ST. JOHN IN THE ISLAND OF PATMOS.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.-REV. i.

"Jussu tyranni pro fide."

JOHN, by a tyrant's stern command,
Is exiled on a sea-girt strand;
But his free spirit takes her flight
Into the regions of the light.

And there his awestruck soul before
Stands He who lives for evermore,
Who as a lamb gave up His breath,
And as a lion vanquish'd death.

And now before his ravish'd eyes,
He brings His kingdom's mysteries;
The faith sown by His martyrs' blood,

Which through all lands shall spread abroad.

O Lord, the power baptismal give
With Thee to die, with Thee to live,
To tread on earthly things, and love

The better things that are above.

All glory and dominion

To God the Father, Spirit, Son,

Who hath broke through our prison-bars, And leads us to the happy stars.

ST. BARNABAS THE APOSTLE.

Blessed is he who considereth the poor and needy, the Lord hall deliver him in the time of trouble.-PSALM xli.

"Cœlo datur quiescere."

CROWN'D with immortal jubilee

Thy soul this day set free,

To the calm Heav'ns from earth did pass,
O holy Barnabas!

He, for whose sake, at whose dear call,

Thou gavest up thine all:

He shall thine all, thy treasure be,

Lasting eternally.

'Mid fasting, prayer, and holy hands,
Lo, 'mid the saints he stands,
The Spirit's high behest to bear,
Christ's Heav'n-sent messenger.

T

Thou hast with Paul in labours stood,

Blest bond of brotherhood!

One in the mandate sent from high,
And one in charity.

To what barbaric shores away

Did

ye that light convey,

When boldly from your race ye turn'd,
Who Faith's glad message spurn'd?

Lord, when to us, an offer'd guest,
Shall come that Spirit blest,

Let not our hearts Heav'n's bounty slight,
Deeming their darkness light!

All glory and all praise to Thee

Thrice holy Trinity,

Who hast disclosed in this our night

Thine everlasting light!

THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE

BAPTIST.

AT THE FIRST VESPERS.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the earts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children › their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.— HAL. iv.

"Christe, prolapsi reparator orbis."

CHRIST, who dost build the world again,
Cleanse Thou our heart from guilty stain,
That we may speak in holy strain
The Baptist's festival.

Of mighty prophets he foretold,
Himself a mighty prophet bold,
Yea, mightier than they all.

E'en now the unborn harbinger
Doth feel the awful Presence near,

Exulting the dread news to bear,

And spotless Lamb to meet;