Forth I went to men of learning ;

Versed in Scripture-lore were they : But from wise and subtle spirits

Jacob's Star concealed its ray.
Of the Light that had appeared

They spoke, also, to the blind :
Yet all vain my search amongst them-

Christ Himself I could not find.

Came I then within the precincts

Of the Temple's holy ground : Sacrificial Fire was burning ;

Radiant brightness gleamed around. Here conceiving of His Presence,

Yet I found Him not at last : Quitting then thy walls, O Salem,

On to Bethlehem I passed.

Lonely through the street I wandered ;

Far and near was heard no sound : All was silent and deserted;

And no passing guide I found. But, at length, I saw above me,

Through the gloom, a bright Star shine :Thus, through seeking and believing,

Christ Himself at last was mine !

Only seek-so shalt thou find Him !

Only faint not, nor despair ;
Do not check thy heart's keen yearning,

Which thy God hath kindled there !
Follow on, in trustful patience ;

Faithful to His teaching live : Light from Heaven above shall guide thee :-

Light from Heaven the Star doth give.

EASTER.

(OSTERFEIER.)

With brighter glory, Easter Sun,

Shine forth upon thy way;
For my Redeemer, and thy Lord,

Rose from His grave this day!
Thou didst hide in veil of darkness

When He bowed His Head to die:But now shine forth—thy Master

Has risen up on High !

Earth, in thy tranquil beauty lie

Thy calm blue skies beneath :
Thy Lord deserts thee not-His Arm

Hath burst the gates of death.
When He breathed forth His Spirit,

Thy mighty rocks were riven. Greet now The newly Living ;

Steeped in soft light from Heaven !

But thou, my soul—how dost thou keep

And celebrate the day When Christ with strong arm left the grave,

And bore its might away ? Bringeth the dawn of Easter

True Easter-joy to thee ;Telleth to all thy gladness

How great this Jubilee?

Out of the deep death-night of sin

Hast thou with Christ arisen ;-
From bondage hast thou struggled free;

Or art thou still in prison ?
Still in thy sin's dark dwelling

Lying concealed and dead, Doth Easter-Morning bring thee

No glorious Morning-Red ?

O hasten forth—by sin's black night

No longer covered be !
Thy Lord hath risen from the dead

That He might waken thee.
Come, rise from sleep-—The Master

The soul from death would save : To the New Life He calls thee ;

Arise from out thy grave !

See, rich in mercy, He extends

To thee His pierced Hands; And lovingly He sets thee free

From death’s strong icy bands. From Him fear no rebuking

Who waits each soul to bless : Rise to the New Life's rapture

Thy new-found happiness !

Rise quickly to that Life, Q Soul,

For thou hast slept too long !
He, Who hath tasted death for thee,

For life will make thee strong.
Qnly first venture forwardi,

Though weak and all untried ; He Who awaked thee walketh

For ever by thy side.

O ponder and consider not

So long, how thou must go ! Such thoughts but make thee more inert,

And thy steps more faint and slow.
No help He will deny thee ;-

Go forth without alarm !
Thy Lord, when thou art weary,

Will bear thee on His Arm.