They met the tyrant's brandish'd steel,
The lion's gory mane:

They bow'd their necks the death to feel!
Who follows in their train ?

A noble army-men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light array'd.

They climb'd the steep ascent of Heaven,
Through peril, toil, and pain!

Oh God! to us may grace be given
To follow in their train!

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY.

R. H.

OH GOD! who gav'st Thy servant grace,
Amid the storms of life distrest,

To look on Thine incarnate face,

And lean on Thy protecting breast:

To see the light that dimly shone,
Eclips'd for us in sorrow pale,
Pure image of the Eternal One!
Through shadows of Thy mortal veil !

Be ours, oh King of Mercy! still

To feel Thy presence from above,

And in Thy word, and in Thy will,

To hear Thy voice, and know Thy love :

And when the toils of life are done,
And nature waits Thy dread decree,
To find our rest beneath Thy throne,

And look, in humble hope, to Thee!

INNOCENTS' DAY.

R. H.

OH weep not o'er thy children's tomb,
Oh Rachel, weep not so!
The bud is cropt by martyrdom,
The flower in heaven shall blow !

Firstlings of faith! the murderer's knife
Has miss'd its deadliest aim:
The God for whom they gave their life
For them to suffer came !

Though feeble were their days and few,
Baptized in blood and pain,

He knows them, whom they never knew,
And they shall live again.

Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb,

Oh Rachel, weep no so!

The bud is cropt by martyrdom,

The flower in heaven shall blow!

SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, OR CIRCUMCISION.

R. H.

LORD of mercy and of might!
Of mankind the life and light!
Maker, teacher infinite!

Jesus! hear and save!

Who, when sin's tremendous doom

Gave creation to the tomb,

Didst not scorn the Virgin's womb, Jesus! hear and save!

Mighty monarch! Saviour mild!
Humbled to a mortal child,

Captive, beaten, bound, revil'd,

Jesus! hear and save!

Throned above celestial things,
Borne aloft on angels' wings,
Lord of lords, and King of kings!
Jesus! hear and save!

Who shalt yet return from high,
Robed in might and majesty,
Hear us! help us when we cry!
Jesus! hear and save!

EPIPHANY.

No. I.

ANON.

SONS of men, behold from far,
Hail the long-expected star!
Star of truth that gilds the night,
And guides bewilder'd Nature right.

Mild it shines on all beneath,

Piercing through the shades of death; Scattering error's wide-spread night; Kindling darkness into light.

Nations all, remote and near,

Haste to see your God appear; Haste, for Him your hearts prepare, Meet Him manifested there!

There behold the day-spring rise,
Pouring light on mortal eyes;
See it chase the shades away,
Shining to the perfect day!

Sing, ye morning stars, again!
God descends on earth to reign!
God in mercy leaves the sky!
Shout, ye sons of God, on high!