And yonder tower of pride is levelled to the ground, And the sturdy oak of passion uprooted in its course;

The flowing tide of sin is driven from its bed, And a new direction given to the stream of thought within.

Awhile it whispers gently, working by degreesBlowing where it listeth, with slow and unseen tread, Cleansing yet the atmosphere of guilt's unhallow'd

breath.

Anon, with furious blast, it hurls the sinner low; And prostration and despair precede the peaceful calm.

Or gently or in fury, in gusts or zephyrs mild, It worketh in its course a renovating change; And bright and peaceful flows the turbid stream of

life,

With quicken'd thoughts and feelings, and longings after good,

And wellings of delight in the service of our God, And ardent love to Jesus for redemption in His blood

That conscious grows the heart of a great and mighty change,

And the breathings of the Spirit whisper, "God hath made us His."

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."-ROM. viii. 16.

THE JOYS OF EARTH.

Thoughts of Seventeen.

"The joy of our heart is ceased, our dance is turned into mourning." LAM. v. 15.

How transient are the Joys of Earth,

How short-lived, and how vain!

Array'd in sunshine at their birth,
To wane in grief and pain.

As wing of Time they fleeting pass;
And like the rose's hue,

They fade, and droop, and die, alas!
When scarcely brought to view.

As sunbeams on a stormy day,

Earth's gleams of Joy flit by, Now flatt'ring with a smiling ray— Now lost in cloudy sky.

Hope's phantom-forms, which e'en appear
As night's fair vision true;
Portraying wishes bright and clear,
To fade in morning dew.

Oh! few the hours of sweet delight,
But many those of woe;

And hearts that rise in joy to-night,

To-morrow's clouds bring low.

Enduring Joy is not of earth,
Tho' ev'ry path be trod—
A plant it is of heav'nly birth,

And blooms alone with God.

"SHALL I MURMUR?"

"What! Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?-JOB ii. 10.

AND shall I murmur, oh, my God!
Because I feel thy chast'ning rod?
Shall I at thy just will repine,
When many mercies still are mine?

Am I not bless'd with house and home,
While pen'ry's suff'ring child doth roam?
Dost Thou not comforts well supply,
Nor lux'ry's soothing balm deny?

Have I not friends, who kindly aim
To soothe and soften ev'ry pain;
And, by a kind and tender care,
Relieve the weight of woe I bear?

Hath not this heart, when good its lot,
To offer fitting thanks forgot?

Then shall I not receive the ill,

Nor murmur at Thy gracious will?

Thy holy word doth oft declare,

Him"whom Thou lov'st Thou chast'nest" here:

Then grant, O Lord, that this may be

A means to bring my soul to Thee.

Yet, Lord of Love, in mercy hear,
In mercy, be not too severe !
Stay, stay Thine hand, in pity stay:
Remember, Lord, I am but clay!

Go, go no farther sooner far
Bid me to leave this world of care;
And grant my soul its sins forgiv'n,
To mingle with the Just in Heav'n.
This, Lord, I ask through thy dear Son-
Yet, "Not my will but Thine be done."

1836.

DEATH.

"What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?" pointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." HEB. ix. 27. 2 COR. vi. 2.

DEATH comes alike to young and old:
Oh! think we, and prepare:

Nor high, nor low, nor rich, nor poor,
His ruthless scythe will spare.

With eagle-eye he keeps his watch
Upon the fatal glass-

Behold,

Ps. lxxxix. 4.

Another day, another hour,
And life's last grain doth pass.

Bethink, vain man, it is the door
That leads thee to thy God!
Awake, arouse, repent-beware
Of His avenging rod!

To-day-e'en "Now's the accepted time:"
Oh! mourn each wasted hour,
Reject the world, its hope, its care,
And seek a Saviour's pow'r.

PRAYER.

"Lord, teach us to pray."-LUKE Xi. 1.

PRAY'R to the soul is meat and drink,
Its vital, quick'ning ray-

The chain that heav'n to earth doth link:
Lord, teach me how to pray!

To Thee, O God, I lift my heart:
Turn not Thy face away-
Give me to choose the better part,
And teach me, Lord, to pray!

To mourn for sin with inward smart,
To ask the life, the way:

O give me words-Thy grace impart-
Lord, teach me how to pray

!