Explain'd, illustrated, and search'd so well The tender theme, on which they chose to dwell, Cowper. I knew a boy, whose infant feet had trod Upon the blossoms of some seven springs, And when the eighth came round, and called him out 1 Accoutumer (Fr.), to accustom. "Mother! I'm dying now There is deep suffocation in my breast, As if some heavy hand my bosom prest; "I feel the cold sweat stand: My lips grow dry and tremulous, and my breath "Here-lay it on my wrist, And place the other thus, beneath my head, "Never beside your knee Shall I kneel down again at night to pray, "Oh, at the time of prayer, When you look round and see a vacant seat, "Father! I'm going home! To the good home you speak of, that blest land "I must be happy then, From pain and death you say I shall be free- "Brother!-the little spot I used to call my garden, where long hours "Plant there some box or pine- 1"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." - Rev. xxi. 23. 2 "And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain." Rev. xxi. 4. "Sister! my young rose tree That all the spring has been my pleasant care, "And when its roses bloom, I shall be gone away-my short life done! You sang last night-I'm weary and must sleep! Morning spread over earth her rosy wings- For thou wast born of woman 2, thou didst come, "When Stephen had said this he fell asleep."- Acts, vii. 60. "Those who sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.". 1 Thes. iv. 14. "And many bodies of the saints which slept arose." - Matt. xxvii. 52. 2" When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made Not in thy dread omnipotent array; And not by thunders strew'd Was thy tempestuous road; Nor indignation burnt before thee on thy way. In the rude manger laid to rest The heavens were not commanded to prepare Nor stoop'd their lamps th' enthroned fires on high; Came wandering from afar, Gliding uncheck'd and calm along the liquid sky; As at a kingly throne, To lay their gold and odours sweet? The earth and ocean were not hush'd to hear And seraph's burning lyres Pour'd through host of heaven the charmed clouds One angel troop the strain began3, By simple shepherds heard alone, That soft hosanna's tone. And when thou didst depart, no car of flame, With all thine own outbursting from their tombs ; of a woman, made under the law.". Gal. iv. 4. "And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was."- Matt. ii. 9. 2.66 They presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Matt. ii. 11. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."Luke, ii. 13, 14. For thou didst bear away from earth The dying felon by thy side, to be Nor o'er thy cross did clouds of vengeance break; The world in darkness lay3, Then bask'd in bright repose beneath the cloudless sun: Ere yet the white-robed Angel shone 4 And when thou didst arise, thou didst not stand Thy mother's coming feet, 5 And bear the words of peace unto the faithful few ; to in'-ter-val, time between inter, events or acts -Š vailum. and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow." Matt. xxviii. 2, 3. 5" And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, Peace be unto you." - Luke, xxiv. 36.; see also Mark, xvi. 14.; John, xx. 19-24. 6"While they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.". Acts, i. 9. |