In calm effulgence rises Bethlehem's Star
Over the yet untravell'd holy ground;
There Calv'ry's hill uplifts its Cross afar,
As with a diadem of brightness crown'd,
Majestic beauty! with no cloud to mar,

Like those which hover'd Sinai's heights around:-
And here the Mount of Olives to the sky
Uprears its leafy coronal on high.

How lovely, yet how solemn is the scene!
Scene worthy of the truths which wait us there ;
And hark! the silent intervals between,
In silvery tones float on the midnight air,
Glad songs that hail the new-born Nazarene!
Songs in which angel hosts with transport share;
Such as no more shall fall on mortal ears,
'Till heavenly music shall untune the spheres.

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

"And lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.' Matthew, ii. 9.

BRIGHT in the eastern firmament
The star upon the Magi smil'd;
Before them in their progress went,

And led them to the Heavenly Child.

Had fear or doubt their hearts assail'd,
Had they refus'd to follow on,
Little to them it had avail'd

That thus before their steps it shone.

But when its glory they espied,

Their hearts rejoic'd that star to greet;
And, trusting in their heavenly guide,
It led them to the Saviour's feet.

Nor need we vainly envy them;

Still shines within a Heavenly Light, Which, like the Star of Bethlehem,

Would guide our onward course aright.

But if, when we that Light discern,
We doubt its mission is divine,
And from its guidance coldly turn,
Can we expect it still to shine?

Those who thus venture to reject

What none too gratefully could prize,
Too late may mourn that long neglect
Has veil'd its glory from their eyes.

But they who, following on, adore
The Giver of its guiding ray,
Shall find it shine yet more and more,
Unto the pure and perfect day.

THE FIRST BEATITUDE.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."-Matthew, v.3.

WOULD'ST thou share this benediction,

Things of time surpassing far,

First be taught by truth's conviction

Who the poor in spirit are.

In the sight of fortune's minions
They are worthless, mean, and low;
In their own severe opinions

Of themselves far worse they know.

In the world's cold estimation
Undeserving of esteem ;-

In their self-humiliation

Such unto themselves they seem.

But let truth extend thy vision
Through this fleeting span of time,
Their's will be, by sure decision,
Wealth exhaustless, joys sublime.

Watchful, patient, meek, and lowly,
Wise-in wisdom from above,

In their life and converse holy,
Full of faith, and full of love;

Grateful, here, to be cross-bearers,
For the Saviour's sake, they live;
And, hereafter, shall be wearers
Of the crowns that He will give.

Such, alone, the poor in spirit!

Heirs, through faith, of things divine;

And the kingdom they inherit,

Faith like their's must render thine.

AS UNTO GOD, NOT UNTO MAN.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you they have their reward." -Matthew, vi. 16.

WHEN thou a fast wouldst keep,
Make not its homage cheap,
By publishing its signs to every eye;
But let it be between

Thyself and THE UNSEEN;

So shall it gain acceptance from on high.

God will no rival brook!

Austere, or mournful look,

Meant human eye to catch, or heart to move;

Seeking but man's applause,

Glory from God withdraws,

Treason His Spirit sternly will reprove.