AT THE MATTINS.

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and was found in fashion as a man.-PHIL. ii.

"Pulsum supernis sedibus."

DRIVEN from their home, their pathway lost, Mid clouds that came upon the world's fair morn, By gloom and shadows cross'd,

Wander'd a race forlorn.

There sat one o'er Heav'n's highest hall, Who in strange charity to exile went,

Those exiles to recall

To that His heavenly tent.

He gave

Himself a staff and stay

To feeble knees, strength to the sinking soul,

He was Himself the way,

He was Himself the goal.

S

O Thou, Eternal Verity,

In fleshly veil shadowing Thyself from sight,
Save from Faith's chasten'd eye,
Upon us shed Thy light.

O Thou, the Father, Spirit, Son, Who art the everlasting Prince of Peace, Thy praise hath ne'er begun,

Thy praise shall never cease.

ON JOSEPH THE HUSBAND

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

OF THE

In simplicity of heart seek the Lord; for He will be found of them that tempt Him not; and showeth Himself unto such as do not distrust Him.-WISDOM i.

"Quos pompa sæculi, quos opes."

YE whom the world hath taught to see

All in her glass of vanity,

Come, here is one will school your eyes,
Rightly their worth to prize.

His father, though of David's line,

Of parentage august, divine,

Yet, in a workshop vile and low,
He wiped a labourer's brow.

Himself, though born of God on high
And equal to Heav'n's Majesty,

Yet read His title written here,

"Son of the Carpenter!"

The sinful Adam's sinless Son

The weight of crimes He had not done, Willing He bore, to show the path

Where guilt may flee from wrath.

Joseph, in thy lorn poverty

Is writ a lesson clear, that we,
Though having nothing, yet have all
If Christ be at our call.

To God the Father praise be given,
To Spirit praise, who dwells in Heaven,
And praise to Him who became poor

That we might find the door.

ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES'S DAY.

AT THE FIRST VESPERS.

Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.ISAIAH lxi.

"Dum morte victor obrutâ."

WHEN from Death's chambers Christ triumphant rose,

To

you His glorious form did He disclose ;

Ye watch'd Him laid in the cold-bosom'd grave,-
Ye witness'd thence His rising strong to save:

Whom 'twas given above the rest
Round His person to be blest,
His divinest ways beholding,

When, celestial things unfolding,

He of the Kingdom spoke that should arise,

And His death-agonies.