PART II.

FROM GERHARD TERSTEGEN'S

"GEISTLICHES BLUMENGÄRTLEIN."

Here, upon the paper planted,

Stand the Spirit's Garden-Flowers

God himself will give them sunshine,

Paint their hues, and send them showers.

Be their soil the silent heart-ground

There may every swelling seed

:

Burst in Truth, and Power, and Substance;

Blooming forth in all who read.

THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR, OR
BIRTHDAY.

(REDLICHER SINN AM NEUJAHRS- ODER GEBURTSTAG.)

THUS, then, another year of pilgrim-life,

(Not void of dangers, though without sore fall;

Not free from heart-wounds, though it brought not death,) Has vanished, with its heavy burdens all!

Onward, my spirit; go forth trustingly ;

One step awaits thee ere thy course is done.

Give me Thy Hand, O Thou, my soul's True Guide!

So shall I venture farther to toil on.

"Still onward!" is the Christian's watchword here:

The pilgrim may not tarry on his road.

What can the world bestow upon the heart

Whose home is in Eternal Life, and God?

My soul immortal yearns for that sweet Life:
Ah, when wilt Thou my spirit, Lord, prepare?
The earthly dwelling threatens oft to fail :—
Thus live I on, in longing, watchful prayer.

O give Thy Help, that I to self may die ;
And live more wholly, only unto Thee!
Thy Cross work purity and gentleness;-
Thy Love work Love's true-heartedness in me!

Bear Thou me on; thus I my load shall bear :
As Thou hast held me, do Thou succour still:
If hatred meet me, let me have Thy Love,
Which e'en the aged hearts with fire doth fill.

My heart's own God;-Thou Beauty Old and New!
Thee do I love: O faithful let me be
Even to death! to Thee I yield my soul
For guidance here, and through Eternity!