3 He leads; Himself, the way
His faithful flock should take;
They who His voice obey,

His love will ne'er forsake;
For He has pledged His holy name,
He who for ever is the same.

4 Let me but feel Him near,
Death's gloomy pass in view,
I'll walk without a fear

The shadowy valley through;
With rod and staff my Shepherd's care
Will guard my steps, and guide me there.

5 Still is my table spread;
My foes stand silent by;
I feed on living bread;

My cruse is never dry;
And surely love and mercy will
Attend me on my journey still.

6 Still hope and grateful praise

Shall form my constant song;
Shall cheer my gloomiest days,
And tune my dying tongue;
Until my ransomed soul shall rise
To praise Him better in the skies.

Conder.

ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF A BELOVED FRIEND.

I

A

YEAR in heaven-one perfect year,
Unsullied by a single tear,

Unmarred by pain, undimmed by fear,
A year in heaven!

Oh! blest are they, supremely blest,
To whom this everlasting rest
Within the gates, on Jesus' breast,
Is early given.

2 Thrice happy ye, who called away,
Have one year less on earth to stay,
Have one year less to trace the way
Which all must tread;

Who from the trance of death awaking,
This clod of dying life forsaking,

Your seats with that bright band are taking,
Whom we call dead!

3 The dead! how little do we know,
Or rather should we call them so,
Who linger in this world below,
And daily die.

Immortal ye, death's fatal quiver
May make our trembling spirits shiver,
It cannot overpass that river
Which flows on high.

4 On Jordan's bank with you we stood,
We watched the swelling of the flood,
But soon ye found the "bottom good,"
The footing true.

The veil was drawn, but o'er our night
Streamed one bright ray of heavenly light,
With solemn joy we hailed the sight,
And breathed Adieu !

5 Long as our life on earth shall last,
That bright remembrance of the past
Shall still its radiance o'er us cast,
An earnest given,

That we, companions in the race,
Shall spend with them, through boundless

grace,
A year unlimited in space,
A year in heaven!

ON THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

I HE Spirit breathes upon the word,
And brings the truth to sight;

Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.

2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.

3 The hand that gave thee still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
They rise, but never set.

4 Let everlasting thanks be thine
For such a bright display,
As makes a world of darkness shine,
With beams of heavenly day.

5 My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of Him I love,

Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

Cowper.

"THE LITTLE WHILE."

I H, for the peace that floweth as a river,

smile! Oh, for the faith to grasp heaven's bright "for

ever,"

Amid the shadows of earth's "little while!"

2 "A little while," for patient vigil-keeping,

To face the stern, to wrestle with the strong; "A little while," to sow the seed with weeping, Then bind the sheaves, and sing the harvest song. 3 "A little while,” to wear the robe of sadness,

To toil, with weary step, through miry ways; Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness, And clasp the girdle round the robe of praise ! 4 "A little while," mid shadow and illusion,

To strive, by faith, love's mysteries to spell ; Then read each dark enigma's bright solution, Whilst meekly owning "He doth all things well!" 5 "A little while," the earthen pitcher taking

To wayside brooks, from far-off fountains fed, Where the cool lip, its thirst for ever slaking, May taste the fulness of the fountain head! 6 "A little while," to keep the oil from failing,

"A little while,” faith's flickering lamp to trim ; And then, the Bridegroom's coming footsteps hailing,

To haste to meet Him with the bridal hymn ! 7 And He, who is Himself the Gift and Giver, The future glory, and the present smile, With the bright promise of the glad "for ever," Will light the shadows of the "little while." Jane Crewdsor

"AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THe sevenTH SEAL THERE WAS SILENCE IN HEAVEN, ABOUT THE SPACE OF HALF-AN-HOUR."— REV. VIII. 1.

I

ILENCE in Heaven! where angel throngs
Their Alleluias raise;

And ransom'd saints in grateful songs,
Pour forth their joy and praise.

2 Silence, where stars, as on they roll'd,
Made song their glad employ,
And sons of God, in days of old,
Were wont to shout for joy.

3 Silence in Heaven! where harp and voice, In anthems of applause,

Might everlastingly rejoice,

Ånd need no silent pause.

4 Yet even there a pause was known!
When utterance seemed to fail;
And silence with its breathless tone,
Took up the wondrous tale.

5 May not the fact a lesson teach
To us on earth below?

That more than music, song or speech,
Silence His praise may show !

6 Oh! if thou thus hast learnt His will,
May'st thou its blessings share e;
And find in silent worship still,
Thanksgiving, praise and prayer!

B. Barton.