The strings from out the bosom's harp, For "pleasant words as honey-comb And kindly thoughts from gentle lips If buds the gay and wise may spurn, As flow'rs that scent the mourner's path 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 hidden violet's quiet hue, The harebell's drooping head; For what, oh! what's the laurel-wreath, The gay, fair wreath of world's cold praise Will wither in life's gloom; But buds, bedew'd with mem'ry's love, And sweeter, dearer far to me, To live in hearts like thine, Be two sweet, simple, speaking flow'rs 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 with'ring leaf, a blooming flow'r- 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 darken'd shade, a sunlit gleam, More swift than weaver's shuttle fleet, Yea, faster than the post we meet— Ere yet "the silver cord be loosed," "Lord! give us grace Thy Life to choose, 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: When the Patriarch believ'd. There doth dwell the Triune God"Come, and we will do thee good." Weary Pilgrim, join our band: Weary Pilgrim, join our band: Weary Pilgrim, join our band, 66 Come, and we will do thee good." Pilgrim, pilgrim, join our band, 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, |