So too may soothing Hope thy leave enjoy We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro, O bliss of child-like innocence, and love prayer. Tried to old age! creative power to win, Bright are their dreams, because their thoughts are clear, Their memory cheering: but th' earth-stained spright, Whose wakeful musings are of guilt and fear, Must hover nearer earth, and less in light. Farewell, for her, th' ideal scenes so fair Yet not farewell her hope, since Thou hast deign'd, Creator of all hearts! to own and share The woe of what Thou mad'st, and we have stain'd. Thou know'st our bitterness-our joys are thine b Stands in full sunshine of thy piercing eye, b Psalm xxxi. 8. Thou hast known my soul in adversities. TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousProverbs xvi. 31. ness. THE bright hair'd morn is glowing O'er emerald meadows gay, The early shepherd's way. To slumber in your leafy screen, And see what joyous greeting The sun through heaven has shed, For lo! above the western haze Pride of the dewy morning! For well he knows, such dawnings gay Even so, in hope and trembling His little lambs assembling, With glance both kind and true; 'Tis not the eye of keenest blaze, Nor the quick-swelling breast, That soonest thrills at touch of praiseThese do not please him best. But voices low and gentle, And timid glances shy, That seem for aid parental Still pressing, longing to be right, In these the Pastor dares delight, These in Life's distant even As in th' autumnal heaven Mild rainbow tints at night, When the last shower is stealing down, And ere they sink to rest, The sun-beams weave a parting crown For some sweet woodland nest. The promise of the morrow Is glorious on that eve, Dear as the holy sorrow When good men cease to live. When brightening ere it die away Mounts up their altar flame, Still tending with intenser ray To Heaven whence first it came. |