Though even near His hallow'd ark
The lamp of God seem'd growing dark,
Though there no open vision told
The glories of the days of old.

Yet still His word was precious! still
There were who sought to know his will,
Who look'd unto that ark, though dim,
With hopes and prayers that turn'd to Him.

Those hopes and prayers an answer found
When night seem'd gathering darkly round;
Though he, the guardian of the shrine,
At first knew not the voice divine.

Nor is His church now left by Him,
Though many an Eli's eyes wax dim;
Nor is the Christian's hopeless night,
Though God, awhile, may veil his light.

If precious to His church his word,
Its voice by them shall yet be heard ;
Christian, if veil'd that light from thee,
Hidden, but hoped for, may it be.

OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN SACRIFICE.

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."-1 Samuel, xv. 22.

THINK not, Christian! thou canst choose

How obedience should be shown,

God will evermore refuse

Offering which is not his own.

What can sacrifice of thine,

Offer'd in thy strength and will, Gain thee at that inner shrine, Where He seeks obedience still?

Hope not what thy choice inspires
Shall divine acceptance win,
But what God himself requires,
And makes manifest within.

There his Spirit gives the law
Graven on tables of the heart;

This to trace with holy awe

Is true wisdom's better part.

There his gospel would reveal
Hope which Christ alone can give;
There before his footstool kneel,

Hear, obey, and thou shalt live.

THE HARP OF DAVID.

"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."-1 Samuel, xvi. 23.

Oh! for the harp that David swept,
At whose divine entrancing sound
The evil spirit distance kept,

While holier visions hover'd round:
Oh! for such harp in these our days,
To speak a God's, a Saviour's praise.

Then e'en on earth might song outpour
That sweet, that full, triumphant strain
Whose grateful notes should heaven-ward soar,
And there a gracious audience gain;
While here below its hallow'd power

Should aid devotion's happiest hour.

Christian, wouldst thou such harp possess,
May grace anoint thine eye to see,
And on thy mind this truth impress—
The heart that instrument may be:
For never harp or lyre reveal'd
Such music as the heart can yield.

Not in its unregenerate state,

Canst thou expect those strains to hear; By sin unstrung, its accents grate

In discord on a heaven-touch'd ear; Renew'd by grace, and tuned by love, Its harmony ascends above.

Oh then with melody it seems

To vibrate from each trembling string; Each kindling thought and feeling teems With songs as sweet as seraphs sing;

And music art could never frame

Is breath'd to its REDEEMER'S NAME.

D

THE PHILISTINE CHAMPION.

"And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span."-1 Samuel, xvii. 4.

THOUGH he of Gath no more

The living God defy, Champions like him of yore Satan can now supply.

The champions he can call,

Though hid from mortal sight,

Are deadlier in their thrall
Than that fierce giant's might.

They rise not in the field

Of war, with warlike mien; But in the heart conceal'd

They fight for him unseen.

Lust, with its wanton eye,
False shame, and servile fear,

nair, whose icy sigh

ld freeze contrition's tear :