I dwelt on all the treasures I must leave,
On languages unstudied, books unread,
Countries unvisited, arts unattain❜d,
Problems unsolved, and sciences ungain'd.
But God has touch'd my heart with holier feelings:
Knowledge! I love thee with a chasten'd love,
And hold the proudest wealth of thy revealings
Poor to that sacred wisdom from above,
Which tells the humbled sinner how to win
Peace, pardon, and redemption for his sin.
Nor need we tow'ring intellect to learn
The lessons taught in revelation's page:
The simple peasant can those truths discern
As clearly as the poet or the sage;
God to no letter'd band confines his call-
His mercy and his grace extend to all.
And when Death comes upon his awful mission,
We need not fear such knowledge to forego;
Since we shall reap in heaven the full fruition
Of all our humbly cherish'd hopes below,-
Faith on the "things unseen reposes here,
And greets their glories in a happier sphere.
Knowledge! at length I view thee as thou art
Religion's handmaid; I can still allow
Thy power to charm and dazzle; but my heart
Rests firmly on the Rock of Ages now;
Nor pants proud'scientific lore to scan,
Content to know that Jesus died for man.
O GOD! we come before Thee
Oppress'd with doubts and fears;
We cease not to adore Thee,
With many sighs and tears:
But Thou canst comfort send us-
Oh, bid our fears depart!
And joy, if thou befriend us,
Shall reign in every heart.
The gold of earthly treasure
We count it all às dross-
The sum of earthly pleasure
As vanity and loss:
On Thee, O God! depending,
We seek a nobler prize,
A bright and never-ending
Reward beyond the skies.
To Thy own holy mountain
Oh, let us then press on!
And drink we at the fountain
Of life in Thy dear Son.
Oh, may we all things selling,
Obtain one pearl above,
And reach that happy dwelling
Of everlasting love!
THE DIFFUSION OF THE GOSPEL.
THOU whose almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight;
Hear us, we humbly pray,
And where the gospel-day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
"Let there be light!"
Thou who didst come to bring
On thy redeeming wing
Healing and sight;
Health to the sick in mind,
Light to the inly blind,
Oh, now to all mankind
"Let there be light!"
Spirit of truth and love,
Life-giving holy Dove,
Speed forth thy flight;
Move on the waters' face,
Bearing the lamp of grace,
And in earth's darkest place,
"Let there be light!"
Blessed and glorious Three,
Glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, love, might!
Boundless as ocean's tide,
Rolling in fullest pride,
Through the earth, far and wide, "Let there be light!"
EDINBURGH BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES..
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