But only Luke is with him now :-
Alas! that even the martyr's cell,
Heaven's very gate, should scope allow
For the false world's seducing spell.

"Tis sad-but yet 'tis well, be sure,
We on the sight should muse awhile,

Nor deem our shelter all secure

Even in the Church's holiest aisle.

Vainly before the shrine he bends,

Who knows not the true pilgrim's part: The martyr's cell no safety lends

To him, who wants the martyr's heart.

But if there be, who follows Paul

As Paul his Lord, in life and death, Where'er an aching heart may call,

Ready to speed and take no breath;

Whose joy is, to the wandering sheep

To tell of the great Shepherd's loved;

d The Gospel of St. Luke abounds most in such passages as the parable

of the lost sheep; such as display God's mercy to penitent sinners.

To learn of mourners while they weep
The music that makes mirth above;

Who makes the Saviour all his theme,

The Gospel all his pride and praise— Approach for thou canst feel the gleam That round the martyr's death-bed plays:

Thou hast an ear for angels' songs,
A breath the Gospel trump to fill,
And taught by thee the Church prolongs
Her hymns of high thanksgiving stille.

Ah! dearest mother, since too oft

The world yet wins some Demas frail Even from thine arms, so kind and soft, May thy tried comforts never fail!

When faithless ones forsake thy wing,
Be it vouchsaf'd thee still to see
Thy true, fond nurslings closer cling,
Cling closer to their Lord and thee.

The Christian hymns are all in St. Luke: the Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc Dimittis.

ST. SIMON AND ST. JUDE.

That ye should earnestly contend for f the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. St. Jude 3.

SEEST thou, how tearful and alone,
And drooping like a wounded dove,
The Cross in sight, but Jesus gone,

The widow'd Church is fain to rove?

Who is at hand that loves the Lords?

Make haste, and take her home, and bring

Thine household choir, in true accord

Their soothing hymns for her to sing.

Soft on her fluttering heart shall breathe
The fragrance of that genial isle,
There she may weave her funeral wreath,
And to her own sad music smile.

† ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι: be very anxious for it:""feel for it as for a friend

in jeopardy."

St. John xix. 27. Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother: and from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

The Spirit of the dying Son

Is there, and fills the holy place With records sweet of duties done,

Of pardon'd foes, and cherish'd grace.

His herald saints the Saviour sent

To soften hearts like morning dew, Where He to shine in mercy meant ;

So evermore He deems his name

Best honour'd and His way prepar'd, When watching by his altar-flame He sees his servants duly pair'd.

He loves when age and youth are met, Fervent old age and youth serene,

Their high and low in concord set

For sacred song, Joy's golden mean.

He loves when some clear soaring mind Is drawn by mutual piety

To simple souls and unrefin'd,

Who in life's shadiest covert lie.

h St. Mark vi. 7. St. Luke x. 1.

Or if perchance a sadden'd heart

That once was gay and felt the spring Cons slowly o'er its alter'd part,

In sorrow and remorse to sing,

Thy gracious care will send that way
Some spirit full of glee, yet taught
To bear the sight of dull decay,

And nurse it with all pitying thought;

Cheerful as soaring lark, and mild
As evening blackbird's full-ton'd lay,
When the relenting sun has smil'd
Bright through a whole December day.

These are the tones to brace and cheer
The lonely watcher of the fold,

When nights are dark, and foemen near,
When visions fade and hearts grow cold.

How timely then a comrade's song

Comes floating on the mountain air, And bids thee yet be bold and strong— Fancy may die, but Faith is there.