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Kind Benefactor! plant within this bosom
The seeds of holiness, and bid them blossom,
In fragrance, and in beauty bright and vernal
And spring eternal.

Then place them in those everlasting gardens,
Where angels walk, and seraphs are the wardens;
Where every flower, brought safe through death's dark portal,
Becomes immortal.

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WHEN Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil;
When Summer's balmy showers refresh the mower's toil;
When Winter binds in frosty chains the fallow and the flood,
In God the earth rejoiceth still, and owns his Maker good.

The birds that wake the morning, and those that love the shade;
The winds that sweep the mountain, or lull the drowsy glade;
The Sun that from his amber bower rejoiceth on his way,
The Moon and Stars, their Master's name in silent pomp display.

Shall Man, the lord of nature, expectant of the sky,

Shall Man, alone unthankful, his little praise deny?

No, let the year forsake his course, the seasons cease to be,
Thee, Master, must we always love, and Saviour, honour Thee.

The flowers of Spring may wither, the hope of Summer fade,
The Autumn droop in Winter, the birds forsake the shade;
The winds be lull'd-the Sun and Moon forget their old decree,
But we in Nature's latest hour, O Lord! will cling to Thee!

MINISTRY OF ANGELS.

SPENSER.

And is there care in heaven? and is there love

In heavenly spirits to these creatures base

That may compassion of these evils move?
There is; else much more wretched were the case
Of men than beasts. But oh the exceeding grace

R 2

Of highest God! that loves his creatures so,
And all his works with mercy doth embrace,
That blessed angels he sends to and fro,

To serve to wicked men, to serve his wicked foe.

How oft do they their silver bowers leave,
To come to succour us, that succour want?
How oft do they, with golden pinions, cleave
The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant,
Against foul fiends to aid us militant?

They for us fight, they watch and duly ward,

And their bright squadrons round about us plant;
And all for love, and nothing for reward:

Oh! why should heavenly Love to man have such regard ?—

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Yet one more task was yours!-your hea-
venly dwelling

Ye left, and by th' unseal'd sepulchral stone
In glorious raiment sat; the weepers telling

From you, the veil of midnight darkness That He they sought, had triumph'd, and

rending,

Came the rich mysteries to the sleeper's eye, That saw your hosts ascending and descending,

On those bright steps between the earth and sky;

was gone!

Now have ye left us for the brighter shore,
Your presence lights the lonely groves no

more!

But may ye not, unseen, around us hover, Trembling he woke and bow'd o'er glory's With gentle promptings and sweet influence

trace,

yet?

And worshipp'd awe-struck in that fearful Tho' the fresh glory of those days be over, place. When, midst the palm-trees, man your foot

By Chebar's brook ye pass'd, such glory

wearing,

As mortal vision might but ill endure;

steps met?

* Ezekiel: chap. i.

Are ye not near when Faith and Hope rise

A kingly character he bears,

high, No change his priestly office knows; When Love by strength o'ermasters agony? Unfading is the crown he wears,

Are ye not near, when sorrow unrepining, Yields up life's treasures unto Him who gave?

When Martyrs, all things for his sake resigning,

Lead on the march of death serenely brave? Dreams!-but a deeper thought our souls may fill,

One, one is near-a Spirit, holier still!

THE CHRISTIAN.

COWPER.

HONOUR and happiness unite,

To make the Christian's name a praise;
How fair the scene, how clear the light,*
That fills the remnant of his days!

His joys can never reach a close.

Adorned with glory from on high,
Salvation shines upon his face;
His robe is of th' ethereal dye,
His steps are dignity and grace.

Inferior honours he disdains,

Nor stoops to take applause from earth;
The King of kings himself maintains
Th' expences of his heavenly birth.

The noblest creature seen below,
Ordain'd to fill a throne above;
God gives him all he can bestow,
His kingdom of eternal love!

My soul is ravish'd at the thought!
Methinks from earth, I see him rise!
Angels congratulate his lot,

And shout him welcome to the skies!

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