ALL SAINTS' DAY. Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelations vii. 3. WHY blow'st thou not, thou wintry wind, Now every leaf is brown and sere, And idly droops, to thee resign'd, The fading chaplet of the year? Yet wears the pure aerial sky How quiet shows the woodland scene! Like weary men when age is won, Sure if our eyes were purg'd to trace God's unseen armies hovering round, We should behold by angels' grace The four strong winds of Heaven fast bound, Their downward sweep a moment staid On ocean cove and forest glade, Till the last flower of autumn shed Her funeral odours on her dying bed. So in thine awful armoury, Lord, Till willing hearts wear quite away The Cross by angel hands impress'd, The seal of glory won and pledge of promis'd rest. Little they dream, those haughty souls Together link'd by Heaven's decree ;- So Famine waits, and War with greedy eyes, Till some repenting heart be ready for the skies. Think ye the spires that glow so bright No-where th' upholding grace is won, We dare not ask, nor Heaven would tell, But sure from many a hidden dell, From many a rural nook unthought of there, Rises for that proud world the saints' prevailing prayer. On champions blest, in Jesus' name, Short be your strife, your triumph full, Gather'd long since at Jesus' feet, No world of passions to destroy, Your prayers and struggles o'er, your task all praise and joy. HOLY COMMUNION. O GOD of Mercy, God of Might, For now Thy people are allow'd Fresh from th' atoning sacrifice O agony of wavering thought When sinners first so near are brought! "It is my Maker-dare I stay? Thus while the storm is high within My mother Church? and hear thee tell His only Son for her would give ". And doubt we yet? thou call'st again; A lower still, a sweeter strain; A yoice from Mercy's inmost shrine, Whispering it says to each apart, The precious words are all our own. h" God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." See the Sentences in the Communion Service, after the Confession. i Come unto me, all ye that travail, and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. |