AT THE MATTINS.

Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.-TITUS ii.

"Noxium Christus simul introivit.'

WHEN Christ enter'd the world, and it lay still,

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Father," He said, "I come to do Thy will, "I come prepared, let Justice take her fill,

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""Tis written in Thy book, and I arise.

Offering Thou would'st not, then said I, I come, "A body Thou preparest Me; from the womb “A dying Lamb, I take the sinner's doom, "And am Myself the only sacrifice."

He spake, and did Himself to God afford
To bear the stern wounds of the legal sword,
Fulfilling all the law,—the living Word,

He pays alone the forfeit penalties.

Ah, vain the task to stop sin's mantling shoot, Man from the heart must weed the bitter root, While the new law engrafted puts forth fruit,

And drinks the blessing of the pitying skies.

Not unto us, but Thee, Father of Heaven,
Not unto us, but Thee, the Son, be given,
Not unto us, but Thee, from morn till even,
Good Spirit, unto Thee our hymns arise.

AT THE SECOND VESPERS.

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.COLOSS. iii.

"Victis sibi cognomina."

LET earthly tyrants title claim

From each conquer'd nation,

Thou, Lord, shalt take a worthier name
Which hath wrought salvation;

The name which wretched men may plead
The Resurrection of the dead,

And pledge of life that knows no dying.

The name which He hath bought with blood,
And with keenest sadness:

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Shall we then forfeit all our good
In short-sighted madness ?
The highest boon we can receive
Is for that sacred name to grieve

Which takes from death the sting of anguish.

Jesu, hear Thou our sorrow's plaint,

Thou art all our glory;

And known to Thee is every want
Ere we come before Thee.

To Thee, the Son, our voice we raise,
Father and Spirit, Thee we praise,

All love to Thee, all adoration.

ON THE EPIPHANY.

AT THE FIRST VESPERS.

There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust.-Roм. XV.

"Quæ stella sole pulchrior."

WHAT is that which shines afar,

Fairer than the sun at morn?

"Tis a glorious star,

Which a rising King doth harbinger, And marks a cradle low where God on earth is born. Faithful spake ye, seers of old,

From Jacob doth a Star arise,

The East is stirred to behold.

A little star keeps watch without,

"Tis let down from the skies;

But a nobler Star within

Doth its march begin,

Which, on their distant rout,

To Him with gentle power doth lead the Wise.

The toil and perils what are they?
Faithful love knows no delay:

Kindred, and home, and country hold not them ; "Tis God that calls, and they obey.

Star of Bethlehem,

Star of Grace, that lead'st the way,

Let not the mists of our dark soul

Obstruct Thy heavenly light, and guiding soft control.

Father, Light of lights, to Thee,

To Holy Spirit, and to Son,

In whom Thou to the world hast shone,
Everlasting glory be !

AT THE MATTINS.

God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.-2 TIM. i.

"Linquunt tecta Magi principis urbis."

FROM princely walls in Eastern pomp array'd, They seek the distant Bethlehem's lowly shade;