Imatges de pàgina
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But his kinsmen know not the high decree

That rules o'er his future destiny.

They spurn his aid, and reject the hand

That would lead them forth from a hostile land.
And forth he goes from his palace home,
In the trackless desert alone to roam.
Alone! what sight meets his wondering gaze?
A bush enwreathed with a burning blaze;
Yet still it lives,--and the silent tree
Tells of a present Deity.

Trembling, he leans on his pilgrim rod,
And his spirit thrills to the voice of God.

Once more, on the summit of Pisgah's rock
See a hoary man, like a graceful shock
Of ripened corn; behold him now,

With the dewy damps of death on his brow.
His white beard sweeps o'er his aged breast,
And his bright eye turns to the land of rest-

The Promised Land, with its fields of green, And its waving trees, while rolls between The flowing Jordan's swelling stream, Shining beneath the sun's last beam.

And there with the goodly land in view,
And his firm gaze fixed on the sky's pale blue,
His wanderings o'er, and his toils all past,
In his Maker's arms he breathes his last.

TEMPTATION.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."-James i. 12.

OH! flee from temptation, and loiter not there By the green sunny bank, with its flowerets

so gay,

Each leaf hides an adder, each blossom a snare To entrap the weak Christian who lags on his

way.

Speed, speed on thy journey, and linger not near, To hear the glad music, the festival song,

In the gay haunts of pleasure, but shun them with fear,

Resist the temptation, and hasten along.

A guerdon awaits thee, a heavenly crown,
Unfading, eternal, is held to thy view;

Which the world would depise, and reject with a frown,

But Christ shall bestow on the faithful and true.

Then haste on thy journey, and look not behind thee,

But cast the first 'thought of temptation away; That Christ when He cometh in glory, may find thee

Still watchful, still faithful, and call thee away.

THE CROSS AND THE CROWN.

"THEN said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."-Matt. xvi. 24.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing "-2 Timothy iv. 7, 8.

YES, Lord, there is a cross below,
A thorny path, a life of woe,
A tempter urging me to sin,

The world without, the flesh within;
The powers of hell my soul engage,
And Satan tries his utmost rage,
Till oft I sink beneath the strife,
And my worn spirit gasps for life.

But swift Thy heavenly succour flies,
Like a bright angel from the skies,
And Thy blest Word of promise brings
A cordial on its healing wings

To cure my wounds, and ease the smart
Of the fierce tempter's fiery dart.
Jesus, I know that Thou art nigh,
And quick to hear my feeblest cry.
Thy loving hand shall give relief,
And calm my troubled spirit's grief;
Shall send a healing balm to me
In Thine unbounded sympathy;

For Thou hast been a man of woe

In this sad wilderness below

And now, before the Father's throne,
Thy children's griefs are all Thine own.
Courage, my soul ! and still pursue
The narrow way, with Christ in view,
Till called to lay thy weapons down,

To leave the cross, and take the crown.

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