HEIGHTS AND DEPTHS.

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But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.”— Matthew, xxiv. 20.

THOSE who have watch'd the changeful forms Of clouds and sunshine, calms and storms, Unto the christian pilgrim known,

Will often make this prayer their own.

Dark hours there are of doubt and fear,
With scarce one ray of light to cheer,
When hope appears for ever fled,
And every holy feeling dead.

When gourds we rear'd around us die,
And winter rules o'er earth and sky;
"Till languishing for happier bowers,
We wish the dove's fleet pinions our's.

Yet perilous our flight might be,
If at such seasons we could flee;
Safer it is to seek, by prayer,
The root within, and center there.

Hours, too, there are, more blest and bright,
When all around, above, seems light;
Moments, whose influence can impart
A sabbath feeling to the heart.

In that sweet sabbath of the soul, think we near our heavenly goal;

We

And, too impatient of delay,

Our thoughts would soar from earth away.

Yet, in such thought-transporting thrill,
Wisdom's safe watch-word is, "Be still!"
Dwell deep in faith, trust not to sight,
Nor venture on unbidden flight.

O Lord! in each extreme we know,
Thy will, our only signal, show;

In heights, in depths, be Thou our stay,
In winter, or in sabbath day.

PROGRESSIVE GROWTH.

"First the blade, then the ear,

after that the full corn in the ear."

--Mark, iv. 28.

FAITH must anoint the eye to see;
Love the awaken'd heart must warm;
Grace must from sin's dominion free;
And growth in grace the saint must form.

For by degrees the work of God
Is in the heart of man reveal'd ;-
There, first, conviction's chast❜ning rod
That desert makes a furrow'd field.

Prepar'd for culture from on high,

There grace divine the seed must sow; And there, uprising to the eye,

The blade must first its greenness show.

That blade which, warm'd by light and love, Water'd by dews of reverent fear, Aspiring to its source above,

Shall bear the yet unripen'd ear.

And, lastly, must the ear, matur'd,
The fulness of its corn possess,
Ere in the garner safe secur'd

The Husbandman his toil may bless.

Such is the gradual growth of grace;
And those who well the work survey,
In each successive stage may trace,
Abundant cause for such delay.,

Who can at once deliverance gain
From all that has enslav'd, enticed?

Or hope abruptly to attain

The stature of a man in Christ?

THE TERMS OF DISCIPLESHIP.

"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."- Mark, viii. 34.

THE terms are set before thee,

The path a Saviour trod;

No other can restore thee

To favour with thy God.

The way of self-denial,

The world's contemptuous frown,

The cross's fearful trial,

Are preludes to the crown.

Christ suffer'd these to save thee,
Each in its worst degree;
Oh, let them not out-brave thee,
His lowly follower be.

Though trustless and unsteady,
Thou know'st thy feeble heart,
A Saviour's love is ready

Assistance to impart.