For what is service done By man, or trophy won By the frail son of man, when most victorious, Should deem the palm his own, Can even pride suggest, When man has done his best, That fear is folly?-'tis a thought of madness! The Christian can rejoice, Are there no humbling thoughts to chasten gladness? There is a fear-whose power, In dark temptation's hour, Makes him who feels it firmer than the Stoic; Which gives the feeble might, And renders the most humble-most heroic! SELF-COMMUNION. Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."Psalm, iv. 4. ERE thou giv'st thine eyes to sleep, Let thy thoughts their vigil keep, Commune with thy wakeful heart;— "Tis true wisdom's better part If, with memory's eye review'd, Turn to God with gratitude, If that retrospect but show Seek for strength, whence strength must flow, Wise are they who every night Unto such the Light will rise, Ó! how glorious is that ray Which no shades of night can dim; O! how soothing in its sway Silence which proceeds from Him.` APPROACHING THROUGH MERCY. "But as for me, I will come into thy house, in the multitude of thy mercy."- Psalm, v. 7. O LORD! I enter not thy courts Thy law has shaken all supports Save what thy mercy yet makes known. The past a dreary waste appears, No penitence, though deep, and sure, These have been trusted, and have fail'd! DIVINE CONDESCENSION. "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him?" --Psalm, viii. 3, 4. WHEN I view the vaulted sky, Rear'd by thee, by thee sustain❜d, Sun, and moon, and stars on high, . By thy fiat first ordain'd, Lord! what is man? my spirit well may say, That thou should'st thus be mindful of his way. What the son of man? that thou Thus should'st visit him in love? To his prayer in mercy bow. From thy glorious throne above ?— It is thy condescending grace, whose plan Yet thy holy word hath said, Thou wilt not for ever strive :- That we, in thy accepted day, and hour, THE BELIEVER'S REFuge. "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."—Psalm, ix. 9. How cheerless, Lord! would be the lot Of those whom man regardeth not, If, in affliction's darkest hour, Thy name were not their fortress-tower. |