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THE CHANGED CROSS,

AND OTHER

RELIGIOUS POEMS.

NEW-YORK:

RANDOLPH, 683 BROADWAY.

1863.

The great favor which the following Se

lections have met in the form of "Leaflets

for Letters," has induced the Publisher to issue them in a volume. They are still pub

lished on separate sheets.

New-York, November, 1861.

THE VISION OF THE CROSSES.

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In the mild light of evening, the pilgrim stretched himself to rest on tho odorous grass, and it was not iong till his heavy eyelids fell together. But as he slept a dream bore away his wakeful spirit from the OSS. earthly covering of his wearied members. It seemed to him as if the sun's shield which he had seen in the heavenly space had become the countenance of the Eternal; the firmament seemed his garment, the earth his garment's hem. "Lord," he said, "thou wilt not sure in wrath withdraw thy peace part, from one who still names thee Father if to thee he rife, confess his weakness. Right well I know that every one born of woman has here his cross to bear, but it is not the same burden and suffering all men p mehave to endure. My cross is much too heavy. I desire only a burden befitting my strength; 1 am sinking, Lord, under this too heavy pressure." As thus, in child-like wise, he spake unto the Highest, behold! the storm came rushing along, and he felt himself caught aloft by its power. And as he came to standing ground again, he was in the midst of y sight," far-stretching halls, where all around him he saw a countless multitude of crosses. And a voice sound-ear. ed through that lonesome place, "Lo! here is the magazine of trouble; thou mayest choose for thyself from amid all these crosses.' Then he went from one to another, examining each to prove which was the easiest burden; but could come to no determination. This cross was too large for him, and that one was too heavy, and a third was neither so large nor so heavy, but its sharp-pointed corners galled him exceedingly. And yonder was one, and it tell, cast a glittering light like gold and it enticed him not to pass it untried; but he found its weight also corresponding to its golden brilliancy. He had now light examined the entire collection, but there was not d sight; one that would exactly suit him. He must survey here, the whole a second time. And now before overlooked, he remarked a cross that seemed to him more tolerable, and beside that one he stood still at last, a homely tree of pain not light, but one that fitted properly his strength and measure. "Lord, if thou wilt," he cried, "let this cross be mine."And as his eyes proved it more attentively lo! it way." was the same he had borne betore-the same against which he had dared to murmur. He lifted it now, and carried it without complaining.--From the Ger man of Chamisso.

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The great favor lections have met in

view of one of the ablest men in England, wi the effect of the late democratic advance-i > higher classes will be obliged to educate themse in order to retain their influence,-the safety of state calls for the education of the poorer class The dumb millions have now a voice and will ma themselves heard :—they cannot be left any lon in the condition of blind Cyclops, with huge fo but no light,-badly housed, badly fed, hudd together in pestiferous lanes, in great cities, wh they die and make no sign-the rights of prope trampling out the rights of man. Neglected th can no longer be; and I confess that to me t aspect of the new era is full of hope.

66

Now the working of democracy in America is east calming and reassuring to all who fancy th democracy means spoliation, rapire and murd Read De Tocqueville's great work on Democra in America," the profoundest treatise on politi philosophy that the 19th century has produced, there you will find the advantages and disadv tages of democracy summed up with judicial for Letters," has in partiality by one of the keenest observers and philosophic thinkers; and there you will learn a great, wealthy, intelligent nation has grown issue them in a volume under democratic institutions, and how the gov ment of democracy has been reconciled with lished on separate shespect for property, with deference for rights, safety to freedom, with reverence for law and gion. De Tocqueville has shown that while de eracy in America is far from having the lofty New-York, Novembertures that its fond admirers ascribe to it-whi has many drawbacks and serious defects, ar less favourable than other modes of governmen the growth of the finer elements of human nat yet it has great and noble qualities; and alth it has made no paradise for man in America, cannot, as we see, secure from the horrors of war, or the hurricanes of party spirit, yet u its sway, an energetic, moral and religious munity has grown into greatness, and has a mi future before it. It does not by any means fo that the development of democracy in England take the republican form as in America, or tha necessarily hostile to the principle of loyalty t throne. The day is very distant, and very unl ever to arrive, when England will desire t change her constitutional monarch for an ele Presidency. But still we must allow that wi its defects, the successful working of demo should allay the the terrors of those who antic

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THE CHANGED CROSS.

It was a time of sadness, and my heart,
Although it knew and loved the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needful discipline of life.

And while I thought on these as given to me-
My trial tests of faith and love to be-
It seemed as if I never could be sure

That faithful to the end I should endure.

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And thus no longer trusting to His might,
Who says, "6 we walk by faith, and not by sight,"
Doubting, and almost yielding to despair,
The thought arose-My cross I can not bear.

Far heavier its weight must surely be
Than those of others which I daily see;
Oh! if I might another burden choose,
Methinks I should not fear my crown to lose.

A solemn silence reigned on all around-
E'en Nature's voices uttered not a sound;
The evening shadows seemed of peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.

A moment's pause, and then a heavenly light
Beamed full upon my wondering, raptured sight;
Angels on silvery wings seemed every where,
And angels' music thrilled the balmy air.

Then One, more fair than all the rest to see-
One to whom all the others bowed the knee-
Came gently to me as I trembling lay,
And, "Follow me," He said, "I am the way."

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