He doubts nor fears it will mislead, Throughout the world's wild thorny maze, To guide him in life's narrow ways, THE BEREAVED, Visiting a Country Church-yard on a January Eve. "He went" to the grave "and wept, and as he went thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, oh, Absalom, my son, my son !"-SAM. xviii. 33. THE night was dismal, dark, and drear, The owl within its ivy crept And wonted screech forsook : The cottager long since had slept: One step alone the silence broke- Then o'er the tomb a father bow'd, 66 My son, my son !" he mourn'd aloud, "Would God I'd died for thee, my son, A wat'ry grave that lov'd one met :* "He sinks! he sinks!" the fisher cries, Too late, too late! no more he 'll rise- * Drowned while crossing a Ford on horseback. The plunge and call for help were heard, not only by his companion to whom he had just given the signal to follow, but by the fishermen, who, having been recently much plundered of their oars, had secured them for the night. As yields the tree to tempest's blast, Life's hope was reft, and o'er him cast A breaking heart grief's vigil kept- Beneath that tomb in silence slept Jan, 183-. With daily proof they 're "nothing worth," And life a fleeting show, A few short months have pass'd away, Arouse us, Lord, and by thy pow'r Fix Thou our hopes on Thee The mourner's strong hold and his tow'r, The Christian's trust and plea. Sept. A PLACE I ASK. "I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than, to dwell in the tents of wickedness."-Ps. lxxxiv. 10. THAN dwell in tents of wickedness, For what the joys of earth to me, Oh! grant me with Thy people here A place too, Lord, a place I ask Unworthy as I feel to be Of Thy redeeming love. The humblest, lowest place, oh Lord! Were high and lofty-undeserv'd Where saints and martyrs shine. One smile of Thine, one gladd'ning look Of sweet, approving love, Can make my heart the home of bliss Tho' lowly then the portion be, ON FIRST HEARING THE REV. T. P.....N, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."-ROM. x. 15. "I will give you pastors, saith the Lord, according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”—JER. iii. 15. A VOICE I heard sound, and so sweetly tell That I said, "If truth in man's heart doth dwell, It told in sweet strains of a Saviour dead, It said too, alone through Jesus our head G |