ever

Rest glory and delight :-There, no more sun is needed;

No more the moon's soft light.
There, in The Father's Presence,

Within His Light they lie ;
Partakers of His Glory,
And of Eternity!

To you this bliss belongeth,

Because Christ's own are ye ;— Because your souls He purchased, And He hath made you free. Shall not your hearts be joyful In Him, your Master True?

Can ye still weeping linger,

As though no Christ ye knew?

For ever, O redeemed ones,
Glad hearts to Him up-raise !
Let Joy reign daily o'er you;
Each day sing forth His Praise.
Each day be Love's own offering
Of thanks and gladness given;—

So shall ye train your spirits
For perfect Joy in Heaven.