to the aid of our fellow men, who are "sitting in the region and shadow of death." What zeal will be too ardent; what labor tōo persevering'; what sacrifice too costly', if by any means we may tell them of Jesus' and the resurrection, and the life eternal'! Who shall be daunted by difficulties', or deterred by discouragement'? If but onè Pagan should be brought', savingly, by your instrumentality to the knowledge of God', and the kingdom of heaven', will you not, my brethren', have an ample recompensé? Is there here a man who would give up all for lost because some favorite hope has been disappointed'? or who regrets the worldly substancè which he has expended on so divine an enterprisé? Shame on thy coward spirit' and thine avaricious heart'! Do the Holy Scriptures', does the experience of ages', does the nature of things justify the expectation', that we shall carry war into the central regions of delusion and crimé, without opposition', without triál? Show me a plan' which encounters not fierce resistance from the Prince of Darkness and his allies in the human heart', and I will show you a plan which never came from the inspiration of God`. If missionary efforts suffer occasional embarrassments'; if impressions on the heathen be less speedy', and powerful', and extensivé, than fond wishes have anticipated'; if particular parts of the great system of operation bé, at times, disconcerted'; if any of the "ministers of grace" fall a sacrifice to the violence of those whom they go to bless " in the name of the Lord'," these are events which ought to exercise our faith and patiencè; to wean us from self-sufficiency'; to teach us where our strength lies, and where our dependence must be fixed'; but not to enfeeble hope, nor relax diligence. Let us not "despise the day of small things.' Let us not overlook, as an unimportant matter, the very existence of that missionary spirit which has already awakened Christians in different countries from their long and dishonorable slumbers', and bids fair to produce, in due season, "a general movement of the church upon earth." Let us not for one instant harbor the ungracious thought, that the prayers, and tears, and wrestlings of those who "make mention of the Lord," form no link in that vast chain of events by which he will establish', and "will make Jerusalem a praisé, in the earth." That dispensation which of all others is most repulsive to flesh and blood', the violent death of faithful missionaries', should animate Christians with new resolution. “Precious in the sight of the Lord', is the death of his saints." The cry of martyred blood ascends to the heavens^; it enters into "the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth." It will give him nō rēst till he "rain down righteousness'" upon the land where it has been shed', and for Him whó in his which it has sealed as a future conquest "majesty rides prosperously because of truth', and meekness, and righteousness." For the world, indeed', and also for the church', many calamities and trials are in storé, before the glory of the Lord shall be so revealed', that "all flesh shall see it together." "I will shake all nations', and the desire of all nations shall come." The vials of wrath which are now running', and others which remain to be poured out', must be exhausted. The "supper of the great God" must be prepared', and his "strange work have its course. Yet the missionary cause must ultimately succeed. It is the cause of God', and shall prevail. The days, O brethren', roll rapidly on', when the shout of the isles shall swell the thunder of the continent`, when the Thames' and the Danube, when the Tiber' and the Rhinè, shall call upon the Euphrates', the Ganges', and the Nilè; and the loud concert shall be joined by the Hudson', the Mississippi', and the Amazon', singing with one heart and one voicé, Alleluia! Salvation! The Lord Gōd ōmnipōtēnt rēignēth! Iambic. LESSON CX. THE ROSE OF SHARON. Four and three feet, alternately. 1. THE rose that blooms in yonder valé But Sharon's rose is sweeter still', 2. This plant', derived from Paradisé, 3. Wet with those dews of love diviné, Warmed by the Sun of righteousness'- 4. Tend, then', this plant with pious carè, It is an emblem of the heart' LESSON CXI. LOVEST THOU ME?-John xxi. 17. Trochaic. Four feet, and three with an additional short syllable. 1. Love I thee^, thou blest Redeemer'? 2. Well I know my heart is ficklè; 3. Still, the question gives me anguish', Dost thou, Lord', indeed suspect mé? 4. By thy Spirit's power to quicken', LESSON CXII. PILGRIM'S SONG. Trochaic and iambic, alternately. Three trochaic feet with a long syllable added; three iambic. 1. RISE, my soul', and stretch thy wings`, Risè from transitory things', Towards heaven', thy native place. Risè, my soul', and haste away' To seats prepared above. 2. Rivers to the ocean run', To rest in his embrace. 3. Fly me riches', fly me cares', Pilgrims fix not here their homé, 4. Cease', ye pilgrims', cease to mourn, Soon the Savior will return', LESSON CXIII. SAFETY IN GOD. Iambic. Four feet. Called long meter 1. GOD is the refuge of his saints', 2. Let mountains from their seats be hurled' 3. Loud may the troubled ocean roar'; 4. There is a stream whose gentle flow' Life, love, and joy' still gliding through', 5. That sacred stream-thy holy word', LESSON CXIV. THE LAST JUDGMENT. Iambic. Epic measure, sometimes styled long proper meter. 1. THE Lord', the sovereign', sends his summons forth', Heaven', earth', and hell', draw near; let all things comè, Bring them, ye angels', from their distant lands. 3. Behold, my covenant stands forever good', Sealed by th' eternal sacrifice in blood', And signed with all their names'; the Greek', the Jew', That paid the ancient' worship', or the new'. There's no distinction here; comè, spread their thrones', And near me seat my favōrītes and mỹ sōns. 4. I, their almighty Savior' and their God', I am their Judge: ye heavens', proclaim abroad My jūst ēternāl sentence, and déclarē |