The strings from out the bosom's harp,
And fix'd the "grieving thorn."

For "pleasant words as honey-comb
Are sweet unto my soul,"

And kindly thoughts from gentle lips
In liquid music roll.

If buds the gay and wise may spurn,
The kind one will revere,

As flow'rs that scent the mourner's path
And dry the mourner's tear;

Then care I not I cannot cull

From rich and gay parterre, To mingle with my way-side weeds Its beauty or its glare.

More seemly and more fit for me
The lowly lily's bed,

The hidden violet's quiet hue,

The harebell's drooping head;

For what, oh! what's the laurel-wreath,
The palm-branch, or the bay,
Compar'd with love of gentle hearts,
To cheer life's weary way.

The gay, fair wreath of world's cold praise Will wither in life's gloom;

But buds, bedew'd with mem'ry's love,
Shall bloom around the tomb.

And sweeter, dearer far to me,

To live in hearts like thine,
Than dazzle with the brightest gems,
And choicest garlands twine.

Be two sweet, simple, speaking flow'rs
E'er wreath'd around thy grot—
The "Heart's-ease" with its peaceful train,
And fond "FORGET ME NOT."

LIFE.

"What is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."-JAMES iv. 14.

"Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.Ps. cxliv. 4.

A cheering ray, a passing show'r,
A sun-beam, and a tear-

A with'ring leaf, a blooming flow'r-
Alternate hope and fear:

A transient joy, a lengthen'd sorrow,

Wintry storms, and summer sky— A bright to-day, o'ercast to-morrowThorns and roses flitting by :

A gentle gliding o'er the stream,
A tossing on the wave,

A darken'd shade, a sunlit gleam,
From cradle to the grave.

More swift than weaver's shuttle fleet,
E'en shorter than a span,

Yea, faster than the post we meet—
Such is the life of man.

Ere yet "the silver cord be loosed,"
Or "broke the golden bowl,"

"Lord! give us grace Thy Life to choose,
Life for the sin-sick soul."

JOIN OUR BAND.

"We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you come thou with us, and we will do thee good."-NUMB. X. 29.

WEARY Pilgrim, join our band:
We are trav'lling to a land
Promis'd to the faithful seed,

When the Patriarch believ'd.

There doth dwell the Triune God"Come, and we will do thee good."

Weary Pilgrim, join our band:
We are trav'lling to a land,
Where the milk and honey flow,
Where the corn and olives grow,
Where no sin and sorrow brood-
"Come, and we will do thee good."

Weary Pilgrim, join our band:
Search the path to that bright land.
"Tis the Bible points the way-
Heav'nly chart to heav'nly day:
By 't the blest have trod the road—
"Come, and we will do thee good."

Weary Pilgrim, join our band,
Come and seek that happy land!
Trust not in this world of care,
Take the armour that we bear,
Light the cross when gospel-shod-

66

Come, and we will do thee good."

Pilgrim, pilgrim, join our band,
Set thy face to Zion's land:

There the weary are at rest,

Crown'd and robed in spotless vest : Safe they pass'd through Jordan's flood"Come, and we will do thee good."

FIVE VITALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. "Prepare to meet thy God."-AMOS iv. 12.

THE above text can scarcely be read or heard, without suggesting the searching inquiry, "Am I prepared to meet my God and Judge ?" To ascertain which, it is necessary to ask ourselves four other questions-Do I repent? for, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Do I believe? for “he that believeth not shall be damned." Am I regenerate? for "6 except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Am I holy? for "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Such are the declarations of God; and "He is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent." Seek Him then "while He may be found." "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." "Prepare to meet thy God."

"HE MAKETH IT NOT TO GROW."

2 SAM. xxiii. 5.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord that I might visit the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple."-Ps. xxvii. 4.

And hast thou, Lord, denied the boon

I oft have ask'd of Thee,