(XLV.) LOVE OF THE WORLD.

["For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matt. xvi. 26.]

WHY should we love the world? Why thus bestow
Affections on its perishable toys,

And while we seek for pleasures mean and low,
Deprive our souls of high and holy joys?
Is not God jealous? Will he let us cling

So fondly to the things below the skies,
And nought but cold and heartless offerings bring
To the All-good, All-perfect, and All-wise?

Oh, break the tie, that doth so closely bind

The groveling thought and vain desires to earth;
And let the rapt, emancipated mind

Soar to the better region of its birth,

And feed on angel's food. Let God supply, And his divine perfections, joys that never die.

(XLVI.) I SHALL yet praise him.

["Why art thou cast down, Oh my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me ! Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Ps. xlii. 11.]

AT that dim hour, when ploughmen first arise,
Roused from their homely couch and deep repose,
When stars still linger in the changing skies,
And in the East the dawning feebly glows,
"T is doubtful long, which of the two bears sway,
The nascent day or unextinguished night,
Till ruddy morn, at length, with bright array,
Proclaims the triumph of victorious Light.
So when there breaks upou the heart's domain
The Light Divine, which mars the shades within,
Oh, who can tell which of the two shall reign,
The recent purity or ancient sin?

And yet the inward Light, like outward day,
Shall shine, revealed at last, with a triumphant ray.

(XLVII.) A DIVIDED MIND.

["For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness." Mat. vi. 21, 22, 23.]

Oн, that I had not this divided heart,

A mind, self-sundered, and at war within;
Which gives, or seems to give, to heaven a part,
But gives, alas, a greater part to sin.
Sometimes I think the victory to gain,

And plant my standard on the heavenly height;
But suddenly imperious passions reign,
And put my faithfulness and hopes to flight.

My conscience prompts me to the better way,

The Holy Spirit makes it still more clear,
But foul temptation leads my steps astray,

And Heaven is lost, because the World is dear.
"Tis He in triumph and in peace shall run,

The Christian's trying race, whose heart, whose soul, is one.

(XLVIII.) SUBMISSION IN SICKNESS.

["It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." Lam. iii. 26. "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." James v. 11.]

GOD gives to each his task; but what is mine?
What work doth he require of one like me?
Who, grieving, on the couch of sickness pine,
And know no hours but those of misery.
By others I am tended. Would I go
To feed the poor, or unto heathen lands,

Here am I fastened on this bed of woe,

With feet that walk not, and with moveless hands.
'T was thus I cherished wicked discontent,
And inly blamed Jehovah's righteous ways,
When suddenly a voice, in mercy sent,
Reproves my striving heart, and gently says:
If thou indeed for nothing else art fit,

This work at least is thine, in patience to submit.

(XLIX.) LIGHT IN GOSHEN.

["And Moses stretched forth his hand towards heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt, three days. They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." Exodus. x. 22, 23.]

In ancient times, when God in anger came,
And troubled Egypt with his mighty hand,

The rayless sun withdrew his midday flame,
And clouds and darkness filled the sightless land.
But there was light in Goshen. On it lay,

On pleasant hill and vale, and flower and tree,
The moon's resplendent beam, the sunlight's ray,
The free stars, singing in their liberty.
Thus is it now. God's people walk in light,
With changeless day to cheer them and to guide;
But o'er the godless throng reigns Egypt's night,
The sun and moon and stars their radiance hide.
"T is God, whose glorious light is never dim,
Illuminates the host, that faithful follow him.