To such what prayer can thought accord
More simple, humble, brief?

Than crying" I believe, O Lord!
Help thou mine unbelief."

This is that lowly frame of mind,
To which thy gracious will
The blessed promise once assign'd,
Thy power would yet fulfil :

That all is possible to him.

Who full belief can own;

Whose eye, through faith, no longer dim,
Is fix'd on Thee alone.

ONE THING WANTING.

"Then Jesus beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest,"-Mark, x. 21.

THERE yet are many such
Who keep in good degree the moral law;
Whose hearts have felt the touch

Of love divine which unto Christ would draw.

On whom a gracious Lord

Hath look'd with love which should their souls

enthral ;

To whom he would accord

The power to follow Him, forsaking all.

But, when the terms they hear, They turn reluctant, sorrowful, away; Something is still too dear,

For them such hard conditions to obey.

No common impulse mov'd
A proselyte so ardent, blameless, true;
Jesus beheld, and lov'd!

Yet the inquirer mournfully withdrew.

Withdrew, no more, perchance,

To hear those winning accents; or to see
That eye's persuasive glance,
Whose language said, " Leave all, and follow me!"

Oh, ye, who, like this youth,
In spirit have with the Redeemer met,
Believe the voice of Truth,

Pleading in love, "One thing is lacking yet."

I

Forfeit not heavenly bliss,
Whate'er of earthly good your own ye call;
But know, that, lacking this,

Death will o'ertake you destitute of all!

PROMPT FORGIVENESS ENJOINED.

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any."— Mark, xi. 25.

WAIT not until prayer be ended,
To forgive thy direst foe;
With thy prayer be pardon blended,
If forgiveness thou wouldst know:
From this precept shouldst thou start,
Thine is not a praying heart.

Praying hearts can never cherish
Thoughts of bitterness, or strife;
In their presence soon must perish
Prayer's true element, and life:
If from faith thy prayer up-springs,
Love must lend it heaven-ward wings.

Shouldst thou, then, in thy devotion, Feel against thy brother aught, Instantly, with deep emotion,

Check each unforgiving thought; While thy heart resentment bears, God will never hear thy prayers.

Neither think thou of delaying; Hatred on delay can live ;— Even while thou standest praying, Freely, heartily forgive;

Or, whate'er thy sins may be, Hope not God will pardon thee..

Should thy resolution falter,

Hatred has thy heart defil'd;

Leave thy gift before the altar,
First to man be reconcil'd,—
Then, forgiveness having shown,
Pray, that it may be thine own.

WATCHFULNESS IMPERATIVE ON ALL.

"And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch."- Mark, xiii. 37.

ART thou a sinner, from the sleep
Which ends in death awaking?
Be rous'd this holy watch to keep,
Through grace thy sins forsaking.

Have growing light and added power
Been unto thee extended?

Forsake not thou thy fortress-tower,
Nor deem the watch suspended.

Only while vigilance is thine,

Canst thou expect the blessing Their Lord and Master will assign To pilgrims onward pressing.

Art thou a saint, by grace redeem'd,
Through Christ's atoning merit?
Be not the watch-word disesteem'd,
If life thou would'st inherit.