MUSINGS ON THE CHURCH AND HER SERVICES "HER foundations are upon the holy hills: the Lord loveth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Very excellent things are spoken of thee, thou city cf God."-Psalm lxxxvii. 1, 2. MUSINGS ON THE CHURCH AND HER SERVICES. The sonnets marked thus *, are added to those in the first two editions; thus **, to those in the third; thus ***, to those in the fourth. I. TO MY COUNTRY'S CHURCH. As oft on thee, my country's CHURCH, I muse, I marvel much and grieve that aught should breed Or word to mar thy beauty and refuse II. THE CHURCH APOSTOLIC. SOME are there, nam'd of CHRIST, who think the" see Ilis power conferr'd on one vicegerent man : And some, who deem the scheme republican More near akin to Christian liberty : And some, who, as by light of history The scripture records of God's will they scan, From times primeval mark the self-same plan, Which still prevails, my country's Church in thee, Of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.-Peace to all, Who serve their God in love and faith sincere, Howe'er they serve him! each must stand or fall To his own Lord. For me, with godly fear And awe I listen to my Saviour's call, And here I seek, and trust I find him here. III. TRUE KNOWLEDGE. WHAT IS TRUE Knowledge ?—Is it with keen eye This is TRUE KNOWLEDGE, and "the whole of man." IV.* THE NAME OF GOD.1 CHOOSE WE a TITLE, which may best beseem The world's CREATOR! Shall his name declare Which sleep impedes not, nor can time impair? With all his nature's dread magnificence. On all with awe they gaz'd; but most they viewed With deep delight his moral excellence, Their being's source and stay, and call'd him "GOOD." V. THE WORKS OF GOD. TRACE nature's course; each step the Maker tells! Wise, powerful, good, which form'd them as they are, And still preserves: a host of miracles, Unnumber'd, vast, unceasing! Look around! Look to thyself, thy frame, thy soul: the sign, Deem nature not their author; nor confound 1 See Turner's History of the Anglo Saxons, vol. i. p. 212. 8vo. |