Though all around Mount Sinai bow'd,
And own'd thy presence glorious,
While scorn at Calvary was proud,
And cruelty victorious.

Yet far beyond that earlier scene
Of thunder, smoke, and light,ning,
The Saviour's countenance serene,
With love and mercy bright'ning.

And though sublime that trumpet's peal,

What bosom would not rather

The import of those accents feel

Which said, "FORGIVE THEM--FATHER!"

THE ALTAR'S SIMPLICITY.

"And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it; thou hast polluted it."-- Exodus, xx. 25.

LORD! may the precept still impart
Its import to the Christian's heart,
And teach us, as we look to Thee,
Thy worship's true simplicity.

Such when the cloud has veil'd from sight

Their ark within, awhile must rest, And wait the dawning of that Light Whose guidance heretofore has blest.

But when the fire with brightness burns,
And when the shadowy cloud is gone,
These, as the light of grace returns,
In hope and gladness journey on.

THE BRAZEN SERPENT.

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live."-Numbers, xxi. 8.

TYPE of that holier tree,
Whereon the Son of God for sinners died,
The wounded gaz'd on thee,
With fearful hope thy brazen serpent eyed.

Hadst thou such healing power

On those who look'd to thee for aid divine,
Unless, in that dread hour,

Their inward faith confirm'd thy outward sign?

Or will His death suffice,

Who died upon the cross that we might live,
If faith, the pearl of price,

His

grace vouchsafe not unto us to give.

But with that peerless boon

The cross of Christ as far exceeds thy power,
As does the blaze of noon

The shadowy splendours of the twilight hour.

For thine could do no more
Than make the impotent in body whole;
But His can yet restore
Light, life, and joy to the immortal soul.

TURNING IN TRIBULATION.

"When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shall be obedient unto his voice; he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee."-Deuteronomy, iv. 30, 31.

WAKEN'D sinner, whelm'd in grief,

Seeking, praying for relief,

Hear the promise of thy God,

Bow beneath his chast'ning rod.

Have his judgments fallen on thee? Thou may'st yet his mercy see :~ Hast thou fallen on "latter days?" In them thou may'st sing his praise.

Only turn thee to the Lord,
Every former sin abhorr'd,
Be obedient to his voice,
Then in him thou shalt rejoice.

Not by sorrow of thine own
Canst thou for the past atone;
Nor by strength of human will
Canst thou God's commands fulfil.

By his "WELL-BELOVED SON" That atonement hath been won, And through faith in him, alone, Can that power by thee be known.

Be this living faith thy prayer, Then may'st thou his Spirit share, Know thy sins within thee slain, And in Him be born again.

THE CURSE OF DISOBEDIENCE.

"And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."- Deuteronomy, xxviii. 23.

APPALLING doom! yet hearts there are
Its fearful truth have found,

Have known a heaven where sun nor star
Its radiance sheds around.

A heaven of brass, from whose stern cope
No living waters well❜d,

Whereon the rainbow, arch of hope,
The eye hath ne'er beheld.

An earth of iron, whose barren breast
Seem'd icy cold and dead,
Where sterile paths, by joy unblest
In endless maze were spread.

Oh! such a heaven, and such an earth,
Are no delusive dream,

To which wild phantasy gives birth,

Howe'er the worldling deem.