MISSIONS. SPIRIT OF MISSIONS! Spark of genuine flame! In God or man developed, still the same. The same, where'er Messiah's followers go,Lights of the world, to scatter light below. The same, where rise the gorgeous temple's walls, And where on Heaven the forest suppliant calls. The same that bids the herald tempt the wave For burning India, her lost sons to save : Or prompts unnamed philanthropy to trace Through lanes and alleys, misery's dwelling place. The same, where'er benevolence is known,Lingering in hovels, seated on the throne; Thee, Spirit! we discern, and hail thee now, Essence divine, - Religion's daughter, Thou! Ere in the void the firmament was hung, Creation's birth ere stars and seraphs sung, Thou hadst thy being. Thousand, thousand times Ten thousand harps had woke immortal chimes To thy sweet praises, and the song above To thee was rendered, known in heaven as Love. Say, who of mortals introduced thee here, That scribes may miss, - from which the sage may stray. While scanning there the Missionary Boy, The skill of ancients finds perplexed employ; Work to be done, though unchained demons raged. Last words are precious. Who that bendeth o'er The form so loved, so soon beheld no more, And marks the eye, which, at the spirit's flight, Kindles unwonted, quenched too soon in night, — Doth catch not, ere they're hushed in silent death, The lightest whisper of the parting breath, And waits and watches not, in painful fear Lest but one word- the last. may fail his ear? Oh, how intensely Love doth gather these! And to the tittle, will fulfil each word. To God? Past centuries! ye shall answer us. Twilight was gathering o'er the Syrian hills, And day's last gleam lay on Judea's rills; The soothing silence light's departure brings, Came, gratefully, on sober evening's wings; And far round Bethany the influence spread, Which o'er retirement's hour is softly shed; When Jesus, with his faithful followers, came On final errand. Him they knew, the same Late lost in death, but now in triumph found, Revisiting the loved, familiar ground, — Martha and Mary's town, where Lazarus rose ; There doth the Saviour all his love disclose, And give his last command, -fulfilled, when sea, And earth, as heaven, to Him shall subject be: "Go, ye, and teach all nations; in the name Of Love eternal, saving love proclaim." Finished his work, the great commission given, A cloud his car, the God ascends to heaven. Thus are we answered :-Eighteen hundred years Of crime, and blood, and ignorance, and tears, On hoary Olivet have dial kept, And o'er her Lord's last words, the Church has slept. Yet, gracious Saviour, fell thy words on hearts Their field, appropriate, would suffice for them? - The night, that lowered upon the nations, broke; The slumbering Church to duty slowly woke; And here and there, some stars, that tokened day, Were seen to tremble out in gladdening ray :Xavier and Swartz, - to Europe dimly known,With glorious lustre on the Orient shone. And some looked out along this western sky,— Lights of God's kindling, which may never die. Beauty and romance, in rich tints, are flung1 |