WE ARE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS.

Canst thou do more than duty claims?
Far hence be that ambitious thought!
The wearers of earth's holiest names
Such praise in vain had sought.

The chief who, purest of the great,
The freedom he had won, sustained,
And, unseduced by kingly state,
In private worth remained; -

Through every generous breast his name
Thrills like some burst of glorious song;
How gained he that best earthly fame? -
-Disdaining to do wrong!

He did his duty, and no more.

Do thou, in faith and meekness, thine; And fear thou not, earth's conflict o'er, To meet thy Friend divine.

9

129

LXX.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONFLICT.

LUKE XVII. 20-37.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it. - Verse 33.

In the field of deadly strife,

Lo! in vain the coward flies;
Nerveless to defend his life,
By a shameful blow he dies.

But the brave, with lofty thought,

Not of life but victory,

Where the sternest strife is fought,
Dangers harmless pass him by.

Such the strife we all must wage,
From life's entrance to its close.
Blest the bold, who dare engage!
Woe for him who seeks repose!

Honored they who firmly stand,
While the conflict presses round;
God's own banner in their hand,

In his service faithful found.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONFlict.

Strengthened by the might of prayer,
Heavenly glory still in view,

Who are they, the fight that dare?
Who the foes they must subdue?

'Tis the sacramental host,*

Marshalled by their conquering Lord. Earthly joys they count as lost,

For the hopes his words afford.

What their foes? Each thought impure,
Passions fierce, that tear the soul;

Every ill that they can cure,

Every crime they can control.

Every suffering which their hand
Can with soothing care assuage;
Every evil of their land,

Every error of their age.

On then to the glorious field!

He who dies, his life shall save; God himself shall be your shield;

He shall bless and crown the brave.

"The sacramental host of God's elect.". COWPER.

131

LXXI.

DUTY OF PRAYER.

LUKE XVIII. 1–14.

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. - Verse 1.

SEEK ye the Lord in prayer

young

Ye, whose

bright!

cheeks with health's warm hues are

Yes; in that spring-time fair,

Make ye your Maker's service your delight.
Bow in youth's innocence before his throne,
And make religion's blessedness your own.

And ye, in years mature,

Turn from the toil, the rage, the din, the strife;
With humble hearts and pure,

Amid life's bounties bless the Lord of life!

Seek ye the rays of heavenly wisdom, given
To light through earth's wild mazes up to heaven.

Ye, in declining age,

Pray, while your sun is sinking to the west!

His love your thoughts engage

Who calls earth's wearied wanderers to their rest.
So shall the evening sky with mercy beam,

And faith through opening clouds see glory stream.

THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE'S REQUEST.

133

LXXII.

THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE'S REQUEST.

MATTHEW XX. 17-28.

Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Verses 26, 27.

-

WOULD'ST thou be great in Christ's blest company? Then tread the path which he to greatness trod, And emulate in deep humility

The zeal and patience of the Son of God.

Go, seek the mourner, seek the child of sin;
Pour consolation on the wounded heart;

Strive to his God the erring soul to win,
And bid the pangs of conscious guilt depart.

Enter thy lowly dwelling, and fulfil,

With steady cheerfulness, thy duties there;
Let the blest law of love control thy will,
Yet others' harsher spirit meekly bear.

If wealth be thine, with ready hand dispense
Thy treasure to relieve thy brethren's woe;
Yet seek not thou in fame thy recompense,

But silent as a stream thy bounty flow.