XVI. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION.

O, it is full of joy and pleasantness,

The Sabbath bell, which to God's house of pray'r On God's own day his people bids repair; Aid at his throne to seek, their sins confess,

To speak his praises, and his bounty bless,

And hear his holy word! For with them there
God dwells, and gives them through his Son to share
Health from the Spirit of his blessedness.

But grieve not thou, as if from grace divine
Secluded, nor thy loss too deeply rue,

Whom NEEDFUL cause, not choice, forbids to join
The great assembly! With devotion true

Be thou in Spirit there, and doubt not thine
Shall be a part of God's celestial dew.

XVII. THE CATHEDRAL.

OFT on the HALLOW'D PILES, I love to gaze,
Which our forefathers built: whether the round
Deep arch, and massive pillars quaintly crown'd,
Of NORMAN grandeur; or, of home-born praise,
The lighter forms which grac'd Plantagenet's days,
High-pointed vault, and shafts in clusters bound:
Or where the trellis'd net-work richly wound
O'er TUDOR's roofs and low-brow'd portals strays.
Gaze on them! They are worthy, and declare
A brave munificence! Nor let thy heart
Indulge the niggard thought, that aught is there
Of vain profusion. Noble was the art,
And nobly us'd, which gave their God to share

From his own gifts a large and liberal nart.

XVIII. CHORAL SERVICE. AND well I love the organ's notes to hear Sounding aloud thro' all the sacred pile, High altar, vaulted nave, and pillar'd aisle : Link'd with that sound if voice of anthem clear Alone, or chant alternate win the ear,

Or mingled swell of many tongues; the while
The high-roof'd tower, and arches' lessening file,
Send back the pealing thunder. Heav'n's blest sphere
Resounds with song and harpings: and I deem

The rich-ton'd organ and symphonious choir
Give taste of heaven. Devotion's self may seem
From music's flame to catch a warmer fire;
And wafted by her breath, as on the steam
Of fragrant incense, to the skies aspire.

XIX. THE VILLAGE CHURCH.

DEAR is the ancient VILLAGE CHURCH, which rears
By the lone yew, on lime or elm-girt mound,
Its modest fabric: dear, amid the sound
Of bells, the grey embattled tower, that wears
Of changeful hue the marks of by-gone years;
Buttress, and porch, and arch with mazy round
Of curious fret, or shapes fantastic, crown'd;
Tall pinnacles, and mingled window tiers,
NORMAN, or misnam'd GOTHIC. Fairer spot,

Thou giv'st not, ENGLAND, to the tasteful eye,
Nor to the heart more soothing. Blest their lot,
Knew they their bliss, who own, their dwelling nigh,
Such resting place, there, by the world forgot,
In life to worship, and when dead to lie.

XX. PAROCHIAL SERVICE.

AND dear it is, within the village fane
To go and worship! Simple tho' it be,
Whate'er of pray'r, or holy mystery

To cleanse or strengthen, God hath will'd ordain;
And priest, and sacred truth's unsullied strain,
Are here: nor wants there voice of psalmody,
Rude, but not coarse; then sweetest, when most free
From art, and led by yonder youthful train.
God owns the worship, which his laws approve,
Whether mid populous city, nor the less

In lonely hamlet. Lift thy heart above,

And prosper! He religion's costly dress Rejects not, worn in meekness, faith, and love; And he the lowlier village rites will bless.

XXI. THE CHURCH'S CEREMONIAL
'Tis not that thou art robed in gorgeous sheen,
Thy native charms outshone by jewels' glare:
For one there is, that thus o'ersteps thee far,
Who sits upon her mountain, as a queen.
'Tis not that thou all unadorn'd art seen:

For, far beyond thee, some again there are,
Who count it beauty when they nothing wear
Unclad, or clad in raiment poor and mean.
Not for such cause, lov'd Mother, I admire
Thy features, drest anew in elder days
By holy men but that thy meet attire
Thy form with decent dignity arrays;

Where simple neatness, modest grace, conspire

To deck thy beauty to thy Sovereign's praise.

XXII. THE LORD'S PRAYER. ALL thanks to Him, who taught us how to pray! So taught we beg, our heavenly Father's name, Dominion, will, may have their rightful claim, Be hallow'd, serv'd, obey'd: that He each day May give us needful food, and drive away

Unkindness, danger, sin; and thus proclaim

His kingdom, power, and glory. Do not blame, If, whom she knows "the life, the truth, the way," On his blest word with reverential awe

And grateful faith the Church hath aye relied, And led and modell'd by his perfect law

Her meek devotions! Lord, by thee supplied With light, still near the throne of grace we draw, Thy name our safeguard, and thy word our guide!

XXIII. THE APOSTLES' LITURGY.

IF, by the rule Apostolic, to plead

For all that God holds good, and deprecate
What He holds evil; if with our estate
Our brother man's to blend, and intercede
For friend and foe, but chief that we may lead
In peace, and rul'd by God's crown'd delegate,
Lives pure and holy; if to dedicate

Thanks for past good with pray'r for present need;
Be welcome worship: then content with thee,

My country's Church, I join the voice to raise,
Collect, and psalm inspir'd, and litany,

And hymn of glory. Ever-varying phrase

God seeks not; pleas'd, when from corruption free,

And cloth'd with truth, his Church her homage pays.

XXIV. PRAYER IN CHRIST'S NAME.

Ask you perchance, the throne of grace before,
Why still her pray'rs the Church delights to frame
Of varied form, but gives to each the same
Essential closure? 'Tis that from his store
Of boundless bounties God delights to pour

All good on man in his Beloved's name.

Who prays for aught, in CHRIST must urge the claim: Who calls on God, must by the Son adore

The Father." Blessings of my Father seek,

Seek in my name, and have whate'er ye need!" 1 "Thank God for all things, but your praises speak In Jesus' name!" 2 Thou, who for us didst bleed, On thee we cast us, worthless all and weak, Thy might acknowledge, and thy merits plead.

XXV. DEVOUT WORSHIP.

NAY, sit not there unheedful, nor profane

With attitude of cold indifference

God's worship! Sighs of contrite penitence,

The lowly pray'r that seeks relief from pain,
The hymn of praise, thanksgiving's festive strain,
Claim they no seemlier posture? True; pretence
May mimic, but devotion's heartfelt sense
Devotion's guise will choose. The sainted train,
Apostles, psalmists, prophets; Lord of all,

The Prince of glory, when our form he wore,
With bended knees submissive stoop'd to call

On heaven's high King: yea, heaven's crown'd saints,

The throne of God, in sign of worship fall,

[before

Their crowns cast off, and prostrate there adore.

John xiv. 13; xvi. 23.

2

Eph. v. 20. Heb. xiii. 15.