SONNET. 67 SONNET. SACRED OFFERING. Matthew, Chapter iv. UPON the mountain's height he stood,- below, The kingdoms of the world around him spread Their glories to his view. The Tempter said, "Fall down and worship me; I will bestow Upon thee all these things." "Hence! thou shalt bow — To God alone!" replied the Holy One; "Him only shalt thou serve. Satan, begone!" Awed by the voice divine, and threatening brow, The Tempter instant fled, and, borne on wing Of love, the ministering angels come In robes of light, and heaven's immortal bloom, Aid from above with gentle hands to bring; And shall we tremble on our high career, When He who guarded Jesus still is near? CANA. J. F. CLARKE. DEAR Friend! whose presence in the house, Change water into wine, — Come, visit us, and when dull work Gay mirth shall deepen into joy, The social talk, the evening fire, For when self-seeking turns to love, The miracle again is wrought, And water changed to wine. SONNET. SONNET. SACRED OFFERING. Luke, Chapter iv. He stood within the Temple; on his brow The people round their gracious Saviour move; The page, with great Isaiah's vision fraught, Then with a voice divine the Master read: "The spirit of the Lord is on me, - taught To preach the Gospel to the poor, and led By Him to heal the broken heart, to preach Deliverance to the captives, to the blind Restore their sight again; and I must reach Aid to the bruised ones, and their chains un bind." O words of love and mercy! still shall rest 69 THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY. T. H. GILL. O MEAN may seem this house of clay, Our feet may mourn this thorny way, This fleshly robe the Lord did wear, This world the Master overcame, O vale of tears, no longer sad, Our very frailty brings us near Such glory strange is given. SONNET. 71 SONNET. SACRED OFFERING. Matthew, Chapter xi. "COME unto me," the heavenly Teacher said, "All ye with labor and with toil opprest, And I will give your wearied spirits rest; And bear my yoke, and in my footsteps tread, For I am meek and lowly, and will lead Your souls to peace; for gentle is my yoke, My burden light." O, not in vain were spoke, Saviour, thy words of mercy, still decreed To cheer my drooping soul, upon its way Through earthly scenes of trial, care, and strife! Yes, I will come to thee; thy words of life Shall calm each anxious thought, and chase away The hopes, the fears, the vain desires, that rise To lure my spirit from its kindred skies. |