"A LITTLE While" of mingled joy and sorrow;
A few more years to wander thus below,
To wait the dawning of that golden morrow,
When morn shall break above our night of woe.
A few more thorns about our pathway growing,
Ere yet our hands may cull the heavenly flowers-
The morn of joy—but first the tearful sowing,
Ere we may rest these weary souls of ours.
A few more hours of weariness and sighing—
Of mourning o'er the power of inner sin ;
A little while of daily crucifying,
Unto this world, the evil heart within.
A little longer in this vale of weeping,
Of yearning for the sinless home above ;
"A little while" of watching, and of keeping
Our garments, by the power of Him we love.
"A little while" for winning souls to Jesus,
Ere yet we see His beauty face to face ;
A little while for healing soul-diseases,
By telling others of a Saviour's grace.
"A little while” to tell the joyful story
Of Him who made our guilt and curse His own ;
A little while, ere we behold the glory,
To gain fresh jewels for our heavenly crown.
"A little while "-then we shall dwell for ever
Within our bright, our everlasting home,
Where time, or space, or death no more can sever
Our grief-wrung hearts—and pain can never come.
"Tis but "a little while" the way is dreary,
The night is dark-but we are nearing land;
Oh for the rest of Heaven, for we are weary,
And long to mingle with the deathless band!
C. L. S.
JEHOVAH-JESUS.
WHEN the heart is crushed with care,
When I bend the knee in prayer,
When past sins before me rise,
And dark the path before me lies,
Then, Jesus, to Thy feet I'll flee,
"Jehovah Tsidkenu" my title shall be.
When duties I have left undone
Assail my memory, one by one;
And e'en my best deeds stained with sin,
So that I shrink to gaze within,
Jehovah Shalom will send peace,
And make these bitter thoughts to cease.
When all around looks dark and drear,
When secret anguish wrings the tear;
When my spirit sinks in grief,
Too deep for friends to give relief;
Jesus, to Thee and only Thee,
Can I look up for sympathy.
When with Eternity in view
"Tekel" stands out in clear dark hue; When thoughts of terror seize my mind, No light or solace can I find,
Again to Jesus I will flee,
He will sustain and comfort me.
When I stand on Heaven's shore,
All sin and grief for ever o'er ;
When I take my harp of gold,
And watch His wondrous love unfold,
While standing on the crystal sea,
Jesus, my song and joy shall be,
For ever through eternity.
MAY the Lord of glory bless thee,
With His fondest, sweetest love;
May His Spirit's breath caress thee,
With a glimpse of joys above.
May the God of grace protect thee,
Wheresoe'er 'tis thine to go-
Angel-hosts befriend, direct thee,
While a pilgrim here below.
May the Lord who died to save thee,
Turning crimson sins to wool,
Quench the fears that still enslave thee,
Whispering pardon, free, and full.
May the blood of Christ restore thee,
When thou feel'st the weight of guilt,
May the Spirit then empower thee,
To believe for thee 'twas spilt.
May'st thou find, when griefs oppress thee,
Sweet relief from Jesu's smile;
May the Bridegroom haste to bless thee,
Weary days and nights beguile.
If, without a kinsman near thee,
Lone, unfriended, thou should'st stand,
May His Spirit sweetly cheer thee,
Whispering comfort, soft and bland.
Thus to glory's clime He'll lead thee,
Intertwining joy and woe,—
Cloud by day shall still precede thee,
Fire by night before thee go.
Bright the 'spousal that awaits thee,
When the school of time is o'er,—
To His Son Jehovah mates thee,
Bride of Christ for evermore.
RISE! for the day is passing,
And you lie dreaming on;
The others have buckled their armour,
And forth to the fight are gone ;
A place in the ranks awaits you;
Each man has some part to play ;
The Past and the Future are looking
To the face of the stern To-day.
From "The Changed Cross."
THE EYE THAT NEVER SLEEPS.
THERE is an eye that never sleeps,
Beneath the wing of night;
There is an ear that never shuts
When sink the beams of light.
There is an arm that never tires
When human strength gives way;
There is a love that never fails,
When earthly loves decay.
That eye is fixed on seraph throngs;
That arm upholds the sky;
That ear is filled with angels' songs;
That love is throned on high.
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