FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. St. Matt. vi. 28. SWEET nurslings of the vernal skies, Bath'd in soft airs, and fed with dew, To fill the heart's fond view? In childhood's sports, companions gay, Memorials prompt and true. 1 Relics ye are of Eden's bowers, Fall'n all beside the world of life, How is it stain'd with fear and strife! But cheerful and unchang'd the while The stars of Heaven, a course are taught Too high above our human thought ; The lies Ye may be found if ye are sought, Ye dwell beside our paths and homes, The birds of air before us fleet, They cannot brook our shame to meet— And come again to-morrow. Ye fearless in your nests abide Nor may we scorn, too proudly wise, Your silent lessons, undescried For ye could draw th' admiring gaze Your order wild, your fragrant maze, Ye felt your Maker's smile that hour, Ye felt it all renew'd. What care ye now, if winter's storm Alas! of thousand bosoms kind, That daily court you and caress, How few the happy secret find Of your calm loveliness! "Live for to-day ! to-morrow's light SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 1 desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians iii. 13. WISH not, dear friends, my pain away- Nor from His lov'd correction start. The dearest offering He can crave The only Son of His dear love? But we, like vex'd unquiet sprights, Nor sweetly take a sinner's doom. In Life's long sickness evermore Our thoughts are tossing to and fro : We change our posture o'er and o'er, But cannot rest, nor cheat our woe. Were it not better to lie still, Let Him strike home and bless the rod, Never so safe as when our will Yields undiscern'd by all but God? Thy precious things, whate'er they be That haunt and vex thee, heart and brain, Look to the Cross, and thou shalt see How thou may'st turn them all to gain. Lovest thou praise? the Cross is shame : We of that altar would partake, But cannot quit the cost-no throne Is ours, to leave for Thy dear sake We cannot do as Thou hast done. |