That the soul that sins, nor repents, shall die,

But that Mercy and Peace are with Him; That He left His dwelling of bliss on high, Man to save from death and from sin.

Then with warm and earnest entreaty besought,
That no hearer would linger and die;
But hasten, as blind one of old, to be brought,
While "Jesus of Naz'reth passeth by."

Again-and it told of a refuge all sure,
In wisdom of God and His love;
Where people and nations inhabit secure,
Their hopes and their trust plac'd above.

"Oh! pray then," it said, for your rulers and land, Nor trust to their prowess alone;

Or think that their wisdom can cause you to stand Unaided from heavenly throne.

"And pray for your Church and its ministers too, Nor lean for Salvation on them;

But look from the stream to the fount whence it flows Through Jesus, the Saviour's blest name.

"We point out the way, and we tell you the road, But are of like passions as ye;'

Our Faith is in Christ, and our Hope is in God,
Yet frail and unworthy are we.

"An interest then we do ask in your pray❜rs, For Spirit of wisdom and light;

That the lives we live, and the words that we preach, Be lamps to the wand'rers of night."

It ceas'd, and I said, " E'en the pow'r, not the form,
Of godliness surely is there;

And words so persuasive, so earnest and warm,
Conviction to each heart must bear."

Once more that glad voice-and again that sweet strain

As told it of Peace in the Son of God's love: "It passeth, I know, understanding," it said

"Oh believe, draw near, and its preciousness prove!"

There's a charm to the flock, when sure feels the heart,
The foot of the shepherd is treading the way:
That he 's tasted the Peace to which he invites,
And knows of the frailties that tempt them to
stray.

The preacher was young, and 't was pleasant to think His hopes and affections were centred above,

The morn of his days, and his vigour and health,
Devoted to God and His message of love.

We may seek to the Lord, when affliction or age

Hath taught us how frail is each refuge below; But, oh sure! 't is an off'ring thrice pleasing to Him, Our energies all in their bloom to bestow.

And I breath'd for a blessing to rest on his head,

And pray'd he replenish'd and further'd might be; As I thought, "O my God! an oblation burns here, With incense acceptable doubtless to Thee.”

1845.

Thou Preacher of Peace to the weary in heart,
Thou faithful disciple of Christ and His cross,
I grieve for the summons that bids thee depart,
And selfishly mourn and lament o'er the loss.

Rich blessings have flow'd from the words of thy lips,

Rejoicing the heart on its journey above; And till, 66 as good steward," Christ hails thee in

bliss,

"God speed thee on still in thy labour of love."

1848.

RIGHTEOUSNESS IMPUTED.

"Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is, through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness." "As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."-PHIL. iii. 9.-JAMES ii. 23.-ROM. v. 19.

I SING a Saviour's righteousness,
Imputed by our Faith-

The blessed robe that justifies,

And saves the soul from death.

I sing his full obedience,

His merits, and his love,
By which we gain acceptance
Before the throne above.

I sing his glorious passion,
His burial and His cross,

His atoning satisfaction

God to reconcile to us.

I sing the hidden life with God,
The righteousness by Faith-
The victory, through Jesus' blood,
O'er Adam's fall and death:

For, as in Adam, sin and death

Are reigning with their thrall;

So righteousness and life by faith
In Christ are unto all.

To God's free grace in Him I cling,
A pardon full to seal;

And praise be render'd as I sing,
For the "blessed hope" I feel.

DAYS PAST.

"The time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains."-Ez. vii. 7.

OH! I have heard of joyous days,

Days full of mirth and glee;

But never was it yet my lot

Those joyous days to see

Days when the merry Christmas peal
Gladden'd each heart and ear,

And hospitality beam'd forth

The trav❜ller's way to cheer

Days when the village-green was trod
By light and airy steps,

And not a heart upon the sod

A single care opprest.