Yet shall to him the still small voice,
That first into his bosom found
A way, and fix'd his wavering choice,
Nearest and dearest ever sound.

ST. MATTHEW.

And after these things, He went forth and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom, and He said unto him, Follow me: and he left all, rose up, and followed Him. St. Luke v. 27, 28.

YE hermits blest, ye holy maids,

The nearest heaven on earth,
Who talk with God in shadowy glades,
Free from rude care and mirth;
To whom some viewless teacher brings

The secret love of rural things,

The moral of each fleeting cloud and gale,

The whispers from above, that haunt the twilight vale:

Say, when in pity ye have gaz'd

On the wreath'd smoke afar,
That o'er some town, like mist uprais'd,
Hung hiding sun and star,

Then as ye turn'd your weary eye

To the green earth and open sky,

Were ye not fain to doubt how Faith could dwell Amid that dreary glare, in this world's citadel?

But Love's a flower that will not die

For lack of leafy screen,

And Christian Hope can cheer the eye
That ne'er saw vernal green;

Then be ye sure that Love can bless

Even in this crowded loneliness,

Where ever-moving myriads seem to say,

Go-thou art nought to us, nor we to thee-away!

There are in this loud stunning tide

Of human care and crime,

With whom the melodies abide

Of th' everlasting chime;

Who carry music in their heart

Through dusky lane and wrangling mart,

Plying their daily task with busier feet,

Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat.

How sweet to them, in such brief rest

As thronging cares afford,

In thought to wander, fancy-blest,
To where their gracious Lord,
In vain, to win proud Pharisees,
Spake, and was heard by fell disease—
But not in vain, beside yon breezy lake,
Bade the meek Publican his gainful seat forsake:

At once he rose, and left his gold;

His treasure and his heart
Transferr'd, where he shall safe behold

Earth and her idols part;

While he beside his endless store

Shall sit, and floods unceasing pour

Of Christ's true riches o'er all time and space, First angel of his Church, first steward of his Grace:

d It seems from St. Matthew ix. 8, 9, that the calling of Levi took place immediately after the healing of the paralytic in the presence of the Pharisees.

Nor can ye not delight to think

Where He vouchsaf'd to eat,

How the Most Holy did not shrink

From touch of sinner's meat;

What worldly hearts and hearts impure
Went with him through the rich man's door,

That we might learn of Him lost souls to love, And view his least and worst with hope to meet above.

These gracious lines shed Gospel light

On Mammon's gloomiest cells,

As on some city's cheerless night

The tide of sun-rise swells,

Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud
Are mantled with a golden cloud,

And to wise hearts this certain hope is given;

"No mist that man may raise, shall hide the

To look on clearer Heavens, and scan
The work of God untouch'd by man?
Shame on us, who about us Babel bear,
And live in Paradise, as if God was not there!

ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Heb. i. 14.

YE stars that round the Sun of righteousness
In glorious order roll,

With harps for ever strung, ready to bless
God for each rescued soul,

Ye eagle spirits, that build in light divine,
Oh think of us to-day,

Faint warblers of this earth, that would combine
Our trembling notes with your accepted lay.

Your amarant wreaths were earn'd; and homeward all, Flush'd with victorious might,